by Clarissa Yip
Kane met Ryan’s gaze. Uncertainty flickered. They shared the same thought: Peters may be being framed. And if Peters was being framed, then Burke was starting to look more and more like the real suspect. If only they could figure out who the dead body was in the coffin now.
“Hey, guys.”
Both he and Ryan turned to see Beckett and Mitchell running into the room. Big grins covered their ugly mugs. They stopped and stared at each other before Beckett came forward. “You two are going to love this.”
Ryan stood up. “What, we’re gonna get raises for all the good work we do around here?”
Mitchell laughed. “Better.”
“I doubt it.”
Kane shook his head at his partner and whirled his chair around. “Spill it.”
Beckett held up a manila file. “We ID’d the body. And found out the records that the dentist sent over were false. It’s not Burke.”
Kane stood up, alarmed, and Ryan reached for the report.
“It’s Mack O’Connor.”
A curse slipped past his lips. “Then where the hell is Burke?”
Chapter Sixteen
Kane returned to the house after running around with Ryan. They’d gone around Mack O’Connor’s apartment and questioned the dead man’s neighbors to come up with nothing. The only link that tied Mack O’Connor and Daniel Burke was their relationship with Lauren. He dreaded having to tell Lauren the truth.
He hated to be the bearer of bad news, and that’s all he’d been ever since returning.
He unlocked the door, twisted the knob, and pushed the wooden panel open. He waved at the patrol officer who nodded and started the engine to his cruiser. Not bothering to wait for the uniform to drive off, he entered the house. He still had his doubts about Peters even though all evidence pointed at him. Nothing seemed to make sense. Why wouldn’t Peters admit where Burke was? Why would Burke fake his own death? His gaze circled the living room to the kitchen. He saw no one.
Just as he was about to call out, she appeared at the top of the stairs. A slow warmth melted his heart at the sight of her bright smile.
“You’re back,” she said as she descended the stairs.
She’d changed into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt—his NYPD T-shirt. Her hair was tied up into a ponytail, face scrubbed free of makeup. She couldn’t look any more beautiful.
“You doing okay?” he asked as he pushed the door closed.
“I’m all right.” Lauren came down the rest of the stairs, but stopped on the second-to-last step.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. His throat tightened. The lump that constricted his breathing didn’t compare to knowing that she was here, waiting for him. He held up his arms, something he used to do—before he’d ruined the best thing in his life.
Lauren beamed a smile and launched herself into his embrace. He caught her, lifting her up so her legs wrapped around his waist, and he hugged her. Her sweet strawberry scent teased his senses. He buried his nose in her breasts and drew in a deep breath. He liked the idea of her sticking around and greeting him at home every day. It was something he’d missed, but never allowed himself to have. Because of Lily. A flicker of panic brushed over him but quickly dissolved at the giggle that slipped past Lauren’s lips before she pulled away. His heart smiled.
“Miss me?” she asked.
“Yes.” He wasn’t going to lie. He’d thought of nothing but her all day. “I like you in my shirt.”
She laid her hands on both sides of his face and lowered her mouth to his. He groaned at the contact. Her softness instantly sent a jolt of heat down his spine. His erection pressed up against her. Wiggling in his arms, she trailed her lips along his cheek to his ear. Desire tore through him at her next words. “Take it off.”
Kane surged up the stairs. Lauren laughed and bit his jaw. He paused midway. As much as he enjoyed the night they shared, he wanted to go slow this time. To love every single inch of her delectable body. Then hold her until his fear and anxieties dissolved.
Once he reached the top landing, he set her down. He wanted her so much his body shook. Need coiled in his stomach, but he held on to his control and drew in short breaths.
Lauren looked up at him, puzzled. “You okay?”
“Are you okay? I should have asked you this morning. I didn’t mean to be so rough.” Guilt trembled through him.
Lauren must have noticed the shiver. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and just held him. “I’m fine. Kane, you can never hurt me.”
