The Darkness Beneath, page 16
God, she was so beautiful. He ached with the need to be able to touch her, to unzip her dress. He glanced at the bar, noting she had been outside now a good couple of minutes and was still alone, caution wrestling with the overwhelming urge to have her in his arms, feel her beneath him.
He missed her so much. To hell with it.
Quietly he eased the car door open, eyes warily glancing round as he started to cross the parking lot, the gravel crunching beneath his feet. She stood against the railing, looking out to sea, her hair blowing gently in the breeze. She looked distant, caught up in her own thoughts, and Caleb wondered if in these quiet moments she was thinking about him?
He had almost reached the staircase leading up to the deck when another figure stepped out from the shadows, heading towards her. Caleb balled his fists, as the anticipation of needing to touch her, talk to her, slipped from his grasp – the frustration of the situation making him want to scream. He fought to control his temper.
Bide your time. The right moment will come.
Quietly he slipped back to the car..
*
Listening to the soothing sound of the waves washing against the shore, Nell didn’t hear the approaching footsteps, and she started slightly when Alex was suddenly beside her, mirroring her pose as he leant against the railing.
‘Jeez, you made me jump.’
He cocked his head, gave her a quizzical glance. ‘How come you’re out here? I thought you’d still be on the dance floor.’
‘I needed some fresh air.’
Alex’s eyes narrowed. ‘Did you have another attack?’
‘I’m fine; I honestly just needed some air. How come you’re out here?’ she countered. ‘I figured maybe you’d left.’
‘I had to take a call.’
‘Is everything okay?’
‘Yeah, I was going over a couple of things with Hunter Stone, the detective working Penny Maher’s murder.’
He didn’t elaborate and Nell didn’t ask, understanding there was only so much he could disclose about a case. She couldn’t believe it had been a whole week since she had stumbled across the head, but then so much had happened in the interim with finding the picture of Lizzie in her house, agreeing to go into business with Michael and Newt, and Luke being shot. And she had only known Alex a week. It felt longer.
She wondered where Mia was, but was reluctant to ask.
‘Where’s Michael? Is he still inside?’
Nell rolled her eyes. ‘Yeah, he’s with Newt. We talked earlier and he’s going back home tonight.’ She was quiet for a moment. ‘I take it you have no leads on who shot Luke?’
‘We ran the print on the matchbook, but there are no matches in the system.’
‘But you’ve ruled out Sam Kent?’
‘We don’t have his prints on file. I’m keeping a close eye on him, Nell, I promise, but unless he puts a foot wrong there’s nothing I can do.’
‘Michael still doesn’t know about the picture. You promised you wouldn’t tell him.’
‘I haven’t said a word.’ Alex let out a frustrated sigh. ‘You should tell him though. He deserves to be kept in the loop.’
‘He worries too much already.’
‘He has good reason. I hear he’s had an alarm system installed.’
‘Yeah, and the locks have all been replaced.’
‘That’s good. You should cut Michael some slack. He’s only trying to do what he thinks is best for you. If it were my sister I’d be the same.’
‘You have a sister? Nell was curious. He had never mentioned family before.
‘Yeah, I have a younger sister and an older brother.’
‘And are you and your brother overprotective pains in the ass when it comes to your sister?’
Alex considered the question and smiled. ‘Yeah, we are.’
‘Where do they live?’
‘My brother, Joe, is in Philly and my sister, Cassie, is back home just outside of Portland.’
‘Is that where you grew up?’
‘It is.’
‘Do you miss them?’
‘Sure, sometimes. We still see each other though.’ Looking amused, he shifted his position so he turned to face her. ‘You’re full of questions tonight.’
‘I’m just making conversation. You were the one who came out here to join me. Besides, my brother keeps telling me you’re his best friend, so I figured I should get to know you a little better.’ She kept her tone light, teasing even.
Alex’s grin widened, cutting deep dimples into his cheeks. His green eyes glinted dangerously, and Nell was aware she suddenly had his full undivided attention. Part of her brain, the rational part, warned her she was treading on dangerous ground, but another part wanted more. She felt her belly flip and wondered how many women had been seduced by his wickedly appealing grin.
