After several more sucklings and cradling his balls, she felt his hands on her shoulders as he pulled out. “I need to be inside you.” He took her hand, bringing her to standing. His lips crushed over hers as his hand tunneled between them, seeking her tender flesh. Testing her, teasing her.
As his finger grazed over her clit, she gasped. Her eyelids fell closed as he spread her slickness, building the anticipation for her. She widened her stance, and he drove two fingers inside her.
“Guy. Please,” she begged, her muscles clenching around his digits.
He reached for a condom, ripping the package with his teeth, and sheathed himself. In one fluid movement, he cupped her ass cheeks, lifting her, aligned his cock to her entrance, and pushed in.
“Unh.” Her head thunked against the door.
His thrusts rocked her up and down. The thumping against the wood door was no doubt easily heard outside. If anyone was passing by, they might be concerned. She didn’t care.
She rode the waves higher and higher, closer to ecstasy. In this position, with her legs wrapped around him and her hips tilted forward, she reveled in taking all of him. She reveled in how intense it felt. Her breath came in quick pants as he dove in and pulled back, over and over, pushing her closer to climax.
“Skye, I can’t get enough of you. I don’t know if I’ll ever get enough of you.” His lips closed over her neck, sucking and licking.
“I’m all yours. Ah!” The beginning of an orgasm rose to the surface. “Don’t stop, baby. Please.”
His thrusts came faster, and grinding against him was the most natural thing in the world. Letting that coil tighten just to the point of explosion was the most organic thing between them.
“Come for me, Skye,” he whispered, ragged and husky.
That tipped them both over the cliff of pure primal pleasure. He growled in the crux of her neck as he poured out his seed. His grip tightened on her ass cheeks.
She called out his name, her mouth falling open to take in a breath. The whole world shuddered around her, and the coil sprung loose. The climax reverberated through her entire body down to her toes. Her muscles greedily contracted around his thick cock, milking him of every drop. He wrapped his arms around her and slowly took them to the floor.
She laid her head on his chest, the room spinning around her. Hearing the beat of his strong heart recentered her world. Grounding her to this spot, to this man, in the most natural rhythm between two people. He was still inside her, their bodies covered in blissful sweat. She never wanted that connection to end.
“That’s what I call churning butter,” he whispered.
She let out a single laugh because that’s all her lungs would allow.
“You came hard.” He brushed back the hair from her forehead.
She lifted her head to meet his gaze. “Maybe. You clearly needed that as much as I did.”
The corner of his lip curled upward. “I won’t deny that. Maybe you like the idea that someone might see us.”
Oh, God, did she? She swatted his pec. “Maybe you’re delusional.”
“Keep telling yourself that, pumpkin.”
She turned her head to hide the blush in her cheeks. Did she like the idea of being watched? Something like this never occurred to her before.
But before didn’t matter anymore. Guy was in her life now, and just maybe, she liked it.
She bit on her lips to hide her grin and basked in the arms of a man who only wanted to bring pleasure. “Ready for dinner?”
Two Days Later
* * *
The Seattle coffee shop bustled with dozens of patrons on a Wednesday evening. Much more than Reed was expecting. But he needed to finish this search. He was so damn close to discovering the truth about his partner’s killer, he could almost taste the moment of sweet justice. Maybe it was the awesome sex with Skye that reinvigorated his drive to push forward. He’d been depleted from a full day working in seclusion, he needed to recharge. Refill his cup, so to speak. Boy, did she overfill it, and then some. Only for him to need more of it. She’d made him so damn hungry.
He chose a different coffee shop this time. Just in case someone was watching, they couldn’t form any patterns from his behavior. He wore fake reading glasses and a set of false sideburns. He’d let his facial scruff grow out longer over the last few days to help disguise him from cameras, not to mention sporting a different baseball hat. His baggy windbreaker fit in well with the college crowd, and he tucked himself into the corner to boot up his laptop. It took vulturing that spot for fifteen minutes waiting for the previous customers to clear so he could ensure a semi-private table.
Piggy-backing off someone else’s wifi again, he quickly went down the list of D. Huerta’s. He’d rule out as many as he could by narrowing them down to those with some kind of technology background. Degrees, work history, internships, even those related to someone in a digital field. Needless to say, it took a long time. He’d been there several hours, and his ass grew numb on that wooden chair. He ordered a third cup of coffee, paid with cash, and offered the alias “Lars.” After burning his tongue on the first sip, he set the cup down without the lid, letting it cool off a bit. He’d lost count of how many names he’d gone through.
The next name came up, Danny Huerta. A graduate of Cal-Tech, along with an internship at a prominent tech company. That was promising. Reed dug a little further and couldn’t find anything for the last five years. No employment history, tax documents, or a last known address.
Reed looked up Danny’s old Cal-Tech files and easily broke into the university database. It didn’t take long for him to come across a graduate photo.
The dark eyes devoid of emotion glared back at him on the screen.
Reed’s heart iced over.
He recognized that calculating face from the warehouse. In the picture, he wasn’t smiling. Just a determined stare that reminded Reed of countless mugshots, only in a black gown and cap.
