Tom’s gaze shifted past Rafe. “And I was lucky no one saw me.”
“You were but luck doesn’t last forever.”
Tom pulled away. “I’m lucky now. If you touch me I can yell for a cop.”
“Are you forgetting you’ve invaded my apartment?”
Manon rose. “You were the only one who knew about Rafe’s accident. You stood in the doorway of my bedroom and told me Rafe was dead. My memory is finally clear.”
Tom shrugged. “Your father told me.”
She shook her head. “You’re lying. I hid that part of my memories. Now I remember that I saw you. My father stood behind you and laughed.”
"So.” Defiance rang in the single word. “Memories can be false.”
“Not this one. I was crying so loud my ears hurt. The doorbell rang. Moments later you told me the news. I screamed and told you to go away.”
Tom’s face blanched. Rafe pushed him into a chair. “What Manon said is true. I remember how you stood above me and shone a light in my face. I’ve had nightmares about seeing you since that night. Why not admit the truth?”
“If you saw me, I’m glad.” Tom tried to rise. “I’m happy you’ve had nightmares.”
Rafe pushed him back. “Tell me about the money you insisted Manon’s father gave me. None was found.”
“Cops took it.”
Rafe hovered over the seated man. “I don’t think so.” He clenched his hands against the desire to punch Tom. “There never was any money.” He paused for a moment. “If I was dead the way you thought why spread stories about bribes.”
“I was told to say it.”
“By whom?”
“Mr. Lockley.”
That made sense. If Manon’s father had seen the letters he’d written to Manon, he might have given such an order.
“So you’re saying you lied about that,” Rafe said.
“Yes.”
Manon stepped beside Rafe. “I want to know about some photos my father showed Rafe.”
Tom’s head jerked. “Pictures.”
Rafe laughed. “Have you forgotten we know how obsessed you were with snapping photos? Didn’t you have your own dark room?”
Tom’s mouth gaped. “How did you see them?”
“Manon’s father couldn’t wait to show them to me. Then he ordered me to leave town before he used them. I grabbed them, tore them to shreds. He didn’t fight me. What happened to the negatives?”
“He took them before he paid me. Burned them.”
Manon scowled. “Tom Sands, you make me sick. I know you’re responsible for a lot of evil.”
Tom smiled. “They really turned me on.”
Rafe clenched his jaw. He raised a fist. But punching Tom would do more harm than good.
“I’m glad I gave you a bloody nose,” Manon said.
“If your father hadn’t dragged you to Europe, I would have shown you I’m better than Rafe.”
“In your dreams.” Manon slid her arm around Rafe’s waist. “You should be charged with attempted murder.”
Tom laughed. “Too late for that. Been longer than seven years. If he’d died I would be in trouble.”
Manon turned to Rafe. “Isn’t there something we can do?”
“The court of public opinion is open,” Rafe said.
Tom pushed against the arms of the chair. “You would spread gossip that puts you in a bad light.”
Rafe leaned forward. “Damn straight. But I won’t use gossip.” He grasped the recorder. “We have you on tape. Played to certain people like your law partners and a certain nurse and the story will mushroom. That certain nurse told me things you’d said about me.”
Manon fisted her hands. “I’ll go for a restraining order and let the world know how you tried to lure me into committing insurance fraud with your weekly visits to my office and your failure to follow up on the consults I suggested.”
Tom’s laughter sounded forced. “I shredded the records your nurse gave me.”
Manon straightened. “I’m no fool. I kept a printed copy as well as a computer file.”
Rafe stepped closer to the chair. “”There’s a way to settle this without a public vendetta.”
“Really,” Manon said.
“I have a tape of the conversation and you have your files. They could be forgotten if he leaves town.”
Tom glared. “Give me three weeks.”
“Two.” Manon turned to Rafe. “Is that acceptable?”
“Yes.”
Manon popped the tape from the recorder. “Two weeks or this gets played for others.”
