Mr Justice

by Piper Sullivan

  She snorted a laugh and stepped back. “I think your ego can withstand a few dents, Reid. So, why are you here?”

  “The pancake breakfast started ten minutes ago.” She stared at me like I’d grown an eyeball in the middle of my forehead. “I thought we’d go together and hang out. As friends.”

  “That’s not really my scene but thanks for the invite.” She stepped back again, ready to end the conversation and probably get back in bed. My eyes snapped closed at the image that flashed in my mind of having Audrey in bed. Naked. Ebony hair spilling all over my sheets. I nearly lost my fingertips in the door. Luckily, I grabbed it just before she shut it.

  “Not your scene? Oh, I’m sorry do you not like bottomless pancakes? Especially Big Mama’s buttermilk pancakes? Because I know for a fact that you love her Bloody Mary cocktails. With bacon!” I wasn’t above a little manipulation to get my way.

  She groaned and pulled the door from my grasp. I stood there, determined I would walk away—at least for today—if she slammed the door. Audrey stepped back. “You had me at Bloody Mary and bottomless pancakes,” she said, giving me her back as she walked away.

  It wasn’t a ringing endorsement for spending time with me, but it was a start. “I’ll take time with you any way I can get it.”

  “Sure,” she mumbled. “I’ll be down in fifteen minutes. Unless you want me to meet you there?” Those violet eyes looked too damn innocent and my lips curled into a knowing smile.

  “I’m happy to wait. Unless you need your back washed?”

  “No thanks. I’m plenty flexible.” She flounced away, leaving me with that thought—like I needed anymore naked images of my best friend’s sister running around my mind. Every time I got a little whiff of that earthy, sexy perfume she wore, my cock got hard thinking about the way that scent wafted from that little pulse in her neck when she came around me.

  I have to stop. It didn’t help to remind myself how inappropriate my thoughts were or that Audrey met very few of my requirements for a woman I planned to get serious about, and unfortunately, I couldn’t do anything but serious with Audrey. Not without risking my friendship with Will. Even those thoughts didn’t help.

  Thankfully, she was a woman of her word and, fifteen minutes later, she returned freshly showered, dressed, and smelling like lavender and leather.

  “Ready?”

  “You look good.” It was a total understatement, but I knew if I said anything more complimentary, she’d question my sincerity. But damn, she looked good in that vibrant green dress with white sneakers. It was oddly feminine and traditional on Audrey, but her eyes looked like purple gems. One word came to mind. Beautiful.

  “Thanks.” It was such an Audrey response. Where other women might have taken a moment to preen and soak up the kind words, she shook them off and downplayed them, grabbing a few bills of cash and stuffing it into a hidden pocket.

  The pancake breakfast was in full swing when we arrived. “It looks like the whole town came out.” Two long rows of tables, grills, and booths lined either side of Main Street as we walked slowly, taking in everything being offered.

  “The whole town comes out for every event,” she mumbled low enough that only I could hear her. “I smell delicious butter.” She groaned and rubbed her belly.

  Betty Kemp approached with a gleam in her eyes. “Walker. Audrey. Don’t you two make such a lovely pair! I didn’t believe Ry when he said you were just friends and now that I see you two together …” She shook her head instead of finishing her statement. Thank goodness for small favors.

  “We’re not a couple,” Audrey insisted but Betty was already shuffling away, probably to share the news with the other wannabe matchmakers in town.

  I leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Don’t let it get to you. We have Bloody Marys to drink.”

  “You’re right,” she said and kept moving forward.

  “What’s the hurry?”

  Audrey glared at me over her shoulder. “I don’t want to run into more old ladies telling us how adorable we are together.” She walked away and I grabbed her wrist, tugging her in the direction of the group of grills manned by Will.

  “Hey, guys!” Will’s smile was wide and welcoming but I didn’t miss the moment of doubt, of questioning in his gaze that we were together. “What are you doing here?”

  “Walker blackmailed me into coming with the promise of a Bloody Mary, yet here I am, completely parched.” Audrey smacked her lips together a few times for good measure, and sent me another glare.

