Mississippi Heat, page 19
"Really?" He drew the word out with interest. "We're going to try this?"
"You started it, mister." She rose to slowly take him into her. "Guess I'll have to finish it. Oh, God," she cried when he rose to thrust.
"Lacey." Gripping her hips, he fought the urge to drive himself into her over and over. Instead, he let her take the lead to ride. Her slow, measured strokes had him releasing his own groan. "Lace."
Without a word, she braced her hands on the tub behind him, leaned in so her breasts pressed against his chest, and kissed him long and deep. The feel of her tightening around him, the sound of her throaty little whimpers, had him digging his fingers into her soft flesh.
Caught in the ride, Lacey broke the kiss and leaned back, holding onto the sides of the tub to keep herself upright. Brooks was mesmerized by the sight of her, rising and falling, her eyes closed and her head thrown back as she reveled in the sensations. Wanting to add to them, he used his hands, then his mouth on her breasts. Her gasp and moan at the feel of them made him want to touch her everywhere, all at once.
"Lace." When her eyes, blurred with passion, met his, he was almost lost in them. "Kiss me."
He rose up to meet the kiss, his arm wrapped around her waist to help her balance. And when she buried her hands in his hair, he reached between them to rub his thumb over her center.
She exploded over him, around him, as the orgasm shook her whole body. The cry was almost a short scream of release as she held on for dear life. He could feel her panting breaths on his skin as she stopped moving.
"Holy. Shit." Dropping her forehead to his shoulder, she worked to catch her breath.
"And then some," he agreed with a laugh. He looked over the edge of the tub and laughed again. "I think more than half of our water is on the floor."
"Don't care. It was worth every drop." Now, she cupped his face and kissed him tenderly. "Every drop."
"I absolutely agree. Now, what do you say we drain what's left of this water, clean up the mess, take our wine and dessert, and go watch a movie in bed?"
She dropped another kiss. "I say best night ever."
Late in the night, when the house had gone quiet and settled, Lacey was snuggled up against Brooks's side, half-asleep. However, the idea of sleep vanished when she heard Cocoa come to full alert from where she lay by the side of the bed. Lacey had started to close her eyes again to attempt to drift off to sleep, when she heard the low, warning growl and the sound of the dog's claws clicking on the floor as Cocoa took off for the stairs.
"What in the world?" Lacey murmured to herself as she slipped from the bed, threw on some clothes, and grabbed her phone. Brooks, dead to the world, gave a little grumble as he rolled over without a care. Her feet bare, Lacey padded from the room and followed the dog down the stairs. When she reached the bottom, she saw Cocoa standing at the front door, her growl a little louder and the hair standing up on the back of her neck. A chill ran up Lacey's spine at the thought of someone sneaking around on her front porch.
"Quiet, girl." Laying a hand on the dog's head, Lacey did her best to peek through the window without being noticed. She saw the dim light from the overhead bulb, the outline of the porch swing and, she thought, the faint shadow of a figure at the end of the driveway.
"What's going on?" Brooks's sleep-roughened voice came from behind her.
"Jesus, make a noise, will you?" Clutching a hand to her heart, Lacey gestured with her free one. "Your dog let me know something was up, so we came down to look. Not act," she added when he gave her that disapproving look. "Just to look."
"Okay." He reached over to a box, in the exact same spot her father's small gun safe used to sit. And, as Brooks keyed the code and opened it, Lacey realized it was another gun safe. Smaller and in a different color, but a safe nonetheless.
"When did you bring that here?" she asked.
"Couple days ago." He closed the safe and checked the weapon. "Didn't figure it could hurt. And since your dad thought this was a good spot to keep his, I thought I'd do the same." He reached for the door, rested his hand on the handle. "Things got busy and I didn't get the chance to give you the code, but I will. Stay in here, okay? I'm just going to step out onto the porch and take a quick look around."
