“I don’t understand.”
Ben smiled. “You will.”
She twisted in her seat so Ben was right beside her. When his thigh touched hers, she felt the warmth through their clothes and couldn’t wait until there were no barriers between them. Ben stretched one arm behind her and gave her a stack of papers with his other hand. She looked at them then at Ben.
“Where did you get these?”
“I got them from Sam, who got them from his sister.”
“Why would his sister have these?”
“Apparently, she’s a political science major. She’s working on her master’s degree, and her thesis is on campaign contribution reform.” Ben flipped a few pages over. “Political contributions have to be turned over to the South Carolina Ethics Board for each election. Candidates have to show who contributed to their campaign and how the campaign spent the money. She got the information for the last two elections.” A mischievous grin spread across Ben’s face. “You’re going to find some interesting names in the lists of supporters for both Martin Pickens and Matthew.”
“Are you serious? And there’s a connection between the two?”
Ben shrugged. “Maybe.”
Rachel grabbed her glasses on the coffee table and started looking at the papers as Ben explained the highlighted areas she needed to focus on. She massaged her forehead with one hand as she worked down the list with the other.
Ben pointed. “Right here. This is the information for Senator Pickens’s campaign four years ago. See any familiar names?”
Rachel scanned the names. “Four years ago, Matthew would have been working at the prosecutor’s office, but he wasn’t the county prosecutor then.”
“Yeah, that election is two years later. Just before Carrie interned with them.”
Rachel gasped. “Is this … it can’t be, can it?” Her finger planted firmly on the name that held the most interest.
“How many Theodore Nobles can there be from Cloverville County?”
“But how? He was in jail.”
“Exactly.” He took her hand. “Rach, I wasn’t in a good place. I don’t remember shit about who was in the courtroom. Think back to the courtroom. Was there anyone … wife, child, friend—anyone in that courtroom with Theo?”
Rachel released his hand and rubbed her forehead with both hands. She closed her eyes, trying to visualize the courtroom from ten years ago. Think, Rachel, think. “I’m trying to remember, but nothing comes to mind. When he was arrested, he was alone, and I don’t remember there being a wife, girlfriend, child, or any immediate family discussed. To my knowledge, he was never married, and I don’t remember anyone crying when the verdict was announced.”
Ben rubbed the nape of her neck. “It’s okay. We just need to find who had access to his money while he was in jail. Something for me to discuss with Ms. Pickens on Monday.”
“Monday?”
“Yeah, while you’re at the Attorney General’s office, I’ll be visiting with the first Mrs. Pickens.” Ben flipped a few pages over. “Here’s the last election for the senator. The dollar amounts are different, but both names are on this one too.”
“Mr. Nobles would have been out at this point.”
“Yes.” Ben’s knee was bouncing. “But he’s a felon, and felons can’t vote, so why would he donate to a campaign?”
“There’s no law that says he can’t contribute.”
“I know, but why would he? What’s he getting out of it?”
Rachel shrugged. “Helping a friend get elected?”
“Friend … just how deep does that friendship run?”
She furrowed her brows. “Deep enough to forfeit seven years of his life.”
“At what price? He had to be getting something out of it, Rachel. No one does that out of the goodness of their heart. There’s a reason, dammit. I know there is.”
She placed her hand on Ben’s. “Show me Matthew’s campaign.”
Ben shuffled the papers until he came to what he was looking for. “All of the Pickenses made large contributions. Since he and Stephanie aren’t married yet, there’s no issue with her donation.”
Rachel pointed to another line. “I wonder if this anonymous is his mother.”
“Why wouldn’t she just use her name?”
Rachel pulled her bottom lip through her fingers.. “We need to find out how long she’s been in that assisted living facility. What if Matthew used her money for his campaign? If she were in that facility, she couldn’t have written the check. If he did, then he couldn’t have used her name because his signature would be on the check.”
“Good point.” Ben stood and ran his fingers through his hair. “I hate the fucking ‘what if’ game.”
She looked up at him. “I know, but we have to come up with some kind of theory.”
He sighed. “I know.”
14
Ben turned toward her. “Did you come up with anything new today?”
Rachel cleared her throat. “Well, we may not be riding to Columbia together on Monday.”
“Why the hell not?”
She raised her eyes brows. “I’m going to Rock Hill from Columbia. I’ve got an in to see Ms. Hightower.”
“How did you score that?”
Rachel pasted on a fake smile and batted her eyes. “Ms. Pickens wants to surprise her groom with memorabilia from his childhood at the reception. I’m interviewing Ms. Hightower to get information about Matthew’s younger years.” Her smile faded. “I’m hoping she’ll lead me to an old girlfriend, childhood friend, and maybe his father. I don’t know where else to go.” She shrugged. “We’ve already ordered his birth certificate, but the certified copy will take two weeks.”
“What about the other girl who graduated behind him and Maggie?”
“Deborah is having dinner with her Tuesday night. It’d be good if I could be back in the office Wednesday or Thursday. I can’t wait to start putting his background together. There’s something there, Ben. I can feel it in my bones.”