  “I’ve got pancakes.” Will made two tall stacks and shoved the plates at us. “Now keep moving. There’s a group of single out-of-town women waiting to sample my sweets.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and Audrey groaned.

  “You’re disgusting but I love you anyway. Thanks for the stack.”

  “Enjoy your cocktail!” Will laughed when she sent him a dismissive wave, already plowing through the crowd in search of Big Mama’s famous cocktail.

  She was determined, that much was for sure, but my legs were longer and I was faster. “If you walk too fast, you’ll spill your pancakes,” I whispered in her ear, startling her.

  “It’s not like there’s a shortage of pancakes around here. But if you’re so worried, you can carry them for me and I’ll get the drinks.” Before I could even give her my answer, she was setting her plate on my upturned palm.

  “Just look at you two—as cute as ever.” Trixie Bell stopped right in front of us and smiled at her sister. “Don’t they make a striking pair, Mimi?”

  “Sure do. Wonder what kind of antics Audrey knows to land a tomcat like Walker.” Mimi sized me up and then Audrey before her gaze returned to me, darker and more assessing than before. I needed a shower when she was finished.

  “Oh, you know, Mimi. The usual. Probably that cherry-stem trick; it gets the boys every single time.” She flashed an innocent smile all around that had Trixie fanning herself and Mimi cackling like a wild woman.

  “Good to know, girlie. Trixie, are cherries in season yet?”

  It was hard, but somehow I was able to hold back my laughter. “Sorry to interrupt, ladies, but Audrey here is on a mission for a Bloody Mary and if I don’t get her one soon, there will be hell to pay. You know how it is.”

  Both women nodded and tittered as they waved us off. “A man who goes to great lengths to make you happy in the world will go even further in the bedroom. Remember that,” Mimi called out, loud enough to draw a few stares.

  “Kill me now,” Audrey mumbled. “Finally!” She stopped and I swear her shoulders slumped in relief when she snagged the third spot in line for her cocktail. Eventually she noticed I was still there. “Find us a seat and I’ll get drinks. I promise not to run off.”

  “I’ll try not to eat your pancakes.”

  She flashed a sickly sweet smile that terrified me just a little. “That’s not very friendly behavior, Walker.”

  Damn, she had me there. I smiled and went in search of a place to sit that would allow enough privacy that we could talk but not enough that I’d be tempted to forget why she was all wrong for me. Instead of thinking about Audrey, I dug into my pancakes to give my mind a few moments of peace.

  It wasn’t working.

  “I got a stack of buttermilk just in case you decided to eat some of mine,” she said, deftly setting down the plate with a normal-sized Bloody Mary and the gallon size. “Plus extra syrup.”

  “Careful, Audrey, I might think you’re starting to like me,” I teased.

  She sent a mock glare. “Who says any of this is for you? The Bloody Mary is yours—the rest you’ll have to earn.”

  “With bonus points or something?” I smiled, enjoying the playful back and forth with her.

  “Yes, and you don’t have any,” she said and stuck out her tongue before dropping down in the seat across from me.

  “How does one earn these bonus points?”

  She shrugged. “The usual ways. Good deeds. Good man
ners. Basically being a good and worthy person.”

  “Like someone who helps you find a gallon of vodka and tomato juice?”

  She looked at me for a long time and then burst out laughing. “It’s pretty damn big, isn’t it?” Even as she said the words, Audrey leaned forward and took a long, satisfying sip. “Delicious though.”

  “Isn’t this just the perfect sight?” Janey’s voice penetrated the little bubble of flirting and friendliness going on between us. When I turned, a camera lens obscured her face.

  “Janey. How good to see you,” I told her in a tone that said it wasn’t good to see her at all. “What are you doing here?”

  “Thought I’d get some good shots of our Hometown Heroes in their everyday lives. Seeing you and Audrey here together was kismet since you both are hermits.” She moved the camera and flashed a bright smile.

