He called Chris Williams at headquarters and asked him to run the check. “Get back to me when you find out anything.”
“Give me one sec.”
They had Couch’s number programmed. “You got something?”
“His phone’s off or else he ditched it.”
“Thanks.” Trax stuffed his phone back in his pocket. “Let’s hit Couch’s home.”
#
Trax had been gone three hours and Liz was going stir crazy. What she really needed was a walk. When she pulled on the door that led to the stairs, it was locked. Now she was pissed. Fine, she’d find a way out.
She tested the door behind the dining room. It was locked, too. What was up with keeping her in? A third door sat left of the kitchen. When she turned the knob, it opened. Finally.
The door led to an entranceway. At the end was a staircase. The one going down probably lead to the store, but she couldn’t guess what was upstairs. Curious to investigate every nook and cranny, she went upstairs only to have another door slap her in the face. Shit. She tried the handle. This one was open, and she stepped inside. A small hallway opened up to a huge weight room on the right. It looked like it could handle ten people at once, but the number of weight stations really didn’t surprise her given how buff the men were. Off to the left sat another room. She felt like Alice in Wonderland testing door after door. That one was also open. Inside sat a rather messy office. She had to smile. This had to be where Dante worked.
No other doors were evident, so she headed back down the stairs and continued to the other staircase. When she reached the door at the bottom, she pushed it open. Success! Just stepping into civilization boosted her spirits.
Liz inhaled, happy to be free.
“Sugar!” Dante trotted over and she was almost tempted to throw herself in his arms, but she hesitated. He should have either told her about how to get out or seen to it that she had access to the outside.
“I was trapped inside for hours.”
“Poor baby.” He encased her in his arms. She thought about stepping out of his embrace, but the comfort made her stand still.
She leaned back but remained pressed against him. “Why did you lock me in?”
“Nothing personal.” He chuckled. “We keep the place locked tight because if someone’s in our house we don’t want there, he can’t escape.”
She saw their point but didn’t have to like it. “You don’t want me?” That wasn’t what he meant, but she took the opportunity to tease him.
He backpedaled her to one of the shelving units and nibbled on her lips. “What do you think?”
His lips on her neck ignited her skin. “Why didn’t you wake me up before you left and say goodbye?” She hadn’t meant to pout, but it came out that way.
“I went into the room, but you were zonked out and I didn’t want to disturb you.” He leaned close and sniffed. “Why do I smell my brother on you?”
“Um.” Maybe she should have washed her face, but she never thought he’d be able to smell that well.
He grinned. “He kissed you, didn’t he?”
“Yes.” She wouldn’t give any details how the kiss came about.
“Hot damn!”
“You’re happy?” He had said it was okay to be with his brother, but she really hadn’t believed him.
He devoured her mouth and her body melted. She guessed that would be a yes. Her body tensed, but only for a second. She hadn’t seen any customers when she entered the store, but someone could walk in any moment. Right now, she didn’t care. His one hand massaged her breast and the other rubbed her ass. Memories of how he’d made her body feel returned, and she wanted to relive that amazing experience once more.
She’d already committed a crime, had men attempt to kill her, and learned the world wasn’t anything like what she’d believed. The last twenty-four hours would have been tragically terrible had it not been for Dante. Now, she wanted him again.
She slipped her hand between them and grabbed his crotch.
“Sugar, you really don’t want to go there.”
Yes I do. Ignoring his plea, she held on and squeezed. Her thumb brushed his zipper and she lowered it. She expected a cloth barrier to block her, but his cock popped into her hand. “Nice!”
She barely got her fingers on him when he pulled away. “I have to taste you first.”
She clung to the word first. “Someone might come in.”
His gaze implied he didn’t give a damn. That was so like Dante. He had her jeans’ button popped and the material down over her hips before she could protest. Perhaps one little lick would hold her over until she got him alone.