“Like I said, resentment and hatred can build up over time.”
“There’s no-one in particular I can think of.”
“Okay, what about people you work with?”
“There is Lauren, my part-time employee who is a student and a girl...”
“Go on.”
“Then there’s Gavin, my delivery man. He doesn’t actually work directly for me but for a courier company. He does all my deliveries and picks up my orders at set times each day.”
“What does he look like?”
“He’s married,” she said, looking up at him. His look was stern. “Okay, he’s got short sandy blond hair, he’s in his late thirties with two kids and, like I said, a wife.”
“Is it possible he could have something against you?’ Lucas immediately jumped on the fact he was blond.
“No, he’s a good guy and I find it hard to believe that he would be behind this. Move on.”
“Well, hopefully there aren’t any other men in your life besides me,” he said with a crooked grin. “So, the only people left could be customers or someone you don’t know who has formed an opinion about you for some reason. However, this is unlikely, and I tend to think it was someone who knows your family has money.”
“Not many people do. My customers wouldn’t, and Gavin certainly doesn’t, so maybe I’m not really a target and it’s a coincidence after all.” She paused. “I’m sorry but I’m not much help, am I?”
“No, not really.” He smiled. “You’re right, it could be a coincidence but I’m not taking the chance. The phone calls also suggest that you may know this person and they know where you live. He did use your name. I’m glad you’re not here by yourself.” He ran his knuckles across her cheek and chin before pulling her in closer, cradling her head against his chest and playing idly with her hair.
“When he used my name, it scared me, along with the fact that when each call came in, I was either leaving the house or had just walked in. As I said to Mom and Charlotte, it’s like he knows when I’m home. The call this afternoon came in while I was home for lunch, which I don’t normally do.”
“So maybe you’re being followed. Have you noticed anything?’
“No.”
“I don’t want you going anywhere by yourself.”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” she said. She lifted her head up to nibble on his ear.
He groaned. She twisted her body around to kiss him before straddling him.
“Now it’s my turn.”
His only response was to groan his assent as she slowly moved against him, her body pressed to his. He buried his face in her breasts and sucked hungrily on her nipples. When she knew he was ready, she eased herself onto him and slowly rocked. As she picked up momentum, he met her movements. She threw her head back and her tempo increased once more. It took all his self-control to wait for her. Watching her wild abandonment sent jolts of desire surging through his veins. He held her hips and met each thrust. When she cried out, he couldn’t hold out any longer and their groans mingled.
In the early hours of the morning, Lucas woke and gazed toward the sleeping girl beside him. He watched her in the moonlight, as it cast light and shadow across her face and body. Her hair was fanned out around her lovely face. He stared at her in the moonlight as thoughts raced around in his mind.
It wasn’t unusual for him to leap into a girl’s bed so quickly but what was unbelievably new was the intensity of his feelings.
Although never having been a selfish lover in the past, his efforts last night definitely exceeded any he’d put in before. He craved to please her over and over again. He’d never wanted or needed to do that before.
Everything about her cried out to him to stay, not to run away scared, without her actually saying the words. He was drawn to her like a magnet to metal, his only fear - getting burned. His head pleaded with him to run. Contentment and panic waged a battle within his chest.
Lying on his side, Lucas continued to watch her. He caressed her face and hair hoping she would wake up. Her eyes fluttered open and she stared back at him sleepily.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hey you.” He continued his caresses as she stared back at him. “I want you to know something about me, Lucas. I don’t usually do this.” He gazed at her, encouraging her to continue. “I don’t... sleep around and have never rushed into... this. I just wanted you to know this. You’re different somehow.”
“This is all new for me too.” He leaned over to kiss her and then rolled over onto his back, bringing her with him. “I think I would like a repeat performance from the balcony.”
“Lucas!” she admonished, before kissing him and complying.
Chapter 16
Carrie
Saturday
The sunlight streaming in the window rudely awoke Lucas the next morning. How does she sleep with the blinds open?
Without disturbing her, Lucas untangled his limbs entwined with hers, pulled on his pants and decided to see if he could get some coffee organized for them. Chelsea still slept, her hair billowing across the pillow. She looked so peaceful. His heart lurched. He needed to do everything within his power to ensure she remained safe.
The smell of freshly brewing coffee hit him when he strolled into the kitchen. Charlotte sat at the table sipping from a cup. Reality hit him in the face and the jitters began to creep into his chest. Perceptive to her family’s awareness of the change in their relationship, he suddenly got cold feet, the fear almost paralyzing him.
“Well, well, well, looks like big sister got lucky last night.” Charlotte raised her eyebrows. “Very lucky,” she said, gazing at his bare chest.
“I think I’m the lucky one.”
“So, this is more than just casual sex then?” she grilled him.
“Um, think so. Hope so.”
“I know where to find you. If you hurt her, you’ll have to deal with me.”
“That’s telling me.” He grinned at her.
