by Stacy-Deanne
“Can you tell us a race or anything?” Penelope asked.
“No.” Rose sighed. “It was too dark.”
Alexis jotted. “He did nothing to you?”
“He started toward me and when I screamed he ran off.”
Penelope glanced at Alexis then asked Rose, “Do you know anyone who’d want to hurt Donovan?”
“No.” Rose wiped her eyes. “I never expected a guy like him to act like he did.”
“Why?” Alexis raised an eyebrow. “Because he’s rich and well-bred? Jerks come in all packages, Rose.”
Officers carried Donovan’s body to the van in a body bag.
“Oh god.” Rose dropped her head as they passed.
“Please think about this next question, okay?” Alexis touched her shoulder. “Do you know of anyone who’d want to hurt you? Anyone who has a grudge against you or anything?”
“No.” She avoided the detectives’ gazes.
“Are you sure?” Penelope asked.
She nodded.
“We’re not trying to scare you,” Alexis said. “But we need to make sure the shooter wasn’t after you.”
Rose fidgeted. “I—”
“Rose!” a woman’s voice rang out.
Rose jerked up, making out her mother’s short, spikey, dark hair. “Momma!”
Jesse ran up in faded jeans with her arms out. “Rose!”
Rose’s attention went straight to her mother’s tattoos on her right arm. “Momma!” She jumped out of the police car and dropped the blanket in the sand.
“Oh, Rose!” Jesse hugged her, reeking of cigarette smoke as usual. “Are you all right, baby?”
“Yes.” She sobbed into Jesse’s chest, reveling in the safety of her mother’s touch. “I was so scared, Momma.”
“I know, baby.” Jesse kissed her. “But Momma’s here now. Momma’s here.” Jesse turned her head to the detectives. “You guys need to do a hell of a lot better when you call people. You didn’t tell me Rose was okay just that someone shot at her.”
“We didn’t call you, Jesse,” Penelope said. “One of the other officers did so we apologize for them not being clear.”
Jesse rocked Rose. “I can’t believe this. I mean, Donovan was a prick, but who would kill him?”
Alexis and Penelope exchanged glances.
“It’s no secret you don’t care for the richer folks in town, Jesse,” Penelope said. “But show a little respect. Donovan’s dead.”
“You know I’m not one for bullshitting, Penelope.” Jesse let Rose go. “I believe that when bad things happen to people they often deserve it.”
Alexis pointed to Rose. “Did Rose deserve to be almost raped tonight?”
“What?” Jesse turned to her daughter. “He tried to rape you? That son of a bitch.” She looked at the detectives. “I told her I didn’t trust him. I didn’t want her anywhere near him!”
“Why?” Alexis squinted.
“Come on, Alexis. You know the politics around here. It’s them and then it’s us!” Jesse raised her arm. “And they don’t associate with us unless they want something in return.” Jesse stroked Rose’s hair. “Those rich fucks come down to the trailers looking for ass because those rich bitches won’t give them any.” She swung around with Rose in her arms. “A lot of girls from where we stay would put out for Donovan in a minute, but my baby’s not like that.” She kissed Rose’s cheek. “She’s a good girl, and she’s too good for this fuckin’ town.”
“I know you’re upset, Jesse,” Penelope said. “And I’m sorry about what happened to Rose, but Donovan’s dead and that’s the big issue here.”
“He’s lucky he’s dead,” she said. “Because if he hadn’t been then I would’ve killed him.”
Chapter Two
Alexis walked through the dimly-lit halls of Copeland Enterprises later that night, hit by the forceful scent of carpet cleaner and what she could only describe as the smell of wealth.
She turned a corner, smiled at the humpback maintenance man, and stopped at the parted door of Kevin Reed’s office.
There were no words for how crazy he made her. She’d be on a murder case, questioning a witness, and Kevin still stayed on her mind.
She closed her eyes and imagined smelling his cologne and accepting his captivating kisses.
She touched her breast; the nipple grew erect against her palm.