  Audrey wasn’t as patient. “I’m not part of the calendar so why do you need shots of me?”

  Janey sighed and spoke like she was speaking to a child. “We’re trying to sell calendars. For a good cause. Just act like a couple for a few shots.”

  Audrey rolled her eyes and took another sip, no gulp, from her glass. “You don’t need a story to sell a calendar filled with hot, half-naked men. Especially not a love story.” She stopped short of telling the photographer to go away but somehow Janey heard it.

  “Maybe not, but the more interest they have in the Heroes, the more calendars we’ll sell.”

  “Fine, take photos but I’m not faking anything.”

  “You don’t have to,” Janey insisted bravely. “The photos I snapped before you realized I was here are gold. Pure gold, I tell you!” She snapped one more photo and darted off just as Ry and Penny walked by wrapped up in each other’s arms.

  I didn’t know what had just happened, only that Audrey was annoyed as hell. I had a feeling I’d take the brunt of it. But I was a brave man. Mostly. “That was a little harsh, don’t you think? It’s just a few photos.”

  “No, I don’t think, Walker. This is all a huge stroke for your ego or your next run for office, but that’s not how it’ll play for me. When this whole calendar business is over, I refuse to have the whole damn town pitying me because they think you dumped me and moved on. No thanks.” She took another sip before sitting back and crossing her arms.

  Yep, angry.

  I heard what she said and I even understood it. “Who says I’ll move on?” It was a ridiculous question and her scoff confirmed it.

  “Anyone who has eyesight and the ability to make decisions based on past behavior.” She held up a hand defensively. “I’m not judging. I swear I’m not. It’s just what you do.”

  Ouch. I didn’t know why hearing her say that hurt so much. “You’ve known me a long time and you believe that?”

  She nodded. “Not only do I believe it, but you did it to me and you’ve known me a long time too.”

  Dammit, she was right. “Maybe I just haven’t found the right woman yet. Have you ever thought of that?” I didn’t know what in the hell possessed me to say something so ridiculous, but I did. There was no right woman.

  “All right, Walker. Tell me who is the right woman for you.” Her arms were crossed, with a small twisted smile on her face, like she was so damn certain she knew what I would say.

  Just to prove her wrong, I took my time to think about it. The more I looked at that straight black hair and those piercing violet eyes, the more I just wanted to win. Something. “Smart, kind, ambitious.” Audrey wasn’t buying it and I decided to be honest. I mean, I already had a list of the exact characteristics my future wife would possess. “Successful in her career. Sophisticated in both her style and personality. Beautiful, of course. Adventurous in bed with the ability to be obedient. Outgoing. And she must have her own money.” I didn’t know what possessed me to stop there, but I did.

  Audrey stared at me for a long damn time. So long that I began to squirm under what felt like an assessment. I wondered what she saw, truly saw, when she looked at me. Hell, I’d give anything to know what she was thinking. She stood and finished off her drink with a soft, resigned smile. “Sounds like you know exactly what you want, Walker. Maybe you should spend your time finding someone who fits that criteria instead of wasting your time with me.” She walked away and I sat there, stunned.

  What had just happened? I had no idea but it was a stark reminder why I stayed away from women who didn’t fit my criteria.

  “Hey, man, where’s Audrey?” Will clapped my back and dropped down beside me.

  “She had too much people time and decided to go back home.” It wasn’t a complete lie. I was the people she’d had too much of and I was absolutely certain she’d gone home.

  “I’m not surprised, but thanks for getting her to come out. She’s always kept to herself but never like this. Ma is worried and, to tell you the truth, I’m starting to get worried too. I know something happened but she won’t say what.”

  What the hell else could I say to that? Hey, I not only know the reason, but I am the reason. Want the details? No thank you. “Yeah, no problem.”

  Audrey

  With distance came perspective. It was something I truly believed and it was also why I accepted that contract back in New York to get away from Walker. Time had done her trick again. After leaving Walker at the pancake breakfast with one hell of a Bloody Mary buzz, I felt too many things when I shouldn’t have been feeling anything. Not about Walker, anyway.

