This Is Where I Sleep (8 page)

Coral’s head spun to look at Ron and by the face she gave him, I already know where this was headed. “You sure about that?” she asked.

She wasn’t the best at what she did for nothing. She read people a hell of a lot better than Ron ever could.

Ron shrugged. “Yeah. He didn’t hesitate in answering most of my questions and looked me in the eye when answering. He’s fine, as are most of the employees.”

“He’s lying,” Coral announced, matter-of-factly.

“What? Did you not just hear what I said? He looked me right in the eye and answered where he was the night Larry died.”

“Ron, let her finish,” I interjected, not liking the rising level of his voice. “If she says he was lying then he was lying,” I stated confidently.

She looked at me and for the briefest second, her eyes softened before shifting to Ron. “Look here,” she insisted grabbing the remote and pressing a button to bring Ron’s four interviews onto the screen. Mihkail’s interview was in the bottom right corner.

“You asked him where he was the night of Larry’s death. He looked you right in the eye and said he had dinner with a client. He named the restaurant and everything. Same here.” She paused to press a button and the interview with Suzanne, an accountant, came up as Ron asked the same question. “Suzanne looked you in the eye and said she was home watching television.”

“Yeah, and?”

“And they’re lying.”

“How do you know?” Ron questioned.

“We’ve been told you look someone in the eye when you’re telling the truth. That’s actually not true. When people tell the truth, they need to recall events that happened. They will look down and to the left. Not because they’re lying, but because they’re trying to remember. People who look you right in the eye on purpose are trying to convince you they’re telling the truth
because
they’re lying. Plus, they gave you way too many details—details you didn’t ask for. Suzanne gave you the names of characters from the cable program, Mihkail told you, down to the dessert, what he ate at the restaurant. Too many details is another sign someone is trying to
convince
you they’re telling the truth,
not actually
telling the truth. Mihkail and Suzanne both lied. In fact, at some point in each interview, everyone lied.”

“So, you’re saying everyone I interviewed could have been involved in this?” Ron asked.

Coral shook her head. “No, everyone lies about something. It’s just determining what they’re lying about. Look at Mihkail, while he’s looking you in the eye, he’s twisting his wedding band with his right hand. Sign of guilt. And Suzanne, when you move on to another question, for a nanosecond her lips thin and pull back into the universal look of shame.” Coral paused the frame, and sure enough, Mary’s lips were pulled into a thin line. It was a minute expression that most would have missed, but not Coral.

“Suzanne’s ashamed of lying. Well, not lying, but what she lied about. She wasn’t home watching television that night.”

“So, Mihkail and Mary had something to do with Larry’s death?” Ron asked, sounding confused.

Again, Coral shook her head. “No, when you asked if they knew anything about what he was working on or his death, they were truthful.”

“Then why would they lie about where they were that night?” Ron asked.

I could guess what Coral was going to say.

“That’s difficult to say. I can tell you whether or not someone is lying, but not necessarily what they are lying about. My guess would be that Mihkail is having an affair. He probably did have a business dinner that night and cut it short to meet his mistress. That’s what the twirling his ring was about. He felt guilty. And Suzanne,” she pointed the remote at the screen, “…is probably his mistress. That’s where her shame comes from of where she was that night.”

I sat back in my seat just staring at the screen. “So Mary and Mihkail are having an affair with one another?” I said in amazement. 

Coral shrugged. “Probably, but at least they didn’t kill Larry. How about we go look at that laptop,” she suggested, looking over at me.

I simply nodded and stood. I smirked as I looked over at Ron. He was shocked by what Coral revealed about people he’d worked with for years. In minutes, she’d picked up on what he hadn’t in years of working around them. I would have told him not to feel bad about it, but at that moment, I was more concerned with getting Coral up to my office.

I held the door open for her. “We’ll look at more interviews tomorrow,” Coral turned to tell Ron.

Chapter Nine

Coral

“That was quite a show you put on up there,” Liam stated behind me as we entered his office.

              “It wasn’t a show. Just what I saw,” I told him as I sat in what had become my usual spot in his office.

I worked hard the past week not to be alone with him, but I should have known it was inevitable. I was working for the man for the unforeseeable future. I wouldn’t be able to avoid him altogether. My head was still messed up from what happened in my hotel room a week ago. Instead of sleepless nights wondering who was trying to kill me, I tossed and turned wanting to feel his touch again. There had been nights, even when I did manage to sleep for a little bit, where I’d wake up to find my fingers in between my legs with a mind of their own, trying to recreate that feeling I had with only him. I sighed, recalling how I had awakened that morning—moaning Liam’s name as I brought myself to climax, yet still left unsatisfied.

“I know that you don’t put on a show for anyone,” he acknowledged, looking me directly in the eye.

His heated gaze warmed me to my core and was the reason that I’d been avoiding him. Before last week, I could do my best to ignore the chemistry between us, but it had become undeniable.

“Where’s the laptop?” I asked.

