Beneath the Layers

by Caitlyn Willows

  She studied his face as if trying to decide what his motive might be. All Kurt wanted was to apologize and get out of there in one piece. Since they were alone, now would be a good time to do so.

  “I started working here part-time about a month ago. I fill in whenever they need an extra pair of hands.”

  She pushed her glasses up again. He knew the gesture was unconscious and automatic. It was also sexy as hell.

  “Have you ever considered getting contact lenses?” Kurt blurted out before he could stop himself.

  Anger flared in her eyes.

  “I’m sorry. That was rude of me.” He had to salvage something here or he’d be up all night, caught between obsessing over Ellis and wanting Midge so he could pretend it was her. The investigation was his priority. Once it was over, he’d be free to… Shit, am I really thinking of hooking up with Ellis? “You know, we really got off on the wrong foot this morning. I was having a bad day, and I took it out on you. I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you at work, but you were in court. I did leave you something to eat and drink, and the wipes to clean off the stamp.”

  He watched her weigh his words as she scanned his face. Finally, she nodded. “I appreciated everything. I accept your apology, and you’re right. You were a real asshole.”

  He stiffened. “I didn’t say I was an asshole.”

  Jess’ shout from the back of the bookstore interrupted further sparring. Kurt edged past his antagonist and stalked back to the modified kitchen that served as a small break room for the staff. A pull-down ladder greeted him. The light was on in the attic and he could hear Vera chattering up there.

  He scaled the ladder and poked his head through the trap door. A space the size of the building was packed with neatly labeled boxes and several trunks. In the far corner, he saw an old black steamer trunk with brass trim and a small padlock. It was battered and scratched, looking as if it had been hauled around the world and back. Jess removed boxes stored on top of it and stacked them to the side. When it was cleared off, he grabbed one handle and dragged it to the opening.

  “Vera, you remember Kurt Davidson.” Jess shuffled the end of the trunk within Kurt’s grasp. “He works with me on base.”

  “I do. He’s been in one more than one occasion.” Flashing another of her glowing smiles, Vera continued to rearrange boxes that were in Jess’ way.

  Once the trunk was near the trap door, Jess stood up and rubbed the small of his back. “Would someone explain to me why vintage Christmas decorations have to be so damn heavy?”

  “Because they’re the real deal,” Kurt replied. “Claudia and Rowan are going to love them.”

  “Claudia and Rowan?” Ellis asked.

  He started a little, not realizing she’d followed him. “Good friends of mine and each other’s sister-in-law. Claudia’s pregnant and due soon.” Kurt knew he was babbling but couldn’t help it. He was beyond excited about the baby.

  When she didn’t respond, he glanced down at her, ready for battle. The wonder on her face stopped him cold and fired up the beast in his jeans.

  “Claudia and Zach Taylor are my best friends. I get to be Uncle Kurt.” Joy and pride swelled his chest. “When Claudia let me feel the baby move…” Love poured over him. “I can’t wait to hold him. I get to be in the birthing room.”

  Her expression softened more and that urge to kiss her overwhelmed him again. He turned away, breaking eye contact.

  Jess squatted down as he angled the trunk toward the door. “I don’t know why Emma wants the women to go through everything now, but I’ve learned it’s best to go with it when she gets a notion.” Jess sighed and shook his head.

  Kurt backed down the ladder, balancing the end of the trunk against his chest with one hand while grabbing the ladder with the other. “I still think you should have made Phillip and Zach come get the thing.”

  Jess slowly backed down the ladder, maintaining a tight grip on the handle in order to keep the weight from smashing down on Kurt’s head. “Emma forbade the two of them to come bumbling up here. Didn’t want them hurt. Me? I’m just the work-horse. The things I do for the woman I love.” He chuckled.

  Kurt laughed as he eased his way down the last few rungs. “So I’ve been warned. I’m prepared.” He took the last step to the floor and held the trunk steady so Jess could finish his descent.

