Sealed with a Kiss

CHAPTER SEVEN

HUNTER AWOKE the next morning with a plan. As of now, the police had the general on motive, opportunity and lack of an alibi on the night of the murder, all damning evidence, but the authorities didn’t have a murder weapon to tie to his client. In Hunter’s mind, the case was purely circumstantial.

His next step was to create reasonable doubt that his client had killed Paul Markham by finding other people with equal motive. He had his office staff preparing to file a motion to dismiss the case for lack of evidence. Considering how slowly the justice system moved, Hunter had plenty of time to interview and find evidence in favor of Molly’s father.

He’d start by interviewing those closest to the general, including his own family, Sonya and her son, Seth, and Frank and Paul’s secretary, Lydia McCarthy. And he hoped to do these things alone, without Molly’s distracting company, or help, at least until he had a better handle on the facts and the players in the case. He knew she wanted to help him and he’d resigned himself to that fact, but he needed to get up to speed first.

“Chicken.”

Hunter swung his head toward the bird and scowled. “No, I just want to be on an even footing with her. Is that so much to ask?” The woman kept him off balance as it was, Hunter thought. Enough to have him talking to a bird.

He glanced at Ollie but the macaw didn’t reply.

Hunter pulled together some papers his office had faxed over and tossed them into the duffel bag he carried instead of a stuffy briefcase and headed out of the study. There had to be a library in town where he could sit down and concentrate without distraction.

First stop, though, would be the coffee machine in the kitchen. The commander brewed a different flavor every morning, changing coffee as frequently as her hair. This morning he’d glanced out the window to see her working in her garden. Her bright red hair had been drastically altered to a dark brown with a hint of what couldn’t be described as anything other than eggplant, a rich purple made more vibrant by the sun’s rays. He really enjoyed the woman and her sense of humor, which in many ways reminded him of Molly’s.

Once again, Molly was in his thoughts, tempting him. With a groan, he turned his attention to the delicious smell and tried to identify this morning’s brew. “Hazelnut?” he wondered aloud.

“French vanilla.” Molly caught up with him as he poured himself a cup.

“Want some?” he asked.

“No thanks. I already had a cup. Where are you off to this morning?”

He turned to see her eyeing the duffel bag he’d left on the table.

“I have a defense to prepare, remember?”

“How could I forget?” Her lips turned downward in a sad frown as they did every time she was reminded of her father’s situation.

Hunter wished he could reassure her, but he didn’t have enough ammunition on his side, at least not yet.

“Listen, I’ve been thinking about Paul’s murder and there have to be other suspects,” Molly said. “The first thing we should do is look into the business and see who else had motive to want Paul Markham dead.”

He opened his mouth to speak but she kept right on talking.

“I’ve filled in for Lydia, their secretary, a few times. I have a rudimentary idea of how the office system works. We can see which recent closings had a lot of money passing into different accounts and look for anything suspicious. Maybe Paul screwed over someone he owed money or did business with.” She spoke quickly as if she expected him to slam the door shut on her idea at any moment.

Instead, Hunter grinned. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were smarter than me.”

She squared her shoulders. “I was the valedictorian of our law school graduating class, remember?”

“By like two-tenths of a percentage point,” he reminded her. He cleared his throat. “Listen-”

She sidled up to him, bringing with her the intoxicating scent he associated with Molly. Perfume or shampoo, it didn’t matter. He liked it.

“Please don’t say you don’t want me involved in this case,” she said, her eyes wide and imploring. “This is my father we’re talking about and that makes me involved already. I want to help. Actually, I need to help-”

“You’re right.”

She blinked. “What?”

He pulled a long sip of black coffee. “I said you’re right. The coffee is French vanilla.” He knew it was a bad time to tease her but he couldn’t resist.

A rich flush rose to her cheeks. “Hunter, if you think you can distract me with nonsense, you’re sadly mistaken.”

“Me? Think I can distract you when you’re on a mission? Never.” He met her gaze with a direct, serious one of his own. “I completely understand your need to be in on this. I respect it even.”

It was a conclusion he’d already come to accept. He just thought he’d have some more time before they began to work together in earnest.

“Really?” Molly tipped her head to one side and narrowed her gaze.

