The Green-Eyed Doll (16 page)

“Yes?” A female voice asked through the closed door.

“Sheriff Matt Ballard, ma’am. May I ask you a few questions?”

“You got any ID?”

He held his picture identification up to the peephole. Seconds later, he heard tumblers fall, a dead bolt flip followed by the sound of a chain being unhooked, and a silver haired lady stood before him. Her eyes matched the blue jogging suit she wore under a loud yellow apron. She had the epitome of Texas big hair. It looked good on her.

“Come in. Don’t stand there letting the cool air out.” She smiled and waved him inside. “Don’t think I’m senile for asking to see some ID. Just because you’re wearing a uniform don’t mean I’m opening the door.” A nod followed her declaration. “I watch Law and Order. I know all the tricks.”

“You can’t be too cautious.” He suppressed a smile. “I’m glad you checked.”

“Follow me. I’ve got a plate full of hot, homemade cookies fresh out of the oven.”

“Yes, ma’am, Ms...” The aroma of heart and home filled the small apartment.

“Name’s Dorothy Whitley. Call me Dotty.”

Matt found himself surround by ducks. Ceramic ones of every size and shape decorated her small kitchen. A glass duck’s head full of milk and a plate of sugar cookies were placed in front of him. “I actually came to see your neighbor, Danny Mason. I can’t seem to catch him at home.”

“Sit. Eat,” she commanded. “What do you want to see him for?”

“I’m speaking with everyone who knew Julia Drummond. The young woman who—”

“I heard about her. That gal on the news said we women should take extra caution when we went out. You say young Danny knew the dead girl?” She pushed his plate closer to him. “Eat your cookies.”

“I don’t know that he knew her personally, but I need to ask him.” Matt ate a cookie and moaned his sincere approval. Dotty rewarded him with a radiant smile.

“He’s a loner, doesn’t talk much. Never has. Goes to work every day over at Millwood’s Garage. I’ll give him that much, he’s a worker.”

“He’s a quiet neighbor?”

“Most of the time. Had what I thought was a Superbowl party that got too loud. I marched right over there and asked him to tone it down. But from what I could see, he was alone.” She broke a cookie in half and nibbled on the edge.

“Did he?” Matt pushed his empty plate away.

“Did he what?” She dabbed at the corners of her mouth.

“Tone down the noise?”

“Yes. And right away, too.” She leaned across and patted Matt on the shoulder. “He’s usually out on Saturday night. Maybe he’s on a date. Shouldn’t you be?”

Matt chuckled with her and finished off his milk. “As a matter of fact, I should be going. Thanks for the cookies. They were delicious.”

Dotty escorted him to the door. “Good luck, son. My money’s on you to catch that killer.”

“Count on it.” He shook her hand. She reminded him of Sue, a sweetheart, and alone. Too bad.

“You watch your back, you hear?” she called out to him as he hurried down the stairs.

Chapter Twelve

Monday, August 21st, 6:00 p.m.

Christ, how could he have fallen for that bitch’s phony come on? She’d pretended to want him. It had all been a lie. Nothing he hated worse than a liar. He refused to put up with them. They lied...they died. It was as fuckin’ simple as that.

Mama had lied every time she put him in the closet. Her “little while” always turned into hours. Hours in the dark. Hours alone while she partied. Hours trying to hold his water. Water his ass. Mama and her guest drank and fucked until his bladder couldn’t hold out any longer. He’d invariably pissed his pants. Was she sorry? Hell, no. She’d lied and said it was his fault. Then she’d whipped him with the wire hanger.

Replacing a doll wasn’t a problem. The execution of taking her had been perfect. The doll was flawed. But that wasn’t his fault. Anger burned his guts. The buzzing inside his head started when he lost his temper. A few calming breaths, and he was under control. That control was the key to remaining unnoticed. Tonight when he stopped by the trailer to feed her, he’d fuck her one last time, and then he’d kill the bitch.

He’d already spotted a good replacement out at the Saddleback. This one was a real beauty. She'd looked him right in the eyes when she'd brought his beer. He recognized that expression. She wanted him bad.

****

Monday, August 21st, 11:00 p.m.

“I should head home soon.”

“Yeah, you probably should,” Catherine agreed but didn’t move. They’d said the same words twice already, but neither seemed to be in a hurry to end the evening. Matt shifted down on the couch, pulling her further on top of him.

