Page 40 of Tide and Seek
He thrust hard a few more times, obviously struggling with control.I was the same, barely holding on.All I could think about was coming.My entire body was covered in goosebumps and aching for release.He grunted, his body stiffened, and I felt him swell deep inside me.
“Oh, shit, I’m c… coming,” he growled, and I felt the hot flush of his seed as he came inside me.He thrust faster and harder as he spilled his release, panting harshly against my tingling flesh.
“Max,” I groaned, convulsing with ecstasy around him.Three thick spurts of cream erupted from my cock, painting the blue tiles of the pool wall, slipping down into the churning water.
We were both breathing hard as he finished inside me, but after a few achingly sweet minutes, we fell silent, still intimately joined.He nuzzled the back of my neck, his breath heated against my damp skin.
When he eventually pulled out of me, I gave a sheepish laugh and glanced around.“So much for not wanting to put on a show for the neighbors.”
He smiled, looking relaxed as he perched beside me on the steps of the pool.“C.J.’s not home and James and Luke are too far away to matter.”He leaned back on his elbows, staring up at the dark sky.“That was exactly what I needed.”
“Yeah.Me too.”I blew out a breath.“It was a crazy day.”
“Tomorrow will be better.”His voice was full of confidence.“We’ll look at the security video, talk to that detective, and then put all the negativity behind us.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said agreeably, stroking my palm down his back.“What do you say we go take a hot shower and make an early night of it?”
“Yes.”He stood and held out his hand to me.“Old people like us need lots of sleep.Just ask Luke.”
I chuckled, grabbed his hand, and we headed into the house.
Chapter Nine
Maxwell
Detective Hartley arrived at exactly noon, apparently a man who valued punctuality.Through the window, I watched him pause to survey the beach where the crime scene tape had been removed the day before, leaving only disturbed sand and a few evidence markers to show where a woman had lost her life.
When I opened the door, Hartley’s presence filled the entryway.He was about forty, with weathered good looks, sun-bleached blond hair, and the lean build of someone who probably stayed in shape out of necessity rather than vanity.His handshake was very firm, which came as no surprise.
“Appreciate you both making time to talk to me today,” Hartley said in a gruff voice.
“Of course,” Royce replied.“We’re here to help however we can.”
“Yes.”I nodded, closing the door behind him.“Although, I’m not sure how much help we’ll be.”
“You never know.”Hartley’s gray gaze settled on me.
“Would you like some coffee?”I offered, already moving toward the kitchen.“I just made a fresh pot.”
“That’d be great,” Hartley said, settling into one of the uncomfortable designer chairs.He didn’t seem to notice, though, as he pulled out a pen and a small, well-worn notebook.“Beautiful place you have here, Dr.Thornton.Is this your permanent residence?”
“Uh, no.It’s a vacation home,” I called from the kitchen, the sound of mugs clinking together punctuating my words.“I live in Rainy Dale, Texas, now.”
“Ah, yes.I believe your neighbor C.J.mentioned that.”He smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes.“My brother lives in Dallas.I’m not familiar with Rainy Dale.”
Royce laughed.“Not surprising.Rainy Dale’s small and out of the way.It’s west of Fort Worth, about an hour from Dallas.Once you leave the city, it’s just two-lane roads, cattle, and wide-open sky until you get there.”
“I see.”Hartley frowned.“And you live there full-time now, Dr.Thornton?”
“Yes,” I said flatly, concentrating on pouring the coffee.I’m sure he couldn’t grasp why I’d choose to live in Rainy Dale over this seaside paradise.
“How long have you owned this beach house?”
“Ten years,” I said.“Cream or sugar in your coffee, Detective Hartley?”
“Black is fine.Thanks.”Hartley scribbled in his notepad.“If you don’t mind my asking, how long since you’ve been back here?”he asked in a way that made me think he already knew the answer.In fact, I was beginning to suspect he hadn’t asked me anything he didn’t already know the answer to.That made me feel wary, even though I had nothing to hide.
“I’ve been gone for close to a year now.I only came back because my beach house was burgled.”
