Midnight Secrets

chapter

NINETEEN


The night was dark and moonless. The only light came from the lamppost at the end of the street. Zach stood beneath one of the giant moss-covered elm trees that lined many of the streets of downtown Midnight. He was across the road and three doors down from the dry cleaners. Wearing his old camo pants, a black T-shirt, and a black ball cap, he blended into the night. In the army, he’d earned the reputation of being able to disappear and reappear at will. If Henson hadn’t been so old and Dayton so out of shape, he would’ve liked to go full army on them. He wouldn’t. Scaring the shit out of them was one thing; giving them a heart attack wasn’t exactly his plan.

According to Lindsay, her brother Clark and Ralph Henson would be hitting the building tonight. This morning, while the two Dayton men had been out of the house, Zach had loaded Lindsay’s little Chevy with all of her belongings and watched her drive away.

When she had told him about overhearing the conversation between Clark and Henson, she had insinuated she wanted something other than money in exchange for the information. Though Zach wanted the information, he’d definitely not been interested in her payment method. Instead he’d taken the opportunity to encourage her to leave town and start out fresh somewhere else.

There was something about Lindsay that reminded him of his mother—a desperate neediness. But she had something his mother had never possessed—someone who believed she could do better. The stern talk he had given her might not have been what she had wanted, but once she realized he was serious, she had backed off and listened.

Now Lindsay was headed to Charleston, South Carolina, with two thousand dollars in her purse and an interview with one of his old army buddies who’d recently opened a gym. Learning that Lindsay had an accounting background gave him hope that she could get a job and start a new life. At the very least, maybe she could get away from the influence and abuse of her father and brother and learn to depend on herself.

He hadn’t seen Savannah today. Though he’d been tempted to call her, he was allowing her some space. Yesterday had been about as perfect as he could have hoped for, but he didn’t want to push her. When they’d been together before, with him going into the army and her going away to school, everything had been rushed, felt desperate. And though their time was once again limited, maturity had given him patience.

Mocking laughter echoed in his mind. Patience … hell. Last night he’d taken her home and left her at the door with a quick kiss on her cheek. And all he’d been able to think of since then was the regret he felt for not kissing that luscious mouth deeply, thoroughly. He knew if he got within ten feet of her today, patience would be nothing but a word. A desire and need that went well beyond his knowledge was building up inside him. Since that kiss in her kitchen the other night, he had been on a slow simmer. One spark of encouragement from her and he’d be on full burn.

Here he stood, only a few miles away from what he wanted most in the world but unable to claim it. Instead he was waiting for two idiots to show up and spray-paint a building just so they could feel powerful. If it hadn’t been so damn aggravating, he’d say to hell with it and let them screw up their properties as much as they wanted. Problem was, if he didn’t stop them, they’d either get him fired or might even try something more drastic. He’d put up with enough shit from Ralph Henson. Damned if the man would get the best of him again.

Savannah didn’t approve of his plan. She’d made that clear yesterday. While he appreciated her concern, he wasn’t worried. Yeah, they were breaking the law, but this was a personal attack against him. And he was going to handle it on his own, in his own way.

Zach wasn’t the green kid he’d been before. He had been an Army Ranger, had killed more people than he liked to remember, and had saved lives. No, he wasn’t Superman, but neither was he naïve. Savannah feared it was a setup; Zach knew better. It was two redneck jerks who thought they were too damn smart to get caught. Nothing more, nothing less.

A small light flickered across the street. Eyes narrowed, Zach peered closer. Yeah, someone was standing on the outside of the building. The light wavered shakily and then clicked off and on a couple of times. Either someone was having battery problems or the dumbasses were too stupid to know how to use a flashlight. He was going with the second theory.

Staying low, Zach crossed the street at a run. He stopped and hunkered down behind a large mailbox, waiting. No law said Henson couldn’t enter his own building. Zach would have to catch the man in the act of spray-painting and then play it out.

He waited patiently, as he’d been trained. Soon they’d reveal themselves. Adrenaline pounded and he was distantly amused to realize that this was probably the most excitement he’d had on the job. Said a lot for sleepy little Southern towns.

“I’m getting damn tired of doing this stuff, Henson. It ain’t done no good.”

Zach recognized Clark Dayton’s voice. When he wasn’t trying to impress anyone, the guy really did sound like a country hick.

The sound of breaking glass was followed by Henson’s gruff reply. “If this one doesn’t get his ass fired, we’ll do something that’ll definitely catch everyone’s attention. I promise. By this time next month, Tanner will be out of here. With your experience, the mayor and city council will have no choice but to appoint you as police chief.”

