Justice Healed (17 page)

"What about you?"  Tanner pressed a kiss to her temple.  "Did it bother the future doctor?"

Madison shrugged.  "Not really.  I have a cast iron stomach."

Tanner sniffed the air.  "Speaking of cast iron stomach...honey, is something burning?"

Oh shit.  The steaks.

Tanner dumped the charred meat into the trashcan, trying hard not to burst into laughter. 

"I wanted to cook you dinner," Madison sniffed.

"I like my steak medium."  Madison's chin began to wobble.  He pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair.  "Hey, it was my fault.  I knew you'd put the steaks on but I didn't pay attention and kept talking until they were burnt."

She looked up at him, clearly not buying his argument.  "It was my job to watch the steaks, not yours."  She chewed on her bottom lip.  "I think you should know this is not the first meal I've cooked that's ended up in the trash."

Tanner quirked an eyebrow, happy to see her expression clear.  "How many have there been?"

Madison sighed.  "Too many to count.  I'm a terrible cook," she pronounced, as if daring him to say something about it. 

He wasn't that stupid.

"Honey, I'll just check the refrigerator.  Maybe I can whip us up some scrambled eggs or something."

She shook her head.  "No need.  Sherry gave me a pizza coupon today when I told her I was going to fix you dinner.  I'll give them a call now.  What do you want on your pizza?"

This time he couldn't hold back the laughter.  "Sherry gave you a coupon?"

"She did.  And I'll thank you not to tell her what happened here tonight."

"Honey, your secret is safe with me.  And I'm not picky about my pizza.  Whatever you want, I'll eat."

Within minutes the pizza was ordered and they both had glasses of iced tea.  There was still one more thing he needed to tell her.  He simply could not keep this secret from her, and in truth he wanted her advice.  They settled in front of the fire while they waited for their dinner to be delivered.

"There is more to tell you," he said.

"You've had a busy day, apparently."  Madison stretched out next to him and rested her head on his shoulder.  "I'm listening."

"First, I'd prefer if you didn't mention this to Sherry, or anyone.  I'd like to keep this quiet."

"Okay.  I'm a doctor, Tanner, I can keep a secret."

"Yes, I bet you can.  That's why I'm mentioning this.  This needs to stay confidential.  But I don't like keeping secrets from you."  Tanner shifted restlessly.  He was threading the needle here, but the need to protect those he loved was strong.  "What if the DEA is in the middle of an investigation in this area?  What if two rival drug cartels are fighting over a drug route to Canada?"

Madison sat up, her brows knitted.  "I'd say that would be dangerous.  For everyone in Springwood."

She was quick and smart.  "If such a thing were to happen, hypothetically speaking, the DEA might be looking at people who came to town right before all the violence broke out six months ago."

She looked confused for a moment, and then her expression cleared.  "There is such a person."

"Hypothetically there is.  If they were looking at this person, it would probably mean he or she has a potential to be dangerous."

She nodded.  "That's why you sent Chris to Arizona."

"I would have sent him either way, but it was great timing."

"What about Emily and Abby?"

"Emily will be in Billings for the time being.  Abby is another story."

Madison was quiet for a long moment.  "What are you going to do?"

That was the
million-dollar question.

"I don't know.  The one thing I do know is that you need to be careful.  Be cautious as to who you spend your time with and try not to be alone when you go places."

He knew that would frustrate her.  She made a face and pulled her knees in, wrapping her arms around them.  "I'm not sure I like this pretend situation."

"I don't like it much myself, but if anything happened to you, I'd like it even less.  Can you do that for me, Maddie?  Will you be careful?"

"I will," she agreed.  "I'm not too concerned for myself.  You're the law in this town.  I'm worried about you."

"Don't.  Hypothetically speaking, no one knows I'm aware of any investigations that might or might not be ongoing."

Madison sighed.  "Will you let me know when this hypothetical situation is over?"

