Protective Custody Read online

  Was she hiding something? “Do you have an idea who was driving?”

  Tiny lines around her mouth and eyes deepened. “Jerome Thomas. A guy I dated after you and I…”

  After you broke my heart.

  Must have been the man he saw her with a while ago. “Wait a second. Do you think he could be the murderer or the person who put the head on your porch? I’m confused here, Megan. If you know more than you’ve told me, it’s time to lay all your cards on the table.” He set his hands on his waist and waited.

  “I don’t know, okay? No, Jerome is definitely not the murderer. The killer was white. Jerome is black. And I have no idea who left the severed head. Maybe Jerome is the one who’s been after me, though. Someone’s been calling the office and saying things. Awful things. And now it’s happening here too.” She fiddled with her bracelet. “I’m not hiding anything from you, and I’m not making any of this up. I honestly thought it was the killer until I saw that car drive off. It might have been Jerome, but I can’t be positive.”

  “What kind of things did he say?”

  “He knows who I am. Even called me by name. But he was disguising his voice.” She trembled, although the room was comfortably warm.

  “So it could have been anyone.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Are you sure you heard the caller right? I mean sometimes victims let fear do things to them. They imagine stuff.”

  The hurt in her eyes sliced through him. “I didn’t mean to upset you, sorry. I’m just covering all the bases.”

  “I can’t even begin to explain how maddening it is to witness such an awful thing, then have the police treat me like some kind of wacko with a vivid imagination or a drinking problem. I have to find that poor girl’s killer, or her face will haunt me for the rest of my life.”

  He grasped her upper arms. “I understand and I promise, I’ll help you.”

  She backed out of his reach and nodded. “Thanks. Think we could work on turning the lights back on first?”

  “Was the power out when you got home?”

  “No. There was a popping sound a few minutes after I arrived. Then it all went off. And I think someone was inside. I had a hard time getting out the back door. Like something was blocking it.”

  He grabbed a flashlight from the table and checked to confirm it worked. “Do you know where the electrical box is?”

  “Outside. Near the kitchen window.”

  “Show me.”

  He took her hand and let her lead him to the junction box. As they approached, she hesitated. She pointed to a dark rectangle on the wall. The metal cover sat open, and a few pieces of cut wire were visible on the wet ground below.

  At her sharp gasp, he pulled her into an embrace. “It’s going to be okay. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  I can’t allow her to count on me.

  “I don’t understand why Jerome would do this.” She moved away from him. “I never did anything mean to him. Why would he want to taunt me?”

  He hooked her arm and started back toward the house. “I have no idea. But in the meantime, you can’t stay here without any power.” He considered bringing her to his apartment, but if someone was searching for her, it would be too easy to find her there.

  “What about my house? I need to call someone to fix this mess.” She stepped up to the back porch ahead of him, then spun to face him, her lashes fluttering rapidly. “And what about you, Will? I can’t expect you to put your life on hold.” She dropped her gaze. “I heard a woman’s voice when I called you before. If you’re seeing someone—”

  “I’m not.”

  A subtle smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “Not that it’s any of my business, but—”

  He took her face between his hands and kissed her with an urgency that even surprised him. She leaned her warm body into his and released a soft moan into his mouth.

  He couldn’t help himself. She tasted of mint and desire and everything he’d ever wanted. A strong gust of wind blew rain from the trees onto them. When she shivered, he ushered her inside. “I have an electrician friend who should be able to get the electricity up and running tomorrow. For now I want to get you to a safe place. Any ideas?”

  She locked the bolt. “How about one of my rental properties? I have four vacant ones.”

  “Perfect.” He handed her the flashlight. “Go pack a bag. No telling how long it’ll take to flush this guy out.”

  She hesitated, and a heavy silence fell between them. The candlelight stroked her delicate features like a lover. She chewed at the corner of her mouth.

  God, she’s beautiful.

  He waited, but she said nothing. “What?”

  “Would you mind coming with me?”

