CRIMINAL CHRISTMAS: A Set of 8 Holiday Suspense Stories, page 58
An achy yearning blossomed between her thighs. It had been so long, so very long. Josh may be a man whore, but he was kind-hearted too. She didn’t need promises. She just wanted him. Without thoughts of what it meant, she would be with him.
She gripped his shoulders, and her eyes drifted shut. She fastened her mouth to his and he groaned, scooping her up and holding her body tightly against his.
His erection pressed against her stomach through her nightshirt. A smile curved her lips, along with a heady feeling of power at the effect she had on him.
She ran her hands over his shoulders, his chest. He shoved her nightshirt up and thumbed her nipple, sending zings of lightning through her body.
She pressed into his touch, and he eased her back onto the bed and swept her sleepshirt off her. His hands grazed her hip, up her side to cup her breast. “So lovely.” His husky murmur sent a thrill through her body.
She moaned and grasped the waistband of his pajama pants, shoved them down his hips. He gritted out a sigh and kicked them away.
“Make love to me, Josh,” she choked out.
“Hold on, baby. I’ll be right back.”
He released her and disappeared down the hallway, his absence leaving a chill on her skin. Where was he going? God, what if Dustin saw him coming to her room, naked?
She had no more time to worry about it, to think about it before Josh appeared in her bedroom again.
He held up a small square package. “Condom.”
Her relief spilled out in a chuckle. “You came in with the intention of ravishing me, but didn’t bring a condom?”
He grinned. “I didn’t plan to ravish you. I didn’t even plan to wake you. I just looked in on you, and I couldn’t leave. I guess that’s what you get for sleeping with your door open.”
He joined her in bed. She smiled and plucked the condom out of his hand, ripped open the package, and rolled the condom over his erection. “No,” she whispered. “This is what I get.”
He pushed her back on the mattress and slid on top of her. His fingers caressed her nipples as his erection pushed into the insides of her thighs. With a gasp, she took hold of him and guided him to her.
He let out a long, tortured moan and plunged inside her. Her hips arched, and she met his thrusts with an urgency she’d never felt before.
Pleasure rocketed through her. Warmth built with the friction of his movements. Her breath caught and she tensed as a long, throbbing orgasm sent waves of delight from her center throughout the rest of her body. Josh gave one final thrust, his orgasm warming, pulsing inside her. She let out a deep, contented sigh.
He pushed her damp hair off her forehead and kissed her gently on the mouth. “That was incredible.”
“Yeah. Amazing.”
He rolled onto his back and tucked her into his side. “Goodnight.”
“You can’t stay here.”
He lifted his head. “What?”
“Dustin might see you.”
He laughed. “So what? Dustin’s not a child.”
“No, but I like him, and I don’t want him to think of me as another one of your fly by night women.”
He peered at her in the darkness. “No one could ever think of you like that. You’re something special.”
His words warmed her insides, but she made her voice stern. “Go.”
He planted another quick kiss on her lips and climbed from bed. “Sleep tight, Polly Poindexter.”
Her smile remained long after he left the room.
Six
The next morning, Sabrina was as nervous as she was excited about seeing Josh again. How would he act? Like nothing had happened? She wasn’t sure how she even wanted him to act, but she would be heartbroken if he blew it off like it was just another one night stand.
When he and Dustin came into the kitchen, Josh bent and kissed her cheek. “Mornin’.”
She smiled, feeling almost giddy. “Morning.”
Dustin narrowed his eyes and wrinkled his forehead. “What’s happening here? Are you two dating now?”
Josh raised his brows at Sabrina. “I don’t know, are we?”
Sabrina couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Whoop, whoop!” Dustin gave a fist pump. “Best couple ever.”
Josh chuckled and held up a hand. “Slow down, there. We’re not exactly ready to walk down the aisle.”
“Aisle? Are you going to the grocery store? Can you get some Skittles?”
Sabrina ruffled his hair. “Yeah, sure. I’ll get some Skittles, whenever I go.”
“Awesome.” Dustin nodded and took a drink of coffee.
The rest of the day was spent with Sabrina wandering out to check the feeder, and the guys working in the bathroom. The routine felt so comfortable, so right that it was…unsettling. What would happen when the break was over? Would she see Josh again? They lived forty-five miles apart, but that wasn’t much.
She wouldn’t think past the now. Today had been a good day—no crazy messages—and her heart felt at peace. For the time being, that was enough.
~*~
That evening, when her Skype notification dinged, Sabrina accepted, and Halley’s tear-ravaged face appeared on the screen.
“Halley, sweetie, what happened?”
“It’s Chet. You didn’t hear?”
Sabrina took in a deep breath and clenched her fists. “No, what did he do?”
“Nothing, he…” She sucked in a deep breath. “He died.”
Shock rendered Sabrina silent for several moments. “What, how?”
“Someone—someone murdered him. Last night. Shot him.”
Sabrina’s mind spun. Grief kicked her in the stomach. She didn’t like the kid, but he was just a kid. For God’s sake…
A ping sent icy chills over her skin. The familiar, terrifying music played and the words, On the eighth day of Christmas appeared. Along with an image of a figure—a young man, blank eyes staring at the ceiling—lying in a dim room. Chet.
