in
care of the studio, when anyone who knew her well enough to know her real name
would also know where she lived. That detail niggled at her.
“The first and second letters were just rants mingled with
mild threats. The third got scarier. It wasn’t until the fourth that I got
rattled. That letter came a few days ago. The fifth arrived so fast it took me
off guard.”
“What about your fan mail? Have you seen similar handwriting
or printing on those?”
“To tell you the truth, I haven’t noticed.” Crystal sighed
and chewed her lower lip in frustration. She should have thought of that. “I
throw most of my mail away.”
“Save everything from now on. Understand?”
Crystal nodded.
“Do you have a pair of gloves in your closet? Any kind, it
doesn’t matter.”
All she could find were a pair made of sheer black lace.
Tomas took them and put them on without flinching. He opened and read each
letter slowly, also taking note of the postmark and delivery dates. “The
aggression has escalated,” he said. “We can’t let this go, Crystal.”
She couldn’t keep herself from whining. “Can’t you do
something without involving the cops? You’re with the Navy military police. You
have contacts. If this ends up on the police blotter, every newshound in the
country will show up.”
He pursed his lips and nodded. “Yeah, I could call a buddy
at the local precinct. Maybe he could look into this quietly. My brother at the
FBI might also be able to help.” Tomas bundled the letters and slipped them
into another baggie. “I hate to say it, but unless someone attempts an assault,
it will be hard to catch whoever is doing this.” Tomas pulled off the lace
gloves and laid them on the vanity table.
Any other time Crystal would have made a sarcastic or
salacious remark about him wearing her garments, but she had no urge to do that
now. She kissed his cheek instead. “Thank you, honey.”
“Honey?” Tomas looked up at her and smirked. “Not dickwad , knucklehead or shit for brains ?” He squeezed one cheek of her
butt through the thick terrycloth she wore. “Things are looking up.”
“I have to admit I feel better knowing you’re on my side.”
His expression turned solemn. “I’ve always been on your
team, Crystal. I just wish you’d stop inviting other players into your locker
room.”
“Would it make you feel better to know you’re team captain?”
She caressed his biceps and then ran her palm down his arm. Beneath her hand,
his muscles flexed in response. The hairs on his arm prickled.
“General manager. I’ll take nothing less.” His dead-on stare
said he hadn’t been placated this time. It was getting harder to justify her
reluctance to commit when they’d so obviously become a couple.
“I noticed you didn’t say owner . You’re obviously
getting to know me well.” Crystal glanced at the open doorway and whispered,
“Close the door, Tomas.”
Tomas locked the door. Crystal took him by the hand and led
him toward the daybed. When they reached the edge, she untied her robe and let
it fall open to reveal her near naked body. Crystal reached out and touched his
face. “I’ve been upset. I think you should comfort me in the way only you can.
Just you. Nobody else.”
Tomas smiled then, all of the anxiety of the past several
minutes draining from his face. “I don’t want you to worry about those letters.
Understand? I’ll look into it.” Hungry eyes savored every inch of her skin. His
gaze traveled over her tiny thong as if replaying her earlier on-screen sex
show.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her then, and his
full, pliant lips relayed all the concern and desire that had been reflected in
his eyes. His kiss told her secrets he had never spoken out loud—that he loved
her and would put all her needs before his if she would only promise to be his
alone.
When his tongue touched hers and he pulled her closer,
crushing his muscled chest to her breasts, his affection and