“Don’t you give me that look. I’m serious. Chelsea doesn’t do casual, so you better be thinking about sticking around. She might act tough, but she really is quite vulnerable. She doesn’t take rejection well.”
“I plan to stick.” He wanted to. He simply wasn’t sure yet if he could.
“Good. Do you want some coffee?”
“Yeah, that would be great.”
“Help yourself. The cups are in the cupboard above the coffee machine.”
As he made himself a cup, he formulated some questions to ask Charlotte. It might be the only opportunity he would have to speak with her alone.
He sat across from her at the table, took a sip and then began. “How well did you know Wesley?”
“I only met him a few times. With my studies, I don’t get a lot of time to visit here, but Chelsea brought him home a few times.”
“What can you tell me about him?”
“He was shy, kind of charming in an unassuming way. I don’t know a lot. He didn’t share much about his life. I always wondered about this.”
“Do you think he was jealous of your family’s wealth?”
“Awestruck maybe. I’m not sure about jealous. Like I said, he was pretty guarded.”
“Do you know anyone who would want to hurt Chelsea?”
“No, she would never hurt anyone intentionally or do anything for someone to hate her that much. She has the sweetest soul of anyone I’ve known. Do you think she’s in danger?”
“I hope not, but we have to be cautious.”
Charlotte studied him for several minutes and her scrutiny brought his apprehension to the surface again.
“Do you have anything else you want to ask me?” she asked, her eyes still searching for answers in his.
“No, um, where’s your mom?”
“Out on her daily morning work. Bit embarrassed to face her?” she teased.
“Um, yeah, a bit,” he replied sheepishly. “I think I’ll take off.”
&nbs
p; He stood abruptly, placed his cup in the sink in the kitchen before disappearing upstairs. Charlotte watched him leave and hoped he wouldn’t be scared off. She’d seen that look before.
So, the detective stayed all night and she has only known him for two days. I thought she was sweet and innocent, but it turns out she’s not. Rich bitch.
Well she better not get too comfortable because soon her time will come.
I must have scared her with my phone calls yesterday. I might just have to call her when she gets back from the shop this afternoon.
I know all her movements and soon I’ll watch her blood spill.
Yes, I can hear you, Lindsay. Oh, how hard it makes me to think of the blood and it isn’t even hers. How good is it going to be when it is…?
After his swift departure from Chelsea’s, Lucas went home to shower and change before going to the only person who could help him sort out his feelings and confusion. Carrie.
On the way he called Peterson.
“It’s Hudson. I need you to access something for me.”
“Sure.”
“Chelsea Summerville has been getting some threatening calls. Could you get her phone records, check it out?”
“On it.”
“Call me if you get anything we can chase up.”
“No probs. I’ll leave a copy of the log on your desk either way.”
“Great, thanks.”
Lucas knew it was probably going to lead nowhere but they needed a break, a slip-up, and he hoped this was it.
After he knocked on his sister’s door, he heard a loud chirping sing-song voice from inside.
“I’ll get it.”
The door opened, and he automatically smiled. Mabel with her long, straight blonde hair and big blue eyes always brightened his day.
“Uncle Lucas.” She leapt into his arms.
“Hello, Mabe Babe.” She giggled.
“Now, what have I told you about answering the door?” he asked her before giving her an affectionate cuddle.
“Always ask who it is first.”
“That’s right.”
“Look,” she said. “I lost another tooth and got two dollars from the tooth fairy.”
“Well it has certainly gone up since I lost a tooth.”
“I was drawing a picture. Do you want to see it?”
“I would love to.”
At that moment Carrie walked into the hall.
“Well, hello, little brother,” she teased. “About time we saw you around here.”
“I know, I know, I’ve been busy, but I had to come and see you,” he said kissing Mabel on the nose.
“Mabel honey, can you go and finish your drawing, so I can talk to Uncle Lucas?”
“Okay,” she said reluctantly. “I’ll draw you a picture,” she said directing her gaze towards him again.
“That would be great, Mabe Babe.” She giggled again and ran off to draw her uncle a picture.
“Where are Tommy and Nathan?”
“Down at the park doing some male bonding thing.” He grinned happily, and Carrie eyed him for a moment. “You need a haircut.”
He followed Carrie into the kitchen and while she got her scissors and brushes organized, he got comfortable in her makeshift salon. She wrapped a gown around him and proceeded to give him what she thought was a much-needed haircut.
“How’s your investigation going?” she asked.
“Nowhere, unfortunately. We have hardly any leads or suspects and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down.”
“Are you handling it okay?”
“Like I’ve told you numerous times, Carrie, I can handle it.”
“All right, I’ll drop it,” she said before starting on her next line of questioning. “So, who is she?”
“Who is who?”
“The girl who’s making your eyes glow.”
“Chelsea.”
“Is she the same one from the other day?’
“Yes.”
“Do you love her?”
“Bit soon for that isn’t it? Besides I don’t do the love thing.”
