Midnight Secrets

chapter

THIRTY


Getting a call from Savannah to come to the Wilde mansion wasn’t something Zach was expecting. He had liked the idea of her being in his house, in his bed.

When he arrived, he understood why she had moved back home. Not only were her sisters with her, Brody and Logan could have rooms here, too. Savannah, her sisters, and Brody were all sitting in the living room, eating Chinese takeout, when he walked in the door. The instant Savannah spotted him, she jumped from the couch immediately to kiss him hello.

“I didn’t intend to stay,” she whispered softly. “I just came by for some clothes but Sammie and Bri showed up with dinner, then Brody dropped by. Logan’s with Aunt Gibby. We can leave now or go after dinner.”

“You don’t want to stay here?”

A shy smile, one he hadn’t seen since their earliest dates, curved her beautiful mouth. “I like waking up in your bed, beside you.”

Heat flashed and arousal came quick and urgent. Despite the fact that he hadn’t had anything to eat except a bowl of cereal for breakfast, he wanted nothing more than to grab Savannah and get back to his house immediately. However, knowing she probably hadn’t eaten much today, either, he said, “Let’s eat here … fast.”

As if she knew exactly what he was thinking, she leaned into him and spoke softly, “We’ll have dessert at your place.”

“Deal.”

“I’ll fix us a plate. You go wash up.”

Despite the desire to rush back, Zach took his time. Today had been filled with shit he could’ve gone a lifetime without. Calling his mother to verify that she had indeed slept with Lamont Kilgore the night of Maggie’s and Beckett’s murder had been singularly unpleasant. Either his mother had a good memory of the men she slept with, or, like Savannah said, everyone in Midnight remembered what they were doing the night of the murders. Or hell, maybe Lamont was just that memorable in bed.

Whatever the reason, she had verified that Lamont had been with her until the early morning hours. She had been surprised that Zach hadn’t wanted to linger on the phone and chat. The inevitable “When are you coming for a visit?” had been the last straw. Other than Christmas, he did not see Francine. And the only reason he did then was because his brother did his best to come home at Christmas. Josh wasn’t always able to give them advance notice of his coming. Many times Zach had arrived only to learn that his brother hadn’t been able to make it. Those visits were usually short and awkward.

Finally feeling somewhat clean and refreshed, Zach returned to the living room. Savannah had prepared two plates and placed them side by side on a coffee table. She was sitting on a pillow and patted another one beside her.

Lowering himself down, Zach concentrated on his meal and let the conversation flow around him. Brody and Sammie seemed to be getting along well, exchanging humorous quips. Bri was eating quietly but smiling from time to time. Savannah was doing the same thing he was, focusing on eating as quickly as possible.

His eyes roamed the room. “I watched the taped interviews each of you conducted. Good job.” He focused his gaze on Sabrina. “Especially you. You had Noreen Ingram eating our of your hand by the time the interview was over.”

Sabrina grinned. “Thanks. Having her bring in an eighteen-year-old calendar to show me exactly what she and Kyle were doing that night was helpful. Me praising her went a long way in making her feel good. I could have done without knowing that they scheduled their sex life on the calendar.”

After a few snickers and “ewww”s, Zach said, “Let’s discuss any abnormalities and inconsistencies in any of the stories. Anything stand out to anyone?”

Samantha shook her head. “We were talking about that just before you got here. Every person we talked to today had a valid alibi. Apparently the murders have the same memorable significance to them as other major events. They remember what they were doing, who they were with, and where they were when they first heard the news.”

“Have we verified the alibis?”

Sabrina shrugged. “As much as we can. When someone tells you they were in bed with their husband or wife eighteen years ago, that’s damn hard to verify.”

Yeah, that was true. He suddenly felt like a wrung-out dishcloth. “The killer has got to be in this group we’re interviewing. Either we’re not asking the right questions or somebody’s a damn good liar.”

“I sat in on all the interviews except the ones you conducted, Zach,” Brody said. “These people seemed sincerely disturbed that this was a double murder.”

That was the sense he’d gotten, too. “Then who the hell else could it be? The person who tried to kill Gibby targeted her to prevent the meeting with Savannah.”

“Maybe they didn’t,” Sabrina said. “Maybe she was going to be targeted anyway and it was just coincidence that it happened the same night she made that statement.”

