Trial by Fire (26 page)

Sweat trickled down the side of his face. Sweet mother, no woman had ever taken the entire length of his cock up her delicious backside. She rippled around him, sheathed him so snug, they were one. Gritting his teeth, he gripped her waist and began to thrust. Slow at first, so as not to hurt her. Praying for this to last.

“Oh, God, Howard,
yes
.”

His control started to unravel. “Like me fucking you this way, baby?”

“Yes, yes! Harder, faster, damn you!”

That flipped the switch. French-fried his brain, freed the animal from his cage. He increased his tempo until he was pounding into her, waves of water splashing onto the deck. Relentless, taking his fill. As hard and deep as possible, giving them what they both desired. Stoking the fires to a wild inferno.

“I’m gonna come! Howard, I can’t stop—”

Her spasms hurled him over the edge and into space. His release shattered all previous notions of what a fantastic, mind-blowing orgasm should be. Rocked to the core, he exploded, jetting into her on and on. Came until he lay draped over her back, lungs heaving, both of them drenched.

Sweeping her hair aside, he kissed the nape of her neck. “Are you all right?”

“My God, I think I died.” A languorous sigh escaped. “If I’d known how great it feels to be a bad girl, I’d have done that a long time ago.”

“So I’ve led you down the path to wickedness?”

“Very much so, hotshot.”

“Good,” he replied, smug. “I’m just getting warmed up.”

“Hmm. Do I get to have my way with you next time?”

With a sigh of regret, he slipped out of her and hunkered down in the water. “I need a little time to recover, my lusty lady.”

Straightening, she turned and smiled at him, trailing a hand through the frothy bubbles. Resplendent in all her naked glory. “How long, old man?”

His brows shot up. “I’ve got your old man right here, sugar. As soon as he gets a shower, he’ll be glad to demonstrate his stamina again.”

“Deal. A shower, then you’re mine to do anything I wish. Fair play and all that.”

Wading to him, Kat wrapped her arms around his neck, breasts bobbing against his chest. She pulled his head down for a kiss, delving that sweet little tongue inside, tasting their mingled flavors.

Jesus. His shaft perked, already at half-mast again at the mere idea. He couldn’t wait to find out what being at her mercy entailed. Breaking the kiss, he skimmed a finger down her cheek. “Go ahead and heat the shower. I’ll get our clothes and lock up for the night.”

Throwing a sultry grin over her shoulder, she climbed out of the hot tub and flounced inside, trailing puddles in her wake. Lost in a pleasant postcoital haze, he followed suit and began picking up their discarded clothing. Somewhere down the street, a car started. An innocuous, everyday noise, nothing to worry over.

And yet a chill crept into his bone marrow.

He’d been certain that with tonight’s festivities, his tormentor wouldn’t dare come within twenty miles of his house. That he’d move on, wait for a better opportunity to sneak around unnoticed.

Howard cursed his own stupidity. What better opportunity than the one he’d just given the bastard? He’d allowed lust to blind him to the danger of being in the open, unprotected and unaware. Hadn’t even considered that their voyeur might’ve been a ruthless killer instead of a scandalized neighbor.

Yanking on his shorts over his wet body, he laid the rest of the clothing on a chair and went inside to fetch the flashlight. Hurrying outside again, he walked the perimeter of his fence, scanned the hedges and peat mulch lining his landscaping. No broken bushes, no footprints that he could see.

He wasn’t reassured.

Grabbing their clothes, he secured the house for the night and joined Kat in the shower.

For now, he wanted to lose himself in her arms and pretend there were no murders, no killer after his head. No nightmares stealing his sleep.

Just a soft woman to warm his bed and heart, without digging too deep into his soul.

He prayed that wasn’t too much to ask.

15

Stepping into the hot spray, Kat felt her cheeks heat. She couldn’t believe she’d let Howard make love to her
that
way. No, she’d practically begged for it. She’d never felt so wicked—or more wonderfully alive.

