Killing Me Softly, page 23
While she was on the phone Daemon came to stand behind her to look out the window. Dark shadows shifted and stirred as clouds passed before the moon. As a child, he’d imagined evil lurking in the dark spaces. His mother hadn’t cared – she’d turned off the light and told him to shut his mouth, she couldn’t stand his whining.
He turned from the window, his gaze passing over the neat and tidy study. The lovely old wooden desk was spotless – it didn’t even look used. Filing cabinets had typed tags on the outside – alphabetised, he noticed, smiling. There wasn’t a pen or pad or paper out of place. Something white on the floor caught his eye. Two pieces of paper had fallen there after feeding through the fax.
Alexia was talking quietly to Doctor Carlton. He bent to pick them up. The name on the cover sheet caught his eye. It was addressed to a Detective Fox. The paper shifted in his hand so he could see the writing on the second sheet: red, angry letters that emblazoned themselves across his mind. He dropped the cover letter and began to read.
‘Okay, Doctor Carlton. Thanks. We’ll see you at lunch.’ Lexi hung up the phone, a smile on her face. ‘Doctor Carlton will be here sooner than . . . ’ The words died in her throat as she turned and saw Daemon holding the letter. ‘Don’t read that!’ Without thinking, she dived forward and snatched the letter out of his hand, her fingers burning as they closed over the paper. Ashamed and angry, she turned and stuffed it into the bottom drawer with the others.
‘What is that?’
His tone made her wince. ‘A letter.’
His eyes snapped to hers, anger flashing dangerously in their depths. ‘That’s not a letter. It’s a threat. Who’s sending you death threats? You’ve contacted the police?’
‘Yes!’ she snapped, feeling as if she was backed into a corner.
‘What are they doing about it?’
She shrugged. ‘Not much. They can’t do much with a few letters.’
His jaw tensed. ‘There are more?’
She tightened her jaw, crossing her arms over her chest. ‘Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ve been getting them on and off for years. I’m sure you get your fair share, too.’
‘Not like that.’
He was angry but not at her. The realisation washed over her like a soothing wave, making her step forward, taking his hand in hers. ‘The police don’t think he will act on them. They’re only words,’ she shrugged. ‘He’s never hurt me.’
Daemon pointed at the desk where the offending letter lay hidden from sight in the bottom drawer. ‘That is more than words. That is hatred. He means what he says. He’s been watching you.’ His face was pale as he pulled her against his chest. She could feel his heart beating hard, driven by panic and adrenaline. In a funny way, she felt safe.
‘I know. But the letters have only become more threatening in the past few months. He’s always called me names but I was certain he didn’t know where I was. Now . . . ’ she shrugged helplessly.
Daemon stroked her hair, his panic giving way to anger. ‘You read this when you came down earlier, didn’t you? Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Why would I? It doesn’t have anything to do with you.’
He jerked her away, holding her at arm’s length. ‘Nothing to do with me? Are you serious?’ His voice rose. ‘It has everything to do with me after what’s happened between us. You should have told me.’
Anger sparked in her eyes in response. ‘Don’t yell at me.’
‘I’m not yelling!’
‘Yes you are, and you have no right! I’ve been dealing with this by myself for years so excuse me for not running to you blubbering when I received this one! Just because we spent the night making love doesn’t mean you have any claims on me.’
Rather than stiffening, he reached out and stroked her cheek. ‘I didn’t say I did have claims on you. But I do care. And I don’t want you to deal with this by yourself.’
‘I don’t care what you want!’ she spat, disarmed by the sudden gentleness in his eyes.
‘I thought we were getting past this mistrust. I thought you knew you could tell me anything.’
‘Have you told me everything, Daemon? Don’t you have some secrets you keep to yourself?’ He flinched at the question. ‘I can see that you do. So tell me. You can tell me anything.’ Her words, a mocking echo of his, cut into his guilt.
‘Now is not the time.’
She nodded. ‘I see. So you can pick and choose when you tell me things and I have to tell you everything the moment it happens. Nice double standard.’
