The Stranger Next Door (13 page)

“No, it isn’t,” he said quietly as he raised his eyes to hers. “Nothing between the two of us could ever be a mistake.”

Tess blinked up at him, bewildered.

Stepping closer, he slid his hand over her shoulder to the nape of her neck before sliding his fingers into her thick, silky strands of hair.

She shivered under his touch, and he hardened for her immediately. Her eyes blazed with undisguised passion as he lowered his lips to hers.

What he’d intended to be a soft, measuring kiss before a slow night of long-anticipated lovemaking turned heated and frantic in a matter of seconds when Tess turned to fire in his arms.

Slipping her arms around his neck, she kissed him hungrily. Her soft lips against his and the feel of her feminine curves shifting subtly against his naked flesh sent his already rampant arousal to its peak.

Quickly, she lowered her hands to the towel and ripped the material away.

Reaching down, Jack slid his hands over the round globes of her ass and lifted her off her feet. She immediately wrapped her legs around his waist, pressing his diamond-hard erection between them against his stomach and her barely-covered torso.

The damp heat of her core shifting against him drove him to the edge of insanity as she held him tightly with her legs and let her hands roam over him freely.

Lowering his head, he trailed open-mouthed kisses along her jaw line to her neck and lower still to her breasts. His body pulsed with desire as she pinched his nipples.

He needed to get control of himself or he wouldn’t make it much farther. He hadn’t felt this level of need in his entire life. Something about Tess turned him into a mass of unadulterated, uncontrollable arousal, and he’d be damned if he’d waited this long to have her only to spill himself like a horny teen before he even entered her. Biting his lip, he struggled to push his last remaining ounce of control back into place.

Taking a step forward, Jack pressed Tess against the closed door and held her body against it with his own, freeing his hands to explore her further.

Sliding his hands over her breasts, he slipped his fingers inside the sheer material of her camisole to find her already budded nipples. Rolling them between his finger and thumb, he teased and toyed until she gasped with pleasure. Gripping his hair, she pulled his lips back to hers and groaned loudly into his mouth.

Breaking the kiss, he lowered his head, pulled her breasts free from the confining material, and took one firm nipple into his mouth. Suckling the tender flesh greedily, he thrust his rigid erection against her core.

“Oh God, Jack.” She moaned louder as he continued to have his way with her ample bosom.

Thrusting himself against her again, she gripped his waist tighter with her legs and pressed herself into the thrust.

Gripping the material of her camisole, he ripped it over her head and tossed it to the floor before reaching down to grasp the scrap of material she considered panties. With one smooth tug, he ripped the cloth from her and tossed that piece of clothing to the floor with the other.

Her center immediately pressed flesh-to-flesh with his cock, and they both shuddered.

*

The feel of Jack’s naked flesh pressing against hers sent a heated chill the length of her entire body. She’d never wanted someone as badly as she did Jack. Her body hummed with pleasure as he nipped and laved at her sensitive nipples.

Sliding her hands over his broad shoulders and chest, she shivered as he continued his torturous nipple play.

She ached to have him inside her. The press of his hard manhood against her feminine flesh sent her into a whirlwind of need. With every subtle thrust against her naked flesh, she came closer and closer to her peak.

The thought that she needed him deep within her desperately had just flown through her mind when one of his hands left her breast and slipped between them.

Her breath caught in her throat as his fingers danced across her intimate area, finding the sensitive bud of her womanhood.

Slowly, he circled the tender flesh with the pad of his thumb.

“Do you like that?” he asked, his voice gravelly against the curve of her neck where he nipped playfully.

The sound of Jack’s rugged voice uttering those words sent her soaring. Was there anything she wouldn’t like about him?

Apparently not.

As much as she wanted to answer him, she couldn’t, not with him teasing her as he was, so a frantic nod would have to suffice.

“And what about this?” he asked, pressing one long finger deep into her core ever so slowly.

Her body jerked against the intrusion but immediately relaxed as he set into a delectable rhythm, pressing his fingers deep, all the while circling her clit with his thumb.

A strangled “yes” answered his question.

She was on fire, burning up from the inside out as he tormented her with his expert touch. Unable to control herself, she writhed shamelessly against his hands. Reaching between them, she grasped his cock and smiled as he sucked in a breath.

Slowly, she stroked him in rhythm with his ministrations.

Quickly, he brushed her hand away.

Opening her eyes, she’d started to protest when he grinned and removed his hand from her.

“If you like that, then you’ll love this.”

With one quick, fluid movement, he slid himself into her.

