Alibi (Brantley Walker: Off the Books Book 5)

by Nicole Edwards

  “No promises,” Trey told him. “No strings.”

  “None,” Magnus agreed, hazel eyes glittering with heat.

  Trey believed Magnus meant it. Then again, he meant it, too. No way was Trey opening himself up to anyone else. He’d had enough of that in his life. He’d never been the sort to fuck for the sake of it, but that was going to change. He didn’t have a long line of men he’d burned or a stockpile he kept for a later date. He tended to go all in.

  Until now.

  “Fuck me, Trey,” Magnus moaned against his mouth. “I know you want to.”

  “I’ll get there,” he assured him. “In time.”

  Gripping Magnus’s face, Trey owned the kiss, slowing things significantly but not cooling them off in the least.

  The heat he’d felt back at the bar … it’d morphed into a conflagration that burned hotter, brighter with every swipe of that eager tongue. Made him want to do dirty, raunchy things to this man again and again. He wanted to know what sounds Magnus made when he had Trey’s cock lodged in his throat, how deep his groans were when he came.

  Eager hands tugged at his jeans while Trey’s hands roamed over the smooth, sleek skin of Magnus’s back. Desperate to maintain control, Trey gripped Magnus’s wandering hands, stilling them for a moment as he pulled his lips free and stared down at him.

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were in a hurry,” he said, letting his eyes graze Magnus’s deliciously muscled form. His chest was broad, with just the right amount of dark hair, his nipples small and dark, his pecs flexing as Trey’s eyes lingered. The narrow trail of fine, dark hair that bisected his abs and disappeared into his waistband beckoned to Trey, had him eager to start the exploration with his tongue.

  “Trey…”

  When Magnus leaned forward, reached for Trey’s cock, Trey gripped his wrist again. “You’re too fucking impatient.”

  There was something about seeing such a sexy man like that: chest heaving, muscles bunching, lips swollen from his kiss. Eager, anxious.

  “I don’t have time for games, Trey.”

  Pinning him with a hard stare, Trey smirked. “If I wanna play games, we’ll play games.”

  Stepping forward, he brought his hands up and cupped Magnus’s neck, firmly, roughly, his thumb sliding along the hard line of his jaw. Damn, but the man was hot.

  “Unbutton my shirt,” he whispered, curious as to whether Magnus would comply since Trey had stopped him once already.

  He didn’t. Not immediately, anyway. But when Trey tilted his head to the side, then leaned in and fused their lips once more, he drew in a raspy breath when Magnus’s fingers began deftly freeing the small discs. By the time cool air caressed his overheated skin, the kiss had ramped up a few degrees. He hated to do it, but he released Magnus’s face so he could shrug out of his shirt, letting it fall to the floor, forgotten.

  With Magnus still backed against the wall, Trey leaned into him, rested his forehead to Magnus’s, hissing in a sharp breath when those hands made contact, sliding over his shoulders, down his back. When those wandering hands returned to his chest, Trey focused on breathing while he covered Magnus’s hands with his own, holding them tightly against him, gliding them higher, lower, over and over. He groaned low in his throat, desperate for his touch.

  How the fuck had he gotten here? He had no business taking what this man was offering. Perhaps Magnus wasn’t a kid at twenty-four, but he was still far too young for Trey. Twelve years younger, in fact, which should’ve meant he was off-limits.

  But there was something about him. Something Trey couldn’t quite pinpoint. Perhaps it was because it was wrong on so many levels, and at this very moment, wrong felt so fucking right.

  “You think too much,” Magnus whispered, his hand sliding up behind his neck again, kneading the tense muscles.

  “You’re right. I do.” Trey gripped his hips, pulled him closer. “That stops now.”

  Then he was leading the way, urging Magnus backward, through the sparsely furnished living room, down the long, narrow hall. He turned to the left, into the darkened guest room, then over to the queen-sized bed. Not that he was opposed to taking a man in his own bed, but Trey had stopped sleeping in there as of late. It reminded him too much of the past, of the mistakes he’d made, of the men who had hurt him.

