Midnight Exposure (Midnight #1)(65)

Reed’s pulse pounded as he cruised up the inside of her thigh. She groaned and scissored her legs. But he continued up to her hip bone and teased her, licking at the dent next to it.

He couldn’t hold back any longer. He kissed his way across her pelvis and settled between her legs, pushing her thighs open wider until she was spread out before him like dessert.

Their eyes met. Hers were dark and unfocused.

Perfect.

He explored every inch of softness, paying attention to her whimpers and moans to find just the right spot until Jayne’s body quaked with a violent orgasm. Her limbs went pliant and sank back to the floor.

“Jayne, look at me.”

Blue eyes opened, dazed.

Reed moved over her and slid inside. She was wet, still tight and throbbing. She bowed back as he thrust forward. His body took over, finally where it wanted to be, so deep inside her he no longer could feel where he ended and she began.

“Reed.” Her nails dug into his back, and she clamped around him.

Reed tried to hold back, but her response wrung him out in just a few hard thrusts. The pressure built from his spine. His heart jackhammered. His lungs heaved. He had no choice but to follow her over the edge. It would be like this always. He collapsed on top of her. His limbs twitched as he shuddered with aftershocks.

So much for maintaining control. Jayne made him feel things he’d never before experienced.

He levered onto his side and watched her recover. Her body was limp and damp, flushed all over, tempting him to start again. He would never have enough of her.

The phone rang and Reed reluctantly picked it up. The caller ID screen displayed a Philadelphia exchange. Not trusting his voice, he handed the receiver to Jayne. She answered in a sleepy voice Reed hoped her brother would attribute to actual sleep.

Two minutes later she tossed the phone aside, rolled over, and draped an arm across his chest. Her eyes flickered with regret. “No flights tonight. My brothers are driving up. They’ll be here midday tomorrow.”

Reed stood and scooped her off the floor. He carried her to his bed and crawled in with her. The sheets were cold. Jayne curled up against his body for warmth. He had only one night to hold her close. He was going to savor every second of it. Regardless of his intentions or the fullness of his heart right now, Jayne had a life halfway down the East Coast, one that didn’t include a stalker. Her brother’s call confirmed that she’d be much safer at home.

It would be wrong to ask her to stay. He brushed a hand over her hair. But his heart was a selfish bastard. That’s exactly what it wanted.



He descended into the bowels of his house. Even through the soles of his boots, a chill settled into his feet as they hit the concrete.

With skeletal fingers he set a Tupperware bowl containing oatmeal cakes in the box next to a Ziploc baggie of mistletoe pollen. His hands were gnarled, bone-thin from weight loss, and his grip weaker than it should be for a large man.

He retrieved the wooden bowl and set it in the box with the other things for the ceremony. And the note he’d carefully written for his loved ones. If he wasn’t saved by the ritual, he didn’t want to go on.

No question. No hesitation. No indecision.

He knew what was coming. He’d seen other members of his family waste away. If this didn’t work, there’d be no more living for him, just a slow torturous death. Better to die on his own terms, with a shred of dignity. He could start over in the afterlife. Not so awful for him. He was tired of it all, anyway.

He needed to think about his family here on Earth, though. His salvation would be theirs as well. This disease had plagued his kin for generations. There was no reason to think it would end with his death. More hinged on this upcoming ceremony than his own wretched existence. Much more. His bloodline. The suffering of future generations.

A few minutes later he climbed the stairs and closed the basement door. The hinges squeaked. He winced at the noise and shot a look to the recliner in front of the TV. The body sleeping in the comfortable chair didn’t stir.

His body ached to sink into blessed unconsciousness. He could no longer remember when he’d last even dozed. Yesterday? The day before?

Would death be a relief? Would he be rid of this disease when he moved on to the afterlife? He could only hope.

He tucked the package under his arm and crept into the mudroom. His heavy outerwear hung neatly on pegs, dry and ready. He shrugged into the parka, ski mask, boots, and gloves. The storm had abated, but he was not so foolish as to ignore winter conditions. His life was in its last season, his time as limited as the remaining days of winter.

He slipped out into the night. Above him, moonlight filtered through blowing clouds. The weather would be cold and clear for the solstice. Tonight he’d check on Jayne, make sure she was safe, and present her with a gift befitting a goddess.

A goddess whose sacrifice could save him. As befitting her station, he must pay homage to her with an offering.

Then he had to get rid of the man who stood in his way, Reed Kimball. As soon as Kimball was dead, Jayne was his.

He opened the shed and started up the snowmobile. The shed was far enough from the house that the engine noise wouldn’t wake anyone.

Hopefully, he’d be finished with his quest and back in the house before the rest of the household woke. He turned the machine in the direction of the woods and the game trail that led north, toward Reed Kimball’s house.