Ben stepped closer to her and rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “If there’s something there, you’ll find it. You always do.” He pulled her close and closed his eyes. “Please be careful.” He pressed his lips to the side of her head as dread ran through him. “I can’t lose you, Rach.”
“I’ll be careful. I’m not going anywhere.”
He cupped her face, and reverently kissed her. Nipping at her bottom lip, he pressed his lips against hers to ease the pain. “Rach, let’s take this to the bedroom. I believe I have expectations to fulfill.” He pulled back in time to watch her eyes slowly open with passion shining in them.
Without saying a word, she took his hand and led him to the bedroom where she stopped short of the bed and turned toward him. Her gaze locked on his. “Make love to me, Ben. Please.” Her words were barely above a whisper.
He never broke eye contact as he lifted her shirt. “You didn’t have to ask, Rach. That was a given.” She ducked her head when the shirt passed over her face. “Showing you how much I love you is as fundamental as breathing these days.”
She raised on her tiptoes. “I’ve waited so long to hear you say that.”
“Wait no more, my love.” A whimper left her as tears filled her eyes. “Don’t cry, Rach. Tonight is the first of many nights for us to be together.”
She blinked. “I never thought I’d hear anything like this from you.”
Ben kissed the tip of her nose. “I know. I’m sorry I waited so long. Let me make it up to you.”
“Yes…”
A smile tilted his lips. “I love that you don’t wear a bra around the house.” She had only unbuttoned a few buttons when he reached behind his shoulder blades and pulled his shirt over his head. Before he had a chance to move, Rachel licked one nipple then the other. His hands clamped onto her hips. “God, Rachel…”
She rolled her eyes toward his face. “You like?”
“Yes, baby. I like very much.” Slipping his th
umbs in the sides of her yoga pants, he pushed them to the floor. “No panties?”
“You know I don’t wear them at home.”
“Glad some things don’t change.” She slipped the button through the hole in his pants and slid her hands around to his hips when he grasped her wrists. He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it and furrowed his brows. Staring into Rachel’s eyes, he swallowed. “I … want … to make love to you … bareback.”
Rachel blinked. The tears from earlier finally made their way over her lids. “Yes,” she whispered as her head bobbed up and down. “Yes.”
A bright smile formed on Ben’s face. “Thank you, baby.” He lifted her and laid her on the bed.
Rachel cocked an eyebrow and smiled. “Why are you so nervous?”
“I haven’t had sex without a condom in ten years, and I’m about to feel you, really feel you for the first time, Rach. I’m kinda freaking the fuck out.”
“Me, too, Ben. This is the first time I’ve ever had sex without a barrier.”
“Ever?”
“Ever.”
He slid into bed beside Rachel and held her close. He could hear the beating of both of their hearts. “A thirty-five-year-old man isn’t supposed to be nervous about sex.”
She ran her hand through his hair and down his jawline. “The nerves are because this is more than sex. Even though we’ve made love many times, it’s the first time since we’ve declared our love out loud.”
He leaned in and kissed her as his hand skated down her back and over her hip. Cupping the cheek of her ass, he gently squeezed. Her hand snaked down his chest and around his back as her body pressed into his with her hands stroking up and down his back. Their bodies moved in rhythm as their whole beings—mind, body, and soul—synced. Ben’s body became rigid as Rachel’s softened.
One of his hands wrapped under her thigh and lifted it, exposing her most intimate place. The back of his fingers skimmed across her bundle of nerves and a shiver ran through her. “You’re wet, sweetheart. Are you ready for me?”
“Yes, Ben … yes.”
He rolled her to her back and followed her over. He rested on his elbows as he looked into her eyes. “I love this … making love with you, going to sleep with you by my side, and waking up with you.”
He kissed her lips, and her fingers plowed into his hair. “For all the times I didn’t make you feel special … you’re the center of my world.” He kissed her jaw, and she flexed her fingers. “For all the times I’ve taken us for granted … I’m sorry, and I’ll do better.” He kissed her shoulder, and her fingers relaxed. “For all the times when I didn’t give you what you needed from me … you’re my best friend.”
He slid down and took one of her breasts into his mouth. She moaned, and he knew he was giving her what she needed. He released her and looked into her eyes. “For every time you comforted me when I couldn’t break free from grief … I will be your rock.” He moved to the other breast as she arched her back for him. “For every time you felt as though you were second … you will be first from now on.” He kissed her other shoulder. “For all the times I haven’t told you … I love you.” He kissed her jaw. “I’ll always love you.”
His kiss was urgent, needy, hungry, and her arms wrapped around his neck. He didn’t release her before he deepened the kiss with his tongue requesting entrance. She granted entry as her legs sawed up and down his, and he rolled his pelvis into her.
“Ben, please…”
“I’m going to take care of you,.” He lined himself with her and slowly entered her body. Her eyes closed and her head tilted back, baring her neck for Ben to take advantage. He kissed the exposed skin. “Rachel, you’re so beautiful.” He pushed up on his hands, causing her arms to fall from around him and watched as a flush ran down her body. The love in her eyes shone bright, and he couldn’t believe he’d never noticed it before—this woman was his destiny.
