The Maker Read online

  “How awful for you!”

  “Thankfully, it wasn’t in my patrol area. I didn’t attend the scene. By the time I’d been notified, she was in an ambulance on her way to the hospital.”

  Over the rest of the bottle of wine and most of the next, he told her of his hope that this time, the IVF treatment might have worked. How he’d felt guilty for maintaining the life support until they knew for sure. When it was clear she wasn’t pregnant, he’d been riddled with guilt once more. This time, because he couldn’t bring himself to switch off his wife’s connection to life just because the treatment had failed them yet again.

  It was a sad story and one for which Chanel had no words of comfort. “How did your families feel?” she asked quietly.

  “There’s only my grandmother on my side. My parents are dead and I’m an only child. Angela’s relatives were very sad, but I guess like me, they’ve had a lot of time to come to terms with the idea that she was never going to wake.”

  “Wait, you’re an only child? I thought you came from a big Italian family?”

  “My mother’s family is Italian. She came from a family of eight. My dad was Australian. Hence my very un-Italian surname.”

  She smiled. “I was wondering about that.”

  “My mom and dad weren’t your typical couple. Dad fell in love with a pretty Italian girl who worked in the family café. His parents took some convincing. They were wealthy business people who had made their money in freight. My grandfather was the head of a large and expansive trucking empire he’d built up from the ground. They weren’t exactly thrilled when he declared his love for a pretty, but mostly poor, Italian girl.”

  “And yet they married.”

  “Love conquers all,” he murmured and his eyes captured hers.

  Her heart started a slow, heavy pound and the air around them grew charged. She snatched a breath, but it was a struggle. Oxygen was in short supply.

  His leg was hard up against hers on the couch and the heat of him burned her skin. As if in a trance, she watched as he drew closer until his mouth was inches from hers. His breath feathered across her lips.

  He turned and faced her and one hand fell to her thigh. Her short skirt had ridden high, and a moment later, his fingers caressed her bare skin. At the same time, his other hand came around to cup the back of her head. Slowly, surely, he drew her toward him until their lips touched.

  His lips were full and soft and he tasted of warm, sweet wine. She kissed him hesitantly, unsure of the path, feeling way out of her depth. Her limited experience with men hadn’t involved a lot of tender kisses and the few she’d experienced hadn’t felt anything like this.

  His mouth moved slowly, gently across her lips, as if savoring every sensation. It was a kiss of discovery, of new beginnings, of familiarity and wonder. It was strange how right it felt.

  He shifted on the couch and angled her head. His tongue pressed against her lips and she parted them, wordlessly giving him entry. When he swept inside and fused their mouths her heart pounded in her chest.

  “You’re so beautiful, inside and out. I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you.”

  His words flowed over her, warming her all the way through. She lifted her arms and drew him closer. He maneuvered them down until they lay on the couch and still the kiss continued. His erection pressed into her stomach through the fabric of his pants and she was reminded of the graphic dream she’d had the night before.

  The memory of it sent a surge of heat flooding to her core. She stirred against him, needing to get close, as close as she could get. He stared down at her, his face in shadow, his eyes burning with intent.

  “I want you to know the decision I made a fortnight ago was a long time in coming. It had nothing to do with you. Just in case you’re wondering.”

  Somewhere in the back of her mind, she had wondered if his decision to switch off his wife’s life support had something to do with the two of them, but she hadn’t wanted to think about that. His reassurance that she hadn’t factored into his decision was a relief.

  She reached up and loosened his tie and then worked on his shirt buttons. Both articles of clothing were discarded to the floor. She gazed at his chest, all bronzed and hewn, like the fantasy from her dream. Her fingers grazed over his skin and she gloried in the feel of him.

  Her hand moved lower and skimmed the dark hair that ran in a thin line from his navel into his pants. Like his chest hair, it was silky and soft and perfect. Her hand moved lower and came to a rest around his impressive erection. She caressed him through the fabric of his suit pants and was gratified to see his eyes flare with heat.

