Murder, Curlers, and Cruises
Page 26
“It wasn’t funny to me.”
“Because you thought I wanted Belinda.”
I glared at the water. “Maybe? And because you seemed unconcerned when you saw Jock and me together in my cabin.” Out of the corner of my eye I saw him shake his head.
“You want to know the truth?” He rested his hands on his hips. “You drive me insane, and sometimes I want to throttle you.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better, ’cause so far you’re failing miserably.”
He widened his stance. “During an investigation, I have to keep a level head. That means staying disciplined and tough. Knowing you work with Mr. Universe every day is a little hard on the ego. And seeing you with him on the cruise was worse than I’d imagined. But I put up with it when I thought he’d protect you when I couldn’t. The truth is, I’m crazy about you. Crazy about the silly things you say. Crazy about your smile. Crazy about your impulsiveness. Felons don’t make me crazy the way you do.”
I stuck out my bottom lip at that.
“Now…” He dug his heels in the sand. “I’ve got two days off. I can either go back to Rueland and fix that damn lock on your laundry room door, or…”
I avoided his stare at the subtle reminder of how he’d found Jock and me locked in the laundry room at work. “Or?”
“Or I could stay here with you, spend some time together, and escort you back home.”
I let my gaze wander back up into his penetrating blue eyes, the devotion I saw there undeniable. The truth was I was at my most vulnerable when I was with Romero. I wanted to reach out to touch him, to trust him, to bury the old me, but I was terrified to let myself go.
Yet I realized in some ways, I’d found peace. I’d learned to believe in myself more, and I’d gleaned a smidgen of self-confidence. I was a work in progress. And works in progress, like any good hair color, took time to develop.
I gave a one-shoulder shrug. “I guess you could stay here.”
He took his finger and tipped up my chin. “Not the answer I was looking for.” He placed a firm hand behind my neck, flung my straw hat on the ground, and pulled me into him with an authoritative tug. My hair spilled down my back. Sand trickled between my toes, every nerve ending suddenly alive.
Once my body was molded into his, he took my mouth with raw hunger. Shivers coursed down my spine, and heat surged between my thighs. The taste of his lips on mine, the feel of his hands on my skin, the urgency, the need, the no-holds-barred. Desire and longing that had escalated over the past months came to a forceful head.
Romero lived by a code of self-control and cool emotions, but there was no amount of composure that would rein in the intensity and passion he evidently felt at this moment.
He broke away from kissing my lips and worked his way down my neck, sucking, nipping, driving me crazy with his touch. He slipped his hand down my back, inside my bikini line, his caress deft and proficient. My legs all but gave out, and when I thought I couldn’t take any more, he recaptured my mouth.
I pulled him in closer yet, yearning and warmth flowing through my veins. His strength cradled me, his length pressed into me. He kissed me long and hard and finally dragged himself away to catch his breath. “I’ve wanted to kiss you like that since the first time I laid eyes on you.”
I breathed in his intoxicating scent, cupping his rugged jaw with both hands. “What stopped you?”
His eyes took in my entire face, his hands stroked my bare hips. “Not everyone is as impulsive as Valentine Beaumont.”
Okay, he had me there. But I was too giddy inside to feel anything but joy. He felt so right, and the bliss that overcame me when I was in his arms gave me hope for what was ahead. Maybe Grandma Maruska was right. It was the future that counted.
He rubbed my swollen bottom lip again and gave the bruised flesh short, sweet kisses. “I know this may be an odd request”—kiss—“but do you think we could maintain a somewhat normal relationship when we get home?”
I peered up at him through my lashes, amazed I was still standing. “A somewhat normal relationship?”
“Yeah. You know. No more perm rods in unsavory places, keep the curling irons strictly for hair. That sort of thing.”
I shrugged with an air of innocence. “I’ll give it some thought.”
He leaned in for another kiss. “With you, that’s all I can ask.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo credit: John Jablonowski
Arlene McFarlane is the author of the Murder, Curlers series. Previously an aesthetician, hairstylist, and owner of a full-service salon, Arlene now writes full time. When she’s not making up stories or being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, cat-mom, or makeover artist, you’ll find her making music on the piano.
Arlene is a member of Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Toronto Romance Writers, SOWG, and the Golden Network. She’s won and placed in over 30 contests, including twice in the Golden Heart and twice in the Daphne du Maurier.
Arlene lives with her family in Canada.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To start, I thank you, my devoted reader. If you’re holding this book, you’ve hopefully enjoyed books one and two. What a pleasure it is to write more Valentine adventures for you!
My humblest appreciation to Chief Scott Silverii, Ph.D. and Detective Constable Sandra Courtney for graciously answering all my questions on police matters. Any mistakes I’ve made in these pages are my own.
