Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Audrey blinked her eyes open and stretched as the morning sun slid over the windowsill, spilling its golden glow over the dark wood floor. Her muscles were deliciously sore and well-used, courtesy of the man whose body heat was radiating off him in waves next to her.
She tossed a glance over her shoulder and grinned at the image of him sprawled out.
One arm thrown over the pillow above his head, face relaxed while he slept, he was so beautiful it made her heart hurt to look at him.
His eyes were closed, but she knew those brown irises, the color of strong, dark coffee, could warm her from the inside out.
A faint dark stubble had sprouted over his jaw, and she ached to trace the chiseled contour.
Over the last—she glanced at the clock on the nightstand—fourteen hours, they had alternated between making love and talking about everything and nothing.
Sometime in the middle of the night, she had woken up to find him between her legs, his mouth on her most intimate place.
It was a shame she couldn’t wake up that way more often.
Her smile slipped away, and longing and regret pulled at her as she stared at him.
She had truly enjoyed their time together last night—but that was all it could ever be.
Technically, she was still married—even if it was only for another few weeks.
She knew Scott had moved on long ago, but she couldn’t do the same.
No way would she throw herself back into that fire.
This one moment, this one delicious indiscretion, would have to be enough.
Sliding from the bed, she picked her way around the clothes that Carter had so shamelessly ripped off yesterday afternoon and over the pizza box that lay discarded by the chair.
They had left the bed yesterday evening just long enough to answer the door, then made a picnic of sorts on top of the sheets before he had tossed the box aside and pulled her beneath him once more.
He had made good on his promise, too—they had used every single condom he brought with him.
Her skin heated at the thought of the things he had done, the things they had done.
Jesus. She pressed her palms to her cheeks and closed her eyes as her chest rose on a rapid inhale.
He had touched literally every inch of her, places that even Scott had never dared.
God, how could she even look at him in the light of day?
Completely naked, she hastily pulled on the robe draped over the chair in the corner, then snatched up the discarded clothing from the floor and made her way to the bathroom.
She dumped her stuff in the hamper, then folded Carter’s clothes and left them on the counter where he would be sure to find them.
It was better this way. She had had her night of fun, but now it was time to get back to the real world.
She didn’t need—or want—anything serious.
In fact, it was the very last thing she needed in her life after the whole debacle with Scott.
Thank God that was almost over, at least. Now she could put him from her mind forever.
It still stung that he had moved on so easily while she had spent so much time feeling hurt.
But now it was her turn to be happy. It was time she did something for herself—and last night with Carter was the first step in that direction.
She had no intention of ever repeating it, so she would have to make a clean break as soon as he woke up.
He would probably be relieved. After all, what man would complain about a night of meaningless sex? The corner of her mouth lifted in a cynical smile. Oh, yes, he would be more than happy to go on his way with no commitment.
She quickly splashed some water on her face, then brushed her teeth and ran a brush through her unruly waves. Peeking into the bedroom, she saw that Carter was still asleep, so she snuck out, closing the door behind her, and made her way to the kitchen.
After letting Peanut out, she leaned on the counter while she waited for the coffeepot to spit out the fragrant, warm brew and stared out the small window over the sink.
The tiny condo was a far cry from where she had lived with Scott in one of the wealthier areas of the city.
Still, it was hers alone, and although it was further from the health center, that fact alone made it worth it.
Besides, she wouldn’t have to worry about that in just a couple of weeks.
The condo wasn’t tainted by bad memories; here she could start fresh.
She could decorate the way she wanted, without anyone to question or overrule her choices.
Nine years ago, she had been young and na?ve, blindly in love with a fellow medical student.
She had wanted so badly to impress him, to impress her family and make them proud of her.
She had followed everyone’s dreams but her own.
She loved being a doctor, but family medicine had been Scott’s dream—a husband and wife team that everyone could come to for whatever ailed them.
All she had ever wanted was to help people—to really make a difference in the world.
She wanted to give back. Maybe it was time for a radical change.