Her tone soothed him a little. He drew back and covered her lips, drinking in her sweetness. She met him with passionate vigor that sucked him in. Her response fueled his need even more. Turning her so that her back was against the wall, his hands settled under her shirt and trailed upward until he felt smooth, soft skin. As his fingers brushed over the under-swells of her breasts, he stopped. “You’re not wearing a bra,” he murmured.
She grinned against his mouth. “No. Didn’t want to. Hadn’t done that in so long.”
One hand slid over her right breast, thumb teasing the taut bud. She moaned. Kane pressed little kisses along her jawline. Straightening, he dropped his hands and reached for the hem of her shirt. Trust shone back at him from her amethyst eyes, and she lifted her arms. His throat constricted once again, and he whipped the soft material off.
Her beauty took his breath away.
Perky yet full, her breasts’ perfection hadn’t changed. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to each succulent swell. “I miss these.”
Lauren laughed, the sound sending another shard of hope to his heart. “Not surprised. If you didn’t, I think I should be scared.”
He smiled. His tongue swept over the tight bud. Her laugh died and fingers dug into his hair. He took his time, drawing circles around her nipple, then moved to the next one, lavishing the same attention until she cried out and started tugging at his clothes.
He allowed her to strip him of his jacket, but he stopped her when she reached for his shirt. He had to take it slow. He couldn’t lose control. He undid her jeans instead. Sliding his fingers into her waistband, he slowly lowered her pants all the while holding her gaze. He fell to his knees and helped her step out of each leg. His erection throbbed at the sight of the black lace. Pressing a kiss to her mound, he then nuzzled his nose against her. Her arousal teased his senses, and he wanted nothing more than to fill her, love her until they became one.
“Kane.” Her breathless sigh made him smile.
He stood up and lifted her into his arms. Striding to the bedroom, he held her tight and carried her straight to the bed. He placed her down on the mattress gently before he stepped away. Lauren rose on her elbows and watched him as he took off his gun and holster along with his tie and shirt. She wet her lips and let out a labored sigh. Her gaze followed his every movement. The darkening of her eyes made him undress faster.
He took comfort in knowing he affected her almost as much she did him. He kept his boxer briefs on, needing at least one barrier between them to hold off his need, even though his erection was apparent, judging from Lauren’s wide eyes. He had to grin.
Kneeling on the bed, he made his way to her. Lauren bent her knees, and he trailed his hands over her legs. Firm, yet soft like silk. He pressed a kiss to each kneecap, luxuriating in the feel of her skin. His palms curled around her calves. “You still working out?” he asked.
She gave him a mischievous smile. “Not really. Don’t tell me you want to go for a jog right now?”
He laughed. He used to try to force her on short runs with him at his old place every morning after he made love to her, but she’d choose to stay in bed to wait for him before she had to get up for her classes or to work. “No, not today. Maybe some other day.”
Chuckling, she sat up and scooted closer until her palms pressed against his chest. “I like the sound of that.”
He did, too. He slid his hands up her long legs and over her bottom, pulling her against him. Her arms circled his sh
oulders, and he groaned at the contact. Her nipples rubbed against his chest; he covered her mouth with his as he settled her knees around him. His fingers wandered over her back, and he felt the need to touch every inch of skin he could reach. Her tongue slipped past his lips, tangling with his. He couldn’t get enough of her.
Tipping her back onto the mattress, he settled over her, fitting himself against her. His hips rocked against her heat, needing to get closer. Sliding his palms over her rib cage, he cupped her breasts as he broke off the kiss and trailed his mouth over her chin to her chest. He met softness everywhere. His lips closed over a nipple, teasing her.
Her fingernails dug into his shoulder as one hand gripped his nape. He laved the tight bud until it glistened in the daylight. He paused at the memories that ran though his mind. Coming home to her in his apartment waiting for him every day, making love to her until they were both exhausted, laughing with her over the most random things. And he’d thrown it all away. He wanted all of it back.
