Leaning back against the bole of an apple tree, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Honestly, the thought of establishing a branch of Barnett Security in California has crossed my mind more than once.”
Rick threw his shoes, grimaced then strolled over to join them. “My aim’s off tonight. You’d really consider moving away from Seattle?”
“I might.”
“What does Grace have to say about it?”
“Nothing, since I haven’t mentioned it yet. I don’t want to say anything until this situation with Mason Rogers—at least we have a name for the hit man now—is resolved. After that…” He lifted one shoulder. “All I know is I don’t want her to walk out of my life.”
“Well, well, well, it’s finally happened.”
The shit-eating grin on Matt’s face irritated the hell out of him. “What’s happened?”
“You’ve fallen in love again. After you and Val split, I bet Rick you’d stay single forever. Not that I’d blame you after what that bi—er, woman did to you, lying and cheating and—”
Travis’s gut clenched. “Ancient history. Can we not rehash it?”
Matt’s blue eyes, so similar to his own, filled with pity. “Sure. Water under the bridge, right? Anyway, I told him when you finally got sick of working yourself to death, you’d go through a string of pretty young things half your age in a vain attempt to recapture your youth then hole up in the woods somewhere to become a hermit. Glad I was wrong.”
Travis bent and retrieved a beer from the cooler, popped the top then swore when foam spilled over his hand. “You’re an idiot, and I’m still single.”
His younger brother’s lips twitched. “Doesn’t sound like you want to be.”
“It’s early days in our relationship.”
Rick collected the horseshoes and dropped them in a box. “I proposed to Carly after a week. Sometimes you just know.”
Travis grunted. “You and Carly didn’t live in different states and have an assassin taking pot shots at you. It’s complicated.”
“You’ve always been good at puzzles. Solve this one and win the prize.” Matt crushed his empty beer can. “Grace being the reward, of course. Seems to me like she’d be worth the trouble.”
Travis turned toward the house where light and feminine laughter spilled from the kitchen window. Lord only knew what Grace was telling his sisters-in-law.
“She’s definitely worth it.”
* * * *
Sea spray misted Grace’s face as they strolled along the pier. Out over the ocean, the sun hovered above the horizon then sank through the fog bank, leaving behind a red-orange glow. She let out a sigh.
Travis squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry I had to work all day.”
“That’s why we’re here.” She glanced up and smiled. “I didn’t mind. Anyway, dinner more than made up for a few hours of alone time. That was the best king crab I’ve ever tasted.”
When she stopped to lean against the railing, Travis stepped up behind her to wrap his arms around her waist. Resting her head against his broad chest, she ignored the steady flow of locals and tourists enjoying a Saturday night out at the wharf. If she closed her eyes, she could pretend she was alone with this man she’d grown to care about so much. The way they’d been in Alaska. Maybe there was something to be said for living in the sticks.
“I feel at home in Seattle. Probably because it has a lot in common with San Francisco—fog, urban chic and the tang of salt in the air.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Funny, I was thinking the same thing while I was jogging through the park with Wylie a couple of days ago. You didn’t say a whole lot about my family last night. What did you think of them?”
“As I recall, you had other things on your mind when we got home. Family wasn’t one of them.” She smiled. “Your sisters-in-law are both friendly, warm women. They made me feel very welcome.”
“How about my brothers?”
“Rick’s a lot like you. Matt’s a goofball. Very entertaining.”
“Too bad my parents weren’t in town. They spend most of the summer here, but right now they’re on the road with their RV, camping in the Grand Tetons. My mom would love you.”
A pelican swooped low across the water to scoop up a fish before flapping away.
“How do you know she’d love me?”
“She was never a big fan of Val’s, and you and my ex-wife are as different as cotton candy and chocolate bars.”
Tilting her head, she smiled up at him. “Which am I?”
“You’re smooth with a rich goodness and layers of texture. Oh, yeah, and a little nutty.”
