An engine rumbled, and Jack’s car pulled up behind her. He parked, checked his mirrors, then hopped out. He looked mad, his dark eyes glittering and every movement under careful control.
“Hi,” she said, casting him a wan smile, then turning back to the job at hand. So he was angry—she didn’t really care right now. “How did you find me?”
“There’s only one scenic route around the lake, so I’m told,” he retorted. “What are you doing out here?”
“Taking a drive. Why are you following me?” she shot back.
“It’s my job!” Jack walked around to the flat tire, then squatted down and ran his hand along the rubber.
“Forgive me for wanting a few minutes to myself,” she said. “I like you, Jack, but I’m not used to the constant company anymore.”
Jack looked up at her. “You want a hand?”
“Not really!” she snapped back. “I’m perfectly capable. Contrary to popular belief around here.”
“You sure?” He raised one eyebrow. “Because this flat was no accident.”
“What are you talking about?” The air seemed to chill around her, and Liv leaned in closer—close enough that the soft scent of his aftershave tickled her nose—as Jack pointed to a short cut in the rubber beside the rim.
“It’s a slow leak, but this was on purpose.”
* * *
FOR ALL OF Jack’s calm reserve, he was just as surprised as Liv looked. She stared at him, the blood draining from her face, and then her gaze whipped up and down the road. He hadn’t done this, and while it was possible it was just some random act of vandalism, it did leave him unsettled. The other cops were convinced that the eerie woman in the rain had been a figment of Liv’s tortured imagination, but he wasn’t. He’d gotten to know her over the last while, and she wasn’t the type to follow ghosts and fancy.
This tire was obviously real, too, and he was starting to get a tickle of warning. Except vandalism happened, right? Probably just some bored, ill-supervised kids fooling around with a knife. He couldn’t read too much into this—although if she did, it would help their cause. He recognized that.
“My tire was...intentionally stabbed?” she breathed.
“Looks like.” He held out his hand. “Pass me the jack, would you?”
This time, she didn’t argue and handed it over. The sun disappeared behind a cloud, and the air chilled noticeably. The sparkle from the lake fifty yards off dimmed, and Jack set to work raising the car. When the car was elevated the few inches he needed to change the tire, he nodded toward the trunk.
“Grab me the lug wrench,” he said.
Liv went to the trunk and started rummaging around. She didn’t seem to be finding what she needed, so he rose and ambled over to where she stood. When he got to her side, she brushed the back of her hand against her cheek, and he could see tears misting her eyes.
“Liv...” He hated this—frightening her. This was all part of the greater plan. She needed to be ill at ease. If she was scared, she’d turn to him for protection and hopefully tell him what she was involved in. But still, he didn’t like being the cause of her fear. It felt needlessly cruel, and he hated seeing her fighting back tears like this. Except in his defense, this one wasn’t on them!
“Liv,” he repeated, and she looked over at him, blinking back the emotion. “Hey...”
He was going to reach for her hand, but instead, he slipped his hand along her waist and tugged her toward him. It was instinctual—and a terrible idea. He knew it the minute his hand touched her waist, because it felt too good, and he was quickly sliding past all those professional boundaries. But he couldn’t quite stop himself, either.
“You okay?” he asked.
“What do they want?” she whispered, her eyes searching his. “Why me?”
That’s what he wanted her to tell him—why would someone like her ex-husband want to give her trouble? What were they involved in that might get dangerous? It could be argued that he was saving her from future violence by getting her to open up now. And maybe, if they were lucky, she’d testify against Evan in exchange for a lesser sentence for herself.
“You tell me,” he said quietly.
“I have no idea.” She shook her head. “I’m nobody. I opened a bookstore. This can’t be about that. I don’t get it. What did I do to deserve this?”
She licked her lips, looking furtively toward the road again. Jack followed her gaze, but there was no one on the road just now—all was quiet except for the rustle of wind in the trees. Quiet. Private... And her apartment was no longer private at all. There was something about this moment—the luxury of being stuck with her on a mountain road with no one recording their words, demanding explanations later...
Liv felt soft and warm under his touch, and looking down at those plump lips, all the logic seemed to be draining from his head. He’d looked at those lips for years—longing to taste them—and never once been this close.
Still, he was on a job. He had to stop this!
“If you know anything...” he said, and a chilly breeze picked up and curved around them. Jack hadn’t meant to tug her closer still, but they’d both moved at the same time. When she looked up, his mouth was hovering over hers. She was so close, her soft body pressing against him, and when a wisp of hair blew against her lipstick, he lifted his hand and brushed it aside. Her skin felt hot and silky against his calloused fingers. As he looked down into her face, her lips parted ever so slightly.
Oh, hell...
That was about all he could resist. He slid his hand behind her neck and pulled her into him, his lips covering hers in a desperate kiss. His eyes fell shut as he held her close, and he felt her sigh against him.
Finally was all he could think. She was finally in his arms. He was finally tasting those plump lips with his own. His pulse sped up, and he had a deep, searing longing to take this much further.
He wouldn’t. Even this was too far. He pulled back, the cool air flooding between them once more. He pressed his lips together and attempted to steel his resolve. Liv blinked up at him, looking rather surprised and ruffled, too. Her lipstick was smeared, and he used the pad of his thumb to wipe it.
“What was that?” she asked.
“A mistake.” He let one side of his mouth turn up in a not-terribly-apologetic smile.
“Definitely a mistake,” she said, but then her gaze met his again, and he caught himself leaning in once more. He stopped before his lips met hers, letting out a soft moan.
“This is my fault,” he murmured.
“Oh, I agree,” she murmured back. “All yours.”
