She felt Julius leave the bed shortly before dawn. When she turned her head on the pillow she saw him standing at the window looking out over the lake. She pushed the covers aside, got up and went to join him.
“You’re planning something,” she said. It wasn’t a question. Mentally she braced herself for what she knew was coming. “I can tell that you’re working on a strategy.”
He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close against his side.
“I hate to ask this,” he said, “but would you be willing to walk me through the crime scene at the Cloud Lake Inn?”
“Somehow I just knew you were going to suggest that we take a look at the place where it all happened.”
“Sorry,” he said. “But I think it’s something I need to do.”
“It’s okay,” she said. “I’m willing to do it but I doubt that there is anything left to find after all this time. I told you, the place has been abandoned for years. Between the kids who have used it for parties and the transients who have camped out there, any evidence that might have been left at the scene will have disappeared by now.”
“I just want to see it for myself. I need to figure out what we’re missing.”
“All right,” she said. “The sun will be coming up soon. Let’s do it this morning.”
Julius turned her in his arms and drew her close.
“I hate to put you through this,” he said. “I know it won’t be easy for you.”
“Going back into that place can’t possibly be any worse than wondering why someone is murdering and attempting to murder people I know and leaving those bottles of vodka at the scenes.”
“When morning comes, we’ll go to the inn.”
“Okay.” She looked out the window. Dawn was on the way but it would be a while before real daylight appeared. Nevertheless, she knew she would not be able to go back to sleep, not now that she knew what lay ahead. “There’s not much point going back to bed. I’ll go take a shower and get dressed.”
“That’s a plan.” Julius cupped her face in his hands. “But I’ve got a better one.”
His kiss was all slow-burn seduction and aching need. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave herself up to the embrace. He picked her up, carried her across the room and put her down on the rumpled bed.
He straightened long enough to strip off his briefs and then he got in beside her. He leaned over her, caging her with his arms. He brushed his mouth across hers.
The sweet, hot tension built deep inside her. She reached up to touch the side of his face with her fingertips. He turned his head and kissed her palm.
“Julius,” she said.
She felt his teeth lightly graze her throat and then he began to work his way down her body. He lingered over her. By the time his mouth reached her breasts, she was twisting beneath his weight. When he reached her belly she sank her nails into his shoulders.
“Julius.”
She almost screamed when his tongue touched the inside of her thighs. She did scream when he found her tight, full core. Her release flashed and sparked through her.
Before it was over he shifted. He rolled onto his back and pulled her down on top of him.
And soon it was his low, rumbling growl of satisfaction that echoed in the bedroom.