25. If Only
TWENTY-FIVE
If Only
CJ
Washing Melissa’s body was an exercise in torture as far as CJ was concerned. Now, his cock was a hard, hot mess requiring attention of a particular nature.
Melissa was exhausted after the ordeal in the shower, and he tucked her in bed, making sure she was comfortable. After checking the outer door was locked and latched, he closed the bedroom door and locked it. Then he headed back to the bathroom to clean up the mess of his clothes.
He peeled off his wet boxers and turned on the shower, letting the steam build again.
With the water spraying against his back, he grabbed the soap, then reached down. His balls hung low and heavy, and his cock throbbed with unspent need. He gripped his shaft and closed his eyes with the first firm stroke.
Not in any hurry, he let his mind wander to what he would have done if things had been different with Melissa. He vented a deep sigh and then leaned his head back to fantasize about how that shower should have gone.
His hand couldn’t provide the release he craved, but it served his need for the moment. The hot spray of his come took off the edge, but he was still painfully aroused
Dissatisfied, he stepped out, his gaze landing on his pile of wet clothes. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he searched for his phone, grabbed his clothes, and left the bathroom. A quick search in the closet of the darkened bedroom revealed a cotton robe. With a quick swap of the towel for a robe, he left Melissa to sleep and headed to the main living area of the suite. A quick call downstairs brought a laundry pickup, and an extra tip ensured they would expedite the cleaning. Desperate for a distraction, he thumbed the keypad of his phone. It was time for work.
The phone rang five times before Mac picked up. “What’s up?”
“How’s it going?” CJ asked.
“Not so good.” His partner’s voice sounded frustrated.
“What do you mean?”
The robe gaped in all the wrong places, and he gave up any attempt to cover himself, tossing the damp towel over his lap in case Melissa woke and came searching for him.
“Cold trail,” Mac said, irritation hung thickly to his words.
“Your leads didn’t pan out?” CJ frowned.
“We never had leads.”
“What do you mean?” He leaned back and repositioned the towel.
“Got a moment?”
He glanced around the empty hotel room. “Melissa’s sleeping, but before I forget, I need a change of clothes. Can you grab them from my hotel and bring them over?”
“What have you been up to?” Mac teased.
“Don’t get excited. Nothing happened.” He shook his head and shut his eyes against the juvenile ribbing.
“Ah, come on. I leave you in that hotel room with a beautiful woman and nothing happened?”
CJ gritted his teeth. “You’re asking if I took advantage of a woman who found a girl murdered in her home? Not only is her serial killer ex-husband alive, but he escaped prison and is coming after her. That’s the woman you think I fucked?”
A long stuttering pause followed. Several times Mac said something, but he never strung the sounds into something intelligible.
CJ kicked his heel over his knee. “Just tell me about our case.”
“Asshole. Like I said, Henrietta Jones is a serviceman’s widow.”
“I read that in the files. He’s a decorated war hero.”
“Well, let’s recap.”
“Okay.” A common technique, they would talk about their cases, never assuming the other knew all the details. It was amazing what the simple act of discussing a case turned up.
Mac continued, “Two days after that storm blew through, she never picked up her kids from school. The principal called the police.”
“Right, the Police Chief is a friend of Sam’s, and with her husband being the small-town hero, it’s a high profile case, but with the storms, they didn’t have anyone to work it. He called Sam, who put the Guardians on the case.”
“Right. The woman vanished. Nobody knows anything.”
“Are you still downstairs in the lobby?”
“Nah, Jenny wanted to talk to the girls.”
“Where are you now?”
“Social services group home. The girls don’t know anything. Their mom walked them to school every day, did volunteer work, and picked them up when school got out.” Mac gave an exaggerated moan. “You should try sitting in one of these kiddie-sized chairs and see if it doesn’t pinch your ass.”
He couldn’t imagine Mac getting half his ass into one of those seats.
Mac continued. “Typical background on the mother. Everyone loves her. She wouldn’t hurt a fly, yadda yadda yadda. The perfect mom.”
“Any reason to think she would abandon the girls?”
“None.”
“Boyfriend? Lover?”
“None anyone knows about.”
“So, why are they assuming an abduction?”
“What else could it be?”
“We’re missing something.” He leaned back and stared at the ceiling, trying to think. “Have they identified the victim at Melissa’s house yet?”
“No. These are small-town cops, but the Feds arrived a little while ago. They’ve got a whole team and are sending samples to their lab.”
CJ brushed his hand over the stubble of his jawline. “I need a razor.”
“I’ll get your stuff.”
There was a slight pause while Mac spoke to someone else. When he returned, CJ knew there was bad news by the change in his friend’s breathing.
“No-go on the protective detail. The locals are busy with another kidnapping, and the feds didn’t bring extra manpower. They can send for some, but it won’t be until tomorrow.”
“Another kidnapping?” CJ sat up straight, alert. “Patterson’s stepping up his pace.”
“Not Patterson. A man was taken. Jenny says the cops have no one to put on the hotel. What do you want to do?”
“When’s the rest of our team due to arrive?”
“Not until tomorrow.”
“Okay. You and Jenny see what you can find out from the girls and keep me informed about Melissa’s ex. I’ll stay with Melissa. When you’re done, I’d appreciate it if you could bring my stuff.”
“You gonna tell me what happened to the clothes you were wearing?” Mac teased.
“Not going there.” His gaze slid to the bedroom door, and his mind traveled beyond to the sleeping beauty in bed.
Damn.
He was aroused and uncomfortable again. It would be a very long evening and a longer night.