In His Sights (12 page)

She gave him a wicked smile as she moved to the bed, pulling her shirt over her head. “You're a bad boy, Detective.”

“Me? I'm a good boy, really. I just like to get a little dirty sometimes.” He waggled the bottle of honey in his hand. “Wanna help me?”

Giving a husky laugh, she finished undressing as she spoke. “Would I? With the proper motivation, getting sticky can be one of my favorite things.”

Sweet Jesus, she was beautiful. Auburn hair fell around her shoulders, surrounding her face. Pouty lips were made for kissing and sucking. Her full breasts were begging for his hands and mouth, and those thighs went on forever.

“Why don't you show me?” he murmured. He had to let go of his erection, or risk shooting too soon.

She crawled onto the bed, stalking him like a pretty cat, and crouched over him. Bending, she braced her hands on his chest and took his mouth, tongue slipping
inside to taste. He returned the kiss wholeheartedly, until she pulled back and peppered kisses on his jaw. Then down his neck, to his chest. There she nibbled on each of his nipples, making him suck in a breath as his dick twitched, aching to be buried inside her.

“Shit, that feels good,” he breathed.

“That's nothing. Just wait.”

Snatching the honey bottle from his hand, she flipped the cap and scooted down on the bed. Then she grasped his straining cock and drizzled the sweet liquid all over it and his balls before setting the bottle aside.

When she began to lap up the honey with slow, sensual licks, he nearly came. She laved his cock and balls, getting every drop, sending shivers of pure pleasure through his body. When she took the bottle and started to add more, he gently grabbed her wrist.

“My turn. If you do that again, I'm going to go off like a rocket.”

“And that's a bad thing?”

“It is when I want to be inside you when I do.” Sitting up, he gestured with the bottle. “On your back, gorgeous.”

“I love it when you get all bossy in bed.” She complied, spreading her legs.

He gave a playful growl and then upended the bottle, pouring a generous amount of the golden treat on each nipple. Then he sucked each one, loving the taste of the sweet honey combined with her skin. It made for a heady aphrodisiac, and he added more, cleaning off each nipple again.

When he moved on to her sex, spreading apart the delicate lips to drizzle some honey there, she began to writhe in anticipation.

“Please,” she begged.

“Please, what? Say it.”

“Lick me.”

He couldn't refuse such a heartfelt request. Setting the bottle aside, he crouched and gave her exactly what she'd asked for. He licked and sucked the golden sweetness until she moaned his name, buried her hands in his hair and started to pull.

“Chris, fuck me.”

At her plea, he retrieved a condom from his shorts pocket and covered his cock. Then he moved over her and positioned himself at her entrance. He pushed inside slow and easy, resisting the urge to come too quickly. He wasn't going to last long, though. The fire already burned too high, his balls aching for release.

He began to move inside her, loving how she clung to his back. How her long legs wrapped around his waist and held on as he made love to her. He especially loved the breathy sounds of passion coming from her throat as she surrendered. They were connected not just physically, but emotionally.

It had never been this way with anyone else.

They came together again and again, until he couldn't hold back a second longer. He stiffened and his release exploded, his cock jerking. She joined him with a cry, and they trembled in each other's arms until they were spent.

Eventually, he moved off her and pulled her into his
arms. She rested her head on his chest and they simply enjoyed the closeness for a while.

“I'm not done with you yet,” he whispered, pressing a kiss into her hair. “I plan on loving you again.”

And he did, twice more that night.

Robyn awoke to the sound of her cell phone buzzing on the nightstand. Not a welcome noise to hear when tangled with a sexy naked man in her bed.

Stifling a curse, she managed to wiggle from under Chris's supine body and reach for the phone. When she saw the hospital's number on the display, she slid from bed and padded from the bedroom, easing the door shut behind her before she answered.

“Dr. Lassiter.”

“Doctor, this is Lee Miller from the hospital. I know you weren't scheduled to come in until ten and I'm so sorry to bother you, but we've got multiple victims coming in from a bad wreck on I-40.”

Immediately, she turned and dashed back into the bedroom, heading for the master closet. “ETA?”

“First ones are arriving in about fifteen minutes. The paramedics advise they're almost ready to transport.”

She glanced at the clock—barely six a.m. Not quite light out. “All right, getting dressed now. Hopefully I'll
beat them there, but if not, I won't be far behind. Thanks for calling, Lee.”

“I'll let everyone know. Thanks, Dr. Lassiter.”

Swiftly, she pulled on her underwear and a bra, a pair of dark pants, and a blouse. Emergencies happened, and she was glad that she had taken the time to shower after their last lovemaking session.

“Hey,” a sleepy male voice called. “What's going on?”

“I'm sorry,” she said, turning toward Chris, who was blinking at her from the bed. “I got called in. We have victims from a bad wreck on the way into the ER and I have to go— Shit! Maddy. I'll have to call Rachel and see if she can come over early.”

Pushing from the bed, a mouthwateringly naked Chris pulled her in for a hug. “No worries. Let Maddy and Rachel sleep. I can go in to work later. There's no rush. Plus it's Sunday and there's no school, so I'll stay until Rachel gets here at her normal time.”

