Ellie flushed and pulled it free. "The other was a wig. I just wanted to try something different."
"I gathered that from her snide comments last night. I like it better this way. Soft, pretty. Perfect for you." He lifted an eyebrow. "And your opinion?"
She wrinkled her nose. "I’m not a wig person. Or a red head either."
"And the glasses? You were wearing contacts?"
"No, I was being stupid and vain. Can’t see without them. Never again. This is the real me." Take it or leave it.
He smiled. "And not bad from what I can see. I’m sorry about your friend." His tone turned somber. "I wish you’d have let me stay last night."
Ellie pulled back. "I wish I had, too. Maybe that would have discouraged Bernadette from her latest theft."
"Steal something, did she?"
She paused, considering. "I think so. But this time…"
He cocked his head to one side, waiting for her to finish. She thought better of it. Not that she didn’t trust Kurt. She was afraid of what he might do if he learned how snoopy Bernadette had been. Nothing should jeopardize this case if she was going to do her part to put Jeremy’s murderer behind bars. Kurt didn’t need to be involved.
"Never mind. Thinking about it will only ruin the happy buzz I’ve got going." She slipped free, laced her fingers through his, and tugged him toward the living room. "Come on. Help me set up and decorate."
"It’s going to take a ton of Christmas decorations to cover this thing."
"And poor me, I’ve only got a quarter ton," she said with a laugh.
Kurt pulled her to a stop. "Then let’s get some more. I’ll even treat you to a dead bolt or two. Consider all of it another early Christmas present."
She feigned a gasp and clutched her hands over her heart. "A true romantic. No chocolates or roses for this charmer, only hardware will do. How could a lady possibly resist?"
"I’m hoping she won’t." He slipped his arm around her waist.
Ellie melted into his kiss. It would be so easy to give in, to tumble mindlessly into pleasure once more. Common sense tapped her on the shoulder. Reluctantly, she ended the embrace.
"Kurt, I…" She was torn between wanting to start back at the beginning, just get to know him, and the urge to tear off his clothes and give him a Christmas present of her own. How could she tell him how she felt without him thinking her a sexual deviant? Well, if that’s all that it took to chase him away, it was probably best to get it over with now.
"I know you might not believe this, but this is all rather new to me. Not sex, of course."
"Of course," he said with a smile.
Ellie felt her cheeks flame and avoided his gaze. "I mean it’s not like me to rush into sex. We just met and, well, last night we came pretty close to doing it without protection of any kind. I just wanted you to know that I’m not… I don’t usually…" her voice trailed off in embarrassed confusion.
He butted his forehead against hers, then rubbed his dark beard against her cheek. It felt soft and prickly at the same time. "Not having protection was my fault entirely, and something else to put on our shopping list."
No. Ellie bit her lip. She definitely could not go shopping for condoms with him. That was way too intimate.
"Just in case," he added. "We do nothing unless we both agree. Unless we’re both ready."
This close to him, he felt plenty ready to her. Ellie nodded. "I’ll tell you what. Help me set up the tree. I’ll throw on what I’ve got while you do your…um…specialty shopping. If we’re not pleased with the tree when I finish, we’ll head to Wal-Mart for backup decorations."
He smiled and squeezed her gently. "You’ve got a deal. If I were you, I wouldn’t want to leave this place unguarded for a second. Trust me, I’ll install a dead bolt a pro would have trouble breaking."
Ellie began stringing lights and ornaments on the tree, and before she knew it, Kurt returned from his trip to town before she had a chance to miss him. If he’d purchased more than dead bolts, he kept that information to himself. They teased and joked while they worked on their separate tasks.
It felt comfortable and homey like she had known Kurt forever, not just a few days. This was what Ellie needed to heal her heart and repair her battered spirit.
"This is a beautiful tree, if I do say so myself." Kurt stood back, legs astride, hands on hips as he admired their handiwork. The proud spruce was draped with strands of tiny lights,. Their glow shone off the lovely tin ornaments Ellie had collected over the years. At the very top, a glass star glowed like a homing beacon.