He stiffened. ‘I just meant that so much has happened in the past few hours – there hasn’t been time. I will tell you. I want to tell you. Saying the timing isn’t right is not a double standard. You have other things to worry about right now rather than listen to me tell you about my miserable childhood and terrible marriage. I still can’t believe you don’t know – the rest of the world does. Darla made certain of that.’
He could see her anger die as quickly as it had come as she registered his words. ‘I’m sorry. I’m a right bitch. Of course you don’t want to talk about that. I get it. It’s just that I feel on edge and that letter didn’t help. But I never promised to tell you everything. And I won’t go looking up your past on the web, either. We’re living in the moment, remember? Can’t we leave it at that? At least for now. I’m too tired to deal with anything else.’
Daemon knew he didn’t have a choice. She was right. He was being hypocritical. He couldn’t expect her to come clean about everything if he wasn’t prepared to do the same. Begrudgingly he nodded. ‘As long as you say the police are looking into it . . . I suppose so. But don’t expect me not to worry about you. It’s not every day you find out someone is sending your lover death threats.’
Alexia started. ‘Your lover?’
Daemon grabbed her, pressing her body firmly against his before she could pull away. ‘I don’t know what you thought, Alexia, but I’m not in the habit of having one-night stands. We started something, and while we are trying to live in the moment, it’s a moment I want to repeat. You got a problem with that?’
‘No. I just thought . . . ’ she shook her head. ‘Never mind.’ She sighed. ‘So, your lover.’ She looked up at him, her eyes still full of shadows, but as her gaze ran over him, those shadows faded away to be replaced by a burning desire that seared him to his soul. ‘I think I can handle that.’ Reaching up, she pulled his head down and placed a nibbling, tentative kiss on his lips.
Flames leaped to life in Daemon’s veins. He returned her kiss, deepening it, his hands racing over her back, pulling her closer, wanting nothing more in that moment than to put their argument behind them and feel her hot, wet warmth surround him. Their teeth clashed as, with hungry passion-fuelled kisses, he lifted her off her feet. He stumbled towards the desk and pushed Alexia on top of it, pressing in between her legs, pulling the jumper over her head.
‘Daemon, the door —’
‘It’s closed,’ he groaned as he ran a hot path down her neck with his lips whilst undoing the buttons of her pyjama top, exposing smooth, creamy breasts. Her nipples were ready for him, her breasts heaving as he took one in his mouth and sucked.
She moaned and made a half-hearted attempt to push him away. ‘Billy and Cat—’
‘What about them?’ He trailed passionate kisses from one swollen tip to the other.
‘They might come in . . . Oh God!’ She groaned as he blew cold air on to each nipple and then covered her cold skin with his hot wet mouth.
‘I don’t think so. I think they’ll be gone a while.’ He began to kiss a path down her stomach, her skin trembling with each moist touch.
‘But Cat. She —’
He cupped her face in between his palms. ‘You worry too much about other people. You know it’s best to let her cool off. Billy’s with her. She’s in good hands.’ He began to nibble at her lips again.
‘The others . . . Bev, Karl. They could come in.’
He undid the drawstring bow on the front of the pyjama pants and began to push them down with his hands while his lips and his tongue followed their progress in a slow, torturous journey. ‘It’s too early. Besides, the only person I’m interested in coming is you.’
Alexia laughed, a low, husky sound that drove straight into his gut, stoking the fire. ‘Is that how lovers talk to each other?’
‘It’s how I talk to you.’ Her pyjama bottoms were gone now and she was sitting on the desk, gloriously naked. He looked up from where he knelt between her legs, a definite twinkle in his eye. ‘Is that a problem?’ He ducked his head, his tongue licking a hot, wet path on her inner thigh. She sucked in a breath. ‘You didn’t answer me.’ He licked up the other thigh to the juncture between her legs. ‘Is that a problem?’ He parted her and touched his tongue to her clitoris.
‘No,’ she gasped.
‘Good,’ he said and licked her again.
As the desire flared inside her she thought she would scream. The tightness built in thick waves and as his tongue licked and played and delved into the velvety depths of her, she thought she might truly go insane.
