Tropic of Trouble

by Wynter Daniels

  “You’re a pretty girl.” He pasted on a fatherly smile. “Does your mother know where you are? Or your pastor?”

  Pushing off of his car, she rolled her eyes. She had cop written all over her face. “Get going, sir.”

  Didn’t have to tell him twice. He drove down about a half mile and spotted a red-haired hooker turning a corner to a side street. This one wore a hot pink sports bra and black short shorts with one of those fanny packs strapped around her waist.

  Slowing his speed, he followed. She strode toward him as he parked a few yards ahead of her. He grinned as he watched her in his rearview mirror. This was safer, off the main road.

  He lowered his window and waited for her to approach. She stayed a couple feet away, hands on her hips, eying him. Way too aloof to be undercover.

  “Awfully hot outside. Nice and cool in here.” He raised an eyebrow.

  She eyed his car, scrutinizing it. “You a cop?”

  He got a glimpse of her teeth, or the lack of them. At least two or three were missing right in front. “No, I’m not.” He unlocked the doors with the push of a button. “Get in.” His cock twitched in anticipation.

  Without hesitation, she circled the car and opened the passenger door. Then she scanned the inside of the vehicle and whistled. “Fancy.” She climbed inside and pulled the door shut. “Air feels good.”

  Her musky, sweaty scent wafted to his nostrils. He’d have to pick up a strong air freshener later. “How much?”

  The woman smiled her toothless grin and he counted four missing teeth, all on top.

  “Fifty for a blow, a hundred if you want to fuck.”

  He knew a twenty-dollar whore when he saw one. “Don’t screw with me.” Pulling a twenty out of his wallet, he held it in front of her eyes. “Blow me for this. Then you can go score yourself a nice rock of crack.” Glancing down the street, he searched for a secluded spot to park.

  She stared at his money. “Thirty?”

  He crinkled the bill and shoved it in his pocket. “Get out.”

  She raised her arms in surrender. “Okay, okay.” Rifling in her fanny pack, she fished out a condom packet then held out her palm. “Pay first.”

  He slapped the money into her hand. She stashed the bill in her bra then slid closer. Her smell grew even stronger.

  He gave her a firm shove. “Let me go park somewhere.”

  “There’s an abandoned building on the next block. You can pull into the alley behind.”

  He followed her directions. The spot was seedy and secluded—perfect.

  The whore got right to work, lowering his fly and rubbing her hand along his half-hard flesh.

  “Come on. Put your mouth on it, bitch. Lick it.” He grabbed her head and forced it down over his cock.

  She struggled against him, managed to move away. “Hey! You got to have a hard-on for me to put the rubber on you. I know how to do my job.” Her dark eyes blazed.

  He ought to smack her for speaking to him like that. She needed a good ass-whipping. Maybe then she’d understand who was in charge here. But he didn’t want to attract the attention of law enforcement, so he swallowed back his rage.

  Damn it! He’d lost what little erection he’d had. Huffing, he moved his hand to his crotch. “I’ll get myself hard.” Shutting his eyes, he imagined his pretty assistant, Amy, so young and innocent. In his mind she wore a white lacy bra and panties. Yeah. And stockings with a garter belt. She knew what a man wanted, understood he should be in charge.

  His erection came back to life as he rubbed his balls and his cock. Reaching for the whore beside him, he snatched a handful of her frizzy hair and yanked her closer. “Now you can put your fucking rubber on me.”

  Thankfully, she said nothing as she rolled the condom over him. She grasped the base of his cock and sucked the rest of it into her mouth.

  He shut his eyes and returned to his fantasy. Amy lay on a bed and opened her legs to him. He climbed on top of her and suckled her pale pink nipples. She told him how good he was, how strong and virile.

  When he fucked her, she cried because he was so big, too big for a virgin like her. But he kept going, pumping into her with his huge granite shaft. He looked down at her but he no longer saw Amy’s sweet face. That black haired cunt he’d married stared back at him.

  He opened his eyes to banish the vision. The whore’s head bobbed up and down over his lap, but his erection waned.