“Really. Are you going to the senior center today?” he asked.

“Actually, I was hoping we could go by the center. It’s in the middle of town, on the way to anyplace you need to go.” She raised her eyebrows hopefully.

“I have to read through the paperwork my office sent over. I’m not as familiar with the players and the people around here as I need to be. I need evidence to back up the motion to dismiss the charges, and since the police aren’t going to do any more digging, I’m going to have to.”

She nodded. “That’s exactly what I thought, too. Other suspects. We can do it together. I just want to bring a cake by the center for Lucinda Forest’s birthday party. She’s the commander’s best friend and her family’s coming all the way from California. She and her granddaughter share the same birthday and the little girl is coming to celebrate with her. I baked Lucinda’s favorite cake. She’s counting on me to be there.”

“That’s nice. You should go. You can meet me at the library afterward.”

“Come with me and then we’ll go to the library together. I can answer any questions you have about the people around here and you’ll get your thoughts together that much quicker. Deal?” She clasped her hands behind her back and turned her body from side to side, her long, flirty skirt twirling around her ankles.

Once again he noted the subdued colors she wore, an earthy-brown skirt and black shirt, but before he could question her, she tugged on his belt loop, capturing his attention.

“Please?” she asked, still twirling the skirt as she moved.

Hunter could easily imagine lifting the flowing material, cupping his hands around her bottom and sinking inside her, sating the need he’d had for her for what seemed like forever.

His desire to be with her was at war with his emotions, which begged him to stay away from the senior center and any birthday party. “I’m not good with old people,” he hedged, hoping she’d take the hint and stop asking.

Molly let out a laugh. “Liar! I’ve seen you in town with your clients and I’ve watched you charm my old landlady more than once.”

“Anna Marie was easy. And fun.” He realized his mistake as soon as the words escaped.

“And Lucinda’s even more fun. You’ll see.” She reached out and enfolded his hand inside hers.

Her heated touch seared through his body. His heart pounded harder in his chest and he burned for her in a way that was becoming harder and harder to deny. More so since after last night’s kiss, he’d realized she wasn’t going to stop him from going further. If anything, she’d gone into full flirtation mode.

But there was the difficulty of what she was asking of him. “I’d rather not go to some stranger’s family party.”

He could go. After all, he was a grown man and his past was behind him. But he’d skip the event if he could. She stepped closer and met his gaze.

“Why not?”

Hunter hated admitting weakness, but what choice did he have except to explain?

He swallowed hard and found himself unloading on Molly. Again. “When I was in foster care, the families would celebrate the birthdays of their biological kids.” A cake, presents, all things never given to him. He remembered the parties, yet he couldn’t remember even being included in their celebrations. Strangers’ birthdays still made him uneasy.

So did the fact that he’d admitted this to Molly.

Her expression softened. “I understand, but I’ll be with you and you won’t feel like an outsider looking in. Besides, I make a mean chocolate cake.”

“Is that what you were doing in here last night?”

She nodded. “So will you come with me? Pretty please?”

He groaned. Why was it every time he wanted to say no, he found himself saying, “Yes,” instead?

MOLLY DROVE THEM to the senior center since there was no way to transport the cake on Hunter’s motorcycle. She’d tossed out the idea of him going with her in order to prevent him from leaving her out of her father’s case, which, judging by his packed bag, she was afraid he’d been determined to do.

Surprisingly she hadn’t had to do much to convince him to accept her help. If anything, he seemed to understand her driving need. He understood her.

The more she learned about his time in foster care, the better she understood him, too. He normally kept his pain hidden, but Lucinda’s party had let him confide in her for a moment. Long enough to stab her in the heart.

Her mission for the day was to show him what being included in a family really meant. She had to admit, the notion was new for her, as well. But Hunter deserved to feel the warmth family could provide. She’d begin with Lucinda and her friends and maybe then he’d be more open to Molly and her family.

She gave herself an almost violent mental shake. Do not go there, she warned herself. Just take one day-make that one moment-at a time. And the coming ones had the potential to be pretty good.

