Behind the Lens (Home in Carson Book 1)

by Renee Harless

  She had been curious about his job before, but now that she’d seen this hidden room with eyes on the world, Alexis wanted to know more.

  They chat mindlessly, he told her how he still felt like an outsider after living in Carson for three years. That it wasn’t until recently that things were less strained between him and the Connelly family. She tried to assure him that once he finally moved on with someone else that the family wouldn’t continue to think he stayed in Carson for Sydney.

  Around 8 p.m. Cliff came up the stairs with Jameson in tow. He explained that the tech whiz was going to work on setting up the monitors for mobile viewing, that way someone could stay at their house but monitor the program remotely. Now that the phone number was no longer detectable, all the program could go off of was facial monitoring. And within the town of Carson, the application would find her father and his henchman’s faces quickly.

  After another hour, Cliff and Jameson weren’t able to detect any bugs placed in the town. Which Alexis knew meant that someone had been feeding her father information.

  “Just remember, if your father can give them something that they desperately need or want, people will do just about anything,” Cliff explained as she stomped her foot in frustration. “We know the majority of people here and they’re trustworthy. But it’s the time of year then outsiders come for the summer season. We can’t do background checks on all of them.” She understood, but she couldn’t fight against the desire to do more. It wasn’t just her that she’s worried about. She worried for the safety of the people she’d come to know as friends and family.

  Leaving Jameson in his own personal wonderland, she and Cliff made their way out back to his truck. He helped her inside the vehicle and before she could blink, he started the engine and headed toward his home.

  While locked in the room with Preston, Alexis had a lot of time to think, a lot of time to conjure up ideas and worst-case scenarios. She had driven herself crazy with what-ifs, and only one solution came to mind.

  Turning in her seat, she watched as the setting sun shone colors of orange, red, and yellow onto the sky just past Cliff’s sharp profile. God, she didn’t want to hurt him, she didn’t want to be another reason for him to cave into himself again as he had with his ex-wife. She committed his face to memory, took note of every eyelash and bit of scruff on his chin. He was beautiful to her, and for the moment, she was his.”

  “Can you promise me something, Cliff? “The man startled as she spoke, his shoulders jerked toward his ears. He must have been lost in his own world just as she had been.

  “What’s that, sweetheart?” he replied, turning to glance at her for a moment, unleashing that devilish smile that she loved.

  “If it comes to it, please let me go,” she begged knowing how much her words must sting.

  “I can’t do that,” Cliff vehemently declined. His hands tightened on the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.

  “Please, Cliff.”

  “I can’t do that, Alexis. Don’t ask that of me,” he seethed through his teeth, angering Alexis to the point she shouted, “Why not!”

  Braking unexpectedly in the middle of the road, dust flew all around them in a cloud of fury.

  “Because I fucking love you,” Cliff roared as he shifted the truck into park. Shocked, Alexis stared at him as he unfastened her seatbelt, hauled her over the center console, and settled her onto his lap in the blink of an eye.

  She didn’t get a chance to respond; her mouth was crushed against his, and as he slid the front seat as far back as it would go, their bodies jerked as it met the end.

  “You’re mine, Alexis, and I’m not letting you go,” he said, brushing his lips against hers. She lost herself in his kiss, in his taste, forgetting all about the danger surrounding them all. Because love made you forget everything.

  Chapter Seven

  Warmth spread all over his body. Lying on his stomach, arms wrapped tightly around his pillow, Cliff felt the heat from the sun rays glaring through his bedroom window onto his skin. He couldn’t remember the last time he slept past dawn; his body was so ingrained with its personal alarm clock that he rarely got the chance to sleep in. But he and Alexis wore each other out the night before.

  It had been four days since he confessed his feelings to Alexis, and though he wasn’t embarrassed by his profession, he changed the subject anytime Alexis brought it up. Worry settled in the back of his mind that there was no way she could feel the same for him. She’s so beautiful and warm while he was a man that was sent by the government to do their dirty work.

