Taste 2021 edition, p.35
Taste: 2021 Edition, page 35
“He’s right. I drew up Derek Wolfe’s will,” I said. “That’s it. Ask anyone. You have no probable cause to arrest me on any grounds.”
“You look like a nice person,” he said. “I’m just doing my job.”
My heart beat like rapid thunderclaps against my sternum. Why was this happening? Numbly, I held out my hands. As the cuffs clicked in place, I held back a heave.
“You have the right to remain silent,” he said again. “Anything you choose to say can and will be held against you. You have the right to an attorney. If you can’t afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. Do you understand these rights as I’ve stated them?”
“Uncuff her.” Rock’s low voice came from behind me.
The deputy’s eyes widened and his eyebrows nearly flew off his forehead.
I turned.
Rock was pointing a pistol right at the deputy. When had he gone in to get it? I’d been so busy freaking out over the potential arrest, I hadn’t noticed.
“Sir, put that gun down.”
“I will not. Uncuff her. She’ll be back in New York on Tuesday. Until then, she’s not going anywhere.”
“I’ll have to arrest both of you, then.”
“You’re funny. Give it your best shot. I’m the one holding the gun here.”
The deputy twitched his hand slightly.
“Don’t even think about going for your own,” Rock said. “I’ll have a bullet in your shoulder before you’re halfway there.”
“Rock,” I said swiftly. “Think about what you’re doing here.”
I said no more. I didn’t want to give the deputy any more ideas. Although there were no grounds for arresting me, Rock had just given them grounds to arrest him.
Pulling a gun on a cop. What was he thinking?
“Lacey is as innocent as a lamb. Now what’s it going to take for you to walk out of here and pretend no one was home?”
“More than you’ve got, living out here.”
“I knew you were dirty.” Rock snickered. “I’ve got way more than my mother, who I’m pretty sure is the brains behind this stupidity.”
“Don’t insinuate—”
“Please. This lady is a lawyer and a damned good one. She’d never get involved in killing my father on any level. How much did my mother pay you?”
The deputy sighed and unlocked my handcuffs. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure, you don’t.” Once I was free of the cuffs, Rock continued. “Step back, Lacey.”
“Rock, I—”
“Step back,” he said again, this time more commanding.
“You know I’m calling for backup as soon as I get back into my car.”
“Do I look like a moron to you? Of course you will. And whoever comes this way will get an earful about how you were bribed.”
“That’s your word against mine.”
“I think I’ll get them to see my side of things,” Rock said. “Depends on how much of a chance you want to take.”
“Rock—”
“Lacey, I’m not going to say it again. Get in the cabin.”
Anger swirled within me. Who the hell did he think he was? “I’m not going anywhere. This clearly involves me more than it does you.”
“Look,” the deputy said. “Let’s just call it a day, okay? I won’t call for backup. Forget I was ever here.”
Rock chuckled, still holding the gun. “I won’t forget it, Deputy”—he eyed the cop’s name badge—“Gore. I’ll have your badge. Now get the fuck out of here.”
He walked slowly to his car, never taking his gaze from Rock, got in, and drove away.
Rock turned to me. “Are you all right?”
My heart hammered. “Please, Rock. Put down the gun.”
“Sorry.” He laid the pistol on the ground. “Do guns scare you?”
“Not as a rule, but you scared me, Rock. You pulled a gun on an officer of the law.”
“He was dirty, Lace. I’ve been around this block more than a few times. I’ve seen dirty cops before, and he had the look. I swear to you.”
“He may have been dirty, but you still just pulled a gun on him. You could be arrested.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll just call Reid and have him take care of all of it. You’d be amazed what money can buy. I didn’t learn much this first week at my new position, but I sure as hell learned that.” He pulled out his cellphone and soon was talking to his brother.
I sat down on one of the redwood Adirondack chairs on his front porch, my heart still thundering. What had just happened here? Someone tried to have me arrested for accessory to Derek Wolfe’s murder. I’d been home alone when the crime occurred.
I knew that.
But no one else did.
I lived alone. I had no alibi.
Nausea welled within me. If someone chose to push this…
But he was killed with a gun. I didn’t own a gun. Had never even shot a gun. The sight of Rock wielding a pistol still made me feel sick. He’d been protecting me, and I loved him for it, but he’d probably made things worse for both of us.
He returned in about ten minutes. “Reid is on it. Deputy Gore will be unemployed within the hour.”
I nodded numbly.
“You sure you’re okay, Lace?”
I gulped. “No. I’m not sure of anything at all right now.”
“Hey. We’ll hop on my bike and disappear if you want. All you have to do is say the word.”
I stared at him. “What?”
“I mean it. I’ll make it happen. Neither of us has to deal with any more of this bullshit.”
“But your brothers. Your sister. My law firm.”
“I love my siblings, but I don’t know them. I’ve been away too long. Roy has his art. Reid will bounce back in no time. The man’s a genius businessman. And Riley…well, she doesn’t want to be found right now, according to my brothers. As much as I want to help her, there’s nothing I can do.”