Sabrina screamed.
“What?” Halley’s voice rose to a screech. “What happened?”
“No-nothing. I need to go. We’ll talk later, okay?”
She barely gave Halley time to respond before she ended Skype and pushed to her feet, knocking the chair over.
Josh rushed into the room. “What? What’s going on?”
Tears streaked her cheeks. She couldn’t get the words out, all she could do was gasp and draw in deep, sobbing breaths.
Josh pulled her into his chest and stroked her hair, brushing his hand down her back, murmuring soothing words over and over.
Finally, her breathing leveled out and she whispered, “Call the police.”
~*~
This time, a detective came. He was more interested in the goings on than the officers had been, especially since she’d received the photo of Chet. He questioned her in detail, but she had little to offer.
After he left, Sabrina fixed dinner, but none of them had much of an appetite. They sat in silence, picking at their food.
Since Sabrina had been unable to save the message and photo, it wasn’t that much help to the detective. He told her to keep him posted if anything else happened, and he’d let her know when they caught the guy.
She tried but failed to take comfort in his use of when rather than if.
After dinner, Josh and Dustin watched television, and Sabrina worked on grading papers. Her cell pinged with a text message notification. It was from Mitch.
Have to see you. Let me know what day is best.
She typed back, I think it’s best if you don’t come. I have a lot going on. I’ll see you when I return.
She did not want to deal with him, did not want him to ask questions about Josh and Dustin. Too much stress already. She was not going to add fielding his advances to it.
Please don’t shut me out.
I’m going to start ignoring your texts. I really can’t deal with this right now. Bye, Mitch.
She backed out of her text messages, refusing to feel guilty. She didn’t owe him anything. She hadn’t led him on, and he was being too damn pushy. Maybe she’d let him down too easily. She’d remedy that when she returned. If she started dating Josh, he’d surely get the hint…
Ridiculous. She didn’t need another man to help her get rid of one, and it was pretty pathetic that she was wondering if she’d date a guy she’d already slept with. Talk about putting the cart before the horse.
A frantic pounding on the door made her jump. For one crazy second, she thought Mitch had arrived. But there was no way he could have made the eighty mile drive so quickly. Unless he was already on his way when he texted her.
Anger brought her to her feet. If it was him, she’d…well, she didn’t know what she’d do, but it wouldn’t be pretty.
Josh stood. “Let me get that.”
“No, I’ll see who it is.” If it was Mitch, she didn’t want him to meet Josh. She would send him on his way.
She looked through the peephole to find Ben standing in the cold without a coat. His expression was ravaged.
She threw the door open. He stepped inside, and she shut the door. “Ben, are you okay? What happened?”
A sob burst from him. “It’s Tracy, she’s…”
“What, Ben?” Dread climbed up her throat and clamped onto her heart. Don’t say dead, please don’t say dead.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out another sob. “She’s dead. Tracy… My wife is dead.”
The strength left Sabrina’s legs. “How?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
Josh and Dustin joined them in the foyer. Their expressions were grim.
“Someone broke into our cabin this afternoon. I was only gone for a little while. I ran to the liquor store. They, they stabbed her. The police just left.”
Terror gripped her throat. What was happening?
She forced her mind onto Ben and put a hand on his shoulder. “My God, Ben. I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry.”
He wept loudly and wrapped his arms around her. She patted his shoulder, making soothing sounds. She felt awful for him, but also a little awkward. She barely knew him. But perhaps she knew something about his wife’s death. Definitely more than she wanted to. It had to be the same guy.
Would the police be back to speak with her? They had to suspect all the craziness was related. But then, how much more could she tell them? She had no idea what the hell was going on.
But maybe it was time to get out. Head home.
Really? Right in the thick of Christmas joy? When whoever was doing this was obviously reaching out to those in town, and he might hurt someone else, like Halley?
No, going back wouldn’t solve anything. She had to think, had to figure out if she was missing something that might help the police.
Ben pulled away from her. He retrieved a note from his jeans pocket and stared down at it. “I wanted to ask you if you knew anything about this.”
He held the paper out and she took it. Her hands shook as she read. On the ninth day of Christmas… Bye, bye Tracy.
Josh looked at the note over her shoulder. “Son of a bitch,” he muttered.
She gaped at Ben. “Was this at the scene? Why don’t the police have it?”
“They have the one the killer left. It was—” Another sob hiccupped out of him. “It was splashed with Tracy’s blood. I wrote down exactly what it said so I wouldn’t forget.” His eyes narrowed on her. “I know you got some kind of strange gift that day we met. It seemed to freak you out. Was it anything like this? Do you know something about what happened to Tracy?”
Sabrina shook her head. “No, God, no.” The man had lost his wife. The least she could do was give him honesty. “I mean, I don’t know anything about who is behind this, but yes, strange things are happening. Including that gift I received at the lodge.”
She told him everything, leaving out the part about her family’s murders and her kidnapping. Whether or not they had to do with what was going on now, he didn’t need to know. He wasn’t from here, and likely hadn’t heard. She didn’t want to keep reliving it over and over.
