Burning Hunger

by Tory Richards

  Sighing heavily, he sank down onto the sofa. He should have told her father that he was busy. But the truth was Chaz had been eager to see Val again, to see if the chemistry was still there or if it had dulled with time. It hadn’t, and now that he’d had a taste of her, it wasn’t about to go away. The time following his first meeting of Val had been spent thinking about her, and included waking up in the middle of many nights with a hard-on.

  Hell, I’m falling for the lady.

  “How do you like your coffee?” she called from the kitchen.

  “Black.” For the first time Chaz realized he was sitting there with his phone open. He pulled up his contacts list and hit Doug’s name. It barely rang twice before he heard the gravely voice of his long-time friend.

  “Yeah?”

  “It’s me.”

  Doug’s laugh sounded like sandpaper. “Let me guess, you’re not going now.”

  “Sorry, guy, if I’d known earlier I would have called. Have to come up with a new plan.” Chaz glanced up when Val walked into the room, and accepted the cup she held his way.

  “Trouble?” Doug asked.

  Chaz’s gaze met Val’s. “Big trouble,” he agreed, watching her sit on the arm of the chair close by.

  Doug laughed again, and this time Chaz detected humor. “Sounds like woman trouble, man.”

  “Nailed it right on the head,” Chaz responded. He took a sip of his coffee. “Right now I’m trying to make up my mind if she’s worth it or not.” He didn’t care that Val was listening.

  Her gaze was fixed on him, as she sat there sipping her coffee. Chaz thought back to her conversation with Craig. As soon as he got off the phone with Doug, he needed to get to the bottom of that little issue. He didn’t want to believe she was the kind of woman who would sleep with one man while engaged to another. His intuition about her couldn’t be that off.

  “Look, Doug, I’d appreciate you staying on standby just in case I need another flight out.”

  “Sure, man. You know I ain’t doing nothing but lazing around the pool with Bonnie all day.”

  “Thanks. Later.” Chaz flipped his phone closed, lifted his hips, and slipped it into his back pocket. He took a big drink of coffee.

  For the first time, he noticed how pretty Val looked in her rose-colored sundress. The top outlined the fullness of her breasts like the caress of his hands, revealing just enough cleavage above the heart-shaped bodice to draw the eye there. As he ran his gaze over the smoothness of her bare shoulders and arms, he took another drink. After a few more seconds of silence, Val’s pretty mouth turned up in a slight smile.

  “Are we just going to sit here and stare at each other the rest of the day?”

  “I’m thinking,” Chaz replied. He was glad she’d interrupted his thoughts about her. He needed to get his mind back on the right track, like figuring out what he was going to do now.

  “Chaz, I’m sorry for messing up your plans. I was actually looking forward to going to the Keys with you.”

  She really sounded contrite. He just looked at her, because it seemed she was going to say more.

  “Craig and I aren’t engaged,” she added, surprising him. “We used to be, but I broke it off long ago. We’re just good friends. I…,” she hesitated, as if unsure that she should continue. “Don’t know why I let you believe we were still engaged.”

  Chaz carefully kept his expression neutral, but deep down inside he thanked God. He wanted Val, and not just in his bed. Now that he knew she was free, he intended to make sure she knew that. “Maybe you should ask yourself that question.”

  Val surprised him by saying, “I already have, when I was making coffee in the kitchen.”

  “And did you come up with an answer?”

  She brought her cup to her lips, her gaze meeting his over the rim. There was no denying the sensual flame burning in her eyes. Chaz took that as a good sign.

  “As a matter of fact, I did,” she said after removing the cup from her mouth.

  Cup empty, Chaz put it on the coffee table in front of him. “And?” He crossed his arms.

  There was a long pause. Val’s chin turned obstinate. It was clear she didn’t want to answer him. Interesting. What’s she afraid of? The knowledge of Val’s barracuda reputation in the court room brought a smile to Chaz’s face. That wasn’t the woman he saw before him now.

