TORCHED (The Wild Flames #2) Page 4

  The kiss broke off and he noticed the redness in Tara’s cheek. He turned to see Marge standing in her doorway. She just smiled as they both stood up.

  “We clocked out,” Kevin said. “So, that one wasn’t on shift.”

  “Oh, I’m not worried about that. Please, come in...both of you.”

  Kevin took Tara’s hand and followed Marge into her office. They each took a seat and Marge sat down in her oversized brown leather chair.

  “I just wanted to talk to you both before you left, because I don’t know when I’ll ever get the chance again. How did you like working here?”

  Kevin hadn’t expected that. He glanced at Tara and noticed she, also, appeared to ponder the question.

  “I can’t speak for Tara, but I really enjoyed it,” he answered.

  “I enjoyed it, as well,” Tara agreed. “I actually liked it more than I thought I would.”

  Marge seemed pleased with the response. “That’s great news. The reason I asked is I was hoping you’d both consider coming back here next summer.”

  Kevin was relieved, but knew they couldn’t accept it as they would soon head to Montana.

  “I appreciate the offer...” He paused, turning to Tara. She seemed just as shocked as he was. “But the thing is, after I graduate we’ll be going to Montana.”

  She nodded. “I’m aware you’ll be going to Montana come fall, but you could still work here during the summer.”

  It was an option he hadn’t considered.

  “I think it’s a nice offer,” Tara said. “Can we think on it?”

  “Of course. You can let me know whenever you decide. The offer will always be open.”

  They stood, and each shook Marge’s hand. It was nice to know they wouldn’t have to worry when summer came around. If they wanted to come back home to work, they’d have an option. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. You both have a great holiday and I look forward to hearing from you.” She walked to her door and held it open for them. “Goodbye!”

  “Bye, Marge,” Tara and Kevin replied in unison. They headed to the hangers and grabbed their coats. When they got outside, Tara turned to him.

  “That went so much better than I thought it would,” she said.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered.

  He wanted to get home and use the little time they had to be alone. His parents would be home the following night, and then there’d be fewer places to have their alone time.

  ***

  “You seem quiet,” Tara said. So far, during their drive back to his house, he’d barely said a word.

  “I’m on a mission and don’t want it disrupted.” He winked at her and then turned back to the road.

  She reached across his lap and felt his hard erection, itching to break free from its binding. “What kind of mission?” she asked.

  He groaned as she rubbed her hand lightly over his bulging manhood. “Do I really need to answer that?”

  She continued to massage him.

  “Would you want to take Marge up on her offer?” she asked.

  “Um...” he mumbled.

  She glanced up at him and stroked him a tad harder.

  “Oh God...”

  She had him right where she wanted him.

  “Was that a yes?” she teased.

  He shook his head. A sharp breath escaped his lips.

  “You’d better stop stroking my cock or things are bound to get a little messy,” he said, grinning between clenched teeth.

  She smiled, slowly pulling her hand away. “So, would you?

  “I suppose if you really want to come back here for the summer and work...we could. We’d have to look at all the options, but you know in the end I’ll do whatever you want to.”

  She nodded, looking out the window. “I guess we’ll see how things go.” When the time grew nearer, she’d make up her mind.

  He pulled into the driveway, and they could barely make it to the house quickly enough. It was their last night alone and they needed to get as much out of it as they could. She didn’t feel they’d be able to make it upstairs. Her heart was beating out of her chest. She was anxious to feel his pulsating erection deep inside her.

  He threw open the door, and she was right. Clothes fell to the ground from the front door to the living room couch, and in no time she flopped down onto the couch with his body on top of hers. She could never get used to his kisses. They sent her body spiraling with desire every time. His lips left hers to travel down her neck, shoulder, chest, and stomach, and she shimmied up the couch in pure pleasure, finally resting her head against the armrest.

  He pressed his mouth on her wet mound and flicked his tongue over her throbbing clit. Tara tilted her hips up, and closed her eyes to accept his tongue’s magic touch. It evicted her mind from her body, and sent her erotic need to the moon and back.

  “Yes, Kevin,” she groaned. She grasped his soft, brown hair between her fingers and begged for more. Soon, she felt him slide two fingers into her channel, probing with zeal to hit her special spot.

  “Faster,” she whimpered, igniting the force she craved. He moved in quicker and smoother, until a wicked orgasm shot through her body.

  “Oh God!” she cried.

  She was breathless from all her spent energy.

  She saw Kevin pull himself up, looking into her eyes with such love and raw need, all she wanted to do was return the favor.

  “It’s...it’s my turn,” she stammered out.

  “No,” he told her. “I need to be inside you, Tara, but let’s try it over there.”

  He stood up and took her hand to guide her to the wall. He turned her to face him with her back against the wall. All she could think about was how good he would feel inside her. Her chest rose and fell in breathless anticipation of what he was about to do to her.

  “Ooh, this looks interesting,” Tara whispered.

  “I think you may have a different word for it when we’re done,” he teased.

  He lifted her up and rested her shoulder against the wall, supporting her by wrapping her legs around his waist. He kissed one nipple lightly and grasped her ass cheeks tight, spreading her opening and positioning himself. In one swift thrust, he was inside. Tara shrieked with pain and pleasure from the force of his entry.

