Stripped

by Stacy-Deanne

  “I had dinner at the compound and then went to a birthday party for a woman in his group.”

  “Hold on.” He stood straight, locking his hands behind his head. “Am I hearing this, right?”

  “I’m sorry—”

  “Just tell me why it’s okay to do shit like that.”

  She stood. “Nothing happened, but I didn’t want to hide it from you.”

  “You didn’t tell me when it happened. Isn’t that hiding it from me? What made you tell me tonight?”

  She turned away from him, staring at the table.

  “Dee.” He grabbed her. “Did something happen?”

  “I saw him today, and he kissed me. I told him to stop.”

  “How could you be so irresponsible? Not only is this about our relationship but this is a suspect in your case. Then again you seem to have a habit of fucking guys you investigate.”

  “That’s way out of line. Grayson is the only man I got involved with during an investigation. Jonathan kissed me. I couldn’t stop it.”

  “You could’ve by staying away from the bastard.” He jumped in her face. “He has feelings for you doesn’t he?” He blinked. “You knew this all this time, and you kept going over there? Sounds like you need an excuse to see him.”

  “It’s not like that. Be fair. I was trying to find out if he killed Autumn.”

  “Bullshit.” He threw up his arm. “You keep going over there because you like him, Dee.”

  “No.” She shook him by the shirt. “I don’t want Jonathan Wild. Winston, I’m confused, and this happened so fast. He’s been manipulating me.”

  “Don’t give me that.” He sat on the table. “You wanted to see him, Dee. How could you do this?”

  “Please, honey.” She knelt in front of him, rubbing his jeans. “I love you so much. Don’t be mad at me. I didn’t wanna hide it from you. It was killing me.”

  “You’re the one always demanding trust but you’re going behind my back like this?”

  “Winston.”

  He stood, pushing her away. “I gotta go.” He got his keys off the table and left the living room.

  “No.” She ran behind him. “Winston, wait!”

  “There’s no damn reason for you to see Jonathan anymore.” He turned from the front door. “Not after this. I don’t care about the case.”

  “Okay.” She pressed her hands together, nodding. “Okay. I won’t go back over there unless Connie—”

  “I don’t want you going back over there anymore period.”

  “He might be the killer and—”

  “If he’s the fuckin’ killer why are you letting him kiss on you?” he screamed, his breath blowing her hair. “Does this make sense at all, Dee?”

  She shook her head. “Believe me; none of it does.”

  “He’s sucking you in.” He opened the door, pressing against it.

  “He’s not sucking me into that cult. You crazy?”

  “You’re hiding things and lying.” His face turned crimson. “Things you weren’t doing before you met him.”

  “I need you, Winston.” She hugged him, pushing her face into his chest. “Please.”

  He unhooked her arms from him. “Why do you keep going over there?”

  “I won’t anymore, I promise.” She kissed his hand and laid it upon her cheek.

  He pulled his hand away. “I’m so mad I can’t see straight.”

  “Please don’t leave like this.

  He walked out and slammed the door.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  “Winston, sit your ass down.” Lisa giggled, slipping on oven mitts. “I said you’re not bothering me. Don’t be silly.”

  He sat on the stool by the kitchen counter, nostrils perking up at the aroma of chocolate and caramel. “What are you making?”

  “Chocolate caramel brownies.” She got the tray out the oven and set it on the stove.

  Winston hopped from the stool. “O.M.G.”

  Lisa laughed. “Not every day a grown man speaks in teenage girl text speech.”

  “Ooh. I’m definitely staying now.”

  “Wait until I cut into them.” Lisa got the knife. “I love brownies when they’re so hot they’re falling apart.”

  “You too?” Winston salivated. “I used to toss my mom out the way like a linebacker and snatch the brownies before she got them out the oven.”

  They laughed.

  Lisa cut the brownie into individual squares, caramel gushing out the center of each one.

  “Look at that. Damn, Lisa.”

  She put one on a saucer and handed it to him with a fork. “Careful, it’s steaming.”

