Under the Stars

by Tia Louise

  “Come on,” I say, reaching for her. “Let’s head on back.”

  She ignores my hand, and we leave, making our way up the sidewalk quickly to our hotel. She’s not talking, and I’m anxious to get back to Jillian and Mark. Still, I can tell by her eyes, she’s thinking.

  “What’s on your mind?” I nudge her arm with my elbow.

  Blinking down to the path in front of us, she pushes a lock of hair behind her ear and doesn’t answer.

  “You can tell me,” I urge, but she turns her head, almost as if she’s fighting tears.

  “Molly?” My voice is softer. “What are you thinking right now?”

  We walk a few more paces in silence, the only noise our heels on the pavement. Until she stops.

  “I thought I could expose him for the monster he is. I thought I could do something good here, break up his whole ring…” Her voice cracks, and my heart aches. “Then I find out it was just me. I was the one who was worthless. I was the kid who didn’t matter. It was only me… just me.”

  She stops and turns to face the brick wall, and her shoulders shudder forward. Her arms tighten over her waist, and for a moment, she holds herself tightly as if trying to keep the shattered pieces from flying out into the world.

  “Oh, Molly,” I touch her shoulder, but she steps forward, away from my comfort.

  “I’m sorry.” She sniffs, straightening quickly.

  She pushes her hair back and shakes the grief away. It’s what she always does, and I hate it.

  Clearing her throat, she swallows the tears. “So I made a mistake. It doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”

  “Why don’t we just do what we originally said?” My voice is gentle. “We can confront him, see if he’ll explain himself, maybe even apologize, and put it to bed.”

  Her lips are a straight line. “I don’t want his explanations.”

  “I know.” I put my arm around her waist. “But sometimes in life, it’s the best we can hope for.”

  It’s another of those rare times when she’ll let me touch her. They’re becoming less and less as time passes. Molly’s been pulling away from me since Jilly was born, and now she’s far away, somewhere in her mind where she’s planning, analyzing, devising.

  We’re closer to the hotel, and I try one last time. “Killing isn’t the answer. It won’t bring you peace.”

  She only steps out of my arm, and enters the hotel ahead of me, going to the stairwell and jogging away, leaving me behind.

  I let out a sigh and go to the elevator. On the short ride up, I decide it’s time for me to do what I came here to do and heed Roland’s advice.

  Tonight I’ll go to the bar, I’ll bring Mark with me, and say what I need to say. Then I’ll go home. Molly can stay if she wants. It’s time for me to let her go and focus on being a mother… Possibly even a wife?

  Sliding my card in the lock, I hear the noise of the shower running, and my mind shifts to what all is included with that title. I think about the comfort of being part of a loving family. It’s a dream that tugs at the depths of my soul.

  I step out of my shoes just inside the room and move the “Do not disturb” sign to the outside. Turning the latch, a smile curls the side of my mouth, and I quickly pull off my shirt and shimmy out of my jeans. I see his dark form moving behind the sheer white shower curtain, and my lip goes between my teeth. My stomach tightens with anticipation, and I reach out to carefully open the curtain and peek inside.

  The sight of his naked body steals my breath. His arms are raised, and his biceps flex as he slides large hands through his hair, rinsing away the shampoo lather.

  Water streams down his powerful shoulders, creating rivulets that highlight the six pack of his abs, the V tracing his obliques, and my inner muscles clench at the sight of his cock, partially aroused and hanging thick and heavy between his thighs.

  Without opening his eyes, he turns, giving me another killer view. His ass is tight and square with hand-sized indentions on each side. I don’t even realize I’m biting my lip until it hurts.

  This man, the father of my baby, could be my future, my life.

  I want that.

  I’m going after it.

  “Hey,” I say softly, stepping into the shower. I immediately press my bare breasts against his strong back, circling his narrow waist with my arms and sliding one hand down to stroke him.

  His body tenses briefly, and he looks over his shoulder at me. “What are you doing in here?”

