An Unfinished Life Read online

  “I’m so close, baby, I can’t hold on much longer,” I whispered.

  “I’m right there with you, come with me.”

  She screamed out as I joined her. My insides were on fire. I’d never been so turned on in all of my life. My dick was still pulsating inside of her while still semi-hard. I didn’t want to lose this connection: Zoey lying across me and our sweaty bodies still wrapped around each other.

  Her breathing was slowly returning to normal. I lifted her off of me and placed her beside me. I removed the condom and tied it off, tossing it into the wastebasket near the bed. She let out some sexy moans, and then she was out cold.

  All I could do was to stare at her. Her long, blonde hair draped down her sexy backside. I imagined her hair tied back into a ponytail and wrapped around my wrist as I took her from behind. I couldn’t control all of the naughty thoughts running through my mind. This was what she did to me. How I ever thought our first encounter was just a meaningless fuck was now so irrefutable.

  I left the sexy Zoey asleep while I made my way to the bathroom. It was fully stocked with essential bath salts and oils. Normally I would never entertain using these girly products, but I so wanted to share a bath with her, and I would soon, but I settled for a warm washcloth with some jasmine on it. I filled a bowl with warm water and oil, carrying it back to the bedroom. I dipped the soft cloth into the warm scented water and began washing her from head to toe. She only stirred a bit when I reached her entrance, almost an invitation for me to be there again, but I left her to sleep and finished up with her sponge bath. I quickly washed up and joined her back in bed.

  She fit perfectly next to me as if she was made solely for me. I hadn’t felt this way in a very long time. I had nearly forgotten what it was like to have a woman make you come to life, but Zoey accomplished just that. I’d grieved for so long over Minela and never thought I would ever feel this way again. It comforted me and also scared the shit out of me too. How, after all this time of not feeling, can I just switch over to exactly that?

  Back in New York, I was there for work, never knowing that meeting the beautiful Zoey Steele would change my life. Now I’m here in Los Angeles, again for work, and she’s here with me. Of all the times fate stepped in and knocked you on your ass, this would be one of those times. My head was spinning with all sorts of crazy scenarios, but I shrugged them off and just concentrated on the now.

  I wouldn’t waste one more valuable second with her. She was here with me now, and that was all that mattered. Tomorrow was a new day, a new day to take on the corrupt Marino and to figure out what this was with Zoey. Did she see it as just a hook-up, or something more happening between us? I couldn’t wait to find out what her answer was.

  And what surprised me was that I would do just about anything for her to be mine. Damn! It felt good to say that. I pulled her naked body closer to mine, and for the first time in a long time…I slept soundly.

  It surprised me how well I slept and with Zoey in my arms. I had awakened a few times to make sure she was still with me, and to my surprise, she was. I wanted to be inside of her again, but I also wanted to experience what it was like to hold a woman in my arms again and to appreciate the simple act of intimacy.

  I knew I was to report to Director Wade’s office by nine to give him my answer. With Zoey arriving unexpectedly, I didn’t even think about the case…I only saw her. I needed a run to clear my head, and the hotel gym would not do it for me. My eyes opened at five, and I quickly changed into my running clothes. I made my way out as quietly as I could, but not before securing Zoey in her place. Now where are those handcuffs?

  Seven miles wasn’t nearly enough to get me prepared for what today would bring, but it was a start. I entered my suite, which was very quiet. Maybe Zoey was still asleep and I could slip back into bed with her.

  What are you saying, Paulson? I’m acting like a lovesick fool right about now, but I don’t really give a fuck. I felt alive again with Zoey here and in my bed.

  I walked as quiet as I could into the bedroom and that’s where I found Zoey awake and just like I left her…bound to my bed with her mane of sex hair.

  “Good morning. I trust you slept well?” I said with a hint of sarcasm to my voice.

  She looked incredible, naked and cuffed to the bed posts where she performed an exotic dance for me last night.

