Promises of Mercy(Montana Promises-Book 1) (8 page)

He rubbed a thumb across her lips and confusion rippled through her.

“You don’t have to be in control all the time, you know, tiger.”

“I haven’t been in control at all lately.”

“I know just what you need.” Next thing she knew he lifted her in his arms. “Sleep, and lots of it,” he said.

She agreed,
but having him carry her seemed odd. “I can walk,” she said when he reached the hallway.

“No doubt you can, but I want to make your life easier.”
The hint of a smile relaxed her.

Stone Benson was an amazing man
, but if he walked out of her life right now, she’d be even more devastated.

Chapter Eight

Amber was light as a feather. Stone worried about her not eating enough. The best thing would be to tuck her into bed and slip out. Tomorrow he had to be back at work, and that meant a 3:15 a.m. wake-up time. Drake had taken Stone’s shift when he’d needed to be with Amber, and now he had to return the favor.

There were two doors on the right side of the hallway. One must be Amber’s room and the other Chris’s. Stone didn’t want to make a mistake and walk into the wrong one, stirring additional grief.

“Which room, baby?”

“The second door.” She wiggled in his arms as if she didn’t want to be a burden, but from the way she’d wrapped an arm around his neck, she enjoyed being held.

He nudged open the door with his hip. As soon as he stepped in, she reached behind them and flicked on a switch. A delicate pink lamp lit up next to her bed.

He set her on her feet but kept a hand on her back until he was convinced she was steady. He expected her to turn, thank him again, and walk him to the door. Instead, she stared as if confused, looking lost like a small child.

Now what?
“Let’s get you into some pajamas.”

He fully anticipated rebellion on her part, but instead, she
stepped to the side as if she’d lost her balance again. Whether it was from the alcohol or exhaustion, he couldn’t tell. All he knew was she wasn’t fully there. She might have hidden her sleepwear under the pillow, but he walked over to the only dresser in the room and opened the top drawer. Panties and bras.
Wrong one
. The second drawer held T-shirts and shorts. The last one gave him what he was looking for— flannel nightgowns. Given it was summer, they might be too warm.

“What do you wear to bed?”

“Um. A tank and panties.”

Shit
. He should probably walk out now, but as a paramedic, he’d removed more than his share of clothing from a victim and had always remained professional. He could do that now.

Or so he hoped.

He located a fairly conservative tank top and tossed it on the bed. “Come sit down.”

As if on autopilot, she did as he asked. He almost missed the feistiness she’d exhibited with Cade. To be honest, he’d never seen a woman go off on his roommate like that. Had it been under better circumstances, he might have enjoyed it.

Cade was always in control. When Amber had challenged him, his roommate looked startled and a bit guilty. Maybe there was hope for him after all.

Stone knelt, tugged off her shoes, and set them next to the door he assumed was the closet. She wore a black dress under a fitted gray jacket that didn’t have any buttons
and which came slightly below her breasts. Her makeup was minimal, probably because most had washed off with the tears.

He slipped her jacket from her shoulders, stepped over to a door that turned out to be the closet, and hung it up.

“Go ahead and take off your dress, baby.”

As if he didn’t exist, she stood and reached behind her to unzip the back but struggled with the zipper tab.

He rushed to her side. “Let me help.”

He turned her back to him and unzipped her. Stone was worried. A few minutes ago, she was asking him about his hobbies and where he’d last traveled. Now, she appeared as if she’d gone to some new place. He hoped it was nicer there.

Steeling himself against her allure, he dragged the dress down her shoulders until the material pooled at her ankles.

Don’t look
.

“Step out of this.”

She lifted her foot, moved to the side, and repeated with the other leg. Then she sat back on the bed. “Will you stay with me?”

Her voice came out so thin, his gut twisted. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He picked up her dress and hung it next to the jacket. If he stayed, he’d want to hold her, soothe her, and love her. Under the circumstances, that wouldn’t be fair
to her.

