She stepped forward until their bodies touched and laid a hand on his well-defined chest, just above his heart. It galloped beneath her touch. She smiled. He wasn’t as unaffected by her as he seemed. His nostrils flared and his pupils dilated as she lifted her head, her lips tantalisingly close. It wouldn’t take much for either of them to cross the small distance and press their lips together.
He shuddered. “This isn’t a good idea.”
She slid her hand up the row of buttons on his shirt and deftly popped them open revealing the wide expanse of his chest. She slipped her hand inside to stroke him, feeling the wiry hair beneath her soft palm.
She held his gaze. “Answer the question, Detective.”
She knew the game she played was extremely seductive, and Darryl had been right when he said it wasn’t a good idea. But nothing had ever felt this right.
“I’m all yours,” he replied, the words sounding like they’d been torn from him.
She liked the sound of that. “Then…come home with me tonight.”
Chapter 18
The front door to Kellie’s house banged loudly against the wall as they pushed it open. Darryl shoved her none too gently backwards, his lips pressed against hers, his tongue stroking the fire burning in his gut. Kellie clung to him, her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
He held her hips tight, crushing her body against his, and she felt so good. Soft and womanly. She tasted of peppermint and he’d never liked the flavour more. The front door slammed shut as Darryl kicked it closed with his foot. His body was hard and aching, screaming for release. It had been a while for him and never had it been so hot; the mere touch of her had him close to coming in his pants.
He’d never wanted a woman as much as he did right now. Kellie had slipped past all his defences and he couldn’t care less. She’d surprised him with her seduction tonight. It had been the last thing he’d expected as he’d walked her to her car. He was still reeling. She seemed so sweet and innocent but there was a fiery temptress beneath her wholesome good looks. He’d gone hard in a rush as he heard her husky voice announcing her desire for him.
It had taken everything in him to keep his hands off her. Then she’d upped the game, moving against him, her hands slipping inside his shirt to touch his heated, naked skin and all he could think of was returning the favour.
He’d almost taken her up against her car in the damn parking lot, he’d been so ready for her. But common sense had prevailed for a time and he’d followed her home, the ache in his groin so damning he’d almost driven off the road twice. Only the knowledge of what was waiting for him had him keeping his hands off himself. He wanted Kellie to touch him, to bring him pleasure.
She was so damn beautiful, her lips swollen from his kisses, her face red from whisker burn where he’d rubbed his cheek against hers. And she was his—for tonight, anyway. Damn, he didn’t want to think about tomorrow. Not now.
He kissed a trail down her slender throat and nipped at her with his teeth. He couldn’t stop the groan that escaped his lips. His hands slid down her back and cupped her bottom, pulling her against his straining erection. If he didn’t slow down, he would embarrass himself.
Her fingers crept into his hair and he could feel her breasts press against his chest as she drew him closer for another mind-blowing kiss. She sucked on his tongue and his dick jerked. Was she purposely trying to get him to lose control? Hadn’t she already driven him to madness? Must she continue to taunt him?
Her leg slid up his side, reaching his waist, the motion bringing her that much closer to him. She yanked his shirt from his pants with impatience and his stomach muscles bunched beneath her exploring hands as she traced his abs. She murmured her approval of his body.
“Kellie,” he gasped as her small nails grazed his sensitive skin.
She made an animal sound and suddenly his shirt fell open, the sound of loose buttons hitting her hardwood floors reaching his ears as she pushed his shirt from his shoulders and stared down at his chest.
The look in her eyes was almost his undoing. Had any woman ever looked at him as if he was ice cream topped with warm chocolate sauce, minus the calories? He knew he wasn’t bad to look at and spent hours in the gym to accomplish it, but she made him feel like an Adonis. Her gaze, darkened by desire, caressed him. He shuddered when her mouth touched him, her wet tongue swirling around his nipple. His hands tightened on her and more blood rushed south.
What was he doing? Her mouth continued its slow torture as she focused on his other nipple. His back arched beneath her ministrations. She was hell on his self-control and now he was about to do something he couldn’t regret, but knew nonetheless that it was a mistake. A problem they could do without. He and Kellie were working together, and would see each other every day. This had to be the stupidest thing he’d ever considered doing. And the most pleasurable.
Dammit.
What a time for cold reality to hit him in the face. His chest heaved with the effort it took to breathe.
Her hands moved to his belt and started tugging. Darryl grabbed her wrists, stilling her movement. He was an idiot to try to stop this, but he in good conscience couldn’t go through with it. Not only were they colleagues but she was his partner’s old friend, and Amelia would probably kick his arse should she discover his attempts to seduce Kellie, though she seemed to be doing most of the seducing. He merely went along with her.
Why the hell was he stopping?
His entire body screamed at him to keep going. To drop Kellie to the floor and thrust himself deep inside her, to possess her in the most intimate way. But with the little self-control he had left, he stepped painfully away from her.
He was rock hard, and uncomfortable wasn’t the word to describe his agony.
