Her words were like a balm, soothing over him in a way that he hadn’t felt since Sally used to take care of his scraped knees. He sucked in a breath through his nose that he felt hitch on its way to his lungs, and his arms tightened around her. “You make me happy, Belinda. You make me want to be better. You make me want to⁠—”

  “I don’t want you to change, Aaron. You don’t need to change for me.” Her eyes reflected the depth of her sincerity, imploring him to grasp the truth of her confession. “I just want you, but only if you want me, too.” Her gentle laughter, tinged with a hint of nervousness, broke through, lightening the moment. “That sounds like we’re in elementary school passing notes… if you like me, check the box.”

  He chuckled, and warmth eased the tightness in his chest. “Okay. If you like me, will you check the box?”

  “Yes,” she confirmed with a radiant smile. “I’ll check the box, Aaron. I really like you.” Then she held his gaze, peering deeply. “What about you?”

  The urge to capture her lips in a kiss was overwhelming. It wouldn’t be the first time, but it would be the first time he knew without doubt or questioned what he wanted, what he felt, and what he would fight to keep. “I’m crazy about you, too, Belinda. I want to be with you. Only you. And I want to be worthy of you.”

  The air crackled between them as their gazes locked and words fled. Pizza, éclairs, and beer no longer held his attention. All he wanted was her. But he hesitated… he knew he was all in, but would she believe him?

  Suddenly, she tossed her paper plate onto the coffee table and lunged at him. He barely had time to get his plate onto the coffee table so that he could wrap his arms around her as their lips met. The kiss wasn’t slow and gentle. It was wild, with tongues tangling, noses bumping, his beard scraping her chin, and her fingernails scraping along his chest.

  He’d landed on his back, and she wasted no time straddling him. They’d gone from zero to sixty in only a few seconds, but desire flooded his being, and his cock had reacted instantly. She sucked on his tongue. Groans, pants, moans, and even grunts sounded out in the small apartment, but he had no idea which sound came from which mouth.

  They both gave in to the rush of need as the kiss flamed hotter. Suddenly, her mouth was gone from his, and he blinked up at her in surprise. Belinda had sat up while still straddling him, her warmth pressing against his erection and jerked her shirt off, whipping it over her head.

  “Whoa… what… damn,” he moaned. “Sweetheart, we don’t have to⁠—”

  “Shut up, Aaron,” she said, grinning as she lifted his hands to her breasts. “You’re ruining my spontaneous moment.”

  He rocked his torso upward, sliding his hands around her back. “Babe, I don’t want to ruin anything. But it would kill me to be your regret.”

  She clutched his face. “No regrets, Aaron. You, me, us, here, now.”

  He chuckled at her succinct statement. “Well, all right.” He pulled her tighter, sealing his lips over hers, while she made quick work of discarding her bra. Her hand tugged at his shirt, and he took over, grabbing the back and jerking it over his head.

  Now, breasts to chest, she leaned back and grinned. “Damn, you are gorgeous. Smooth, tanned skin over muscles that look photoshopped. You could really give a girl a complex, you know!”

  Chuckling, he dropped his gaze to her breasts tipped with rosy nipples just ripe for the plucking. “Talk about photoshopped, sweetheart. You’ve got the body of a goddess.”

  She leaned closer and whispered against his lips, “And it’s all for you.”

  Sucking in a hasty breath, he needed more room to do everything to her that he wanted and she deserved. Shifting his hands to her ass, he shifted so that both feet were on the floor. He stood, keeping her in his arms while she wrapped her legs around his waist. Walking to her bedroom, he laid her on the bed, and his hands went to her jeans. Working them down her legs, he snagged her panties along the way. Now, with her spread out before him, his gaze slowly moved from the tips of her toes to her beautiful smile. Awed and humbled, he understood the gift she was giving him. Not just her body but her trust. And he would do everything he could to care for the treasure.

