Burning Seduction

by Vella Day

  Trent didn’t understand. Nor could he figure out why Bill would have photos of Trent’s brother, unless Harmon was speaking with his client or maybe Richard Delaney outside of the office. “What were you doing in the pictures?”

  He hoped Elaine Goddard wasn’t in them. If she were, it would mean his brother had lied to him about being with a married woman.

  “Nothing. Don’t you get it?”

  Apparently he’d been sifting through clues for too long and his neurons had overloaded to the point where he wasn’t capable of understanding anything. “No.”

  “I started thinking about that night at the Christmas party when Elaine kissed me. I’d gently told her I wasn’t interested, and she never put the moves on me again, but I’m thinking that Bill found out. It’s possible Elaine said something to him, or Jayson, my coworker, mentioned it. Looking back to the time between the Christmas party and when I was accused of insider trading, Bill suddenly began acting a lot friendlier.”

  “How does this imply Bill was the one who set you up?”

  “I don’t have proof,” Harmon said, “but it made me remember some of the little things that had happened. A couple of times, I found Bill on my computer when I stopped back at work late at night to pick up something, and again when I arrived earlier than usual. Now, I’m thinking he was pretending to be me and was informing my client about the information on his brother-in-law’s company.”

  Excitement pulsed through Trent’s veins, even though supposition didn’t prove guilt. “Did you ask him why he was there?”

  “I’m sure I did, and he must’ve given me a satisfactory explanation, because I forgot all about it. After all it was his firm, and I was the new kid on the block. At the time, no accusations had been hurled at me.”

  Trent wasn’t convinced there was enough evidence to prove Harmon innocent. “Did Bill exhibit any other odd behavior?”

  “I know this sounds strange, but Bill was almost too nice when he found out I had supposedly told my client about the future merger at Richard’s firm.”

  “Why was that suspicious?”

  “Think about it,” Harmon said. “My supposedly illegal action could have triggered an even more in depth investigation by the SEC than it did, yet Bill never acted all that upset. Sure he wasn’t pleased, but he seemed more fatherly than like a boss. I’m thinking he didn’t want me to think he could have been the one to turn on me.”

  Harmon was grasping at straws, but there was no use pointing that out. “I’ll tell you what. When we find Bill’s murderer, maybe we’ll find the answers to what happened to you.” It was the best Trent could do.

  “Appreciate it.”

  Once they disconnected, Trent worried he hadn’t handled the situation as sympathetically as he could have, but dammit, he worked on facts not wishes.

  Trent had about two hours before he had to head to the funeral home, so he spent most of the time reading over the reports from Vic, Devon, Cade, and Connor. Unfortunately, no one’s behavior looked suspicious. He leaned back and stabbed his fingers through his hair. This case seemed to have one dead end after another.

  He and Dan had decided that just the two of them would attend Samuels’ viewing. Having half the detective force there would prevent any false move by the killer—assuming he showed up.

  Because Mrs. Goddard would be attending the service, Cade would be outside as backup. Most likely Frank Hamilton would be there, too, as his right-hand man was the guest of honor. Trent doubted that Elaine’s brother would show, but if he did, it would be to support his sister. After all, it was her lover who’d been murdered.

  Since Dan and the funeral director had gone to school together he was able to convince the director to allow the precinct to install cameras in each corner of the room, along with some well-placed microphones. Dan had to promise that nothing would be leaked or shown unless it became evidence in court.

  Trent arrived a few minutes early at the funeral home and took a seat at the back of the room where he could watch who came in. He and Harmon had discussed whether it would be appropriate for his brother to show up, but Trent believed Harmon asked only because he wanted to confront Frank Hamilton about who’d set him up. The last thing they needed was that kind of disturbance. Because John Samuels had been hired after Harmon was sent to jail, it made no sense for Harmon to come. In the end, his brother agreed to stay home and not answer his apartment door unless it was Trent.

  Dan arrived shortly after Trent did, but he didn’t make eye contact. Instead, he acted the concerned officer by offering his condolences to John Samuels’ relatives. Trent tried to note who had shown up, but other than those who worked at John’s firm, he wasn’t able to identify many of them.

  Trent studied each of them as they spoke with John’s relatives, to see if any exhibited any underlying hostility. If someone had lost a lot of money, he might want to see if Samuels’ aunt and uncle were willing to fork over some cash. So far, all well-wishers had seemed sincere.

  Frank was the only one with the information about which clients had made money with John and which ones had lost their life savings. If he’d been more cooperative, the investigation might have proceeded faster.

  Fearing people might wonder why Trent was just watching everyone, he spent the next few minutes mingling. He spoke with Mrs. Goddard and Frank Hamilton, offering his sympathies, then moved on and spoke briefly with the other relatives.

  Halfway through the viewing, a bitter tone emanated from the corner that caught his attention. He glanced behind his shoulder and spotted Mrs. Goddard with Frank Hamilton. Surely the death of John Samuels had to have brought up more feelings of abandonment for the poor woman, as both men in her life were now gone. Trent hoped the cameras were picking up the interaction, as her voice was getting louder and filled with emotion. A few minutes later, the two separated, and Trent was no closer to learning anything.