So that was Dayton’s incentive. Apparently he didn’t realize that these crimes reflected on the entire police department, not just Zach. The mayor hadn’t yet come out and expressed his disappointment in the department’s lack of progress on the vandalism crimes, but he’d asked Zach about them frequently. Dayton might have more trouble than he anticipated getting Lamont and the city council on his side.

“Let’s get this over with,” Dayton answered. “I gotta be at work at seven in the morning.”

Zach swallowed a laugh. Yeah, Clark would definitely arrive early at the police station, only not as an employee.

The men entered the building and closed the door behind them. Zach crept closer. While Henson held the flashlight, Dayton shook the can of spray paint and began to spray. Zach quietly walked in the door behind them. They were so intent on their tasks, neither of the men were aware of Zach’s presence until he flipped on the light switch beside the door and said, “Don’t worry about coming into work, Dayton. You’re fired.”

The men whirled. Zach couldn’t stop the grin that spread over his face. Their expressions were similar to two eight-year-old boys who’d been caught stealing candy. Both men sputtered, searching for an excuse. Henson recovered first. “I got every right to be here. I own this dry cleaners.”

Though Zach knew that was true, he wasn’t about to let the man off that easy. “I’m going to need to see proof of that.”

“Courthouse has documents.”

“Courthouse is closed right now. Looks like I’ll just have to lock you two up until you can prove ownership.”

“Now see here. I ain’t going to jail for entering my own store.”

“If you’re the owner, why’d you break the window?”

“I …” Henson glanced over at Clark for help. Dayton was having his own issues. Sweat beaded on his brow and rolled down into the beard he was so fond of. Finally Henson came up with what he apparently thought was a good excuse. “I left my keys at home, so I had to break the window to reach through and unlock the door.”

“And what’s your reason for showing up here at one-thirty in the morning with a flashlight and a can of spray paint?”

“I’m redecorating.”

This time Zach did laugh. “I always heard you were a cheap son of a bitch, but redecorating with a can of spray paint seems a little extreme.” Zach glanced over at Dayton. “Clark, you got anything you’d like to add?”

“I …” He swallowed and said, “You’re not fit to be police chief. It should be my job.”

“The mayor and city council saw differently, since they appointed me chief and not you.” Zach held up his handcuffs. “Now, let’s get this over with nice and easy.”

“Wait!” Henson snarled. “If you arrest me, you’ll ruin my reputation.”

“Should’ve thought of that before you decided to break the law.”

Henson held out his hand as if to ward him off. “I’ll tell … I’ll tell everyone that secret.”

Zach raised his brow in challenge. “What secret is that? That you and some of your redneck buddies beat the shit out of me ten years ago? Or the other one that you told only me?”

The older man’s lips pursed so tight, they resembled a prune. He hadn’t expected Zach to call his bluff.

Zach nodded. “Yeah. You go ahead and tell that one, Henson. I’m not the one who couldn’t keep my pants zipped.”

Apparently deciding that a night in jail was better than the entire town hearing that he was Zach’s biological father, Henson’s mouth remained tightly closed, his expression grim.

“Now turn around.” The men turned around; Zach had them cuffed in seconds and then backed away. Taking the radio from his pocket, he called his on-duty deputy, Arthur Norton. “Artie, I’m over at Green’s dry cleaners. Got a couple of overnight guests I need you to come by and pick up.”

“I’m a couple of minutes away.”

Zach switched off the radio and eyed the sad-looking idiots before him. “You have the right to remain silent …”

As he recited their Miranda rights, he found it interesting that while Henson’s shoulders seemed to stiffen with each word, Dayton’s became more slumped and dejected. They would be released later today with no charges. Zach wasn’t looking to put either of them away. He had accomplished what he wanted. They’d been found out. Continuing their misadventures would be pointless. Just in case they didn’t realize this, Zach issued a warning after he finished reciting their rights. “Listen and listen good. Tonight you need to give careful thought on where you think this should go. I’m giving you this one chance. F*ck with me again and I’ll find every way possible to make sure you spend quality time behind bars and not just one measly night. Understand?”

Neither man answered but that was fine with him. They’d had their warning. And he was telling the truth.

Deputy Norton walked in the door. “I’m here, Chief. What’s going on?”

“Henson and Dayton need a ride to jail. Lock them in separate cells. It’ll give them privacy for some quality thinking time.”

As the men walked toward the door, Zach followed behind Henson and spoke softly so only he could hear. “I’m sure glad I inherited my mother’s smarts and not my father’s, because it’s pretty damn obvious he’s a moron.”

Henson’s back only got stiffer and then he walked out the door. Zach gave a nod of satisfaction. Damned if he didn’t feel quite pleased with the outcome. The vandalism would stop, Henson would back off, and Dayton was no longer his deputy. All in all, a good night’s work.

