“Woo-wee!” The old man snatched the money. “I’ll call you if’n Samson shows up and just picks his nose.”
“I’m thrilled,” Chase said wryly. “But if I find out you knew something and didn’t call, my cop brother here will arrest you for obstruction of justice,” Chase said in his most threatening voice. Neither Earl nor Ernie would realize that jurisdiction probably prohibited Rick from doing any such thing.
And Rick, who was now holding on to his wife, discreetly displayed his holster before letting his jacket slip back to cover the gun.
Earl shoved the bill into his pants pocket and nodded his understanding. “We’ve got a game to play,” he said, obviously wanting to get as far away from Chase and Rick as possible.
Which was fine with Chase. He’d only resorted to threats now to make sure the old men didn’t inadvertently omit information.
At this point, he wanted only to get Sloane sobered up. He’d overheard some, but not all, of the conversation, and he hoped she’d remember the rest in the morning.
He brushed her wayward curls out of her face. “Come on, sweetheart. Time to get you home.”
“So you can have your wicked way with me?” Catching him off guard, she splayed her body against his. Her br**sts crushed into his chest and her lower body met his as she planted a full kiss on his lips.
Pulling her away was the last thing he wanted to do, but he had no choice. He peeled her off him and braced his arms around her so he could lead her outside.
“I’ll tell you what,” he said as they followed Rick and an equally drunk Kendall to the door. “Let’s get you into bed, and if you’re still in the mood, we’ll talk about my wicked ways.”
Chase carried Sloane into the house and up the stairs to his bedroom. He passed the answering machine on the kitchen counter and noticed the red blinking light. Damned if he’d listen to messages now. He had a soft, willing female in his arms and he wanted to be with her more than anything else.
She was compliant to the point of feeling boneless, leaving him completely aware of her sweet scent and the arousing way she nuzzled into him.
He laid her on the bed and she sprawled against the pillow, then crooked a finger his way.
“I want to hear more about those wicked ways of yours,” she said in a husky voice.
“And I’m all too happy to show you. After you tell me what Earl and Ernie said about Samson.” He wanted her to talk before she forgot anything she might have learned.
“Earl said Samson’s ugly as sin,” she said. “Is he?”
He wondered if he imagined the lost-little-girl sound in her voice as she asked about the father she’d never met.
“He’s . . .” Chase had never given a thought to what Samson looked like and tried to paint an accurate picture now. “He’s got graying hair and he’s usually tan because he spends so much time outdoors. He likes the gardens across from Norman’s,” he said, thinking. “And one more thing.” Reaching out, he stroked Sloane’s cheek. “He’s not ugly as sin.”
A soft, grateful smile reached her lips and he couldn’t resist leaning forward to taste. As usual, one taste wasn’t enough and he slanted his mouth wider over hers.
She moaned and met his tongue with hers, crawling closer, never breaking contact.
Taking control, he rolled to his back, pulling her on top of him. But she obviously wasn’t going to accept submission and she planted openmouthed kisses over his neck, pulling up his shirt so she could repeat the erotic licks and nibbles on his chest.
Without warning, she licked one nipple, then bit down with her teeth.
Hot sensation shot straight to his groin. “Good God.” His body bucked, nearly dislodging her from where she straddled his thighs.
“Someone’s looking for Samson,” she said, suddenly lifting her head.
“Helluva time to focus, honey. What else do you remember?”
She shook her head. Disheveled strands curled around her face and her makeup had long since disappeared. She looked fresh and wholesome, and gazing at her, he felt emotion swamp him.
“Earl and Ernie didn’t remember what the guy looked like. But they did hear from Samson and he’s holed up somewhere safe. Thank goodness for small favors, right?”
“Right.”
“Isn’t there anyone in Yorkshire Falls who’d take him in?” she asked hopefully.
He spread his hands in front of him, knowing he had no answer to pull out of a hat that would ease her mind. “Raina would let him stay with her, but obviously we’d know if she’d heard from him. Same for Charlotte, and besides, she isn’t in town. I wish I could give you the answers you want to hear, but I can’t.”
“Then give me something else instead.”
He had no doubt what she was asking for and he was all too willing to give what she wanted. They made love twice, frenzied and fast the first time, slow and tender the next.
Chase fell asleep with Sloane in his arms and the sound of the phone ringing in his ear.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Sloane tried to open her eyes but the pain was too great. Lifting her head was impossible.
“Who hired the steel band?” she muttered, burying her face into the pillow.
“I think you did,” a familiar masculine voice answered.
“Do I know you?” she asked Chase wryly, barely able to think past the reverberating drums in her head.
She felt the bed dip with his weight as he sat down.
“You knew me last night.” His voice dripped with husky innuendo, and despite the hangover, a delicious warmth curled in her belly.
Still, she knew better than to attempt to laugh and groaned instead. “I can’t believe I drank so much.”
“It’s not like Earl gave you a choice. Here. Try this,” he said as he rolled her to her back and placed a cool cloth on her forehead.
She immediately felt relief. “Mmm. You’re a godsend, Chase Chandler.”
He chuckled. “I’ve got some water and aspirin for you too.”
“I think I need to wait a few minutes before lifting my head,” she mumbled. “What time is it?”
“SevenA .M.”
“I hope Kendall doesn’t feel as bad as I do,” she said, recalling last night more vividly.
She’d come up empty on their search for Samson, but her heart felt full with the memory of making love with Chase. A man she wanted all to herself, yet the harsh truth remained.