The doorbell sounded before he could answer.  Madison hopped up but he held her back, going to the door himself.  He paid for the pizza and led her into the kitchen.

"I'm not trying to scare you.  I just want you to be on your guard, that's all.  You're very trusting, Maddie.  I need you to be just a little less for awhile."

"I will, but I doubt you need to worry about me in the least.  I'm sure I'm off anyone's radar."

"I just want you to be careful and aware."

He felt better that he'd said something to Madison.  He couldn't ship her out of town as he could his children, but he needed to make sure she was safe. 

She placed two plates on the table and he flipped open the box, the aroma of garlic and tomatoes making his stomach growl.  He'd barely eaten today and he was starving.  Within half an hour the cardboard box was empty and his stomach was full.  He pushed back his plate with a sigh.

"That was good.  I really needed a good meal after today."

Madison reached for their plates and popped them in the dishwasher.  "I want you to let me spoil you tonight."

Tanner wasn't sure what that entailed but he was completely on board with the idea.  He couldn't remember the last time someone had wanted to spoil him.  If ever.

"Yes, ma'am.  I'm putty in your hands."

Madison rolled her eyes.  "You are far too alpha for that to ever happen."  She folded the pizza box and shoved it into the large trashcan right outside the door to the garage.  "Why don't you go sit by the fire?  I just need to get a few things."

He didn't argue.  Instead he found several cushions and stretched out in front of the warm fire.  It might be March but spring came late to Montana.  He was lost in the flickering orange and red flames when Madison sat next to him.  Her floral scent mixed with the oak from the fire and swirled around him, making him think of all the decadent things they could do to one another.  Her skin and hair would be magnificent by firelight and he reached for her, unwilling to wait another second. 

"Not yet."  Madison placed her hands over his.  "I want to take care of you."

"I can think of a few things that would do just that." 

He brushed her soft lips with his and they parted, inviting him inside.  He could feel the blood pumping through his veins, roaring in his ears.  The kiss was searing hot, branding his heart and soul.  This woman had become everything in such a short time.  He pulled away reluctantly, hesitant to break the spell but needing to be closer.  He reached under her sweater but she smiled and twisted away.

"Not yet.  Take off your shirt and pants and lie down."

Her tone was commanding without being overbearing.  She probably used it on naughty children who wouldn't sit still for a flu shot.  Unfortunately for her, he wasn't a kid anymore. 

"Why would I be doing that?  Are you going to get undressed, too?"

She sighed.  "You're going to be difficult
, aren't you?  I told you I want to spoil you.  Help you relax."  Her hand went behind her back and brought back a heating pad, a towel, and a bottle of lotion.  "I want to give you a back rub."

He literally could not remember the last time a woman had massaged his aching shoulders.  It had probably been in the early days of his marriage but those memories had dimmed over the years, some by accident and some by design. 

"Honey, you don't have to do that." 

Why in the fuck was he arguing?  He wanted to feel her hands on him, but he felt guilty.  She worked as hard as he did.  He should be spoiling her.  After all, Madison could have any man she wanted.  A beautiful doctor could do a lot better than a middle-aged sheriff, complete with his own deluxe set of personal baggage.

"I want to.  Will you please?"  Her lower lip was protruding in a cute little pout.  He couldn't say no.  He stripped off his shirt and pants and settled his torso on the towel she had laid down on the rug.  He rested his head on his crossed arms and tried to relax, but just the anticipation of her hands running all over him had his pulse jumping. 

He heard the lotion top flip open and then she was rubbing her hands together.  She straddled his hips and leaned over him, her breath warm and soft against his neck.  At the first touch of her warm palms, he had to bite back a groan.  Her hands worked up and down his back, stroking and kneading the tight muscles
until they were soft and pliant.  He exhaled slowly, feeling any residual tension from the day drift away.  Now the only tension he felt was created by Madison herself. 

He was hot and hard, fighting his instincts to roll over and take control.  Tanner wanted to strip the clothes from her body and have her here and now, burying himself deep inside of her.