She watched as Brooks, with Cocoa on his heels, strode the length of the porch and back again, stopping at the top of the stairs with his pistol gripped in his right hand. Apparently seeing nothing that sparked concern, he turned for the door and came to an abrupt halt.
"Christ." His face paling, he ran his free hand over his hair. "Lace, I think you'd better call Hank." He gestured to the door.
There, stuck to her front door, was a single Polaroid of a once-pretty blonde girl in her teens. Her beauty was marred by the bruises and dirt covering her bound body. In the white strip under the image, in neat block letters, was a message to Lacey.
Your time is coming soon.
"Oh, God." With her phone clenched in an iron grip, she began to dial before suddenly stopping as recognition struck. "Brooks, I think I know who this is."
"What?"
"This girl. I’ve seen her before.” She covered her mouth with her hand as Brooks caught the phone that slipped through her limp fingers. "Oh God, Brooks. Ashley’s little sister? This is her best friend."
“Definitely need to call Hank.” His arm around her waist, Brooks led Lacey back into the house. “And at some point, Ashley, too. If anyone knows what her sister’s going through, it’s you.”
17
A little more than thirty-six hours after finding the picture on the front door, Lacey stood on her front porch and watched her parents' RV bump its way down her lane in the sunny hours of midmorning. Her father concentrated on navigating the large vehicle while her mother waved enthusiastically from the passenger seat. The RV had barely come to a stop when Caroline Fuller jumped up from her seat and made her way to the door. She made the short trip to the porch at a jog and met Lacey at the foot of the steps with an enveloping hug.
"Oh, honey. It's so good to see you." The older woman swayed with her daughter in her arms.
"Mom." Lacey laughed as she patted her mother's back. "You act like you haven't seen me in years."
"It feels like years." Caroline made no move to release the younger woman.
"Care, you gotta let the girl breathe." Mitch's voice drifted from over Lacey's shoulder. "Besides, I need my turn to get a look at her."
"Hi, Dad." Her mother finally releasing her, Lacey turned to her father with a smile. "You look good behind the wheel of that thing." She jerked a thumb in the direction of the RV.
"What are you talking about?" His grin widened as he winked. "I always look good."
With a snort of a laugh, Lacey went into her father's arms when he held them open for her. He smelled as he always did, of peppermint and Old Spice.
"You guys made good time," Lacey commented as she strode, her arm wrapped around her father's waist as they made their way to the house.
"We took turns driving while the other slept." At Lacey's frown, her mother gave a sheepish shrug. "We didn't want to take any longer getting her than we had to."
"Mom." The word came out on a sigh.
"Hey, it was much my idea as it was hers." The arm around her shoulders tightened as her father spoke. "We wanted-no, needed-to get back here quickly."
"Is everything as bad as what we've been hearing?" Caroline asked quietly.
"I wish I could say no." Reaching the front door, Lacey held it open for her parents. "But, yeah. It's been pretty bad."
"I've talked with Hank some." Visibly relaxing, Mitch made his way to the kitchen table and took his usual seat. "I believe there were some things you've been leaving out when we talked."
"Yeah, well." Leaving the remark hanging, Lacey moved to pull glasses from the cabinet, the lemonade from the fridge. "It's not exactly a happy conversation and I knew we'd talk more in-depth when you got here."
"How have you been sleeping?" This from Caroline, who looked at her daughter with worried eyes as Lacey made her way back to the table with the drinks.
"Okay, all things considered." Thanks to Brooks, she added silently. "I've had a couple rough patches here and there, but I'm doing okay for the most part."
"Well, that's something, at least." Mitch took a long drink before he set his glass aside.
"So, how long are you guys thinking about staying in town?" Lacey did her best to lift her voice with a bright tone as she changed the subject. "How long do I have you for?"
"Until this is over and this guy is caught." Holding up a hand, Mitch stopped the reply before it left Lacey's mouth. "Your mother and I have discussed it and we don't care how long it takes. We're here until it's finished. I plan to go to the station, sit down and have a long talk with Hank, and offer any help I can to put this bastard where he belongs."
