by C. M. Steele
Pulling the IP addresses, I hoped one of them would lead me to my attacker, but there was no guarantee this fucker wasn’t smart enough to hide his own online paper trail. He may have been unsuccessful in killing us, but he had us on the run. The reasons and possibilities were seeming endless as I sat there.
I sent a request for information for the DA’s first ten cases and the pending five with the highest possible charges. Then I closed the laptop and looked for something to make. I knew she would be starving when she got up. We ate a little at the airport and snacked on the plane, but we had a whole day of chaos and travel with a happy serving of sex. My stomach was snarling at me for some damn food.
Almost to the kitchen, I heard Miranda scream my name. I never made it somewhere so quick in my life. I barged into the room with my gun out, but Miranda was in the room alone, sobbing in her sleep. I took a deep breath. Relief and anxiety mixed as I thought there was no present danger but a woman suffering the effects of a horrible life-altering experience.
I placed the gun down on the night stand and climbed in bed beside her. Taking her in my arms, I whispered, “I’m right here. Miranda, babe. I’m right here and we’re safe. I promise.” She shivered in my arms and I hoped to fuck this worked.
“Duke, I was dreaming you died,” she whispered, turning around to look at me. I saw the surprise and sadness.
“It was just a dream. I’m not going anywhere until we’re old and grey.” I wondered if it was a new dream scenario or the actual explosion event she dreamt of. I’d had lots of nightmares, waking up in a cold sweat. It took some time with the guys setting up the business to calm them down. The case with Jackson and Elizabeth brought them back, so I saw a therapist and they finally seemed to have gone. Now I dream about computers all the time. Strange, but it’s a fuck load better than the fear.
“I thought it was real. I thought you didn’t get away from the truck.” She sobbed.
“But, I did, doll,” I said, brushing the hair off her face.
“You know. I know I said I didn’t like when you called me that, but…”
I cut her off. “But you do. I know. I loved the way your face pinked when I said it. I love you, Miranda. I’ve loved you since you first walked through the door smiling at me.”
“I love you, too. I have a confession to make. I’ve loved you from the start, too. I just didn’t know how to handle it. I’m a kickass soon to be lawyer, very independent, but where men are concerned, I haven’t dated much.”
“It’s okay, I promise. It’s me and you forever. I won’t let anyone stop our happily ever after. My friends have all found theirs, and I was waiting for mine. I had no idea you’d just appear. I thought they were all nuts falling in love on sight, but I guess I’m nuts, too.”
“Can we stay like this?”
“You’re not hungry?” It was like the words triggered her belly and it rumbled. She blanched in embarrassment, but I just laughed.
“Doll, mine sounded like a dinosaur, so don’t trip. Let’s get something to eat then we can take a nice warm bath.
“Ooh, I like the sound of that,” she sighed, running her hands on my chest.
My eyes popped wide open and I clutched her dainty hands. “No, missy. No hands on me. You’re starting something that both us can’t handle at the moment. Up now.” I hopped off the bed and walked out into the kitchen. Fuck that. My cock was stiff as fuck in a flash. I needed to eat so my ass didn’t faint halfway through because I wasn’t going to go easy on her pussy.
I heard her moving about while I searched for some food. “Ah ha, jackpot.” I found several porterhouses and everything to make a great dinner. Damn, I really owed Niko for this one.
She came out of the room wearing a tee shirt from my suitcase. “Do the clothes I bought not fit you?” I didn’t mean to make it sound bad, but the look of dismay on her face told me I fucked up. She cut and ran from the room. “Damn it, Miranda,” I called out. Rushing to catch her before she changed, I got to the room before she could slam the door on my face.
“Go away, Duke. I thought you would like it. But I guess that’s only in the movies.”
I pulled her into my arms held her tight. She tried to fight, but I bit her shoulder. “Don’t, you’re going to hurt yourself. You took it wrong sweetheart. I want you to walk around in my shirts if you want. You look so fucking unbelievably sexy and a complete distraction. After we bathed I had every intention of fucking you until you screamed out how much you need me. But since you had to come out here looking like a sexy little girl next door, I need to take you now. Growling stomachs be damned.”
