Diana (10 page)

Brian told Diana where she could find Luke. “If I were you, I would head there now. He spends a lot of time working from home instead of the office."

"Thanks, Brian. I'll call you."

"You do that. He's a friend of mine, Diana, so don't be so tough and ready to gain an enemy."

She smirked. “I'm not making any sworn promises, bro.” She turned and headed toward her car.

On the drive over there, she thought about her brother and the fatal mistake he nearly made. Gloria Perkins was a lying, two-faced, untrustworthy and manipulative little bitch.

When Diana found out, by accident, her brother and the bimbo were on their way to Vegas to elope, she hopped on the first red eye and tracked them down. Her brother was angry when she'd first arrived on the scene. He should've been grateful, considering Diana hadn't grabbed the blond bimbo by her hair and knocked the crap out of her.

Gloria cheated on Brian, lied to him, manipulated him into thinking she loved him. Little did Brian know Gloria had tried to land their brother Vinny, who at the time was deep undercover in some narcotics investigation.

Diana had to make Brian listen to her. She had evidence, and after a few cell phone calls to some of their friends, things were confirmed.

She shook her head, recalling the anger and heartache her brother revealed. He was in love with her, plain and simple. Weeks later, Brian thanked her for coming to his rescue.

You just don't make the mistake of messing with the Pellino family.

Diana found the condominium complex. It was an upscale development close to mass transit and a bit expensive. On her salary, she could never afford to live in such a place. She found house number thirty-six and parked in a visitor's parking space.

Taking a deep breath, she walked to the front door and rang the doorbell.

Luke just finished getting dressed when the doorbell rang. He wondered who it could be so early in the morning. Glancing at the large grandfather clock in the living room, he saw it was only 8:00 a.m.

He opened the door, and felt the heat of anger reach his face. “What the hell are you doing here?"

Diana cleared her throat and attempted a weak smile. “I'm sorry to bother you at home."

"You should be. How the hell did you?” He didn't complete his sentence. He knew it had to have been Brian.

"Can we talk, please?"

"No. There's nothing to talk about."

"I'm sorry to bother you at home, Fontella, but this is important."

"You should be sorry. The nerve of you."

Her body tensed as she placed her hands on her hips, one on the top handle of her firearm.

"You know what? I'm not sorry to bother you at home this early in the morning. You've left me no choice, Mr. High and Mighty Fire Marshal. I'm trying to run an investigation and, unfortunately, my killer just added arson to his methods of madness, consequently bringing you and I together to combine our expertise and find this guy. So put aside your personal issues and let's get going on the case."

Luke was silent a moment, then turned his back on Diana and began walking away.

She was shocked. Her blood boiled, rushing through her veins. She wanted to hit something, yell, scream, knock Luke Fontella on his ass.

What should I do now?

Without a second thought, she entered the doorway, closed the door behind her, and stomped through the hallway in the direction Luke went in. He wouldn't get the last word.

Maybe other people bow down to Luke Fontella, Big Shot Fire Marshal, but not me. Not Diana Pellino.

"Hey, Fontella!” she called out in her meanest Bronx attitude, as she rounded the corner of the room.

A second later, her body was wedged up against the wall. She was caught off guard, to say the least, by Luke's grasp.

The man was solid rock. The palms of his hands lay on either side of her shoulders, holding them in place. His right knee and leg were between her thighs, and their hips nearly touched.

Her heart beat rapidly as she attempted to catch her breath. Her hands lay flat against his chest of steel. Her belly fluttered, despite the fact she clenched her teeth and was filled with concern.

Luke looked down at her. She could almost read the control and power he felt he had with her in this position.

"What do you think you're doing?” She was annoyed her voice sounded shaky.

"You tell me, tough girl. You entered my home without an invite."

Her heart felt as if it relocated to her feet. Then in an attempt to stay calm and in control, the anger resurfaced. It was a defense mechanism. The thought she could be in danger entered her mind.

"What are you, crazy? You left the door open. I wasn't finished with you.” She frowned.

Luke leaned his body closer against hers. “I wasn't finished with you, either."

He covered her lips with his own, kissing her deep, while his hands slowly climbed the curves of her body.

There was no time to think, just to react. The weight of his massive flesh against her feminine parts left her locked in place. They were molded as one. Her initial response to resist disappeared with each injection of his tongue, combined with each caress of his fingers. They made their way through her hair. She was aware of the little grooves and erotically arousing sensual spots Luke's fingers uncovered.

His lips softly released hers, then trailed over her chin and under her neck. It was as if he were on a mission. For what, she wasn't certain. At the moment, she didn't care.

He whispered against her ear, between nibbles and kisses.

She was in a haze, unable to decipher his exact words. Yet her body must have responded, because she found herself pulling him closer and running her fingers through his hair.

She felt the strength beneath the palms of her hands as she caressed him in return. Their lips locked again. He pressed his body more firmly against hers and she wanted more of him. She was lost in the moment. Her brain ceased to function, leaving her with only the ability to feel Luke's every touch, every moan against her mouth, and every invasion of her body. A firm hand held her head in place. It felt large and solid enough to embrace her whole head, from ear to ear. She was taller than the average woman, yet next to this man, she was petite, feminine. She didn't mind it one bit.

His hand covered her backside. She attempted to pull away, but he wouldn't have it, He squeezed and pulled her tighter.

Diana groaned with pleasure as he continued to kiss her. She had no idea what came over him, or herself for that matter, but she just couldn't stop him. She didn't want to. She wanted more. As his lips moved away from hers, across her cheek to her neck, reality sunk in.

Her feet were off the floor, her legs wrapped around his waist, and her hands gently lay against his forearms. He controlled her, leading her to where he wanted to go. She didn't even know him.

