My Feline Protector (Middlemarch Shifters Book 6) Page 9

  He drew away and slid his callused fingers across her cheek. “You taste good.”

  She heard a drawer open and close, the crinkle of plastic and foil, then he donned the condom.

  “This will be fast,” he said. “A good thing since you’re tired.”

  “Not too tired.”

  “Excellent.” His mouth was soft against hers and pleasure at the contact filled her.

  He guided his cock to her and pushed inside. His hands stroked her breasts, cupping the weight as he paused, before working his length into her. “Okay?”

  “Yes,” she breathed.

  She felt his smile against her lips, sensed his approval as she lifted into his strokes. His hips flexed, driving him into her heat and dragging his shaft free. Even though she’d climaxed, she discovered more enjoyment in the thrusts.

  He kissed her, missing her mouth and getting her chin. She giggled then sobered when he nibbled on the tender spot at the base of her neck. Every time he did that it drove her crazy. Her mind emptied of everything except him. His shaft plunged deep, his strokes faster now, his breathing heavier. The wet rasp of his tongue over that spot had her pussy flexing around his cock, and the minute tremor pulled a groan from him. His cock stabbed into her now, the sounds of arousal filling the bedroom. His big body shuddered against hers, and he froze. Her fingernails dug into his muscular back as fire swarmed over her body. Almost there. Almost.

  Gerard groaned, pistoned his hips and stilled. His mouth sucked on that spot on her neck and pleasure swelled a little more, but she needed him to move. She almost cried when he pulled free, made a tiny whimper of complaint.

  “It’s all right, English.” And he lifted her to his mouth again. No teasing this time, and five heartbeats later her muscles contracted and she came. The tension leached from her and he pulled away.

  She lay in the bed while he wandered off to the en suite, and by the time he returned she was almost asleep. He drew her close, his arm around her waist, her backside pressed to his front. A supremely comfortable way to sleep. She smiled as he kissed her shoulder and let tiredness take her. No mistakes this time. Of that, she was certain.

  * * * * *

  Gerard slept until seven and he heard the pitter-patter of Geoffrey’s claws as he came to the bedroom. He untangled himself from London and padded to the door to meet the dog. He’d want to go outside and then he’d want his breakfast. If Gerard didn’t cooperate, Geoffrey would hold a grudge for sure.

  Once he’d fed the terrier, he called Isabella and set that part in motion. While it seemed the husband was in the clear because of his dislike of flying, it might still pay to check some more. There had been no recent sightings of him at home in London. It might be a coincidence—an intruder trying to get into London’s room—but he didn’t think so.

  He reached Leo and asked the shifter to put the phone on speaker so he could speak to Isabella too. He went through what had happened last night and everything they’d discovered in the will.

  “I want to make sure that Royce Weaver is in London and not roaming around Middlemarch,” Gerard said. “London checked with Jenny’s friends, but they haven’t seen him.”

  “Might not matter,” Isabella said. “He could have hired a hit man.”

  “Yeah, I’d considered that. Can you find out?”

  “I’ll make calls. I’ll know soon if there is a hit in place.”

  Gerard sighed, not liking someone stalking London. “Hell, I hope that isn’t the case. She is my mate. I thought so before, but I’m sure of it now. I intend to keep her alive. The other thing. Henry—we have to break him out of jail before they transport him to Dunedin.”

  “That’s what Saber and the Feline council decided,” Leo said. “Saber was intending to come to see you this morning. We have a plan underway, but thought it was best if you stayed out of it since you’re his business partner. They’ll look at you first, so you need to have an alibi. Organize a client visit or something like that for this afternoon.”

  “Thanks, I’ll do that. I need to check a property in Queenstown. I’d put it off but the owner will see me this afternoon. She’s pretty laid back, and I can take London with me.”

  “Do that,” Isabella said. “We’ll meet at the café for coffee, say around five. We should be done by then and have Henry stashed in a safe place.”

  “We mightn’t be back until closer to six.”

  “No problem. We’ll wait until you arrive.” Isabella hung up.

