Checkmate (The Cassano Series Book 5)

by Scarlet Wolfe

  “I have few resources to make that happen now that Noah’s gone.”

  “You have to give me something, Theo. Help me solve a case close to the magnitude of what you’ve been doing here, and I’ll get you out of this.”

  “Have dinner with me.”

  Caught off guard, her head tilts back.

  “That wouldn’t be appropriate.”

  “We’ll meet in a couple of weeks to discuss my progress. Would that be appropriate?”

  Standing, she pulls her purse over her shoulder and smiles.

  “Fine. Call me when you have something to report and we’ll meet.” Reaching the doorway, she turns.

  “You know, Mr. Cassano, seducing me won’t get you out of this predicament. The Bureau doesn’t give a damn who I fuck.”

  “So, you foresee us fucking. I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

  Blushing, she rolls her eyes and smirks before she disappears down the hallway. Now, I have another reason to get to work on this case. One petite, sexy, and gutsy reason.

  Chapter Nine

  Aggie

  It’s been another three days since I’ve caught the sight of Kruse, and I’ve experienced a tinge of disappointment. I even stayed later than necessary today, hoping he might appear, and hearing his voice in Zev’s office, I might be in luck … or in trouble.

  To say I’m swimming in anticipation is an understatement.

  There’s a knock on my door before Kruse opens it.

  “Can I come in?” he asks, wearing a temperate expression. Looking around him, I don’t spot my brother.

  “Where’s Xavier?”

  “Let’s say I found a reason he was needed in the Royal lounge. You’re here late.”

  “I was just leaving.”

  “Was …? Does that mean you’re staying now?”

  “Are you telling me to?”

  I brandish a coy smile, and he immediately shuts the door behind him, his azure eyes brimming with conviction. They’re the bluest I’ve ever beheld, a cloudless afternoon sky encircled by the glow of the sun.

  A strong hand thrusts into my hair and takes hold, tipping my chin up. His viselike grip conveys threats and promises, and the possibilities of pleasure. It coils my stomach, the anticipation palpable.

  Threats and promises.

  They’re all revealed in his grasp and in the blinding light that’s casting from that clear, clear sky of blue.

  “For three days, Princess, you’re all I’ve been able to think about. I promise not to take more than you’re ready to give, but baby, please let me have a taste.”

  The fever rushes in, my body warming where it counts the most. His attention bounces between my eyes and my lips. He’s waiting for my response, and if ever I needed a hit from the drug, it’s this moment. God, I need to taste him, too.

  My hands shove inside his jacket and grip his waist. I pull him to me at the same time I lean up to give him what he longs for.

  Our lips crash head-on, splintering the last of our control. Tongues instantly collide, and his dominates mine as they thrash around.

  My being is on a tilt-a-whirl, the dizzying sensation crippling my balance. I squeeze his waist harder to steady myself while one of his voracious hands slithers over my chest and fondles my breast.

  My moan into his blistering mouth announces my approval, and urgently his lips drag along my jaw, my neck, and my chest. He becomes crazed.

  We’re standing, but it’s as if he’s on top of me as he yanks open my blouse, popping buttons. My bra strap is jerked down next until he can get his mouth to my bare breast.

  He’s smothering my will.

  Sucking and groping.

  Devouring.

  Owning.

  I picture myself curled into a ball in the corner of a dingy room, high already from the taste he’s giving me.

  Too soon.

  The words find the strength to crawl out of that corner of self-preservation in my needy, whirling mind. My hands slide up his chest and shove off of it. We separate, our lungs heaving while we search for restraint.

  “Aggie, I’m sorry if I was rough with you. I don’t know how to stop myself. I’m fucked,” he spouts as he moves away and paces. “I have to go.”

  Firing open my office door, Kruse’s pounding footsteps echo down the hallway. I cover my chest with my hand. It’s burning as my heart hammers beneath it. Kruse jackhammered right into it, clearing a space for his marked existence.

