Centerfold

by Kris Norris

  He pushed the ugly thoughts aside. He couldn’t change what they’d done. He could only pray she’d find a way to forgive them. Allow them to spend the rest of their lives making it up to her. Showing her how perfect they were together. How much they loved her.

  He kneeled next to the tub, brushing her hair off her forehead, enjoying the play of her skin beneath his fingers. It was so soft. So damn tempting. And knowing how sweet she’d taste, how wet she’d get, just tortured him more. He wanted her back.

  He lowered his hand, easing the cover back slightly as he stared at her shoulder. Two raised scars marred her flesh, the angry welts barely healed. He knew if he ran his fingers along her blade, he’d feel the outline of every screw holding the plates in place. Her cost for saving his life.

  Footsteps padded behind him. “It was her choice to make, just like it’d be yours or mine. You need to move past that. She doesn’t blame you—”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I saw the look on her face yesterday when you alluded to the idea you were the reason she got shot.”

  “I was. If she hadn’t pushed me aside—”

  “You’d be dead. Do you seriously think that would have hurt her less? That she regrets it?”

  Roman sighed. “At this particular moment?”

  Aiden chuckled. “Wanting to kick our asses isn’t quite the same as actually wishing you were dead. And I’m pretty sure once she’s made her point, the makeup sex is going to be more than worth it.”

  “Who says there’ll be makeup sex?”

  Roman snapped his head around, pinned by a set of perfectly blue eyes.

  Scarlet pushed herself up, wincing a bit as her shoulder twisted slightly, before leaning against the tub. She tunneled her hand through her hair, tossing the mass of silky strands about her face, making her look every inch the wildcat he knew her to be. She cocked her head over, grinning at them. “But Aiden’s right about one thing.”

  Roman glanced at the man then back to her. “What’s that?”

  “I’d like nothing more than to kick your ass. Both of you.”

  Roman spread his arms wide. “Right here, darling. Get your pretty ass out of that tub, and I’m all yours.”

  “What point is there in kicking your ass when you’re ready for it? I’m not that nice. Trust me. You won’t see it coming until it’s too late.”

  “Suit yourself. We’re not going anywhere.”

  She huffed at his words, the awkwardness between them returning. She sat in silence for a minutes before looking away. “What time is it?”

  “Early.”

  She nodded. “Did they bring the schedule by? It’d be nice to know when I have to psych myself up to head out that door wearing mostly my smile.”

  “It’s not as if we like this any more than you do.”

  “Of course not. Seeing as you two have to strip down…oh wait. That’s just me.”

  Roman crossed his arms, tension straining his shoulders. “Do you really think we want all those slimy bastards gawking at you, wondering what it would be like fuck you?” He shook his head. “I thought you knew us better than that.”

  “Starting to wonder if I know you boys at all.”

  “Not fair, Scarlet. We…”

  A knock sounded at the door. He straightened, motioning to Aiden as the man darted over to the dresser, removing his weapon. Scarlet cursed quietly, climbing out of the tub before gathering the pillow and blanket and carrying it back to the bed. She arranged it on top, making it look natural when the knock sounded again.

  “Mr. Kincaid? It’s Thomas Glade. Can I come in for a moment?”

  “Shit. Get in the bed. Both of you and make it look as if he’s interrupting us.” Roman grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist to cover his boxers as he tossed his shirt aside. “Coming.”

  Scuffling noises sounded behind him, followed by a harsh gasp. He turned, missing a step as he took in the scene behind him. Aiden had stripped off Scarlet’s T-shirt and tossed her on the bed. He’d positioned his body behind hers, one of his hands and his forearm covering her breasts. He’d draped the blanket low over their hips, making it more than apparent they were both naked beneath the covers.

  Roman caught his balance, palming the handle as Aiden claimed Scarlet’s mouth, her soft moaning rumbling free.