I pushed her down onto the bed, her ass pressing into my cock. Fuck, this was perfect. I was going to show her how damn sexy that she was to me.
“On all fours, doll,” I said while I took off my clothes. She got on the bed all the way and did what I said. As sexy as the shirt was on her, I wanted to see her back, and I wanted no interference with her breasts and my hands, so I lifted it off of her. There were some bruises I didn’t notice earlier, so they needed my attention. They were scattered on her back around her ribs and hips. I planted kisses down her spine and whispered my love and devotion for her. She let out tiny moans and whimpers as her body shivered with need.
I trailed my hands up and down her body, lazily. Massaging her ass with one hand, I lined my cock up with her slit. Rubbing my tip back and forth, I let her juices coat my length. Then I pushed my way in. She was extremely tight. Not that I expected her to be anything less that vice gripping, but it still took me by surprise. I had to work my way into her heat. “Let me in, doll. Spread your legs some more.” She opened wider for me, letting me see her pussy lips juicy and swollen. I had to stop my entry and taste her. Leaning down I licked her until she started panting and squirming. I wanted her primed to come because the sight of her naked made me wanted to come.
“Fuck, doll. I don’t know what I like more, eating your pussy or fucking it. Remind me to have dessert in a little while,” I growled. Kneeling back behind her, I thrusted into her. She mewled and bent her back so her ass was higher in the air. She tilted her upper body slightly leaning on her elbow and giving me a bonus view of her tit and her beautiful face. I had to close my eyes because that was shit was too much. It was a full package and her tight pussy wasn’t much help.
Playing with her breasts, I pumped my hips until we were both panting, moaning, and crying out for more. “I’m coming,” she shouted, pushing her ass back into me.
“Ah, fuck, baby. I’m coming, too,” I roared, emptying all of me inside her.
Chapter 9
We finally made it to dinner. I hadn’t meant to keep us going at it, but when I said I needed a shower, well he agreed we’d take one together. Who knew I would lose it at the sight of him naked. I did and years of pent up hormones exploded. By the end of the shower I was pretty good at sucking him off. I wouldn’t call it a great job, but he was more than satisfied. All the power was back in my court. I let him control everything but that. Thinking about it, I think it might just become my favorite hobby. It’s like a wielding a sword of power. His knees buckled and he had to hold onto the wall for leverage several times. I kept smiling to myself.
“You’re smiling again,” he said, taking a drink of his wine. Setting it down, he gave me a look of suspicion. “Why are you smiling?”
“Can’t I be happy?” With everything going outside of our little bubble, I shouldn’t be smiling, but with him it was almost contagious.
“You can. It’s just every once and a while a grin appears when you’re lost in thought.”
“What! Do you want me to admit that I like sucking your cock?” I caught him mid drink and he started choking. Duke pushed his chair back and leaned for support on the counter to the side of him. I tried not to laugh because he might have really been choking. “Are you…” I giggled, coughed and finished, “Alright?”
“Fucking, Miranda. You’re going to pay for that. You can’t say that to a
man while he’s drinking or eating anything. I think you’re trying to kill me.”
“Fine, I don’t like it then. Is that better?”
“Nope,” he said, clearing his throat and standing straight up. I looked and even choking, his cock was pressing against his shorts. “He remembers what you said,” he laughed then looked down. I shook my head, sat back in my chair, then let out a little snort and drank my wine.
“You’re not going to have that smug look on your face for long. Keep it up.”
“Looks like I’m doing a great job of it already,” I said, pointedly eyeing his cock.
“You’re in for a job alright. Fucking teasing woman,” he growled. He had no idea how sexy I found him. He promised me forever and I know that he meant it, so I sat back and smiled because he’s more than I could ever have imagined.
“You know after that I’m definitely not letting you go.” His phone started ringing before he could add anything else. I tried not to listen or sound interested, but it could be important and I would die if it was another woman.
