Monroe, Melody S. - Verdict (Siren Publishing Classic) (38 page)

“Harrison.” How much had he heard?

“I just checked with the doctors. James didn’t make it.”

He probably shouldn’t be happy, but he was. The scum sucker didn’t deserve to live. “And our other resident killer?”

“He won’t be going anywhere soon.”

“Surely, we have evidence tying him to the killings.”

“You misunderstand. He won’t be going anywhere because when you landed on Francisco, the knife he was holding got caught underneath him. The blade cut his spine. He’s paralyzed from the waist down.”

Stone shut off the sympathy part of his brain. He didn’t want to think about what he’d done to the man. “Pity. We’ll prosecute him, won’t we?”

“Oh, yeah. Tom’s a genius. Or maybe I should give credit to Richard.”

“Richard? How?”

“When Richard got the threatening phone calls, he recorded them. Tom was able to match Joseph’s voice to the recording.”

That wasn’t enough. “We can’t get him for killing the jurors.”

“That’s the sweet part. A forest ranger in West Virginia found Richard’s cell phone on the path.”

“And I bet by that smirk on your face that Tom was able to get the call logs, which proved Dominick spoke to his dad.”

“Yes. The timing of the deaths is too perfect. But the best one is the picture of you holding up Cho, along with one of Cho
alive
. I have no doubt Dominick Francisco stood outside the window to frame you.”

Exonerated. “Great.”

“We still have a little more work to do before we can bring Francisco to court, but we’ll get him. Maria is willing to talk.”

Stone wasn’t sure what else there was to say. He wanted to get back to the conversation with Susan. Harrison took the hint and eased out of the room. “So, where do we go from here?” He was never one to hold his breath for any answer, but he found he couldn’t breathe, waiting for her to answer.

“I say we blow this place.”

Stone laughed, never happier in his entire life.

* * * *

Thank God the doctor finally gave Susan the okay to leave the hospital. One more day in there and she would have gone crazy. She was dying to get Stone in bed where she could kiss him, run her hands down his body, and make love to him all day long. She snuggled up to his side as he held open the hotel door. “I can’t imagine. Two whole days without interruptions.”

He smiled down at her. “I know what my plans are going to be.”

“Me, too.” She squeezed his bicep and smiled at his arms of steel.

As soon as they stepped inside their room, Stone slipped off her sweater. She looked up at him. “You in a hurry?” She was, that was for sure.

“If I recall, the last time we made love, you exhibited very little self-control.”

She planted a hand on her hip. “Me?”

“Yes you. You practically jumped my bones. One glass of wine and you were putty in my hands.”

“That’s so not true.” Sure, after he licked and sucked every part of her body, she’d wanted him so badly that when he entered her she’d climaxed almost immediately. “After what I’ve been through, however, I’ve developed quite a strong constitution.”

“Constitution, is it?” He ran a finger down her nose and over her lips. “We’ll see who can last longer.” Stone winked and her pulse missed a few beats.

 
She flicked her nose in the air. “A challenge I will relish.”

His eyelids lowered as he stepped closer, his chest lightly pressing against her. Without saying a word, he unbuttoned her blouse, keeping his gaze on her face. His knuckles rubbed against her skin and she groaned from the intimate contact.

“You are so beautiful.” His breath caressed her face.

She’d been about to argue that the scar on her cheek didn’t qualify her as a beauty queen, but with the way her touched her, she believed what he was saying. “So are you.”

Her blouse landed on the floor, and his eyes widened. Stone leaned over and nipped her breast through the bra. Shivers of delight sped up her spine. As she reached behind her back for the clasp, Stone’s fingers beat her to it. Like a strip poker game in which she had every losing hand, one by one her bra, shoes, socks, jeans, and panties landed at her feet.

He raked his gaze over her body. “Dear God, but you’re a vision.”

Naked and vulnerable but excited, Susan stood before him. His eyes sparkled as he wet his lips, then scraped his rough palms across her nipples. Goose bumps formed all along her arms and legs. My, what this man did to her.

When she reached up to touch his chest, he shook his head. “No touching. It’s not your turn yet.”