  He opened the door, smiling at the older man waiting in the hallway. “Thomas. This is an unexpected surprise.” We waved him inside. “Sorry for the delay. After all the traveling yesterday, we were just making up for some lost time.”

  Glade stepped inside, eyes widening as he watched Aiden slowly release Scarlet, keeping her body pressed tight to his. “By all means. Don’t let me stop you.”

  Aiden eased Scarlet back, stilling covering strategic sections of her body with his. He glanced up, feigning surprise better than Roman had anticipated. “Didn’t expect to be part of the show.” He nuzzled Scarlet’s neck. “She’s the one worth watching.”

  Glade grinned. “I agree. She’s lovely.”

  Roman stepped between Glade and the bed, allowing the man just a hint of the couple behind him. “Was there something we could help you with? Or are you just ensuring we got settled?”

  Glade reached inside his sports jacket, removing a manila envelope with a set of papers stapled onto the corner. “This was delivered for Mr. Cross early this morning. Rather ingenious product. It apparently guards against tampering. Though some might assume that you’re trying to hide something from us.”

  Roman accepted the offering, thumbing the pages as he motioned to Aiden. “We apologize for the intrusion on your retreat. Aiden owns a number of dojos, and he’s in the midst of a merger. These are just legal papers, as you no doubt surmised from the return address. His lawyers are rather…particular when it comes to confidentiality. They also don’t seem to believe in holidays. We’ll do our best to keep any correspondence limited.”

  “Of course. I applaud a man who strikes out on his own. Builds his wealth from nothing. You mentioned dojos.” Glade eyed the man. “Which discipline do you practice?”

  Aiden shifted, somehow keeping Scarlet’s breasts still covered. “Jujitsu. Though I like to dabble with mixed fighting—just for fun.”

  “What an interesting career choice. I took the liberty of including Scarlet’s photography schedule as well as a list of other activities.” Glade let his gaze drift the length of Scarlet’s body, lingering where the blanket gave just a teasing glimpse of the hollow of her hips, where her abdomen joined the top of her mound. “Let me know if you need to send any faxes or the like. I’ll inform my staff that they’re to bring any deliveries straight to your door. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll let you three get…reacquainted. But don’t wear yourselves out. There’re plenty of engagements on the agenda. I’m confident you’ll be able to find one that interests all three of you.”

  “We’ll be sure to consider the options.” Roman held up the envelope. “Thanks for dropping this off.”

  Glade tilted his head, taking one last perusal of the couple on the bed before heading out of the door. Roman closed it behind the man, turning in time to see Scarlet elbow Aiden hard in the chest, knocking him back before scrambling out from underneath him and stumbling off the bed. She snagged Roman’s shirt off the chair where it had landed, tugging it on as she darted for the bathroom. Roman lunged after her, reaching the door as she slammed it behind her, the telltale click ringing through the room.

  Aiden tripped in beside, him, trying to yank up jeans as he fell against the wall. He pulled them over his hips, not bothering to zip them up as he stared at the closed door, shaking his head. “What the fuck just happened?”

  “Hell if I know. Scarlet?”

  A muffled sob sounded from inside, the hollow noise like a knife to his chest.

  He glanced at Aiden, noting the worry in the man’s eyes. He leaned against the door. “Scarlet?”

  “I can’t do this.” Another choked sob hiccupped thro
ugh the door. “I’m sorry. I know I said I could…that there are lives at stake, but… I just can’t be around you…knowing—”

  He cursed, tossing the envelope on the bed before jimmying the lock then swinging open the door as he stepped through.

  She turned, tears dotting her cheeks, the edges of her eyes slightly red. “Jesus Christ, Roman.”

  “No more locking us out.”

  “I wasn’t… Go see what the hell Glade delivered. I need some time.”

  “Whatever’s in that envelope can wait for five fucking minutes. We’re going to deal with this, and we’re doing it now.”

  “There’s nothing to deal with, I’m just…”

  He stalked toward her, stopping a foot away. “You’re just what?”

