Road to Danger Read online

  “Can’t help you with most of that but I have run you a nice hot bath.”

  Really? Mallory had never had a man run her a bath before. Not once.

  “You ran me a bath,” she parroted, still not sure he’d said what he said. “Like a for real bath?”

  “No, a pretend bath,” he teased. “I’m going to strip you down and place you on the bathroom floor. You can play like there’s water there and I’ll video the whole thing and put it on YouTube.”

  She narrowed her eyes and elbowed him in the ribs. He was so solid he didn’t even flinch. He’d probably barely felt it. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “I wouldn’t,” he agreed. “But you have to watch me every minute. I’m known for getting the most creative revenge on my brothers and cousins. You don’t want to piss me off, babe.”

  “I’ll take that under advisement.”

  She kind of admired his nimble mind. Along with a few other more…physical attributes.

  Taking her hand, he led her into the master bath where he had, indeed, run a tub full of steamy hot water. The lights were off but there were candles all over casting a golden glow over the room. A stack of towels had been placed on a chair and a glass of red wine sat on the edge of the tub.

  The room was warm and humid, the air scented delicately with something floral. Perhaps jasmine? She didn’t know if it was the water or the candles but the whole room had taken on an otherworldly feeling. They were the only two people left and this room was their entire universe.

  Carter plucked an item from the vanity. “I looked spa baths up on the internet and they said that women enjoy bath pillows. I don’t have one of those. I do have this blowup roll-pillow for my neck that one of my brothers gave me for Christmas one year when I was having back problems. It’s not ideal but it’s better than nothing.”

  Mallory had to clear her throat to dislodge the lump that had taken up residence there. He’d gone to so much trouble. Not only had she never had a man run a bath for her, she’d never had one go to such lengths to make it special.

  I take back everything I said about him that first night.

  Taking the pillow from his hand, she placed it next to the wine glass. “You are so getting lucky, Carter Anderson. Brace yourself.”

  His face lit up and his smile widened. “What about your bath? The water will get cold.”

  “We’re going to generate enough heat to make the water boil.”

  * * *

  They never made it to the bathtub.

  Carter didn’t know if he’d been the first one to make a grab for her or if she had grabbed him, but they’d ended up with Mallory sitting bare ass naked on the vanity and him standing between her spread thighs. He kicked away his jeans and boxers while her impatient fingers tugged his t-shirt over his head. She tossed it on the floor where all the rest of their discarded clothing had piled up. They were too busy to care. Damn, but he loved a woman who went after what she wanted. Mallory gave as good as she got, and she wasn’t shy about it.

  He couldn’t touch her enough, his hands running all over her silky soft skin. Cupping her breasts, he played with the nipples, watching them tighten right before his eyes. The fact that he could affect her this way had aroused him as well, his cock standing at full attention. Already aching, ready and eager to sink deep into her tight heat.

  Mallory giggled when he tickled a spot at the base of her neck with his tongue so he nipped at the skin until she was writhing in his arms. Her head fell back and she closed her eyes, licking her full lips. Was there any more beautiful sight than this woman laid out bare before him like an X-rated buffet? She was gorgeous and he couldn’t believe that there had been a time when he’d thought they didn’t have anything in common. They had chemistry to spare and she made him laugh, too.

  How lucky could one man get?

  Burying his face in her long fragrant tresses, he nudged at her entrance before realizing his memory sucked. He’d shoved condoms in the pocket of his jeans. Just in case she was overwhelmed with lust and gratitude that he’d run her a bath. He just couldn’t believe that it had actually worked.

  Carter backed away slightly and she whined, her fingers tightening on his arm. “Easy, babe. I need to get some protection. It will only take a minute.”

  Scrambling to retrieve the foil packet, he heard another giggle and turned to find her hand clapped over her mouth trying to keep in the laughter.

  “What’s so funny?”

  She removed her hand but the laughter kept coming until she had tears leaking from her eyes. Bewildered, Carter was starting to get concerned and a little pissed off. They were having a carnal moment here and now she was laughing.

  “Care to share what’s so damn funny?”

  She pointed at him, her face bright red, her shoulders shaking with mirth. “You–you–you mooned me, Carter Anderson.”

  Inwardly groaning, he slapped his forehead in shame. Christ, he hadn’t even been thinking about it. He’d just been in a hurry to grab the condoms.

  Way to ruin a mood, Romeo.

  “I’m so sorr–”

  He never finished his apology because she’d smashed her lips against his. Okay, maybe the mood wasn’t as damaged as he’d thought because her hands had wandered down below his waist and were doing naughty things to his cock and balls. She scraped her nails gently over his sac and he almost went down to his knees as the arousal coursed through him, centering on his lower back. There were so many things he wanted to do to her but once again his impatience was winning out.

  “Like that?” she asked, an angelic smile on her face. She kept doing it over and over until he finally had to step away or embarrass himself. She took that as an invitation to hop down from the vanity and begin kneeling, but he quickly lifted her back to her feet with his hands under her arms.

  “No, babe. One touch of your pretty mouth and I’m going to disgrace myself. I feel like a horny teenager with you. There’s so much I want to do to your body but I can’t wait to be inside of it.”