  “Oh. God.”

  She could barely speak, the way Kevin used the wall for leverage and pushed into her, almost lifting her with every move. Her hips rocked back and forth on his massive erection, positioning it in an attempt to find her own pleasure deep inside. With every shove, his onslaught intensified, drilling deeper into her channel, and slamming so hard against her clit she could have screamed.

  As she felt her climax approaching, there was a knock at the door. It was strong and forceful. Kevin stopped and they both looked toward the entrance.

  “Let’s not answer it. They’ll leave,” he said, lowering his lips to her neck for a taste.

  Whoever it was at the door, they didn’t go away, because they knocked again, this time even more forcefully. She groaned, not wanting to tear herself away. Kevin seemed unfazed and they remained in their hold. The third time they heard the knock, it was accompanied by a voice.

  “Police...open up!”

  Tara was shocked as the words registered. The police were at Kevin’s front door, and it was time to face the music.

  Chapter 6

  It was a disruption Kevin had not expected so soon. He stood at the door and turned around to make sure Tara was dressed. He shot her an apologetic look, but she seemed to put on a brave face. Officers Grayson and Jessup stood at the door as he opened it. Doing his best to remain calm, he leaned against the frame and smiled. “How may I help you, Officers?”

  “Mr. Crawford,” Officer Grayson started, “We’re going to need to take a look around.”

  He stepped into the threshold to walk in, but Kevin stood his ground.

  “Is there something I can help you with?”

  Officer
Grayson looked him in the eye.

  “In case you didn’t realize, that wasn’t a question. We’ll check things out and let you know whether we find anything.” Officer Grayson glanced at Officer Jessup and nodded, proceeding to step through the doorway, past Kevin.

  “Excuse me, but you can’t just barge in here like this,” Kevin argued.

  “Actually, we can,” Officer Jessup informed him. She held up a piece of paper and Kevin stared at it. “Here’s the search warrant, young man. There’s a dangerous predator out on the loose, and we’re going to find him, so you’d best let us get to it.”

  Kevin slowly stepped back, allowing them to enter. “I told you at the station, I don’t know anything about where Jake might be.”

  “If that’s true, then you have nothing to worry about. Other than the little lie about Jake being with you that night,” Officer Grayson stated.

  They walked through the hallway and headed to the living room.

  “Ah, Ms. Matthews...” He tipped his hat in her direction and they immediately began opening up drawers and going through personal items.

  Kevin walked over to Tara, who was frozen in place.

  “Do they really have the right?” she whispered.

  “Unfortunately, yes. They have a warrant.” He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. They both continued to gawk at the mess the officers were making.

  “What’s this?” he heard Officer Jessup ask. He looked in her direction to find she had a pamphlet in her latex-gloved hand. “There are several brochures pointing to the same place...Iron Horse State Park.”

  “That’s where we went as kids. Tara and I went there not too long ago.” He hesitated. “Those pamphlets are ours.”

  “Hey, Grayson. Didn’t someone get murdered at that park recently?”

  “Yeah,” he answered. “That tourist was set on fire.”

  Kevin groaned. If they hadn’t made a connection before, they would now. This added to the mounting evidence against Jake, and could implicate Kevin and Tara. Officer Jessup may have noticed his discomfort, because she began to watch him intently.

  “Hold on,” she started. “Were you or Jake Crawford at Iron Horse when the murders took place?”

  “All I’m willing to say is that those flyers and maps are mine. It’s not going to lead you to my brother.”

  “Do you mind if I take a couple with me?”

  As if he had a choice. “Whatever,” he mumbled.

  She placed a few of them in an evidence bag and continued to paw through some more items.

  “I can’t believe this is happening,” Tara whispered.

  “I’d understand if you prefer to wait outside,” Kevin said, turning to Tara.

  She glanced at him and shook her head. “No. I’m not leaving you.”

  He forced a smile.

  “I think we have this room covered. Let’s go upstairs,” Officer Grayson said.

  “I don’t feel comfortable having them upstairs alone,” Kevin admitted, after the officers disappeared up the steps.

  They were about to head up after them when he heard the front door open. He turned around found his parents at the door.

  “Mom, Dad...what are you doing here?”

  “We live here.” His father’s reply was laced with sarcasm.

  “Yes, I know, but I didn’t think you were coming home until tomorrow.”

  His mother pushed her way in, her eyes wide with trepidation. “Why are the police here?”

  He could hear the shakiness in her voice, and paused for a moment. At any second the cops would come downstairs and explain their reasons for being there, but he didn’t want that to happen.

  “First off...why are you home a day early?”

  “Your brother left me a voice message. It was unusual, because we tried to call him back but we couldn’t reach him,” his dad stated. “And my meetings were already finished, so we decided to head back early to find out what Jake wanted. Why are the cops here?”

  His voice was stern, and Kevin didn’t want to prolong it, but he couldn’t believe Jake had called them. He wondered what he’d said to them.

  “Mom, Dad, we have a lot to discuss,” Kevin replied.