His size was more than she’d bargained for, and as her body stretched to its limit, she immediately began to climax.

It was all too much, too overwhelming, and the feel of Jack seated deep inside her pushed her over the edge into the brilliant abyss of release.

He held as still as a stone as she cried out while wave after turbulent wave of passion washed over her.

Gripping his hair, she floated down from her all-time high and opened her eyes to peer into his. He watched her reaction to his lovemaking with sheer pleasure, and that fact sent another round of heat searing through her.

As strongly as she’d just come, she was shocked to realize she needed more. She needed him again, and now.

Tightening her legs around his waist, she pressed him deeper within her.

“Don’t stop,” she whispered against his mouth as she pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said huskily. “I need you, Tess. I need to take you, hard.”

Just the sound of his voice sent tremors of passion shooting through her, and in that moment, she knew no matter what he needed from her, she would give it. It was a frightening thought, but a fact she couldn’t deny.

“Yes,” she moaned when he thrust into her with force. “Anything.”

The cold door bit into her back, but she didn’t care as Jack thrust into her again and again.

Slipping his hands beneath her ass, Jack stepped away from the door and still standing, pumped into her relentlessly.

Her head lolled back as every slide in and out built the most delicious friction. Suddenly, she was hurtled violently into ecstasy as her climax hit her hard and fast.

“Jack!” she screamed out with her pleasure as, one last time, Jack plunged into her and cried out her name as he claimed his own release.

Chapter Fifteen

Shutting off the water, Jack grinned.

The night had gone by in a flurry of heated caresses, hungry kisses, and frantic lovemaking.

Tess was everything he’d ever wanted in a woman, and now if he hadn’t misread the situation, she was his. Or, at least he hoped she was. Things were still a little sketchy in that department. But he was confident. She’d responded to him without reserve through the night.

Things were looking up for them, and he was thrilled. The threat to Tess’s life seemed to have waned, and they had finally moved on to the next step in their relationship.

A relationship
, he mused. For the first time in a long time, he was in a real relationship with a woman he not only desired but also truly cared about.

Grabbing a towel from the nearest rack, he quickly dried off and wrapped the towel around his waist. Due to their full night of lovemaking, he’d overslept, and it was already afternoon. Robbie would be arriving any minute.

Just as the thought entered his mind, the sound of his cell phone ringing caught his attention.

Hurrying from the bathroom, he strode to the nightstand quickly and retrieved his cell before it woke Tess.

“Hello,” he answered softly.

“Hey, bro. Are you busy?” Robbie asked.

Glancing to the clock, Jack shook his head. “No, I just got out of the shower.”

“Good. I’ll be there in ten.”

The sound of Robbie disconnecting the call reached his ear, and he frowned.

Something was wrong.
Robbie rarely ever sounded serious.

What was happening? Robbie insisted on looking into her deceased partner’s family, but Jack was confident he wouldn’t find anything. After all, there hadn’t been any attacks on Tess since the attempted kidnapping.

Scrubbing his hand through his damp hair, he shrugged.

Whatever it was, Robby was on his way, and he’d find out soon.

Placing the phone onto the table once again, Jack peered down at a sound-asleep Tess and smiled.

Every time he looked at her, he could swear he felt his heart expand with some unidentifiable emotion.

He’d be moving back into his house today but felt certain what was happening between them would continue to grow.

Tiptoeing to the closet, he quietly gathered a pair of old jeans and a thin t-shirt. Slipping the jeans on, he grabbed socks and shoes and proceeded quietly from the room.

As soon as he reached the landing, a knock sounded at the door.

Hurrying over, he pulled the door open and watched warily as Robbie entered.

His hair was disheveled, his clothing wrinkled, and he looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Which was odd, considering he’d seen him the night before.

“Everything all right?” he asked curiously.

Robbie shook his head. “Where’s Tess?”

Jack looked toward the stairs then back at Robbie’s distressed face. “Still asleep. Why?”

Hurrying into the kitchen, Jack took the coffee and filters from the cabinet and prepared a pot of coffee. He definitely needed to get Tess a bigger coffee pot.

“Good. We need to talk.”

Jack grabbed two coffee cups and motioned for Robbie to take a seat at the table.

“What’s going on?” he asked as the coffee finished perking. Pouring the coffee, he then handed the cup to Robbie before taking his own seat. His partner’s distress was really starting to worry him.

Robbie took a small sip then frowned into the black liquid.

“Robbie?”

Taking a deep breath, Robbie sighed. “Remember how I thought we needed to look into the Camillo family?”