  Gerard made a pot of tea while he planned their day. Of course, he wasn’t stupid enough to confirm plans until he spoke to London.

  “Good morning.” London shuffled into the kitchen wearing one of his T-shirts over her sweatpants.

  “I was going to bring you in a cup of tea.”

  “I’m not good at sleeping in. Once I’m awake, I have to get out of bed.”

  He poured a mug of tea and added a dollop of milk.

  “You know how I take my tea.”

  “I’m observant. Part of it is my job and army training.”

  Her brows rose. “And the other part?”

  “I like you. A lot. I want to please you.” He kept his gaze meshed with hers, a slow grin curling across his lips as she blushed. “God, that makes me hot.”

  “You please me.” She dipped her head and his grin widened.

  “Enough for you to spend the day with me? I have to go to Queenstown to visit a client. Lana Sinclair was born in Middlemarch, but she owns a restaurant in Queenstown. She’s had a few problems and wants me to give her a quote for increased security. Leo and his brothers own a vineyard, which is on the way. I thought we might stop for an early lunch.” Timed to coincide with Henry’s breakout, but he didn’t intend to tell London. Not yet.

  “I’d love to get away from here for a few hours,” London said, her eyes brightening. “Although, I need to make arrangements for Jenny’s funeral. I’ve decided she’d prefer to stay here as she planned.”

  “If you can wait until tonight, I’ll help.”

  “Tomorrow will do. When I rang the police, they told me they won’t release Jenny’s body until the autopsy is completed and the paperwork is in order. Whatever that means.” A tear leaked from her left eye and rolled down her cheek. She offered him a watery smile as she swiped it away.

  “I’ll help. Anything you need,” he repeated the offer.

  “Thanks.”

  Geoffrey trotted inside and made a beeline for London. He leaned against her legs, offered a doggy smile and waited for her to pet him, which she did.

  A phone rang and London plucked it from her pocket. She glanced at the screen. “It’s Susan, one of Jenny’s friends. Hi, Susan.”

  Gerard settled on the barstool next to London and listened closely.

  “After I spoke to you, I asked around. No one has seen Royce for the last two weeks. I checked at his work, and they said he’s off sick and is expected to return in three days. Evidently, he rang in this morning and told his employer his shingles have flared up again. So, I went around to his flat. The door slot is full of junk mail. The neighbors haven’t seen him. The girl who lives in the basement flat told me she thought she saw him last week, but she wasn’t sure. London, his flat looked empty. I don’t think he’s sick at all.”

  “Thanks, Susan. I’ll mention it to the police this morning.”

  Gerard froze then relaxed. Dropping by the police station and casually mentioning they were on their way to Queenstown was a good idea.

  “I’ll double-check with his friends,” Susan said. “We have mutual friends and it won’t be difficult to learn if they’ve seen him.”

  “Be careful,” London warned. “You know how volatile he can be if crossed. If he is sick, we don’t want to spread rumors.”

  “I’ll be careful, but if Royce has something to do with Jenny’s death, he should fry in hell. You said the cops had arrested someone.”

  “I don’t think he did it,” London said. “You should have
seen them together, Susan. I hadn’t seen Jenny so happy for ages. Since we left England she’d returned to her normal self, but she glowed after she met this guy. I’ll admit I fretted at first, but you know what she’s like when…was like when she made a decision.”

  “She embraced it,” Susan said.

  “Yeah. I liked Henry. In fact, I’m staying with his friend.” She glanced at him, and Gerard sipped his tea, as if he were calmly waiting for her to finish her call.

  “Oh? Is he sexy?”

  From the corner of his eye, Gerard observed London’s rising color. He waited with a trace of impatience, wondering how she’d reply.

  “Yes. Very.”

  “Aha! You like him.”

  “I do.”

  “Good for you. Jenny said you didn’t give yourself enough credit. When are you coming home? Are you bringing Jenny?”

