Page 76 of Raging Inferno

“Who dis?”

She pulled the phone from her ear and stared at it.Who dis?Good grief, was she toasted already? It wasn’t even four o’clock in the afternoon. “It’s Tamera.”

“Tamera, who?”

“Tamera Watts.”You drunk bitch, she thought to herself, though she desperately wanted to say it out loud.

“Oh, Tamera,” Jessie repeated, as if the name suddenly meant something to her. “How ya doing?”

“Is the offer to stay with you still on the table?”

“Huh? Stay with me?”

Oh, my God, this was unbelievable. “Don’t you remember offering me a room at your house? At Davy’s on Canal Park Drive two days ago and again last night after Charmaine was murdered?”

“I did? Oh, yeah, yeah, sure. I’ve got plenty of room. Tamera Watts, come on down.” She snickered at herPrice is Rightreference.

Tamera wasn’t amused. “Unlock your door. I’m on my way.”

#

Dominic was well aware that Presley’s coworker was staying in the house with them. He truly liked Kayne. Could see becoming good friends with him. He was a great guy, wickedly funny, and they shared many interests. However, Dom would prefer that he and Presley were alone because he wanted to hold her more than he needed his next breath.

Sitting across from her at dinner had been excruciating. He needed to assure himself she was okay and couldn’t do that with Kayne as an avid onlooker.

At least the meal had been a roaring success. Kayne and Presley raved over the meatballs, with both going back for seconds and thirds. He’d toasted French bread to go with it. There were no leftovers.

He’d been shocked at how much they’d packed away since they were in incredible shape. Lainey would never even taste his cooking. She favored pecking at lettuce and alfalfa sprouts. He preferred a woman who enjoyed food, and Presley certainly did,though you would never be able to tell. She was as sleek as a jungle cat and as toned as a fitness model.

After dinner, he’d called Gia. She was still having a blast with Tracey. They had constructed a blanket fort in the living room and planned on spending the night inside telling ghost stories. Gia had insisted on saying goodnight to Presley, and their conversation had lasted longer than the one he’d had with his baby girl.

He’d spoken with Tracey’s mom, Elaine, who had assured him that all was well and the girls would be in bed early since it was a school night. Major was doing good, and Gia was behaving herself. It eased his mind to know she was having fun, but he missed her so much it was as if a limb had been chopped off.

Once the plates and silverware had been loaded into the dishwasher, they watched television. Dom was having a hard time keeping his eyes open. Presley had worn him out yesterday, and he was dealing with an adrenalin dump from the earlier shooting.

Finally, Kayne stretched and stood. “I need some sleep. It was a long drive here, and I’m exhausted.”

He’d commandeered the suite on the first floor, much to Dom’s relief. That meant he wouldn’t be upstairs where he could see or, more importantly, hear what was happening in the main bedroom.

They said their goodnights, and Dom followed Presley up the stairs. She hadn’t even reached the door before he grabbed her arm and pulled her against him.

“I’ve needed to do this all day.”

“Um,” she hummed. “Me too.” Then she yanked him with her into the room, causing him to stumble after her. She closed the door, ripped his clothes off in record time, and shoved him to the bed.

“Your arm . . .”

“Is fine,” she finished before treating him to a seductive striptease. By the time she joined him, he was ready to explode. Then she clutched him, her hand a silky glove, and waves of desire crashed over him. He couldn’t take more of her torment.

Jackknifing up, he tossed her to her back, enjoying her surprise squeal as he came over her and slid inside. Her laughter turned to moans, and he savored the intense feel of her gripping him intimately.

Dominic wanted it to last, but his willpower was shot. Thankfully, Presley was with him, and soon, they crested the mountain together and flew off into the abyss in exquisite bliss.

Chapter Eighteen

Presley was beyond frustrated. It’d been almost twenty-four hours since Reggie Branch had called to let them know he had found no evidence at the cemetery. The perp had policed his brass and left no clues behind. He’d disappeared.

She wasn’t surprised since Eddie Smith was a detective. He would know how to cover his tracks. He might be crafty, but she would win. Defeat wasn’t an option.

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