“But his family owns banks, why would he rob them?”
“That’s just it, none of the Covington Banks have been robbed!”
“How did you put this together? It seems a little out of left field.”
“I-I have these dreams and sometimes they come true. I dreamed I saw Reginald robbing a bank. The other cops would never let me live it down if they thought I had ‘crazy dreams’. I guess I tried to hide by being a skeptic. But I believe you, Callie. But I need more hard evidence that proves my theory. Dreams and visions aren’t going to cut it.”
“I understand that. But I did what I could! I’m not a cop.”
“We found a Bishop Hotel in one of the towns where The Bandit struck. We had cops canvass everyone in the hotel and several employees placed him at the hotel at the same dates as the robbery. It’s still circumstantial but we are getting closer and I think he is hiding out in Ravenswood.”
“I wish you luck, I do. But I don’t really think I can help you anymore, unless you have another object. And it’s getting late.” Callie looked pointedly at her clock.
“Right, I’m sorry about my behaviour, Callie. I’m under a lot of pressure. But it’s no excuse to take it out on you. Maybe I can take you to dinner to make up for it.” He smiled a charming smile that made Callie’s heart leap. But she didn’t want to be involved with this man, no matter how exciting he was. She wanted the real love of her soulmate. And she knew he was coming soon.
“You just told me you didn’t want to get entangled!”
“Entangled, no. But you do help me let off steam.” He winked at her. “And I think you can help my case. It’s just dinner. I’ll be good I promise.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Things get a little too hot around you.” She pushed him to the door.
“I thought you liked that about me?”
“I like nothing about you.” Callie pushed him out the door and shut it in his face.
“Oh, there’s definitely something you like about me.” He called through the door.
Oh, the nerve of that man!
Chapter Three
Callie woke up the next day still unnerved by Thorne Michaels. She spent all day in her green house trying to forget about last night. She harvested some pineapple mint, which she would turn into a whipped foot cream.
But he kept invading her thoughts, well certain parts of him invaded her thoughts. She hadn’t been with a man for a long time. Now that she had let one in, she couldn’t get him out.
She checked her phone hoping maybe he would message her. Then she scolded herself for caring. She was the one who threw him out of her house in the first place! But still, he clearly just wanted to fool around with her. She had carefully made her life routine, waiting for the true love that would complete her. And now Thorne Michaels had blown through town and stirred everything up. But she had to focus on what really mattered. Her one true love.
She whipped up a fresh batch of foot cream and headed downstairs to open her shop. She was busy stocking the shelves when she heard the door chime, signalling a customer. She looked up and almost gasped. Her eyes went wide with surprise. It was him! Reginald Covington, the Gentleman Bandit in the flesh! So much for her routine life.
“Can I help you?” She managed to squeak out.
Reginald smiled a very charming smile, lighting up his already handsome features. “Well I am looking for something to make this poor mug I have better looking.” His eyes twinkled. “What do you use? It’s certainly working.” He leaned against her counter casually.
Callie couldn’t help blushing. The Bandit was flirting with her!
“Well, I think I have just what you need.” She said, trying to sound sultry.
“I’ll bet you do.” He said as his eyes raked over her body.
“I haven’t seen you before, new in town?” Callie wanted to pump him for information, but still seem like she was innocently flirting.
“Yes, I was only planning on a short visit, but just now I decided to extend my stay. Is everyone in town charming like you, Miss?”
“There is no one in town like me. Call me Callie.”
“Well, Callie, I am Reginald and I must see you again. Dinner? My place?” He gave her a look that she was sure melted most woman’s panties.
“I might be able to fit you in. Where are you staying?” She felt a rush of adrenaline. Hopefully he was mistaking her nervousness for attraction. She didn’t want any of his alarm bells to go off. She was so close to getting more clues for Thorne.
“A friend of mine owns the cottage at the end Whitebear Road. Shall we say 8 o’clock?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
He sauntered out of the store and Callie almost collapsed. Wait until Thorne heard about this!
Chapter Four
Thorne wasn’t as excited as she thought he would be. Actually, he was extremely angry that she had put herself in a dangerous position. She had rushed down the police station to tell him. He dragged her into an interrogation room and proceeded to yell at her. The carefree Thorne from the other night was gone, and the angry wolf was back.
“What were you thinking? He is a dangerous criminal! Also you could have said one wrong word and jeopardized the whole investigation! Right now, he has no idea we suspect him! If he catches on, he will run!”
“He came into my shop! I didn’t seek him out! And now I have access to his home, that’s the biggest break you’ve had in the case!” She yelled back. “Maybe I will get an impression that helps or he could even spill some important information! You know it’s true!”
“I won’t put you in danger.” His voice softened this time as he realized she was right.
“He is not a murderer, he has never hurt anyone! I am going to his house tonight whether you agree or not!”
“Alright, alright! But you have to wear a wire and I will be outside the whole time.”
The heat in the room was palatable. Every time she was in a room with Thorne her body gave off sparks of electricity. He made her feel like no other man in the world. She wanted him to ravage her this very second. She could tell Thorne was having trouble controlling his beast. His eyes held the look of a wolf circling its prey.
