Page 41 of Break the Ice
I liked when he called me Sugar. I shuddered when he called me his talented slut.
Rafe was like a wild explosion. He was aggressive and appreciative. In control yet unpredictable. He scalded me with one heated stare and made passion burn through my body. There was a feral energy about him, like he really had become the wolf his team is named after.
I needed relief by the time Rafe was walking out the door. Of course I’d reached for my vibrator…
Morning comes with me grateful it’s a Saturday. I can put last night’s encounter behind me, including the strange text I’d received from an unknown number, and get myself together before Monday. Jhene and I meet up for a nail appointment and some lunch. She quizzes me more about the team’s performance in the preseason opener and Mr. Hawk’s disappearance.
The worst part is feigning shock and lying straight to Jhene’s face. My best friend’s the best friend who would absolutely help me bury a body in the desert, but that doesn’t mean I want to involve her when I don’t need to.
Jhene must stay far away from the situation with Mr. Hawk. I couldn’t put her in such a moral dilemma as a member of the media sworn to report the truth to the public.
This is between me and Rafe to sort out.
The rest of the weekend passes in a blur. Before I know it, I’m pulling into my parking space at the team’s training facility.
Mom always taught me you feel as good as you look—a notion I’ve taken to heart as I strut through the building Monday morning. New clothes, big coily hair, and a spritz of my favorite perfume do the trick. I’ve worn a figure-flattering sweater wrap dress, my burnt-red curls fanned out around my shoulders. Because I look good, I feel good.
I feel confident enough to stride by the team as they start practice and pretend I don’t notice the ravenous look from Rafe Golding.
Pretend I didn’t just have his dick down my throat two nights ago…
A relieved breath leaves my lungs the moment I’m safely inside my office. I can spend the rest of the day glued to my desk and avoid encountering Rafe at all. It sounds like a fail-proof plan until knuckles tap against my office door.
“Do you have a moment, Ms. March?” Jerry asks, poking her head inside. “I wanted to confirm you’ll be able to make today’s public relations lunch at Gourmande. You also have a visitor that’s here to see you.”
My insides twist at the prospect of a PR luncheon. I had forgotten that was today.
“Sure, I’ll be there,” I say graciously. “Send my guest in.”
Jerry steps out of the way to allow the visitor to enter a second later. A tan-skinned man with a goatee and nice biceps walks in. Right away, the gold badge clipped to his belt catches my eye. I have to battle between noticing the man’s fine as hell and being distracted by what his police badge means.
“Hello, Ms. March. Thanks for making time for me so short notice.”
He reaches out for a handshake, his large hand engulfing mine. His grip’s firm and masculine. Disarming when you meet his dark, curious gaze at the same time.
“I’m sorry… you are?” I stammer.
“Detective Gomez. I’m investigating Jasper Hawk’s disappearance. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions.”
“Oh. Alright. What did you want to ask me about?”
“Mind if I have a seat?” He raises his brows, gesturing to the chair opposite my desk.
My pulse ticks up, my skin warming all over. “Sorry, I should’ve offered. Please have a seat and make yourself comfortable. Would you like some tea?”
He slides into the chair and waves off my offer. “I’m cutting out caffeine. I was spending six bucks a day on Starbucks and realized that might be out of my price range on a cop’s salary. Now I get jittery any time I have even a sip of anything with caffeine.”
“That’s understandable.”
“Anyway, I was hoping to make this quick and be out of your hair. It’s been two weeks since Mr. Hawk’s disappearance. I thought I’d interview some of his closest employees to find out if they remembered any new details.”
“I’ve been working here for three weeks, detective,” I say with a soft laugh. “I wouldn’t label myself as close to anyone just yet. But I look forward to working with the Wolves and hope Mr. Hawk is found safe and unharmed.”
“We all do,” Detective Gomez says with a solemn sigh and shake of his head. “It’s unusual for someone to disappear from their hotel suite in the manner that he has.”
“His hotel suite?”
“Yes, it’s where he was last seen.”
