“Why the hell not?”
“Because I’m in love with her.” Like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, Vic felt a sense of relief having said it. “I know, its nuts, so stop looking at me like that.”
“Vic—”
“Don’t.” With his beer in hand, still untouched, Vic headed for the living room. “I know what you’re thinking, and I don’t want to hear it. I know how stupid this is, how stupid I am. It started out as a fling. She jumped me—literally—and I told myself only once, but…damn, she’s good—and let me tell you, she has moves. One thing led to another, and I was thinking with my dick and not my head, and now I’m in love with her.” He looked up at his friend, then let out a long sigh. “I’m in love with her.”
“Maybe it’s just lust.”
“It’s not lust, Tom. It’s the real deal. I envision her in my life, permanently. I can see us with kids—do you know how much that threw me—I’m not the settling down type of guy.” Even with Michelle there had been no thoughts of marriage and kids. He’d loved her, but not in the same way he loved Julia.
“Love changes a person.” Tom sat beside Vic. “Have you told her?”
“I can’t—hell—it was hard enough telling you, not to mention admitting it to myself. What the hell am I supposed to do now?”
“Tell her.”
Vic shook his head rapidly. “Didn’t you just hear what I said about it being hard to even admit to myself? Besides, she’s—as you said—still a baby. This is fun for her, but it’s not permanent. The minute she gets homesick, she’ll be on her way out of here, and I’ll just be a distant memory to her.” Man, that really stung.
“Maybe not. When I talked to her, she sounded pretty set on sticking around, and Cassie said she got the same impression—oh, damn.”
“What?”
Tom ran a hand over his face, dropping his head. “She was right about you and Julia.”
“And…”
“Cassie was right.” Tom lifted his head. “She loves being right, and she loves rubbing it in when she is.”
Smiling, Vic laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You’re doomed.”
Grinning, Tom slugged Vic’s shoulder. “Yeah, but I’m not as doomed as you are, lover boy.”
Deflated, Vic dropped back against the sofa. “We’re screwed.”
“Ain’t love grand.”
Chapter 18
What the hell was he doing? He had no right being in love with a mere girl, let alone be thinking of a future with her. Yet every waking moment Vic had was filled with thoughts of him and Julia. They’d live in his cozy three-bedroom house and raise a herd of kids. Okay, maybe not a herd, maybe just four—or three—maybe just two. Hell, he was doomed.
Even in sleep he was doomed. She was always there, in his dreams, smiling with that bright cheery smile that made her green eyes twinkle and her dimples sink in at her cheeks. And they weren’t just sexual dreams. He dreamt—of all things—of her cooking meals for him, being there when he got home from work with a hot home cooked meal and a smile. They would sit down at the table and have a normal conversation about his day and about hers.
And he always knew it was only a dream.
But the more he saw of her, the more he wanted that dream to come true. And he wished they didn’t have to hide their relationship. As the days warmed up and spring sprung with verve, he wanted those long, lazy, warm evenings spent holding her in his arms under a sun setting orange and blue filled sky.
Would the town accept it if he was involved with Julia?
Did he really care if they didn’t?
Cracking a beer, Vic stood out on his back deck, debating between buying a rake to gather up all the leaves that had fallen to the ground in the fall, or just lighting a match to the lawn and be done with it.
The grass was nice and would look better than a pile of brown singed rubble. But maintaining it meant work, and he hated manual labor—well, okay, manual yard work. He’d always lived in either apartments or condos where someone else did all the work. Having a house of your own, something you were responsible for maintaining, meant he’d have to do it himself, wouldn’t he. Maybe he could hire someone to maintain it for him. He was sure there had to be some local kids who would be willing to make a few bucks taking care of his yard for him. And how much could they really charge? They were only kids.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
Vic blinked out of his daze and turned with a smile Julia’s way. “Hello, beautiful.”
“What were you daydreaming about?” she asked slyly but didn’t come any closer to him from where she stood at the top of the stairs.
“It wasn’t a daydream. I was wondering what had possessed me to offer to buy this place from Cassie.”
“Why? I like this house. It’s very homey.”
He liked it, too. “Sure, for a haunted house.”
“Huh?”
Slipping the pack of cigarettes from his pocket, Vic rested his beer on the ledge before lighting up. “This was an authentic haunted house.” Her quick whip of laughter didn’t catch him off guard. It was expected. “I kid you not, doll.”
“Come on, Vic.” She rolled her eyes, reaching out for his beer.
“Three people were murdered in this very house no more than ten years ago. Edward Talbot and his wife were both shot by Edward’s nephew. It was made to look like a murder-suicide by the nephew and his conniving wife. They set it up to look like the couple’s only son had done the dastardly deed before offing himself. And less than a year ago, it all came to a head when their actual killer was taken out right in my living room.”
“For real?”
“On my badge. The Talbots bought it on the living room floor. Their son, Eddie, was in his room, top of the stairs to the left.”
“That’s…” She shuddered. “Ick.”
“Yeah, even more so for poor Cassie. She was the one that constantly saw Eddie, the walking dead, wandering around her house.”
“Get out!”
