by Jade James
It didn’t stop her from thinking up a plan that would save her. Situations like this called for drastic measures. Lacy knew that, but there weren’t too many options available to her at this minute.
She prided herself for not being one of those wimpy females who quivered in fear. Growing up with five brothers had taught her how to be tough and think on her toes.
She took the first and only plan that came to her mind. Her bedroom was directly across the foyer. If she ran in there and locked the door, she’d have two seconds to open up the window to the fire escape and leave though there. It would be possible if Mister Thief was slow on the trigger.
Without wasting time to give it much thought, she ran toward her bedroom with a jumping leap. He took a shot at her. It missed her head by two inches, lodging into the wood on the door. She turned and slammed the door, clicking the lock into place. He was at the door in seconds. Another bullet whizzed through the door, spraying splinters of wood into her bedroom.
She opened the window. The rush of cool air hitting her face heightening her already fired up adrenaline. She grabbed her purse tightly, and stepped out onto the fire escape and ran down it, two steps at a time.
Running for her life, using the cover of costumes as an escape route, she glanced back over her shoulder, convinced she’d lost him in the crowd after running five blocks. She hailed a cab on the corner, giving the driver directions to the one person who could help her.
Chapter Three
Dante pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Being a detective in New York wasn’t an easy job. It seemed the most hardened cons ventured out on Halloween night to add chaos to the already crime-filled streets.
He checked his watch. Just a little past midnight and he’d already arrested six thieves, two suspected gang members wanted for drug dealings, and two cons wanted for questioning on a murder case. It was going to be a very long night. The processing of criminals and the long, detailed reports ensured that. He grasped the reports and headed toward his office.
“Dante, someone’s here to see you.”
He looked up and stopped. His body tensed, then froze in alarm at the sight of a brunette standing next to the officer at the front desk. Her back was to him, but there was something very familiar about her. Recognition set in as she turned and he saw who it was. Anxiousness clawed at his gut as he caught the expression on Lacy’s face. Just as he was about to call out to her, her gaze collided with his.
“Send her over here,” Dante yelled.
She settled her gaze on him and hurried over. His attention immediately settled on the sexy sway to her hips. He scanned her from head to toe.
She was a small, compact woman who couldn’t have been more than five feet tall. He couldn’t ever remember dating someone that short, but it didn’t deter from her attractiveness. Her dark brown hair hung to her waist, and she had eyes the color of dark chocolate.
His gut tightened. She’d come looking for him at work, a first for the both of them. If it’d happened at a normal hour during the day, he would have been flattered. It was Halloween and past midnight. Those two factors alone amounted to one thing. Something bad must have happened.
Dante clasped his hand on her upper arm and led her to his office. “What are you doing here, Lacy?”
She looked up at him, the worry lines on her brow more pronounced. “I’m here to report a crime.”
He stopped and turned. “Are you hurt?”
“No. I’m fine. I got away.”
“Follow me.”
He led her to his office, waited for her to enter, and then shut the door. He was in close proximity to her now, and his gut tightened at her nearness. She looked so fragile and small next to him. He felt the odd animalistic urge to protect her, shield her from the horrors and monsters in the world. It traveled through him with a fierce ache, the need to shelter her.
It was a first for him, and he refused to think about what it meant. Instead he focused on her.
Her light floral Channel fragrance filled his office and his senses. He found it extremely intoxicating and attractive, and wanted to strip her to see if she smelled like that all over. It was his one obsession. A woman that smelled good meant she took care of herself. His cock jerked. Damn. Getting a hard-on in front of her was the last thing he needed. She was here to report a crime; he needed to focus.
Though they’d been dating for a couple of months, he’d always maintained his distance because of how special she was. She wasn’t a fuck-’em-and-leave-’em kind of girl. She was sassy and smart, and could hold an intelligent, witty conversation with him. A smart woman was a prize to be savored like a fine glass of wine, and he intended to savor her slowly.
He walked around her and sat down. “Have a seat.”
She walked forward and took the only other seat available in the room.
“What happened Lacy?”
* * * * *
Lacy stared at the dark angel before her and tried desperately to control her nerves. It was almost funny how standing before a masked man holding a gun hadn’t unnerved her, but being around this man did. She silently wondered for the umpteenth time why he never even made a move to kiss her. She was tempted beyond reason by him and wanted to know what made him hold back. She should’ve made her move by now, but could never work up the nerve.
Swallowing past the lump stuck in her throat, she tried to concentrate on the man sitting before her. “Someone broke in to my apartment.”
“What the hell? Why are you here instead of with the cops at your place?”
Lacy silently snorted at his arrogance. “I came home to find a man holding a gun on me. As if I had a god damn choice to the call the cops.”
Dante’s mouth tensed at her patronizing reply. He grabbed his pad and uncapped his pen. “Start from the beginning.”
“I was working late tonight. I left the office around twelve and headed home. There was a man waiting for me in my foyer with a gun in his hand.”