  Not like he hadn’t been in her bedroom before. Before she’d left him. He swallowed the bitter taste. “Sure.”

  He walked behind her, his gaze riveted to the gentle sway of her hips. Not long ago he’d loved sinking his fingers into those hips as Megan slid up and down over his cock. The image stirred delicious and dangerous thoughts.

  He entered her room, and more memories stormed through him, pulling him back to their time together. The four-poster bed where they’d made love a hundred times, the overstuffed chair where he’d served her breakfast on her birthday, the lavender scent of the air.

  “Have a seat.” She handed him the flashlight, then lit a candle on the table by the bed. Same one that had burned when they used to make love. He allowed himself a measure of relief when he noticed the candle appeared no smaller than it had the last time he’d seen it. Did he dare hope she hadn’t brought any other men here after him?

  Yeah, right.

  It had been six months since their breakup. And she’d obviously dated in that time. The notion of another man touching her was too much to bear.

  Think about something else.

  He clasped his hands behind his back and kept an eye on the windows. But his gaze meandered to the top drawer of the nightstand, where she kept condoms. And the furry handcuffs and the silk blindfold. A quiver of longing took hold, but he forced himself to concentrate on the here and now.

  “Will?”

  Looking over his shoulder, he met her stare. “Yeah?”

  “I said you could have a seat. If you want.”

  “I’m good.” She’d see his growing erection if he faced her. He could hardly walk backward to the chair.

  She went to the closet and pulled down a suitcase, then set it on the bed. Sparing him a quick glance, she chuckled.

  “What?”

  Her bright smile dazzled him. “I was thinking how you remind me of a soldier or a sentry. Standing guard over a prisoner.”

  “A prisoner?” More like the most precious cargo.

  She crossed to her dresser and sighed. “Guess I ought to pack enough for a couple of days, just in case.”

  “Can’t hurt.” His throat constricted when she opened the drawer that held all her sexy lingerie. He tried to drag his attention elsewhere, but he couldn’t.

  She pulled out a few items. Her arms full of clothes, she shut the drawer with a swing of her hip, a move so common yet so incredibly sexy. His breath hitched as she carefully folded each item before she packed it, the stern set of her jaw as she concentrated on her chore.

  He had to force himself to stand his ground and not sweep her into his arms and make love to her that minute.

  Her soft, caramel-colored skin glowed against her dark polo shirt. He’d bet she had on that black lace bra he remembered so well. He’d nearly chewed through it one night to get to her pebbled nipples.

  Stop it!

  Spending time with her without being able to touch her was pure torture. Would she take him to her bed if he asked? He thought about making love to her, remembered how sweet it had been. Would he ever find such bliss again? No other woman had made him feel the way she had.

  Suddenly her breath caught and her eyes widened.

  “What’s wrong?” />
  She shoved her hand into her pocket and removed something silver. “I found this today.” She strode toward him and handed him an earring. “It was on the ground behind the building where…”

  His chest tightened. “You went there? Alone?”

  She pursed her lips and blinked a couple of times. “I had to get out of my office. I was only gone for a few minutes, and Betsy was watching me nearly the entire time.”

  He held up the earring. “You think this belongs to the victim, the girl you saw?”

  “Maybe. It looks handmade. Any idea how I can find out where it came from?”

  He studied the jewelry. “That’s a long shot. But we should hang on to it. If a body is found, it could be an important piece of evidence. Do you have a baggie?”

  “In the kitchen. The drawer next to the fridge.”

  “I’ll be right back.” When he returned, her suitcase was full. “We’ll have to stop by my office to get a key.” Her words ripped him back to the present.

  He cleared his throat. “Right. Sure.”

  She zipped up her bag and lifted it off the bed. He rushed over and tried to take it from her. Their fingers touched on the handle, then intertwined. He stared into her eyes, and he was lost.