“I’m getting possessive about our Monday nights. With our work schedules, this is the only time I have you all to myself. It’s a shame. I’d like to take you out somewhere nice.” His lips brushed the tip of her nose. “Show off my pretty woman.”

“I like it right here.” At the moment, she happily rested on his chest, which rose and fell slightly with each breath. The faint scent of aftershave drew her to his chiseled jaw, so she lifted her head and rubbed her cheek against his five o’clock shadow.

“So do I. But San Antonio’s less than two hours away. We’d have a nice meal on the River Walk and listen to mariachi bands. I’d ply you with a few margaritas. Maybe then you’d tell me who hurt you.”

“Listening to mariachi music might hurt me worse.” She squirmed, ready to withdraw, but he held fast.

“You act as if you’re not in pain, but it’s there—between us.”

“It’s old news.” Her heartbeat picked up, pounding in her ears. Could he feel the thunder in her chest?

“Not to me.”

“What about you?” Catherine shifted the subject to him. “How come I know nothing about your past?”

“I told you what brought me to Crest County.” He arched one eyebrow, his way of telling her he knew she’d changed the subject. “I was looking for the same peace I think you’re hunting.”

“The law is your career, not who you are. Tell me something personal.”

“Did I tell you I was married once before?” His fingers smoothed up and down her back, shooting fire to every nerve in her body.

“No. As a matter of fact, you didn’t. Why’d you get divorced?” She faked a scowl.

“By mutual agreement.”

“One morning you two woke up and decided to put an end to your marriage. Sounds civilized.”

“Okay, it was more complicated than that.” He idly rolled her hair around one finger while he talked. “Work ate up all of my time, and I left her alone too much. She had an affair and got pregnant. She’s happily married and the mother of a baby boy.”

“Did you love her?” A blunt question, but Catherine needed to know. The fact he blanched didn’t escape her.

“Yeah. In the beginning, we were in love. But I was young, hungry, and determined to make homicide detective. No doubt, I was an insensitive bastard. The fact that I left her sitting at home alone never crossed my mind nor bothered my conscience. The marriage falling apart was my fault.”

“It hurt you.”

“I’d call it a mixture between anger, hurt, and relief. I threw myself into a new job working undercover. Concentrated on slowing down the flow of drugs coming in through the gulf port.”

“And then?” She pushed for more answers. His eyes grew dark, clouded with buried pain. What happened to him during his time undercover? He slid his hand beneath her hair and cradled the back of her neck. He pulled her to him until her mouth was a fraction of an inch from his. She felt his breath on her lips.

“And then—there you were. And you took my breath away. You still do.”

Their lips touched, and Catherine’s heart melted. Her feelings for him shifted. Lying on top of him gave her a sense of control. A surge of desire flooded her, the blood in her veins burned. She covered his mouth with hers and searched out his tongue. Rising up on her elbows, she greedily devoured his mouth. He responded by matching her fervor. When she pulled away, he gasped out a breath.

“I can’t do this friend stuff, Catherine. I want you.” His eye color had shifted to midnight blue, his need for her pressed against her skin. “You need to let me up. And let me leave.”

She sighed and nodded. “I bagged the leftovers for Benedict Arnold.” She hurried to the kitchen on trembling legs and leaned against the counter, her hands pressed against the cool surface. Her insides quaked with desire. The need to make love with Matt was overpowering. An ache like she’d never experienced racked her body and mind. She wanted him to touch places long bereft of tender hands—wanted him to fill the ravenous vacuum in her soul. In his arms, she’d satisfy the hunger. Could she yield this much power to him? Could she take a chance?

She steadied herself and turned. Matt filled the doorway behind her. Raw passion washed across his chiseled features. He was tall, broad shouldered, narrow hipped, and leaving. If she wanted him to stay, she’d have to be the aggressor. She moved a step toward him. He moved one step back.

“I’ll call tomorrow.” His voice was hoarse, raspy, and thick with desire.

“Stop,” she whispered when he started to turn. His determination to honor his promise propelled her into his arms. Her hands dug into his hair, pulling him down to her. She put her heart into the kiss, but Matt’s hands remained at his sides, not touching her. Catherine looked him in the eyes.

“Make love to me.”

