“You first.” He stifled his shock at her one-eighty.
“Forget it, I can’t work with a...”
“With a what?” He mimicked her and crossed his arms over his chest.
Valentine huffed in response and attempted to step around him.
Payne reached for her arm.
“Don’t you touch me!” she warned.
He sighed and passed his fingers through his dark hair. “Okay, the victim was murdered out on the range and the wife,” he paused while he studied Sabrina Stephen’s identical face. “Was in the city at the time it occurred.”
“An alibi?”
“Haven’t checked it yet.” He shrugged.
“So, you just took her honorable word for it?”
His eyes narrowed at her. “No time. Came here just after her statement.”
Valentine pointedly avoided looking at him as she gazed around.
“Your turn,” he prompted.
“Okay, a tribesman was upset and wanted to speak to Mister Stephen. And before he could?” Her eyes met his. “He was dissected.”
“Dissected?” He repeated back.
“Torn to literal bits.”
“Charming,” he quipped.
“So what’s your plan?”
“Speak to the natives.”
“Already did that.” Her smile appeared sweetly smug.
“Benjy?” Payne called out.
“Yeah?” The driver stepped forward, his eyes still wide.
“You and the other guide get her gear and we’ll all use our Jeep.” He swept past a shocked looking Valentine.
“Hey!”
He turned to her. “We do this nice, okay?”
Her face suddenly paled, but she closed her mouth and nodded.
“Nice.” He gave her a furtive grin. “Right?”
“Sure, it seems to be your fucking party.” Valentine strode ahead of him and out the door.
Amused all over again, he watched her sweet, tight ass sashay through the open door. “Yeah, a real Payne party and oh, what fun he’s gonna have,” he smirked and followed her out.
~* * * *~
TRIPLE K, Wirrajerry
The big house was brightly lit as they went in through the front door, their guns drawn and held high. Animated voices boomed through from the main room, as the pair moved closer.
The melodic sound of glasses tinkling chimed throughout the house.
Valentine glanced over at Payne.
He winked at her and they both leapt out as they raised their guns.
A woman dressed in an evening gown gawked at the gun toting pair and screamed while dropping her wine glass to the floor with a crash.
A room full of people gaped at them.
Valentine stared while she held her gun steady, passing it over the room. She glanced sideways at Payne.
He stood with his arms at his sides and no gun.
“Where is your piece?” Valentine whispered from the side of her mouth.
“In my pocket?” he mimicked her stage whisper.
“What is the meaning of this?” A woman in a blue glittery dress stepped forward, her grey hair bright under the light of the chandeliers.
Valentine shoved her gun back into her holster with an exasperated sigh.
“Where is Mrs. Stephen?” Payne asked.
The older woman squared her shoulders. “I am Mrs. Stephen.” Her British accent twanged at him. “And you two have rudely interrupted our party.”
He gazed all around. “Oh, I beg pardon and I do apologize up front for leaving my tux at home, but you are not Mrs. Stephen.”
“I have been Mrs. Stephen for almost forty years, young man!”
Payne shook his head. “No, I mean the younger Mrs. Stephen.”
She stared daggers at him with a look of distain on her face.
“Here!” Sabrina stepped out from the others.
Valentine drew in a breath.
Sabrina wore a silver evening gown with star-shaped diamond earrings sparkling from her ears.
Payne swung his gaze back to Valentine. “See? Just throw you into a sparkling get-up like that?” He chuckled. “And we’d have double Rip-Snorter Babes.”
Valentine paused at his bizarre descriptions and decidedly ignored him as she moved forward. “You’re under arrest.” She jerked her cuffs from her inside jacket pocket.
“Mmm, hiding things in there are we?” Payne stepped closer and peered down at her jacket.
The older woman stared at Valentine. “On what charges?”
“Now just whatcha think they would be, Duchess?” Payne tilted his head at her.
“I see no warrant and no evidence. By what authority do you—?”
