by Dara Girard
“Good.” Daniella moved in front of him, turned, then bent over, tossing him an inviting smile over her shoulder. “Then take me to the moon.”
He took her there and back. At one point he took her off her feet. She thought she’d never come down ever again. It was pure pleasure—explosive and dynamic—and it filled her, soaring higher and higher. They both collapsed on the ground.
“That was incredible,” Trenton said, slightly out of breath.
Daniella could only nod. She’d never had three orgasms in a row; her body felt so alive, as if she could float up to the ceiling. She never knew lovemaking could be so exciting. Fun? Yes. Enjoyable? Definitely. But this was mind-altering. She wasn’t sure she knew herself anymore.
Trenton turned on his side and let his hand trail a sensuous path down her stomach to her center. He closed his eyes and sighed in ecstasy. “Pure silk.” He rubbed his cheek against her skin, his breath making her flesh tingle. “I haven’t felt silk in such a long time.”
Daniella laughed. “Silk? Open your eyes. I’m not wearing anything.”
“I know.” He lifted his head, his smoldering gaze meeting hers. “Your body is silk to me.” His mouth covered hers and soon he was inside her again sending ripples of erotic delight cascading over her like a wave. He took her beyond the moon to another galaxy and when they were through they again collapsed, but this time in each other’s arms.
Daniella traced his earlobe with her finger. “You were right.”
“About what?”
“You know how to use it.”
“I’ve never used it like that before. You bring out something in me.”
“You do the same to me, all of my inhibitions melt away.”
Trenton laughed and cupped her bottom. “With me, they’ll always disappear.”
Daniella drew her lips close to Trenton’s ear and whispered, “We’ll have to try this a few more times before that can happen.”
“I’ll be happy to help you.” He squeezed her bottom. “After I’ve eaten something.”
“You’re hungry?”
“I’m starving.”
Daniella sat up. “Okay, let’s eat.” She stood and grabbed the robe.
He took it from her. “No, you don’t need that.”
“You want me to eat naked?”
“Why not? Don’t get shy on me now.”
“I just— I’ve never made breakfast naked before.”
“There’s a first time for everything. Besides, you don’t have to cook anything. I have a fridge full of cooked food, all we have to do is heat it up. I’ll do that.” He pulled her up to her feet. She winced. He paused. “What’s wrong?”
She touched the side of her face. “My head’s a little sore, that’s all,” she said, surprised she hadn’t felt anything while they were making love.
Trenton swore. “I’m so sorry. I forgot.”
Daniella smiled, wanting to reassure him. “I’m fine, really. Just be gentle with me.”
“I will,” he said, making it sound like a vow. Trenton went into the bathroom and came out holding a glass of water and some pain medicine. Then he lifted her weightlessly into his arms and carried her downstairs and placed her on a chair in the kitchen.
Daniella stood.
He frowned. “What are you doing?”
“I want to help you.”
“You should rest.”
“I don’t need to rest.”
He pointed to the kitchen cabinets. “Set the table then.”
She grabbed some plates and laid them out and then the cutlery and waited. Minutes later Trenton came over to the table with scrambled eggs, pancakes and syrup. She fixed her plate then started eating. She glanced up and saw Trenton with his chin in his hand watching her with a silly grin on his face.
“Trenton?”
“Yea?”
“Stop staring.”
His grin widened. “I can’t help it. I had a dream like this once. Of course I was eating off you, but we’ll try that another time.”
“You’re embarrassing me.”
“Consider it a compliment.” His gaze landed on her breasts like a tangible caress, her entire body grew hot.
She filled his plate. “Eat something.”
His gaze trailed the length of her. “If I could eat you up, I’d never be hungry again.”
She stood and walked past him. “I’m putting a robe on.”
He grabbed her wrist. “Okay I’ll stop or at least I’ll try to.” He pulled her onto his lap then dumped her plate on top of his.
“What are you doing?”
“We can eat from the same plate.” He scooped up some eggs and ate.
She did, too. She loved having him close, vastly aware of their differences and delighting in each of them—from his pebble-hard nipples, his ripped chest and muscular arms.
“Who’s Pascal?” Trenton asked.
“The man I thought I would marry one day.”
“Hmm.”
“He’s my ex-boyfriend. He’s also the reason why I’m here. He encouraged me to write your story.”
“I should call and thank him,” he teased.
After breakfast they decided to go for a walk. On their return, Layla had a seizure. After it had passed, Daniella knelt down and stroked her. She looked up at Trenton. “What’s wrong with her?”
“A brain tumor, but the surgery will cost eight thousand dollars.”
“Did you get a second opinion?”
He looked at her blankly.
“You didn’t even think about it.”
“He’s the top vet in the area and I wouldn’t want to cause bad feelings by…”
“This is Layla’s life. You need to be certain that such a radical surgery is necessary. I can take her for a second opinion if you don’t want anyone to find out.”
“It will be the same diagnosis.”
“Let’s still check. I’ll look around and make an appointment.”