  “Come on, sweetheart, the truth won’t hurt you.”

  “I don’t want you gloating,” she snapped.

  “Why would I gloat? Does your answer have something to do with me?”

  “Yes! Damn you!” She bolted from the arm of the chair and was gone before he could stop her.

  Chaz got to his feet and followed her to the kitchen. He found her pouring herself another cup of coffee. He could tell she was taking a sip, even though she kept her back to him.

  “Sometimes I’m not even sure I like you,” Val began, sensing he was there. “But…when I like you,” she slowly turned to face him, “I like you a lot.”

  Something opened up inside of Chaz. He was suddenly flooded with a warmth of sensation that was alien to him. His brother, Beau’s, words came back to haunt him, that he’d know when he met the woman who was meant for him. Was it possible? Chaz had felt a spark ignite the second he’d looked into Val’s eyes that evening a month ago, when he’d seen her at his brother’s ranch. Is she the one that’s going to turn my life upside down?

  “Then I guess we have the same problem,” he said after a while. The ringing of the phone caused Chaz to reach in his back pocket. “Hello?”

  “It’s Benjamin Martin.”

  “Good morning, sir.” Chaz acknowledged, turning his back on Val.

  “It’s over!” the older man said with excitement in his tone.

  “What?” Chaz frowned. “What’s over?”

  “Quick, turn the news on now!” Benjamin ordered. “Chief Benson is getting ready to make a statement.”

  With the phone to his ear, Chaz rushed into the living room and switched on the TV. He was vaguely aware that Val was on his heels. She’d obviously sensed something was up. He quickly turned the TV to the local news channel and slowly sank down onto the arm of the closest chair. The regular news was over but it was apparent there was a news conference getting ready to air. The mikes were set up, and standing there was the chief of police, along with other individuals in uniform.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Chaz could see Val sink down onto a corner of the coffee table. She remained silent, as if she knew that she’d have the answers to what ever questions she had soon enough. He could hear her father’s breathing in his ear, and remained on the line.

  Chief Benson, a tall man in his fifties, stepped up to one of the mikes and looked directly into the camera. “Good morning,” he began in a deep, Texas drawl. “At precisely three-eleven this morning, Hal Cramer, the nephew of Mayor Cramer, was shot dead inside the estate house. As there were no signs of a break-in, at this time it’s unclear whether he knew the killer, and allowed him inside. Mr. Cramer apparently died by a single gunshot wound to the back of the head. No one else in the house was injured.”

  Chaz glanced at Val, who had clear signs of shock on her pale face. “It was a hit,” he said simply, before turning his attention back to the TV.

  “Exactly what I thought when I heard it the first time,” her father said in his ear.

  “Chief Benson, do you think this has anything to do with the shooting a few days ago?” one of the reporter’s called out.

  “We won’t know until after the investigation—”

  “Chief, it was determined the man Hal Cramer killed was Aldo Bruno, and that Bruno had strong connections to the Italian Mafia. Do you think it’s possible this was a hit?”

  Chief Benson shook his head. “We won’t know until a detailed investigation is done, and that could take months. Right now you know what we know.”

  “But it seems like a big coincidence that Cramer killed Bruno a few days ago, and now Cr
amer is dead, don’t you think?”

  “At this point, a coincidence is all it is,” the Chief responded, unable or unwilling to speculate.

  “Chief, how is Mayor Cramer holding up?” another reporter asked.

  “Mayor Cramer is in shock, and trying to deal with the loss of his only nephew,” the Chief replied. “I understand his doctor is with him now.”

  “Chief—”

  “Look, that’s all I have for you at this time. Please keep the mayor and his family in your prayers.” He turned and left the mike before anyone else could get a word out. As he walked away, a man wearing a suit stepped forward to take his place.

