Nick opened his eyes, lifted his head and pushed to his feet. Without conscious thought, he withdrew his gun and turned around. He stood on the street, the worn handle of his Glock comfortable and familiar in his grip, and took in the remains of his SUV. The new hood ornament had slammed onto it with enough force to bend the front hood into an imperfect V, partially obscuring the body from Nick’s view. The windshield, torn from the top of its frame, was split in two down the middle. The jagged, incomplete halves—spider webs of shattered glass held together by the thin, inner layer of plastic laminate—disappeared inside the SUV’s dark interior.
Nick took a step closer, his mouth tightening as his gaze dropped. A stark face stared at him from the dashboard. Dark hair topped glassy, unseeing eyes, a bent nose and a mouth opened wide in a silent scream. Blood, thick and dark, seeped from the matted hair to pool on the leather. There was no need to check for a pulse.
“Jesus Christ.”
Ethan’s shocked whisper brought Nick’s attention around to him. His partner swayed for a moment, then slapped one hand against Nick’s shoulder to steady himself. Blood trickled down the left side of his forehead from a gash that disappeared into his hair. He was sobering up by the second as he stared at the body. Homicide detectives they might be, but they’ve never had a case fall on them literally.
Nick swiveled his gaze back to the front of his SUV and blinked, but the image before him didn’t waver.
The male body was a tangle of arms and legs bent at awkward angles nestled in the damaged hood of the SUV.
There was nothing that he could do.
Something heavy settled inside Nick, as it did every time he saw a body. Not bothering to shake off the feeling, he peered up the high-rise—and caught a flash of pale color on the top terrace.
The suicide just became a homicide.
####
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*~*~*~*
Holiday Surprise: Unwrapped
By Aliyah Burke
Holiday Surprise: Unwrapped
By Aliyah Burke
Kassia Green finds herself in Massachusetts—the last place she wants to be—to housesit for her cousin over Christmas. Not a fan of snow or cold, she would much rather be home, or even in the Caribbean. Little does she know returning from shopping one day will bring her face-to-face with a naked man in that very house.
Heath Dixon, former Army, takes his friend up on an offer to stay at his place, where he meets, Kassia. Despite their rocky start, she has him forgetting about his injury and thinking of all the ways they could keep warm at night.
As Christmas gets closer, they discover more about one another and Heath realizes he has no wish to lose her. Can he make her understand that sometimes the best holiday surprise can be unwrapped when you first discover it?
To my readers! Thank you for all of the unbelievable support all y’all have given me over the years. I know I can’t show it enough but it’s truly appreciated. I hope you enjoy this read and again, thank you for the support! Happy holidays to all y’all!!
Dedication
To those who are alone on the holidays, may you find the one who makes your heart sing the praises of the season and beyond.
Chapter One
Kassia Green slogged through the park’s icy snow toward the street. Her bags hit her legs with each shuffled step. Somewhere deep within her, she had hopes of snagging a much-needed taxi, faded though they may be. The afternoon was in its last legs, and most people were on their way home. She’d been gone far too long, and her mood…not a good one. This time of the year, taxis were hard to come by, despite there being so many on the streets. With her luck, they just drove around not really wanting to pick up a fare. What the hell did she know? This wasn’t her city, and it sure as hell wasn’t her state.
“Probably get shoved to the ground by some prick who just absolutely has to have my taxi. That’s, of course, assuming I can flag one down to use,” she muttered right before her foot sank into a puddle of freezing water. Her shoe filled immediately with cold, and biting pain attacked her foot, sending chills through her already cold body. “Shit! I am really hating this time of year. This…this is what I get for agreeing to housesit.”
She’d given up her warm house, sunny days and comfort to come up here, somewhere past the north of sanity in order to keep the house for her cousin, Balt. Apartment, really, but he hadn’t wanted it left empty during this cold spell. He had some hot ass woman he was taking to the Caribbean so he wouldn’t be home over the holidays. That being the case, he’d had called Kassia asking for a favor.
