The Deputies: 3 Novella Box Set (22 page)

Madison’s brows rose. “Could be. You won’t find out if you’re not here though.”

“I don’t think this is meant to be,” Tabby said miserably. “The timing sucks. We’ve both got busy lives and careers. Heck, I’m supposed to be in Seattle in a couple of weeks.”

“Seattle?” Tanner stopped talking to Sam and turned his attention to her and Madison. “Did you mention Seattle? That’s where Maddie’s dad and stepmother live. We went to visit a few months ago. Nice city to visit. Too big for me though. I like having some elbow room.”

Sam sat back and draped his arm across Tabby’s shoulders. “Me too. Los Angeles had its good points but I missed the wide-open spaces.” He gazed down at Tabby and for a moment she thought she saw the same look in his eye as Tanner. “Is that where you’re heading?”

“Eventually.” Tabby didn’t want to talk about leaving. It made her depressed and sad that their time was running out. “I have some stops to make first. I’m meeting my sister there. We’re going to compare notes on locations and decide which to put on the show.”

He didn’t have time to reply as the large hall filled with people was called to order. The bingo began and her fellow players were competitive. With each successive game, townsfolk jumped up and yelled “Bingo” with such glee it made Tabby laugh and smile. Even if they only won a few dollars, everyone was jazzed just to be the winner. By the time the final pot of five hundred dollars was announced, the crowd was primed and ready to win.

The caller started reciting numbers and Tabby dutifully marked off each one. When he called out “B9” she reared back in her seat, looking at her card in disbelief. Sam put his hand on her shoulder, his brows drawn down in concern.

“Are you okay? Do you need some fresh air?”

The room was hot but she didn’t want to go outside at the moment. She pointed to her card.

“I won,” she whispered. “At least, I think I did.”

Sam’s face broke into a grin and he put up his hand. “We have a bingo here!” he said in a booming voice. Dozens of heads whipped around, craning their necks to see who had won the big jackpot of the night. Heat flooded her face and she wanted to crawl under the table. They might be upset that a stranger had won the big prize.

Ten minutes later, after they checked her card and confirmed her win, the caller was handing her ten crisp fifty dollar bills. His eyes were sparkling and his smile was wide when he took in her still shocked expression.

“You won, little lady. Congratulations! Hope it helps to pay off the damage to your car.”

“How did you know about that?” Tabby tilted her head in question.

The older man just laughed as he turned to go. “Not much secret in a town this size. Everyone knows about you and that you’re here because of Addie.”

“I still feel guilty winning though.” Tabby sighed and stared down at the money in her hand. She didn’t really need it. She was paid well by her parents’ company and even the deductible on the car insurance would be taken care of by them since it was a company car.

“Why?” exclaimed Madison. “You won fair and square.”

Tabby shrugged uncomfortably. “Someone local should have won.”

“You paid to play just like everyone else,” Tanner replied reasonably. “We all had an equal chance. You won. Simple as that.”

“Technically I didn’t pay. Sam did.” She tried to shove the bills into Sam’s pocket. “This money is really yours.”

Sam stepped back and captured her hand, guiding it back into her purse. “No way, honey. These are your winnings.” He leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss on her forehead. “But I will let you buy the coffee and dessert. How about it?”

He was as generous as he was handsome. “Sounds like a plan. Madison and Tanner, would you join us? It’s on me.”

Tabby really liked being in the couple’s company. They were nice people who seemed to care not only for each other but for Springwood. Tanner pushed up the brim of his cowboy hat and nodded.

“That’s an offer I won’t refuse. Let’s head to the diner. I promise you they make the best chocolate cake in town.”

Madison’s eyes went big. “That fudge frosting is to die for.”

“Chocolate is my favorite,” Tabby replied with a smile. She could think of a few uses for fudge icing and they all had to do with licking it off Sam’s body. One look at his face and she knew he was thinking the same thing.

“Mine too.” His eyes were warm as they gazed at her, making her shift under the scrutiny. No one looked at her the way Sam did. He looked at her as if he couldn’t get enough. It was thrilling and scary all at the same time.

Sam linked his arm in hers and led her out of the center and onto the cold sidewalk. She’d had fun tonight. There hadn’t been a fancy nightclub or sophisticated friends talking about the latest gallery or restaurant opening. It had simply been a good time with friendly people.

And as much as she’d enjoyed the evening, she was ready to get Sam home. Tonight would have to last her a very long time.

Tabby and Sam rushed through coffee and dessert so quickly they may have been slightly rude to Madison and Tanner. Hurrying to eat their chocolate cake, Sam’s hand had wandered up Tabby’s inner thigh under the protective covering of the table. As his fingers played, she’d found herself increasingly unable to put sentences together in a coherent fashion. Eventually, he’d made their excuses and they’d dashed to his truck barely able to control themselves as Sam had driven the few blocks back to his bungalow.

Tabby dropped her purse on the kitchen counter and frantically pushed her coat off her shoulders. Sam was working on the fire and she tried to tamp down her impatience. By this time tomorrow, she’d be hundreds of miles away from here. Sure, they’d said they would keep in touch but that could just be talk. Tonight could be their last time together.

Tabby kicked off her boots and padded over to the rug in front of the fire where Tink had been sleeping peacefully. Sam had given her a quick walk and she was now curled up on the couch snoring after downing a chewy treat.

“You know they knew what you were doing. They knew why we ran out of there.”

