The Tangled Series Complete Digital Boxed Set (Bad Boy Rock Star, Millionaire, and MMA Fighter Bundle) (15 page)

Chapter Twenty-eight

Sinclair

When my parents arrived at the hospital, they were obviously upset and I had to keep reassuring them that I was fine.

“You’re coming to stay with us until they catch this person,” said my mother, her eyes brimming with tears. “Promise me, Sinclair.”

“Mom,” I said, squeezing her hand. “I’m not going to let this man scare me, okay? I have a job and a life.  I can’t let him take that from me.”

“Then we’ll hire a bodyguard for you,” said my father, clasping his hands in front of his round belly.

I stared at him and smiled, so happy to see them, again, even under such crazy circumstances. My parents were in their sixties and remind me of what Santa and Mrs. Claus would look like if they’d retired in Stanton – both short, round and tan with laugh lines, pug noses, and puffy white hair. My dad even had a little white beard and smokes a pipe now and again.

“You don’t have to do that,” I said.

He frowned. “Well, the police should assign one for you. That’s why we pay our taxes, isn’t it?”

“The detective I spoke with earlier said they’d probably do that,” I said. “Especially now that’s he’s killed two people. They’re going to send someone to talk to me again, tomorrow before we leave the hospital.”

My mother gasped. “Are they worried he’ll come looking for you?” 

I sighed. “Well, they
think
he’s probably taken off, fled the city, but they don’t know for certain.”

My dad nodded. “They’d better get someone for you because I don’t want you going
anywhere
unescorted.”

“Dad…” I said.

“No, I’m serious. If I have to follow you around everywhere myself, I will,” he said.

Just then, a nurse knocked on the door and stepped inside. “The detective from earlier is back to see you,” she said.

“Good, send him in,” said my dad. “I want to talk to him about security, find out what they plan to do.”

I sighed. “Dad…”

“Dad nothing,” he said, bending down to pat my hand. “You’re my little jewel and I’m not going to let anyone threaten you again. Not if I can help it.”

My awesome dad had called me that since I was a baby.
His little jewel
. I smiled up at him.

The bald detective from earlier stepped into the room, his face much less grim than earlier. He held out his hand to my parents and introduced himself.

“Have you heard anything about this monster?” asked my dad. “Have you people found him, yet?”

The officer smiled. “Actually, that’s why I stopped back here myself, to tell you the good news.”

“Good news?” I asked, sitting up straighter.

He nodded. “Well, it appears that your attacker was killed in an automobile fire a couple of hours ago.”

“Are you serious?” I asked, shocked.

He pulled out a small pad of paper. “Yes, there was an accident involving a semi and a sedan that we believe the perp was driving at the time. The car flipped over the side of a ravine and then started on fire.”

“And you think it’s him?” asked my father.

“Well, the man was burned pretty badly but we found some forged IDs he’d hidden in a small safe in the trunk which, fortunately for us, survived the fire. One of the IDs was for a ‘Michael Richie’.”

“Oh, my God, it had to be him,” I said.

“Well, we believe it is. We’re still investigating the scene and do not really know his true identity yet, but I thought you should know,” said the detective.

“Tell us, detective, do you think it was really him?” asked my dad.

He nodded. “Personally, yeah I do. There was also a shitload of money and a prescription for Clozapine in the safe.”

“What’s Clozapine?” I asked.

“It’s used to treat Schizophrenia,” he said.

Now
that
made sense.

“He’s really dead…” I murmured, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from my chest. I could suddenly breathe again.

“As far as I’m concerned,” replied the detective. “Your nightmare is over.”

One Month Later

Sinclair

“Well, what do you think?” I asked Jesse as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. We were at the salon and I’d darkened his hair, this time with chocolate and caramel lowlights that really flattered his new windswept style.

He smiled. “Have to hand it to you, Sin, you know how to bring perfection up another notch. It looks
magnifico
,” he said, kissing the tips of his fingers.

I laughed and removed the plastic cape from his shoulders. “I’m sure Daniel is going to love it.”

Daniel was his new Asian boyfriend. He was also gorgeous, young, and full of energy. They’d met three weeks ago at a club and were almost inseparable. Fortunately, we’d gotten to know each other a lot better the day before when I’d given him a trim. He was totally digging Jesse and the feeling seemed to be mutual.

“Oh, I know he will,” he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “We’re flying to Vegas tonight. I told you, right?”

