by C. M. Steele
“Ben,” I call out softly, biting back a nervous giggle. He whips his head around and then rushes toward me in a hospital gown and a pair of hospital pants. His arms grab hold of me then slams his mouth down on mine. “Ben,” I moan.
“You’re mine, baby. I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner,” he whispers between kisses. “I got a little tied up.”
I release a sobbing chuckle. “I can see. Maybe you need to get into bed.”
“Only if you’re coming with me.” He takes my hand and drags me back to his room. There’s Dane in there and a woman I don’t know. “You know Dane, but this is my assistant Brenda.” Holy shit. She’s hot as hell. I suddenly feel more than a sting of jealousy; I feel inadequate. “I owe her a raise. I didn’t know how to get a hold of you, and she did some MacGyver shit and found your number.” He sits down on the edge of his bed.
“It wasn’t that hard. You’re just computer technology inept.”
“Hey, I prefer to work with my hands,” he replies, playfully pulling me onto his lap. I look at Brenda to test her reaction. I really examine her. I want to see if there’s some desire for my man, but I see nothing resembling attraction for him. And it’s clear that Ben has all thoughts on me.
Dane cracks up, and Brenda shakes her head, then scolds Ben, “You need to be resting. You’ve just been in a serious accident.” Again, no hint of jealousy in her tone. She’s focused on his well-being as a friend.
“Oh my goodness. I forgot to ask. How could I forget? What happen?”
“That’s because I kept your thoughts on how I’m going to remind you that you’re mine.” He kisses me again in front of everyone. I blush and do my best to resist moaning against his lips.
I pull back and glare at him. “Don’t think you’re getting away without telling me what happened?”
“I was going to tell you, but I can’t think straight with you on my dick,” he whispers in my ear. I groan, attempting to get up, but he pulls me back. “I’ll tell you.”
Chapter 10
Ben
I close my eyes and try to steady my words. I don’t want to lie to her, but I don’t know if I should tell her. Deciding that I can’t risk her trying to leave me or her safety, so I go with honesty. “I was driven off the road by someone. I’m not sure why, but they were out to get me.”
“Oh my god,” she gasps, clapping her hands to her mouth before shaking her head and hugging on me. “I can’t believe it. Tell me the cops have been called. I can call my people,” she bursts out rapidly.
I press my hands to her cheeks; one of them is bandaged and hold her face to mine. “It’s okay. I have done all of that. I was hoping that you would be there, but it happened when you were off. I promise everything has been looked at. They even plan to check security cameras in the area.”
“I’m sorry someone attacked you. Do you have any enemies?”
“No. I’ve never had a displeased customer.” I have a feeling this has to do with the books, but I’m not going to bring it up. If she knew, she might blame this on herself.
“How bad are your injuries?”
“Not too bad. I’ve only been in here a day, and I’m ready to break out. I have a mild concussion and some cuts and bruises.”
“When are you moving into the house?”
“The construction will be finished next week, but baby, I want to know if there’s anything you’d like to change.”
“To change? You want me to live with you?”
“Woman, of course. You’re mine. Where else would you live? If you don’t want to live there, I’ll sell it, and we can buy another home. As long as you’re with me, we can live wherever.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” I ask happily. She responds with a vigorous nod. I can’t help but kiss her.
The doc comes in just as I pull back. “Mr. Carrington, I’m glad you found your lady. Now maybe you’ll listen. I need to do a check over before I can discharge you.”
“We’re going to get some coffee. Would you like to join us, Mira?” Dane asks.
“She’s not leaving my side,” I bark out.
With an eye roll, Brenda asks, “Fine then, would you like us to bring you a coffee, Mira?”
“Sure.”
“Cool. We’ll be back.” They leave us with the doctor. Mira gets up and moves over to the chair. After a quick examination, the doc gives me the all clear. I just want to be alone with my woman even though, I’ve been warned to stay away from physical activity for the week. That’s very displeasing.
After two more hours of paperwork being filed, I hop into Mira’s car, and she drives us back to my apartment. I want to shower and change into some fresh clothes. My place is close to the expressway, and we hit a patch of rush hour traffic. I feel a sense of urgency to get back home before someone comes after me again. I don’t know if they were giving me a warning or if that’s just the beginning.
We’re in the middle lane when I tell her to take the next exit. We’ll take the side streets back. Her phone rings, but she’s driving, so I look at the caller ID. It’s David Richmond. “Hello,” I say, answering it.
“Who’s this?”
“Benedict Carrington.”
“Oh wow. What are you doing with Mira’s phone?”
“None of your business. Mira’s driving. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, it affects you more. The estate has caught fire.”
“Bastards.”
“I didn’t have shit to do with it. I have nothing to do with any of it. I just thought you both should know.” Fuck. I hate that I’m going to have to tell her. “Babe, pull over into the Jewel parking lot.” She does.
“What did my cousin say?”
“Babe, there was a fire at the estate. I don’t know the extent yet.”
“Oh no. You just bought it.”
“Yes. I did. Are you okay?” She nods, but the tears are in her eyes. “Babe, get out.” I open my door and walk around to the driver’s side. She steps out and into my arms. “I’m sorry, Mira.”
