MARISSA VANDERSON
Dane's features hardened. "Did he hurt you? Who was he?"
"No, I'm not hurt. I don't know who he was. But he seemed to know me."
"A stalker?"
"Impossible."
"C'mon, princess. It's time to call the police."
"No!" Marissa stopped him from pulling her toward the house. "He—he didn't hurt me. I'm fine. Really."
"This is crazy. We're talking about your safety."
"Then take me somewhere else. Where he can't find me. We need to finish the list, too." She looked at him. "I don't have much time left, Dane. I want to spend it with you. Besides, I couldn't identify whoever it was. I didn't see his face." She wiggled her toes inside her tennis shoes.
She disliked lying to Dane, but she didn't want to speak to the police—for many reasons. She suspected the man had known her sister. And perhaps...perhaps she could find out more about Gillie's death.
Crazy idea, Marissa.
She nibbled her lip. She couldn't go to the police. It would open all kinds of questions about who she was and, worse, who her parents were.
Police Chief Henderson was a regular dinner guest at their home. He knew Fiona and Alan would be less than pleased to know their daughter was running around alone and unprotected in the big, bad world.
"Marissa?"
"Please, Dane. I'm begging you not to call the police."
He looked as if he was about to argue so she reached up and captured his lips. Her heart skipped a beat when he returned the kiss, gathering her into his arms, and angling her head to better fit the curve of his mouth.
Too soon, he pulled away, and looked down at her. His eyes were dark like melted chocolate, and she wanted him so badly, she felt ready to attack him.
"No police. For now." He drew in a shaky breath. "Maybe...maybe I'm cranky...a little...but it's only because...you...I..."
Marissa waited to hear his next words. Waited with insane hope that he would admit he cared about her, that he desired her, that he needed in his heart and in his bed. Was that too much for a girl to want?
Instead, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. She snuggled into his embrace, sought the warmth and comfort of his lips, soaked in the gentle way his hands cupped her jaw. He drew away and she clutched his arms. "Please don't reject me again, Dane. I couldn't bear it."
He gathered her close. "I don't want to hurt you, Marissa. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want you, but I can't—"
"Don't say it." Marissa extracted herself from his arms. Tears pricked her eyes; an intense ache lodged in her throat, threatening to choke her. "Let's go back. I don't want Tuesday to worry."
She turned and walked away.
***|***|***|***|***
LILLIAN
"HOW'D YOU TALK me into this?" whispered Lillie.
Even though she'd long given up on her relationship with Kade, she felt guilty about her attraction to Brent. She still felt attached the man who'd showed her kindness and love and who'd shut down his emotions like a robot and let her go.
Kade hadn't been her first lover, but he'd been her only true love.
But Brent...maybe Brent...he nibbled her neck. His fingertips caressed the line of her jaw then dropped to her collarbone. She groaned with pleasure and slid her hands into his hair. His lips continued their slow investigation, venturing onto the curve of her shoulder.
Somehow, they'd ended up back at Brent's...Dane's...apartment. They'd made it into the living room and onto the couch. Barely. Why had they even pretended he wanted to interview her for a position as a housekeeper?
The only position he wanted...she wanted...was horizontal.
The desire buzzing between them should have blown out the streetlights on the way here.
Hungry for his mouth, Lillie bent her head to capture his lips; she bypassed his gentle nibbling and slipped her tongue inside. A wave of pleasure crashed through her when he responded. Heat pooled between her legs. She needed more...she wanted the fulfillment Brent could give her.
He slid one hand up her back then slipped the other one under her T-shirt; skirting along her rib cage, his fingers found her breast. He cupped it, kneaded the firmness, then grasped the hardened nipple and rolled it between his thumb and forefinger. Intense enjoyment radiated to all points in her body.
He shoved up the T-shirt and took her nipple into his mouth. Lillie cried out at the pleasure invoked. "More," she begged. He knelt between her legs and removed her shorts and swimsuit bottom. He stroked her inner thighs until they trembled, though his fingers never quite reached the apex.
"That's it." She toppled him onto the floor. She ripped off her T-shirt and swimsuit top before she made swift work of his jeans and boxers. She grabbed a condom out of her purse and slid it onto him. Impatient, she got on top and took his hard length inside. Her body shuddered at the contact; she was already pulsing around him.
She leaned forward, offering her breasts, moaning when he cupped them and suckled her nipples. Sensations throbbed, swirled, threatened...she closed her eyes and thought of Kade. Beautiful, rough, gentle Kade. She exploded into a million pieces. He grabbed her hips and jerked inside her, his shout matching hers.
Lillie collapsed on top of Brent, enjoying the feel of his muscled chest. She had to admit that he was a handsome man, a kind lover. He held her, his hands rubbing her back, soothing her.
"You're in trouble, aren't you, Lillie?" he whispered.
"No." She tensed under his fingers as he swirled patterns down her back. "What makes you think so?"
"Instinct." He rolled her off and raised himself on his elbow then tucked her close, thigh to thigh, hip to hip. Smiling, he pushed a loose strand of hair away from her cheek. "Just got out of a relationship? Are you running from an old boyfriend?"