  “Nothing in the world can ever prepare you for falling in love.” Jess set his end of the enormous trunk down on the kitchen linoleum.

  Ellis replaced them at the bottom of the ladder. “I’m leaving, Vera. See you Monday evening.”

  Vera swung onto the ladder, kicking dust before her. Ellis winced and backed up, blinking rapidly.

  “You all right?” he asked.

  She peeled off her glasses and wiped at the corners of her eyes. “Just a little something in my eye. I can’t—”

  “Here. In the light. Let me see.”

  Kurt gently pulled her around the ladder and over to the sink light. She came without hesitation. He yanked a paper towel off the roll, wet it and lifted her chin for a better look.

  “I see it. Right in the corner.” He dabbed at the particle, drawing it away.

  “Thank you,” she said. “I’m blind without my glasses.”

  What?

  “Not literally, of course,” she added.

  Her smile turned his insides upside down.

  “Midge, are you all right?” Vera asked.

  No fucking way. It was a crazy coincidence. That was all. His heart went wild, as did other parts of his anatomy.

  “I am.” She shoved the glasses back on, turned and breezed from the kitchen.

  The skirt flared out to reveal her shapely calves and trim ankles. Like the ones wrapped around his waist the night before? He ordered his cock to stand down, but the thing had a mind of its own. For the life of him, Kurt didn’t believe it—or want to believe it.

  She reeked of sex.

  Fuck.

  Why hadn’t Jess said anything when Kurt told him the woman’s name was Midge? Midge worked for his wife. No way Jess wouldn’t have checked her out first. He’d know Midge’s address. But hadn’t he snorted when Kurt had told him the woman’s name was Midge and given Jess her address? He’d known and he’d said nothing. Why? Because it was too impossible to believe Ellis could be the femme fatale? Then there was Jess’ last-minute request to help him with this trunk. He’d known she would be working tonight. Was Jess fucking with him? Maybe Kurt was wrong about all this. But how many times did a person hear the name Midge—and now there were two?

  “Well, you two certainly hit it off.” Vera released the ladder, closing the attic. “What’s next, pistols at dawn? Mud wrestling?”

  The last suggestion hit too close to home. The very image drained the blood from his brain and landed below the belt.

  He rubbed his neck and glanced over Vera’s shoulder to the far wall. “I was rude earlier and was trying to apologize.”

  He knew where she lived. If he hurried, he might be able to get there before her to see if both Midges were one. No, that wouldn’t work. If he went over as himself and Midge wasn’t Ellis, he would have blown his cover. She’d promised to call him tonight. He had to convince her to let him come over. Pleading his want for her should do it. It wasn’t a lie. He did want the sex…in the dark…pretending it was… He was driving himself insane. If she agreed, then what? Pull off her wig? It had to be a wig. It was why she’d insisted on sex in the dark. He couldn’t fault her for that. He’d readily agreed, to keep his own disguise intact. In any event, he had to get home and get ready, because no matter what, he was going to see her tonight.

  Kurt aimed for the door.

  “Where the hell are you going?”

  He snapped his attention to the smug expression on Jess’ craggy face.

  “Sorry, distracted. Let’s get this monstrosity in your truck. I’m presuming Phillip can help you unload it? I need to take care of something.”

  “No sense you
driving all the way out there.” Jess glanced at his watch. “We’ll catch up over an early breakfast.”

  That sounded like a plan to Kurt. He might even be able to tie this case up tonight. Other images swirled through his head.

  Chapter Five

  The buzz tingling through Midge’s body was at odds with her brain. She wished to hell her nipples weren’t so tight. It didn’t help that her clit was growing harder by the second.

  Why did Davidson have to be so nice to her? He loved kids as she did and was devoted to Zach and Claudia. Joy had danced in his eyes when he’d talked about the baby. Though the breeze outside had ruffled his hair, it had still managed to look great. The urge to comb her fingers through it had overwhelmed her. Balling her hands into fists had helped keep them to herself. She’d watched the muscles flex under his blue shirt as he’d maneuvered the trunk from the attic. His tight ass had begged her to take a nip.

