Buried Lies

by Kaylea Cross

  Instead he walked out onto the back porch and sat in one of the chaise lounges she had set up. Arousal pulsed through him when she emerged through the back screen door carrying two plates, the fabric of her dress molded over the fullness of her breasts and hips. He couldn’t wait to explore those curves with his hands and mouth.

  He patted the long part of the chaise next to his right hip. “Come here.”

  She did, sitting between his spread thighs, the two plates balanced in her hands. He took them both from her, leaned over to place them on a table close by, then sat up and drew her back against his body, his thighs bracketing hers. “You smell so good,” he murmured, burying his nose in the top of her hair.

  “Thanks,” she whispered back. She turned slightly to snuggle into him, her head resting in the hollow of his shoulder, but he could still feel her nervousness.

  “Can’t wait to tell the guys about you and the cougar.”

  She tipped her head back to look up at him. “Why?”

  “Because it’s so badass. Yet another thing to add to the mystique of your legend around these parts. Wait until folks get wind of that one.” Knowing this town, it might have already spread. “We should go to the range together sometime.” He’d love to shoot with her.

  “Yeah?” Turning into him more, she drew her knees up and slid her arms around his sides, snuggling closer. “I really like you, Noah.”

  Her voice was just as sexy as the rest of her, soft with a slightly husky edge. “I really like you too, sunflower.” Way more than he’d expected to.

  This time a smile curved her mouth, and she leaned up to brush her lips across his. “And I like that name.”

  “Well it suits you.” He eased one hand into her hair to cradle the back of her head and covered her lips with his, savoring her tiny gasp and the way her fingers curled into his shoulders. He sat them up a little, drawing her sideways across his lap as he kissed her, teasing and stroking her lips, sliding his tongue between them to caress hers.

  Poppy made a soft sound and opened more for him, her hands coming up to capture his face. She smelled good, and felt even better.

  Noah kept kissing her as he stroked her hair, her back. She moved into his touch like a kitten hungry for affection, waking his tenderness along with his hunger. Tonight, he wanted her to simply enjoy herself, not think about the what ifs between them and just get lost in him.

  She sucked in a breath when he trailed a fingertip over the hollow of her collarbone, down to graze the side of her breast. He kept kissing her, slowly skimming that same finger across the swell of it before cupping it in his hand.

  He swallowed a groan at the weight of her full, round breast cradled in his palm, stroked his thumb over the center, rubbing her tight nipple. She made a mewling sound and wiggled closer, arching her back for more contact.

  He released her just long enough to undo the buttons at the top of her dress, kissing his way over her jaw to the soft place beneath her ear. “You feel so damn good,” he whispered.

  “So do your hands,” she said on a sigh, reaching down to part the material for him.

  She wore a white, lacy bra that pushed the tops of her breasts up in a tantalizing offering he couldn’t refuse. Tugging the lace aside gently, he dragged his tongue along the side of her neck, reveling in her shiver as he pulled the cups of the bra aside.

  The moment he saw her breasts he groaned softly. Full and round, with sweet pink nipples that were already hard, as though begging for his fingers and mouth.

  He cupped her in both hands, teased the hard tips with his fingers for a moment, drinking in her sighs and gasps until he couldn’t wait a moment longer and ducked down to capture one in his mouth.

  Poppy’s mewl of pleasure ripped through him, both her hands coming up to cradle his head. She was pure, erotic perfection as she held him to her, enjoying the feel of his mouth.

  He moved to the other side, gave it the same attention before lifting his head to watch as he slid his hand down her ribs and set it on her inner thigh, waiting until the tension in her muscles eased before urging her legs apart slightly. With his fingertips he stroked the smooth, sensitive skin at the edge of the dress’s skirt, up and down, dipping his head once more to open his mouth against the side of her neck.

  Poppy shivered and gripped his hair. Then he slid his hand deeper between her thighs and cupped her center in his palm, her heat searing him through the thin lace barrier between them.

