Her Mother's Killer

by Schroeder, Melissa

  “What the hell was so important that you bothered my supervisor and got my ass chewed out?”

  There wasn’t much bite in his best friend’s voice only the bone-tired wariness of an undercover cop. It was one part of that job Duncan didn’t miss.

  “Hi, Jed. How’re you doing?”

  “Listen, jackass, I’ve had two hours of sleep—”

  He broke off and covered the mouthpiece. Duncan could only hear muffled conversation before Jed got back on the phone.

  “Sorry about that. The doc needed to ask a question.”

  Worry churned in his gut. Working narcotics undercover wasn’t the safest job. “Doc? Are you at a hospital?”

  “Yeah, bad bust.”

  “Jesus. Have you spoken to Thea?”

  “No, I’ll call her later.” Jed sucked in a quick breath loud enough to hear over the phone. After several seconds of silence, he continued, his voice tight with pain. “She won’t hear about it anytime soon. Not like Atlanta news is going to cover something like this. And the DPS is trying to keep it under wraps so I figure it won’t hit any national news for awhile.”

  “Uh, Jed, she’s not in Georgia.”

  There was a pause before he asked, “Where the hell is she?”

  “She’s here in town.”

  Another pause. “Town? Crocker?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, what the hell is she doing there?” He yelled the question so loudly that Duncan had to hold his phone away from his ear.

  “She’s your sister, ask her.”

  “Damn it to hell! I don’t have time to track her down. Do you know where she’s staying?”

  “Apparently with Gwen.”

  Another beat of silence. Duncan could just imagine the thoughts going through Jed’s mind.

  “Since this bust’s over, I guess I’ll make a trip up there. I should be there by one a.m.”

  “Oh, no you won’t,” an unknown person declared in the background. Jed covered the mouthpiece of the phone then returned.

  “I’ll be there by Monday at the latest. Apparently they don’t want me driving for a few days, although that might change.” Which meant that Jed would be there by the end of the weekend at the latest. “Do me a favor and keep an eye on her until I get there.”

  “She’s an adult. She can take care of herself.”

  “Just do it.” Then he clicked off the phone.

  Watch Thea. He sighed. Jed was just asking for trouble.

  Chapter Three

  The bright light of the Saturday morning sun peeked through the curtains and scalded Thea’s eyeballs the moment she lifted her lids. Immediately, she snapped them closed, knowing she couldn’t go back to sleep. The nightmare had returned again, it was there every night. But she could possibly doze, maybe drift for awhile.

  She frowned at the deep rumble of a male voice that drifted back to her room, ending any hope she had of getting any more rest.

  With a wince, she stood. Her muscles protested, her bones actually creaked when she straightened. The last few months had taken their toll on her body, in more ways than one. She moved her head from side to side trying to work out the kinks.

  She paused, trying to discern the voice but gave up. After a quick trip to the bathroom, she pulled on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt and went in search of coffee.

  As she approached the kitchen, she heard Gwen laugh. Truthfully, she should be appalled she was so in need of caffeine that she didn’t care who was there or why. She almost turned to go back to her room, but the scent of coffee was just too much to ignore. And really, who the hell cares?

  When she turned the corner and stepped into the room, she realized her mistake. Sitting at Gwen’s small kitchenette table, looking almost too big for the chair, was Duncan. Gwen’s back was turned but Duncan noticed her immediately. He’d been raising a cup of coffee to his mouth, but he paused before continuing the action. His gaze moved down her body and she was suddenly very conscious of her lack of a bra. By the time he made eye contact with her again, Thea knew her face was bright red. The smirk curving his lips had her curling her fingers into her palm to keep from hitting him.

  Gwen must’ve noticed that his attention had moved to Thea because she twisted in her seat and smiled.

  “Thea. Were we too loud? I’m sorry.”

  Knowing there was no graceful way out of it, and needing the infusion of coffee to be able to answer the question—hell, just think about the question—she shook her head and headed for the coffeepot.

