“Okay?” Tate stuck out his neck, gawking at Wright. “You believe me?”
“I have no proof of anything different and as you said your alibi checked out.”
Tate gripped the arms of the chair. “I can go?”
“You can go.”
“Thank you.” Tate stood, pulling Kayla from her chair.
“Wait,” she said. “Still nothing on Big D and the Rastafarians?”
“We spoke to Big D but got nothing concrete from him. He didn’t even admit to knowing your brother.”
“He’s lying.”
“Based off what?” Wright said. “Some little birdy who is too afraid to come to us and speak for themselves? As for the so-called Rastafarians, we can’t find any proof of that. I’ve spoken to the community.”
“Talk to Sakina again.” Kayla followed Tate to the door. “She might have something else to share about it.”
“Don’t tell me how to do my job, Miss Atkins.”
She turned to the door. “Looks like someone needs to.”
“Excuse me?” Wright stood. “You’re on thin ice, Miss Atkins. I could arrest you for interfering in a murder investigation concerning Liron. You had no business talking to him when I told you not to.”
“I’m not gonna just sit back.” She charged toward the desk.
Tate held her back. “Kayla.”
“To you, Kirby might be just another case, but he was my twin. I’ll never be as close to anyone as I was to him.”
“Your snooping could ruin the investigation.” He walked from behind the desk. “That’s what I’m trying to get you to see. Not to mention that it’s dangerous for you to keep poking your nose into this. If you want the police to do our jobs, then get out of our way.”
“Who was in your way before I got here because you weren’t doing shit then?” She flew out the office.
Tate rushed after her. “You okay?”
“Why didn’t you tell me about that fight? How could you keep something like that?” She pulled her purse strap on her arm. “I’m on your side, Tate, but don’t hide anything else from me.”
He nodded, stroking her arms. “I won’t.”
“I know you’re not a killer. If I thought for one second you were, I’d be the first telling Wright to lock you up.”
He kissed her, his expression shifting from pleasure to confusion. “Jewel.”
“What about her?”
“She must’ve been the one who told Wright about the fight. She threw it in my face last night.” He punched his palm. “I’m gonna kill her.”
Officers turned from desks and file cabinets.
“Eh, Tate.” Kayla winced as the cops glared at them. “It’s not a good idea to threaten murder in a police station.”
“I told you.” He waved his finger in her face. “Jewel’s sick.”
Kayla curled her lips. “How could you fall for someone like that?”
He put his arm around her as they walked toward the door. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
TATE SNATCHED Jewel by the neck as soon as she opened her front door.
She struggled, hitting him in the face as he pushed her against the wall, knocking over pictures of her and Tate. “Stop!” She clawed at his face.
“You can’t get the point, huh?” He tightened his fingers around her neck, redness filling her cheeks. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Let me go.” She kicked him in the groan and jumped back. “Get out of my house!”
“Get out of my life.” Tate huffed and puffed, holding his aching middle. “If you have any decency left in you, then you’ll stop this.”
Her cover up opened, revealing the silky lace of her gown. “You’re the one with the problem.” She touched her neck. “Not me.”
“You told police about the fight with Kirby.”
“What?”
“What do I have to do to get you to leave me alone?” He stuck his chest out, gritting his teeth. “Get rid of you once and for all?”
“Is that a threat?”
“You don’t understand it when I ask you to go to hell so what choice do I have?”
“You holier-than-thou son of a bitch.” She pointed at him. “I’d never tell the police anything about you. That’s how much I love you. My love is unconditional unlike yours.”
“I don’t wanna hear this shit.” He reached for the door. “Come near me again and see what happens.”
“I love you.” She grabbed his arm, face wrecked with despair. “Tate, come on. Remember how you wanted me?” She kissed his hand, making him flinch. “Remember how much we meant to each other.”
“Ancient history.”
“It’s not history.” She touched his face, forcing his eyes on her. “We belong together.” She pressed her body against his. “I live for you.”
“Jewel.”
“I love you so much.” She put her arms around his waist. “Look at how hard I’m fighting. That proves my love, doesn’t it?”
He glanced at the ceiling, sighing.
“If someone loves you, then they would fight and never give up.” She wobbled her head, eyes narrow. “Would Kayla fight for you? She doesn’t love you the way I do.”
He pushed her away. “I could spend a lifetime with you and it wouldn’t equal one moment with her.”
She scowled, lips trembling.
“I wanna be with her in every sense of the word, and I will not let you spoil it. Pull another trick and see who’ll have the upper hand next time.”
“I didn’t go to the police.”
“I’m warning you.” He clenched her wrist. “I’ll do whatever I have to, to get you out of my life.”
She ripped her wrist from his grip, standing back. “My god.” She froze with her mouth open. “You wouldn’t be this worked up if you were innocent.”
He squinted. “What?”
“And how you came in here.” She rubbed her neck. “You never grabbed me like that before.”
“Remember it the next time you get into my business.”
“Tate?” She struggled to swallow. “Did you do it? Did you kill Kirby?”
“I—”
“Did you?”
“No.” The veins in his neck throbbed.