"But, your retirement. Your travel plans." Pushing her glass away from her, Lacey looked from her father to her mother and back again. "This feels like high school all over again, with you guys having to change your lives to accommodate me."
"It's not just about you," Caroline said in a quiet voice. "Yes, we want to be here for you during all of this. To make sure you're safe. But it's also about the community we served most of our adult lives." She sighed, the sadness in the simple act apparent. "Too many girls have died because of this man. If we can find a way to help end this, we're going to do it."
"I get that, Mom. And I admire it. But you guys have worked so hard to have this time."
"And once this is over and done, we'll have it again." Laying a hand on her daughter's, Caroline squeezed. "We're doing what we feel is right and what's right is adding your father's knowledge to the case, as well as offering up any additional help with can."
"Okay," Lacey said with a nod after a moment. "I'm sure Hank and the rest of the officers around here would appreciate the help." She shook her head. "The evidence coming in, between here and the other stations, is piling up but it's not leading them anywhere. Maybe a fresh set of eyes that know what they're looking for will see something they haven't."
"That's what we're hoping." Now Mitch cleared his throat before taking another long drink of lemonade. "Now, about the accommodations."
"I put my foot down on this once already, Dad." Crossing her arms, Lacey did her best to send her father a stern look. "The guest room is all set up and ready for you guys."
"And we appreciate it. We do," Mitch said emphatically at his daughter's raised eyebrow. "It's just that if this thing stretches out longer than we're hoping, your mother and I will spend some time in the RV." At Lacey's arched look, Mitch snickered as he shook his head. "Just like looking at your mother. Anyway," he continued in a hurry when his wife gave him the same look, "I know we're all used to having our own space and doing things our own ways. So, every so often, your mom and I will jump onto the RV, maybe drive over to one of the spots at the park for a day or two. Just so we all have some breathing room and time to ourselves."
"That's... actually not a bad idea," Lacey admitted. "Okay, deal."
"Good." He slapped his palms to his thighs. "Now that we have that settled, what do you say to giving your folks a hand with bringing in some suitcases?"
Lacey helped with the suitcases, along with the various odds and ends her mother decreed needed to be in the house for easy access. She also helped her father unhitch their little SUV from the back of the RV, where it rode when not in use.
"I think I'm going to head into town," he declared after lunch. "I'll go over to the station and start comparing notes with Hank."
"Your file boxes are--"
"--under the bench seat, as always," Mitch finished his wife’s reminder with an easy smile. "I'll grab 'em when I head out to the car. You two behave yourselves." He wagged a finger between the two women before focusing on Lacey. "And no going anywhere on your own for a while, okay? For me?"
"Yes, Dad." Even to her own ears, she sounded like she was in high school again.
"Thank you." He leaned down to kiss his wife before heading for the door.
"He's just worried about you, you know." Rising from where she still sat at the table, Caroline moved further into the kitchen to lean her hip against the counter and watch her daughter.
"I know." Restless, Lacey moved to dry to the few lunch dishes drying on the draining board. "I just hate that it's come back to the point where I have no freedom, where I have to look over my shoulder everywhere I go."
"I know it's hard." Caroline reached over to rub her daughter's shoulder. "And that's part of why we're here to help, so that it can be over and you can live the life you deserve. One that doesn't include you living on edge, in fear for your safety or worse."
"I know, Mom." Tossing the towel aside, Lacey gave a frustrated sigh. "Believe me, I'm ready for that part of my life to begin. I almost don't remember what it was like before all this started here."
"Oh, Lace." Giving in, Caroline wrapped Lacey in a hug before stepping back to cup her daughter's face in her hands. "Let's talk about something else, okay? I think there's going to be enough conversation around this particular topic for some time to come." She gave the cheeks she held a quick pat. "How about I make us some tea and we talk? Like we did when you were in school."
"Sure. What do you want to talk about?"
