by Tara Nina
Anger slithered through her veins as she stomped out of the church to her car. She couldn’t believe the God-fearing woman refused to believe her side of the story. When she’d found Penelope, she thought she’d gained an adversary against evil. She’d even convinced Penelope that the store of ill repute, Devilish Delights, needed to be shut down in order to cleanse the community of sexual deviancy.
The memory of the afternoon they’d sat together and written a letter of complaint to the town brought her momentary joy. That was supposed to be their first step toward the salvation cleansing she knew needed to be done.
First the store, then him. He would be dealt with as she saw fit.
But Penelope let her down. The idiot kept claiming her husband wouldn’t cheat on her. Not her. No, he wouldn’t cheat. He was a man of the cloth and that went against all they stood for in the church. It would destroy everything they’d worked so hard to accomplish. And she knew he wouldn’t risk the church over a woman such as the likes of Emma Jean Dupree.
No, there had to be another reason he met with Emma Jean. You’re wrong. Penelope’s adamant claims rang loudly in her head to the point she had to press her palms to her ears in a vain attempt to ease the distasteful high pitch of Penelope’s tone.
Even with the pictures printed from her phone scattered on the good reverend’s desk, the woman refused to see the light. Here she thought Penelope Pickford was a bright woman. Instead she proved to be an imbecile like all the rest. Not knowing the truth of God’s word as she saw it. When Penelope threw her out of the church’s office, a new idea dawned.
If no one would help her, then she’d take care of the blight on society alone. Over the years, her subtle attempts failed. But now she’d researched a method to extract the exact amount of repentance he should pay for his atrocities. Death would not be too steep a payment in his case as far as she was concerned. No, death was what he deserved and she knew right where to find him. He’d remained true to his nature and worked in the Devil’s haven. It was his weakness. A weakness she knew he used to kill.
“Well,” she muttered. “Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. And my time is now.”
* * * * *
When Emma Jean entered, his temperature rose. He’d completed the task she’d given him and managed the store with precise accuracy. And all the while, he thought of nothing but pleasing her. His cock hardened at the memory of fucking her tight little ass. She’d given him a precious gift he did not deserve, but failed to resist.
God. He rolled his eyes to the heavens and prayed for the strength to restrain from touching her again. But the moment she closed the distance between them, he knew he’d lost that battle. His sexual demons won. Her scent washed over him increasing his need to fuck her in any manner she so desired. Her authoritative tone set him on fire and he knew he’d fall at her feet and crawl across shards of glass, if she demanded it of him.
Anything to fuck her again.
Earl shivered from head to toe when she said he deserved to be punished. Anticipation spiked through his system at her promise to fulfill his punishment at closing time. Each glance at the clock made it seem as if time dragged to a halt. Damn. He ran a shaky hand through his hair. He hadn’t felt like this in years.
No, he decided. He hadn’t let himself feel like this in years. Not since Charlotte’s death had he even masturbated. And now… Now he’d experienced sex with a magnificent woman who drove his sexual hunger into a frenzy with just a look. What was he going to do?
His cock was hard and his balls were heavy. Emma Jean had him ready without even stroking his shaft or tweaking his ball sac. This wasn’t right. Earl paced the store quietly, trying to untangle the web of conflictions knotted in his gut. Three years of abstinence. Was that enough to pay for what he’d done?
Yes. The little voice at the base of his brain screamed. Yes, you fool. Fuck Emma Jean. Fuck her again and again.
Ring. Ring. The bell at the rear service door jarred him from his confusion. He rushed into the storeroom, knowing it had to be the delivery service picking up the packages. Emma Jean’s office door opened and she stepped out.
He froze.
“I’ve decided the perfect punishment,” she claimed huskily as she brushed against him in passing. “Trust me, you’re going to pay dearly for your disobedience.”
He didn’t move until the bell rang loudly again. Earl walked on shaky legs, unable to believe how much Emma Jean affected him. Every ounce of him craved her and anticipated whatever punishment she had chosen. God, he hoped she’d flog him again or tie his balls with leather straps and tug until he couldn’t stand. Images shot through his head at a rapid rate and it was all he could do to concentrate on letting in their routine delivery guy.
