The Soulmate's Curse Page 7

"Me, too.” Lance swallowed hard, glided his free hand down beneath the elastic waistband of his jogging pants, and fondled himself. The heated desire within him grew almost unbearable. He shifted, his elongated cock brushing against his lower abs.

  "Oh, lover. Caress me all over,” the voice on the other end of the phone panted, hot and heavy. “I'm excited. I want you now, lover! Don't hold back!"

  The sensuous coaxing of her words fueled his desires with heated fantasies of lust and passion. “Yeah ... oh yeah, baby,” he muttered, his hand encircling his now freed erection. He drew his hand into a wild up-and-down motion around his cock.

  A heated coil of longing tightened in his lower extremities, seeking, driving for release. Lance lost all sense of reason. He reeled in the steady stroke of his frantic hand. The woman's voice took him over the erogenous edge. The world within him exploded, and a stream of passion flowed from his body. He groaned deeply with release, then finally found peace.

  * * * *

  It was nearly five o'clock in the morning when Anna Holmes logged off the system switchboard and put down the receiver headset. She sat back in her armchair and stared out her bedroom window at the sun edging over the horizon. Pressing her fingertips to her temples, she sighed deeply and massaged away the tension of a hard night's work.

  So many callers sought the soft, reassuring voice of a woman that the phone lines seemed to ache with their desperation and sexual frustrations.

  "Don't get so uptight, Anna. Remember, it's only a job,” her boss, Queenie Jackson, had told her a million times. “We provide a service, and, honey, you're one of the best."

  Sincere compliments from her Atlanta-based supervisor were one of the reasons Anna enjoyed working the telephone-fantasy lines. She also enjoyed the leisurely pace and working in the late-night hours from the comfort of her room. The pay was good, but sometimes the callers tugged at her heartstrings, as well as stirred her own sexual embers. One day, she vowed, she'd quit the telephone-fantasy business. But, for now, she had to remind herself that it was just a service-oriented job.

  Anna pulled herself out of the armchair, wrapped her old, terrycloth robe around her shoulders, and headed down the hallway. Ryan, her ten-year-old nephew, would be up soon to catch the school bus, and it was Anna's turn to cook breakfast for him.

  * * * *

  "You wanted to see me, Roberts?” Lance grinned.

  Carl Roberts motioned for Lance to come into the office with his free hand and clutched a phone receiver with the other. “Yeah, great. I'll personally see to the arrangements this afternoon,” he said into the phone. “Uh-huh ... bye.” Carl placed the receiver back into its cradle and glanced up.

  "What's up? A fast-breaking story?” Lance inquired, flopping down into the chair opposite his editor's desk.

  "Nope, but it's a scoop for the one you're working on.” Carl leaned back in his chair and grinned.

  "The phone-sex story? Whatcha got?” Lance didn't know what to make of the gleam in his editor's eye, but he was silently relieved. Today he'd bucked the office's traditional dress code, opting for his worn work boots, a pair of faded jeans and a soccer jersey.

  Carl had often jested it was to show off his lean, youthful physique, but Lance knew that his buddy really didn't mind. Lance worked as hard to keep in shape as he did writing for the magazine franchise.

  "Seems to me you've been doing lots of research, Arden. In fact, those phone bills you're charging us for are getting pretty outrageous."

  "Well, it's just research. You wanted a good write-up, and I'm aiming to give you one that'll knock your socks off."

  "The bills are what's knocking my socks off, Arden,” Carl grumbled. “Anyway, the good news is that I was just on the phone with one of the supervisors at STEAMY4U."

  "And?"

  "And I've arranged for you to interview one of their operators, face-to-face."

  Lance raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “Oh?"

  "Yep. One of their best operators happens to live not far from here. The one called Velvet. She lives in a small town just down the rail called Mount Hill. Thought you'd like to hop on the train and interview her. It could add a human-interest angle to your story. You know what I mean, Arden? Give it some journalistic merit."

  "I don't know, Roberts.” Lance shook his head with uncertainty. The previous evening flashed through his mind. The dark-haired beauty on the ad and the smoldering voice had become the secret fuel which kindled the fire of his private fantasies.