“Only about ten times,” I said. “You two have fun and make sure to behave yourselves.”

He snorted. “Vegas is no place to behave, sweetheart. I plan on being as naughty and obnoxious as I can. Wanna join us?”

“Although I’d love to tag along and witness your mischief, I’m going to decline. Thanks, anyway.”

He put a hand on my shoulder and shook it playfully. “You really need to get out more, you know that, don’t you?”

“I’m fine,” I said. “I like my solitude.”

He sighed. “So, I wasn’t going to bring this up, but Reed says you still haven’t been returning his calls”

“I told you
why
,” I said, bending over to clean up the hair on the ground.

“You know he isn’t with Sela, anymore.”

“Yeah, but he’s still a player and I’m not interested in dating that kind of guy.”

Jesse smiled, wickedly. “You could just use him for sex.”

“No way,” I said. Although I couldn’t say the thought hadn’t entered my mind. Not after the way he’d affected me. I wasn’t interested in getting my heart broken, however. A man like that would be too easy to fall for.

Jesse followed me up to the register where Felicia was ringing her last customer of the day.

“Hey, girl,” said Jesse. “You’re looking fabulous. Hot date tonight?”

Felicia had recently cut and bleached her hair super short, which flattered her large brown eyes and high cheekbones. Today, she was also wearing a purple form-fitting dress that emphasized her voluptuous body in a most sinful way.

“Football player,” she smiled, proudly. “Grayson Parker Fields.”

“No way!” gasped Jesse. “That man is so fine, he even gets me interested in football.”

She laughed boisterously. “I hear that.”

“You’d better watch out in that dress,” said Jesse. “That ‘Tall Drink of Water’ is going to be throwing some passes tonight.”

She put a hand on her hip. “Tell you the truth, it’s only our second date but I’m hopin’ he goes for a touchdown. He’s was in field goal range last week and I had to block his punt, but baby, tonight I’m leaving the defense on the sidelines.”

Jesse and I both laughed, although I had to admit, all of this talk was beginning to make my end-zone a little tingly, which made my thoughts drift back to Reed. Although he was a scoundrel, he sure knew his way around a woman’s field.

“Listen, I’ve got to go,” said Jesse. “You two women have great weekends,” he kissed me on the cheek. “And you, dear friend, try to get out and have some fun. Quit holing yourself up in that damn apartment. Especially with that grouchy old cat of yours.”

“I’ll
think
about it,” I said.

“See you around, Jesse,” said Felicia as the door opened and our new owner stepped inside of the salon.

“Hi, Thane,” said Jesse, raking over him with his eyes. “Love your shirt.”

It was just a simple black polo shirt with the salon logo on it, but even I had to admit, on Thane’s firm, muscular body, it looked anything but simple.

“Hey, guys,” said Thane, flashing a rare smile. “Wow, who’s the lucky man you’re going to knock the sox off of tonight, Felicia?”

She smiled. “I told you about Grayson,” she said. “We have
another
date.”

“That’s right,” he said, walking past us. “Well, have fun, but remember we open early tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

“How can I forget?” she said dryly. “I have to cut ‘Old Man Henry’ again in the morning.”

I snorted. “He’s back?”

“Yeah, you want him?” she asked. “He asked for me but you can have the perv if you’d like. He leaves big tips.”

“Yeah, and slobber marks. No way, sorry.”

“So, are you sure Thane is into women?” asked Jesse, still admiring him from afar. 

Even I had to admit he was pretty cute. With his shoulder-length blond hair, chiseled face, and golden eyes, he reminded me of a lion, although, I still preferred the dark panther look of Reed, with his darker hair and icy blue eyes. It was too bad his den wasn’t exclusive to just one woman.

“Oh, Thane is definitely not gay,” said Felicia. “He’s temperamental, egotistical, and wears steel-toed mountain boots. Plus, have you seen the way he watches Sera?”

I raised my eyebrows. “Sera, really?”

Sera, was our new nail technician. She was soft-spoken, skittish, and reminded me of a librarian with her constant severely knotted bun and thick glasses. She definitely
had
the potential to be drop-dead gorgeous, though, if she cared enough to go that route.

“Oh, yeah,” said Felicia. “He definitely has a thing for that girl. Problem is, I don’t think she realizes it. Sera quivers in fear every time he approaches her.”

Maybe it wasn’t fear that made her quiver
, I thought, appreciating his firm buns when he bent down to pick something up off the floor.

