Slate Read online

  He turns his laptop so I can see. There’s a big red circle around a bird’s eye view of our neighborhood, the circumference about ten miles. “Five large dogs have gone missing in this area.”

  “So many?”

  “Mmmm.” He opens an application, puts in Charles, and a few names and addresses pop up.

  “Do you think this Charles may be the owner of the hand?”

  “Hard to say.”

  I reach into my pocket and place the gold ring on the table. “This might help. I found it near where Buddy was digging.”

  His breath whooshes out and his eyes go wide. “Jesus. Why didn’t you give this to the two cops?”

  “At first, I forgot and then, I don’t know. I just got this feeling it would be suspicious, you know? I decided to show you, first.”

  He takes a few shots of the ring, frowns, and his fingers fly over his keyboard. All sorts of official-looking search engines open.

  “You’re more than just a bodyguard, aren’t you?”

  “I run security for my boss.” A college yearbook photo pops open, a young man smiling with the first name of Charles.

  “Is that the owner of the ring?”

  “Most likely.”

  “Exactly who do you work for?” I’m thinking he’s going to say CIA or FBI.

  “Grayson Patten III.”

  “Holy shit. That’s kind of like saying you run security for Bill Gates.”

  He shrugs. “It’s a living.”

  No wonder he has this huge house and money seems to be no object.

  I’ll grill him on that later. Right now, I want to know more about Dog, I mean Buddy and the hand.

  “Can you see if Charles is dead?”

  “No mention of it here.”

  “I guess that’s a relief. Do you suppose maybe the hand was from a medical cadaver?”

  “Possibly, but there’s another more likely explanation. I think Charles is an arms dealer. I sent all this to a friend of mine from the FBI. Until we get this sorted out, you can’t go out running with Buddy. It’s too dangerous.”

  “But that’s my job.”

  “Don’t worry, I won’t kick you out.” He smiles and takes my hand.

  “Thank you.”

  However, this isn’t right. I never take charity. What I’ll do is call Edna and see if she has some other work and post my name on a few internet pages. I’m sure to get enough money so I can say no to his generosity.

  “Hey, I know you need to go into the city tonight and I got a standing game of poker. How about I drive you?”

  It would be rude to refuse so I nod and sip my coffee looking down into the mug. I know I blew it with him by losing it last night and my heart tightens into a little knot. Will I ever be normal again? I want it to be like it was before ‘The Incident.’

  Before the date rape.

  The voice from last night is back and before I turn into a mess again in front of him, I put on my sneakers.

  “Where are you going?” He stands and the whole kitchen shrinks.

  “I need a little air.”

  “I’m coming with you.”

  “Your stitches-”

  “Are fine. You can check, if you want.” He unbuttons his shirt and drops it on the kitchen table and my breath hitches as he steps closer to me.

  His loose sweat pants hang so low, a V of dark hair points to promises I can never have. Even if we have sex, and I can do it without freaking out, what man wants a woman with so much emotional baggage?

  Slowly, I remove enough bandages to look at the stitches which are hanging loosely, the flesh mending nicely, even the ones I added the other day.

  His eyes lift to mine and hold me there, mesmerized. Thick dark lashes surround a sea of chocolate brown with dark centers.

  “Lil... Don’t think so much.” Soft lips inch toward mine and his hands rest on my hips, waiting for me to say yes.

  Coffee is on his warm breath, his gaze lowers to my mouth, and time stands still as I stand on this precipice. Do I take the plunge? Risk my heart with this man? What if he leads me to the bedroom and I freeze?

  “I’m scared.” I inch in a bit but not touching his lips.

  “Me too.” Thumbs tighten at the front of my waist, fingers digging in behind.

  We’re two adults, obviously attracted to each other. We both know if I make the next move, we’ll end up in bed. Is that what I want?

  He closes his eyes, moans, and starts to back away but quickly, I reach for his head and bring his mouth to mine. To hell with everything. I want this man right here, right now.

