Caribbean Rain (36 page)
Looking at Chloe standing next to Manny, her hand in his, Jen tilted her head. “I don’t know if I said this, but welcome to the family. I’m still working through some stuff, but it’ll be cool.” Then she disappeared into the casino.
“She’s a good girl. I hope I don’t disappoint her, ya know.”
He kissed Chloe. “How could you ever disappoint anyone?”
There was a bump from behind and then loud laughing. He turned to see Haley Rose flanked by Dean and Josh, all with drinks in their hands.
“Excuse me,” grinned Haley Rose. “These fine gentlemen have agreed to teach me the art of counting cards at the blackjack tables, and I expect to be rich before the night’s done.”
Without warning, she pulled Manny to her, kissed him on the cheek, then stepped back. “You’re a good man, Manny Williams. A little old-fashioned, but then again, maybe we need more of that.”
She hugged her daughter again. “What the hell are you two still doing down here? It’s your bloody wedding night. Move your asses. I just might be needin’ a grand babe or two.”
“Holy smokes, she’s right,” said Josh.
“TMI,” smiled Dean, “TMI.”
Then Chloe and Manny left, hurrying through the lobby.
“I’m thinking there’ll be a hangover or two tomorrow,” smiled Chloe, almost shyly.
“There will, but not my problem,” he grinned.
Their eyes met, and she drew him in tight. “I’ll not be waiting another minute,” she whispered.
When they reached the door of her room, Manny picked her up, found a way to work the slide key, and carried her in.
The room had been decorated with shaving cream, colorful balloons, and condoms all over the bed, but neither of them really cared.
They stood, kissing, as Manny slowly worked his way down both sides of her neck. Her small moans said he was getting it right. His hands were surprisingly steady, he thought he’d be more nervous, but was instead on the other side of excited.
She pulled his shirt over his head and kissed his shoulders. The feeling was next to unbelievable. Returning the gesture, he helped Chloe slip off her blouse. She shook her red mane, and her eyes grew wide.
He slid his hand around to her smooth back and popped her bra loose with one flick.
“Nice touch,” she said, thickly.
“A little out of practice, but it worked,” he breathed.
He teased her breasts with his fingers, then kissed them gently as he ran his other hand down her hip and cupped her backside.
She reached for his belt and loosened his khakis, and they slithered to the floor. Her hand found what she was searching for and squeezed.
He gasped.
He lifted Chloe to the bed and finished undressing her with steady hands and a steady purpose, relishing each movement and wondering how his life could contain such joy. Three hours later—and another robust session of getting to know each other— they leaned back on the bed, sipping champagne and talking. Every move of her mouth, every motion she made, only added to his appreciation for his new wife. She was completely intoxicating, and completely his.
Getting up to pour more champagne, he heard the knock at the door.
“Great. They were supposed to leave us alone,” he lamented.
“Get rid of them, Special Agent Williams, and I’ll make it worth your while, I will,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to collecting on that one.”
Manny threw on a robe and peered out the peephole. Crazy. Word must have spread fast. The copilot that had flown them to San Juan stood outside the door, gift in hand.
Rolling his eyes, he wasn’t going to open the door, then decided that would be rude. After all, the man was bearing a gift. He opened the door.
“Sorry to bother you, Agent, but I’ve a gift for ya.”
It was impossible to ignore the Irish tint in his voice. Manny cocked his head. He didn’t remember that accent from the jet.
“Thank you, but it’s not necessary.”
“Oh, but it is. Some gifts are just better than others.”
Dropping the package on the carpet, he thrust the long knife deep into Manny’s chest.
“One never knows, Agent. One never knows,” he said, then sprinted down the hall.
As Manny dropped to the floor, his hands gripping the hilt of the blade, blood gurgling from the wound, he heard Chloe scream his name.
Then Manny Williams greeted the darkness.
Acknowledgements
I want to thank my wife for her hard work and dedication to what we’re trying to accomplish. It can’t be that easy working with your husband who doubles as a writer. I love you.
Inexpressible thanks to my editor, Janet Green
(www.thewordverve.com)
, for running her hand through her hair and doing an amazing job.
Cover Art by Katy A. Whipple. Nice work, Katy.
Formatting by
Bob Houston eBook Formatting
. Great job, Bob.
Special thanks to Retired Ingham County Detective Mark Bowser for answering my endless stream of questions.
I want to thank Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the other outlets that drive the e-book revolution. I’m extremely grateful that this media has helped me live this dream.
Thank you Sarah Murgittroyd, Sue Teachout, and Marie and David Gold for being the best beta reading team ever assembled. I’m more than grateful, as I run my hand through my hair!
I want to thank all of you readers, I’m just not sure how. You are the true reason authors get to share the stories in their heads, and you have made this journey seem more like a fairytale than a vocation. I tip my hat to you and say . . . much appreciated.
Lastly, and most importantly, I want to thank God for His great gift: Jesus. Nothing I write could express what that means to all of us. He’s lifted me up and taken me from Hell to Heaven, and I’m eternally grateful.
Thank You
Thank you so much for reading Caribbean Rain!! Please go to
www.rickmurcer.com
to tell me what you think.
****************
Future Works
I have several projects in mind for the next two years, God willing, including the next Manny Williams thriller. I have an anthology scheduled with six very talented writers, due out in June, 2012. Then my first non-Manny thriller to be released by the middle of August.
Carolina Rain
: Murders in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina, send the crew on one of their toughest cases. Great weather, grisly murders, and a few surprises that will have you wondering what’s next! Due by December 15, 2012.
********************
About the author
Rick lives in Holt, Michigan with his wife. They have two great kids, three amazing grandchildren, an equally amazing daughter-in-law, and the best blind writing dog ever, big Max.
********************
Table of Contents