“Your ass looks delectable in that skirt. If we weren’t in the station I would bend you over that table right now.” He was practically panting. “Go now, before I can’t help myself. I will be at your house at 6 to prepare.”
Callie felt heat rise up in her body at his words. She obeyed him and quickly left the interrogation room.
At home she bathed and slowly got ready for her ‘date’. She decided on a skintight off-the shoulder red dress. She washed and blow dried her hair until it was silky smooth. Next she applied bright red lipstick to her full lips. She looked in the mirror and was pleased with the overall effect.
At six sharp, Thorne buzzed at her door. His mouth practically fell open when he saw her.
“You like?” She teased him.
He didn’t take the bait. “I have grave concerns about this.”
“We went over this!” Callie cried.
“Fine, here.” He handed her a necklace with a large shiny jewel pendant.
“What’s this?” Why was he giving her jewelry?
“It’s the wire. Put it on and I will be able to hear everything you say through my earpiece. I will be right outside in the van the whole time. If you need me to come get you, say ‘The moon looks bright tonight.’ Understand?”
She nodded and put on the necklace. Thorne insisted on driving her. He let her off at the end of the block so Reginald wouldn’t suspect anything. Soon she was knocking on Reginald’s door. He answered, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt.
“Am I overdressed?” She teased.
“Yes, take your dress off immediately.” He joked back with a twinkle in his eye. He gestured for her to come in. What he considered a ‘cottage’ was actually two stories and five bedrooms. The downstairs was one large
open concept room. Over to the right, was an enormous fireplace with a roaring fire, complete with a bear skin rug. A large leather couch sat beside the rug.
“I thought we could have wine by the fire.” He gestured for her to sit down while he opened the wine.
“May I use your washroom?” She wanted a chance to do some snooping.
“Down the hall and to the left.”
She entered the bathroom and scanned it for anything she might be able to get an impression from. Personal items worked best, anything with sentimental value. She spotted platinum cufflinks on the edge of the sink. Those might work! She picked them up and concentrated. A picture of a large diamond necklace flashed in front of her. Damn! That was all she could get. She hurried out the door before he started to wonder what she was doing.
When she came in the living room she found Reginald sprawled out on the couch with two glasses of wine. He patted the couch beside him. She sighed and sat down. She guessed that women rarely turned him down.
“I find you extremely intriguing.” He said as she took the glass of wine he offered.
“I find you intriguing.” She cooed. “What brings you to town? Are you going to stay awhile?”
“I might be convinced.” He stared at her like he was on death row and she was his last meal. It was going to be nearly impossible to get anything out of him. He clearly was interested in bedding her, not chitchatting.
“Are you here for business or pleasure?” She tried again.
“Well, originally business, but right now, pleasure.” He brushed her hair off her shoulder exposing her neck. He leaned in and began gently kissing her shoulder moving slowly up her neck. She tensed.
“Don’t be nervous,” he whispered, “I’ll be very gentle.” He took her wine glass out of her hand and placed it on the floor. He touched her cheek with his hand and kissed her. He was skilled with his lips and soon she found herself returning his kiss. She felt none the uncontrollable passion she felt with Thorne, but it felt good just the same. Thorne! She remembered he was listening at this very moment. Maybe he was even watching, the cottage had large curtainless windows. What must he be thinking?
Reginald began massaging he breasts gently with the hands of a very experienced lover. She moaned involuntarily. Reginald certainly knew what he doing. She kissed him with more passion, imagining Thorne watching from outside.
At that moment her phone began ringing.
“Ignore it.” Reginald whispered. His hands had found her raised nipples and they were working their magic on them.
“Mmmmm.” She replied back.
Her phone rang again. Reginald was slowly moving his lips down her neck, gently brushing them against her skin. She was busy wondering what his lips could do to her breasts when her phone rang a third time.
“I guess I should get that.” She pulled herself away from Reginald and he groaned in protest.
She picked up the phone and said, “Hello?” She was greeted by the sound of Thorne’s voice.
“Get out now.” He hissed into the phone and hung up. Her stomach dropped.
“Oh really, that’s awful, I’ll be right there.” She said into dead air. She clicked off her phone. “I’m so sorry Reginald. We will have to do this another time. I have an emergency.”
“We definitely will.” He remarked with one eyebrow raised.
“Well, you know where to find me!” She called as she ran out the door. She ran down the block to the spot where Thorne had dropped her off. The van pulled up shortly after.
“Get in.” Thorne’s jaw was clenched with anger. Callie climbed in the van. She was waiting for Thorne to go off on her but he just sat there. He drove to her apartment in complete silence. She had never seen him so mad he couldn't speak. She had really messed things up. Not only did she not get any information but she had made out with the suspect. She suspected that wasn’t how professional police handled cases.
He parked the van behind her apartment and refused to say a word to Callie. She quietly slid out the van and shut the door. She walked up the stairs to her apartment and was surprised when Thorne followed her. As soon as they were in her apartment he grabbed Callie and pushed her roughly into her bedroom.
“Strip.” He commanded. His eyes reflected only the wolf inside.
