back of the chair, visions of Vader shifting into my mind. The rugged, dangerous man couldn’t have any idea how much he’d changed my life.
Five minutes passed by.
Ten.
Hell, maybe longer.
I closed my eyes, the headache remaining after the morning’s events lingering.
Bing!
The noise was easily recognizable, the sound of the text giving me another round of shivers.
As I glanced at the screen, I sucked in my breath.
Your time is up.
After placing the wine on the small table, I texted a message of my own, the receiver waiting for acknowledgment.
Then I remained where I was, now encouraged by the darkness.
I didn’t have to wait long.
The single cracking sound was followed by a whoosh, the bright orange fire exploding in the kitchen in slow motion. My reactions were slow at first, my heart racing as I bolted toward the front door.
Boom!
As the door was kicked in, several people rushing inside, a deputy grabbed me, dragging me out of the house, yanking me to the far side of the driveway. The noise was horrific, someone barking orders, the thudding of footsteps all around me. I fought my way out of the deputy’s arms, struggling to find the person I was looking for.
Vader rushed forward, his expression full of concern. When he took me into his arms, I’d never felt so joyous in my entire life.
“Jesus Christ,” he growled, pulling me even further away.
“I’m fine.” Yet I clung to him as members of law enforcement as well as firefighters scrambled into and around my house.
“That was stupid. My God. I can’t believe I allowed you to risk your life.” He pressed me close, holding my head against his chest.
The scene was intense, my vision clouded by the number of people as well as the smoke rolling out my front door.
“I’m going to kill the bastard.” Vader’s words echoed in my mind, although I could barely think clearly. He took my face into both his hands, his eyes darting back and forth. “Franny.”
“I’m okay. Who knew you were one damn good actor?” I tried to laugh, his performance at my office exactly what had given the perpetrator the courage to attempt another assassination.
“When we’re done with this, I am so going to spank you.” He half laughed after issuing the words, cradling my face then pressing his lips against mine.
I didn’t care in the least if he spanked me over and over again. I was in his arms. As he slipped his tongue inside my mouth, nothing else seemed to matter. We were together and safe.
Then we both heard the words we’d hoped for.
“We got him.”
Vader eased back enough to be able to look into my eyes. “You risked your life doing that, something you’re never going to do again.”
When he captured my mouth for a second time, the taste of him was a sweet reminder that he was right, but there’d been no other way than to stage the press conference and our argument.
And thank God, it had worked.
The noise surrounding us no longer mattered, the realization that the nightmare was almost over electrifying. His embrace was the only thing that mattered, his hands roaming down the length of my back. As he pulled my shivering body against his heated mass, it sent a shower of desire into every cell and muscle. Even the way he dominated my tongue, swiping his back and forth in a forceful manner created tingles. I hungered for this man. I cherished him.
And I belonged to him.
“Ahem.”
Only after a few seconds was the sound able to filter into my eardrums as well as my brain. Vader gently broke the kiss, nipping my lower lip then growling before turning his attention to the sheriff standing only a couple of feet away.
“Who the fuck is the asshole?” Vader demanded.
Sheriff Robertson looked from Vader’s face into mine before answering. “A deputy.”
“You recognized the utility knife?”
“Yes, unfortunately so. I was almost certain I did, but I wasn’t certain until we got lucky, a single partial fingerprint found,” she answered, sighing as all three of us caught sight of the man dressed in black being led in handcuffs to another deputy’s car. He swung his head in our direction and even in the darkness, I could swear his expression was one of remorse.
“He’s not the only asshole behind this. You know that,” Vader stated, huffing under his breath.
“No, I don’t know that for certain and I won’t have a general idea until Deputy… I mean until Mr. Mathers is questioned. That’s going to take some