“You gonna stand there all night?” Kevin sat at his desk in another one of his famous designer shirts and ties. His shiny, dark hair complimented the gray of his eyes, and his smooth skin glowed with a perfect tan he’d obtained from years of living in the California sun.
He tilted his narrow head to the side as his intoxicating cologne grabbed her from across the room.
Clive Christian 1872.
He loved that cologne, and she loved it on him.
He licked his average-sized lips, reminding Alexis how much she needed them on her body.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” He leaned back in the chair with his diamond watch catching the light.
She sauntered inside and closed the door. “I figured you were working late again.” She glanced at the leather futon beside the cluttered bookshelf against the wall, remembering what they’d done on that futon the last time she’d been here.
“Did you know I’m psychic?” His handsome face lit up. “I bet I can tell you what’s going to happen in here.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. We’re going to have the best…” He threw his pen down. “Sex you’ve ever had in your life.”
“Oh?” She tilted her head. “You think so?”
“Yep.” He stood. “First, we’ll start on the desk, then we’ll end up against the wall.” He pointed to that space between the window and bookshelf. “And then we’ll end up on the floor.” He walked from behind the desk. “Tell me I’m not psychic.”
Alexis took her blazer off and laid it on the chair in front of his desk. “Just because we can’t seem to be in the same room five minutes together without getting it on doesn’t mean the same thing’s going to happen tonight.”
He leaned against the front of the desk with that devilish stare. “I look at you and your clothes fall off.”
“Oh.” She laughed. “So it’s like that?”
“Oh yeah, it’s like that.”
That mesmerizing tingle hit her between the legs.
Jesus.
“Come here.” He held out his arms. “Or do I have to chase you?”
“I have to tell you something first.” She sighed. “Donovan McCoy, Benson’s son, was killed a few hours ago.”
“What?”
“Penelope and I just came from the McCoys’.” She walked around the room. “I don’t know what I hate about being a homicide detective more, finding someone dead or telling the loved ones.”
“What the hell happened?”
“It happened on the beach down from my place. Donovan tried to rape Rose Malone.”
“What?” He breathed into his palm. “That’s horrible. Rose is such a sweet girl. How old is she now?”
“Eighteen.”
Kevin grimaced and shook his head. “With the way Donovan acted it’s hard to feel sorry for him.”
“What do you mean?” She walked back over to him.
“He was one of those guys who thought because his parents were rich he could treat people like shit. Benson’s the same way. He’s always thought his money made him invincible or better than everyone.”
“You mean like Grant?”
Kevin leaned to one side. “It’s horrible that Donovan would do something like that to someone as sweet as Rose. She didn’t deserve that.”
“No one deserves to be raped.”
“Of course not.” He clasped his hands. “Did Rose kill him in self-defense?”
“She says she didn’t kill him and all we have is her word for now.” Alexis massaged her forehead. “You won’t believe how it happened. As long as I’ve been a detective I�
�ve never heard shit like this. While Donovan was trying to rape Rose, she said someone else shot him from down the beach.”
Kevin gaped.
“Donovan fell over and the person ran down the beach. Never heard of something so bizarre.”
“It’s obviously not random.” Kevin got off the desk. “I doubt someone was just strolling on the beach, came across Rose and Donovan, and shot him.”
“Penelope and I wondered if it was just some innocent bystander who saw Donovan trying to rape Rose, shot him, and ran off in fear.”
Kevin scrunched up his face. “I’d think a Good Samaritan would’ve stayed with Rose and told the cops the truth.”
“I agree.” She bit her lip.
“You have any leads?”
She ran her fingers through her hair. “We found a shell casing for a thirty-eight, so I guess that’s the weapon we’re looking for.”
“I don’t suppose Rose had any idea who would do this?”
Alexis shook her head. “Poor thing was shaking out of her skin.”
“Aw.” He walked up to her and caressed her arms. “Sounds like you had a rough night, hmm?” He unbuttoned her blouse and slipped it off her shoulders. “Damn your perfume drives me crazy.” He sucked the side of her neck.
