Winning Snow White

by Maggie Dallen

  As if Spencer could read his mind, the younger man held up his hands in surrender. “Look, I admit that I lied to you on the phone the other day. But it’s not what you think.”

  Hunter’s brows lowered as he fixed his friend with a glare. “And just what is it I’m supposed to think?”

  Spencer sighed. “The hack attempt traced back to a computer at the firm.”

  “Tell us something we don’t know,” Jenna chimed in from the other side of the room.

  “Like why you lied,” Hunter finished. At that moment he cared far less who the culprit was than why his friend would betray his trust. “You must have been covering for someone, but why?”

  Spencer ran a hand over his face, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Because I know why this person…did what they did. I just needed to talk to them first.”

  “So you know the suspect,” he said. “What, was it some old hacker buddy of yours or something? Someone you wanted to keep out of trouble? After all this time, I can’t believe you’d be stupid enough to get caught up in something like this. You could be charged in connection with corporate espionage, you know that don’t you?”

  “It’s not corporate espionage,” Spencer said. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. This person had a different motive, one that was clear to me as soon as I saw the name of the firm.”

  Hunter was mentally going through every one of the employee files he’d reviewed. “We went through all the records, we didn’t find—”

  “Not all of them,” Jenna interrupted. Something in her tone had him turning to face her where she stood near a bookshelf that was cluttered with textbooks and a few mementos. Jenna was holding up a framed photograph of a young Spencer with his arm around a pretty girl. Her hair was different—it was dyed pink, not blonde—but that easy smile was instantly familiar.

  Jenna gave him a rueful smile. “We didn’t investigate the receptionist.”

  Chapter Ten

  After another half hour in that crazy apartment, Jenna found herself impressed with the so-called tech whiz. He was loyal, that much was certain. She wasn’t sure if she could have held out with Hunter’s line of questioning, but Spencer squarely refused to tell them what he knew about Andrea. Not why she’d tried to access Margaret’s information or how he even knew her.

  Finally Jenna intervened. She placed a hand on Hunter’s arm and gently tugged him toward the door. “It doesn’t matter,” she said softly.

  He turned to her with surprise. “What do you mean? Of course it matters.”

  She shook her head. “That’s the detective in you talking. You’re not getting paid to find out the motives, just who was behind it. Your job is done.”

  “That’s right, it’s only about getting the paycheck, right?”

  The bitterness in his voice and the insinuation were a slap in the face. He’d made comments like that before and she’d let it slide. But now? “Screw you.”

  She headed toward the door without him but he caught up to her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. You’re right. I know you’re right.”

  She stopped and looked up at him, taking in the hangdog look of the guilty that gave his gruff manly features a hint of boyishness that made it impossible to stay angry. She let out a sigh. “Fine. Let’s just get out of here, all right?”

  On the way out the door Jenna called her father and told him to meet her and Hunter at the office in the morning. It was a Saturday so they’d have their privacy. She cast a quick look in Hunter’s direction. “Tell Margaret she needs to come too.”

  There. That was the mature way to handle the issue of who gets credit—they’d tell them at the same time. Hunter didn’t comment but she knew he heard.

  It wasn’t until they were back in the car that he picked up the conversation again. “I am sorry, you know. I’ve spent the past few years wallowing… I guess sometimes my bitterness gets the best of me.”

  His candor caught her off guard. She’d been getting used to their games—hiding behind the investigation and the roles they’d assumed at the firm. Hearing him admit that he had his baggage was disconcerting. Any remaining anger faded away in the face of his honesty. After all, she hadn’t exactly gone out of her way to disprove his ideas that she was a mercenary. She’d hardly shown him a softer side of herself, so could she blame him for thinking she was cold and unfeeling?

  She shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the idea that she wanted him to see more of her than met the eye. If she could let down her guard for someone it would be this man…but she had no idea how.

  Clearing her throat, she forced out words that sounded stilted even to her own ears. “I’ve made a career out of being ruthless. I can’t just…shut it off.” It was the best she could do to explain herself to him and thankfully he seemed to understand what she was trying to say.

  “I don’t need you to.”

  Some of the tension eased out of her shoulders. His words let her off the hook and proved what she had known all along. That he saw more than most when he looked at her. He saw through the facade she’d donned years ago—probably as far back as high school. Even then she’d known that the only way to stay safe was to keep her distance.

  Everyone respected that. Well, everyone except for Mack, who’d always seen through her bravado. Some admired it, even.

  He gave her directions to his place and they drove in silence for a while, each apparently lost in thought. It wasn’t until she parked in front of his apartment building that he spoke.

  “I meant what I said. I don’t need you to change who you are. You’re gutsy and confident and sexy. I know it’s not easy for you to show a softer side and I can respect that.”

  She stared at him, a sickening feeling starting to make her stomach churn. She could sense the “but” that was coming.

  “But I need something.” He tipped his head back and stared at the car’s roof as if searching for words. “I’m not a worldly guy. I don’t know how to play games. I like you, Jenna. For the first time in a long time, I feel something. I feel alive.”