Her laugh echoed in the deepening dusk. “So what does that make your ex?”
“A little too sweet and full of—air.”
She turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love that you always make me smile.”
The blue of his eyes darkened. “Anything else you love?”
“Your kindness. Cotton candy is a whole lot nicer than calling her a bitch. Then there’re your rugged good looks.”
“Yeah?”
“Oh, yeah.” Standing on her toes, she kissed him. “There’s plenty to love.”
His gaze locked with hers, eyes brimming with emotion that set her heart beating overtime.
“Really?”
The words trembled on her lips. She wanted so badly to say those three simple words without all the qualifiers. I love you. Years of holding back, of protecting her heart, stopped her. The moment passed, leaving regret in its wake. “Yeah.”
“Good to know.”
Holding hands, they headed down the pier, back the way they’d come. When they reached his silver sedan, he held the door, and Grace slid onto the passenger seat.
Climbing behind the wheel, he started the engine. “My car is no where near as cool as yours.”
She stroked the soft leather. “I’ve no complaints. Comfort works for me, too. It’s kind of like you. Solid and dependable with lots of power beneath the hood.”
His teeth flashed in the glow of the streetlights. “I’m glad you added the power part because I was sounding like someone’s hefty grandma.”
“You compared me to a candy bar.”
“So I did.”
Neither said much for the remainder of the drive. An oldies station played classic rock as the car hummed along the freeway and night settled over the city. Her eyelids drooped, and she blinked to stay awake. By the time they reached his house, she was more than ready to call it a night.
Killer greeted them at the door, twining between Travis’s ankles and turning narrowed yellow eyes on Grace.
“Your cat doesn’t like me much.”
“Killer isn’t a lap cat.”
“Killer has no social skills whatsoever. He sharpened his claws on my favorite silk nightgown after I left it lying on the bed.”
Pulling her into his arms, Travis kissed her slowly, thoroughly. Grace’s toes curled in her three inch heels, and she wobbled dangerously.
His voice was rough. “You aren’t going to need a nightgown.”
She nuzzled her nose against the side of his neck. He smelled of fresh, salt air with a hint of citrus.
“I don’t need a nightgown. I need a suit of armor to protect me from Killer.”
“I won’t let him get anywhere near you.”
“My hero.”
“You’ve got that right.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Laying her on the burgundy plaid comforter, he sat on the edge of the bed. “I could get used to having you here—in my home, in my life.”
She nodded, her throat too tight to speak.
Picking up her foot, he unfastened the ankle strap on her sandal. The second one followed. Using his thumb, he massaged the arch of her foot.
Grace let out a soft moan. “Oh, my heavens, can I keep you forever?”
His hand stilled then resumed the gentle pressure. The bed shifted beneath his weight. “I’ve
been thinking about that, thinking we’ll have to work on the logistics of our relationship.”
Her eyes opened. His face was only inches above hers, and a deep glow of emotion shown in the depths of his gaze. He hadn’t said the word, but she could see it. Love—pure and raw and strong. A reflection of her heart.
She cleared her throat. “Compromise is good for the soul. Makes you a stronger person.”
Releasing her foot, he pulled her into his arms. They lay pressed together, nose to nose, still fully clothed. Grace was certain she’d never been closer to anyone in her life. No one had touched her this way, not on the inside where it mattered.
“We’ll work it out. Believe it because I’m not going to let you go.”
Slowly he undressed her, sliding the dress off her shoulders, then her bra and finally her panties. Leaving the bed for a moment, he stripped off his own clothes and tossed them on the floor.
Pushing back the comforter, she slipped beneath the sheet and opened her arms. He came to her, gathering her close. Skin pressed against skin. Lips touched, and mouths mated. Her breath came in gasps as they joined together.
Emotion filled her, bursting in her heart, expanding her soul, washing through her in waves of pleasure. She held on tight and let herself go, let herself fall—completely and helplessly in love.
* * * *
“Eggs or pancakes?” Grace turned away from the refrigerator and smiled.