Zach spent the next few minutes securing the building and covering the smashed window with some cardboard he found in the back. Locking the door behind him, he turned and then stopped suddenly when a slight scratching noise caught his ear. Seconds later he heard a soft, distinctly feminine sigh. What the hell?

Though he could deny it till doomsday, Zach already knew what he’d find when he rounded the building. Savannah stood against the wall, close to the back door. She was facing away from him, so he could walk up and grab her without any trouble. Before he took a step, he dropped his eyes to her hand. Hell, she had a gun in her hand. Never in his life had he wanted to spank a woman. This stunt might just change his mind.

A good scare would work just as well, and he went for a big one. With silent strides, he reached her in seconds. Wrapping both arms around her, he pulled her off her feet. She shrieked like a banshee and tried to kick backward.

“Quiet down, you little spitfire.”

She continued to struggle, either not realizing or not caring that it was Zach who held her. He shook her to get her attention. “Dammit, Savannah, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

She froze. “Zach?” she whispered.

“Hell yeah. Who’d you think it was?”

“You scared the crap out of me.”

“Good. I meant to. What the hell are you doing here?”

“I’m watching your ass.”

“You’re watching my ass? You didn’t even know where my ass was until I walked up behind you.”

Savannah gritted her teeth, more than aware that he was right. Okay, so it’d been a lame-brained thing to do. Ever since he’d told her he was coming out here alone, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. He might trust Lindsay to have told him the truth; Savannah hadn’t been that gullible. She didn’t want Zach to be faced with what he’d gone through ten years ago. No way in hell was she going to allow him to be hurt again. The fact that he had handled the situation within minutes with barely a harsh word spoken was a bit humbling. Zach would no doubt get a kick out of teasing her.

“You handled that quite well.”

“Thanks. It’s my job.”

She couldn’t blame him for his cockiness. He was probably feeling downright smug. “Since the excitement is over, I guess I’ll go home.”

“Not without me,” he growled into her ear.

“What?” For the first time, she realized that she was still plastered against Zach’s body and he was very aroused. Savannah shivered. He was holding her so tightly, she could feel every hard inch of him against her. Of all the times to get turned on, this wasn’t one of them. Her body didn’t seem to care that it wasn’t appropriate, and apparently neither did Zach’s. It was all she could do not to rub herself against him.

Breathing out a shaking gasp, she said, “What do you want?”

“You.”

Just one word but she heard the longing. Her nipples peaked and a throbbing began between her legs. Yes, this was what she wanted, too. “Aren’t you on duty?”

“No,” he said bluntly. “Where’s your car?”

“A block away.”

“Mine’s closer.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

“In a minute. I need something first.”

Before she could ask what, he whirled her around. Moving with lightning speed, he took the gun from her now limp hand and shoved it into the small of his back beneath his waistband. Then, pulling her forward, he slammed his mouth against hers. Heat flooded through her, drenching her entire being. Long-dormant thoughts and feelings she’d once believed dead sprouted and unfurled as need, want, desire, and a million other emotions overwhelmed her senses. Wrapping herself around Zach’s big body, Savannah gave in to the intensity.

Apparently sensing her need, Zach pressed her against the wall of the building and built the fire. His hands roamed, one delving beneath her blouse, the other smoothing itself up her thigh, underneath her short skirt. His fingers hooked into her panties and tugged. She heard a slight ripping sound, knew and didn’t care that the delicate fabric was being shredded. When those long, hard fingers found her crease, they plunged deep into her wet heat. Savannah gasped out a “Yes” and tried to hold his fingers inside her by squeezing her thighs closed and riding him.

Zach’s husky laughter thrummed through her senses, his gruff words of “Let go, Savannah” bringing her to climax in a shattering, explosive moment of ecstasy. As she spiraled down, he gave her soft words of praise and adoration, making her feel as though she’d given him a gift, instead of the other way around.

“You okay?” he rasped into her ear.

“Yes … for now.” Feeling bold and powerful, she added, “But I want more … much more.”

“Me too.”

Pulling away from her completely, he said, “Come on.”

Savannah took the hand he held out to her and allowed him to lead her to his car. The entire city of Midnight could be watching them right now and she wouldn’t care. Maybe in a year, or a hundred, she’d be shocked and embarrassed that Zach Tanner had just given her the most delicious orgasm of her life against the wall of Green’s Dry Cleaning. Right now that didn’t matter. Her only concern was going home, letting him give her many more, and allowing her to do the same for him.

They were in his car and headed to her house before she realized it. Zach’s urgency was patently obvious. Any other time she might have been amused that someone as controlled and stoic as this man was revealing that his control was almost gone. Nothing felt amusing, or even lighthearted. She glanced over at him; the tic in his jaw confirmed her thoughts. This was a man on edge … she wanted to be the one to send him over.

