He heaved a sigh. “Who did you say was a pushover?”
Kevin grabbed her hand and the two headed in the direction of the police car. As they got closer, they saw several people standing around one of the campsites. Kevin and Tara approached a couple.
“Do you know what’s going on?” Kevin asked them.
The man turned to Kevin. “Not much, but the news reporters are here and they said something about a man getting murdered.”
“Murdered?” Tara squeaked.
He nodded. “That’s pretty much all I know.”
Kevin glanced at Tara. They both turned to look back to their camp, where her tent was still in shambles.
“It was an animal,” he said again. He didn’t know if he was trying to convince her…or himself.
“What?” the man asked Kevin.
“Oh…” Kevin began.
Tara couldn’t tell if he was going to tell him, but as the words came out she second guessed their theory.
Kevin continued. “We brought two tents and one wasn’t being used last night. When we woke up, we found it shredded. It looked like it was cut up by the claws of an animal or with something sharp.”
The man’s eyes widened. “You better let someone know. It wouldn’t hurt to report it.”
Kevin nodded. “You’re probably right.”
He grabbed Tara’s hand again and they headed closer to the site where the police car and news reporter were. A body was covered and being loaded into the back of a Coroner’s van. They hung back, watching in disbelief, as a woman was on the sidelines crying uncontrollably.
She felt for the woman who had probably lost her loved one.
“It’s so sad,” said a voice behind them.
Tara turned around and saw Brian standing behind her.
“Hey,” Kevin said. Brian nodded his greeting. “Will you stay here with Tara? I’ll be right back.”
“Sure thing,” Brian answered.
When Kevin was gone, Tara turned to him.
“Do you know what happened?”
He shook his head. “Not a whole lot. I was just wandering around the camp area, when I came across this site. From what I can gather, a man was stabbed and then set on fire. It was a grisly murder. We have never had anything like this before.”
Tara was in shock. This seemed like a secluded area, where violence wouldn’t happen. She had said the same thing about their small town. Kevin walked back and nodded.
“Well, they want the tent. They said chances are…it might be connected.”
“What tent?” Brian asked.
They told him the story from start to finish, leaving out the part where they shared the night together. They didn’t need to give all details. Brian’s eyes grew wider with each sentence.
“So, it might not have been an animal to begin with,” Kevin concluded.
“Wow…” Brian pondered. “I’m going to go see if the police need anything. Let me know if you need anything from me,” he said, waving as he walked away.
Tara and Kevin headed back to their camp.
“Do you really think they’re connected?” she asked.
He shrugged. “I don’t know, but it’s possible.”
She hated to admit it, but it made sense.
“Why would they target us?” she asked as fear set in.
He turned to her when they reached the tent.
“Whoever it was, they obviously have anger issues. I don’t know why, but I’m sure it was just some random act. Nothing more.”
She nodded, hoping he was right. He went over to the tent and pulled it from the ground.
“Do you want to stay here while I run this to the police?” he asked, stuffing the larger pieces into the tent sac.
“I suppose so,” she replied.
Tara saw him off, and turned her focus to her backpack, sitting on what was left of the tent floor. Some of her clothes and equipment was scattered around the area. How close was she to becoming a victim last night? She thought. The feeling of being violated crept up to the forefront of her mind, even though there was still no concrete information. It was like danger and murder followed them from their small town, and was here now.
Kevin didn’t stay away from her too long and when he got back, she didn’t hesitate.
“I don’t mean to be a downer, but do you mind if we leave?” She didn’t feel comfortable there.
“I understand. No. I don’t mind at all,” he said. He pulled her close to him and kissed her forehead. She felt safe in his arms, but she needed to get away from there. It was time to go home.
* * *
He stood, watching them. It appeared his plan was working and Kevin and Tara were going to be taking off. His attention shifted to the cop car, where the Police were about to leave. He hadn’t intended to kill anyone last night but if it got the job done, then he was glad he made the right choice.
Tara and Kevin were loading up their things into Kevin’s car. His eyes wandered over her outfit. She didn’t even have the decency to change into her own clothes. She was still wearing the clothes she had on when she left Kevin’s tent.
He waited in hiding as the rest of their things got packed into the back of the car. He cringed as Tara turned to Kevin and wrapped her arms around him. Their lips connected and he was left with an unflattering vision.
“Enjoy that kiss now, Kevin,” he grumbled through clenched teeth. “It’s only a matter of time before you break her heart and someone else is left to pick up the pieces. Don’t get too comfortable.”
He snuck over to his car and gave them one more look before driving away from them. His job was done… for the moment.
Chapter 8
Getting back into the swing of things with work and her personal life wasn’t as easy as Tara had initially hoped. The news media coverage of Iron Horse State Park kept resurfacing. Every time she thought she finally was able to get past it, something new came up on television or over the radio. The police had dismissed any possibility of an animal attack on the tent. What was left of the tent was now in evidence for the murder investigation. It was difficult because there was no evidence pointing to a suspect. Whoever it was, they were smart when it came to covering their tracks.