  “Did you not believe me when I said I would be here in the morning?” She gestured to her bound wrists.

  “I wasn’t taking any chances this time around, so to answer your question, no, I didn’t believe you.”

  “You should have. I wouldn’t have followed you across the country to mess with your mind. I’m here to stay for as long as you want.”

  Stay forever. I wanted to say that, but I just smiled and remained silent. I felt like I’d known Zoey for years. My head was all messed up right now, and starting something with Zoey should have been the lowest thing on my priority list. I was here for work…that was all.

  “Let me get you out of those cuffs.”

  I pulled the key from my pocket to free her, but that’s not what she wanted.

  “Jacob, how about we keep the cuffs on, and you do what you intended to do with me last night? Hmm? What do you say?”

  “Tempting, but I can’t. I have to get to work, and you have to…”

  “I have to what? Leave? Go back to my life in New York and forget you? I don’t think so, lover, and I don’t think you want me to either. If you can honestly tell me that you want me to leave, then take these cuffs off so I can go.”

  Hearing her make a bold statement like that actually made my heart sink.

  “I don’t want you to go. I don’t even understand what is happening here between us, but having you leave is the last thing I want you to do,” I told her.

  She immediately softened under my words, making me want her more. I leaned in closer to kiss her swollen lips, and she took mine into her mouth. The things I could do to her right now with Zoey all trussed up was making me so hard.

  “Jake, just fuck me, and we will work the rest out later.”

  I grabbed a condom from the drawer and quickly placed it onto my dick. I didn’t give myself time to think. I entered Zoey with an intense wanton desire. I felt like I was going out of my mind.

  “This is going to be quick, baby, so wrap your legs around my waist as tight as you can.”

  Oh, she didn’t disappoint. She screamed for me to go faster, harder, deeper. I was hitting her to the tilt with my thumb pressing hard against her clit. Zoey was screaming my name. I was so close, but I wanted her hands on me. I unlocked the cuffs and flipped her on top.

  “Touch me, please?” I practically whimpered as she ran her long nails up and down my chest.

  I held her in place as she continued to ride me and leaned down onto my legs. I could feel my balls tightening. I was going to come hard. Zoey sat straight up. It took all my strength to sit up and hold her as we came together. She wrapped her arms around me, bit down onto my shoulder, and rode out her orgasm.

  She was once again on top of me with our bodies still connected. I couldn’t move as we tried to get our breathing under control.

  “That was amazing,” she said.

  I couldn’t disagree if my life depended on it. I held her to me and raised my head from the pillow to kiss her.

  “I agree,” I said.

  And then I kissed her again. I could have done this all day long if time allowed me to.

  “You agree?”

  “I do,” I said. “Not only was what we just did amazing, but you were amazing. Let’s wash up.”

  I didn’t give her a chance to agree or disagree, and I carried her into the bathroom.

  “You know, Jake, I’m perfectly capable of walking. This carrying me around is very chivalrous but not necessary. I’m a sure thing, in case you haven’t figured it out yet.”

  “What’s wrong with a man giving a woman some special attention? I rather like you in
my arms.”

  “And I rather like you inside of me,” she said with a wink. “So what will it be? Shower or bath?”

  Damn, she was so sexy, and I didn’t want to rush my time with her. I enjoyed just soaking in a hot bath with her in my arms.

  I was having this overwhelming need to take care of her for some reason. Something told me that she had no clue as to how a real man loves his woman. His woman? Wow, I need to get control over these crazy emotions. I haven’t felt this strong about anyone since Minela.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” she asked as I was lost in thought in our warm bath.

  “Too many to count, and I’m out of time. Let’s get you out of this tub before you freeze and get sick on me.”

  I left Zoey on her own while I got dressed in the other room.

  I can’t do this now with Zoey, I just can’t. I let my guard down with her, behaving like a fool in love as if I didn’t have a care in the world. In love…a feeling I never thought was possible to experience again, and now after a couple of nights shared with Zoey, it’s all I think about.

