One of Six (Den Hollows #1)

31. Beatrice

31

BEATRICE

I stand with Essex, David, and Ed as we stare at the board that Ed put together with my help.

I'd been wrong. While I was with David, Ed had been working and not flirting with Maggie.

Steven Gibbs—13 years ago—inspected the first house—Green Oaks.

Robert Tate—12 years ago—contracted roofer—Green Oaks.

George Wilcox—8 years ago—Remington's cement truck driver—Green Oaks.

Roscoe Dale—8 years ago—contracted stonemason (Fireplaces)—Green Oaks.

Peter Frederick—7 years ago—Lawyer for Lincoln Construction—Green Oaks.

Vince Foyle—7 years ago—Peter Frederick's life partner.

Deedee Boyle—4 years ago—Accountant for Lincoln Construction—Having an affair with Richard. Baby his?

Joshua Redd—4 years ago—contracted carpenter—Green Oaks.

3.5 years ago—Green Oaks officially completed.

524 homes

Grocery Store

Pharmacy

Medical office

Elementary School

Middle School

High School

Sports field

"They built a town," I comment, taking Essex's hand as I read through the information again. Then a thought occurs to me. "How long between Deedee's death and Joshua's?"

"Let me look." Ed clicks around on the laptop and his eyebrows knit together in a frown. "Joshua died the day before Deedee was found." Pause. "That can't be a coincidence."

"Deedee had her neck broken, right? What if it happened at Lincoln Construction and Joshua witnessed it, or something like that?"

"Hmm, we can't rule that out."

"Ed, you need to go to City Hall and get a copy of the plans. We don't have any way to print them out here. I'd offer, but I don't want Richard or Judge to know what I’m doing."

"You have to go back, David," Essex says. "You're known in both towns. They don't know Ed."

David rubs his tired face. "When are your colleagues coming?"

"Later today," Ed says.

David nods and squeezes my shoulder. "Keep Bea safe, please."

"She'll be safe here," comes a deep voice from the doorway. We turn to see the rest of the Redd brothers. "Tell us how we can help?” Boone.

David hesitates, then hugs me before leaving.

Ed says, "We need the plans for Green Oaks before we do anything else."

The brothers all look at Boone, who rolls his eyes and throws his hands in the air. "I'm going, you assholes!"

"I was going to go," Ed says.

Ridge laughs. "Trust us. Boone will get a copy without anyone else knowing."

Nico laughs. "All he has to do is smile and flirt with Maeve Bennett and she'll give him anything he wants."

My eyes widen. "Boon's sweet on Maeve?"

"More like the other way around."

"Oh," I mutter, not sure I like the idea. Maeve can be naive. Galen, Ridge, Nico, and Atilio spread out across the room.

"Don't worry, babe," Essex says. "She's engaged, so no harm done."

I'm not so sure, but I keep my mouth shut because we really need those plans... but, "Why do we need the plans? The projects are finished."

"I want to see if the plans match what was actually built. We'll send a drone up to check."

"So, since everyone was working on the project, we think they disappeared because they discovered something they shouldn't have?"

"That's what I'm thinking, yes."

"This shouldn't take long," Boone says.

"Wow!" My eyes go wide. "You look hot, Boone."

"Babe, are you seriously into my brother?"

I grin at Essex. "He's hot, but you make me burn."

"I'm out of here." Boone disappears.

"Back to the plan, do you have a drone?" Atilio asks, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"No, but Anders does."

We stare at Ed, who adds, "Special Agents Brielle Anders and Mason Harding are on their way. Anders is a month into her two-year probationary period. Harding is her training officer, which reminds me that they need rooms at the Beachcomber. I'll arrange that while we wait for Boone to come back.

"Galen and I will come with you," Ridge offers to my relief. Ed was attacked the last time he was there.

I watch everyone scatter and let Essex lead me out of the room and up to his bedroom. He closes and locks the door before pulling me onto the bed.

My legs fall open as he climbs on top of me. "I've wanted you alone all day." The bulge between his legs presses right between mine. He says, brushing his lips over mine, "I could lie like this all day if you need time to process."

"I don't need to process anything about you, Essex." I slip my hands into the back of his jeans and dig my fingers into his warm flesh. "Make love to me."

His mouth comes down on mine as his hands catch the skirt part of my dress and pull it up. Shifting his gaze to my panties, he moans and moves down. My panties are pulled to my knees. "Leave them there." Trailing kisses down my body, I moan as he reaches his destination. With a low growl, he dives in, sending shivers down my spine. His hot, wet mouth is electrifying.

I struggle to open my legs with my panties around my knees. It's extremely arousing. My nipples become sensitive and press against the fabric of my dress.

Essex quickly flips me over and brings me to my knees before diving back in and fucking me with his tongue. I moan, rocking against his mouth. One hand slides to the front of me where his fingers work magic on my clit.

Every nerve ending feels alive as he expertly brings me closer to the edge. With every flick of his tongue and magic touch, I feel myself teetering on the edge of ecstasy. My body quivers with anticipation, then his mouth is gone. Seconds later, he's thrusting his thick cock into me. "I don't know if I can hold on," he moans, pushing deeper. "You feel so fucking good. Every time. Your cunt is tight, massaging my cock; it's a struggle not to lose control."

"I have to open my legs," I gasp at the pleasure he's giving me.

"It's more intense." He trembles against me.

I arch my back and push against him. He plunges deep and curses. I feel the tension building between us, the anticipation of release almost unbearable. As he grips my hips, preventing me from moving, he thrusts slowly and deeply. I feel every inch of his dick, making my pussy quiver. I feel his struggle for control, his breath ragged against my skin. The pleasure is overwhelming.

"Come on my cock, Bea," he moans. "Soak me, baby.”

I shudder as his words sink as deep as his dick and I come. I scream, burying my face in his pillow to muffle my cries. Essex shouts, "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" before jamming his cock to the hilt and pumping his cum into me.

My orgasm goes into overdrive at the feel of his release, and I shake with the pleasure that ripples through me. I collapse onto the bed, exhausted and satisfied, and feel his arms wrap around me in a tight embrace. As we lie there in the aftermath, it takes Essex a good few minutes to pull away from me and roll onto his side.

He shoves his junk back into his boxers and jeans and retreats to the bathroom, where he returns with a washcloth. He cleans between my legs and helps me pull my panties up where they belong. Throwing the cloth into the bathroom, he leans over me, and plants kisses on my knees, where I'm marked from the panties that were stuck around them while he fucked me.

Climbing onto the bed, he pulls me against him, kisses my forehead, and goes to sleep.

"I love you, Essex," I whisper.

He pulls me closer. "I love you too, Mermaid Girl."

I smile and lie down against him.