“I told you I was going to show you how much I like the way you touch me.”
Groaning, he sat up and removed her shirt. She didn’t have on a bra and he wasted no time taking a hardened nipple into his mouth. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Cedric thought he heard a phone buzzing, but he ignored it. The sound came back again.
Randi let out a sigh of frustration. “I should probably see who that is. I’m on call.” She slid off his lap, crossed the floor and picked up her phone. “This is Randi.”
Still breathing harshly, he scrubbed a hand down his face. He stared at her standing there with her beautiful breasts bared and her lips thoroughly kissed and hoped whoever it was on the line would make it quick.
“Text me the address,” he heard her say. A minute later she hung up. She came back to where he sat and gave him a look of regret. “I have to go.”
“Another fire?”
She nodded.
He wanted to ask about it but remembered his promise. He got to his feet.
“Rain check?”
Cedric smiled. “You’d better believe it, and preferably on a night when you’re not on call.”
Randi stroked a hand over his hardened length. “Problems?”
“Big problems.”
Her mouth gaped and she swatted him on the arm. “I can’t believe you.” She grabbed her shirt off the floor and pulled it on.
“What?” he asked, reaching for his shirt and putting it on. “You asked and I answered.”
“Don’t act all innocent, Cedric Hunter.” She rolled her eyes.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He picked up his plate and glass and took them to the sink.
She quickly covered the bowl of salad with some plastic wrap, poured the remaining dressing into a container and placed them in the refrigerator.
“I’ll hang out in the living room while you change and walk you out.”
“Okay.”
While waiting, he tried to will his body back to calm, but he had a hard time because he kept hearing her bold words in his head. He drew in several deep breaths and let them out slowly. It still didn’t help.
“I’m ready.”
Cedric spun around at the sound of Randi’s voice. Once again, she had on jeans and her boots. “Is it far?” he asked as she locked the door behind them. They walked the short distance to her car.
“Not too far.”
He brushed a kiss over her mouth. “Be careful.”
“I will.” She got in the car, started it and backed out.
He walked over to his own car parked a short distance away. It’s going to be a long night.
Chapter 7
Tuesday evening, Randi dragged herself home and straight to the bathroom. She had gotten less than four hours of sleep the previous night and had spent all day at another burned construction site collecting evidence. That made three within the last month—all arson—and they still didn’t have any leads. A few of the officers speculated on whether some joyriding teens were cruising around torching sites for the fun of it, but her gut told her it had to be something else, particularly since they all followed the same pattern. To make matters worse, it had started raining late in the afternoon and she looked like a drowned rat. Tonight, she planned to take a long bath, if she could stay awake long enough. She also had to do her hair. More and more she was beginning to think going natural, as her sister had suggested, might have some merit. But for now, she was in for a night of washing, blow-drying and flat-ironing. She stepped into the shower to rinse away the grime and wash her hair, then ran a tub of hot water to relax in.
Randi sank into the warm water scented with her stress-relief blend of bubble bath and sighed pleasurably. She leaned back against the towel she’d rolled up and closed her eyes. The heat seeped through her chilled bones and she felt the tension release. She didn’t realize she was drifting off until the sound of her phone ringing startled her awake. Randi jerked upright, dried her hands on a towel and retrieved the cell from the edge of the sink where she had placed it. She noticed a missed message from Cedric; she would look at it when she finished her call.
“Hey, sis,” she said.
“Hey, Randi. I was just checking on you. I saw there was another fire last night and I know you’re on the case.”
Randi frowned. “How did you know?”
“It was on the local news and I caught a glimpse of you at the site.”
“Oh.” She had been so focused on her task that she hadn’t even noticed the news crews.
“I know you’re tired, and if you haven’t eaten, I’ll bring over some chicken tortilla soup.”
“That sounds so good. Thanks, sis. I’m in the bath right now, then I have to do my hair.”
“I figured as much. I’ll see you in about half an hour.”
“Okay.” She ended the call and placed the phone back in its spot. She washed up quickly, dressed and dried her hair. She’d wait until later to flatiron it.
Randi finished just as her doorbell rang, and she went to let her sister in. The two women embraced.
Iyana entered and handed Randi a bag. “I’m glad it stopped raining. Hopefully, it’ll hold until I get back home.”
Randi lifted the bag and sniffed. “This smells so good. You really need to share some of these recipes.” She started toward the kitchen with Iyana following. Once there, she got a bowl, filled it with some of the soup and stuck it in the microwave for a minute.
Iyana shrugged out of her jacket, hung it on the back of a chair and sat. “I know you can’t say much about the case, but do you think these fires are connected?”
“I don’t know right now. The only thing I can tell you is that they were all arson.” The one last night bugged her because on her way to the scene, she had passed two other construction sites within two miles of the torched one. Why hadn’t those been set on fire, as well? Surely, if she’d passed them, the arsonist would have, too. That alone made her question the randomness. No, those companies had been targeted for some reason. Cedric had been targeted. But why? Randi removed the bowl from the microwave, added cheese and tortilla strips and came to the table.