  “Can you feel how much I want you? You drive me wild,” he murmured and fixed his gaze on hers.

  “I’ve never felt this way, either,” she admitted quietly. “You turn me inside out. My heart’s pounding so hard, it feels like I could die. I’m hot and aching and I…I need you.”

  He growled low in his throat and his kisses became more frantic. He ground his hips against hers. Her arms tightened around his shoulders and she held him as close as he could get. Her breasts were crushed against his muscled chest and ached for his touch.

  He nuzzled his way down her neck and across her tailored blouse. “You have way too many clothes on, Doctor Munro.”

  She giggled and he shifted so she could sit up. Making short work of the buttons and clips, the blouse and bra soon joined his shirt and tie.

  Chanel lay back down and enjoyed the way his gaze lingered on her body. He reached out with a hand and softly cupped one breast.

  “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”

  His thumb stroked her nipple and it hardened beneath his touch. He turned his attention to the other one and treated it to more of the same. Her breathing quickened in time with his and she moved restlessly beneath him.

  “Make love to me, Bryce,” she whispered.

  His guttural sound of need reverberated all the way to her core. Quickly and efficiently, he shed his trousers and underwear before returning his attention to her. He slid his hands around her waist and found the button to her skirt. She heard the zip slide down and then lifted her hips so that he could tug the clothing down. Her panties came down with it and within moments, she was as naked as he.

  They stared at each other in the glow of the lamplight and took each other in. He was as magnificent as he’d been in her dream—all dark, manly flesh and eyes that burned with desire.

  He joined her on the couch once more and she moaned aloud when their skin came into contact. Flush from cheek to toes, they couldn’t get any closer. His thick cock nudged against her entrance.

  “Do you have a condom?” she whispered.

  “No, do you?”

  She blushed, but nodded. “I have some I took from the supply the hospital leaves out in the common room for the staff.”

  Bryce pulled a little way back and looked at her. “Really? You mean they just hand them out?”

  She shrugged. “I guess they see it as the responsible thing to do, the prevention of disease and that kind of thing. You work for the government, you know how it is.”

  He shook his head and smiled. “Well, who am I to argue?”

  She smiled back at him. “Particularly when you’ve come here empty handed.” She wriggled underneath him. “You’re going to have to let me up. They’re in the bathroom cabinet.”

  He stood and she slipped past him. A moment later, she returned and gave him a condom.

  “Only one?” he teased.

  “Hey, I didn’t want to put the pressure on you or appear too presumptuous.” She gave him a wink. “There’s plenty more in the cabinet.”

  “Good, because I intend to love you all night.”

  His eyes darkened with need and she shivered under the heat of his gaze. “How about we relocate to the bedroom? It’ll be more comfortable there.”

  The words were barely out of her mouth when he bent and scooped her up in his arms. “You won’t g
et any argument from me,” he murmured.

  His lips found hers and he kissed her hot and hard and fast. His tongue sought entry and she opened her mouth, groaning when he thrust his tongue inside. With her arms around his neck, she clung to him and returned kiss for kiss.

  “No, not that room. That’s Tanya’s,” she murmured against his neck.

  He halted and raised his head. A slight frown marred his forehead. “Tanya?”

  “My roommate. Don’t worry. She’s away for the night.”

  He relaxed and continued forward until he came to the other bedroom. Chanel peered around his shoulder and was relieved to see that the bed was made. Sometimes she overslept and left it too late to do a tidy.

  He lowered her gently to the bed and joined her a moment later. His mouth found hers again and all thoughts of the state of her bedroom scattered. He loved her with his mouth and tongue and caressed her until every nerve ending was on fire. She moved beneath him, restless, searching, needing even more.

  As if sensing her impatience, he pulled away. With quick movements, he sheathed his cock and then returned to drag her close. He kissed her on the mouth and then worked down over her chest. He tugged at her nipples with his lips and at the same time, kneaded the softness of her breasts.

