Tate Valley Sexy Suspense Series (Books 1-3)

by Stacy-Deanne

  She unlocked the door and moved aside.

  He walked in and glanced around. “Thanks.”

  She got her cigarettes from the table and sat on the couch. “What do you want?”

  He sat beside her. “For the life of me I don’t know. Part of me wishes you never came back because facing my feelings has been the most difficult thing I’ve had to do.”

  “And the other part?” She crossed her legs and fixed the end of her robe.

  “The other part wants to grab you and never let you go.” He tilted his head, looking at her legs. “You always had the sexiest legs.”

  She pulled her robe down.

  “You don’t know what I wanna do to you right now.” He caressed her hair. “Lexi, no woman can twist my emotions up like you can. It has to mean something.”

  “That we’re meant to be together?” She glared while taking a puff. “I thought you were what I wanted but how you’ve been treating women is a big concern. Trust is the most important thing to me, Kevin. You know that.”

  “I made some mistakes but I’m not a dog.”

  “That’s not what Faye says.”

  “I thought we established that Faye is a liar.” He laid his hand on her thigh. “I’m not the bad guy here.”

  She moved his hand as her nipples hardened from his touch.

  “Did you check out my alibi?”

  “Yep.” She nodded with the cigarette in her mouth. “I spoke to the people at the Tate Valley Café. Your neighbor says she had a migraine so she went to bed around eight.” She puffed. “She doesn’t know for sure if you were home or not.”

  “You don’t really think I’d kill Brett do you?”

  She sighed. “No.”

  He smiled. “That means more to me than anything.” He propped his elbow on the back of the couch. “We need to start things off right and get to know each other again.” He took off his blazer and laid it in his lap. “Let’s start with why you didn’t go to your father’s funeral.”

  No one had actually asked her why she hadn’t come to the funeral before. People just stared at her when they realized she was back in town. She usually kept things to herself but she’d always felt comfortable with Kevin. He made her wanna talk about things she’d never tell another soul. She missed having someone to share things with.

  “My father and I had become so distant. Both of us held animosity at each other. We loved each other of course, but we found it hard to forgive.”

  “Why would you two need to forgive each other?” He straightened the pillow behind his arm. “Neither of you did anything wrong.”

  “We both felt like we’d betrayed one another.” She propped her leg up on the couch and turned further toward him. “I was upset that he hardly came to see me because he was so upset with mom, and he felt like I’d abandoned him because I hadn’t made the effort to see him even after I grew up. Like I said, it was just too many painful memories here.”

  “Why is it so different now then?” He scratched his wrist. “Why did you come back now?”

  She shrugged. “It was time. That’s all I can say.” She sucked on the cigarette. “Plus I missed this place despite what happened. Tate Valley is my home and I never wanted to leave.”

  “How were things between Stossel and your mother?”

  “Terrible. She wanted him to choose between Grant and her and my father wouldn’t give up his career. She kept hoping he’d come to LA and they could start over again but that didn’t happen.”

  He scowled as if he were confused.

  “What?” she asked. “Something you want to ask?”

  “Uh…no.” He smiled. “It’s just that…well did your mother ever talk to you about Grant?”

  “Only said she regretted how things went down. Why?”

  “Umm…” The gray in Kevin’s eyes caught the light. “Never mind. It’s not my business.”

  “No don’t do that.” She tapped his thigh. “If you have something to say then say it.”

  “You always felt like Grant ruined things himself but what about your mother? Grant never forced her into an affair yet you blame him as if Elizabeth did nothing wrong.”

  “Trust me I was mad at my mother for a long time but we both know how Grant is. He pushed her, Kevin. She never would’ve cheated if he hadn’t been Grant Copeland. You don’t say no to the most powerful man in town.”

  “Hold on, Lexi.” He waved his hand. “You have to see things the way they happened and not just how you thought they were. The truth is that the affair was mutual. Grant didn’t make her do anything.”

  She looked away.