Earl helped load the packages. Not two seconds after he shut the door, the bell rang again. Had the delivery guy forgotten something? He opened the door and saw no one. His brow bunched as he stepped outside into the delivery alley that ran behind the store. A low, whispered, “help me” reached his ears from behind the garbage Dumpster, which sat near the end of the alleyway.
“Help me,” filtered through the air on a weak-sounding female voice. Earl ran to the Dumpster and was blindsided the moment he turned its corner. A sharp pain shot through his skull when a two-by-four connected with his head. He dropped to his knees, trying to shake off the blow. Before he regained his focus, something repugnant in smell covered his nose and mouth. Though he struggled against his assailant’s grip, the blow had weakened him. Desperately, he tried not to inhale but couldn’t help it.
Darkness filtered through the pain-filled stars, which danced inside his brain. Earl crumpled, helpless, to the ground. A pair of hot-pink pumps came into view right before his eyes unwillingly closed.
* * * * *
The sight of Emma Jean bent over picking something up off the floor sent a bolt of electrified energy straight to his cock. David stood outside staring through the glass door at the beauty of her butt. Perfectly round in form, soft to the touch and simply delectable in every nuance as far as he was concerned. He took a cleansing breath to still his rising lust then entered the store. At the sound of the bell, she stood and turned.
“David, what a nice surprise.” Her hug warmed him and he couldn’t resist tasting her in a quick kiss.
“Hi,” he said against her lips, momentarily lost in the heat of her closeness. The erotic brush of her against him as he returned her hug increased the semi-hardness the sight of her bent over started. With her touching him, it made it even more difficult to concentrate on the matter that brought him here. But the sound of low male voices and movement in the back snapped him out of his Emma Jean euphoria causing him to release her.
“Umm,” she sighed huskily. “A big hunky detective in the afternoon, what more could a woman want?” Her eyebrow cocked as she stepped out of their hug, looked up at him and said teasingly, “Except maybe two sexy men at once.”
David swallowed hard. Had he heard her right? She wanted two men at once. When she turned and walked to the counter, he followed. His mind whirled at her provocative suggestion. She’d taken him completely off guard with that one. He’d never shared a woman. Hell, he’d never played with sex toys before either. His gaze caressed Emma Jean from top to bottom and up again before she settled onto a stool. When his eyes found hers, he couldn’t read her. Her mischievous smile caused him to smile. Maybe it was just another one of her sexual innuendos meant to keep him off kilter.
Or maybe it wasn’t?
He shook his head and tucked the suggestion aside for now. He hadn’t come to talk sex with Emma Jean. Though from the condition of his cock, he wanted to do more than talk. He shifted his stance and did his best to clear images of her naked from his head. What was it about this woman that got under his skin like she did? One look from her and sex ruled his brain waves like a hormonal teenage boy.
For the first time in his career, David struggled to focus on his work. Standing in Emma Jean’s
shop of sex toys and sensual aids didn’t help cool his libido. He closed his eyes for a second, breathed deeply through his nose and forced the business side of his brain into motion. There was the matter of Earl that needed discussion.
“Emma Jean, I did some research into Lightfoot’s background.”
Her expression shifted from happy to instantly tight and stern. “I thought we discussed this earlier and agreed to leave things alone if you found anything.”
“I can’t keep that promise. Not when the information points to the fact someone is in danger.” He moved beside her, gathered her hands in his and pressed his brow to hers, forcing her to meet his up-close gaze. “Please believe me when I say I would do anything to keep you safe.”
“Even break a promise,” she whispered.
“If it meant the difference between life and death, yes.” David lifted his head, cupped her chin in his hand and spoke from the heart. “Keeping the people I love and care about safe is my number-one priority.”
Her eyebrow arched and he couldn’t miss the curiousness in her eyes. “Which category do I fall under, people you care about or people you love?”