  Shit! He tried to conjure Amy again, but it was useless. He couldn’t keep it.

  The redhead stopped sucking and sat up. “What’s the matter? You got a problem with staying hard?”

  He grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her head closer to his face. The terror in her eyes stirred something primal inside him. She reminded him of his wife, just for an instant. Maybe it was the fear. His cock started growing hard again.

  Tightening his grip on the whore, he used his free hand to rip the condom off so he could pump his shaft.

  “You’re hurting me.” She slapped at him, but he barely felt the blows.

  “Just shut up, would you?” His balls tightened as he drew closer to his release. He let go of the hooker’s hair, gave her a shove and her head hit into the door with a dull thud.

  She fumbled with the door handle but was too slow or too stupid to open the damn thing quick enough. He landed a punch to her back and she grunted with surprise or pain.

  He came in a satisfying burst just as the whore managed to open the door and spill out onto the ground. Gritting his teeth in pleasure, he squeezed his cock. Warm semen oozed over his hand. The last pearl of his seed collected at the slit.

  “You’re crazy motherfucker!” She scrambled away as he laughed.

  “Yeah, whatever.” Reaching into the back seat, he latched on to a box of tissues and set it down next to him. Then he leaned across the seat and yanked the door shut. After he’d cleaned himself up, he found his way back to Biscayne Boulevard and headed toward work.

  His thoughts quickly returned to his wife and Jones. He gripped the steering wheel and clenched his teeth. No one made a fool of him and got away with it. His better-than-thou in-laws didn’t think him smart enough for their spoiled daughter. But he’d showed them. Like he’d show Jones and his bitch wife.

  He’d bide his time, but soon enough, they would both die, steeped in sin and headed for hell.

  Chapter Six

  Kelsey shivered as she arranged displays in her booth at Morningside Bayfront Park. The weather was perfect, warm with a gentle breeze. But knowing Margaret’s murderer might be lurking nearby unnerved her. She wrung her hands to keep them from shaking. Jason would be there any minute, which gave her comfort, although she’d never admit that to him. He was incredibly attractive, but the prospect of giving away even a small measure of her power made her stomach roil.

  Footsteps crunched the dry grass behind her. Spinning around, she found a huge German shepherd staring up at her. She followed the dog’s leash to the best thing she’d laid eyes on all day—Jason’s handsome face. He wore a T-shirt over shorts that revealed long legs roped with muscle.

  “Morning.” He stepped closer as if he planned to kiss her, but she moved out of his reach and pretended to straighten a sign.

  “Good morning.” She patted the dog’s head. “So, this must be Elvis.”

  “In the flesh.”

  God, the man had a great smile. Between his straight white teeth, sensuous lips and adorable dimples, resisting him might prove impossible.

  He’ll try to control me.

  She tried to remember her reason for being here—other than staring at the man’s amazing body. Selling books, right. That and smoking out Margaret’s murderer. She turned away, unable to concentrate under Jason’s burning stare. When she bent to adjust the cloth covering the table, the dog poked against her backside. She straightened and spun around.

  “Elvis, no.” Jason’s playful grin weakened her knees. “I’m sorry. He can’t help himself. And I can’t honestly
say I blame him.” His gaze swept over her body and a quiver of awareness rolled across her skin. “Those legs are definitely meant to be seen.”

  She tugged at the hem of her shorts. “Are you always this forward?” She set her hands on her hips.

  Before he could answer, a young boy, about eight or nine years old, ran over and yanked on his arm. “They have ice cream over there, Jason. Can I get some?” The child’s glossy black hair and olive skin suggested Hispanic descent. He looked nothing like Jason, but still, her curiosity piqued.

  Jason glanced in the direction of the ice cream vendor and took out his wallet. He peeled off a few ones then looked the boy in the eyes. “You may, but first, say hello to a friend of mine.”

  The child turned to face her. “Hi.” Huge brown eyes ringed with a fringe of thick, black lashes looked up as her.

  She smiled and offered her hand. “I’m Kelsey.”

  “Hector.” He shook with her, then snatched the bills from Jason and ran off.