Enormous thanks to Major Anna Richland. You gave me utterly amazing insight into what it’s like to be in the U.S. military and how to breathe life into characters who serve. If you ever have a hair or beauty dilemma, I’d be happy to return the favor. (wink)
Oodles of shiny gold stars for my team: My editor ~ Karen Dale Harris, formatter ~ Amy Atwell, cover artist ~ Janet Holmes, and proofreader ~ Noël Kristan Higgins. You’ve been kind, patient, and humorous, and those qualities have made this journey a marvelous one.
Big hugs and deepest gratitude to New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Authors Liliana Hart, Darynda Jones, and Wendy Byrne for your dazzling endorsements. Your delightful words have warmed my heart and put a bounce in my step!
Cuddly squeezes to my family for your endless love and support. I’d attempt to write down the million ways you fill me with joy, but there wouldn’t be enough ink in the world to complete the task. My endless sloppy kisses will have to do.
Lastly, and as always, thanks to God for Your rich blessings. You are my rock and foundation.
BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Share these questions with your book club. Enjoy the banter!
1. What suspects were on your radar throughout the story?
2. Twix spies on Romero as a favor to Valentine. What lengths have you gone to for a friend?
3. Max has a fear of open water. What is your biggest fear?
4. Tattoos play an important role in the story, providing Valentine with different leads and suspects. Do you have a tattoo? If not, would you ever get one? If so, of what?
5. Tantig is known for carrying Tic Tacs everywhere. Is there a certain candy or mint you (or someone you know) always have on hand?
6. Phyllis has a rough time on her hike through the rainforest, ending up sunburned and sore. What is the worst experience you’ve had with nature?
7. Kashi makes special “Get Out of Town” brooches and bestows them on people. If he were to make a brooch for you, what do you think it would be?
8. Valentine’s mother is a relentless matchmaker. Is there anyone in your life who plays this role?
9. As the series continues, which hero do you want to see Valentine with?
10. What was your favorite scene? Favorite character?
OTHER BOOKS IN THE VALENTINE BEAUMONT MYSTERIES
Sign up for my newsletter http://www.arlenemcfarlane.com/signup/signup5.html and join my Facebook Readers’ Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1253793228097364/ for the latest in upcoming releases or to just hav
e fun with other Valentine fans!
Book 1
MURDER, CURLERS, AND CREAM
Audio book coming soon!
Listen to a sample on YouTube now
Valentine Beaumont is a beautician with a problem. Not only has she got a meddling mother, a wacky staff, and a dying business, but now she’s got a dead client who was strangled while awaiting her facial.
With business the way it is, combing through this mystery may be the only way to save her salon. Until a second murder, an explosion, a kidnapping, death threats, and the hard-nosed Detective Romero complicate things. But Valentine will do anything to untangle the crime. That’s if she can keep her tools of the trade in her bag, keep herself alive, and avoid falling for the tough detective.
In the end, how hard can that be?
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Book 2
MURDER, CURLERS, AND CANES
Valentine Beaumont is back in her second hair-raising mystery, this time, trying to find out who had it in for an elderly nun. Only trouble is there are others standing in her way: hot but tough Detective Romero, sexy new stylist Jock de Marco, and some zany locals who all have a theory on the nun’s death.
Making things worse: the dead nun’s secret that haunts Valentine, another murder, car chases, death threats, mysterious clues, an interfering mother, and a crazy staff.
Between brushing off Jock’s advances and splitting hairs with handsome Detective Romero, Valentine struggles to comb through the crime, utilizing her tools of the trade in some outrageous situations. Question is, will she succeed?
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Book 4
MURDER, CURLERS, AND KEGS
In her first action-packed mini mystery, beautician Valentine Beaumont is stalked by an escaped felon she once helped put behind bars. As she strives to stay one step ahead and stop this maniac before he kills her, she stumbles onto a dead body, unearths secret plots, struggles with family obligations, and is tackled in more ways than one.
With a string of beauty disasters, two sexy heroes, a ticking clock, and a little help from her friends, can Valentine solve this case before the killer gets his revenge, or will this be her last?
Murder, Curlers, and Kegs is book 4 in the Murder, Curlers series and the first in Valentine’s shorter-length mini mysteries.
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NOTE TO READERS
Thank you for taking the time to read MURDER, CURLERS, AND CRUISES. If you enjoyed Valentine’s story, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated. Thank you! Here’s the link: https://amzn.to/2JqJ7KU
Click HERE to receive your copy of Valentine’s Top 5 Beauty Tips!
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Website: www.arlenemcfarlane.com
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MURDER, CURLERS, AND CRUISES
Copyright © 2018 by Arlene McFarlane
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book in whole or in part in any form.
MURDER, CURLERS, AND CRUISES is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
ISBN-13: 978-0-9953076-4-3
Published by ParadiseDeer Publishing
Canada
Cover Art by Janet Holmes
Formatting by Author E.M.S.