  Her heart leaped into double time as emotions warred in her chest. Excitement, hope… terror.

  “I’d like to take the time to get to know you. Earn your trust. But for now, I need you to give me something. Open up to me. Let me in. It doesn’t have to be everything, just one thing.”

  It was the quiet pleading in his tone that got to her. It was so at odds with his typical strength. How could she refuse when he was laying himself out there? Him, the guy who’d been rejected and cheated on. If he could make himself vulnerable, shouldn’t she be able to give something in return?

  She stared at him in silence for way too long. So long her throat grew dry and the fear grew out of proportion. Turned out giving something of herself was much easier said than done.

  Her mind grew blank when she tried to think of something to say. Finally she said the phrase that had been repeating itself on a loop since she’d met this man.

  “I like you.”

  There. Three simple words. Still, she’d broken out in a cold sweat with that tiny admission. But it was out there and his reaction was gratifying. After an initial look of surprise, he gave her that slow, sexy grin that made her core turn to liquid heat. That heat seemed to cut through some of the frigid terror and the next words came out a little easier.

  “I like you… and that scares me.”

  His response was swift and brutal. In one quick move he pulled her up against him and crushed her lips beneath his in a kiss that spoke more than any words. It was a kiss that said thank you. For giving him something of herself. For being honest.

  For overcoming her fear and letting him in…at least just a little.

  “Come inside,” he said. His voice was soft, gentle. The tenderness she heard there was nearly her undoing.

  Her mouth was dry from nerves. “I—I don’t think….” How to explain that this was all happening too fast? She was falling and it was terrifying.

  He re
ached out a hand and tipped her chin up with one finger. “We have all the time in the world. We can take this slow.”

  She drew in a deep breath as some of the tension eased from her shoulders. This man was too good to be true. He seemed to see what she was feeling before she said a word. Time, yes that was exactly what she needed.

  He gave her a lopsided grin that made her breath catch in her throat. “I don’t want this night to end.”

  She brushed her lips against his. “Me neither. Maybe we should go inside.”

  That was all he needed, apparently, because he rushed into action. Leaping out of the car to her side, opening the door for her. Of course he opened the car like a gentleman—this man had been born in the wrong decade. Who would have thought she’d fall for such an old-fashioned man?

  Just as she went to get out of the car, he leaned down and scooped her up in his arms. She gasped and then let out a breathless laugh as he kicked the driver’s side door shut behind her and strode toward his apartment building, ignoring the curious looks they received from passersby.

  “There’s old-fashioned and then there’s melodramatic,” she murmured more to herself than to him but she could feel his low chuckle vibrate against her rib cage where it pressed against his chest.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I guess I’m new to this whole dating thing.”

  Dating… was that what it was? She couldn’t distinguish between fear and excitement, all she knew was her heart was threatening to burst out of her chest. His warm male scent surrounded her, his hard muscles making it impossible to think straight. She struggled to remember what they were talking about.

  “You’re not doing so bad. But I take it you learned all your dating tips from fifties movies?”

  He grinned down at her, a genuine smile that made her heart do a backflip in her chest.

  “Wrong era. Thirties films are more my thing. I love the old film noire detective movies.” He tilted his head down so his low voice was speaking directly into her ear. “Has anyone ever told you you’d make a remarkable femme fatale?”

  She laughed as he set her down in his living room.

  “Can I get you some coffee or tea?”

  She nodded. “Tea would be great.”

  As he headed back toward the kitchen, she took in the small living room with its tattered furniture. It looked like a temporary bachelor pad. Like he could pack it all up in a couple of hours and be out of here. Out of her life.

  Her stomach sank at the thought. And then, out of nowhere a sudden fear took hold, dark and temporarily blinding. This man had too much power. He could hurt her. This could end in disaster. This had gone so far beyond a little infatuation—

  She didn’t hear him come back into the room until he was beside her, his large hands cupped her cheek as his gaze met hers. “Where did that beautiful brain of yours just go?”

  Those dark eyes she was coming to know so well steadied her. When had this gaze become not only all-seeing but powerful? Since when had these warm brown eyes been able to ground her even as they sized her up and read her deepest fears?

  She bit back a groan. This man would be the end of her.

  But all thoughts and fears were dashed as he gave her that small smile—her smile, as she was starting to think of it. One that was just for her. Leaning down he closed the distance between them. “There’s nothing to worry about,” he said quietly, his lips achingly close to hers. “There’s no need to think or worry.” He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze once more. “I’ve got you. I promise.”

  She let the words wash over her as his lips claimed hers.

  I’ve got you. Those words held so many meanings. But she knew what he’d meant by it—he would take care of her. He would cherish her and treat her right…and he wouldn’t hurt her. That was the inherent promise in those words.

  As her lips met his, she let herself accept that promise. She’d trust this man to keep his word… and keep her safe. When he pulled back, he was looking down at her with an unreadable expression but eyes that were filled with emotion. “I like you too.”