Robyn bit her lip. God, she had to leave, and she didn't know what to do. “I can't impose on you like that. This is so new, and
so
not what you signed up for—”

“Stop.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Do you trust me here, alone with your daughter?”

Her hesitation stung him. She could see the hurt in his liquid brown gaze. But it didn't take her long to answer that question. “I
do
trust you. I know you'll watch over her and keep her safe.”

“Always, whenever you need me to. So go, and focus on what you have to do. Maddy and I will be fine until Rachel shows up.”

Relieved, she squeezed him tight and gave him a sound kiss. “Thank you. I'll make this up to you.”

Teasing, he waggled his brows. “I'll entertain myself by thinking up all sorts of ways you can do that.”

She laughed, and stepped back to slip on her shoes. “I just bet you will.”

He started backing up toward the bathroom and hitched a thumb over his shoulder. “I'm going to get cleaned up and dressed so I can be ready when Maddy gets up. And if she asks, I'll tell her I came back this morning to stay with her until Rachel arrives.”

“Thank you.”

“No prob. Have a good day, and don't stress too much. I'll text you later.”

With that, he disappeared and the water came on from inside the bathroom. Rushing out, she closed the bedroom door and hurried for the living room, where she collected her keys and purse. This was going to be a long day, starting it off with a tough call like this one.

But as she pulled out of the driveway and headed to work, a sense of calm washed over her. Whatever was developing between her and Chris felt
right
. She really did trust him, and she was comfortable leaving Maddy in his care.

He belongs already, in our home and in our lives. Is that insane?

The thought filled her with budding happiness—and more fear than before. The strengthening of his presence in her and Maddy's lives came with the brand-new problem of having to
face
the fear of letting another man into her heart, and finally overcoming it.

Once she arrived at the hospital, however, treating the victims of the wreck took her entire focus. As the first two came in, she was shocked to learn that an eighteen-wheeler had run a red light and broadsided an ambulance that had been on its way to a call. She recognized the pair of paramedics from Station Two who were rushing into the ER, pushing a gurney with a third medic lying on it. The victim, firefighter/paramedic Clay Montana from Station Five, was bleeding profusely from multiple lacerations, and had several broken bones and a traumatic head injury.

The man would be lucky to survive.

Another doctor, a couple of residents, and nurses took over with the other victims of the chain reaction wreck, none as badly injured as the paramedic. Robyn ordered him prepped for surgery, and the fight to save his life was on.

Clay made it through surgery, just barely, and nearly three excruciating hours later he was taken to the ICU, where he would remain in a coma for the next few days, or weeks. He might never wake at all, and Robyn's soul was heavy as she cleaned up and then checked on the condition of the other paramedic who'd been hit. Then she went to the waiting room in search of relatives.

She wasn't surprised to find the man's team from the station instead, some pacing and some sitting, all anxious. The group parted and she was faced with Howard Paxton—the big captain she'd met at Shea and Tommy's party.

“First of all,” the captain said, “Clay's mother died
seven months ago and he has no siblings. No family. So he's got nobody but us. Lay it on me straight.”

She took a deep breath. “If any of you are inclined, prayers wouldn't hurt. He has several broken bones, massive internal injuries, and a traumatic head injury. He's in a coma, and with the swelling we won't know about brain function for some time. If he survives, and that's by no means certain, he's got a long road ahead of him. I'm so sorry.”

Heads hung low and a few turned away, wiping at their eyes.

Howard cleared his throat. “When can he have visitors?” he asked hoarsely.

“They'll have him settled shortly, and I'll send someone to let you know. Two visitors at a time, for no more than fifteen minutes. I know there will be a lot of friends who want to come visit him, but please urge them to keep the numbers down, at least in these first few days. He'll need to rest.”

The big man nodded. “I'll see to it. How's Julian Salvatore, the other medic who was riding with him? He's family—he's married to my wife's sister. Kat and Grace are with him but I've been waiting out here for word on Clay. I had trouble reaching Julian's brother, but he'll be here soon also.”

“He escaped with relatively minor injuries, including a concussion, bruised ribs, and torn ligaments in his ankle. He'll be fine after he rests for a few days.”

“Thank God,” Howard said, swallowing hard. He looked ready to fall down. “I can't believe this happened, especially to someone as vibrant as Clay.”

Sympathy welled in her and she patted the captain on the arm. “He's getting the best care possible, and we've got a top neurologist on staff who's already with him. Plus he's young and strong, so hold on to that. I'll talk to you soon.”

“Thanks, Doc. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all you've done.”

She kept it together until she got to the staff lounge, and then she collapsed into a chair. The stress caught up with her and tears threatened as she rested her elbows on her knees and buried her face in her hands.

“Hey,” Shea's voice said from beside her. “I heard about Clay. Are you all right?”

Sitting up, she gave her friend a slight smile. “I'm okay. I don't know him personally, but we have friends in common, and sometimes that makes it hit home a little harder, you know?”

