Spoilt (11 page)

“
That’s ok. It happens a lot, especially when people are in
shock.” He looked into her eyes. “This is why we show people photos
because sometimes it reminds them of the little things they might
have forgotten or thought weren’t important. What you told me is
helpful.”

“
Do you think it’s him?”

“
Not sure yet but we’re looking at him. Just wondering also if
you have a recent photo of yourself?”

“
Why do you need that?”

“
Just in relation to Elle’s case.”

Her eyes studied his for a moment before she pulled out an
album from a cupboard and removed a photo.

“
It’s not very recent.”

“
It’ll do thanks.” She gave him another quizzical look before
returning the album.

Lucas decided to change the subject and picked up the photos.
“So what are you cooking up for me?”

* * *

While Chelsea cooked, he decided to divert her attention away
from murder by asking about her family. Her eyes lit up and Lucas
was glad he’d asked.

“
When my Dad was twelve, my grandparents retired and bought a
house in Tidwell. They wanted to enjoy their retirement in a small
town community and away from busy city life. My Pa was a
psychiatrist and my Nan a midwife. She died about five years ago.
They worked hard and invested wisely, enabling them to retire at an
early age. My Dad is the local doctor and my Mum the vet, so they
are both well known and respected. I grew up knowing most of the
townspeople.” She paused and blushed. “Sorry I’m
babbling.”

“
No, please, go on. Do you have any brothers or sisters?” He
wanted her to keep talking. He enjoyed watching her speak with
renewed vigour in her eyes which were shining greener than ever.
She was doing things to him he’d never experienced before. He
ignored the warnings in his head.

“
Yes, Charlotte is two years younger than me and is studying
to be a vet. She works part time with our mum. Hayden is ten years
younger and a typical fifteen year old. Doesn’t say much. I guess
he never really has. Charlotte and Hayden are very much the
opposite. She is confident and outgoing whereas he is very shy and
reserved. I guess I’m kind of in between. Charlotte talks too much
and Hayden not enough. At the moment though, I think I would give
my sister a run for her money. I feel ... comfortable with you I
guess.”

She blushed again, almost provoking him to throw caution to
the wind. Almost.

“
I don’t mind. I’m a good listener. Part of the job
criteria.”

“
I don’t see them as often as I should or want to. Our busy
lives seem to get in the way.”

“
I completely understand. I work too much too.”

He watched her as she finished dinner and served up. His heart
threatened to leap from his chest. He just wanted to touch her
again.

She poured herself a wine and refreshed his drink and, once
they were seated, asked him about his family. At first his face
went blank, then a look of utter sorrow passed over it so that she
deeply regretted asking.

She makes me want to tell her. I need to tell her.

“
My parents are both dead and my sister lives about half an
hour out of the city,” he said in a flat tone, not looking
up.

She gasped. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“
It’s ok. It was a long time ago. It’s part of the reason I
became a cop actually.” He brought his eyes to hers and found
himself telling her the rest, without even thinking. The words just
poured out.

“
I was seventeen when it happened. I was ... at a friend’s and
was going to the electronics store my parents owned afterwards, to
help my Dad with his stock take.” He cleared his throat but the
hurt was still in his voice, in his eyes.

“
I called out to them as I came in the back door but there was
no reply. I felt something sticky on the floor and that is when I
saw the blood...” He trailed off and dropped his eyes.

“
You don’t have to tell me any more,” she said in a whisper,
touching his hand.

“
I want to.” He was surprised by how much he wanted to. “I saw
my Dad’s feet sticking out from behind a box and, as I walked
around, well I was never going to be prepared for what I saw. Both
he and my mother had had their throats cut for one day’s takings
and some electrical goods.”

He stopped. She dropped her fork.

“
They never caught who did it. Carrie, my older sister, and I
moved into a small apartment. I joined the force; she started a
hairdressing business and got married.” He looked up to discover
tears running down her face. “Oh God, I’m so insensitive. How could
I tell you that today?”

“
I’m not crying about Elle, Lucas. I’m crying for
you.”

She reached across the table a second time and put her hand
onto his clenched fist, leaving it there this time.

He liked the feel of her soft hand on his. “It’s okay. Like I
said it was a long time ago. My sister has always been my rock and
she has two beautiful kids, who I adore.” He smiled and the hurt
from his eyes vanished. He unclenched his fists. “It’s ok. Please
don’t cry.”

“
I just couldn’t imagine …”

“
I guess that is why I have been so …”

“
Curt?”

“
Putting it nicely. This investigation has got to me some.”
His lips thinned.

“
Well,” she said, trying to brighten the mood. “I think today
calls for chocolate cake.”

“
You have some?” His nose crinkled delectably.

“
Well of course. I bought it yesterday in case Elle came home
...”

“
I’m so sorry, Chelsea. If I had listened to you
...”

“
It’s not your fault. There was probably nothing you could
have done anyway. Come on, let’s have some cake on the balcony. You
thought the view was good during the day.”

* * *

They sat in comfortable silence admiring the view while Lucas
sneaked glances at her when he thought she wasn’t looking. Little
did he know that not only had she noticed, but she was doing the
same.

After he had finished his dessert, Lucas placed his plate on
the table, looked at his watch and stood up abruptly.

“
It’s late. I should go.”

They went downstairs and stood at the door, neither in any
hurry to end the evening. He pulled out a business card and gave it
to her.

“
If you need anything, ring me, anytime. Thanks for dinner.”
He turned to leave.