“You can put it under my name.”
“Which one?”
He took a deep breath, realizing that he could no longer hide. It was time to come out of the shadows starting now. “Trenton Sheppard.”
The first person in town Trenton revealed his real identity to was Chief Regan, who didn’t care, but others weren’t so cavalier when they learned the truth. A third of the town believed in his innocence, another third thought he was guilty, and the last third didn’t care one way or the other. The third that cared stopped talking when Trenton walked into the diner. He sat at the counter prepared for Vera to ignore him.
She didn’t.
“So what they’re saying is true? You’ve been living under an assumed name ’cause you killed some woman?”
“I didn’t kill her.”
“No, you don’t look like a killer to me. I believe you.” She glanced at a customer who was scowling at them. “And anyone who has a problem with that can go eat elsewhere,” she announced loudly. The customer grumbled under his breath, but turned away.
“Are you here to see Emma?” she asked hopefully.
“No, actually, I wanted to talk to your brother.”
“He’s in back. You can go round and see him.”
“Thanks.” Trenton walked to Lincoln’s office located at the rear of the diner and knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Trenton walked in, unsure if Lincoln would be as understanding as his sister had been. “Hey.”
Lincoln greeted him with a warm smile, melting away his apprehension. “Engleright.” He suddenly frowned. “Oh, wait, it’s Sheppard now, isn’t it?”
“Yes, I had my reasons.”
Lincoln held up his hands. “Which are none of my
business. I always thought Engleright was a funny name.”
Trenton took a seat in one of Lincoln’s worn chairs. “I could use your help.”
Lincoln leaned forward on his desk, intrigued. “What do you need?”
“You are the eyes of the community. Plus, I know that you and Ms. Swiftlog at the B and B are uh…close,” Trenton said, aware that Lincoln and the B and B owner were an item.
“The woman’s a busybody,” Lincoln said with a knowing grin. “But when she’s not running her mouth or spreading gossip, we’re at it like rabbits. I have no shame in admitting it.”
Trenton laughed at his honesty. “Glad to hear it.”
“From what I’ve heard from Vera, I’m not the only one getting lucky.”
Trenton feigned innocence. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Lincoln only shook his head. “What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to know if either of you noticed any strangers coming through. Did you see anyone who looked suspicious?”
“I didn’t, but Helen saw a car waiting in the parking lot of the bed-and-breakfast. She said she didn’t like how it was just sitting seeming to wait so she took down the license plate just in case she needed to call the police or get it towed.”
Trenton nodded. “Good. I’ll need the license. Anything more you can tell me?”
“Around the same time I saw a skinny black guy come in here with eyes like hollowed-out wood. He just asked for a glass of water then left. But he gave me the creeps, Emma and Vera, too.”
“Yes, he has that effect on people.”
“You know him?”
“I think we have a mutual acquaintance.”
“Be careful—he seemed dangerous.”
Trenton stood. “When I’m through with him, he won’t be dangerous anymore.”
Minutes later Trenton left the diner with a license plate number and a plan. He knew the man Lincoln had described. He’d met him before: L.Z. A lifelong criminal known only by his initials. He’d been arrested at Brooks’s office for burglary but for some reason Brooks had dropped the charges. Evidently Brooks had found another use for him. Trenton would track him down and find out more and then make him pay for what he’d done to Daniella. He’d just have to remind himself not to kill him.
* * *
Daniella couldn’t stop smiling. She absently made an appointment for Layla and also did more research on Dr. Brooks, but her mind wandered about the night before. Her phone rang. She glanced down at the number and quickly snapped back into reality—it was Pascal.
“Hello?”
“Thank God,” he said with feeling. “I’ve been trying to reach you for days. I was worried something had happened.”
“Oh, something did. It seems there were lab inconsistencies with his case that I’m going to look into further. Trenton will be vindicated, I’m sure of it.”
“Good, but you haven’t sent me any more of your work.”
“Because I’m not doing the story.”
“What?”
“I’m doing the investigation for him. If he wants to tell his story, fine, but I won’t tell it for him.”
Pascal sighed. “I should have known you’d fall for him.”
“It’s more than that. My priorities have shifted.”
“You’ve worked too hard to let it all go to waste.”
“It won’t. You’ll see. Besides, I’m lying low for a while because I think the doctor’s involved. In a few weeks we’ll check into his records.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Daniella went back to her research then took some time to take Layla for another walk.
When Trenton returned from work, he handed Daniella a large store bag.
“I got your bag from your car, but I also bought you some clothes,” he said.
“Oh, good, I was going to ask you about that.” She shuffled the items inside. “Wait a minute. This is all underwear.”
“I thought I should just focus on the basics.”
Daniella pulled out a lace and silk pantie.
“Hope they fit.”
“Where did you buy these? I know you didn’t get these in town.”
“There’s a place,” he said mysteriously.
“You must have driven far.”
“It was worth the drive.”
She pulled out a silver trimmed garter belt.
