Page 112 of Arouse Me

“Y-you do?” I whispered.

Tears filled my eyes once more as I realized the importance of his words. He’d healed. Somewhere along the way, Joshua had not only put his wife to rest, but little Camille as well. Overwhelmed by his revelation, I could only sob and nod as I wrapped my arm around his neck as he buried his face against my neck.

“Yes. I miss being a father…a husband,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I want you, Mellie. I ache to feed your submission, spar with your feisty spirit, spend my days and nights with you, and watch you grow ripe with our child. I’ve never wanted anything as much as I do you.”

As his words echoed in my brain, a sense of completeness seeped deep into my bones. Nothing had ever felt so right. I sighed.

“Yes,” I whispered softly in his ear.

Rising up, Joshua stared at me in surprise. I wiped the trail his tears had left before lifting my head from the pillow and kissing him deeply.

“My beautiful little fantasy,” he whispered in awe.

Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open with a bang. Both Joshua and I jumped as Ian raced into the room.

His grimace from interrupting us quickly vanished, replaced by excitement. “Sorry for barging in, you two need to get your clothes on and get downstairs. James got here a few minutes ago. You’re gonna want to hear this.”

Chapter Thirteen

“Did they find Tideway?” I asked Ian.

“Better. James just got a call from a friend at the precinct. Chicago PD picked up Davis Walker at his house about forty-five minutes ago.”

A huge smile spread over my lips as relief flooded my veins. “We can go home now.”

Joshua shook his head. “Not until they pick up Tideway, baby.”

“James will fill you in when you get downstairs,” Ian promised, then rushed back out.

“I would love to be in the room when they interrogate him.” A flash of retribution zipped through my veins as Joshua eased off me and stood. Rolling out of bed behind him, we quickly redressed.

“I’d rather have a two-by-four and five minutes alone with the prick,” he sneered.

Back downstairs, Sanna wore a knowing grin. I gave her a wink and blew her a kiss as Joshua sat on the couch and pulled me into his lap. James sat across from us in one of the big leather chairs talking on his cell phone as we silently listened to the one-sided conversation.

“Did he have a burner phone on him? Well, shit. That’s not the news I wanted to hear.” With a disgruntled expression, James shook his head. “Let me know if he gives up any info about Tideway.”

Joshua combed his fingers through my hair in a calming touch as James ended his call and sighed.

“Walker’s attorney showed up demanding the captain charge Davis with something or let him go. He cooperated fully while our guys checked his alibi. Several people corroborate Davis had, in fact, been in China on business for the past two weeks. So, my captain had to let him go. Davis handed over his cell phone, and there wasn’t a damn thing on it. No messages of any kind to Mellie, even in his deleted files. Of course he could have wiped them off, but right now, the motherfucker has an iron-clad alibi.”

“Dammit,” I whispered as I scrubbed my fingertips on my forehead. “Did they ask him about Tideway?”

“Yep, and Davis claims he’s never heard of the guy. My buddy Tommy, who I was just on the phone with, shares an apartment with one of the detectives. They’re looking under every rock and sewer lid for anything that ties Davis to Tideway, but they haven’t found a damn thing yet.” James exhaled a heavy sigh. “I really thought this house of cards would fold once they brought in Walker, but I was wrong. I’m sorry, Mellie.”

“It’s not your fault. I appreciate everything that you’re doing, James. I really do.” With a weary sigh, I painted on a smile. “Well, I guess we’ll be staying here for a little bit longer then. Anyone up for a game of ‘go fish’?”

Turning his head, James scowled at Drake. “Speaking of fish, where’s my food?”

“You’re lucky I like you. It’s in the oven, asswipe,” Drake chuckled.

“Yes,” James hissed, tossing a fist pump in the air before racing toward the kitchen. He quickly returned with a heaping plate of food and devoured it in minutes flat. Patting his belly, he grinned. “Dylan and Nick, you two need to open a damn restaurant. I’d come in every day.”

“I agree.” I nodded with a grin. “Of course, anyone who cooks for me is sent from heaven.”

“No, the hours are too long. Besides, we’d rather spend our time cooking up ways to heat Savannah up.” Nick let out a low, raspy chuckle.

“Can’t argue that reason,” James agreed. “Speaking of bed, I need to get my stuff out of the car.”

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