Lauren (14 page)

Standing in the bedroom doorway, the stench of mothballs and aftershave filled his nostrils. The old man was fast asleep, all alone in bed, and his deep snores vibrated against the bedroom walls.

The floor creaked. He stilled, and the old man stirred, then returned to snoring. It only took a matter of minutes to enter his house, and a mere second to slice his throat.

Pulling the cloth from his pocket, he wiped the blood off the blade, relishing in the kill. No more snores, no more gurgling, just silence.

Feeling accomplished, he made his way out of the bedroom.

He noticed the lack of family pictures. No photo albums of loved ones. At least, that he could see. Instead, there was emptiness. A cold, lonesome feeling made him smile. Everything was going so smoothly, he could only see complete success on the horizon.

Returning to the kitchen, also the entrance to the garage door, Ben located the keys to the well-maintained Cadillac Seville. They sat on a keychain, by the metal door that led to the garage.

He smiled as he read the words, in black permanent marker, above the hook:
Cadillac
. This was easier than he'd anticipated.

Ben knew he'd have a few days, if not a week, before anyone grew concerned about the old man.

He lived all alone, didn't appear to have close family, so odds were good that no one would come snooping right away.

He started the engine and exited the garage. No one would see a thing. He'd use the car to get to Creek Valley tonight, plant the body, and then head back up north.

Strategically, he planned each step, and by the time he reached his apartment complex, he knew it would all fall into place.

He couldn't just sit back and allow some stupid detectives to ruin his life, his purpose. They needed to pay for their interruption, and he would make them suffer.

By 4:00 a.m., he'd placed the body of Jillian Monroe in the back sitting area of his home complex. This would send a message to the police that he was serious, and they would never catch him.

Lauren arrived at her house around 10:00 p.m., and was pleasantly surprised to find Eddie waiting for her.

"Hey, what's going on? You're the last person I expected to see on my doorstep tonight. Didn't I just hang up the phone with you about twenty minutes ago?” She walked toward her front door, while he followed.

"Yeah, you did, and for a detective, you're not too swift. Didn't you get the hint about calling it a night, taking a break for a few hours? Any of this mean anything?” He stood by the steps, arms crossed in front of his chest.

She eyed him from head to toe, then nervously unlocked the front door. Her hands shook a bit, and a funny feeling crept into her stomach. The sight of him instantly rejuvenated her.

"All right, so I didn't catch the hint, but why didn't you just tell me you were in the city?"

"I wanted to surprise you,” he whispered, as they entered the house, and he closed the door behind him.

"To surprise me, huh?” She tilted her head sideways. He looked away a moment, and his gaze took in the surroundings.

"I got in the car and just drove. Did you hear what the media is calling our killer?” He didn't hide his anger.

"Yeah. The Co-ed Killer! How original?” Lauren tossed her keys on the front table by the door.

"Nice place, Phelps. Pretty neat, too.” Eddie strolled around to the living room, taking a closer look at a collage of pictures on the wall.

"Thanks, Tennellie, and you did surprise me.

It's only neat because I'm hardly ever here. How about a drink? I've got water, beer, soda, juice. What's your pleasure?” she yelled from the kitchen, as she took a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. The usual routine for her.

"I'll take a water,” he said, from behind the refrigerator door, surprising her. She smiled, handing him the bottled water.

Eddie took a sip and stared at Lauren, as she took another slug of water, then leaned against the counter.

Questioning for the umpteenth time why he was here, he contemplated running for the door, or grabbing Lauren around the waist and taking her against the counter. His insecurities were getting the best of him, but damn it, he couldn't get her off his mind. This case was driving him crazy. So, he'd just hopped in the car and headed to the city.

Now, that old but steady guilt was creeping into his chest. He shouldn't be here. How could he want another woman, when he'd promised Sarah he would love her forever?

Eddie walked toward Lauren and peeked over her shoulder, trying to focus on something, anything, he could see outside, in the backyard. His body tingled at their closeness, but his gut continued to battle with guilt.