“All right.” Tom walked to the door. “You’ll regret this. I’m the better man.”
“In your dreams,” Manon said.
“Goodbye, Tom,” Rafe said. “Just go.”
When the door closed Rafe pulled Manon into his arms.
Chapter 10
Manon rested against Rafe’s chest. Dark emotions leached away. A lightness filled her with hope. They had explored the events of the past, sorted truth from lies. Now they knew who had killed the seeds of young love. A moment or regret rose. If she and Rafe hadn’t been rudely separated, she wouldn't have joined her father on the tour. When she turned twenty-one she would have closed the keyboard and returned home. What kind of life would she and Rafe have found?
That no longer mattered. The time had come to weave new dreams. Could she? Her body relaxed.
Tom was leaving town. The threat of exposure had been the trigger. A shame he couldn’t be punished for causing Rafe’s injuries in the murderous attack.
She raised her head. In Rafe’s blue eyes she saw love and more. “Do you really believe those negatives were destroyed?”
“If Tom had been in possession of them he would have used the photos to blackmail you into his bed. I’m sure your father made sure they were destroyed.”
She smiled. “You’re right. Father wouldn’t have wanted publication of those snapshots. Could have ruined the tour.” She shuddered. “Spare me from men with selfish agendas.”
“How do you know mine isn’t?” he asked.
She reached for her purse. “Never you.”
Rafe plucked the bag from her hand. “Don’t leave yet. Have you forgotten you brought dessert?”
Laughter rose. She bit her lip. The man wanted dessert or was this a delaying tactic. “I’ll stay for a bit.”
“I’m glad.” The husky undertones in his voice sent fire flowing through her. She thought of the last time they’d shared ice cream. Her body pulsed. Did she really want to leave? Though all she’d learned in the last hour or so rattled her thoughts, they all seemed to drive her toward surrender to her need and more. What beyond sex did Rafe want? Her face felt as hot as the rest of her body.
Rafe strode into the kitchen. “Do you want yours in a bowl or should we eat from the carton?”
A hint of disappointment raised a frown. What had she wanted him to do? Sweep her into his arms and carry her to bed. She was the one who had said she wanted time and he was giving her some.
“Either will do. Why do you want me to stay?”
He opened the freezer compartment. “There are a few things we need to discuss.”
She stared. “I don’t want any more words tonight.”
He winked. “Silence is possible.” He opened the container and scooped ice cream into a bowl and took two spoons from a drawer. “Just a few bites.”
She filled one of the spoons. The chill treat slid down her throat. She watched him savor a bite, curling his tongue around the spoon. Her nipples tightened.
He groaned.
“Are you in pain?”
“I’ve just added another favorite taste. Bacon blue cheese burgers, giant fries and catsup, this ice cream and you.” He brushed his lips over hers. “You taste the best.”
Manon felt the ice blocking her emotions begin to melt. Would the pain and anger she’d held close for twelve years vanish that quickly?
Rafe set the bowl on th
e table. He stepped closer. Her heart rate sped like a race car on the speedway.
Yes, this was the time.
He held out a hand. “Come with me.”
She pointed to the nearly full bowl. “And dessert?”
“I want you for mine.”
She lifted the dish and set it in the freezer. “Let’s not waste this like we did an entire quart at my house. We may need the energy later.”
He grinned. “I’ll make sure we do.”
As she clasped his hand, her heart thudded. “One question. Why did you decide to let Tom leave town rather than publishing what he did?”
He tugged her forward. “Since he couldn’t face a jury and receive a jail sentence, there was no sense pushing for anything more than his absence from Fern Lake. Do his parents live here?”
“They moved to Arizona years ago.”
Rafe wrapped his arms around her. “Another reason I didn’t push. I got the girl.”
She pressed against him. “Are you sure? Perhaps the woman has you.”
“That’s a given.” His laughter blew jets of air against her neck. “You can have me anytime and anywhere.” He entered the hall and pushed her ahead of him. “Any objections?”