Mia certainly had, which had Nell wondering why Alex was out here with her.
‘What happened to your friend from earlier?’ She had promised herself she wasn’t going to ask, but the question slipped out.
Alex narrowed his eyes slightly. ‘Friend?’
‘The redhead. Michael said the two of you had a… thing.’
‘Mia? We did, about four years ago. Now we’re just friends.’ His grin widened further, amusement clear in his eyes, as he understood where the question had come from. ‘So you were asking Michael about Mia? Why the interest? Were you jealous?’
His directness made Nell’s cheeks flush. ‘Of course not.’ She snapped out the words a little too defensively. ‘I was just curious.’
Her denial only seemed to amuse him further.
‘You know you’re pretty when you get flustered,’ he told her, easing closer and grazing his knuckle over her cheek.
Nell somehow managed to hold both her ground and his gaze. ‘I’m not flustered,’ she protested, swallowing hard as his focus dropped to her mouth. She could feel the heat radiating off him, was aware of her own body reacting in turn.
‘And the jealousy thing is sweet. I’m flattered.’
‘Don’t be. I told you I wasn’t jealous.’ She raised her chin stubbornly. ‘You must think an awful lot of yourself to – ’
‘Nell?’
‘What?’
‘Can you stop talking for two minutes?’
Nell opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out as Alex caught her off guard, cupping her face with both hands and leaning in to kiss her, gently at first, his lips soft against hers then deepening as she responded, one hand slipping down to small of her back, pulling her against him. He slid his tongue into her mouth, deftly exploring, his mouth devouring hers. Caught up in the moment, Nell yielded, slipping her arms around his waist as she felt herself melt into him. She allowed her hands to roam down over the cute tight butt she had drooled over before, then back up over the hard muscles of his back and shoulders and into his hair. He tasted of honey and whiskey, his mouth hot and seducing, and as he changed the angle of the kiss, becoming harder and more urgent, she felt a moan escape from deep within her.
Alex’s lips curved against hers as he broke the kiss, though he kept his arms linked around her. ‘Well that took the edge off things,’ he announced, green eyes locked on hers. He lightly traced one hand down the length of her back, before he released her.
Nell took an unsteady step back on shaky legs, still reeling. She had never been kissed like that before, though had no intention of sharing that fact with Alex, who was already looking at her like the cat who had gotten the cream.
‘No need to look so pleased with yourself,’ she told him, trying for prudish, though she made no attempt to stop him as he settled his hands on her hips and leaned in for another kiss. As she tried to steady her feet she felt her left heel disappear beneath her, realized too late it had slid down between the planks on the decking. As she attempted to pull her foot free, the heel slipped further becoming trapped, pulling her foot down with it.
This time she grunted against Alex’s mouth, using him as an anchor as she tried to stop herself from falling over. As she broke the kiss, he moved his mouth down to nuzzle her neck, the roughness of his stubble tickling against the curve of her shoulder.
‘Alex. Stop. I’m stuck.’
‘Huh?’
‘My heel is caught in the decking.’
‘Your what?’ He lifted his head, finally spotting the awkward angle at which Nell was leaning against him. ‘Oh my god, you’ve got to be kidding me!’ A wide grin broke out on his face.
‘Can you help me get free please? It’s not funny.’
He chuckled, looking amused. ‘Yeah, it is, Nell. It’s definitely funny.’
‘Just help me, okay.’
‘Okay.’ He stole another quick kiss, ducking when she tried to swipe him away. ‘Talk about ruining the moment,’ he grumbled, dropping down on his knees and giving her foot a test yank. ‘Yeah, you’re stuck. Damn it, you’re a walking klutz, O’Connor.’
One hand around her ankle, the other under her shoe, he tugged harder and Nell almost lost her balance again. She steadied herself by catching hold of his shoulders.
‘I knew there was a reason why I rarely wear these shoes,’ she muttered, her face heating, a little embarrassed. This was hardly her finest moment.