  My cell phone was buzzing. Director Wade. Talking to him was the last thing I wanted to do, but I was due in his office at nine and it looks like I’ve missed my meeting.

  “Paulson.” I curtly answered, wishing I could send it right to voicemail.

  “My office in one hour, and don’t even think about not showing up.”

  Fuck! I mumbled, but it was loud enough for Zoey to hear.

  “Now that sounds promising, but you did say that you have to go to work.”

  She hugged me from behind, and I held her hands, bringing them up to my lips.

  “Zoey, I…”

  “It’s okay, Jake. You don’t have to say anything. We had a good time—more than once—but you don’t owe me anything. I’ll get out of here in a few minutes, and you can be on your way.”

  She raised herself on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek. What the hell? Be on my way? She turned away from me and closed the bathroom door behind her, clearly dismissing me and this conversation. I knocked on the door asking for entrance. I waited a beat, and then she opened the door allowing me to come in. She kept her back turned to me, but I wasn’t going to allow her to shut me out after what we shared.

  “Zoey, please look at me.”

  When she wouldn’t turn to face me, I put my hands on her shoulders to make her look at me. She had tears in her eyes, which was slowly slicing my heart. There was nothing worse than seeing a woman cry and to know you’re responsible for it in some way.

  She was confusing the hell out of me, but I needed her to talk to me. First, she’s this seductress rocking my world. We shared an incredible night of hot sex, and then she’s gone but with a promise of returning. I thought it was crazy at the time since I was heading across the country, but then I opened my hotel room door to see her standing on the other side of it, once again completely blindsiding me and turning me inside out. I’d never felt this confused in all of my life. I was wrong before. Zoey was so much more than a hook-up.

  “Zoey, I can’t begin to understand why you are crying, but somehow I feel responsible. We shared an incredible night together, and I can’t have you leaving and thinking it was less than that. I have to go, I really have to, but can I please see you tonight?” I asked, hoping that she would say yes.

  I wiped her tears and held her in my arms. She remained quiet, but at least allowed me to hold her. She felt incredible against me, but I had to go.

  “Please be here when I return tonight? I really have to go, Zoey.”

  Did she not know how much her silence was gutting me right now? I hoped my pleas were enough to convince her to stay. I could only hope that she would. The internal struggle to not just take her back to bed was the ultimate test of my will power. I kissed her forehead so gently, I could barely feel her skin on my lips. I turned to leave with uncertainty flooding my mind. Fuck my life!

  My car was waiting for me downstairs. Wade wasn’t putting anything to chance, so he had Adam waiting for me in the lobby.

  “I don’t need a watchdog. I can find my own way downtown, Adam.”

  “I’m sorry sir, but I have my orders.”

  “It’s alright, Adam. Don’t we all?”

  I raised the privacy screen and phoned my father.

  “Hi, dad, it’s me.”

  “Good morning, son, and of course I can recognize my own son’s voice. How are you this morning?”

  “I’m good, dad, better than yesterday. Wade is flipping out and threatening to pull my shield. I didn’t show up to his office as scheduled, so now I’m in the back of his car on my way to the office.”

  “Why, son? This is not the way to go about things with your superiors. First, you physically attack one boss, and then antagonize the other with your tardiness. What gives, Jacob?”

  “Dad, I didn’t call you to be chastised. I need to know if you’ve heard from your contacts yet regarding Marino.”

  “Jacob, I only just put out feelers late last night. I need some time to gather the intel.”

  “Dad, I only have a few days before Simon and Nicolette return from their trip. I need to gain the upper hand on Marino and Wade before I get any deeper into this case.”

  “Keep your head about you, son. Do not show them your hand again. Get through the meeting today, and then call me back. Hopefully I will have something for you soon.”

  I hung up with my father, not feeling any more secure about today. His advice was the same as the words Duffy said to me. I called him next.

  “What have I gotten myself into, Patrick? You need to tell me why I’m really out here.”