“But the company…”
“Will be sold. I get it. I’ve always gotten it, but…” His eyes softened. “You’re more important than all of that.”
Had I heard him right? “What?” I said again.
“I know. I can’t believe it myself. And I hope you don’t turn around and run away when I tell you this, but I’m in love with you, Lacey. I’m totally and completely in love with you.”
43
Rock
Elation filled me, as if a giant cement block had been lifted off my shoulders. How could professing love to a woman make me feel so light inside? So happy? So completely fulfilled?
All I knew was, when that dirty deputy had cuffed her and she paled with fear, I was ready to do anything—anything—to protect her, to keep her out of harm’s way.
I loved her. I totally loved her.
She hadn’t said it back. She just stared at me, her eyes wide.
I wanted to hear her say the words, but even more, I wanted her to feel them.
But if she didn’t? I’d said them. I’d opened myself up to another human being, something I’d never done.
It was miraculously freeing.
“What?”
I smiled. “That’s the third time you’ve said what. I’m pretty sure you don’t have a hearing problem.”
“I… I…”
“You don’t usually have a speaking problem, either.” I touched her cheek, her skin like the softest velvet.
“You… You’re…in love with me?”
“Why is that so surprising?”
She shook her head. “Only for about a dozen or more reasons, not the least of which is that you made it very clear that we didn’t have a relationship.”
“I know. I apologize. I was burying the feelings I was developing for you. They scared the shit out of me, Lace.”
“We’ve known each other a week.”
“A week and three days.” I smiled.
“Oh, okay,” she said sarcastically.
“Look. I don’t have any experience in this kind of stuff. That’s for sure. But I sure hated seeing you with both of those pretty boys. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but when I came out here this morning and saw you pick that flower and put it behind your ear, I knew. And if I had any lingering doubts at all, they were erased when I watched that bozo cuff you. I was willing to do anything to protect you. I would have shot the motherfucker dead if I’d thought he was going to harm you in any way.”
She gulped audibly. “Rock, I—”
I touched my finger to her lips to silence her. “You don’t have to say anything. But I’m glad I told you. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to utter three words in my life.”
“No,” she said, brushing my hand away. “I’m glad you said it. Surprised…but very, very glad. Because… I love you too, Rock.”
Warmth spread through me like the joy of a child on Christmas morning. I’d never known such wonder, such happiness. I wanted to shout to the world that I was in love and then take her inside and make passionate love to her for the rest of my life.
“You have the most beautiful smile,” she said. “It lights up your whole face.”
“Nothing about me is anywhere near as radiant as you are.” No truer words. She stood before me in her simple clothes, no makeup, wildflowers behind her ears.
She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
“Are you sure?” she asked. “I mean, you said—”
“Forget what I said. I was scared. I love you, Lacey Ward. I love you so damned much.” I pulled her to me and crushed my lips to hers.
As many times as I’d kissed her, this one was different. Different and amazing and wonderful. The soft moan from the back of her throat hummed, and I felt more than heard it. The kiss was so raw, so powerful, and my cock throbbed.
I was wearing only the jeans, so the denim rubbed against me as I hardened. I pushed into her, trying to ease the ache, but only one thing would crush this yearning.
To be inside her. Inside that hot little pussy that gripped me so tightly.
I broke the kiss abruptly. “Inside,” I said. “Now.”
Her lips, red and swollen, trembled as she nodded. Then I scooped her into my arms and carried her through the door and into the cabin.
We’d been here since last night and I hadn’t made love to her.
Something had stopped me. Worry about my sister. About my responsibilities. About everything.
Those thoughts still niggled at me, but what better way to relax than to make love with my woman?
My woman.
I stopped in the living room and laid her gently on the couch. Then, not so gently, I pulled off her jeans and inhaled. Her musk was already in the air, so fruity and feminine. As much as I wanted to dive between her legs and taste her, that would have to wait.
I needed to be inside her. Inside her warmth and sweetness.
I pulled off my jeans quickly and my cock sprang out. Her eyes widened as she licked her lips. Had I been with someone else, I’d make a smartass comment. Not now. Not with this woman who I loved.
I mounted her, rubbed my cock head between her slick folds, and then thrust into her balls deep. “Ah, God,” I groaned.
She clamped her hands onto my butt cheeks and pulled me even closer so I was so far into her we were nearly one.
Nearly one.
Why had I fought this? Everything about Lacey Ward interested me, intrigued me.
Enthralled me.
I pulled out and thrust back in. Her eyes were closed, her long lashes a soft curtain over her cheeks.
“Open your eyes, Lacey. Please. Open your eyes and look at me. Watch me making love to you.”
She obeyed, her blue eyes sparkling.
I pulled out, missing her tightness already. “Get on top of me, baby. I want to show you something.”
She got up, and I lay down on my back.
“Ride me. Sink your pussy down onto my cock.”
She obeyed, a soft sigh escaping her throat like a spring breeze.