She parked in the spot closest to the entrance and together they gathered her things and headed inside, Hunter holding the cake. She led him through the cheery lobby, decorated with light floral photographs on the white walls, passed by the arts-and-crafts display table with projects made by the seniors and headed straight for the party room on the main floor next to the dining room.

Molly walked in first, Hunter by her side. The party had already begun and all the residents of the home were gathered by the punch bowl. In fact, a line had formed around the room.

“I hope Mr. Trosky didn’t spike the punch,” Molly muttered half to herself. She gestured to Hunter, nodding her head toward the table in the corner.

“Why does Lucinda live here?” Hunter asked. “Isn’t she young to be in a home?”

“Alzheimer’s,” Molly explained.

Nothing more needed to be said. They unloaded their packages with the rest of the gifts and she placed the cake on the food-laden table before turning back to him. “It doesn’t look like Lucinda’s family is here yet since everyone in this room is obviously a member of the AARP.” Everywhere she looked, Molly saw gray hair.

“I can see that.” Hunter hung back, clearly wary of joining in.

The only way to get him into the party mood was to drag him into the fray. “Let’s go find the guest of honor.” She grabbed Hunter’s hand and wove through the guests, most of whom still lingered in line for punch.

She nodded and waved to those she knew and smiled at those she didn’t, finally making her way to the front of the line. “Lucinda!”

“Molly!”

The other woman embraced Molly in a warm hug. “I’m so glad you made it.”

“Did you really think I wouldn’t?”

“You’re so good to me.” Surrounded by wrinkles, Lucinda’s pale blue eyes sparkled with the vibrancy of youth, belying her age.

“I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine,” Molly said, dismissing the compliment with a wave of her hand.

Lucinda was easy to be good to. She didn’t complain and treated the volunteers and workers with respect, unlike some of the more cantankerous residents. She was the same age as the commander but thanks to the early stages of Alzheimer’s, something she refused to discuss or acknowledge, and the fact that her family lived so far away, she’d moved in rather than leave the town she’d been in all her life.

“Lucinda Forest, this is Daniel Hunter.” Molly gestured to Hunter, who stood beside her. He didn’t seem uncomfortable so far and she was glad.

“So this is the handsome man living under the same roof with Edna.” Lucinda openly eyed Hunter, looking him up and down. “I’ve heard so much about you, it’s a pleasure to meet you in person.”

Hunter hadn’t known he was the topic of Edna’s conversation with her friends and he didn’t want to imagine what the commander had said about him. Instead, he focused on Lucinda. “I can assure you the pleasure’s all mine.”

Molly was right. He felt comfortable here and he liked Lucinda already.

At his compliment, Lucinda giggled like a teenager. He had to admit he’d never had that effect on a woman of her age before.

“You’re a charmer,” she told him.

“I try.”

“So where is your grandmother?” Lucinda asked Molly.

“She had to run some errands but she said to tell you she’ll be here in time for the cake.”

“Oh, thank goodness.” Lucinda placed a hand over her heart in true dramatic fashion. “I couldn’t bear it if she missed the highlight of our night.”

Molly narrowed her gaze, obviously confused. “Well, I’d hardly call my cake the highlight, but I brought it like I promised.”

Lucinda clapped her hands, once again showing the exuberance of a teenager as opposed to someone who’d just turned seventy-five. “Double-fudge chocolate?” she asked.

“That it is,” Molly said with a smile. “We put it on the table on the other side of the room.”

“Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much it means to me. It’s even better than Christmas when you rented It’s a Wonderful Life and brought a DVD player so we could all watch.”

As he listened to Lucinda, Hunter’s throat filled. Molly truly cared about this woman and her friends, and they weren’t even related to her by blood. And the older woman obviously reciprocated Molly’s feelings. Showing up here today, such a simple gesture by Molly in the midst of her family chaos, had made Lucinda’s day. It touched even Hunter’s hardened heart.

He shifted on his feet, uncomfortable in ways he hadn’t counted on when he’d fought coming here today. He’d discovered he and Molly had a common bond. The people closest to Hunter weren’t blood relatives, either. Lacey and Ty were people he’d been lucky enough to meet and now called family. Molly had spent a lifetime searching for a place to belong and she’d found it with her biological father, but it hadn’t stopped her from making a space for others in her heart. In fact, maybe finding her father, the reason she’d left Hunter behind, had helped her learn how to reach out to others.