So despite all her common sense, she got on a plane, braved all that damn de-icing they had to do on the wings at some airports and flew up to Massachusetts. They just happened to be having one of their hardest, coldest winters on record. Yeah, it worked out so well for her.
Ignoring the intense need to cry out in frustration, she shook off the water best she could and continued on her trek. At least she could see the street and some of the little vehicles which could—if they stopped—deliver her to her warm abode. The day had been horrible dealing with people who sucked the cheer out of the holidays. Kassia wasn’t a nice person when she wasn’t comfortable, and cold…didn’t make her comfortable. Ergo, her own temper had been kicked up a bit. Didn’t always lead to the best situations.
It was a tossup of what to call this time of the year. There were so many different religions it was insanely easy to offend someone, but what she didn’t understand was why this supposed “cheerful” season turned people into such assholes. Well, it seemed so up here anyway. Where she lived, she didn’t—or rarely did—run into this kind of behavior which helped keep this her favorite season. Pulling her wool coat tighter to help ward off the chill in the air, she continued on, hoping her foot wouldn’t freeze.
What I wouldn’t give for some warm sand under my feet and a good drink in my hand.
At the curb, she waved for a ride and expelled a groan of relief when a taxi finally stopped in front of her. “2607 North Lexington,” she said as her body slid across the surprisingly undamaged leather seat. Her bags sat beside her on the seat.
A nod was all she got from the driver, and Kassia sank against the backrest and let the welcomed heat penetrate. The entire ride was silent, which worked for her, given her exhausted state.
But then that’s why I live in Texas along the Gulf Coast. Because it’s warm there, year-round. All damn year. Which is what I like. Warmth. Sun. Not, snow, ice and cold. The staple for here.
“Here you are, miss.” The driver’s voice brought her back to awareness.
Paying her fare, Kassia took a deep breath, gritted her teeth against the cold she knew was coming, and opened the door, bags in hand. “Thank you,” she tossed to the driver as she bolted for the front door of the apartment, scurrying up the few steps to reach the final barrier between her and the winter chill. The wind whipped around her, stabbing her with piercing needles on her skin where it hit her wet clothing. Even the wool coat didn’t seem to be extremely effective in stopping the onslaught of winter’s bite.
Cursing under her breath when her fingers didn’t work fast enough with the keys and juggling her purchases, she finally got the lock undone and pushed into the warm apartment. Kassia sagged against the door, dropped her purse and bags on the floor then reached for the uncomfortable foot to tug off her drenched shoe. Although, to be fair, it wasn’t so much drenched anymore as it was frozen. Much like her foot.
Muttering continuously about the weather, along with how much she hated the cold, she headed for the laundry room. Tossing her wet and damaged shoe onto the tile floor, she spun around and hobbled back toward the bedroom, shedding her outer clothes on the way. A long, hot shower was in order. A very long, very hot shower to banish the chills, which had taken up residence in her body, far, far away. It was colder than a witch’s tit out there and only going to get worse. More snow had begun to fall by the time she arrived at the house. At this rate, she’d never be warm
again.
“I hate the north, I hate the snow, I hate the cold, and God damn it, I hate holidays that make people act like asses!” she hollered as she entered the master bedroom to retrieve her book she’d left in there this morning as she walked through as she did every day.
“I hate people who come screaming into a room and wake someone up!” a deep voice countered her statement.
A wail of terror rushed out of her throat, filling the room. “Ahhhh!” Scrambling back out of the room, nearly tripping over her own feet, Kassia began searching for her cell phone. Call the cops. That phrase ran like a litany through her head. “I’m calling the cops!” she yelled as she dashed for the phone.
Someone jerked the handset out of her hand before she could even complete dialing. Pathetic, really, considering it was only three lousy numbers she had to hit. Well, one of them the same one twice, and she still couldn’t pull it off. Now, she would most likely die.
“Who the hell are you?” a masculine tone demanded as the intruder spun her toward him.