  She nodded knowingly. “I understand. I can’t seem to wait either. Is that bad?”

  “No, we’ll get around to that other stuff eventually. Now get your gorgeous little bottom back on that vanity. Since you’re as impatient as I am, let’s get this show on the road.”

  He’d never slapped on a condom that fast but somehow the two of them maneuvered the offending piece of latex on his cock. It had been a team effort. Four hands, twenty fingers, all with one goal.

  With one thrust he was in deep and he had to pause to savor the absolute supreme feeling that came over him. Her tight walls hugged him, pulling him in even more. Her nails dug into his shoulders as he drew back almost all the way out before thrusting inside. Again and again he pistoned in and out, never getting enough of her. Her scent, her skin, her sighs and moans. From the sounds she was making he’d found a sweet spot that he simply had to give more attention to.

  Lifting her right leg, he draped it over his shoulder while letting her lie farther back in his arms, their gazes locked. The pressure built in his lower back and his balls drew up tight as he rode her hard, rubbing that spot deep inside of her over and over. With every stroke her breasts jiggled and he couldn’t help but watch in rapt fascination. Her long, dark hair was damp and clung to skin that was covered in a light sheen of sweat. Her full, pink lips were parted as she panted and groaned his name. There was nothing more arousing than Mallory saying his name. He didn’t know why, he just loved it.

  When she screamed his name it triggered his own release and he thrust in one last time, his climax ripping through his balls and almost sending him to the floor with its force. He had to lock his knees to keep his legs under him as they both rode the waves of their orgasms, her walls clamping down on his cock. He didn’t know how long they sat there on the vanity locked in each other’s arms, trying to suck oxygen into their starved lungs. They were wet, sticky, and overheated with dumb smiles pasted on both of their faces.

&nbs
p; “I think we both need that bath now,” she said, pressing her lips to his damp shoulder. “Want to join me?”

  Hell yes. Maybe this time they could do all those things – like foreplay – that they never seemed to have time for.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

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  A few days later, Mallory looked like she was going to explode. She hadn’t been allowed to go to work and she’d spent her days following Carter around and her evenings in Dizzy’s home. She was watched constantly and clearly the stress was taking its toll. He wanted to do something special for her, an activity that would get her out of the house. She was in desperate need of fun and a distraction. Jason’s investigation was grinding along and in the meantime she had to be protected.

  But that didn’t mean she had to stare at the same four walls every day. He’d talked to Jason and made some plans that Carter hoped she’d enjoy.

  “What do you think we should have for dinner?” Mallory said when they came home from the office. Her shoulders were slumped and she looked a little sad. Hopefully that would change in the next three minutes. “How about chicken?”

  He was teaching her to cook and she was a terrible student. That was fine because there wouldn’t be any cooking tonight. He was taking her out. She just didn’t know it.

  “Actually, we have plans. Slap on some lipstick or whatever you women do to look even more ravishing than you already are, and we’ll go.”

  Stopping in her tracks on the way to the kitchen, she whirled around her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Can we do that? I mean, Jason probably wants me to stay in the house. It’s easier to watch me that way.”

  “I already talked to Jason about this,” Carter assured her. “The guy isn’t going to try anything in public. That’s not how they think he works. Jason and Brinley are going with us along with Wyatt in another vehicle. So what do you say? Want to go on a double date?”

  “Yes,” Mallory replied, her hands clasped together in excitement. For the first time today her smile seemed completely genuine. “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise, honey. No need to dress up. In fact, you might want to wear your pajamas.”

  She approached him, placing her warm hands on his chest and sliding them up and around his neck. “Carter Anderson, you know I don’t wear pajamas.”

  He did and it was glorious.

  “I was being facetious, but seriously you don’t have to dress up or anything. This is totally casual, but I think you’ll like it.”

  “And it is Jason approved?”

  “He thought it was a great idea. Brinley’s been itching to get out of the house as well so Mom and Dad are going to babysit.”

  For a moment a picture of himself and Mallory with a baby passed through his brain and he almost choked on his own spit. Not once in his life had he ever imagined having a child with any of the women he’d dated. Never. And now he knew why. It was terrifying. Not just the being with one woman thing, that wasn’t too scary. The part about being responsible for a tiny human being, however, was enough to scare the hell out of him. How did Jason not worry every single minute of every single day?

  “Are you okay?” Mallory asked, placing her hand on his cheek. “You turned really pale there for a minute.”

  No, I’m not okay. I’m clearly hallucinating.

  “I’m fine.” He bent his head and brushed her lips with his. “Go freshen up. Jason and Brinley will be here any minute. We’ll pick up dinner on the way.”

  Mallory laughed as she headed down the hall. “So mysterious. You’re not going to tell me where we’re going?”

  “A man has to have his secrets, woman.”

  The biggest secret might just be how important she was becoming to him.

  * * *

  Mallory had to give Carter credit. He wasn’t the typical kind of guy that she usually dated. That first night she’d thought that was a bad thing but now she was thinking that it was good. Very good.

  He’d brought her to the drive-in.