  “They’re having an inquest, although the investigation has come to a halt since they arrested Henry. I’ll wait until Jenny’s body is released at least. Jenny had intended to stay here with Henry, so I think I’ll have the funeral here in Middlemarch.”

  “I understand. We’re intending to get together and have drinks in her memory this coming weekend.”

  “She’d like that,” London said.

  “Yes.”

  There was a silence, as if the other woman was choking back tears and trying to hold herself together.

  “I’ll email you and let you know how I get on with the police,” London said.

  “Thanks. We’d appreciate that. I’ll let you know if we discover anything else.”

  “Be careful.”

  “I will.”

  London hung up and turned to him. “We have to go to the police station.”

  “I heard parts of the conversation,” Gerard confessed.

  She went bright red. “Which parts?”

  “The important parts,” he said, keeping his voice innocent. She thought he was sexy and liked him. He could work with that. “I’ve had a shower. Why don’t you grab one now, and then we’ll head to the police station. They might let us have a quick visit with Henry.”

  Geoffrey bounded away from his position at London’s feet and barked twice.

  “Are we taking Geoffrey?”

  Gerard stared after the dog. It darted out the door, and from his position, he saw it skid to a halt by his vehicle. “Yes,” he said. “They won’t mind him at the vineyard, but he’s your responsibility while I see my client. He can’t enter the restaurant.”

  “Do you think they’d let me take him on the old steamer? I wanted to go for a ride, but Jenny said it was too tame. Will I have time to do that?”

  “Yes. We’ll work it out,” Gerard replied. “Did you want toast to hold you until we have lunch?”

  “I can wait,” London said, and she stood, kissing his cheek as she passed. “Thank you.” She darted away before his wits returned. Unusual for him, but she got to him that much.

  “Can’t I have a better kiss than that? Don’t I deserve one?”

  “Yes and yes,” she answered from the doorway. “I’ll make it up to you.”

  He heard her giggle and although tempted to chase after her, Geoffrey’s impatient bark changed his mind. The dog was right. They had things to do. Alibis to arrange.

  Chapter Eight

  London rubbed her tummy as they climbed into Gerard’s vehicle and gave an appreciative sigh. After their meal at the Mitchells’ vineyard restaurant all was right in her world. Geoffrey settled in the rear with a doggy moan after enjoying a meaty bone. “The scallops were amazing. I even ate the orange bit. They don’t serve that part of the scallop at home.”

  “What do they do with it?”

  “I’ve no idea. Probably throw it away. I can’t believe you ate part of Bambi.”

  Gerard reached for her hand as he drove toward Queenstown. Her heart went pitter-patter as it always did when he touched her. “He was delicious.”

  He sent her a lazy grin, as if he knew how the physical contact affected her. She hadn’t expected to meet anyone and especially a man who could tempt her to change her plans.

  “I’ll introduce you to Lana before you and Geoffrey go on your adventure. She grew up in Middlemarch, and her cousins still live there. You’ll like her. I do.”

  London shot him a sharp look, trying to dissect his words.

  “As a friend. Leo told me her husband died, and I don’t think she’s ready for another relationship yet. Besides, she’s not my type.”

  “What is your type?”

  “A feisty lady with an English accent.” His fingers tightened around hers and she mourned the loss of contact when he pulled away to change gear.

  “You think I’m feisty?”

  “I think you’re gorgeous and sexy and adventurous.”

  A laugh slipped free. “Adventurous? Me?”

  “You’ve tried things you’ve never done before during your holiday. That takes an adventurous soul.”

  “Even if I went kicking and screaming?”

  “Anyone who ties elastic to their feet and jumps off a ledge should scream.”

  “Huh!” She grinned at him before she peppered him with Middlemarch questions. How cold did it get in winter? Were there many jobs available in the area? Where did they do their shopping since the shops weren’t that big in the town? She was still asking questions when they parked outside Lana Sinclair’s restaurant.

  Lana was slim with long black hair confined in a braid and a ready smile as Gerard made introductions. She wore a white apron over her black knee-length skirt and red blouse. The apron bore a splotch of tomato sauce. She noticed London’s glance.