  “Jacob, I’ve told you all I can.”

  “You’ve told me nothing. This guy knew about Minela. Duffy, why does this guy know about my fiancée?” I shouted into the receiver.

  “Calm the hell down, Paulson. Please listen to me. Meet with them today, and for Christ’s sake, keep yourself in check and your hands off of Marino! I’ll be on the red eye flight to Los Angeles, and I’ll meet up with you tomorrow, okay?”

  “Fine.”

  I was beyond livid. I threw my phone against the privacy screen, resulting in shattering the glass screen on my phone.

  “We’re here, sir,” Adam spoke through the intercom.

  I made my way into the building, flashing my badge and taking the stairs instead of the elevators. This was crazy, with Wade’s office being nearly on the top floor, but I needed to clear my head. I was at war with myself. I just wanted to bring on the pain, and my target would be Marino.

  I took a minute to catch my breath, grabbed a water, and then his secretary showed me in to his office. No sign of Marino, just Wade sitting behind his desk on the phone and gesturing me to take a seat. I reluctantly sat, crossing my leg over my ankle in defiance. I hated being here, and for the first time in my life, I hated being a cop, but I knew I needed to be one now if I was going to help my brother and his wife.

  Wade ended his call and then leaned back in his chair, not taking his eyes off of me. Neither of us spoke. It was a war of wills, but I would not break. He did.

  “Paulson, let me make myself perfectly clear, because I will not repeat myself again. You not keeping our agreed time this morning was not a wise decision on your part, but I will overlook it this time. A lot was thrown at you yesterday, so I understand you needed time to process all of it, but I’m not sure how much thinking you did with the lovely Ms. Steele showing up.”

  Breathe Jacob…just breathe.

  “Keeping tabs on me, huh? Who knew the FBI could afford such resources?”

  “When it comes to you, I pulled out all the stops.”

  “Why, Wade? Why me? What’s your take on the death of Michael St. Clair? Of all the cases that pass through this office on a daily basis, your main concern is a former rich boy that got shanked in prison?”

  “Paulson, do you realize in the past fifteen years, homicides in California state prisons are conside
red to be common? Over one hundred-sixty deaths in that time. Many of them you never hear about, but the death of Michael St. Clair is at the top of the newsfeed because of the person who murdered him. This wasn’t just a random three knee deep hit, this was a fatal strike right through the heart, a clear message that justice has been served.”

  “And beyond a reasonable doubt, you, Marino, and this entire office is convinced that Jack Vanelle is responsible for the hit?”

  “That’s where you come in, Paulson. You will prove our case by infiltrating Vanelle’s very tight circle of trust and bringing me the proof to convict him.”

  “And how exactly am I to do that? I just show up in Chicago and grab a burger in his restaurant? Shoot the shit over beers? And while I’m at it, just ask him if he had St. Clair murdered in prison?”

  “Well, not exactly like that, Paulson, but you’re on the right track,” said Marino, as he entered Wade’s office.

  The fucker returns! He made his way into Wade’s office and walked over to his desk. The two men exchanged pleasantries, and Marino took a seat beside me. Wade was eyeing me down. I knew I had to address him, so I just nodded with the gesture of my chin. My mouth was as dry as a desert. Anger was boiling deep inside of me, and it was taking all of my discipline not to walk out and never look back.

  “Dante, I need a minute with Agent Paulson. Will you please wait for me down in the conference room?”

  “Of course, sir. Paulson, I’ll see you soon,” he said with a smirk. Jackass.

  “Jacob, I’m not sure what is running through your mind right now, but I can assure you that this investigation will be run clean. I can only imagine how I probably came off to you, but I run a solid unit here, and my record speaks for itself.”

  “That may be, sir, but what about Agent Marino? He seems pretty determined for me to be his partner, and I’m not sure why. I’ve never met the man until yesterday, but he appears to know a lot about me and not just my obvious connection to Jack.”