  He’s not the only one fucked. I’ve been bulldozed, and I’m becoming more helpless with every tantalizing touch from his skin.

  I need someone to talk to.

  Tara

  I shouldn’t do it until I’ve talked it over with Zev, but I’m a little pissed over his reaction, so in defiance I push Kruse’s number on my phone.

  “Tara, this isn’t a good time,” he says without even a hello. At least he still has my contact info in his phone.

  “Are you only saying that because Zev chewed your ass about us, and you feel like you shouldn’t talk to me? I don’t need confirmation that he did it. I’m sure of it.”

  “That’s part of it. I’ve had enough confusion for one day.”

  “I want us to be friends, Kruse. You were really there for me, and I want to be there for you. I could tell you needed a female friend when you showed up at my door.”

  “Zev is never going to go for that, and you know it.”

  “He will accept it, or I’m not marrying his cranky ass.”

  I actually get a chuckle from Kruse.

  “You’re laughing. That means I’ve turned your frown upside down.”

  “You’re one cheesy chick, Sunshine.”

  “Listen, I’m going to talk to Zev in the morning, and he’ll be cool with us being friends. Then, I want you to stop by my office before your shift so we can discuss whatever it was you needed me to hear. Deal?”

  It’s quiet for too many seconds.

  “Deal, Kruse?”

  “Deal, but if he tries to kick my ass or fire me, I’m going to be more than pissed.”

  “Great. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  His lengthy sigh doesn’t go unnoticed before he’s hanging up on me. I’ll admit I’m nosy. What’s weighing so heavily on his mind that he would seek me out, knowing Zev would be pissed? It must be important, and I want the deets.

  I’m still holding my phone when it rings.

  “Hello.”

  “Tara, this is Aggie.”

  “Hi, Aggie. How are you?”

  “Good. I’ve missed talking to you. How have you been?”

  “Busy. Time gets away from me now that I’m working for Theo and Adrian. If it’s not them monopolizing my time it’s Zev. Of course, I don’t mind it.”

  “I see. I guess you’re too busy to get together with me then.”

  “Gosh, no. I will make time for you. I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch more. It’s terrible of me after all you’ve been through. I imagine it’s been a huge adjustment to start over in another state, and I’m sure you miss your mom.”

  “It has been difficult, but I’m working through it. Um, I’m in need of some help in the style department. I’ve been plain Jane for many years, having no need to dress up or look polished. Victoria said you’re amazing in that area. Could you go shopping with me and direct me to a hair stylist?”

  “Absolutely. Oh, this will be so much fun. Could you go Saturday morning? I’ll get everything set up for you.”

  “Sounds perfect, and thank you, Tara. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

  “Aww, it’s my pleasure. I look forward to us hanging out.”

  Sadie

  My wedding, the baby, and this lab experiment are all I should have to worry about today, but instead I’m sitting here concocting my plan to extract personal information from Russell. My eyes are peering into a microscope as I think about how to broach the subject.

  “Oh, I need a snack,” I say with a groan before I stroll ove
r to my backpack and fish out a granola bar and banana.

  I eye them both but settle on the banana. I’ll distract him with sexual thoughts while I eat it. I drag over a chair to the front of Professor Edward’s desk, where Russell is typing on a laptop.

  “You’re a senior, correct?”

  “Yep.”

  “I thought so. I’m surprised we haven’t had some classes together.” He doesn’t respond, so I press on. “So, my fiancé and I are going to take our honeymoon over winter break. Will you mind if I’m gone for a week?”

  “No, I can handle things here.”

  Peeling my banana, I slowly slide my lips over it. Russell’s eyes lift over the top of his laptop before he clears his throat. I bite off a small piece and chew.

  “I can tell you’re smart. I bet you’re an Aquarian. I have this odd hobby of studying Zodiac signs,” I say.

