~~~**~~~
Phoenix looked down at the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes upon. She was lying stomach down on the bed, her long hair held in an elastic band and the ends spread over the pillow. She looked so tiny on the bed, from her shoulders, slender back to the flare of her hips. He stared at her firm bottom in the red panties for a good, long three seconds before he realized he was taking advantage. He inhaled sharply, the scent of lotion lingered in the air.
Scanning the array of bottles on the nightstand, he picked one up and smelled it. Then another, and another until he found a light lemony scent that he liked. Pouring a good amount in his palm, he remembered how she had warmed it in her palms first, but it took him longer because he’d poured a bit too much.
He started at her shoulders, keeping in mind that he weighed a good hundred pounds more than her and he didn’t want to hurt her. He gripped her muscles and massaged gently. He took his time caressing every inch down to the indent of her luscious hips. He wanted to grip her bottom tightly, maybe even smack it once or twice teasingly, but he resisted the masculine urge and moved to her toned legs that were amazing.
A few minutes later, he asked, “Ready to turn over?”
Without any reluctance, she turned for him and he sucked in his breath. There was never a more beautiful woman. Her skin was flushed pink and the thin bra didn’t hide the thickness of her erect nipples.
“I don’t think I’m much good at this, Ria,” he pushed through tight lips.
“Why?”
“Because I can barely breathe.”
“My heart is beating wildly,” she said in a soft, seductive tone.
“Can I kiss you?”
“Yes.”
He lowered himself to the bed, stretched out beside her, skin to skin, and settled his lips on hers. He heard a slight moan as her mouth opened under his tongue. He took advantage of the opening and plundered his tongue into her sweetness. He licked the roof of her mouth and suckled her tongue, learning her every quiet moan and whimper. Lifting his chin, he stared down at her, taking the backs of his knuckles and sweeping them along her delicate cheek. Her skin was soft like satin.
Wrapping his arm around her tiny waist, he turned them both until she was on top of him, straddling him. He wanted to give her complete control. They’d only go as far as she wanted—how fast she wanted. He was at her mercy and he’d never been happier.
He liked that she didn’t pull back or hesitate, but rather lingered in his embrace as if she belonged there. She did belong there…with him.
Phoenix ran his fingers down her slender neck, pausing a second at the dip between her collarbones, then continued to the valley of her breasts and to her rounded stomach, twirling the tip of his finger into the well of her belly button. She sucked in a breath, giggling. “Are you ticklish?” he asked.
“Yes. And hypersensitive.”
He’d keep that in mind for later, but right now he didn’t want her laughing.
She leaned into him, settling her mouth on his and dipped her tongue into his mouth. His body grew harder and tighter and he wanted nothing more than to take her here and now, but she deserved more. He wanted to take things leisurely, at her pace, until she was a melting pot of female and musk, ready for his taking.
He pulled back an inch. “You kiss like you give massages.”
“What?” Her brows scrunched in confusion.
“Your movements are sweltering and skilled. I don’t think I’ve ever been kissed with such seduction or intimacy before.” He was probably an idiot to want to talk while he should be enjoying more of her delectable kisses, but he liked everything about her. He couldn’t get enough. He realized very quickly how much he liked being near her, wanting to be more than the Sheriff and more of her lover. He’d never been much of a romantic, but there was something right about them when they were together…like he was finding his way home after being lost in the dark. “Jamie was an idiot.”
“I think we’ve already established that fact.” She smiled.
“No, really. What man could have you and give you up?” He planted a kiss on the dimple of each cheek. “I mean, I can’t say I’m always good about picking up after myself and I’ve been known to leave my boots out, but I could learn to be tidier. It’s all about adjustment, compromise.”
She kissed his cheek. “You’re right, but as my mom told me, “we can’t teach an old dog new tricks’.”
“That’s not true. As a kid we found a stray that had no manners, but we taught him to be the best damn dog ever.”
“Are we really having this discussion right now?”
“I guess I’m a little rusty with all this.”
Her laughter was cut off by his mouth on hers again. He used his fingers to tilt her chin to give him better access of her luscious lips. Their tongues tangled, a dance of sort. He devoured her, loving her taste and the delicate moans of enjoyment.
“I love those little whimpers you make,” he said against her lips. A look of sadness crossed her beautiful face. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Am I too loud?”
“Is that what Jamie accused you of? Being too loud?”
“Once.”
“Didn’t we agree he’s an idiot?”
Her smile returned. “Yes.”
“Although you can’t see me, I feel as if you look at me and see straight into my soul. You have magical powers over me, darlin’.”
“Sometimes a woman doesn’t have to see with her eyes, but she can see with her heart.” Her bottom lip puckered ever so slightly. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.”
He cupped her cheek. “You can tell me everything and it’s safe with me.” He brought his lips to hers and the kiss became something more than just two people coming together. There was a linking of souls. “You’ve taught me to be aware of things around me, not just the things I can see, but to pay close attention to the scents and feelings. Just like you, not only are you beautiful to my eyes, but you’re even more beautiful to my touch. Your skin is so smooth, reminding me of silk.” He used the backs of his knuckles to run down her cheek and neck. “You smell like a flower garden on a spring morning. The sun on a cold, wintery day,” He opened his eyes and saw the mysterious moisture glistening in her eyes, making them brighter. “Hey, what’s wrong.”