  A real, old-fashioned drive-in that people rarely saw outside of old films. Jason and Brinley had picked them up in their roomy minivan and they’d stopped to pick up cheeseburgers, fries, and sodas on the way. They’d even made a pit stop for candy, too. Cocooned in their little world – a blue Honda Odyssey – she felt completely safe from whatever was out there and trying to hurt her. Wyatt, the poor man, had the crappy job of following them in his own vehicle. He looked out of place sitting in his car all alone. He was getting some strange looks but, bless him, he simply smiled as they walked by.

  “We should get Wyatt some popcorn,” Mallory suggested. “He’s getting stared at. At least we should make it look like he’s watching the movie.”

  It was a double feature and from the look on Carter’s face when they’d rolled up to the gate he hadn’t checked what they were playing. It was a tribute to John Carpenter and they were showing Halloween and The Fog. Probably not the ideal viewing for a woman who was being stalked by a serial killer but she’d quickly assured him that she was fine with it. Mallory liked horror movies and these two in particular. She didn’t feel scared because she was fairly sure she wasn’t the long lost little sister of Michael Myers, nor had Tremont been cursed a few hundred years ago.

  “He’s fine,” Carter assured her. “He’s got tons of food in that car, including a double cheeseburger with the works and those curly fries he likes so much. As for getting stared at, believe me, Wyatt doesn’t give a shit.”

  Mallory craned her neck to see out of the window. Wyatt did appear to be totally okay sitting by himself watching horror movies, but it still didn’t seem right.

  “He might get scared all by himself.”

  She must have inadvertently made a joke because all three of them burst out laughing. Carter cleared his throat and explained their mirth.

  “Honey, Wyatt is married to a horror junkie. She owns a haunted hotel and entertainment location. Haunted hayrides. Ghosts and zombies jumping out at you. She also designs spooky shit like masks and those animatronic figures that are used to decorate haunted houses. At this point, I bet he’s completely immune. If Jason himself came out of those trees with a machete, Wyatt wouldn’t break a sweat.”

  Wyatt’s wife sounded interesting and someone that Mallory wouldn’t mind meeting someday. “A haunted hotel sounds really cool. Are there really ghosts?”

  “When this is all over, I’ll take you there for the weekend and you can find out for yourself,” Carter promised. “How does that sound?”

  “Deal.” She nudged Carter’s arm and nodded toward a sedan that was parked a few spots down. “Look at those kids. I remember doing the same thing when I was in school.”

  One teenage boy was opening the trunk of the car and two males climbed out. They’d snuck in so they wouldn’t have to pay.

  “Those boys are pretty tall. It had to have been a tight squeeze in that trunk,” Mallory laughed and Brinley joined in. “When I was young, the girls always got stuck in the trunk because we were smaller.”

  “Looks like those boys are alone,” Jason chuckled. “Sticking females in the trunk is not a good way to impress your date.”

  “Should we tell them that?” Brinley teased, popping a fry into her mouth. “Sometimes I miss being a teenager. Everything was so simple then.”

  Mallory spent most of her days with teenagers. “I wouldn’t go back for anything. So much angst. What about you, Carter? Would you be a teenager again?”

  He hadn’t said a word for too long. His entire body was tense and his gaze was zeroed in on the kids.

  “What’s wrong? It was harmless fun. You’re not going to tell on them, are you?”

  Dragging his attention from the teenagers, he shook his head. “No, I don’t care about that. But…they made me think of something. Jason, all those people at the rest stop were cleared. But what if…what if the killer was in the victim’s trunk? He could have got in before the rest stop and then fled out into the woods. He wo
uldn’t be seen. He’d only have to go a couple of miles before he got to that little dive bar off of the highway. You know that little hole in the wall place that keeps getting shut down. He could have called an Uber or a taxi from there.”

  The minivan was completely silent. The trunk. It was a possibility.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

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  The request had come out of the blue. Matthew Montgomery’s family wanted to meet Mallory and Carter, basically to thank them for being there for their son in his last moments. At first she’d wanted to say no in case they asked about those grisly final seconds but then Carter had said that they probably just wanted some closure.

  Jason had urged her to accept their invitation but his motives weren’t quite as pure. He wanted their cooperation in speaking about their son and where he might have been before he stopped at that rest stop. Jason and the police had managed to procure Matthew’s cell phone and laptop from his parents via a warrant but he hadn’t had a chance to talk to them since putting together the new theory.

  The theory was that Matt had to have picked up the killer – unbeknownst to him – wherever he’d been before. Jason also wanted to know about Matt’s friends and his habits. There was a chance that the killer and Matt knew each other. It was a possibility they couldn’t ignore.

  The problem was asking those kinds of questions without tipping off the parents that it might not be a stranger-murder. It would only scare them and they didn’t want to do that to two innocent people.

  Jason parked in front of the Montgomery home, a lovely ranch style house in a nice middle class neighborhood. The whole area looked well-kept and normal. Not the place one would expect the victim of a violent crime to live.

  “Are you ready?” Jason asked. “Just ask a lot of questions about Matthew. I’m betting they’ll want to talk about him. If they ask you any details about that night, I’ll try and steer them in another direction. People often think they want all the details but then when they actually hear them it only makes it worse.”