“None.” Being with him was what she needed and what she’d always wanted. The last cold fragment vanished. Her emotions soared. She felt so relieved tears formed. She couldn’t cry. He wouldn’t understand. Love for Rafe cascaded through her with the force of water over Niagara Falls. Until she knew his intentions she couldn’t tell him her feelings were as strong as ever. She turned to face him.
He tapped the end of her nose with a finger. “Are you sure I’m who you want?”
She sucked in a breath laden with the aromas of desire. “Yes. Could I ask another question?”
“Only if you rub the genie.”
A peal of laughter erupted when she thought of the name they’d given his penis years ago. His erection pulsed against her palm. Anticipation of what was to come nearly caused her to forget the question. She caught a breath. “I’ve been in Fern Lake for a year. Mrs. Patton knew. Didn’t she tell you?”
“She did. In January.”
“Why didn’t you return then?”
“The commute.”
“What?”
“Over two hours every day would have interfered with my job and dissertation.”
“Explain.”
“In January Gran asked me to apply for her job. I wanted to concentrate on finishing my doctorate and a consulting job. She didn’t tell me you were here until I agreed.”
Manon nodded. “Makes sense. Was easier for me. I would have completely closed you out then. My father had just died without answering any of my questions. I was angry at him and at you.”
He stroked her cheek. “After so long I feared you had found someone else and still used your maiden name.”
“There was no one.” The expression of delight in his eyes made her smile. “Just why would the commute bother you? People often travel that far to work.”
“I knew once I saw you my energy would be spent in pursuit.”
“I think I understand.”
“My turn for a question.” Rafe tilted her chin. “Why didn’t you do something about Tom’s attempt to lure you into committing insurance fraud?”
She lowered her gaze. “I thought he was being a pest like always.”
“But the bills?”
“Emma caught on after his second visit and didn’t bill the company. She tried to tell me but I didn’t listen.” Manon heaved a deep sigh. “Until you returned I never saw him as conniving or dangerous.”
Rafe brushed his lips over hers. “I’ve a feeling if he’d believed he had no chance and you had no protector he would have harmed you.”
“And now?”
“He’ll leave. We have the tape. You have documentation of his faked visits to your office.”
Manon rose on her toes. “Enough talk. Time for action.”
“What do you have in mind?” He flicked his tongue along her lips.
“Probably the same as you.” She opened her mouth and drew his tongue inside. With one hand she stroked his erection. Rafe’s groan spurred her to delve inside his shorts and run a finger over the head of his erect member.
He growled. “You’re killing me.”
“Just making a wish.”
“One I’ll gladly grant.” He pulled her hand free. “Any more wishing and the wish won’t be granted.” He clasped her hands. “Come.”
She laughed. “I will and so will you.”
As they walked down the hall, she glanced into the bathroom. Clothes and towels draped the sink, toilet and the floor. Training him into neatness would be a challenge and fun. A system of rewards could add a bit of spice.
Getting ahead of yourself.
She drew a deep breath. Though she hoped there was no reason to believe this was more than a physical relationship.
When they entered the bedroom, a burst of laughter erupted. “I’m not making love on a bare mattress.” A heap of covers and sheets lay in a rumpled pile on the king-sized bed. “Do you ever make it?”
“As seldom as possible. Made too many when I worked as a nursing assistant while going for my RN.” He unearthed the bottom sheet.
“No loans.”
“None that I could avoid.” He tossed the rest of the bedding on a chair in the corner. “Worked nights, classes during the day and slept four hours every evening.”
She walked to the far side of the bed and joined the bed making process. “Must have been tough.”
“Sometimes. Left little time for a social life.”
Manon rounded the bed. “Until college, I had no social life either. Father and I spent no more than a week or two in each city.”
He held out his arms. She stepped into the embrace. She opened her mouth and welcomed his tongue. Hers slid over his. Delicious threads of heat flowed through her. Tongues tangled, thrust and retreated. The scent of desire brought her need for him into focus.