  “Maybe that’s why you can’t let it go? Maybe it’s too hard for you to admit that Elizabeth was really in love with Grant.”

  “That’s nonsense.” She tugged on the end of her robe. “He was a rich, powerful man who seduced her and she became weak. It wasn’t love. If it was love then how come she didn’t just leave my father?”

  “You’re a smart woman.” He touched the end of her hair. “You gotta know how hard it was for Elizabeth to do that, especially with you in the picture. Plus Stossel and Grant were best friends and Grant cherished that.”

  “Cherished,” she mocked.

  “What if your mother was in love with Grant?”

  “She loved my father,” she snapped. “What she had with Grant was lust. She got caught up. He swept her off her feet and took advantage of her. She didn’t love him.” Alexis exhaled, refusing to believe it but she wasn’t stupid. She’d known for years that Elizabeth had probably loved Grant.

  She shivered from disgust. It was too revolting to even think of.

  “I’ll never forgive myself.” She began sobbing before she realized it. “I loved my father very much and I regret that I wasted all that time being mad and now he’s dead.” She cried into her palms. “My father’s dead and I’ll never be able to see him again.”

  “Sh.” Kevin pulled her into his arms. “It’s okay. He knew you loved him and he loved you very much.”

  “I was so selfish.” She pushed her head into his broad chest. “If I could have one more time to tell him I loved him I would take it in a heartbeat.” She raised up, wiping her eyes. “Life’s too short to be away from the people you love.”

  “Believe me I know.” He caught one of her tears on his fingertip. “That’s why I came tonight, Lexi.” He stroked her cheek. “I’ve spent too long being mad at you for leaving. I feel like this is my second chance to have what I’ve missed all these years. I don’t want to lose you again. I can’t do that.” He gently laid his soft lips upon hers, kissing her with a tenderness she hadn’t experienced since he kissed her the first night they made love. A tenderness that made it hard for any man to take his place in hear heart. Not even Mario, the only man she’d loved besides Kevin, could fulfill the void she’d felt since leaving Tate Valley.

  She leaned back, his arms still around her. “Why did you kiss me?”

  “It’s like you’ve been saying…” He gave her another tiny peck. “What we feel for each other is way too strong to deny. My feelings for you have gotten even stronger since you returned. I didn’t think that was possible.”

  She put her finger to her lips, reflecting on his kiss. She wanted him to take it much further, push her down and make love to her right on the couch.

  But she wouldn’t rush anything with Kevin. She’d revel in every second of every moment he touched her because nothing had ever felt so right.

  “May I ask a question?” He ran his fingers through her hair.

  She snickered. “Yes I’m wearing underwear.”

  “Whoa!” He laughed. “That’s good to know but that wasn’t the question.”

  “You can ask me anything.”

  “Well you know about my love life but what about yours? I know you’ve had to see a few people in the last nineteen years, right?”

  “Uh…” She straightened the end of her gown underneath her robe. “I’ve dated men of course but
there was one that I was very serious about.”

  He squinted. “Uh-huh?”

  “He was a fellow officer. We were engaged.”

  “Engaged?” He gaped. “Wow.” He nodded, looking around. “I guess it really was serious between you two.”

  “He meant a lot to me.” She closed her eyes, sighing. “I feel weird telling you how I felt about another man.”

  He smiled. “All I ever wanted was for you to be happy and I’m glad you found someone that you wanted to be with.”

  “The funny thing is that Mario always knew that deep down I hadn’t gotten over you.” She pushed her hair behind her ears. “That always made me feel guilty.”

  “That’s something that Cynthia sensed too.” Kevin swallowed. “She knew I would always love you but she couldn’t do anything about it. So you and Mario…you guys just broke up or...”

  “Umm, no.” She rubbed her gown. “He died last year. He was killed while he was undercover.”

  “Oh my God.” He clenched her hand. “I’m sorry, Lexi. That must’ve been horrible to deal with.”

