by Katie Reus
She moaned into his mouth as he slid his hands up under her top, quickly getting rid of it and her bra. The man moved with incredible efficiency, something she appreciated right now because she felt as if she might come apart at the seams.
When he cupped her breasts with his callused palms, she moaned again. They were actually doing this.
She felt as if she was a ball of nerves right now; everywhere he touched set off her nerve endings. She was already wet and they’d barely started. Even though she hadn’t been with anyone in years—other than the brief intimacy they’d shared days ago—this felt right. So right it scared her.
Reaching between their bodies, she shoved at his pants, needing him bare so she could feel him everywhere. She’d already seen how impressive he was, stroked him, tasted him, and now she would feel him inside her.
Thankfully he had more control than she did because he stripped off his pants without her help. Then he was wonderfully naked as he carried her to the bed. She barely got a chance to see his hard body—which she’d been fantasizing about even before the other night—then he stretched out on top of her.
She promised herself that she’d get her fill later, even as she reached between their bodies and wrapped her fingers around his hard length.
He hissed, his abdominal muscles pulling tight as he stilled on top of her.
“Not yet,” he rasped out, clearly on the edge of control.
Shifting down her body, he finished undressing her, his movements jerky now. So he wasn’t in control like she’d thought. Good, because she was barely hanging on.
The way he looked at her—with a mix of protectiveness and possessiveness—as he moved up her body took her breath away. He looked at her as if she was everything he wanted on Christmas morning, and then some.
She didn’t deserve it, wasn’t sure why he wanted her so badly. Part of her was terrified that once he got to know all of her, he’d realize that he’d just built her up in his head. And deep down she knew exactly what she wanted.
Lucas Jordan in her bed, in her life, in her daughter’s life. Forever.
But she was still afraid to say it aloud. Fear and doubt bubbled up inside her, but she ruthlessly shoved them down as she reached for him, needing to touch him, hold him. For this one night she would enjoy herself, block out everything else.
He cupped her cheek as he lowered his mouth to hers, his kisses gentler this time, though his body still trembled above hers.
She could feel the energy pulsing through him but he kept his kisses shockingly soft and teasing. Arching against him, she shivered at the feel of her nipples brushing against his chest.
She wanted all of Lucas and she wanted him right now. She’d always enjoyed sex before but this was different. More. All her muscles were pulled taut in anticipation and she walked a tightrope of control. This was too much and not enough.
She wrapped her legs around him, rolling her hips against his as she clasped his hard length in her fingers. The man was utter perfection.
A groan tore from him, his big body shaking at her touch. As she enjoyed stroking him, he reached between her legs, shuddering as he slid a finger inside her.
“So wet,” he growled.
She was beyond words at this point. She needed him inside her, needed release—needed to take the edge off, and she knew one time with him wouldn’t be enough.
She was afraid that nothing would ever be enough, that she would want more and more of him. That she would come to depend on him.
With trembling fingers, she tightened her grip on him and guided him between her spread thighs. Not that he needed the help.
He let out another one of those sexy groans as he slid inside her, his thick length filling her up.
She sucked in a sharp breath as she adjusted to him. It had been a long damn time and she hadn’t been prepared for his size. It didn’t matter that she’d brought him to climax before, feeling him inside her was too much. And not enough. He kissed her again, not as gentle as before, his kisses needy and hungry, mirroring her own emotions.
He remained still inside her, clearly waiting for her to set the pace.
She didn’t need slow or gentle. Biting down on his bottom lip, she rolled her hips and it was like a starter pistol at a race went off. Something set off inside him and he started thrusting in long, sensual strokes.
She met him stroke for stroke, savoring every second of him, of this. She wasn’t sure how long they lost themselves in each other but when he reached between their bodies and tweaked her clit, she rushed over the edge. As her orgasm punched through her, she fell into pure bliss.
Her climax had barely started as he let go of his own control, his thrusts becoming harsher, wilder as he came inside her.
When they finally collapsed against the sheets, she knew that was just the beginning for tonight. Normally sex made her sleepy but she was revved up, hungry for more.
And by the heated look in Lucas’s eyes, he felt the same.
Chapter 32
Serenity opened her eyes and found herself back there again. The cabin. Everything was so vivid, so clear, but she knew it was a dream.
A nightmare.
Savannah sat on the board, her legs dangling off the side, her skin a grayish color as she watched Serenity. “You’ve got to get out of here,” her sister whispered.
“I did get out of here,” she said. “But you didn’t.” Wake up, wake up, wake up.
Savannah looked right at her with achingly familiar blue eyes and for a moment she swore her sister was real, that this was real. Maybe it was. Maybe she’d never left at all and was trapped in this nightmare forever.
“Don’t trust her,” her sister whispered.
“Who?”
“Run!”
Behind her, she heard the door opening up, the rain slapping the porch. Lightning flashed, illuminating the dimly lit cabin like a horror show. He was back.
She refused to turn around. She’d left him back in that prison cell. She had, she reminded herself.