  He peers over at me again, so I slide my rosy lips over my banana once again.

  “No, I’m a Gemini.”

  “Oh, what date? You know, Gemini’s are considered brilliant. I really eat this stuff up.”

  Giving me a quizzical smile, he shuts the screen of his laptop.

  “June 3rd.”

  “Cool. I’m a Libra. You know, social, charming and fashionable, among many other complimentary attributes.” Giving him a cheesy grin, I bite off another piece of my banana.

  “I feel much better now that I’ve had a snack. I guess I should get back to work. It was nice chatting with you.”

  He chuckles. “Yeah, you, too. I have an errand to run. I’ll be back in about thirty minutes.”

  Russell leaves, so I pull out my phone to text Victoria.

  Me: Sis, I’m texting you a birthdate and name. Will you have Reggie run a check for me? He might need to try a couple of different years. I’m guessing on that part.

  Victoria: It’s time to fill me in, Sadie.

  Me: OK, I’ll call you soon.

  Zev

  I wake up alone, and it pisses me off. I hate Tara being gone each day when I open my eyes, which is usually between noon and one. She's already put in a half day of work by that time, and honestly, I wish she wasn't employed period.

  I have plenty of money. She could stay home so I could regard her beautiful, sunny face every morning. I could roll over onto her sexy body and give it to her slow and steady. Fuck, the thought of it has my hard dick twitching.

  I’d pay a visit to her office, but after fucking Blanca in there, I haven’t been able to bring myself to do it. Maybe it’s time to christen that space with something meaningful.

  Tara’s made it clear that staying home is not an option. She said she enjoys working, but I think the main reason she wants to be employed is because she’s afraid another day could come where she has to rely only on her income.

  I hate that she doesn’t feel secure in my commitment to her, but I have no one to blame for that but myself.

  It works both ways, though, and she hasn’t given up her condo yet. She agreed to move in here with me, so she needs to show me she’s serious about it.

  I especially need to see it after what happened with her and Kruse. For a split-second, I thought she was feeling something for him.

  Frustrated, I swipe my phone from the nightstand and give her a call.

  “Hi, sweetie,” she says after only the first ring.

  “Damn, it’s nice to hear your voice, but it would be a lot better if you were here with me–underneath me.”

  “Zev, you can’t get me worked up right now. Why didn’t you wake me this morning when you got home? I wanted to talk to you.”

  “You were snoring with this cute little smile on your face. I couldn’t bring myself to wake you when you had to get up in only a few hours.

  “Will you come visit me after your shift? I’ll be sure Aggie leaves at a reasonable hour this evening to ensure we’re alone. I’ll even clear a spot on my desk so you’re more comfortable while I eat you for dinner.”

  “Zev,” she says in a sexy whisper.

  “Hey, I haven’t had an opportunity to go down on you in days. You know you’re missing my talented tongue. Say it.”

  “I miss your tongue on me.”

  “There’s my girl.”

  “You’re breaking rule number two, which is not to get me excited while I’m trying to concentrate on my job.”

  “At least I didn’t break rule number one and make you late for work this morning.”

  “You’re adorable. I’ll see you this evening.”

  Chapter Ten

  Tara

  It’s four in the afternoon when Kruse crosses my doorway.

  “Hi, come in.” I give a smile, but he doesn’t return the gesture. His brows are sewn together by a deep wrinkle, and he doesn’t make eye contact as he takes a seat in front of my desk.

  I study him while he unbuttons his charcoal suit jacket and shifts restlessly in his chair. His blond hair is still damp, and his eyes are a bit droopy. He’s wary and not put together like usual.

  “Kruse, what’s up with you?”

  “That obvious, huh?”

  “Something is wrong.”

  “Maybe. Or maybe it’s right. Either way, I’m totally fucked.”

  “Um, why did you decide I was the best one to hear about it?”

