He narrowed his eyes. “We need to drop that line of conversation …now, please.”
“Okay.” Her gaze dropped to his crotch. “Would you like me to get you a cold drink of water?”
“No, I want you to let me catch my breath.”
“Think about the case … Matthew … Martin Pickens … Theodore Nobles. Helping?”
“Yeah. God, this is the first time we’ve done a social engagement since…”
“We took us out of the casual box?”
“Yes, and I didn’t know how difficult it was going to be. I want to show you off as mine, not a colleague.”
“And I want people to know you’re mine.”
He took a slow breath and laid his lips on her forehead. “Okay, no more sexual talk until we’re home. Let’s get through this night and hope it gives us some new information.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
They turned to move when voices from around the corner stopped them in their tracks. The voices were deep and barely above a whisper, but audible enough to make out. He held his finger over his lips. The first one spoke, and Ben cocked an eyebrow. “Matthew,” he mouthed.
“I want you beside me tonight, not in the background. You always let him take center stage.”
“That’s not part of the agreement I made with him. You know I’m proud of you and would love for the world to know I’m your father, but now is not the time, son.”
“Then when?”
“A few more years. Now, go find Stephanie.”
The tapping of shoes growing faint spurred Ben into action. He pulled on Rachel’s hand, then slightly opened the door. Making sure they wouldn’t be seen, they slipped back into the large room. He placed his hand at the base of her spine and flexed his fingers. Spotting Evan and Ginger, he guided Rachel toward them. He dropped his hand from Rachel’s back and stretched it out to Evan while Rachel hugged Ginger. Evan’s broad smile stretched across his face.
“Good to see ya, man.”
Ben chuckled. “This is something I never thought I’d see.”
“What’s that?”
“Evan Riverton in a tux.”
Evan ran his finger around the inside of his shirt collar. “Yeah, monkey suits aren’t my thing.”
“I can tell. Who all have you seen tonight?”
“Senator Pickens has been glad-handing around the room, but I haven’t seen Matthew and Stephanie yet.”
Ben nodded. “I know Matthew is here, so maybe they’re going to make a grand entrance.”
Evan shrugged. “Maybe.” He nodded in the direction of a man walking toward them. “You going to be able to keep your cool?”
“Don’t know. I haven’t told you what happened last week.”
“I know about Charleston.” Ben cocked his eyebrow. “Sam told Nathan then we got the APB.”
“Glad you know.”
Before Evan could respond, the man walking toward them stuck out his hand. “I’m happy to see that our local law enforcement divisions are represented here this evening.”
Evan smiled. “Good evening, Senator, and congratulations. One daughter married off, and just one left.”
The senator’s smile wavered. “Yes, thank you.”
Ben met the man with less enthusiasm. “Senator, I’m sure it’s a match made in heaven.”
Senator Pickens stared Ben in the eyes while he shook his hand. Ben didn’t break eye contact, but the senator turned away at the sound of a young girl’s voice. “Daddy, Mama sent me to get you. She said it’s time for Matthew and Stephanie to come in.” She pulled on his hand.
Senator Pickens narrowed his eyes as he turned back toward Ben. Without looking at the girl, he replied. “Tell her I’m on my way.” He released Ben’s hand as he moved toward his daughter.
In a stage whisper, she said, “Stephanie’s mother won’t stand beside us.”
He patted her back. “It’ll be fine.”
Rachel pulled out her phone as they found the perfect place to watch. A soft drumroll came from the band in the back corner, and applause erupted from the left glass doors as they flung open with Matthew and Stephanie walking through holding hands. Two loud pops went off, blowing streamers and confetti into the air. Ben leaned toward Rachel. “This is more like a campaign victory party instead of an engagement party.”
“I don’t think they know how to do anything else.”
“I’m surprised Martha agreed to any of this.”
“From the look on her face, she didn’t have anything to do with planning it.”
Rachel snapped a picture as the happy couple made their way toward the center of the room where all of Stephanie’s family stood. Matthew didn’t have any family standing by his side. “I guess they didn’t bring his mother,” Rachel said into Ben’s ear.
They looked around, and there Theo stood in the back corner of the room like the watchdog he was. Ben flexed his fingers to get her attention. “His father is, at least, in the same room.”
Rachel followed his line of sight. “How hard it must be to watch your son on one of the happiest nights of his life without being acknowledged.”
“I don’t think I could do it, but from what we heard earlier, there’s a plan.”
The tapping of a fork on a champagne glass brought their attention back to the group in the middle. The senator stepped between Matthew and Stephanie while everyone else spread out beside each other. Rachel snapped a picture of the whole group.
“Ben, do you see what I see?”
Ben furrowed his brows. “You see something odd?”
“Look at Chloe and Stephanie.”
“Yeah, what about them?”
“Stephanie is all blonde hair, blue eyes, and skin like a porcelain doll, but Chloe has dark hair, dark eyes, and olive complexion.”
“They have different mothers.”
“Look at Matthew. He and Chloe have almost the same coloring. Hell, they even have the same shaped mouths.”
“What are you saying?”
“I don’t know yet, but … oh my god.” She blinked her eyes and looked up at Ben. “We’ve got to get back to the house.”