He held his hand up in an oath. “You don’t believe me, ask anyone in town. This place is famous.”
“Shit.” Julia gulped down a quarter of the beer before setting it back down. “Freaky.”
He smiled at her comical slang. “And then some. I saw all three circled around the murderer right there in the living room six months ago.”
“You saw them?” Julia asked, her eyes wide.
“In deadly color, bloody wounds and all.”
“Weird. So, what happened? Are they still here…haunting the place?” Her eyes darted to the door.
“Oh yeah, you mean you haven’t heard them or seen them. They wander this place day and night, blood dripping from their wounds, their faces decayed and smelling like rotting flesh. And at night…” he leaned in real close to whisper the words, “they stand at the foot of the bed and watch me sleep.”
“Get out!”
“Sometimes, the old lady likes to crawl into bed with me.”
Julia shivered, and Vic had to bite back the laugh bubbling in his throat. Then she looked up at him with question. “How do you know this if you’re asleep?”
“I wake up when she places her cold, dead hand on my shoulder. Oh, my God, there she is!” Vic cried out, pointing behind Julia.
Julia screamed, ran into Vic’s arms, her head craning to look behind her. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest and just couldn’t stop the laughter.
“You bastard.” She slugged him good and hard in the chest. “Why would you do that to me?”
“I just couldn’t resist?”
“Bastard,” Julia said again, this time giving him a shove.
“You already called me that,” Vic chuckled, taking a sip from his beer.
“Well, it deserved repeating. That wasn’t nice, lying to me like that.”
“I wasn’t lying, sweetheart—well, only the part about them watching me sleep and her climbing into my bed—the rest is true.”
“I don’t believe you,” Julia sulked, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Feel free to ask Tom or Cassie.” He ran a finger along her cheek. Her skin was always so soft. “What brings you by, my dear?”
“I thought it might be nice to spend the evening together, maybe watch a movie. But now I’m not sure I want to spend the evening with you.” She pursed her lips.
He remedied that by—first—stomping his cigarette out with his shoe, then pulling her into his arms and smothering her pouting lips with a kiss. “You are absolutely adorable when you pout.”
“You’re still a bastard.”
“Yeah, so I’ve been told. Come on pouty, let’s go in and see what’s on TV.” With his arm over her shoulder, he led her inside.
***
It was beyond Marshall why anyone would want to leave the big city to live in a dreary small town. But if you were trying to hide, a small town would be the best place to go. Especially one very few have heard of. A perfect place for a coward like Victor Davis to hide in.
Marshall sat in his rental car, watching the house from across the street. He’d arrived in town a short three hours earlier, and it hadn’t been very difficult finding out which house Victor lived in. Another downside to small towns. Everyone knew where everyone lived, and they knew their business as well. The townsfolk had been so helpful, giving him directions to his oldest and dearest friend’s house. They hadn’t even asked him his name when he’d inquired about Vic’s address.
Stupid people.
It was too easy.
The lights were shining bright in the main section of the house, and he could see movement from not just one, but two people. Apparently Victor had company. Leaning back in his seat, Marshall watched and waited.
***
“I like this,” Julia sighed, snuggling closer to Vic. They lay on his sofa, spooning while they watched the TV. She wouldn’t mind staying like this forever, but she knew that wasn’t possible.
“I like the smell of your hair.” He sniffed, nuzzling his face deeper into her hair. “It smells like apple blossoms.”
“I ran out of my usual, and they didn’t have it in the grocery store, so I had to buy something else.”
“I’m glad they didn’t have your usual.”
She shifted to face him and frowned. “Are you saying my hair stunk before?”
Vic smiled and his blue eyes twinkled mischievously. “I’m saying I like this better. You need to stop looking at the negative side of things.”
“Now you’re saying I’m a pessimist?”
“Shut up, Julia.” Closing his mouth over hers, he forced her to be silent. His hand dipped beneath her shirt to cup her breast.
She moaned, shifting over just a bit more so they were facing each other. Deciding to play along, she slid her hand down his chest very slowly, letting it rest on the bulge in his pants. “I like this,” she purred against his lips, giving him a squeeze.
“I’m rather liking it myself. Do you know what else I like?”
She looked into his dreamy blue eyes and felt herself melt. “Why don’t you tell me?”
“This.” Vic ran his hand down her chest and under her jeans. And when his fingers touched the warmth between her legs, she smiled seductively.
“I kinda like that, too. Keep doing it,” Julia laughed, parting her legs for him.
“Same for you.” He kissed her while his fingers dipped beneath her panties.
Following his lead, she unzipped his pants and cupped his hard-on. He was so hard and so ready, and the way his fingers were working her up, she wanted more than just a little foreplay. “Strip, baby.”
“I love a forceful woman,” he chuckled.
“Yeah?” Now she felt empowered. “I guess I should be more forceful with you.”
“I’m at your mercy.”
“Is that so?” Julia released him and enjoyed the tiny whimper he expelled when she did. “Do a strip tease for me.”
His brow lifted. “What?”
“Strip for me. Get up, stand in front of me, and do a striptease.”
