“Not a problem. I’ve seen enough.” Jacob turned and stormed from the room on his own.
Becca looked back at Danny to find him watching her, his face void of expression.
“I didn’t know what to expect today. All I wanted was proof you were indeed alive and would spend the rest of your life locked away.” She stood. “Mission accomplished. Have a nice life.” She put two fingers to her forehead in a wave of sorts and turned on her heel.
“Becca?”
Her breath cut short and she faced him once again.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you have a nice mouth?”
Her stomach churned. “You’re one sick puppy, aren’t you?”
He winked at her. “I’ll be seeing you.”
“Don’t hold your breath. I won’t be back.”
He tossed his head back and silenced the room with his menacing laughter. It carried with her hurried exit from the room.
Chapter Thirty-Five
They rode under a canopy of yellow and orange. A warm breeze brought leaves cascading down. The late afternoon sun pushed through and washed the colors in warmth. Around the next bend, a brilliant red explosion erupted from a bevy of majestic maple trees.
Becca settled in her seat and watched Randy lean into each curve with the ease of a seasoned rider. He signalled, and she followed him in to a rest stop where a roadhouse with a large outdoor deck on the upper level offered a spectacular view of the lake.
Becca’s skin tingled from the wind on her face, a welcome sensation she hadn’t realized she’d missed so much. Randy walked toward her, a slight tinge of red to his already bronzed skin. He smiled, his eyes filled with genuine happiness to be here with her.
She set her helmet on the seat and crossed the distance between them. Becca reached up and clasped her hands behind his neck, kissing him soundly on the mouth. His laughter filled the space between them as she pulled away.
“I’m not sure what brought that on, but I’m sure glad it did.”
Heat warmed her cheeks. “Isn’t this the best day ever?”
He took hold of her hand and led her through the deserted lower level and up to the deck buzzing with life. Luckily for them a young couple left the perfect table at the railing.
A splash of red, orange and gold littered the landscape like an artist’s paintbrush put them there. A robin’s egg sky created the perfect backdrop for the crystalline lake.
Becca inhaled deeply and then let it out slowly. She looked over at Randy to find him gazing at her with such intensity it robbed her of breath. “Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?” she asked.
“Yes, and I’m looking at her right now.”
Becca settled in her seat and put her hand in his atop the table. “You’re such an amazing man. I can’t tell you how much your patience and understanding means to me. It takes a special kind of man to step back and give someone the time and space needed to heal. It’s because of you that I’ve come to a point in my recovery where I can actually look in the mirror and be happy with what I see.”
Randy’s eyes filled with moisture. “You’re one of the strongest women I know, Becca. Take all the time you need, as long as you keep a place in your heart for me.”
She gulped, unable to stop the rush of emotion even if she tried. “Take me home.”
His brow wrinkled in confusion. “Are you feeling okay? Is it something I said?”
She reached for his hand. How can he not see how much I love him? “No, you don’t understand. I want you to come home with me. Let me show you just how much you mean to me.”
His troubled expression transformed into surprise and elation as he stood and offered his hand. “Let’s go home.”
Randy wasn’t sure what prompted this sudden change in plans but he definitely liked the new direction they were headed. The chemistry between them had ignited. Upon entering the city, a shiver ran from the top of his head to his toes.
Becca turned in her driveway and clicked the garage door opener. Randy pulled in beside her, reminded of the time she wouldn’t let him park inside, telling him he wouldn’t be there long enough to warrant it.
He chuckled to himself. Boy was she wrong.
As he followed the sway of her hips into the house, his pulse raced like a school boy anticipating his first kiss. Easy does it. Let her take the lead in her own time.
“I don’t know about you, but I could use a shower.” She smiled suggestively. “Care to join me?”
“No, you go ahead. I had a shower this morning.” He sat at the table and stooped over to remove his boots, looking up to find her standing in the doorway with her mouth open. He laughed. “I’m right behind you.”
“You bugger.” She tossed a dish towel at him and turned on her heel.
Randy set his boots on the mat. He jumped up, taking off his shirt on the way to the bathroom. She stood in the steam-filled room, half dressed, her breasts milky white. He stepped towards her only to be stopped with her hand between them. She fluttered her eyelashes and went down on her knees, slowly undoing his jeans and pushing them down to his ankles for him to step out of them.
Randy cupped her face in his hands, gently persuading her to stand. “My god, Red, do you have any idea what you do to me?”
She smiled and pressed her leg against his erection. “I think I have some idea.”
Randy growled and backed her into the shower, under the warmth raining down on them. He captured a nipple in his mouth, rewarded by her moan. The water ran cold before his legs turned to jelly and Becca leaned heavily against him.
He watched her take an oversized towel and wrap it around her, tucking the end between her breasts.
“Red.”
She looked at him through lowered lashes. “Yes?”
Randy took her face in his hands and tilted it upwards so he could look directly into her eyes. “I love you.”
Her eyesight blurred and her bottom lip quivered. “I love you too, Detective.”
He smiled, happy to finally hear those words from her. He brushed her mouth lightly before pulling her into his arms.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
“Starving, what do you have in mind?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“I think you need some food, old man. You can’t run on empty at your age.”
“Oh, you want to play that game do ya, ol’ lady?”
Becca laughed. On her way out of the bathroom, she dropped her towel and snatched her housecoat from the back of the door.
“You don’t play fair.” Randy’s words were muffled behind the closed door.
Becca padded across the carpet to the kitchen and opened the fridge. “Crap.” She frowned at the scarce contents. She’d never enjoyed cooking for just her alone
Her gaze wandered over half a dozen eggs, a quart of milk, cheese, and two bagels. “Perfect.”
Becca decided to cook a couple of cheese omelettes and toast the bagels. “It’s never the wrong time for breakfast.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Randy eased up behind her and nuzzled her neck.
She set down the knife for the cheese, unable to concentrate with him so close to her. “Mmm, that feels good.”
Randy spun her around and slipped his hands inside her housecoat. He pulled her close so her bare breasts pressed against his damp chest.
“You do realize I can’t cook anything like this.” She giggled.
“I beg to differ.” He swept her off her feet and cradled her in his arms. “I think we can definitely get something cooking between the two of us.”
His lips covered hers in a long, lush kiss as he carried her to the bedroom. Suddenly, he came to a full stop and pulled back from her. He looked into her bedroom, his eyes a tad too bright.
“What’s wrong?” Randy slowly lowered her to stand, and she turned to look in the same direction. “No, no, no.... This can’t be happening again.”
She grabbed his arm, unable to take her eyes off of the disturbing image befor
e her. On her pillow, precisely in the center, lay a long-stemmed, dark purple rose. Her knees buckled, and Randy held her upright with a hand clamped on each arm.
He firmed his hold on her. “Look at me, Red.”
Becca forced herself to meet his gaze.
“We’ll get to the bottom of this together. I promise.”
Her fear quickly turned to anger. A fire erupted within her. “I am going to find the bastard and put an end to this for good.”
“You won’t be alone, Red. We will find him.”
“Yes. Yes, we will.” Becca leaned into his chest and welcomed his steadying embrace. “And when we do find him—I’m going to kill him....”
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adelle Laudan lives in Southern Ontario with the last of her four children still under her wing. She is keeper of one little diva dog named ChaChi who always manages to make her smile. Adelle is a multi-published author, spanning many genres.
Adelle invites you on the many twists and turns of being a published author. Be sure to fasten your seatbelt, as it’s sure to be a ride you won’t soon forget.
“If I can evoke emotion from my readers, whether it be laughter or tears, I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.”
www.adellelaudan.com
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