  Her heart had triple-timed when he’d helped clear her eye. There was a familiarity in his touch that dredged up more want, as well as suspicion. Then there his damn aftershave.

  What were the odds of two men wearing the same aftershave? Probably good. She racked her brain, trying to recall if Davidson had ever used his full name in courtroom testimony. He hadn’t. Orin Davis. Kurt Davidson. One and the same?

  Midge stopped for a red light. She couldn’t get the possibility out of her head. It would certainly explain why she’d been attracted to him the previous night. Some part of her might have realized it was the man she’d been craving for months.

  “No.” She shook her head. Their coloring was different.

  Hello? Contacts, wigs, false beard.

  She pursed her lips and eased through the green light. Orin was a little taller. Or was he? They’d spent most of their time sitting…or horizontal.

  She slowly shook her head. Orin was Davidson. She could tell by the tone of his voice when it softened as he’d cared for her. The way he touched her and looked at her told on him as well. They were close enough that she’d seen puzzlement change to recognition when he’d realized who she was. So why hadn’t he said something?

  Midge laughed. That would have made for an awkward situation. She could see the expressions on Vera’s and Jess’ faces, not to mention the fact that Jess and Emma were protective of her. Talk about awkward. Jess was Davidson’s boss.

  Maybe Davidson wasn’t sure and was tearing identities apart right now. If he’d been at the Lost Oasis in disguise, he would have been working a case. He couldn’t very well divulge that information. That made her wonder why he’d hooked up with her. She’d been in disguise too. He’d have to think she was part of whatever he was investigating. He’d be pissed now that she’d inadvertently screwed that up.

  Worse yet, he’d think she was involved in the criminal activity. Well, she’d straighten that out first thing Monday morning. That meant swallowing her pride and telling him that she’d gone out in disguise because she didn’t want anyone recognizing her. Then he’d want to know why, though if he dug into her background, he’d find the answer. Was that the reason he’d gone after her? Had someone seen her with the Taylors and was getting ready to charge her for fraternization?

  She shook her head. No, she had been in disguise the previous night. Davidson couldn’t have recognized her.

  Midge told herself to calm down. It didn’t help. She’d told him she would call tonight. It’d be the perfect time to address the issue. She’d rather do this over the phone than in person.

  Damn, she’d had sex with Davidson. Great sex. Hot sex. Sex that made her want more. How could they look at each other now without thinking about that? Hell, he was a man. It’d probably been another day-in-the-life moment for him. She prayed her face didn’t go red every time she saw him. First Sergeant Yost would have a field day with that.

  She blew out a frustrated breath as she pulled into her driveway. A click of the remote opened the garage door. Dread crawled up her spine at the sight of Bernadette’s Cadillac. She prayed she could get inside without running into her, not that it mattered with Bernadette’s open-house policy.

  Midge pulled inside and turned off her SUV as the garage door shut behind her. Somehow, she managed to gather her packages in one fell swoop and got into her house. With a sigh of relief, she hung the new clothes on a hook behind the door and put two grocery bags on the countertop. She’d have to hide the two bottles of malbec from Bernadette later, perhaps in the living room behind some of her books. Since Bernadette didn’t read, it’d be the perfect spot.

  The desert wind had started to gust, raking the limbs of the mesquite tree against the building like fingernails on a blackboard. A winter storm was sliding into the area, and that usually meant high winds and power outages. Sometimes there was snow—or so she’d been told. She was glad she’d stopped at the grocery store after work and picked up some staples.

  Hades strolled into the kitchen and wound himself through her legs.

  “I missed you, too.”

  She laughed and bent down to pick him up, digging her fingers into his soft, silky fur. His deep purr rewarded her attentions. He headbutted her chin then squirmed for his freedom. Midge put him down.