“Why is this all happening in such a short time?”
“I don’t know, but I need to call the local station and find out what’s going on.” We both get back in the car and look up the number for the county sheriff’s office. I put it on speaker after dialing the number.
“Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, Officer Wendall speaking.”
“Hello, my name is Benedict Carrington. I own the Richmond estate. Can someone tell me what’s going on? I was told there was a fire.”
“Sir, can you come down to the sheriff’s office?”
“Right now, I’m in Chicago. I can’t make it there until traffic dies down.”
“How long have you been in Chicago?”
“I’ve been in the hospital for thirty-six hours, but I was at the estate three days ago. My crew was supposed to be working on the HVAC.”
“Sir, again. I can’t go over this on the phone. Please come in as soon as possible.”
“After I shower and change, we’ll head out there.”
“Good. Should we say nine pm?”
“Yes. That works for me.” I hit the end button then turn to my woman. “Do you want me to drive?” I ask her.
“No. I’ve got this. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Chapter 11
Mira
I do my best to not look at him while he’s practically naked with water glistening down his taut muscles because we have stuff to do, but damn, I want to yank that towel off of him. “Mira, don’t look at me like that. I’ve got to stay away from your sweet pussy for the next week, and you’re eyeing my cock like it’s your favorite meal.”
“Well, I am a little bit hungry.” He growls and walks into the bathroom, turning on the shower again. I giggle and walk into the kitchen. I need to cool down, too. I pour myself a glass of water. As I drink it down, my phone buzzes. I swipe open my screen to read the text message: You’re to blame for ever
ything.
I don’t recognize the number, but it’s time I use my police skills. I have a feeling this has more to do with the estate and the books. “Hey, Micks. I need you to do me a solid. I need you to run this phone number in the DB and see what comes up.”
“Are you going to go on a date with me?”
“I can’t. I have a boyfriend.”
“Damn right you do.” I turn to see a very naked and very hard Ben scowling at me.
“Micks just run it, please. Let me know what you come up with.”
I end the call as Ben invades my space. I find my back pinned to the sink edge with his hands gripping my hips. “You’re mine. Do you need a fucking reminder?” he growls against my ear before biting my lobe. Moaning, I roll my head back and submit.
“No, Ben,” I sigh, feeling his fingers tightening and marking my skin. He releases one hand and slides it down between my thighs. His fingers dip under my skirt, grazing the edge of my panties.
“Are you sure?” I shake my head because all I can think of is coming. His rough fingers slide past the flimsy, wet fabric and into my pussy. He thrusts inside me while his thumb rubs my clit. I’m done. I cry out, coming hard. Panting with my mouth wide open, I stare into his eyes. “That’s the look I want to see, babe. Fuck. So. Damn. Sexy.” He slams his lips on mine. We kiss passionately, but my man needs a release. I pull my mouth from his, then with my eyes set on his, I lower myself to my knees, brushing my face against his rigid length. He groans but doesn’t take his eyes away from mine. Knowing I’m driving him wild, I take his cock in my hand, stroking it over and over before sliding my tongue around the tip. I close my lips and suck off his pre-cum.
He groans again, grasping my hair firmly. The slight tug travels straight to my core. Then he rocks his hips forward steadily, fucking my mouth. “I’m going to come, Mira. Are you ready? Are you going to swallow me down?” I moan around his cock, using one hand to stroke the rest of his cock that I can’t fit in my mouth. The other squeezes my breast, aching for more.
“I’m coming, babe,” he roars, coming down my throat. He pulls me off his cock with a dribble of saliva and release connecting us. I dip forward and lick it clean. The man is going to turn me into an addict.
“Fuck. You’re lucky I need to take it easy.”
“Oops. I got a bit carried away. It won’t happen again,” I promise with a lie in my eyes and my fingers crossed.
“Babe, don’t break my heart saying shit like that. Seeing my cock disappear behind those plump lips is almost as sexy seeing it slide past these ones,” he grunts out, cupping my pussy and running his finger over my swollen lips.
“As much as I want to see you come again, we have to get a move on.” He kisses me then smacks my ass before walking naked to his bedroom.
My phone pings. Micks sent a text: It’s from a Daniel Cooley.
Shit, I’ve seen that name somewhere. Where did I see it? I stand in Ben’s kitchen looking around and can’t find anything. I’ve never been here before, so this isn’t the place I saw it, but I know I have. Closing my eyes, I begin to think of all the places I’ve been. Nothing.
“Reminiscing?” I dart my gaze at Ben, then flip him off. He just laughs.
“You wish, buster.”
“We’ve got a long drive, and at this point, we don’t have anywhere to stay in town. We’re going to have to drive back.”
“I have to work on Wednesday, so hopefully they don’t drag this out.”
“I guess it depends on the extent of the damage. Can you call in?”
“I can. I have a lot of time off and have never used any. Goodness, I don’t want to think about the damage. I’ve had so many great memories of my aunt, particularly in the library. Oh, my. I forgot to tell you. I got my books back. Apparently, there was a mix up in my aunt’s belongings, and the books ended up at an auction house.”
