Authors: Joanne Ellis
Tags: #kidnap, #murder mystery, #police procedural, #romance, #serial killer
Lucas brought his mouth back up to hers as he slipped his
fingers between her legs. She groaned into his mouth and while
continuing to massage her, his mouth came down to taste her nipples
again.
As she arched her back and cried out, he lingered for a
moment, teasing her with his fingers before removing his hand. He
brought his mouth back to hers as he plunged inside her. She
gripped his shoulders while he cradled her head. Their mouths
remained together as he eased into a leisurely rhythm.
“
Oh Lucas,” she breathed out her pleasure as he gradually
increased the intensity.
He brought them both to the brink and back, wanting to prolong
the feeling of her. When she arched up to meet him, he slowed the
pace so he could bring her to the peak of desire once more. He
kissed her neck and face as she gripped his back. Gradually he
intensified his movements and when, for the third time, she tensed,
arched her back and cried out with intense pleasure, he groaned
along with her, as they united in pleasure.
He lay beside her, pulling her in close as he attempted to
reclaim his breath. Her pleasure-filled panting almost had him
wanting to start again.
“
Now that was much better than I imagined,” he said
huskily.
“
Yes it was,” she said with a contented smile, her eyes
melting into his.
“
I aim to please.”
“
I’m very pleased,” she said, running her fingers over his
chest and stomach.
He lay for a few moments enjoying her gentle touch, before
sitting up. He took her hand, grabbed the covers from the bed and
led her outside onto the balcony. He sat down on the chair and
gestured for her to sit on his lap. Once she did, he wrapped the
covers around them.
“
It’s so beautiful up here at night,” she said.
“
You’re beautiful.” He kissed her tenderly.
“
You’re not too bad yourself.” She smiled.
He cleared his throat. “Chelsea … ”
“
If you need to ask me more questions, you can. I’m feeling
pretty relaxed right now.”
“
I know it’s not the best time but we have to find out who
might be doing this.”
“
Please ask and get it over with.”
“
Are you absolutely sure that Wesley wouldn’t be doing
this?”
She nodded.
“
Do you know much about his family - why he may have been
envious of you and your family life?”
“
The only things I know about his family are what the police
told me. I really can’t imagine it could be him. He was sweet and
never seemed to be bothered by anything. Like I said, he was a
little in awe of my family’s house but never gave any indication
during our three years together that he was jealous in any way. We
were getting married, what was mine would have been his. I believe
he left me because either he couldn’t go through with the wedding
or perhaps he just didn’t actually love me. Besides it’s been a
year, if he really felt that way, wouldn’t he have done something
before now?”
“
Resentment builds over time and a lot of planning would have
gone into this.”
“
I still think you’re looking in the wrong
direction.”
“
Well, alright, what about people you went to school with or
grew up with? Was there anyone in particular that seemed to have
singled you out?’
“
No, it wasn’t just one person, and it was a long time
ago.”
“
Like I said, resentment and hatred builds over
time.”
“
There is 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.”
“
Gavin, my pickup and 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 different set times each
day.”
“
What does he look like?”
“
He’s married,” she said, looking up at him.
He gave her a stern look.
“
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 lovely 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, 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.
“
Yes, 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 Mum 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.”
He groaned 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 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 awoke 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 moth to the flame, 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 leant over to kiss her, 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?
He pulled on his pants and decided to see if he could get some
coffee organised for them. Chelsea was fast asleep, 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 as 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 paralysing
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 with Chelsea. 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. 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 mum?”
“
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.”
He stood abruptly, dropped his cup 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. Spoilt 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.
“
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?”