  “Mmm,” he groaned as lips press soft kisses across his bare back.

  “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself,” she claimed as she trailed her hands down his back.

  “No need to apologize,” he told her as he turned slightly, wrapped his arm around her waist, and tugged her beneath him.

  His cock nestled between her thighs, the heat immediately causing his shaft to harden. Cliff returned her kisses by doing the same along her neck as she wiggled under him. Their sweat-soaked bodies from the temperature of the cabin slipped against each other as Cliff rocked his hips against hers. His erection nestling between her thighs.

  Slipping one hand between her legs, Cliff wasn’t surprised to find her soaked for him. They’d both been in a constant state of sexual desire since his confession.

  “God, I love how wet you are for me.”

  “That’s because you’re gorgeous,” she smirked, trailing her hand across his back to grip his ass. Cliff noticed that she did that a lot; he’d have to make sure to keep up with his squats. “Also, I-” she began but Cliff cut her off, knowing that he’d be unable to process whatever confession of love she gave. She may think that she loved him, but she didn’t know him at all, only the little things he’d told her. She didn’t know of the monsters lurking beneath the surface. Years on the battlefield changed a man – that’s what his therapist said. More years spent infiltrating terrorist organizations and underage brothels would do a number on a man.

  Gliding a finger deep within her channel, Alexis gasped and seemed to forget whatever it was she planned to say.

  “Yes,” she moaned, tilting her head back and exposing the column of her neck. Cliff couldn’t help himself as he leaned down and suckled at the soft skin, rocking his hand against her clit. His dick throbbed in frustration, but he wanted to make Alexis feel good before he thought about himself.

  Needing to get her there sooner rather than later, Cliff added another finger, gliding it into her sex as her walls tightened around him.

  “God, you’re so good at that. Please, don’t stop,” she demanded and Cliff smiled against her neck, loving the soft moan vibrating through her chest. He loved making her feel this escape, making her lose herself in another sensation.

  Her legs stiffened beneath him and she cried out his name, riding out the last of her orgasm against his hand. Her lips puckered in an oval shape as she closed her eyes, the release washing through her. Cliff wished he had his camera to capture such a beautiful vision.

  Finally, as her body relaxed against him, Cliff slipped his hand free, bringing it to his lips. He sucked the two fingers in his mouth, captivated by her taste. She had a flavor unlike anything he’d ever tasted and if he could bottle it up, he would. Her eyes glazed over as she watched him indulge in her essence.

  Fuck, this turned her on.

  Unable to hold back, Cliff moved his legs between her, then entered her in one quick thrust. His curse echoed in the room at the same time her moan reached his ears.

  “Goddamn,” he bellowed as he pulled back until just the head of his cock rested inside her sex. He repeated the motion again, loving how Alexis mewled. “This is going to be hard and fast, sweetheart,” he told her, barely holding on to his last thread of control.

  “Fuck me, Cliff.”

  Damn, he didn’t have to be told twice.

  “Hold on,” he told her, and the smart woman reached behind her
and gripped a wrought iron pole of his headboard.

  Sitting back on his heels, he lifted her hips in the air and thrust deep inside her channel. She was so slick and hot that Cliff was afraid he’d let go of his release too quickly. Her body was pure decadence beneath him.

  Like an unleashed wild animal, Cliff’s movements became hurried and maniacal. Alexis’ cries of pleasure spurred him on. Leaning down, he captured her mouth in a kiss, their tongues exploring the caverns of each other’s mouths.

  Alexis’ heels dug into his ass and all too soon Cliff began to feel tightening in his balls. Rocking his hips forward, Cliff made sure his pelvis hit her most sensitive spot.

  “Oh god, I’m coming,” she cried out just as Cliff released himself deep within her core. Her waves of pleasure quickly followed, the sweet walls pulsated and squeezed his cock.

