Page 53 of Sinful Beauty

“You about ready to wrap up and hand the investigation over? It’s not a black mark on you, you know. This simply might require a larger scale investigation. Interviews.”

“Not yet.” A shadow crosses the golden light below the door frame. But I am on holiday at the moment with someone who might have some additional insights that the right questions could unearth.

“In France at the moment, I see?”

“You know, just because you can track me, doesn’t mean you should.”

“Only mention it to get a rise out of you. Enjoy your weekend. Six weeks. That’s all you have. Then I want you back on cases that matter.”

This one matters. The argument is on the tip of my tongue, but I bite it back and end the call.

I swing open the door and find Lucia standing in front of the door, hand held up as if she’s debating knocking.

“Did you get lonely?”

Her beautiful face lights with a smile. She let her hair dry naturally on the drive, and the dark spirals brush her shoulders. When it’s straight, her hair falls between her shoulder blades, although that’s rarely seen since at work she braids her hair and loops it into a low bun.

She’s in plain jeans and a long sleeve thermal and socks. Typically, I prefer elegant and tailored apparel, but surprisingly, this version of Lucia appeals to me.

“Is everything okay?” She’s looking over my shoulder at the desk in what serves as a combination game room and office.

“A lawyer had a question on an estate matter.”

My gaze falls to her lips, then to the faint outline of her nipples beneath the pillowed cotton. I had her last night and this morning, but that isn’t enough. I want her now. With a quick tug, her luscious body presses up against mine and my mouth plunders hers.

She cups my erection through my trousers and my need ratchets up ten thousand notches. She tilts her head back, allowing me access to her slender throat. Little sounds of pleasure fill the hall as she grinds against my thigh. I cup her breast over the top, kneading her.

She stills. My dick throbs, but she’s no longer responsive. I nip her earlobe, and ask against her ear, “Something wrong?”

“Houses like this sometimes have cameras, right? We’re in the hallway. This is your friend’s house.” She clasps my jaw with both her hands and forces me to back up and take in those dark eyes with expansive pupils. “Should we go upstairs? I doubt there’s a camera in the bedroom.”

Why is she aware of home security systems? My grandfather wouldn’t have installed anything here, but it’s been in the family estate and under my parents’ care for decades. She’s not wrong. There’s no active security surveillance in place, but might there be cameras nestled in the eaves? Someone could have sold dear old dad on the security benefits. I disengaged the alarm before entering. Would my father think to apprise me of cameras on the premise? Probably not.

The bedroom it is. With a bend in my knees, I clasp her thighs and lift until she straddles my waist. She laughs and her curls bounce with each step. The overhead lights reflect off her black tendrils. She’s carefree and joyful.

And too concerned about what others would think, but I can let that slide.

I push into the bedroom suite and glance around. A king size bed faces an open window with a stunning view. To the side is a sitting area with a fireplace and a sofa facing the same view, as well as a leather armchair that resembles a throne.

I set her down and kiss her with a fraction of my pent up need, and take my place in the armchair.

“Strip.”

She tilts her head back and laughs. She believes I’m joking. But I’m not. It’s something she realizes a second before her laughter ceases.

“I’m not wearing anything sexy.”

She has no idea.

“Everything about you is alluring. But I happen to prefer you naked. Don’t make me ask twice.”

She meets my eyes, chin thrust upwards. Will she obey? Or will I have her over my knee? Her gaze falls to my twitching fingers, and I half expect I’ll be chasing her through the house, lurking security cameras be damned.

She’s challenging to read and I find the uncertainty leaves me breathless.

I’m on edge. Ready for a chase. But, she surprises me and obeys. The shirt falls first. Dim moonlight flows through the window panes behind her, casting her in shadow. My mouth waters to taste her luscious breasts. Her fingers work the buttons on her pants and she hooks her fingers in the waistband, sliding her garments over voluptuous hips and shimmies until they fall to her ankles.

My body hums in fervent anticipation. I take her in, memorizing her. I shall never forget the vision before me. Perfection.

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