Yesterday's Secret Sins

By Marilyn Lee

Kristine has just moved to Haddon Valley…

 

…and now she's suspected of murder.

 

When Kristine leaves the big city to move to a small town, she never thought she'd get mixed up in a crime. Truthfully, she came for Dylan—the town's Police Chief and her longtime crush. After his divorce, he was finally free…

 

And Kristine was hoping to fulfill her long held fantasies of him.

 

But things get tricky in her new town. Just as she begins a relationship with Dylan, a man's dead body is found…

 

The same man who had been blackmailing her.

 

With nowhere to run and her relationship with Dylan heating up fast, Kristine must maintain her sanity as an investigation ensues—one that her new lover is in charge of.

 

Can Kristine take the heat of being a suspect in a murder case?

 

Or will everything become too hot to handle?

 

Yesterday's Secret Sins is a sensual romantic suspense novel for people who love sizzling chemistry, secrets in a small town and a mysterious murder.

Get Yesterday's Secret Sins now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marilyn Lee Unleashed
• Release date: May 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201277789

Marilyn Lee

Marilyn Lee lives, works, and writes on the East Coast. In addition to thoroughly enjoying writing erotic romances, she enjoys roller-skating, spending time with her large, extended family, and rooting for all her hometown sports teams. Her other interests include collecting Doc Savage pulp novels from the thirties and forties and collecting Marvel comics from the seventies and eighties (particularly Thor and The Avengers). Her favorite TV shows are forensic shows, westerns (Gunsmoke and Have Gun, Will Travel are particular favorites), mysteries (loves the old Charlie Chan mysteries. Her all-time favorite mystery movie is probably Dead, Again), and nearly every vampire movie or television show ever made (Forever Knight and Count Yorga, Vampire are favorites). Marilyn has won numerous writing accolades, including a CAPA award for Bloodlust: Conquering Mikhel Dumont and the following Lub-Dubs Awards for 2009: Lifetime Achievement Award, In Blood And Worth Loving (Best erotic novel and best sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal Award. She loves to hear from readers who can email her at [e-mail] or who can visit her website, http://www.marilynlee.org. Visit her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.lee.393950?ref=tn_tnmn) She has a Yahoo! Group called Love Bytes that readers can join by sending an email to [e-mail]

Book preview

Prologue

H mm. Nice. Very nice . I’m going to enjoy this.

She stood naked and shivering in the middle of the hotel room. Although the foreplay that had gone before had aroused her, she’d never been this far before. And she was afraid. She’d dreamed of this moment for what seemed an eternity, but not with this man.

I’m not sure about this.

The tall, slender man, also naked, standing near the door, watching her disrobe, crossed the room to stand in front of her. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her close, sliding his arms around her.

His penis, warm and pulsing, brushed against her mound. She gasped, feeling a shock of pleasure run through her body. Dreaming of a naked, fully aroused man and having one pressed against her were two very different things. As her nipples hardened against his chest, her doubts dissolved.

It’s a little too late for regrets, my love.

He was not the man she’d dreamed of giving herself unreservedly to, but he was the man with the stiff shaft that made her knees knock.

He lifted her in his arms and carried her across the room. Laughing softly, he tossed her onto the big bed. He dived on beside her and spread his tall, slender body on hers, slowly rubbing his shaft against her. Get ready, baby. Here I come.

The man’s eyes gleamed with desire rather than the love she’d imagined and longed to see. But his eyes were blue. Not the same shade of blue as his, but if she closed her eyes, she could pretend she was with him.

He touched her between her legs, stroking her until she felt a knot of heat building in her. She shuddered and closed her eyes. Moaning softly, she lifted her hips, eager to feel him inside her.

That’s it, baby. You’re ready for some loving.

Her heart thumped, and her breath caught in her throat. Oh, God! It was about to happen. He was going to take her. She clenched her hands into fists and gasped as he pushed into her body with a quick, hard thrust. He tore past the barrier of her hymen and buried his hard warmth entirely inside her.