  “Seems like death hits everyone I care about. Makes me not even want to care about anyone because I’ve gotten to expect something’s gonna happen to them.”

  “You can’t let anything take your passion, Lexi. You’re too smart a woman to do that.” He caressed her hand. “Besides you never lost me even when you left.” He smiled. “You never will.”

  She stared at him.

  “What?” he asked.

  “I just don’t understand how you of all people could think so highly of a man like Grant Copeland.”

  He let her hand go. “You can’t go one minute without talking about him. Sh.” He placed his finger over her lips. “I don’t want to talk about Grant, Faye, or anyone else. I want to focus on us.”

  “Kevin, it’s not that simple.”

  “Let it go, Lexi.” He leaned his head back. “How about we go out? Have you had a chance to revisit the sights since you’ve been back?”

  “This is Tate Valley.” She clenched the front of her robe. “There are no sights.”

  “You’ve been gone for decades.” He moved his finger down her cheek. “There has to be something about this place you’ve missed besides the people. It’s time you stopped thinking so much about Grant and concentrated on yourself. We could go out to dinner and dancing.”

  “I’m not a very social person. I prefer to stay home.”

  “Since when?” He smirked. “You used to love going out and being into everything when we were growing up.”

  “I changed when I moved to LA I’m an introvert now. I don’t like to be around a lot of people.”

  “Wow.” He seemed shocked. “Okay we can do whatever you want then. But I really wanted to take you out for a night on the town.”

  “How about I cook you dinner?” She pointed toward the kitchen across from the living room. “I’m no Emeril but I can burn like my momma.”

  “Ooh.” He rubbed his stomach. “Your momma was the best cook. I loved that Salisbury steak she used to make.”

  “You remember that?”

  “Hell yes! I loved having dinner at your place. I remember everything she would make but that was my favorite. I’d love for you to cook me dinner.”

  She fought the urge to giggle, afraid she’d look like some silly schoolgirl with a crush. “Then we’re on for tomorrow night?”

  “Definitely.” He smiled like a boy with his first toy at Christmas. “Well I should be going.” His eyes trailed down the front of her robe.

  “You don’t have to.” She motioned to the TV. “We can take in a movie if you want.”

  “No I gotta be at work very early tomorrow.” He stood, grabbing his blazer. “Tomorrow night’s gonna be interesting to say the least.”

  She stood. “Why do you say that?”

  “We got the bullshit out of the way.” He slipped his blazer on. “Maybe we can start over.”

  She smiled as she walked him to the door. “Goodnight, Kevin.” She wanted to pull him back inside and rip his clothes off but that would have to wait until tomorrow night.

  She chuckled to herself.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked from the porch.

  “Nothing.” She giggled.

  “Doesn’t look like nothing.” He kissed her cheek. “Goodnight, Alexis.”

  She waved then waited as he got into his car and drove away.

  Her cell rang as soon as she closed the door. She went across to the kitchen and got it from the table. She clicked the button to accept the call. “Penelope, what’s up?”

  “We might’ve found the murder weapon for Brett.”

  “What is it?”

  “A hammer found in a dumpster not far from Brett’s estate.”

  “Jesus.”

  “The hammer has faint traces of blood so…” Penelope sighed. “I doubt that’s a coincidence.”

  “Well this is definitely a good sign.” Alexis left the kitchen and headed to her couch. “Too bad we have to wait until the lab results come back to be sure.”

  Chapter Nine

  “What the hell?” Kevin slammed his front door shut a short while later. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  Faye lounged on the couch in a red negligée and red pumps, licking a lollipop. “About time you got back.” She dangled her pump off her toes. “You know I’ve been waiting about an hour for you?” She licked the red pop. “And I don’t like waiting.”

  “Get outta here.” He marched to the couch. “Get out or I’ll throw your ass out.”

  “Ooh.” She moaned. “I think I might like that.”

  “Get out!” He yanked her from the couch. “Get your shit!” He got her purse off the couch and handed it to her. “Get out and don’t ever come back.”