Rafe’s hands slid beneath her shirt to open her bra. She raised her arms so he could pull her shirt over her head and slid the bra straps down her arms. Anticipation caused her to catch a breath filled with his aroma.
While cupping her breasts, he nipped her bottom lip. She slid her hands beneath the elastic waistband of his shorts to caress his engorged penis. He rubbed her nipples with his thumbs. Flames speared her core. Soft whimpers joined his guttural groans. She stepped back to remove her shorts.
Rafe stripped. Manon’s gaze centered on his erection. “My wish?”
“Will be granted.” He lifted her. “I want. I need. I’m ready to explode.”
Manon ran her hands over his chest. His nipples beaded against her fingertips and she followed the curvature of his muscles. She touched the scar on the side of chest, bent and pressed her lips against the rough skin. As she sank to her knees her hands slid along his hips and across to stroke the inner surface of his thighs.
“Manon.”
Desire rang in his voice. His hips thrust allowing the head of his penis to brush her mouth. She tongued the tip and massaged his sac. A salty taste and musky odor brought pulsing sensations sweeping through her.
“Ah, ah,” he moaned.
Slowly her lips encased him and drew him deeper. Her tongue glided over the rough surface. His growls caused fluid to gather in her panties.
With a groan, he withdrew. “Enough.”
“Why?”
“I want to see you. I want to explore your body by touch and taste.” He pulled her to her feet and lifted her onto the bed.
As she grasped the sides of her thing, he shook his head. “Leave it. Removal is mine.”
She held out her hands. “Rafe.”
“I’m here, love.” His voice rough with passion sent ripples of heat over her skin. He continued an exploration of her breasts and kissed his way down her belly. His fingers danced along the narrow strip of cloth and stroked betwe
en her legs. He brought his hand to his nose and inhaled.
“You’re ready,” he growled.
“And waiting.” She tried to edge closer to him. Rafe pressed his hands against her shoulders. “Be still.”
“I want you.” Yearning filled her voice.
He settled on his knees between her wide spread legs. With his teeth he caught the band of the thong and slid his hands beneath her rear. Slowly he pulled the cloth away. He paused to tongue her clit. His warm breath cooled the moisture. Manon bent her knees. He moved away.
Manon clenched her muscles. “Rafe, when?”
He pulled the thong from her legs. With a quick movement he tossed the bit of cloth to the floor. With hands and mouth he teased and caressed her breasts. He drew one into his mouth and sucked. The rhythm matched the pulses throbbing inside her.
“Please, please,” she cried.
He kissed his way down her belly. When his hands slid beneath her buttocks, she moaned. With mouth and tongue he stroked and sucked. She hovered at the peak. Then she slid into the flames that fused the shards of shattered dreams into a perfect present.
* * *
Rafe raised his head and met her gaze. The love and desire mirrored in her blue-gray eyes turned hope into reality.
He reached for a condom to sheathe himself. Manon’s flushed face and smile brought a memory of her first climax at his hands. She was his for now and forever.
As he bent to kiss her he saw desire rekindling in her eyes. Her tongue slid over her lips. She stroked his cock. “Another wish.”
“Soon mine will be granted.” Inch by inch he slid into her passage.
Manon wrapped her legs around his hips. He bent and kissed her with fierce possessiveness. He moved. In unison the dance began. Slow and fast, deep and shallow. The rhythm moved toward the heights.
Rafe raised his head. “Twelve years lost. Will be no more.”
“What?”
Instead of answering he began to thrust harder and faster. She moved with him. Perspiration rolled down his face. Pleasure and pain mingled. The slap of flesh on flesh, myriad aromas, moans, sighs, growls and cries mingled to form a symphony of sound surrounding them. He neared the peak. For an instant he hovered on the brink. His back arched. Her name poured across his lips. Seed spurted in a heavy stream.
Shattered Dreams (Moonchild) Page 11