Alex glanced up, a sly smile on his face. ‘Just for the record, they work for me.’
‘That’s great, but unless you can get me free they’re going in the trash.’
‘Okay, we need to get your foot out of the shoe. The heel’s jammed tight.’ Alex unfastened the straps, helped Nell wiggle her foot out of the sandal.
Relieved to be free, she scooted down beside him as he yanked at the embedded shoe.
‘Here, let me try,’ she told him impatiently.
‘You think you can do better?’
‘Maybe.’ Nell grabbed hold of the shoe, pulling hard. It was wedged tight. ‘Damn it.’
‘You’re gonna snap the heel off if you yank it too hard,’ Alex commented as he watched her, still looking thoroughly amused.
Ignoring him, Nell tried again, cursing a string of expletives when his prediction came true, the sandal breaking away from the heel, sending her careening backwards. She landed inelegantly on her butt, half a shoe in her hand.
Alex sat down beside her, looking at her with a solemn expression. ‘Oops.’
‘It’s not funny,’ Nell fumed, as the corners of his lips curved. ‘Now what am I supposed to do? I can’t walk around with one shoe.’
When he burst out laughing, she swiped at him with the ruined sandal, annoyed he was finding the situation funny, but also fighting the urge to laugh herself.
Damn it, O’Connor. You sure know how to make an impression.
It didn’t escape her that had she been with Caleb he would have found her moment of clumsiness irritating and would have berated her, even humiliated her, for it.
She could hear his voice in her head.
‘Good God, Nell. Can’t we go anywhere without you being an embarrassment?’
Alex wasn’t embarrassed by her. Amused, yes, but not embarrassed, and that made him all the more attractive. The whole situation was so ridiculous, and he was right, it was funny, she thought, trying her hardest to keep a straight face, but failing miserably as she gave in to the laughter. Once she started she couldn’t stop, tears rolling down her cheeks, her sides aching. Just as she thought she had her giggles under control, an exchanged glance with Alex had the laughter starting afresh.
‘There’s a lot to be said for sneakers,’ she muttered, wiping at her eyes, cheeks aching. ‘Sneakers wouldn’t do this to me.’
‘Are you always this accident prone?’
‘Tripping over invisible stuff is my party trick.’
‘I’ll bear that in mind.’
They were silent for a moment and while her nerves were still present, Nell was aware of the sexual tension bouncing between them. ‘I suppose I should call a cab,’ she said a little reluctantly. ‘I can’t go back inside with one shoe.’
‘Or we could go back to my place.’
She caught her breath, a trickle of apprehension creeping in as she glanced at Alex. ‘Your place?’
‘It’s a ten-minute walk,’ he reasoned, ‘And we can cut along the beach, so you don’t need to worry about shoes.’
‘And once we get there?’
‘Then I’ll ply you with alcohol and try to charm my way into your panties.’
If he had been serious, Nell would have slapped him and ran a mile, but his deadpan tone and the look of mock innocence on his face instead had her bursting into another fit of giggles.
Alex grinned, reaching across to brush a loose curl back off her face. ‘How about we figure it out as we go, okay?’
Caleb had been the only man in her life for six years, controlling her, belittling her, and making her feel inferior, and when she had left, Nell had promised herself a break from men. This was too soon, and she should walk away now. The temptation Alex offered though was difficult to resist and the more time she spent around him, the more attractive he became. He was kind, made her laugh and she trusted him, but most of all she wanted him. Deciding it wise not to overthink things she drew in a deep breath and took the step off the cliff. ‘Okay.’
*
Caleb had returned to his car, but remained parked in the lot, watching them.
He recognized the man, knew he was the island’s police chief, Alex Cutler. At first he wondered why he was talking to Nell, assumed it was business, and was curious if it had anything to do with Luke Trainor’s shooting. Then his worst nightmare had come true as he watched the pair of them embrace, understanding that the relationship between them was far from professional. First, she had shared an evening with Trainor, now she was kissing Cutler. His fiancée had turned into a filthy whore and he couldn’t help but think her behavior was intentional, designed to hurt and humiliate him.
