Justifiable Risk (14 page)

Eva answered immediately. She swung the door open and stepped aside. “Please come in.”

“I told you not to open the door unless you knew who it was.” Greer tried to sound stern and businesslike, but when she saw Eva, she softened her tone. She was stunning in a nightgown that clung to her breasts, dove into ample cleavage, and stopped just above her knees. Eva’s olive-skinned body was silhouetted through the sheer garment, highlighting every curve and dip. She looked like a confectionery delight, sweet and addictive. But like those delicacies, Eva’s substance would soon vanish and she’d be left with only essence. To calm her butterflies and uncertainty, Greer reminded herself of her purpose.

“I don’t know anyone else who drives a machine that sounds like a jet and would be knocking on my door this late.”

Greer suddenly felt self-conscious and unsure of herself. “Yeah, I guess I shouldn’t be here. It is late.”

Eva looped her arm through Greer’s and led her to the edge of the bed. “Please don’t start with the
shoulds
again. I thought we were past that. You’re welcome here anytime for
any
reason, but I assume this is work since you have file in hand.”

She smiled and Greer lost focus as lovely dimples formed on her cheeks. The deep crimson of her lips churned up desire, and Greer’s throat parched. For the first time since Clare died, Greer wanted to kiss someone but knew she wouldn’t. It was too soon and to her a kiss wasn’t just a kiss. It was an invitation—one she wasn’t ready to extend.

“Would you like to sit or shall we talk standing?”

Eva’s question broke the wayward drift of her thoughts and she settled on the edge of the bed. Eva plopped beside her in a meditation pose, flimsy fabric barely covering the dark patch of hair between her legs. Greer forced herself to concentrate on the folder she held.

“Would you look at the scene photos—not the pictures of Paul, just the setting? If it won’t disturb you too much.”

Eva’s smile vanished and the cute dimples disappeared. “Okay. What am I looking for?”

“You know your brother and his habits. See if anything looks out of place or unusual. It might not seem significant to me.” She handed the pictures to Eva and hoped this wasn’t a mistake. It was difficult to predict relatives’ reactions to such things, and she didn’t want to cause Eva any more pain.

Eva held the photos and took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for the task. “Thank you for trusting me with this. I know it wasn’t easy.” She slowly flipped through the pictures, examining them carefully, saying nothing. Greer watched the array of emotions flash across her face as she viewed each photo. When she’d made her way through once, she repeated the process and eliminated all but three. “Here.” She handed them to Greer. “This isn’t right.”

Greer looked at the photos. “I don’t see anything unusual.”

“His shoes and socks are scattered around the room.”

“And?”

“Remember I told you that Vincent, Lucio, and I tormented Paul with worms and bugs?”

“Yeah.”

“He was afraid of creepy things and didn’t take off his shoes until he got into bed—I mean
immediately
before bed. And his shoes were
always
right beside the bed with the socks tucked neatly inside in case he had to get up. He started the habit as a child and it carried over to adulthood. We teased him about it when we went on family vacations.” She pointed to the strewn shoes and socks. “Either someone took them off or he was under tremendous pressure.”

Only someone familiar with Paul’s routine would notice something so seemingly trivial. Had he been too strung out to follow his normal rituals, or did someone force him to inhale the cocaine? Was this Paul Saldana’s last message? Anything was possible.  Why would anyone want him dead? He was a stranger in town. Had someone followed him here to kill him? Or had he stumbled into something dangerous in New Hope? If someone had killed him, what was the motive?

“Anything else?”

“He kept his camera with him all the time, but it’s not in the photos and it wasn’t in his personal effects. Do you believe me now that he didn’t overdose?” Eva stared at Greer with eyes full of hope.

Greer reviewed only the undisputed facts: cocaine beyond street-level purity, a victim with no history of drug use, Eva’s threatening phone calls, and her own assault. The shoes seemed a small thing but, based on Paul’s history, at least noteworthy. And now a missing camera. Maybe Paul’s death
was
more than an overdose. She didn’t want to give Eva false hope, but she wanted to be fair. “I’ve always been willing to
consider
it.”