“All I know is how angry you were at him the night you fought. I watched you, remember?” She pointed a shaky finger at him. “Such anger just like right now.”
“I don’t care what you think.” He gripped the doorknob. “Stay the hell out of my life. It’s your last warning.”
CHAPTER 14
“Well, hello.” Tate answered his door the following night, shirtless in sweatpants and socks.
“Hey.” Kayla smiled, pushing away her perverted thoughts. “How are you?”
With workout gloves on, Tate leaned forward with his hands on the doorframe. “It’s good to see you.” His gaze fell to her midsection, and her pussy zapped into attention.
Kayla stroked the back of her blue and white summer dress, hoping to throw off how much she wanted him.
“I was working out.” He wiped sweat off his brow. “Something about exercising that gets my whole body jumping.”
“Yeah.” Kayla exhaled, her erect nipples pushing against her cotton bra. “I like to work out too. What uh, type of exercises were you doing?”
“Jumping rope and lifting weights.” He pointed back without taking his eyes off her. “I converted my guest bedroom into a little gym.” He smiled.
“Sounds nice.” Kayla closed her eyes, imagining his pecs bouncing as he jumped rope. She broke into laughter. “I’m sorry.”
“What?” His cheeks spread into a sly smile. “Something wrong?”
“No.” She dipped her head, hand over her eye. “I’m embarrassed.”
“Why are you embarrassed?” He rubbed his hands the way she wish he’d rub her breasts. “When you called you said you had something important to talk about.”
“I do, but I don’t wanna disturb you.”
He had that
“I want you now” expression as he widened the door with his foot. “You’re not disturbing me.”
Kayla held her breath as she entered the narrow hallway which appeared wider than it was due to the overhead light and floor runner. “I’m finally in your place.” When she turned around, Tate stared at her with incontestable desire.
“Yeah.” He shut the door with his foot. “You’re in my place.” He stood wide-legged, eyes downward with a smirk.
“Uh.” She turned, rubbing the glossy, white wall. “Nice house.” She glanced above at the clerestory windows. “Beautiful architecture.” She smiled at him, mouth trembling.
“It’s just a house.” He took off the gloves and threw them on the floor.
“Give me a tour?” She dropped her stare and pushed her hair behind her ears.
“Sure.” He stood so close his chest bumped hers. “What would you like to see?”
“Anything.”
“Okay, why don’t we start with the living room?” He pointed to the hall. “Right this way.”
“Okay.”
As Kayla turned to leave, Tate picked her up and slammed her against the wall. The entire weight of his body pinning her, he gave a painful kiss on her lips.
She pushed him off, not due to lack of pleasure but to breathe. “Tate?”
“What?” He grind his middle against hers.
“Oh god, you’re hard.”
“Yes, I am.” He gave another forceful kiss, this time softer but just as earth shattering as the first. “You want this right?” he said between kisses. “Tell me.”
She sucked his chin and then traced her lips across his sweaty neck. “What do you think?”
He grabbed her neck, jerking her head back. “You want me to fuck you?”
She shivered, wondering what she’d gotten herself into but would risk death for it not to stop. “Yes.”
“When I was lifting weights…” He bounced her as if he were bench-pressing. “I got so worked up imagining you riding me.”
“Funny.” She plunged her fingers into his arm muscles. “My heart’s racing like I’m the one who’s been exercising.”
“Get ready to break a sweat, Kayla.” He pushed up her dress, knocking her off balance.
“Oh.” She giggled.
“What?” He tugged her underwear down.
“Sex against the wall is another thing I’ve never done.”
Tate grabbed her wrists with one hand and held them above her, deterring her body from moving. He undid the small buttons of her dress with his teeth.
Kayla’s hole seeped as if she’d peed on herself.
Still holding her arms in place, Tate wrestled with his sweatpants and underwear, pulling them to his knees.
Kayla glanced at his reddish cock, a sensitive tickle overtaking her clit.
Tate moaned as he pushed his nose into her chest, kissing her breast.
“Yes.” Eyes closed, Kayla moved with his body, pleasure erupting within her.
Tate suckled her brown nipple, the sensitive pellet dancing on his tongue.
“You got me so wet,” she whispered. “Don’t stop.”
He switched to the other breast and sucked while massaging the opposite one with his free hand.
Kayla gyrated, pressing against him for the desperation to relieve the burn of arousal.
“I love it.” She giggled as the tingle in her belly button flowed to her crotch.
They exchanged ravenous kisses, and Kayla wondered if standing up made her extra horny.
She rubbed her c-spot against him, clenching her thighs.
“Oh,” he growled as if he’d come.
She straddled him, forcing him to bend his knees and then lowered her body on his.
“You up for this adventure?” He grinned.
She wrapped her arms tighter around his shoulders. “Are you?”
He gripped her ass as she wrapped her legs around his waist.
She tried to straighten herself to get more comfortable, but it wasn’t a choice, making the moment more exciting.
He entered her, moaning as they rocked back and forth.
She held onto him, bouncing.
Tate grunted, the muscles of his chests expanding with each thrust.
“Yes,” Kayla shouted, toes pointing downward in her sandals.
