Forged in Desire

by Brenda Jackson

  “Do you think Roland suspects anything?”

  Striker saw the way she was nibbling on her bottom lip. “About what?”

  “That we slept together.”

  “Would it bother you if he did? What about Frazier?” he asked.

  “No. We’re adults.”

  “Then why did you ask?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

  He couldn’t help the smile that touched his lips. She was worried because of him. “Are you concerned about me losing my job?”

  Her lashes lowered. “You did seem concerned about Roland finding anything out before he arrived. I know you have a close relationship with him and all.”

  Striker used the tip of his finger to lift her chin. “And that won’t change.”

  “How did the two of you meet?”

  He no longer minded sharing how his close ties to her uncle came about. “When I got out of prison, it was suggested that I look up Reverend Luther Thomas. He was a former inmate whose sentence was overturned when they’d discovered he was innocent. He decided to dedicate his life to helping other inmates get acclimated to society. He was instrumental in making sure I finished my degree at Hampton and introducing me to Roland for a job. Roland had started his security company a couple of years before and made sure I got the proper training to be a protector. Our friendship started from there. I consider him the older brother I wish I had.”

  His gaze drifted over her face. He saw the look of desire that was still in her eyes and knew he should step back; otherwise he would be sweeping her off her feet and carrying her up the stairs to her bedroom.

  “We need to pack,” he said. “We’ll probably leave in the dead of night. Will you be ready?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I’ll be ready.”

  * * *

  THE LONE FIGURE lifted the cup of coffee to his lips as he gazed down at the list in his hand. So far each hit had been a piece of cake, and he knew things would continue that way. No witnesses and so far he’d only taken out intended targets. Not one bystander harmed, although it would not have bothered him in the least if one had been.

  He glanced at his watch. The person he was waiting for was late. She was his contact at police headquarters and the only one who knew his identity. Normally he worked alone, but Erickson’s hit list was a huge one, so a network had been implemented to stay abreast of what the feds and local police were doing.

  He would admit she’d been rather useful so far. Thanks to her, he pretty much knew what was going on at police headquarters. He also knew all about that psychic who’d been brought in. It didn’t matter to him. He had no reason to believe in some weirdo’s abnormal abilities.

  He and Erickson had a long history of working together. These weren’t the first hits he’d done for the man, and if things worked out the way Erickson planned, they wouldn’t be the last. He grinned at the thought that Erickson had things under control even from behind bars. There was no doubt in his mind that eventually Erickson would be set free. They would be stupid not to release him. But then, the feds and the local officers had shown him they weren’t too bright. Since he was still a free man getting ready to take care of his next victim.

  He heard the knock on the door. It was about time she arrived.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  STONEWALL LOOKED UP when the office door opened. He’d been expecting Roland, although he’d wished otherwise. “I was hoping you’d keep driving to Sutton Hills after leaving Margo Connelly’s place.”

  Roland walked into the room. “You would hope that. Do I need to remind you whose chair you’re sitting in?”

  With a chuckle, Stonewall leaned back in said chair. “You can have it back but only when you’re physically ready. I prefer being out there where the action is instead of in here pushing papers.”

  “You’ve been doing more than pushing papers and you know it,” Roland said, sitting down in a nearby chair.

  Yes, he knew it, Stonewall thought. The only downfall in spending so much time here at the office was that he’d put his family as well as his social life on hold. His grandmother and sister understood how things went whenever it came to his work. So they weren’t his major concern right now. Detective Joy Ingram, on the other hand, was. Although he talked to Joy often, they had yet to go out on what he considered a real date. And lately her work schedule was becoming just as hectic as his.

  “I stopped by Granger Aeronautics and talked to Sheppard and Jace,” Roland said, interrupting his thoughts. “Jace thinks he has the perfect place for Margo to go into hiding. It’s a cabin Jace owns in the mountains near Shenandoah.”

  Stonewall wasn’t surprised that Roland had already started putting plans into action. Sheppard Granger was a man of great integrity, for whom Stonewall had the highest respect and admiration. Jace was Shep’s oldest son. Stonewall was convinced he would be dead now if it hadn’t been for Sheppard Granger.

  “I want things in place to move Margo into that cabin within eight hours, Stonewall.”

  Stonewall released a groan. He knew Roland had sat in this chair a lot longer than he had and was fully aware that what he was asking for would require a hustle on everyone’s part. But they would get it done. “It’s going to be important that we make sure no one knows where she’s being relocated.”

  “And more than anything, we need to make sure that when the move is made, Striker isn’t followed,” Roland tacked on.

  “All that will be taken care of. I’m hoping the authorities capture the bastard soon.”

  “There still aren’t any major leads?” Roland asked.

  Stonewall knew Roland was well aware that he spoke often to one of the female detectives working the case. “Nothing major.”

  “How are things going with that psychic?”

  “Okay, from what I understand. I hear she’s good at what she does and has a favorable track record.”

  “That’s good.” Roland stood. “I think I’ll go lie down on the cot for a minute.”

  “Okay, you do that.” Stonewall watched as he left the office.