  “An accident with a plate of pasta,” she said with a grimace. “I don’t know why people don’t keep an eye on their children in a restaurant. Can I get you something to eat?”

  “We stopped at the vineyard and had lunch there,” Gerard said. “London and Geoffrey are going for a walk and a ride on the steamer while we talk business.”

  “The chef is making cupcakes for a special function. We’ll have tea and cupcakes when you get back from your walk,” Lana said. “I’d love to do a trip to your part of the world one day. It will give me a chance to quiz you.”

  “You had me at cupcakes,” London said.

  “Me too,” Gerard agreed.

  London waved and set off with Geoffrey to enjoy the crisp day and the lake with The Remarkables mountain range in the background. Nothing better than a walk on a fine day.

  They arrived back in Middlemarch late, just shy of six, after an amazing day. London had liked Lana Sinclair and felt comfortable. If she stayed at Middlemarch for a few weeks, Lana had told her they were sure to meet again, since Lana was attending one of the upcoming dances.

  While Gerard had done his quote, she and Geoffrey had ridden on the TSS Earnslaw, an old steamer that used to sail the lake carting passengers and goods. Now, the ship sailed full of tourists.

  Middlemarch was full of cop cars—well, three anyway, which was strange. London spotted several policemen questioning curious onlookers.

  “What is going on?”

  “I’ve no idea,” Gerard said. “I don’t feel like cooking dinner. Want a quick bite at the café?”

  “That’s sounds good,” London agreed.

  Inside the café, Leo and Isabella were eating. Gerard led Geoffrey to the outside spot reserved for dogs and filled a water bowl. Geoffrey drank then settled in a ball with a doggy groan of contentment.

  “Come and join us,” Leo called when he spotted them.

  Gerard glanced at her. “Is that okay?”

  London nodded. “Your friends have made me welcome.”

  “It’s your sexy English accent,” Gerard whispered next to her ear.

  “I think that only works for you,” she whispered back.

  His hand slid over her shoulders and propelled her toward Leo and Isabella. “It does. I can’t wait to get you home.”

  The glow in his
eyes thrilled her. It wasn’t a line to seduce her. He meant what he said. She winked at him, heard his sharp intake of breath and smiled as she settled in one of the spare chairs at Leo and Isabella’s table.

  Gerard took the other seat. “What’s all the excitement? We saw at least six cops.”

  “Henry has escaped,” Isabella said.

  “What? How?” London asked.

  “The cops aren’t saying,” Leo said with a grin. “The rumor is that the on-duty cop fell asleep.”

  London accepted the menu a waitress handed her. “Really? But how did that help Henry? His cell was locked.”

  “They’re saying someone aided his escape,” Leo said.

  A cop barreled through the door, paused, then headed straight for their table. “Where have you been, Mr. Drummond? We’ve been looking for you all afternoon.”

  “I told PC Hannah when we went to the police station this morning to inform him about Mrs. Weaver’s husband,” Gerard said. “I drove to Queenstown to do a quote for one of my customers.”

  “Who did you see?”

  Gerard recounted his day and who he’d seen. “London was with me. She’ll tell you,” he said when the cop’s expression remained skeptical.

  “It’s true,” London said. “We haven’t been in Middlemarch for most of the day. You can check with the vineyard and Lana Sinclair. I went for a ride on the TSS Earnslaw. I spoke with several of the staff on the steamer.”

  The cop took names and Lana Sinclair’s phone number before stomping off.

  “What a rude man,” London said.

  “He’s in trouble for letting a prisoner escape. I don’t think there has been this much excitement since the reporters descended on Middlemarch searching for the black leopards that those drunk tourists insisted they saw roaming the hills,” Leo said.

  “Black cats?” London said. “This town becomes more fascinating by the minute.”

  “Good,” Gerard said and tugged on her ponytail. “Maybe we can persuade you to stay for longer.”

  Another cop arrived and repeated the questions. Gerard repeated his answers and the cop left.

  “Is Henry safe?” Gerard asked in a low voice.