Richard eased his body to a more comfortable position. “This probably isn’t the right time, but would you consider going on a date with me? Once I’m healthy again.”
Aware of the delicate, unspoken truce between us, I bit back the instinctive hell no! “I’m dating Kahu Williams.”
“The cop?”
“Yeah.”
“Pity.”
Silence fell, my mind skipping from Kahu to his brother. “Do you know anything about his brother’s death?”
“He was on my payroll, but that’s all. He was friends with Matthew.”
“Did you tell Kahu that?”
“He didn’t ask.”
Bloody hell. Men. Sometimes they acted like children. “Do you know anything else?”
“No, not that your cop will believe me.” Richard paused, obviously tiring. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll have to deal with Matthew’s estate. If I learn anything I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it. You’ll ring me about the DNA test?”
“Give me a couple of weeks.”
I nodded. “I’ve waited for years now. A few more weeks won’t matter.”
“Eve, I’m sorry. I’ll do anything I can to help.”
“Do you know who India’s godparents are?” I still needed to know why Perdita had a copy of the photo.
“Perdita and James Moning are…were her godparents. Our families were close.”
That explained everything. I stood. “I’ll let you rest.” At the door I paused. I had to ask. “Were you having an affair with Perdita Moning?”
“How did—”
I cut him off with an abrupt slash of my hand through the air. “I guessed. Did Millicent shoot Perdita?”
“I don’t know. I thought I knew my wife, but if she’s capable of murder…I don’t know.” He shrugged and couldn’t prevent his wince when the muscles in his shoulder moved.
“Thanks.”
I gave my statement at the police station and headed home. The drive back to Oakthorpe gave me plenty of time to think. I believed Richard when he said he hadn’t known about Matthew raping me. My disclosure had shocked him.
When I arrived home, Kahu’s car was parked in the driveway. Good. I’d only have to explain once. Guided by voices, I strode to the kitchen while praying Father was behaving himself.
“Ah, Eve. You’re just in time for a cuppa and scones. I made the new recipe with lemonade,” Hannah said. “It was very quick and easy.”
Kahu shot to his feet and circled the table. Despite Father’s presence, he took the time to kiss me. “Are you okay?”
Nodding, I leaned against him, savoring his warmth, the silent comfort.
“Are you two going to canoodle all day?” Father sounded testy. “It’s not seemly.”
“Tell us what happened, Evie,” Ben said.
“Wait until I’ve poured tea for everyone,” Hannah said. “I don’t want to miss a word. Take these please, Eve.” She handed over a plate of scones and a dish of strawberry jam. “Kahu, you can take the clotted cream.”
Hannah organized the tea and scones, but the attention soon turned back to me.
“Richard didn’t know anything, really, although he offered to help with a DNA test once Amber comes home. I’m fairly certain already, but the test will give me a sort of closure.”
“Amber is coming home early?” Father asked, shooting a quick glance at Kahu.
“I miss her. Besides, she told me she has lots of eggcups to sell at the market. You’ve created a monster,” I said to Kahu. “She loved the paint project you gave her.”
Father cast a quick look at Kahu, and I knew he wanted to ask about the money we owed Beauchamp. I’d tell him later. At least his pride would remain intact because we’d still repay the debt, but the deletion of the interest charges meant we’d manage our payments and we wouldn’t have goons popping out of the woodwork all the time.
“Richard told me he had an affair with Perdita Moning,” I said, shifting the subject.
“Really?” Hannah said. “Did his wife know?”
“Did his wife murder Perdita?” Ben asked.
Kahu set down his mug of tea. “She admitted to the murder of the woman in Scotland along with those of Catherine Montville and Matthew Beauchamp plus the woman at the last ball. We hadn’t connected her with Perdita Moning.”
“You should ask her,” Father said. “How did you get her to admit to the others?”
Kahu snorted. “She lost her temper and ignored her solicitor’s instructions to remain silent.”
“Was she trying to shoot Eve?” Hannah asked.
“She thought you and Richard were having an affair,” Kahu said.
“We were not!” Bloody hell, Kahu should know. I liked him and hadn’t managed to take our relationship further than some heavy groping. No way would I sleep with a man I disliked.
Kahu reached for my hand and laced our fingers together. “I believe you.”
“Thanks.” I nibbled my bottom lip when I thought about the rest of my discussion with Richard. “Richard told me Matthew was friendly with your brother.”
Kahu’s brows shot up. “Matthew, not Richard?”
“Richard put him on the payroll and that was the extent of it.”
Kahu squeezed my hand. “Thank you. That will give me another avenue to check.” He captured my gaze and held it. “My parents need closure.”
A slow smile bloomed on his lips, and I found myself smiling back. For long seconds I forgot the terrible trio. Instead I let myself drift and wallow in the attention of a man I thought I could actually come to love. And, even better, he wanted to spend time with me.
I wanted to make it work. I really did.
“I made an appointment to see a counselor.”
“That’s great.” Kahu leaned closer until our lips fused. It was a gentle kiss, yet it said so much more. His kiss held acceptance and encouragement. It spoke of hope for the future. Our future.