Without giving her time to adjust to his shaft, he thrust roughly inside her. Losing her virginity was nothing like she’d imagined. The man of her dreams wouldn’t have taken her without regard for her discomfort. She pushed the thought from her mind when she realized that what was happening to her wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

A delicious thrill rocked her body every time he withdrew and slammed back into her, rubbing against the small, hard knob at the top of her vagina.

Although she longed to be kissed, caressed, and have her ears filled with heated love words, there was no denying the pleasure building in the pit of her stomach. She still felt pain, but now her whole body throbbed and burned. The hands clenched into fists at her sides rose and clutched at his shoulders. The world tilted and dissolved around her. Surrendering to the desire engulfing her, she delighted in the heady knowledge that this handsome, older man was now coming in her, filling her no longer virginal vagina with his seed.

With no thought for the consequences that her coming to his hotel room and giving her virginity to him would have, she shuddered and tightened herself around him. She smiled with feminine satisfaction when he groaned, shuddered, and collapsed on top of her, still buried inside her. Now. Finally. She was a woman. She would know how to please him if she ever got the chance.

Chapter One

Krist Matthews felt her face grow hot and her temper rise. She stood in the quiet, cream-colored hallway, shamelessly listening to the conversation behind the not quite closed door. It was true what they said about listeners never hearing any good of themselves.

After he had gone, she could pretend that she hadn’t heard his opinion of her. She glanced down the tiled hallway to the front door. She should beat a hasty retreat and come back later.

Instead, she ran a hand through her hair, bit her bottom lip, and tiptoed closer to the door.

She’s my friend, Lan. My best friend.

That’s right, Mia. She’s your friend. Not mine.

Oh, come on. Be a sport.

I’m not inclined to waste time on a silly friend of yours who has more money than good sense.

That’s not fair! She’s very sensible, and it’s not her fault her parents died, leaving her very comfortable.

And idle! She does absolutely nothing with her time.

That’s not true! It’s true she doesn’t have to work, but she’s spent the last four years volunteering at senior centers, homeless shelters, hospitals, and anywhere else she could be helpful.

And?

And now she needs a break.

She works for four years, and she needs a break?

Oh, don’t make her sound lazy. She’s entitled to a break. She worked non-stop for four long years when she didn’t need to. So she’ll spend most of her time writing and renovating the old Russell house.

You still haven’t said anything that would make me want to meet her. She sounds like she should be mingling with Mixer and his type, not trying to run me down.

Mixer. Krist quickly dismissed a sudden violent shock of revulsion. Pennsylvania was a great state, and small-town Haddon was a world removed from the city of Pittsburgh, where she’d last seen Mixer a lifetime earlier.

Trying to run you down? You make her sound like a stalker, Mia protested.

That’s what she sounds like to me. 

A fresh surge of heat rushed up Krist’s neck to her face. Having heard enough, she pushed the door open and stormed into the room.

She caught a glimpse of Mia’s surprised face before turning to face her brother. He looked as if he’d stepped out of one of the many pictures she’d seen of him. He had thick dark hair, beautiful blue eyes, broad shoulders, lean hips, and long legs.

He slipped his hands into the pockets of the dark sweatpants he wore and looked at her with no hint of surprise or embarrassment on his rugged, clean-shaven face. I wondered how long you would listen at the door. He sounded amused. Kristine Matthews, I presume. 

That’s right. Ignoring his remark about listening at the door, she stalked forward and extended her hand. And you’re Mia’s much older brother. I understand you’re nearing retirement.

She ignored Mia's strangled sound and centered her gaze on Dylan Mitchell’s eyes, which had begun to twinkle.

Not quite that old yet, but admittedly getting there faster than I’d like. Smiling, he briefly enveloped her hand in a big warm one.

I understand you have no interest in meeting me.

He dared to smile down at her. You understand correctly.

She stared at him. Excuse me?

No need, he said, I’m sure you heard me. I’m a busy man with no interest in dating you.

Dating me? She cast what she hoped was a disparaging glance up at him. Who said anything about dating? I only wanted to meet you because I’m a writer developing a new mystery series. You’re Haddon’s top cop and head honcho. I thought I might model my main character after you.

