Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 74766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Neither of them had the strength to move when they were done, so they both ended up leaning on each other for support as they took turns helping each other up and out of the shower. Standing over the sink in front of the mirror, Celia assessed the damage. “Holy… Riley, what did you do to my neck?” Riley looked over at her from his place at the other sink; his razor raised to his cheek.
She wanted to smack the smirk off his face. “How am I supposed to go to work looking like this? Detective Branson is coming to town today to meet about the case…”
“Who?” Celia went back to her toilette while Riley stared at her waiting for an answer.
“I thought I told you this last night. He’s the detective whose case got me to start looking at Don and, in turn, Stella. They ran here from his town after the last murder, well, the one before Melissa. Anyway, he’s coming to question them about his case.”
Riley felt…something. He wasn’t sure what it was, but for some reason, he didn’t like the sound of this detective. He realized as she went on about her business, drying her hair and then on to putting on makeup, that he was jealous. He’s never been jealous a day in his life. He had to bite his tongue to keep from saying anything, but it was close.
And then he happened to glance over at her mid-shave and saw that she was trying to hide his hickey with makeup. “Oh, fuck, no, you don’t.” Celia, startled by the outburst, was even more surprised when he walked over and took the makeup sponge from her hand.
“What’re you doing?”
“What do you think I’m doing?”
“I can’t meet a colleague like this; what will he think?”
“I don’t give a fuck what he thinks, but I know if you hide that shit, we’re going to have a problem. And just so you know, I’ll be dropping by at some point today, so don’t even think of waiting until you get there to do it.”
Before Celia could answer him, she found herself pushed back against the sink, and he was inside her again. It didn’t last very long this time, maybe ten minutes, and when he pulled out, she turned to go back to the shower, grumbling all the way about being late. Riley grabbed her hand just as she opened the shower door.
“No shower, you’re going to meet this asshole with my scent in you.” Celia could only watch him as he went back to shaving with her mouth agape, wondering just what the hell she’d gotten herself into. And why the hell did she find his caveman act so damn sexy. “Get the lead out Detective; you’re going to be late.”
CHAPTER 4
A panty liner took care of Celia’s leakage issue, but she had no ready Band-Aid for Riley’s sudden annoyance. He was like a prickly pear at the breakfast table, which even the housekeeper noticed and made mention of. He gave Celia a dirty look like she’d done something to him, and for some reason, it made her laugh out loud.
“Keep laughing. Let’s see how much you’ll do that shit when you’re investigating the disappearance of your colleague.”
“What?” Celia almost snorted coffee through her nose as she stared at him in disbelief. It was obvious to her now that he was jealous. Not the petty jealousy of some men that can be easily brushed off either, but in that alpha male, no one better come close to my mate way.
She knew laughing wasn’t the way to go, but for some odd reason, she was tickled by his reaction, and so she found herself doing something she would normally be too self-conscious to do with him. She left her seat and wrapped her arms around shoulders from behind, kissing his head in the process. “You have nothing to worry about; I’m all yours. Besides, I don’t even know what Branson looks like; he could have the face of a scared mackerel.”
“Who cares what his face looks like? Anything with a dick is suspect.”
“Riley O’Rourke, you watch your mouth in my kitchen.” Eileen scolded, which he ignored. Celia retook her seat and dug into her eggs benedict since she was starving. Riley’s antics had kept her up all night and again this morning, and she found herself more ravenous than usual.
“Oh dear, that thing on your neck looks like you were mauled by a wild animal.” Eileen peered closer at the love bite on Celia’s neck from across the table, making her blush. Since Riley’s talk, the older woman had been much more relaxed with her. Riley, too, noticed the teasing tone in his long-time housekeeper’s voice and felt a little bit of the tension he still carried due to their situation ease.