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Tori finished and drew her thoughts to the present. Guy could see the resignation in her eyes. “It’s all in there.” She pointed to the folder between them on the table.

Knowing he had no other choice, Guy slid it toward her. As she read, he wished he’d talked her into returning to the library where they would have had total privacy. Though they had the coffee shop practically to themselves it was still too public at the moment. What little color had been left in Tori’s face when she’d reached the end of her dream was draining rapidly. He’d never seen anyone so pale who still had a pulse. Her pupils were dilating, like she was about to faint and her hands were shaking so badly that he doubted she could actually read the page.

Without warning, Tori dropped the folder, slid out of the booth and ran from the coffee shop. Guy grabbed their things, tossed a twenty on the table to cover their untouched coffee and raced after her.

“Tori, stop!” Guy shouted, chasing her across the parking lot. “Tori!” He had to catch her before she reached her Jeep. Fortunately, his longer legs closed the gap just as she grabbed the door handle. Guy extended his arm above her shoulder and leaned his hand against the top of the door to prevent her from opening it. “Tori.”

“No. Not now. I have to go,” Tori’s voice was unsteady.

“Just wait one minute.”

“No. I can’t do this now.” Her shoulders jumped.

Guy turned her and held her tightly to his chest, trapping her between his body and her Jeep. “You don’t have to say a word but I can’t let you take off until you calm down. I know your mind is reeling, hell, mine is too, but you killing yourself in an accident isn’t going to solve anything.”

“Let go.” She struggled unsuccessfully.

“I can’t. You’re too important to people around here. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you because I let you drive away.” He was desperate enough to use brute force but only as a last resort. “And what about Diana? She’s already had one scare this week. If you won’t stay a few minutes for me, do it for her.”

Tori slumped against him. “That’s so not fair.”

“I know but did it work or do I have to come up with something even more shameless?”

Wordlessly, Tori handed Guy her keys.

“That’s my girl.” Guy kissed her forehead. “Now put on your coat before you freeze to death.”

“You sound like Diana.” She let him close the zipper.

“That mean you make a habit of going off without your coat when it’s this cold?”

“No. But since I grew up where it never got below fifty, she’s afraid I’ll forget if she doesn’t keep reminding me.”

“I can’t imagine not having seasons. Isn’t it weird?”

“Not when you’ve never had them.”

“Good point.”

“Hey, Guy, since you’re going to keep me here until you’re satisfied that I’m capable of driving, even though I already am, could we maybe get in and turn on the heater?”

“You planning on shoving me out the door so you can take off?”

“No. I’ll stay. I’ll even sit in the passenger seat.”

He opened her door and handed her the keys. “You said you’ll stay and that’s good enough for me.”

Inside the Jeep, Guy clasped Tori’s hand, needing to maintain contact. When she looked at their hands and raised an eyebrow, he chuckled. “If you’re thinking I’m holding on because I don’t believe you, you’re wrong. I trust you, Tori. I’m just a little rattled at the moment and touching you is making me feel better. If you’d rather I didn’t, I’ll let go.”

“It’s okay.”

They sat in silence.

“You’re going to tell your brother-in-law.”

“I have to.”

“In case the extra things I said could help find them.”

“Yes.”

“Am I going to have to go there? To Springfield and answer questions?”

“I don’t know but I’ll try not to let that happen. Maybe if you’ll talk to Todd, he can keep you out of the rest of it.”

“When?” She paled again.

“Soon, but I’ll see if I can put him off for a few days if you want me to.”

“Can I think about it a little?”

“Sure.” He handed her one of his business cards that he’d added his personal numbers to. “Give me a call tonight or tomorrow.” She nodded. “Tori, he’ll need to hear all of it, including what you left out earlier.”

She looked startled but didn’t deny it. “It doesn’t have anything to do with what they did to that Mindy.”

“He’ll still need to know. You could bounce it off me first. It might not be so hard to say if you’ve already spoken about it.”

“I can’t,” she insisted, her eyes refilling with tears.

“Aw, Christ. I’m sorry.” He lifted her across the Jeep and onto his lap, tucking her head under his chin.

A short time later, through her sniffles, Tori asked, “You always do this?”

“Do what?”

“Touch people so much.”

“Family and close friends, yeah. Potential witnesses or victims, never. Do you shy away from physical contact with everyone or just me?”