  Winston sunk his fork into the gooey thickness and blew on it. “If this tastes half as good as it looks...” He tasted the treat. “Oh.” He chewed, eyes going in the back of his head. “Lisa.” His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth, hindering his speech. “This is incredible.”

  “I can’t understand a word you said.” She laughed, getting her own piece. “I take it they’re good.”

  “Fantastic.” He licked chocolate crumbs off his teeth. “You’ve really taken to baking since you moved in with Jake.”

  They sat at the counter.

  “Jake always said cooking made him feel alive, and I discovered baking does the same for me.” She ate some of her brownie. “Damn, I put my foot in this, didn’t I?” She laughed, licking the fork. “So, is there a reason you showed up unannounced?”

  “Sorry I didn’t call first.”

  “I’m just joking.” She patted his shoulder on the way to the refrigerator to get milk. “You and Dee are welcome any time. What’s up?”

  Winston struggled to swallow the chocolate and caramel, which had turned into concrete in his mouth. “Kinda awkward that I keep coming to you when I have issues with Dee since she’s your best friend and—”

  “Oh, jeez.” Lisa poured milk into two Scooby Doo cups. “What did Miss Dee Dee do this time?”

  Before he choked, Winston grabbed a cup of milk and drank. “Ah.” He wiped his milk mustache. “She threw me off again.”

  “Okay, Dee made another misstep?” Lisa put the milk in the fridge and sat on the stool. “You gotta be patient with her. You’re the first long-term relationship she’s had in a long time. I don’t even count Grayson since she wanted you when she was with him. What did she do?”

  “Has she told you about Jonathan Wild?”

  She sipped milk. “Hm-mm.”

  “Sounds like she’s been talking about him a lot.”

  “She’s confused concerning him.”

  Winston chewed the brownie. “He kissed her today.”

  Lisa gaped, brows wrinkled. “For real?”

  “She came clean about it and also said she’d been going over to his compound outside the investigation.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “Seems like neither me nor her know why.” He propped his elbow on the counter, stroking his curls. “I got so mad I couldn’t see, Lisa. How could she do this to me?”

  “Wait, she came clean. That counts for something. Besides, can we judge Dee on this considering what happened between you and me?”

  “That’s the past, Lisa.”

  “It’s not that long ago.” She crossed her legs at the ankles. “We had a deep attraction for each other, Winston. And, even though I loved Jake, you tempted me. I did everything in my power to ignore it.”

  He looked at his saucer. “We didn’t act on it though. That’s the important thing.”

  “But, we kissed and flirted.” She exhaled, shivering as if she’d gotten a quick chill. “And, it could’ve gone farther.”

  “You love Jake.”

  “But, I wanted you, and I hated myself for that.”

  “You’re a good woman, Lisa.” He touched her hand. “I feel guilty for interfering in your relationship with Jake. Now I know why he hated me so much. It’s scary to think of losing the woman you love to another man.”

  “Jake d
idn’t lose me and you won’t lose Dee because she loves you.”

  “What about the temptation though?” He stared into her enchanting, brown eyes. “There’s something about wanting the forbidden that overtakes you. What if saying no to Jonathan is too much for Dee?”

  “Not so.” She waved finger hand left and right. “Dee loves you more than she’s loved any man.”

  “I can’t lose her.” He finished the brownie and pushed the plate away. “I want to spend the rest of my life with Dee Quarter.”

  She smiled.

  “What do I do?” He scratched his forehead. “I told Dee to stay away from Jonathan but get the feeling that wasn’t enough.”

  “You got to do what Jake did and fight.” Lisa ate more of her brownie. “Dee’s biggest fear is being alone. She acts tough and talks tough but out of all of us she’s the most vulnerable.”

  He nodded, sipping milk.

  “Your love has to be so strong that you won’t ever give up no matter what mistakes she makes. You’ve got to vow to be there, to keep coming back even if it’s hard.”

  “Even if she hurts me?”