“Oh.” She melted when his warm tongue touched her skin. “You know that big talk you did about the sex we were gonna have?”
“Mm-hmm.” He nibbled on her neck.
“What had you planned to do?”
“Anything you want.” He threw her blouse on the carpet and unbuckled her belt. “First, I’ll lick you all over and taste you until you come.”
“Ooh.” She pushed her erect nipples against him. “Then what?”
“It’s all about you tonight, Lexi.” He sucked her earlobe. “My mouth will go anywhere you want it to.”
She chuckled, shoving her fingers in his hair. “I think you might wanna be careful about what you wish for.”
He pushed her against the desk and got on his knees. He slipped off her shoe and caressed her foot.
“Jesus.” She shivered in ecstasy. “That feels good.”
“You ain’t seen nothing yet.” He placed gentle kisses on the top and bottom of her foot then pushed her big toe into his soft, wet mouth.
“Yes.” She unzipped her slacks and rubbed her clit over her panties as he made mouth-love to her toe. “Ah. You can’t imagine how hot this is…” Her breath caught in her throat. “Making me.”
Still sucking her toe, he unbuckled his belt and undid his pants. He took her other big toe into his mouth then turned her around. “Lean over.”
She leaned over with her hands on the desk.
Kevin’s slippery tongue went up her back and over the snap of her bra. He undid the bra and tossed it to the floor.
“Give it to me,” Alexis begged.
After licking her back a few more minutes, he pulled her silk panties off and brushed against her.
“I’m going to come in your gorgeous ass,” he whispered in her ear. “Would you like that?”
“I’d goddamn love it. Fuck it hard, Kevin.”
“Are you sure?” He reached around and fondled her dangling breasts. “Sure you can take it without anything?”
“I don’t need shit but your cock inside me right now.” She stood wider, hoping to give him easier access.
“Your ass is amazing.” Kevin stuffed his head inside her cheeks and licked her asshole.
“Ooh, damn.” Alexis’ arms went weak and if it weren’t for him holding her, she’d have fallen. “Don’t stop.” He moved his tongue around her asshole, making her pussy pulsate with every lick. “Now, Kevin,” she breathed. “I want you in me now.”
He pushed his dick against her ass but didn’t enter her.
“I want you inside,” she shrieked. “Please stop teasing me.” She tugged on one nipple. “Fuck me.”
“Sh.” He kissed her shoulder. “Relax. I don’t wanna hurt you.”
“You couldn’t hurt me.” She moaned. “I want you too much. I’m about to explode.” She tickled her tender clit. “Now, Kevin. Now.”
“Uh.” He grunted as he shoved his thick dick inside of her.
“Ooh.” Her ass stung as he maneuvered himself inside her hole and pumped. “Oh yes fuck my ass, Kevin.”
“Mm.”
Feeling his groin against her ass made the nerves in her pussy go even wilder. “Don’t stop. Ah!” She gripped the edge of the table with her free hand. “Fuck my ass!”
“Oh, Lexi…oh!” His warm sweat drizzled on to her ass. “Shake that beautiful ass for me, baby.”
“Like this?” Alexis wiggled her butt cheeks against his dick as he drove it in deeper.
“Ooh, yeah.” He gripped her sides tighter. “Keep bouncing like that.”
“You like this ass bouncing, huh?” She bounced faster. “You like seeing my ass move around that dick don’t you?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Faster,” she demanded. “Deeper. Come on!”
“You feel so good.” He kissed the back of her neck. “Keep rocking against me.”
Waves of passion ran through Alexis’ clit. “I’m gonna come.”
“Yes, baby.” Kevin got on his tiptoes for leverage. “I’m all in that ass.” He grabbed her shoulder. “I’m fucking you hard, huh? You like this dick?”
“Don’t stop, Kevin.” She lay against the desk, pressing her hard nipples on it. “I’m coming!” Her legs went weak. “Oh yeah…yes! Now…now!”
“Yeah. Come on, baby. Come for daddy.”