Jack nodded.

“Well, after I went back to your place last night, I made a few calls and started digging.”

Jack listened intently. “Go on.”

“At first I didn’t think I was going to find anything, but then as I was looking through some old newspaper clippings, something caught my eye.”

Reaching into the bag Jack only now noticed he’d carried in, Robbie pulled out a file folder. Opening it, he reached inside and pulled out a newspaper clipping then slid it across the table.

Jack took it in hand and looked it over. It was a picture of a funeral. Officers in uniform and several civilians surrounded a flag-draped coffin. He immediately spotted Tess standing graveside in her uniform. The headline read,
HEROIC OFFICER LAID TO REST
.

“Okay, so you found a picture of Dean’s funeral. What’s so suspicious about that?”

Robbie shook his head quickly and leaned forward to point at a man in the picture.

“It’s not. But he is.”

Looking closer at the picture and the man Robbie pointed to, he shook his head again. “I still don’t get it. What am I missing?”

Leaning back in the chair, Robbie ran a hand through his hair as he often did when stressed. “This old man is Dean Camillo’s father, Roman Camillo. He’s the owner of C&D Oil.”

“Again,” Jack said, “that’s nothing new. We already know what his father does for a living.”

“Just listen,” Robbie said quickly. “I recognized him immediately. When I was a kid, my dad was a detective here in the city. For the longest time, he was after this guy named Sylvester Armada. Dad and his partner knew he was involved with the mob, drugs, firearms, the whole nine yards, but they could never catch him in the act, and when they did, there was never enough evidence to put him away. He always found a way to weasel out of the charges and sue the department for wrongful arrest. After about the third lawsuit, the captain gave my father and his partner strict orders to leave him alone. The case was costing the department too much money. He did, and after that, Sylvester faded into the background.”

Jack stared at the picture for another long moment before the realization of what Robbie was trying to tell him sank in.

Sliding another picture across the table, Robbie frowned. “This is an old picture of Sylvester Armada.”

Jack gaped as he stared at the same man in both pictures.

“You mean Dean’s father is a mob boss? That’s not very likely. Tess has known this family all her life. Don’t you think she would’ve caught on to the fact her best friend’s father was a mobster? Besides, what does this have to do with someone trying to kidnap Tess or Dean’s wife’s murder? What gives?”

“Maybe they thought Tess and the wife had information they needed. And you never know … Maybe Tess does know about the family’s secrets.”

Jack shook his head. “That’s pretty far-fetched.”

“Maybe. But it’s not impossible.” Robbie shrugged.

Thinking quietly for a long moment, Jack shook his head. “No,” he said sternly. “There’s no way she knew about any of this.”

“Come on, Jack. I know you care about Tess, but you have to look at the facts.” He pointed to the man in the picture. “That’s Sylvester Armada, and what better way to cover your sizable income from illegal activities than to purchase and operate an oil company? To top it off, having a cop for a son would keep the attention off him as well, especially if Dean was in on his pop’s illegal activities.”

Leaning back in his chair, Jack blew out a breath. “No way. There are too many holes in your story. How would he hide himself in plain sight if he were so well known in that world? Even with the name change, someone was bound to spot him, even if he wanted out.”

“I don’t know,” Robbie admitted. “But Roman and Sylvester are the same man. Of that much I’m certain.” He just couldn’t bring himself to believe Tess knew about any of this. If she’d known Roman all of her life, she had to have known him as Sylvester at one time, unless she’d met the family after he’d become Roman.

“I see your wheels turning. What’s going on in that head of yours?”

Jack frowned. He wouldn’t jump to conclusions about Tess’s involvement until he had more evidence. He just couldn’t believe Tess would be involved with something like this. His heart wouldn’t let him.

He’d keep up his relationship with Tess and sneak in as many questions about her partner and his life as he could. He’d also do a little snooping. She didn’t need to know of Robbie’s suspicions. If she had anything to do with Dean and his father’s extra-curricular activities, he’d find out and confront her about it then. And if she didn’t, he wouldn’t have to worry about damage to their relationship due to false suspicions.

“I still don’t think Tess has anything to do with any of this. I mean, she couldn’t miss the signs if what you’re saying is true and the Camillos are mixed in with the mob, but I’ll snoop around and see what I can find.”

“Don’t bother. I’ll tell you everything you want to know. Then you can get the hell out.”

Turning toward the doorway, Jack gaped at Tess as her eyes bored into him fiercely.