“I have it locked away. I’ll get it in a sec,” he said, casually checking his watch as if I was wasting his time. He stepped behind his desk, slid his hands into his pockets, and stared at me. The look he gave me warmed my entire body. Standing behind his huge desk, in front of his wall length book shelf projecting the very image of power, arrogance, and l—no, I didn’t even guess that last part.

“Come here,” he demanded interrupting my thoughts. 

The deep, low command sent shivers down my spine, and my nipples began tingling. I looked down at my phone, refusing to acknowledge the hold he had over me.

“Come here, Coral,” he repeated, low but with more bass in his voice.

“No.” My nipples hardened almost to the point of being painful. I took a chance and looked up into his darkened eyes.

He remained standing behind his huge desk looking like a king atop his throne, his eyes devouring me. “Why not?”

“I’m quite comfortable where I am, thank you. Besides, I need to be leaving soon.”

“Bullshit. Come here.” He sat in his leather chair and crossed his hands in his lap, just like the arrogant son of a bitch he was.

I became angered at the power he had over my body without even touching me. “Fuck you, Li.”

He chuckled. “What did I tell you the last time you said that?”

A throbbing between my legs began as I remembered his exact words and the way he took me just moments after I told him to go fuck himself in my hotel room. I bit my lower lip and squeezed my thighs together, resisting the urge to shift and cross my legs. I didn’t want him to see how much he affected me.

“Why are you acting like you don’t want me?”

I swallowed deeply and looked him straight in the eye. “Because I don’t.”

“Liar.”

Of course, it was a lie, but I refused to admit that to him.

“You’re so full of yourself. How do you know I’m lying?”

“Because I can see your nipples straining through your shirt, and I can smell your arousal all the way over here,” he said, devouring me with his gaze.

At that point, I crossed my legs, squeezed my thighs together even more, but still refused to give in.

“Liar,” I told him turning the tables on him.

“Am I?” He raised his brow with a cocky smirk. “Bring your ass over here.”

I wanted to hold up my resistance, but I couldn’t. His deep voice, arrogant demeanor, and hungry eyes had my body moving on its own in his direction. Once I was within arm’s length of him, he reached out and wrapped both arms around my waist, pulling me onto his lap. I was barely seated before his lips captured mine. He nibbled at and tasted my lips before pulling back and staring at me. He took in my whole face as if trying to memorize every inch of it. His hand slowly moved up my back to cup the back of my head before fingering the kinky curls on the top.

“I like your hair like this.” His voice was a mixture of awe and appreciation. “What made you cut it?” he asked while moving into place gentle, yet firm kiss along the column of my neck.

I shivered before responding. “Uh, um, I just wanted a change.” I stuttered at the feel of his lips on my skin.

“Beautiful either way,” he rasped before moving to my lips again.

I was completely taken over by the kiss; so much so, I barely noticed that we’d moved until I felt the hardness of his desk beneath my butt. Liam pulled back from me and pushed the few files and papers aside. He unbuttoned and unzipped my jeans. It took me another second to realize what he was doing.

“Liam, this is your office,” I whispered, looking towards the door.

“Not a problem,” he said, pressing a button underneath his desk. I heard a click alerting me that he’d locked the door.

“No one can save you now.” The last word was barely out of his mouth before his lips were back on mine, demanding I open for him. He pressed into me deeper, causing my thighs to widen and pushed me back on his desk. Pulling back, he tugged and pulled on my jeans, lifting me up to bring them down my legs. He stopped once they are at my ankles, too impatient to take my shoes off. He pressed my thighs even further apart with his palms and dove head first into my awaiting wetness.

“Mmmmm,” I moaned as my head lolled back onto his desk. The first swipe of his tongue against my labia had me squeezing my eyes and mouth tightly to avoid yelling out in pleasure. I didn’t know who was still in the office, but the last thing I wanted was for them to hear my cries of joy. Liam obviously didn’t give a shit about any of that as he continued to lap up my juices, swirling his tongue over my engorged clitoris. He put his entire mouth on me as he feasted on my pussy. A second later, I felt an invasion as his finger sunk into my aching core.

“Liiii,” I moaned. I opened my eyes and looked down to see his mass of sandy blond hair bobbing up and down between my legs. The sight caused me to grow even wetter. I slid my hand down to grab a hold of his hair, needing to touch some part of him.

“Goddamn, you taste good,” he moaned.

“Liam, I’m gonna come,” I panted, trying to push his head away in order to stave off the inevitable. Up until then I had refrained from yelling out, but I knew the orgasm that was coming would end that.

Liam’s response was to reach up and grip my ass with both hands, pulling me up and bringing my pussy even closer to his face. This man was born to eat pussy, and I was grateful to be on the receiving end. 

“Ohhh shiiiitt!” I yelled as my orgasm hit me like a tidal wave. Tingles of ecstasy shot through my entire body, and I closed my eyes to see stars.

Liam was relentless, however, as he continued to eat me through my orgasm, licking every last drop of my moisture.

“I don’t think I need dinner after that.” He stood up a few moments later and stared down at me, licking his lips. His hands remained on my thighs, and he moved his eyes to my core as if he was contemplating going in for a second round. It was when he bent over and dipped his head that I finally moved.