“Your words. So sweet.” There was a moment of silence and then he glided his fingers over her cheek again. “You come across as this tough, hard lawman, but you really are kind and caring.”
“Shh. Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Sure, but this side of you makes you who you are, good at your job. You are wonderful.”
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his bare chest. “This is all bewildering.”
“What?”
“You and me. We just seem…”
“Right.”
“Yeah, right. I like this feeling.”
“I like this feeling too,” she said against his shoulder.
“Okay, listen…” He turned, laid her next to him and he lifted himself on elbow so he could look down at her. “Don’t take this wrong, but I can’t do this.”
She blinked. “You can’t? Talk?”
He gave his head a shake. “No. The sex part.”
“I-I thought you could get…you know, hard…”
“Wow. This isn’t heading the right direction. I’m not saying I have a dysfunction. You see, my ex and I met, had sex the first night, married two months later, and then bam. We had stopped like a hamster on a wheel and realized we didn’t belong together.” He needed her to understand that he didn’t want to rush things between them. Anything meant to be could handle going slow. He didn’t want to end up in another relationship like the one he had with Katy where sex was so good they ignored the issues outside of the bedroom. Or the meaningless flings he had with women who’d satisfied his sexual desires, but nothing more.
Phoenix didn’t want to do anything t
hat Ria would regret. “It’s not that I don’t want to be with you, because I do, more than you could imagine, but it can’t happen. Not tonight.”
“Uh…okay.”
He got up, which was the hardest thing he’d ever done. “Like I said, this is not about you. It’s about us. If I didn’t want more, I’d stay here with you and take you all night long. But I don’t think that’s what you want.”
“I don’t?” She sat up on the bed, confusion marring her features.
“No, I don’t. I think you want a man who can prove he’s more than just an ass who wants you for temporary pleasure. You don’t want a man who wants to jump but one who wants to ease into things.”
“Right now, yeah, I want you to jump in,” she admitted.
He bent over and kissed her fully on the lips until he felt her relax under him. He pulled back, wanting to kick himself in the ass. “Just think of all the fun we’ll have in getting to know each other. Just think how much fun you’re going to have falling head over heels for me, sweetheart.”
“You want me to fall head over heels?”
“Yeah, I do. I’m going to work to show you that I’m the man that’ll pick up his shoes. Put things back where they go, like your phone, so you can find it. I’ll be the man who proves to you every day that you’re special.”
“Keep saying things like that and you won’t have to do much.”
He laughed. “I’m heading to my bedroom now. I hope you sleep well and have sweet dreams about me…us.”
Stepping out into the hall and closing Ria’s door behind him, he looked down at the part of him that was still saluting. “Sorry, buddy, but when the time comes, it’ll all be worth it.”
CHAPTER 13
SNAKE STOOD UNDER the cover of a tree that shielded him from the snow as he kept an eye on the cabin. The lights went out and he snickered. So, the bastard Sheriff is getting him a little. Hell, Snake couldn’t blame the man. The blind girl was hot. Too bad she’d be dead soon.
Thanks to the cop using his dick and not his brain, he’d made a mistake by allowing the friend, some lawyer chick, to come to the place today. She’d been easy—too easy—to tail. If he had his way, he would have eliminated the blind bitch already, but the Sheriff was going to be an issue. Killing some massage therapist was one thing, but taking out a man with a badge was going to be a different matter. Boss specifically said he didn’t want things to get messy. Offing a lawman would have this case on every headline in every newspaper all over the country.
He swiped the back of his hand across his eyes and cursed. He hated the snow.
Turning around, he made his way down the slippery hill, sliding part of the way. “Fuck this shit!” he muttered through clenched teeth.
Once he was back to his car, hidden by the brush and trees in the woods, he reached for his cell, seeing that he missed a call. Hitting a button, the phone rang.
Boss answered. “Why the fuck are you calling me? I’m in the middle of something.”
“You called me. Thought you’d like to know I found the blind bitch,” Snake said.
There was a long hesitation. “So, then why haven’t I received news that she’s dead?”
“Problem here. She’s with the Sheriff and he’s sticking to her like stink on a pig. You said you don’t want messy.”
“You’ve already made this messy enough.”
“You want me to take care of them both? I’ll do that tonight. I can pretend I’m stuck out here in this bum-fucked-snowy-shithole. Blast them both.”
“Don’t be stupid,” the man’s growl rattled the phone. “We’re not talking about some man who wears the star for looks. If he suspects anything he’ll blow your head off before you can blink an eye. Your stupid-ass will be six feet under and although that might help me some, I’ll give you a chance to rectify yourself.”
