by Vonnie Davis
She released his hair, which she’d fisted and slid a hand down over his muscled shoulder to rest against his firm chest. “We’re going to be late.”
His lips were busy doing marvelous things to her neck. “Don’t care.” His thumb and fingers were plucking at her nipple, and frankly, she didn’t care either.
Einstein nosed between their legs and whined. His paw was on her foot and Wolf shook with laughter. “Your dog is a piece of work.”
“I’ll let him out for a minute to water the grass and then we better be off.”
This was the first time Becca had watched the annual Island Estates Yacht Club’s holiday boat parade from the balcony of a second-floor condo, sipping champagne and leaning back against the muscled wall of an ex-SEAL. Normally, she stood along the walkway of Coachman Park alone, even during the times Tommy Ray accompanied her. He was never one for standing closely or showing public displays of affection. Wolf tightened his arms around her waist and leaned his cheek against hers. His woodsy smell did all kinds of things to her feminine system. Evidently, this man had no problems with showing his affection.
She turned her head toward his and he charmed her with a quick kiss. “This is one of my favorite things about living in Clearwater in December.”
Wolf nodded. “Yeah, me too. I love seeing the boats decorated with lights and trees and garlands.” He glanced at Jace, standing next to them with his hands over Wendy Anne’s abdomen, as if protecting their child growing within. “How about we go halves on a boat. Think how I could decorate it next year?”
Jace laughed. “Can’t. Got a college fund to sink my extra cash into.”
“True that, but don’t forget how little junior’s aunts and awesomely cool uncle will be contributing to it, too.” He pointed toward the causeway. “Wow, look at that one. Red, white and blue lights with a flag all lit up.”
Cassie moved next to them, holding hands with Quinn. “I love how the moon shines on the water.”
Becca was pleased to see happiness on Cassie’s face. She really liked Wolf’s youngest sister. “The full moon makes the night magical, doesn’t it?”
Wolf turned her slightly and cupped her face, his dark gaze focused solely on her. “You’re magical.” Then his lips covered hers again.
“Looks like the mighty Wolf has fallen.” Quinn leaned an elbow on the railing and grinned.
“Damn straight.” The possessive tone of Wolf’s reply sent a shiver over her skin. “Looks like the man-whore of Seashell Lane will be burning his little black book.”
Becca’s head whipped around and met his raised dark eyebrows. Man-whore? Has he been reading my blog? She cleared her throat. “Ah…how…how did you find out?”
“The guys at the station are fans of yours. So far they have no clue that the schmuck they’ve been laughing at is me.” He shot a scowl at Quinn. “Of course, once big mouth here blurts it out, I’ll be sporting a new nickname at work.”
“You? She’s been blogging about you all this time?” Quinn beamed a shit-eating grin. “Oh, man, I never put it all together. I just figured she was making this guy up.”
Was Wolf angry? He didn’t seem angry. In fact, if she didn’t know better, she’d guess he enjoyed his anonymous notoriety. Perhaps a man secure in his masculinity could handle the ensuing gentle teasing. “I never used your name.”
He kissed her nose. “No, but how many women-magnets do you know?” He winked and then hugged her. “I’m warning you, our love life is not fodder for your blog. I’m drawing the line at that.”
She bit his square jaw. “Yes, Wolf…” A low chuckle rumbled from her chest.
“Becca. I mean it…”
“Oh, look at that one.” Wendy Anne pointed. Applause and cheers proclaimed the spectators’ approval of a boat decorated completely with blue lights except for a golden star at the top of the mast. Strains of “Silent Night” floated across the water toward all the spectators. Applause and cheers proclaimed their approval.
Megan, still in her scrubs, reclined on a lounge at the side of the balcony. “You’re right. That boat’s lovely. But that red and white boat behind looks like a giant floating candy cane. How pretty.” She palmed a yawn. “Would someone bring me a cup of coffee and one of Becca’s brownies? I’m too tired to stand. Twelve hours of running up and down hospital corridors plays havoc on my legs.”
Wolf pulled away from Becca. “I’ll get it. Do you want anything, Becca?”
