Deadly Heat (Deadly #2)(65)

Kenton’s gaze drifted over the area. There were a few hiding spots that caught his eye. The thick patch of trees to the right. The shadows near the garage on the left. “Where would you hide?” Kenton asked Jon because he knew Jon would find the best spot, the one that would provide a perfect view and the most protection.

“That’s where I hid before.” Jon pointed to the twisting trees.

They took off together, hurrying forward. Jon shone the flashlight on the ground as they tracked.

“Sonofabitch.” Kenton’s breath rushed out when he saw the match. One lone match had been snapped in half and tossed onto the ground. “Let’s get that in to the crime scene guys. Maybe the bastard left us some DNA.” A long shot, because this killer was very organized.

But Phoenix didn’t usually have to worry about leaving prints behind at the fire scenes. The flames destroyed the evidence.

Kenton stared down at that match. Maybe rage had made the perp sloppy. Maybe he’d made one dumb mistake.

If he had screwed up, then… we’ve got you, Phoenix.


They didn’t speak during the ride back to Kenton’s hotel. Lora knew that she could have stayed at the fire station, but the simple truth was that she’d wanted to be with Kenton.

She climbed out of his SUV, still in her bare feet, and wearing a slightly singed T-shirt and skimpy shorts. A man shuffled down the walkway, an ice bucket in his hand.

He stopped and whistled when he saw her.

Just what she wanted. Her eyes narrowed. “Hey, jerk—”

“Fuck off,” Kenton snapped.

Then Kenton was there, catching her hand, pulling her inside room 106 and kicking the door shut behind them.

“Kent, what are you—”

His mouth was on hers. His cock pressed against her, hard and ready, and she held tight to him as the rage and fear and adrenaline bubbled in her blood.

His head lifted, and he gritted out, “When I saw the fire, your house…”

She’d been scared, too, when she saw the flames coming for her. Get out. The words had screamed in her mind, and she’d run from the fire. Run, when she usually fought it.

“I need you,” Kenton growled. “I need you.”

Lora needed him.

Kenton pulled off his holster and set the weapon on the nightstand.

Lora’s hands trembled with the need to touch him. “Kent…”

He kissed her, an open-mouthed, tasting kiss that had her leaning into him. Her hands slipped between their bodies and she found the top of his pants.

He caught her hand, stilling her fingers. His head lifted and he stared down at her with glittering eyes. “Not fast.” He kissed her again and let her feel the sensual lick of his tongue.

He pushed her back onto the bed, and the mattress dipped beneath her. His hands stroked her body, not wild with the fierce passion they’d shown before, but soft and gentle as he stripped her.

His arousal pressed against her, long and thick, and she spread her legs, trying to feel more of that thick bulge against her.

“Easy, Lora…” His whisper.

She didn’t want easy. She reached between them again and pulled down his zipper with a hiss. His erection sprang into her hands. She stroked him, loving the feel of that hot skin.

He caught her hands and pushed them back against the mattress. “Easy.” An order this time.

She stared up at him, her heart racing in her chest. His scent surrounded her, his body pressed against hers, and she wanted him inside so badly that she ached.

Fire. Hell.

Life.

Because when she’d seen those flames and heard the crackle of the fire—in those moments before she’d run for freedom—Lora hadn’t thought about Carter or about what could have been with him.

She’d thought about Kenton.

Heard him screaming her name.

She’d run through the flames. To him.

Kenton’s mouth skimmed her jaw, then he kissed his way down her neck. A shiver had her breath catching when he licked her throat.

“I’m going to taste every inch of you.”

Her legs shifted restlessly against his.

He freed her hands and rose onto his elbows. “Every inch, sweetheart, and I’m going to take my time.”

Oh, yes.

His head lowered and his mouth took her nipple. When he sucked her, she arched off the bed. His hand eased down her body, and he pushed his fingers between her legs. His caress was slow and steady, and when he slipped one finger into her and sucked her breast, she whispered his name. She wanted her release but—

She loved his mouth.

And Kenton was working that mouth so well. He licked his way to her other breast and let her feel the soft bite of his teeth as he scored her flesh. He took her nipple into his mouth, and his tongue tasted her as he worked a second finger into her sex.

Gentle. Soft. She’d only known lust and need with him before, but this was different.

He wasn’t just taking her body. With every kiss, every touch, he seemed to be taking her. Claiming her, body and soul.

The soft stubble on his cheeks scraped her stomach as he pressed kisses down her body. She held herself still, almost afraid to move, because she didn’t want this moment to end.

His dark head lowered, and his hands closed around her thighs. “Kent,” she breathed his name.