“I don’t understand people,” Iyana said. “Why would somebody do something so asinine? Someone could be killed, not to mention all the money and time it’s costing. Speaking of money, have you talked to Mr. Hottie recently?”
She’d gone way past just talking to him. Twenty-four hours ago, she had been straddling him, half-naked, right here at this table. “Yesterday.” She ate a spoonful of soup.
“Well?”
Randi glanced up. “Well what?”
Her sister sighed impatiently. “You said he’s not married, unlike that fine brother of his?”
“No, he’s not. And he and Lorenzo are cousins, not brothers.”
“Sounds like you two talked about more than just the fire. I think he has potential. You should let him know you’re available, too.”
She and her sister had always been each other’s confidantes. “He already knows,” she said, not looking up from the bowl. Iyana sat silently for a full minute and Randi could feel her penetrating stare.
“Go ahead and spill it.”
She set the soup aside and sighed. “I went to follow up with them last week. A detective was supposed to meet me there but got called away at the last minute. After I finished asking my questions, Lorenzo left to take a phone call from his wife.”
Iyana smiled. “Leaving you and Cedric alone.”
Randi nodded. “We wrapped up the meeting and I was getting ready to leave, and he asked me out to dinner.”
Iyana rubbed her hands together. “That’s what I’m talking about! Obviously, you didn’t turn him down.”
“Obviously,” Randi said, trying to hide her own smile. “Anyway, he was a complete gentleman—opened
my car door, wouldn’t let me pay.” She paused. “He followed me home to make sure I was safe. His words.”
“Aw, that’s so cute. I didn’t think men still did that. Apparently, I’ve been hanging around the wrong ones.”
“You and me, both.”
“Is he a good kisser?”
“Who said I kissed him?”
Iyana snorted. “Girl, please. Granted, the brother followed you home for safety reasons, but I guarantee you that wasn’t the only thing on his mind. He was looking for a little sugar.” She laughed.
Smiling, Randi shook her head. “You sound like Grandma.” That had always been their grandmother’s moniker for kissing. Iyana’s expression said she was waiting for an answer. “Yes, he’s a good kisser.” Better than good.
“Ain’t nothing like a man who knows how to make you wet from a kiss. And if you lie and say he didn’t, I’m taking my soup back.” She reached for the bowl.
Randi chuckled and quickly moved the bowl away. “Why are you being so nosy? I told you he kissed me. It was no big deal.” She lowered her head and pretended to focus on the soup, hoping her sister couldn’t tell it wasn’t the whole truth. She could.
“Because you’re holding out on me. You’re being awfully defensive and you are lying. Lying. Wait.” Her eyes widened. “Did you two sleep together?” When Randi didn’t answer, Iyana brought her hands to her mouth and squealed. “You did. Big sister is getting her groove back.” A sly grin curved her mouth and she leaned forward. “Did he make your toes curl?”
“Hell, that and everything else,” Randi confessed. They both screamed like teenagers and fell out laughing. When they finally calmed themselves, Randi said, “I agreed to a short affair with him, with the understanding that we wouldn’t talk about the case. I’m not sure it was a good idea, though.”
“You just said he was all that and a gentleman. I don’t see the problem...unless you’re afraid physical is going to turn emotional.”
“Bingo. You know how hard it is for me to keep those emotions separate after a while. I’m also concerned that I might be transgressing some work rule.” As she’d told Cedric, she had never come across a policy forbidding it, but she always played by the book and this made her feel somewhat antsy. “I’m sure it’ll burn out before it goes that far, so it should be fine. He’s not looking for anything serious, either.” Randi figured if she reminded herself often enough to keep it light, it would save her some heartache down the line.
“Friends with benefits.”
“Something like that.” The conversation tapered off and she finished her soup. “Do you have a long day tomorrow?”
Iyana checked her watch. “Yep. I have to be on set at five in the morning. It’ll take me a couple of hours to make my client look twenty years older. The team has already done some of the facial prosthetics, so I’m hoping things will go smoothly. Then, next Monday, we’ll be going down to LA to shoot some scenes. I should be back by Wednesday.”
“Let’s do dinner Thursday or Friday.”
“Works for me. I haven’t eaten steak in a while, so...”
“Yeah, okay. I can take a hint,” Randi said with a laugh.
Iyana stood and put on her jacket. “It’s a darn shame that I’m thirty-one and going to bed by ten. Alone.”
“You’re not the only one. I have a meeting in the morning and then it’s back out to the site. I hope it doesn’t rain again.” Randi didn’t relish the thought of slogging in the mud to collect samples, and she wanted to preserve as much evidence as she could. She had been searching for another message left by the arsonist, but so far had come up empty. “Thanks again for the soup,” she said as they walked to the door.
“You’re welcome. I hope you catch a break in the case soon.”
“Me, too.”
Iyana opened the door and jumped back with a gasp.
