A Haunted Heart Read online

  “Negative, Stroud. He is in the residence. We have Jennings on it.”

  FUCK!

  “HE WENT IN?” I bellowed pounding the steering wheel, and my tires screeched to a halt. Panicked, I retrieved my weapon from behind my seat.

  “He’s gonna take her.” My voice was calmer. They weren’t listening to me at this point.

  “Stroud you are ordered to return home. Your home.”

  Those words were a punch to the gut, and I teetered for a few seconds on breaking orders. My breathing so sporadic that I felt dizzy—not having the wherewithal to make a good decision. The thought of something happening to her caused everything inside me to tense. The thought of him touching her—I couldn’t control the racing thoughts of all the things I would do to him.

  With my gun in hand, I popped the clip out and slid it back in. Out. In. Out. In. Out. In.

  My arm shot up with my gun resting on it with the sudden knock on my window. Miranda aimed her weapon right back at me with cocked brows.

  “Shit,” I hissed rolling down my window.

  “Get your ass home. You are jeopardizing everything.”

  “Is she alright?”

  “Jennings is there. Hamilton is standing by.”

  I tilted my head, my eyes pleading with her. “Miranda. Is she ok?”

  She slid her piece in its holster and gently touched my shoulder. There was nothing gentle about Miranda.

  “Adam. What are you doing?”

  Staring out the windshield past where my headlights shone, I realized I’d gotten pulled in. It was beyond emotionally attached. I’d begun to feel responsible for Anna’s happiness. I wanted to make her happy…bring her back to life…help her find love again—with me.

  When I briefly closed my eyes with the immense fear of what was happening, her face was on the back of my eyelids. Her expression when she orgasmed by my hand, her expression as she slept, her expression after our first kiss, her smile when she put the note on my truck. All of it flashed behind closed eyes.

  “Adam. Think. Don’t do this. We can protect her. Walk away if you have to.”

  With a small sarcastic chuckle rumbling through my throat, I shook my head—I was past that. I sat with the worst ache in my gut for forty-five minutes until Miranda told me he left—alone, then I put the truck in drive and headed home quite certain that sleep would never find me. Sadly, my heart was feeling something it never had either.

  Chapter 13—TJ

  When the door was unlocked and opened right up, I was not surprised. The fucking construction worker didn’t have a key to lock the dead bolt and he left her completely unprotected.

  The house smelled the same. After checking every single trashcan for a condom or condom wrapper, I was convinced they hadn’t had sex. If there was one thing I could smell…it was sex. Holding my nose up in the air, I inhaled a long, slow breath as I strolled into her bedroom. Her tiny body lay all curled up beneath the covers.

  The blood in my veins stewed when I saw the opposite side of the bed crumpled from where someone had laid. Slowly, I stalked toward the bed, leaning down inhaling the air around her. I could smell her arousal and my cock twitched.

  Moving away from the bed, I unzipped my pants wanting to taste her but settling for coming near her. I gripped myself strongly, beginning to work my dick up and down dryly as my thoughts ventured to the construction worker touching her.

  My eyes studied her parted lips and the small but beautiful cleavage peaking out as she lay on her side. Both her mouth and her breasts were places I would eventually slide my cock. My stomach tightened as the pull deep in my nuts began to heighten.

  There was no point in waiting any longer to make her mine. Tonight was an option, but I needed her unsoiled and the only contamination of her would be mine. Almost eleven months I’d waited to violate her and there was no fucking way another man would swoop in here and get her first.

  As come inched it’s way up my cock, I watched her and thought about the day I would bury myself deep inside her and it was my name she would cry out.

  Chapter 14—Anna

  When I rolled over in bed, I smiled when I got a slight whiff of Adam where he’d laid. Even though this was the bed I shared with Michael, I knew without a doubt, he was in heaven looking down on me giving me a thumbs up.

  Adam was right. In my head, I was moving on because I knew that was best and that I needed to do so, when in reality, I was stuck—paralyzed in time. Fixated with memories that had shaped who I’d become. Breaking the cycle was crucial, and when I made the bed for the first time, I knew in my heart it was the day of many firsts.

