Page 55 of Lie for a Million

Roper bit back a curse. “Anybody else could have done the same. I told you, I didn’t kill him.”

“That’s what you say. Only you can’t prove it—no more than I can prove you did kill him. But I’m on the trail of something that could change that. All I can tell you now is, don’t leave town. That would only make things worse for you.” Sam turned to go.

“Anything else, as long as you’re here?” Roper’s question was tinged with sarcasm.

“If you want to talk more, you know where to find me.” Sam walked out of the arena and disappeared into the twilight.

Roper stood alone in the darkening arena, waiting to make certain the agent had gone. Sam’s accusation had shaken him to the core. But that was something he couldn’t change. He could only hope that Sam would discover the truth for himself. Meanwhile, all he could do was focus on preparing the horses and himself to score high in the Run for a Million.

Even though, when the time comes, I might not be free to compete.

Roper was about to walk out and go home when something stirred in the shadows. His breath caught as he realized it was Lila. She paused for an instant, then flew across the distance that separated them and flung herself into his arms.

Roper caught her close. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest as he held her, breathing in the fragrance of her skin. He knew he should scold her for being here. But right now he needed her, more than he’d ever imagined he could need anyone.

“You heard?” he asked her.

“I followed him when he came out here. I heard everything.” She raised her head for his kiss. Her lips clung to his, warm and damp and passionate. He drank in her sweetness and her reckless courage.

“It doesn’t look good, Boss,” he said. “Sam needs to wrap up this case and find somebody to charge. He’s picked me as an easy target.”

“Then we’ll fight him!” Her arms tightened fiercely around him, her fingers gripping his back. “I’m here for you, Roper. I know you’re innocent. I’ll stand by you—with my lawyers if it comes to that.”

“We agreed not to be seen together,” he reminded her. “I might go down, but I’ll be damned if I’m taking you with me. You know what people will say—with Frank gone just a few weeks and me a suspect in his murder.”

“They’re already saying it—and the ones who are talking were never my friends. I don’t care.”

“But you will care. Don’t be a fool, Boss. I love you too much to drag you into this mess.”

She gazed up at him, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “Say that again.”

He sighed, surrendering. “I love you, Lila. God help me, if things were different, I’d give anything for what we might’ve had. But I’ve got to face this alone. I’d rather go to jail than see you hurt by the vicious things people would say—not just behind your back but to your face.”

She touched a finger to his lips. “Enough. We can’t know what lies ahead. The future will have to take care of itself. Just kiss me, Roper. Just love me. For now.”

Straining upward, she pressed her eager mouth to his. Roper tasted the saltiness of summer sweat and fresh tears. Deepening the kiss, he felt the heat going through him, igniting the hunger that had been simmering in him since their first meeting. And he felt the ache of knowing that he had nothing to offer her—no promises, no security, no future. All he could give her was his love.

Taking her hand, he led her out of the arena, back toward the stable wing. Silent and trusting, she let him guide her. Roper knew that possessing her, with all her passion, wouldn’t be enough. He wanted her to be his. But more than that, he wanted to be completely hers, to give her love and pleasure as if this might be the last time.

The stable was silent except for the chuffing and nickering of horses and the low murmur of the ventilation fans. The security lights, which had come on at dusk, glowed softly above the corridor.

The vacant stall, prepared for the next new horse, had been scrubbed, the floor layered with fresh straw. A clean blanket hung over one side. Roper spread the blanket over the straw. Something prompted him to apologize for bringing her to such a place. But when Lila pulled him close and melted against him, he forgot about everything except wanting to make love to this woman.

Their first time together, in the sprinkler shed, had been frantic, with clothes yanked aside and bodies jammed against the wall. This time would be different.

Kissing her, he unfastened the front of her blouse, sliding each button through its silken hole until the garment fell free and slid to the floor. The lacy bra fastened in front, held by a tiny clasp. She undid it herself with a mysterious flick of her fingers, freeing her breasts. Roper lowered her gently to the blanket and moved to kneel over her.

Bare above the hips, she lay in the soft glow of the security light. She had a mature woman’s body. The slight sag of her breasts and the faded stretch marks from the long-ago birth of her daughter made her even more beautiful to Roper than she might have been as a young girl. She gazed up at him, her eyes soft with desire, with need, and with love.

He buried his face between her breasts, burrowing into their softness, inhaling the heavenly womanly fragrance of her skin. Her breath caught as he found a nipple and sucked it into his mouth. Her flesh hardened against his tongue, her body arching upward to deepen the sensations.

Roper’s arousal threatened to burst through his jeans, but he willed himself to make the pleasure last. She whispered his name, twisting and thrusting beneath him as he unfastened her slacks.

“Please, I’m . . .” The words trailed off as he bent to work her slacks off her feet and ease his way between her legs. His tongue caressed the moist honey folds and the sensitive nub in their center. She gasped. Shudders passed through her body as she came, then came again. Breaking the intense contact, she reached down, pulled open his belt buckle, and tugged down the zipper. He gasped as her seeking fingers found him. His jeans came down. After taking an instant to protect her, he entered with a gliding thrust.

He was home.

Moist, warm, and welcoming, she cradled him as he moved inside her. She met his every thrust, pulling him deeper into the sweet, dark mystery of her body. He felt her giving everything she had to give, and he gave in return—in desire, in passion, in bittersweet joy as the sensations swirled, mounted, and burst.

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