“Ah. I’m gonna squirt, Kevin! Uh!”
“Oh, man.” He jerked back when she unleashed.
She leaned over, struggling to catch her breath. “God.”
“Fuck, Lexi.” He laid over on her, rubbing her sore ass. “How can every time with you feel better than the last time?”
“I don’t know.” She jerked up, panting. “But, I think I’m going to come again.”
* * * *
“Oh.” Kevin rolled off Alexis and lay beside his desk. “Jesus.” He gripped her hand and kissed it. “You’re amazing.”
She laid her head on his arm and stroked the faint hairs on his chin. “We can’t seem to keep our hands off each other.”
He kissed the tip of her fingers. “I didn’t think it was possible but every day my love for you grows stronger.”
She leaned up and looked at him. “In twenty years I never stopped loving you.”
“I want to do all I can to protect you.” He kissed her. “Even if that means going against Grant.”
“Why’d you have to bring him up?” She flicked her hair from her face. “Besides, I told you I can tolerate Grant as long as he stays out of my way. He’s a part of your life and it wouldn’t be fair for you to ruin that because of me. He’s been like a father to you, remember?”
“You’ve always been the most important person in my life even when you were gone all those years.” He kissed her nose. “I won’t let even Grant get in our way.”
“But you love him.”
He rubbed his thumb against her cheek. “Not like I love you.” He crawled to his desk drawer and pulled out a slender black box. “I got this for you.”
“What’s that?”
He sat on his knees in front of her and opened the box.
A delicate gold chain lay inside.
He held it out to her.
“Oh my…” Her stomach flipped. “I—”
“Don’t say you can’t take it.” He took it out of the box and unclasped it. “Move your hair.” He crawled behind her.
She swept her hair to one side. “Kevin, this is…”
He put the necklace on her. “It looks beautiful on you.”
She touched it. “It’s stunning, but I can’t accept it.”
“Yes, you can.” He took her hand. “Maybe one day it’ll be a ring.”
“Oh.” She exhaled and looked at the necklace.
“Now yo
u can’t be surprised.” He laughed, pulling her closer. “Besides, I want every man in town to know you’re mine so there’s no misunderstanding.”
“Kevin.” She kissed him and rubbed the necklace. “You don’t have to get me expensive gifts.”
“I got this because I wanted to.”
“Thank you.” She kissed him. “How I can ever repay you?”
He caught her chin between his thumb and index finger. “Just promise to keep loving me. That’s all I want.”
Chapter Three
Alexis examined the gorgeous necklace again. “There’s nothing anyone could give me that would mean as much as this.”
Kevin smiled, caressing her thigh. “Why do I feel something else is on your mind?”
“A lot’s happened lately concerning Copeland Enterprises. First Brett Myers is murdered. Nolan Armstrong, Copeland’s chief accountant dies in a car wreck six months ago. Then two weeks ago Vanna Armstrong has a heart attack and dies and now Benson McCoy’s son has been murdered.” She shrugged one shoulder. “It seems strange that employees, or those connected to Copeland Enterprises keep ending up dead.”
“That’s a little presumptuous don’t you think, Lexi?” He rubbed the back of his head. “People die and sometimes people die in clumps. It’s horrible, but it happens. It’s not like these people died of the same circumstances.”
“Something’s been going on at Copeland Enterprises. I don’t think Grant is innocent either.”
“Will you ever let your hatred of Grant go?”
“Grant took me away from you, remember? If it hadn’t been for that affair between he and my mother then she never would’ve moved us away.” Alexis snuggled against him. “And you and I would’ve been together all this time.” She folded her legs Indian-style. “Yes, I hate Grant, but this is too much. Why are all these people dying?”
“Brett was killed by Pete Newton who has no connections to Copeland Enterprises mind you.”
“Kevin—”
“And.” He lifted his index finger. “Vanna died from a heart attack.”
“Or broken heart,” Alexis whispered. “You can pick up a lot of things when you go to a funeral, Kevin. Especially when you’re a cop.”
