Theirs To Claim (Predatory Desires Book 1) (29 page)

Emily could only offer him a nod and then she looked down at her hands. She touched the new addition to her left hand, letting the fingertips of her right spin and play with her engagement ring. Okay, so that idea hadn’t led to any great revelation, Emily thought as she sighed. So what else was there? Could all of this madness really be one of the deputies’ doing? Or was it someone else in town who she’d completely overlooked and never suspected of a thing?

“Emily, come here to me,” Noah called to her, drawing Emily from her thoughts.

When she looked up at him, he held out his hand to her. She unhooked her safety belt and took a few steps in his direction. Noah clasped her hand and brought her down on his lap. He turned her so she could rest her head against his shoulder and her legs draped over his and to the side. Emily felt Noah kiss her hair and then lay the side of his face against her head.

Gabriel reached into her seat and snagged her blanket and then he turned and handed it to Noah. Between the two of them, they covered her again. Then Gabe bent and slipped her shoes off.

“Thank you,” Emily smiled.

He gave her sock covered toes an affectionate squeeze before he released her.

“Gabriel, when we left the park after lunch, you never answered me when I asked you which deputy you would place your money on, if you had to bet on one as the suspect. Is there a reason you hesitated?”

“There is,” he said quietly.

“Tell me.”

“I don’t put a name to a suspect, Emily, unless I have enough evidence to solidly convict them. The same is true for every man on our team. If you begin to concentrate all of your focus on one individual, it takes your eyes off the other potential contenders. And if you’re wrong, then the real criminal often gets away with murder.”

A shudder rolled through her at the mention of his last word. Noah pulled her a little closer to his chest. His arms were wrapped solidly around her and Emily was more than happy to share his warmth and support. Yet, her eyes stayed locked with Gabriel’s.

“I’m glad, love,” she murmured. “I’m glad you both use such caution and always make sure you have the right person. Just one more reason for me to feel safe at night when you go away on your cases. I’ll know you’re not placing yourselves in unnecessary danger.”

“Well, that’s another topic we’ll need to deal with down the road,” said Noah. Emily leaned away from his shoulder so she could see him and she watched Noah nod slowly. “We’ll figure out something for the future. But for right now, all I know is I’m not leaving you behind. Don’t know exactly what that’s gonna entail, but that’s what my gut says.”

“Just your gut?” Emily asked slyly, thinking there were certainly other parts of his anatomy that would miss her. She knew there were parts of his body that she didn’t want to do without in the foreseeable future either.

Noah’s eyes narrowed playfully and he leaned in closer until his lips hovered just over hers. “Behave, baby,” he whispered, his lips barely brushing against hers as he uttered the warning.

“Or?” she goaded him.

“I can’t bend you over and show you. Kaden and Garrett are just too close for that right now.”

“Rain check, then?” she countered.

“You’re just asking for it, aren’t you?”

“That depends.”

“On?”

“What
it
is.” Emily shrugged and gave him a wide, innocent grin.

A devious smile spread across Noah’s lips as he watched the delight play and dance in her eyes. A low rumble worked its way through his chest just before his lips descended on hers. His hands thrust into her hair and he held Emily to his face, devouring her.

Emily gave as good as she got, and before Noah realized her intent, her hands had slipped under his shirt and she was stroking his taut abdomen. He sucked in a short gasp and reared back, the green within his eyes almost swallowed up by his dilated pupils. Emily merely licked her lips and moved her seeking fingers to his nipples.

“Emily, I swear to God, I’m about to do something we’ll both regret. Stop,” he said in clear warning.

“You’re right,” she nodded and slid her hands from under his shirt. “I am making it
hard
to concentrate.”

Noah groaned and pushed her head back down on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms back around her and trapped Emily’s head with his chin.

“Be still,” he all but swore as he continued to breathe heavily against her. “I mean it, Em. Don’t move a muscle.”

“Yes, Noah,” she chuckled. He gave her a quick swat on the ass, but she continued laughing, completely undeterred. “You should be flattered, you know?”

“Oh? Flattered that you want me enough, that you’d temp me into taking you right in front of our friends?” Noah couldn’t wait to hear whatever outrageous or flirtatious statement Emily was about to make. Anything to keep her mind away from what they were steadily headed towards, though, was fine by him.

“No,” she said quietly. Emily smiled slightly and nuzzled Noah’s neck as she drug his masculine, clean scent deep into her lungs. “Flattered that I trust you both to play like this, knowing that I can say anything to you, without fear or regret. I’ve always liked the way we tease each other. And I’m liking the unrestricted play now even more. I don’t have to watch my words any longer, worried that I might give too much away.”