  The fire that’s been simmering under the surface since we first met ignites into flames as he owns this kiss. One hand slides to my ass as he presses me into his growing need. His other goes up and under the front of my t-shirt, cupping my breasts.

  Desire blossoms between my legs as he pushes me against the refrigerator door. Possessively, he explores my mouth with his tongue. I barely know how to respond and just open wider.

  He groans and more of his body meets mine. My arms wrap around him, amazed at how soft his skin feels over the hard muscles.

  I don’t know how long we kiss, but the temperature in the kitchen must’ve gone up at least ten degrees. Yet, when he pulls my t-shirt over my head, I shiver.

  “You cold?” He kisses down my neck and I arch for him, unable to even breathe, let alone speak so I shake my head, no.

  One bra strap slides off my shoulder as he traces a path with the tip of his finger and goosebumps run up and down my spine. His gaze meets mine and the black centers almost cover the brown. The second strap pulls across my chest as it’s tugged down, locking my upper arms in place.

  This slow seduction is like nothing I’ve ever experienced and it’s both exhilarating and frustrating. He’s captured my forearms so I have no way to reach for him, to touch him, to feel more of his warm body.

  Gently, he turns me to face the stainless steel of the appliance and he hisses. He tugs up my hair, kisses a point just under my hairline, and my knees go weak as his lips work their way to my bra clasp. His hands work at it, my chest is freed, and the bra drops to the floor.

  His soft beard runs up and down my skin and when he bites the waistband of my jeans, liquid pools between my legs.

  I twist so his mouth is at my navel. Like he did to my back, he kisses his way up my body while I hold my breath and dig my nails into the top of his shoulders.

  His forearm slides under my butt and I’m lifted up. My legs swing and knock over a kitchen chair but he doesn’t seem to notice as he strides to the bedroom, drops me on the bed, and strips to his boxers.

  Wide eyed, I stare. Holy shit. I saw him that first night and have dreamed of him since but I don’t think my recall was accurate. Dark hair covers thick muscular thighs but it’s the bulge under the silk fabric that has me gasping. He’s huge.

  He climbs onto the bed next to me and grabs my chin to raise my eyes to his. Again, I’m astounded at the depth of the emotion.

  “We good?” His eyes detain me, pulling me into their cavernous depths.

  Unable to speak, I climb on top of him until my mouth meets his and my legs spread wide. I want him inside of me, fucking me, making me whole.

  Our lips parts, we gasp for air, and he chuckles. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  “Mmm.” I don’t want to talk, I want to feel.

  I scoot down, his cock at my entrance, only thin fabric separating us.

  “Not yet.” Strong hands grip my waist just under my arms and suddenly I’m sliding up his body until the tips of my breasts are in his mouth.

  He doesn’t seem to mind the small size as he sucks and plays with one knee pressing the wetness between my legs. Squirming, I rub against him, my need growing.

  “Fuck, Lil. You’re so damn sweet.” An index finger slides aside my soaked panties, then presses into my clit. While he sucks, my nipples harden, and tiny threads of desire shoot to my core.

  A flashback
of ‘The Incident’ shoots across my inner eye but what’s going on is so different, the memory doesn’t linger. I’m fully conscious, fully willing, and the man under me, I’d trust with my life, if not my heart.

  He must sense a change in my mood because he stops what he’s doing, rolls us onto our sides facing each other, and studies my face.

  “You can stop at any time, you know.”

  I moan, close my eyes, and bang my head against the pillow. “Damn it, Slate, I’m about to come. I haven’t had an orgasm since…”

  Oh shit. Way too much information.

  “I got this, doctor.” He chuckles, steps off the bed, and pulls me by the knees until my calves dangle off the edge. Then, he slowly slides my panties down my legs, seducing me with his fingertips.

  Chapter 13

  Slate

  She’s way too sweet for a man like me. I have no idea where this incredible fuck may lead but it’s too late to start rethinking. All I want to do is to give her so much pleasure it will erase anything that ever happened before.