Kellie gazed up at him with a frown on her flushed face. Her blonde hair spilled over her shoulders and her blouse was in disarray. He didn’t even remember scrunching it in his hands. He’d never seen anyone so utterly sexy and once again fought for self-control.
“This isn’t a good idea,” he said.
Her harsh breathing filled the otherwise silent room. She stepped away from him and collapsed on the nearby sofa as if her legs could no longer hold her up.
“I thought we’d already established that.”
“I figured it needed to be said again.”
Kellie crossed her legs. She hadn’t done it in a provocative way but the simple action almost brought him to his knees.
“It’s more than that, isn’t it?” she asked, her head cocked to the side.
Darryl ran a stiff hand over his head, his hair so short the strands barely reached the tops of his fingers.
“Besides us working together, or the fact that your best friend is my partner?” He stared at her. “I’m not into one-nighters.”
Not this time. Not with her. Once would never be enough.
A shattered expression fell across her face. Had he been right in figuring that tonight was about more than shared desire? Did Kellie simply want to reaffirm the fact she was still alive after the assault on the LAC earlier? He understood her need and the resulting adrenaline rush. He just didn’t want to be a convenient lay for her.
From the moment they’d met, he’d fought his attraction, and if what he’d seen that night was any indication, Kellie had been fighting it too. The desire between them had been simmering for a while. They’d ignited too quickly and dangerously.
But his reasons were more than enough to make him back away. He didn’t want to sleep with her only to have her kick him to the kerb the next day. As much as it killed him, he’d rather walk away than have her only to lose her once the sun came up. There was something about Kellie he couldn’t touch, beneath the walls she’d built, and he wanted her to let him in. He wanted all of her.
You dumb shit, Darryl. You should be thankful that a beautiful woman like her is willing to sleep with you at all.
Most guys would’ve been cheering at the idea of no strings at
tached sex. Instead, he wanted all or nothing.
“Then we have a problem, don’t we?” she said.
“Would you consider it?”
Her eyes widened as she stared at him. She swallowed hard.
“A relationship?” she asked.
“You tie me in knots, Kellie. I want you. Not just for tonight or even a couple nights. I want you.” He searched for the right word. “Always.”
She stood and paced the room with agitated movements. “You don’t know me.”
“No, I don’t. But I want that to change. From the moment you walked into Harris’s office, you turned me upside down. For years I thought I didn’t want to be tied down. Then I met you. You’re unlike any woman I’ve ever met.”
“Why can’t you just be happy with one night? I’m not made to last and go the distance. I have issues. It’s not fair of me to lay them at your feet.”
He stepped forward. “I don’t care. Let me in. Dammit, Kellie, I’m falling for you hard and I’m not ashamed to say it.”
She turned away but not before he saw the light sheen of tears in her over-bright eyes. “Darryl.” Her voice was soft and full of agony. He strode to her and pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her.
She trembled, her skin ice cold. He kissed her lightly on the forehead. “Trust me.”
She pulled away from him with a jerky movement, staring at the nearby wall. “When I was sixteen, I was raped. I couldn’t stop it. He was just too strong.” She hugged herself tightly. “The bastard shot me and left me for dead.”
Darryl recoiled as his gut twisted painfully and a burning rage ignited inside him. He forced it away. Now was not the time.
She slid her fingers into the silky tendrils of her hair and flipped a section across her head to flop down the other side. He moved closer and caught the scar at the side of her head where the bullet had grazed her. She’d been damn lucky, and that meant he was too. A few inches to the right and he’d never have met this wonderful woman. He traced the line of her scar. She tensed at his touch. He couldn’t help himself as his lips followed the path of his finger. It would’ve hurt like hell. He was amazed at her strength. He didn’t admire many people—only his father, his brothers, his colleagues, and now Kellie.
“I don’t like guns,” she said. “Every time I’m close to one, I turn to jelly.”
Which explained that afternoon and how shell-shocked she’d been after the last gunshot. He once more swept her into his arms just so that he could feel that she was alive. It had happened long ago but for him, it had only just occurred and his hand shook with emotion as he ran his fingers over her hair.
“Did they ever find the arsehole who did this to you?”
He hoped not, because he would love to meet the man who’d hurt Kellie and rip him limb from limb. His level of hatred and rage toward the man surprised him.
She shook her head. “Unfortunately, no. I’m just another of Harbour Bay’s unsolved crimes. Believe it or not, there’s quite a few, and it wasn’t from lack of trying on the part of the detective. In fact, I was surprised at his level of determination.” She glanced up at him and pinned him with a look. “Don’t feel sorry for me, Detective,” she warned.
“I don’t.” He saw that his words shocked her. Had she been expecting pity or sympathy? Was that what she’d received from everyone who knew the truth about her—even Amelia? His response had her studying him closely for signs of lying. He stroked her cheek and marvelled at the softness beneath his fingertips. “I believe what happens to you in the past makes you what you are today. And I happen to like the woman before me very much. You have strength very few people have and a heart of gold. I don’t know many people who would put up with Donovan this long.”