He grinned. “Especially that one.”
She shook her head and laughed. “You’re shameless.”
“Hey, I did it for you, Ginger.” He smoothed down her hair and deepened his voice. “You deserve only the best.”
She lifted her face and received his kiss and for a few minutes they forgot about the bag. When they recovered themselves, Daniella sat on his lap and returned to the bag. She went through it, eager to see what else she could wear for him. “Well, it’s obvious your favorite color is black.”
“No, it’s green,” he said, lazily stroking the back of her neck.
“Then why didn’t you get me anything in green?”
His hand paused. “Damn, I didn’t think of that.” He shrugged. “I just figured that black goes with everything.”
“It’s not like anyone’s going to see it.”
“I plan to.”
“Besides you.”
“So you’re going to try them all on tonight, right?”
“I don’t need to. I’m sure they’ll fit.”
“But just in case they don’t we should try them on.”
She sent him a significant look. “We?”
“Yes, you wear them and I’ll…uh, supervise.”
Daniella faked a pout. “I thought you liked me naked.”
“I do. I’ll help you in and out of each one.”
They only made it through the first pair before getting lost in each other. Later Daniella did try each one and as promised he helped her in and out of them, which lasted all night.
Chapter 11
She knew that woman would be trouble. Vera looked at her daughter as Emma cleared away the dinner dishes. She hadn’t thought Richard, no Trenton, that was his name now, would fall for the outsider. She believed the story he’d told her brother and knew he was still a good match for her daughter. She had a sense about these things. The outsider may have her hooks in him, but only for a time. Vera couldn’t blame his choice. He was only a man and a man had certain needs, which Emma clearly wasn’t going to meet. She’d brought her up to be more introverted. A good girl. Maybe too good. But a man needed more than a hot body. She slammed her hand against the table as she came up with a plan. “You may have lost him for a while, but you’ll get him back.”
Emma turned to her mother, confused. “What are you talking about?”
Vera hesitated. She hadn’t told her daughter what she’d seen. Daniella was an indecent woman boldly answering the door in a man’s robe. Showing off that she’d been in a man’s place all night.
“I’m talking about Rich—Trenton.”
“Is something wrong?”
“That woman is up at his place keeping his bed warm, but that’s just for a little while. He can learn that a woman who can fill his belly is a lot more useful.”
“Mom,” Emma said, embarrassed. “Richard and I are just friends.”
“His name is Trenton now and you can be more. He has to be. He’s your last chance.”
“There are other men.”
“Where? Not in this town. The ones your age are either married or gone. You think I want you under my foot all the time?”
“No. I’ll leave one day.”
Vera continued as if Emma hadn’t spoken. “That woman can’t even cook.”
“Her name is Daniella.”
“I don’t care what it is. He needs someone who will look after him. She’s using him and he’s too blind to see it.”
“I like her.”
Vera started to fill a container with biscuits. “You like anyone who pays attention to you. Is she the one who helped you paint up your face?”
“It’s called makeup and yes she did. And if she makes Richard happy then let them be.”
“She won’t be around for long. And you can’t miss your chance, you don’t have many left at your age.”
“I’m twenty—”
“Shh…you’re too close to thirty to brag about your age anymore. You say it as if you’re proud. I was married and a mother by the time I was in my early twenties. We’re not going to let that woman rush in here and steal our dreams.”
“Being with Rich—Trenton,” Emma said to quickly correct herself when her mother gave her a stern look, “isn’t my dream.”
Again Vera ignored her. “I know she’s young and pretty but age and beauty fade.”
“I—”
“You’re going to go there with this.” She handed Emma two large containers.
Emma shook her head exasperated. “But, Mom, you just gave him food a couple days ago.”
“Nothing’s wrong with adding biscuits and homemade marmalade. Just say that I forgot to give it to him. He’ll understand and think you’re being considerate.”
“Mom.”
Vera held up a hand. “I got your father. I know how men think and I know how to catch one. Now no use arguing, I know what’s best for you. Put some of that stuff on your face if you feel like it. I have to admit that it does add some color to you and you need whatever help you can get.”
Emma took the containers, put on some makeup then got into her car just wanting to drive away. To drive away from her mother’s expectations and her unfulfilled life. Drive away from the town that looked down on her. But she knew she had nowhere to go. So she’d do as her mother said, knowing that it wouldn’t make a difference. She thought of Duane. She hadn’t seen him in a while and wondered if she’d ever see him again.
* * *
He’d enjoy killing him. Duane watched Trenton and some woman from a distance playing with a dog. There Sheppard was, happy and laughing with his fiancée. Twice he’d come by but no one had been home, but the third time was the charm. Luck was on his side. He’d walked the distance not wanting to draw any attention by driving his car. He liked watching them undetected, it helped give him the courage to do what needed to be done. He’d no longer let Sheppard go on with his life as if he wasn’t a murderer. He’d do his own justice. Duane reached for the gun tucked in his jeans.