“No, it isn’t. I knew from the moment I met Nathan he was the one. Once you feel it you can’t shake it.”
“I don’t know what I feel. All I know is she’s on my mind constantly. When I’m around her I can’t think and struggle to keep my hands to myself.”
Carrie smiled. “Sounds like love to me.”
“I’m definitely crazy about her and she… I…. I can’t explain it.”
“Love cannot be explained, Lucas.”
“I’m terrified.”
“You can’t go through life being scared of what could happen. I believe I’ve told you this before”
“Yeah you have, but this is so new for me. I don’t think I could lose anyone again.”
“So, you would prefer not to pursue it just in case? Life is not that simple, Lucas. God forbid, something could happen to one of us at any time. You can’t control these things. No-one can. What happened to Mom and Dad was devastating and I miss them every day. You also know how grateful I am that you weren’t there as well.”
“You don’t understand. This investigation is leaning towards Chelsea being the killer’s real target and it’s like he’s using these other girls as…. practice.” He paused. “I can’t lose her the same way.” His voice broke.
“Then protect her. She needs you. Don’t run away.”
“How did you get so wise?”
“I’m a hairdresser. I listen to and solve people’s woes every day.” She smiled. “There, finished.” She brushed his face and removed the gown. “Much better,” she declared, checking her work.
“Thanks, Carrie, for everything, but I really have to go home and get some sleep.”
“Not sleeping well?”
“With the case and… other things. I’ve had a lot on my mind and after last night well… my imagination didn’t compare.”
“That explains the grin.”
“What are the kids doing tomorrow?”
“Nothing much. We don’t have any plans.”
“I might come and pick them up, take them to the carnival by the beach.”
“They would like that, Lucas. They miss you.”
“I know. I miss them too and it will give you guys a bit of a break.”
“More like some much-needed together time.”
“I understand. Don’t tell me anymore.” He went off to find Mabel, to say goodbye.
At the front door, Carrie hugged and kissed him.
“Take a chance, Lucas.”
“Bye, Sis.” He waved, jumped into the car and drove home.
When he arrived home, he climbed into bed as planned and went straight to sleep for the first time in weeks.
Chapter 17
Taking Chances
Saturday
It took a moment for the memory of the previous evening to urge its way through the fog. Sleepily she rolled over and reached out, only to find herself alone. Did she imagine the whole thing? No, there was no ignoring the masculine scent clinging to her sheets. A smile spread across her face as she remembered the night she’d just spent with Lucas. No-one had ever had this impact on her before. For a split second his absence panicked her, but she felt wonderful and allowed her worries to slide away.
I think I love him.
She shook it off. It had only been a couple of days. Surely it doesn’t happen that fast. Nevertheless, there was no denying her feelings. He was the most incredible man she’d ever met. Falling in love was a journey and the thought of taking the ride with Lucas thrilled her.
Underneath the gruff exterior lived a passionate man who craved to be loved. Being aware of how terrified he could be about becoming close to anyone, after the way he’d lost his parents, and knowing he could be taking a chance on love, only intensified her growing feelings.
She would never have the internal fortitude to cope with such a loss and she believed this showed Lucas’ true strength of cha
racter. How courageous to join the police force and deal with crimes so similar to the one he endured. How he was persevering through these murders, so similar to his parent’s fates, was amazing.
Filled with a renewed vigor that she hadn’t experienced in a long time, she got dressed and went downstairs to find Lucas. She found instead Sarah and Charlotte in the kitchen cooking breakfast. Worry gripped her chest. Did he leave? Would he come back? She’d never been in this position before and had absolutely no idea what to do now.
“Morning, Sleepyhead,” greeted Charlotte. “Bit tired, are we?” she noted dryly with a raised eyebrow.
“I haven’t been sleeping well since Elle disappeared.”
“I’m sure that’s not the only reason.”
“I’m not sure what you mean,” she replied.
“Mom knows, Chelsea, you don’t have to act coy. She saw his car when she went out for her walk this morning. He’s gone by the way, if you were wondering. He left about an hour ago.”
The heat of blush rose up her cheeks.
“If you really like this man, dear, I think it’s wonderful. It’s been too long since you were happy and if he’ll be the one to do that, then I think it’s a good thing,” Sarah said.
“I hardly know him and by the way, Charlotte, I’m not acting anything.”
“You obviously know enough because you’re not the kind of person to jump into anything,” Sarah continued.
“Yeah, like his bed!” Charlotte quipped. “Or in this case yours.”
“Charlotte! I know this is totally unlike me but I just … couldn’t help it.” She smiled.
“He is very hot,” Charlotte stated.
“Hands off.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, sister dear. Does he have a brother?”
Chelsea laughed. “No, an older sister. Are you coming to help me at the shop today?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I guess I’d better go and get ready then.” Chelsea grabbed a slice of toast. “I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.” She hurried up the stairs.
“What do you think?” Sarah asked her daughter.
“I think she’s in love!”
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