13

Joshua

There was nothing more beautiful in my mind than a woman in a suit, especially a power suit in red. It indicated she was powerful. Self-confident. Alluring. Someone who knew exactly how to use the power God had given her as a stunning woman.

And she took my breath away even though I was in shackles, treated like a fucking animal. That didn’t deter the hunger that immediately rushed into my system or the burning need I noticed in her eyes.

I gave the prosecuting attorney a nod and nothing more, refusing to show anything other than practiced indifference. I was no fool. I wouldn’t publicly out her. In truth, I realized that with the lovely blonde as the prosecutor, perhaps my luck that had followed me most of my life would remain intact. However, as soon as the shock of recognition started to fade, I sensed she was shutting down, refusing to acknowledge ourintense connection, an electricity that I was surprised the two Neanderthal officers in the room couldn’t detect.

I remained rigid, the officers finally forced to drag me toward the second chair in the room, one of the burly men purposely scraping the legs of the chair against the ugly tile.

“Sit the fuck down, Mr. James,” he barked, shoving me down with a brutal push.

I thumped into the chair, immediately placing my shackled arms on the table.

“You can remove the handcuffs,” mycheriesaid in a determined voice, shifting her hard, cold stare from one of the officers to the other. I could read disdain in her expression, as if she’d had run-ins with the police in this department before.

One of the things I had going for me was that I was an excellent judge of character. I could read people easily. Lies. Truths. Fear. Anger. They all had a particular scent. Even masked by the insanely intoxicating perfume she was wearing, I gathered a whiff of raw fear.

Of our tryst being discovered? Or of the monster sitting in front of her?

I was eager to toy with her in order to find out.

“No can do, Ms. Barrios,” one of the officers snarked in a gruff tone. “He’s a killer. Do not allow him to get close to you.”

She folded her arms across her chest, her expression one of anger. “Fine. Leave us alone. And ensure no one is standing behind that mirror. Do you understand me?” When they didn’t answer right away, I sensed she was going to present certain legalities to their idiot minds.

The second officer snorted then patted me on the shoulder. “Have it your way. He’s all yours, Ms. Barrios. I suggest you be careful. He does bite. We might not be right outside the door to save you.”

I found it curious there was so much animosity. She’d ruffled feathers. Perhaps I could use that as well as our heated moments of passion to my benefit. The fact I’d been arrested meant the meeting with Ronald Voltair had been used. DiscovEricag the responsible party could be tricky, especially since I was a fish out of water inside this country. I remained furious with myself for letting my guard down.

The beautiful woman did little more than slant her eyes toward them as they headed for the door, hissing when they slammed it behind them. Then she took a deep breath, closing her eyes briefly as she attempted to get control of her raging emotions.

I sat still for a few seconds then leaned forward, keeping my voice as low as possible. “Welcome to my nightmare,cherie.”

I deemed her slight snort a reward. She took a few seconds pacing back and forth in front of the table. I sensed her increasing nervousness, uncertain how she wanted to handle the situation. “Do not call me that, Mr. James.”

“What would you prefer I call you?”

When she slammed her hands on the surface of the table, I lifted my eyebrows, unable to keep a smile from my face. “Mr. James, my name is Selena Barrios. I am the lead prosecutor on this case for the city of Louisville. As such, I’ve been assigned to your case. Were you read your Miranda rights as required by the laws of the United States of America as well as the state of Kentucky?”

When I leaned further forward, I expected her to back away. I was wrong. The formidable woman could hold her own. “Yes, I was, Ms. Barrios. Thank you for asking. Now, I’ll ask you a question.”

She cocked her head slightly, giving me a stern look. “I’ll be asking the questions from here on out.”

“Surely you can allow me one. Every criminal is allowed that.”

Her mouth twisted in a similar manner I’d seen when fucking her wet pussy. “Go ahead.”

I took my time, breathing in her exotic perfume, allowing my heated breath time to escape my lips. “Is your lovely silk blouse as wet as your sweet pussy,cherie?” While my voice was purposely kept low, only the beautiful woman able to hear, I sensed her increasing anger.

However, I was rewarded once again, this time by a dazzling flush creeping up on both sides of her face.

She leaned even closer, never blinking, a smile curling in the corners of her mouth as she whispered in the same sultry tone that had lingered with me long after I’d left her hotel room. “Check yourself, Mr. James. You’re inside a jail where you’ll remain for a very long… time. Unless, of course, you confess to the murders. If so, I’ll do my best not to have the jury recommend the death penalty for your horrific crimes. And for the record, I never sweat in front of pompous criminals allowed to get away with vicious crimes.”

Now she considered me pompous. The woman was a lioness in disguise. However, it would seem that she had no understanding she’d met her match. I took a few seconds before addressing her ridiculous statement.

“While I may be Canadian, Ms. Barrios, I’m well aware of the laws in your beautiful country, including those in this state. I know for certain that capital punishment was placed on a permanent suspension in this state in two thousand and nine.”

Our eyes locked for a full thirty seconds before she took a deep breath and rose to her full height. “Very well, Mr. James. I’m going to ask you a few questions. I suggest that you provide me with the truth. Unless of course, you’d prefer waiting for your attorney’s arrival.”

“I have no problems talking to such a beautiful woman.” She was concerned that the case would be thrown out on a technicality. My attorney was very good at forcing that to happen.

She was flustered but this was her moment of full control, able to shine give her chosen profession. I had the distinct feeling that she was a shark inside the courtroom. And a part of me couldn’t wait to watch her in action. While my incarceration would be short lived, bail paid immediately no matter the exorbitant amount, that would mean I’d be unable to leave the country.

That alone pissed me off. I had responsibilities as well as a family life to consider. Plus, without a brigade of men surrounding me, I had few options of getting to the bottom of this charade. That placed me in a very difficult situation.

“Then why don’t you tell me what happened?” she suggested.

“Wouldn’t you prefer to ask me whether or not I’m guilty of such heinous crimes?”

I watched in near amusement as she grabbed an iPad, flicking through the screen with purpose. I’d annoyed her. What she had no understanding of was how intensely aroused I’d become, mycock pressing against my trousers as it had done inside the hotel bar.

“Mr. James. While it appears you do not have a record either in Canada or the United States, you’ve been considered as a lead suspect in at least a half dozen murders. I don’t believe I need to ask whether or not you’re capable of doing something so atrocious.”

“Do I make you nervous?”

“Should I be?” She gave me another annoyed look.

“It would appear you’ve determined that I’m a monster.”

“Aren’t you?”

“Absolutely, Ms. Barrios, the kind your nightmares are made of.”

I could smell her fear stronger than ever, but it was laced with pheromones, her desire more strongly evident than before.

“If you’re trying to frighten me, Mr. James, it’s not working. I don’t scare easily.”

“Perhaps you should consider my intentions might be all about enticing you further.”

She laughed, as if what I’d said was ridiculous, but I noticed a single bead of perspiration trickling down one cheek. This time, she slammed her hands on the table, leaning over far enough that when I met her halfway across the table on purpose, our lips were almost touching. “That’s not going to happen, Mr. James. Get over yourself.”

“Why lie to yourself? I can read your thoughts, can smell your longing for what only I can give you.” When she didn’t budge for almost a full minute, it was all I could do not to kiss her,especially when she dragged her tongue across her bottom lip as seductively as she’d done right before I’d fucked her.

Her breathing was ragged, and I could indeed read her lurid thoughts.

“You’re a vicious criminal, Mr. James. I’m not attracted to a bad seed.”