Collapsing back on the desk she sent stationery flying, her arms sweeping up over her head, back arching in sheer carnal pleasure. ‘Oh God, please now, now.’
That seemed to be all he was waiting for. He stood, divesting himself of his jeans in one sweep and pulled her hips to the edge of the desk and up in one fluid motion, jamming himself inside her waiting body in a stroke that shook both of them to the core. She exploded around him as he pumped in and out, her muscles clenching him in waves. With a surprised shout, he pushed in one last time, making her climax in one glorious spiralling explosion. As he shuddered to completion he collapsed on her, kissing her neck and her face.
‘That was . . . ’
‘I know,’ she said huskily. She couldn’t move, couldn’t think, but she did know. Making love to him was unexpected, amazing, soul shattering. Even though she was exhausted and well satiated, she wanted more. ‘Will it always be like this?’
‘No,’ he murmured and laughed at her crestfallen expression. ‘It will get better.’
She smiled; a secret smile of satisfaction that was only for him. ‘Perhaps next time we will make it to the bed,’ she purred, nuzzling his neck, enjoying her sexuality for the first time in her life, feeling entirely empowered.
His grin matched hers. ‘Perhaps, but I wouldn’t count on it. I could do with a shower. Care to join me?’
Her eyes opened wide. ‘The shower.’ She licked her lips, the thought of him all wet and soapy was instantly tantalising. ‘That will do for starters.’
He chuckled. ‘Do I take that as a yes?’ He stood and pulled his jeans up, letting her get off the desk.
‘Yes, oh yes,’ she said, quickly pulling on her pyjamas again. ‘I’ll race you.’
She was out the door like a shot and he took off after her.
Guilt curled in on her, but she pushed it aside. Was it so terribly selfish that she just wanted to enjoy this unexpected moment of bliss? Live in the moment, Daemon had said.
That’s what she was going to do now. Her problems would still be there later. She would face up to reality then.
Chapter 21
Lexi and Daemon finished their shower – eventually – and were dressed and preparing breakfast when Bev walked in, the newspaper under one arm, roses from the garden in the other.
Lexi tried not to look disappointed when she saw Bev. She had hoped that as hours had passed, Cat would come in and talk to her, and Lexi wanted to have all her favourite things ready when she did.
Seeing the look on her face, Bev sighed. ‘Did you think I was Cat?’
Lexi frowned. ‘You know she’s woken up?’
Bev placed the newspaper on the table, took a vase from the dresser and began arranging the flowers. ‘Billy talked her into coming to us when she refused to come back here last night.’ Bev took the spatula out of her hands and took over cooking the breakfast. ‘Your sister was a bit distressed but she eventually went to sleep. Billy’s watching over her now.’
Lexi looked at Bev with stricken eyes. ‘She won’t come back to the house? She must hate me.’
Bev shook her head. ‘She doesn’t hate you, love.’
‘You’re just saying that.’
‘No, I’m not. She’s your flesh and blood. Surely you can feel that? Surely you know the connection you have with her?’
‘Then why won’t she come back to the house and sleep in her own bed?’
‘Sit down, eat your breakfast.’ Bev placed a plate with eggs, bacon, toast and grilled tomatoes in front of her, smiled as she brushed a stray lock of hair off Lexi’s brow. ‘Your sister is a lot like you.’
Lexi looked at her questioningly.
‘Pride. She has your pride. Catriona feels badly about what she said to you. She was too ashamed to come back. She asked me to tell you that. She’ll come back later when she’s had some sleep. She was exhausted.’
‘I know how she feels.’ Lexi sat with a plonk in one of the wooden kitchen chairs.
‘Are you all right?’ Daemon asked.
Daemon’s hand on her arm felt reassuringly real. She held on to that. ‘Yes, I’m fine. Just tired.’
‘Maybe you should lie down after breakfast? Try and get some rest before Doctor Carlton arrives.’
Lexi shook her head. ‘I don’t think I could. My mind is going nineteen to the dozen and I don’t want to be asleep when Cat comes back. When you call Phil this morning, can you explain why I can’t go in today?’