* * * *

Drying quickly, Tess dressed and headed downstairs.

The night before had been one of sheer delight as she spent it rolling around in the strong circle of Jack’s arms. Her body ached in places she’d forgotten she possessed, but she couldn’t be happier. She was on her way to a real relationship with a wonderful man. She’d even decided on a course of action involving her career.

Being a cop wasn’t what she wanted anymore. There was too much violence and death around every bend, and she feared that, without her best friend to support her, she couldn’t deal with it any longer. She enjoyed remodeling her house and, with a little urging from Patrice, decided that becoming a contractor might not be such a bad idea. She’d already made some calls to gather information on what she needed to do to get started.

In the meantime, since Jack was moving back into his place today, she had some errands to run. She needed a little alone time since Jack and Robbie had invaded her house for weeks, and running some errands would give her just the alone time she needed.

Skipping happily down the stairs, she halted abruptly as the sound of Robbie’s voice drifted from the kitchen. It wasn’t surprising to hear Robbie in her house, but what he was saying startled her.

“Come on, Jack. I know you care about Tess, but you have to look at the facts,” he said. “That’s Roman Camillo, and what better way to cover your sizable income from illegal activities than to purchase and operate an oil company? To top it off, having a cop for a son would keep the attention off him as well, especially if Dean was in on his pop’s illegal activities.”

What the hell’s he talking about?
She wondered.
What illegal activities?

Stepping closer to the doorway, she pressed herself against the wall and out of the men’s line of sight. She wasn’t normally an eavesdropper, but when something was going on in her own home, she held no qualms about it, especially when it had to do with her dead partner and his family. Dean’s family had been like a family to her since she was five years old.

Jack’s voice rumbled quietly. “I still don’t think Tess has anything to do with any of this. I mean she couldn’t miss the signs if what you’re saying is true and the Camillos are mixed in with the mob, but I’ll snoop around and see what I can find. Dean did leave her an insane amount of money when he died. Maybe you're right and she knows something. I just hope not.”

Tess sucked in a startled breath.

This couldn’t be happening. How on Earth could they think the Camillos had anything to do with the mob? And how could they assume she had anything to do with such illegal activities?
Her anger boiled over. Her hands shook with rage as she stepped into the doorway.

“Don’t bother. I’ll tell you everything you want to know. Then you can get the hell out.”

Jack looked at her with a mixture of guilt and surprise. She couldn’t believe he was accusing of her such atrocities after the night they’d just shared.

“Tess, I didn’t know you were awake. How long have you been standing there?” he asked warily.

“Long enough to know that you suspect me, and the only people who cared for me growing up, of being mixed in with the mob.”

“Tess, listen—”

“Shut it,” she bit out as Robbie tried to speak.

Closing his mouth, Robbie sat back down and watched cautiously.

She didn’t blame him. She was enraged. The people she’d come to trust over these last few weeks had been secretly spying on her. How could they?

“What do you want to know?” she asked through clenched teeth.

“Tess, please calm down.”

“How can you two sit there and suspect me of something like this? How can you point fingers at Dean and his family? What proof do you have?”

Jack scrambled to stand before her. His eyes held his worry, and for a moment, she felt herself soften toward him, but just as quickly, she hardened her heart.

“We do have proof,” he said quickly. “Well, we only have proof that Dean’s father isn’t who he says he is.”

Arching an eyebrow, she shook her head. “You expect me to believe that?”

“I’ll show you,” Jack hurried on. “Come sit down. You said you’ve know Dean and his family all of your life, right?”

“Since I was five. Dean and I met in kindergarten, so basically all of my life, yeah. What’s that have to do with anything?”

Tess glanced at Robbie then back at Jack. He seemed adamant about this so-called proof. Curiosity got the best of her, and she slowly approached the table.

When they continued to look like deer caught in the headlights, she huffed out a breath.

“Just show me what you think you have.”

Jack quickly showed her the picture and told her the story about Robbie’s father and his attempts to capture Sylvester Armada, a.k.a. Roman Camillo.

Tess stared at the pictures for a long moment before speaking. None of what they were telling her made a bit of sense. She knew the Camillos. They were good people, not some ruffian mobsters. “If what you say is true, I still don’t understand what it has to do with my attempted kidnapping or Melanie’s murder.”

“Robbie thinks it has something to do with some information you two might have.”

Tess glared at the men. “Sorry, but I don’t have any information.”

“So, you didn’t know anything about their mob connections?” Robbie asked skeptically.

“No. And I’m still not sure I believe anything you’re saying.”