  “I’ve spent more time with you than any other female in quite a while. My sister and I are close, yet there’s still a lot I don’t tell her, but in only the couple of weeks I spent with you, I confided plenty.”

  “You mean how you don’t like football?” I snicker and finally get a smile from him. “OK, so I kinda know you well.”

  One of his ankles is resting on the knee of his other leg as he sits with them somewhat crossed. He fidgets with the bottom hem of his pant leg and stares out the wide window behind me.

  “I need to ask you something.”

  “OK.” My word is drawn out as I recall our history. Nervousness creates an ache in my belly, so I cover it with my hand.

  “If you hadn’t been in love with Zev, would you have thought of me as boyfriend material?”

  Without trying to hide it, I blow out an arduous breath and debate over how much I want to confess.

  “Kruse, regardless of my feelings for Zev, I felt like you would make an amazing boyfriend. As easy as it seemed for you to let your guard down with me, I was surprised you hadn’t been in relationships.”

  I drag my bottom lip through my teeth.

  “And, between you and me, if I wasn’t in love with Zev, I would’ve kissed you back. The part of me that felt the attraction between us wanted to, but you know, that connection is felt between a lot of people.

  “The attraction matters when you feel something more. Something electrifying and almost unexplainable. When you can’t imagine not getting inside the other person’s head and heart and experiencing all their thoughts, desires and dreams.”

  I look away from him, recalling my intense and intimate moments with Xavier. “You crave their touch to the point you honestly believe it’s the nourishment for your existence.”

  Kruse’s head falls back, and he drags his hands down his tired face. “Like I said … I’m fucked.”

  “I hope I’m wrong as to where I think you’re going with this.”

  His head jerks up and eyes open wide.

  “Tara, no. I don’t feel that way about you if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  I shield my heart with a hand. That’s a relief. I have no clue how we would’ve worked through that situation.

  “So, you’ve met someone else?”

  “Yeah, I have. All those things you said that you obviously feel for Zev, I keep thinking about experiencing them with this someone.

  “I can’t sleep or eat, and it doesn’t make sense. I barely know her, just superficial stuff. At first, I thought it was only an intense physical attraction, but it’s more than that. I don’t know how but it is.

  “It’s fucking more, and this more would
be complicated for two monumental reasons I can’t share. I allowed myself to walk right into it, knowing damn well what the consequences would be. I couldn’t resist the temptation.”

  “It sounds like you’ve met her.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I have a feeling soul mate sounds lame and unbelievable to you, so let me put it this way. She’s the person you will want to call any time you have news, good or bad. You will want her to be the first and last sight of your day, and it will devastate you to hurt her as much as it devastates her.”

  “This can’t be happening,” he murmurs, but I can tell that it is, so he needs to hear this.

  “She’ll be the woman who will forgive you when you’re being a dick, and she’ll let you put that member where it doesn’t belong all because she loves you more than you do.”

  Kruse smiles, but his deep-set eyes now in full frame show how terrified he is, as well.

  “If I’m honest here, I thought I’d take her on a date and then to bed. We’d both move on, and it would remain our little secret.”

  “That’s not the side of you I got to know.” I frown since his honesty is a tad disappointing.

  “Tara, that’s who I am.” He’s pointing at his chest, believing what he’s saying.

  “You’re not giving yourself enough credit. I think you’re a mess because you can already tell it’s going to be different with her, and no matter how hard you try to stop it, you won’t be able to, so be prepared for the fall.

  “All I can suggest is don’t make it as hard on her as Zev made it on me. If she’s the love of your life, give in, Kruse. Give in to her.”

  “I’m fucked.”

  I giggle since he’s made that clear already.

  “What are you so afraid of?”

  Dropping to the floor the leg he’s had crossed, he leans his head back again and swallows that lump of fear.

  “I’m in charge of every aspect of my life. I tell people what to do and not to do every day in this place. I bark commands and intimidate people. I’m in control, and I like it that way.