  She sucked in a breath and stiffened slightly, then relaxed and pressed her hips into his hand, asking for more. There was so much more he wanted to give her. He wanted to drag this out. Slide his fingers under the lace into the slick heat that awaited him and stroke her until she came undone in his arms.

  Heart thudding hard against his ribs, he eased them under the edge of the fabric, his whole body tightening when he felt how wet she was. “I want to make you come,” he murmured against her jaw.

  God she was gorgeous, the fiery sunset behind them making her skin glow. Her eyes were closed, lips parted as he slid his fingers along her folds. Up, then down, spreading her wetness, pausing to press gently against her opening before gliding back up to brush the side of her clit.

  “Oh,” she moaned, writhing on his lap. He bit back a growl at the feel of her sweet curves rubbing over his erection. Her clit was swollen, slick from his caresses. He circled it, watched her face as he rubbed and teased, watching her reaction.

  “Put your hand on mine,” he told her in a low voice. “Show me what you like.”

  It took her a moment but she did, slowly, almost hesitantly reaching down to place her hand over his, adding just a little pressure to his caressing fingers. “There,” she whispered.

  Noah kissed her, sucking at her lower lip as he stroked the hard bud. He struggled to rein in the impulse to lay her flat, kneel in front of her and bury his tongue between her thighs. The only thing stopping him was her lingering shyness, and the possibility of pushing her too hard too fast. Last thing he wanted was to scare her away.

  So he contented himself with using his hand, sliding one fingertip just barely inside her, curling it to stroke her upper wall before withdrawing and focusing back on her clit. Soon she was panting, her face pressed to his shoulder, her thigh muscles quivering. She moaned again, rolling her hips into his touch. “Oh, Noah…”

  He hummed in reassurance and approval and kept going, shifting her so he could bend down and capture a tight, pink nipple in his mouth. The tangy sweet scent of her arousal mixed with the raspberries she always smelled of. He was so damn hungry for her, couldn’t get enough, but Christ, he needed to get her off this way. Needed to imprint the pleasure in her mind, make her crave more of it.

  Her breath hitched, halting altogether when he slid the pads of two fingers back into her. Barely inside her, just enough to tease while he sucked her nipple and rubbed his thumb in slow circles around her tight nub. Poppy cried out her release, her face tucked into his neck, one hand locked over his, the other clutching his head to her.

  Noah released her nipple and pressed his forehead to her hot, smooth skin. He was breathing fast, and hard as steel against the luscious curve of her ass. His cock ached fiercely, desperate to be freed.

  He closed his eyes, pulled in a deep breath. It would be so easy to shift her, pull the panties aside and slide her down on him. Instead he withdrew his fingers, stroking over the front of the lace gently for a moment before wrapping his arms around her and cuddling her close.

  After she recovered she sat up slightly and pushed her hair out of her face with one hand, those full, round breasts peeking through the strands. She straightened her clothing, did up a few buttons on her dress until just her cleavage was visible. Searching his eyes a moment, she smiled and lowered her head to kiss him, her hands sliding over his chest, down his stomach.

  Noah caught them before they reached his jeans.

  Poppy stilled and sat back to look at him in startled surprise. “What… Don’t y
ou want me to touch you?”

  Was she joking? He let out a harsh laugh. “I would fucking kill to feel your hands or any other part of you on me right now. But no.”

  She gaped at him in astonishment. As though she couldn’t fathom why he would possibly have done what he’d just done without expecting the same in return.

  It solidified that he’d made the right call in stopping her.

  Noah didn’t know what kinds of guys she’d been with before, but he was glad to show her that not all men were selfish assholes. And that he could exercise restraint where she was concerned. He could take care of himself when he got home, while recounting all the soft, sexy sounds she’d made as he’d stroked her. “Not tonight.”