  Kelsey crouched by the dog. He sniffed her, then licked her nose.

  “I think he likes you.” Jason picked up a book from the table and leafed through it.

  “Hector or Elvis?”

  Chuckling, he returned the book. “Elvis, but I’m sure Hector does too.”

  “Is he a friend’s son?” She shielded her eyes from the sun and watched his face for a reaction.

  “Not exactly.” His brow creased and that sexy smile faded. “His mom’s in jail and she asked me to check in on him every now and then. So I do. Dad left before he was born and his grandfather passed away a few years back.”

  She swallowed past a golf ball-sized lump in her throat. “So you take him places, spend time with him?”

  “Sometimes. I asked his grandmother to bring him by the fair. She’s a big fan of romance novels. They live a few blocks from here.”

  She’d never admit how much that impressed her. He wasn’t really as jaded as he’d professed last night. “How long is his mother serving?”

  “She’s about halfway through her time now. Has almost another year.”

  He glanced toward the boy. “He’s a great kid. I don’t mind.”

  Although he’d talked tough last night and hadn’t shown much compassion for the inmates at the jail, it warmed her heart to know he had a soft spot. “That’s very sweet of you.”

  “I’m a sweet guy. A regular Prince Charming.” He pinned her with a smoky stare.

  Heat crawled up her neck and cheeks. She didn’t want to like him this much. Folding her arms over her chest, she lifted her chin. “Yeah, well, unlike Cinderella, I’m not on the prowl for Prince Charming.”

  Although you’d certainly make a good one.

  Hector returned with a cone, his face already smeared with chocolate ice cream. “Can I walk Elvis around?”

  Jason handed him the leash. “Right in this area where I can see you.”

  “Yes, sir.” The boy skipped off with the dog on his heels.

  “Have you noticed any unsavory characters lurking nearby?” Jason scanned the field.

  “Only you.” She couldn’t hide her grin. “You really think the killer would show himself at such a public event?”

  He drew a heavy sigh. “Worth a shot. Day’s not over yet.”

  A breeze knocked over one of her signs. She bent to grab it at the same instant Jason did. His hand landed on top of hers. The contact sent an electric zing from her fingers to the tips of her toes. They stood up slowly, gazes locked, overwhelming attraction electrifying the air between them.

  He threaded his fingers through hers. Pulse racing, she told herself to back away, but her feet remained rooted to the spot. She pulled in a breath laced with his clean, piney scent. Way too enticing. Staring into his eyes, she parted her lips. Her breath grew ragged with arousal and her nipples hardened.

  Her gaze dropped to his lips. She ached to kiss him, to taste him. Little shock waves vibrated between her thighs and radiated through her entire body.

  “Jason!” Hector’s voice hit like a slap of icy winter air.

  She dropped Jason’s hand and immediately busied herself with righting the sign. Heat climbed up her neck and face.

  Jason cleared his throat loudly. “Hey, buddy. What’s up?”

  The boy handed him Elvis’ leash. “Abuela says we have to go now before she spends all her grocery money on books.”

  Chuckling, Jason patted the child on his head then drew him into a hug. “Thanks for taking care of Elvis. Tell your grandmother goodbye for me.”

  Hector ventured a few steps toward Kelsey. “Are you Jason’s girlfriend?”

  “No, no. We’re good friends, that’s all.” She sipped from her water bottle to keep from choking.

  His gaze narrowed and his chocolate-smeared mouth twisted with confusion. “How come you were holding hands?”

  Because I couldn’t help myself. But the thought of being any man’s girlfriend made her hyperventilate. She only wished she had the power to resist the man. She looked at Jason for help.

  “I hold your hand sometimes, right?” he asked the boy.

  “That’s different. I’m a kid. Grownups are so weird.” With a shrug, he ran off toward an elderly woman who waved at Jason.

  “How do you feel about me walking around the fair?” He slipped on a pair of aviator sunglasses and her breath caught in her throat at his sexiness. “If anyone wants to approach you about the book, they might not with me standing here.”