  After working for two solid hours, I showered, threw on my jean shorts and a long-sleeved T-shirt and walked outside. A chill was in the air and I smiled when I spotted him across the street. As I nearly skipped the distance, a cat whistle rang out only broadening my grin and causing Adam to turn around.

  The desperate look in his eyes was unfamiliar to me and my heart stuttered as I got closer. He didn’t look well—dark circles beneath his eyes and bloodshot centers. What had happened after our night together? Why was he upset?

  “Adam? Are you alright?”

  I reached up tenderly, laying the back of my hand over his forehead checking for fever.

  His throat jetted out as he swallowed, his eyes skimming over every inch of me. “Yes. I’m fine. After I left you, I just didn’t sleep well.”

  My hand slid down to his check then cupped his jaw. “But you feel ok?”

  He nodded as I noticed all eyes were on us. I leaned in to whisper. “I think we need to be prepared for TJ to know…to possibly react given that we have onlookers.”

  His lips curled up, and as his desperate look subsided, a desire took its place.

  “It’s lunch time,” I said. “Do you take a lunch? I sort of have a surprise.”

  His expression came alive and his eyebrows shot up. “For me?”

  Excited, I bobbed my head and a soft chuckle escaped his throat. “Lead the way.”

  Biting down on my bottom lip and taking control, I took hold of his hand as we walked…if we were going to do this…let’s do it. There was no resistance on his part, and his fingers intertwined with mine.

  Back at my house, he stepped into my living room and my eyes scanned the room right along with his. So many things—put in place. Found a new home. No longer visible. Even though it was daylight, I’d lit a few candles for a homier smell—a pumpkin spice penetrated the room reminding me of Thanksgiving.

  “An-na.”

  My lips arched upward. I knew my name was two syllables, but hearing his slow pronunciation pulled at something deeper.

  “Putting Jack’s things away were brutal.” Another cleansing breath.

  “I can’t imagine,” he whispered and wound his arms around me from behind. Laying my head back on his shoulder, he held me closer. “Are you handling it ok?”

  I squeezed his hands that were crossed in front of me and slowly nodded my head. “It’s called moving on. Moving forward. And no one said it would be easy.”

  “I’m proud of you if that makes a difference,” he said nuzzling near my ear, his smell inundating me.

  Those words made a huge difference, and my heart swelled as his hold on me tightened.

  “Kiss me,” I whispered, longing for his lips on mine.

  The passionate feeling he provoked inside of me was one I never wanted to live without now. Loving Michael came easy. I was the doctor and he was the pharmacist…we were supposed to get married after three years of dating. But with Adam…a raw, sensitive need was born in me that I never knew existed. I loved the way he made me feel. When I was around him, I was captivated by his strength and his physique—the thought of him wanting me made me feel all woman. A desired woman.

  His coarse, calloused hands scraped over my cheeks and roughly into my hair, tugging it gently to angle my neck upward. And when our eyes met, his mouth covered mine fully, his tongue lightly licking
over the seam of my mouth. Accepting his invitation, I allowed him full access as his tongue swept inside finding mine.

  BEEEEEEEEP! The timer in the kitchen went off slowing our kiss.

  “That’s your lunch,” I whispered, rubbing my nose along his chin.

  “I’d rather have you.”

  My insides clenched with those four words, and without thinking, I fell to my knees and began unfastening his jeans—the bulge beneath the surface spoke truth to his words.

  I panted, unable to catch my breath as his eyes watched every unskillful move I made.

  “Anna.”

  He tried to lift me beneath my arms, a real fear visible in his eyes.

  “Don’t,” I said softly, freeing him from beneath his boxer briefs and running my tongue along his tip. A small groan shot up his throat. Then I took his length as far as my throat would allow—realizing he was not just bigger around but longer too, and I remember thinking Michael was big. I’d only ever done this with Michael, and being a 31-year-old woman, I couldn’t believe the anxiety in my gut over giving a blowjob right.