Tara also found it difficult to get the victim’s wife out of her head. The woman was waiting in her tent for her husband to return and he never did. Tara felt for her. She couldn’t even imagine being there. The thought of losing Kevin so suddenly kept invading her thoughts. It left her agitated.
Over the course of a few weeks, things related to the killings improved. Or at least, they did not get worse. The murders in town had stopped, and news of the tragedy at the state park was slowly being put behind them. No new information was released, and the authorities reported nothing about solving the case.
On their return from the camping trip from hell, they had focused on their jobs, and she knew Kevin was working hard on spending more time with Jake. For those few weeks, Tara gave them more space, and quite enjoyed the laid back routine of working her shifts at the petting zoo. Still, she felt Kevin would be there for her if she ever needed him. He would tell her daily at work or by text. He had no intention of being anywhere but at her side to set her mind at ease.
So when Kevin invited her over for dinner and to study, she was happy to have the time with him. She began to give serious thought to committing to a relationship with Kevin as she drove to his place that night.
* * *
As they lounged on the couch in Kevin’s parents’ living room with his arms safely securing her, it felt real. There was also less upheaval about their interim living arrangements. They had both decided to remain living at their parents’ homes. It meant when Kevin finally graduated, they wouldn’t have to bother getting rid of a place to go to Montana. Montana was still the dream.
“Did I tell you I signed up for the class online?” he asked, his hand gently brushing across her arm. “I start next week.”
She looked up at
him and smiled. “You did?”
He nodded. “I figured this way, we could keep working until graduation. And we can quit just before we move to Montana. If you want, we could get a place there together once we settle down. It can be a new beginning.”
She smiled– it sounded like a great plan.
“You have the best ideas,” she said, falling into him and kissing him. She fell back against the couch as the intensity of the kiss heated up. She ran her hand through his hair, massaging the back of his head. A moan escaped her lips when he slipped his hand under her shirt and began to massage her breast through the bra fabric. His hands slipped up under her bra, pinching her nipples and unleashing her desire. She wanted him.
They had been so caught up with the tragedy the past few weeks. It felt like they had lost a small bit of their connection to each other after the camping trip. She hoped he could sense her need as his lips pulled from her.
“My parents are gone and my room upstairs is calling our names,” he whispered.
Tara didn’t need time to think, quickly nodding. Kevin jumped up and pulled her to her feet. They both laughed as he wrapped his arms around her stomach and staggered out of the living room. They were almost at the stairs when they heard the front door closing behind them. Tara turned to the door where Jake was standing and staring at them. She was so aroused and didn’t want to stop the flow, but she also knew she couldn’t just ignore him and pull Kevin upstairs.
“Hey, Jake!” she said, trying to not sound disappointed.
“Hey,” he replied, staring between the two of them. “What are you doing?”
Tara turned to Kevin, her eyebrows raised slightly. They weren’t about to confess anything to Kevin’s younger brother.
“I wanted to show Tara something upstairs,” Kevin replied nonchalantly. “What are you up to?”
Jake looked around, shrugging. “Not a whole lot…a little of this, a little of that.”
“Well, don’t let us interrupt you,” Kevin replied, beginning to head up the stairs.
“Good seeing you, Jake.” She smiled, following Kevin upstairs. She felt strange going up when his brother stood watching them, but she was too riled up with desire after waiting for weeks to see Kevin. Not much else mattered.
“Is this weird?” she whispered to Kevin as he pulled her into his room and shut the door.
He laughed. “You mean having sex right next door to my eighteen-year-old brother? He’s not a kid anymore and I’m sure he’s not stupid either.” He moved to her and slowly inched up her shirt, pulling it up and over her head and letting it fall to the bedroom floor. “Does it bother you?”
She grabbed onto his shirt and undid the buttons as they talked, moving on to undo his jeans zipper.
“What do you think?” Her hand slipped into his jeans, rubbing over his erection. His eyes looked pained, but the smile on his lips told a different story. She looped her fingers in his jeans and slid them and his briefs down his body so Kevin could do the rest and kick them off.
“I think I’m one lucky guy,” he replied, smiling as she grabbed his shirt and flung it over his ripped body.
He wasted no time turning her around to undo her bra. Dropping it on to the floor, he reached for her panties and ripped them off with a needy force.
“Oh…playing rough, are we?” Tara purred, guiding his hands to her breasts so he could have his way with them as she busied herself massaging his shaft.
“Let me help you out,” she teased, pushing him down on the bed and laughing as his eyes widened. She loved that she could catch him off guard as they explored each other’s sensual side.
Tara brought her tongue to the tip of his cock and gently ran her tongue over the sensitive edge. He groaned, falling back on his pillow and laying there. She couldn’t help looking at his reaction as she took all of him in her mouth, gracefully moving up and down over his length. Her own arousal grew as she felt him twitch inside of her mouth. His hands reached for fistfuls of her hair as he guided her up and down.
“Oh God, Tara…” he groaned, bucking his hips up to meet her face.
Her tongue swirled sensually around his bulge, taking in every inch of his meat. “Yes…” he moaned, unable to hold back the pleasure building up to his orgasmic rush. As she frantically teased, sucked and tasted in her rhythmic beat, his thrusts became more vigorous.