That was just not fair. “Why?”

“I want to admire you while I study every curve of your luscious body and touch every inch of softness you have to offer. If you play with me, I won’t be able to concentrate.” His low, rich voice mesmerized her. “We have two days, remember?”

Susan nodded, not in agreement, but because her thoughts had evaporated for a moment. “I can’t touch you at all?” She wouldn’t last. She didn’t have the strength to remain still while his hands carved a path along her skin. Her mouth dry, she zeroed in on his cock. Straining against his jeans, it called to her and she reached out, managing to get inches from the rough material before his hand once again stopped her.

“You’ll get your turn.” He kissed her lightly on the eyes and leaned back. “I promise.”

“You win. I give up.” She laughed, really laughed for the first time in what seemed forever.

When his lips descended on hers with the firmness she desired, he stole her breath away. Eyes closed, she opened her mouth and invited him in. He tasted of coffee and cinnamon. His hands cradled her face, giving her the chance to grab the loops on his jeans and tug him closer.

His fingertips slid down her neck to her breasts, all the while his kisses turned more urgent. Her pulse raced, and she couldn’t get enough of him. Before she realized what he was doing, the back of her knees bumped into the bed, and she tumbled down. Supporting himself on his elbows, Stone fell on top, never stopping his kissing assault. To hell with his request. Susan grabbed his back and was thrilled with the play of muscles under his shirt. “Oh, God, you feel so good.”

In a flash, he was up, and her grasp loosened as he dragged her legs onto the bed. “Now for some more fun.”

After he opened her legs wide, and lay down on the bed with his head near her pussy, his tongue found her clit and she nearly jumped off the bed. Enough was enough. “I need to touch you.” She bucked for closer contact with his mouth. “Faster.”

Stone obeyed. A thick finger replaced his tongue and Susan scooted closer for more contact. “Get out of those clothes. I need you.” She panted, the incessant pulses contracting her insides with pleasure.

Suddenly, he was gone and cold air rushed over her abdomen and breasts. His absence caused her to groan, but she knew it would be worth it to watch him undress. He unbuttoned his jeans in one quick rip. She would have preferred a slower striptease, but as soon as his rippled abs appeared, time stopped and her gaze remained on his body. One by one, his shoes clunked on the floor. Then off came the jeans, and finally he tossed the boxers away. In two steps he was at her side. “Better?”

“Oh, yeah.”

Apparently all thoughts of the forbidding her to touch him went out of his head, for the moment she grabbed his cock, he sucked in a breath.

He stilled her hand. “I want to take my time with you, savor everything about you, but I’m so near to coming, I can’t wait.”

“Me neither.”

Perhaps it was her need for control, but she scooted out from under him and nudged him on his back. Before he could orchestrate her next move, she ran a tongue along the length of his throbbing dick. He jerked, and her heart lunged. Gently cupping his balls, she stroked him with her mouth, going slow, then fast, then slow.

His hand stilled her. “Wait, wait.” He licked his lips as if he was on the edge of losing control.

“You calling uncle?”

“Yes, you win.”

She didn’t know why his concession gave her such pleasure. She opened her legs wide and dropped down on his glistening cock. With his hands on her hips, she rode him for all it was worth. The thrill of being one with Stone buoyed her spirits to the point where she almost felt whole. Up and down, up and down.

“My turn,” he said, as he flipped her onto her knees.

He ran a thumb down over her clit, licked her once more then nudged her open. He slid his big cock down her wet channel, stretching her to the hilt. He pounded into her as he moaned her name.

Blood pounded in her ears until a giant scream erupted from her lips, and she climaxed so hard she thought her insides would explode. A second later, hot, warm cum shot inside her.

She collapsed onto the bed. Words wouldn’t form, the ecstasy was too great. He dropped to the side and pulled her close. With her head on his chest, she stroked his arms and his face. “Wow.”

“Yeah, wow.”

“So is this how you see our future?” He’d said he loved her.

His warm fingertip traced the scar on her cheek. “Every day and every night.”

She sat up and kissed him. The urge to start all over again washed over her. And she did just that.

THE END

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