Release!: A Walker Brothers Novel (The Walker Brothers #1)(38)

“You thought the justice system would never be wrong?”

“For some reason, I trusted that they’d find out the truth. But they never really looked for it. It was pretty likely that I was guilty, so nobody really bothered.” I wasn’t sure I could really blame them. The case had looked pretty clear cut and simple.

“This is about your grandmother, isn’t it?” Trace asked huskily.

“Kind of…yes. But she thought I was guilty, too.”

“Fuck! I should have just told her no. I shouldn’t have forced this on you.”

“No, you shouldn’t have. I was angry at you, but I understand why you did it. If you had asked, I would have refused. And I think I needed to hear her story.”

When Trace and I left the party, I hadn’t said much. Although I’d initially leaned on him, I ended up angry that he’d set me up to see Mrs. Mitchell. I’d undressed myself and slid into his bed while he lagged behind. Emotionally exhausted, I’d fallen asleep before he’d come to bed.

“That last thing I’d wanted was to cause you more pain, Eva.” His voice was remorseful as he subconsciously soothed me by rubbing my back.

“I know.” I sighed, knowing that Trace was used to doing what he thought best. “But I’d like some warning before you ever pull something like that again.”

“Done.” His agreement was immediate.

He lowered me back to my pillow, and my eyes fluttered closed.

“Sleep, sweetheart. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.” He laid an arm over my waist possessively.

Because I was still wiped out, I obeyed his command and slept.

*****



When I opened my eyes again, it was still dark. For an instant, I wondered why I’d awoken so abruptly, but it only took me a moment to understand that it had been my aroused body that refused to keep on sleeping.

Oh, my God.

I could feel Trace’s heated, rock-hard body against my back, a sizeable erection resting against my bare ass. He had pulled me into his body. Hard. One of his hands rested solidly against my belly. The other…

Oh, shit!

I stifled a moan, my body tensing as his marauding fingers teased my clit lazily. He was exploring my * like it belonged to him, like it was an extension of his own body. I wasn’t sure if he was completely awake.

“Don’t tell me to stop.” Trace’s voice was husky with desire.

I guess my question of whether or not he was sleeping was answered. I shivered as his warm breath wafted against the sensitive skin of my neck and ear.

God, he felt good.

Not sure how I even felt about Trace right now, I didn’t respond verbally. My body wanted him, but my brain was still angry that he’d set me up without asking me if I even wanted to see the woman who had been my accuser. While my logical brain might understand his decision, I couldn’t help but feel slightly…betrayed.

My breath hitched as I stared into the darkness, my body pleading with my mind to give in to Trace.

“I know you’re awake, Eva.”

Of course he knew I was awake. I was starting to pant like a wanton sex maniac.

“I know you need me right now,” Trace rasped.

My back arched as he began to get serious about making me come. “Please,” I breathed softly as my body tensed, my climax rapidly approaching as he stroked over the tiny bundle of nerves faster and faster. Harder and harder.

If he was trying to prove that I needed him, he was succeeding.

“Come for me,” he demanded against my neck, his mouth exploring the sensitive skin there as his other hand came up to my breasts and teased the stiff peaks of my nipples.

I was drowning in sensation, all thoughts of anything except satisfaction fleeing my mind. My body was in control, and it needed Trace.

I raised my top leg and rested it behind me, stretching it over Trace’s thighs to give him all the access he needed to drive me crazy.

“Good girl,” he whispered soothingly. “Let me in.”

I had a fleeting thought that his words meant more than just me making the erotic task he’d undertaken easier for him, but I was too far gone into my haze of pleasure to analyze what he had said.

My head fell back against his shoulder and I felt so vulnerable in that moment, so raw that it was almost frightening.

Trace could play me like an instrument, and I responded so easily, so naturally.


My orgasm washed over me in a wave of ecstasy that heightened and then rippled over every nerve in my body, leaving me spent and relaxed in his arms as I moaned through my climax.

I laid there for a while, Trace holding me tightly, his hand moving to stroke my bare hip before asking, “Feel better?”

“Hmm…” My capacity to speak hadn’t entirely returned.

“You were restless. I thought…”

I didn’t remember having any more bad dreams, but maybe I hadn’t been sleeping well. “And you thought an orgasm might help?” I couldn’t help it. I smiled into the darkness.

“No. I held you against my body, then I couldn’t help myself.” There was a touch of mischievous humor in his voice. “I had to make you come.”

“Why?” Nearly recovered, I turned in his arms to face him.

“I couldn’t sleep. I wanted to watch over you. I guess now I know that I can’t hold you that close and not touch you.”