Carrying the mug of coffee into the living room, she scooped up the remote and flicked on the TV in the corner.
She rolled her eyes as a commercial immediately filled the screen.
Figured. Didn’t matter what the program was, at least fifty percent of it was filled with ads for hemorrhoid cream or some sleazy law firm trying to “make them pay.” She bit the inside of her lip at the thought of Carter still passed out in her bed.
She had to admit—for a lawyer, he really wasn’t a bad guy.
The news finally came back on, snagging her attention as the reporter launched into her description of the victim she had found just over a week ago down the road, and a composite sketch filled the screen.
“Police are asking for any help in identifying a man found off Hartwell Road last week. If you have any information, please call…” The number flashed on the screen, and she shook her head.
Hopefully, someone would recognize him and give the family some closure.
The composite sketch disappeared, replaced with video footage of police spread around on a riverbank, combing through weeds and mud.
“Police are also investigating a second set of remains that was found yesterday in Twin Oaks. The person has yet to be identified, and there is no connection between the victims at this time.”
She glanced out the window, and a shiver stole down her spine. That was a little too coincidental, wasn’t it? That made two bodies, found only a few miles from one another. Was the person male or female?
The reporter hadn’t mentioned anything, nor had the policeman who had been interviewed.
It was an interesting omission, and she wondered if the decomposition was too bad to determine on site.
Though the police hadn’t mentioned anything, she wondered if the second victim exhibited the same signs of surgical removal.
“In other news, a local woman, Dr. Hannah Carr, was abducted early yesterday morning from her home, and…”
She didn’t wait to hear the rest. Her fingers were already flying over the phone, waiting for the call to connect. She was on her feet and halfway to the kitchen before Hannah’s voice came on the line.
“Hey, how—”
“Are you freaking kidding me? That’s all you have to say? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, I just—”
“Why are you so calm?” she demanded. “God, Hannah. I just saw the news. What happened yesterday?”
Hannah let out a soft chuckle. “Really, everything is okay now. It’s a really long story.”
She couldn’t believe Hannah was laughing about this. She knew her better than almost anyone on this planet, and she knew how badly the events of the previous night must have affected her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, really,” she assured her. “I’ll tell you all about it later.”
“Can I come over?” She dumped her coffee down the drain and set the cup in the sink. “I’m coming over.”
Hannah laughed. “All right. Luke’s here, too.”
She let out a relieved sigh. Thank God. That made her feel better, at least. She hadn’t spoken much with Hannah since Wednesday, and she was relieved to hear that they had made up. The fact that he was with her now spoke volumes.
After the murder of a local woman a few weeks ago, the killer had reached out to Hannah—either as a taunt or a plea for help, the police couldn’t quite decide.
She had been plagued by the same person for the last several weeks, and Luke had been hired to work security at the health center where Hannah and she worked.
Hannah had turned a disgruntled patient away just before the murder, and she wondered if it really was him.
Greg Andrews had a bad temper, but as far as she knew, the police hadn’t been able to dig anything up on the man.
A shudder rolled through her. The police suspected it was the same man who had assaulted her in her office.
She definitely wouldn’t miss going back there.
She glanced down at her robe and bit her lip.
She couldn’t very well go out like this.
On silent feet, she crept back down the hallway and into her room.
Flicking a glance at Carter, she saw he had shifted positions but his breathing was still deep and even, a good indication that he was still asleep.
Tiptoeing over to the dresser, she pulled out a bra and T-shirt, then snuck into the bathroom to change.
She quickly dressed and washed her face before opening the door and peeking out.
Carter had one arm thrown over his face, and she pushed the door open just wide enough to slip out.
The hinges squeaked, and she froze, holding her breath, eyes glued to Carter to make sure he hadn’t heard.
She remained that way for several long moments before slinking out of the bedroom and down the hall into the kitchen.
Anxious to get out of the house before he woke up, she scooped her keys off the counter and slung her purse over her shoulder just as a floorboard creaked behind her.