‘I think Phil will understand. I’ll let him and Craig know about Cat. They’ll be thrilled for you both.’
‘Will you go in?’ She didn’t want him to go. But she didn’t want to ask him to stay. That seemed too needy. They were lovers only. They weren’t “together”.
‘I’ll see. Craig can go in first, let me know if I’m needed.’
‘You don’t have to stay here for me.’
He stared at her for a moment, seeming to be on the verge of saying something, but then he just smiled. ‘I’m not. At least, not just for you. I’ve got some work to do, too – some things to check out. And I’d like to see Cat again.’
‘That’s good.’ Her smile wavered. Her chest hurt. Why? Because he wasn’t staying for her? Wasn’t that what she wanted? They were lovers, nothing more. It could end tomorrow and they could both walk away with their hearts and pride intact. It had to be that way. She couldn’t face anything else right now.
He smiled at her then returned to eating his breakfast, flipping through the newspaper as he did so. Lexi tried to finish her own eggs, but couldn’t manage to swallow.
After a few moments, she pushed her plate away. ‘I can’t eat any more right now,’ she said and smiled an apology at Bev. ‘I think I’ll just go and make some calls I’ve been putting off.’
Daemon looked up at her, a frown on his face. ‘Don’t be long.’ Then he returned to the paper.
She hurried off to the study to call Detective Fox and when she came back, not five minutes later, Daemon was no longer in the kitchen. He hadn’t said goodbye.
She bit her lip, trying to ignore the bite of disappointment and took a deep breath. Detective Fox wanted her to ask Bev about the letter – where it had come from – but she was afraid of the answer.
Bev turned and saw her standing there.
‘Did you forget something, love?’
Lexi shook her head and swallowed hard, taking her courage in hand. ‘No. I wanted to know if you or Karl picked up the mail yesterday.’
Bev shook her head. ‘With everything that happened, we both forgot. I hope there wasn’t anything important you needed straight away. I can ring Karl and ask him to go into Fellhaven and pick it up now if you want.’
Lexi forced a smile. ‘No, it can wait.’ She turned to go and then stopped. ‘You didn’t find a letter addressed to me outside and put it in the study last night, did you?’
‘No. Have you lost something, love?’ She sprinkled flour on to the counter and began to knead the bread dough. ‘I can look for it later if you like.’
‘No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.’ She walked out of the kitchen, fear crawling like a spider up her back.
He had been in her house.
How had he got in, got past Karl and the men?
Why had he only left the letter?
She had to be thankful that was all he’d done. Maybe that was all he was capable of doing. In some strange way, the thought made her feel better. Still, she would tell Detective Fox and she was definitely going to ask Karl about further security this morning. But how could she have more men come here for security reasons without letting anyone but Karl know why? She didn’t want to put herself or Cat in danger – or anyone else here for that matter – but she also didn’t want to worry anyone. Especially not now, with Cat having woken up.
She had to create as stress-free an environment for Cat as possible. Whatever security measures needed to be made had to be done so discreetly. Perhaps she could say the extra security was to keep any media intrusion from bothering the band, what with Melissa’s accident and all. Yes. That’s what she’d do. It would work. It had to.
The man who had sent her the letters would have to be pretty insane to try anything with extra security around.
The phone rang and rang. Daemon was ready to hang up when Lyall answered.
‘Hello, C & F Management, Lyall speaking. How can I help you?’
‘Lyall, it’s Daemon. Is Nigel there?’ There was a pause and Daemon could hear Lyall fumbling, sounding puffed. ‘Did I catch you at a bad time?’
‘No, not at all. I was at the other end of the house and hadn’t taken the phone with me so I had to run to get it. Nigel’s out.’
‘Damn. I need him to check on something for me.’
‘Is it about the chopper? It’s on its way to pick up Doctor Carlton as we speak.’
Daemon grimaced at Lyall’s miffed tone. The man could get so prissy, particularly if he thought his ability to do his job was being questioned. ‘I wasn’t worried about that. I know you took care of it. I just needed to ask Nigel something else.’