They made it to the house in record time. If she’d been concentrating on anything other than the heavy atmosphere of desire in the car, she would have noticed that they had broken several speed limits and traffic laws to get there in the fastest time possible.

Zach pulled into the drive and then to the back of the house. She appreciated his sensitivity in hiding his car. Visiting for a few hours was one thing. It caused talk but nothing else. Having his car seen overnight would be something else. Wedding rumors would be running rampant, along with other things she didn’t even want to consider. This time with Zach was something she wanted to share with no one.

Savannah didn’t wait for him to open the car door but pushed it open and came to meet him as he rounded the car. She held her hand out to him, and they practically ran to the back door. She opened the door, slammed it shut, and his mouth was back on hers.

Zach had never been this turned on or felt such urgency in his life. Savannah was right there with him. Within seconds they were ripping the clothes off each other. The mudroom wasn’t exactly the most romantic location, but damned if he’d stop. When his hands met silk-smooth skin and he realized she was completely naked, Zach knew he could wait no longer. “I’ve got condoms in my pants.” Which were unfortunately on the floor and he’d have to let her go to get to them. Something he didn’t want to do.

“No. No condoms. I’m on the pill. We’re fine.” The words were said between gasps and moans.

“You’re sure?”

Her hands closed around him, held him tight, and then rubbed his length up and down. He heard an “Uh-huh” and then he couldn’t think any longer. Savannah was on her knees. Hot, moist breath was a warning and then her mouth closed around him. Zach held her face in his hands and watched as she took him deep and then withdrew, over and over. They had never done this before. She had kissed and caressed him there but nothing like this. How in the hell was he going to stop? The only thing he wanted to do was continue surging and retreating until nothing mattered except filling her mouth and letting go. Teeth gritted, he reminded himself that he’d been waiting for this moment forever, and pulled out.

The passion and want gleaming in her eyes almost made him reconsider. “What’s wrong? Didn’t you like that?”

“Oh hell yeah, I liked it … too much.” He grasped her under her arms, pulling her to her feet. Kissing her softly, thoroughly, he tasted himself and almost came. “I want to be inside you when I come. We’ll save the playing for later.”

She nodded, the glassy look in her eyes telling him she was already concentrating on something else, namely his fingers that were plucking at her taut nipples. Zach leaned down and captured a peak with his mouth and sucked hard. A soft gasping squeal was his reward, then she held his head as he concentrated on each breast, giving each one equal treatment. When he lifted his head, he was gratified to see both nipples wet and gleaming, distended even more. Tempted to go back for another taste, he stopped when she said, “I want you inside me. Now.”

He wanted that, too, but there was something he had to do first. Whirling her around, he pressed her against the wall and went to his knees.

“Hey, no fair,” she said breathlessly.

“You said you wanted me inside you.” He parted her legs and speared her with his tongue, thrusting deep. Withdrawing, he growled, “This is me.” He licked and thrust again. “Inside you.”

Her hands went to his hair; apparently she’d decided not to argue. As he plunged, retreated, licked, and then thrust once more, the soft gasps and moans coming from above were the most beautiful sounds imaginable. Her fingers weaved through his hair as she undulated, riding his tongue, her moans growing louder. Zach thrust harder, deeper … Savannah’s entire body tightened and then she came, throbbing sweetly against his mouth.

Unable to wait any longer, Zach went to his feet and grabbed her butt. Picking her up, he pressed her against the wall and then plunged deep, impaling her to the hilt.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he muttered.

When she complied, he held her ass in his hands and began a quick rhythm of plunge and retreat that continued on and on. Every second he held on, he took as a gift. Savannah’s eyes glittered up at him, the intensity of her expression one he’d remember even in his old age. And then she came … Zach knew he’d never seen anyone more beautiful or perfect. The next second, he couldn’t think at all. Climax almost blowing his head off, he let out a growl of fulfillment that could probably be heard all over the house.

Still feeling the urgency, he gave them no time to recover. “Let’s find a bed.” Holding her trembling body tight against him, he said, “Think we can stay attached?”

She tightened her legs around him and whispered, “Let’s try. Just don’t let go.”

“Never.” With each step, he grew harder. They made it to the stairway but there was no hope of going up the stairs as aroused as he was. Turning so he could sit down, he plopped down to the first step, kept her legs tight around his waist, and growled, “Ride.”

Looking both intrigued and excited, Savannah balanced on her knees and began a slow, steady ride. They kept their eyes focused and fixed on each other, and each plunge inside her caused ripples through both of them. Finally, as her moves became quicker and less coordinated and her breath started coming in rasps, Zach grabbed her hips and pushed her down until he was buried as deep as he could go. She came on a wail of ecstasy, and seconds later, Zach followed.