  “Well, aren’t you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning?” Duncan asked, but Thea ignored him. Coffee was more important than arguing with him, and seriously, there was no way she would be able to fight with him without it.

  After doctoring her morning drug, she turned and leaned back against the counter. “Is there a reason you’ve subjected us to your presence so early in the morning?”

  “Doing my mama’s bidding. She wanted to invite y’all over for a cookout tomorrow.”

  “Are you sure it was for both of us?” Gwen asked.

  “I’m positive. Mom insisted and most of the family will be there. We might even get Uncle Chris to show up since Thea is here.”

  Thea smiled. “Chris is here? I thought he’d moved to Austin,” Thea said.

  “Actually, he just moved back, well, from Houston. Divorce number three.” Duncan shook his head. “Austin was divorce number two.”

  “That truly is a shame, if you ask me. I never understood why he has such a problem getting a woman. I know Mom thought the world of him.”

  Duncan laughed. “Well, Chris has no problem getting women, it’s holding onto them that is the problem for him. Although, I’m sure he’d tell you that it had more to do with putting up with them.”

  “Duncan, you shouldn’t talk about your uncle that way,” Gwen admonished. “Is there anything we can bring?”

  “Nope. Mom said to just bring yourselves.”

  He rose from his chair and walked toward Thea stopping just short of bumping their toes together. His expression didn’t tell her what he was thinking. As he continued staring at her, her blood heated, her pulse tripped a beat. Laughter danced in his eyes.

  Irritated by her reaction, she finally asked, “What?”

  His lips curved. “You’re in front of the sink.”

  He was so close she could feel the warmth of his body, smell the scent of him on his skin. No aftershave for Duncan. Just clean, musky male. She would not sniff, no matter how much she wanted to. Hell, he smelled so good, but she knew it wouldn’t stop there. Licking would have to be involved for her to be satisfied.

  Something of what she was thinking must have registered because the heat in his eyes flared and his smile turned downright carnal. She wanted to throw it back in his face, to stand her ground. But first, it would be stupid. Just what the hell was she trying to prove? That she could stand in front of the sink? And secondly, she was afraid both Duncan and Gwen would hear the arousal in her voice.

  Her cheeks still burning, she broke eye contact and slipped past him. In the process, her unbound breasts brushed against his chest accidentally. Already hard, her nipples tightened further. Almost silently, he sucked in a quick breath. She couldn’t bear to meet his eyes, afraid of what she would find there, but she did notice his jaw clench twice. She tried to swallow but found her mouth dry.

  With what little dignity she had left, she wiggled away. Her hormones bounced to attention. Having Duncan in close vicinity was bad enough, but actually touching him was a whole other kettle of lust. It had been a long time since she’d been with a man and having one in such close proximity, especially one who had a body and reputation for sin, was what she was reacting to. What she needed was a bout of sweaty sex, but Crocker had little to offer her in that department. And it would quickly get around town if she picked someone up and slept with him. She really didn’t give a damn, but if she was planning on starting a business, it would be a bad idea to beg
in with everyone in town thinking she was a skank. Especially since Crocker was a tad on the conservative side.

  A quick glance in Gwen’s direction told her that her friend apparently hadn’t noticed. Gwen, thank the good Lord, was looking out her front window as if she hadn’t noticed. Thea plopped down in the seat Duncan had just vacated and took another sip of Gwen’s glorious coffee.

  “I have another errand for my mother to run today,” Duncan said. When she glanced at him, she realized his intent gaze had focused on her.

  “What?”

  “Mom wanted me to show you the house.”

  “What house?” asked Gwen.

  Thea winced at Gwen’s suspicious tone. She turned to her friend and saw that same suspicion mirrored in her gaze.

  “I rented a house from Mrs. Perry.” Gwen opened her mouth to argue, but Thea plowed ahead. “You know I can’t stay in your house for long. I need my own space, my own kitchen.”

  Gwen frowned. “But I wanted you to stay here.”

  Thea tossed Duncan a nasty look and found him grinning. He’d known she was going to have a problem with Gwen and was enjoying it a bit too much.