  He followed Magnus down, careful not to crush him but maintaining the kiss.

  As he covered Magnus’s body fully, Trey dropped his hips, grinding his aching cock against the hard ridge tenting those damn jeans Magnus still wore. His breath lodged in his throat when Magnus moaned, a sinfully rough rasp against his senses.

  “Once won’t be enough,” he warned, his lips never leaving Magnus’s.

  There was a soft chuckle, followed by an amused, “Maybe. Maybe not.”

  “Is that a dare?” he taunted, lifting his head and meeting those intense hazel eyes. “Because I’m game if you are.”

  The smile he earned was unexpected.

  And most definitely a dare.

  A knock on his window drew Trey out of the memory, brought him back to the present. That was when he realized Magnus was standing outside the truck, watching him intently with a satisfied smirk on his face.

  No way could Magnus know what Trey had been thinking.

  No fucking way.

  Because he couldn’t very well drive off and pretend he hadn’t shown up at his damn doorstep, Trey opened the door, got out of the truck. It was slow going as he attempted to hide the hard-on he was sporting. His shirt was untucked, which helped. Not that it was doing a damn bit of good if the gleam in Magnus’s eyes was anything to go by

  “Shut up,” Trey grumbled irritably.

  Magnus chuckled softly. “I didn’t say nothin’.”

  “You were thinkin’ it.”

  “Oh, I was thinkin’ somethin’, all right.”

  Trey’s gaze shot back to Magnus, and he wondered briefly if Magnus had relived that night, too. Based on the heat he saw in those hazel eyes, he figured the answer was yes.

  Question was: had he relived it every fucking day the way Trey had?

  *

  When Magnus realized who was behind the wheel of the truck that had pulled down his driveway, he wouldn’t say he’d been disappointed.

  In fact, the opposite.

  As for why Trey Walker was gracing him with his presence, he had yet to find out, but based on the frown on Trey’s handsome face, the man wasn’t happy to be there. Which meant he hadn’t stopped by for a repeat of the night they’d spent together two weeks ago.

  Not that Magnus thought he had. Sure, he’d wished the man would make a move, but Magnus was fully aware of the tragedy that had rocked the Coyote Ridge community as well as the Walker family. It was the main reason he hadn’t reached out to Trey, sought a repeat of that incredible night.

  “What brings you by?” he finally asked, motioning for Trey to come inside.

  “Business.”

  Of course it was. “Reese send you?”

  “I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t,” Trey grumbled.

  Magnus found it impossible not to smile. He happened to find Trey’s ornery side rather appealing. And the banter they shared between them was a unique form of foreplay that, honestly, Magnus wished he had more of in his life.

  Opening the door to the building, Magnus led the way inside. He partly expected Trey to stay outside, to refuse to be in a confined space with him. It sure as hell wouldn’t have surprised him if he had.

  But he was happy to see Trey had stepped inside, let the door close behind him.

  “What can I help you with?” Magnus turned around to see Trey’s tense form near the door, his eyes fixed on the dogs currently watching him with curiosity. “They won’t hurt you, I promise.”

  “I wasn’t worried about that,” he muttered.

  “Sarge, Aurora, meet Trey. These two belong to me.” Magnus looked at the black Laborador retrievers currently relaxing as they’d been instruc
ted to do. “Heel.”

  Instantly both were on their feet. A second later, they were heeling at Magnus’s feet, one on each side. He took one step forward. They did, too, remaining right at his side, eagerly watching him for another command, just as they’d been trained.

  “Did you have a reason for bein’ here?” he asked Trey. “Or did you come to ogle me and my dogs?”

  That doom-and-gloom look was back on Trey’s face as he glowered.

  “You’ve heard about what’s goin’ on?”

  Magnus sobered. “I did, yes. I’m sorry for your loss.”

  Trey’s gaze cut to the floor as he nodded. “Thanks.”