  "What's a matter, Arden? Afraid it'll spoil your ‘research'?” Carl chuckled.

  Lance flashed his editor a sly grin. He enjoyed a good-natured ribbing like any other guy, but Roberts could read him like a well-worn book. So what if this Velvet was merely a pipe dream? Who was the real, flesh-and-blood woman behind the sexy voice? Lance was curious to find out for himself. He also silently admitted the interview could add merit to his story.

  "Oh, all right.” Lance sighed. “I'm game.” Despite a nervous twinge in his gut, he knew Carl was right. He was damn good columnist. For now, his fantasies would have to take a backseat.

  "I knew you'd see it my way,” Carl replied with a knowing wink. “I'll call her company and have your trip arranged. You just be ready to catch that train this afternoon, Arden. I want this story to blow me away!"

  HOT PURSUIT

  Chapter One

  "Now, Mrs. Hudson, you need to get your car to the garage first thing in the morning. I don't want to have to pull you over for a burned-out taillight again.” The police officer solemnly nodded and then, a charming smile, added, “Do I make myself clear?"

  The older lady reluctantly agreed, smiled tightly, and started her car. Steve Tanner watched while she pulled away, shaking his head in dismay. It was the second time in the past month he'd pulled her over for her tail-light, but Mrs. Hudson was his grade-school English teacher. Deep down, Steve just didn't have the heart to give her a ticket.

  Soon, his shift would be over. Officer Tanner gave a weary sigh and strolled back toward his cruiser on the roadside. He was looking forward to changing into his jeans, getting on his motorcycle, and heading over to J.D.'s for dinner. The restaurant and bar was famous for its steak burgers and ice-cold beers. Steve couldn't wait. After being on duty all afternoon, he was ready to unwinding.

  Whish! A flash of silver whizzed past. The car sped away from him and headed toward Main Street.

  "Damn!” Steve leaped into the cruiser and snapped on the flashing blue lights. “This one thinks he's another Dale Earnhardt Jr.,” Steve grumbled, and he quickly pulled from the curb in hot pursuit of the speeding silver Lexus.

  * * * *

  Bright, brilliant colors of rusty reds, golden yellows, and burnished oranges blurred in the autumn sunlight. Cassandra Meadows sped down the highway in the rented silver Lexus, heading toward the quiet, remote town of Mount Hill. Within no time, she'd be pulling into the driveway of her parents’ home and just in time for her mother's delicious dinner of fried chicken and mashed potatoes.

  Cassie took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh fall air that breezed through the narrow slit of her driver's-side window. The drive from Savannah, Georgia, had been long, but Mount Hill was now just ahead. She enjoyed seeing the colorful leaves as she zipped passed the trees.

  She glanced over to the seat beside her to where her parents’ anniversary gift was nestled. It was going to be their thirtieth wedding anniversary. Cassie had taken a couple of extra vacation days to add to her weekend and decided to drive up for the family celebration.

  "It'll be like a family reunion,” her mother had said gleefully over the phone the week before. “I've invited just about everyone in town!"

  Just about everyone in town.

  Her mother's words struck something deep inside Cassie. Anxiety burned in the pit of her stomach. She hoped her mother had not invited her good-for-nothing cousin, Billy Thorn. Billy was bad news. Her brother Sam had arrested their cousin a few months back in another troublesom
e escapade. Billy always seemed to stir up trouble. Cassie only hoped Billy would get what he deserved for all the heartache he'd put his relatives through.

  Cassie shook off the memory and slid another CD into the player. The lively, swirling music dissolved her bitter mood. Before long, Cassie was cruising down the road and getting closer to her parents’ house.

  Her mind was off in another world when a siren whooped behind her. Blue flashing lights reflected in her rearview mirror. Cassie let out a groan, realizing the noisy commotion was because of her—and her lead foot.

  "Ah, shit!” She eased off the gas pedal and slowly pulled the Lexus to the side of the road. Perhaps it's Sam or Frank, she hopefully mused. Cassie adjusted her rearview mirror for a better view of the officer exiting the patrol car.