  She shook her head, pushing past him only to halt when Aiden barred the door.

  “Not this time.” Aiden backed her up. “We’re working this out.”

  She turned, colliding with Roman. A throaty rasp feathered past her lips as he cornered her against Aiden, his lover’s large body making hers look fragile.

  “Look, I know we fucked up—I fucked up. That I let you down. Bolting the way I did—it was fucking cowardly. But I can’t take back what I did. If I could…” Roman released a weary breath. “All I’m asking for is a chance to explain, even if the explanation doesn’t justify my actions.”

  Scarlet frowned. “Do you honestly think this is just about you leaving? That I want to pull the plug on this case—put those women at risk—because I can’t forgive you? Do you really think I’m that superficial?”

  “Then what?” Roman traced his fingers along her jaw, brushing his thumb across the wet streaks on her cheek. “You always said you could tell me anything.”

  She closed her eyes for a moment, seemingly gathering her courage before staring up at him, determination firming her expression. “You want the truth? Fine. I can’t stay here, having you both touch me, pretending that you’re in love with me when I…”

  “When you actually feel that way?” He leaned in, hovering his mouth next to hers. “You know, if you weren’t so damn stubborn, you wouldn’t be worrying about this.”

  “This isn’t funny.”

  “I’m not saying it is.” He took a few heavy steps away before turning. “Damn it, Scarlet, do you remember anything about that night?”

  “I remember every detail in that studio intimately.”

  His cock peaked at her words. “You’re not the only one. But I meant after—at the warehouse.”

  “I remember drawing down on those men. You getting clipped in the arm. Then Everett appeared behind you, his damn gun aimed at your head.”

  “And you pushed me out of the way.”

  “What the hell was I supposed to do? Let him kill you?” She shook her head. “Even I’m not that strong, Roman. I did what a partner should do—what you would have done if our places had been reversed. And I won’t apologize for it.”

  “Do you know what it was like to see you like that? God, you were so damn pale. I can still feel your blood on my skin, hear you struggling to breathe.” He closed the distance between them. “You mumbled the entire time I carried you to the ambulance. Then just before they lifted you inside, you said something that changed everything. Do you remember?”

  She pursed her lips, her chin quivering again.

  He stroked her hair back from her face. “You told me you loved me.”

  She broke eye contact, toeing the floor before lifting her chin high. “You could have just told me you didn’t feel the same. That you’re in love with Aiden. Hell, I would have understood. You didn’t have to leave—”

  “Is that what you think? That I left because I didn’t love you? Fuck, darling, I left because I did. Because I knew I couldn’t go back to just being your friend, your partner. Making love to you in that damn studio might not have been the dream encounter I’d conjured in my fantasies, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t every bit as real.” He let his forehead rest against hers. “At the hospital… I didn’t know what to think. I’d been in love with you for so fucking long…”

  “But then why… I thought you and Aiden…”

  He gave her a weak smile. “That was part of the problem. Aiden and I had been casual for a few months. Nothing I could ever fully commit to because…” He glanced at Aiden.

  Aiden leaned in, lowering his mouth beside her ear. “Because he was in love with you. I knew that from the start. That you held a part of him no one else could. But the truly odd thing was…I never felt threatened. After Roman introduced us…” He chuckled. “You have a way of lighting up a room, of making anyone who’s with you feel special. Didn’t take me long to realize I was falling for you, too. Then you kissed me that night in the bar—”

  “You remember that?”

  “Couldn’t forget it if I tried.”

  “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

  “Same reason you didn’t. Because it changed everything. At least, it did for me. I knew then that my heart belonged to both of you—I just didn’t know how to broach the subject. So I waited. Then you were shot and Roman got scared. Not just of you but of everything. Everyone. Took him a month to stop running. By then…”

  Roman sighed. “By then, I’d already been the biggest bastard I could be to you. So I tried to just let you go. But I can’t…can’t imagine my life without you and Aiden in it. I know we have to earn back your trust. Your love. All we’re asking for is a chance. If you think there’s any possibility you could find your way back to us…”

  Her lips quirked. “And if this assignment hadn’t popped up and thrown us all back together…”

  “Then Aiden and I would be camped out on your front step for the week it would have taken before you let us in the damn door.” He slid his lips softly across hers. “We’d made our decision when this bloody case got in our way. I’m done running. We both are. Let us prove it to you.”

