“Morning, Charley,” Owen said, entering the kitchen. “Coffee sounds good.”
“Hi Owen,” Charley replied with a smile, but Sully heard the tension in her voice. Even so, she hopped up and took a coffee cup out of the cabinet.
“Have a seat, Dad,” Sully said. His father nodded, but he walked to Charley and gave her a hug first. Then, as Charley came to them with Owen’s coffee, she grabbed her cup as well and they moved to the kitchen table. Sitting next to Charley and across from his dad, Sully said, “I was just about to tell Charley that Vaughn denied any part of the Old Colorado City murders.”
“Yeah, and we know the MOs don’t match,” Owen grumbled and frowned. “Those women were strangled and stabbed. None were shot, and none were sexually assaulted. The cops have notified the last victim who narrowly escaped being killed. They’re putting Vaughn in a lineup for her this afternoon. But she says the guy wore a ski mask, so I don’t know what good it will do.” Owen shrugged and said, “Anyway, she says she scratched the Cave Killer, so they have fresh DNA which will link him to the other murders. But Groves doesn’t think it will be a match to Vaughn.”
Charley summed up, “So the man who murdered my mother may be in custody, but a killer could still be roaming my neighborhood.”
“Could be.” Sully clenched his jaw as his dad nodded. “What about bail? Will a judge let Vaughn out?”
“On murder and attempted rape charges involving two separate victims, the judge will keep him locked up,” Owen said with confidence. “The prosecutor will point out that Vaughn has the money and means to flee the country. Not to mention, he’s not been completely ruled out as the Cave Killer.”
“I don’t think Rod Vaughn is the Cave Killer,” Charley said, looking away from the men and out the kitchen window.
“I agree but what makes you say that?” Sully asked.
“Like you and I were talking about Sully, I think Rod’s attack on me was strictly personal and my mom got in the way. Rod is selfish and mean.” Charley met Sully’s eyes again and said, “I think the man responsible for the stranglings and stabbings is truly crazy.”
Owen nodded his agreement and replied, “Charley, let’s fast forward real quick. If you’re on the witness stand testifying, avoid the word crazy in a court of law. Don’t give the defense a way to get their client off using insanity as an excuse. Change the word crazy into the word criminal.”
“Good advice,” Sully agreed.
“Yes. I’ll remember that,” Charley said. “Vaughn and the Cave Killerarecriminals.”
Owen smiled with concern and compassion. After another swallow of coffee, he turned to Sully and asked, “How are you feeling today?”
“Good. The headache I had is gone, and my energy is back.”
“But I’m still doing my best to make him take it easy,” Charley assured Owen.
“That’s true.” Sully grinned at Charley and cocked a brow, silently reminding her that she’d made him take it easy since they’d been home. But later, he planned to make love to her.
Owen took a call and then said, “Derek Brevard needs me on Triple C-West. Today we’re working with some CSPD officers and the Percherons they’ve bought.”
“Sounds like you’ll be in good company,” Sully said.
“Yes, indeed,” Owen agreed with a jovial chuckle. “Cops are my peeps.” Finishing his coffee, he stood up and said, “I’ll keep you two posted on CSPD developments.” With a nod at Charley, he told Sully, “While she makes you take it easy, you keep a close eye on her.”
“You know I will,” Sully said and winked at Charley.
“I’ll take really good care of him, Owen.” Charley stood to hug him. “Thank you.”
Owen headed out of the house, and Sully smiled at Charley. “How about we take it easy in my bedroom?”
To Sully’s surprise, Charley said, “I was just thinking the same thing.” She tilted her head in the direction of his bedroom. “Come on, country boy, I’ll takereallygood care of you.”
Sully chuckled and made a grab for her. Charley giggled and dashed away from him out of the kitchen and down the hall. Pulling the tee shirt out of his jeans as he entered the master bedroom, he found Charley using his bootjack to pull off her boots.
“That’s how it’s done, country girl.”
Charley peeled off her sweater and socks. She carefully pulled his tee shirt over his head and tenderly placed a hand over the bandage across his ribs. Leading him to the bed as he stood beside it, she unbuckled his belt and undid his fly. Hot blood pounded fast into his lower body. Ever so gently, she finished undressing him, kissing his slowly exposed flesh as she did so. Sully groaned with pleasure as her warm, wet mouth closed around his hardened inches. Kissing her way back up the middle of his naked body, she nibbled each shoulder and his neck before easing him into bed.
Stacking his hands behind his head as he lay on his back, he watched Charley pull her jeans down and off. She undid her bra and dropped it across his chest. Then, turning her back to him, she pushed her panties to her knees and then to her feet. The outrageously sexy sight she presented heated his blood to boiling. As she stepped out of her panties, he groaned and reached for her. She dodged his hand. When she turned to him, her panties joined her bra. Sully swept them off his body to the bed, and this time he snared her hand. He tugged, and she cautiously straddled his hips. Starting between her spread legs,his gaze traveled up her flat abdomen to her full breasts. She was sensational, and he smiled with anticipation. He cocked a brow, letting her know what he wanted. With a smile, she lifted herself to her knees. As he placed himself to her velvety folds, she began deliciously impaling herself inch by hard inch. She undid her braid, and when she brought her head forward, her long brown hair brushed against his chest in silky waves.
“Mmm, Sully,” Charley moaned softly.
He’d taught her how to ride him cowgirl style, and she was damn good at it. Charley sped up and as they thrust against each other, Sully placed his hands on her waist to help her raise and lower. He watched her nipples bead and felt her body reacting internally to his. In a few heated strokes, their lovemaking culminated in the gripping and squeezing spasms of Charley’s orgasm which triggered his ecstasy. With hard, pounding pulses, Sully released himself deep within her. It was incredible. She was incredible. As another sensual moan escaped her, Charley arched backward, then forward, and smiled down at him. As his heartbeat slowed, Sully pulled Charley’s exquisite body down to his. With her soft breasts molded to his chest, her warm flesh covering his wound, and her thighs pressed against the outside of his, Sully felt healed.