Kassia gulped, speechless, as she stared at the man before her. Her gaze was met by a solid, muscular torso. Bruised but muscular. Holy hell. Can I have one of him wrapped up for Christmas? She gawked at the man holding the phone tightly in one large fist. He stood tall, about six-three. Sandy-brown hair covered his head. The style—cut short in the back and on the sides—gave him a delightfully sexy, messy look. Slate eyes glared at her from below bushy brows.
Her gaze moved lower only to see again that bared chest. Kassia swallowed, trying desperately to get moisture in her mouth. Calling the cops ceased to even be a memory. A wall of tanned skin faced her. A wall she suddenly had this urge to touch, repeatedly. Looking south, she ogled over the lightly haired tanned torso, marred by numerous dark purple and green bruises. Who the hell managed to get the upper hand on this man? Her brows furrowed until her eyes slipped down a bit more.
Shit! Pointing up in her direction was a fully erect cock. Jerking her gaze up, she met his and found humor and annoyance lurking in it. And arrogance. “You’re naked!” she yelled.
“Well, doll, considering that’s how I was when I went to sleep, it’s a good bet I’ll be that way when I jump outta bed because of a screeching harpy who seems set on ruining my rest.” His thick drawl made her toes curl. In a very good way.
“Screeching harpy?” Unfortunately, her voice, high and pitching, only proved his point.
He arched one dark eyebrow. “That’s what I said, sweets. Now, who the hell are you and what are you doing here?” His deep voice skated along her skin, and she tried to hide her shivering reaction.
“I’m supposed to be here.” She reached for the phone he held, doing her best not to stare at his erection.
Not exactly the easiest thing in the world for her to accomplish. He wasn’t small, by any means, and thick… Oh lordy, she shouldn’t be fantasizing about him in this way, but she couldn’t help it. None of the men she’d been with had been so blessedly endowed. Hell, it even had a drop of pre-cum on the large mushroom head. Her pussy pulsed as she envisioned lowering herself upon his shaft. Or having him take her against a wall, the floor, hell, anything. She bit back a whimper and struggled against the urge to squeeze her thighs together. She’d take rug burn for him.
Yes, it definitely had been way too long for her not to have had any sex. That’s what the problem was. She could control this. Right? Right.
“Let’s go,” he said, grabbing her with his free hand, his calluses abrading her where they touched.
Kassia took about two seconds before registering he was dragging her back to the bedroom she’d just bolted from. Hot or not, she wasn’t allowing him to do that. “Hey! Let go of me!”
“I’m not going to hurt you. I want to put some pants on, but I also want to keep an eye on you. Stop struggling,” he snarled, all surly sounding.
Seriously, man? Just let you drag me back there to do God knows what? Hell no, I’m not going out like that. “No way, let me go!” Kassia pulled harder, digging in her one shoeless foot and one heeled foot to the runner in the hall. It didn’t have much effect aside from annoying him more.
“Have it your way, sweets,” he muttered, exasperation evident. The man spun toward her and, with ease, maneuvered himself before her then tossed her over one shoulder.
Gasping with surprise, Kassia stared down toward the floor and found her gaze directly in line with his firm ass. Slamming her eyes shut, Kassia froze. She didn’t feel malice from him, just frustration. A small squeal burst from her throat as she fell to the bed and bounced twice.
“Why you—” Kassia narrowed her eyes but averted her head so she couldn’t see what he so blatantly displayed. Not that it alleviated the temptation to see him again. The sound of fabric sliding over skin tantalized her ears and teased her senses. The urge to look swamped her. She wanted to stare at him, indulge herself in his form.
“All right, sweets. What say you and I figure this out real quick like so I can get back to my nap?”
Whipping her head toward him, she glared. “You are leaving. Alone or with the assistance of the cops.”
His jeans fit him like a second skin, outlining everything he had to offer. Since she’d seen it, she was well aware of all that entailed. Her mouth watered at the sight. A thin line of dark brown hair dipped below the waistline, and she longed to follow it, since she knew exactly what lay beneath the material. Hell, even when she’d been tossed over his shoulder, his scent had been a turn on.
Oh God, I’m pathetic. Turned on by a man who I don’t know from Adam and who could very well turn out to be a serial killer or rapist.