“Wow, babe. I’m glad that you got them back. I know they mean a lot to you. I think I need to still spank you for that. First, breaking and entering then giving yourself heatstroke.”
“Hey but then you would have never been my knight in shining armor, and we would have never met.”
“Very true. But don’t do that crazy shit again.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. We’ve got to go.” I bypass him and grab my purse. “Are you coming, or not?” My smirk is teasing.
He storms to me, wrapping his fist into my hair and tilting my head, then whispers, “Smartass,” before kissing me breathlessly. He lets me go and walks out of the apartment. We make it out of the house with a few more stolen kisses after locking the door.
The drive to Kendall County is somber. I try my best to be cheerful, but as we get closer, the more broken I feel. My aunt loved that home. She loved the library most of all. We had so many good memories in there that it’s hard for me to fathom it’s all gone.
We don’t go to the house because it’s almost nine. The station commander meets us, then takes us back to speak with a detective. “Hello, Mr. Carrington.” He looks at me with a hint of suspicion.
“This is my fiancé, Mira Richmond.” I don’t challenge it because we both know that is what we want.
“Oh wow. We’d like to talk to both of you as it happens.”
“If you would wait right here, Ms. Richmond.”
“Actually, no we’ll go together. Anything we have to discuss can be together or not at all.”
“Fine. Please come in.” We take seats in a medium size interrogation room. I don’t have any problems being in here because I know that both of us have solid alibies and no reason to want to ruin the property.
“Do you want something to drink?”
“Yes, please. It’s been a long drive, and Ben has to take his medicine.” Ben gives me a glare. “What? Are you going to be stubborn about it?”
The detective steps out and comes back with two bottles of water. After he takes a seat and adjusting his sleeves he asks, “So where were you two the past two days.”
“I explained to you that I was in the hospital. Someone ran me off the road. The Chicago police actually have the report of the incident and are investigating the matter.”
“And you? I happen to work for the CPD’s forensic department and have been working until last night. I was at my apartment and even received a package this morning. After that I got a call, then off to see Ben at the hospital. What are you implying? Do you believe it was arson?”
“We have no doubt it was arson,” the detective answers with a hardness in his tone.
“I can’t believe this.”
“Is there anyone that you could think of that would want to do this to you, Mr. Carrington?”
“I don’t have a clue at the moment.”
“You, Ms. Richmond?”
“Actually. My cousin’s the one who informed us of the fire, and that’s why we looked up the information to call you.”
“Does your cousin live in the area?”
“No, he lives in Naperville.”
“Then how did he know about it?” the detective asks.
The room grew quiet as I searched for an answer. Then it hits me. “Oh goodness. That’s where I’ve seen the name,” I say aloud.
“What name? What do you mean?” Ben asks.
I address the detective because I know that Ben is going to be mad when he realizes the danger I put myself in. “About a week ago I…I…confronted my cousin at his office. It was about something that I was supposed to receive in the will. He claimed that neither him or my other cousin David had any idea what happened to it. In my ranting and raving at him, I caught a name on a sticky note attached to a file folder.”
“So what’s the name?”
“Earlier, I received a text message and one of my colleagues ran it. The owner of the cell phone was a Daniel Cooley. The same name on the note.”
“What did the message say?” The detective looks annoyed with me, but I can see Ben is pissed. I took out my phone and Ben grabbed it first. He rea
ds the text angrily clenching his fists, then the detective reads it.
“You’re not to blame for any of this,” Ben says through gritted teeth, trying to console me, but it only makes things worse. It all makes sense. They were trying to cover their tracks at the old house. There must have been something there, or maybe they already knew about Ben and me and decided it would be a perfect way to get Ben out of my life and make me miserable in the process. Either way, it’s all tied back to my cousins.
“I am. If I hadn’t been looking for the books, they wouldn’t have done any of this. I know it’s the reason.”
“No, Mira. It’s all their fault, but I have something to confess. Please don’t be mad at me. But…I tracked down the books and contacted the auction house and informed them that the books in the auction may be stolen.” Mad at him? He went hunting down the books I was so desperate to have.
“When did you do this?”
“The day after we met. I technically had Brenda look up the possible sales. She got a hit, and I contacted them. I wanted to make sure you got them.”
“I can’t believe you went through all that for me.”
“Babe, I’d go through hell on Earth for you.”
“Um hello. Excuse me you two. I still have a few questions.” The detective shakes his head and asks for more details. We spent the next hour answering many of them before we left to see the estate. The drive itself was killer, mainly because as we got five miles out you could smell the burning wood.
I gasp as I look at the ruins. There was nothing but the shell of the grand home. According to the detective, it went up quicker than it should, inferring that an accelerant had been used. My cousins did this. At least Tommy was a part of it for sure.
“I’m so sorry, Ben. You wanted this house and put all of the effort and money to renovate it.”
“It’s nothing. There’s insurance to handle this. It’s your former home.”
“Yes, since I was a fifteen. My aunt took me in when my mother died in an accident. I never knew my father. He was a cop and killed in the line of duty when I was born. He saw me right before he finally succumbed to his injuries.”