“Too bad,” sighed Jesse. “He is freakin’ hawt.”

“Hey, you’re taken now, anyway,” I scolded.

Jesse held up his hand. “Girl, do you see a ring on this finger?”

I shook my head. “You’re exasperating.”

“But you still love me,” he laughed, walking towards the door.

“You know it. Have a great weekend.”

“You too,” he hollered, walking out.

***

Reed

“Where to?” asked the driver, as I stepped away from the airport and into the dry cab.

I gave him the address and unbuttoned my tie. It was just after nine o’clock in the evening and it was raining cats and dogs. My suit was damp and my stomach growled, but it was nothing compared to the hunger I needed to sate this night.

“First time out here?” asked the cabbie.

I stared out the window. “No,” I said, not wanting to make conversation. Fortunately he picked up on that, because he didn’t say anything for the rest of the trip. When we finally reached our destination, I gave him a healthy tip and stepped out of the cab, staring up at the worn building. The lime stucco-finished apartment building was old and, had probably seen much better days. Fortunately, the neighborhood wasn’t too bad and the entrance was secured.

At least I’d thought.

“Did you need to get in?” asked a young woman, holding the door open for me. She was on her way out but from the appraisal in her eyes, she was thinking about following me back inside.

“Thanks,” I said, surprised that she’d let a total stranger into the building. “Appreciate it.”

“Certainly,” she answered, her eyes staring into mine with a definite invitation. “So, you new here?”

“No, I’m just visiting a friend.”

“Ah… is
he
new here?”

I laughed. “No, I think
she’s
been here for a while.”

“Oh,” she pouted. “Well, if she ever moves on, look me up. I’m in apartment twelve.”

She was pretty but didn’t hold a flame to the woman I’d been obsessing over the last month. “I’ll keep that in mind,” I said.

Her eyes brushed over me one more time and she shook her head. “Lucky.”

“I hope so,” I answered under my breath as I walked up the steps towards my destination. When I stood outside of her apartment, I raised my hand to knock when the door opened from inside.

“Reed,” she gasped.

“Sinclair,” I said, looking into the eyes that had been haunting my dreams.

Chapter Thirty

Sinclair

While part of me was furious that he’d just showed up at my doorstep without being invited, another part of me was so giddy that I could hardly stand it. Yes, he’d pissed me off and I’d been trying to avoid him, but it didn’t mean that I hadn’t been obsessing about him almost every single day and night this last month. He was handsome, sexy, and a scoundrel, but I couldn’t help but crave his touch.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, unable to stop staring. I wanted to memorize every inch of his perfectly chiseled face and drink in those icy blue liquid eyes before I kicked him back out to the curb.

His eyes skimmed my short black dress and heels, then his lips lifted into a seductive grin. “To see you. And I have to say, I really like what I see.”

I ignored the butterflies in my stomach and folded my arms under my chest. “To see me? Well, I’m just about to go out.”

His smile fell. “You are?”

“Yes, so you should probably leave. My date will be arriving in a minute.”

My date was actually a guy I’d dated a couple of times before my last boyfriend – Shawn, one of my mother’s friend’s sons. He was kind of boring and always smelled faintly of peanut butter and cigarettes, but my mom had called me earlier this evening, begging me to go out with him, one last time. He’d just gotten dumped by his girlfriend and was depressed. I’d called him right after and talked him into meeting some of the girls from
Tangled
at a nearby nightclub for a few drinks, but that was all. The thought of him touching me made my skin crawl.

“Well, I took a cab,” he said. “Can I come in and make a phone call?”

Raised my eyebrows. “Don’t you have a cell phone?”

“Yes, but the battery died.”

“Oh,” I sighed. “Yeah, sure… come on in.”

I turned away and he followed me into my apartment.

“Nice place,” he said. “Your apartment is quite a surprise compared to the outside of the building. I like it.”

Most of the money I earned went towards my eclectically-furnished apartment, from my Italian leather furniture and large plasma television to the hand-carved dining set that I’d purchased from the Amish. Recently, I’d also acquired a couple of abstract paintings from a nearby gallery, which reminded me of my trip to Huntington Beach. I was rather proud of my diverse decor, so his complement put a smile on my face.

“Thanks,” I said, pointing towards the phone. “I have to finish getting ready.”

Just then my cat, Felix, strutted out of my bedroom to check out my guest.

“Here, kitty,” said Reed, holding out his hand.