Valentine swung her Federal badge up to the older woman’s startled face as her steely gaze shifted back to Sabrina. “The American Consulate and Queensbury Central Authority.” She took a determined step closer to Sabrina and snapped the cuffs open. “You have the right to remain silent.”
The elder Mrs. Stephen stepped in front of Sabrina. “She was with me in Sydney the entire day and the following day, when my son was murdered!” Her flinty green eyes sparked at Valentine.
“And, you’re willing to—”
“I already gave the statement at the consulate and the central law enforcement.” The elder Mrs. Stephen glowered at her. “This is an outrage and a total miscarriage of justice!”
“I’m afraid there is a warrant out, however.” Payne stepped closer.
The older woman glanced over at the tall, good-looking cop. “May I see it?”
“Gimmie!” Valentine called out.
Payne flinched at the shout with a mischievous urge to answer the request. Every time she does that? I just wanna give her all I’ve got. He rolled his eyes with humor, his hands demurely looped behind his back.
“Yes, miss V?” The guide stepped forward.
“Please bring my satchel from the car.”
He nodded and swiftly ran out through the front hall.
The angry female Federal Marshall gazed around. “Do you all know who this woman really is?”
The small crowd stood with their collective mouths open for the entire exchange as Valentine’s resemblance to Sabrina caused a quiet hush to fall over the room.
“No, they don't.” Sabrina smiled at her.
The elder Stephen woman stared at her daughter-in-law. “You do not have to put up with this, my dear!”
Payne chuckled.
Valentine swung her stunned gaze over. “And what is so amusing?”
“It’s all just so strangely entertaining.” He shrugged.
At his answer, she rolled her eyes with apparent repugnance.
“Um—Miss V?” Gimmie called to her.
Valentine turned around to face the entry.
“No satchel.”
“What?” she gasped.
“I search everywhere and it not there!” Gimmie defended. “I put it in the Jeep, honest!”
The elder Stephens woman stepped close. “You may leave now.”
Valentine looked over to Payne.
He shrugged at her.
She stomped her foot and glared at Sabrina. “Your day will come, Barbie.”
Sabrina stared back, an impassive expression on her matching face.
“Let’s go.” Payne grabbed her arm.
Valentine yanked her arm from his grasp and stomped out to the foyer.
He was right behind her. “Did you know you’re really sexy when you’re mad?”
She flipped around. “What?”
“Just an observation.”
Valentine stepped close to the smiling detective. “Two victims here, and not to mention the four in LA and she’s free! And you’re cracking jokes?”
Payne focused on her very close, full lips. “So fucking ripper.”
“Ooh!” She opened the door and glared at him.
He stood quietly and stared back.
“Well?” she asked through gritted te
eth. “Are you coming?” She marched through the doorway.
At the strangely familiar expression, Payne flinched with the odd feeling of déjà vu. “Um, yeah, I guess.” He followed her out.
Binja and Gimmie sat in the Jeep.
“Let’s go now!” Binja called out.
“To where?” Payne asked.
“To the Bungalows.” He gave them a bright smile. “You outcasts like us now.” He nodded his head with authority.
Payne blinked his eyes at the news. “Yeah?” He glanced over at Valentine while wearing a pleased grin. “Well now, I’m certainly used to that!” He hopped into the Jeep.
The gorgeous, but very enraged Marshall hesitated on the steps.
“There are no Hiltons in the outback, Valentine.”
She exhaled with an aggravated huff and climbed into the front seat.
“No warrant? No Malibu Barbie!” Payne sniggered. “Poor Ken would just cry, you know?”
“Yeah, yak it up there, Mister Hurt Legend!” She faced her flashing eyes forward.
Another chortle of hilarity came from the back seat, as she sat stiffly and fumed as the Jeep took off down the long driveway.