  Resting his forehead against hers, their heavy pants mingled in the air between them. They had a connection, one that Cliff couldn’t deny, and when their bodies came together like this, he completely lost himself.

  “Mmm,” she mumbled beneath him, squirming her hips with his cock still settled deep within her body. “What a way to start the morning.”

  Cliff rocked his hips gently, unable to control the urge to stay nestled in her channel, only to realize that he was still hard and growing with every second.

  “I’m thinking about breakfast in bed,” he told her and thrusted his hip so that his cock slid all the way to the hilt.

  “Genius,” she moaned, her hand grasping his back, the short nails digging into his skin.

  Yeah, a second helping was precisely what they need.

  Their bodies were completely soaked after an hour of Cliff worshipping her a second time. He helped her stand on wobbly legs, her gentle and sated smile beaming up at him as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

  “I think I’d like to take a shower.”

  “Okay, I’ll strip the sheets and get them washed. I can clean myself with the outdoor shower.”

  Her eyes lit up at the mention of the outdoor facility, but he chuckled while balling up the saturated sheets. “It’s cold water only.”

  Her nose and mouth puckered in disgust. “Ew, I’ll stick to hot water, thanks.”

  “I figured as much. I’ll make us some lunch.”

  She nodded as she stumbled toward the bathroom, using her arm to guide her down the wall. He’d heard of fucking someone senseless, but he’d never seen it before, until now.

  The cold water was just what he needed, and by the time he came inside, he felt refreshed. The shower was located at the back of the house with a clear view of his monitoring system through the window. He hadn’t designed it that way, but some things work out as they’re supposed to.

  Rummaging through the kitchen, Cliff found that he was lacking in some essential food – like practically everything. He’d have to make a trip to the store. Finding some deli meat and cheese, he grabbed the last pieces of sliced bread and made them some sandwiches.

  Unable to sit still, Cliff took his sandwich to the couch and flipped on the television. A national news station popped up on the screen, but Cliff changed it to a sports station to catch up on the baseball scores.

  “Thanks,” Alexis said as she entered the living room with the sandwich in hand. Alarm vibrated down every column of Cliff’s spine. He never heard the water turn off from her shower, or her footsteps down the hall. Damn, he was slipping up, and he couldn’t let that happen. Next time it could be something worse than Alexis sneaking up on him.

  “You, okay?” she questioned as she took the seat next to him, curling her legs underneath her. Trying to ease her worry, Cliff used his free arm to wrap around her shoulders and tug her close.

  “Yeah, I’m good,” he lied, hating how each word burned his lips.

  “You know. . .I’m a Yankees fan.”

  Mocking shock, Cliff pushed Alexis away causing her to almost spill her sandwich on the floor.

  “No way. You can’t be in this house and like the Yankees.” Cliff shot daggers in her direction, doing his best to keep his laugh in check, but he failed miserably. One chuckle happened first, then it was quickly followed by a few more. “I’m just kidding, get back here,” he said with his arm open wide, gesturing for her to nestle her sweet body against him. Reluctantly she crawled her way back over to him, perching her body against his. “Now, if you were a Red Sox fan, that would be a whole other story.”

  A knock sounded on his cabin door in the middle of a romantic comedy Alexis picked out after the sports channel moved to a different topic. He hated to admit that he was very intrigued to find out if the girl took the guy back after his fifth failed attempt at a date.

  With a grunt, Cliff moved from beside Alexis, hating the loss against his side as he moved toward the front door. He paused in the hallway and muttered a curse. This was the second time today he was so focused on Alexis that he didn’t have his mind straight. He should have heard the car approach the cabin, or the alert from the security system. And looking down at his phone, he scrolled through seven alerts. If he couldn’t get his act together, Cliff may have no choice but to follow Dylan’s plan b, even after he had promised her that he would keep her by his side.

  At the door, he greeted Preston, who slowly stepped over the threshold before addressing Cliff.

  “Do you know why I’m here?”

  “No. Unless you’ve captured her father, then we should go celebrate.”