  Her arms reached out, and she wiggled her fingers. But he wasn’t about to rush. He shucked his shoes, socks, and pants after grabbing a condom from his wallet. Once naked, he crawled over her body, trailing kisses along the way until he came to her sex. Burying his head between her thighs, he inhaled deeply, the scent of her arousal like a nectar enticing the bee. With the flat of his tongue, he licked her and discovered the taste of her was just as enticing as the scent. “Better than a fuckin’ éclair.”

  “Damn, Aaron,” she groaned, her hips moving toward him even more.

  He thrust his tongue inside, and her growl met his ears.

  “Oh my God.” His moans almost drowned out her words.

  Wanting her to lose control in the same way he felt his slipping, he assaulted her senses with his tongue now teasing her nub as he added a finger deep inside her sex, crooking it to find the spot that would take her over the edge. With his other hand, he reached up, gliding his fingers over her sensitive skin to reach her breast, where he pinched a taut nipple.

  He kept up the pressure, noting when her breathing hitched and her fingers clutched the comforter. She cried out his name, and he’d never heard anything better. Then he felt the flutters from deep inside and knew he’d never felt anything better.

  Slowly crawling up her body, he trailed more kisses over her soft skin, reveling in each discovery. He pulled one nipple deeply into his mouth, and she wrapped her legs around his waist again. While he moved between her breasts, she locked her ankles behind him, holding him tightly to her, but in truth, he needed no encouragement to tie their bodies together.

  He was about to reach for the condom when she beat him to it. She ripped open the packet, and with a sparkle in her blue eyes, she lifted a brow. “May I?”

  “Hell, yeah.” He winced as she rolled the condom on.

  She gasped, “Oh, did I hurt you.”

  “No way, sweetheart. It was just the feel of your fingers on me. Fuckin’ amazing.”

  She grinned as he settled over her, his hips separating her thighs as his cock rested at her entrance.

  His gaze rested on hers, the feel of her gentle fingers tracing patterns on his shoulders causing his breath to hitch. “You need to know…”

  Her brows furrowed slightly. “Know what?”

  He held her gaze, then lowered himself to a whisper away from her lips. “Know that I am yours. Completely. Body, soul, and heart, Belinda.”

  Sucking in a gasp, she blinked the moisture that he could see had gathered. Closing the distance, he kissed her lightly. She shifted her hips upward as he thrust and was immediately fully sheathed. It felt like sliding into heaven.

  They matched each other in movements, their bodies so perfectly aligned he knew he’d found his match… and his mate. Holding his chest over hers with his weight on his forearms, his hands cupped her face. Their eyes never wavered as the sensations of his cock dragging through her tight channel overtook all other thoughts.

  He bent to kiss her again but managed to keep it light as her breaths came in pants. Alternating between fast and slow thrusts, he knew he was close to coming and wanted her pleasure to join his. Reaching between them, he fingered her swollen, tender nub.

  Her nails dug in as her head pressed back against the comforter, and she cried his name again. As her inner muscles squeezed his cock, he followed her in his own release.

  Slowly continuing to pump until he was drained, he gathered her in his arms, rolling slightly until they rested side by side, heartbeat to heartbeat.

  21

  Aaron noted the long line as he stepped into Bess’s Bakery, but seeing Belinda would be worth it. She looked up and caught his eye, then waved him forward. Uncertain, he moved past the line and stepped to the counter. He’d left her apartment early in the morning to shower and change at his place. Now, he wished he could carry Belinda upstairs and make the world disappear again as they had last night.

  “Here you go, Aaron. And I have one for Sam, too.”

  Belinda placed two cups of coffee on the counter in a cardboard carrier. “I knew you’d have little time but hoped you would stop by.”

  Touched, he said, “Damn, Belinda. This’ll hit the spot.” He held her gaze and then sighed. “Things may be tight for a while until we make more headway⁠—”

  She waved her hand dismissively. “You don’t have to explain. Just take care of yourself.”

  “You’re taking photos this weekend for the wedding, right?”

  “Yes. You’ll be there?”

  He nodded. “Weddings aren’t really my thing, but I worked with the deputy when he was a rookie.”