  Her heart sank when she saw it wasn't her brother or his partner, Frank Porter. It was someone else—someone with a muscular build and a swagger in his stride. He approached the driver's side of the rental car. Great! It's one of the new guys on the force. She shook her head in frustrated dismay and reached into her handbag to produce her license and insurance information.

  "Ma'am?” The dark blue figure was at her window. She knew what was coming. Cassie exhaled a heavy sigh and glided down the window with a flick of her finger. She gazed up at the officer and attempted to smile.

  The officer, sporting a goatee and shortly cropped hair the color of gingerbread, had amply chiseled features. His aviator sunglasses reflected back her own face and hid his eyes from her view. Cassie could have sworn she saw a twitch of his lips from under his dark, thick mustache.

  "Ma'am, I clocked you going forty-seven in a thirty-five zone."

  "I'm so sorry, officer.” She smiled up at him sweetly. “But, you see, this is a rental car, and I still am not used to its acceleration."

  "Okay.” The officer nodded. “May I see your license and registration, please?"

  Cassie paused a moment, staring up at the well-built officer.

  "Is anything wrong?” the officer inquired.

  "Uh, no. It's just ... never mind.” Cassie felt her cheeks tingle with heat as she handed him the paperwork.

  The officer turned on his heel and briskly walked back to the patrol cruiser. In the rearview mirror, Cassie sneaked a peek at the fine, taut physique of the officer before he ducked into the cruiser. She smiled and shook her head. Her brother should have forewarned her about the new, good-looking cop on the beat.

  Glancing into the pocket mirror she'd pulled out of her purse, she quickly smoothed out her wind-blown hair. It seemed to be taking the officer forever to check her license. Perhaps she could chat him up, get his name, maybe even a date. Her body responded with a hum of amorous adrenaline. He watched the officer stride back over to the side of her car. She decided not to waste any time.

  "So, tell me, are you new on the force? My brother is Sam Meadows. Do you know him?"

  The cop gave a soft chuckle of amusement and nodded. “Yeah, I know him, but it won't get you out of this predicament."

  His rebuttal sent a shock of pink through her cheeks. She gaped at the officer's audacious remark. Before she could respond, he leaned closer to the car and spoke in a smooth, husky rumble.

  "I also know you, too, Cassie, and your need for speed. I guess some things never change."

  Cassie blinked, staring up into his aviator shades, searching for an inkling of recognition. “How do you know—"

  He removed the sunglasses, revealing his sky-blue eyes.

  "Steve? Steve Tanner?” She uttered in surprise. “Oh, my God, it's you!"

  Steve Tanner was the last person Cassie had expected to see upon her return to Mount Hill from Savannah, let alone an officer with the Mount Hill Police Department.

  "I was beginning to wonder if you'd forgotten about little ol’ me.” He cocked his head, a slow grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. A glimmer of the Steve Tanner she'd once known peeked through the façade of the tough guy in blue.

  "I ... no, I haven't forgotten.” How could she forget her first true love, the one who broke her heart into a million pieces when she was only eighteen? “Good to see you again, Steve. It's been a long time.” Cassie forced herself to smile, despite the churning mix of feelings swirling in her gut.

  "It's good to see you, too, Cassie, but I wish it was under better circumstances.” Steve ripped the little blue paper from his notepad and held it out to her.

  "What's this? A ticket?” Her eyes widened with disbelief when she looked down at the blue slip of paper. She jerked her gaze upward, and locking eyes with the blue-eyed cop, her mouth drawn into a thin, tight line of disapproval.

  "I'm just doing my job. Too many speeders around here,” he replied, straightening his stance.

  "Tanner, you really know how to win a girl over, don't you?” Cassie shook her head in disgust and turned the ignition key. “Nice to see you again, Steve. Wish I had time to chat, but Mom and Dad are waiting for me. I'd better get going."

  "Drive safe. I'm sorry I—"

  Before he could finish, she pulled the Lexus away from the curb and headed down the street.

  * * *

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