Zach shrugged. “Then that means our suspect list has grown to include every person in Midnight who was also a resident eighteen years ago.”

His statement put a noticeable damper on the room. Shoulders slumped and sighs were expelled. Finally Brody, in his usual cut-to-the-chase way, said, “An eighteen-year-old half-assed police report, headless roadkill, two attempted murders, and a thousand suspects. Man, you are so screwed.”

Silence followed his blunt statement and then laughter exploded, breaking the tension. Even Zach, who was too tired to even consider laughing, managed a smiling acknowledgment. Brody was right—he was screwed. That wouldn’t stop him, though. He’d been in difficult places before but none had ever been this important.

“You about finished?”

The soft, sexy voice in his ear caused his thoughts to go into a much more pleasant direction. Zach stood, then held out his hand to help her up. “I’ll take our plates to the kitchen. You get your clothes.”

“See you soon.”

He watched her walk away, admiring the grace and fluidity of her movements, along with the way her jeans molded her perfect ass.

“You’re good for her, you know.”

Sabrina had approached silently. He had spent almost no time with the sisters since their return, but he had noticed some incredible changes in both Samantha and Sabrina. They were both still beautiful women, but Samantha had a new edgy toughness, which no doubt she’d developed as a homicide detective. However, the change in Sabrina might be the most surprising of all. Oddly, she seemed softer, less damaged than she had years ago. Maybe time and maturity had allowed her to deal with her painful past. Too bad all of this was bringing it home to her again.

“Why do you say I’m good for Savannah?”

“She shines with you. Like she hasn’t in ten years.” And before he could even begin to appreciate the words, she added a warning: “Don’t f*ck it up this time. She won’t forgive you again.”

He gave her a nod of acknowledgment, knowing full well she was right. He’d been given a second chance with the woman he loved. This time, he intended to get it right.

Duffel bag in one hand, hairbrush in the other, Savannah rushed around the room in a frenzied, unorganized manner. A full-blown panic attack was so not sexy. Yes, she wanted to tell Zach the truth. But accepting that and carrying it out were two entirely different things.

The cautious, rational side of her, her usual voice of reason, told her to wait. Not only was Zach exhausted from the events of the past several days, he had a hell of a lot on his plate right now. Adding to it could very well make it worse. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him again.

Her emotional, impulsive side, which had reemerged only recently, told her he deserved to know everything as soon as possible. Keeping things from the man she loved was wrong, especially this one thing in particular. How on earth did she expect to go forward in their relationship with this hanging over her head? She had to tell him tonight.

Stripping off her jeans and shirt, Savannah searched for something more fitting for the occasion. What was the appropriate attire to wear when you were going to tell the man you loved news that you knew full well would devastate him? Was she being selfish? Should she keep it to herself? No, he had a right to know.

Clothes flew left and right; her heart rate zoomed. In the midst of a full-on panic attack, she felt strong hands land on her shoulders and turn her around.

“What’s wrong?”

Shuddering out a breath, she looked up into the handsome face of the man she had loved forever. Solid, honorable, steady … a man she could rely on. Throwing her arms around him, Savannah held him tight. Big, callused hands roamed over her body and Savannah sighed her happiness. Being in Zach’s arms made her feel powerful, invincible. She knew he loved her and she loved him. Everything would be fine.

Her pulse rate now high for a different reason, Savannah pulled away and took his hand, leading him to her bed. First they would make love and then they would talk. Before she reached the bed, Zach stopped her and said softly, “Hey, talk to me.”

Swallowing hard, she shook her head. “I think I’m just frantic from everything that’s happened the last few days.”

Drawing her back into his arms, he whispered, “Everything will be okay. I’ll make it right, I promise.”

She pressed a kiss to the center of his chest. When she heard what sounded like a sigh of longing, she continued to kiss his chest, then moved up his neck, spreading soft kisses as she went. Reaching the solid, square chin she loved so much, she covered it with kisses, too.

Big hands grabbed her head and held her still as his mouth descended. Her kisses had been affectionate and playful. His kiss was thorough, sexy, and serious. She opened for him and the growl from his chest gave her a charge of intense arousal. Standing on her toes, she pressed her softness against his hard body.

As he devoured her mouth, his hands were busy stripping her of her bra and panties. Within seconds she was nude and Zach was pushing her down onto the bed. Her breath heavy with passion, she watched as he quickly dropped his clothing on the floor. When he was finished, Savannah held out her arms to welcome him.

