In Zach's Arms (Once a Marine, Always a Marine Book 1) Read Free Page A

since the first break-in.  
    “Time for bed,” he said, as he slowly slid his arms under her shoulders and knees.
    “Hmmm.”
    The sexy murmur made him smile, and when he adjusted her in his arms, she cuddled closer. Her breath blew against his neck as he carried her down the hall, causing his body to react. Beth’s soft breasts brushed his chest, making it suddenly difficult to walk. It didn’t help that he could easily visualize her naked in his arms, their bodies intertwined.  
    The throbbing in his jeans increased, nudging painfully against the zipper. He’d been a walking hard-on since Beth was in her teens, so this wasn’t new for him.
    He slid her under the covers, took off her shoes and tucked her in. Then he left the room, grabbed his cell phone and called Mike Hanson. He and “Little” Mike had done two tours in Fallujah together. They’d had each other’s backs in some squirrelly situations. Since transitioning into civilian life, Mike had become a cop, moving up to sergeant quickly.
    “Hello?” Mike answered, a hint of annoyance creeping through.
    “What? I catch you sleeping?” Zach taunted.
    “Nah, eating a donut and wasting the taxpayers’ money,” was the reply.
    “You hate donuts and the taxpayers don’t pay you enough for the shit you do for them.”
    “I heard that. What’s up, brother?”
    “I have a friend with a problem. She’s in your jurisdiction and I’m curious about the case and about the lead investigator.”
    “Give me her name and I’ll dig around.”
    “Thanks, Mike. I’ll owe you one.”
    “Damn straight you will. I’ll think of something good to ask for, too.”
    “You got it.”

    ***

    The secret admirer was tired today, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to check in on her. That’s how he thought of himself. Her secret admirer.
    Elizabeth.
    Even her name excited him. His visits to her apartment had been spur-of-the-moment, but that didn’t diminish the depth of his admiration. He thought she’d liked the rose, even though he’d been hoping to surprise her in person. He’d lost his temper a bit over that. He hadn’t meant to do so much damage, but really, it was her fault.
    Switching on the monitor, he waited for the tiny camera he’d planted yesterday to power up. He’d placed it in her bedroom in the vent, facing the bed, so that he could watch her any time he wanted. He was happy that the police obviously hadn’t found it.
    The image finally cleared and showed nothing but rumpled covers and some of the mess he’d made. He felt bad about that. It wasn’t like him to lose control like that, but that’s what she did to him. It’s how she affected him.
    She made him crazy.
    “Where are you, my Elizabeth?” he whispered.
    He assumed she’d be there, cleaning up. Turning off the monitor, he forced himself to relax. She’d be back, sooner or later, and he knew where she’d likely be anyway. That old woman who owned the place was always meddling. She would have demanded that Elizabeth stay with her last night. Maybe Elizabeth was still sleeping.
    He would have preferred to watch.
    Fingering the silk in his pocket, he pulled out her panties and brought them to his face. He shouldn’t have taken them. But even her smell was fresh. Almost virginal. He liked that about her.
    It was one of the reasons she was special.
    And why she deserved his attention.

    ***

    Elizabeth woke with a start, jerking into an upright position. Disoriented, she wondered where she was. Glancing around the masculine room, she sighed in relief. The wood siding, the cedar scent, and the four poster bed…Zach’s cabin.
    A loud noise blared into the quiet and she jumped.  
    What was that? The sound happened again and her racing heart began to calm down. It was her cell phone. She fumbled through her purse on the nightstand until she located the ringing phone.  
    It was already five in the afternoon and the caller I.D. told her it was Jeffrey Jones calling. Her agent.