Original Match [Ménage.com 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (6 page)

Sitting across from her while Ian had asked her questions regarding the dating site, Gray had been able to watch her movements and observe how she carried herself. She was everything his gut instinct had told him she’d be. His mother had always grilled into them when they were young that when they met the right person, they would just know. She said they wouldn’t second-guess it, but embrace it. She hadn’t realized, nor did she know, that he and Ian shared their women, and Gray didn’t even want to contemplate ever having that discussion.

“I appreciate your concern, but as I said, as soon as I speak with Officer—I didn’t catch his last name—but after I file my report, I need to head home.”

Over his dead body, Gray thought, overhearing Shea from the hallway. He clenched his hands into fists, trying to contain some of his anger. His office door opened, and in walked Shea with her brow creased in frustration and her lips pursed. Instantly, his dick hardened at the sight of her. It wasn’t an appropriate time for a reaction like that, but he had a feeling that is how it would always be with her.

Not thinking about what he was doing, Gray crossed the few steps to where she was and pulled her into his arms. He claimed her mouth, taking advantage of the gasp that parted her lips. Needing reassurance that she was all right, Gray slipped his tongue inside of her mouth. Her moist heat met his. At first, she had stood still while he took his fill, but then he felt her body relax under his hands. She melted against him. He would never let anything happen to her and would do what he had to in order to convince her to stay in the city where they could protect her.

He would never admit to his mother that she was right about love hitting you like a ton of bricks. That would boost her ego more than it already was. But one thing was for certain—Shea Brennan was the one.

Gray heard Ian cough. He knew it was a sign for him to back off, and Gray agreed. He slowly released her lips with one last brush against them, while their breath mingled together. She opened her green eyes, and he saw that they had deepened into an emerald color. He suddenly got a vision of her wearing emerald jewelry and nothing else.

“Why don’t we see what Brad has to say,” Ian replied, sharing a look with him over Shea’s head.

Ian was picking up the conversation as if Gray and Shea hadn’t just shared something monumental. But Gray knew it was for the best. He gave her one more quick kiss and then turned away. Her lips were now rosy red, and her cheeks were flushed. She was beautiful.

“I’m glad that Ian was with you when you walked to your car. Brad’s last name is Foster, by the way. While we are waiting for Brad, Lucy is about to order lunch,” Gray said, walking around the side of the desk. “Is there anything in particular you would like?”

“No, thank you,” Shea replied, placing her purse on the couch against the far wall.

She perched herself on the edge of the cushion while Ian took the chair off to the side. He could tell that she was trying to follow their lead of a normal conversation, but she was definitely fretting about it. Gray hoped that he hadn’t pushed too hard, too soon.

“I’m not really all that hungry.”

“You should try to eat, though,” Ian said, crossing his ankle over one knee. “Did you have breakfast?”

“I’m fine, really.” Shea placed her hands together, and Gray noticed that she was fiddling with her ring. He decided he wouldn’t push her, and obviously Ian thought the same, for they both let the subject drop. They would make sure she ate something at dinner, because no matter what she said, they weren’t letting her drive home tonight.

“Do you have any idea who might have damaged your car? Any exes we need to be aware of?” Gray asked, finally feeling comfortable enough to walk back around his desk and take a seat in the opposite chair from Ian. He was still hard, but Shea seemed too preoccupied to notice.

When Gray had first taken this office, it was Beth who had suggested he have a sitting area with a coffee table to make business discussions a little more casual when the meeting required it. His office was big enough, so Gray had let Beth choose the décor, which he admitted fit perfectly with his personality. The black leather was classic, along with the black-rimmed coffee table that contained a glass middle. He just hadn’t realized how far apart the furniture was, because he suddenly felt too far away from her.

“There is no one who would do something like that. I was telling your brother that I think maybe someone mistakenly thought it was someone else’s car.” Shea hesitated, and Gray was curious about what she was holding back. He didn’t have to wait long. “I do have an ex-boyfriend, but it’s been years. And since he was the one who wanted out, trust me, it wasn’t him.”

“What about a fan that has—well, not the best intentions toward you? The words ‘you’re mine’ seem to indicate that he thinks there’s a relationship where there is none.”

“Since our target audience is women, I highly doubt that would happen.”

“It could be a woman,” Ian offered, shrugging his shoulders. “You never know.”

“I would find it odd that they would wait until I’m in the city, when they would have much better access to me in my hometown.” Gray was grateful to finally see Shea relax a bit and lean back against the couch. She had even let go of her ring. “That’s why it has to be a mistake.”

Gray’s intercom beeped, causing him to stand and walk over to his desk. “Yes, Lucy?”

“An Officer Foster is here to see you.”

“Please send him on back,” Gray ordered. He turned back to face Shea. “Brad is a very good family friend.”

There was a firm knock on the door, and then it swung open. Brad Foster was their age, having attended the same high school. Their families had been friends for years. He was African American, had a lean body that was now in uniform, and was happily sporting his new wedding ring.

“Brad, good to see you, although I wish it was under better circumstances.” Gray shook hands with Brad and motioned him toward Shea, who was now standing alongside Ian. He took a second to appreciate the vision they made, loving the thought of making her theirs. “Brad, this is Shea Brennan. Shea, this is Officer Brad Foster.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Shea said. “Thank you for coming here, although I would have come to the station.”

“No worries, ma’am.” Brad turned to Ian, pumped his hand, and slapped his shoulder. “These two are good friends, and they know they can call me at any time. Gray did inform me of the location of your vehicle, and I have a crime scene unit processing the scene. I’ll take a walk over there myself after I take your report.”