  Blinking against the drops of water glancing off his skin, I meet his darkening gaze. He turns, placing his hands on my hips, sliding them up to cup my breasts, rolling hard nipples between his fingers.

  “I’ll give you two guesses.” I hold his waist and rise on my toes to kiss him.

  He bends down to meet me, and our lips part. The taste of fresh water is in my mouth as our tongues curl together, our bodies slippery and hot under the warm spray. Large hands move down the curve of my back, cover and cup my ass, and I slide my fingers up to his broad shoulders, down to his waist, and around to that tight ass.

  I feel his erection rock-hard against my belly, and a low groan ripples through him, vibrating mine. He moves my mouth with his kisses, but I pull away, planting my lips on his chest, moving lower to circle my tongue around his tight nipple before dropping all the way to my knees and lifting him to my lips.

  “Lara,” he hisses as I slide my tongue around the tip, tracing my nails along his thick shaft.

  His hand is on my cheek, and I go lower, tracing my tongue along his sack, feeling his muscles jump at the sensation. Another deep groan, and I slant my eyes up, giving him a naughty grin.

  “I think you like that.” I do it again, noticing a clear drop of precum.

  “You have no idea.” His voice is husky.

  Moving higher, I pull him into my mouth again, doing my best to take his length as far as I can. I use my hand to fill the gap, pumping and sucking. My hand on his ass feels his muscles flexing tighter with every pass. His brow is furrowed, eyes squinting as he watches me.

  Having him in my mouth, feeling his body’s response to my touch, tasting his arousal sends burning need coursing through my veins. My pussy is hot and slippery, aching for him to fill me.

  I pull him faster, pumping and sucking until the muscle in his jaw flexes, and he opens his mouth with a deep groan.

  “Get up.” Large hands go under my arms, and he lifts me off my knees in a quick sweep.

  He shuts off the water roughly and rips the curtain back, lifting my naked body against his chest. My legs go around his waist, and I grab a fluffy white towel off the rack just before we’re out of the bathroom, headed to the bed.

  He puts me down fast, turning my body and guiding me forward so I’m on my hands and knees, my ass in the air facing him.

  “Mark,” I gasp, as he pushes my thighs apart. I’m so ready for him.

  With one solid thrust he’s inside me. We both groan, and my elbows buckle. My chest drops to the mattress, and I moan loudly as he works me, finishing what I’ve started with aggressive, demanding thrusts. He holds my hips, pulling me up to meet him, and all I can do is enjoy the ride.

  I’m so wet, so hot, when he slides his hand around to find my clit, it only takes a few expert touches to have me breaking, shuddering around him.

  “Fuck yes,” he hisses, holding steady, and I feel him pulsing, filling me as I clench and spasm around him.

  He continues stroking my clit through his orgasm until I grasp his hand, unable to bear the almost-painful bursts of pleasure.

  “Oh, God,” I whimper, and he guides us farther onto the bed, moving the towel so it’s under us as he holds my back against his chest.

  One hand is tight around my waist and the other is on my breasts, stroking and caressing one then the other as his lips seal kisses against the top of my shoulder, my neck, the side of my hair.

  “Mmm,” I sigh, holding his hands, closing my eyes as the residual shimmers of bliss wash over us
. “I need to catch you in the shower more often.”

  A soft tapping at the door interrupts us, and Mark’s hand stills on my body. “I ordered room service.”

  8

  She wasn't looking for a knight, she was looking for a sword.

  Mark

  Lara sits on the bed across from me wrapped in a white robe. Jillian is on her lap, and an empty pizza box is between us. I might be in heaven.

  Roland came and traded Jilly for one of the beers and half the pizza. I finished off the rest, and now I’m sitting in my boxer briefs, holding my empty pint glass, watching as Lara traces her nose along the top of our daughter’s head.

  She blinks up at me and smiles. “Good?”

  “Not bad for hotel pizza.”

  “Is it as good as the Everything sandwich from your top secret, probably illegal poboy kitchen?”

  “Nothing is as good as the Everything sandwich.”

  She wrinkles her nose and winks. “I can think of something better.”