  After brewing a cup of chamomile tea, she retrieved her flip phone from her purse and went into the living room to call Orin. She would have preferred wine but needed her head clear when she talked to him. Midge practiced her speech, grateful she wouldn’t have to do this in person, yet sad she had to do this at all. She should have known last night had been too good to be true. Even Hades had liked him. That should have warned her something was off. Hades didn’t take well to strangers. He still hated Susan and Jeremy, weeks after meeting them—a feeling she echoed.

  Midge daydreamed a scenario where Kurt-Orin confessed all then revealed that last night had been special—that she was special and he couldn’t let her go. They’d start over, more or less. The sex was too great to put on the back burner.

  The minutes ticked by. Making the call was harder than she’d anticipated. If Orin was Kurt, he could have gotten her number from Jess or Vera and called to straighten this out. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe she was the one in trouble. Was that why Zach had called Kurt into his office? If so, why hadn’t Zach warned her when they’d gone on their run? Better yet, why hadn’t he said something when she’d told him her date’s name? Under these circumstances, his stumble was suspicious. Something wasn’t right.

  Sitting still was impossible. She paced the rug in front of the fireplace, checking the clock and sipping her tea. Hades watched from his favorite perch on the bench seat beneath the big bay window, tail flicking in time with her steps.

  The landline blasted a ring. Midge jumped, spilling her tea. She snatched up the receiver before it rang again.

  “Hello?” Her voice came out a choked whisper.

  “Where have you been?” her mother screeched. “I’ve tried to get you all afternoon. I thought having a reliable cell phone would make you more reachable. I should’ve known better. I’m tired of being left to the mercy of that infernal device.”

  Midge glanced toward the answering machine and saw the light flashing ten messages. “I just walked in. I thought it was too late to return your calls. You left me ten messages?”

  Her mother sniffed. “What else could I do? I could only imagine what had happened to you. God only knows what all those randy Marines out there do when they’ve been living in an isolated area with few women around. They could get desperate and go after you for sexual favors. It wouldn’t be the first time you were put in that situation.”

  That much was true. It was the ‘desperate’ part Midge had a problem with, among other things. She tried to remain calm. “Mother, I can’t talk right now. I have to make a very important telephone call.”

  “Are you hustling me off the phone so you can take a call from your father?” Her antiquated Mid-Atlantic accent became more pronounced in her fury. Few knew she was Georgia-born-and-raised. “That
son of a bitch can drive three hours and see you any time he pleases, but does he let me have one uninterrupted telephone call? No.”

  “It’s not Daddy.” Damn, she was tired of this age-old tug of war for her emotions.

  “Don’t you lie to me, young lady. I bought you a top-of-the-line phone for your birthday and I expect—”

  Midge hung up. She couldn’t take the shrill accusations any longer. There’d be hell to pay later. Her mother wasn’t the type of woman who took rejection lightly—from anyone. Midge couldn’t believe she’d actually gotten up the nerve to hang up on her mother mid-tirade.

  Oh, the power.

  Pleased with herself, she wandered over to her answering machine and deleted all ten messages. A burst from the phone startled her. Mother simply won’t give up.

  Midge yanked up the receiver. “What.”

  “It’s me…Jeremy.”

  He had that whipped-puppy sound in his voice that she hated.

  “Can I come over? I need someone to talk to.”

  No way. She was ending this association now. “No. I haven’t felt good about my relationship with you and Susan from the start. Last night made me realize that it’s time we all went our separate ways.”

  “I really need to come over. It’s important. You’re the only one I can talk to about this. I’m in trouble.”

  When isn’t he?

  “I’m done,” Midge told him. “Call Susan.”

  “She’s the last person I’d be calling right now,” he replied.

  Probably another breakup. Each girlfriend was ‘it’ for Jeremy, and he’d had a lot of them in their short association. Each time he was dumped, it was a tragedy of epic proportions. Susan was never sympathetic. Frankly, neither was she.

  “I meant what I said. I don’t want to see either of you again. I’m hanging up now. Goodbye.” She put the receiver down.

  Hades warbled his opinion from his cozy nest on the window seat.