She didn’t know he was here on the island, but Caleb didn’t let that little detail stop him from twisting and turning the facts, as in his mind he was the heartbroken boyfriend, so utterly destroyed, while Nell was a scheming slut who had used him and cast him to one side. She had told him she loved him, but the bitch had lied.
It took every ounce of control he had to remain in the car. Cutler was the police chief and this made things more difficult. Caleb Sweeney had a reputation as an upstanding citizen and he couldn’t afford to fall foul of the law. But the fact remained Nell had hurt him, had broken him, had betrayed him in the worst possible way, and he could not let that go unpunished.
As he watched them step down from the deck, walking along the beach talking and laughing, tears of grief and rage filled his eyes. As they disappeared, hands linked, into the distance he buried his head against the steering wheel and sobbed until his heart was empty.
The pain twisted his insides, unbearable and cruel – the love he had felt for Nell crossing the line into pure hatred. He began to plot his revenge.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Luke spent much of the night on his couch, having emptied the best part of a bottle of Jim Beam, while the TV played quietly in the background. The bourbon, he had told himself, was purely for medicinal purposes. He had painkillers, was taking them regularly to help numb the throbbing ache in his shoulder, but the alcohol helped dilute it further. It also helped to dilute the reminder of what an awful fuck-up his life was at the moment.
He was spinning out of control, and given how normally he was so organized and meticulous, it pained him to have such disorder in his life; that there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it was frustrating as hell. The whole terrible mess with Stacey, together with the physical pain from being shot, had knocked him for six, stealing control away and making him feel as though he was on an inevitable collision course that could only end one way.
He wasn’t a big drinker, at least hadn’t been until recently, preferring to stay sober and in charge of his reactions. Sitting around led to far too many thoughts, all of them negative, and he wanted the blessed relief of being able to forget his problems. Newt had stopped by earlier, tried to persuade him to come along to Mahoney’s for an hour, telling him it would do him good to get out of the house and be with friends, even if it was only for a short time. Luke had declined, not in the mood for company.
Newt hadn’t been impressed when he found out Stacey wasn’t around, was annoyed when Luke told him she was staying with a friend for a few days on the mainland. He had hoped seeing her boyfriend shot would have brought them closer together, not pushed them further apart, and he made his views clear to Luke, suggesting maybe it was time to end the relationship if she couldn’t be there for him. Luke had let his brother rant, aware he had no idea how bad things were with Stacey.
Newt looked out for him, always had done since their parents had been killed. Even as a child he had tried to protect Luke from their grandmother’s wrath. He felt a stab of anger at the thought of Enid Trainor; he knew she was responsible for the insecurities that had plagued his early childhood. Nothing was ever good enough, no matter how hard Luke had tried to please her, and it became worse when Newt went to college. When the old witch had died, and Luke had moved in with Newt had been the happiest time of his life. Newt was the one constant, the only person who had ever really been there for him.
He feigned sleep until his brother had left then spent an hour trying to figure out what the hell was he going to do about Stacey. She had always been wild and unpredictable, perhaps something he should have considered before moving her into his home, and her hot temper and paranoid jealous streak should have been a warning that things between them could only ever end badly.
It didn’t stop the regrets or the fact he missed her. How was he going to fix this?
When no solution came his thoughts turned to Nell. She had stopped by to see him a couple of times during the week, and he knew she felt guilty about what had happened. So far there were no leads on the shooter and it begged the question: had Luke been the intended target or had the gunman meant to hit Nell?
Alex suspected the latter and Luke was curious as to who on the island might want to hurt her. He guessed Sam Kent was the most logical suspect. Michael was up in arms at the shooting and about Nell’s safety. Luke knew he had been staying at the guesthouse the past few nights and had already changed all the locks and put in a swanky alarm system. The second time Nell had been to see him she had brought him a basket of fruit and some homemade soup. Luke had thanked her and waited until she left before sniffing the soup suspiciously and pouring it in the sink. He was already suffering with his shoulder and sure as hell couldn’t cope with her cooking. The basket of fruit had been a nice touch though.