“Ahem!”
I jerked away from Kahu and met his gaze again with consternation. Embarrassment heated my cheeks, but he merely grinned. My discomfiture melted under his good humor, desire for privacy resonating within me.
“Kahu,” Father said.
Both Kahu and I focused on Father, me with foreboding.
Father took a sip of his tea and swallowed, keeping us in suspense. “Would you like to stay for dinner?”
Kahu winked at me. “Thanks. I’d like that.”
Father nodded. “Ben and I need to pick some vegetables to fill orders for the neighbors. Hannah, do you need fresh peas for dinner?”
“I’ll come and pick them now,” Hannah said.
Magically, the kitchen cleared.
Kahu smiled. “Alone at last.”
“Yeah,” I said. “We’d better make the most of it. They’re likely to reappear at any time.”
“Come here.” Kahu scooped me up and resettled me on his knee. His arms went around me, and he feathered kisses over my cheek and down my neck. My hands curled around his neck and our lips met. We didn’t move for a long time.
I didn’t know how our future would pan out. I mean, a cat burglar and a cop came from opposite sides of the law. But it was time for a new chapter, new beginnings, and I didn’t see why the Fawkner family couldn’t adapt with the times. We had a lot going for us, a determination to repay our debt and keep Oakthorpe afloat plus the business smarts to help us get ahead. From where I sat, the future looked rosy.
Yeah, I’d happily settle with Kahu and become Lady Eve Fawkner, cat burglar in retirement.
Epilogue
Five weeks later
“This is beautiful.” I wandered through the Cotswold cottage we’d rented for the weekend. The positive results from Amber’s DNA test had given me a sense of closure, and with several counseling sessions behind me, I felt ready to take the next step. I came to a halt in the bedroom.
Kahu dropped our bags on the floor behind me. “You’re beau
tiful.”
I turned to smile at him, my fingers unfastening the buttons of my pale pink shirt.
His brows rose. “What are you doing?”
“It’s called seduction.” I shrugged off my shirt and kicked off my black heels. “How am I doing?”
“Are you sure?”
“Most of me is certain I want to do this. With you.”
“God, Eve.”
Suddenly we were flinging clothes in all directions. I fell into Kahu’s arms, my breasts flattening against the hard planes of his chest. Our lips met with urgency. My body hummed. My breath hitched at the raw desire throbbing in the air.
Kahu pulled away a fraction. “We need to slow down. I want you to enjoy this because once won’t be enough for me.” His eyes were fierce, reminding me of a hawk, as he gazed at me.
“I’m frightened of going slow,” I said. “What if I panic again?”
He brushed a lock of hair from my face, the touch gentle. Caring. “Then we talk about it. We work things out together, and you talk to your counselor again. We strip off every day and do lots of touching.” His gaze dropped to my breasts before returning to my face, and the erotic promise I saw in him made my face flush. It was raw, male desire. For me.
“Stripping off every day might be fun.”
His dark brows arched. “Might be? That almost sounds like a challenge.”
Sexual banter. It was new to me. “I haven’t flirted since I was a teenager,” I said in wonder.
He chuckled. “It will come back to you.”
“Just like riding a bicycle?”
“Just like that,” he promised. “Will you let me make you come?”
“I…yes,” I whispered after a brief hesitation. This man was generous. I trusted him.
“Let’s play a game.” His bright eyes challenged me. “I’m going to touch you somewhere on your body, and if you like what I’m doing, tell me hot. If you don’t like it, say cold.”
Intrigue hooked me like a fish. “And if it’s somewhere in the middle?”
“Then it’s warm.”
I gazed at his starkly male lips and sighed. My eyes wandered, taking in the scenery. I couldn’t stop looking at him. All of him. He seemed comfortable in his skin, and nakedness didn’t bother him in the slightest. He was like a piece of chocolate. Rich and decadent. Dark. A little mysterious. Tasty. Oh, yeah. Male chocolate.
“Are you ready?” He kissed my chin.
I pouted. “Cold.”
“Hmm.” He grinned wickedly and flicked his tongue across my lips, too quickly for me to react. A prickle of sensation darted the length of my body, settling between my thighs.
“Cool,” I said in a firm voice.
His eyes danced with silent laughter. “I’ll have to improve.”
“Obviously.”
“How about this?” And he kissed me. Slow. Toe-tingling. The kiss of a lover. When he finally lifted his head, I gasped for air. “Well?”
“Warm.”
“Ah, not quite there yet.” He nuzzled my neck and used his teeth, the nip shoving a jolt through me.
“Warm.”
He moved down my body. Licked my collarbone. Nibbled a little on the curves of my breasts. After each caress, he paused for my answer. I replied automatically, my mind drifting on a haze of pleasure. My nipples pulled tight, and when his mouth closed over one, drawing on it, teasing it with his tongue, a moan escaped. I writhed beneath him, not fighting for freedom, but rather needing to get closer. The hard press of his erection against my body didn’t panic me. Instead I fed on his obvious need of me, taking pleasure in being wanted. I shuddered, and a hungry little noise squeezed past my lips.
He lifted his head and grinned.
