Marie, Laura - Victoria [Cop's Daughter 1] (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Laura Marie

  Swallowing hard, she stood in one place, unable to move any further. Steven closed the distance between them.

  * * * *

  Steven watched her as she entered the room and his heart paused a moment, then the pounding started again, just like yesterday when he saw her outside her office. She was gorgeous, and he noticed the way others stopped to check her out as he made his way to her. He had been through a war, for Christ’s sake, and yet nothing compared to the trepidation, the anxiety, he feared at this moment. It was powerful, emotional, and he hoped not disastrous. She couldn’t be in love with that pompous politician. She belonged to him, and he wasn’t giving Victoria up without a fight.

  He couldn’t help himself as his gaze traveled over her body. His body instantly and naturally responded. Missing her, he needed to feel her body against his own. He needed to touch her, to feel her, and love her once again.

  She wore a fitted pair of capri pants, light beige, that accentuated her curvy figure, and an expensive-looking blouse that hid a tight-fitted tank top, beaded along the trim. His gaze roamed over the slight cleavage, then toward the gold heart locket around her neck. It was from her father for her sixteenth birthday.

  Pausing in front of her, all he wanted to do was embrace her, kiss her breathless, and be completely alone with the woman he never stopped loving. But twisted within those emotions was a feeling of unfamiliarity. Had time made them strangers?

  * * * *

  It seemed like forever, and when he stood so tall and amazingly irresistible in front of her, the electricity between them was enormous. She couldn’t force herself to hate him. Victoria couldn’t breathe just from the sight of him. He was real. He was alive. She swallowed hard.

  She begged her mind and body to stick to the plan, to hate him, to resist him with all her might.

  Her plan failed as he reached for her. The feel of each solid hand against her body punctured through the material of her blouse directly to her skin. His arms drew her into an embrace, and she lost it.

  All she could do was hold him and cry…just hold him and cry.

  She didn’t know how long they embraced, just that she’d missed him and had felt dead inside until this very moment. She sobbed uncontrollably, releasing all the fear, anxiety, and heartache that had filled every inch of her body, heart, mind, and soul. In one embrace, it was all released. She felt it move through her body right down to her toes and out.

  This man had the power to heal her, to touch her in ways no other human being, action, or miracle, could ever touch her. He would always possess her heart.

  Steven caressed her hair, holding her compressed against his body. It seemed like they merged together as one.

  “Tory, sweetheart, I’ve missed you so much. You’re so beautiful. My God, you’re gorgeous.” He looked down into her eyes, then embraced her again.

  “I can’t believe it’s you. You’re alive,” was all she could say as others gathered around them, obviously making celebratory comments, overjoyed at their reunion, more than aware of the love between them.

  Steven’s father approached, and Victoria wiped her eyes while Steven held her gently around the waist.

  The three of them embraced, and the crowd cheered.

  “Get over here, you two. This is a real celebration and time for a few words,” Steven’s father, Jerry, said. Then someone passed Victoria a mug of beer and one to Steven.

  “Hey…hey, hey, hey…everybody, I’ve got a few words to say!” Jerry yelled, and the sound of hushes flowed over the crowd of people. Victoria dried her eyes best she could, then took a few steps away from Steven, letting go of his hand.

  They exchanged glances as Jerry talked about his son the Marine and how proud he was and how grateful he was that Steven was alive. Steven looked at her as if he could sense her fear and reservations. If anyone could destroy her masquerade…it would be Steven.

  “Welcome home, Steven!” Jerry shouted. Then others joined in as they cheered and the music started playing again.

  Stories and conversations continued through the night along with an uplifting spirit that seemed to extinguish the fact a cop killer remained at large.

  Worried the new information about her father’s connection to Linda Delaney would be revealed, she couldn’t help celebrate her lover’s return.

  Her lover…Glancing toward Steven, watching him smile and linger in the crowd with family and friends was just too much to handle. It was surreal. The community had to believe that she was involved romantically with Bret or it could ruin the chances of catching her father’s murderer. She wasn’t going to screw this up. No matter how difficult it was to see Steven and not be able to show her true emotions, she had to be strong. She was doing this for her mother and for her family. Now was not a time to be self-centered.

  She swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat. Begged for the strength to not cry, break down in Steven’s strong arms and confess. There was a killer loose, and the community didn’t even seem too concerned. She glanced around at her neighbors, family, and friends. Steven caught her eye, and her heart pounded against her chest. Her head ached and she felt nauseous.

  Pretending that everything was fine, that they could fall right back into a relationship, was exhausting. All these people standing around her, celebrating Steven’s return, drinking their beers, their cocktails, and talking about law enforcement, the military and the war, politics and River Point, were overwhelming.

  Did they all forget about her father’s murder? Would they even care if their local politicians and perhaps board members cheated them?

  She noticed the women that pined over Steven, taking every chance to caress his muscular arm, give him a welcome home hug, or blush from his natural sex appeal, were taking too much effort to care. Years ago, moments like that would have made her possessiveness emerge. She’d grab his arm, kiss his cheek, cuddle next to him as others looked on in admiration.