“
I think I like this Lucas much better,” she said quietly and
he almost didn’t hear her.

He turned to her as she stood on her tip toes to offer him a
brief kiss on the cheek. He groaned. All his composure shattered
like glass on a tiled floor.

In one swift motion he scooped her up into a powerful embrace
and devoured her mouth, his tongue teasing hers. One hand dove into
her hair to stop and cup her head, to pull her in closer. The other
circled her waist to clasp her tight against his body. He deepened
the kiss, pouring all his desire and passion from his mouth to
hers.

Her body tingled all over as she reached up to touch his face
before running her fingers through his hair. She wrapped her legs
around his waist and buried her hands deeper in his waves, clasping
it now, drawing him closer.

Having her legs wrapped round him was almost too much for him
to endure. If he didn’t stop now, he never would. Feeling her body
tight against his made him dizzy. He pulled his head back but
didn’t put her down.

“
If we don’t stop, I will not be responsible for what happens
next,” he said hoarsely.

“
Me neither,” she purred.

“
Chelsea, as much as it pains me to say this, I think we
should stop. I don’t want rush in, do anything too soon ... not
with you.”

And suddenly he knew he meant it. This usually ended
differently but he didn’t want it to go this way. His desire-filled
mind couldn’t make sense of it all.

Chelsea looked into his eyes and saw the truth there. She did
want him to stay but it was too soon and she’d gotten carried away.
She unwound her legs and he gently lowered her down without
removing his hand from her face. He bent down to kiss her
tenderly.

“
Good night,” he whispered.

He left quickly before he could change his mind.

After he’d gone, Chelsea leant against the door and sighed.
She knew she’d seen the real Lucas tonight and he wasn’t the tough
guy he made himself out to be. What was she going to do
now?

* * *

As he drove home, Lucas attempted to bring himself back under
control. He nearly turned the car around, but he talked himself out
of it. How had he stopped himself from taking her as she wrapped
herself around him? Why did he stop? What made her so
different?

He decided a good night’s sleep would improve his focus but,
once in bed, sleep was unattainable. She kept sliding sensuously
into his mind.

He couldn’t believe he’d stopped and not taken the next step.
He’d been a one night kind of guy, no strings attached. He didn’t
want one night with Chelsea; he wanted more, much more. For the
first time ever, he saw a woman as more than a pretty face, a
conquest, someone to warm his bed for the evening, to stave off his
loneliness. He did not just want this from her; he wanted
everything. She’d felt so comforting when he’d poured his heart out
to her and when she cried for him before touching his
hand.

He was totally dumbfounded by how he had managed to stop
himself from leaping across the table and taking her there and
then.

He could barely keep his hands to himself whenever he was
around her, yet he had managed to do just that the entire evening.
Then her kiss to his cheek, so affectionate, so trusting somehow
and her adorable face gazing up at him were almost his undoing. He
knew at that moment he had to slow things down, to play for higher
stakes.

He lay with his arm over his face in an attempt to block out
her floating image so he could get some sleep.

Big question - would she still want him once she knew how many
women he had slept with? The thought made him feel insecure, even
panic briefly in a rare moment of shame, and he knew it would be
best for them both if he stayed away from her for a while, got over
her. That was what he should do, now could he do it?

That night, instead of death haunting his dreams, it was milky
skin, emerald eyes, kissable lips, and her small hips pressing
against him. The nightmares were gone again.

* * *

What’s this, Princess, having dinner with the detective now,
are we? Well you are full of surprises. Don’t get too comfortable.
Soon I will be coming for you. Tomorrow we will speak. I need to
hear your voice and to let you know that soon you will taste the
bitterness of one more loss. Losing your friend is just the
beginning.

Chapter 12

Family

Friday

Sitting around thinking about Elle was not going to bring her
back. The pain threatened to overwhelm Chelsea as she pottered
around the house, busying herself with mundane tasks. Nothing took
her mind off the fact that her best friend was gone.

Chelsea decided to open Bloom to escape the silence and
constant reminders. Elle wouldn’t have wanted Chelsea to put her
life on hold and it would take her mind off things.

As she headed out the door, the phone rang. She rushed to
answer it.

“
Hello.”

“
I’ll be coming for you soon,” a strangely metallic voice
threatened before hanging up.

Her heart dropped but she pushed away the fear, almost
convincing herself that it was a prank call, someone’s idea of a
sick joke.

* * *

When Chelsea entered the back of her shop an instant comfort
of aromas and colours washed all over her. She was pleased to see
Gavin had delivered the flowers along with the arrangements for
display she’d purchased, allowing her to get a start on her
orders.

The next hour passed quickly and, before she knew it, opening
time arrived. Next to Saturday, Friday was her busiest day and she
appreciated that the morning would go quickly. Sarah and Charlotte
were arriving at lunchtime and she was eager to see
them.

She closed for lunch and headed home to greet her family. The
moment she walked in the front door, the phone rang once again.
Dropping her bag and keys on the table, she ran to answer
it.

“
Hello.”

“
Soon it will be your turn.” Again that metallic
voice.

She put the phone down, hard. This time she couldn’t shrug off
her growing anxiety so easily. Was this threat real? It certainly
sounded it. No, of course not, she told herself, but she failed to
convince herself. Underneath she knew she wasn’t being
paranoid.

The voice sounded cold, harsh and very serious. Inhuman, in
fact. She stood frozen, her heart thudding. The hairs on her neck
bristled. As goose bumps spread down her arms, she rubbed her hands
over them and tried to shake off the mounting terror.