  She moaned and his hand slipped lower until his fingers tangled in the curls between her legs. Lower still, his finger slid across her silky skin and delved between her aching lips. He parted her folds with his finger and a moment later, slipped inside. First one, then two. He stroked her until she couldn’t bear it a moment longer.

  “I need you inside me, Bryce,” she murmured and urged him with her hips. She kissed him long and deeply, until both of them were breathing hard.

  At last, he pulled away and positioned himself between her legs. His cock, hard and hot, probed her entrance, and a moment later, thrust inside her.

  She gasped from the feel of him stretching her wide. He was every bit as wonderful as he’d been in her dream, only this time, it was real. The need inside her raged like a bushfire and she glorified in the knowledge that this time, it wouldn’t end until she was replete.

  He moved inside her, strong and fast, his face a study in concentration. She loved every dark and rigid plane of his face, every nuance of emotion that played across his features. His thrusts came harder and faster still and she clung to him with all she had. The ache in her core intensified, got hotter, tighter until with a gasp, she reached the summit.

  Sliding, falling, slipping down, with relief she found her release. A few seconds later, Bryce tensed and then collapsed on top of her, his breath harsh in her ear.

  “Hell,” he gasped, “that was… I’m not sure I can describe it. It felt so good. You felt so good. You felt more than good. You felt absolutely fantastic.” He smothered her face with kisses and she smiled in satisfaction.

  “You were pretty good yourself.”

  He propped himself up on an elbow and looked down at her. “Really?”

  She marveled that he could doubt it. “Of course. You must know how fabulous that was.”

  His teasing smile lit up his eyes. “You liked it?”

  “I liked it.”

  “Good. Now, how many condoms do we have?”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Bryce wasn’t sure how many times he’d made love to the woman who lay beside him, but when his phone rang, waking him from a deep sleep, it felt like he’d barely closed his eyes. At some point, he’d sent a text to his grandmother to let her know he wouldn’t be home. The phone continued to ring and he stumbled from the bed and padded down the corridor into the living room. He glanced at the Caller ID and frowned.

  “Jett, how are you doing?” he said by way of greeting, pitching his voice low in deference to Chanel who was still asleep.

  “Bryce, where are you? It’s after eight.”

  Bryce glanced at his watch and cursed. He had no idea he’d slept so late. He was supposed to be at work.

  “I’m sorry, mate. I was up all night. Some kind of…stomach bug. I overslept.”

  “No worries. Do you feel well enough to come in? We’ve had a development overnight. We received an anonymous tip. The boss has approved a search warrant.”

  “An anonymous tip? A search warrant? Great. Whose property?”

  “It’s an address in North Sydney. An apartment rented by Doctor Chanel Munro. The boss—”

  The rest of what Jett said was drowned out by the roar of noise in Bryce’s ears. His heart thudded and blood rushed through his veins. He sucked in a breath and then another and did his best to find his tongue.

  “Chanel Munro? Why the hell would the boss approve a search warrant of her apartment? She didn’t have anything to do with the murders. Has he forgotten it was Doctor Munro who came to me in the first place? Who’s the so-called anonymous tipster you’re talking about? What did he have to say?”

  “I’m not sure. The boss didn’t divulge any details, only that we needed to search the apartment rented by Doctor Munro.”

  Bryce shook his head in frustration and cursed again. “I don’t believe it. I fucking don’t believe it.”

  “Well, anyway, the boss obviously thinks there’s enough to go on. We’ll have to toss the place and see.”

  Bryce opened his mouth to utter another instinctive protest, but then closed it. If Jett had called and given him similar news about any other suspect, he would have accepted it without a murmur. If the boss had okayed a search warrant, that was good enough for Bryce. Usually. It was completely different when the suspect was a woman he believed was innocent. Even more so when he’d just climbed from her bed.