  His update was interrupted by Officer Grayson. “I think we have everything we need.” The officers stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “Oh, hello, Mr. and Mrs. Crawford,” he said, holding out his hand.

  Kevin’s parents stared at him.

  “I want to know what’s going on and someone better start talking,” his dad replied, his tone masked with irritation.

  “Mr. Crawford, I—”

  “They were about to leave. I’ll explain everything, Dad,” Kevin said, interrupting Officer Jessup.

  She looked at Kevin and then turned to her partner. Kevin silently hoped they’d allow him the chance to talk to his parents. As they moved toward the door, he sighed with relief. “We will be in touch,” Officer Grayson said.

  They walked out of the house, leaving Kevin’s parents looking to him for answers. “Should I leave?” Tara asked. She looked at him. She didn’t have her car there and would need a ride home.

  “Actually, I’d like you to stay,” he said.

  Tara appeared uncomfortable but slowly nodded. It was time to lay it all out for his parents. He released a breath before turning to them.

  “We’re waiting,” his dad began. “Why were the police here?”

  Kevin headed to the living room, and everyone followed him. It’d be a long, hard conversation, and they would need to take the news sitting down.

  ***

  Tara felt awkward staying there. This was a private family moment, and although she wanted to be there for Kevin, his parents were another story. She imagined how they would feel, hearing news like this with her in the room. Why didn’t I insist on leaving? Kevin looked nervous, fidgeting in his seat like it was the last place he wanted to be. She’d have given anything to take his worries away.

  “You said Jake called you,” he began. “What did he say?”

  His dad removed a phone from his pocket. “I didn’t talk to him. I was in the middle of a meeting, so he left a message.”

  He dialed up some numbers and placed the phone on the coffee table. Jake’s voice came through the phone.

  “Uh...Mom...Dad...I just wanted to say hello. I...I love you and hope you both know that. No matter what happens, I need you to know that. Don’t worry about me. N...no one needs to worry about me. Goodbye.”

  His speech seemed scattered and broken up at times. Tara looked up to see Kevin was deep in thought. “Did he call from his cellphone?” Kevin asked.

  “I don’t think so,” his distraught mother answered. “The number came up as unavailable. He seemed broken and sad. Do you know what that was about?”

  She looked tense, and Tara could only imagine what was going through Kevin’s mind.

  “Does it have anything to do with the cops?”

  Kevin’s dad touched his wife’s hand. “Honey, let Kevin talk.”

  Tara didn’t remember them being so affectionate, but it reminded her of how Kevin acted with her. Kevin shifted in his chair, before finally telling them everything. He left nothing out, from the camping trip to their fist fight and news reports that suggested Jake’s involvement in the murders. His mom’s eyes widened and she covered her mouth. Shock played on her facial expressions.

  Tara glanced at his dad and saw he didn’t appear as surprised, but he was there to console his wife. His arm was draped around her as she started to sob, repeating, “I just can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it.”

  Tara shifted in her seat. She felt so uncomfortable watching the emotional family situation. She glanced at Kevin, and he caught her gaze. His face showed it all. It was tough.

  “Mom...Dad...I know that isn’t what you wanted to hear, but Jake probably feels bad for what’s happened. That’s why he called you.”

  His dad nodded. “He may never come back home,”
he said, disbelief evident in his voice.

  “I know, but that might be the best thing,” Kevin replied quietly.

  It was difficult admitting that. Tara could tell it was, but he was right. His dad looked up, but didn’t say anything. Apprehension set in with Kevin’s body language.

  “I think I’m going to take Tara home.”

  “You do that. We can talk later,” his dad replied.

  His mom still looked like she’d be sick.

  Tara stood up and said her goodbyes.

  His dad looked up and a faint smile crossed his lips. “Goodbye, Tara. It was good to see you again.”

  She didn’t know if it was sincere, but it didn’t matter. He looked to be in such pain. Kevin reached for her hand, and they grabbed their coats and left. The moment they were outdoors, she saw his chest heave as he sucked in a long breath.

  “God, I’m glad that’s over,” he said.

  They walked to the loaner car and turned back to the house.

  “Well, it isn’t exactly over, but I’m glad they know the truth.”

  Tara saw the teardrop at the corner of his eye, which he quickly brushed away.

  “It’s still so hard to believe,” she offered.

  She placed her hand on his shoulder, wishing she could comfort him.

  “I’ll be by your side every step of the way.” She meant every word. He needed that now, more than ever.

  “It won’t be easy. I’d completely understand if you bolted.”

  She smiled and massaged his neck. “I wouldn’t do that to you. I promise...I’m not going anywhere.”

  She pulled him down to meet her lips. He needed to know she was loyal.

  “You’d better get me home,” she suggested, pulling from their kiss. “I’m sure your parents need you, too.”

  He mumbled his agreement. The got into the car and headed to her place. He was silent for the entire ride. She could read the pain on his face. It was clear he was worried about his parents, Jake, and probably the police as well. As they neared her house, she felt his hand on her knee, and she cupped her hand over his until he stopped in her driveway.

  “Call me later?” she asked as he put the car in park.

  He nodded. He reached for his door handle, but she stopped him.