Zach gazed down at the woman lying on the bed, waiting for him. Savannah was every dream he’d ever had. And while he wanted to be inside that sexy body, losing himself in an ecstasy only she could provide, he held back. She’d been through hell the last couple of days. Shadows beneath her eyes told him she needed rest.

“Something wrong?” she whispered.

“Not a damn thing. Just can’t get over how beautiful you are or how lucky I am.”

“Come down here and I’ll let you get even luckier.”

Zach lay down beside her and gathered her close, absorbing her soft, silky body into his. She felt fragile and delicate in his arms but he knew there was a thread of steel beneath that delicacy.

A slender hand moved down his stomach, caressing and kneading. Before she could reach her destination, Zach grabbed her hand and held it to his mouth. “Sleep.”

“What?”

“You need to rest.”

“But I want you inside me.”

Breath shuddered from him. He was hanging on by a thread already. Having her tell him exactly what she wanted from him made saying no to her a thousand times harder. He pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. “Let me just hold you.”

“But I want—”

Names like “idiot” and “masochist” reverberated through his mind as he rolled her over onto her back and said, “Shh … let me take care of you.” With those words, Zach proceeded to show with his mouth and his hands just how much he worshipped and adored this woman. Holding her arms above her head, he looked down into the loveliest face in all the world and saw what he thought he’d never see gleaming in her eyes again—love and trust.

He reverently kissed her mouth over and over, then whispered soft kisses across her face and down her slender neck. She groaned and wiggled a little but didn’t object to him holding her and loving her without her active participation. This was for both of them.

Trailing openmouthed kisses to each breast, he licked and suckled them gently, then lightly bit one nipple, which brought a gasp and another wiggle of her body. Going lower, he licked and kissed his way down her satin-soft skin, stopping briefly for a quick tongue swirl of her navel. When he saw that she had her legs tightly together, trying to find ease for her arousal, he growled, “Open up, baby.”

As he watched her slender legs spread open, he swallowed hard. The trust she was showing him humbled and amazed him. Releasing his hold on her wrists, Zach moved lower on the bed and kneeled between her parted legs. He ground his teeth together, the temptation to plunge deep and give them both relief almost beyond his control. At her soft sigh, he glanced at her face and was reminded of his purpose. Sparking green eyes, hot with desire and love, looked at him beneath her lashes while a smile of pure pleasure curved her luscious lips. This was for Savannah, the most precious and beautiful creature he’d ever known.

Hooking her legs with his forearms, he spread her legs farther apart, dipped his head, and inhaled the sweet musk of her arousal. When she undulated and gasped out, “Zach … please,” he chuckled but refused to hurry. The anticipation of her taste was a delight in itself. Rushing through anything this fine would be a sin. Nuzzling her softness with his nose, he enjoyed more gasps and groans and then took a long lick as a quick tease. Another sharp gasp came from her. Smiling widely, Zach went for a deeper taste, his tongue thrusting deep within her. Savannah wailed and came quickly against his tongue. Lapping at her, he gave her a few seconds to recover and then began to build the fire again.

Savannah arched up into another fierce orgasm. No matter how much she begged Zach to come inside her, he continued to love her with just his mouth. Three orgasms to his none was so wrong, but she was too weak and felt too wonderful to voice an objection. As he finally moved up and allowed her some rest, she tried again. Reaching for the part of him that she knew needed immediate attention, he once again averted her by grabbing her hand and holding it against his chest.

“Zach … why?”

“Because I wanted to show you how special you are to me. Your pleasure is mine.”

Her body a languid mass of quivering bliss, Savannah didn’t have the energy to argue with a gnat, much less two hundred and ten pounds of determined, sexy masculinity. Snuggling into his arms, she blinked sleepily up at him. “Your turn next time,” she whispered.

Pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, he said, “Our turn next time. Now sleep for a while.”

Feeling cherished and adored, Savannah closed her eyes and drifted. Zach was naked and hot against her body. Every part of him felt hard and unyielding. Never had she felt so comfortable or so safe. Being held in the arms of the man she adored was a dream she never thought she’d be able to realize again. She pushed aside the worry that all was not perfect. For now she would take what she could get. Reality would come soon enough.