She frowned at the funny sound that escaped his lips. Did he just growl at me? Shaking her head, she continued. “He had on a black ski mask, so I couldn’t see his face. He was pretty tall, about six feet, and he had a gun.”
Dante’s jaw tightened at the news. He nodded his head for her to continue.
“He said I shouldn’t have taken the job at Gold Fuel & Oil.”
“Is that the same job you were telling me about?”
“Yes. Gold and Fuel is New York’s leading oil and gas distributor. Sheik Benjamin Raja is the CEO of the company, and he hired me to find the person who’s been embezzling funds from the company. I left a message on his phone about an hour ago, informing him that I’ve found a clue. He hasn’t called me back yet.”
“I need a description of the masked man.”
“Can’t give you too much since he was covered from head to toe. He had on black jeans and a black sweater. Other than that, I can’t help.”
“How did you escape?”
“He had a gun pointed at my stomach.” Lacy shivered at the thought of escaping death by a thin margin. “I didn’t have too many options. I ran straight into my bedroom and slammed the door shut. He shot at me twice. Lucky for me he missed both times.” She laughed, trying to ease the obvious tension in the room. “I escaped through the window.”
“Fuck, Lacy. You could’ve lost your life tonight.”
“I know, and I’m sitting here trembling inside. I can’t believe someone wants me dead.”
“Whoever came after you will pay. I swear to God, they’ll pay.”
The escalating nervousness eased off slightly at the sound of his voice. It was odd that she ran to him first instead of her family, but that was something she would analyze later.
She felt Dante's gaze roam her body. Like a caress, it sent tingles throughout her. She was nervous, yet she wasn't sure if it was the near death experience or because of Dante's hot gaze. While most women would be reduced to tears by now, being raised by loving paren
ts and five armed and dangerous older brothers, Lacy was a different breed. She was used to overbearing men that wanted to treat her like a fragile china doll.
She’d learned a long time ago it wasn’t worth fighting them. It was in their blood; ingrained in them to protect and serve. Especially when it was family.
Dante retrieved his gun from the drawer and pushed it into the holster strapped around his shoulders. He stood, grabbed his leather jacket from the back of his chair, and walked around to the desk.
“I need you to take me to your place.”
“Is that necessary?” She cringed at the question. Of course it was necessary.
“Yes, it is. Someone planned on killing you tonight. It isn’t something I’m taking lightly, and you shouldn’t either. I’m one hundred percent sure, Lacy, whoever this person is, he will return.”
“Fine. We can call a cab—”
“No need. We’ll go in my car.”
Dante opened his office door and barked out orders for a squad car to meet them in front of her building.
“You ready?”
Lacy nodded and stood. “Lead the way.”
Chapter Four
The drive to the apartment was silent. Sexual tension filled the air and the space between them. Dante couldn’t recall another time when he felt such sexual heat. His dick was as hard as a telephone pole. Damn!
He needed to capture who was after her, then he would be able to take her out to a nice dinner and get to know her better. He tightened his hands around the steering wheel while visions of her serving his meal naked danced behind his eyes.
Already his cock was taking over his brain.
“Make a right on the next street.”
Her soft voice shattered his daytime illusion, but it did nothing to lessen the stiffness in his pants. He made a right, pulling onto her street. He stepped out of the car and walked around to open the door for her. There were crowds still on the street with only a handful of cops on duty. Not an unusual thing in New York.
Dante held her hand as she stepped out of the vehicle. Her booted feet hit the curb, and she swayed slightly. Dante grabbed her waist, steadying her, and then tugged her close to his body.
“Beer bottle,” she gasped.
He wondered how long it would take her to feel his erection that ached to be set free. There bodies were touching breast to chest, stomach to cock. Her eyes grew wide the second she realized his erection pressed against her soft, slightly rounded tummy.
* * * * *
It took all of Lacy’s willpower to push herself from his delectable body and lead the way to her apartment building. She dug her keys from her purse for the second time tonight, and was about to insert them in the lock, when Dante’s hand suddenly clasped hers.
A few silent seconds ticked by and all Lacy could do was stare at the huge hand enfolding hers. She could feel the rough, calloused skin against her hand, and the coarseness made her pussy cream. She was tensely aware of the alpha male standing silently behind her. Lacy swallowed and turned to face him.
“You know what?” she asked.
“What?”
“We’ve been dating for about a month, and this is the first time you’ve ever been to my place.”
“Lacy, there will be a chance when we can talk about what’s been going on between us. But for now I think it’s best if you stay here.”
“It’s on the second floor. Last door to your right.”
Lacy heard the sirens before the cars parked. Four uniformed cops came up behind her.
“I think it’s better if I go…”
“Your life will not be placed in any danger. No arguments,” he growled.
She swallowed and tried to ignore the throbbing beat her clit reassumed at the deep rumble in his voice.
“Officer Brian Edmonds will stay here with you. I’ll be right back.”
