Page 54 of Shiver

She loved feeling this close to him, feeling as though for the first time in her life someone was there for her, someone believed in her. She rested her hand on his chest and ran her fingers lightly across his skin, grazing her nails across his collarbone, as her mouth moved longingly over his.

She moaned softly as his lips moved down her neck to nibble at the base of her throat. “Riley,” she whispered and inhaled his scent—strong, masculine, protective. Would he protect her? Would he see her through this nightmare when the world began to darken? How far would he go?

Riley drew a quick breath as Devra brushed a soft touch across his chest. Her fingertips feathering his skin sent an electric jolt straight through him. She was beautiful with her long golden curls resting against her shoulders, her lips lush and sensuous curved in a slight smile. He could see her passion, could feel it, and he had to have her.

He pulled her up against him, his lips falling hard across hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her breasts against his chest. He ran the tip of his tongue over the shell of her ear, then drew the little lobe into his mouth. She moaned. His breathing quickened at the deep throaty sound.

She was so sexy and vulnerable and…what? A mystery he couldn’t seem to wrap his mind around, a puzzle he couldn’t solve. He lifted her hair and ran his tongue down the column of her throat to play in the grooves of her collarbone. She smelled faintly of vanilla with a touch of desire. She was sweet honey heaven and he couldn’t seem to get enough of her.

He lifted her nightshirt. She sat up, her eyes locking on his and helped him pull it over her head. His breath caught in his throat. She was so beautiful. She licked her lips with that sweet little tongue that sent his blood pressure skyrocketing, then moved her hands inside his waistband, undoing whatever control he had left of his senses. If he were making a mistake, it was one more in a long line of them, but he couldn’t help himself. He had to have her and damn the consequences.

He yanked off his boxers, then pulled her close, loving the feel of her body, her skin against him. His hands moved freely, exploring every inch of her, loving all the little noises she made in response to his kisses, loving the way her body moved beneath his touch. He moved his hand over her most private place. She took a deep startled breath and clutched his shoulders, her nails scratching his slick skin.

“Riley,” she moaned.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

She nodded and licked her lips. “Please?”

She didn’t need to ask him twice. It take long to find the condom hidden in his wallet, and sheath himself. He lay back next to her, running his hands over her body, and kissing her again. As the heat within him approached the boiling point, he pulled her legs around his waist, buried his face in her neck, then eased himself inside her.

“Oh,” she gasped then released a whimper of pleasure as he started to move.

Her warm velvety softness encased him. Nothing held him back. He plunged deep inside her. She hung tightly to his neck, rocking her hips, searching for that sweet release. “You feel so good,” he groaned as his control slipped away.“Come on, darlin’. Take me home.”

He tilted his hips forward, trying to reach the spot that would send her over the edge. She was close; he could feel her teetering on the brink. He took a deep breath and hammered quick, hard thrusts.She stiffened, then cried out, her body shuddering beneath his grasp. Her muscles pulsating around him, pulled him up, then plunged him down into his own release. When he resurfaced and regained his equilibrium, he took a deep breath, then let it out again. “Lord, have mercy.”

Chapter 21

Devra had been dreaming again,she could tell by her hammering heart and quickened breath, but this time she could remember none of it. She turned and watched Riley sleeping soundly. For the first time in her life, she felt happy. She felt special as the warmth of his touch still permeated her skin. She felt as though she wasn’t alone. And at the same time, she was never more afraid.

She closed her eyes and pushed back at the fear that her happiness was only temporary. That disaster was only a car ride away. Soon they’d be in Washington and everything would be different. She’d no longer be Devra Morgan. Instead, she’d be Devra Miller—the crazy girl with a secret.

She couldn’t help wondering how her parents would react to their arrival. The last time she’d seen them, they’d left her at the institution. She’d been thirteen and so scared. They’d never sent for her. Not even during the long Christmas holidays. They’d just locked her up and forgotten her. How could she face them again after that?

She couldn’t. They didn’t deserve to see her happy, to know she’d gotten out of that horrible place and made a life for herself without them. Bitter tears filled her eyes. Who was she fooling? She missed them. She wanted them to accept her back into their lives, to be proud of her. But could she let them, even if they wanted to?

She climbed out of bed, entered the bathroom, and stepped into the shower. The hot water rinsed away her tears and eased the swelling in her eyes. It would be different this time. They wouldn’t reject her again, but even as she told herself the lie, she knew nothing had changed.

“Good morning, doll,” Riley said and reached into the shower to give her a quick kiss.

Of course, things had changed, she thought as she looked into Riley’s handsome face. Now she had someone who believed in her, someone who was going to save her from the devil himself. “And that it is,” she said with a genuine smile.

* * *

Thirty minutes later,feeling more contented than she’d ever thought possible, Devra fed Felix, then went to the lobby to load up on muffins and fruit from the breakfast buffet for the drive. She’d left Riley singing in the shower and as happy as a lark. She knew she was setting herself up for a fall, but chose to ignore the warnings her subconscious kept sending her. She was determined to hang on to whatever happiness she could while she was still lucky enough to have it.

She took her time choosing from the substantial display of breakfast food and made herself a strong cup of tea. She wasn’t looking forward to another long day in the car, even if it was with Riley. With her hands full, she walked back toward the first-floor room, hoping Riley would open the door before she reached it.

“Riley,” she called softly as she approached. She glanced to her right into the parking lot to see if he’d started loading their bags into the car, then stopped, unable to comprehend what she was seeing. Riley’s car…so much blood. Her breath caught in her throat, her legs weakened beneath her. The cardboard tray of tea, muffins, and fruit slipped from her grasp and landed on the ground at her feet. A small sound escaped from her and grew in intensity.

Riley opened the motel door. She looked at him through tears swimming in her eyes, then looked back at his Expedition where something thick and red had been smeared all over his windshield. But as she looked again, she realized it wasn’t blood. It was berries…red raspberries.

“Devra, what is it?” Riley rushed toward her then followed her gaze to the parking lot.

“He’s here, Riley. He’s found me again. How could he know we’re here?” She heard her voice rising with hysteria, but could do nothing to stop it.

“It’s okay,” Riley said softly and placed a gentle touch on her arm.

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