Tagged & Ashed(47)

I stare into those stormy blue eyes, and a tear falls free from her grasp as she stares up at me.

“Please tell me I can touch you,” I murmur softly, as my hand slides up her leg and stops just before I reach the button to her jeans.

“Please tell me you want to,” she utters, and with that, I’m lost.

My lips crush hers as I fall between her legs, and then I pull back to rip her jeans off. She gasps as my hand rubs across her sex, and then her breath leaves as my finger slips through the side of her underwear and finds her hot, wet haven.



***

Ashiara



Is this happening? I’ve dreamt about this for months. Is it real now? Am I just delirious?

His tongue daringly plays with mine as his hard erection begs to be freed from his pants. I rub my hand over the fabric, feeling him as he moans into my mouth.

“I have to have you,” he breathes.

“Then take me,” I mutter back, my heart pounding so hard I’m worried it’s trying to escape.

I want him. I want this torturous game of look-but-don’t-touch to end.

I can be like this. I can handle being his without a commitment. I’ll be his anytime he wants me, and I’ll love him silently when he moves on.

His lips slide down my stomach to the top of my underwear, and then his teeth scrape over me as he peels away the lace with them.

My breaths instantly become pants, and his lips find that spot that has belonged to him since the day I met him. His daring tongue flicks against me, and then the worst possible spoiler blares from the monitor beside his bed.

Trip cries loudly, and we both leap up. I’m left clambering around for my pants as Tag rushes out to go collect the little interrupter.

Once I’m zipped up, I rush in to see Tag smiling as he holds Trip in his arms, cooing him out of his fit. I smile as I lean against the doorframe and watch the father holding his son.

“I think it’s time for a diaper, and unfortunately, I have to get to my meetings. Please tell me we can finish this later,” he strains out with anguish.

I take a deep, steadying breath as I nod.

“Definitely later.”

He smiles as he comes over to me, and his hand wraps around my waist as he pulls my lips to his.

“I think my conversation might go a little better now,” he murmurs against my lips.

He puts Trip in my arms, and then he kisses my smiling lips again before walking away to pick up his tie from the chair.

I watch as he waves, and I force a smile. I don’t know what he plans to say, but I hope he listens to what I have to say without freaking out or hating me.





Chapter Eleven



The Bold Truth



Tag



I can’t stop smiling. She still wants me.

Just as I’m about to leave the office, a detective from Ash’s case steps off the elevator.

“Detective Marks, I wasn’t expecting you,” I murmur in bemusement. “Did you catch the guy?”

“Not exactly. He did break into Ms. Branderwood’s storage facility, and he stole or trashed everything she had. Is she still staying at your place?”

Fuck.

“Yeah. I’m not letting her out of my sight.”

“Here’s the thing. The target is no longer just Ms. Branderwood. We found these,” he says while handing me several photos locked inside evidence bags.

There are pictures of Trip and Ash taken from afar from her old place. Trip’s eyes have been blacked out, his mouth has been burrowed through, and there are crossed-out marks over his body in every picture.

“We also found this,” he uneasily releases while handing me a baby doll inside an evidence bag. The eyes have been gouged, the mouth has been ripped out, and the head is disconnected. The sickening part, he’s wearing a shirt with a picture of Trip.

“Fucking shit,” I release as my hands tremble.

“I know. This guy is beyond fucked up. In cases like these, I have to notify both parents. Ms. Branderwood said I could share anything with you, so I’m hoping you’ll do the same for me.”

“Yeah, of course. What do you need?”

“Well, she’s sort of silent on the matter of the child’s father. It’s possible this guy might be the one doing all this, considering the new target. I went to rundown the name of the father, but I couldn’t find a man in this area by that name. I’m hoping you can help me locate him. If he’s not the suspect, he at least needs to know someone is targeting his kid.”

He knows his name.

“I don’t even know the dad’s name, but I’m sure I can help if you give it to me. Her best friend is on my speed dial. I’m sure he can help.”

My stomach flip-flops. I've wanted to know the name of this bastard for months now.