  Definitely in heaven.

  “I wish we were going to Preservation Hall instead of Montage tonight.” Her voice is almost sad.

  “Me too.” I slide my hand around her ankle. “You never told me how the meeting went?”

  With a sigh, she looks down at her twisting fingers. “Candi said she’d never been abused or seen any signs of pedophilia, but Molly’s not convinced.”

  “So were does that leave us?”

  She lifts our daughter and turns her so that Jilly’s head is at her shoulder. “I still want to see him tonight,” she says, gently bouncing the baby. “I’d like to get it over with and go home.”

  My eyebrows lift slightly at her choice of words. “And Molly?”

  “She’s going to do what she has to do. I can’t be in this anymore.” Her voice is soft, but I can hear her frustration.

  Or maybe it’s exhaustion? I wonder if she’ll be able to follow through on letting Molly go. I know how long she’s been tied to that girl. Still, if she’s made it to this point, I’m not going to let the opportunity pass.

  “Where is home?”

  Again, her eyes flicker to mine, only this time a question is in them. “Where my family is.”

  Lifting my hand from her leg, I hold it out to her and wait. She adjusts the baby in her arms and without hesitation places her hand in mine. I give her a gentle pull, and she climbs forward, turning to sit with her back against my side. I wrap my arm around her, our baby secure between us, her little eyes blinking slowly as she drifts to sleep.

  I rotate my body so I can hold them closer, Lara’s back to my chest. Both arms go around them and kiss first Jillian’s head, then Lara’s. She turns her face and looks up at me expectantly.

  I look down at her, and as much as I don’t want to, I remember the night she blew my mind then broke my heart. “I asked you to marry me in Nice, and you said yes.” My voice is low, with a slight edge. “Then you left me without a word.”

  Her chin drops, and she scoots around so her cheek rests against my chest. Jillian dozes against her breast.

  “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she says quietly. “I wanted to be your wife—I still want to be your wife—but I knew what Molly was planning. I couldn’t pull you into it.”

  Residual distrust simmers in my chest. “What’s different now?”

  Her finger traces a line along our daughter’s chubby arm, and she hesitates before answering. “Now that you’re here, I can’t deny what my soul is telling me.”

  “Which is?”

  “I can’t run from you anymore. We have to be together.”

  Reaching up, I thread my fingers in the back of her hair and gently pull, causing her face to tilt up. Her eyes glisten just before they close, just before I claim her lips, pushing them apart with mine and kissing her deeply.

  Our mouths move, tongues curling, and heat simmers low in my pelvis. I want to take her again. I want to slide her robe off and bury myself deep in her clenching heat.

  She turns her head, and I relax my fingers, allowing her to press her cheek against mine. “We can get through tonight then start a new life.”

  Leaning back, I study her eyes, thinking about how much I love her. How much I want to protect her. How much I want her to have a new life.

  “I was thinking about it, and I have an idea.” Her expression changes, but I keep going. “Molly wants Gavin to go to jail—”

  “Molly wants him dead.” She moves to the edge of the bed and stands, carrying the baby to the small crib we had delivered this morning.

  “I have surveillance equipment. You can wear a wire and see if you can get him to confess.”

  Baby settled, she turns and crosses her arms over her waist. Her brow is furrowed, and she goes to the closet. “Would it be like a box or something strapped to my torso?”

  “No.” I go to my suitcase. Digging around, I pull out the wireless receiver. It’s as small as the tip of my finger. “We can put this under your collar or in your bra or even behind your ear. I’ll be able to hear and record everything he says. Maybe we can kill two birds with one stone.”

  “Figuratively,” she says, coming to where I stand and lifting the square chip from my palm. “It’s so tiny.”

  “They make them small enough now they can be attached to a dragonfly drone.”

  Her mouth falls open, and she looks up at me wide-eyed. “That’s scary. So like an insect could be tracking you, listening to everything you say?”

  “Not an actual insect, but yes.”