“Now? We can’t leave until we eat and congratulate the couple.”
* * *
“Shit, I know. I know.” Rachel’s knee bounced uncontrollably. Could it be?
“Rachel, you’re vibrating like the Energizer Bunny.”
“I know. I’m trying to work all this out in my head.”
“We’re all so thrilled that our princess found someone who makes her so happy. Matthew, welcome to the family.” Senator Pickens held up his glass of champagne, and the room followed his gesture to toast the couple. “Everyone, we’re going to move to the tent outside where the food is ready. Please join us.”
The family led the way through the doors. As people followed, Ben and Rachel fell to the back of the crowd. Rachel lifted her hand to massage her forehead when Ben caught it. “What has you so worked up?”
“I need to look at dates, Ben.”
“For what?”
Before Rachel could answer, a deep voice came from behind them. “Ms. Davis, Mr. Stevens, please head over to the tent so we can clean this room.”
Ben’s eyes narrowed. “Mr. Nobles, there’s an APB out for you. I can arrest you right here and now.”
“But you won’t, not in the senator’s house on a social occasion. That’d be career suicide for you.”
Rachel turned to look at Theo. “Why did you try to run me over?”
“Why did you go see Ms. Hightower?”
Rachel shrugged and smiled.
Ben took out his cell phone and placed a call, never taking his eyes off Theo. “Please place two uniform officers outside Senator Pickens’s house. Theodore Nobles, a suspect in a hit and run in Charleston, is on the premises. I don’t want to embarrass the senator, but pick Mr. Nobles up when he leaves the property. Thank you.”
Theo laughed. “Even if they pick me up, you know I’ll be ou
t within an hour.” Theo nodded toward the tent. “He’ll take care of it. He always does.”
Ben furrowed his brows. “Not always. That’s how we met, remember?”
Theo’s smile left him. “He took care of everything then too.”
“Why did you do it?”
The color seemed to drain from Theo’s face as he swallowed hard. “I wasn’t paying attention to the road and ran the red light.” He looked at Ben. “I truly am sorry for your loss.”
Rachel shook her head. “And what about your loss? Seven years of your life … your son … your—”
“My family was taken care of. Look what my boy became because I wasn’t with him.” Theo wiped a hand down his face. “You really need to leave now before the food is served.”
Ben took Rachel’s hand. “Come on, Rach. We need to go.”
29
As soon as they could politely leave, Ben and Rachel made their way to the exit, but proper etiquette had them stopping to speak with the engaged couple along the way.
Ben raised his hand toward Matthew. “Congratulations, Matthew. You’re a lucky man.”
“That I am, Sheriff.” He wrapped his arm around Stephanie.
Rachel shook both Stephanie and Matthew’s hands. “Congratulations. I wish you both all the best.”
“Thank you, counselor. Tell me, did you have a good visit with my mother?”
Rachel didn’t falter. “Yes, we had quite a nice chat.”
“Want to tell me why you felt the need to go see her?”
Stephanie poked out her bottom lip. “You promised you wouldn’t work tonight, Matthew.”
Matthew looked at her and pulled her close. “You’re right, baby. I’m sorry. Tonight, I get to show you off as my fiancée.”
Ben slipped his arm around Rachel and ushered her toward the door. She nervously bit her bottom lip with all the thoughts running through her mind. When they were out of the tent and heading toward her car, she looked up at Ben. “He just confirmed that he knows I went to see his mother.”
“Yeah, caught that.”
“And then the incident in Charleston with Theo and not to mention Theo pretending to shoot Carrie and me yesterday … Do you think he’s put it together yet?”
“That Carrie has filed a complaint? If so, it had to be leaked from your office. Sam is the only one in mine who knows about it.”
“Or someone we’ve talked to.”
“Did you hint to his mother about your suspicions?”
“No, of course not, but we need to pull this together quickly so I can file an indictment.”
“It’s late. You sure you don’t want to start fresh in the morning?”
“I need to work on this for a bit to calm my brain.”
“Pick up your dress,” Ben said as they approached the edge of the pavement. He opened her door and placed a finger under her chin. “I can think of another way to calm your brain.”
She winked. “That would be a great nightcap.”
“But we’re going to work first.”
“Ben, I think I’ve got the whole connection.”
His brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
She shook her head. “Not here.”
Ben closed the car door as soon as Rachel sat inside and hurried around to the driver’s side. The two patrol cars were parked outside the property just as he’d requested. Rachel wondered how much of their interaction the officers saw. There was no mistaking the affection between them in the last few moments. Does the Senator have any of the officers in his pocket?
Ben put the car in gear and drove into the dark night. Anxiousness crept into her throat from that new revelation. “Ben, do you think all of your officers are loyal?”
“As far as I know, they were loyal to Sheriff Cahill. Why?”
“I was thinking about what Theo said earlier, and I’m wondering if Martin has any of them on his payroll.”
Ben glanced at her as he stopped for a traffic light. “I know Evan cleaned house when he got here, and at least one dirty deputy was caught up in that. Sheriff Cahill made sure to use him to set an example from my understanding.” He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “I thought he was talking about Martin’s pull and his son being the prosecutor. You think it’s more?”
