Page 19

Chapter 18

A smug grin spreads across my face as I relive my date with Tessa. It was a date, whether she wants to admit it or not. The more time I spend with her, the more I want to learn everything about her.

Following behind Tessa as far as I can, the urge to keep going almost overpowers my need to make this next important stop. A long-overdue stop.

Turning onto Main Street, I drive toward the police station. It’s been months since I’ve heard from Sheriff Randall about the investigation into my sister’s death. My anger rises with each passing day, week, month, and year, and it’s becoming harder to control.

Walking through the police station’s front door, the familiar bell rings. I nod to Millie, who’s been at the front desk for as long as I can remember, and she offers a pleasant smile, but I can't help but see the pity in her eyes. “Good afternoon, Eli. Did you come to see the Sheriff?”

“Yes, ma’am. Is he available? ”

Millie nods and makes the call from her desk phone. “I’ll let him know you’re here.”

Within seconds, Sheriff Randall emerges from his office, and motions for me to come in.

“Eli, how are you doing?” he asks, shaking my hand. “Sit down and make yourself comfortable, son.”

The room is unchanged after all these years. Framed pictures cover the walls—many featuring him, other law enforcement officers, politicians, and even one showing him with Matthew McConaughey during a movie shoot in Georgia a few years back. Several photos litter his desk, all of them showing his wife and sons at various stages of their lives. Speaking of which, I need to talk to him about Wilson.

“Sheriff, I wanted to get an update on the investigation.”

“Eli, you know as much as I do. After all these years we continue to hit nothing but brick walls, and more than anything we want to give you and your parents closure and get justice for Paisley.”

My jaw tightens. “I have nothing but respect for this office, but the disappearances of underage girls in neighboring towns can’t be a coincidence. There has to be a connection between those girls and my sister. They have to be related somehow.”

My hand balls into a fist as the heat of frustration builds inside me. “Have you explored neighboring states? Consider contacting the FBI?” I grit out.

He bristles at my insinuation that he doesn’t know how to do his job. “We’ve already requested assistance from the FBI, but they rejected our inquiry, and we’ve pursued every lead they would’ve offered. ”

It’s no secret that the federal and local governments have a long-standing history of inability to work together. It’s not that they don’t trust each other, it’s essentially a dick-measuring contest between the two.

This Saturday would’ve been Paisley’s twenty-fourth birthday. “It’s been a decade since my sister was abducted, sexually assaulted, mutilated, and killed. How would you feel if it were your own sister or daughter?”

The Sheriff’s face betrays a hint of shame. “I can’t comprehend the pain you’ve been through since your sister’s death,” he says with a heavy sigh. “We’re still determined to find the person who took her life.”

I can tell this conversation is going nowhere, and there’s no use in arguing with him further. It’s time I start looking into things myself. My father hired a private investigator a year or two after Paisley’s death, but even he didn’t uncover anything.

I can’t shake the possibility of never knowing what happened. I refuse to.

Having nothing more to say, I shove off my chair, mumbling my thanks as I head for the door. Halfway there, I remember Wilson, but as I turn to give the sheriff an earful over his son, I hear Millie’s voice over the intercom. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, Sheriff, but there’s been an incident. Reports of a 10-62 in progress at 27 Deer Point Road. Marshall and Ethan have already arrived and secured the scene.”

A wave of cold fear washes over me as I recognize that address. Tessa. Shit. I realize a 10-62 is a ‘breaking and entering in progress. ’

I burst out the door, ignoring Millie’s startled yelp as I rush past her. Slamming my truck into gear I speed toward Tessa’s house, the tires screeching on the pavement.

Keeping an eye on the clock, each minute drags by until I finally pull into her driveway. I breathe a sigh of relief, noticing the absence of flashing lights and sirens. The police have already left, and the lack of ambulances and body bags only deepens the sense of relief.

Exiting the truck, I hurry to her front door and ring the bell, my impatience growing. As I wait, I glance around, taking in my surroundings. The door swings open, and a gun is pressed to my head.

“Jesus. First a knife, now a gun?” My eyebrows shoot up in disbelief as she yanks me inside, the firearm steady in her grip. “What the hell?”

“You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing here, Eli?”

My eyes sweep over her, searching for any signs of injury. No cuts, no bruises—but something flickers in her gaze. Anger, maybe, but beneath it, I catch the glimmer of something else. Fear.

“I came to check on you, Tess. I was at the station when the sheriff got the call about your break-in. What happened? Are you okay?”

She takes a deep breath, then, with practiced ease, ejects the bullets from the chamber. The gun and ammo disappear into the drawer of the entryway table with a soft click .

“I’m fine,” she says. “Someone broke in while I was gone. My neighbor saw them and called the police. They just left.”

“Shit, Tess.” I run a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply.

“I checked the whole place, but nothing seems missing. I don’t know if my neighbor, Jane, interrupted him before he found whatever he was looking for… or what.” She hesitates, briefly looking away.

“I saw the cameras outside. Did you recognize the guy?”

She shakes her head. “That’s the strange part. The outside cameras caught someone in a hoodie using a key to get inside. He bypassed my security system somehow.” Her voice wavers slightly. She looks up at me, her fierce eyes betraying the fear she fights to suppress.

“Nobody—nobody—has a key to my house. And nobody knows my security code.” She hugs herself, arms crossing tightly over her chest as though to shield herself from an unseen threat. “I feel so violated.”

Seeing Tessa vulnerable is unsettling. She is strong and capable. But now, something twists inside me—an instinct to protect her, to keep her safe. I swallow it down.

