Burning Seduction (18 page)

“What about Mr. Goddard’s partner at the investment firm?”

“Frank Hamilton. What do you think his motive would have been?”

She held up both palms. “The oldest in the book. Money.”

He loved the way she thought. “Being the only partner left, Frank might end up with more income, but only if the person who took Bill’s place can do as good a job.”

She narrowed her eyes as if he was purposely throwing roadblocks in her way. “Who else do you suspect?”

Trent smiled and waved a finger at her. “Can’t discuss the case.”

Her mouth opened. “That’s rich. What have we been doing?”

“I’ve been interrogating you, not giving you details of the crime or telling you who I suspect.”

She pointed a finger at him. “You are a clever man, Trent Lawson.”

“I’m smart because I know who to listen to.”

She pressed a finger to her chest. “Little ole me?”

He laughed. “You have good instincts.”

She grinned. “If only you knew.”

He wouldn’t touch that line for all the wine in Rock Hard.

Chapter Seventeen

C
harlotte was stoked
that Trent took her theory about Mr. Goddard possibly abusing his wife so seriously. She totally understood that Trent couldn’t act on it without more proof, but sometimes even one piece of seemingly irrelevant information could make a case. She’d learned that much from her father.

Sitting at dinner, talking about the suspects, and tossing out theories, stimulated her in more ways than one. It helped put her seduction into perspective. From her actions, Trent must be well aware of her interest in him, and she figured it was now his turn to put some energy into them being together. Deep inside, she needed to know if he was interested in her.

When they both finished their meal, she stood and picked up her plate. “I imagine you’ll want to get back so you can work on a new strategy for figuring out who killed Bill Goddard.”

Trent stilled, clearly not expecting her to say that. Part of her plan was to let him take the initiative. Men liked it when they believed they were in control.

“Let me help you clean up.” Despite his parents having divorced when he was rather young, someone had taught him how to be polite. She appreciated that about him.

Charlotte noticed that he didn’t address her comment about needing to leave, and that avoidance mechanism might be his way of regaining his balance.

After she dumped the empty containers into the trash and placed the dishes in the dishwasher, she faced him. “Did you give the books to Harmon?”

He clenched his fists for second. “Yes, I’m sorry I forgot to tell you. He plans to find a good home for them.”

“Perfect. I didn’t feel right about tossing them.”

“You’re a good person, Charlotte, and I really want to thank you for being so considerate of me and my family.” Trent grabbed her by the waist, drew her close, and when he dragged a knuckle down her cheek, her hormones shot to life. “A lot of people wouldn’t have given Harmon the time of day. Whether he committed his crime or not, the fact he spent three years in jail is going to make a lot of people uneasy being around him, but not you.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned back, enjoying the way his expressive eyes spoke to her. “There’s a gentleness about Harmon that I immediately recognized. If he was caught up in his job, he’s served his time, and that’s good enough for me. I’m sure my father has done a lot of bad things in his life, but he’s a good man underneath.”

“That he is.”

Lust pooled in Trent’s eyes and a second later his mouth captured hers, causing pinpricks of delight to skitter over her skin. His touch, smell, and taste ignited every part of her body, and as much as she wanted to ravish him, she had to let him take the lead.

As his tongue plunged into her mouth, his hands slid under her shirt and cupped her breasts. If that wasn’t a signal that he wanted to make love with her, she didn’t know what was. The mere pressure from his palms rubbing across her nipples sent moisture straight between her thighs. She hadn’t meant the groan to escape, but she couldn’t help it. Trent was everything she wanted and more.

He broke the kiss, and his breath came out rapid. “I’m trying to behave because I don’t want you to think that I only want you for sex.”

Yes!
As much as she wished to question what he did want her for, right now conversation was the last thing on her mind. “I know.”

If she said anything more, he might feel the need to explain. He could talk all he wanted after they made love. To show him she was fine with his expression of passion, she slipped his shirt from his pants and rapidly undid the buttons. God, she loved his chest and how the slight wisp of hair tickled her palms.

Trent lifted her blouse off and tossed it on the kitchen counter. When he unhooked the back of her bra, the relief was divine. As he dragged down the straps, excitement sizzled through her. She hooked her thumbs into his waistband and puffed out her chest, silently begging him to touch her.

His lids half closed as he dragged off her bra. “I can’t seem to stop myself.”

The second his mouth nabbed her nipple, she leaned against the counter and grabbed the edge. Lust swirled inside her, and the delicious ache sent electric pulses straight to her core. Worse than anything, she wanted to rip off his clothes, but she needed to refrain. This was Trent’s show.

“I love your tits.”

She worked hard not to laugh. “You’re such a guy.”

“Oh, yeah?” He punctuated his comment with a tug on each tip, and her breath caught. “Wait ’till I show you just how much of a guy I really am.”

“I’d love to see it.” She nodded to his cock.

He tapped her nose. “That’s off limits until I enjoy you first.”

While he caressed and licked each nipple, his tongue heightened her desire. Much more of this exquisite torture, and she’d have to take control and strip. To hurry the process, she kicked off her shoes.