He didn't do any of those things.  Instead he allowed her to massage his aching body, her fingers working on an especially tight area around his shoulders.  It was heaven and hell as her hands glided across his back.  She hummed softly as she worked.  A song he'd never heard of but would always now attach to this moment.  He tried to concentrate on anything but the feelings she was evoking with her touch.

He closed his eyes as Madison placed the heating pad on his back and began working on his thighs.  This time he did groan when her fingers brushed near his groin.  He was throbbing and the pleasure was painful.  He had to grit his teeth to fight his natural urges.

"You're tensing up.  I can feel it."  Her voice was soft in the dim light of the room.

He lifted his head slightly.  "Honey, a man can only stand so much torture.  I'm hot, hard, and horny.  It's all I can do not to rip the clothes from your body and take you right here in front of the fire."

There was silence and then the heating pad was lifted from his back.  "Okay, that sounds good."

He didn't need a second invitation.  He rolled over and immediately started tugging her sweater over her head.  She giggled and slapped his hands away, pulling it off herself.  Her jeans, bra, and panties followed until she was sitting in front of him in nothing but her socks.  Her creamy skin glowed in the firelight
, beckoning to his fingers.

Tanner grinned.  "You going to leave those socks on, honey?"

She gave him a shy smile despite her state of undress.  "My feet are cold."

He stripped them off her feet quickly.  "Let's see what I can do about that." 

He placed her feet in his hands and started working on the arches and heels.  She moaned and fell onto her elbows, her head thrown back, long hair in a pool on the rug.  He rubbed her ankles and worked his way down to her toes before leaning down to press a kiss to each dainty instep.

"Warmer?"

"Much," she gasped.  "Nobody warned me that the foot is an erogenous zone."

Tanner hadn't known himself but one look told him the tale.  Her chest was rising and falling, her breath coming in pants.  Her skin had turned a warm, rosy glow and her eyes were closed as if she wanted to savor every caress.

He kissed a trail up her calves, over her thighs, hips, and belly, until he was hovering over her breasts.  He traced a circle around her nipple leaving it wet and shiny, and then blew on it gently, watching it pucker from the sensation.  He repeated his ministrations on the opposite side.  Madison's back was arched and her lips parted. 

He couldn't resist and swooped in for a long kiss, taking his time and exploring his woman's mouth.  He wanted to kiss and love her all night but his cock ached and the blood pounded in his veins.  He needed her now.  He couldn't remember wanting anyone this badly.

He trailed a hand down her body and watched her squirm at the contact.  He cupped her mound and pressed a finger inside, testing her readiness.  He slid in and she surrounded him, slick and hot.  Her fingers clutched his shoulders, digging in as he swirled his digit around while his thumb brushed her pearl button.

She gasped and opened her eyes.  "Now, Tanner.  I need you now."

He loved her unashamed response.  She made him feel more of a man than he'd ever dreamed.  He kicked off his jockey shorts and donned a condom, his fingers clumsy with haste.  He might be in a hurry to be inside her, but once he was he intended to take his time.

He hovered over her, slowing the pace despite his cock screaming for satisfaction.  Luckily he was no longer a schoolboy, at the whims of his overactive libido.  He was a grown man and he was in control.  He stopped to look at her gorgeous body, her long red hair in disarray.  Every curve and slope of her flesh called to him, enticing him to kiss or touch it. 

He pressed his lips to her abdomen, dipping his tongue in her belly button.  Madison's fingers curled into his hair and he heard the soft intake of her breath.  He positioned his cock between her thighs and put his weight on his forearms.  Her long legs wrapped around his middle and he slowly, inexorably, pushed forward.

She was warm and welcoming, her pussy stretching to accommodate him.  The vaginal walls hugged him tightly and he gulped for air, dragging it into his starved lungs.  Every nerve ending on his cock was alive and pulsing.  It felt as if they were one human being.  So closely tuned, he could feel her heartbeat next to his as they marched in time.