Rachel’s hands cupped his face as if she knew he’d had an epiphany. A demure smile appeared on her face. “You’ve ruined me for anyone else, Ben Stevens.”
He rocked into her as he dropped to his elbows. “God, Rachel, I was blind for too long.” He peppered kisses over her face. “I love you. Love you.” The tears fell from his eyes as his movements increased. “I’m yours, sweetheart.”
Rachel’s arms curved up his back, leaving a hot trail in their path as she dug into his shoulders. “Yes, Ben, right there, yes. I love you … always.”
“Let go, Rach. I’m right behind you.” She quivered in his arms as her body released what felt like an earthquake. As the aftershocks waned, Ben’s release shot through his body like a rocket leaving him utterly sated. “I can’t move.”
“Good, I don’t want you leaving me yet.”
“Oh, sweetheart, this is the only place on Earth I ever want to be.”
She smiled. “I don’t think we’ll be very productive here.”
“I don’t think I care right now.”
She rubbed his back, and he pressed closer to her. “The feel of your weight on me makes me feel safe and secure.”
“You’re safe with me, Rachel. I will do everything in my power to protect you,.”
“I know.”
15
The following morning, Ben left and Rachel headed toward her office with the papers he’d brought to her with the intention of comparing every name on Matthew’s contributors list to those on Senator Pickens’s.
As she drove into the office, her mind picked through everything she knew about Matthew Hightower. He grew up in upstate South Carolina, went to the University of South Carolina, went to work in Cloverville County prosecutor’s office … Why there and not upstate? What brought him to Cloverville County? Stephanie had ties to Riverton Crossing, but he wasn’t dating her when he went to work there. Who did she know working in human resources for Cloverville County? She was coming up with more questions than answers, and she needed answers fast.
After parking in her reserved spot, she hurried into the DA’s office. As she walked by Deborah’s desk, she tapped on it. “I need you in my office, please. Bring the file on Matthew, and a notebook.”
Deborah scrambled to gather her things and fell into step behind Rachel. “You seem to be a woman on a mission this morning. I thought Ben was coming down.”
“He did, and he brought me information. Then I thought about things on the way in this morning. Matthew Hightower just doesn’t make sense.”
“How so?”
“Do we have his transcripts from law school?”
Deborah flipped through the file. “All indications are he graduated cum laude.”
“So, why not go back to Rock Hill or Greenville or Spartanburg? Why would he go to work in a small rural county? Granted, he’d get both town and county cases, but why not go to a bigger county?”
“Maybe he didn’t want to be a small fish in a big pond. Maybe he wanted to be the big fish?”
“Okay, that’s one thought.” She pulled out the papers Ben had brought her. “These are South Carolina campaign contribution records for the last two elections. I’ll be going through them and comparing every name on both Senator Pickens’s contribution list to Matthew’s. I want the senator’s campaign registers since Matthew went to college. I want to know how long he’s been contributing to Senator Pickens’s campaign.”
“You think there’s a connection there?”
“A bigger county would be a bigger salary, so there has to be a reason he didn’t take a job with a bigger county. Something or someone lured him to Cloverville, and I want to know what or who that was.”
“What if this was his only job offer?”
Rachel narrowed her eyes. “I don’t buy that … not graduating that high in his class. If it was his only job offer, what scared the other counties off?” She shook her head. “The connection is there, Deborah. We just have to find it.”
Deborah stood. “Okay, anything else you want me to look into?”
“No, just get those campaign lists. If these two knew each other before he came here, I want to know when and how.”
Before Deborah opened the door, she looked over her shoulder at Rachel. “You know Matthew joined the Republican Party in college, right? He worked on several campaigns during that time.”
“Can we get any footage of campaign rallies that he worked?”
“Rachel, are you kidding me?”
“Get someone to help you, Deborah. An intern, junior person, someone. I don’t expect you to kill yourself, but if they can work the weekend, it would be great. I’d like as much information to take with me on Monday as I can get.”
Deborah nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you. Oh, I’m going to Rock Hill after my meeting in Columbia. Will you please make sure I have a hotel? Judy can help you with that.”
The door clicked shut, and Rachel sat at her desk for the first time since she walked in her office. She rolled up the sleeves of her blouse and put on her glasses. With a highlighter in hand, she started marking every name that appeared on both candidates’ documents. When she finished with the lists, there were several names who were big contributors to the senator that had made smaller contributions to Matthew. She’d have to find out if they were local to Cloverville County.
Setting those documents aside, she pulled out the notes she had on Tracy Long and began formulating questions she knew she wanted to ask, but also leaving some open time to see if the woman would elaborate on any topic. She stared at the information, pleading with the heavens that Tracy would open up. Please let her have the information I need.
Before she knew it, the afternoon was almost gone. She packed up what she needed for next week and called Ben as she walked out the door.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
“I really like that greeting.”
“You okay? You sound tired.”
“I swear, Ben, I feel like I have more questions than answers.”
“You always do in the beginning.”
“Let me ask you something…”
“Shoot.”
Uncovered Secrets: A Riverton Crossing Novel - Book 7 Page 7