  He moved slowly, just teasing her lips with his, waiting to see if his actions were welcomed. She held firm for a few moments before sighing out her breath, allowing her lips to mold to his. He stepped into the kiss, pressing her tight to Aiden’s chest as he cupped the back of her head with one hand as the other glided down Aiden’s side, landing on his hip. Aiden shifted slightly, allowing Roman to deepen the kiss before finally easing back, smiling at the woman nestled in their arms.

  He nuzzled her nose, drinking in her warm, womanly scent. “Is that a yes?”

  She stared up at him with those blue eyes of hers, innocence and sin warring with each other. She glanced over her shoulder at Aiden, giving him a tilt of her head. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be a convenient third you tolerate because Roman—”

  Aiden cut her off with the hard press of his mouth on hers, raising his hand to grip her hair. He gave the strands a tug, gaining him a soft moan mumbled around their kiss. Roman helped turn her into the Aiden’s arms, sliding his hands down to her thighs where his shirt touched her skin. He massaged her flesh, slowly slipping his fingers under the material, humming as he smoothed them over her hips and up her ribs, stopping at the curve of her breasts. Her head fell into the crook of his shoulder when Aiden finally released her, his gaze dropping to where Roman’s hands held the shirt, baring the rest of her.

  “Fuck. You’re beautiful.” Aiden traced his finger up and down her ribcage. “Perhaps we should take Glade’s advice and get…acquainted.”

  He backed up, extending his hand to her. She reached for him, easing out of Roman’s embrace as she followed Aiden into the other room. The shirt fell to her thighs again—the material swaying seductively against her body. Roman trailed behind the couple, his heart hammering, chest heaving. Just thinking about finally loving her the way he’d pictured a thousand times made the room spin.

  The mattress hit the backs of Aiden’s legs, the crinkle of paper breaking the sensual atmosphere. He glanced down, cursing as the envelope Glade had given them scrunched slightly beneath him.
He raised his gaze to Roman’s, arching an eyebrow in question.

  “Shit.” Roman sighed, joining them at the bed. “Hold that thought, darling. We’ll just see what our boss thought was important enough to chance having it delivered, regardless of his precautions.”

  He grabbed the sheets, tugging the pages off the outside before double-checking the security protocols. Convinced the contents hadn’t been compromised, he thumbed open the end and glanced inside, frowning at the collection of items. He turned, flattening out a section of the blankets before dumping the materials on top. Graphic images glared at them, the photos openly mocking them.

  Scarlet inhaled roughly, lifting one photo off the top. The bloody scene looked strangely surreal as she sank onto the mattress, the picture clenched between her fingers. “Oh, my God.”

  “Damn it!” Aiden grabbed a few more, shuffling through them. “This has to be the most violent kill yet.”

  “Kills.” Roman held up a few more. “He murdered both sisters. In their vehicle, it appears.” He grabbed the report, skimming through it. Rage burned hot in his gut as he read the damning details.

  “What?” Scarlet gave him a shove. “I know that look on your face. What the fuck did he do this time?”

  Roman looked at her, knowing the new developments wouldn’t go over well. “It says that there’s evidence of sexual assault with these two. Rather violent. Seems he used a knife after…”

  Scarlet pushed to her feet, taking a few steps away from them before turning. She nodded, motioning to the photos. “Why change his MO?”

  Roman shrugged. “He’s taunting us. Showing us that he’s smarter than we are. Profilers think he’s evolving. Finding out what he likes, what brings him the release he seeks. Could be a number of reasons.”