“Yeah, I do.” Her voice cracked. “Clay's an awesome guy, and this is so unfair. He's got to make it. He was Tommy's replacement on A-shift at Station Five after Tommy was injured and couldn't be a firefighter anymore. Did you know that?”

“No, I didn't.” How awful.

“That could've been Tommy driving today when that truck hit them. As stupid as it sounds, that's what keeps going through my head. It could've been the man I love in there, but for a set of circumstances that put Clay in his place behind the wheel of the ambulance.”

“That's not stupid at all. It's human nature to think about twists of fate, especially in our jobs.”

“Yeah. I feel so bad for Clay, and his friends.”

“He's strong, or he wouldn't have made it through surgery.” Robyn wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulders and gave her a hug. “We have to hope that's enough.”

Reluctantly, they both left the break room and got back to work. Robyn checked on Clay from time to time, and found he was holding on. His friends were keeping the ICU staff on edge with their sheer numbers, so Robyn had to impose orders restricting his visitors to the captain and a couple of others.

That afternoon another patient arrived that took her mind off the paramedic for a while. A well-dressed man in his forties was rushed in by ambulance. He was pale, sweating, nauseated, experiencing chest pain, heart racing. Classic symptoms of a heart attack.

Despite their best efforts, he didn't survive. As Lee draped the sheet over the man's body, covering up what appeared to have been a perfectly healthy businessman in good shape, a quiet anger began to take root.

I'm going to get to the bottom of this if it's the very last thing I do.

In the privacy of her office, she placed a call to Laura Eden, but was told the ME had been out sick and to leave a message. “Please tell her that I need toxicology on the deceased we're sending over, Robert Woodrow. Cause of death appears to be a heart attack, but I'm not convinced.”

Hanging up, she sat for a few minutes trying to restore her equilibrium. What a fantastically hellish day. And it wasn't quite over yet.

Her only consolations were thoughts of her sweet
baby girl . . . and her sexy new lover to drive away the lonely nights.

Those were more than enough.

*   *   *

Chris and Tonio were in the middle of questioning another burglary victim when his partner got a call on his cell phone.

And for the first time since they'd met, he witnessed his normally serious, self-contained partner fall completely apart.

“Hey, Howard. What's up?” Tonio's expression was puzzled—but only for a few seconds. Confusion morphed to horror. “Oh my God. When? What happened?”

The witness glanced at Chris, startled. Tonio listened for a few more seconds, groaning in clear anguish before answering again.

“Sweet Christ. I'm on my way.” Ending the call, he raked a hand through his hair. “I need to get to the hospital. My brother's been in an accident.”

Chris immediately took control, starting with the witness. “I'm sorry, we'll have to continue this another day.”

“Hey, no problem,” the younger man said. “Hope your brother's okay.”

“Thanks.” Tonio gave the man a polite nod.

Chris steered him to the car, then held out his hand. “Give me the keys.”

“But—”

“You're in no condition to drive. Keys.”

Thankfully, Tonio surrendered them without further argument, which turned out to be a good thing. The man
was in shock, swiping a shaking hand down his pale face as Chris navigated through town.

“What happened?” Chris asked quietly.

“Julian and Clay Montana were on their way to a call when an eighteen-wheeler ran a red light. Clay was driving and it hit on his side.”

“Shit.” Chris breathed. “How are they?”

“He just said to get there quick.”

That wasn't good. At all. Chris wondered whether Robyn was treating either of the men, and figured she probably was. There were a limited number of doctors working at any one time, especially for traumatic injuries.

They arrived at the hospital and Chris parked the Taurus right outside the ER, making sure not to block the driveway. Then he jogged inside on Tonio's heels, hanging back a bit so he could be there for his partner and hear him talking to Howard Paxton without being in the way.

The big captain placed both meaty palms on Tonio's shoulders. “I'm so glad I finally reached you. First, Julian's going to be all right. I just spoke with Dr. Lassiter.” Tonio visibly sagged with relief.

“Is he hurt?”

“He's got a concussion, some banged-up ribs, and a messed-up ankle. Some TLC from Grace and he'll be fine.”

Tonio closed his eyes and pulled a silver cross from under his shirt. “Thank you, God. Thank you.” Opening them again, he asked, “What about Clay?”

Howard's face became miserable as he dropped his hands. “Not as lucky. He might not make it, Tonio.”

The other man stared at the captain in shock. “Clay's
so full of life, so . . . so fucking
awesome
. I can't imagine anything bad happening to him.”

“Me neither, but we've got to say our prayers now. He's so busted up, there's not much holding him together, and it's not looking good. The doc said he's in a coma and they don't know when, or if, he'll come out of it.”

Tonio looked positively gray under his bronzed skin, and Chris knew what he was thinking—only a toss of the coin had put Clay in the driver's seat rather than Julian. He was likely both relieved and feeling guilty about that at the same time. The man was only human.

“Where is he?” Tonio demanded. “I want to see my brother.”

A nurse directed him, and he hurried together through the ER's doors to the treatment bays beyond them.

Tonio would likely be here for a while with his family. At loose ends, Chris pulled out his phone and texted Robyn.

I'm here at the hospital. Can you talk?