Dante turned from her and led the officers into the apartment building, disappearing from her view. She turned and surveyed the officer left to guard her. An eerie quietness passed over them as she noticed the officer staring at her with an odd look in his eye. She decided to break the weird silence between them, and extended her hand. “I’m Lacy Adams. It’s nice to meet you, Officer Edmonds.”
Lacy was good at reading body language, and Office Edmonds was bordering on real creepy right now. His body was frozen in place, and he wouldn’t remove his gaze from her face. Panic surged through her and she took a step back, silently counting the seconds that ticked away, then was on the verge of repeating herself when he took her hand in his.
“Nice to meet you too, Lacy.” He dropped her hand and continued to stare.
She was about to initiate conversation again when she felt someone behind her. She turned and saw Dante leaning against the doorframe. Lacy sighed in relief. “Is everything okay?”
“The officers are going over your apartment. They’re going to be in there a while. I think it’s best you stay with me while we find out who’s after you.”
She forgot about her immediate discomfort with Officer Edmonds at Dante’s words. The thought of staying with him thrilled her. She didn’t voice it though, nor did she stop the refusal to his offer from leaving her lips. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I can stay with my father.”
“Your staying with me, Lacy. I think it’s time we discuss where our relationship is heading.”
“Dante…”
* * * * *
It was easy to hide among the crowd of people who still lingered on Halloween, even though he didn’t need to. He watched Lacy leave with the Detective.
Anger coursed through him at the sight. She wasn’t an easy target anymore. Detective Dante DeLuca was at the top of his field.
He almost abandoned his plan at the sight of him at her building, but then that would mean his life. He valued the air he breathed too much for that.
Chapter Five
Lacy entered Dante’s house. It was a modern two-floor brick home right on the outskirts of Manhattan. The neighborhood was quiet at this hour—a refreshing change from where she lived. She followed Dante’s bitable ass as he lead her to the living room.
Just like the bachelor he was, he used solid colors for decoration. A black leather sectional sat in the middle of the living room, while a massive flat screen TV stood much too close. Two tall floor lamps stood on either side of the sofa, and a small black coffee table was placed in the front.
Compared to other bachelor pads she’d seen, she found it to be extremely clean. That was number one on her requirement list when getting to know a man. Dante always smelled clean with a hint of spice, a trait that only heightened his attractiveness to her.
She removed her jacket, placing it and her bag on the sofa, and then turned to him. A punch of lust landed in her stomach at the intense way he stared at her.
“You have a beautiful home,” she whispered, wanting to break the silence.
“Thank you.” He removed his jacket and gun, placing both on the table. “Have a seat, Lacy. There are some things we need to discuss that are long overdue.”
She stared at the attractive man sitting across from her. Dante Deluca was an enigma, and she sincerely hoped she was the one who would be able to piece together his problem, so she could solve it. She should have been worried about almost dying tonight, but she couldn’t escape the erotic hold he seemed to have on her.
This was the first time they’d ever been alone together, and her pussy creamed for the dominant male who sat right across from her. She was even more aware of his sexual presence now that she was alone with him.
He sat close to her, their knees touching and their bodies only inches away. Her gaze traced the muscular chest clearly definable through his white V-neck T-shirt. She licked her lips and moved, shifting her gaze down. She could see the impressive hard-on pressing against his jeans, and the sight had her pussy weeping for a taste of him.
“Lacy, we’ve been dating for over a month now. I’m pretty sure it’
s crossed your mind once or twice why I haven’t made a move on you.”
“Yeah, once or twice,” she nervously agreed. Oh god, why does he sound like he’s breaking up with me? I couldn’t have misjudged him or the attraction.
“The reason why I haven’t…”
“This isn’t one of those, I’m going to break up with you conversations, is it?” she interjected, unable to wait for a long speech if it was.
* * * * *
Dante hid his laughter from her. The way she interrupted him was adorable. A small frown marred her beautiful lips, and he desperately wanted to kiss it away.
“What makes you think I want to break up with you?”
“The words coming from your lips aren’t the ones I want to hear,” she said on a huff.
Dante moved closer to her. There legs were now touching fully, side by side. He was intrigued at the direction this conversation was taking and horny as hell at the sight of her sitting on his couch.
“Tell me, Lacy, what is it that you do want to hear?”
Her pink tongue peeked out again to moisten her lips. Dante felt the small wet caress go through him. His cock hardened even more. She sat up, straightening herself, and took a deep breathe. “I want to hear you say how much you want to fuck me. I’m extremely attracted to you and, by the hard-on you’ve been sporting, I think you feel the same way,” she blurted out in one breath.
Dante had honorable intentions of setting her straight. He was set on reassuring her how beautiful and desirable he found her. But as soon as she revealed her desire to have sex, all of his well-laid plans flew right out of the window.
He reached over and tangled his hands in her hair, bringing her lips inches from his. Her hands flew to his chest, and he delved deep into her sweet mouth. Her delicate tongue twisted with his, and he took the time to suck it, ravenous for her taste, embedding her flavor into his mind and senses. She tasted of passion, and he wanted to sip her flavor slowly.