“I should mingle, but you two go on and enjoy yourselves.” Lucinda’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “You can start by having some punch,” she said.

“What’s with the punch anyway?” Molly asked. “Why is everyone lined up for it?”

“Irwin Yaeger made it especially for me.” The older woman patted her freshly done hair as if she was primping for the unknown Irwin.

Hunter tried not to smile at the thought of Lucinda lusting for the man.

“Did you know that he was a bartender for years before his family urged him to give up his job and move in here? He’s got the touch. ” Lucinda nodded knowingly.

“In other words, he’s heavy-handed with the liquor?” Hunter asked.

“You catch on quick.”

Molly rolled her eyes at the other woman. “Well, any man who makes a punch just for you has very good taste.”

“As do you, by the way.” Lucinda eyed Hunter approvingly.

He actually felt himself flush under her gaze.

Suddenly Lucinda’s eyes opened wide and a flash of pure joy crossed her face. “There’s my family!” she said, her voice rising as she waved at the group entering the room.

“Go on.” Molly shoved her away.

“Okay then, I’ll catch up with you two later.” Lucinda took off in a flurry of excitement, leaving them standing near the crowded punch bowl. At some point they’d lost their place in the line.

Hunter turned to Molly, happy to have her to himself for a while.

Her blond hair framed her flushed face and it seemed she’d put her father’s troubles behind her, at least for now.

“Can I get you something to drink?” he asked.

“Soda would be great.” She treated him to a warm smile.

“What, no punch?” he asked, teasing her.

“I’m afraid to even try it, but something tells me this will be the most fun they’ll have until Christmas when Irwin spikes the eggnog.”

“So who is this Irwin guy anyway?”

Molly pinched the bridge of her nose. “He’s a resident here, too. He’s also a discipline problem.”

“A what?” Hunter asked, deciding he’d heard wrong.

Molly gestured to two open chairs and he followed her so they could sit and talk with no one overhearing. “Irwin is a nice man but he’s a discipline problem. He flashes the women as they walk down the hall and when they report him he claims not to remember doing it.”

Hunter burst out laughing. “I know it isn’t funny, but…it’s funny.”

She grinned. “I know. Just not when you’re on the receiving end. Unfortunately he’s been a juvenile since he was one. They’d throw him out but his family donated a whole wing just to guarantee they’d keep him here.” She crinkled her nose and shook her head. “Personally, I think he’s just lonely.”

“From the way Lucinda talked, she seems to like him.”

“I think he likes her, too.”

Hunter nodded. “Hold that thought. Let me get your drink and I’ll be back in a sec.”

He walked behind the table serving as a makeshift bar. He didn’t want to cause an uprising by cutting the line, so he leaned over the table. “Anyone want a soft drink?” he asked those waiting. “I’m pouring.”

The attendant shot him a grateful look, but unfortunately for him, they all seemed to want the punch.

“Can I help you?” Hunter asked.

The other man shook his head. “I’ve got it under control but thanks.”

Hunter poured Molly a Diet Coke and walked back to where she waited.

“That was nice of you, offering to help him.”

“It’s all about strategy. I knew they wanted punch.” He winked and held a plastic cup out for her to take.

She wrapped her hand around the cup and took a sip, then licked the cola mustache away with the tip of her tongue. He followed the movement, a rush of lust surging through his veins. It wasn’t the time or the place, but he didn’t care.

He scanned the room for a place to be alone and he found a nearby escape route. He noticed Lucinda dragging her relatives toward them from across the crowded room. “Come on,” he said to Molly, who’d yet to realize they had imminent company.

“Where?” Her eyes narrowed in confusion.

He stepped nearer, then eased the soda cup out of her hand. “Someplace where we can have a few minutes alone,” he said in rough voice.

One caused by the direct view of Molly’s cleavage-visible despite her efforts to dress in an understated way. Her breasts were full and rose enticingly over the lace-edged bra beneath her shirt.