“Everyone, but how did you know?”

“Experience. I have four sisters and dozens of cousins. Add in all their friends over the years and I can honestly say that you are the first female who resisted being held once the tears started.”

“But I didn’t push you away.”

“I know and the Alpha male in me thanks you for that.” He managed a smile. “It’s highly inappropriate for me to be asking this but are you involved with anyone?”

“Involved as in dating? No.”

“Thank God. That’s one line I haven’t crossed with you.” He cuddled her close again for a few minutes. With a sigh, Guy shifted her back to her seat. “I guess I should let you get home. Call me when you get there?”

“Guy.”

“Please, Tori. I’d much rather follow you home but I won’t if you humor me.”

“Fine. Jeez, you really are as bad as Diana.”

“Then you’ll call her too?”

“Always do,” she frowned. “You’re going to want to hear about the others, aren’t you? And Todd.”

He nodded. “Eventually but I won’t push.”

“Thanks but you might have to. I, um, I am sorry I didn’t tell you the other part today.”

“You going to?”

“Yeah.”

“Then there’s no need to apologize. You’ll tell me soon enough. Until then, I’ll demonstrate my unlimited patience and wait for you to be ready.” Guy cupped her cheek and couldn’t resist running his thumb over her lips. “Soft. So kissable. Tell me to get out now before I forget that I’m ignoring how much I want to get involved with you.”

Tori pressed against his hand for a split second before drawing back. “Please go now, Guy.”

“Take your time and drive safely. And don’t forget to call me.”

Tori rolled her eyes but agreed.

Halfway out of the Jeep, Guy paused. “If you need anything, literally anything, no matter what time it is, I’m just a phone call away.”

“Guy.”

“Don’t say it. I know it’s too soon for you to accept that I mean that unconditionally. You’ll learn.” He squeezed the hand that was clutching the steering wheel. “Let me know what you decide about meeting with Todd.”

Chapter Six

For four days, Tori kept looking over her shoulder, expecting to find Guy lurking in the shadows. She hadn’t spoken with him since she’d called Sunday morning and asked him to hold Todd off as long as he could. He’d agreed, telling her that he’d relayed everything she’d said and the authorities were already working with her information.

Tori hadn’t slept well all week but for a change, it wasn’t due to bad dreams. No, the trouble now was her overactive imagination. Whenever she relaxed, her thoughts drifted to Guy, no matter how hard she tried to resist. She kept remembering how strong and solid his chest had felt when he’d held her. She couldn’t forget the fleeting kiss and wondered what it would have been like if she hadn’t chased him out of her Jeep. What would it be like for Guy to pull her onto his lap for reasons other than to comfort her?

“Forget it, Banks,” Tori muttered, pounding her pillow into a more comfortable lump. “You’re not really infatuated and neither is he. It’s just a reaction to the circumstances. So what if he’s tall, dark and handsome? You don’t do casual sex because it’s not worth it, remember? You’re waiting for a guy who means something even if it takes another six months. Sure, he’d make you forget all about what Russ said about coming for you but you can’t use him like that even if he might be willing. So what if he’s probably even better than your wildest dreams. He’s off-limits and that’s final.”

No amount of self-admonishment could prevent Tori’s mind from drifting into a fantasy of what sex might be like with Guy. She imagined him beginning by caressing her cheek as he had but not stopping there. His hand on her face had been gentle but he was such a strong man. Once he got excited would his strength become more apparent? Tori pushed her shirt up and out of the way. Her hands covered her breasts, squeezing them lightly as Guy might when he first touched her. Closing her eyes, she could almost see the hunger on his face. Her fingers found her engorged nipples. She pinched them, wishing her hands were rougher on her skin, more like Guy’s would be.

Her back arched as if she was offering herself to Guy’s mouth. She gasped at the thought of how it would feel to have his lips close over her nipples. Would he begin by kissing them? Would he draw as much of her breast as he could into his mouth while his hand worked the rest of it? Would he tease her before zeroing in on her nipples? When he did, would he suck them gently or devour them? Would he bite her flesh, marking her as his?