“Ah…” he moaned.
Tara knew from his raspy groan that she was seconds from tasting his release. “I…I…I’m going to explode,” he panted. His voice caused her to move with more zeal, until he had no choice.
“Fuck…” he cried out.
She sighed with pleasure, licking up the drops as they escaped from him. She sucked on him, swirling her tongue around his thick shaft and then gently removing her lips. Before she released her lips completely, she ran her tongue along the tip.
“Hmm…” she moaned. She found him delicious.
“Wow…” he whispered. His hands fell from her hair and reached for her to relax beside him. He smiled weakly, unable to move in his post-climactic paralysis. She stretched out beside him and stared into his eyes.
“You. Are. Amazing,” he said, running his hand over her silky hair.
“You are too,” she mouthed silently, kissing him. His tongue enthusiastically met with hers. It was unlikely either of them would leave the room at all that night.
* * *
“I can’t imagine my life without you,” Kevin murmured against her lips, breathlessly kissing her as his energy returned to him. Tara’s body fed his warmth, returning him to arousal, he felt her breasts pressed against his chest. His teeth nibbled on her lips, tenderly seeking her out. Every time he thought about her, he welled up with excitement. She teased him with the tantalizing push and pull of her lips against his. She kissed him and then pulled back, breathtakingly making her his escape.
“You don’t have to imagine,” she responded, pressing her body against his and meeting his lips again. He wrapped his arms around her back and flipped her over, so that he was nestled on top of her. His cock throbbed at her entrance.
“Please don’t make me wait for it,” she gasped out, digging her nails into his back as she begged.
He plunged into her, succumbing to her breathless pleas. They continued to kiss as he dove deeper and further into her, each time with more fluidity. Tara’s moans sent him to new heights as they merged together, shifting their bodies as one. He kissed the corner of her mouth and then trailed his lips from her cheek to her neck, from her neck to her shoulder, and back up again. She was the thing keeping him together, yet unleashed his wildest flames. The bed rocked back and forth as his body became more eager.
“Ugh…” he groaned, bucking his hips to hers and feeling her body latching onto him. His hardness quivered inside her until he couldn’t take it any longer.
“Yes…ahhhh…” he cried out as he felt his wet heat exploding inside her channel.
“Hmm…” she moaned, biting down on his lip. Her body writhed beneath him, seeking to quench her own need as his plunges became weaker. Kevin tilted his head so his lips could meet her nipples. He could feel her channel tighten as her body arched. Tara cried out as an orgasm charged through her body.
“Oh God …” she screamed, falling back against the bed.
The bed squeaked as he continued to glide on top of her. He didn’t need anything else but to be nestled against her and just loving her as his lips caressed hers and they continued showing each other love with every movement.
* * *
Jake covered his ears. Having to listen to his brother and Tara in the next room having sex was too much. The bed in Kevin’s room was pounding against the wall and he couldn’t bear that Tara’s screams of pleasure were for Kevin and not him. “This isn’t right,” he mumbled, closing his eyes and trying to drown out the sounds.
“You should be the one in there…not him,” he heard in his head. “This is a disgrace to you. They’re being rude and no
t taking your feelings into account.”
“Stop it!” he ordered, rocking back and forth. He couldn’t get the voices out of his head.
“They don’t deserve the love you have given them. They need to pay,” the voices chanted back.
He hit his hands down on the bed, mad at the truth. They did need to pay, because they were laughing in his face. They were trying to stop him from getting a woman like Tara.
“Leave me alone,” he said with anger. He sat up in the bed, his resolve made stronger by the voices.
“I’m going to make them pay,” he replied, getting out of the bed. He grabbed a knife from the top dresser drawer. He crept over to the door and opened it up. He left his room, nearly running into his mom and dad.
“Mom…Dad…” he said, hiding the knife in his hand.
“Hello, Jake,” his mom said, eyeing him with confusion.
The moaning coming from behind Kevin’s bedroom door was audible. Jake smiled, relieved to know his parents would stop what was going on in Kevin’s room. His parents would handle it.
“Did you both have a nice evening?” he asked, hoping to sound normal.
“We did,” his dad answered. “I suggest we all try to get some sleep.”
Jake’s jaw dropped. He couldn’t believe his parents knew what was happening under their roof and they chose to do nothing about it.
“But…” he began, still not sure how to approach the subject.
“Goodnight, Son,” his dad said, patting his shoulder. They walked away and went into their bedroom.
Jake stared after them. He couldn’t go into Kevin’s room now, not with them home. He went back to his room and shut the door in frustration. Soon, he would find a way to get back at them, he just knew it.
Chapter 9
Tara was happy. Things continued to improve in their budding relationship, and their friendship was stronger than ever. Kevin began his make-up course online and Tara continued to support his studies. She would do anything to get him through the class requirements. He reduced his hours at work to focus his time on studying. Tara maintained her work hours to save more money for Montana, but after work, they kept the focus on acing the course.
Wicked Bad Boys Page 30