Felix stared at him but didn’t move any closer.

“He’s a little moody,” I said. “I’d just leave him alone.”

“Oh, usually cats love me,” said Reed as he took a step closer to Felix.

The cat hissed at him.

“Sorry. He’s old and doesn’t like other men invading his space,” I said.

“I see that. How long have you had him?”

“For almost fifteen years. My parents gave him to me when I turned nine.”

Felix let out a low growl as Reed tried to pet him.

“I’d just let him go on his way,” I said. “He’s a grumpy old man.”

“No kidding.”

“Go back to bed if you’re going to be crabby,” I said to the cat.

Ignoring me, he walked into the kitchen to check on his food dish, which I’d filled before Reed had knocked.

“So, who is the lucky man?” he asked, sitting down on my sofa.

I grabbed a brush out of my purse and began running it through my hair. “This guy I dated before my ex.”

“So, if he obviously wasn’t the one then, why would you waste your time with him now?”

“It’s just a date,” I said. “I’m not looking for anything long-term.”

He watched me brush my hair, his expression unreadable. “Sinclair, why wouldn’t you return any of my calls?"

I stopped brushing. “I’ve been really busy.”

He stood up and walked towards me. “Is that so?”

I took a step back. “Uh, yeah.”

His lip twitched. “It’s funny but I have this crazy notion that you’ve been avoiding me.”

“Oh?”

“But that wouldn’t make sense, would it?”

I opened my mouth to say something, but then recognized the look in his eyes.

Determination.

He licked his lips. “Because we never finished what we started and I’m pretty sure both of us wanted to.”

I thought about the way his tongue had felt on my inner thighs and my pulse sped up. “Reed…”

He pulled me into his arms and crushed his lips to mine, invoking a small moan deep in my throat. Before I knew it, he was forcing his tongue inside, his strokes hot and demanding, creating a hot tingly sensation between my legs. 

I moaned again and his lips moved to my earlobe. “Tell me to stop.”

“Stop,” I whispered.

Reed grabbed the back of my hair and wound it around his hand. He nipped the tender skin under my ear and then stroked it with his tongue. “You sure?” he asked, pulling me closer to his hips.

The only thing I was sure of was the power he had over my body. Every time he touched me, heat slid sinuously through my veins, there was an ache between my legs, and I couldn’t breathe properly; the fact that I hadn’t had sex in so long and my panties were drenched, didn’t help matters.

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he murmured, sliding his hands around the curve of my ass. “You haunt my dreams… your eyes, your mouth, your… smell. You smell unbelievable, did you know that?”

“No,” I whispered.

“Well, you do. Like honey or vanilla, I don’t know exactly what, but –”

I grabbed both sides of his head and brought his lips back to mine.

The man talked way too much.

From the way his tongue danced with mine, I knew he had much better things he could be doing with it. At the moment, talking definitely wasn’t one of them.

“Um, wait,” I murmured when his kisses stopped and he lifted me into his arms.

I started to panic.

Just like before, things were going a little too fast.

He looked around. “Where’s your bedroom?” 

“My date will be here any minute. We can’t just disappear into my bedroom.”

He found it and pushed the door open all the way with his foot. “Fuck your date.”

“My friends are expecting me.”

He set me down on the bed. “I’m sure your friends will get over it.”

“But…” I said, backing away.

With a devilish smile, he removed his jacket and crawled towards me. “You’re
mine,
tonight, Sinclair,” he said. “Face it.”

“I…”

He pushed me down on my back and his mouth devoured my protests until they were just meaningless whispers. I closed my eyes and decided it was going to be more rewarding to just give in.

Sensing my lack of resistance, he lifted the hem of my dress, pushing it up and over my hips.

“A thong,” he groaned, into my mouth, sliding his fingers under the strap. His fingers followed the dark satin fabric over my hip to the front, lightly brushing the junction between my legs, making me tremble. 

“Oh, wait,” he murmured, stopping abruptly. He grinned smugly. “You told me to stop, didn’t you?”

Quivering with need, I grabbed his hand and put it between my legs. “Don’t.”

“The lady has spoken,” he whispered, as he slipped two fingers inside of my panties.

“Yes,” I whimpered, as his thumb began stroking my swollen clit softly and then faster in a forceful rhythm. Then, when he dipped his other finger inside of me, I dug my nails into his shoulders.

“Oh, God,” I moaned, as his fingers worked together, driving me crazy with desire. Just when it became too much and I was about to go over the edge, he stopped.