Ellie draped the last bit of tinsel over a branch and joined him. "Not bad," she agreed.
"I can’t believe how you made so little stretch so far."
"I can be very economical when the need arises." Too economical at times, but at least she had some good savings to show for it. She shoved her glasses up the bridge of her nose for what seemed like the umpteenth time that day. "You know, maybe contacts aren’t such a bad idea."
Kurt moved an ornament higher. "You could always do lasik surgery."
Laughing, she held up her hands. "Whoa. Too much, too quick. One thing at a time."
"Good." Without warning, he swung her into his arms and off her feet. "Then how about some dinner? I’m starved."
Her heart hammered against her ribs. She traced his lips with her finger, then smoothed his beard and mustache. Dinner was the last thing she had in mind. "Make love to me, Kurt. It’s been forever since—"
"Shhh, you don’t have to explain to me, Ellie."
She was good at her game, Kurt would give her that. This nice little domestic scene was better than any seduction he’d ever had. She relaxed her prey, then begged for what she had been so unsure of hours before. He applauded her efforts, especially since he’d been hard for her most of the afternoon. No doubt about it, she was going to get what she was asking for, but it was going to be on his terms. It was time to throw her off guard.
"There are all kinds of levels of making love. Some people would say we’ve been doing that all afternoon by just being together." He’d read that crap in a woman’s magazine once while he waited for a dentist appointment. "Laughing, joking, being quietly together—all part of the process."
She traced her finger around his ear. Shivers wiggled down his spine. He prayed his hairpiece would stay in one spot, that she wouldn’t see the beard was fake.
"You’re a romantic." Her voice was the softest of whispers, like she’d meant to say that to herself but the words had slipped out on their own accord.
"Somehow I suspect you are, too." If he didn’t put her down now, he’d never gain control. He set her on her feet.
"Why don’t we start a fire, light the candles, call in a pizza, and uncork a bottle of wine. We have the whole evening before us."
He dipped forward. What he meant to be a simple kiss shivered into something more. As his lips touched her slightly parted ones, Kurt took the invitation and slipped his tongue within. She thrust back eagerly, setting off a fiery ache in his groin that demanded to be appeased.
He broke free on a gasp. "Good God, Ellie. Do you have any idea of what you do to a man?"
She shook her head. "No." Biting her bottom lip, she stepped back, tossed her glasses onto the window seat, and yanked the sweatshirt over her head. "It’s wanton, I know. But I can’t bear another second." She reached around behind her. "I want a life. I don’t want to hide behind my walls anymore. Think what you want, but I need you."
Her bra straps slipped down her silken shoulders. Kurt shot a glance to the bay window. Drapes closed. Doors locked. Protection in his pocket, more in the kitchen. Then the bra slid to the floor, and with it, the last bit of sense he possessed.
Kurt felt his jaw drop. He was rooted to the spot while Ellie stripped the rest of her clothes away. He’d seen his share of naked women before, but none like this. Her body was tight without being overly muscular. Her skin was unblemished by the sun. Her shape was the perfect hou
r glass. His hands trembled to touch her, yet all he could do was stand and gape like an untutored schoolboy.
Step by step she approached him, like a traveler journeying down an uncertain path. With the first touch of her fingers at his waist, Kurt felt an electric shock course through his body. He couldn’t move to save his life.
She slipped her hands under his shirt and slowly pushed up until he had no choice but to pull it over his head. He tossed it to the pile where hers lay. Then she raked her short nails down his chest in slow, agonizing circles. She paused at his wound, kissed it, then traced her tongue around it. Kurt shuddered beneath her touch.
A surge built lower. Gritting his teeth, he tried to ignore it. She moved on to his flat nipples, teasing one then the other until they were hard. Kurt’s throat went dry. He longed for something to grab hold of to steady himself against her wanton assault on his body and his senses.
Her fingers drifted to his jeans. The button fell open at her touch. She dipped inside, inching the zipper down as she reached for him.