  “I take it your team’s lookin’ for the woman responsible? The one who kidnapped the little girl and murdered that girl’s mother.”

  Trey nodded, eyes lifting. “We’ve got an active team tryin’ to determine where she is. We know she’s in the area, just don’t have an exact location.”

  “By in the area, you mean what? Central Texas? Coyote Ridge? Taylor? Embers Ridge? What?”

  Trey’s expression remained neutral when he said, “Yes.”

  Magnus chuckled. “Not exactly helpful. And unfortunately, unless I have a vicinity in which to work, I can’t be of much help.” He canted his head. “I assume that’s why you’re here? My services?”

  He watched as heat flashed in Trey’s eyes, and Magnus fought back a grin. Yeah, it was safe to say Trey hadn’t forgotten that night they’d shared.

  “Yeah. Your … uh”—Trey cleared his throat, motioned toward the long counter with the Camp K-9 sign behind it—“services. I…” More throat clearing. “We thought you might be able to… I just … I wanted to ask.”

  Magnus opted for serious for a moment. “If you’re askin’ whether or not I’ll help with the search when and if it comes to that, absolutely. I’m there in a second, just say the word. I’ve got enough dogs and handlers, we can work a decent-size area. I just prefer to know we’re in the right spot before we go that route.”

  “Understood.”

  Magnus watched Trey. He could see the uncertainty in the man’s eyes. He suspected it didn’t have much to do with his case and more to do with being near Magnus.

  What they’d shared that night … it’d been by far the best sex of Magnus’s entire life. It had surprised him, actually, being that he’d had some pretty phenomenal sex with no shortage of partners.

  But it was more than that. There was something about Trey that he connected with. A similar vulnerability, maybe. Whatever it was, Magnus had thought about it numerous times over the past couple of weeks, ever since that one fantastic night.

  Realizing he was about to venture down a road he’d promised Trey he wouldn’t, Magnus reined in his thoughts. “What else can I help you with, Trey?”

  Those steel-blue eyes pierced him, and for a brief second, he saw the same heat he’d seen on New Year’s.

  Yeah, it was safe to say Trey was thinking about that night, too.

  “Just say the word,” he teased. “That’s all you’ve got to do.”

  Trey frowned as though he didn’t understand. Magnus knew better, so he kept his mouth shut.

  “I’ll … uh … let Reese know you’re willin’,” Trey said, clearing his throat and turning toward the door.

  Magnus chuckled at the double entendre he knew Trey hadn’t intended.

  And then he was staring at the man as he walked out the door.

  Peering down at Aurora and Sarge, Magnus grinned. “That’s not the last we’ll see of him, I promise.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Monday, January 18, 2021

  On Monday morning, just four days after Kylie’s funeral, Travis woke up with a new determination.

  He’d spent the weekend with Gage and the kids, a dark cloud hanging over them all as they went through the motions just to get through the day. His mother and father had stopped by on Saturday morning, then later, Sawyer and Kennedy brought Matthew and Brody by. The kids had enjoyed the visits because it gave them the distraction they needed, but Travis found himself growing irritable with the attention.

  Because his mood hadn’t improved by Sunday, he’d skipped the weekly dinner at his folks’ place. Gage had insisted on going, and Travis saw no reason for them not to. It was while they were gone that an idea had come to him.

  “Hey, Trav. Didn’t think we’d see you here for a while,” Kaleb said, his eyebrows dipped down in concern.

  Travis gave his brother a single shoulder shrug. Kaleb and Sawyer had informed him they would gladly handle the management of Alluring Indulgence Resort until the time Travis felt he could return. Although he had graciously accepted their offer, Travis had known he wouldn’t be able to stay away. Not because he preferred to be taking care of the resort rather than his family, but because Travis knew he would need something to do. He was here because he wanted to be here. As far as he was concerned, there was no reason to ignore his responsibilities. It wasn’t like it would change the outcome of anything if he did.

  He got similar comments from others on his trek to his office, and he offered the same response: nothing. He had more important things to deal with than making others feel better because they weren’t sure how to deal with him.

