Authors: Laura Marie Henion
His tongue and mouth took control. His mind unaware of the technique he used to equally lavish Lauren's breasts. It wasn't until he heard her breathless plea, that his other body part demanded an agenda of its own.
"I can't take it, Eddie. Please, I want to feel you inside of me."
She thrashed her head side to side, and just as his mouth began to move back to her swollen targets, she grabbed his hair, and held his head, so he would look her in the eyes. When he did, she licked her lips, and then locked her legs around his hips.
The little control freak.
Eddie smiled wide, and gave into the shared urge before he lost it.
Lauren held his forearms, near the crook of his elbow.
"Now!” she demanded.
Something came over him. A new, primal emotion that surged through his veins. He teased her, not fully entering before pulling back. A squeeze to his arms, and the vice grip hold of her legs around his waist, told him the teasing was done. He nearly lost it right at that moment.
Holding her stare, he plunged fully into her, and as they fell into a rhythm, he felt her relinquish some of the pressure around his waist.
The desire and need they shared was identical, and lasted until neither could hold out any longer. They made love into the night, holding one another close. Then, they drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
Hours later, she awoke to Eddie's manly, large body pressed against her back. His arm was around her waist, and his hand was warm against her belly. Absorbing the moment, feeling content to remain in this position as long as possible, she sighed peacefully.
She felt so feminine, so alive. The masculine smell filled up her bedroom, and she liked it.
She didn't have to be strong now, so independent. She was just a woman, lying in bed with a man she'd made love to.
Remembering last night, she smiled, and admitted to herself that being alone, not opening up her heart to someone, was foolish. Never mind the mind-blowing sex they'd shared. Feeling her cheeks heat, she snuggled her backside a bit deeper into the curve of Eddie's hips. The sensation brought on an intense need.
She could hardly hear him breathing, and assumed he was a light sleeper, or was playing possum. Although, one of his body parts appeared wide awake, and shared her enthusiasm for more.
She throbbed with a need for attention.
He was incredible, and she wanted him inside her again.
Slowly, she turned over, when he pulled her completely toward him, placing his hand against her backside in a possessive manner. Her leg moved instinctively between his thighs, and confirmed his body was in sync with her own.
They stared at one another.
"I thought you were still sleeping.” Lauren moved her leg deeper between Eddie's.
He pulled her closer, snuggling his mouth against her collarbone, leaving a gentle kiss. She tilted her head upward, giving her neck better access to his fiery lips, and she purred.
"I've been awake and waiting for you."
The warmth of his breath against her skin sent chills through her body. She reacted by letting her hand roam across his thigh, to his backside, grabbing a handful to return the possessive gesture.
Eddie peeked over at the alarm clock, on the bedside table. The red light indicated it was nearly 6:00 a.m.
"We've got time. What do ya say, Phelps?” He smiled, as she continued to purr, with half-closed eyes. Their stares focused on each other, as she opened her heavy eyelids completely.
"You've got seniority, Lieutenant.” She winked.
A moment later, he rolled on top of her and straddled her hips, while her hands wrapped around his neck.
"I could look at you, hold you like this, all day long,” he told her, softly kissing her nose, her chin, and then her lips.
Lauren arched her hips forward in response. “I had something a little different in mind.” She placed her lips over his, kissing him deeply.
They made love to one another again, then held each other closely, damning the clock, and their limited alone time together.
An hour later, they reluctantly got out of bed, showered, and shared an early breakfast, until Eddie's cell phone rang.
Eddie answered his phone, while standing in Lauren's kitchen, preparing to head back to Ridgeburgh. “Lieutenant Tennellie."
"Hey, Eddie, it's Ken. I just got a call from the Creek Valley P.D. They said someone reported finding a body in the backyard of Silver's apartment complex. It's a female, around the age and description of Jillian Monroe. I'm headed over there now. Do you want me to pick you up or meet you there?"
"I'll be there in thirty minutes."
"Thirty minutes? Where the hell are you?"
"Just keep things cool until I get there. I'm leaving right now.” He hung up the phone.
He quickly explained things to Lauren, who then called Tom and Jack.
"Want to leave with me right now, and get a ride back with Tom later?"
Lauren paled, and he knew immediately what went through her mind. He understood it, but he also felt hurt.
She took a determined breath. “I don't think we should do that. I'll wait here for Tom. You go ahead."
To her, Eddie looked disappointed, but going with him was not an option. If she did that, she might as well paint a billboard on her face that said she was screwing the lieutenant from Creek Valley.
No way.
This was exactly what she'd avoided in her career, up to this point. A guilty, confusing feeling crept into her belly, as Eddie kissed her.
She waited for Tom to arrive, as Eddie ran out the front door, and took off out of the city.
Ben Silver glanced around the basement. It'd taken him a couple of hours to get things ready, and he still had to add a few finishing touches.
He listened to her voice, over and over. The anger consumed him.
"Detective Lauren Phelps. You just might be the one.” He glided his finger across the television screen.
He absorbed her beauty, her classy style, and the way she did her hair. She had a lot of the qualities he liked. The fact she acted so authoritative was irresistibly enticing.
She
made
him at the restaurant, and came crashing through the door in time to save her partner. She had guts, courage, and would be a challenge.
To capture her, act out a complete fantasy, and then leave her body to be found by her fellow detectives would show them all how unstoppable he really was.
He would have to plan this one out carefully.
He rubbed his chin, felt the nervous, excited feeling he always got when he planned a capture, but this one was different.
He sat down in the chair, glanced around the room at his numerous trophies and memorabilia.
"An appropriate decoy is what I need. A way to get Lauren alone. Something that would block her good judgment."
He racked his brain, then stared at the television screen one more time, before rising from the chair.