It was hopeless. Lauren stood right next to him, watching him. He could smell her perfume, and he imagined how much deeper, intense, the tingling would be if he could just touch her. In his mind, he saw his hand reach out to her. He closed his eyes, and fought the desire.
She doesn't want me. She could have anyone she wants.
Eddie grabbed a hold of the counter and bowed his head, feeling defeated.

Lauren's hand covered his own. Did he just jump? Did she notice? Even this caused a struggle within him.

Pull away ... don't pull away. You know you want her.

Could she hear his heartbeat? To him, it sounded like a thousand drums pounding next to his ear.

She stared into his eyes. It was as if she knew he was struggling. Eddie could just imagine what went through her mind. She was a strong woman, one who would demand answers. He wasn't weak. He could do this. He wanted this. Tilting his head toward her, she eyed him seductively, and his heart sped up. She probably wondered what was wrong with him, why was he in her home, and why hadn't he made a move yet?

Their hands touched, and he looked straight at a confident, sexy Lauren.

"Why are you really here, Tennellie?” The tough Bronx attitude in her voice turned him on, but he didn't respond. There was a war going on inside of him. Not as simple as good verses evil. That win would be easy, in his book. Instead, it was a struggle between the past and all his guilt, against the present and his desire to have Lauren.

He absorbed the beautiful features of her face, the confident way she stood there, staring back at him. He wanted to reach for her, grab her, and pull her into his arms. He could see himself doing it, but the deep, guilty feeling tugged at his insides. Frustration must have seeped from his pores, or perhaps she was some kind of mind reader, and knew he was afraid.
Amazing.

Lauren gently brushed her fingertips over his hand, then up his arm. Her persistence gave him courage, and the bit of push he needed to overcome the past.

Eddie absorbed the gentleness and strength in her touch. His body reacted. His stomach muscles tightened. He almost stepped away from her. Almost.

Lauren didn't budge. She lovingly squeezed his hand, before he could retreat, and ran her fingertips up his forearm again, then back down to his hand. She watched him with intent, seemed to absorb the scent of his desire.

Eddie could hear her heartbeat. She pulled his hand toward her. It was as if she knew he needed her to make the first move.

A moment later, he stood in front of her, with his hands on either side of her, braced on the edge of the counter. He bowed his forehead against the top of her head, and sighed in slight release. He still felt as if he held fate itself in his hands.

"Talk to me, Tennellie,” she whispered, then laid her hands against his forearms.

Persistent woman ... She isn't making this easy for me ... Relentless cop.

The thought stirred something inside him, as his hands crept up her hips. He held her gaze, before taking a breath.

"I missed you, Phelps,” he whispered back, taking her face in his hands, and pressing his body against hers.

"That's a start. I missed you, too."

They embraced one another, both sighing. Was she just as relieved they were no longer apart? He couldn't help but wonder, as the aroma of wildflowers filled his nostrils. A fragrance he'd been forced to admire from a distance, until now. One he looked forward to letting invade his senses, every time they shared a room. He inhaled deeply, and held her close. It was an intense moment. The attraction and emotion ran deep, as if they'd consummated their relationship, their bond, and they were already lovers.

Eddie knew he wanted her, had to be inside her. She was just too irresistible.

Lauren felt Eddie's lips against her neck. He kissed her softly, trailing his mouth across her earlobe to her cheek, then her lips. Her heart beat faster, and she wanted more. She wrapped her arms around his neck. They kissed deeply.

She grabbed a hold of his shirt, pulling him closer against her, as his mouth ravaged hers.

"Don't push me away this time. I want you, Eddie. I don't want to stop,” she whispered between kisses, then moved her mouth across his neck, sucking then nibbling.

"I want you too, Lauren. I need you."

They moved away from the counter, and continued to kiss, until Eddie bent down and picked her up, cradling her body in his arms.

He stopped by the staircase. “Are you sure?"

She smiled and nodded. “Are you, Eddie? I don't want you to regret this.” She hoped the fear of him saying no and stopping wasn't apparent on her face.

Eddie placed her feet on the plush beige carpeting, and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her deeply.