“Oh, baby,” Noah sighed. “What complete dumbasses we’ve been. We should have told you long before now what you meant to us. I
do
regret not speaking up before now. Maybe we would have known about the shit Jonathan pulled. Or hell, maybe he wouldn’t have gotten the chance to manhandle you, because we would have already been a steady presence in your life. And for that, I’m sorry, Em. Sorry that you had to go so long wishing for what could have been, when it was already there and waiting for you.”

“I don’t regret waiting for you or Gabriel at all, Noah.” Emily tilted her head back in his arms and lifted her hand to caress his jaw. “I believe our timing was exactly as it was meant to be, because you were both finally ready for there to be an
us
. I couldn’t have risked losing one of you, to have the other. I would
never
have destroyed your friendship with one another to have a chance with just one of you. And I would also never have tried to force feelings and emotions on you, which you didn’t reciprocate.”

“No, we – meaning the three of us – became what we were meant to be in our own time and in our own way. Nothing forced or false about us. And that makes me very, very happy.” Emily nodded slowly and smiled. Her hand left his cheek and trailed up into his thick, blonde hair.

“I’m so damned glad you want us,” Noah chuckled softly. He looked at her in true wonder and it warmed her all the way to her toes. “I don’t know what we ever did to deserve you, but I’m glad all the same.”

Emily leaned in to press a soft kiss to his lips, and when she drew away she extended a hand towards Gabriel. “Same is true for you too, handsome. I’m happy that we’re as we are now, and all our days henceforth.”

“So am I, honey,” Gabriel said with a gentle nod. “Lay your head against Noah now and close your eyes for us. Try to rest if you can.”

She gave his fingers a light squeeze and then she settled back down. Noah snuggled her close and Emily lay in his arms with her eyes closed, not really sleeping, but still going through it all in the hopes of finding some kind of answer. There had to be something – even if it was something small – that she had overlooked. Something they were all missing.

CHAPTER 28

Lawton and Ethan were waiting at the airfield located eleven miles outside of Whitford Falls, when the first of their team landed. Ross and Braden placed their luggage in the back of a rented SUV and then leaned against it, talking with the other men until the last of their group touched down. They weren’t kept waiting long, because less than fifteen minutes later, Garrett and Kaden’s helicopter was sitting beside the first and powering down.

Lawton strode towards them, followed by Ross and Braden, all of them fanning out and surveying the surrounding terrain, and not the machine or its occupants. When the helicopter’s side door swung open, Gabriel was the first off, his sidearm already drawn and his posture tense. Lawton moved to intercept him, hoping to put him at ease. They all knew he nor Noah wanted Emily anywhere near Whitford Falls at the present. Yet here they all stood, as if daring the suspect to take a shot at her.

“Coast is clear, Gabriel. You can stand down,” Lawton reassured him in a quiet murmur. It was his standard volume of speech. “I verified it with the infrared goggles before you or the others landed. We really are clear for now.”

“Thanks,” Gabriel muttered, his eyes still surveying the small airfield. “Em, come on out, honey, but stay between me and Noah.” He issued his gentle command without looking back, confident that she would follow his directions. Lawton watched as Emily stepped down and smiled at him. Noah was only a breath away from her, his chest touching her back.

“Hi, Lawton,” Emily said as she extended a hand towards him. He clasped it between his much larger palms without a delay and gave her a soft squeeze. But then her eyes surveyed the others and when she saw Ethan leaning against the sleek, black SUV her eyes widened in alarm.

“Lawton, tell me who’s watching Tara if you and Ethan are here?” she asked, her words almost tripping over each other as her panic set in.

“Now, Miss Emily, you know us better than that,” Lawton chuckled. “Tara is in the backseat of the same vehicle Ethan happens to be guarding. She is just fine, as are you. So breathe easy and know that we have you both covered.”

“Oh, thank you.” Her words came out in a rush and Lawton released her so Noah could enfold her in his arms.

“Let’s get you into a vehicle too and head home, baby,” Noah said softly, kissing her temple.

She nodded and turned just as Gabriel reached behind him to touch her hand for a brief moment. He led them forward while Garrett and Kaden disembarked. Ross and Braden helped with the luggage transfer, and within ten minutes they were rolling towards Gabriel and Noah’s house.

Emily had wanted to slide into the SUV that Tara occupied, but Gabriel denied the request. He placed her between Noah and himself again in the second vehicle, promising her that it would not be long before their reunion took place. She knew Gabriel must have a reason for his decision, so she honored it without comment. Instead, she sat holding their hands while she listened to Ross and Braden talk to them about the legal showdown that was poised to take place that day.