  She blinked up at him for a moment. That was not what she’d expected to hear.

  His lips tilted up in a smile. “You said it before and I failed to say it then. But I’m saying it now. I like you. And it scares me too.”

  It took the length of a heartbeat for the words to fully register, but once they did a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with raging hormones and aching desire and everything to do with the organ in her chest that was beating so rapidly she could hear the blood pumping in her ears.

  Luckily he didn’t expect her to respond because words were no longer an option. When he leaned down to kiss her again, she tried to show him just how much those words meant to her with the passion of her kiss.

  It felt like ages before they came up for air and when they did, Hunter pressed his forehead against hers. His hands moved over her shoulders as if assuring himself that she was real and she was here. “I promised you I’d take things slow,” he said.

  She nodded, thankful that he’d remembered that promise and was keeping it.

  He tugged on her hand and pulled her toward the couch. “Come have your tea before it gets cold.”

  He settled her on the couch before sitting beside her and pulling her close so she was snuggled up against him. Between the tea and his warmth, she couldn’t remember a time she’d felt cozier or more at ease.

  Chapter Eleven

  When Hunter awoke, it only took a second to take in his surroundings and realize what had happened. She’d run away.

  Jenna had fallen asleep while resting against him on his couch the night before, and he’d sat there for countless minutes just reveling in the feel of her against his side. Then he’d carried her to his bedroom and tucked her into his bed before stretching out beside her on top of the covers.

  After that? Well, it seemed his jaded, terrified woman had snuck out in the dark of night. His woman—he liked the sound of that. It fit. A slow, unfamiliar smile spread over his face as he stretched and let the words tumble through his waking brain.

  He thought back to last night and the way she’d fit against his side. She fit, period. She understood him, clicked with him, in a way his ex never had.

  More than that, he knew her. Rolling over he stared at the empty space beside him where Jenna had been quietly sleeping when he’d drifted off. He knew her well enough to know that she’d needed her space. It wasn’t personal—if anything, it was a good sign.

  She’d felt it too. There was no way his strong, capable Jenna would run away unless she’d been terrified and only emotional intimacy would frighten her. He’d give her the space she needed. He glanced over at his nightstand clock. Well, for another hour, at least. Then she’d be forced to face him at work when they told Donald and Margaret who was responsible for their troubles.

  He ran a hand through his mussed hair as he threw his legs over the side of the bed and got out of bed. As he headed to the bathroom and into the shower, he couldn’t stop thinking about Andrea. He supposed Jenna had been right—her motives weren’t his problem. He’d found the would-be hacker, that was all he was being paid to do.

  But still, the cop in him didn’t like it. It didn’t add up. Why was she breaking into Donald’s office? And if she’d just wanted to hack Margaret’s personal emails, why join the firm as a receptionist? It was possible she’d been sent in as a spy from a rival firm, he supposed.

  His mind flashed on the innocent-looking blonde with the sweet, open smile. No one was that good of an actress, not around him at least. Her naïve sweetness had seemed so genuine. Either his gut was losing its touch or there was something more to this story.

  Maybe today he’d find out. Whether it was his job or not, he wouldn’t be able to let it go until he got to the bottom of this.

  An hour later he ran into a perfectly put together Jenna in the hallway leading to the conference room. Judging by the elegant skirt suit a
nd perfect hair and makeup, one would be hard-pressed to guess that she’d snuck out of someone’s apartment in the middle of the night.

  The normally quiet office was eerily silent as most of the employees were home on a Saturday morning. Jenna gave him a short nod of greeting. If her hello was cold, he shook it off. It was a good sign, remember?

  “They’re waiting for us in the conference room,” she said. “Are you ready?”

  He gave her a smile. “To put an end to my Mark Wayne charade and be able to date you in the open? Definitely.”

  He was inordinately pleased to see a flush creeping into her cheeks and a glimmer of laughter in her eyes. So she wasn’t as unaffected as she was trying to seem. He’d known that, but the proof was gratifying.

  “Let’s get this over with then,” she said, leading the way down the hall.

  He couldn’t resist. Leaning forward he whispered in her ear. “I missed you last night.” She didn’t respond but the flush deepened. He understood. For Jenna, there was intimacy and then there was intimacy.

  If he was being honest with himself, he found it hard to believe that he wasn’t the one who was running for the hills. He was the bitter divorce here. It was his heart that had been trampled and battered and up until Jenna he’d thought the damage had been permanent. But after last night, the terror had faded. Oh, there was still some fear but it had largely been replaced by excitement. Hope.

  For the first time in a long time he started to think that he might just have a future in New York City. Maybe he didn’t have to leave everything and everyone he knew behind to start new. He didn’t have to run away in order to get over his problems.

  He could stay there and tackle his issues head on with the help of the strongest woman he knew. And in return, he could do the same for her. It would be a slow road and one probably filled with potholes, but they could do it. They could help each other heal and start again.