  “Dee wouldn’t hurt you on purpose. That thing with you and me, Jake fought for me and our love when he could’ve walked away. Who could’ve blamed him? He didn’t deserve what I’d put him through.”

  “We never had an affair, Leece.”

  “We had a mental affair and sometimes that’s worse than sex. Don’t give up on Dee. You and Dee have the power not Jonathan.”

  “What if she has feelings for Jonathan?”

  “She might.” Lisa shrugged. “It doesn’t mean she wants to be with him. I had feelings for you, but I didn’t love you. I didn’t want a relationship with you. No offense but it was desire, lust.”

  “Is that all it was?”

  “I’m not trying to hurt your feelings.”

  “It’s fine,” he lied, stung by her admission.

  “Put yourself in her shoes, Winston. It’s probably killing her to have these feelings and thinking she’s betrayed you. I’ve been there.”

  “What if she’s fallen under his spell? He’s a cult leader. He can twist her mind like no one could.”

  “Then you gotta make sure that doesn’t happen.”

  “You’re right.” Winston made a fist and held it to his mouth. “I have to protect my woman and make my presence known.” He stood, hitting the countertop. “Thanks, Leece.” He kissed her cheek. “It’s all clear now.”

  “What are you gonna do?”

  He turned back when he reached the doorway. “I’m going to show Jonathan who’s boss.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  “Wait in here please, Detective Lewis.” Tran showed Winston into Jonathan’s lounge the next day. “Can I get you anything?”

  “No, thanks.” Winston observed the magnificent space highlighted with bright orange and green furniture that offset the beige walls. “Jonathan loves color it seems.” He walked across the gold and red spiral rug to the limestone fireplace. “It’s beautiful. Bet he had the best decorator in the world.”

  “Many people had a hand in decorating and building this place.”

  “It’s something.” Winston sat on the orange couch, checking out the lime-green drapes on the ceiling-to-floor windows. “Is he coming out soon because I need to get back to the station.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry if there was a misunderstanding, but you won’t be speaking to Jonathan. He’s rather busy. Mistress Shauna will see to your needs.”

  “Who?”

  “Mistress Shauna.” Tran clasped his hands. “She’s swimming with the others in the pool. I’ll let her know you’re here.”

  “I don’t care about any Mistress Shauna or whoever. I wanna speak to Jonathan.” Winston put his feet on the black coffee table. “And, I’m not leaving until I do.”

  Tran cleared his throat, glaring at Winston’s feet.

  Winston took them off the table. “I didn’t come here for games.”

  “Why did you come here, Detective? Is this about a case?” Tran snickered. “Or about Detective Quarter?”

  “It’s none of your business. Now, you said on the phone Jonathan would see me—”

  “I told you we’d be happy to have you stop by. I did not say you could speak to Jonathan.”

  “Well, I’d better speak to Jonathan.” Winston stood, grabbing his waist, underneath the tails of his blazer. “You made me leave my gun outside but trust me, I’m every bit as dangerous even without it.”

  “Is that a threat?” Tran’s face got stiffer. “I don’t take kindly to such treatment.”

  “And, I don’t take kindly to men who push up on my woman.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Get Jonathan.” Winston moved closer to him, towering over the petite man. “Now.”

  A gorgeous woman with long, black hair sauntered inside the lounge in a white bikini and cover up that pulled Winston’s eyes to her bountiful bosom and voluptuous hips.

  “Hello.” She glided her tall frame toward Winston, her breasts jiggling with each movement. “My, my.” Her eyes widened as she looked upon him. “You must be Detective Winston Lewis.”

  He shifted his gaze from her demanding curves. “I am.”

  “I’m Mistress Shauna.” She held out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  He took her soft hand but didn’t speak.

  The small, backless heels she wore made her as tall as Winston. “You seem distressed, Detective.” She batted her eyes in a flirtatious manner.

  “I was telling Tran that I didn’t come an hour from Baltimore to be played for a fool. I expected to see Jonathan, and that’s what I’m gonna do.”