“That’s cruel,” I whispered.

“Patience,” he chuckled, reaching around the back of my dress to unzip it. He pushed the spaghetti straps away from my shoulders exposing my black satin pushup bra. He cupped my breasts with his hands and lowered his mouth to my cleavage, running his tongue along the curves.

I slid my hands into his hair and closed my eyes as he unclasped my bra and tossed it away from the bed.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, cupping them again. He squeezed and drew my right breast to his mouth, claiming the nipple between his teeth as his tongue rolled and teased it.

Crazy with need, I reached down to his trousers and clutched the outline of his hard cock, desperately wanting it out of his pants and inside of me.

He had other plans, however, because he grabbed both of my hands and placed them over my head. “Let me finish what I started,” he whispered, staring at me with hooded eyes.

I nodded.

He released my hands and removed my dress, tossing it aside. Then his mouth returned to my nipples, nipping and sucking, causing hot currents all the way down to my clit.

“Perfect breasts,” he murmured, giving them each one last kiss. Then his tongue began to move south, past my ribcage and bellybutton, until I could feel the heat of his breath on my thighs. When his tongue slid across my glistening lower lips, I gasped in pleasure.

Oh…

I reached up and grabbed the edge of my bed as his tongue began to lick, slowly and deliberately.

“Yes…” I moaned as his strokes became more urgent and one of his fingers slipped inside of me, followed by another. Soon he was sucking and licking with such intensity that it didn’t take long before my body stiffened up and I screamed out his name, the force of my orgasm actually bringing tears.

“You okay?” he asked, noticing my glassy eyes.

I laughed. “Yeah, it’s just been a while, I guess. I wasn’t prepared for something that intense.”

He got up and removed his shirt. “Well. we’re not done yet.”

I stared at his perfectly sculpted chest and narrow waist, waiting in anticipation for him to remove his pants. When he finally got down to his boxers, I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Let me,” I said, getting on my knees.

He smiled and moved until he was standing in front of me, his cock straining to get out of his shorts. I grabbed ahold of his boxers and pulled him closer until I was at eyelevel with his bellybutton. Licking my lips I moved closer and flicked my tongue just above the waistband of his shorts, teasing his lower stomach.

He sucked in his breath and grabbed the top of my head.

Smiling wickedly, I slipped my hand under the bottom of his boxers, lightly brushing his balls before I moved my hand up and took hold of his cock.

“Yes,” he groaned as I began sliding my fingers up and down the shaft. The look on his face told me it wouldn’t take long for him to come.

Wanting to get closer, I removed my hand and then pushed his boxers down his thighs, reveling at my first full glimpse of his beautifully sculpted cock. As I wrapped my hand around the middle and brought him to my lips, Reed groaned and put his hand on the top of my head.

“Sinclair,” he whispered, his eyes glazed over with desire.

I stared up at him as I began circling the tip with my tongue, licking around the base. When I drew all of him inside of my mouth and began sucking greedily, he pushed me back against the bed.

“I have to get inside of you,” he said, crawling between my legs.

Before I could respond, he had his cock pressed against my opening and was slowly pushing himself in.

“Sinclair,” he whispered, pressing harder. “Relax.”

“Well, it’s been a while,” I said.

He grabbed my hips more firmly and then with one big thrust, plunged inside of me.

“Yes,” I moaned, enjoying the way he filled me up. It was a mixture of pain and pleasure as his hips began moving, his cock sliding in and out.

I stared up at him, marveling at how sexy he looked and how good he felt inside of me as he picked up his pace.

He lowered his mouth to mine and kissed my lips. “You feel so good,” he whispered against my mouth. “I don’t know how long I’m going to last.”

“It’s okay,” I whispered, raking my nails across his back before I dug them into his ass, urging him on. “Just… don’t… stop… now….”

He reached below and began rubbing my clit while he pumped in and out, making my toes curl back in ecstasy. Soon, my muscles clenched around his cock as another orgasm ripped through my body. Reed groaned and picked up his pace until his face twisted in pleasure and he pulled out of me.

“Sorry,” he said, falling on top of me. “I should have worn something.”

“Yes,” I murmured. “If I get pregnant, I’m calling my lawyer.”

He laughed. “Good.”

Both of us lay there, still trying to catch our breath when the doorbell rang.

“I take it you didn’t order a pizza and that’s your date?” he said.