~* * * *~
Aborigine Bungalows, Wirrajerry
Shadows from the smoky fires danced along the high trees as the flames rose from the main fire ring of the camp. The evening air of the outback wafted along in the quiet, filled with aromas not found anywhere else in the world. The flowing breeze swept through, laden with the scent of eucalyptus. The thick smoke from the unusual wood swirled high as it glowed hot in all the fire rings.
Valentine sat on one of the benches, a plate of tribal food on the table in front of her while she stared at the high flames, rising to a darkened night sky.
Payne sat down next to her, plopping his plate on the table and released an annoyed sigh. “So, when are you gonna stop pouting?”
She didn’t look at him.
“So, when Barbie Scissor Hands flew through Malibu, you just gave up, mmm?” He lifted a challenging brow.
Her eyes narrowed and she turned to glare at him.
“There!” He grinned. “At least you’re looking at me.”
Valentine frowned and remained silent.
Payne took a wooden fork from the table. “Tell me how you busted her.” He dipped his fork in and scooped up the possible potato dish.
“I don’t know,” she answered in a flat tone.
He swallowed the tangy bite. “What?”
“I honestly don’t remember.”
Puzzled, he distractedly took a swig of their highly praised alcohol and swallowed with a wincing choke at the flavor and the heat. Whoa, no wonder these Indians brag on it. He wiped the moist sting from his eyes. “What do you mean you don’t remember?”
“I was standing at the booking desk with her in cuffs.”
“Yeah?” He stared at her profile.
“And—that’s all.” She lowered her face.
Mystified by the short story, he wrinkled his brow.
Valentine took her fork and gazed down at the food. “And then, I was an instant star. I couldn’t catch flies hovering over a pile of shit, Payne.”
“You’re messing with me, right?” He let out a disbelieving titter.
With a shrug, she dipped her fork into the suspiciously possible vegetable dish. “Nope.” She lifted it to her mouth and took a bite. She grimaced and swallowed hard. “What the fuck?” She grabbed the wooden cup.
Payne lifted his hand to warn her about the fiery grog.
She tilted the mug back and downed the entire drink.
He gaped at her.
She sucked her breath in with a loud wheeze as she coughed and spluttered while the heat burned up her esophagus.
Laughing, he pounded her on the back.
With the powerful pounding, her body slammed up against the table.
Payne forgot about his strength.
Valentine rasped with a heaving of her lungs. “Are you trying to kill me?”
“You were the one who...” He peered at her face.
Her eyes flashed with specks of gold light.
He sucked in his breath.
Still struggling for breath, she didn’t seem to notice his stare. “Hello!” She let out another harsh cough. “That shit packs a helluva punch!”
Payne stared at her.
Valentine gave him a beaming smile as her irises went large and vertical.
“What the hell?” he gasped.
“What?” Her skin marbled to a light peach color.
Stunned, he grabbed her arms. “You’re a...?” The shock kept him from speaking. A true and rare feat to accomplish, but Payne was flabbergasted into speechless by this unexpected revelation.
“Your eyes are glowing!” Valentine hiccupped. “They’re not dark anymore.”
Payne tugged her close to his chest and peered around.
“Hey!” She pushed against him.
He shushed her and looked around at the empty camp as he quietly raised them in the air.
Valentine gaped down at the receding ground. “Oh man.” Her face went white.
“Did you know?” He held her tightly to his chest.
She didn’t answer, as her attention remained riveted to the treetops, which were now well below their feet.
“Valentine!”
Her astounded gaze swiveled to his face. “Huh?”
Payne spotted a giant sturdy branch and set her down.
Clinging to him, she froze. The ground sat at least thirty feet down and she opened her mouth.
He placed his hand over her mouth. “Shush.”
Valentine stared at him with wide eyes.
Gazing intently at her face, Payne slowly removed his hand.
“What are you?” she whispered with fear.
“Well, there's my answer.” He tilted his head at her.
Valentine wore an astonished expression as she reached her fingers out and touched his marbled face.
“A female chimera?” He laughed. “And a cop, no less!”
“A female what?”
He shook his head, an ironic grin on his lips.