A groan ripped from his throat. Ellie made a slight sound, shoved jeans and shorts down and nestled her breasts against him.
"You are magnificent." She wrapped one hand around the length. "So hard." Biting her bottom lip, she cupped his testicles. "So very hard everywhere."
Kurt snatched her hands away. "You’re killing me." His breath rasped in short, hard bursts.
She cast wide, innocent eyes his way, but her smile was pure seductress. "Am I now?"
"Yes." He toed off his shoes and kicked his legs free from his clothes. His hands shook as he fumbled for his wallet and the condom inside. "Witch, I swear I’ll make it up to you later, but I’ve got no time for foreplay right now."
"I was hoping you’d say that." She knelt slowly, then stretched out before the Christmas tree. "I want you. I want you deep inside me." The tip of her tongue flickered over her lower lip as she stared. The intensity was unnerving.
Her chest heaved with every breath. Her eyes were dilated, the black of her pupils almost swallowing the mysterious gray of her eyes. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear she was scared. Ridiculous. He seated the condom with one smooth pull.
"And that’s just what you’re going to get." He lowered himself on her satiny body.
She draped her arms around his neck and twined her legs around his. One thrust drove him deep inside.
Ellie cried out.
God, she’s tight. Had he hurt her? He froze, but didn’t know if he could stop. She felt so good, so warm, it was pure torture. He struggled for control.
"Ellie, I’m sorry." His gasping breath mirrored her own. "I thought you were ready."
She nodded. "I am. It’s just been a long time and you’re so…overwhelming. I didn’t know a man could be so…big, so hard. And feel so good." Her voice was dreamy, mouth curved up with a slight smile.
He almost lost control right there, but when he tried to move away, she tightened her legs around his waist.
"No. Don’t go." Her body contracted around him.
Surely she wasn’t about to climax, was she? Kurt slipped his hand between them and brushed the hard nub with his thumb.
Ellie arched against him, mouth wide with pleasure. "Yes."
He braced himself on one elbow and rocked with her, each stroke of his thumb brought her closer, each roll of her hips tested his limits. A knock at the door froze them.
"That better not be your damn landlady," he growled.
"Ellie, come on. I know you’re in there," a woman called out. "I just got off of work and it’s cold out here."
She smacked the floor with her fist and swore. "It’s Susan, damn it."
"Maybe she’ll go away."
"Not any time soon. Let me get rid of her."
There didn’t seem to be much of a choice. With great concentration, he pulled free and reached for his clothes. "This is killing me, Ellie." His voice was tight, strained. "Hurry."
Ellie touched his arm. "Let’s just go to my room. I promise I’ll get rid of her." She scooped the clothes into her arms and led the way upstairs, giving Kurt a very nice view of her inviting backside as they hurried up the stairs.
"I’ll be right there, Susan," she shouted over her shoulder. She motioned Kurt inside her bedroom, then tossed on her terrycloth robe.
"I won’t be long." From the dresser top, she grabbed the red wig and what looked like the clothing she had on the night they’d met.
"What are you doing with all that?"
"I’m giving it back to Susan."
"Those are your friend Susan’s?" He was riveted by the objects in her arm. The mini-skirt and top. The red wig.
"Yes. I never should’ve let her talk me into playing dress up. But then we might not have met if she hadn’t. Don’t move. Think snuggly thoughts. I’ll be right back." Smiling, she trotted downstairs.
Kurt grabbed his jeans, hauling them on as he hopped toward the door on one foot.
Damn. It all made perfect sense. Susan had to be the blackmailer! She’d set Ellie up! He didn’t know whether to curse or cheer. But why was the question. In any event, he had to get a good look at this woman. He eased down the stairs until he had a clear view of the open door.
Kurt remembered Susan was Ellie’s friend from the club. Blonde, about the same height and weight as Ellie. From the looks of her uniform, she was a Navy corpsman. A petty officer. And damn pushy. Ellie barely got the door open before Susan shoved her way inside.