I watched. I watched her pussy eat up my cock.
“Look down,” I said. “Watch me go into you. It’s beautiful.”
She obeyed once more. “It is. So beautiful.”
The rhythm mesmerized me. She set the pace, but soon I was rushing, couldn’t go quickly enough. I pushed my hips upward, taking over the rhythm.
“God, baby,” I said through clenched teeth. “My God. You feel so good. So fucking good.”
She whimpered, and when she trailed her right hand over the swell of her breast, down her perfectly shaped belly, and to her swollen clit, I nearly exploded.
“God, yeah. Touch yourself, baby. You’re so hot.”
She moaned as she gently rubbed at her clit, and when her nipples puckered and her pussy clamped down, I could hold out no longer.
I came.
I came harder than I ever had in my life. Shudders racked my body as my world became my cock inside her pussy, the two of us joined together.
Lacey.
Me.
Lacey and me.
I filled her with my hot come. I filled her with my everlasting love.
I filled her.
But truly? She filled me.
When we both finally slowed down our breathing, she collapsed on top of me.
My arms went around her and I held her.
Such new feelings. Such amazing feelings that I could almost forget…
I was a fucking mess.
She knew nothing about me.
Would she still love me when she finally knew everything? All my secrets?
I tightened my grip on her. Never wanted to let go.
I’d hold on to her for as long as I could.
Because eventually she would find out the truth.
Eventually she would leave.
44
Lacey
Mrs. Rock Wolfe.
Mrs. Lacey Wolfe.
Rock and Lacey Wolfe.
Rock Wolfe, CEO of Wolfe Enterprises, and his wife, Manhattan Attorney Lacey Ward Wolfe, attend a charitable gala at the Waldorf Astoria.
Rock and Lacey Ward Wolfe proudly announce the birth of…
God help me.
I’d regressed to fifth grade in my head, doodling names on the cover of my three-ring binder.
He was in love with me.
Rock Wolfe was in love with me.
Me.
He could have a beautiful supermodel. Or an exotic cosmetologist named Nieves. Or any starlet in Hollywood. They’d all be proud to be seen on his arm.
He chose me.
Me.
It was all too unreal to be true. Any minute I’d wake up. It would be all over. He’d be telling me we didn’t have a relationship.
And I’d be hauled off for questioning in his father’s murder.
An anvil hit my gut.
That last part—it was true.
“Baby?” He cupped my cheek. “You’re shivering. What’s wrong?”
“It just hit me. I was handcuffed and nearly arrested today.”
“Don’t worry about that. My mother was behind it.”
“Why? Why would she want me arrested? And what if she wasn’t, Rock? What if, somehow, I’ve been implicated in your father’s murder?”
“Honey, please don’t worry.” He pressed his lips to mine in a soft kiss. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I meant it when I said we could leave today. Hop on my bike and never look back.”
“Running away isn’t the answer.”
“It worked pretty well for me the first time.” His eyes took on a haunted look.
I wanted to ask him what he meant by that. Yes, I knew he’d left his family and come here to Montana, but I didn’t know why.
Something kept me from asking, though. He hadn’t been forthcoming with information in the past, and just because we’d professed our love for each other, I still didn’t feel he would be. As much as I wanted to know, this was something Rock kept private.
Very private.
I wasn’t about to push him. I had to let him go at his own pace.
I cupped his cheek, his stubble rough under my fingertips. “I can’t run away. It’s not who I am.”
“Sometimes it’s the only choice, baby. We can’t control other people or what they choose to do to us. The only thing we can control is whether we stick around to let them continue.”
I couldn’t fault his logic, but still I shook my head. “We need to go home.”
“We will. Monday evening as planned.”
I shook my head more vehemently. “No. We need to go now. I’ll never be able to relax without knowing what’s going on. An officer was ready to arrest me as an accessory to your father’s murder.”
“But he didn’t, Lacey. He didn’t because he had no grounds. I’m telling you. This is Connie’s work.”
“Why would your mother have anything against me?”
“Why do birds sing?” He shook his head. “I gave up trying to figure my mother out years ago. She made decisions I didn’t understand then, and she continues to now.”
“She’s truly that bad?”
He chuckled. “I don’t have a mommy complex, baby. I’m not looking for someone to fill her shoes.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know that. I’m just saying that I don’t see her through rose-colored glasses. She’s not a good person, Lace. I wish she were, but she’s not. I suppose she’s not as bad as my father was, but truly, is the witness to the crime just as guilty if she says nothing?”
“What are you talking about, Rock?”
“Nothing.” He clammed up and stood, replacing his jeans. “I’m going to shower, and then I’m taking you out on the bike. It’s what we came here for. I’m not letting some dirty cop or my mother or anyone else ruin this weekend for us.” He stalked off.
Rock Wolfe might think he didn’t have mommy issues, but he had some kind of issue, something he’d buried so deep that he ran all the way to Montana to escape it. He’d tell me when he was ready.
I just wasn’t sure I wanted to know.
45
Rock
My mother.