Anger coursed through Snake. He hated the other man and fantasized up ways to make the bastard pay. “We’ve wasted enough time. I’m not some bitch who’s going to stand out here and wait for the go ahead. I have better things to do. She can’t see and she has no clue who I am. The Sheriff has no idea who you are. What the fuck are we doing?” He swiped an orange from the open bag and brought it to his nose, inhaling the citrus scent that instantly calmed his nerves—some.
“We have more of a problem than just the woman and Sheriff. I hear Cade is looking for some girl that was living with the slut, Leandra. She might be the bigger threat right now. If Cade finds her, this whole castle could fall. Another loose thread you’ve allowed to unravel.”
Snake snickered. “You mean the castle might fall down around you. I’ve been in prison, but you…ever be someone’s bitch?”
“Without me you’re nothing, shithead. Don’t forget you’re the one who killed Cox and the whore. I can talk myself out of the hole if I must, but you, well, they’ll see you for what you are. A piece of trash who has been in and out of prison more times than he can count. Let’s see how that brother of yours manages behind bars.”
Snakes squeezed the orange so tight that it burst and juice squirted everywhere. “Listen, I don’t take lightly to threats.”
“And neither do I. If you don’t start cleaning up your messes, I’m going to do you a real big favor and take care of you so that you aren’t around to see how crazy shit’s going to get. Now, go indulge in some good, cheap pussy. That always makes a man happy. Then tomorrow, pull your dick out of the whore and get to work. Find that little shit so she can’t sing. Understood?”
“Loud and clear.” Snake ended the call and threw his phone onto the passenger seat. One way or another he’d see that the blind bitch would pay for all the trouble she’d caused him. He tossed the flattened orange out the window and grabbed another.
~~~**~~~
“Why are we coming all the way out here?” the girl asked.
Deputy Gelder looked across the seat. “Privacy.”
“Don’t try anything funny.”
“This might be the time I tell you that someone will be joining us.”
She tilted her chin. “Only if you’re willing to pay double.” As they came up on the parked Sheriff’s truck, she moaned. “What the hell? Is this a set up?”
“He only wants to talk to you.”
Phoenix pushed off the front of his truck as he saw the headlights on the narrow lane. The undercover car parked and the driver’s side door opened. Connor stepped out. “She’s in there, Cade, but she ain’t happy.”
“Thanks, Connor. Hang tight and give me a minute with her.”
The Deputy nodded and Phoenix slid behind the driver’s seat of the vehicle. He looked into the startled face of the girl sitting in the passenger seat. Her arms were crossed and if looks could kill, he’d be speared to death. “Hi, Tammy. You’re a hard girl to get in touch with.”
“Sheriff, thank God you’re here. That man lured me out here.”
“Cut the bull. You set up the meeting and he picked you up on your own free will.”
“I’m leaving.” She started for the door handle, but Phoenix caught her.
“I just want to talk.”
“Are you sure, Sheriff? Talk is a waste of my time, but if you have the money…”
“For a bus ticket to any of the other forty-nine.”
“What?”
“To get you out of dodge. For your safety.”
She laughed, but it was raw. “Before I crossed the county line, I’d probably be laying in a puddle of my own blood, Sheriff.”
“Not on my watch you won’t.”
“Your gun is long, but it ain’t that long.” She sniffed loudly.
“Tammy, your mom has been worried about you.”
She lowered her gaze to her hands clasped tightly in her lap and it was the first sign of vulnerability. “Yeah, well, she’ll get over it.” The harshness was back.
“My deputies and I have been looking for you for some time. Thanks to a friend we found you. I know you’re probably scared, so why are
you still prostituting?”
“I need to eat, don’t I?” she muttered.
“True, but you have other options.”
“Are you here to give me a lecture?”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out two pictures, one of Leandra and the other of Cox. “You recognize them?”
She lifted a shoulder and let it drop. “I charge for my time.” He grabbed a twenty from his wallet and handed it over. She laughed. “When was the last time you paid for entertainment, Sheriff?”
“Never.” He pulled out another twenty. “I’m sure that’ll cover fifteen minutes. Now, tell me what you know. And before you decide to fabricate a story, I know you were living with Leandra.”
“If you know, then why are you asking if I know her?”
“Because I need to connect the dots.”
“Connecting the dots are for kids,” she huffed.
“We have one of two choices here. You can tell me everything you know and I’ll purchase that ticket or I’ll take you back to the station and you can spend quality time behind bars. It’s up to you.”
“For what, Sheriff?”
“Prostitution is a crime.”
She was quiet for a good five seconds. “Leandra warned me to keep my nose to the grind.”
“Why?”
“There are some people you don’t want to cross around here. We do our business, never ask any questions. We forget him.”
“Who?”
“Whoever HE is at the time.”
“I’ve known you since you were little. You know I can be trusted. I need to know everything.”
Lifting her chin, she didn’t show any emotion. “You’re the Sheriff.”
“Yeah, but I’m also your friend.”
Something flashed over her expression, but it didn’t last long. She gave her head a shake, sending the strands of hair from her ponytail smacking her cheeks.
“Did you know they were both murdered?”
Her bottom lip trembled. “I-I knew. Word travels fast.”
“Why were you living with Leandra? Were you working for her?”
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