"It’s freezing outside. What took so long?"
"I was getting ready to take a bath." Ellie shoved the wig and clothes in Susan’s arms. "Here. Take this stuff away. I don’t want to see it again, especially the wig. Thanks for letting me borrow everything, but I won’t be needing it ever again." Her voice grew tight. "I don’t want to bother you with any more of my stupid, little problems."
Susan stared at the pile, then glanced up at Ellie. "I’m sorry I snapped at you today. I was upset about Jeremy."
"Obviously. I understand." Ellie grabbed the door and tried to ease Susan back through it. "I’m not mad, but you need to go. I’d just like to have some privacy, if you know what I mean."
Susan’s blue-eyed gaze traveled beyond Ellie up the stairs to Kurt. A smirk grew as her eyes narrowed slyly. "I understand perfectly. Enjoy your…bath." She patted Ellie on the cheek in a patronizing manner. "Don’t do anything I wouldn’t."
"Then that doesn’t leave much, does it?" Ellie shut and locked the door in her face. Shaking her head, she slowly ascended the stairs. "I think she might be jealous."
Ellie wasn’t guilty. That was the only clear thought that ran through Kurt’s head. Everything she’d said and done was real. She was real. This was the Ellie the world didn’t see. Sweet, funny, and damned sexy. And his newest suspect was driving away.
He knew he should follow her, but then what? The very notion he could seduce Susan into a trap like he’d tried with Ellie soured his stomach. He couldn’t approach this investigation the same way any more. And Ellie?
"Coming?" She reached the top stair. The robe fell from her naked body. She trailed it behind her as she continued on back into the bedroom.
How could anyone who was so buttoned up in public be so damned sexy in private? And what did he intend to do about it? Where was this going? A one-night stand?
Kurt shook his head. What he’d seen so far was a teaser. Now she was off the suspect list, he craved to know more. His head spun with the possibilities. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted from his conscience. Once wasn’t going to be enough.
A new thought struck. Now he could reveal his true identity, but what then? Considering their previous office interactions, he was dead meat if he yanked off his beard and walked into her bedroom with a casual, "Hi Ellie, it’s really me."
He couldn’t play at being Kurt Orin forever, but if he could just find a way to smooth the waters beforehand, maybe she wouldn’t be so angry when she discovered the truth.
; "Kurt?"
"In a sec. I’ve got to get something." He trotted downstairs to retrieve his previous purchase. Her huge black cat was crouched by a ceramic food bowl, eyeing a box of cat chow on the counter top. Kurt dumped a cupful into the dish. Nothing was going to interrupt them tonight.
He took the stairs two at a time and found her stretched out upon the down-turned bed like a goddess awaiting sacrifice.
"You’re so beautiful." He tossed the box of condoms to the floor beside the bed, kicked his jeans off, and crawled into her arms.
"You still want me," she said, her eyes alight with wonder.
If she referred to his still-aroused state, Kurt didn’t see any point in disputing the facts. He’d wanted her for three days and he was going to have her. He eased inside her warmth with a growl of pleasure.
"God, you’re tight," he said on a gasp of breath.
All Ellie did was nod, close her eyes, and wrap those beautiful legs around him.
Kurt’s control lasted long enough to bring her back to that fever pitch of excitement. Sighs turned to soft moans with each gentle thrust. He wedged his hand between them, using his thumb once more. He felt her tense, gasp, tense again, and grazed his teeth around her nipple. She arched against him, digging her heels hard into his buttocks. Control vanished. His body demanded satisfaction.
Then her body convulsed around his. White hot release rippled between them. It seemed to last forever. It didn’t last long enough. They lay together, boneless, and savored the release. One thing was certain—if he made love to her a million times, it would never be enough. He wasn’t willing to give her up.
But would she feel the same when she discovered who he really was?
Chapter 11
* * *
Ellie punched off the alarm and rolled back into Kurt’s arms. He tucked his fingers into her tangled hair as she nestled against his chest.
JUDGING ELLIE Page 14