Before she could argue, Hunter tugged on her hand and led her to the nearest door, placing the cup on the table as he passed. A moment later, he’d led them down a short, dark hallway into what appeared to be a storage closet, turning the lock shut behind him. He felt the wall closest to the door for a switch and hit the jackpot. A dim bulb flickered on, giving them enough light to see one another.

“Hunter?” Molly asked, her voice dropped to a husky note. She couldn’t possibly mistake his intent.

He edged closer, feeling the heat of her body envelop him. He inhaled her womanly scent and his muscles tightened with definite awareness. “I couldn’t stand around watching you lick the soda off your lips for a second longer. Not without wanting to help.”

He tilted his head and sealed his lips over hers. Hunter expected to have to coax her into submission; after all, he’d dragged her out of a party filled with people.

Before he could do more than begin his pleasurable mission by sweeping his tongue over the seam of her lips, tasting a combination of Diet Coke and Molly, she became the aggressor. The vixen. She thrust her tongue inside his mouth, dueling and tangling with his like she couldn’t get enough. Need coursed through him. He sank his fingers into her hair and tilted her head so he could get deeper, more thorough access to her luscious mouth, but it wasn’t enough.

She seemed to understand and want more, too. She edged her body closer, aligning her slender form against him. Her breasts, tight and pointy, pressed against his chest, and her hips molded to him with accurate precision. His penis hardened and grew, making its presence known.

Molly groaned in acknowledgment and pleasure, curling her fingers so her nails dug through his shirt into the skin beneath.

Hunter couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so hot so fast. And as her hips rolled in a sensual movement against his, he remembered his fantasy from when he’d laid eyes on her that morning.

Never breaking the kiss, he dropped his hands to his sides. Then he began to pull at the flowing material of her skirt, raising it higher and higher still, his fingers deliberately trailing a path up her silken legs as he finally pushed the material out of the way, his hands cupping her inner thighs.

He broke the kiss and glanced at her. Her lids were heavy, her lips parted and her breathing was ragged. His was none too steady either, need forcibly pummeling his body.

The sounds of the party were distant as he slowly backed them against the wall. He glanced at her for a moment, waiting for her to call a halt, giving her a chance to stop him.

“Please don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts.”

He shook his head. “Hell no.” Hunter ran his finger over Molly’s damp lips, then slid it into his mouth, tasting her again. “You’re delicious,” he said in a husky voice he barely recognized.

Her eyes glazed over, her stare fully focused on his lips. Taking him off guard, she leaned forward and swiped her tongue over his mouth.

“So are you.” A teasing, seductive glint lit her eyes and her lips turned up in a sexy smile.

Obviously, stopping was nowhere on her agenda. Thank God.

Given the green light, he slipped his thumbs beneath the edge of her barely there underwear, finding the soft material warm and damp beneath his fingers.

She moaned, a long-drawn-out sound that shook him to his core, then leaned back, letting the wall support her.

He began to tease her, rubbing his slick fingers over and over her sensitive flesh, ignoring his body’s urges in favor of hers. She was dewy and aroused and from the way her hips were moving, her thighs attempting to clench his fingers in a tight vise, it wouldn’t take long to bring her up and over the edge. He wanted to bring her to climax and he wanted to watch.

At the thought, a throbbing beat began pulsing inside him, but he continued to focus his attention on Molly until she began to tremble and shake, coming apart in his hands.

She went weak in his arms. Hunter waited until she had pulled herself together, meeting his gaze. “Wow.”

“Yeah.” He grinned, pleased with himself. Even if it was a cocky response, he liked that he’d satisfied her.

She straightened and began shifting her clothing, fixing herself. “I owe you one, you know,” she said, her breathing still ragged.

His taut body agreed. “I’m going to hold you to that.” He tilted her chin up and planted a warm, lingering kiss on her lips. “There’s a party going on in the other room,” he regretfully reminded her.

“Yes, there is.” She folded her arms across her chest, studying him with a clear, direct gaze. “A party you never wanted to come to. Just don’t think I don’t know that this-” she gestured between the two of them “-was in direct response to you wanting to escape before you had to deal with Lucinda’s family.”

Her voice sounded certain but her gaze was full of warmth, not pity. She saw deep inside him where no one ever had before. And that made him more nervous than the idea of birthday parties and family gatherings combined.