  She set her coffee down and slid her hand across the table to cover Gwen’s clasped ones. “I know you wanted me to stay here, but you know me, Gwen. If I have to deal with someone…even someone I love…I go a little crazy.”

  Gwen held her gaze for one tense moment then looked away. Thea hated the hurt she saw in her friend’s gaze, but she knew this was for the best.

  “If I stayed here, I would be up all hours of the night, and I’d throw out all your margarine.”

  Gwen sighed, the tension dissolving from her rigid posture. She looked at Thea, a rueful smile curving her lips. “I like having you here. You just got here yesterday and now you are already moving out.”

  “Good lord, Gwen. It’s Crocker. It takes ten minutes to drive from one side of the town to the other.”

  Gwen chuckled. “Okay. I’m not happy about it, but I’ll let it go.” She glanced at Duncan. “I take it she rented the old Miller place.”

  “Hey, don’t talk about me like I’m not here.”

  Duncan ignored Thea. “Yeah. How’d you know?”

  Gwen smiled. “I know Thea and the old Miller place has a fantastic kitchen.” She looked back at Thea. “I expect your chicken enchiladas for dinner the first Sunday you are in that house.”

  * * * *

  Duncan pulled into the driveway of the rental house and released a sigh of relief. His companion had been silent and moody for the five-minute ride, leaving his mind to conjure up all kinds of fantasies. Seeing her this morning, her hair all rumpled and sleep still fogging her voice, had taken every ounce of his control to allow her to wiggle away from him at the sink. His libido was still in overdrive and it didn’t matter that the woman was irritated with him. Hell, if he were truthful with himself, even that was turning him on.

  Without saying anything, she slipped out of the truck and slammed the door behind her. And damn it, it sent another spike of annoyance and lust rushing through his blood. The feelings he was having for her were odd and a little bit disconcerting. He’d convinced himself before going to Gwen’s that his reaction had been off the day before. But the moment she’d walked into the kitchen, most of his blood drained to his groin. Duncan drew in a huge breath trying to bring his head back to the present. Unfortunately, he’d drawn in her scent, that apple and cinnamon with a little bit of sass thrown in.

  He closed his eyes trying to calm his raging libido. When he opened them, he saw Thea standing at the front of his truck, her arms crossed and that same scowl on her face. A man was in trouble when even a woman’s scowl was a turn-on.

  He unfolded himself from the truck and thanked God for the rush of west Texas air. Maybe that would help cool his arousal.

  Nothing was said between the two of them as he led her to the front door. After unlocking it, he stepped back to allow her to go inside. He closed the door and waited for her response. When she said nothing, but walked around, checking out the windows, the furniture, he asked, “Well?”

  She glanced over her shoulder at him. “Nice. Of course, the most important part of the house is the kitchen.”

  He waved his hand toward it and she followed his direction. If it had not been so quiet, he would not have heard her sigh of pleasure the moment she stepped into the kitchen.

  Duncan had to admit the kitchen was probably one of the best they had in their rental homes. A six-burner stove, enough cabinet and counter space for a professional kitchen, it had to be a gourmet’s dream come true. He watched Thea as she skimmed her hand over the island that had slate-colored granite and an extra sink.

  “This is fabulous.” She turned and smiled at him, her eyes dark with pleasure. “Seriously, who would have thought this treasure would be found in Crocker?”

  Wanting to shift closer, pull her to him and kiss that smile off her face, Duncan shoved his hands into his pockets. “All the rooms are furnished.”

  She nodded as she examined the inside of the French door stainless steel refrigerator. “Your mom told me that. I didn’t come with furniture, just my pots and pans.”

  “So, Jason got the furniture but you refused to give up your pots and pans?”

  She laughed and let the door shut. “The furniture was ugly. But my pots are worth a fortune. And knowing Jason, the whole damn set would be ruined within a week. The man couldn’t boil water.”

  “What made you divorce him?”

  The happiness faded from her face and he regretted the question. “Jason and I had some disagreements.”

  “Disagreements?”

  “Yes. He thought he could fuck every badge bunny he wanted to, and I should just ignore it. I disagreed.”