  She shakes her head and carries her clothes into the bathroom. I walk over to the crib and watch our daughter sleeping. As a detective, I’m more comforted than alarmed by the availability of such devices. They help me keep this little one safe as well as her mother.

  When Lara returns, she’s wearing a short skirt and black top, and even without makeup, she’s gorgeous, with her dark hair and eyebrows, fair skin, and full pink lips. I can’t help a smile.

  “Here, let me take her down to Roland’s room and get her settled.” She reaches in and lifts out the baby. Jillian squirms and makes a noise as she’s snuggled into her mother’s neck and shoulder. “Get dressed and we can decide how we’re going to handle this while I finish my makeup.”

  She starts to go, but I reach out and catch her by the waist, pulling her to me once more. Sliding my hand to the back of her head, I hold her eyes on mine.

  “You don’t have to be afraid anymore. I won’t let anything happen to you. Or Jillian.”

  She blinks several times, her blue eyes focused intently on mine. Leaning forward, I capture her soft lips in a kiss once more, just a quick one, but her eyes flutter shut. I let her go and for a moment she seems a little dazed.

  “Better get going, the sun’s starting to set.”

  She shakes her head and goes to the door, and I grin, glad to know I have that effect on her. Going to the small dresser, I pull out a pair of jeans and a white tee.

  * * *

  Lara

  “I’m going to ask him how he could let me be hurt, how he could let Molly be hurt.” I pace Roland’s hotel room with my sleeping daughter in my arms. “I want him to answer for what he’s done.”

  “I’ve already given you all the answers you need.” Roland sits on the edge of the hotel bed with his arms crossed watching me.

  “Yes, but you’re not him. You can’t answer for him.”

  His lips press into a thin line. “Molly has influenced you in the wrong way. She’s got you envisioning justice you’re never going to get.”

  That makes me frown. “So you’re saying he wins?”

  “Wins?” Roland’s eyes flash. “Wins what? This isn’t a game, Lara. This is underworld shit, and the answer is yes. Yes. In the world of drugs, prostitution, smuggling, gambling, murder, the biggest thug always wins, and he doesn’t have to explain himself.”

  “Maybe not, but if no one ever stands up to him and says ‘This is wrong, you’re hurting pe
ople’… If no one ever makes him acknowledge that simple fact, then he never stops.”

  “You think you’re going to stop him?”

  “I don’t know.” Jillian starts to fuss and squirm on my chest, and I know my agitation is upsetting her.

  “Give her to me,” he says, lifting her out of my arms.

  He puts her on his shoulder, gently rocking until she settles down again.

  “You’re really good with her,” I confess.

  “Is Mark going with you? I don’t want you doing this alone.”

  “Yes. I wouldn’t do anything stupid now that I have her.” I put my hand on Jillian’s back and rub it up and down.

  “Everything you and Molly have done for the past six years has been stupid, but at least Mark is here now. Maybe he can stop you before it’s too late.”

  My lips tighten, but I don’t tell him my plans yet. I’ll get this night behind me, then I’ll tell him I’m done. “Thanks for watching her.”

  I lean forward and hug him.

  “Let me know when you get back.”

  Mark is fully dressed in dark jeans, a blue dress shirt, and a black leather jacket when I return to the room. He looks amazing, but I don’t have time to think about it. I go to the bathroom and dust powder on my nose, apply some mascara, smooth on some lipstick.

  My fingers tremble as I work, and my stomach is tight. All the insecurity and self-doubt are hitting me at once, but I brave through it. We’re right at the end, I remind myself.

  “Here.” Mark stops me at the door, lifting my hand. “I’ll attach this inside your sleeve. Try to hold your arm between your bodies to cut down on the background noise.”

  The sleeves of my sweater hang long over the tops of my hands, and he fastens the tiny device next to the inside of my wrist. I’m wearing a black bodysuit underneath the open-knit sweater and a short black skirt over opaque tights and boots. I look like a club kid. All I need is neon hair.

  “How do I do that without being suspicious?” I hold my arm down as I inspect my sleeve for any signs of the bug. It’s invisible.