“CP number ten,” she breathed, glancing at Wade.“That’s Cameron Pickett.”
He removed his phone from the backpack and took a picture.“You’re a natural at investigative work.”
She beamed at the praise.“Do you think he was killed here?”
Wade judged the distance to the gravesite with a quick scan.“He wouldn’t be easy to move, but it’s possible he was killed here and dragged over there, where it’s more secluded.The perpetrator wouldn’t have wanted his remains to be found.A mound of dirt attracts attention.Also, there’s evidence to back up your theory.”
“What evidence?”
He touched the tree trunk beside her.“Carving makes sap come out.”
“Oh my God,” she said.“We just solved the case.”
His low chuckle rumbled in her ears.“We’ve made excellent progress toward identifying the victim, but I still have no suspects, no motive, no wrongful death determination, and no murder weapon.”
Meredith refused to be deflated.“Maybe the rock is here, in the swimming hole.”
“Maybe.”
He didn’t seem motivated to continue the search, which flattered her more than any compliment would have.She knew how ambitious he was, how tireless in the pursuit of justice.His desire to lie here with her, above all other things, was a testament to his feelings for her.It surprised and scared her.
She rose to her feet, nervous.He didn’t comment on her eagerness to get back to work.When she entered the sun-dappled pool, he followed her.Neither of them looked for rocks, however.She sank into the waist-deep water until she was fully submerged.Then she stood, aware that her tank top and skirt clung to her body.She could feel him behind her, edging closer, and she didn’t evade the contact.
One glance over her shoulder was all the encouragement he needed.He slid his arm around her waist and held her against him.She covered his hand with hers.His lips touched her neck with aching tenderness.She could feel the heat of his body, the hardness of his chest, and the surge of emotion between them.She was trembling, but not from cold.
She turned to kiss him.
Chapter Seventeen
Wade couldn’t getenough of her.
One kiss, and he was a wild man.She tasted sweet and tart, like lemonade, and her mouth fit perfectly against his.Her body fit, too, pressing close in a delicious mix of cool fabric and warm skin.His hands went straight to the supple curves he’d been admiring all day.The soaked fabric offered very little resistance.He’d been aroused since the first time she’d bent over in that flimsy skirt.Now he raked the skirt up with both hands and filled his palms with her wet bottom, which felt as delectable as it looked.With a low groan, he deepened the kiss, plundering her sweet mouth.
She didn’t protest his roving hands, overenthusiastic kiss, or the jut of his erection as he ground his lower half against hers.On the contrary, she made sounds of encouragement.Her fingers tangled in his hair as she moaned and pulled him closer.She trembled in his arms, as if she couldn’t get enough of him, either.
God.She was hot.
He broke the kiss to drag his mouth down her throat.He wanted to taste her everywhere.He wanted to strip off those wet panties and take her right here.He didn’t, because he had just enough self-awareness left to realize that banging her in the middle of a rocky creek would be a mistake.It wouldn’t be comfortable, and he might lose his footing.
Instead of taking off her panties, he lifted her into his arms, carried her out of the water, and set her on the picnic blanket.
She appreciated his chivalry, judging by the way she gazed up at him.Her cheeks were passion-flushed, her lips parted.He fell on her, taking her mouth again hungrily.His thrusting tongue and hips weren’t very gentlemanly, but she showed only approval.She kissed him back and wrapped her strong legs around his waist.Her skirt had ridden up to reveal her damp panties.He fit himself into the notch of her thighs and cursed the barriers between them.
His hands roamed her curves as he took her mouth again and again.He groped bare skin everywhere he could find it.Her breasts felt plump and firm against his chest, her nipples beaded beneath the thin tank top.Desperate to free her breasts, he grappled with the fabric.She broke the kiss to offer her assistance by wrestling the top over her head.He didn’t even have time to admire her lacy bra before she unhooked the clasp and tossed it aside.
Wade almost swallowed his tongue at the sight of her bare breasts.In the dappled sunlight beneath the oak tree, with her dark hair spilling over her shoulders, she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.She had pale, petal-soft skin and nipples the color of strawberry ice cream.He cupped her breasts tenderly, rubbing his thumbs over the ripe tips.Then he bent his head to lick and suck at her stiff little nipples.
Her body was driving him crazy.His cock throbbed like a sore thumb.With a groan, he rolled onto his back and brought her on top of him.She settled onto his hard length with a gasp of pleasure.He was shockingly close to his breaking point, and he hadn’t even taken off her panties.With fumbling hands, he shoved her skirt higher.Her panties were a lavender color, and sheer enough to reveal the pretty triangle beneath.He stared at the junction of her thighs as she rubbed herself along his erection.
He wondered if she could come this way, with gentle grinding, and he liked the idea of watching that happen.He also liked the idea of unzipping his pants and burying himself in her.As he considered both options, a warning bell sounded in his mind.
He couldn’t bury himself inside her, because he hadn’t brought protection.He didn’t have any condoms on him.
For a brief moment, he considered forging ahead anyway.Maybe she was on birth control.Even if she wasn’t, she’d just had her period, so there was little chance of pregnancy.He’d never had unprotected sex in his life, but he wanted that now.He moistened his lips, imagining her slick heat on his bare cock.
He squeezed his eyes shut and lifted her away from him before he could make a choice they’d both regret.
“What’s wrong?”