“Girl, what is wrong with—?” Randi’s eyes went wide. “Cedric. What are you doing here?” Seeing him reminded her that she had never checked the message he had left.
Cedric smiled. “Hello, to you, too.” He slowly dropped the hand that had been poised to ring the bell.
“Um, hey,” Randi said. Iyana elbowed her. “Oh, Cedric, this is my sister, Iyana. Iyana, Cedric Hunter.”
“Cedric, it’s very nice to meet you.”
“Same here.” He divided a glance between them. “Are you two leaving?”
“Oh, no,” Iyana said, opening the door wider. “Come on in, Randi’s in for the night. I was just leaving. You kids enjoy yourself.” She walked out the door and mouthed behind Cedric’s back, “He is fine, fine, fine!” Then pretended to swoon.
Randi bit her lip to keep from laughing. “See you later. Text me when you get home.”
“I will. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again, Cedric.” Iyana waved and sashayed off.
She shook her head at her sister. Instead of doing makeup, she should be on the stage. She closed the door and faced Cedric. “I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.”
He stroked a finger down her cheek. “I had a late meeting in the area and I wanted to make sure you were okay. I know you had a long night and day with the fire.”
The sweet gesture, coupled with his sincere concern had her heart racing. “I’m okay. Exhausted, but okay. But it goes with the territory, so...” She shrugged.
“I saw the news. Do you think it’s connected?”
“I don’t know.”
“And if you did you wouldn’t tell me.”
Randi opened her mouth to reply and he cut her off with a searing kiss. He moved closer and she felt every inch of his hard body against hers, sending heat flowing all through her. She wanted nothing more than to take him to her bedroom for a repeat of their first night. However, that didn’t line up with keeping things light.
Cedric eased back a fraction. “If you’re off on Saturday, we can do dinner at my place.” He touched his mouth to hers again. “Get some rest, baby.”
She reached up and caressed his face. “I will. And I’ll let you know about Saturday. Thanks for checking on me. You look tired, too.” She could see the lines etched in his forehead and guessed the stress of having to clean up and restart the building project was already taking a toll on him.
“Long day and it’ll be even longer tomorrow.”
“Then I’m not the only one who needs to rest.” She came up on tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss on his lips.
“Good night.” He opened the door and paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Oh, and tell your sister thanks.”
Her brows knitted in confusion. “For what?”
“She thinks I’m fine,” he said, amused.
“Oh, my goodness. You heard that?”
Cedric winked. “Yep.”
He laughed and strolled down the walk, leaving Randi with her mouth hanging open. She closed the door and shook her head. “This man.” Not falling for Cedric would take a Herculean effort.
* * *
Cedric added more charred wood to the dumpster. They had been working twelve hours a day since Monday, and four days later it seemed as if they hadn’t made any headway. He seriously considered coming out tomorrow, but he’d been trying to adhere to his father’s advice about keeping balance and not working on the weekends. Besides, his cousin was coming up to check on the fitness center progress and planned to spend the night, so it would be useless to start in the afternoon.
“Man, I haven’t worked this hard in over a year,” Lorenzo said, tossing in another bundle.
“I hear you.” Since taking over the company, they’d spent most of their time in the office, instead of working hands-on at a site. And if they came out to a site, it typically ended up being no more than a few hours, never an entire day or week. “Did you send the fire and police reports to the insurance company?”
“Yeah. I for
warded them right after you sent them to me. Hopefully, it won’t take long to cut the check. The adjuster said two to three weeks. We’re okay financially right now, but if we take on those two potential projects, it might stretch us a bit.”
Cedric grabbed another load and threw it in. “When are we scheduled to meet with them again?”
“Not for a couple of weeks.”
“Good. Hopefully, all this won’t scare them off. That’s the last thing we need.” If developers believed their buildings might go up in flames, they’d start taking their business elsewhere, and that would spell disaster for Hunter Construction. Cedric’s phone buzzed. He took off his gloves and pulled the cell out of his pocket. He read the message from his cousin and smiled. “That was Khalil. Their plane gets in at two.” He checked his watch. That gave Cedric and Lorenzo three hours.
“Lexia and KJ are still coming with him?”
“Yep.” He pocketed the phone and pulled his gloves back on. “I told them they could stay at my place tonight, rather than going to a hotel. I figure we can do dinner around seven. Jeremy said he’d get there a little early to get the meat started on the grill.” He’d also invited Lorenzo and Desiree, Lorenzo’s sister, Alisha, and her husband and two children. They had always made a practice of getting together when one or more of the cousins visited.
“You should invite Randi,” Lorenzo said as he gathered up another load for disposal.
Cedric glared. “I don’t recall you bringing Desiree to a family gathering two weeks after you started dating her.” He’d only ever brought one woman home—his senior prom date—and only because his mother insisted so she could take pictures.
“I don’t recall you being sympathetic. In fact, you were the one who told my mother about her.”
Spark of Desire ; All for You Page 8