"I've been thinking about this moment. Now, show me to your room."

She took him by his hand. They quickly headed up the stairs, and to the bedroom.

Eddie and Lauren swiftly disarmed themselves, placing their revolvers, badges, and handcuffs on the dresser, by the bed.

She tossed off her shoes, and he did the same, with their gazes still locked on one another.

Eddie grabbed for her waist, undoing the black, thin leather belt she wore, pulling it hard out of the loops, then tossing it across the rug. He placed his hands against her hipbones, thrusting them against his own.

She held his face, then placed her mouth over his, and their tongues embraced. It was a race against time, against the overwhelming desire and need they shared, as they anticipated becoming one.

Breathlessly, she pulled at his snug-fitting t-shirt, assisting him as he pulled it over his head.

She placed her palms against his chest, then wrapped her arms around him, while her mouth found light pink flesh. She twirled her tongue around it, teasing, nibbling.

He moaned.

Eddie ran his fingers over her back, then up to her hair.

She could feel his palms against her neck as he pulled her face up toward his, kissing her again. Then he pulled away to look into her eyes.

He was breathless. Undoing the large, shell hair clip, he watched her hair fall against her shoulders and arms.

"I love your hair. The way you dress and present yourself. You're so classy, so sexy.” He glided his hands through it. Bringing a handful to his lips, he inhaled. “I wanted to do that so bad. Almost as bad as I wanted to do this.” Eddie grabbed for her, kissing her passionately while he grabbed at her blouse. The last two buttons wouldn't budge, and he impatiently ripped the blouse off.

Her eyes widened in delight, and she helped him remove his pants with the same urgency he'd just shown her.

"You're perfect, absolutely perfect,” he whispered.

She smiled.

They kissed and embraced. Lauren wondered if he felt just as complete as she did, when their bodies were wedged together like one.

She took in the sight of his solid body. He was muscular, but not as buff as she first assumed him to be. She was glad he had a little extra meat on him. He was perfect.

Eddie pulled her close against his chest. He kissed her neck, sending goose bumps over her entire body. Then, he moved his mouth over her chest, taking as much of her breast as he could into his mouth.

Lauren moaned low and soft while leaning back. A sure sign she wanted him to take her.

Eddie leaned her body across the bed, gliding the palms of his hands over her skin, gently spreading her legs, wanting this first encounter to be memorable and long. The palms of his hands glided over her silky, smooth skin. Impressed by the definition in her toned thighs, his fingertips took their time exploring up and down her body. He caught his breath, and felt the increased tempo of his heartbeat.

He knelt down onto the floor first, caressing her ankles, her shins, then her luscious thighs again, thoroughly feeling her womanly curves. The sensation of being intoxicated, from the feel of her skin beneath his hands, caused him to lose his breath again. He had to taste her. Placing his lips against her inner thighs, he nibbled and sucked. The sensation overwhelmed him, as he squeezed her knees a little tighter.

He glanced up at her, wondering if she felt the same way he did. Eyes closed, back arching with each inch of progress he made, she appeared goddess-like. Entranced by the scene and emotion, he watched her roll her head, then open her eyes dreamily.

He hadn't realized he stopped, until Lauren's lustful stare brought him back to the present. Giving her a smile, then returning to the task at hand, he proceeded to explore every inch of her amazing body. Every toned muscle along her calf and thigh, and the deep embedded lines of her flat, incredibly hard abs, then back down again.

Slowly, he spread tiny kisses up from her delicate, cream-colored kneecap, until he found what he desired most.

She lay back on the bed, enjoying every moment. Her body revealed just how much she relished being touched this way.

Desire flowed from her. Her response to his touch was instinctive. She growled, with apparent need to feel his lips against her skin, once more.

Eddie devoured her, and when he got his fill, he continued his journey with his tongue, making a trail across her belly, to the mound of flesh he'd admired.

A new fight raged within him. It was the desire to be inside her, and the need to take his time, explore her further. To give into the trance Lauren's little moans and pleas pulled him deeper into.