He moved aside and slowly slid the black scrap of lace down her legs. Her dewy softness fueled his insides. Determined to show her he needed her, he kissed her. His fingers found her sex. His thumb teased the bundle of nerves hidden beneath the folds. Lauren moaned.
Returning to her breasts, he took a nipple in his mouth. She squirmed against him, her hips rising to meet his touch. He slid a finger into her warmth. Her tight muscles gripped him. With a slow thrust, he started a steady rhythm until her movements became frenzied.
Her body tensed. He continued sucking the taut bud, his eyes focused on her face. The need to see her fall apart under his ministrations quickened his movements. He worked harder, milking every shudder from her delectable being. Her ecstatic cry filled the room. Once she stilled, her chest heaved even as he nuzzled her breasts. He pressed soft kisses to wherever he could reach.
Lauren placed both hands against the sides of his head and drew him up until her gaze was level with his and she kissed him. His hips canted, need filling his already-hard organ. The pain was almost unbearable, but he held on to his control. Her fingers fluttered over his shoulders, sliding over his chest, across his abs, and he jumped when she reached into his boxers and closed her fist over his shaft. He pressed his forehead against hers.
“Wait,” he groaned.
She pulled back and frowned. “Why?”
He drew in a deep breath, willing his erection to still even though all he wanted was for her to stroke him, tighten her hold, run her thumb over the head. “I want to go slow.”
Her eyebrows lifted and she released him. He stifled the disappointed cry as she sat up, and he moved back. Lauren settled her hands on his chest and leaned in, brushing her lips over his. He kissed her gently, pushing away the hard-pressing need to throw her on her back and take her, fill her, pound into her until she remembered only him. No other man. His groin throbbed painfully.
“We can go slow,” she murmured against his mouth. She shoved. He found himself on his back with her straddled over him. Surprise lit through him as he gazed up at her heated expression. “After I’m done with you.”
The flame in him rose as she rubbed her breasts against his chest and pressed her lips to his chin. She nibbled along his jaw to the excited pulse throbbing in his neck. Her teeth grazed his skin, and his hips jumped with every little bite. She took her time, moving down his chest to his stomach. Tugging at his briefs, she bit harder when he didn’t cooperate until he finally relented and allowed her to draw them down his legs.
Lauren knelt on the bed, staring at his girth. It hardened even more before his eyes. He groaned. The fear of coming like a schoolboy lit through him. He tried to grab her, but she pushed his hands away and pressed him back to the bed.
“Lauren,” he warned.
“Shhhh.” Her focus centered on his groin. He closed his eyes the moment he felt her fingers curl around his erection. He wasn’t going to last. He knew it. She was going to be the death of him.
The power she had over him seemed to give her confidence. She nuzzled his hips, slowly stroking his shaft. Each jerk elicited a deep groan from his throat. Finally her mouth touched him. He almost fell off the bed.
“Down, big boy.”
Surprisingly, a chuckle slipped past his lips. “You’re playing with fire.”
“You used to like being my experiment. You let me do whatever I wanted.”
Oh, God. He remembered those times. He’d been her first, and he’d become her personal hands-on sex toy.
Her mouth teased him. Her tongue circling around the head singed his nerves. He couldn’t stand it anymore. Lifting, he drew her over him, pulling her legs to straddle his hips. Lauren giggled, but air rushed out of her lungs the moment he found her entrance and surged upward. Heat wrapped around him. It felt too good, but most of all, he loved seeing the pleasure take over her features.
Her eyes drifted closed as she lifted, then took all of him in. She set the rhythm. Slow at first, but quicker as her pants became shallow. She pressed him into the mattress, her hands settled over his chest, and he allowed her to ride him. His control was on a very thin thread, but seeing her in the throes of passion caught his breath.
He never wanted to let her go.
