Cowboy Cool: Book 5 (Cowboy Justice Association) (25 page)

“Now, baby.”

His mouth closed over the swollen bud and his teeth lightly scraped the sides. The pressure inside of her snapped, setting off an explosion of heat that consumed her entire being, flames dancing on her skin. He didn’t allow her to bask in the afterglow of her release, instead pressing his cock to her pussy. Their gazes locked as he slowly entered her, savoring each sensation. They began to rock together, their breathing and heartbeats synchronized.

As if they were the only two people on earth, Reed powered into her sending her higher and farther than she’d ever been. This wasn’t just sex or fun and games. This was something more. He might not love her, but he certainly cared for her. It showed in his every touch and caress.

“Come with me, Kaylee,” he whispered in her ear.

His hand moved between them, his thumb brushing her sensitive clit. In seconds she was flying high with him, pleasure pouring through her veins like bubbling champagne. His own release hit him and his body went taut as he gulped in air. When it was over, he rested his forehead on hers, his lips teasing hers.

“That’s a good way not to think too much.”

She giggled, feeling the tickling rumble of his words in his chest. “Good morning, Reed.”

“Good morning, Kaylee.”

She didn’t know what kind of day it was going to be. Had she broken through one barrier only to meet up with another? Just because he’d told her his story didn’t mean that everything was going to be alright. In fact, things might be even worse than before.

One thing was for sure; this man had her love and she would do everything in her power to help him leave his past and the pain behind.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“H
ow’s that vacation going?” Jared Monroe asked, his voice sounding muffled on Reed’s cell phone speaker. He couldn’t be at the meeting with the other sheriffs in person today so calling in would have to do.

“It’s been fine but frustrating. I’m at a dead end.”

Reed set his coffee down on the side table, the liquid too hot to drink. He had settled on the back porch for his call while Kaylee worked in the office. He’d thought it might be weird or awkward this morning after what he’d told her, but as usual Kaylee showed a remarkable amount of sensitivity. She laughed and joked with him as she made breakfast, never bringing up what they’d talked about. Thankfully it was just like any other day.

Of course deep inside it wasn’t and Reed knew that. He’d have to deal with all the emotions that had been uncovered last night. Even this morning he hadn’t been able to keep his hands off of her, his need to be intimate with her, and only her, overwhelming.

“Maybe we can brainstorm some ideas today,” Tanner offered. “Where are you in the investigation?”

“Stuck,” Reed admitted grudgingly. “Brent is my number one suspect but Walt is a possibility too. I have zero evidence against either of them or anyone else for that matter.”

Reed had tracked Brent’s credit card and the guy was back in his hometown probably visiting his parents or old friends. If a guy was on the lam, heading straight to the bosom of his family would be a stupid thing to do.

“Seems like you have a lack of motive in general,” Evan observed. “According to you, Kaylee is a sweet woman that no one would want to hurt. Except that someone does.”

“That’s exactly what she is,” Reed replied sharply, not liking where Evan was going with this. “I checked her out myself.”

“Now wait a minute,” Evan said. “I wasn’t implying what you think. I don’t think your lady has some deep, dark secret in her past at all. What I’m saying is maybe we need to think outside the box on motive.”

“Sorry,” Reed grimaced, ignoring Evan’s suggestion that Kaylee was Reed’s “lady”. “I guess I’m feeling the pressure. You think we need to look outside of love or greed?”

“There’s a shit load of reasons for someone to want to hurt of kill someone.” Seth must have been sitting right next to the phone as his voice came in loud and clear. “Jealousy, revenge, secrets, political, personal vendetta, or maybe the bastard is just a fucking loony toon.”

“Even loony toons have a motive,” Dare pointed out. “It’s usually a stupid one but it’s there.”

“If it’s this Brent guy, is it love or jealousy? Or both?” Griffin asked. “Is he so obsessed that he has to have her even in death or is he jealous of her success?”

Reed wasn’t a fan of the way the word “death” was being thrown around so casually but since he had no intention of letting her end up that way he didn’t say anything.

“Maybe it is both,” Tanner said. “Think about it. Perhaps this Brent is obsessed and wants Kaylee because he wants to be a part of what she has. As her boyfriend, he would belong to her world so to speak. Then he could systematically destroy her career from the inside out due to his jealousy.”

“Or try and take credit for her work. The whole man behind the woman thing,” Griffin offered. “Either way, it’s not a healthy mental state for a human being. Have you thought about trying to lure him out?”

“There’s an idea,” Jared agreed. “Set a trap.”

Reed stroked his chin in thought. “I like the idea of being on the offensive rather than the defensive. What are you thinking, Griff? We announce she won some kind of award maybe?”

“I’m thinking a little
Thin Man
action.”

Reed snorted. He’d never seen that movie and he was pretty sure Griffin hadn’t either until Jazz moved in a few months ago. “Pretend I’m not living with an actress and explain that remark to me please.”

“Gladly,” Griffin chuckled. “Jazz has me watching these old movies and I have to admit they’re really good, especially this one. William Powell is a retired police detective and one of his friends ends up dead. At the end of the movie he invites all the suspects to dinner so they’re all in one room.”

“Ellery Queen does that too,” Tanner interjected. “Love those stories.”