"Oh, yes, you're special. You and I are going to have some fun. I can hardly wait.” He walked over to the torture machine and started setting up new chains, handcuffs, placed a brand new mat over the blood-stained, concrete floor.
Lauren deserved the best, and she would be getting the royal treatment, as long as she cooperated.
He picked up the remote and pressed the Play button. Ben listened attentively to the sound of her voice, the way she would say his name. The more he watched her, the more desirable she became.
So far this morning, there wasn't a word about the newest body he'd left, and that annoyed him.
How stupid were these cops? He'd left Jillian right there, in the middle of the complex's courtyard, for all to see. To top it off, it was his apartment complex, and patrol cars searched the area.
He laughed deeply. Full of pride, he was convinced no one could stop him.
This was his game, and he was ready to play. He'd already planted some other evidence that was sure to stir things up. More importantly, screw things up, throw the cops off, and give him the time he needed to get to Lauren.
The media was calling him the Co-ed Killer. He kind of liked the sound of that. Taking the detective would leave them shocked, and throw them off the trail. After all, Detective Lauren Phelps was not some Co-ed.
An idea came into his mind.
He needed to use the old man's car one more time. It was risky, but as the plan developed in his head, he was willing to take the risk, so he could have Lauren Phelps for himself.
Wouldn't it be great if the lead investigator on the case went missing, and became one of his victims? What a laughing stock the law enforcements would look like—a total embarrassment, an outrage. Oh, how he loved this power.
He smiled, as the old rock and roll music played in the background. Right now, the room was empty, but once his plan was in motion, he wouldn't be alone for long. He'd stocked up on food and the necessities. He wanted to keep Lauren alive as long as he could. He had so many ideas, so many acts he wanted to share with her.
Ben gently glided his hand over the naked body of the plastic doll that stood chained to the wall, beside the metal closet.
There was nothing like the real thing. The anticipation was building, and his heart beat faster. He stepped closer to the small metal closet, to take out the antique blue poodle skirt that belonged to his mother.
He lifted the plastic, and looked at it in front of the mirror. Lauren's image was still frozen on the television screen. He could see it in the background, while he stood in front of the mirror.
"None have ever had the honor of wearing this dress. But I choose you, the lovely Lauren Phelps, to be mine for eternity. You, I will never return."
Eddie pulled off the parkway, nearly tipping the car as he took the narrow bend too fast. The speedometer read 105 mph. He applied more pressure to the gas pedal. He was trying to get to the crime scene.
He had a feeling he should've left Lauren's place first thing this morning, but he chalked the uneasiness up to nerves, and the old guilty feeling he'd held for so long.
It was funny that he didn't have it once Lauren touched him, and initiated the first move. She was amazing, and lovelier than he imagined her to be. He didn't want to leave her this morning, and the longer he held her, the more he wanted her to be his.
It felt incredible to wake up with her body wedged up against his. He wanted to be intimate like that with her again, and he wanted more time alone with her. But, her comment before he left caused a feeling of uncertainty in him.
Did she have the same strong feelings he had, or was she used to this?
Lauren had no idea what he'd gone through, and the intense pep talk he given himself, to build up the nerve to come after her and wait outside her house. She was a knockout—an all-around, perfect woman. She had to have plenty of men in her life. There was also the age difference between them.
He heard Jack tell Ken that Lauren was thirty-four. She could pass for being in her mid twenties.
He was forty, and had been married once, even though it was for a short period of time. Maybe that would turn her off? Maybe she wanted someone closer to her age, and someone who'd never been married?
A bunch of questions went through his mind, as well as many reasons a relationship between them would never work. He was scared. Lauren seemed to sense his reservations, and gave him that push he'd needed to get over his fear and guilt. She had no idea the power she had over him. She was exactly what he needed, and had been waiting for. He would embrace the time they had together, for as long as it lasted.
Eddie drove down the main road, only minutes away from the crime scene. When he got to the complex and exited his car, he headed to the scene on foot. He was shocked at the amount of people who were around, including the local media. His palms sweated, and his heartbeat began to slow down with each step away from the car. He hadn't driven like that in ages.
He showed his identification to the officer in charge of keeping the crime scene log. Once he made it through the side walkway and around the building, he saw the body, and the forensics team doing their job.
"Eddie!” He turned to the left. Ken was talking with two detectives from the Creek Valley P.D. He knew the two detectives, and had worked with them in the past. They also all belonged to the County PBA association.
"Hey, Tennellie, glad you could make it. Looks like we got your missing victim. We ran it through the city's Missing Persons, and she's a close match,” Detective Bruce Hays said, as he continued to write notes down.
Ken and Bruce filled Eddie in on what they found.
A few minutes later, the detective's attention was drawn toward the entrance, as Lauren and Tom showed up.
Eddie noticed the way she looked so serious and in control. The surrounding officers acknowledged her presence, determining she was the one in charge. But, she didn't take over. She respected the fact Bruce Hays and his partner, Peter Young, were the lead investigators in this homicide. It was their town, and their responsibility.
Ken introduced Lauren and Tom to Bruce and Peter. Both men gave Lauren the once over, and seemed to be on guard.
"It's nice to meet you, Detectives. As you know, we believe this victim is connected with the serial killer we're trying to find. We'd like your cooperation in this case, so we can work together to get this guy. If you could share your findings with us as soon as possible, we'd greatly appreciate it. If you need our assistance, please don't hesitate to ask,” Lauren said, and both Bruce and Peter smiled at her.
They shared what they believed had occurred so far, and made her aware of the woman who found the body.
"Any information or leads from the residents in the building yet?” Lauren said.
"Our men are still going door to door. We'll let you know if anything comes up,” Bruce told her.