  Chaz turned the TV off. He’d heard of the Bruno family and their mafia involvement on a job a few years back, when he’d been hired to protect a casino owner in Vegas. Cramer had sealed his own fate when he killed Aldo. If they’d had that information going in, Chaz could have told Benjamin that Cramer was the one who needed protection. In fact, he was surprised the mayor hadn’t taken the necessary steps to prevent what had happened. That told Chaz they probably hadn’t known who Aldo Bruno was.

  “A big break for us.”

  “Yeah. I thought we were in it for the long haul,” Benjamin agreed. “If this was a hit, they didn’t waste any time.”

  Chaz could hear the relief in the older man’s tone. “I don’t doubt it. I’ve heard of the Bruno family. They don’t only have mafia ties in Italy, they head up the organization.” Before taking on the job, Chaz had done some research on Cramer and found that he was a two-bit hood trying to get into the big leagues. How the hell had he gotten involved with Aldo?

  “Well, no matter. I’m just thankful Val’s no longer involved. Thank you for your services. I’ll get a check in the mail for you. Put my daughter on, please.”

  Chaz wordlessly handed Val the phone.

  “Hi, Dad.”

  As Chaz listened to her side of the conversation, he realized his time with Val was coming to an end, and much sooner than he’d anticipated. He wasn’t done with the beautiful lawyer yet. He might be off the payroll, but he intended to spend more time with her. In fact, there was no reason why they couldn’t head to the Keys after all. Spend a few days basking in the sun, and their nights fucking.

  Yeah, he wanted to get to the bottom of his fascination with Val. Find out how much of it was based on emotion, and how much was purely physical. In bed they were equals. A pleasant surprise, since he’d never met another woman as passionate and giving as her. And, another shocker, she satisfied him completely so that he wanted only her.

  She said goodbye, and handed Chaz back his phone.

  “I take it he doesn’t want to see you back in the office too soon.” He’d heard enough to draw that conclusion.

  She nodded. “He insists since I don’t have to worry about any work for a while that I take a real vacation while I have the opportunity.”

  “Sounds like a good idea,” Chaz agreed. “I was just thinking the same thing. I can call Doug back. We can head down to the Keys and spend a few days getting better acquainted.”

  “For a bodyguard out of work, you take a lot for granted, Mr. Evans.”

  “I would never take you for granted, honey.” Chaz pushed himself away from the chair. “Let’s just say I’m hopefully optimistic.” He found it interesting that for every step he took, Val took one backwards. “You just got done saying that you like me, a lot.”

  “When I like you,” she reminded him, remaining just out of reach.

  “Do you like me now?”

  Val shrugged, but the look in her eyes was seducing him, promising him heaven on earth. She licked her lips, the movement of her tongue drawing his gaze there. All of a sudden his cock was tingling and his senses were on full alert.

  “Don’t you want to see where this is going between us?” She stopped backing up, and Chaz wanted to believe she was considering what he said.

  “You mean beyond the fantastic sex?” she teased.

  He nodded.

  “Then you’d better call your friend Doug.”

  Chapter 9

  Two months later…

  “Callie, honey, you look beautiful!” Marissa exclaimed, the moment the bride walked into the room.

  “Like a princess!” Val added, smoothing out a crease in her veil. “I can’t believe we managed to pull this thing together in less than a month.” She turned her attention to Marissa.

  “Well, let’s not get too excited, at least not until the reception is over,” Marissa cautioned. “We still don’t know if the ice sculpture will arrive in time.”

  Callie laughed, while turning to look at herself in the full length mirror. “I still can’t believe you managed to find someone to do a sculpture of me and Blade sitting on a horse.”

  “Well, that is how you two met for the first time.” Marissa gave Val a wink before turning back to Callie. “Have you told him yet?”

  Callie shook her head. “I’m saving that shocker for the honeymoon. Isn’t the bride supposed to give her new husband a present?”

  Val laughed. “I think it’s the other way around, but either way, you could say he gave you a present.” Marissa and Val exchanged glances in the mirror Callie was primping in front of. “And what about you, Val, have you told Chaz yet?”