“Warm.”
“You wouldn’t be lying to me?” One hand plucked at my nipple while he bent to lick around my navel.
“N-no.” Oh, that shouldn’t feel so decadent. But it did. My eyes drifted closed to better savor the sensations coursing through me.
“You don’t sound very sure.”
He was on to me.
“You’ll have to try again.” Oh, yes. Please touch me again.
His lips grazed my hipbone.
“Warm,” I whispered in a thick voice.
He silently indicated I should part my legs, and I did with scarcely any hesitation. His warm breath brushed across my inner thigh. I felt the scrape of his stubble across the tender skin.
“Warm.”
“I don’t think you’re following the rules.” A husky accusation.
“Or maybe you’re not very good at the game,” I countered. A lie. He was very good. Through a heavy fog of desire, I waited for his next touch. Damp heat surged between my legs, my mind willing him on.
“You’re pretty.”
My eyes flew open, and I saw the satisfaction slashing his sensual mouth, the direction of his gaze. I tried to squeeze my thighs together, but he’d moved and his body prevented it. The play of emotions over his face stopped a protest. Instead, I relaxed again, or as much as I could with him studying my private parts.
“Will you let me kiss you here?” His finger skimmed along my feminine folds.
“Very warm.”
“Tell me yes, Eve.”
A command. “You want me to give you permission.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Touch me again. Please.”
He repeated the move, hitting a hot spot along the way. My hips canted upward, attempting to encourage him to do more. Oh, yes, please.
“Eve?”
“Warm,” I said. “Very warm.”
His smile turned predatory, yet he didn’t scare me. I craved that delicious tickle of heat again. And I wanted Kahu’s lazy perusal. His touch.
“I think you’ll like this.” He slipped his hands under my butt and lifted me to his mouth.
Fire and chills warred in me from his first touch. The lap of his tongue. The nibble of his lips pushed me higher. A coil of energy grew in my lower body, getting bigger and bigger until I didn’t know whether the sensation was good or bad. I hovered on the cusp, whimpering with each lash of his tongue.
He lifted his head, and I groaned.
“Eve?”
“Hot.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere.”
He didn’t give me a chance to reply, placing his mouth on me and sucking. The pain and the pleasure collided, exploding. I felt spasms, hard and fast, and rode them until they tapered off. My eyes, which had closed, flickered open and I stared down at Kahu. Suddenly, I yearned for more.
“Eve?”
“I don’t want to play anymore.”
“I…sure.” He went to move off the bed.
“No!” Panic made my voice sharp. “You need a condom. Now.”
His bright smile bathed me in warmth, and I got a great view of his bum as he hurried to his bag. Seconds later he was back. “You sure?”
“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.” And it was nothing more than the truth.
The foil of the condom packet crinkled when he ripped it open. I steeled myself, breathing carefully while I waited for panic to strike. It never came.
Kahu moved over me. He smiled, and our lips met. A seductive kiss. Hot and even a little raunchy. I felt him at my entrance, but still not a shred of fear arrived. He pushed slowly into me while continuing to kiss and tease. His fingers tugged at one nipple, the firm pull shooting to the place where we were joined. He kept invading, pushing deeper until finally he filled me to the hilt.
“Eve?”
“Red hot,” I whispered against his lips.
He chuckled and started moving, pushing me into a sensual bubble filled with pure sensation. I soared and came a few seconds before Kahu, luxuriating in the aftershocks. We lay together in a sweaty heap, both breathing hard yet loathe to move.
“What’s the verdict?” I asked finally.
“I think we both won.”
“Yeah, I think that too.”
“Are you okay?”
I reached up to kiss him. “I’m very okay. Do you think we can do that again soon?”
“As many times as you want.” Kahu shifted, dealt with the condom and settled back next to me.
“Good, I’ll keep you to that.” I cuddled up to him, addicted to his touch, his scent, his sexy accent.
I realized then there was no one else for me. Kahu Williams had won me over. Totally. He was my male chocolate, and I didn’t intend to give him up.
About the Author
Shelley Munro is tall and curvaceous with blue eyes and a smile that turns masculine heads everywhere she goes. She’s a university tutor and an explorer/treasure hunter during her vacations. Skilled with weapons and combat, she is currently in talks with a producer about a television series based on her world adventures.
Shelley is also a writer blessed with a vivid imagination who lives in New Zealand with her husband and a rambunctious puppy. When Shelley’s not writing, she loves to travel and frequently drags her husband off to far-flung parts of the world—not that he puts up much of an argument. Enduring memories include being almost sat on by a mountain gorilla in Rwanda, lazing on white, sandy beaches in India, whale watching in Alaska, helmet diving in Bora Bora and camel riding in Egypt.
Cooking is fun (since she enjoys eating), and she likes to take photographs of everyone and everything. No one is safe from her camera lens. To learn more about Shelley and her books visit her website at www.shelleymunro.com.
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ISBN: 978-1-4268-9323-0
This is the revised text of a work first published as THE SHADOW by Medallion Press in 2006.
Copyright © 2006 as THE SHADOW by Shelley Munro
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