“Julia—”
“Do it!” Julia demanded sternly.
“Damn it, woman, just when I think I know all your moves, you throw a new one at me. Okay, you want me to strip for you.” He jumped over her, making her laugh. “You got it, doll.”
“Nice and slow,” she added, sitting up and resting on her elbows to watch him.
“Let me just close the blinds here first.”
“Make it fast, baby.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Vic gave the cord a tug, bringing the blinds down on the front window. “A little music to add to the ambiance?”
“Good thinking.” She was getting worked up just thinking of what he was about to do. When he clicked the stereo on and Frankie Goes to Hollywood crooned out, “Relax”. She smiled approvingly. “Perfect song.”
“Like it was planned. Okay, sweetheart, be prepared to have your socks knocked off.”
“I can’t wait.” Julia lifted one leg, resting it against the sofa while her hand slid down to her crotch. “Strip.” Her heart hammered as he swayed his hips seductively, running his hand along his body, teasing her with what was to come. And when he yanked his t-shirt over his head, Julia’s pulse quickened. But it was nothing compared to what her body went through when he began slowly sliding his jeans down his hips. “Oh, God, I’m getting so hot.”
Vic smiled at her with that slow, sly way he had, and her heart began to pound. And when he gave his back to her and slid his jeans past his buttocks, she felt herself growing even wetter. Then he bent at the waist and lowered his jeans, and Julia thought she might just explode.
“I want you, now!”
He looked to her with a wicked smile on his lips. “But I’m not done yet.”
“To hell with it.” She shimmied out of her jeans and panties, tossing her shirt aside after pulling it over her head. “Take me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Reaching down into his pants, he pulled out a condom from his wallet, slowly sliding it over his rock hard penis.
“Oh, come on, you’re killing me,” she panted.
Laughing, Vic stepped closer to the sofa but not close enough for her to touch him. “Really.”
“Vic.” She sat up and reached out for him. “Fuck me, now.”
Laughing, he dove on top of her. “So aggressive.”
“Damn straight. Oh, God, yes!” she cried out the instant the tip entered her. “I’m coming.” He slammed himself into her, making her scream out in pleasure. Her body quivered, pulsated, and it felt like fireworks had been set off inside of her as the orgasm filled every inch of her body. She lifted her hips, letting him take her over the edge as he pumped himself into her. With each thrust she could feel the need building deep inside. She tingled from head to toe, and the harder he pounded her into the sofa, the more her body craved.
Her nails bit into his shoulders and she arched her back, wanting him to crawl inside of her and ease the tension she was feeling in the pit of her belly. When he clamped onto her butt and yanked her up even higher, she felt the explosion shoot through her entire body.
She screamed his name as he grunted with his own release.
Completely spent, Julia collapsed. “That was incredible.”
“You’re incredible.” He kissed her cheek, wiping the stray hairs from her face.
“You’re not so bad yourself, babe.” Julia smacked his ass good and hard, making him yelp. “Ooh, I like that,” she squealed in surprise when he flipped her over.
“Let’s see how much you like it now.”
She giggled when he smacked her butt.
***
Marshall had almost been ready to call it a night when he saw Vic’s front door open. Sitting up in his seat, he watched a redhead stepped out of the door and was spun around quickly. The two embraced in what looked like a heart-stopping kiss before she was released. And as she walked down the path to the gate, his eyes went a li
ttle wider.
“Well, hello there. What have we here?”
With his eyes narrowed, Marshall watched Julia climb into her car, then drive away.
“That’s what you’ve been doing here, Julia,” he said with a great deal of anger. “Fucking the enemy.”
The rage boiled inside of him. The bitch had betrayed him, just like her fucking sister. And both with Victor Davis.
His hands tightened on the steering wheel as he glared at the house across the street. His gun rested in the glove compartment, and he had to remind himself to leave it just where it was. It would get him nowhere if he were to take it and blow Victor’s head off.
That was too easy, and he wasn’t about to let Victor get away with his crimes easily. No, he wanted to make the man suffer, just as he’d suffered when he’d learned his precious Michelle had been sleeping with Victor.
Marshall wiped his sweaty hands on his trousers, thinking.
He’d warned Michelle he wouldn’t let her get away with betraying him, but he’d never intended on killing her. Just make her suffer. And he knew the perfect punishment was to take out her lover. He’d had it all planned, had instructed his men to follow Victor Davis, and when the opportunity was right, to take him out.
Then he’d learned they’d taken out his wife instead and he’d been enraged.
Well, the idiot won’t be making that mistake again. Marshall’s only regret was that he hadn’t been able to watch the man suffer as he was thrown into the river, tied to a cinder block. Alive.
Victor Davis would pay just as dearly, and suffer even more. But first Marshall had to deal with another betrayer. Putting the car in drive, Marshall decided it was time he confronted Julia.
Chapter 19
It was growing harder and harder to leave Vic, but she understood why he couldn’t make their relationship public. Well, a part of her understood—okay, most of her didn’t. But what was she going to do, demand he tell everyone about them? If she did that, he would flick her away like an annoying gnat and be done with her.
Escape in Passion Page 11