“I guess we’ll find out if Theo is arrested when he leaves that property.”
“If he’s not arrested tonight, I’ll personally arrest him tomorrow once this event is over.”
“Are we showing him favoritism?”
“He’s a state senator, Rach. Of course, we’re showing him favoritism. Theo isn’t stupid. Like he said, it would’ve been career suicide for both of us if we embarrassed the senator in his own home at a social function. Did you see the Lt. Governor was there? That wasn’t the right time to make waves.”
“You’re right. I just want to know who’s really pulling the strings … Martin or Theo.”
30
Ben pulled into his garage and rounded the car to open Rachel’s door. His tie was undone, and the top button of his shirt was open by the time they stepped through the back door.
“Go change clothes, I’ll start a pot of coffee.”
Before she left him, she cupped his face and kissed the exposed flesh where his shirt was open. “I want to pick up where we left off before the party, but I won’t be able to enjoy it if I can’t get my mind off what I saw and heard tonight.”
His hands rested on her hips. “I know.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Just so you know, it’s going to be hard for me to concentrate thinking about what your fantasies are going to reveal about you.”
She dropped her hands and giggled. “Hmmm. I’ve been trying to figure out if your wild side runs down the schoolgirl/teacher road or the doctor/patient path. I just don’t see you as a public exhibitionist.”
He laughed. “Definitely not into public exhibitionism.”
Her hand brushed across his chest as she walked toward the bedroom. “I know, but…”
Ben caught her hand. “What? You want to have sex in public? Rachel, have you thought about our jobs?”
She shrugged. “Not necessarily in public, but maybe outside.”
“Like in the backyard where no one can see? I’m game.”
She smiled and turned to continue on the path she’d started with a little extra sway to her hips.
“Damn,” he mumbled under his breath as he wiped his hand down his face. The sooner he helped her answer the questions in her head, the sooner he’d be buried inside her.
Once he started the coffee, he sauntered toward his bedroom, untucking his shirt from his pants. The sight of Rachel—stretched, hanging her dress, wearing nothing but thigh highs and heels, stopped him in his tracks. He’d tried to play nice, and all intentions were to work then play, but those honorable thoughts went straight out the window.
He pressed his body to her backside. “God Almighty, Rachel, here’s a fantasy for ya. Right here, right now. No foreplay, no buildup, quick and dirty. You game?”
She turned her head and pushed her ass into his cock, spreading her feet wider in response. His arm wrapped around her middle as he nudged her to the back wall of the closet where she could hold herself up. The sound of his zipper releasing seemed to break the sound of their heavy breathing. With his pants around his ankles, he pulled her ass toward him and buried himself balls deep.
“Aaahhh,” she moaned as he plunged inside. He dropped his dinner jacket and pulled his tie from under his collar before shrugging out of his shirt.
“I’ve started the fantasy, Rach. Tell me what comes next in yours.”
Rachel moved her body, stroking him as she began to pant. “Tie my hands above my head.”
“Fuck,” he whispered as he wrapped his tie around her wrists. One hand ran down her spine while the other kneaded her ass cheek. “Sweetheart, I’m not going to last long. You’re my wet dream come to life.”
“You said quick and dirty, Ben. I want that.�
�
He gripped her hips tighter, and she flinched on the side with the bruise from her fall, but they were both too far gone to register anything but the need exploding inside them. Ben wrapped a hand around her and added pressure to her clit. Her muscles squeezed, and her back arched then bowed. A flush ran down her back, and he knew she was close. Her muscles clamped down on him as a whisper left her.
“Ben … yes.”
“Rachel…” His head fell against her back with a released breath and stayed there. The beep from the coffee maker brought him back to the now, but he was nowhere close to being flaccid.
“Hold still, sweetheart.” He eased out a fraction, and he pushed back in as he removed a hairpin. By the time several pins had hit the floor, he was as hard as ever. “Arch your back, baby.”
She did as he requested, and a moan left her when his fingers tangled in her hair. “Oh, yes. Ben…”
“What’s next in your fantasy, Rach?”
“Pinch my nipples.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Just a little, babe, please.”
Ben snaked his hands around her chest and cupped her breasts. “Tell me when it’s enough.” Her nipples were already erect, and he slowly increased the pressure with his index fingers and thumbs.
“Ohhh,” she moaned.
“Your moans make me even harder.”
“Holy hell, I’ve never done this before. I’m going to come again.”
“Come on, baby. I’m right behind you.”
“Faster, Ben, faster…”
He slid his hands down to her hips and used them to piston himself inside her.
“Yes, yes, yes … oh, Ben, yes!”
Rachel fell apart, and her legs gave out as he held her up and found his release. They collapsed on the floor of the closet, out of breath but completely sated. Ben smiled and kissed the back of her head as he untied her hands.
“I think I can concentrate on work now.”
“Mmm, I could sleep right here.”
He nibbled her ear. “That’s what the coffee is for.”
She reached up and stroked his face. “I’ve never sex twice like that before.”
Uncovered Secrets: A Riverton Crossing Novel - Book 7 Page 14
