Page 42 of Fighting for Mallory

“Of course, he did! Like most men of his caliber, he wanted to blackmail us.”

“He wanted money?”

Deep creases appeared in his forehead and sweat broke out above his brow. “No. That would have been a simple solution. Pay the guy off and send him on his way. No. He wanted us to pull out of the deal we had with Olson & Associates.”

“So, you ordered a hit on him,” Faith deduced.

Senator Keane’s eyes widened in shock. “No! Neither Bentley nor I was happy about the blackmail, but I assured him I would still support his bid for governor even if the Olson deal went south. As much as we resented Lapeno’s interference, we met with Olson and told him that we wanted out. We didn’t kill him. In fact, Bentley complained at the fundraiser about Lapeno not being his driver that night.”

“He could have been covering,” Faith suggested.

“I don’t think so. Personally, I’d be looking at Olson for this. He threatened to kill both of us. Believe me, I’m watching my back since Bentley’s murder. Beefed up security for me and my family.”

“Did you tell him why you were pulling out of the deal?” Judd asked.

“Yes. We had to. Olson threatened my family.”

“Is there anything else you can tell us?”

“No. That’s it. So, did Olson kill Bentley?”

“We’re not at liberty to discuss an ongoing investigation, Senator. But you’re wise to keep you and your family safe. We’ll check out Olson & Associates. Thanks for your cooperation.”

Senator Keane hastened back to the bar.

Judd and Faith returned to his car. As he settled behind the wheel, she said with a question in her voice, “Mystery solved?”

“I think so. I’ve heard Olson’s name a few times in connection with shady deals, extortion, and threats. I’ll let Cameron McAdams and the detectives assigned to Lapeno’s case know what we’ve learned.” He glanced sideways at her. “Ready to try my stuffed peppers?”

Faith responded with a light laugh. “Absolutely!”

Judd’s culinary skills would have to wait while he proved his other skills. As soon as he and Faith entered his apartment, she pushed him back against the door and claimed his mouth in a sweet, hot kiss. Her eager tongue parted his lips and thrust itself inside. The touch of her tongue against his inflamed him. Forgetting the age gap between them, Judd lifted her blouse and cupped her pert breasts. Her nipples hardened beneath his fingers. Liking the feel of her lacy bra, he bent his head and drew those rosy buds into his mouth through the material. Faith threw her head back and groaned low in her throat.

Beyond any semblance of reason now, Judd and Faith tore at each other’s clothes and tossed them aside. They tumbled onto the couch. Mouths, tongues, and hands eagerly explored their bare bodies. Judd’s long dry spell of not having sex with anyone tested his stamina. It took all his self-control not to pull out a condom and explode inside the young beauty beneath him. Instead, he gave Faith every ounce of pleasure he could, multiple times, before she helped him slide a condom on his aching, swollen shaft, and he plunged deep inside her.

He closed his eyes in ecstasy, savoring the way her tight passage squeezed him. “God, Faith! You feel incredible.”

“So do you,” she whispered.

When he began to move rhythmically against her, she lifted her hips to meet each thrust. She raked her nails lightly down his back and gripped his ass to hold him closer to her. Faith nipped his ear and kissed his neck, then took his tongue into her mouth. The sensation destroyed him, and with one final thrust, Judd climaxed. Exclaiming his pleasure in a rough growl, he collapsed on top of Faith.

Embarrassed by his poor performance, he apologized. “I’m sorry, Faith. I meant to do more for you. I’m too?”

“Don’t you dare say old,” she interrupted. “I’ve been with guys my age who are selfish in bed. You’re not. You took care of my needs before your own, and now I’d like to do the same for you. Shall we take this into your bedroom?”

In a suave, romantic movie gesture, Judd carried Faith down a short hallway to his plain master bedroom and laid her on the king-sized bed.

“Lie down,” she ordered.

Faith climbed on top of him, and he grew hard. She kissed him sensually, using her tongue to tease him. As she worked her way down his body, his heart pounded in his chest, and his blood raced through his veins. She excited him like no other woman he’d been with since his divorce.

When she took him in her sweet mouth, a gasp of pleasure escaped him. Faith stroked him with slow, provocative movements of her warm tongue, and swirled it around the head of his shaft. He bucked up against her mouth, and she took him deeper. One last swipe of her tongue across his slit brought him to the pinnacle, and he released himself with a loud cry.

“Jesus Christ! That was incredible.”

Faith sat back on her heels and smiled. “What’s better than incredible?”

He grinned. “Fantastic?”

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