“You’re cooking, and I get a choice? Must be my lucky morning.”
“I’m in a good mood. I wonder why?”
He laughed. “I guess we both got lucky last night. Let’s go with pancakes. There’s mix in the pantry.”
“Don’t need it if you have flour and baking powder. My mother would disinherit me if I used a mix.” After setting eggs and milk on the counter, she shut the refrigerator door. “I’m not a horrible cook, just lazy, but I do know how to make pancakes.”
“My pantry is at your disposal.”
Leaning back in his chair, he enjoyed Grace. Her breasts swayed beneath a silky robe as she stirred, and her forehead crinkled when she measured. Last night he’d almost told her he loved her. Only fear she wasn’t ready for that level of commitment kept the words bottled up inside him. For a woman so in control of her career and her life, she was as fragile as the egg she cracked into a bowl when it came to her emotions. Still, she was softening and opening up. He’d tell her—soon.
Butter sizzled on the griddle as she spooned out some batter. A few minutes later, she set a plate of steaming, fluffy pancakes in front of him.
“Yum.” He poured syrup with a lavish hand and glanced toward the stove as she flipped the next batch. “Looks like I’ll have everything critical at work taken care of by noon tomorrow. We can catch an afternoon flight back to San Francisco if you like.”
Her gaze dropped. “I’m sorry, but that won’t work. I have a morning appointment, so I’ll need to head home tonight.”
He swallowed the bite in his mouth and laid down his fork. “I can’t leave yet. The meeting tomorrow—”
Setting her plate on the table, she slipped onto the chair opposite him. “I know you can’t. I made arrangements, so you don’t have to worry.”
“What sort of arrangements? Jesus, Grace, Rogers—”
“Won’t even know I’m in town. I called a friend yesterday afternoon. She’ll pick me up at the airport and let me sleep on her couch. I’ll go straight to my interview without stopping by the office first. She’s loaning me her car for the day.”
He searched for a flaw in her plan and came up empty. Still, something about the way she avoided his gaze bothered him. She wasn’t lying. He’d listened to enough liars in his line of work to spot one the minute they opened their mouth. She simply wasn’t telling him everything.
“You can’t change the time of your meeting?”
“Getting this interview wasn’t exactly easy.” She laid her hand on his arm. “I’ll be fine. If you let me know when your flight lands, I’ll pick you up.”
“I don’t want you going anywhere near your garage. I’ll take a cab.”
Nodding, she forked up a bite of pancake. “How long do you have to work today?”
“I should be finished by three. When’s your flight home?”
“Not until a little after eight. We could do something this afternoon, maybe have an early dinner before I head to the airport.”
It wasn’t how he’d envisioned the evening ending. What he’d hoped for was a repeat of the previous night.
“I have a couple of bikes in the garage. We could take a ride and then cook here. I’ll stop by the store on the way home to get something to throw on the grill.”
“Perfect. I need exercise. Is there a gym nearby?”
The mundane conversation continued through the rest of the meal. Travis couldn’t relax, couldn’t enjoy just being with Grace. His gut clenched as every instinct screamed at him not to let her leave Seattle alone. He should cancel his meeting despite—
“What’s wrong?”
“Hmm?” His head jerked up. “Nothing. I was thinking about my meeting tomorrow. Maybe McNally can handle it without me.”
Grace stood with their empty plates in her hands. A touch of panic flared in her eyes. “No, absolutely not.”
“If I brief him thoroughly today—”
She walked to the sink and set the dishes in it with a clatter. Holding on to the edge of the counter, she bent her head. Long, silky hair cascaded around her face. “You’re starting to piss me off.”
Anger, not panic. He tamped down an answering flare of annoyance. “Do you want me to stay here for a reason?”
She spun on her bare heel. “You bet. What I don’t want is for you to put me in the position of compromising your work. Do you know how that makes me feel?” She stabbed her chest with a finger. “Like a burden, that’s how.”
