chapter 36
HUNTER
“WE’VE FOUND A FOOTPRINT at the scene,” Officer Bates says on the phone. “So we’re going to go from there. If we had a DNA match that would be ideal.”
“Thanks for keeping me updated,” I tell him, saying ’bye and hanging up. At least they found something. I’m hoping they can link the blaze to Jeremy.
Kat steps into my office and sits down. “Do you have any snacks? I’m hungry.”
“What do you feel like?” I ask.
“Sweet and savory,” is her unhelpful reply.
I open my drawer and pull out some jalapeño-flavored chips and some taffy. “This will hopefully hold you down until someone does a store run.”
“Thanks,” she says, opening the packet of chips. “I’ve been throwing up all morning. It’s awful, Hunter. I can’t keep anything down. I don’t want to live on a diet of water sips and crackers.”
“How do you feel about the whole thing?” I ask her. “It wasn’t planned, I’m assuming?”
“No, it wasn’t. I was upset at the start. I’m right where I want to be, you know? I’m working my way up and becoming an asset to this firm. It’s my dream come true. I cried when I found out, Hunter. Cried. I don’t think that’s normal. But then I went to get my scan, and I saw him. Or her. And . . . well, I think I fell in love. There’s never a right time for these things. I’m blessed. I’m financially secure, and we already have two beautiful children, and . . .” She takes a deep breath. “And I think . . . I think I’m happy. It’s all going to work out, and my kid is going to be beautiful, just like his or her momma.”
“Good,” I say, smiling at her. “Now, if you need to throw those up, please exit my office.”
“Jerk,” she mutters, shoving another chip in her mouth. “You’re going to miss me when Callie gets here. She would never share her snacks with you. She’ll probably lick them so you won’t touch them. And the bitch is chatty.”
She grins, licks her fingers, and heads back to her own office.
Fuck.
Callie can’t be that bad, right?
“I COULD GET USED to this,” I murmur, as I step into my bedroom after work to see Riley laying there, naked.
“Well, now that I’m unemployed, here is where you’ll find me. I can be your sex slave,” she says, biting her lower lip, and pushing up on all fours. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Oh, have you, and why is that exactly?” I ask, taking off my jacket and tie. “What have you been doing in my bed while I’ve been at work?”
“Not eating chips and leaving crumbs everywhere,” she snickers, sliding off the bed and coming over to help me undo the buttons on my white shirt. “I cooked us dinner.”
I definitely could get used to this.
“What did you make? You’re spoiling me, babe,” I say, as she removes my shirt, leaving me in black slacks.
“Steak,” she replies. “With all the sides. I’m . . . hungry.”
I know the look she’s giving me. She’s not hungry for food. I slowly remove my belt, her eyes widening as I hold it in my hands, arching a brow at her. “Have you been a good girl today?”
“No,” she replies instantly, shaking her head. “What are you going to do about it?”
I drop the belt to the floor, spin her around and push her onto the bed on her stomach. I bring my hand down on her ass, one sharp slap, one that makes her jump.
“Ouch.”
I grin, spread her legs and start to lick her pussy from behind. She moans and arches her back, giving me more access. I slap her ass again, and this time I get a moan in response. I know she’s about to come by the way her thighs start to tremble. I love it when she comes. The sounds she makes, the way she tastes, the fact that I know I’ve pleased her; I love it all. I get hard just from going down on her.
“Hunter,” she moans, and I slide my finger inside of her, throwing her over the edge. Her moans get louder, and louder, and I continue to lick and suck on her clit, letting her ride out the pleasure for as long as she can. She quiets when she’s finished, and I stand and remove my slacks and boxer shorts, and then slide into her wet pussy, groaning as the heat surrounds my cock, squeezing the life out of me.
“Fucking hell, Riley,” I whisper under my breath, my teeth clenched. I pull out and roll her over onto her side, in the spooning position, lay behind her and slide back in, my lips on her neck, sucking playfully. I slow the pace, going deeper than before, and reach down to play with her clit.
“Hunter,” she whispers, turning her face toward me.
“Yeah?”
“I love you,” she says, and then kisses me.
When she pulls away, I smile, and say against her lips, “Babe, I think I’ve loved you from the moment I first laid my eyes on you.”
We come together for the first time, finally all of our walls down, showing our true selves to each other.
No boundaries.
Guards down.
Giving ourselves to each other.
Sometimes, rarely, if you’re lucky, you will put yourself out there for someone.
You’ll take a gamble. A chance. Put your heart on the line.
And it will pay off.
And fuck, that feeling is indescribable.
“WE HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCE now, don’t you think?” Jaxon says to Officer Bates. The police seemed confused about why lawyers were involved, until Jaxon explained that he was a friend of Riley’s. I don’t know what else he did, but the police seem to be doing their job as quickly and effectively as they can. Jaxon’s name carries a lot of weight in this town, and everyone in law enforcement respects him.
“The fingerprint doesn’t match, and the footprint is in his size, but a lot of men could be that size. We need to find the exact pair of shoes to prove he was the one who set the fire.”
They’d found fingerprints on a side window someone must have tried to open but wasn’t able to, but apparently they aren’t Jeremy’s. Did he have an accomplice, maybe? If the shoe matches, I think that’s enough to make a case against him. I’d love to hear what the asshole’s alibi is.
“Let us do our job,” he tells us. “I’ll let you know as soon as we know something. Right now we have no probable cause to search Mr. Rodgers’s house.”
We agree and head back to work.
“Are we sure it was him? The fingerprints weren’t a match,” Jaxon asks, sounding unsure.
“The shoe size did though. And he has the motive,” I say, my jaw tight. “Are you thinking otherwise?”
“I don’t know; it’s just too obvious,” Jaxon murmurs, lost in thought. “He had to have known we’d all suspect him first. Maybe he paid someone to do it. He has enough money to do so, and it would explain the fingerprints.”
“Maybe,” I agree. “I don’t know. I guess we will have to see what the police find out. If it’s him though, what a clusterfuck. I can’t believe he’d do this to Riley, even if he paid someone to do it. She told me he came by and there was a moment where she saw pain. But you don’t do this because you are in pain. You do this because you have some serious issues. He’s such a selfish fuck.”
“You’re right, he’s clearly got some issues he needs to work out,” Jaxon comments, opening the door for me, like a gentleman. “He can sort them out in prison.”
“Thanks for opening the door for me, you cutie.”
“Any time, honey.”
“Do you two need some time alone?” Scarlett asks from where she sits perched on Yvonne’s desk, amusement dancing in her eyes. “I can come back later.”
I give her a hug and pull back, arms still around her. “I haven’t seen you in so long. Where have you been?”
“Working.” She smiles, her floral scent filling the office. “I thought I’d surprise my man by taking him out to dinner, only to catch him flirting with you.”
“He’s my office husband. You know I’ll always be his first love,” I tease, stepping back and letting Jaxon approach her. “I can cover for you, Jaxon, if you need to bail.”
“Thanks, man,” he says, taking Scarlett’s hand in his. “I better give her some attention before she leaves me.”
I smirk and watch the two lovebirds leave.
“They are such a cute couple,” Yvonne comments, heaving a big sigh.
“When are you going to find a man, Yvonne?”
“When hell freezes over,” she replies, smirking, her red lips lifting at the corners.
“I’ll set you up, if you can’t find anyone,” I say, poking the beast. “I know a few men. They aren’t very fussy.”
She throws her notepad at me.
I duck and run to my office to hide.
Who said working in an office all day was boring?