As the object of her scorching memories joined her, she eyed him in appreciation. Big and naked was how she loved him best. Naked and wet? Even better.

“Wash your back?” His small, sexy smile said cleanliness wasn’t his first priority.

“Hmm. I don’t know if I trust you in that position anymore.”

“Too late, baby. You’ve created a fiend.” Turning her gently, he spanned her waist with his hands and pressed his front to her back. His half-erect penis rode the cleft of her butt cheeks, reviving fast.

Kat leaned against him and closed her eyes, loving the sensation of their slick bodies together under the steamy spray. He nuzzled her neck, then rested his chin on top of her head and simply held her close for a moment.

She savored every second. Howard’s sensuality was burned into his DNA, but she treasured this softer, affectionate side of him, too.

He released her and grabbed a bottle of men’s shower gel from the ledge. Flipping open the cap, he squirted a generous amount into his palm and replaced the bottle on the shelf.

“You want me to smell like a man, Lieutenant?” Arching a brow, she glanced over her shoulder.

He shot her a playful grin. “I want you to smell like
me.
”

Reaching around her, he soaped her breasts and tummy in lazy strokes. Her skin warmed, her nipples begging for more. But he worked down her back, to her rear. Worked the suds with care, washing away most of the evidence of his attentions.

“Sore?” he asked, concern edging his voice.

“Some.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I loved it.”

He brightened. “Really?”

“Couldn’t you tell? I’m sure the neighbors had no doubts.”

His soft laugh tingled her nerve endings. His hand strayed lower, soaping between her legs. She sucked in a sharp breath, thinking the whole shower thing was almost more intimate than lovemaking.

Then again, maybe this shared closeness
was
a form of making love.

His fingers skimmed her sex, then lingered to play with her sensitive clit. Every cell in her body was hyperaware of his expert touch. Begging for more. Unfurling, opening to let him have his way. Again.

Wait a second.

“No, you don’t,” she gasped, turning to face him.

“Aww, baby—”

Wrapping her fingers around his thick erection, she cut off his complaint. “You’re not in charge this time. It’s my turn, buddy.”

He blinked, one corner of his kissable mouth kicking up. “Yes, ma’am. Whatever you say.”

She squeezed his shaft. “I say you’re my love slave. Back up, then raise your arms over your head and grab the neck of the shower nozzle.”

Dark eyes glittering, he complied, every muscle tense.

“Good. You’re chained and at my mercy. Now spread your legs.”

He did, and she knelt in front of him. Tasted the wet tip of him with her tongue. His fierce oath spurred her on, and she took him in her mouth.

She licked and suckled, taking as much of his length as she could manage. Droplets of water rolled down his torso and she licked those, too, relishing how the beads slicked his skin like a seal’s. The rest of him she pumped with her fingers, her other hand playing with his heavy balls, drawn tight in arousal.

“Jesus . . . Christ!”

His head thumped against the tile and satisfaction purred in her breast. Having so much power over a dominant man like Howard was a heady feeling.

The lieutenant was going to lose control . . . and she’d savor the ride.

Relentless, she sucked and manipulated, worked his cock until his helpless moans of passion echoed off the walls.

Howard couldn’t withstand the passionate assault. With a hoarse cry, he stiffened and his hips began to buck. Release followed swiftly, shaking Kat with its intensity.

Viscous jets of come pumped down her throat. Her plan of seduction hadn’t included what to do now . . . so she swallowed. Drank all he had to give, marveling at his salty flavor and his total surrender.

When the last of his spasms subsided, Kat released him and stood, letting the warm spray rinse her face and the rest of the soap.

Howard lowered his arms, expelling a harsh breath. “Christ, lady, what you do to me.”

“Worn out
now
, old man?”

He barked a short laugh and pulled her close, eyes heavy lidded. A man well sated. “Mercy. I give.”

“Ha! I finally got the best of you. I think—”

“What the hell?”