  I can’t believe how she responds to my every touch and when I kneel between her legs, her swollen pussy swells and she mews.

  Buddy must be worried because he barks and rushes into the room.

  “Sorry, pup. You’re too young for what I got in mind.”

  She giggles as I grab his collar, forcibly drag him out of the room and shut the door.

  “Where was I?” Kneeling beside the bed, I grab her legs just under the knees, spread her wide, and my heart thumps at the sight of her wet, swollen, flesh.

  I got you, gorgeous. I’m going to take you where you need to go.

  She stares from between her legs as she climbs onto her elbows. I hold her gaze as my tongue flicks over her clit.

  “Ah…” She bites her lower lip, opens her legs wider, and her clit blossoms more.

  I lick my finger, slowly press it into her, and curl my knuckle until her eyes roll. With my fingers locked inside her, I take her nub between my teeth and bite gently while pressing into her G-spot.

  Her heels dig into the side of the bed, her back arches, and she sucks in a deep breath.

  “Please, Slate, oh, shit.”

  Her begging sends more of my blood rushing south but I’m not entering until she cums hard. I squeeze her butt cheeks to press her up and into my mouth while my tongue plays with her bulging bud.

  “Oh God.” She bucks up and explodes into my mouth.

  About to cum, I fumble like a teen with my jeans, pull out a condom, and unwrap it with shaking hands. I roll it down my length while she eyes me like I’m some kind of God.

  Finally, I climb up her body and place my cock to her opening while she quivers, so fucking ready to take me.

  Slowly I sink into her sweet folds, watching her face for any sign of changing her mind. God help me if she does but dammit I’ll follow her lead.

  I enter her so deep, our cores meet. Still in the throes of ecstasy, she shivers with this round ‘oh’ on her lips.

  I swell against her walls, barely able to resist fucking her fast and hard. Resting on my elbows, my legs between hers I pull out.

  Her juices suck with a small pop and I wait for her to open her eyes. I need to see she’s all in, one hundred percent and fuck yeah, that’s what her gaze says.

  “Say you want me.”

  “Slate, I want you. Please don’t stop.” She wraps her legs around my waist and locks her heels to my lower back, the way I’ve dreamed of since first seeing them.

  The tip of my sensitive cock hits her liquid heat, I sink in fully, and moan. Slowly, we rock, building up momentum, me about to explode. My body slides over her sweaty chest, the smell of her intoxicating my senses. Her inner muscles tighten around me and I can’t stop.

  “Lilac. Oh fuck. You’re so damn sweet.” I coil and release, spurting deep into her, every synapse in my body firing into this pure heaven.

  Holy shit. I never experienced anything so fucking awesome. I can’t let it go and pulse more, wanting more of that high. Damn, just once and I’m addicted.

  “My God. What you do to me.” Not wanting to crush her, I turn onto my back while we’re still connected, close my eyes and just breathe. Her heart races in time to mine as beads of sweat roll off us, soaking the sheets. My right hand keeps touching her as if I don’t believe this is real. No one has ever made me feel like this.

  If I was scared before, now I’m petrified. She’s my opium, my fix, and I can’t wait to have her again.

  I don’t speak, worried anything I might say would lessen what we did so I hold, kiss her, and hope she understands the depth of my feelings.

  When her heart stops racing, she’s the first to speak. “Wow.”

  I chuckle and kiss her swollen lips, my cock swelling again inside her.

  Gently, I move in and out of her and she moans.

  “I want you. Don’t go.”

  Does she mean now, this summer, forever? “I’ll stay as long as you want.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Not even eleven. We got plenty of time.”

  In this cloud of no tomorrows, we make love again, and again.

  By midafternoon, we need some food and some sleep. We wake just in time to take a shower and take the dog for a walk.

  We walk hand in hand into the park, stopping to kiss every so often. The pup nudges us along until we take it to a jog.

  “You sure your shoulder is okay with this.” She squeezes my fingers, eyes concerned.

  “I’m good.” I laugh thinking of the other times I got shot and how much shorter the recovery time.