He shrugged off his coat and poked a stick at the yellow-orange flames.

“They’re newlyweds,” Sam chuckled. “I don’t think they minded. I bet they’re home doing exactly what we’re doing.”

“We’re not doing anything yet,” she complained but her voice came out husky instead of plaintive. Sam leaned down and pulled her into his arms, kissing her for several minutes, slowing their pace and making her blood hum in her veins. What this man could do with just a kiss should be outlawed in all fifty states.

“We will be,” he promised. “All night long.”

She’d never experienced anything close to a lovemaking marathon but he seemed like a man who kept his promises. Pressing herself closer to his muscular body, she could feel the heat emanating from his skin. She wanted to run her hands all over his yumminess, kissing and touching every square inch.

“I need you.” Tabby licked at his collarbone, his skin salty on her tongue. “I can’t wait.”

She was already consumed by flames and it was only the beginning. Her fingers went straight to the snaps on his shirt and she jerked them open to reveal his wide chest. He grinned at her impatience and tugged the fabric down his arms and tossed it away carelessly before popping open the buttons on his fly. He paused briefly and gave her a look that promised heaven and sin combined.

“This isn’t a strip show, honey. Lose those clothes.”

Her mind moved faster than her hands causing her to stop and start a few times with the button on her pants. Her socks were the last to go and she added them to the pile of clothes strewn on the floor. Stepping back to take in his beauty, she had to suck in a breath to keep from fainting.

She dropped to her knees in the flickering firelight and reached out her tongue to swipe at his already hard cock. Sam’s hands went under her arms and immediately lifted her back to her feet with a tortured groan.

“That feels too good. The first time tonight is going to be hard and fast. I’ll be able to take my time afterward.”

Tabby had never been the type who enjoyed a “quickie” but she was just as anxious as he was. Her nipples were hard and tight and her pussy wet and needy. Arousal had already started to build in her abdomen and she ran her hands up his torso to pull his mouth down to hers. Their tongues tangled and danced, their bare bodies brushing and sending arrows of pleasure straight to her clit.

“I don’t think I can wait, Sam,” she gasped as his fingers plucked and twisted her sensitive nipples. He didn’t bother to answer her, instead lowering his head to pull a pink tipped breast into his mouth. Her fingers clutched his shoulders as the urgency inside her built. She felt so empty and only he could fill her up.

Somehow he managed to wrangle a few cushions from the couch and tossed them on the floor in front of the fireplace. Sam and Tabby fell in a heap on them, their bodies wrapped around each other and their breath becoming increasingly ragged. His teeth gently scraped her nipple and she moaned and dug her fingernails into his back, rubbing against him.

His thick cock was trapped between them and he groaned at the friction their bodies created, whispering in her ear that she was a naughty witch. Tabby laughed delightedly at the characterization and then didn’t laugh at all when he pressed open mouthed kisses down her stomach and straight to her already dripping cunt.

She screamed at the first touch of his tongue, its devilish antics taking her to the edge of release almost immediately. He explored her folds and swiped at her clit over and over until she grabbed his head with her hands, her fingers tightening in his silky dark hair.

He growled and pulled away, fumbling in his pants pocket for a condom and rolling it on. Tabby pulled him close and he thrust into her, going all the way to the hilt. Her toes curled and she threw her head back at the exquisite sensation of finally being filled by him.

“Yes. Yes,” she chanted as he started to fuck her hard and fast. There was no slow buildup, no gentle loving. Sam was claiming her as his own. This was a branding and she would never be the same after tonight. He’d ruined her for any other man. They all paled in comparison to Deputy Sam Taylor.

Labored breathing and sweaty bodies, he rode her as if his life depended on it. Each stroke took her higher and higher until she finally couldn’t hold back any longer. Her body convulsed around him and she screamed his name as wave after wave slammed into her. Pleasure so strong it was almost pain suffused every pore and she didn’t fight it. Instead she let it wash over her like the tides.

“Fuck. Tabby. Fuck.” Sam’s voice was raw and gritty as she watched him fall over the cliff with her. His eyes closed and he groaned his satisfaction. When it was over, he rolled to his back, holding her damp body close to his.

She’d never been fucked so thoroughly in her life. He’d wanted her as if his very breath was caught up in making love with her. It was a heady feeling and she let herself bask in the warmth of his desire and need.

Sam placed his hand under her chin and tilted her face up so she was looking at him. “That’s just a preview of coming attractions. We’re not going to get much sleep tonight, honey.”

Tabby pressed her face to his chest, his heart thudding against her ear. “We’re not going to get any sleep, Deputy. Let’s head to the bedroom.”

Pushing thoughts of tomorrow out of her head, Tabby and Sam lazily moved into the bedroom. Everything she’d ever wanted to do in bed with a man she was going to do with Sam.

Tonight.

Chapter Nine

S
am lifted Tabby’s suitcase and tucked it into the trunk of her sedan. They both hadn’t said much this morning. There wasn’t much to be said. Tabby had a job and she needed to go. Period. They’d known from the beginning she couldn’t stay.

He’d woken up early, long before the beams of sunlight illuminated the bedroom. Holding her close, he’d tried to memorize the softness of her skin, the silky feel of her golden hair, and the soft fragrance that surrounded her. Already he was thinking about when he could see her again. Perhaps he could meet up with her at one of the locations she was checking out and spend a few days together. Madison and Tanner would be happy to watch Tink for him.