  Megan swallowed hard. Will was so close she picked up the scent of his pine cologne. The trace of stubble on his cheeks reminded her of the rough feel of his skin on hers in the dead of night. Desire spooled through her, reaching every cell, every nerve ending. Her nipples hardened to painful points and strained against her bra.

  The man turned her into a puddle of estrogen with a mere look. That pleasant ache in her abdomen that he always inspired returned. She let go of the suitcase and parted her lips.

  Kiss me.

  He answered her unspoken plea, lowering his mouth to hers. Soft, sweet.

  And packed with emotion.

  He dropped her bag, but she paid it no mind. All she could concentrate on was Will, his mouth on hers, his familiar tongue swirling around hers, his cinnamon taste. And the liquid heat flooding through her body.

  She pressed against him, took pleasure in knowing she was responsible for the hard bulge in his pants. But only seconds into their kiss Will broke away.

  She drew in a breath and waited for her pulse to calm.

  “We shouldn’t.” He backed away, scrubbing a hand over his face.

  “What’s wrong? What did I do?” A vise squeezed her heart, but it was imperative she know.

  Tiny muscles around his jaw quivered. “I’m not. I’m just… I have to keep my guard up. The moment I stop paying attention, something bad could happen. Don’t you understand that? If I don’t focus on protecting you, you could end up…” He shook his head.

  “What?” Could he be thinking about the man he’d accidentally shot? She reflected on the details of the incident she’d researched on the internet at work earlier. According to the newspaper article, the man had run from a crime scene wearing clothes similar to the suspect’s. It had been a tragic mistake, but an understandable one.

  “Change the subject,” he muttered.

  “No.” She touched his arm. “I know you’re thinking about that accidental shooting. You were cleared of wrongdoing, Will. You can’t beat yourself up for this forever.”

  “It’s not just that, okay? And I said I didn’t want to talk about it.”

  He backed away, and she wondered if she’d said too much.

  He took her hand and brought it to his lips. Having her so near consumed his head with more memories: their short vacation in the North Carolina mountains, a weekend jaunt to South Beach.

  One night. He should take whatever he could get with her. Stealing even a single evening together before they parted ways again sounded too tempting to pass up.

  Enjoy it while it lasts.

  How the hell was he supposed to resist those sparkling eyes and that silky hair? Desire whipped through him. His pulse raced with passion. He was close enough to feel her heat. “I’ve missed you.” His voice nearly cracked under the weight of his overpowering need.

  Her lips parted, and her breath caught. “I…”

  Unable to stop himself, he grasped her upper arms, drew her to him and captured her mouth. She let out a halfhearted protest before threading her fingers through his hair and hung on. He feasted on her tongue, sucked and licked and tasted. Her lusty sighs stoked his appetite.

  He slid a hand under her shirt, and she shuddered. She moaned as she ran her tongue over his teeth. He had to have her.

  Now.

  “I want you, Megan.”

  She widened her eyes, but faster than a flash, she clasped her hands behind his neck. He kissed her long and deep, tangling his tongue with hers. Her familiar taste left him hungry for more—much more.

  Moving his attention lower, he bit at an erect nipple through her shirt.

  “Oh God, Will. Yes. That feels…so…good.”

  That was exactly what he’d been waiting to hear. He pushed her against the wall for support, then tore at her clothes. He didn’t care if he ripped them, and she didn’t seem to mind. Her full breasts sat high and round with nipples the color of ripe berries, sweet as candy. He could spend hours sucking those delicious points.

  His cock grew harder as he tossed the remnants of her shirt away and went to work on her pants and underwear. She shimmied her hips to force her clothes lower, then kicked the discarded items across the floor along with her sandals. He slid his hand over her stomach, careful not to snag her gold belly ring.

  He drew in a breath infused with her scent, vanilla mixed with musky arousal. She shrugged aside her bra straps, pushed away the lacy fabric and lifted her breasts, an offering. Hot oblivion surrounded him. He plucked a taut peak and raked his teeth over it.