“Hey, Mom,” he answered. “No I’m out of the country for the time being.” He shook his head and gave me a sneer. “Yes, actually, I’m with her right now.” I widened my eyes. I hoped he didn’t hand me the phone. “No, I’m not stealing her off to get hitched. It’s going to be a small ceremony in Maine next week.” I heard her say something. It sounded like she was shouting at him. “Yes, it’s happening in a week or I’m going to marry her tomorrow. It’s one or the other.”
“Do I get a say?” I added, wondering what I was getting myself into.
He cupped the phone so his mother couldn’t hear what he was going to say. “No, you don’t. I already told you that this was for keeps, doll. And I already told your dad I wasn’t giving you back. So give me a second while I deal with this woman.” He took his hand off and said, “We can do it at the Blake’s home. Mr. Blake offered and I’m sure Mrs. Blake is on it. Call her and you two get things in order. Miranda is a ten and she’s elegant. Pick several dresses for her to choose from.”
I opened my mouth wide. He had this all planned out in his head and hadn’t said a word to me. I threw my napkin down and left the room. I needed air. I know that he was just that type of guy who had every under control and preferred it that way, but I wasn’t used to giving it up to anyone. I want to marry him, that was without a doubt certain, but I hate the fucking loss of control.
I heard the footsteps behind me. “Miranda, I’m sorry. I got carried away. Please look at me.” I turned to face him. The look on his face wiped away some of the anger immediately. Those damn eyes of his. When he wanted to stare at me seductively, he did, and now the pain in his eyes told me that he was really sorry. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I didn’t. Please don’t walk away.”
“Duke, why didn’t you tell me about the plans? Or at least consult me?”
“Because half that shit I just made up at the moment. Mr. Blake told me he could have it ready for me, and I already told you about your father. The other stuff, well I was just trying to pacify my mother. Truthfully, I thought you’d argue with me, not that you’d be in tears.”
“You’d rather have me yell at you?”
“Yeah, it’s sexy when you get all bossy and lawyery.” He tilted his head, looking for a laugh from me.
“That’s not a word,” I sniped with pursed lips.
“It’s still sexy. The tears…well, doll. I don’t like those. And I sure as hell don’t want to be the one to cause them.” He held his arms open and I walked into them. He had me so confused. I knew he was all Alpha when we met and that was why I wanted to really stay away from him, but Duke was too hard to resist.
“You’re bad for my credibility as a tough, young lawyer.”
“Honey, you don’t have to be tough with me. I’m here to be the tough one. If you want, you can boss me around. I don’t know how well it will work, but you hold all the cards. I can’t live without you, so you have all the control.” He kissed me, sealing his confession.
Duke pulled back, his lips lingering and I didn’t want to our kiss end. He looked at me, then dropped down to one knee. I parted my lips in surprise and awe when I saw him slip the ring from his pocket. Holding my hand, he asked, “Will you marry me, Miranda?”
Tears poured down my face. It wasn’t like I didn’t know the marriage was coming, but he asked with a ring and everything. I nodded because I couldn’t speak. He slipped the ring on my finger and stood, hugging me close to him. My head rested on his chest and I could feel his heart pounding like he was nervous about the outcome.
“I love you, Duke.”
“I love you, too,” he whispered back, kissing my hair. We stood there holding each other for barely a minute when he added, “So about sucking my cock…” I punched him in the gut.
“Asshole.”
“What about your asshole? Do you want me to do that? I’m not into that kind of thing, but if it’s what you want, I’ll do anything to your ass,” he offered with a shrug.
“Don’t be a smartass. I want you to leave my ass alone. My pussy can barely handle you.”
“I know. And I like it, so can you handle it again?” he asked, wagging his eyebrows. “Let’s clean up and then we’ll see where we end up.”
“I think that table in there is pretty sturdy,” he remarked, like he was really contemplating tossing me on it. Truthfully, I thought it would be fun, but I wasn’t that bold or experienced, so he would have to start that shit.