  The sound of someone clearing their throat behind him sent the reminder that he was holding up the line. He picked up the two cups and stepped back. “Thanks.” With her smile warm upon him, he headed back to his SUV.

  The sound of rapidly approaching footsteps caused him to turn around. Seeing Belinda jogging toward him sent a smile over his face. “Hey, did I forget something?”

  She slowed as she approached, her smile tentative. “Yeah.” She nodded. “I forgot to wish you a good day. Well, I know it might not be a good day with what you are working on, but I wanted you to know I was thinking of you.”

  He turned and set the coffee cups on the hood of his SUV before turning back. Opening his arms, she hurried into his embrace, and for a moment, the two stayed entwined. Her head was tucked under his chin, the delicate scent of the tropics tickling his senses. Her soft curves fit perfectly against his chest. The feel of her hands on his back as her arms encircled him made the day fade away until it was just the two of them.

  Finally, she pulled back and looked up, holding his gaze. “Have a good day, Aaron.”

  “Having it start with you in my arms will make it the best day, sweetheart.”

  Her smile widened, and their lips met. Keeping the kiss light, they separated. She continued to walk backward with him in her sights until it was no longer safe for her to do so in the parking lot. She tossed him a wave, turned, and then jogged back to the coffee shop.

  He stood for a moment and breathed deeply, taking in all that was Belinda. Her giving him a second chance was an act of faith on her part and one he wouldn’t take for granted. Picking up the coffee containers, he settled into his SUV, ready to face the day.

  “Missing person report may be a match,” Sam called out as Aaron walked into the room. Aaron placed Bess’s coffee on Sam’s desk and grinned at the groan of delight that left his partner’s lips.

  “Thanks, man. This is so needed. I got here early… couldn’t fucking sleep last night. But take a look at this.” He handed the paper to Aaron, who scanned the information, reading off the most pertinent.

  “William Lionel Gaston. Goes by Bill. Forty-three years old. A financial broker from Richmond. Wife called police last evening when he didn’t come home from his trip and didn’t answer his phone.” He pulled out the photo the wife had provided to the Richmond Police Department, which was now attached to the statewide missing person report. Nodding, he said, “It looks like him. If you want to call them to get with Cora, I’ll let her know what we’re looking at.”

  Two hours later, the Richmond Police lead detective for the missing man called and confirmed that the dental records matched.

  “Detective Williams, did his wife say why he was in the area?” Aaron asked.

  “All she said was that he was visiting some clients,” Detective Williams replied. “She reported he had clients all over the country and, of course, numerous ones in Virginia. I’m requesting a list of clients in Virginia and Maryland from his brokerage company. I’ve already spoken to his assistant, who said he was on his way to Maryland and then was coming back through the Virginia Beach area, but she didn’t know of any specific clients he was scheduled to meet other than one in Maryland. I’ll fax it to you as soon as I get it.”

  “Any chance he was here on pleasure and not business?”

  The detective sighed. “I asked her that and thought she was going to bite my head off. Claims he’s one of the great family men who would never step out on her.”

  “But you have doubts?”

  “Can’t say I have doubts, but I’ve been in this job too long to take things at face value. So he may have been in the area just to see clients, or he may have had another reason. We pulled his phone records, and I have to admit that I didn’t see anything suspicious.”

  Thanking the detective, Sam and Aaron looked at each other. “Okay,” Aaron began. “Bill comes to the area to visit a client and gets himself shot and dumped into the water. Robbery? Is he into something his wife doesn’t know about? Maybe someone didn’t like the way the stock market was going?”

  “Ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time?” Sam continued.

  “What about the fact that his body wasn’t just taken out into the bay but was weighed down? That took some thought.”

  “If he didn’t use his personal phone to set up appointments, what about his work phone? I’ll call them to see if they used a landline.”

  “I’ll call Andy and see if the VMP can give us tide and current information for the past three days.”

  A few hours later, he and Sam sat with Colt as they updated him on what they’d learned.

  “The currents in the bay on our side of the Chesapeake run northeast. I have a tide chart from the Coast Guard, but Andy and Ryan gave me their best guesstimates.” Ryan was the local Virginia Marine Police chief and worked hand in hand with the North Heron Sheriff’s Department.

