Page 72 of Further To Fall

“That’s fine, just have John call his man at the gate, and they’ll let you in. You should also talk to him.” Austin inclined his head over my shoulder, and I turned to see Kyle taking in the scene.

Detective Massey was suddenly alert. “Who’s that?”

“That’s Carter’s ex, Kyle Davis. He works here and would have access to the classrooms. We’ve had a couple run-ins with him where he’s made his displeasure at us dating known.”

I pressed myself harder into Austin’s side. I hated the idea that Kyle could be responsible for all of this. Detective Massey rose, flipping his notebook closed. “I’ll have a word with him now.”

Just as Detective Massey departed, Principal Hughes approached. He was a kind man, but a stickler for the rules, and I was sure having police invade his school had not made him happy. “Are you okay, Carter?” he asked.

I tried to give him a smile, but I’m pretty sure it came across as more of a grimace. “I’ve had better days. I’m really sorry about all of this.”

Principal Hughes looked down at his shuffling feet. “None of this is your fault, but given everything the police have told me, I think it’s best you take a leave of absence.”

My jaw slackened, and Austin’s hold on me tightened. “What do you mean?”

“I think you can agree it’s not worth the risk of this maniac acting out when your students are present.”

I swallowed back the tears that wanted to resurface. I had given so much to this job, truly my blood, sweat, and tears. And, in a flash, it was gone. “Whatever you think is best,” I said, holding back the words that wanted to come out because he was right. I would never forgive myself if something happened to one of my kids because of me.

“I’m sorry, Carter, it’s just until this situation is resolved. The school year is almost up anyway.” I nodded woodenly as he turned left.

Austin wrapped his arms around me, resting his lips on my brow as he spoke. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

A throat cleared behind me, and I turned to see Detective Massey. “Kyle has an alibi for last night and this morning that we are going to check out. He says a friend came over to play video games. He crashed on his couch and was still there when Kyle left for work. Also, an officer found a broken window in the classroom next to yours, it looks like the perpetrator entered the school there. There is no interior surveillance, so we are out of luck on that front. Why don’t you two head home, there’s no reason for you to hang around. I’ll come by as soon as I’ve wrapped things up here and update you on what we’ve learned.”

I nodded. It seemed like that was about all I was capable of doing this morning. Austin held out a hand to shake. “Thank you. Call my cell if you need anything from us,” he said. I was silent as we wove our way through police and school staff, not meeting anyone’s eyes, letting Austin guide me. A numbness had taken over. It felt as though my life no longer belonged to me but to this invisible bad guy who had stolen the controls, steering me in whatever direction he desired.

37

Carter

Islumped back into the couch as Austin showed Detective Massey and his colleagues out. The police had been crawling all over the property for hours with not much to show for it. Two partial shoe prints that couldn’t give them much information, and no fingerprints.

Austin and John had created a security hub in the guest house, adding additional men to patrol the property and placing cameras everywhere. It felt like I was living in a prison, a very posh and comfortable one, but a prison nonetheless. My skin was starting to itch.

Austin reemerged from the entryway. “Why don’t you go take a bath and relax a little. It’s been a long day.”

“That sounds perfect.” I rose from the couch and stretched. Austin’s eyes zeroed in on my chest as the material of my blouse stretched across my breasts. I crossed to him and placed a chaste kiss on his lips as I headed for that dreamy soaking tub in the master bath. Blue plodded along behind me.

I started the water and went in search of something to create bubbles. Surprisingly, I found some bubble bath under one of the sinks. Opening the cap, I sniffed—lavender, perfect. I dumped a generous portion under the faucet. Stripping down, I left my clothes in a pile on the floor and stepped into the steaming water. I let out a sigh as I submerged my body in the foamy depths. This tub was heaven. Nothing scary or bad could exist in this tub, only warmth and comfort. I was never going to leave.

A soft knock sounded at the door, and I jolted. I must have drowsed a bit because the water was tepid, and my bubbles had greatly diminished. “Who is it?” I needed to ask since the number of people wandering around had greatly increased.

“It’s me. You still alive in there? Turned into a prune yet?”

“Yes, and yes. You can come in.”

The door opened, and Austin sauntered in. He knelt beside the tub, dipping his fingers into the water. “This is practically cold. Let’s get you out of there.” Grabbing a towel and shaking it out, he held it open for me like I was a little kid. But his gaze on my body as I rose from the water said he was not looking at me like a child. I felt his eyes roam from my face to my breasts and navel, stopping longest at the juncture of my thighs. My stomach muscles clenched.

Austin wrapped me in the soft terrycloth, slowly and thoroughly drying my arms. Then moving to my chest, where the material brushed over the tips of my breasts that had hardened into sharp points. A tightening sensation started in my core. Abandoning my chest, he dried my stomach and then knelt in front of me to run the towel over each leg.

My breath hitched as I saw where his head was positioned. He lifted his eyes to mine as he leaned ever so slightly forward and ran his nose through my small dusting of damp curls. I bit down on my lip at the erotic sight. Austin’s eyes fell closed. “You smell so good.”

My breath was coming faster. “Austin, I need you.”

His eyes flew open again. “Are you sure?”

I had never been more sure about anything in my life. Taking this step had never felt right before. Not the right person, not the right time. I had built up losing my virginity in my mind, thinking it needed to be the absolute perfect scenario. But now I realized I didn’t need candlelight and flowers. I just needed Austin. “I’m sure. I’ve always wanted it to be you. And right now, I need to feel alive.” He placed a kiss right above my pubic bone. I let out a breath. “I’m on the pill,” I started.

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