David hesitated. He knew from experience love cost more than he was normally willing to lose. He couldn’t pull away from her gaze. It was as if she held him in some sort of invisible trance, but he liked it. Breathing deep, her scent soothed his nerves. Emma Jean wasn’t like LuAnn. No, she definitely wasn’t, he decided. Emma Jean’s beautiful, extremely sexual personality had won his heart and he knew it. There was no fighting the fact or turning back to his bland lifestyle. He’d had a taste of Emma Jean and she was more addictive than crack.
He hovered within millimeters of her face and held his gaze level with hers. In a low, sultry tone, he took a chance he hoped wouldn’t backfire with this free-spirited woman. “I would think it was obvious. Emma Jean Dupree, you’ve stolen my heart.” He lowered to kiss her, but stopped for a split second to add, “I’m falling in love with you.”
Passion poured through their connection sparking pure desire to pump from his heart to every ounce of his person. It amazed him that Emma Jean managed to infiltrate the wall he’d built when his former fiancée destroyed him. He broke free of their kiss and met her gaze. Before he could speak, she placed a finger to his lips.
“You are one of the two most perfect men I know.” Befuddled, he stepped back. That wasn’t exactly what he’d expected to hear. His heart fell in his chest, but he refused to show any disappointment. Besides, there was that implication about two men again. Who was he up against? And did she mean it, or was she joking to protect herself? Had he admitted too much too quickly?
Instinctively he flipped through his brain for a quirky comeback and hoped she didn’t see how much her comment stung him. “Two perfect men, however will you choose?”
“Who says I have to?” Emma Jean laughed.
Before he could speak, David jumped at the sound of a sharp bell ring and realized she’d managed to thwart his original reason for visiting Devilish Delights. Earl Lightfoot. Then it hit him. Was Lightfoot perfect man number two?
He cleared his throat then forced his mind to function on something other than the befuddling Emma Jean. “Where’s Earl? I really would like to ask him a couple of questions.”
“You’re not here to arrest him are you?”
The concern in her tone made him swallow hard and told him what he feared. Earl was definitely the second man in their love triangle equation. “I’m not here to arrest him. I simply need to speak with him. Is he here?”
He cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb across her supple lips. God, he wanted to kiss her but he couldn’t. David dropped his hand to his side. He needed to focus on Earl at the moment and not Emma Jean.
“He’s in the back,” she explained as she slowly moved in the direction of the storeroom. “Earl and the delivery guy were loading packages a few minutes ago. It’s odd the rear bell rang again unless the door shut behind them and locked Earl out. I’ll go see and ask him to come up front.”
She took a few steps then shot him a sizzling look that could have melted metal. “David, I’m falling in love with you as well.”
He couldn’t move. He simply watched her turn and walk into the back room. David thrashed a shaky hand through his hair and ran down the series of events that had just happened with the whirlwind of energy that was Emma Jean. First, he came here to tell her what he’d learned about Lightfoot and she managed to sidestep him on that one. David couldn’t help but smile. As soon as she came back in here, he planned to sit her down and make her listen, even though he knew she didn’t want to. But it was for her benefit, he reasoned.
Second, she’d dropped a not-too-subtle hint she’d like to have sex with two men at once. Knowing her highly sexual nature, this fantasy didn’t surprise him completely. Hell, wasn’t having two women at once considered to be every man’s secret desire? So what was wrong with Emma Jean wanting two men? He’d have to give this serious thought before he’d share Emma Jean. Especially if the other man turned out to be Lightfoot.
And third, she admitted she loved him. But did she mean it? She’d said it in such a casual manner could he take her seriously? God, what was he thinking? He wasn’t sure he was even ready for a serious commitment and somehow he’d stated that four-letter word every woman wanted to hear. Did he mean it or had he been caught up in the moment? David flopped onto the stool, but didn’t get the chance to think things through.
Emma Jean screaming his name pierced the air and set him into instant motion. David ran to the rear of the store and out the back door.