  Not now…Perhaps not ever again. There was a killer loose, there was work to be done that mattered, and when Steven chose the war over her, new priorities were set.

  Vowing that anything she wanted for herself was unobtainable until her father’s killer was caught, she quietly and discreetly left the building.

  She made her way outside where it was less noisy and breathed a little better.

  She stood by the rock wall on the side of the parking lot that overlooked a large sitting area. Needing to take a breath of fresh air before she headed to her car, she absorbed the numbness she felt. Her heart twisted with desire, regret, a need to succeed, and a weakness to give up.

  What will I do now? How am I going to continue?

  “It’s pretty loud in there.” She recognized Steven’s voice immediately, nearly jumping in surprise. She turned her head toward him, then returned her gaze to the open field of tall grass.

  She hadn’t even heard him approach. It was one of his special gifts. Sneaking up on the enemy was probably what must have kept him alive.

  The thought brought chills over her body.

  “I just needed some air. I have to get up early tomorrow.” She kept her gaze forward. Her body filled with emotional conflict—Will he touch me, please touch me…Go back inside and make this easier for me. Don’t look at him. Just stare forward and breathe.

  Steven took a step closer. She could feel him as he took in a breath of air. The sensation of his hand taking her left hand as his right hand moved her hair behind her shoulder and away from her face sent shivers and sparks through her body. There was an inner need so immense, combined with a passion-filled emotion, it overwhelmed her.

  Instantly, the tears rolled from her eyes, and the deep sob that escaped from her mouth shocked them both.

  Her body felt weak at his touch and he definitely felt the same way as they moved toward one another.

  There was silence between raspy breathing and entwined fingers.

  “You smell so wonderful. You really do look amazing, Tory.”

  R
eleasing her hands, Steven wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned his cheek against hers.

  The warmth of his skin had her closing her eyes, inwardly visualizing his body on top of hers in a heat of voracious passion. Catching her breath, she cursed the natural reaction to her long lost lover.

  The desire scared her, and she knew she couldn’t trust herself around him.

  Making an effort to attempt to forget about everything that happened, including the way he left her, dismissed her from his life, a struggle to accept him and soak in every ounce of him, raged through her flesh and bones. There was no way they could start from where they left off no matter how much her body wanted him.

  Victoria pulled away, turning her face away from him.

  She noted his reaction and he didn’t appear surprised.

  “Don’t do that, Steven. Please…we can’t just start off where we left things.”

  Attempting to walk away, she didn’t get far before he stopped her by taking her hand and blocking her path with his body. The cars blocked any onlookers from the restaurant. His perfect body collided with her oversensitive breasts, nearly taking her breath away. He had a body no woman in her right mind would deny or push away. She thought he looked strong, handsome, and damn it, irresistible, but she fought it, she had to.

  “Don’t be angry with me. Please talk to me…I’ve missed you.”

  Glancing away, attempting to avoid his amazing eyes, was a battle. She found herself scrounging up any and all tidbits of anger and pure acting skills to throw him off, lead him away, and keep her from confessing her true emotions.

  “What did you expect, Steven, that everything would stay the same? That I would be the same person?”

  “No! Yes…Maybe. I don’t know, sweetheart. It’s just that you still mean everything to me, and I can’t not touch you, be attracted to you. Want you.” He reached for her again, and she took two wobbly steps backwards, nearly falling in her attempt to evade his touch.

  “Don’t do this, Steven. Please, just go back inside and enjoy the party. I’m glad you’re home safely, and you have to understand that I’m…I’m a different person. I…I need time to get used to this. I thought you were dead.” She stuttered before beginning to cry again.

  He pulled her against him, into a safety blanket that had the ability and power to take away every fear, every ounce of sadness and pain she ever felt. Holding her tightly, he caressed her hair, making her feel exactly the way he had before he left for the war.

  The urge to spill her guts, confide to the one man who owned her soul and her heart, raged through her. She wanted to tell him everything, and she knew if Bret Collins hadn’t killed her father, then she would take Steven back right now and start exactly where they left things.

  “You can have all the time you want, sweetheart. I’ll wait until you’re ready. This, I promise.”

  Brushing her fingertips against his forearms made her insides flutter. Every defined muscle from fingers to shoulders was masculine, sexy, and enticing. As long as he kept holding her like this, she couldn’t evade recapture anymore.

  Their breathing grew rapid, she could feel his hand caress her lower back then slowly, softly glide over her backside.

  Naturally, she moved her hips against him and laid her cheek against his chest.

  Is there a way we could make love, stay hidden, and escape to a secret location, a hotel…a car…? Damn it! Her libido’s ability to entice, crave, and eroticize so deeply over this man was outrageous. What am I talking about…a car?

  Outraged by her own suggestion, she thanked the heavens that she didn’t actually verbalize such a suggestion.

  Get away from him, Tory!

  The sensation of Steven’s rock-solid chest beneath her cheek while his hands invaded the walls she fought so hard to build had her holding on tighter. He touched her as if he owned her, had every right to glide hands across her flesh from her backside to her hipbones, then from her ribcage to her breasts.