“I think Agatha Christie does it as well but William Powell drinks martinis while he solves crimes. So now that he has everyone there he starts to tell them why each of them make a great suspect. He says something provocative and the killer reveals themselves,” Griffin ended triumphantly. “Everyone thinks he knew who it was before but he really didn’t. He only had theories. He needed them all together to find out for sure.”

“So I should invite her writing club here and grill them like criminals? Kaylee will love that,” Reed said dryly. “But perhaps it could work…with a few technological modifications. I could plant more cameras and listening devices around and see if anyone tries to leave her a letter or picture. Or maybe take something personal of hers as a souvenir. I’ve seen quite a bit of that in stalker situations.”

“Sounds like you have a plan,” Seth approved.

“There’s only one problem with it,” Reed warned, already thinking of the downsides. The problem with taking up the offense was it tended to be riskier.

“What’s that?” Griffin asked.

“Kaylee,” Tanner answered for Reed.

“Kaylee,” Reed echoed. “I’d be using Kaylee for bait. I’m not sure how I feel about that and it might send Ava into labor or something. Is Logan with her today?”

“He is. He had a deputy out sick for a few days so he hasn’t spent much time with her,” Tanner explained. “I have his report for the meeting.”

Reed owed Logan a call anyway. He’d tried to phone the day after Reed and Kaylee had first ended up in bed together but had only reached Logan’s voicemail.

“I’d feel a whole lot better about trying to set a trap if you guys were here.” An idea struck Reed and he sat up straight as the details began to formulate in his mind. “You actually can kind of be here with me. You could have your eyes and ears on the cameras while I stick with Kaylee.”

“Not bad thinking for a guy who is on vacation,” Jared laughed. “If I can juggle my schedule, I’m in.”

The other men echoed Jared’s response and Reed was breathing much easier about the idea. “I’d like to wait a little while longer though. This would be the plan of last resort. I don’t want to put Kaylee directly in the line of fire if I don’t have to.”

“Agreed,” Tanner said. “Keep us posted. So what else do we need to discuss today? Griffin, is everything quiet again in your town?”

The meeting proceeded as each man made his report. Except for a few minor drug charges and some domestic issues, things seemed quiet in all the towns which was a relief. Reed had already talked to his deputies, who seemed to be having a fine time without him, and everything was under control there. Of course the guys were probably skating by on the very minimum of paperwork which Reed would need to sort out when he returned home.

Home. The sooner, the better. It would hurt him to leave Kaylee but each passing day would only make it worse. He still wasn’t sure he had anything to give her beyond sex and friendship, and he wasn’t sure he ever would.

*   *   *   *

Kaylee snapped her laptop lid shut. She ought to be writing but her mind was too jumbled to make much sense. In desperation, she called Ava who always managed to set Kaylee back on the writing path.

“How are you feeling?” Kaylee asked Ava. “Is your blood pressure normal?”

“No,” Ava growled. “It’s still too high, and I’m sick of lying in this bed contemplating the universe. A woman can only write so many words a day you know. Especially while Logan or one of his minions is hovering over me as if I’m going to explode at any minute.”

Giggling, Kaylee propped her feet up on the desk. “Minions? Logan has minions? Since when?”

“Presley and her little one, Bennett, come over when Logan can’t be here. When she has things to do Jazz comes over or Madison.” Another groan. “And I feel so damn guilty when Madison is here. I found out she and Tanner have been trying to have a baby with no luck. She’s been diagnosed with severe endometriosis and the chances of her getting pregnant are low. I feel so badly for her and then she comes over here with nothing but a sweet smile and is so nice. It has to be hard for her.”

“How did you find out? Did Madison tell you?”

“No, Tanner admitted it when he picked her up the other night. She was in the bathroom and he wanted to warn me in case she got emotional. Heck, she’s been awesome. Jazz, too.”

“You haven’t talked too much about Jazz. What is she like?”

“She’s a hoot and a half. She has great stories from her time in Hollywood and she just adores Griffin. They’ve decided on a long engagement since they’ve only known each other for a short time but she’s definitely settling into small town life. Her actress friend Caitlin has decided to pull of stakes and move to Hope Lake as well. They’re going to open a theatre group together. Give acting and singing lessons, have a children’s theatre and so on. You know how much parents love to see their little darlings in a play. It sounded pretty fun.”

“In no time at all you and Logan will be watching your two kids up on stage. I know Logan will film it. You’ll have to post it so I can see it.”

“I hope they don’t have my drama skills. I had two lines in the
Santa Claus for President
school play and I was so scared I couldn’t even get them out. But enough about me. How are things with you and Reed? Did you take my advice and go for it? Please say yes. I’m living vicariously through you. I’m on complete pelvic rest and don’t ask what that is. It’s too depressing to even talk about.”

Kaylee had a pretty decent idea what it meant and was glad it didn’t apply to her. “How can I answer that…no comment?”

“Yes,” Ava hissed with glee. “Good for you. Is he as good as he looks?”

“Better,” Kaylee sighed reluctantly, visions of this morning dancing in her head. “Much, much better. But he has issues, you know. He’s carrying a lot of baggage.”

“You’re not going to marry him,” Ava stated, and Kaylee was glad that her face couldn’t be seen through the phone. If Ava had seen it she’d know that Kaylee had fallen badly for the emotionally tortured cop. “Just enjoy the fun and don’t think about tomorrow. Except for your next book, of course, and congratulations on the release—it looks like another hit. I’m still reading the last one but as soon as I’m finished I’ll start on the new one. I have a lot of time on my hands these days.”