  “Since the body washed up within two days, probably less according to Cora, then they surmised he couldn’t have been taken out too far from the shore.”

  “So not as far out as where the cargo freighters docked in the bay?” Colt asked.

  “No. They’re north of where the body was found and would be too far away from the shoreline to make it with a weighed-down body.”

  “Do we know what was used to anchor the body?”

  “Not yet. Cora sent the rope fibers she found to the state forensic unit for analysis. Who the fuck knows when we’ll get something back on that,” Sam said.

  “Could be fucking months,” Colt muttered.

  “Sheriff? Detectives?”

  The three men looked up as one of the support staff stuck her head in the room. “I know you were waiting on this.” She walked in and handed Aaron several pieces of paper. “It’s the deceased man’s list of clients in Virginia and Maryland.”

  “Thank you, Sonya,” he said, taking the papers and eagerly scanning the list to check the addresses. His finger moved down the information, stopping on a familiar name. Looking at Sam with wide eyes, he said, “You won’t fucking believe who one of his clients is? Harry Malroney.”

  Sam’s gaze jumped from Aaron to Colt. “As soon as we question him, he’ll threaten to call the governor.”

  “I don’t give a shit,” Colt said. Pinning them both with hard stares, he said, “Go by the book, detectives, but rattle his cage.”

  With a grin, Aaron and Sam took to their feet, heading to the parking lot. It was late afternoon by the time they arrived at the gate of Harry’s million-dollar beach house. They had been there a couple of months ago when Harry reported thefts from several of his massive rental beach houses. In the course of their investigation, they’d seen two of his rentals and then another one the day they were called about the body washing up on shore.

  Ringing the bell at the gate, they announced themselves, and it automatically opened. Aaron chuckled, gaining Sam’s attention. “Just thinking, I can’t imagine living with a security gate.”

  “Hell, at my house, I’d settled for a better fenced-in backyard since the kids want to get a dog.”

  “With your luck, the dog would dig up another skeleton,” Aaron said.

  Sam groaned. “Jesus, you’re probably right.”

  The Malroney’s house was just as magnificent, with the sunset in the background as the last time they had been there. Ringing the doorbell, they were prepared for Harry, but a petite woman with a sweet face answered the door instead. “Yes?”

  “Detectives Shackley and Bergstrom from the North Heron’s Sheriff’s Department, ma’am,” Sam said.

  She stepped back and waved her hand. “Please, come in, detectives. I’m Ruthanne Malroney. Harry is just coming in from the back⁠—”

  “Who’s here, Ruthanne?”

  “Detectives from the North Heron’s Sheriff’s Department⁠—”

  “What do they want?” Harry barked as he walked into the two-story entry foyer. As usual, he was dressed in casual clothes that belied the man’s financial state.

  Aaron shot his gaze to Ruthanne, but much to his surprise, she smiled indulgently at her husband as she walked to him. Sidling up next to him, she patted his stomach and said, “If you’d be a little less blustery and a little more accommodating, I’m sure these gentlemen will tell you why they’re here.”

  Aaron braced in anticipation of Harry’s sharp tongue and felt Sam do the same. But much to his surprise, Harry’s ever-present scowl softened as he looked down at his wife.

  She met his smile with a warmer one of her own before she turned to the detectives. “Would you like to come in and sit down?”

  “I’m sure they won’t be staying that long,” Harry interjected. He aimed his narrow-eyed glare their way. “Are those renters of mine threatening to break their lease and involving the police?”

  “No, Mr. Malroney,” Sam began. “But we do have some questions about the deceased that we need to ask you.”

  “Me? What the hell do I have to do with anything?” he blustered, causing Ruthanne to flutter her hands in front of her.

  “Harry, if you don’t calm down, your blood pressure will shoot back up again.” She turned to Sam and Aaron. “Detectives, I’m a firm believer that conversations are better when people are comfortable. Let’s go into the den, and you can ask your questions.”