With thoughts of fear and inhibition came thoughts of her commander and the gossip. Luke thought the affair to be true. Hadn't he recently accused her and his father of having some sort of intimate relationship? Why would he kiss her, go after her like this, if he thought she were involved with his father?

Her stomach churned as she grabbed hold of his shoulders, pushed his body apart from hers, and placed her feet back on the floor.

"Wait!"

Luke pinned her body against the wall and continued to kiss her neck, nibbling on her earlobe, sending tingling sensations though her body.

"Wait, Luke. Please, wait."

"You're delicious, Detective. I want you,” he whispered.

"No, Luke. Stop it."

She used her might to push his body away from hers. She had just enough room to escape to the side of him, and put some distance between them.

Her heart beat rapidly. She attempted to fix her blouse, then ran her hand through her messy hair.

When did he remove her hair clip?

Luke attempted to take a step toward her, panting.

She raised her hand, a sure signal for him to step no closer. Anger filled her body now. She thought Luke Fontella was playing some sort of sick game.

"Why did you do that? Why would you kiss me like that?"

He smiled and moved a step closer to her.

Diana took two steps back.

She covered her mouth with her hand, shocked that she'd allowed him to touch her in such a way. It made her body react like never before in her life.

"What do you mean why? I couldn't help myself. You're gorgeous.” He reached his hand out and touched a lock of her hair.

Diana pushed his hand down and away from her. “What kind of sick game are you playing?"

"Game? I'm not playing any games."

"You accused me of being involved with your father. You refuse to return any of my phone calls in regards to investigating this case. You've been giving me nothing but the cold shoulder and attitude, and I'm supposed to not question why you just kissed me?"

"Are you romantically involved with my father?"

"
No!
"

Luke grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into an embrace again, this time holding her wrists gently but firmly behind her back.

"Good. Because I'd fight him for you."

"That's sick,” she whispered.

"Not if you're not involved with him."

"I'm not."

"Enough said."

"No. Not enough said. This isn't right, and we can't do this. We're supposed to be investigating a homicide.” She pulled away from him and headed toward the door.

"Diana, wait."

"No. I shouldn't have come here. I think someone else should handle the case."

"There is no one else who can handle this case."

Exasperated, she quickly exited through the doorway and headed to the safety of her car. She started the engine, then laid her forehead against the steering wheel.

What the hell just happened? How in the world did that just happen?

Multiple questions went through her mind as she tried to figure out what to do next. Her body trembled. She was hot and bothered, and actually contemplated going back inside the sexy fire marshal's home and having her way with him. Or rather, let him have his way with her.

"Damn, he was a great kisser."

She shook her head. Banging her fists against the steering wheel, she was angry as hell with herself. How could she let him corner her like that? He had the upper hand, shocked her into thinking she'd invaded his home uninvited.

She thought about that a moment. She did enter without his welcome, but he left the damn door wide open.

Diana cringed at the thought that she allowed her temper to get her in trouble.

She thought about the scene as it unfolded. Luke's actions came completely out of left field. She didn't expect anything like that to happen. Her plan was to speak with him, make him see there was nothing going on between his father and her, and that was all. How did things go so wrong? He made her angry.
Shit!
Now she had the commander to deal with and her brother Brian. This wasn't good. Why was it, lately, every time she acted with good intentions, things went extremely bad?

She glanced back at the condominium complex and sighed. How the hell was she going to work side by side with Luke?

Quickly, she placed the car in drive and headed away. Far, far away from Luke Fontella and that amazing body of his.

When Diana arrived at the precinct to pick up Jerry, he appeared to be in a bad mood. He'd hardly spoken to her, and although she should be grateful considering the awkward events of her morning, she was concerned.

They were halfway to their destination, an apartment complex where Lee's roommate Janelle was staying since the fire. They needed to interview her. They had zip in the leads’ department, and Diana only had her own unfounded and unproven ideas on a profile for their killer. They needed evidence.

She glanced at her partner, noticing his scowl.

"Hey, Jerry, enough is enough. What is going on with you?"

He snapped his head toward her, the anger apparent in his expression. “With me? Nothing. How ‘bout you?” He turned away from her.

She was shocked at his tone. Obviously there was something bothering him.

"Talk to me, Jerr. What is going on with you? You haven't been yourself."

"I haven't been myself?"

"Cut the shit! Stop answering my questions with my own questions. What's your problem?"

"You! You're my fucking problem."

Diana pulled the car up to the sidewalk in an empty space a half a block before their destination. She slammed the car in park and turned toward him.

"Come clean with me, now. What do you mean I'm your problem?"

"Fuck this shit! I'm not talking about this with you. Nothing's wrong. Just drop it."

Jerry stepped out of the car and Diana did the same, slamming the door shut behind her. She strolled around the vehicle and grabbed Jerry by his wrist.

"I'm not dropping it. You haven't been right for weeks, and now you're telling me that I'm the problem."

She let go of his wrist and placed her hands on her hips. She was glad only a few pedestrians were walking by. He glanced around them and lowered his voice.

"I didn't mean that, Pellino. Just drop it. I've got some personal issues going on, that's all."

"Well, you'd better watch it because I'm not the only one noticing it."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"People are talking. They're picking up on your attitude. Why don't we talk about what's going on?"

"No. People should mind their own fucking business."

"Jerry, I need to know that things are good between us. We're more than partners ... we're friends, right?"

She watched him as he glanced away, as if thinking about what she said. He locked gazes with her.

"I'm sorry. I know I've been saying that a lot lately, but I mean it. I had no right to yell at you. I can handle this, and I'm sorry I blamed you. This has nothing to do with you."

"You let me know if you need me, Jerry. Okay?"