Eva’s smile returned and her face seemed to glow. She moved the pictures from between them on the bed and scooted closer. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes as she took Greer’s hands in hers. “Thank you, Greer.”

Her name rolled off Eva’s lips with a combination of gratitude and promise. The gentle
r
’s of her accent sent a thrill through Greer’s system. “Please don’t get your hopes up. I can only go where the evidence leads, and we don’t have much right now.”

“I understand. I’m so happy you’re willing to look deeper.” Eva wiped at her tears and, without thinking, Greer placed her hand on Eva’s shoulder to comfort her.

“It’ll be all right,” Greer said as Eva rested against her. Her body was hot and soft. The hunger that gnawed in Greer earlier returned, ravenous. Her arms tightened into the soft curves of flesh covered by only a thin layer of fabric. She buried her face in the chestnut waves of Eva’s hair and inhaled the fresh scent of orange and ginger.

“I know this isn’t fair.” Eva’s tone was apologetic, her words soft and pleading. “But I need you.”

The desire in Eva’s voice persuaded Greer. She momentarily thought about her conversation with Sergeant Fluharty, then dismissed it. Her resistance slipped. She stretched out on the bed and pulled Eva with her.

“Thank you.” Eva pressed her body against Greer, surged against her breasts and pelvis, and whispered in her ear. “I want you so much. Make me feel alive.”

The cravings Eva elicited were too strong. Greer shucked off her T-shirt, then peeled her jeans and boots off. “Get undressed.”

Eva sat up, grabbed the hem of her nightgown, and teased it slowly up her body. Greer savored each inch of olive skin. Eva’s legs were firm and taut, though not muscled like her own. Her skin was smooth, like a silky coat of caramel. When Greer saw the glistening hair at the apex of Eva’s thighs, her abdomen tightened. She stared as Eva inched the negligee higher.

Eva paused before pulling the gown over her breasts and Greer breathed, “Yes.” The fabric clung beneath Eva’s firm breasts, and when she tugged, it came loose and they bounced free. Greer stared in appreciation at the treasures she’d only been able to touch the first time. “God, you’re beautiful.”

Eva cupped Greer’s face and brought their lips closer together. Greer could feel the proximity of her mouth and nearly succumbed. “No kissing. I remember,” Eva said, and lightly blew her breath across Greer’s lips.

Greer opened her mouth as though receiving a probing tongue, and the peppermint-scented air burned a path down her throat. She licked her lips, wanting more but forcing herself away from Eva’s seductive mouth.

Eva pulled Greer down on top of her and buried her face in Greer’s neck. “It’s sex, nothing personal.”

Greer wondered if Eva knew how bizarre that statement sounded. If sex was nothing else, it was personal, the most personal thing you could do with another human being. But personal didn’t necessarily equate with intimate. Maybe that was the distinction she was missing. Sex for her recently had lacked intimacy, but she wasn’t capable of any other kind.

She shifted down Eva’s body enough to capture her breasts and bury her face between them. Desire swelled inside as she savored the soft fullness. She licked a dark nipple and watched it pucker as Eva shivered beneath her. Greer sucked and kneaded the tender flesh in her mouth and hands until her thighs were slick with arousal.

Fire raged where their skin touched as Eva wrapped her legs around Greer’s thighs and ground against her pelvis. The contact was urgent and purposeful. Greer felt Eva’s need building, her thrusts already a steady rhythm. Then, with their legs still entwined, Eva rolled them over and topped Greer.

“I want to make you come,” Eva said as she stared into Greer’s eyes. “Will you let me?”

“You can do whatever you like except—”

“Kiss you.” Eva lowered her body on top of Greer and shifted until their breasts and crotches were in maximum contact. She slid up and down, back and forth, her full breasts coming within inches of Greer’s mouth. Each time Greer tried to capture one, Eva purposely moved. Greer wanted more direct stimulation but Eva seemed determined to tease her. Greer reached to caress Eva’s body, but Eva pinned her arms to the bed. The pressure increased.

“Why are you tormenting me?”