Howard’s eyes widened and his lips parted in surprise. “Look.”

Kat followed his gaze and felt the blood drain from her face. “Oh, shit.”

On the foggy glass shower door, a chilling missive had been written in some sort of clear, greasy substance.

TWO DOWN, MORE TO DIE . . . GREAT PARTY, ASSHOLE.

Detective Ford and two crime lab techs went over every square inch of Howard’s home as he watched, boiling with impotent rage.

Once again, the murdering fucker had waltzed into Howard’s space undetected and practically did a tap dance on his goddamned head.

“In
my house
. Right among all my friends.”

Sitting on the edge of the sofa in nothing but the shorts he’d worn earlier, he clenched his fists on his knees, aware of Kat’s worried gaze. He hated feeling so violated. Hated that he had no control over this unseen enemy or the situation.

That he’d failed to protect Kat.

Well, that was something he could—and would— rectify.

“I’m giving you my spare key and the alarm code,” he announced. “Bring over plenty of clothes, because you’re staying here with me. Indefinitely.”

Kat stiffened, green eyes narrowing. “It occurs to me that this might not be the safest place for me.”

He winced, the dart striking his pride dead on. “It will be. He won’t get past me again.”

“Bully for you, but I have my own place, Howard.” Her lips thinned and her chin thrust forward stubbornly.

“This is
not
negotiable.”

“Oh,
really
?” With a humorless laugh, she pushed to her feet, prepared to do battle. “There’s a good reason I don’t live with my daddy. I don’t take orders from you, hotshot.”

Damn, she looked beautiful even when she was pissed. All that pale blond hair wild around her face, tumbling to the shoulders of her shirt. Braless bosom heaving in outrage. Large, expressive eyes snapping with fury.

Any other time he’d appreciate her spunk.

“On this, you do.”

“I
so
don’t fucking think so! You can just—”

“Excuse me.” Ford cleared his throat, glancing between the combatants. “Sorry to interrupt, but we’re done here.”

Relieved by the detective’s timing, Howard said, “And?”

“Nothing except the message on the glass, which appears to have been written in clear lip balm.”

“Prints?”

“We lifted a couple of good ones off the shower-door handle, but count on them being one of yours,” Ford said, indicating them both. Kat flushed as he went on. “I don’t think our guy was stupid enough to leave prints. And with the number of guests you had here today, dusting the whole house would be an exercise in futility.”

“Dammit.” Howard rubbed his eyes, beyond tired and frustrated.

“Neither of you recall anyone suspicious? Out of place?”

Kat looked at Ford thoughtfully. “Nobody except the nice man who helped me tug the beer out of the fridge.”

Dropping his hand, Howard stood, alarm prickling the back of his neck. “What man?”

She shrugged. “Just some older guy with dark, graying hair. Attractive. Said he’s a friend of Bentley’s. ” Frowning, she shook her head. “No, wait. When I asked if he was a friend who worked with your dad, he claimed they go way back.”

“Not necessarily the same as friends,” Ford said.

“I thought that was odd, but not as strange as the fact that he vanished after we spoke in the kitchen. I never saw him again.”

The detective removed a pen and small notepad from his pocket and began to write. “Did he give you his name?”

“Moore. Darryl? No . . . Duane. Duane Moore.”

Howard went cold. To the bone.

“Paxton?” Ford prompted.

“I don’t know anyone by that name and I’m pretty sure Bentley didn’t invite extra guests without telling me.”

In fact, he was positive. “Rage” was too insignificant a word to encompass the emotion rolling through him.

The son of a bitch had gotten Kat alone just to show he could.

God have mercy on the bastard if he made that mistake twice.

The two weeks since Bentley’s party had been wonderful—as long as Kat followed Howard’s directives. He continued to shuttle her to and from work on his days off, insisted that she stay at his house. He protested when she went home to her empty apartment while he was on shift, arguing that it wasn’t safe for her to be there alone. As though somehow the mere threat of his presence would warn off a killer.