When he leaned down into his usual stance with his forehead touching hers, Catherine knew she’d made the right choice.

“Think about what you’re saying. Don’t let me pressure...”

“Matt.” She pressed a finger to his lips. “Do me a favor?”

He straightened, his eyes clouded with desire. “Just ask.”

“Shut up. Make love to me.”

His mouth curled up sort of crooked and made her insides go liquid. “Well. Since you asked nicely.” He leaned down and gently covered her lips with his. A soft, warm, easy kiss. The beginning of a long sensual journey.

****

Matt’s mind whirled. The barriers were coming down. His heart thundered against his rib cage. She trusted him. Trusted him with a part of herself she’d closely guarded. Tonight would be all about her.

Greedy. Hungry. His mouth crushed hers, his tongue slid inside then across her teeth, teasing her. Fisting the back of her shirt in his hands, he pulled her tight against his chest, imagining how her breasts would feel without the thin layers of material separating his flesh from hers. With one quick glance behind, he backed to her bedroom.

She moaned, pressed against him, sparking a firestorm in his blood. Nothing existed but her. He eased her onto the bed. Lying beside her, he ravaged her lips again and again until her hands tore at his clothes. Quickly, they undressed, stopping occasionally to nip or taste a new and previously unseen body part.

“My God, you’re a beautiful woman.” He ran his hands over her soft skin, touched, kissed, stroked, until she quivered with need. He paused when she stiffened.
Go slow.
“Talk to me. What’s going through your mind?”

“If I’m not good at this...” She lowered her eyelids. “Don’t tell me.”

“Don’t worry.” He drew his fingers down her jaw line. Lifted her chin. “We’re in this together. You’re gonna be great.”

She’d shared another small, private part of herself, a fear Matt was determined to dispel. The bond of trust strengthened. The hesitation in her voice had him itching to kick the crap out of the bastard who’d made her question her sexuality.

She laughed a low, lush sound. “I think so, too.”

“I know so.”

Matt cupped her soft breast in his hand, circled her nipple with his thumb, smiling when it pebbled at his touch. He bent his head, swept across with his tongue, sucked her flesh into his mouth, and feasted on the taste of pure honey. Her back bowed. She cried out with pleasure, sending shock waves through his body. He rose up and crushed her mouth under his. Hard. Demanding. Wanting. They clung to each other, feeding and fueling their mutual need. His hand slid down across her velvety skin and sought out her most private, vulnerable part. This was where she’d learn her sexual power.

She gasped when he slipped a finger inside and then two, pushed and withdrew. When her movements became frantic, and his name rolled off her tongue, he found her center and pressed.

“Matt.” Her eyes clenched shut.

“I’m right here,” he whispered into her lips. “Come for me.”

She bit down on her bottom lip. Her body shook, bucked into his hand. Her lips curled into a smile. She opened her eyes and captured his heart as sure as the warrior takes his prisoner.

“Oh, my God. That was intense.” She laughed, the sound filling the room.

Her green eyes shone like emeralds. Matt had only thought his fingers tingled when he touched her. Giving her pleasure sent them into hyperdrive.

“And there’s an unlimited supply where that came from.” He smoothed her hair away from her face, brought his lips to hers, and reveled in her enjoyment. “You were spectacular.”

“Hey.”

She stretched like a kitten. Arms over her head, her breasts thrust forward, toes pointed. He lost all train of thought, because her seductive, languid movements were the most sensual action he’d ever witnessed. “Hmm?”

“I’m glad we’re not friends anymore.”

“Me, too.” He ran his hands over the creamy flesh of her breasts. Leaned over and flicked his tongue across her still swollen, erect nipples. She gripped his hair and held him in place while he lavished attention on her. Her slender body was sleek, firm, and he tested and tasted every inch of her.

She clawed at him. “More,” she gasped. “More.”

“Soon.” He brushed across her dampness with his thumb, teasing her, before plunging his fingers back inside. Driving her to the edge of surrender, he battled his passion as the pressure built. He fought his need for release until she shivered and trembled with desire. Reason abandoned him and turned to burning hunger. The blood drained from his head. He’d explode soon. “I need you. All of you.”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Please.”

He fumbled with his wallet, retrieved protection, and covered himself. She opened her legs wider, reached down, grasped him, and guided him. She put him at her entrance, offering herself to him.