“Well, I’m not sure how much I can add to what you already know.”

They had all taken their seats, but Gray made sure that Brad took the chair so that he was able to sit beside Shea. Her light lavender scene was intoxicating, and he took a deep breath. She must be wearing some type of lotion, because he had never smelled a perfume so perfect.

“Then let me start by asking you a few questions.” Brad pulled out a small pad from his breast pocket, along with a pen. “What time did you arrive in Chicago?”

“My meeting with Ian and Gray started at ten o’clock, so I arrived around nine forty. I wanted to make sure I had a little leeway in case I couldn’t find a parking spot.”

“Did you notice anything unusual when you parked? Or anything out of the ordinary when you walked from the garage to the building?”

“No, nothing,” Shea replied, shaking her head. “It wasn’t until Ian walked me to the parking garage that I saw the words sprayed across my car.”

“I know this is a personal question, but it would help us in determining who might have done this. Is there an ex-husband or an ex-boyfriend who might be responsible?”

“Gray has already asked me that, and the answer is no. I have never been married, and my last serious relationship was over two years ago. We haven’t been in touch since.”

“What about a coworker? What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a writer. And the answer is no, there is no one who would do this. I write with two other authors, and we are the best of friends. As a matter of fact, both have left the state. Elise has gone to Phoenix, and Cyn is heading to Indiana.”

“What do you write? Is there a chance a fan might be angry with something you wrote?”

Gray was curious as to how Shea would answer. On one hand, she seemed reserved about her profession, but on the other, he could see the pride she had when she spoke of her stories and her idea of a ménage dating site.

“I write erotic romance. And to my knowledge, there are no angry fans. We have a website, the three of us, and Elise monitors it closely. She would have told me if there were any threatening messages.”

“And you don’t have a website in your name only?”

“I have a social media site, as we all do, but our readers mainly contact us on our website. We run our blog from there as well.”

“And when was the last time you checked your personal account?”

Shea didn’t immediately answer, and since Gray had yet to really take his eyes off of her, he noticed that she had sat up a little straighter. The cute way she creased her brow was back, indicating she was thinking hard.

“You know, it’s been a week. Which is not like me, but we are under a deadline and I’ve limited my time to playing on the Internet in between making my word count.”

“Gray, do you mind if she checks it from your computer? I’d rather make certain there is nothing there before continuing this investigation.”

Brad stood, indicating that he knew Gray would never say no to one of his requests. If only he knew that it was really Shea that Gray would never say no to, Brad would be laughing. Gray and Ian had given Brad a lot of grief about getting married, although it was all in jest. He rose from the couch, waiting for Shea to do the same. Ian stayed where he was, although he had leaned forward to place his elbows on his knees.

“Go right ahead, Shea. My computer is up and running. Just click on the Internet and type in the site you need.”

“I highly doubt there is anything there,” Shea said, walking around his desk and sitting in front of his computer.

Gray could hear a slight hesitation in her words and knew she was worried about actually finding something. Not wanting her to feel scared, Gray stepped around the desk to stand behind her, leaving Brad to stand in front of the desk. He watched as she placed her right hand on the mouse, making his screen saver disappear. She pulled up the Internet and started clicking away at the keys. Within seconds, she had her personal site up and on the screen. He watched the monitor as she perused through her messages. The tiny wheeze that came from her lips had him leaning over her shoulder and resting his hand over hers, which was still on the mouse. Her hand was cold, and all he wanted to do was make her warm. His anger started to rise as he read what was on her screen.

“Oh my God,” Shea whispered, her hand releasing the mouse. Her movements caused him to let go, but she had twisted her hand to where her fingers entwined with his. Gray doubt she even noticed she had done it, but he was grateful she had.

Son of a bitch. For a brief moment, he saw red. She had a stalker.

Shea stood in their condo, overlooking the city through the glass windows that served as a wall. The streets below were alive with lights, reminding her of the lightening bugs at home when they played in the fields. She could make out the shadows of the people walking by, and her mind couldn’t help but wonder if the man who was stalking her was one of them. She had her arms wrapped around her middle, but it didn’t suppress the chill that went through her at remembering what his first letter said.

My Dearest Shea,

I have watched you for the past several weeks and you still refuse to acknowledge my presence. What do I have to do to get you to notice me? Those two sluts that you call friends have led you down a bad path, but I am here to save you. I will be your salvation. No one can love you like I can.

You will see me,

Your Beloved

How had she not realized that someone was watching her? She was kicking herself for not having checked her personal site sooner. He had written something every day for a week, including yesterday. And what he mentioned in his letter made her ill to her stomach, because that had to have meant he had been in the coffee shop when she was discussing their new venture.

My Dearest Shea,

It is getting harder and harder to call you that after hearing what you are planning to do. How could you let a reader poison your mind with such trash that you would think it is respectable to start up a dating site that caters to women having sex with two men? I realize you have to make a living, but you are better than those whores. Maybe I have waited too long in claiming what is mine. You are still untainted, and I intend to keep you like that.

You will see me,

Your Devoted Beloved

Officer Foster had her print out all the messages and grilled her for what seemed like hours on who might have been in the coffee shop to overhear their conversation. Did she at any time feel as if she was being watched? Had she met anyone that made her feel uneasy? Had her friends mentioned anything unusual? The questions had seemed endless, although they had triggered the mental picture of the man that had been watching her through her window yesterday as she had been speaking with Gray. Unfortunately, the guy had been too far away for her to get a good look at his appearance. No one had been in the coffee shop besides the two businessmen and the older couple, but there was no way they had overheard their conversation. Shea was getting a headache trying to sort everything out.