The tank lay beside her. In a quick motion, she unhooked her bra and tossed it on the floor. His cock went rigid.

Leave. Now
.

Staying would only cause more problems, but could he abandon her? He glanced down at the gorgeous woman.
Jesus
. He’d have to be made of steel not to be affected. Her breasts were small and high—delicate and tender looking.

Don’t be a pervert.

Stone turned to the side instead of facing away from her because he didn’t want her to think he was rejecting her. Didn’t she know being together after what she’d been through wasn’t right?

“Stone?”

Her voice cracked again, and he faced her. She wore her tank top, but her nipples still protruded. “Yes, baby?”

She turned around, pulled down the covers, and slipped in. Relief poured over him. “Can you stay with me for a while?”

She’d been through so much. “Sure.” He sat on the side of the bed and brushed an errant hair from her face. “Go to sleep.”

“Hold me?”

He was afraid she’d want more, and he couldn’t say no. “For a few minutes.”

He kicked off his dress shoes, and the relief was instant. Nothing else was coming off though. He stood, tugged down the spread, and crawled in next to her. Her subtle perfume had a hint of roses that filled his nostrils. He could only hope his thick slacks hid his erection. Amber turned on her side, her back to him, and snuggled closer. He worked hard not to let his groan escape.

He’d promised to hold her, and hold her he would. Once he gathered her in his arms, his lips met the top of her head. When every inch of her fit snuggly against him, a cloud of contentment filled him. She wiggled her butt, hopefully just to get comfortable, and his testosterone levels soared.

He closed his eyes
and pictured her injured brother. His cock softened by half. Then she twisted around in his arms and faced him.
Not good
. “Amber?” He wouldn’t have said anything had her hand not rested on his cock.

“Yes?” She looked up at him. Her eyes were wide and her bottom lip drawn in.

“What are you doing?” He worked to keep his words even.

She fumbled with his buckle and he shot his hand between them to stop her.

“Please, Stone. I need to feel alive. I’m so dead inside.”

Christ
. The one glass of wine must have gone to his head, because it sounded like she wanted him to make love to her. He wanted nothing more than to oblige, but as stupid as it sounded, he didn’t want her to hate him in the morning—or rather hate herself.

* *

Amber admitted she was probably being rash asking a man to make love to her, but she not only needed him, she wanted him. Stone had been so nice and comforting, and right now, there was nothing that could help the ache go away faster than feeling him all over her body.

She reached up and kissed him before he had the chance to turn away. The moment their lips made contact, heat seared her, and her body exploded with need. The urge to grab his cock again was strong, but she feared he’d leave if she did.

Wanting more, she reached down, clasped his hand in hers and dragged it up between them. Even though she was the one placing his palm on her breast, her nipple puckered.

“Amber, you’ll regret this.”

She liked it better when he called her baby. It sounded nicer and more caring. “No, I won’t.” She wouldn’t. She knew better.

His fingers suddenly shot to life, and when he plucked a sensitive nub, all sorts of erotic reactions stimulated her. She wanted more. If she could have slid her hands down his pants and touched his hard dick she would have. Instead, she pressed her palms against his chest and thrilled at his muscular hardness.

His lips captured hers, and this time his tongue teased her mouth open. She couldn’t tell if it was her heart banging against her chest or if Stone’s also added to the intensity, but she’d never been more alive.

Their tongues met and, like a starving animal, she dove in.

Stone pulled back seconds later. “I can’t.”

Disappointment collided with shock. Before she could stop him, he dragged back the covers and sat up. He bent down
to slip on his shoes.

When she found she could speak again she asked, “You’re leaving me?” How could he do that?

He froze then slowly turned around. “I won’t lie. I want you—bad—but I have to demand a rain check. The next time will be the right time. I promise.”

“Now’s the right time.” She sounded petulant, but today had sucked, and the only way to made it better would be to have a naked Stone hold her tight.