Needing to touch him, she dragged her fingers over his head, loving the softness of his hair. While he kept it short, the top had grown in, and it was like playing with silk. Since he was working hard to undress her, it seemed only fair to help him out of his jeans. As soon as she undid the buttons, it was like the race was on to see who could undress the other faster. He lifted his head and kissed her hard, all the while dragging her jeans down her hips.

This time, Charlotte broke the kiss and burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

She shook her head. “You are.”

“I have no idea why you think so, but I’ll show you funny.”

In a flash, he lifted her up onto the kitchen counter. He then slipped off her jeans and panties and dropped them behind him before stepping out of his pants and briefs.

“You sure did show me, but I have to be honest, there’s nothing funny about that.” She nodded to his rigid cock.

Trent smiled, picked up his jeans, folded them in half, and then placed his pants behind her. “Lean back on these. It’ll be softer on your elbows.”

Could he be any more considerate? She did as he asked, and he then placed her feet on the counter. With her legs wide open, anticipation made her inner walls cramp. He then had the nerve to run his tongue along his lips, and she could almost feel the lick that was sure to come.

“I hope you have a lot of staying power, as I plan to enjoy you for a long time,” he said.

She laughed. “Me? I think you’re the one who can’t hold out.”

He lowered his chin, clearly ready to take on the dare. She probably shouldn’t have challenged him like that as she knew very well she’d be the first to cave, but there was nothing wrong with having multiple orgasms.

“As long as I don’t let you touch me, I’ll be good. Or so I hope,” he said, sounding wonderfully tentative.

Reaching underneath her, he clasped onto her thighs, his thumbs close to her opening. Trent leaned over and ran his tongue above her folds, but not giving her what she really wanted. The man sure did understand the art of building sexual tension.

Because Charlotte was leaning on her elbows, she was unable to touch him, but her time would come. When she finally grabbed hold, she’d make certain Trent would have no doubt that he’d met his match.

He reached up and flicked his thumb over her distended nipple, and spikes of passion spread across her breast, heating her up. He’d only begun his seduction, and yet she was already close to bursting. It wasn’t fair.

Trent opened her folds with his free hand and very gently rubbed his thumb across her clit, stimulating her, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted it harder and faster.

“What are you waiting for?” She wasn’t really trying to tell him what to do, but it probably sounded like it. Aw, hell.
Just ask
. “Lick me.”

He glanced up at her. “In due time. I need to get you ready.”

“I don’t think I could have any more desire for you than right now.” Charlotte believed in honesty because it lessened misunderstandings.

“I need you to be desperate.”

If she came before he planned, he’d know just how desperate she’d been. Charlotte scooted closer to the edge of the counter, wrapped her legs around his neck, and drew him near. Her butt lifted up enough so that her pussy was close to his mouth.

“That’s cheating.” Trent swiped his tongue across her wet slit, and she had to grip his jeans to keep from toppling over the erotic edge.

“No, it’s called getting what I want,” she panted.

Trent’s fingers alternated between her breasts, plucking, teasing, and basically shooting her need level into the stratosphere, while sucking on her clit. Pride prevented her from coming right away, but when he slipped a finger into her wet hole, she gave up the fight. Charlotte dropped onto her back to free her hands and grabbed his head. Pulses of desire beat against her from the inside out as her orgasm claimed her.

“Yes, yes.”

As amazing as that experience had been, she needed more. Much more.

“You really were ready.” Trent ducked from under her legs and slid her off the counter.

“It won’t take much to make me come again,” she said.

He cupped her face and kissed her, his cock pressing against her belly. Bliss and joy slammed into her as she dragged her palms up and down his corded back, loving the way their passion flared. She couldn’t get enough of him.

Trent lowered his hands to her hips, flipped her around, and dragged her hips away from the counter. “Hang on.”

Charlotte wiggled her rear. “Hurry.”

“God, you’re beautiful.”

He slipped one hand under her and cupped both of her breasts while he guided his cock between her thighs. He then drove straight into her, and her breath lodged in her throat. Despite being wet, the friction drove her wild. Trent dropped his chest onto her back and held on tight. For a few seconds, he remained still, as if he needed a moment to compose himself.

He lifted off her. “Oh, shit, I forgot a condom.”

“I’m on the pill,” she blurted.

“I’m clean, I swear.”

She trusted Trent more than anyone she’d ever known. “Take me.”

Trent kissed her neck then pounded into her. Her fingers tightened on the counter as waves of ecstasy set her on fire. He lightly pinched a nipple, sending sparks of need in every direction.

As much as she wanted to wait until Trent had been fulfilled, each thrust made it more difficult to remain in control. Her groans turned into near screams, and Trent’s moans became louder and louder each time he plunged into her. His fingers tightened on her breasts and his mouth roamed up her neck to her ear. When he dragged his teeth along the outer shell, chaos descended.

Trent drove into her one more time, and she tightened her muscles to keep him there.

“Charlotte!” Heated pulses shot out and filled her.

The stretching and expanding shoved her over the climactic edge, as waves of ecstasy washed over her. Her pulse soared, making it hard to even take a breath.

Trent dragged his hands down to her hips and leaned back. “Each time I make love with you, I’m amazed that it’s better than the last.”

Charlotte was totally blown away. She never expected that admission to come from him. He slipped out, found a towel in the drawer, and wet it. He turned her around and cleaned her up.