She smiled and his heart expanded at the sight. He’d been ruined for all other women. But that was okay because he had his heart set on this one. He wouldn’t give up on her no matter how hard she fought him.
“Kellie,” he said softly, as he leaned down and placed his lips on hers. They were soft and malleable beneath his own. The passion within him ignited once more as she began kissing him back. His tongue slipped inside her mouth and stroked hers. Her skirt slid over her hips to puddle on the floor as he lifted her easily. Her arms stole around his neck even as her legs wrapped around his waist. Her back hit the wall as he pressed himself against her. It was like they’d never stopped, picking back up from the moment he’d broken the sensual haze. He caught the hem of her blouse and raised it up, tossing it across the room as his gaze moved to breasts.
She had lovely breasts, small and pert beneath the lace bra. He growled and quickly removed the offending article of clothing. His gaze feasted on her hungrily before he leaned forward and took one pink nipple into his mouth and delicately sucked on it, causing her to arch her back and moan.
He took his time teasing the bud until it hardened, then moved onto the other. Kellie dug her nails into his shoulders as his hands freely roamed her body. When he reached the junction of her legs, he slipped beneath the edge of her panties and into the warmth of her body.
She rode his hand as he moved his finger within her, his thumb finding the pleasure nub hidden beneath her folds and applied pressure.
Her head thrashed back and forward on the wall as little mewling sounds escaped her mouth. Her desire-filled gaze caught his as she climaxed, and he swallowed her shout of pleasure as he pressed his lips to hers. Kellie went limp in his arms, her softness nestled against his straining zipper. Small beads of perspiration dotted his forehead with the effort it took not to follow her into sweet release. He held her close and made his way down the hallway to her bedroom, placing her gently on the mattress.
Kellie reached out and pulled him to her. He stood between her open legs as she worked on his zipper, gently sliding it down, allowing him to jump free into her waiting palm. She stoked the head with her thumb before sliding to the sensitive underside until he thought he would burst. When he felt her warm breath, he knew he would die soon if he didn’t have her. She pulled his pants and boxers down together, pooling around his feet as he removed the rest of her clothing.
He pulled the condom from his wallet. He ripped open the foil packet and rolled it over his hard length.
She giggled at the fierce look he knew to be on his face as he leaned down and kissed her once more, positioning himself at her opening. She stopped when she felt him nudging against her and her face turned serious.
“No promises,” she told him.
Darryl stroked a finger down her cheek. “One day at a time,” he compromised before thrusting deep inside. She gasped and tightened around him and everything felt right with the world. He moved within her, setting a fast pace. She lifted her hips to meet his thrusts and soon they were both soaring through the sky.
Chapter 19
Under Toby’s watchful eye, Michael knocked on the outer door to Coleani’s office and waited for the answer. His hands betrayed his fear and he stuffed them in his pocket, praying he wouldn’t embarrass himself by soiling his pants.
Please God, I beg you, get me out of this alive.
He prayed for a better life than the one he had. If only he’d had a better start, seen Coleani for the trouble he was, and made a deal with the cops. Dammit, he’d been so stupid and now he’d pay the price.
“Come in,” Coleani’s throaty voice called out.
He stepped into the office and walked over to the desk where the man himself waited. He didn’t notice the plastic floor lining coating the concrete under his feet as he walked, his entire focus on the man who was either his savour or his executioner.
Michael swallowed, trying to dislodge the large lump in his throat that threatened to choke him, his mouth suddenly as dry as a cotton ball. Liquid fear ran cold through him, chilling him from the inside out.
“You wanted to see me, Mr. Coleani?”
He hoped the old man wouldn’t hear the quiver in his voice. He ruthlessly pushed his nerves aside and
held his head high to meet his eyes. His heart almost gave out at the unforgiving stare he received.
Coleani sat back in his chair and regarded him while he fidgeted under the scrutiny. “You messed up, Mikey,” the older man told him, disappointment in his voice. “Now I have the cops coming to the restaurant asking me questions.”
A shiver raced down his spine as if someone had just walked over his grave. He fought the second shiver the image evoked.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Coleani, I am. I didn’t expect them—”
Coleani held up a hand, signalling silence. “You must now answer for your mistakes, Mikey. I will not bail you out of this. You must pay.”
He let out a deep breath. He would gladly go to the cops and tell them his part in Kevin and Carl’s murders, just so long as they protected him from Coleani.
“I’ll do anything you want. I’ll surrender to the cops. I’ll confess and accept my punishment. I swear I won’t utter one word about you,” he promised. Twenty years in prison would surely be better than certain death. Maybe Coleani would be lenient, but he reminded himself if there was one thing that couldn’t be associated with him, it was leniency.
Coleani regarded him coldly, a look that could turn grown men to stone. Michael lost control of his bladder, feeling the warm liquid running down his leg and smelled the ammonia wafting up to his nose. Tears burned in his eyes and for once he knew true heart-stopping fear.
He barely had time to react when caught movement out the corner of his eye. He half turned towards the man who’d just entered the office when the trigger was squeezed and nothing but darkness followed.
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