  Yet when the hiss slid out between his teeth, I knew I was doing something dead-on. With one hand, he held my hair back out of the way as his other hand caressed my cheek.

  When I looked up at him through hooded, desired filled eyes, his were focused solely on my mouth. With intent, I licked circles around the tip, wanting to drive him mad.

  “Christ, Anna,” he gritted as his hips began to pump toward my mouth.

  His other hand slid under my T-shirt, down into my bra until he found my nipple. With his index finger and thumb, he teased me, pinching and pulling, only making my assault on him more aggressive.

  “Anna,” he breathed hard after a few minutes. “I’m gonna come.” Once his words were spoken, he tried to pull out of my mouth, but I clawed his ass with both hands, forcing him to finish in me. And he did, gripping my neck and holding me in place to take all of him.

  “Fuck,” he panted, still pulsing inside of me. A growl ripped through his chest when he pulled out of my mouth and unexpectedly lifted me. “Fuck this. Fuck everything,” he said beneath his breath. I wasn’t sure what he meant, but he tore open my jeans like he couldn’t get to me fast enough.

  “Adam. We don’t have time.” I chuckled at his sudden actions, but he didn’t even smile as he yanked my shorts off, then did the same with my panties, lifting me again and laying me on the coffee table. Wasting no time, his mouth made direct contact. When I arched my hips in reaction to his tongue, he took the opportunity and rested my ass against his chest. My upper back still lay on the coffee table, and I gripped the sides.

  His tongue was magical as it rotated around flicking the spot I needed. But it was his hunger for me, and his strength to hold me up that left me thinking about nothing other than what he was doing. And with both my legs draped over his shoulders and him holding me so tightly I couldn’t move, his mouth relentlessly searched for my orgasm.

  One finger slid into me, and that was my undoing. I began moaning and writhing.

  “Adam!” I cried out as his finger flicked inside me like his tongue did on the outside. Holy hell this man was a skilled craftsman, and I wanted to be his craft. “I’m coming,” I puffed out in an inhaled breath and he moaned—the vibration of his mouth only heightening my climax. “Oh Adam, yes.”

  The delicate small licks were a bonus as he slowed his touch and kissed my thighs; I moaned, feeling his absence already. Then he lifted my T-shirt to brush kisses over my stomach.

  “Anna, you are a truly beautiful woman.”

  SSSSSCCCCRRREEEEEEEEEEEEECCCCCCHHHHHH!!!!!!

  My hands shot up to protect my ears from the piercing rant as Adam darted for the smoking kitchen. Quickly, I jumped on the chair, still naked from the waist down, trying to fan the smoke alarm that screamed at us killing our intimate moment.

  “Ouch. Shit!” I heard come from the kitchen.

  “You ok?” I shouted.

  “Lunch is a little over done.” He smiled and ran toward me, holding his hand out and helping me down. He twisted the unit and unhooked it leaving us in silence again. His pants still unbuttoned leaving the happiest of trails visible.

  “Sorry about lunch,” I said, sliding my panties on.

  Instantly, he cradled my face with his palms. “Anna. This was the best lunch I’ve ever had in my life. Don’t be sorry.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “Tonight. You’re driving to my house in your car. We are eating dinner, and barring no smoke detectors go off, you’re mine.”

  Chapter 15—Adam

  The phone rang five times, and on the sixth I started to hang up.

  “Dude! What is up?”

  “Brad. I need your advice, man.” Running my fingers through my hair, I paced in the kitchen, knowing she would be here soon.

  “Yeah. Sure. What’s up? You ok?”

  It had been too long since I’d last called him.

  “Yeah. I’m good. How about you?”

  Brad laughed. “Shut the fuck up and tell me what you called for.”

  I chuckled.

  “Come on. Lay it on me. Is it some top secret FBI shit?”

  Feeling a little more at ease, I relaxed in the recliner as I spoke to my elementary school buddy and oldest friend. I trusted him with my life.