  Her expression turned to confusion. As though he was a puzzle she couldn’t figure out. “Why—”

  “Because I wanted tonight to be just about you.” He cut off whatever else she was about to say with a slow, deep kiss that made his cock whimper in protest. But too bad. It would have to wait.

  “You free tomorrow night?” he murmured when he pulled back a little. “Supposed to be hot tomorrow. We could get a picnic after work and go eat down on the beach. That sound good?”

  She looked a little dazed as she nodded, and her voice was breathy when she answered. “Yes, that would be amazing.”

  “I’ll see you after I get off shift, then. Just after seven.” After one last kiss he smoothed the skirt of her dress down and eased her off his lap. “See you tomorrow.”

  “See you,” she murmured, bewilderment clear in her gorgeous eyes as she sat up and did up the last buttons on her dress.

  Noah walked the short distance home in considerable discomfort, but it was so worth it. He’d shown Poppy just a taste of what he could give her, leaving her to imagine the rest. And he was very much looking forward to seeing what her next move would be.

  ****

  Oh, Jesus, the sounds she made.

  Resting his forehead against the rough cedar bark, he closed his eyes, letting those erotic moans and gasps flood through him. His erection throbbed, half-strangled against his underwear and pants. The need for release was like torture.

  Beads of sweat popped out over his forehead as he cast a furtive glance around. No one could see him here. Poppy and the sheriff had no idea he could hear them on her back porch.

  He’d planned to take her tonight, and had been shocked when she’d shown up with the sheriff instead. He’d followed them as they moved through her house, watching from the security of the woods that shielded him.

  He knew all about what a little slut she was. He’d heard it from people in town yesterday, that she’d fucked half the guys in her hometown. Things they had whispered about her past that she’d tried to keep buried.

  It was nearly impossible to bury something well enough to keep it hidden forever. He knew that better than anyone.

  Then this evening, he’d heard talk that Poppy had shot and killed a cougar here to protect a little girl and her mother. Her bravery and her sordid past put her way above any of his other flowers, made him insane with the need to take her. He’d never wanted anything as much as he wanted Poppy.

  The throb between his legs was too intense. He couldn’t think, could barely breathe the need was so powerful. With shaking hands he fumbled to undo his pants, free his cock. He bit back a moan of relief and tortured ecstasy as he stroked his fist over it.

  The pleasure was more intense than anything he’d ever felt before, almost unbearable. Because of Poppy. He couldn’t see her from here, not without risking being seen in return.

  But he had glimpsed her on the chaise with the sheriff a few minutes ago, and had a clear mental picture of her, legs spread as she sat in the guy’s lap. As he’d moved through the trees, he’d caught a peek of her breasts, and had almost stumbled. Full and round, poking out from the material of her dress that the sheriff had peeled away. They were even better than he’d fantasized they would be.

  Those sounds she made were incredible, pushing him higher, closer to the edge far faster than he wanted as he stroked himself. He imagined it was him with her instead of the sheriff. Him holding her, stroking that sinful body. Him drawing those moans and sighs and gasps from her.

  And when her cry of release floated on the air, he came along with her, jaw locked, free fist clenched against the tree trunk. He shuddered, fought to stay quiet when all he wanted to do was bellow his triumph.

  In the quiet that followed he tucked himself away, drew his forearm across his damp forehead. God. If that was the best orgasm he’d ever had, what would it be like when he got inside her? His pulse tripped at the thought, his hungry gaze darting toward the fence that marked her backyard.

  He could wait here. See if the sheriff left. Then he could take her tonight.

  Immediately he dismissed the reckless thought. He’d been here too long as it was, and far too close. The hunger raging inside him was out of control, pushing him to do things he knew damn well were risky enough to get him caught.

  It only made the thrill of the hunt more tantalizing.

  Guilt speared through him, and he couldn’t shake it off entirely this time. What he wanted, what he planned, was wrong. So wrong.

  But so, so good. Too good to stop now. Especially with Poppy tempting him so mercilessly.

