As his heart rate slowed back down, he replayed their lovemaking. Passionate and intense one minute. Tender and slow the next. Stirring, she rolled toward him.
“Nightmare?” Her voice was soft and soothing, but knowing, too.
“Yeah, but I’m okay.”
“Let me make you feel better.” A sly smile graced her mouth and lit up her beautiful eyes.
Heat suffused his chest as she traced her fingertips over his skin. Her slow, provocative kiss had him moaning, but when she slithered beneath the sheet and took his hardened cock into her mouth, every muscle in his body turned to steel.
Carly drew primal sounds out of him with her licking and sucking. Her hums and moans turned him harder still. He tossed back the sheet and moved her hair out of the way to admire her sensual talents. She cradled his balls and he murmured her name. Her pace was deliciously slow, the build sending a constant stream of pleasure surging through him.
“Oh, Christ, Carly, you’re sending me to the fucking moon.”
Her throaty hum vibrated through him. When she increased her pace, he closed his eyes and surrendered to the ecstasy until he had no more left to give. As he drifted back to earth, she attended to his knotted thigh with gentle kneading, then crawled on top of him.
When she finished with another tantalizing kiss, he offered a drunken smile. “You’ve rocked my world.” He rolled them over, peered down at her cradled in his arms. “This is it, you know that, right?”
As the cresting sun reflected in her eyes, they shone with love. “I do.”
“I love you so damn much. I want you to relax and let me love you now.”
She caressed his cheek. “I’d love for you to put your hot mouth on me, but that was an early birthday present.”
“Dear God, that was the best birthday present…ever.”
“Better than the go-kart?”
“No contest. That go-kart was way better.” On a laugh, he kissed her. “You are the best present I get to unwrap every single day. I am so damn lucky you’re mine.”
“You sure are.” With a playful gleam, she pushed out of bed. “Come take a shower with me. I need help washing those hard-to-reach places.”
He threw back the linens. “Yes, ma’am. I can do that and a whole helluva lot more.”
An hour later, they’d finished breakfast when Maverick got a call from Gunner. One of the teams overseas had run into a problem and Maverick needed to strategize with his executive team. He threw his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. “I’m sorry to leave you, especially on a Sunday.”
“Make sure they’re safe. I’ve got work to do.” One luxurious kiss before she ordered him out. “Go.”
“So bossy.” With a wink, he jumped onto the pier.
As Ashton walked down the pier, Carly was relieved he had way more swagger than limp. She retrieved her satchel and settled on the back sofa beneath the overhang. The day was clear, the sky bright, and her heart was bursting with love. Settle down, missy. Time to work.
After laying out the contents of Rose’s file along with Pierce’s day planner, she read through everything again.
Pierce’s calendar.
11:30 PM: WS w/I — bring RA photo
Pierce’s notes.
Client Alice Murphy, 67. Raised child as daughter. Erin Murphy, 39. Aunt, not mother (murdered, CC). Has Alz.
Wants Erin to know. KILLER?
R. police — no leads
Evidence file — no fingerprints
Hair strands found in motel — no match