His face softened, and his beautiful green eyes changed to a lighter color. “You have to trust me on this.” He returned to putting on his shoes. In a flash he stood. “I have to be at work by 4:00 a.m. I’ll be in touch, but know you can call me anytime if you need me.”

She needed him now. Wanting to escort him to the door, she sat up and her head swam. Dizziness swamped her.

He knelt back on the bed and lowered her down. “There you go.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead then brushed her lips. “Sleep.”

As if he had some supernatural power, he disappeared. Seconds later, the soft click of the front door closing reached her. “Damn you, Stone Benson.”

She buried her head in her pillow and let out all of the anxiety, frustration, and fear that had consumed her in the last few days. She pounded the mattress until she tired and fitful sleep consumed her.

* *

Cade sank back in his chair when he spotted Emma Luther’s parents come through the station door. His failure at finding their daughter’s killer left a bitter taste in his mouth that never seemed to lessen. He stood and held out his hand. Mr. Luther shook his. The mother did not. He had no visitor chairs in front of his desk, so he slid his own to the side and motioned for the mother to sit.

Mrs. Luther took the offer and wove her fingers together. “I heard another person was murdered at the hospital. A young man who’d been paralyzed.” She blinked and her chin wobbled.

“Yes.”

“Are their deaths connected?” Mr. Luther’s voice sounded raw as if he and his wife had spent endless hours talking.

Cade believed so. “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to discuss the second case either.” The parents wanted details, and he couldn’t blame them, but rules prevented him from telling them more. 

“What can you tell us? Are you still working on Emma’s case?” The father stiffened
, acting like he wanted to do battle.

Over the last month, both of Emma’s parents had suffered terribly. Whereas Mr. Luther looked gaunt, Mrs. Luther seemed to have ballooned. His aunt had done the same thing when Tanya had been killed.

“I swear to you, I’m working night and day on this case. It’s as important to me as it is to you.” He knew that wouldn’t satisfy them, but it was all he could give them.

Mr. Luther’s hands fisted. “Bullshit. And you know it. Emma was our daughter. You never even knew her.” His lip curled.

Having a shouting match in the precinct, or anywhere, wouldn’t do anyone any good. Cade held up his hands. “You’re right. I didn’t know Emma, but I have personal reasons for wanting to solve this case. I never meant to imply something else.”

“Come on, Diane.” Mr. Luther helped his wife up. “We’ll be back, detective.”

Cade had no doubt they would. As soon as they left, he dragged his chair back to his desk and dropped down more defeated than ever. He really had no idea where to look next. The thought of waiting until another patient died shredded his gut.

The hard strike of boot heels slapping the entryway tile made him look up. Stone. He rarely came to the station. Cade studied his best friend’s expression but couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Their hours hadn’t meshed in the last few days, though in all honesty, he got the sense Stone was avoiding him. After Cade brought Amber in, he’d expected a response, though why Stone hadn’t confronted him these past few days was anyone’s guess—unless Stone needed time to calm down.

“Cade.” His roommate planted his palms on his desk.

Here it comes
. “Shouldn’t you be at work?” He wasn’t ready to talk about Amber yet or that interview fiasco. Cade knew Stone had been her pillar of strength, and from his newfound serious demeanor, he had strong feelings for her.

Stone’s eyes widened. “I work the four to four shift four days a week. Haven’t you paid attention?” He straightened. “Don’t answer that. Ever since that young girl died, you’ve not been yourself.”

“I know.” The image of his cousin refused to leave his mind, too. “Emma reminds me of Tanya.”

“I’m aware of that, but you can’t let that cloud your vision.”

“You came here to be my nursemaid?” He cocked a brow. A tiny part of him recognized he just might need the help.

Stone shoved his thumbs into his pockets
. A glint of a smile surfaced and Cade’s blood pressure lowered. The tension that constantly surrounded him had skyrocketed in the last few weeks.