“No, I’m good.”
He leaned in and kissed her again. “You sure as hell are.” His lips teased hers when he spoke. “As soon as the last boat passes, I’m taking you home.”
A jolt of desire sparked her synapses and all points south. Yay for me!
They decided on the way home to sleep at Becca’s. Einstein would need a short walk and Wolf had to be at the station early in the morning. While he grabbed a change of clothes and his toothbrush, she took her dog for his late-night stroll. She was brushing him down when Wolf strode in, carrying an overnight bag.
He set it in the hallway and watched her, smiling. “You take good care of him.”
“This is part of our nightly ritual. I walk him, brush his coat to calm him down and then send him to his chair with a chew toy.” She put the brush in a drawer and handed Einstein a piece of beef-flavored rawhide. “Go get in your chair now.” She snapped her fingers and her pet obeyed.
She filled the coffeepot with water. “What time do you want the coffee to start brewing? I’ll set the timer on the maker.”
“Five.”
“That’s ungodly. I don’t see how you do it.” She opened the cabinet and pulled out the bean-grinder. “As soon as I get the coffee set, I’ll be ready to go upstairs.”
Wolf stepped behind her, the heat of his nearness a comforting presence. “Are you planning to spoil me, too?” He pushed her hair off her neck and planted three kisses below her hairline.
Her body reacted and a shiver woke her nipples for playtime. “If…if you don’t stop that, I’ll lose count of how many scoops of coffee beans I’ve got in the grinder.”
His deep laughter of male enjoyment brought on a smile. The man had a way about him.
“I’ll take my stuff upstairs.”
Once she had the timer set, she turned out the lights and kissed Einstein good night before going upstairs. When she stepped into her room, the glow of candlelight welcomed her. The sheets were turned back and red rose petals were scattered across the bed. Soft guitar music played. She turned and Wolf stood in the doorway to the master bath, his muscles gleaming in the shine and shadows of the flickering candles.
“You set a romantic scene, Dan Wolford.”
He stalked toward her, wearing nothing but black boxers. “I went shopping for a few things after leaving Cassie’s shop earlier. He held a hand behind him. “I bought the candles and rose petals.” He moved his hand. His long fingers curled around a small box. “And this.” He placed the box in her palm.
“What have you done?”
“I’m a proprietary person. Don’t like anyone riding my Harley or using my diving equipment.” He snapped open the jeweler’s box. “And I don’t want anyone getting ideas about you. If you chose to break off things between us, that’s one thing, but I can guarantee you it won’t be me.”
She removed a diamond heart on a silver chain from the box. “This is too much. We only met a few weeks ago.”
He knew how to rattle her soul, to shake the folds out so it was no longer compacted but unfurling, like a flag in the wind.
“I thought I made it clear this morning how I feel about you. We didn’t just have sex, we mated.” He tucked two fingers under her chin. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve fallen in love.”
“Every man I’ve ever loved has left me.” Twin tears found their way onto her cheeks, their moisture scalding.
“Maybe they weren’t man enough to complete the mission.” He slipped the chain from her fingers and stepped behind her. “Lift y
our hair, sweetheart.” The coolness of silver kissed her skin. Wolf’s palms rubbed down her arms, sending sensations of belonging to this man to saturate every cell in her body. When he reached her hands, he intertwined his fingers with hers. “Now, when someone asks you whose heart you have, tell them you have mine.”
She turned into his arms. “I love it, Wolf. It’s beautiful.” She kissed him. “Everything seems so right between us. It’s almost scary.”
His strong arms tightened around her, bringing her closer. “Tell me. Tell me you’re mine.” He kissed her again, his lips taking command while her heart whispered yes. Kisses were feathered across her cheeks. Teeth nipped her neck and his tongue soothed. A hand cupped her derriere and squeezed. “Now, about these crotchless panties you’re wearing … ”
Chapter 12
Becca settled into her usual chair for the editor’s regular morning meeting. Making love to Wolf several times during the night and again early this morning had her a little sore, but it was the kind of discomfort that made her smile. He’d left her a note by the coffeemaker: “Loved sleeping next to you. Took the ‘thong thief’ for a walk. Check out your front yard.” When she’d hurried to her bay window, Wolf’s inflatable bear holding a heart was in her yard facing her window. The man knew how to charm her, that was for sure.