She squeezed her eyes shut. “Wake up, wake up, wake up.”
Sucking in a breath, she opened her eyes. She was in bed with Lucas.
Sweet, wonderful Lucas, who was flat on his back, his hand lying on his bare stomach, looking sexy as anything. He was so peaceful, and watching him helped calm her.
Her breathing was jagged and her heart was a staccato beat in her chest, but she wasn’t a sweaty mess this time. So her nightmare must’ve been shorter. And she clearly hadn’t been loud because she hadn’t woken him up.
Still, it messed with her head, seeing her sister like that. Talking to her.
She wanted nothing more than to snuggle closer to him, to lose herself in his embrace—to go another round—but when she saw that it was five in the morning, her heart rate kicked up again.
It was time to get back to her bedroom. She didn’t want Harper to come looking for her and find her room empty. And she really didn’t want Harper to find her in bed with Lucas.
She wasn’t ready for that kind of conversation. Though she knew it would be coming sooner than later because things had definitely changed now. She wasn’t walking away from Lucas. And unless he’d changed his mind, she knew he was as serious as she was.
Without making a sound, she shifted out from under his arm, pausing when he mumbled something in his sleep and pulled the pillow close to him.
He looked so peaceful she didn’t have the heart to wake him.
Grabbing her clothes, she quickly dressed and hurried back to her own room. And she was glad she did because the second she slipped under the covers, Harper came stumbling in, her stuffed unicorn tucked under one arm.
“Mommy,” she murmured, jumping into bed next to her and curling up on her side.
Serenity wrapped her arms around Harper and closed her eyes. She wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep again, but she could enjoy the quiet with her daughter for now.
She just hoped this new day brought news about
her missing friend. Good news.
Chapter 33
She hadn’t slept all night, hadn’t been able to. Nothing was going according to plan. She shouldn’t have been called in to be interviewed. And the Feds wanted a DNA sample. Which meant… They must suspect or know that Michael Black was her father. It was the only thing that made sense. Why else would they want her DNA? She hadn’t left any at her crime scenes—she’d been careful. And if they had DNA and truly suspected her, they could force her to give it. No, this was for something else.
But how? Had he told them? Would he have betrayed her? She’d started killing on her own but he shouldn’t have a problem with it. Maybe he was angry at her, but he wouldn’t betray his own daughter, would he?
She snorted, stopping her pacing to look at herself in the mirror. Of course he would. Everyone betrayed everyone in the end.
She hadn’t been arrested, which meant they didn’t have enough evidence. But could they get it? By denying them a DNA sample, she was certain she was higher up on their suspect list now.
And she had left a loose end…one she didn’t want to think about. She’d been fucking Paul Covington, one of the techs who worked at the local vet’s, to get access to the ketamine. He had no clue she’d been stealing, and even though she was just using him…he liked her for her. He’d never ignored her. If anything, he was smitten with her. She didn’t want to kill him.
Do it, the voice whispered. You can make it quick.
“Shut up,” she muttered, shelving thoughts of Paul for now. He was out of town anyway, fishing with his dad.
Maybe she just needed to split town now. She wouldn’t crack if the FBI brought her in for more questioning, but she didn’t want to risk being arrested. Because once she got put into the system, there was no way she would get bail. They’d lock her up and throw away the key.
“Time for a new plan,” she muttered to herself. She needed to leave town. She could easily start over somewhere. She knew how to blend in. And she had enough money saved that she would be okay for a while. She’d simply change her identity and start over. But she wasn’t leaving without making sure Serenity was dead.
Hurrying to her closet, she pulled down a duffel bag and started packing. She wouldn’t bring enough for anyone to notice. Just a small bag of clothes and her laptop. She’d have to stop and pick up the money she’d stashed away as well.
Then she’d put her other plan into motion. The one that would bring Serenity to her. It was a risk, but she was going to take it. She had to.
She couldn’t leave if Serenity was still alive. But she needed to give the Feds something before she left.
Something to distract them while she made her getaway. And she had the perfect idea.
Chapter 34
Amy stepped out of the local diner, a to-go cup of coffee in hand and Frank by her side. He was on some weird health kick now and was only drinking green tea or water. Blech. No thanks.
They’d narrowed down which guard they thought might be passing messages from Black to someone on the outside and planned to pull them in for questioning today. And they were going to pull in the three women at the top of their suspect list again. Not to arrest them, but to put more pressure on them. Currently her team was tearing apart their personal assets, cell phone histories, anything that might be helpful.
“Just got a tip that someone saw Bianca Copeland tossing something in the dumpster of the local thrift store,” Frank said, looking at his phone.
“That’s on the opposite side of town from her shop.” She had her own dumpster; she had no business using another place’s trash disposal.
Frank handed her the keys. “You drive.”
It didn’t take them long to reach the thrift store. As they pulled into the back of the place, she automatically looked for security cameras. “I see one there.” She nodded toward one positioned over the drop-off area.
“It’s a fake.”