  I marched home with a head full of steam, wishing the worst things I could imagine upon him. That little list—oh, it pissed me off real good. It was Walker’s idea of the perfect woman and it was a woman who couldn’t have been further away from me if she was born and raised in another galaxy. But it was also eye opening, forcing me to admit that a glimmer of hope existed that something more might happen between us. The worst part was realizing just how much I’d been lying to myself. It was disheartening. Disappointing.

  That list had, without meaning to, stripped me of that last bit of hope. It was a harsh realization and I needed to get away from all the people pretending Walker and I were a couple. Away from the man himself, especially. I spent the next twenty-four hours mourning the death of that last gasp of hope, saying goodbye to the crush I’d harbored longer than any other.

  Soon I would be immune to Walker’s good looks and endless charm. To that way he had of pulling you in and making you want to be closer. Until that happened, I would just have to continue to keep my distance. It wasn’t a great plan, but it was a solid plan.

  After my day of mourning, I woke early and put my treadmill to use, running two miles before my legs and lungs gave out. My mind wasn’t as clear as I’d hoped for after a run but I was energized enough to make a breakfast I could eat while I worked. By the time noon rolled around, I’d completed two projects and spent an hour working on my graphic novel.

  Without thoughts of Walker clouding my mind, my day had been super productive, confirming that I’d made the right decision to forego dating for a while. Mom would disagree and Will would probably breathe a sigh of relief, but all I felt was justified. Right.

  The bell rang at the same time a loud knock sounded on the locked screen door, yanking me from my work stupor with the force of an earthquake. “Audrey, we know you’re in there! Open up!”

  The voice was Nina’s, which meant Janey was with her. Somehow, I managed to suppress a groan as I stood and stretched my stiff muscles, taking a long deep breath to prepare myself for dealing with people. Hours of solitude was great for productivity and even creativity, but making the switch to being a social creature could be hard. “Ladies. What brings you by?” I unlocked the door and stepped back to let them in with a shaky smile.

  Janey bounced in first, with Nina at least offering up an apologetic smile. “We need your help,” Janey said, as if that was all she needed to say.

  “With?”

  “The Hometown Heroes website. Mayor Ashford wants it all jazzed
up because we’ve already pre-sold a couple hundred online. To non-residents of Tulip.” She looked at me like that fact was supposed to mean something to me.

  “Okay, and?”

  Nina rolled her eyes. “And we need it to look professional for real, not like we had the high school web design club do it—which we did, by the way. It’s not what you normally do and probably way below your skill level, but that’s why we need you.” I appreciated Nina’s ability to make things simple.

  The job was a fairly simple one that I could do on my own and with minimal input. “I have no problem redoing the website, as long as it doesn’t require a joint effort.”

  “You’re a local and this can be your personal contribution,” Janey insisted.

  “I didn’t say no, Janey. I just don’t want you adding six thousand other requirements on top of this one. Just tell me this is all you need from me and we’re good.”

  Janey opened her mouth to say something, probably to add more tasks to my plate, but Nina put a hand on her shoulder. “That’s it, Audrey. Do the website. Please.”

  Arms crossed with her chin tilted up unhappily, Janey stared a hole through me. “I’ll get you the materials by the end of the day.”

  “Great. Thanks. Any notes you have would be helpful.”

  Nina sized me up and I knew she was spoiling for a confrontation. Too bad for her. I wasn’t in the mood. “We’re not out to get you, Audrey.”

  “I know that, but you two have a reputation with this calendar and if I’m not firm, you’ll rope me into all kinds of things.” The Hometown Heroes had been complaining nonstop about how one little photoshoot had turned into a whole media blitz. “Besides, I’m not in the market for matchmaking.”

  Nina and Janey looked at each other and then burst out laughing. “It’s not us you have to worry about. The old ladies in town and the mayor are using any and all tools at their disposal to keep Sabrina Worthington from getting her hands on Tulip’s Tribute.”