  “Aw, Kevin.” She sucked the pop. “Why are you upset with me?”

  “Why? You broke into my house, Faye!”

  “You gave me a key remember?”

  He ripped off his blazer. “I never gave you a damn key.” He threw his blazer on the couch. “I’ve had it with your shit.”

  “You gave me a key, you just don’t remember.” She licked the pop.

  “No, you mean you took the key.” He held out his hand. “Give it to me.”

  She put her hands under her bosom. “Come and get it.”

  “Get out.” He opened the door. “I told you to stay away from me and I meant it.”

  “Kevin.” She threw her purse on the couch and sashayed to him.

  “Get your shit off my couch and leave.”

  “Kevin,” she sang his name.

  “I’m not playing with you.” He pointed out the door. “Get the hell out or I’ll call the police.”

  “The police?” She laughed and shoved him against the wall. “Isn’t that a little rash?” She clamped her arms around his neck. “You remember how it felt to touch me?” She tried to kiss him.

  He turned from her kisses. “Stop.”

  “Oh, come on.” She pressed her body against him. “When you fight me you’re just fighting yourself.” She put her hands on his face. “Come on.”

  He tightened his lips. “Get off me.” He gripped her waist. “Get off me or I’ll—”

  “Or you’ll what?” She pulled his head toward hers. “You’ll fuck my brains out?” She licked her lips. “Is that what you’ll do?”

  “Get the fuck off me!” He shoved her into the table.

  “Ah!” She fell to the floor. “Ow!” She grabbed her arm. “You pushed me into the table.”

  “I told you to get out of here.” He yanked her up.

  “My arm…”

  “I don’t give a fuck about your arm.” He shoved her to the door and got her purse. “This is the last warning you get.” He threw the purse to her. “You’re going to leave me alone one of these days or I’m going to make sure you do.” He pushed her onto the stoop. “And stay away from Alexis.”

  “Alexis?” She wiped
the corner of her mouth. “Oh, I get it now. You trying to rekindle something with her?”

  “What do you know about me and Lexi?”

  “I asked around about you guys.” She put her hand on her hip. “You not only grew up together but supposedly you’re each other’s first loves,” she mocked. “Some might think it’s sweet but I find it pathetic that neither of you could move on in twenty years.”

  “Get out!”

  “So that’s what you’re into?” She lowered her purse and grimaced. “You like that dark meat. Who knew?”

  “You…” He lunged at her then stopped. “Don’t you ever talk about Lexi. Do you understand me? Don’t even say her fuckin’ name because you’re not even good enough to do that.”

  “Oh really?” She rocked her head, licking her lips. “I was good enough to fuck though wasn’t I?”

  “I’m warning you, Faye.” He pointed a shaky finger to her. “You better stay out of my face or you’ll be sorry.”

  “What will happen, huh? I’ll end up like Brett too?”

  He clenched up, doing the best to ward off his rising anger. “I won’t tell you again to get out my face.”

  “You can’t ignore me, Kevin. You might screw some other chick and throw her away but you can’t do that to me.”

  “You need help.” He pointed at her. “I’ll never want you.” He held on to the door. “You stay away from me and Alexis. No, better yet—” He stepped outside, “—you’re going to take your ass down to the station tomorrow and tell her you lied about us.”

  “When hell freezes over.”

  She stomped off into the darkness.

  * * * *

  “Excuse me, Detective Adams!” The female security guard chased Alexis down the hall of Copeland Enterprises the following day. “Detective Adams!”

  Alexis stomped past employees and ended up at the conference room.

  “Stop!” The guard jumped in front of her. “You can’t go into a Copeland board meeting. This is private—”

  “The hell I can’t.” Alexis shoved her out of the way and went in. “Well hello, everybody.” She held up her badge.

  Kevin jumped up. “Lexi—”

  The men and women sitting around the table gasped and held their chests. All except Grant Copeland who wore his usual sly smirk at the head of the table.