  After three long hours, the viewing ended. Dan walked out with him and followed Trent to his car, probably to make sure no one could overhear.

  “Pick up any interesting chatter?” his boss asked.

  “No.”

  “Let’s not become discouraged. I’ve instructed the surveillance tapes to be brought over to the precinct and examined, though it will take a while to go through them,” Dan said. “Maybe we’ll learn something, maybe we won’t.”

  “We can only hope.” Even if they didn’t garner any useful clues, identifying those who’d come might help. While they would ask for a copy of the registry, probably not everyone bothered to fill it in.

  Frustrated and tired, it was time to pick up Charlotte then head home and snuggle with her.

  * * *

  As much as Charlotte loved being able to spend time with her father, it was driving her crazy how he watched her every move. Once when she needed something from her car, he had to follow her outside. Sheesh. He was more of a protector than Trent and that was saying a lot.

  They did have some good discussions, but it seemed as if every time they were at the deep emotional part, someone would enter her store. One benefit of having customers, though, was that her dad was able to see what she dealt with on a daily basis, and many times, expressed how proud he was of her. For those few words of praise, she was almost happy the killer had disrupted her life.

  Right at five, Trent entered her shop, and her thoughts switched directions. As much as her father’s presence made her feel protected, she wanted Trent and the safety and security of his arms—forever.

  He’d come from the viewing and looked so handsome in his suit. She kissed him hello with a rather chaste kiss. “Give me a second to get my things, and we can go.”

  Her dad stood, came over, and placed a kiss on her cheek as well. “See you tomorrow, sweetheart.”

  Being with him for eight hours at a time was a bit much since her dad was wound rather tightly.

  “Mom has tomorrow off. If you want to bring her around, it might be fun for the three of us to spend s
ome time together.”

  Dad smiled. “Might not be a good idea. I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my hands off her if she were within reach.”

  “Da-ad.” Some things were meant to remain secret.

  He laughed and then left.

  Trent watched her lock up and then escorted her to his Jeep. “Want to pick up something at the grocery store and cook dinner together?”

  She loved the part about doing something with him. “I’d love that.”

  Given how overwhelming these last few days had been, she didn’t know what she would’ve done without Trent by her side. They’d had the time to learn more about each other, and for that she’d be eternally thankful.

  They hadn’t made love because Trent didn’t think she was ready. In hindsight, he was probably right, as every time she closed her eyes the horrid image of that man appeared. After a few days passed, her memory grew dimmer, and Charlotte felt it was time to celebrate them as a couple.

  At the grocery store, Charlotte suggested they pick up something simple to make, because she wanted to get him into bed as quickly as possible.

  They debated options and finally ended up with some pre-made fried chicken. She offered to steam some vegetables and heat up some rolls in the oven for sides. Easy peazy.

  As had been Trent’s practice since moving in, she was allowed to step into the entrance of her apartment and then had to wait for him to check each room.

  “All clear,” he said coming out of her bedroom.

  Given how small her place was, she doubted anyone could have hidden, except in the bathroom behind the shower curtain.

  As if they’d already established a routine, they began preparing the meal. Trent handled the rolls while she fixed the vegetables.

  “How was the viewing?” She had thought about going, in part to support Mrs. Goddard, but Trent had talked her out of it. Given he was in the middle of an investigation, she went along with it. Most likely her father would’ve nixed it anyway.

  “Nothing out of the ordinary, except I noticed that Elaine Goddard didn’t seem all that fond of Frank Hamilton.” Trent dropped the rolls on the cookie sheet and placed the tin in the oven.

  “Maybe Mr. Goddard and Mr. Hamilton never really got along, and the wife picked up on those feelings of resentment. I have no proof, of course, and Mrs. Goddard never mentioned it. Then again, perhaps she wanted a bigger piece of the company and Mr. Hamilton said no.”

  “Could be,” he said.

  There was probably more to the story, but she knew not to push. A few minutes later both the rolls and veggies were done. In relative silence, they chowed down. While she started a few conversations, Trent seemed preoccupied. Many women might have become concerned, but not her. She couldn’t blame him for being frustrated. He hadn’t come right out and said he suspected Mr. Samuels of offing Bill Goddard, but she had the sense that he’d thought it. He had to be wondering who was next on the list. She hoped no harm would come to his brother, since he, too, had worked at that firm.

  Charlotte tried to figure out how to broach the topic of making love again, but she couldn’t think of a subtle way to bring it up. She missed the comfort and the closeness it brought. While she might have periodic visions of seeing the dead body, she was ready to move on.

  After they finished eating, she asked Trent to make them some coffee while she cleaned up the dinner dishes. This time he didn’t complain and just complied. She wanted to shake the man, but that might only make him withdraw even more.

  When she was done, she stepped over to the sofa where he was sitting. Instead of dropping down next to him, she lifted the steaming cup from his fingers, set it on the table, and then straddled him.

  “Charlotte?”

  She cupped his face. “I’ve missed you, Trent. I know you’ve been keeping your distance because you believed I was fragile and that I needed some time to process all that has happened, but I’m good now. I love you all the more for being so concerned for my well-being, but now it’s time for us to be a couple again.”