Taking a breath, he let it out slowly. “You’re not a burden. You could never be a burden. I’m worried about you. Wouldn’t you be a little concerned for me if our positions were reversed?”
“Yes, but I’d trust you to make smart decisions. I’d believe you if you said you had the situation covered. Don’t you trust me?”
Her eyes flashed, daring him to say no. He did trust her, but worry went hand-in-hand with love. Maybe if he didn’t care so damn much his inner voice wouldn’t be nagging him to go with her no matter how loud she protested. Common sense argued back. Their relationship wasn’t strong enough to take a hit like that.
He gritted his teeth and nodded. “I trust you.”
Her shoulders slumped, and she turned back to the sink. “Thank you.” After rinsing the plates, she put them in the dishwasher. “Shouldn’t you go soon? I thought you wanted to be in the office by nine.”
A glance at the digital clock on the stove told him she was right. Leaving the table, he stepped up behind her to wrap his arms around her waist. When she relaxed against him, some of his tension eased.
“I’ll see you this afternoon. At least we’ll have a few hours.”
“Sure.” She turned in his arms and gazed up at him.
Clear green eyes filled with an array emotions he couldn’t read. Sadness. Maybe a touch of desperation. Longing. Love? Or was he just a needy jerk imagining something that wasn’t there?
He sure as hell hoped not.
Chapter 24
“Honestly, Hank, I’d rather not do it.” Grace gulped in air and pressed her lips together as she awaited her editor’s reply. “I had to betray someone I—care about to get that address, and there’s no guarantee I’ll be able to get past the feds guarding Casey.”
“I’m counting on you, Grace.” Hank’s gravelly voice took on an extra layer of grit. “Our numbers spiked after your first story. This is huge. You can’t back out on me now.”
She clenched her fist around the phone. “Putting that kind of pressure on me isn’t fair. I more than pull my weight at the paper.”
“You
do, but who said life’s fair? My job isn’t the only one at stake if advertisers pull out. You’re jeopardizing your own future—not to mention your co-workers.”
Guilt twisted inside her, despite the fact she didn’t deserve it. “Then what, huh? The paper can’t survive on one story.”
“There’ll be our in-depth report on the Estrada trial, and by the time that’s over, the deal I’m working on will be in place.”
“What deal?”
“It doesn’t matter. The point is, I need this interview with Sutton as a stopgap measure. Come on, Grace. Don’t let me down.”
A sigh shook her. “You’re asking me to destroy my love life.”
A rusty chuckle assaulted her ear. “From the gossip around the office, you manage that very well without any help from me.”
Isn’t that the God-awful truth?
“I’ll do it. I don’t like it, but I’ll do it.”
“That’s my girl. Talk to you tomorrow.”
The phone went dead. Leaning her head against the cushion of her friend Gretchen’s couch, she pressed a hand against closed lids. She hadn’t expected Hank to let her off the hook, but she’d had to give it one last shot. Left without a choice, all she could do was try to mitigate the damage.
Opening her eyes, she scrolled through her phone’s contact list, stopping at a number she hadn’t called in two years. Why she hadn’t deleted this particular ex-boyfriend off her list she wasn’t certain. She’d deleted all the others the minute she’d stopped seeing them, but Nolan had been different. She’d really cared about him. For over a month, Grace had thought he might actually be the one. Thank God she’d listened to the nagging voice in her head telling her they wouldn’t last over the long haul, that she didn’t love him truly and deeply. She’d wanted the relationship to work, so she’d convinced herself otherwise. Calling it quits before either of them wound up with a broken heart had been the right thing to do. At least she hoped his heart had only been a little bruised because she was going to call that number and ask her ex for a huge favor. In a perfect world, he wouldn’t get fired from the police force for agreeing.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed the connect button and waited while it rang. Pick up. Pick up. This wasn’t the sort of message she wanted to leave on voice mail.
Every Step She Takes (Who's Watching Now Book 2) Page 21