Chapter 10
Because of the time difference we spent most of the morning in bed. I had to wait until the afternoon to talk to anyone about the case. It was getting on my nerves. The files were sent to me while we were sleeping, but now I had already gone through all of them. There were no real potential suspects. Not one of the past or future clients possessed a grudge. I was beyond frustrated. Most of the cases were open and shut drug cases with shorter sentences. No one stuck out to me. I sent them to the guys for their two cents in the matter, but I knew they wouldn’t find anything in the files. I could ask for more, but something in this made me think that this wasn’t about a case. There was some other reason. In my gut I knew something was off with the whole thing.
I prayed that DA Russell wasn’t involved. From everything he showed it sounded like he was sincere. He really loved Miranda. So what was it that bothered me about the bombing?
“Duke, I know you’re looking for answers, but it’s time to take a break. Lunch is ready,” she said, walking around behind me and rubbing my shoulders. Leaning close, her face next to mine she looked at my computer screen and to the papers on the desk. Damn did she smell incredible. I was thinking about putting my dick in her so bad. “Oh no,” she gasped.
I turned to her and she had her hand against her mouth. Looking at the screen with a hint of fear. “It’s my father’s ADA.”
“What do you mean? Assistant District Attorney Lowell?”
“Yes. Look at the Case from 1995 State vs. Jefferson. The law clerk then signed for a release on documents.” She pointed to the one page the screen. It’s a page that was accidentally photocopied with the file. Truthfully it was a useless document to have. It was interoffice transfer paper. At the time Lowell was a clerk. Then I looked at the printed copy of the letter. Several of the letters were identical. I picked up the paper and placed against my laptop screen. I wasn’t a handwriting expert, but there was no mistaking it. The loops and tic marks in the writing were the same. The ADA was our suspect, but why? And who did he hire to do the bombing? We needed all the ducks in a row in order to prosecute him. There were things that needed to be matched up, but Miranda’s family needed extra protection.
I had to make several calls in the next two hours. Miranda sat on the sofa in the office looking through all the documents for more evidence. First call was to my team who were standing watch over the DA. “Romeo, what’s the word?”
“So far they have been staying in the house and
we have it secured. There’s no way for anyone to do anything. The DA is working from home and his ADA is handling the case load.” That’s what I expected to hear.
“Do me a favor. Keep an eye on the ADA. Don’t allow him to bring anything into the house. Nothing.”
“He just brought them a dessert that his mother baked,” he answered.
“Is he still there?” I asked frantically. If he was there and they acted, shit could blow up. That would be bad. A big part of me knows the truth. I have a feeling the ADA wants to be the DA and will do anything to get it. That was the only rational excuse I could come up with, unless it had to do with Miranda. I wonder if he’d hit on her and she refused him or maybe the DA pulled the same shit with the ADA that he pulled with me.
“No. He left,” he remarked.
I snarled. The bastard needed to be dealt with before he could strike again. Hell, the baked good could be poisoned. “Take that shit and make sure they don’t eat it. Get it tested and keep Lowell away from them as much as possible,” I ordered.
“It’s him, boss?” Romeo asked quietly. I assumed he someone approached him. Then I heard him say hello to DA Russell. I didn’t know if I wanted to talk to him just yet.
“It’s looking like it. Just do some overtime on it. Eyes peeled and put in a full body scan on everyone. Or at least make it look that way.”
“Understood. Complete tabs?” he asked. My team all new what would need to be done.
“Yes, I want to know when he takes a fucking shit,” I roared into the phone. He knew it wasn’t directed at him, but I was so damn pissed.
“Okay, do we work with the PD? Or am I calling in more guys?”
“Call in more. At this point I don’t know who’s working for whom. I’ll talk to the feds.”
“Hey, doll. How are you doing over there?” I asked her as she chewed on her pencil after I hung up. Even when concentrating I found her so deliciously sexy. This shit had to take priority or I’d be fucking her on the sofa. Sitting back against the chair, I steepled my hands and watched her silently. She didn’t see me staring like a stalker, but she finally looked up. Her mouth parted and I heard the slightest gasp.