  “Jonathan’s busy in his lab.” Shauna tilted her head toward Tran. “But, it isn’t fair that Detective Lewis drove all this way for nothing.” She smiled at Tran, her gaze locked on Winston. “Go get him.”

  Tran sighed, bowing. “Yes, Ma’am.” He left.

  Shauna rocked, bringing more attention to her breasts. “You came to see Jonathan, but I hope I don’t disappoint you.”

  Winston gave her another once-over. “I don’t mean to be rude but this doesn’t concern you.”

  “I run interference for Jonathan.” She gestured to the couch. “Please sit down.”

  He did.

  She glided to the refrigerator by the grandfather clock, her cover up hugging her ass. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “I’m on duty.”

  “I didn’t mean alcohol. We don’t drink alcohol here or do drugs. Everything we consume is natural.” She held up a glass bottle of dark juice. “Grape juice we’ve made ourselves. You want some?”

  “No thank you.”

  With her glass of juice, she floated back to the couch and stood in front of Winston. “I was taking a swim. It’s so hot today.”

  “Yes.” Winston switched his eyes from her toned thighs. “It is.”

  “It’s amazing how humid it can get, huh?” She massaged her neck, her damp hair glistening. “I can’t stand humidity and feeling all sweaty. Do you swim, Detective?”

  He tapped his foot, avoiding her gaze. “Sometimes.”

  “What times?” She sat on the table in front of him. “You’ve got beautiful eyes.”

  He sighed, rolling them.

  “Don’t think I’ve ever seen eyes so blue.” She wrapped her lips around the rim of the glass. “I bet they come in handy in your line of work.”

  The corner of his mouth lifted. “Why?”

  “Because if they have the same effect on others they have on me, I bet the suspects spill all their secrets.”

  He shrugged, stretching his arm along the back of the couch.

  “See, all someone has to do is gaze into them and they’re hooked. Makes someone wanna tell you everything.” She smiled. “Detective Quarter has taste.”

  “What is this?” He took a deep breath. “This game you’re playing? All of you are playing?”

  “I’m n
ot playing any games.” She crossed her lengthy legs, her cover up sliding off her shoulder. “You’re just a very handsome man, Detective. Don’t tell me I’m the first person to tell you that.”

  “I don’t know if Jonathan sent you here as a distraction or—”

  “So I am one?” She raised an eyebrow. “A distraction for you?”

  “No.” He grimaced. “I came here to find out why Jonathan’s been flirting with Dee and nothing more.”

  “She’s been doing a little flirting herself.”

  “Bull.”

  “Did she say it was one-sided?” Shauna chuckled. “Why do you think she keeps coming over here when it has nothing to do with the case?”

  “Because he’s manipulating her like he did you and all the other women in this place.”

  “You’re wrong.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  She grinned into her glass as she sipped.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You’re from Philly?”

  “How did you know?”

  “That accent. I’m from Philly and could spot it a mile away.”

  He pushed his back into the pillows. “You’re from Philly?”

  “Born and raised until I turned twenty and came to Maryland. That was thirteen years ago.” She touched his thigh. “Small world isn’t it?”

  He gripped her wrist, snatching her hand from his leg. “Too small.”

  Jonathan walked in wearing a black, crew-neck T-shirt and slim-fitting black slacks. “Am I interrupting something?”

  “No.” Shauna jumped, rushing to him. “How are you, darling?” She kissed his cheek. “This is Detective Winston Lewis.”

  “We finally meet.” Jonathan’s silver-gray eyes danced. “I’m Jonathan Wild. Welcome to my home.”

  “Thanks.” Winston kept a stiff tone. “Stay away from Dee.”

  Jonathan grinned, glancing at Shauna. “He’s forward like me. I like that, Winston.”

  “Don’t make me repeat myself.” He squinted. “Stay away.”

  Jonathan patted Shauna’s cheek. “Give us a moment.”

  Shauna smiled at Winston, his gaze following her out the room.

  “You like what you see?” Jonathan stood next to Winston. “Shauna I mean?”