  Val shook her head, having already made up her mind to tell Chaz after the reception. She still couldn’t believe she was almost two months pregnant. Her little condom baby, she thought, gently running her hand over her flat belly.

  “Well, Beau’s a wonderful dad, Chaz and Blade will be, too,” Marissa said with total confidence. “We’re already trying for number two.”

  “Chaz and Blade will be what, too?”

  All three turned to see one of the Evans’ triplets walk through the doorway. Val knew instantly that it was Chaz. Not because they’d spent a week together in Key West. Not because they’d spent a lot of time getting to know each other better ever since. She knew it was Chaz because when he glanced at her, the seductive fire in his eyes called out to every one of her senses. She responded to him on every level.

  She knew it was Chaz, because she knew him with every fiber of her being. Their gazes met and held.

  “What are you doing here? Don’t you believe in knocking first?” Marissa scolded, drawing his gaze to her.

  Chaz laughed it off. “I was sent in to see if you’re ready.”

  “Blade getting antsy?” Callie teased.

  “You could say that.” He glanced at each of them, and then gave a wolf whistle. “Three beautiful ladies under one roof. We must be the luckiest men alive.” He winked at Val.

  “For sure,” Marissa said, arranging the train to Callie’s veil behind her. “Go tell them we’re ready.” She was so wrapped up in making sure the train was flawlessly splayed out that she could have been talking to herself.

  “I need a word with you.”

  It was more a statement than a question. Val felt her hand being taken and then she was led out of the room. As soon as the door closed behind them, Chaz pushed her up against the wall and kissed her hungrily. Moaning, she welcomed his warm mouth on hers, and gave everything she had to his surprise attack. She wrapped her arms around his neck, his powerful arms encircling her waist, and they clung to each other until the kiss wound down.

  “You said a word,” she reminded him when he pulled back.

  “You look good enough to eat,” he growled in a low tone.

  “I always look good enough to eat,” Val teased, nipping at his bottom lip.

  A sound she couldn’t identify escaped him. “Don’t tempt me, Val. At least not until the wedding is over.” He leaned into her and ran his mouth along the side of her neck. “Mmm, you smell good, too.”

  “So do you.” She inhaled deeply, recognizing he had a scent all his own. “They’re waiting,” she reminded him.

  “Too bad we’re in the wedding party.” Chaz kissed her ear while his hands caressed up her sides to her breasts. He cup
ped them and thumbed her nipples until they were hard. “Then, we could sneak away for a quickie while the vows were being said.”

  Val’s laugh was husky, revealing her heightened state of arousal. “There’s always the reception.” She started to reach down for his hardening cock but at the last second remembered where they were. “If you don’t stop seducing me, I won’t be able to walk down the isle as a bride’s maid.”

  With a snort of protest, Chaz kissed her quick and hard, then turned and walked away. Val watched him disappear around a corner, shivering deliciously. That man is dangerous in the sexiest way! Sighing, she joined Marissa and Callie again.

  “What happened to you?” Callie questioned with a look of speculation.

  She really made a beautiful bride, wearing an antique vintage creation of lace and carefully sewn-in tear-drop pearls. Whoever had owned the nineteenth century gown and matching veil and train had taken very good care of it.

  Before Val could come up with a story, Marissa said, “You might want to touch up your lipstick.”

  Val took a quick glance in the mirror and grinned. Chaz had kissed all of her lipstick off; she could only hope that didn’t mean he was wearing it. Served him right if he showed up to stand next to his brother as his best-man with red lipstick all over his face.

  “I hear the music!” Callie said with breathless excitement. She took the beautiful bouquet of violet and lavender flowers from Marissa.

  “It’s time to go ladies.”

  Val gave herself one last look in the mirror to make sure Chaz hadn’t done any more damage. Satisfied, she scooted out the door to join the other two bridesmaids who were waiting at the end of the hallway, friends of Callie’s from New York, Justine and Karen. Their lavender gowns of shimmering satin, matching heels, and ivory bouquets complemented Marissa’s deeper violet gown.