A Profiler's Case for Seduction(48)

She clutched at his shoulders as he continued to possess her, his stokes beginning to accelerate, his breathing harsh and ragged. She raised her knees, allowing him deeper penetration. A rising storm built up inside her and she bucked her hips to meet his.

The storm centered and swept over her, shuddering her from head to toe and leaving her gasping in its wake. At the same time Mark stiffened and groaned, reaching his climax.

He collapsed at her side and the room held only the sounds of their quickened breaths slowing to normal. She’d just assumed that now that they were finished Mark would slide out of the bed, get dressed and leave her, like all the men in her life had done before him.

She released a small sigh of surprise as, instead, he rolled over on his side and leaned in to give her a long, tender kiss. “That was unbelievably amazing.”

What was amazing was that they were finished and his eyes still held a sheen of desire coupled with such tenderness it threatened to force tears of joy.

“It was wonderful,” she agreed. “And thank goodness you didn’t drift off in the middle of it.”

He laughed and ran a finger down her cheek, grazing her skin softly. “There was no way I was going to miss one moment of loving you. I was happily present for every single second.”

“You know I would have slapped you otherwise,” she said teasingly.

“And it would have been a deserved slap.” He moved his fingers to thread through her hair. “So soft, so silky,” he murmured.

As he pulled her back into his arms, she snuggled against his warmth, wishing she’d met him years ago, wishing he’d been her first, before the other men who had made it impossible for her to ever think about a forever with any man.

* * *

There was no question about it, Mark was on the precipice of being completely in love with Dora Martin. As her warm curves filled his arms and she fit so neatly against him, he knew she was the woman who would complete him.

She got him. She got his dry sense of humor, his quirkiness, and most importantly, she understood and didn’t resent his momentary absences when he drifted into the deep thoughts inside his own head.

They were counterparts in many ways. She was outgoing while he was more of an introvert. She was filled with a light that drew him out of the darkness. She was good for him, and she made him want to be good for her.

He knew the moment she fell asleep, and he tightened his arms around her, as if to capture her close to him forever. He had no intention of sneaking out of bed and leaving her and returning to his motel room. He wanted to wake up to the morning with her still at his side.

The candlelight cast dancing shadows all around the room. He thought about getting up to blow out the candles, but they were in big jars and he wasn’t concerned about a fire hazard. Besides, he didn’t want to wake her now. He was afraid if he did she might decide to send him on his way.

He admired her desire to get her degree, to better her life, and he understood with two failed marriages behind her that she was gun-shy about relationships. But even if this case was solved and he returned to Dallas, that didn’t mean things between them had to end.

Dallas was only a short commute from Vengeance and he would never get in the way of her life plan. He’d like to think he could walk beside her on her path through the rest of her life.

Sleep came and with it the nightmare of Melinda. Once again she was heavy on his chest, her lush lips red and wet, as if she’d just eaten somebody’s soul. Her eyes glittered with the harsh glint of madness released and her laughter held an edge of both intense pleasure and hysteria. Mark felt the tightening of something around his neck. She was mocking him.

He couldn’t move his arms and he wasn’t sure if it was the strength of Melinda’s thighs that held them tight against his side or if he was bound in some way. He only knew he couldn’t defend himself against her...against them. Helpless, he was utterly helpless as Melinda and a man laughed while he slowly died.

He came awake with a frantic gasp, his heart racing painfully and a choking sensation in the back of his throat. He fought the need to cough as he felt the warmth of Dora still in his arms, as he oriented himself to the single flickering candle that had not gone out.

Closing his eyes once again despite the fact he knew it would be some time before he fell back asleep again, he went over what apparently was becoming a recurring nightmare.

Despite the fact that they had a viable suspect in jail, his mind refused to let go of the theory of Melinda’s involvement in the murders.