“That’s him,” he muttered.
Finally, he’d found the face that matched the digital footprint. Now he had a name to go with Joe’s killer. Not only was this bastard a stone-cold murderer, but an educated one. An American citizen with ridiculous coding and development skills. Danny wasn’t just a cartel thug with an appetite for brutality. He had the markings of a true strategizer, perhaps close to the highest level of cartel leadership.
But how did the cartel recruit someone like Huerta?
Reed’s fingers practically flew across the keyboard, pulling up all the information he could find on Danny Huerta, and any alias or nickname he could think of. This would be a much longer night, but the glimmer of hope had burst into a righteous fireball that practically lit up the entire atmosphere of his case.
“Now, to catch this cyberpunk.”
Something moved in front of him, standing just outside his view.
He glanced up, thinking it was someone possibly asking to use the empty chair beside him. The scrawny man appeared about thirty years old with skinny jeans and old-school brown loafers with no socks. His less-than-polite grimace matched his overly long, mud-colored sweater that was just a bit too tight around the midsection. “Dude, you’ve been taking up this space for several hours now. D’ya mind moving along to let someone else have a table?”
Reed raised his eyebrows. The last thing he wanted to do was to draw attention to himself. But this was a first. “Are you an employee here?”
“No, my friends and I need a place to sit.”
He cocked his head. “So, you’ve been here all this time watching me? That’s creepy.”
He sighed, crossing his arms over his deflated chest. “Come on, man. Don’t be a squatter.”
Reed peered behind the man, where two other bohemian-yuppies eyed him as they poured extra sugar and cinnamon into their massive cups of whip-cream. A messenger bag draped over the shoulder of one of them, with a Vans logo embroidered on the front. Not to mention, an honest-to-God wrist-coil bracelet with a b
ike-lock key dangling from it. No doubt, it went to the Soma bicycle latched to the tree out in front of the coffee shop.
How he really wanted to put these folks in their place. But he had to keep a low profile. Causing a ruckus would only draw more eyes to him. His disguise wasn’t that great, itchy sideburns and all, and someone might figure out he was trying to hide something. Which would only have him end up in the manager’s office with the police en route.
Dammit. I was so close to the finish line.
Begrudgingly, he shut his laptop and slid it into its case. When he stood and stared into the ass’s smug face, he adjusted his glasses using only his middle finger. “You’re welcome.”
The drive back to Cascade Creek left him a little deflated. He couldn't figure out why the pit of his stomach was screaming at him. Something was off. Why did it feel like he’d just screwed up somehow? He should be bouncing off the seat, pumping to the music as loud as the dilapidated speakers could handle. He had the single-most prominent lead of the entire case. Joe’s killer had a name. With only a few more searches, he could pinpoint the monster’s location.
When the sucker was apprehended, Reed could then clear his name and come out of hiding for good. Have his career reinstated. Perhaps even continue a relationship with Skye.
Skye.
Just thinking her name made him smile.
If he ever cleared his name, she’d know the truth. His real identity. Then be furious that he’d lied, and may not ever want to see him again. His spirits dimmed, and the high of identifying Joe’s killer fizzled.
No, he shook himself out of those thoughts. She’d look past the deception and realize it was for his safety, and for true justice. She’d see that. He’d convince her, somehow. But only if Danny Huerta was apprehended.
As if the universe read his thoughts, Skye’s name flashed across his phone. He answered. “Hey, sunshine.”
“Hey, you. Guess what? I don’t have class tomorrow night. Wanna have dinner?”
Fuck yes! “Love to. I love your cooking.”
She chuckled. “Great. See you at work. Good night.”
“’Night.”
He had another date with Skye. That was something to look forward to. At least one good thing came out of all this agonizing and tumultuous lifestyle.
Thursday at work, Skye found herself distracted. The never-ending shift thwarted her plans to take Guy on a picnic in the most-perfect spot up in the mountains. Customers had streamed in all morning and hadn’t slowed through lunch. The new week’s specials were the most popular after the festival. She’d lost track of how many pies she’d baked, they were flying off the shelf faster than she could pull them out of the oven. At least business was back to booming—thanks to Guy’s culinary skills—which meant she and the other employees would get their bonuses later in the year. But only if she could focus enough and stop screwing up people’s orders or delivering plates to the wrong tables.
“Sunshine,” Guy called from the back kitchen.
She spun around as he pointed to the platters of food sitting under the hot lamps, his eyebrows raised.
“Sorry.”
He grinned as she lifted the first plate and balanced it on her forearm. He leaned close.
“You seem to have trouble focusing. Do I need to give you a spanking?” he whispered.
Her eyes widened. Oh crap! She licked her lips and managed to shake her head a few times.
He chuckled and turned back to the grill.
Heat flushed her cheeks that had nothing to do with the warming lamps for the food. If anyone looked closely, they might assume she was feverish. She was both appalled and excited about the prospect of Guy spanking her.
Why? How crazy is that? Who in their right mind wants a spanking?