  A quick tremble rolled over her skin and her stomach did a little flip. He could hardly hover over her 24/7. She had to deal with being away from him. As public as this event was, no one would dare try anything today. That thought calmed her. “Sure. I’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll be watching, but you might not see me.” He kissed the top of her head. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

  Unexpected desire washed over her from his simple gesture. She straightened and wrapped her arms around her body. Summoning all her bravado, she pasted on a smile. “For heaven’s sake, I’m a grown woman. I don’t need a bodyguard.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, okay.” Leading Elvis away, he blended into the crowd strolling past.

  Two hours later she’d sold nearly a dozen books, but no one had asked about the antique Shakespeare volume. Nor had she caught any suspicious-looking characters lurking nearby. She wished she could recall what the murderer looked like, but it had been so dark and so quick. Would it jog her memory if she saw him again?

  “I bet you could use this.” Jason appeared out of nowhere holding a cup of Italian ice.

  Wiping away beads of sweat from her upper lip, she didn’t hesitate to accept it. The cool treat felt like a gift from the gods. “Thank you. Good thing the fair is almost over. I don’t think I could handle another fifteen minutes.”

  Together they packed up the books, signs and displays. Jason carried everything to her car and loaded the boxes into the trunk. “I’ll follow you back to your store and help you move everything inside.”

  Again he was telling her what he’d do for her, rather than asking if she needed his help. Irritation prickled her skin, although she knew she ought to be grateful for the assistance. “I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself.” That sounded too harsh. She heaved a sigh as she shut the trunk. “I’m sorry, I just—”

  “No, you’re right. I’m taking over.” He squatted beside Elvis and she noticed his drawn eyebrows. “What do you say we get you home, buddy?”

  The dog let out a whimper and pawed at Jason’s arm.

  “How about I bring dinner over to your place?” He stood and leaned a hand on her car. “I’ll drop Elvis at my house, then pick up some Italian or Mexican food.”

  Spending all this time with him had weakened her defenses, but she refused to allow herself to fall for him. Or to need him. “No one’s bothered me yet. You don’t need to waste your time playing bodyguard.” Her heart squeezed at the disappointment that briefly sh
owed through his macho mask.

  No. I’m not giving in.

  Paul had been almost as sweet before they’d married. The helpful decisions he made for her, as he liked to call them, escalated to full-blown control. Eventually that had turned into emotional abuse.

  “I thought maybe we could do some research on the internet on my great uncle. Maybe we can find out where the book came from. You’re probably better at that stuff than I am. Women who wear glasses are super smart, right?” His grin nearly broke through her resolve.

  But it sounded like another excuse for him to come over. He was probably exaggerating the threat to her. Besides, she was careful. Her apartment had sturdy locks and she had a phone. If she felt in danger she could call the police. She rubbed her hand along his arm to console him, but heat instantly ignited inside her.

  I can’t trust myself with him.

  Jerking her arm away, she straightened. “Jason, I’m okay to be alone. Really.”

  The stubborn set of his jaw told her he didn’t agree.

  She folded her arms across her chest and leaned against her car. He set his hands on the door on either side of her, effectively trapping her.

  Her pulse quickened with a mix of desire and fear. His scent surrounded her, pine and pure man. She couldn’t tear her gaze from his lips, only inches from hers. All her defenses came crashing down, defeated by the heat of his stare.

  His presence was at once powerful and gentle. The combination had to be the most appealing aphrodisiac ever. He leaned closer, parted his lips.

  At that moment, Elvis decided to try to charge after a passing cocker spaniel. Jason immediately stomped on the end of the leash. The dog bucked and whined.

  The commotion gave Kelsey a chance to escape before she made a big mistake. “I’ll call you later, I promise.” She slid into her car and started the engine. “Thanks again.” She shut the door and drove off. In her rearview mirror, she watched him kick a foot in the sand.

  It’s better this way.

  The more time she spent with him, the more dependent she’d become. Turning on to Lake Road, she forced herself not to look back again. Easing up on the gas as she approached a traffic circle, she flashed on Jason’s face. Why did she feel so safe and comfortable with him around? Almost as if he were…home.