  A wave of anger flooded him. She was just like all the rest. Out of his league. Women like her always rejected him, and it stung. The sheriff was good enough for a slut like her, but not him?

  He’d level that playing field when he took her. Soon enough he would be the one drawing sounds from her. But not of pleasure. Instead they would be of raw, pure terror.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Seeing the FBI agent’s number on his cell phone’s display the next morning in his office, Noah answered. “Sheriff Buchanan.”

  “Special Agent Silvestri.”

  “What can I do for you?” He signed a report, closed the folder and pushed it aside on his desk.

  “We’ve uncovered something about two of the missing women. It’s a small detail, but worth noting, and it’s in your area.”

  “What’s that?”

  “They were both last seen at The Stalk Market garden center two days before they disappeared.”

  That was the garden center just out of town. The same one that punk Danny, who had harassed Poppy, worked at.

  Noah stilled in his chair. He’d seen a receipt at Poppy’s place, on her kitchen counter. She’d bought the pots on her front porch there. “I’ll go there and check it out.”

  “We’ve already interviewed the staff. I’m just informing you as a professional courtesy.”

  “I appreciate that.” He was still going there personally to talk to two staff members in particular. “Anything else?”

  “No. If I hear anything more I’ll update you.”

  Noah ended the call and headed straight over to The Stalk Market. The place was bustling with shoppers, their carts overflowing with plants and other items.

  He headed straight for the counter and asked to see the manager. He scanned the main building as he waited, spotted the dark-haired guy who had been in Whale’s Tale with Danny. The guy’s eyes widened when he saw Noah, then he turned and hurried away. Noah tracked him, unease stirring in his gut.

  “Sheriff. How can I help you?”

  Noah turned toward the male manager. “I’m looking for one of your employees. Is Danny in today?”

  The man’s face tightened slightly. “Is something wrong?”

  “I just need to talk to him.”

  A pause. “He didn’t show up for his shift today.”

  Well wasn’t that a coincidence, Danny not showing up after the FBI questioned him. Noah bet he was hiding out somewhere. He was obviously scared shitless of being caught. But caught doing what?

  Noah kept his expression neutral. “If you see or hear from him, let me know.” He handed the man his business card.

  “Of course. Can I help with any
thing else?”

  “No, I’m good. You have a good day.” He strolled away from the counter, his mind working as he headed toward the back of the main building where he’d seen Danny’s friend go.

  Noah found him in the far corner watering plants. The guy froze, watering wand in hand. Noah glanced at his nametag. “Rick. Sheriff Noah Buchanan, how you doing?”

  “Fine,” he murmured, darting a glance around before settling his gaze back on Noah.

  “So I hear Danny didn’t come in today. Any idea why?”

  Rick shut off the water, looking uncomfortable as hell. He cleared his throat and bent his head toward Noah, as if he didn’t want anyone else to overhear. “The FBI showed up to his place last night. I was there.”

  “Did they? What did they want?” Noah asked, testing him. There was no way the FBI would ever explain what was going on to anyone outside of the investigation.

  “I dunno, they kicked me out before they questioned him.”

  Yeah, no shit.

  “But when I called him later he didn’t answer. We carpool to work together, but this morning when I went there, he was gone. His place was empty. I think he might have left town or something.”

  Noah digested that in silence. Could be drug related. If Danny had skipped town, the Feds absolutely knew about it and hadn’t shared that with Noah. But it was a huge stretch for Noah to imagine that someone like Danny would be smart enough to kill women who came into the garden center and then manage to hide it well enough to avoid detection.

  “Do you know what’s going on?” Rick asked him, looking worried now. “Is this about… About Poppy?”

  The mention of her name stirred unease in the pit of his stomach. “What about her?”

  Rick held up his hands in a defensive gesture. “Nothing. Nothing, man, it’s just… You know, what he said to her the other day.”

  “Yesterday,” Noah corrected.

  “Right. Yeah.” He scratched the back of his neck. “He was being a dick.”