Eva’s chuckle was seductive as she licked the edge of Greer’s ear and dipped her tongue inside. “I want to make sure you’re ready for me to touch you.”

Greer rocked her pelvis against Eva’s with the rhythmic probing in her ear. “I’m ready.”

“Do you like penetration?”

Greer wasn’t used to women who asked questions or gave instructions about sex during sex. And she certainly wasn’t used to answering such questions. That Eva wanted to know what pleased her was a turn-on she hadn’t anticipated. She usually did the pleasuring and was in control. She decided to be honest. “At the end. I like a lot of clit play.”

Eva tucked her hand between their bodies and lightly rubbed Greer’s engorged flesh. Greer’s hips jerked and eagerly met each stroke. “Like this?”

“Oh, yeah, harder.”

Eva increased the pressure, and the delicious tightening started in Greer’s lower abdomen. Eva cupped a breast in one hand while continuing her cadence with the other. The regular rub-and-release pattern above and below met like a fireball in Greer’s center. Her mouth dried and she suddenly craved a wet, probing kiss.

Greer grabbed the sheets on either side as Eva licked a path from her breasts to the top of her pubic mound. Her timing was exceptional as she shifted from finger strokes to tongue licks without missing a beat. When Eva’s moist tongue made contact with her clit, Greer arched her hips off the bed. “Oh, yeah, more.”

“You like that?” Eva asked.

“Yes,” Greer answered as she threaded her fingers in Eva’s hair and held her in place. “Faster.”

Eva increased her tempo and the tingling release began in Greer. “Yeah, that’s it.” Her hips responded to every lick of Eva’s tongue as the pressure crested. Eva shifted onto Greer’s leg and rode the flexed muscle with each stroke. Eva’s guttural moan shot through Greer like an accelerant and she exploded. “Yes, yes…” Her orgasm tore loose and ravaged her body like a marathon workout. She hugged Eva and held on as Eva’s cries of pleasure mingled with her own until they were indistinguishable.

Greer collapsed into a satisfied stupor as her breathing returned to normal. She enjoyed Eva’s embrace after being so completely satisfied. Unlike recent encounters, she didn’t feel like the sexual repairwoman who’d done her duty and was now expected to leave. The woman in her arms stirred. “God, that was fantastic. You’re amazing.”

Eva nestled against her side, a hand resting between Greer’s breasts. “Thank you. You’re the only enjoyable thing about this trip—sexual relief from all the stress. I’ll miss you.”

With one statement Eva put Greer back in her place—a temporary balm to an itch. But what had she expected? Eva’s stay in New Hope was temporary and their connection couldn’t be anything else. The momentary feeling of disappointment surprised her. Obviously a great orgasm clouded her mind. Greer didn’t want anything permanent either. Clare was her true love. She was certain she’d never love like that again.

Greer gave Eva a perfunctory hug and rolled away from her. “Guess I should be going.” She turned her back and quickly dressed. When she looked at Eva again she was sitting in the middle of the bed still nude. God, she was splendid, even with her wavy hair going in every direction. Eva’s skin had that fresh-fucked glow and her lips were plump from sucking her clit. Desire pounded anew in Greer’s sex and she had to leave.

“Sure you can’t stay? I know you’re good for more than one.” Before Greer could answer, Eva’s cell phone rang. She motioned for Greer to wait while she answered. “This is Eva Saldana.”

While Eva listened to the caller, her expression changed from playful to serious. “Yes, I’m interested. I understand. Of course I’ll meet you. That’s fine. Good-bye.” She dropped the cell and stood next to Greer.

“Anything I need to know?” Greer asked.

“Some guy says he has information about Paul’s death and wants to meet me. He won’t go to the police because he doesn’t trust them. I agreed to meet him at the warehouse on Lewis Street tomorrow.”

“It doesn’t feel right. It’s too convenient. Did the voice sound familiar? Was it the guy who threatened you? Was it another blocked caller?”

“It wasn’t the same guy, but it sounded like he was purposely disguising his voice. And, yes, the number was blocked.”

“Even more reason not to do this, Eva. Let us handle it.”

“He’ll expect me. I can’t risk scaring him off if he could be helpful.”