He closed his eyes and groaned louder, sweat trickling from his face and onto her breasts.
She felt guilty at having him do all the work.
He pumped. “You like it?”
“You have to ask?” She gave him a voracious kiss. “Turn me around. I wanna try it that way.”
He smiled and flung her around. “Like this?”
“Yes.” She pressed her hands on the wall. “Fuck me. Hard.”
He widened her ass cheeks and inched inside her, this position making Kayla’s nerves do somersaults.
She pushed on the wall as he pumped, using her tiptoes to balance herself.
He yanked the strap of her dress down, nibbling on her shoulder.
“Yes.” Her head tapped the wall as his dick sunk deeper inside her fluid canal.
He exhaled, breath smelling of cinnamon and sugar. “You’re so wet.” He bit her ear.
“Don’t stop.” She rubbed her clit, the thunderstorm in her pelvis brewing into a category five hurricane. “Oh!”
He rammed his pelvic muscles against her ass, her pussy swelling into a blooming orgasm.
“Yes!” She reached back as his body urged her to climax.
“Ooh.” Tate fell against her, holding her shoulder.
“Ah!” Kayla clenched as the dam broke, forcing a throaty scream that shook the walls. “Oh.” She lay her limp body against the wall, wheezing. “Now, you gonna show me the living room?”
He laughed as he kissed her shoulder. “Sure.”
CHAPTER 15
“I’ve never seen a guy with a house so neat.” Kayla followed Tate into his living room after the tour. “You should see my place. Clutter everywhere.”
“Really?” He took her hand as they sat on the sky-blue couch that added vibrancy to the off-white walls and gray carpeting. “You seem so neat and put together so I assumed your home was the same.”
She crossed her legs. “I’m not a slob, but I have pack rat tendencies.”
He laughed. “I’d love to help you out that habit.” He pinched her nose. “Are we going to talk about it or pretend it didn’t happen?”
“You mean the hallway?” She dropped her head, grinning. “What is there to say?”
A wary smile graced his lips. “Can we be more than fuck buddies?”
She stroked his hair. “I hate you feel that’s all we are.”
“I’ve told you what I want.” He pulled her into his lap. “What are you so afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid.” She pinched his shoulder. “I don’t want to get hooked on you and then we can’t have a relationship.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The long distance thing.” She straightened herself on his lap, him hardening beneath her. “We can say it will work, but you’ll be here and I’ll be in Florida. At first we’ll contact each other a million times a day and then it’ll slow down until life or work takes over and we have no time for each other.” She touched his chin. “We deserve more than that, Tate. If we’re gonna do this, I want it to work.”
“Distance has nothing to do with the relationship working. No matter what we have to put the work in and I’m willing to do that.” He kissed her cheek.
“I wish I could stay here with you forever.” She laid her forehead against his. “But, I’ll have to go home.”
“Your body will be in Florida but your heart will be with me.” He grasped her face, his tongue teasing her until she accepted his moist kiss. “I’m in love with you, Kayla.”
She rewound his words in her head. “I’m in love with you too.”
“We can make this work.” He pressed his soft lips to her hand. “If we try.�
��
She squeezed his muscular breast. “I’d like to try.”
He gave her another remarkable kiss when the doorbell rang followed by thunderous knocking.
“What the hell?” He moved Kayla off his lap and stood. “Why is someone banging on the door like that?”
Kayla wiped Tate’s saliva from her mouth.
“Better not be Jewel.” He hurried to the hallway, checked the peephole and answered the door.
“Are you Mr. Tate O’Keefe?” a man with a stern Jamaican accent said.
Kayla couldn’t see the man but his voice hinted to a powerful presence.
“I’m Tate.”
A tall, stiff-faced Jamaican wearing a white shirt and black peaked cap with a red band around it stepped through the door.
“Mr. O’Keefe,” the officer said. “You are needed at the police station.”
He fidgeted, glancing at Kayla. “What is this about?”
“Inspector Wright wishes to discuss a matter with you.” The officer kept his thumbs in the waist of his pants. “There have been some new developments in the Kirby Atkins case.”
“Kirby?” Kayla jumped from the couch, getting both men’s attention. “What about him?”
“Ma’am.” The officer tipped his head when Kayla approached. “This does not involve you.”
“Kirby was my brother.” She stepped between the men. “You bet your ass it involves me.” She turned to Tate, grabbing him. “What is this about?”
He shrugged with wide eyes. “Maybe he needs more information about Kirby. I’ll do anything to help him.”
“Are you sure that’s all it is?” Kayla asked.
Tate shifted his eyes left and right. “I hope so.”
“THIS IS BULLSHIT!” Tate jumped out the chair in Wright’s office. “You’re insane.”
Kayla covered her mouth, trying to make sense of the Inspector’s claims.
“You need to explain yourself,” Wright said. “We got an anonymous tip claiming you were at Kirby’s the night he was killed.”
“It’s not true.” Tate leaned on the desk. “I hadn’t spoken to Kirby since that morning and it was on the phone. I didn’t see him that night.” He held his arms out. “I already told you that.”
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