  * * *

  LIZ TILLMAN SWEPT into Frazier’s office with a frown on her face. “Honestly, Frazier, you need to do something with Goldwyn. He can be rather rude. I was in the middle of watching a very important television show when he interrupted to say you needed to see me immediately. When I told him I’d be there once the show was done, in a mean tone he told me you needed to see me immediately.”

  Frazier stood from behind his desk and for a minute he didn’t say anything because Goldwyn, who’d been his trusted butler for a number of years, had been following his orders. “You won’t have to worry about Goldwyn bothering you any longer, Liz.”

  Her frown turned into a huge smile. “Are you finally getting rid of that god-awful man, sweetheart?”

  “Goldwyn isn’t going anywhere, but you are.”

  Her smile quickly reverted to a frown. “What do you mean?”

  “Because you are leaving. I want you packed and off the estate in less than two hours. If you dare to linger I’ll call security to make sure that you don’t. And don’t take anything that you didn’t bring with you.”

  Liz’s frown was now replaced by shock. “Frazier? What is the meaning of this? What’s wrong?”

  When he didn’t say anything but continued to stand there and stare at her, she straightened her spine and lifted her chin. “I’m being replaced, aren’t I? Your niece told you to get rid of me and—”

  “Leave Margo out of this.”

  Liz lifted her chin higher. “And why should I? She’s a bitch and has never liked me. I tried to get along with her, but you can’t blame me if she didn’t accept my friendship. As far as I’m concerned, she should have stayed in New York. We were doing great before she d
ecided to move back to Charlottesville.”

  Frazier crossed his arms over his chest. “You’ve said enough, Liz. I want you gone. You’re no longer welcome here.”

  Rage, the likes of which Frazier had never seen before from her, covered Liz’s entire face. “You’re going to regret this.” And then she angrily stomped out the room.

  Frazier rubbed his face, hoping he’d seen the last of Liz. After what Goldwyn had caught her doing, Frazier knew she could no longer be trusted. He then switched his thoughts to what had transpired at Margo’s house earlier that day and how she had so easily figured out things about Roland. Frazier had never thought that seeing them together would make Margo suspect anything.

  He picked up the phone on his desk to call Striker and give him a heads-up, just in case Liz got it into her head to pay Margo a visit.

  * * *

  STRIKER CLICKED OFF the phone with Frazier a few seconds before Margo walked out of her workroom. He wondered if there would ever be a time he wouldn’t get a stirring in his gut when he saw her. “Was that Stonewall?” she asked him.

  There was no reason for him not to answer truthfully. “No, that was Frazier. He wanted to warn me that Liz Tillman might try paying you a visit.”

  Margo lifted a brow. “Why?”

  “Apparently they broke up, and she feels you’re responsible.”

  Margo dropped down on the sofa, shocked. “Uncle Frazier and Liz actually broke up?”

  He studied her. “You seem surprised. Does that mean you didn’t see it coming?”

  She shrugged. “I had my issues with Liz, but I never tried influencing Uncle Frazier about her. She was his business. I figured sooner or later he would come to his senses and see the type of person she truly was. Did Uncle Frazier give you any details as to what happened?”

  “No.” And for that reason, Striker decided to have Stonewall run a background check on Liz Tillman. It was better to be safe than sorry.

  “We need to talk, Margo,” he decided to say. While she’d been in her workroom, he had used the separation to think clearly. In order to continue to protect her, he needed to stay out of her pants.

  She slouched back on the sofa. “What about?”

  He wished she didn’t do that. Look so damn comfortable and beautiful at the same time. She was wearing an oversize blouse and a pair of black leggings. Both showed her figure, and already he could feel the area below his belt thicken. How he would manage to keep his hands to himself he wasn’t sure, but it was something he had to do. He had no options regarding that.

  “The need for us to keep our hands to ourselves.”

  She smiled. “Okay.”

  He was surprised she was so agreeable. What part of what he’d said did she find amusing? “Am I missing something here?”

  “Why would you think that?”

  She wasn’t helping matters, he thought. If anything, she was making them more complicated. And if he was reading her right, she wouldn’t make resisting her easy. “I have to do my job, Margo.”

  “Then do it. Why would I stop you?”

  “Trust me. I won’t let you stop me.”

  They stared at each other for the longest moment, and then, easing off the sofa, she said, “Great. Now I need to go upstairs. Think I’ll lie down awhile. Take a nap. Want to join me?”

  She had asked in that same sultry voice she’d used when issuing that shower invitation. Her doing so nearly knocked the wind out of his sail. Almost made him say, Hell yeah, I’ll go upstairs with you and lie down. But you better believe we won’t be taking a nap. We will finish what we started in the shower this morning. But he held his peace, although the size of his erection was growing by leaps and bounds.

  “I will go up the stairs to do my normal check. But there won’t be any funny business going on.”

  “So in other words, you won’t let me take care of that?” she said, her gaze zeroing in on his erection.

  Why at that moment did said erection begin throbbing? “That’s right. I won’t let you take care of it.”

  She shook her head sadly. “What a pity.”