  “Ah.” That was all he could say to that. Jed hadn’t told him what went on, or why she was so sick by the end of the marriage. Or, what the hell that wreck was all about. But since her brother would be here soon, Duncan didn’t see the reason to pry. The scary thing is that he wanted to. He wanted to know just what the hell was going on with her, to know why she had that haunted look in her eyes.

  He cleared his throat. “Do you want to see the bedrooms?”

  She nodded and walked to the stairway. As she reached the top step, she tripped, falling forward slightly, losing her balance. Without thinking, Duncan reached for her, pulling her up and then against him before stepping up onto the floor. And as simple as that, his body heated again, his cock thumping against the zipper of his jeans. All those curves he’d been admiring since the day before were now plastered up against him. He had his hands around her waist.

  “Whoa, sorry about that,” she said, a hint of amusement threading her voice.

  “No problem.” Duncan was amazed he could even speak. Right now, he was fighting the urge to slip his hands up to her breasts.

  They stood like that for a few moments, the silence stretching out. Something changed in the air, the tension started to mount. Duncan closed his eyes and leaned closer to her. Apples and cinnamon.

  “Duncan?” Her voice had deepened and the low murmur sent another rush of hormones pulsing through his blood.

  “Yes?” He whispered the question, his lips inches from her ear.

  “You can let go now.”

  “Yeah?” He nuzzled the back of neck, nipping the sensitive flesh just behind her ear. Thea drew in a shuddering breath and relaxed against him. She wanted him, or was at least attracted to him. He wanted nothing more than to strip her of those tight jeans and sweater, put his mouth on her.

  “Duncan? Do you think we should be doing this?”

  He slipped his hands up to her breasts, and sighed when he felt her hardened nipples stab the palms of his hands.

  “Nope.” God, her skin tasted good. Sweet and hot, just like the woman. He could just imagine what it would be like to settled between her legs and taste her core. Would it be as sweet?

  She moaned, the sound of it v
ibrating through him. He hadn’t gotten hot this fast since he was seventeen. He shifted his weight, pressing his shaft against her full ass. Need poured through him, as he slipped his hand up her sweater to cup her breast.

  Thea said his name, just a whispered breath, filled with the same need and want he had coursing through his veins. Without another thought, he turned her around then crowded her against the wall. Immediately, he pressed his mouth to hers. He slid his hands down to her ass, lifted her and pressed her against his groin. Thea lifted her legs and wound them around him. As she moaned into his mouth, he ground his cock against her. Even through their layers of clothing, he could feel her feminine heat.

  He slanted his lips over hers, stealing into her mouth for a taste. Just like her flesh, she tasted of sweetness and desire. He was seriously considering which bedroom to carry her to when a car horn sounded outside. They broke apart, both of them breathing heavily. A delightful blush crawled up into her cheeks.

  After several moments of silence, she asked, “Could you just let me down?”

  His fingers tightened on her rear end and for a split second, he thought about denying her. Of coaxing her into a kiss then taking her into one of the bedrooms. But this was Thea, his best friend’s little sister.

  Ever so slowly, he slid her down his body. He couldn’t hold back a groan as she pushed away from him. She inched around him then stepped back away from him.

  “What the hell was that about?” Her voice was still husky from unfulfilled passion.

  Still frustrated, he said, “If you don’t know what that was, I know why your marriage failed.”

  The moment he said it, he regretted the words. He turned to face her, hated the hurt that now darkened her brown eyes. “Thea—”

  She held up her hand to stop him. “I don’t want to talk about it. You aren’t in the right frame of mind and I’m not in the mood.” He stepped forward. “For anything.”

  He offered her a scowl, but said nothing. Truth is, he didn’t know what to say. He’d been an ass in the way he had handled her and what he said afterward. It was just too new an experience to be lusting after a woman whose shoes he tied when she was a little girl. Granted, now the six years of difference didn’t seem so significant, but…the memories were there. And he would have kicked his own ass for his comments afterward because he wasn’t mad at her. He was mad at himself.