  “Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Not a single precinct across the country has got a tag on him. He’s either invisible or has a lot of guys in blue working for him.”

  “Okay, then what brings you by on my only day off from the shop?”

  “I need you to turn on the news,” the officer said vaguely.

  On numb feet, Cliff walked toward the living room with Preston following closely behind. In the jumbled mess of his mind, he could make out Alexis asking what he’s doing as he stole the remote from her hand and changed the channel.

  A red banner scrolled across the bottom of the screen displaying that six girls between the ages of twelve and nineteen went missing in Asheville, North Carolina within the last week. The girls all resided in a small suburban town on the outskirts of the city closest to the highway leading to Carson.

  “Do you think. . ?” Alexis left her question hanging in the air.

  “I learned this morning that there was something left at the home of each of these girls. They were targeted specifically,” Preston explained, dread crawling up like spiders on his back.

  “What was it?” Alexis’ small voice inquired, her eyes never leaving the television screen.

  “A heart-shaped locket. Identical to yours.”

  “Dammit!” Cliff shouted in the room, throwing the remote against the wall in his fury. “He’s coming for her, and we don’t have much time.”

  “Look, I know not everyone trusts me here, and I get it. I hurt one of their own doing my job. But I think we should let him come,” Preston said. “Alexis doesn’t want to live her life always looking over her shoulder and if we are just waiting for someone to find him, then we could be waiting forever.”

  “You want to use her as bait,” Cliff seethed.

  “It’s not a bad idea,” Alexis added, her voice stronger than before. It was the powerful FBI agent in her spurring forth and damn if Cliff didn’t find that sexy as hell.

  But his heart won out. “I can’t let you do that.”

  “You don’t have a choice. I don’t want to constantly wonder. It was one thing to think we could trip him up somehow, but now we know he’s close by. We could use that to our advantage. He thinks so little of women, so little of me; he would never suspect that we have the one up on him.”

  “I don’t like it,” Cliff growled.

  She strutted over to him, her small hands reaching up and resting on either side of his face. The gentle touch of her thumbs rubbing against his cheeks instantly soothed him.
<
br />   “Cliff, I love you. I need you to trust me just as I’ve trusted you.”

  Tilting his head toward hers, he captured her lips in a soft kiss, savoring the sweet words that she just spoke.

  “You love me?” he asked, his lips brushing against hers.

  “I do.”

  Nodding, he pulls her close, regretting that he held her back from saying those three words until now. He had been on edge waiting, but not wanting to know if she felt the same as him.

  He took a deep breath, the fragrance of her shampoo filling his lungs. Gazing at the picture across from him, he stared at the image of Alexis across the field.

  “I am more than you bargained for.”

  “No, you’re everything,” she whispered in reply.

  ***

  “I forgot how much I loved their house,” Alexis explained as Cliff helped her exit the truck.

  With Preston’s guidance, Cliff and Dylan called an emergency meeting after learning that her father was making a statement. But even though it was a weekday, Mrs. Connelly took the opportunity to turn a quiet get together it into a barbeque. And the entire town was invited.

  Cliff had stopped at the store on the way to pick up a potato salad and a bouquet of flowers for Amy, which made them a bit later than everyone else. They were parked five houses down from the Connelly’s driveway. Luckily, they didn’t seem to be the only ones late to the party as a few other stragglers, that Alexis didn’t recognize, fell in line behind them.

  What she wouldn’t give to be able to settle down in a nice neighborhood like this on the outskirts of a small town. She hated to admit it, but one of her favorite channels was a home and garden network. Whenever one of the shows focused on small towns, she found herself glued to the television. She knew that it was nothing more than a dream, but being here with Cliff made it seem so real and within her grasp.

  Together they walked hand in hand up the paved driveway, stepping onto the large porch. Alexis took a moment to admire the wooden planks resting against the brick house with tons of handprints of various sizes. She reckoned that they must belong to Amy and Joseph’s kids and grandchildren.