  Once in his office, he closed the door. Figured there was no reason to invite more sympathetic looks from those who meant well.

  No sooner did his ass meet his chair than he picked up his phone and dialed.

  “Mornin’,” came a gruff, uncertain response.

  “I want to offer a reward for any information leadin’ to the capture of Juliet Prince,” he said, rocking back in his executive chair and staring at the door.

  “Well…”

  “Brantley, I’m not askin’ for permission. I want it done. I figured I’d give you an opportunity to head it up since you claim you’re handlin’ the investigation. But if it’s too much for you…”

  His cousin sighed. “Where are you?”

  “At the resort.”

  “Okay. Give me half an hour. Reese and I’ll stop by to chat. And before you get all up in arms, I think a reward’s a good idea. I just want to talk it out. Is Gage there with you?”

  “No.”

  “Should he be?” Brantley asked.

  Travis wasn’t sure it was his place to decide that. And since Gage seemed to be content keeping his distance, he figured he could return the favor. “No.”

  Another sigh. “All right. Half an hour.”

  “See you then.”

  After disconnecting, Travis found himself typing up a text to Gage. He kept it short and sweet: Meeting with Brantley and Reese. Offering reward. If you want to be part of the convo, meet in my office, half an hour.

  Travis never did get a response.

  As promised, Brantley arrived thirty minutes later with Reese in tow. They took their sweet time getting up to his office, probably stopping to chat with his brothers along the way. He half expected to see a line of people behind them when they finally knocked on his door, but there were no stragglers.

  And there was no Gage.

  “Come in.” Travis leaned back, trying to appear relaxed and not letting on that his stomach was twisted in knots. He’d thought coming to work would allow him to stop thinking about Kylie for a little while. That didn’t seem to be the case.

  Both men walked in, their eyes scanning the room as though they were expecting someone else.

  “Have a seat,” he said politely, although he didn’t expect them to be there long.

  They sat, neither of them saying anything.

  Travis wasn’t sure why they’d gone mute, but he didn’t really need their input, and he certainly didn’t need small talk.

  “Like I told you on the phone, I want to offer a reward for any information that leads to the capture and arrest of Juliet Prince in relation to my wife’s murder.”

  He probably shouldn’t have tacked on the last part so harshly, but it was all he could do to spit the w
ords out.

  “I know I mentioned to you that the governor discussed disbandin’ the task force,” Brantley said. “I just want to make sure you understood that happened. We no longer have jurisdiction over anything. In fact, we’ve gone private. The task force is under the umbrella of Sniper 1 Security.”

  Travis wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything, but he nodded.

  “We’ve got a large team of their agents down here assistin’ with the search. Includin’ RT and Hunter.”

  For some damn reason, that loosened the knot in his chest.

  Yes, Travis had been holed up in his house, and his warped and twisted thoughts had led him to think that no one was out there doing anything to find the bitch. Despite the fact he’d blamed them more than once—at least in his head—he should’ve known Brantley and Reese wouldn’t stop looking.

  “We are pursuin’ several leads. I just want you to understand, we’re actively workin’ this. In fact, it’s the only thing we’re workin’ on.”

  Travis swallowed a hot ball of emotion and nodded.

  Brantley glanced at Reese, then back to Travis. Silence hung between them as though Brantley thought Travis might have something to say. If he thought he could get words out, perhaps he would, but it was taking everything in him to sit there.

  Brantley nodded. “You mentioned a reward. How much are you thinkin’?”

  Travis reached for his water, took a drink. “Whatever’s appropriate. Money’s no object.”

  Brantley and Reese shared a look and then Reese spoke up. “We need to make you aware of what’ll happen once that reward is posted. Once it’s made public, we’ll be inundated with leads. Unfortunately, the majority of them will be bogus. And while it only takes one actual lead to get the result we’re lookin’ for, it’ll require additional resources to handle the influx. That means those who’re currently in the field will be called back in to answer the phones.”