Lauren whimpered. He wrapped an arm around her waist as his hand sought her heat. Their bodies glistened with sweat as he pulled her against him, and they rocked against each other. His heart pounded quicker. The need for release gripped him, but he flicked his thumb against her center. She cried out and held on to him tighter. With a growl, his arm lifted her only, to slam her back down on his shaft. Her muscles clenched around him with each stroke upward. He felt each of her shudders. Tension tore through his body, his stomach tightened, and with one last thrust, he came apart.
He fell onto his back, pillowing Lauren. His chest pushed against hers with each breath he took, but his heartbeat slowed as his body calmed. He withdrew and pulled Lauren to his side. She sighed, her hand settling over his heart.
He couldn’t bear to be apart from her.
“Tell me about your sister.”
Kane stiffened. He knew she meant Lily. Fear gripped him. If he told Lauren the truth, would she still accept him? Would she think him the coward? He thought about rolling off the bed and going downstairs, but he forced himself to stay. Taking in a deep breath, he willed courage. “She’s…”
Lauren pressed a kiss to his chest. “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about her. I was just curious.”
He shook his head. “No. Maybe I do need to.”
Silence filled the room. He could almost hear her heartbeat, or maybe it was his own. “Lily was like you. She was always optimistic and carefree. She teased me, made fun of me, even when I was mean to her.”
He felt Lauren’s smile against his shoulder and tightened his arms around her. He continued. “We grew up poor. That bast— My father was a violent alcoholic. He worked at a factory putting mattresses together but always complained about his job and having to raise us, but he never allowed my mom to work, so she’d stay home to watch us. There wasn’t a day that he didn’t return drunk. A lot of the times, he didn’t know what he was doing when he got angry. One punch turned into many beatings, and my mom took the brunt of it when he would turn his wrath toward me and Lily. Mom finally had enough, divorced him with the help of Bill. They had known each other from college, and not long after, she married him.”
He drew in a few quick breaths to calm himself. A blatant pain squeezed his heart. “Me and Lily were home alone. The bastard showed up. And me”—he let out a cynical laugh—“I opened the door. He started beating me. I couldn’t do anything. Lily tried to help. She threw her little body at him.” He paused, needing to breathe. “I hurt so bad. And I was so scared. He threw me against the wall and I couldn’t move. I sat there and I watched him turn his fists to Lily. I watched the whole thing. When she clawed at him, she got his face, and he snapped. His hands wrapped around her throat—her tiny throat. I didn’t
do anything. Not until her eyes closed. But it was too late.”
Lauren tightened her arms around him. He heard her sniffle. He waited. Finally, she lifted up to look at him. “It’s not your fault.”
He shook his head. “It is. I let her die, Lauren.”
She frowned. “How old were you?”
He bit his bottom lip. “Twelve.”
She gasped. “You were a child yourself. You couldn’t have done anything.”
Kane slid out from under her and moved off the bed. He reached for his pants and pulled them on. She didn’t understand. He knew she wouldn’t. “If I had tried to stop him, then Lily wouldn’t have died.”
Lauren stood up and pulled on his NYPD T-shirt. “You were a kid. It doesn’t—”
His hand sliced through the air. “No. I knew what was going on. I was scared. I was a coward.”
Her gaze softened on him. He spun around and ran his fingers through his hair. He didn’t want her pity or for her to think him weak.
Lauren pressed against his back. Her lips brushed his shoulder. “If your sister lived today, do you think she’d want to see you like this? Would she blame you for not saving her?”
He froze. Lily would have hated knowing he hurt. He recalled the times he’d been bullied, and his sister would try to tease him into laughter after he’d returned home with a black eye each time. She couldn’t stand it when he was sad. Growing up, he’d depended on her to make him feel better. But he’d done a sucky job being her big brother. “No, she wouldn’t,” he admitted.
“Don’t you think you’re cheating her—cheating yourself—by holding on to her death?”
He whipped around. “No, but I should have been the one who was killed—not her.”
Lauren studied him. She laid a hand on his chest. “But you weren’t. You’re alive.”
