The Vanishing Girls by Callie Browning (read this if txt) 📕

across the highway, and less than twenty minutes later, Holden’s car screeched to a stop in front of his house. Eileen made her way up the stairs backwards, kissing him deeply and tugging his shirt free of his pants as they went. Cool night air washed over their bodies as he pressed her against the door, his hands exploring her hips and exposed back as she hooked her fingers in his belt loops and pulled him to her. Dimly, she registered the lock clicking behind her as he slipped the key into the cylinder. A square of moonlight fell across the polished mahogany floor for a moment before he lifted her into his arms and kicked the door closed, dousing the room in darkness once again.

Her shoes clattered noisily as they flew across the room as she wrapped her legs around him. Cupping her body to his, their lips met in a champagne-tinged kiss as he carried her to the bedroom. A moan escaped her throat when his tongue brushed hers, a sensual caress that sent a tingle down her spine like a white-hot flame blazing across a forest floor. He tugged the sleeves of her dress to free her torso with his other hand. Eileen moved against him, her nipples tightening as his silk shirt glanced across her bare skin.

She grew light-headed when Holden reached the bed and laid her on the cool, downy sheets. Moonlight glowed between the open slats of the louvred doors that led to the patio, gilding their bodies with silver light. She knew he was handsome, desirable — but when he shed his clothes, Eileen realized just how much his sombre suits hid his perfect body. His shoulders were broad, his chest was chiselled and his dark skin glowed like polished river stones at midnight.

Eileen squeezed her eyes shut as he pulled the dress down past her hips and kissed her again. She felt his hands travel slowly back up her body, touching her legs, hips and everything in between. She savoured the warmth of his skin as his chest touched her breasts.

Their bodies grew damp as the heat between them rose. Her eyes fluttered open and met his as his hands worked their way down, caressing each breast gently. He snaked his tongue over her nipples, making them harden in his hands as she watched, making her tremble beneath him. The sheets rustled as he leaned back on his heels, and clasped one of her hands in his. Raw emotion unfurled inside her, ready to welcome this man into her body.

Eileen squeezed her eyes shut and parted her thighs, gripping his shoulders in giddy anticipation. Instead, something warm and moist flicked against her core. Surprised, she flinched, unaccustomed to such a delicious sensation. Holden held her legs in place as her restless hips moved against his mouth. She sank her fingers into his hair, groaned breathlessly as she felt her climax build. She dug her nails into his shoulders, ground her hips against him and threw her head back as she felt it approaching. With a heavy gasp, she trembled and fell back against the mattress, wholly spent as Holden positioned himself over her. She had never known such intense pleasure, one that grew threefold when he pressed himself into her and sighed.

His thrusts were slow and deliberate at first, firm and full, as he looked into her eyes and kissed her neck softly. He panted, uttering her name, his tone that of a man begging to be set free from the bonds of lust that had built inside him.

His back was slick with sweat as he moved against her, his movements becoming insistent as his mouth found hers again, their lips and tongues moving in tandem as they yielded to each other. His thrusts gained strength, and his breathing became shallow as he tangled his fingers in her curly hair. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her as he groaned and throbbed inside her. With a guttural groan and a flex of his hips, Holden sank deep inside Eileen. She gripped his back, felt the tremors that left his body and filled hers, leaving both of them sated and complete.

* * *

HOLDEN FOLDED HIS ARMS BEHIND HIS HEAD and exhaled. Moonlight bounced off the soft white walls and dusted the room with a faint glow, casting long strips of light on Eileen’s face and making her look all the more beautiful as she slept  with the bedsheet pooled around her naked hips. His heart swelled when he looked at her. Her curly hair was fluffed up against the pillow, her lips were slightly parted. He watched the gentle rise and fall of her breathing, and in that moment, he was at peace.

But, deep in his stomach, Holden knew his anxiety would build again. Their plan to find the serial killer had failed, and he wasn’t sure if they’d have a chance like that again. They had made a critical mistake with the killer; he now knew that someone was on to him and he had heard Eileen’s name. Holden rubbed his hands against his face. As much as he had initially disapproved of the plan, he could admit that discovering the man's identity would have been more worthwhile than lying in bed with a vexed spirit.

Holden had tried to brush away his new car under the guise of romance, but the truth was that he had bought it to keep Eileen safe. He didn’t want her leaving home to collect him at ungodly hours anymore and neither did he feel comfortable with her living alone if it came down to it. It wouldn't affect her gas allowance, but he'd rather overcome his discomfort with driving than risk her safety. It had been excruciating the night when he’d driven her car from the cane field, holding his breath at every turn, trying to keep the flashbacks at bay. But last night had been easier. Over time, he hoped