Tori slipped a hand into her pants. Squeezing her legs together, she covered her mound. If she did that with Guy would he coax her legs open or work his hand straight to where he wanted it? Her fingers pressed her slit. Imagining Guy had her soaked. She spread her legs and dipped her fingers into her pussy, coating them with her juices, spreading it over her stiff clit. Would Guy want to taste her? Yes, she believed he would. He’d lick and nibble his way downward from her breasts, settling between her thighs, all the while teasing her, stroking her with his fingers. Tori’s own imitated what she thought Guy’s would do. Only his would feel so much better. They were thicker and longer and he could angle them differently than she could. Tori moaned as her hips lifted, pressing her fingers deeper inside her needy pussy. How she wished it was Guy’s hand instead of her own!

Her mind went back to dreaming about having Guy’s mouth take her. He’d point his tongue and use it to penetrate her, like a miniature cock. Then he’d circle her clit, tormenting her until she begged for more contact. Finally, he’d give in and flick her nub. Or would he flatten his tongue and lick her? Would he alternate sucking her clit and fucking her with his tongue? Maybe all of it or he would if she had any choice in the matter. He’d also pump his fingers in and out of her pussy while his lips claimed her clit. Tori focused all her attention on her sensitized bud. The more she thought about Guy, the faster her fingers went. She knew he’d make her come first. He might profess himself to be an Alpha male but something made her certain that he’d be a considerate lover, giving as much pleasure as he took. Mm, he would be so good. Tori twisted her nipple as she imagined Guy would. She pressed her clit harder and harder, working herself into a frenzy. Finally, when she was nearly breathless, she allowed herself to come.

Satisfied, Tori drifted into an uneasy sleep. She was already tossing and turning when Russ’ excited laughter invaded her mind. Stan’s, much louder, joined in until Russ silenced him. Full of nervous anticipation, they watched the old man cradle each kitten in turn, speaking softly to the mother the whole time. He assured her repeatedly that no one would hurt her babies and that he and Kimmie loved them as much as she did. He was still sitting with them when a little girl bounced into the room. Immediately, she was by his side, chattering to both him and the kittens.

“Careful now, Kimmie. Don’t squeeze. That’s the way,” he crooned.

Soon Kimmie was giggling happily with all four kittens crawling all over her. The mother cat had settled onto Sam’s lap, enjoying his stroking as she kept a close eye on her rambunctious litter.

When the kittens tired out, Sam and Kimmie returned them to their box and went to the kitchen. Sam prepared a snack while Kimmie did her homework. They remained there until Kimmie’s mother arrived to take her home. At the door, Kimmie asked Sam if he knew how to bat. She wondered if he could teach her because she wanted to play softball on the school team with her friends in the spring.

After they left, Russ motioned Stan from their hiding place. “This is going to be so much fun.” His tone and expression were crazed.

“What are we gonna do, Russ? You got an idea yet?”

“Oh yeah. She wants to learn to bat, we’ll show her how to bat. Soon as we’re sure today’s visit wasn’t a one-time thing we’ll give her a lesson she’ll never forget.” His laugh was pure evil. “Batting practice. Yeah, this is going to be good.”

Tori’s scream echoed around the bedroom as she jolted herself awake. She bolted from the bed so quickly the covers were still tangled around her legs. Before she freed herself, she landed flat on her face on the floor.

“Oh, ouch, damn, that hurt.” Tori’s voice was as unsteady as her legs. “You are such an idiot,” she chided herself as she moved through the house, turning on every light. She had just lit the last one when the phone rang.

“Oh God, they found me,” Tori gasped as she backed herself into a corner.

“Tori, it’s me, Guy. I know you’re up and I’m pretty sure you’re listening. I’m sorry if the phone scared you but I thought it would be better than pounding on the door.”

His voice drew her toward the machine. “Guy,” she whispered, unable to believe it was really him.

“I drove up a few minutes before you turned on all the lights. I don’t really know what I’m doing here. I was asleep but something woke me. For some reason, I had the feeling that you were afraid. I couldn’t shake it so I drove over to check on you. Tori, can you hear me? I’m worried about you. Can I come in please? I don’t want to impose and I won’t stay longer than it takes for me to see that you’re okay. Call me paranoid but I’m not going to calm down until I see you, whether it’s now or in the morning when you leave for the library. I’ll wait out here if that’s what you want, Tori. I’ll have to start up my truck now and then to run the heater a little so don’t worry when you hear—” The tape was full so the machine cut him off.