“Oh hell no,” I said, pressing my palm to his chest pushing him back. I quickly sat up, and tried to hop down off his desk with as much tact as possible, but that was hard to do with my panties and jeans down around my ankles. I still felt the aftermath of Liam’s mouth between my legs, and my pussy throbbed for more, but I ignored that feeling as I slid my jeans up my legs and turned to pick up my belongings and leave, but I was stopped by a hand on my wrist.

“Have dinner with me.”

I raised a skeptical eyebrow, looking up into his eyes. I cocked my head to the side giving him an, “Are you crazy?” look and he merely chuckled again.

“I’ve missed the hell out of you, CeCe,” he said, repeating the same thing he said in my hotel room the week before. I heard something in his voice that I refused to allow myself to contemplate too much.

Then why’d you leave?
I wanted to yell out, but I bit my bottom lip to keep from asking. Liam didn’t miss the move and lifted his hand to run his thumb across my bottom lip.

“It’s just dinner. I’m meeting a client for drinks to discuss some work, but you and I can have dinner right after. I’ll bring Larry’s laptop.”

My eyes widened as I remembered the laptop being the reason that I had come to see him in the first place. I shook my head. “Ever the chess player.”

“Always,” he confirmed.

“Alright. Just dinner,” I said with a forcefulness even I didn’t believe.

“Checkmate,” he stated, grinning, knowing he’d won this little round. “And maybe you’ll tell me the whole reason you’re so interested in this case.” There was a hint of warning and concern in his voice.

I knew he intended to find out everything I was keeping from him. My stomach dropped as I remembered how tenacious Li could be when it came to getting his way. The lines between personal and professional had clearly been crossed with this case, but I refused to put Li in any more danger possibly. The issue was my problem to solve.

****

“Do you mind if we sit at that table?” I asked the waitress, pointing to a table in the corner. From that table I could see every exit and point of entry. The young waitress looked at me and for the briefest moment I saw scorn pass over her face before she plastered on a smile. I know she was taking note of my subpar jeans and blazer. Usually, jeans weren’t allowed in The French Room, but I knew entering with Liam Bennett got my wardrobe overlooked.

“Sure,” she answered with false cheer.

“Still not sitting with your back to the door, huh?” Liam asked, smiling at me once the waitress had left.

We’d spent the last thirty minutes at the bar’s restaurant for Li’s work meeting. As usual, I requested a seating that allowed me to see all the entry and exit points. It was the same reason I chose to sit where I did in Li’s office. By then we were sitting down for dinner.

“You’ve gotten lax in your old age,” I retorted. “There was a time that you wouldn’t have sat with your back to the door either.”

“I’ve gotten lax about some things, but never about others,” he replied, staring at me sharply. I knew he was no longer talking about views of restaurant doors, but I chose not to address his underlying meaning.

“Well, I haven’t had the luxury of being able to get lax.”

Li tilted his head slightly and gave me a serious look, and I realized that was the wrong thing to say. I knew he was going to pounce on my comment.

“Speaking of which, tell me what you’re hiding.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m just doing the job I was hired to do.”

Li cocked his eyebrow, obviously not believing me. “I know you better than anyone else. Why—”

“You
used
to know me better than anyone else,” I said, cutting him off.

“Get the fuck outta here. I can still read you like a book, no matter how much you try and hold back. I know enough to know you spotted every entrance and exit within thirty seconds of entering this restaurant. I know you cross your right leg over your left leg when you're uncomfortable and your left leg over your right leg when you’re relaxed. I know you still drink green tea every morning, and I know…” he paused, leaning over the table, “…you’ve awakened every morning for the last week with your fingers stroking your wet pussy lips remembering what it feels like when I’m balls deep inside you. I know that last part because I’ve had the same problem.” He finally sat back in his chair is eyes still on mine, challenging me to deny his words.

I wanted to refute him. To tell him to get over himself, but it took everything in me to stabilize my heart rate and the ache between my legs his words caused. Thankfully, we were soon interrupted by the waitress. At the same time, my phone beeped alerting that I had a text message.

“I’ll have the tenderloin of veal…” Li ordered,

I looked down and saw a message from Nathaniel:

I’m in DC for the next few weeks. Care to come up for a visit. I’ll make it worth your while *wiggles eyebrows*

I smirked. Sometimes I wished I could just want something more with Nate.

Me
: I would but I can’t.

I gave a short response because I rarely explained myself to anyone.

Nate:
Are you sure? You’re passing up the opportunity to spend time with GQ’s Bachelor of the Year.

That actually caused me to laugh out loud a little. Nate could be very charming, and any woman would be lucky to be in his sights. But I was not any woman. I obviously had problems.

Me:
I’m sure. I’m out of town working a case. Maybe next time.

Nate:
Suit yourself, but I told you I’m not giving up on us.

I shook my head at that last comment. I hadn’t actually seen Nate since the last time I was in DC, but we’d talked a few times and exchanged emails. I exited my text messages and placed my phone on the table and looked up to a pair of scowling, emerald eyes.