“Dammit, I think you’re right.” She was so used to dealing with CCTVs and having access to a hell of a lot more security footage than was available in a small town. If it was up to her, everyone would have security cameras at work and at home. But that wasn’t how small-town life worked. “Want to rock-paper-scissors who goes in the dumpster?”
Frank cast her a sideways look. “I’ll do it this time. But you owe me breakfast for a week.”
“Considering you’re now eating like a bird, deal.”
He snorted as she pulled to a stop by the unloading area. Giant metal bins were either half full or completely empty, with the actual dumpster about twenty feet from the bins.
Amy headed inside to talk to a manager or whoever was in charge, and Frank headed straight for the set of dumpsters. By the time she came back out after letting the manager know what they were doing, he’d already finished and was holding up a plastic garbage bag in his hands. Frank triumphantly pulled out a Tracfone with a gloved hand.
“It looks like you hit the jackpot.” She eyed the bag, which appeared to have some heft to it.
“Five phones. And thankfully there was no food in the dumpster. Just broken kids’ toys—junk mostly. This is the only thing that looks like it could be anything she would have dumped.”
“Verified the camera is a fake. They don’t have a problem with stealing, but sometimes teenagers like to cause trouble back here on the weekends so they installed the camera. Kids don’t know it’s a fake because they haven’t had any trouble since the install.” She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket as she spoke. “Let me see that one.” After he handed it to her, she took a picture of the IMEI number and sent the image to Walker.
A second later she got a text that made her smile. “This phone is from the same batch our unsub bought.” Whoever had bought the bundle of cell phones, including the one used to send a video of Adeline to Serenity, had bought them all at the same time, making it easier for them to track. And this matched one from their file. Looked like the unsub wasn’t unknown anymore. “Let’s bring Copeland in.”
“I’m driving this time.” Frank grabbed the keys from her, already heading toward the car.
“Fair enough.” He’d spared her from having to go dumpster diving, something she immensely appreciated.
Her adrenaline spiked as they headed out of the parking lot. They were so close to wrapping up this case. If they got Copeland to talk, Amy just hoped she could convince her to tell them where Adeline was in time.
If she was even still alive.
* * *
“Hey,” Serenity said as she stepped into the huge kitchen at the Jordan estate.
“Hey yourself.” Lucas’s tone was friendly but his expression was unreadable.
She’d just returned from dropping Harper off at school, and while she hated having her daughter out of her sight, she knew this was for the best. Harper had a federal agent watching out for her at school, and this way she wouldn’t get behind in her work.
She glanced over her shoulder to make sure Lucas’s mom or one of his brothers wasn’t lurking around. “I left this morning because I didn’t want Harper to find us in bed together,” she murmured as she stepped closer to him. If she’d had time, she’d have woken him up and taken advantage of him.
He set his coffee cup down, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “Do you have any regrets?”
“No.” She didn’t regret sleeping with him. How could she, when it had been incredible? He was as giving and wonderful as she’d imagined. She was just terrified of the feelings he evoked inside her and was afraid she wouldn’t live up to what he thought of her. She knew that was her own baggage but it didn’t matter—she was still scared. “How about you?”
He made a soft scoffing sound and reached for her, resting his hand possessively on one of her hips. “Not possible.”
“Really?” she murmured, stepping closer, warmth spreading throughout her body. A weight she hadn’t even realized had been pressing on her lifted off her shoulders. She wanted to wrap ar
ound him again, to completely lose herself with him.
She’d started to place her hand on his chest when his mom and Lincoln stepped into the room. Feeling as if she’d been caught doing something naughty—which was utterly ridiculous—she dropped her hand and turned to face them.
“You get Harper off to school?” Lincoln asked, his tone carefully neutral.
“Yep. What’s up?”
“I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I’m going to anyway. The Feds are looking for Bianca Copeland. They’re going to arrest her.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “Is she behind all this?”
“It looks that way. It also looks as if she’s tried to skip town. Some of her clothes are missing and she never showed up to open her shop.”
Serenity blindly reached behind herself, needing something to steady her, but Lucas was there, pulling out one of the bar stools. She collapsed onto it. “Bianca? It’s so hard to believe that she could be behind this. I mean, I know we aren’t close friends or anything, but…”
Mrs. Jordan hurried over to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, nudging Lucas away. Serenity wished he was holding her right now, that they were alone, but she couldn’t very well say that. And she appreciated Louise’s kindness.
“The important thing is that she will get caught,” Lincoln continued. “There are a whole team of federal agents hunting her down. Soon this nightmare will be over.”
Serenity tried to wrap her mind around all this, to focus. “I hope they find Adeline.” She was hoping against all hope that her friend was still alive. Considering the way they’d found Paisley she thought that might be a stupid hope, but something deep inside her refused to admit that Adeline was gone. Her friend had been through enough; she didn’t deserve to die so young. And if she was dead, Bianca would have dumped her too, right?
“Will you guys give us some privacy?” Lucas asked, his blunt words surprising her.