  “Maybe not as classified as you like. Top-secret? Who says that douche bag?” We both laughed.

  “Talk to me, Goose. What’s up?”

  My chest was heavy and getting his input would relieve the stress. I knew it would. I blew out a deep breath.

  “I’m working a case. I can’t tell you where but the town is small. Like even smaller than your nuts, if you can imagine that.”

  “Your mom liked ‘em.”

  A chuckle rumbled through me again.

  “There’s a woman. Lost her husband and child a year ago. My assignment was to get to know her, find out if she was involved with what I’m here for. Problem is…”

  “You really want to get to know her?” The seriousness in his tone led me to believe that he understood the gravity of this without further explanation.

  “Yeah.” That’s all I said. That’s all I had.

  “Duuude.”

  He knew me well enough to know I was fucked too. Squeezing my eyes shut, I braced myself for his words, unsure if what he was going to say was what I wanted to hear. I said nothing.

  “Adam. You’ve been undercover for a few years. You’ve done this a hundred times. Why this time?”

  I’d asked myself this repeatedly. “She’s different, man. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like she was waiting for me to come into her life. She makes me feel needed.”

  “You fucked this girl didn’t you?”

  “No!”

  “Well that pussy-whipped load of bullshit that just rolled out of your mouth was pretty fuckin’ pathetic.” He breathed heavily in the phone. “She makes me feel needed,” he repeated my words raising his voice about two octaves and making fun of me. My blood simmered.

  “Fuck you! This is my fucking career man. And right now, all I can think about is her. Now help me or hang up the goddamn phone!”

  “I’m sorry. Hearing you say she needs me got the better of me. OK. Bottom line, Adam. Are you jeopardizing the case right now? Simple yes or no?”

  I walked into the kitchen and flipped the steaks over in the marinade as I thought about his question.

  “No. Several agents are here. My job is to do what I’m doing…maybe just not as thoroughly as I’m doing it.”

  “Adam. What are you most concerned about? You’re undercover dickhead. That means you live a life that may not necessarily be the life you live when this is all over. It’s never been complicated before. Don’t let it get complicated now.”

  I tossed the foil wrapped potatoes on the hot grill. “I’m concerned about her getting hurt. She’s endured a lifetime of hurt in a year. I will only add on to that. I don’t want to do that to her.”
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  “To her or to you?”

  Digging my fingers into my scalp, I wanted to yank my hair out in frustration. “Both.”

  “Look buddy, I have to go, but answer this first. Are you in love with this woman or have things simply gotten skewed because of your assignment?”

  I stared out at the porch swing from the window and my thoughts were a mangled mess. The only thing I could picture was her face now…her face when she smiled, her face when she cried and her face when she came.

  “I don’t know…” I said and ended the call.

  “Adam. Dinner was phenomenal and not burned.” She teased. “Does our age difference bother you?”

  “No. I think you are very immature for your age,” I teased, tipping my beer to my lips.

  “Seriously,” she continued. “I mean, I know you’re out of here soon, but if you weren’t, would you consider seeing me longer?”

  Hope reflected in the eyes I loved to stare into.

  “Yes. I mean no,” I said and her brow drew lower than I’d ever seen. I shook my head realizing I wasn’t making sense. “No. You being my elder doesn’t bother me.” I winked, while my chest vibrated with laughter. “And yes. I would continue seeing you if I stayed.

  Her breath hitched in her throat as her dark eyes rapidly moved from my lips to my eyes and back to my lips. I picked up the pinot and topped off her wine glass.

  “So. What was it like to be in your car again? And why did you stop driving?”

  The vacant expression on her face worried me. I didn’t want to lose her now. After a long pause, she said, “Jack’s car seat is in there. We brought him home from the hospital in that car.” She exhaled a long breath. “It was ok. Everything is still in there. I know I need to move forward there too.” Her smile was weak.

  “Good girl.” I winked. “Why don’t you practice medicine any more?” I asked.

  After a long sip of her wine, she sat the glass back on the table and circled the rim with her middle finger.