"Well." Caroline moved around the kitchen, feeling the old habits created in the room kicking into gear. She side-eyed her daughter as she stuck the kettle under the tap to fill it. "I happened to notice some things when I was upstairs earlier." Shutting off the water, she set the kettle on the stove and twisted the knob before turning to face Lacey. "Things that would indicate there's been a man in the house." Her lips curved as she folded her arms. "Something you want to tell your mama?"
"And if there was?"
"I'd want to know all the details. Well, maybe not all," Caroline amended. "There are certain things mothers don't want to know."
"And there are certain things daughters don't want to share with their mothers." Now it was Lacey's turn to smile with a faked sweetness.
"Fair enough." Turning to get mugs from the cabinet, Caroline spoke over her shoulder. "So, who is he? I assume you've been seeing him since you got back, so that means he's from around here. Anybody your dad and I might know?"
"Yep." May as well come out with it, Lacey thought in amusement. She waited for her mother to turn so she could see her face when she learned who her daughter was seeing. "I've known him for a while. So have you and Dad."
"So, spill it." Caroline pulled a couple of teabags from their container.
"Brooks Harding."
"Brooks..." Letting the teabags dangle from their strings, Caroline turned to stare at Lacey. "As in my best friend's son?"
"And my best friend's brother. Yes."
"Well." Giving a little huff of breath, Caroline took the now-screaming kettle off the stove and turned off the burner. To give herself a moment, she took more care than necessary when pouring the hot water over the teabags. "Let's sit down."
Each woman took their cup and their place at the table. Once they were settled, Caroline wrapped her hands around her mug before she spoke.
"You and Brooks?" Caroline shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe Georgia didn't tell me."
"I'm sure she had her reasons."
"Maybe." Another shake of the head. "So, how long have you been seeing each other?"
"I'm not really sure when it started." Lacey paused to blow on her tea before taking a tentative sip. "He was here every day to work on the house. We'd spend a break together here, lunch together there." She shrugged. "As time went on, we started spending more time together. Going out on real dates." Lacey set her cup down to look her mother square in the eye. "I'm glad he's been here. Even before we tried the whole dating thing, he was someone to talk to. Someone who knew what happened to me, who could understand where I was coming from."
"And I take it things are going well?" Caroline waved a hand in the general direction of the upstairs rooms. "Seeing as how some of his very personal things are still here?"
"Yes, they've been going well." Lacey sighed, just a little wistfully. "I like having him here. He makes me feel safer just by knowing he's nearby."
"That's a good thing." The hesitation in Caroline's voice was evident. "And you're being careful? When he's... staying over?"
"Jesus, Mom." Now Lacey laughed. "We're both adults here, you can say it. Brooks and I are sleeping together. Having sex. Doing the horizontal mambo."
"Gah." Closing her eyes, Caroline took a deep breath before opening them again to pin Lacey with her stare. "Don't let your father hear you talk about this."
"You think I'm crazy?" Lacey let out another laugh before she let it drift away. "But, to answer your question, yes. We're being careful, in all ways."
"Good." Another deep breath, one that Caroline slowly released. "I have to say, I'm glad it's Brooks. He was always a good boy and I'm sure he's a good man."
"He is."
"And I'm sure he's still as sweet on you now as he was back then." It was the mother's turn to shrug at the daughter's baleful stare. "What? You don't think I know about that kiss in the front yard?"
"You never mentioned it but I guess I should've known better." A smile brightened Lacey's face. "He's gotten better in the kissing department and he was no slouch to begin with."
"And there's the line we don't need to cross in the sharing of very personal information." Caroline gave an exaggerated shiver as Lacey burst into laughter. "Do me a favor and move all of Brooks's things into your room before your dad sees them? Unless you want a more awkward conversation with him about this subject."
"I'll take care of it before he gets home."
"Thank you." Caroline sipped her tea before changing the subject. "Now, onto a safer subject. Tell me how work is going."