Her fingers fluttered to the diamond heart he’d given her last night and she recalled the promise she’d made to him—she was his. Now, if only he remained hers and didn’t eventually walk out of her life too.
“How’s your holiday shopping piece coming along, Becca?” Marshall’s unibrow furrowed like a caterpillar in movement.
“I’ll have it to you within the hour. I think you’ll be pleased.”
“Good.” He turned to the sports editor. “How’d your interview with the manager of the Buccaneers go? What did he have to say about free agency this year?”
Becca tuned out the conversation and worked on how she would approach Marshall about her idea. He wasn’t always the easiest man to get around, but she’d done some initial research on Slash and didn’t like what she’d learned. She smelled a good story.
Marshall clapped his hands once, his traditional signal the meeting was over. It was now or never. She raised her hand.
“Yes, Becca?”
“I’ve turned up some things on initial research and I’d like your permission to dig deeper.”
“Into…?” His unibrow was on the move again.
“Slash Harper, the owner of Demons and Dolls Toy Store. I interviewed him yesterday and something pricked my radar.”
Her editor made a rolling motion with his hand to signal her to hurry up. The man had no patience.
“He’s been charged twice with child molestation. Once in Boston and again in Atlanta. He shouldn’t be anywhere near children, yet he’s got a toy store.”
“Did he serve any time?”
“No. But to be charged twice…” She leaned forward and held up two fingers.
“Okay. Do a full background check. Bring your research to me and we’ll talk. I’ll have to inform the police too.” Marshall ran a hand across the back of his neck. “What’s he doing running a toy store? Hell, my grandson goes there.”
Two hours later, Becca entered Demons and Dolls. She needed a picture of Slash. In the ones she’d found online, he had shaggy hair. But now his head was shaved with a tattoo of a slash down the side of his bald scalp and he wore glasses. Court records showed his real name was Marvin Harper. She had to be sure she had the right guy.
Slash looked up from a box he was unpacking. “Back so soon?”
“Yeah. I need one of your wolf figurines.” She’d give it to Wolf for Christmas.
“Second aisle, about halfway on your left.” He was examining a doll, looking under its skirt. Her skin crawled. Ew. Creepy.
She picked a figurine she thought Wolf might like and carried it to the register. “My editor wants some pictures for the article I interviewed you for yesterday.” She slipped her camera from her pants pocket. “Mind if I snap a couple of shots of your store?”
“Sure. As long as I’m not in any of ’em.”
She made a show of snapping several pictures of a display of French porcelain dolls and a shelf of demon warriors, getting closer to him with every shot she took. As soon as she got his complete face at the edge of a frame, she snapped several in rapid-fire succession. He scowled. “Don’t worry. I think I only got your shoulder, but I can crop it out. I’ll probably zoom in some so I can get that unusual collection of dollhouse furniture over your shoulder.”
“See that you do. That’ll be thirty-two fifty for the wolf.”
Handing him her charge card, she propped an elbow on his glass counter. “Is that a Boston accent I detect? My Uncle Ben lives just outside of Boston. He’s been there since he got out of high school.”
Slash narrowed his eyes and handed back her card. “Sign here.” He slid the charge slip toward her. Evidently, he wasn’t going to answer her question. He placed her item in a bag and slapped it on the counter. “I think we’re done.” His eyes were hard and cold. A shiver of danger danced up her spine.
The sirens of approaching fire trucks snagged her attention and she hurried outside. Two rolled into the parking lot of the strip mall and stopped in front of Cassie’s beauty shop. Becca took off running. Smoke rolled out of the building. Oh no, this couldn’t be happening. Where was Cassie?
She found her leaning against her silver compact car, crying.