“Emma Jean, what’s the matter? Are you okay?”
“It’s Earl,” her voice shook as she spoke. “Something’s happened to him. He’s not here.”
“What makes you think something happened to him?” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder for support. Her face had paled and concern showed in her eyes.
She lifted her hand and held out the leather strap Earl used to secure his ponytail behind his head. “When I opened the door, I saw a car speed out of the end of the alleyway. I called for Earl but he didn’t answer. I found this and it looks as if it has blood on it.”
David took it from her. It didn’t take a forensic scientist to see the wet blood stain on the leather. He stiffened and his brain kicked into detective gear. “Where’d you find this?”
Emma Jean pointed. “Beside the Dumpster. I noticed it on the ground when I couldn’t find Earl.”
David walked over to the Dumpster, examining the area as he went. There didn’t appear to be any signs of a struggle. Behind it, he found a two-by-four with blood on it but didn’t pick it up. He whipped his phone out of his pocket and called Jack. Things didn’t look good. From where he stood, a set of drag marks led from behind the garbage container. He followed them carefully as he waited for Jack to answer.
“O’Malley.”
“Jack, it seems we were right. Lightfoot has been abducted and I’ve got a feeling we know who took him. Get a team down to the delivery alley behind Devilish Delights pronto.” He turned to find Emma Jean stood directly behind him. The look of fear upon her face told him she’d heard every word. He hung up, tucked his phone back into his pocket then took her hand.
“Emma Jean, we need to talk.” He gently guided her back into the store. Once he had her settled on the stool, he locked the front door and lowered the blind that read “Closed” on it.
When he turned back to her, she sat with her elbows on the counter and her head in her hands. Obviously this mess upset her and had cracked that tough, all-about-sex attitude of hers. He heard her whisper, “Please, God, let Earl be okay.”
“We’ll find him, Emma Jean, I promise.”
“Just like you promised not to tell me if you found anything,” she snapped as she sat upright. David stood straight. He guessed he deserved that one, but it still stung.
Knowing she was upset, he let it slide. “Since we haven’t exactly
spoken about what I found on Lightfoot, I sort of kept my promise.” He gave her a weak smile and watched her defenses fall.
“I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, “I didn’t mean it. What if something bad has happened to him?”
He pulled her into his arms and held her. Stroking her hair, he tried his best to soothe her anxiety. “It’s okay. You’re upset and I understand, but I need to tell you what Jack and I found out about Lightfoot.”
She pushed upright, stiffened her shoulders and tilted her chin. “I’m ready. Let me have it. Did you find out Earl was a murderer like that crazy woman claimed on the phone?”
He brushed his fingers across her cheek as he said, “Earl didn’t kill anyone. He’s just the victim of a horrible chain of events and the misplaced hatred of a nutcase on a vengeance mission.”
Chapter Seven
When Earl woke, his head throbbed. His mouth tasted like stale liquor and his eyeballs were dry and itchy. Each intake of air burned the lining of his nostrils. What the hell happened? No matter how hard he tried, his thoughts remained jumbled and unclear. Fuzzy images circled in and out of the thick, foggy mush of his brain. He gently slid his fingers across the side of his head, touched a bump and gash there, which triggered the faint memory of being struck by something solid and hard. But who hit him and why?
Struggling, he pushed himself into a seated position, causing his head to spin. Earl dug his palms into his temples in an attempt to stave the tornado-sized spin swirling through his head. Seconds blended into minutes before he found the strength to swing his legs over the side of the bed. With his feet on the ground, it managed to help the rotation subside. Blinking repeatedly, he regained minimal blurry-eyed focus, stood, took one step and tripped on something cold and hard. He landed with a thud on his knees and fell into the side of the bed.
What had he done? Where was he? Coolness coated his skin making him realize his clothes were missing. Naked and as far as he could tell, he was alone. At least he hoped Emma Jean had not been taken captive along with him. Silently he prayed for her safety, or the strength to help her if she wasn’t far from here and free of harm.