Well, if not her, then why was her heart racing?
She set the plates down with an obligatory smile and turned to cool her cheeks with the back of her hands. Guy could turn her insides to mush with nothing more than a few words.
God, help me get through the day.
* * *
Reed arrived at Skye’s door at five o’clock as she’d requested. She was concerned about the sun setting, which told him she had plans for them outside.
The door swung open. Her face was as bright and pink as during their shift. “Great. You’re here.”
He chuckled. “Where else would I be?”
She wore a pair of faded blue jeans, a pink sweater, and her camel-colored jacket. She tucked her hair behind her right ear, and asked, “Help me carry this stuff, okay?”
He strode behind her to the kitchen. A basket and a canvas bag sat on the island.
“A picnic?” he asked. He honestly couldn’t remember the last time he’d been on an outdoor picnic. “Where to?”
“You’ll see.” She beamed.
“Look at you, all proud of yourself for surprising me.”
“You excited?” she asked.
“Of course. Anywhere with you excites me.
Her grin widened, and she handed him the basket. “Can you carry these? I’ll grab the blankets.”
After the truck was loaded, he followed her directions along a road, leading away from town. They wove around the side of a mountain and higher in elevation. A few turns later, they plateaued to a clearing about a hundred yards that stretched along a crystal-clear lake.
Reed stepped out of the truck. “Holy mother. This is spectacular.”
“Isn’t it?” Skye grinned at him. “Best secret ever.”
No shit! This state was growing on him more and more every flippin’ day. If he ever had to get up and leave, it might just break his heart.
He helped heft the food from the truck and set it at the end of the blanket she’d laid on the ground.
Skye made quick work of unpacking. “Can you open the wine?”
He reached for the corkscrew. “What are we havin’?”
“Diced roasted chicken, a few different cheeses, a baguette, veggies with ranch dip, and fruit. Stuff we can eat with our fingers. Plated food doesn’t work as well out here.”
“Good thinking.” He handed her a clear plastic glass of wine. “Cheers.”
Here he was again, living a normal life. Everything on the surface looked positively common. He never knew how much he craved a simple life like this. Would he ever have this consistently? Could he ever have the wife and kids and go on picnics like this again? That is, without having to constantly look over his shoulder.
“I’m going out on a precarious limb here to ask you a very personal question.” Skye’s smile turned determined.
“Oh, boy.” He popped a piece of chicken into his mouth.
“Where do you see this going?”
“See what?”
“Us.”
He slowed his chewing. “You mean tonight?”
“Tonight, tomorrow, and beyond.”
His heart rate kicked up. He just kept watching her, hoping his mind would come up with something neutral enough to keep her happy, without sacrificing his cover.
“Does that question scare you?” she asked, casually leaning back on her elbow, like throwing a fast curveball at a guy who was merely a passing fancy.
“From you, no. Which is the scary part.”
Her smile slipped. “What does that mean?”
The truth was the only thing he could think of. “I never allowed myself to hope a woman as gorgeous, vibrant, and caring as you would be interested in me. So, I’ve just been enjoying the time we have together, for however long it lasts.”
She paused, poking a cheese cube with a toothpick. “Are you saying I’m a fling to you?”
He was ashamed to admit that at the very beginning, yes, that’s what she was to him. Because he couldn’t dare try for anything more permanent. Now, he didn’t want her to be a fling. It was the last thing she was to him.
On a deep breath, he took her hand and interlaced her fingers with his. “You are not a fling. You’re a taste of heaven.
A reminder that you are exactly the kind of woman a guy like me would want to spend forever with. But I’m also cautious of it.”
“Why? Do I bore you?”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Boring is never a word that describes you. The furthest thing from it.”
“This whole town can be boring sometimes, but that doesn’t make me a fleeting dalliance either.” Her voice had a defensive edge. “I’m not asking for a diamond ring if that’s what you’re inferring. But I want to make sure that the possibility is somewhere in your mind down the road.”
He tended closer, placing a simple, slow kiss on her lips. “The possibility is definitely in my mind.”
The twinkle in her eye and the glowing smile on her lips told him he chose the right words.
Words that, to him, were not a lie. If he didn’t have this goddamn cloud hanging over his head, planning the rest of his life with this woman would be the top of his list. Hell, his entire list. He didn’t need to “date” anyone else to know this was the woman for him.
Skye cleared her throat. “Ok, dig in.”
“How many times have you been here?” he asked.
She finished her bite of bread. “About five, I think. I found it accidentally when I was supposed to meet a study group. I completely missed the meeting, but found this instead.”
“Good find.”
“Just wait until you see the sunset.”
He would try and look at her promising sunset view, but really he had some other ideas. Being alone with Skye here in this picturesque place worthy of nature calendars brought ideas into his head that, if spoken allowed, might get him slapped.
They ate a few more bites, chatted about her degree, and some residents that frequented the diner. The bottle of wine was nearly empty.
“Oh, look.” She pointed west to a deep-V created in the mountain range. The sun glowed a golden yellow while the sky turned a brilliant orange.
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