  “Stop!” Shocked that she fell into his spell, a fantasy that could have caused destruction and failure, she pushed away from him.

  He didn’t give into her denials, her attempt to stop feeling exactly what he appeared to have felt himself.

  “Let me hold you, Tory…Please?” he begged of her in a whisper, pulling her flush against his body. His request tore a hole through her heart, but she couldn’t fail. She needed to do this on her own. She knew Steven so well. If he found out she was working undercover, he would demand she quit. He would never allow her to put herself in danger and definitely not let her pretend affection to another man.

  But his arms felt so good wrapped around her. Just a few more seconds and it will help me get through this.

  They held one another for a few minutes. She was grateful for his silence because it gave her enough time to rationalize the situation, her emotions, and…her mission. He didn’t attempt to seduce her again.

  Taking a deep breath, she pulled away.

  “I’m gonna get going. I’ve had a long week, and I’m going to need all my strength for Sunday. Goodnight, Steven.”

  Blocking her path, he held her hand in his own and stared at it a moment. She prayed he would just release it and let her go.

  Instead, he brought the palm of her hand to his lips and kissed her skin. She turned away in an attempt to not show her emotions. He was killing her resolve. She felt his fingertips press under her chin for her to look at him.

  Before letting her go, he locked gazes with her and whispered, “I love you. Good night, Victoria.”

  * * * *

  Steven watched Victoria as she walked toward her Jeep. Her brother and cousins were right. Although he had been out of Victoria’s life for a while, she still showed her emotions no matter how hard she tried not to. Her eyes, her amazing brown eyes, gave it all away. It killed him to respect her wishes of giving her time and keeping his distance from her. She had been all he had dreamt about for months. The thought of making her get into his truck and leave with him so they could be alone crossed his mind, but his gut told him something was up. Victoria was not being herself.

  He continued to stand there long after the blue Jeep left the parking lot. Remnants of her exotic perfume lingered on his T-shirt. He could practically feel her cheek against his chest, her hips against his groin. She still wanted him…still loved him. He walked toward the old rock wall and sat upon it, embracing the silence from the loud music and crowd inside.

  All he wanted to do was be alone with Victoria, to tell her everything that happened and why he was forced to make the decisions he had made.

  It couldn’t be too late. She couldn’t possibly be in love with that other guy. Is that why she pushed me away?

  The thought tore his heart wide open and sent a fierce flow of anger and regret through him.

  The connection was alive and well, according to her natural and strong response while he caressed her body.

  There was no way she didn’t love him or want to be with him as much as he wanted her.

  “Hey, Steven! Get your rear back inside! This party is for you!” He heard his father yell from the back door and reluctantly the thoughts were put on hold as he headed back inside Phill’s.

  * * * *

  Through the binoculars, he watched as Victoria pulled into her driveway. He was careful not to be seen, knew he was taking a chance by watching her this closely, but he couldn’t resist. He wanted her now, needed to have her, and the decision was made. She wasn’t part of his plan, but once he’d met her and gotten to know her, he couldn’t get her out of his head. She would be difficult at first, but he loved a challenge, and so far, none of his victims had given him any, especially not the drunken, greedy cop who was out cold in the backseat.

  She, however, would remain alive the longest, and if she cooperated, she could be his until he got bored of her. Either way, the pleasure of getting away with another murder was invigorating. He was on a high right now, unstoppable.

&
nbsp; Observing her every move as she got out of the car, he was certain she was the one. Besides his body’s sexual alertness from the sight of her, something else sent a spark of curiosity through his system—the slow motion of her body as she exited the driver’s side then closed the door, the slim-fitting pants, the fitted blouse. He could clearly see the cleavage emerge between her abundant breasts.

  His fingers slowly magnified the image, zooming into her close with the binoculars as his breath caught in his throat.

  He readjusted his sitting position, focused on her face and her complexion while the anxiety built.

  Red eyes, blotchy chest, deep inhales and exhales of breath. Something was wrong. She was upset and had been crying. His first inclination was to run to her, console her, embrace her…feast on his Victoria. Reminding himself it wasn’t the time, he studied her instead.

  Zooming in closer as she leaned her head back against the car, clutched the purse against her chest, he could see the droplets of tears clinging to her long, dark eyelashes.

  What or who had caused this sadness?

  His breathing grew deeper the longer he watched her. The sight of her so feminine and needy caused his insides to heat, his manhood to throb, and his lustful stare to intensify.

  As if she sensed his presence, Victoria pushed away from the car, glanced around appearing panicked then quickly headed for the front door. Dropping her keys on the landing, glancing over her shoulder directly toward where he watched her, she finally managed to unlock the door and enter.

  He knew she couldn’t see him yet. He felt she sensed his presence. It was a sure sign that they were meant to be together.

  Disappointment filled him the moment she disappeared behind the closed door. Soon…they would be together with no interruptions. Very soon.

  * * * *

  Victoria got undressed and took a long, hot bath. She had five messages on her answering machine and knew that at least one of them would be Celina. Victoria had seen Celina’s cousin Margaret bartending at Phill’s tonight.