There was no such thing. She ran her hands through his short, thick hair. “I’ve never made it with a guy with a beard.” It was cut very short, almost more thick scruff than beard, but he looked outdoorsy and tough.
He leaned down, his mouth covering hers. Soft and sweet—seeking answers. Maybe asking questions.
She sighed at the contact, feeling like shehad come home.
Then he kissed her. His lips firm and coaxing, he explored her, his tongue sweeping inside to taste. She closed her eyes and slid her hands down to his shoulders, pulling him closer, her body responding instantly to his. His muscles vibrated beneath her palms as he held himself back. As he went slowly and gently, so as not to scare her. Even after all this time, she knew him. Even as teens, he’d tried to stay sweet and gentle, wrapping himself in a control she’d always disliked. As they’d grown older, he’d let himself go a little. But after he’d returned from his last tour, he’d been different. More intense and distant. The control he exhibited now hadan edge to it.
She liked the edge but not the absolute control. Kissing him back, she lifted her thighs on either side of his, allowing him more room to settle against her panties.
He growled, the sound rumbling up from his chest and into her mouth. She took that and the rest of him, scraping her hands down his flanks. He’d developed cut muscles along his ribcage and lower back. She was gentle exploring the healed scars, her heart hurting with each new raised bump or indent. He’d been through so much.
He softened the kiss, the hand twisting in her hair quickly smoothed out. She’d liked the bite of pain, but he seemed determined to treat her like glass. As if she still wasn’t strongenough for him.
“I don’t want gentle,” she said, meaning every word.
“Too bad.” His lips moved against hers as he talked, sending tremorsdown her body.
Oh, he didn’t get to hold back. If she was taking this chance—and it was a colossal chance with her heart, even if it was just one night—then he had to take one, too. To show her the real him. She bithis lip. Hard.
He jerked away. “What the hell?” His hand tangled again, twisting in her hair, pullingher head back.
Yes. She arched against him, her nipples pebbling, her breath catching. More. She wanted more of him.
His eyes glittered a dangerous blue in the dim light, a clear warningglowing there.
A knock on the door had him off her and grabbing his gun, his boxer-briefs clearly showing his arousal. “What?”
“Had a sighting on the kid and teacher,” Raider called through the door. “We need to hit the road as fast as possible.Be out in ten.”
Hunter’s shoulders went down, and he turned to look at her over his shoulder. “It’s probablyfor the best.”
It sure as heck didn’t feel like it.
Chapter Eight
Hunter led the way toward Fred’s Convenience store, a brick building with bright yellow trim located in central South Dakota. His senses shut down the second the metallic smell of blood hit him. He instantly flashed back to a knife fight he’d barely won.
Raider and Wolfe flanked him, and Faye was right behind them. He turned, brushed past the other two, and took Faye’s arm to pull her around and back onto the sidewalk in front of the store. Emergency vehicles filled the newly asphalted parking lot, their red and blue lights swirling against a pretty spring sky, this one devoid of clouds. The police had done a good job of cordoning off the area with yellow crime tape, but small crowds had gathered on the other side, people craning their necks to see the macabre. A news van screeched to a stopat the corner.
Faye halted, turning to look upat him. “What?”
“I’d like for you to stay outside,” he said, scanning the crowd for any threats. It was unlikely Louise would return to the store, but he couldn’t leave Faye outside without knowing for sure.
“Excuse me, folks.” A sixty-something sheriff in uniform approached them, his gray hair buzz-cut short and his eyes a shrewd brown. “Show me some ID, please.” His gait was casual, but he moved like a guy who couldhandle himself.
Ah, shit. They didn’t have anyidentification.
Raider instantly appeared and flashed a badge. “Raider Tanaka, Homeland Defense Department.”
“Sheriff Lodi,” the sheriff said, his gaze narrowing. “What does HDD want with a conveniencestore robbery?”
Raider smiled, his clean-shaven jaw making him look like any good Fed. “We’re helping the FBI out with this one. It’s a kidnapping and crime spree across state lines.” He glanced at his watch. “My unit commander should be landing in town in about an hour, and he has more paperwork for you if you want it.”
The sheriff looked them over. “All right. I did receive a fax from HDD in DC and just wanted to double check. We’re finished processing the scene, if you want to take a look. The kidnapping victim is a minor?”
Hunter nodded.
The sheriff shook his head. “That’s just terrible. I’ll have my men start canvassing the neighborhood, and we’ll have our techs send the evidence to your lab. The fax gave me a contact person. Your lab will be much quicker than ours. Trust me.” He turned and started barking orders at some patrolmen standing overby their cars.