“So, do you fly a lot?” she asked with a slur in her words.
“First class.” He chuckled at the sound of her childlike tone and blinked.
Valentine stared as his dark eyes showed with the blink and threw her hands over her mouth.
“What?”
“You’re the one from my dreams!” Her face paled. “But, I never knew you before.”
“Your dreams?”
“Oh yeah.” She giggled with a nod of her head. “Hot dreams!”
“I am good with heat.” He gave her a charming wink.
“Yeah, you really cook!” She attempted to smother another giggle.
“So, what happens in these dreams?”
Her silly laugh halted. “Um...”
“Tell me.”
“Oh wow, I’m drunk!” She hiccupped.
“Apparently.”
“Well, you’re...” Her face flamed.
He patted her hand reassuringly.
“Making love to me, like really intense.” She swallowed.
“And?”
“Oh, what a feeling! Your hands are all over me, your fingers inside of me.” She smirked with a nervous amusement.
Payne listened with growing amazement, as he could picture her bare beneath him and his cock went instantly hard. He envisioned an image of grabbing her hips and shoving her down hard, reveling in the feeling of her wet sliding on him. Her soft moans of pleasure driving him to beast and he would thrust deep into her sweet, warm pussy while she helplessly shuddered in his arms. He released a shaky breath. “Your body feels so smooth, like satin under my hands. You glide like silk on me, so hot and wet.” He drew his lips closer.
Valentine closed her eyes. “You like to taste...” She touched her fingers to her lips.
He grasped her trembling fingers and touched his mouth t
o hers. “Your lips, your skin...your nipples.” Payne grabbed her and kissed her hard while wrapping his arms around her. Delving into her sweet-tasting mouth, his tongue met with hers and after a breathless moment, he broke the kiss and lowered his mouth to her neck.
“Yes, like that,” she breathed out as she leaned her body back.
Payne slipped his fingers into her blouse and caressed her nipples. Lowering his mouth, he latched onto a hardened peak and her head rolled back while she released a throaty moan. Moving his other hand down, he unsnapped her pants and smoothed his warm fingers over her stomach.
“Hands so warm,” she gasped.
“Skin so hot,” he repeated back, slipping his fingers into her lace panties and dipping them into her slick pussy.
Her eyes popped open. “Yes, oh...just like that.”
Payne slid them in deeper and her body jumped. He grabbed her shoulders with both hands. “No falling,” he warned. A strong wave of sorrow rolled through him with the words. What the hell? He stilled as the unaccustomed tender feelings rolled over him.
Valentine stared into his eyes as a lone tear rolled down her pale cheek. “Payne?” Her body shook and her eyes dosed. She slumped forward onto his shoulder, emitting a soft snore.
He gently wrapped his arms around her, as the need to protect her from some unknown danger hit him full force. Protect her from what? I’ve never felt anything before and now I have all of this rage and—he stared out through the moonlit trees—misery? He quietly floated them down and carried her to the bungalow.
~* * * *~
Valentine blinked at the harsh sunlight as it hit the ceiling with a blinding splash. What happened? She turned her head and her eyes rounded. A man slept next to her. She peered around to see her clothes lying over a chair and she bolted upright. “Oh.” She grabbed her head. “Oh, God!” Her own words creating intense pain as the treble from her own voice vibrated with a pounding in her head.
She heard him sigh and swallowed with a nervous gulp.
Payne slowly opened his eyes.
Those dark eyes! She gasped aloud.
He sat up. “What the fuck?”
“My exact thoughts.” She rubbed her swollen eyes.
His head swiveled to her as he stared blankly and then blinked. “Oh, yeah.”
“Oh yeah, what?” She winced while grabbing her head again.
“I guess we really did have a Payne party!” He leaned back on his hands and grinned.
“Oh no, no!” she denied and lowered her head with a groan.
Voracious Vixens, 13 Novels of Sexy Horror and Hot Paranormal Romance Page 206