I cast a slow glance around the living room and kitchen. Her home is beautiful, a perfect blend of modern updates and warmth. I’ve been here before—long ago, when one of my grade school friends’ parents owned it. They moved away a few years back, and the house eventually went on the market. Renovations breathe new life into the place.

Reaching for her, I invite her into my arms. She hesitates for only a second before stepping forward, surrendering to the embrace .

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” I murmur, my voice low, steady.

“Why?” she says, looking up at me, her eyes searching mine. “You don’t even know me.”

“I know enough,” I reply with a smirk.

She smells incredible—jasmine and the sweet scent of strawberry shampoo. I shift slightly so she won’t feel the growing hardness between us.

“Let me help you get the locks changed. I know a guy.”

Releasing her, I pull out my phone and call Ed, a trusted locksmith I’ve used for years.

“He’ll be here in about an hour,” I tell her after ending the call, brushing a stray lock of blonde hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear.

“Thank you,” she says softly, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek.

I smile, feeling the warmth of her lips lingering on my skin. “I can think of a few ways you can thank me,” I joke.

She glances at my lips, then back into my eyes, her expression playful yet intense.

“I bet you can,” she replies, her voice low and teasing.

This girl... she’s fiery, and I can’t get enough of it.

“Since I’m here, maybe you can show me what you want,” I say, gesturing toward the back door.

“Huh?” she stammers, clearly flustered.

“Outside,” I say with a wink. “The outdoor living area you want to redo. What did you think I meant?”

She laughs, shaking her head before motioning for me to follow. As we step onto the back porch, I take in the expansive yard and the lake stretching out beyond the fence. Her garden is a stunning display of white roses, and there must be at least a dozen blooming in a soft cluster, their petals glowing in the fading sunlight. This place is a prime spot—serene, quiet, a little slice of paradise.

She points out the areas she wants to renovate, and I can already picture the improvements in my head. The project would be easy enough.

“I see you have an outdoor shower,” I say, nodding toward a small wooden structure in the corner of the yard. Dark-stained oak walls and pebble steps lead to the entrance, complementing the tranquility of the space.

“It was one thing I absolutely had to have,” she replies, her excitement evident. “After a run or a swim in the lake, I love rinsing off before going inside.”

We move closer to take a look, and as we do, she stumbles over the water nozzle.

Ice-cold water bursts from the showerhead, drenching us both instantly.

She squeals, her face flushing as she scrambles to turn the nozzle off. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry!”

Laughter rumbles up from my chest, the initial shock fading quickly. I glance down at her, and my breath catches—her white tank top clings to her curves, nearly translucent, the lace of her bra and the hard peaks of her nipples unmistakable beneath the soaked fabric.

Dragging my gaze back to her face, I find her staring at me, something darker in her expression now. Her lips part slightly, the air between us thickening.

Stepping closer, my chest brushes against hers, the heat of her body seeping into mine .

I’m not sure who moves first, but suddenly our lips collide, desperate and hungry. Her hand slides around my neck, pulling me deeper, her tongue meeting mine in a fevered rhythm. I trace my fingers down her cheek, along her jawline, then down her neck to her collarbone. She tastes like sugar and desire, and I can’t get enough.

She pulls her mouth from mine and draws in a ragged breath, looking up at me with a hesitant expression.

“We should stop,” I respond easily, taking a small step back. The last thing I would ever do is push her into something she isn’t ready for.

“No. Don’t stop. Please. Fuck me, Eli.”

That’s all the encouragement I need. I pull her wet tank over her shoulders and head. God, she is fucking beautiful . She’s grabbing at my shirt and yanks it off, and then her hands are everywhere all at once. Peppering light kisses down her neck and collarbone, I keep moving lower until I reach her ample breasts, and I take her pebbled nipple into my mouth through the bra, sucking hard. She moans and grinds against me. I flick the other nipple with my other hand and slowly run my hand down into her shorts beneath her lacy thong. She’s soaking wet for me. My cock’s so hard I feel like I’m going to burst out of my shorts.

“God damn, baby,” I growl. “So fucking wet.”

“That feels so good,” she moans when I shove two fingers into her tight pussy and rub circles around her clit with my thumb.

“I can feel how ready you are.”

“Oh, dear god, Eli. I need you.”

Tessa yanks my shorts down, and my cock springs out. She wraps her hands around my shaft and pumps it. She rubs at the precum on the head of my penis with a finger and smirks, taking the finger to her mouth and sucking it off. So fucking hot. So full of surprises.

“I need to go grab a condom.”

“I’m on the pill.”

I pause. “I’ve been tested, and I’m clean, but are you sure?”

“Yes. Please, I can’t wait any longer. I need you to make me come,” she pleads, her steel grey eyes darkened with desire.

Fuck it. I peel off her shorts and panties, lift her hips, and rub the base of my cock against her tight dripping entrance. Without further hesitation, I toss her against the shower wall and thrust deeply inside her, and we both groan with relief. She’s so tight, it’s like her sweet cunt was made for me. I capture her lips in mine and continue hard, fast strokes.

“That’s right, Tess. Fucking come on this dick like the good girl you are.”

Within seconds, her moans of pleasure spike, and she screams out my name, her pussy contracting around my cock. My balls tighten as I sense my building climax, and I push deeper inside her, filling her with my release.

“Oh, fuck,” I groan as I let the euphoria wash over me. We’re both gasping for air, our bodies still fused. I’ve never come so hard in my life.

I press my lips against hers, just as a truck horn honks loudly.

“Oh, my god.” Her face is flushed crimson, and I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.

I lean my forehead down against hers. “That must be Ed.” I yank my wet clothes back on. “Wait here. I’ll distract him while you get dressed.”