  Christ. I am in trouble.

  “If you’re ready, I will escort you upstairs, Margo.”

  “I’m ready.”

  Once they made it up the stairs, Margo moved toward her bedroom door. Before opening it, she turned to him and smiled. “If you change your mind about joining me, Striker, just knock.” She then opened the door, went into her bedroom and closed the door behind her.

  He stood there and stared at the closed door. She was deliberately tempting him, and he knew he couldn’t take the bait. A lot was at stake, and making sure she was kept alive headed his must-do list. Why did she have to be such a challenge, one he couldn’t seem to get a handle on? When he thought he had himself back in control where she was concerned, something would happen to make him lose that control all over again. He was tired of going back and forth with her when the one constant was his desire. It seemed stronger for her than ever and was growing like crazy.

  Heaving a sigh of frustration, he moved away from the door.

  * * *

  LIZ TILLMAN DROVE through the gates of the Connelly estate. She still couldn’t believe Frazier had ordered her to leave. Even while packing she’d expected him to walk into the bedroom they’d shared together, strip her naked before tossing her on the bed and having his way with her.

  She couldn’t help wondering what had made him end things between them. Had he found out about that private investigator she’d hired? She’d only been looking to get a little insurance, to make sure he stayed committed to her. She’d only been driven to do such a thing because she’d picked up on him distancing himself from her.

  If anyone had told her she wouldn’t be the mistress of the manor by now, she would not have believed them. At one time she’d all but had him eating out her hand. Then that bitch of a niece decided to move back to town.

  She knew Frazier felt beholden to his dead brother to make sure his daughter was taken care of, but Margo Connelly was a twenty-six-year-old woman who could take care of herself. Frazier was so damn protective of her. The first time he’d picked up on friction between them, he had taken the bitch’s side.

  And now her plans to marry Frazier were ruined thanks to Margo. And there was no way she wouldn’t believe everything was Margo’s fault. Now she had nowhere to go and no money to spend. While she’d been Frazier’s live-in lover, he’d opened a bank account in her name and had kept the funds pouring in to use however she liked.

  Frazier had let her know before she pulled away that her bank account was closed. In other words, after she used what was in it now, she shouldn’t look for any further deposits. Had he found out she had used some of those same funds to hire that PI?

  As Liz moved toward the interstate, the more she thought about her situation, the angrier she got. She bet Margo was somewhere laughing. Well, Liz intended to have the last laugh. She would make Margo Connelly regret coming between her and Frazier.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  WITH HER HEART beating hard in her chest, Margo leaned back against her bedroom door. Striker had finally moved away. He had stood outside her door for the longest time, probably trying to make up his mind about what he should do. Yes, she’d heard his words about them not making love again. He assumed that in order to protect her it had to be hands off. Well, he would find out soon enough how wrong he was. She had discovered since being around him just how strong sexual chemistry could be. And like him, she’d tried fighting it and had discovered doing so was a losing battle.

  She had decided not to fight it anymore. The emotions she was feeling were all new to her, but she had accepted that, of all men, Striker could make her want to do things she’d never thought of doing in her entire life. Like being bold enough to invite
a man to her bed, even when she knew the only thing between them was a strong attraction that neither of them could control.

  Didn’t Striker understand they had crossed the line and in doing so were now in each other’s system? Granted, she couldn’t speak for him and had no intentions of doing so, but she could definitely speak for herself. Making love with him had been so off the charts she doubted if she would ever recover. It took skill and unselfishness, and it was obvious Striker knew a lot about pleasure. About how to give it as well as receive it.

  She drew in a deep breath. She’d thought she would be the last person to ever have such thoughts about a man, especially after the likes of Brock and Scott. But she was intuitive enough to know Striker was different. Besides, it wasn’t like something serious was developing between them. They were enjoying the moment. At least she was, but she really couldn’t say the same about him. She understood his wanting to keep her safe, but she was learning that when it came to an attraction between a man and a woman, desire could get the best of you. She was experiencing so many things being with Striker, things she’d never had to deal with before. Emotions. Desires. Needs and cravings.

  Moving away from the door, she kicked off her shoes and eased her leggings down her legs before pulling off her top. Wearing just her bra and panties, she lay across the bed for her nap. Quasar would be delivering dinner in a few hours. Since they’d had a late breakfast, Striker had called him and told him not to worry about bringing them lunch. Instead she had offered to make sandwiches and tea. There was nothing like good old peanut butter and jelly in a pinch. Striker hadn’t complained and seemed to enjoy the sandwiches as much as she had.

  They had eaten in silence, but that hadn’t stopped her from noticing how his mouth moved when he chewed or how he would lick his lips every so often. Both had been turn-ons for her, so she didn’t have to wonder why she was so hot for him today.

  Once he’d caught her staring, and for the longest moment he hadn’t broken eye contact with her. And, during that long, sensuous moment of silence, something vital had taken place between them, whether he wanted to admit it or not. Their desire for each other wasn’t normal. There was no way that it could be. A look from him could rock her body, kick her heart rate into overdrive and send all kinds of delicious thoughts running through her mind.