  After assuring Jett he would be at work shortly and telling him not to do anything until he got there, Bryce bid his partner a hasty good-bye and headed back to Chanel’s bedroom. Her arm was flung out across his pillow and her hair was spread every which way. She was still asleep and he reluctantly leaned across the bed and gently shook her awake.

  “Chanel. Come on, honey. You need to wake up.”

  “Mm, no, go away; it’s too early.” She rolled over, away from him and took the covers with her.

  He smiled before he could stop himself and then remembered the phone call. “Chanel, I mean it. We need to get up. The police are on their way.”

  That seemed to get her attention. She tensed and then a second later, flung the covers out of the way and sat up. She stared at him in surprise and alarm.

  “The police? Here? What are you talking about?”

  He drew in a breath and eased it out. “I just had a call from Jett, my partner. The task force are getting ready to execute a search warrant on your apartment.”

  She frowned and her face flooded with confusion. “Why would they be doing that? I’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “I know that. I’m not sure what changed overnight. Jett said something about receiving an anonymous tip. Apparently, whatever was said was enough for my boss to approve a warrant.”

  His words seemed to finally sink in. Color leached from her cheeks. Her hand came up to her mouth and covered a gasp. She shook her head back and forth with increasing vehemence.

  “No, there must be some mistake. You must have misunderstood. They couldn’t be coming here. I didn’t do anything. I had nothing to do with those deaths.”

  Bryce reached out and drew her close, pressing her head against his chest. Her arms went around his waist and she clung to him. Her breath came fast and he did his best to calm her down. Hysteria was the last thing she needed.

  “It’s all right, honey. I’ll look after you. Trust me, this is my thing. If you did nothing wrong, sooner or later, the task force will realize that. They’ll execute the warrant, find nothing and then leave.”

  “Will they make a mess? Cut up the cushions of my couch?”

  Bryce allowed himself a small smile. “No, sweetheart. That only happens on TV. Although it does depend a little on what they’re looking for. If it was a stash of heroin, maybe your couch
would take a hit.”

  She pulled away from him, not taking kindly to his joke and stood and left the bed. Seemingly unaware of her nakedness, with her arms crossed defensively over her chest, she paced the confines of the bedroom.

  “I don’t do drugs. I’ve never even had a parking ticket. This whole thing is entirely ludicrous!”

  Bryce went to her. With his hands on her shoulders, he halted her progress. “Chanel, listen to me. You’re right. It is ludicrous, but the fact is, it’s happening. Why, I don’t know. I’ll find out, but right now, I need you to get dressed and prepare yourself for the arrival of the police. I’m not sure what time they’ll be here, but you need to be ready when they do.”

  His words seemed to penetrate her fog of confusion and anger. She stared at him, her eyes wide and then she blinked. She looked down at herself and blushed red to the roots of her hair.

  “Oh, my God, I’m naked. I need to find my clothes.” She hurried around the room and at last, settled on the bedsheet that half-hung onto the floor. Wrapping it around herself, she tucked the ends into her breasts. When she was completely covered and secure, she looked back at him.

  “Will you be here, with them, when they come?”

  He compressed his lips and told her the truth. “Yes.”

  She nodded once and dropped her gaze. A moment later, she looked at him again. “You need to get some clothes on. Maybe a towel? What happened to your shirt? I could give you a—”

  “Chanel, we’ve spent the night together. I’ve touched and kissed every inch of you. There’s no need to be embarrassed just because it’s morning.”

  He stepped closer and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Although, you’re kind of cute when you blush.”

  She batted him away and grabbed the towel that hung on a hook behind her door. A moment later, it landed on his head. “Quit standing there and go and get some clothes on,” she said.

  * * *

  Given the choice, Bryce would have opted to remain at the station during the execution of the search warrant on Chanel’s apartment, but as the leader of the task force and one of the senior detectives on the case, it would have raised questions and he was far from willing to provide answers.