  She ups her pace and I follow, then take the lead for about a mile, making her work hard to keep up. At the top of the hill, we jump into the reservoir and rest on a rock, warming ourselves in the sun, hands or feet touching at all times.

  She closes her eyes. “Did you love your wife?”

  Wow. Where the hell did that come from.

  “Maybe, I did. We were real young. It wore off real fast when she cheated on me every time I deployed.”

  “Why didn’t you just divorce her?” She shifts up onto her elbows and raises her brows.

  “I should have but there was my kid. I wanted him to have a dad.” I sigh, wondering for the billionth time if I did the right thing.

  Then, I lie on the warm rock, staring at the clouds for a long time as I hold her hand.

  Her voice is soft when she turns her head and lifts her sunglasses. “I told you my baggage, you can tell me yours… that is if you want to.”

  Closing my eyes, memories flood of how I heard the news from my commanding officer. “No one knows for sure what happened that night. The police report said she was drinking and partying with her latest boyfriend. Apparently, she was headed to the grocery store with my son and was hit by a guy with more blood alcohol than hers. They say my son was killed instantly. Charlene lingered in the hospital for a few hours, unconscious.”

  Lilac’s soft palm covers mine, grounding me, bringing me to the present as I take a few deep breaths.

  “I came home for their funerals, finished my tour, and quit the Airforce. I was pretty much a mess when Grayson Patten hired me. He saved my ass. I owe him big time.”

  When I open my eyes, hers are there, boring a fucking hole into my soul. “You took a bullet for him, I’d say you paid him back.”

  “No. not even. I’d have to take a few to even the score. He and his wife made me part of their family. I’m their little girl’s godfather.”

  “They must be amazing people.”

  “Yeah, they are.”

  “What was your son’s name?”

  “Liam.” I pull his picture from my wallet, hand it to her, and my heart tightens. “This was taken at his preschool.”

  “He looks a lot like you.”

  “Yeah. I fucked up real bad leaving him with his mother. I should never have signed up for the last tour but I was making good money and my lord, she loved to spend it.”r />
  “High maintenance?”

  “You have no idea. Let’s swim, then we can eat and get into the city.”

  “What about Buddy?”

  “I’ll take him with us. He loves the jeep.”

  We walk down the hill, hand and hand, talking about stuff a lot less deep. At the carriage house, I kiss her long and hard.

  “We don’t have to go tonight.” She gives me a sly smile.

  “Nope. You’re not getting out of it that easily. Last night, I believe you had what most would call a breakthrough. And, after making love with me, even more so. Don’t you guys get chips for that?”

  She laughs and hits me on the arm. “That’s al-anon, dummy, and no, we don’t give prizes for mind-blowing sex. We just talk about our past and drink. Nothing more, nothing less.”

  “How about I meet you here at seven. It takes about an hour and a half to get into Brooklyn. Is that good?”

  “Sure.” She reaches around the back of my head and kisses me so soundly, I think we might need another quick fuck before we head out.

  As I recall, it’s been a while for her and I must’ve tired her out. I should give her time to recover and get ready.

  I let go her lips and whisper in her ear, “Later.”

  Buddy looks up and whines, so I pat his head. “C’mon boy, let’s get you cleaned up, too.”

  As a second thought, I remember her cabinets have nothing but noodles. “Are you hungry?”

  “Yeah but there’s really good food at Talon. I’ll eat there.”

  “Good. We guys usually have sandwiches and beer. See you in in a bit.”

  I can’t believe the sound that comes out of my chest when I leave her. I believe I’m humming.

  Chapter 14

  Lilac

  The upstairs bar at Talon is packed when Slate walks me in. I told him he could just leave me out front but he insisted on parking the jeep and coming inside with Buddy. At the front door, he kisses me possessively, long enough so everyone from the pool table to those sitting outside take notice. Then, he puts a hand to my lower back, tucks a thumb into my waistband. and walks me downstairs mumbling about how those idiots better not make a pass.