Really? His deep voice fairly dripped with sarcasm. Then I must have been grossly misinformed.

She swung around to face Mia, who stared at them with blue eyes like her brothers. Mia! You didn’t tell him my interest was personal. Did you?

A guilty flush stained Mia’s cheeks.

She sighed. No use pretending she had never expressed a personal interest in him. She turned back to face him. Okay. For an old guy, you’re kind of cute. In a brutish, uncultured sort of way, you understand, she added.

To her surprise, he laughed. Well, this old guy doesn’t have more time to waste. He bent to kiss Mia’s cheek before looking at her again. Mia tells me you’ve bought the old Russell house.

That’s right.

That’s a big place for one person.

I like lots of space, she said, trying not to sound defensive. Why should she apologize for not having to struggle to make ends meet?

He arched a brow. Then, unfortunately, I’m sure we’ll run into each other again.

For a moment, his rudeness dismayed her. But she wasn’t going to be brushed off so easily. Her mom used to say that she never knew when to stop. Not one to try and prove her mother wrong, she stepped into his path.

My, what a sweet, silver-tongued devil you are, she said in a sugary voice. You must have to beat the women off, with all that masculine charm oozing all your pores every time you open your mouth.

His lips curved into a self-deprecating smile. Okay. That was a bit much. Sorry, he said and stepped around her.

She quickened her step and planted herself squarely in his path again. Not that I don’t appreciate the handsome apology you just so eloquently delivered...

Ah huh. But?

She grinned. But it would mean more if you at least gave me a tour of the station. It’s Saturday, she quickly said when he seemed on the verge of speaking. A Saturday in Haddon can’t be that busy. What do you say? I’m not so bad once you get to know me.

Maybe not, he grudgingly allowed. However, I have no desire to get to know you.

That’s only because you don’t know me yet. She grinned at him. Once you do, you’ll wonder where I’ve been all your life, Lan.

His lips twitched. The name’s Dylan, and I know exactly where you’ve been...where you’re going to stay—out of my sphere.

Oh, I wouldn’t go betting any of the ole pension money on that. I have a way of getting what I want.

The slight smile playing around his lips vanquished. That’s interesting because I have a way of not changing my mind. 

Never mind technicalities now. Let’s see that police station of yours.

He nodded slowly. Okay. I’ll give you a tour of the station, but that’s it. Understood?

Absolutely. She smiled up at him and casually slipped her arm through his. "Now, can we go already? The afternoon’s wasting away, and I’m full of questions.

She glanced over her shoulder at Mia. See you later. She winked. Much later.

Not all that late, Mia, he corrected. Expect her back very shortly. 

Once outside the large ranch house Mia shared with her hubby Jeff, he firmly disengaged his arm from hers. We’ll take my car. He nodded toward a dark blue sedan parked in the driveway in front of her white foreign car.

I guess I don’t have to ask whose showpiece that is, do I?

Is there a law against owning a foreign car in Haddon Valley? she demanded. She quickly caught herself. Being defensive wouldn’t win her any brownie points. She flashed him a quick smile and slipped into the car through the door he held open.

She fastened her seat belt and turned to look at him as he slid into the dark leather driver seat. Look, can we start over?

He fastened his seat belt, started the engine, and turned to look at her. Why?

Why not?

Because you need to understand that I’m not interested in dating.

Are you seeing someone?

He cut the engine, released his seat belt, and turned to look at her with narrowed eyes. Why would I discuss my personal life with you?

She bit her lip, willing herself not to blush. Because I ask you so nicely?

He shook his head.

She snapped her fingers. I know. Because I’m so darned cute, you can’t resist me?

If possible, his blue eyes became even more piercing. It was all she could do not to squirm as he made a slow, deliberate inspection of her. His gaze rested briefly on her thick, dark hair. Then, even more briefly, he looked into her eyes, a nondescript blue. His gaze drifted to her nose, short and square-tipped. Lastly, he glanced at her mouth, which she knew to be rather full-lipped. All in all, not an especially pretty face, but hopefully a cut above plainness.