Callie did as she was told and pulled off her dress slowly. She kicked off her shoes.
“All of it.”
Callie undid the clasp of her bra and dropped it to the ground. She wiggled out of her panties and kicked them away. She stood naked and vulnerable before Thorne.
He took of his clothes and he stood before her, naked and with a giant erection.
“I am going to take you now, Callie. I am going to claim you tonight.” He picked her up easily and tossed her on the bed. Callie sucked in a breath. Every time he barked out a command, her juices slid down to her vagina. She was breathing heavily, waiting for what he would do next. He climbed on top of her. She felt heat in her cunt. He pushed her legs apart. He slid a finger inside her
“Oh God, You are so wet.” He groaned.
He pulled her arms over her head roughly and pinned them there.
“I don’t want to see you with another man again. I am going to fuck that guy out of you.” He was still angry, she could see it in his eyes. “Say it!” He commanded.
“There is only you. Only you know how to fuck me!” She cried, yearning for him.
He groaned. He could wait no longer. He took his cock and shoved it into her, hard. She cried out again. He moved inside her, slowly pumping his hips. All rational thought left her brain, she wanted only this. Him inside her. She felt the heat inside her cunt rise up. He pounded harder and the heat expanded in her body. He pounded her hard and fast and her breasts bounced in rhythm to his. He moved in and out roughly and she wanted to beg him for release. Everything in her body was wound up with lust. She surrendered to him completely.
“Your are mine now!” He growled as came. And she came with him. Waves of ecstasy rolled over her body and she cried out. Tremors shot through her body.
He collapsed on top her and they fell unconscious, both of them spent.
Chapter Five
She woke up the next afternoon in Thorne’s arms. She stretched and he stirred. All the events of last night came rushing back to her. She suddenly remembered the vision she had had at Reginald’s cottage. She jumped out of bed to draw a picture of the necklace she saw while the memory was still fresh. She pulled on a robe and went into the kitchen.
“I hope you are making coffee,” came a muffled growl from the bedroom. Callie ignored him and sketched the necklace she saw in her vision. It was a diamond heavy and intricately designed. She took the sketch back in the bedroom.
“Get up! Look at this! It was a vision I had at the cottage last night.” She shook the drawing in front of his face. Thorne sat up in bed and took the drawing. He stared at it for a minute.
“This is the Sacred Heart Necklace! It’s being auctioned off a charity ball tonight. I think the Gentleman Bandit may be switching from bank robbing to cat burgling.” He said excitedly.
“Are you sure?” Callie asked.
“No, but it’s the best lead we’ve got. It’s probably the reason he came to Ravenswood in the first place. I hope you have a gown because we are going to a ball tonight! I have to get to the station.” He jumped out of bed and hopped in the shower quickly. Callie made coffee and put it in a travel mug. He came into the kitchen dressed and Callie handed him the mug. He kissed her on the cheek.
“I’ll picked you up at 6. Be ready.” he called back as he hurried out the door. Callie slumped back in her chair. Last night he had said he was claiming her as his. He didn’t think they were together now, did he? Callie was waiting for her soulmate. The man she felt perfect love for. Thorne was just lust, not love. Wasn’t he? Callie vowed to talk to Thorne after tonight. Hopefully he will have caught the Gentleman Bandit!
Callie took a long shower. She was going to a
ball! She could barely contain her excitement. She wanted to take her time getting dressed. She dug through her closet to find something appropriate. She settled on a long, grey silk gown that had actually been a bridesmaid’s dress. It draped in the front over her breasts and slid gently over the rest of her curves.
She blowed dried her hair and pulled in back in a slick low bun at the base of her neck. She placed a jewelled comb above the bun. She decided on grey eyeshadow to match her dress. She choses a sparkly shadow and swept it over her eyes. She applied mascara on her think eyelashes. She went with a shimmery nude lipgloss. She slid into her dress just as the doorbell rang.
She hurried to open the door and found Thorne, looking gorgeous in a black tux. He let out a low whistle when he saw her.
“You look amazing! Let’s get going. My team is already at the ball, securing the perimeters. There has been no sign of Covington yet. But it’s still early.” He wasted no time in ushering her out the door. He was all business tonight.
The ball was being held at the Victorian Hotel. It was an opulent hotel on the edge of town. Callie had never been inside the ballroom. They arrived at the ball in no time. Callie walked into the ballroom and gasped. It was styled from the Victorian era. The furniture was lush red velvet. The wallpaper was a damask gold print. It was beyond anything she could have imagined. People swirled around the dance floor as classical music swelled from a live orchestra.
Thorne left her to consult with his team. He had put together a complicated sting operation in very short time. The organizers of the event had agreed to cooperate with the assurance that the police would be as discreet as possible. They wanted the bandit captured with as little fuss as possible so the event wouldn’t be interrupted. Callie was impressed with how quickly everything had come together. She wandered over to the bar and took a glass of champagne. She was dazzled by everything. As she stood, admiring the opulence of the event, Reginald emerged from a dark corner of the room.
AREA 69: An Alien Invasion Romance Novel Page 26