Their boss had come through, and they had the necessary paperwork in hand now to take over as the lead on her case. Sheriff Strauss would now officially answer to them, all of the final decisions coming from Lawton and Gabriel. Noah and Gabe had little liking for shutting down a man they both had known all of their lives, and one whom they greatly respected, but even one such as he would not deter them from protecting what was theirs. No one would.

Ross watched for any sign of a tail while Braden navigated the country roads leading to the guys’ house. He saw no one following them, and breathed a small sigh of relief that they’d made it this far without a hitch. So far, so good, he thought.

They pulled into the winding drive behind the SUV Lawton was driving and soon the lights of the house were shining like a beacon, welcoming them home. Lawton and Ethan had purposefully left them all on, even the outdoor floodlights, hoping to leave no dark corners for someone to hide in and await their return.

Emily felt her whole body relax when the familiar two-story brick house came into view. The stately white columns, which lined its wrap-around porch, gleamed in the lights. She had always teased them about the sheer size of the home they’d purchased for themselves, wondering why two guys who worked out of town so much would need such a substantial property.

But they’d only told her they liked to have room to spread out. Now Emily wondered if they weren’t already thinking of the life and family they would create with her, and honestly preparing for the future, even back then.

“Stay here between us, Emily, until we get the all-clear from the other guys,” said Gabriel.

She laid her head against his arm and nodded. Emily watched as all the others save Ethan, Noah, and Gabriel left their seats and began a full sweep of the house and its surrounding grounds. Gabriel shifted and lifted his arm, pulling her flush against his side. He kissed her hair and closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath as he prayed that coming home was the right move and not a colossal mistake.

Noah saw Garrett give him the signal that the coast was clear and he nodded in return, then opened his door. He smiled at Gabe and slid out, letting him be the one to hold on to Emily and get her inside. Noah could see that Gabriel was not accepting this trek home well at all, and he hoped Emily’s nearness would help to calm him down.

Ethan and Lawton ushered Tara inside and on their heels, Gabriel protected Emily under the shelter of his body and Noah’s. As soon as Emily stepped inside the back door leading into the mudroom, Tara broke away from Lawton and launched herself at Emily. Her long, red curls bounced as she rushed forward and her green eyes were moist with unshed tears.

She pulled Emily from Gabriel’s hold and enveloped her in a fierce hug of her own. Emily held on just as tightly, not willing to let go for fear of what she might see in Tara’s eyes. Would she understand and forgive her, Emily wondered?

“Oh my word, girl! Am I glad to see you,” breathed Tara. She was trembling just as much as Emily, as she tried to calm herself enough to talk.

“I’m sorry,” Emily said and held on a little tighter. “I just couldn’t… I didn’t want you in the middle of this, Tara. I’m so sorry, for everything.”

“What?” Tara asked and pulled back, framing Emily’s face in her hands. “Now you listen to me. I
totally
get why you reacted like you did. I would have done the exact same thing, Emily. I would have and you know it. But I’m so glad to finally understand what’s been going on with you.”

Emily nodded and cried with Tara. They embraced one another again, slowly rocking each other. The men stepped to the side and let them have their reunion uninterrupted. Tara finally opened her eyes and she met Noah’s gaze first. She loosened her hold on Emily and smiled up at him.

“Did you guys finally figure it all out and put my girl out of her misery?” she asked with a knowing grin.

“We did,” Noah chuckled.

“About damn time,” Tara sighed, feigning exasperation.

“You knew all along, didn’t you?” Emily asked and reached out to smooth Tara’s tears away.

“Duh?” Tara played. Everyone around them chuckled over her comment. “It was as obvious as night and day. And I’m happy for you, Emily. All three of you. This has been a long time coming.”

“Thank you, Tara,” Gabriel said quietly. Her immediate acceptance of their relationship put him more at ease. He thought her approval would further bolster Emily, and she still needed that as she moved back into the realm of social interactions after cutting herself off from them for so long.

“You’re welcome,” Tara said and dipped her head just a bit. But then she narrowed her eyes at him and said, “But just so you two know, if you break her heart, I will personally get my granddaddy’s shotgun and unload on you both. Got it?”

“Got it,” Gabriel chuckled. Tara could be like a little pit bull some days, and he was pleased she was firmly in Emily’s corner. Even if she was threatening to fill his ass full of lead.

“That goes for you too over there, Thor,” Tara smirked at Noah.