He shook his head again, and the hot betraying blood rushed up to her neck until her face felt as if it were on fire. She’d been a fool to come running when she learned he was divorced, especially if Mixer were here.

She averted her gaze and unhooked her seat belt; her only thought was to get away from him and the humiliation he didn’t seem to mind heaping on her.

Hey! Wait a minute!

His hand on her arm sent a tingle through her and arrested her efforts to escape. She turned back, her face hot with shame and anger.

Hey! Don’t look like that. You misunderstood me. I didn’t mean to imply that you’re not cute. I only meant that line wasn’t going to work either.

Oh. She relaxed her tense muscles. Then, how about you tell me because I’ll hound you until you do?

He laughed and released her arm. That I believe.

So? Are you involved with anyone?

Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I’m not.

She angled her head to one side and studied him. Why not? 

Because I am not interested in dating. Do us both a favor, and don’t waste my time or yours trying to change my mind.

His tone raised her fighting spirits. Don’t be so quick to think too much of yourself, Chief, she told him coolly. I suppose I’d better ask what Mia told you about me.

His hesitation was slight but noticeable. It doesn’t matter, as long as you and I understand each other.

Which probably meant that Mia had told him everything, including the fact that she’d taken one look at his picture eight years earlier and had fallen for him. But she’d known better than to expect a thirty-one-year-old police officer to look twice at a seventeen-year-old. He married before she turned eighteen, shattering her budding dreams of one day being his wife. She was now willing to settle for being his lover.

I suppose she told you I’ve wanted to meet you since I saw your picture years ago? She waited until he nodded before she went on. Well, now I’ve met you, I can tell you that...well, let’s just say the reports of your charms were greatly exaggerated.

He laughed and released the hand brake. I’m devastated that you think so. Now, are you coming or not?

She’d waited too long to give up with her goal in sight—with him in her sights. Coming, your chiefness.

Then buckle up, Kristine.

Why, Chief, I didn’t know you cared! she cried in a staged, breathless voice, dramatically pressing a hand against her chest.

His gaze met and briefly locked with hers. His blue eyes were devoid of anything she could vaguely call interest. For one awful moment, she expected him to say he didn’t care. Instead, he smiled suddenly, making her heart thump against her ribs. Oh, I have hidden depths, Kristine.

And she meant to explore them all. She tilted her nose in the air and waved her hand impatiently. Drive on, James.

He laughed and complied.

She was surprised to find a very modern police station in the heart of town, next to the County Courthouse. Before they could begin the tour, a tall, dark-haired man approached.

Afternoon, Dylan.

The chief nodded. Kristine, this is my second in command, John Keith. John, this is Kristine Matthews.

Krist had her hand engulfed in a big, firm one. She was pleasantly surprised to find herself looking up into a pair of warm brown eyes. They smiled down at her as if their owner were happy to meet her. Delighted to meet you, Miss Matthews. At least I hope it is Miss?

Sure is. His fingers tightened marginally on her elbow. Nice to meet you too, but the name’s Krist.

Krist. He nodded, his smile widening. Hope to see you again, Krist.

I understand Haddon’s a relatively small place. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.

I’ll look forward to that.

Great. So will I.

The tightening of the chief’s fingers on her elbow was more noticeable this time. She turned to look at him. Yes?

This way, if you’re ready for that tour you were so eager for, Kristine.

Hold your horses, Chief. She cast a brief smile at John Keith before being hurried away.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous just now, she said.

He stopped in the middle of the radio dispatch room to look down at her. Then it’s a good thing you know better, Kristine.

She smiled up at him. Oh, absolutely, Chief. Now. About that tour.

The tour was quicker than she’d expected and ended in his office, a medium-sized room that looked out onto a small park across the square.

She noticed, with satisfaction, that no pictures of beautiful women adorned his desk.

Seen enough?

She turned from the window to find him standing by the open door. She grinned and tilted her head to one side. You know, Mitch, I hardly ever attack police chiefs in their offices on Saturday afternoons anymore. I usually save that little delight for the occasional Sunday treat these days. So you can close the door with no fear of being attacked.

He sighed, closed the door, and came to