Free Ultimate Sins by Lora Leigh Page A

the flesh between her thighs with her need to be possessed by him.
    In the weeks since the discovery that Wayne was the Slasher, Amelia had pretended to be Crowe’s lover. She had been at his side during the discovery of the treasure Wayne had sought and remained quiet whenever it had been suggested that they were involved in a relationship.
    Those were the only times she had seen him, the only times he had touched her.
    As she watched, he slowly shrugged the jacket from his shoulders. Her gaze was drawn to the breadth of them, her senses to the memory of the feel of them beneath her sensitive palms as she scraped them with her nails.
    Those shoulders had rippled with strength, and tightened powerfully as he moved above her.
    â€œYou seem doubtful that he’s dead,” he stated as he laid the jacket over the back of the old wingback chair next to the family room entrance.
    Doubtful? Was that what she was feeling? No, she was feeling terrified. “Excuse me for being skeptical, Crowe. I may not have known he was the Slasher until the night he kidnapped me, but I did know how calculating and ruthless he was. I won’t believe it until the DNA tests prove it’s him.”
    She couldn’t take the risk that he had somehow managed to fool everyone.
    She had far too much to lose, and far too much to protect.
    Releasing the hold she had on her own hands, Amelia fought to restrain the anger and the pain that had built over the years. The hunger, the need: They were all tied together, one and the same, and tormented her each time she was around Crowe.
    â€œArcher had the body transported to the morgue, and Nash will be sending out for DNA tests. The county hasn’t purchased the equipment for it yet,” he informed her.
    She was well aware of that. “Wayne blocked the purchase three years straight,” she remembered bitterly. “No doubt to ensure that he, or his partners, would have the time to escape or for Wayne to corrupt any samples.”
    â€œNo doubt,” he agreed, hooking his thumbs in the front pockets of his jeans as his gaze roved over her body slowly.
    Her breasts swelled immediately, her nipples rasping against the lace of her bra as his gaze paused at them.
    Remembering?
    Did he remember how sensitive he could make them? How they responded with such intense pleasure to just the thought of his touch?
    â€œWhy are you here?” she finally asked nervously before realizing she’d once again clasped her hands protectively in front of her. “How did you get in this time?”
    The smallest curl of mockery pulled at his lips. “That lock on your balcony door upstairs isn’t nearly as secure as you think it is. And the alarm is so easy to trick that a three-year-old could do it.”
    Wonderful.
    â€œSo you’re just checking to make sure I’m safe?” she questioned him, before taking a moment to stem the anger threatening to override her control. What had made her think he’d be there for any other reason? “Why, thank you for your consideration, Mr. Callahan. Shall I see you out?”
    See him out when she wanted to scream, to rage because she couldn’t have what she needed, she could never have what she ached for. And not just because of Wayne. Once Crowe learned the true extent of her deception, he would hate her.
    A low, amused chuckle vibrated from his chest, stroked over her senses, and had her clit throbbing harder in need.
    Hell, her whole body ached for his touch. Every cell was on high alert and straining toward the warmth of his flesh.
    He made her want to hope, when she knew better.
    â€œDo you really want to see me out?” he asked, his head inclining quizzically as mocking amusement filled his gaze. “With all those reporters outside?”
    Amelia glanced toward the windows, her lips tight in displeasure. The shades were pulled, the heavy curtains tightly closed against the glare and flash of cameras.
    Even