He burst out laughing, hearing the nickname she had labeled him with, and stepped forward to drape an arm over Emily’s shoulders. “Don’t hurt me, Tara. We’re marrying her, so she will be well looked after.”

“What?!” she shouted and snagged Emily’s left hand. “My Lord, what a ring! Emily, you’re gonna need insurance for that thing,” she breathed. “It’s perfect for the three of you, isn’t it?”

“Perfect in every way,” Emily smiled. “You and I have a lot to talk over though, and I want us to, Tara. I want to tell you everything that I’ve kept hidden for the last two months. Okay?”

“We have all day to do that,” Tara said seriously, letting her banter fall away. “But you still look tired, Em. Why don’t we get comfortable, and then you and I can go through it all?”

“Emily,” Gabriel called her attention to him as he stepped closer. “Garrett, Lawton, Braden, and I are going to head into town in a little while to handle things with Strauss. Noah, Ethan, Kaden, and Ross are going to stay here with you and Tara. So let’s get you settled before I have to leave you, okay?”

“All right,” she nodded. She touched Tara’s shoulder and then let Noah turn her away from the mudroom and head off down the hallway, away from the others. Gabriel moved alongside them, and the three headed upstairs to Noah’s room.

The home featured five bedrooms, and had a master both upstairs and down. Gabriel had always claimed the one on the first floor, while Noah’s room was on the second floor. Once they’d entered it, Gabriel closed the door, sealing them away briefly from the others in the house. Emily paused and waited to see what they might say.

But Gabriel didn’t utter a word. He just bent and captured her lips with his. He cupped her face and held Emily to him, but that quickly proved not enough. His hands began to roam over her body and he started divesting her of her clothes in record time.

“Need you, Em,” he muttered as he drug her shirt over her head. “I’m sorry, but this will be quick.”

“It’s okay, Gabriel,” she said in a soothing tone. “I’m here for you.”

He growled and began to back her towards Noah’s bed, stripping his jeans and briefs off as she fell on the mattress. He grabbed the back of his shirt and whipped it over his head, then settled himself between her legs. Gabriel’s lips locked with Emily’s again as his fingers delved below, testing her readiness to take him.

He found her wet and just as hot as he felt all over. His skin was alive and he was about to crawl out of it at the thought of being separated from her. Gabe wasted no more time plunging inside her, embedding himself to the hilt as he swallowed her cry. He held her tightly to him as he began to move within her body in earnest.

He felt Emily’s hands digging into his shoulders, but her legs lifted to wrap around his waist and she moved into each of his forceful thrusts. Gabriel threaded his hands into her hair and kept Emily’s head in place so he could plunder her mouth as he was her pussy. His tongue mated with hers, just as his cock touched the deepest recesses of her body.

When he felt her arch into one particularly hard thrust, Gabriel pulled from the tight clasp of her sheath and flipped Emily over onto her belly. He rammed back inside, blanketing her body with his and keeping her in place as he took her over and over.

Emily pressed her lips together trying to stifle her sounds, but she was fast losing the war as she whimpered through the powerful way in which Gabriel was commanding her body.

“Help her, Noah,” Gabe urged him, knowing she was close to screaming her release.

Noah had not joined them, but at Gabriel’s prompting he slid onto the bed. Noah stretched out and fused his lips to Emily’s, delving deeply just as Gabriel had, and swallowed up her sounds. He cupped her face with his palms and held her as her whole body absorbed the fire burning its way through Gabe at the moment.

Gabriel sat up on his knees and wrapped his hands around her waist. He began to pull Emily back onto his cock as he thrust forward, tilting her hips in his grasp and hitting that perfect spot guaranteed to make them both come unglued. He felt the rippling of her pussy just as her muffled cry sounded against Noah’s mouth, and knew she was finding release. Gabriel threw back his head and let his own orgasm race from his shaft until he was filling her with every ounce of come he had.

It took his mind a minute to catch up with his body, but finally his thrusts slowed to a stop. He kept his cock firmly inside her, and lowered himself down until his chest rested against Emily’s back. Noah smoothed his hands over her face and pulled away as Gabriel placed his cheek alongside hers. Gabe sighed and closed his eyes, feeling his heart racing still.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

“Hmmm,” she smiled. “More than okay.”

“Me too, honey,” he murmured. “Thank you for indulging me.”

“That wasn’t me indulging you, Gabriel,” she said lazily. “I wanted you just as much as you needed me. I have no complaints. Feel free to do that again, as often as you like, because that was hot as hell.”

“Oh, really?” he growled and nipped her jaw with his teeth lightly. “Then I’ll remember you don’t mind it a little faster and rougher at times.”