  He ran his hands from her shoulders down to her wrists, gently lifted her palms from his cheeks, and brought her fingertips to his lips. “I don’t deserve you, Charlotte. I’m off in my own world too much of the time, and here you’re hurting because of my actions. I wish I weren’t so selfish.”

  Aw. “It’s not being selfish. It’s called ambition and a desire to find a killer. I know you think he’ll come after me, and that you have to protect me. For that I’ll always love you. I’m not even going to tell you that nothing could happen to me, because I know it could. I just want you to talk to me.”

  As if he’d reconnected with her, a small sparkle came to his eyes. “I thought we had been talking. A lot. I’ve liked it, by the way.”

  “So have I, but I want us to continue to communicate. If you’re worried about the case, I want you to tell me. I understand you might not be able to give me any details, and that’s fine, but you can express your frustration. If you need time to yourself to concentrate on the clues, tell me. I want to make this work between us.”

  He ran his palms up to her shoulders and then cupped her breasts. “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Charlotte must have said the magic words, because Trent stood with her on his lap. She lowered her legs and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Are you thinking of getting me naked?” Please say yes.

  “Do you want me to?”

  She loved when he teased her. “Only if you can be fast.”

  Before he had the chance to finish unbuttoning her blouse, she ditched her shoes and had his jeans undone.

  “Is someone in a hurry?” His brows rose and one side of his kissable mouth turned up.

  He was such a funny man. “I’m not sure yet. Perhaps if I see you naked…and hard… and desperate, I might consider making love with you. Slowly.”

  He smiled, something she hadn’t seen in quite a while, and her heart soared.

  “I guess I’ll have to test that theory, won’t I?”

  Faster than she could draw two straight lines, he stripped her naked then removed his clothes. Without a word, he dropped to his knees, nudged open her legs, and threaded two fingers straight up into her pussy. A strong primal need shot up her body. She clasped his head and hung on tight as his tongue lashed back and forth over her bundle of nerves. The terror of the last few days receded and he made her forget everything but being with him.

  Trent raised a hand and nabbed her nipple between his thumb and forefinger then twisted the tip back and forth, gently ratcheting her desire to a fevered pitch. Not having made love to him for days had made her even more desperate than usual.

  She wanted to touch him with her fingers, with her tongue, and with her pussy. “Kiss me.”

  Trent slid his fingers out of her wet slit and looked up at her. “Have I turned you on yet?”

  He knew the answer to that question. “Stand up and I’ll show you just how much.”

  “I always have liked a woman who knew what she wanted.”

  There was no doubt what she desired—Trent Lawson. Once he rose to his feet, she wrapped her arms around his back and then clawed her way up to his shoulders. Her breasts pressed against his rock hard chest and she opened her mouth to receive him.

  “I want you, Charlotte. Bad.”

  “Then take me.”

  As he captured her mouth, she jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist. His hands supported her butt and as he squeezed each cheek, his tongue delved into her mouth. He tasted spicy and rich, and oh so sexy.

  Electric tingles consumed her, and as she jockeyed for position, she forgot everything but him. Because he was supporting her, she slid her feet to his thighs and pressed upward, rubbing her wetness against his cock. The pressure on her clit was like a bolt of lightning straight to her heart. She needed him. She wanted him, and she damned sure was going to do what
ever it took to have him.

  Trent walked her backward until she hit the wall separating the living room and the hallway. She leaned against it for support, reached between them, and grabbed his dick.

  Trent broke the kiss and closed his eyes. “I want you. Now.”

  Keeping a firm grasp of his cock, she slipped his hard shaft between her folds and sank down partway until his size made it nearly impossible to engulf all of him.

  He moaned. “Jesus, Charlotte, you feel so fucking good.”

  He should be her. Trent eased out of her and then edged right back in again. The friction and the stretching heightened every sense to the point that tremors vibrated up her entire body. He dipped his head and captured her nipple, sucking and pulling the tip until shards of bliss exploded inside her.

  She dug her nails into his shoulders, dropped her head back, and held on for the ride of her life. Trent plowed into her, nearly pushing her off her climactic edge, but she didn’t want this joyous ride to end too soon. Being in his arms and touching him gave her immense pleasure.

  He switched his attention to her other breast and she had to hold her breath to keep from coming. Each time he drove into her, the excitement grew, gaining speed until the joy blossomed.

  “I don’t think I can last much longer,” she panted.

  Trent clasped her waist and raised his head enough to lightly kiss her throat with such tenderness that she nearly cracked with desire. “I need you,” he whispered.

  Before she had the chance to respond, he thrust into her, holding her tightly. When the tip of his cock banged into her back wall, she clamped down on his hard dick. Just as her orgasm swept through her, his cock detonated, pushing her already racing heart into the red zone, where the glory and thrill consumed her.

  She pressed her chest against his and held him, never wanting to let him go. This was where she needed to be.

  * * *

  The next morning at work, Trent was in a good mood, despite not being any closer to finding the killer. Charlotte had this amazing effect on him, though he still had a hard time believing she was willing to accept him for who he was, and be okay with him abiding by his rules of silence when he was working a case.