“Hey.” Becca opened her arms and Cassie stepped into them for a hug. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. I was mixing dye for a customer and the sprinklers went off. I called nine-one-one right away. Smoke started rolling out.” Cassie sobbed against her blouse. “My dream is going up in smoke. The whole family, Wolf especially, worked so hard to get it the way I wanted it.” She pulled back and wiped tears from her moistened cheeks.
Another fire truck rumbled in, its siren piercing her ears.
Cassie glanced at the arriving apparatus. “Wolf and Jace’s fire crew is here. I knew they’d come.”
Becca wrapped her arm around Cassie’s shoulders.
Once the fire truck screeched to a halt, its diesel engine rumbling, Jace jumped off and ran toward them, his rubber boots clunking on the pavement. “Cassie, you okay? Need medical treatment, honey?”
“No, I’m fine. Honest.”
Jace nodded at Becca. More sirens sounded, and he glanced over his shoulder. “That’s our ladder truck. Wolf and Quinn are coming on it. Gotta go. Call Wendy Anne, tell her you’re okay. She’ll have heard on Twitter or Facebook and be worried.” He dashed to retrieve equipment off the rig.
Cassie tugged her phone from her pocket and thumbed a text. “Be easier to text the whole family at once. Tell them what’s happened and that Wolf and Jace are here.”
“Do you mind if I take some pictures for the paper? I might as well report on it.” She could download them to her laptop in her car, write up a quick article and e-mail it to Marshall.
“Hey, go ahead. Might need copies for insurance purposes.” Cassie’s thumbs were clacking on the mini-keyboard. She stopped and burst into tears again. “My…my beautiful shop. It’s gone.”
Becca enveloped her into her arms once more. “You’ll have another one. You’ve got insurance, right?” Cassie nodded. “I’ll see you get copies of my pictures. You’ll have a place of business again. I’m sure of it.” She dug in her purse and handed Cassie a tissue.
“Thanks. I’ll be fine now. I think that last bit of crying did it for me. Time to get mad and get even, as Wolf says. Go on. Take your pictures.” She waved her off.
“I’ll call my editor so he doesn’t send out someone else. Are you sure you’ll be okay alone here for a couple minutes while I get my car from the other end of the mall?”
“I’m good. As good as I can be, with my livelihood reduced to ashes.”
Becca stepped along the front of t
he building and snapped pictures. Something called to her, searing her. When she lowered the camera, Wolf had stopped halfway on the extending ladder, his protective gear blocking most of his face. Even so, anger vibrated off him so palpably it speared its way into her being.
She raised a hand to wave, but he returned his attention to the job at hand, climbing and hoisting the hose farther up the aerial ladder. He couldn’t be upset with her, not after the magical night they’d shared and all the things he’d told her. No doubt he was worried about Cassie and she had just picked up on his anxiety.
Her phone to her ear, she hurried to her car, waiting for Marshall to answer her call.
“Yeah.”
“Just calling to tell you I’m at the scene of a fire at the Goodwinds Strip Mall on Pinella. I’ll take pictures and write up a short article. No need to send someone else out. I’ll e-mail everything to you.”
“Sounds good. Did you get a picture of Slash?”
“Yeah. I asked if I could take shots of the interior of his store. He said not to take any of him, but I got two pictures at least.”
“Good girl. You’re going to make a first-rate reporter yet.”
She disconnected the call, felt the hair on the back of her neck stand straight out and turned to stare into the pinched face of Slash Harper.
His hand coiled around her neck and he slammed her against her car. “You meddling bitch. Didn’t I tell you not to take pictures of me?”
She shook her head. “I…I didn’t.”
He snatched her cell from her and flung it across the parking lot. “Good at lyin’, aren’t ya? I had a good thing goin’ here until you stuck your nose in.” He squeezed her throat tighter. “Guess who paid me a visit as soon as you walked out? The police.” His head jerked in the direction of Cassie’s shop. “They left to check out that fire, but not before asking me some questions about my priors.” He thumped her head against the roof of her car.
Fear wrapped its icy fingers around her lungs and tightened. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t swallow. Black spots danced in front of her eyes. She had to get away. Her eyes darted toward the roof of the mall, where Wolf worked to put out the flames. Who would help her?