“My God. Do the police know?”
“Yes. One of my students—” Her voice broke and she drew in a shaky breath. “—was killed as well.”
“Jesus Christ.” He wiped his nose on his sleeve. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t leave, not until they catch this bastard. I can at least do that for Tracy. I just feel, helpless.”
She rested a hand on his arm. “I know, Ben. I’m so sorry. If there’s anything I can do. If you just need company, be sure to call on me.”
He nodded. “Thanks, I will. You’re a good person, Sabrina.”
“So are you.” The response was automatic. She had no idea if he was a good guy or not. But he obviously loved his wife very much. And now she was dead. And as terrifying as the thought was, the woman had likely been killed because of Sabrina. “If you want to hang out here, you’re welcome. I’m sure you don’t want to be alone.”
Ben shook his head. “No, I want to be at the cabin, where Tracy and I shared our last moments. I just need to be by myself.”
He left and Sabrina turned to Josh. Her entire body shook, and she wrapped her arms around herself. Once again, Josh pulled her into his chest and offered comfort. This time, it didn’t help. Someone with a horribly twisted plan was out there. If he wasn’t stopped soon, more people would die.
~*~
That night, Josh came to her room. Without speaking, he slid into bed beside her.
Their lovemaking was slow, precious. He made love to her as though he loved her. And she returned his passion. Without words she told him, the one bright spot in this nightmare was, she had fallen in love with him.
Afterward, he tucked her into his chest and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “It’s going to be okay, baby. We’ll find this asshole and stop him. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”
She tightened her hands on his arm that lay over her breasts. She knew he meant it, and she wanted to believe him. But whoever they were dealing with was clever, vicious. And it would take more than Josh’s determination to defeat him.
Seven
The next morning, Sabrina went out to get the recorder. Maybe watching the adorable little chickadees would bring her some pleasure, some peace. It was a few days before Christmas, and Josh had taken Dustin back to his family so he could spend the holidays with them. He’d be back soon, but not soon enough.
She put the tape in and lowered to the sofa. Her phone showed a voicemail received at nine last night. She picked it up and pulled up the message. Half her attention was on the television as she fast-forwarded on the slowest setting so she wouldn’t miss anything. A dark shape appeared on the tape. The bear again?
Mitch’s voice spoke from her phone. “I know there’s something wrong. This isn’t like you. I’m not waiting until you get back. I need to talk to you, now.”
She narrowed her eyes on the screen and pressed play. Not a bear. A man wearing a black ski mask. He held another man in a chokehold.
Mitch’s message continued, “I’m coming out now. I’ll call you when I’m close. If you get this message, call me.”
Dread uncoiled in the pit of her stomach. Last night… He’d never made it. Oh God. Her gaze flew to the television. Or had he?
The man in front came into focus. Mitch…
His captor lifted a knife.
“No!” Sabrina shot to her feet, her body vibrating with fear. “God, please, no…” As if she could stop it. As if the horror playing out on the screen hadn’t already happened.
“Say it,” the man growled into Mitch’s ear.
Mitch shook his head and cried out, “Please, just let me go.”
The assailant pressed the knife to his throat. “Say it!”
Mitch drew in a sobbing breath. “O-on the tenth day of Christmas—”
The knife sliced along his neck.
“Noooo!” Her scream reverberated through her body, her soul. She trembled violently.
Mitch’s lifeless body dropped to the snow.
Josh came through the front door. “Sabrina? What is it? What happened?”
She pointed a shaking finger at the television. The man with the bloody knife stood there smiling. Just like he had ten years ago. Hysteria rose in her throat, choked the breath from her. She was barely aware of Josh wrapping an arm around her and lowering her next to him on the sofa. Dialing his phone.
The detective arrived. The EMT’s. Why were they here? It was too late for Mitch.
She couldn’t stop crying, couldn’t stop shaking. “He’s back.” The words rose to a fevered pitch. “Goodman. He’s out. He’s back. Oh my God. He’s back.”
Josh’s arm tightened around her.
Detective Bateman shook his head. “No, Ms. Spencer. He’s still in prison. Some other sicko is out there. We’ll find him, though, I promise.”
You said that before, you said you’d find him, and now Mitch is dead…
“Here, Miss, this will calm you.”
An EMT slid a needle into her arm. A sedative. Yes, she needed that. She felt like her entire body would disintegrate.
The murmur of voices rose around her. Detective Bateman was saying that they found Mitch’s body. The killer had dragged him into the trees. Heavy overnight snowfall had covered the blood. He ended with, “We’ll be taking the video in for evidence.”
She nodded. She didn’t want it anyway.
A strange calmness flowed through her. Her hysteria disappeared, and she just felt… numb.
She turned her head to the detective. “It’s him. Goodman. It has to be him.”
“Ms. Spencer, I assure you, he is still locked up. I don’t know who is doing this, but it’s not Samuel Goodman.”
“But he knows so much.”
“It was all over the news. Everyone knows. Trust me, he’s locked up tight.”
She nodded. But the detective didn’t know what she knew. You could never lock the devil up tightly enough.