  Megan let out a gasp, then lowered her arms and forced him closer. She ground her pelvis against him. They’d have plenty of time for tenderness later, but for now he gave in to the fiery passion that burned for them like an all-consuming inferno.

  He reached between her legs and grinned when she let out a sexy purr. He cupped her mound and felt the heat from her pussy. He slipped a finger between her plump lips and glided it along her drenched folds.

  God, he longed to bury himself inside her, against the wall.

  She wriggled and moaned, then fed him her other breast. He gave it the same treatment, nipping and suckling until her erotic gasps filled the air. She rode his finger as he rubbed her cleft. Her desperate cries grew louder and louder, until she shook in frenzied spasms, surrendering to her climax.

  It seemed to go on and on, and with every moan, Will grew hotter and harder. Kissing the hollow of her neck, he tasted the salty residue of her excitement. He should make love to her on the wood floor on her hands and knees, mount her like a wild stallion. But he wasn’t an animal. He sucked his index finger and tasted her cream.

  “Mmm. Bed. Now.” He circled an arm around her waist to support her and crossed the distance to her bed, their way lit by the glow from the candles.

  She worked her way out of her bra, which had become a twisted cord around her waist. Will shucked his shirt while she lit a candle. He knew her so well. He took comfort in the familiar gesture.

  She met his gaze, and he grinned at the smoldering remnants of her orgasm. He planned to ignite that flame many times this night. She followed him with her eyes as he kicked off his shoes and lowered his pants. His hard-on tented his boxers.

  Megan traced his hard length. “Is that for me?” Her voice, smoky and quiet, filled him with an undeniable craving.

  “All for you.”

  She peeled away his underwear and closed her hand around his cock. Need quickened his blood. His entire body quaked with pent-up longing.

  For her.

  He took in his surroundings and assured himself he wasn’t dreaming. Not this time. She shifted against him. Her skin felt like velvet on his. He cupped her ass, marveled at how it fit so perfectly in his hands. Like he alone was mea
nt to hold it.

  “Make love to me, Will.” Her voice wrapped around him, electrified him.

  “Get on the bed.”

  She instantly obeyed, sat on the edge, facing him. He opened the top drawer of the nightstand and grabbed a condom. His breath caught as he trailed his gaze over her body. He couldn’t drag his stare away from her beauty as he sheathed himself. “Move back.”

  She lay down, and he climbed over her. He grasped her breast, laved it and circled the dark areola with hungry swipes of his tongue. Her skin tasted just as sweet as always.

  She lifted her hips, sliding her wet sex along his cock. A ravenous appetite spread through him. God, he needed to fuck her, hard and fast, longed to surrender to his savage lust. Smoothing a hand along her thigh, he parted her legs wider and angled the tip of his shaft against her pussy.

  He pushed into her and hot, delectable pressure engulfed his cock. A purr of pleasure broke from her lips. Driving deeper with every thrust, he climbed closer and closer to nirvana. The snug confines of her pussy sent his head into a dizzying tailspin.

  Megan rocked with him in an ancient rhythm they both knew so well. She captivated all his senses—her taste on his tongue, her scent in his head, the silky feel of her skin and her tight sex, the sound of lusty moans and the vision of her hot body.

  She wrapped her legs around him. “Yes, baby. Give it all to me.”

  He thrust harder inside her, desperately clinging to his control by a thread, sliding along her sweet walls. She constricted around him, and the hot pressure of his lust built in his balls, approached the boiling point. But he refused to let it end.

  He withdrew from her. She turned over and got on all fours, sensing his plan. Taking hold of her waist with one hand, he spread her lips with his other and thrust the crown of his cock into her. She backed against him and took his length deeper. Tunneling into her faster, he caught her breasts in his hands and strummed the peaked nipples with his thumbs.

  Her cries filled the air, growing louder and more demanding. “Yes, yes, oh God, yes.”

  His control shredded. Feeling her body convulse and shimmy with her climax did him in. He surrendered to the deluge of ecstasy.