He waggled a finger at her as he shook his head. “Don’t think so, sweets.” He reached for a shirt and couldn’t stifle the hiss of pain as he pulled the cotton tee over his head. “So, let’s try this again. Who the hell are you?” There were a few seconds before the pain vanished from his eyes.
Kassia pursed her lips and glared at the man standing tall in the room. Then, a most unpleasant niggling tingle of familiarity hit her. It was almost like she’d seen him before. Shaking it off, she ran her tongue over her teeth and crossed her arms, ignoring the spike which hit her when her taut nipples were rubbed. “Who are you?” Unable to take the stimulation, she lowered them back to her sides.
Instead of answering her, he stood there, eyes narrowing briefly before they widened. “Oh shit,” he swore. “Are you JoJo?”
Was she JoJo? There were only three people in the world who called her that. Her cousins. They’d called her a yo-yo because how she’d jumped back and forth between them and their shenanigans. Since she couldn’t make the sound, it came out JoJo. The name had stuck, but only from those three. And one of them was who she was house-sitting for. Her cousins, Balthasar, Caspar, and Melchior were known as “The Three Wise Men” in the family. So this man at least knew them well enough for her to be mentioned.
Kassia swung her legs over the side of the bed and sighed. There was no reason to call the cops now. “To some,” she replied with a cautious nod.
He shoved a hand through his hair and exhaled noisily. Heath “Rebel” Dixon stared down at the woman sitting on the bed. The pain in his torso and leg giving way to one centrally located on his body. She was beautiful. With her dark mocha skin, full pouty lips, and eyes the color of dark cinnamon, she reminded him of a confection, and he definitely wanted to taste her.
His mind went back to how she felt slung over his shoulder as he carried her into the room so he could dress, how her curves pressed against him and how the smell of falling snow combined with a light gentle spice. Heath felt his cock stiffen again. Again? Like it had ever gone down. He’d been sporting wood when she woke him and seeing her hadn’t done a thing to lessen the desire coursing through him.
“I know The Three Wise Men.” He watched her big eyes widen with something akin to frustration and relief. Interesting. “I’m closest with Balt. And he’s the reason I’m here.”
/> “Why would Balt send you here?”
She crossed her arms a second time over her chest, bringing his attention back to her breasts where they sat snugly under her eggplant turtleneck. She was fidgety. Unsure. And he had to give it to her, were their situations reversed, he wouldn’t be totally confident either. Although he also would give her credit for not showing fear.
Good question. “He told me to stop by if I was in town. I was, and so I did. And with this storm bearing down on us, I figured I would stay here.” She narrowed her eyes, and he realized she didn’t totally believe him. Smart woman. “Look, you can call him if you want.”
“Dial his number,” she demanded as she positioned herself before him. He arched a brow at her, doing his damndest to ignore that spicy scent wafting from her. “You say you know him, dial him up or I call the cops.”
“Fine,” he returned as twinges of pain bolted through him. I need my meds. Heath did as he was told, hoping that Balt had his cell on him. Before he pressed send, Heath stared at the spitfire facing him down.
“You know, when you find out I’m okay to be here, we’ll be staying here together. Alone.” He wanted to roar with satisfaction as her gaze widened before dipping below his waist and back up to his eyes. Meds, hell; this woman could cure all that ails me.
“Here,” he said, handing her the phone. “My name is Heath Dixon, but everyone calls me Rebel. Just in case you wanted to question him on my identity.” She shot him another glare.
He listened to her soft dulcet Southern accent as she talked to Balt. What is she doing up here? Why didn’t I meet her before? As her mouth formed the words she spoke, he imagined slipping his cock in between her luscious lips. Would she watch him as she sucked him or would her eyes close, allowing those thick lashes to grace her cheeks? As his mind caused his pants to feel snugger, he watched her stand on one leg and tug off her other shoe.
A Naughty Little Christmas (Cowboys, Cops, and Kilts: 8 Seasonally Seductive Romances from Bestselling Authors) Page 15