He laughed softly, then took a reluctant step back. “I’m sorry. I find you incredibly beautiful, and—” Where was his excuse? He was a cop, supposedly here to protect her. He had no business making a move on her—especially given the fact that he was secretly investigating her!
“It’s okay.” She shook her head. “We’re two healthy, attractive adults, and we’ve been spending a whole lot of time together.”
“So you’ve been feeling this, too,” he clarified. He knew it—he’d heard her admit to it in surveillance, but that wasn’t the same as having her tell him straight. And he wanted to hear it intended for his ears.
“I’m...trying to get used to living alone,” she said, and he heard the catch in her voice. Shoot. This wasn’t the honesty he was looking for. “I’m lonely. I’ll admit that. And I have a type, too. You, Evan... I like big, strong, stubborn louts.”
“So I’m just one of a type, am I?” he asked with a small smile.
“Let’s just call this...an understandable mistake. I need to focus on me right now—on breaking my pattern. No more cops.”
“Okay. That’s probably wise.” Wiser than she realized. “I won’t do that again.”
“Thanks.” She turned back to the trunk and pushed asid
e a plastic bag, revealing the lug wrench. She pulled it out and handed it over.
He accepted the tool. “And just to prove how professional I’m capable of being, you were about to tell me why someone might be interested in tormenting you.”
Liv rolled her eyes, but she didn’t look scared like before, and that made him feel a little bit better—a little less like the manipulative heel that he was.
“I told you,” she said. “I got the letters and then the pictures. And then I saw that creepy woman out there in the rain...and now this.” She paused, something new sparkling in her eyes. Then she looked up at him, her eyebrows raised. She’d just made a connection.
“What?” he prodded.
“You’re so convinced my ex-husband is connected to this,” she said.
“Yeah, I am.”
“Well, Evan offered to buy an old cabin from my parents a day or so ago. My mother just told me about it. And it makes no sense. He left me. He’s remarried! What does he want with a cabin by Eagle’s Rest Lake?”
“You don’t know?” he asked.
“I have no idea. He’s suddenly giving me his grandmother’s first-edition books, he’s trying to buy my late great-uncle’s cabin... What’s with Evan and my family lately?”
Jack crossed his arms over his chest, meeting her gaze. “You tell me.”
“I wish I knew!” She shook her head and turned away. “None of this adds up.”
“Well, until it does, you need to stick close to me,” Jack said. “No more leaving notes and taking off.”
“You’re going to regret that,” Liv said with a small smile. “Because there’s a baby shower coming up...and it’s a Jack and Jill.”
“Meaning?” Jack frowned.
“It’s for both men and women. And since you’re my fake but adoring boyfriend...”
Jack smiled ruefully. “All right. I’ll be there. But I’m serious, Liv. No more giving me the slip.”
“Okay.”
“And, Liv?”
She looked up at him, worry swimming in her eyes.
“I’ll behave myself. I’ll be professional. That’s a promise.” He held her gaze. “Okay?”
“Okay.” She nodded.
Now to fix the tire. All logic pointed to simple vandalism, but something in his gut wouldn’t settle. Liv was right—not everything was adding up here. Either Liv was duping him and he was blind to it, or there was more to this than the police knew.
Was it possible that they were targeting an innocent woman?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
JACK’S KISS WASN’T as easy to forget as Liv had pretended. That had been to save face. She didn’t want him knowing how he made her feel! It didn’t matter.
Over the next couple of days, Jack kept his distance, too, and she wasn’t sure if she was relieved or not. While she knew he wasn’t what she needed in her life right now, that kiss had seared itself into her mind, and she’d been reliving it in her quiet moments...
His strong arms pulling her close, that almost inaudible hum he’d made in the back of his throat before his lips had covered hers... His kiss had been gentle but urgent. He was a man who knew what he wanted and knew how to kiss a woman. She’d been left slightly weak in the knees, and when he’d leaned toward her that second time, she had to confess, she wouldn’t have stopped him.
Liv told herself that she wanted him to back off a little bit, give her some space to breathe, to think. And he had been quieter, more observant and less interactive since that day. He hadn’t once touched her—not even in passing.
That’s what I asked him for, isn’t it? she reminded herself. And Jack was doing what so many men failed to do—he was respecting her wishes. No need to speak twice. She’d told him she needed space, and he was respecting that boundary.
So as they were getting ready to leave for the baby shower, Liv wondered if their public image was going to change, too. This baby shower would be hard enough for her without having to navigate all the family concern over the state of her fake romance. There was only so much she could handle at one time, but then again, maybe she was about to test that theory.
Liv got dressed in a pair of gray slacks and a pink cashmere sweater that flattered her figure, made the most of her ample hips and made her creamy skin glow. She used more muted makeup this afternoon—a plum lipstick and shimmery eyeshadow. She pulled her hair into a messy bun at the back of her head, and when she was satisfied with the end result, she opened her bedroom door and stepped into the living room, where Jack was waiting.
“Wow,” he said, his gaze doing a quick up and down. “You look great.”
“Thanks. You, too.” Jack was dressed in a pair of khaki pants and a button-up shirt that tugged slightly around his biceps. She sucked in a breath, trying to sound less uncomfortable than she felt. “I need to know what to expect today.”
“How so?” He looked at her uncertainly, and she wondered how awkward this was for him, too.
“The last time my family saw us together, we were acting the part of happy couple,” Liv replied. “Are we doing that again?”
“I don’t see any reason to change it,” Jack replied. “Do you?”
She felt a well of relief. She hadn’t realized how much she’d been enjoying having a guy to trot around to these family things until she was facing the prospect of losing him...if that could even be the right way to think about it.
“No, I think that would be for the best,” she said with a nod, then she met his gaze apologetically. “How much do you hate this, Jack?”
“What?” Jack narrowed his eyes.
“This—playing this role. I realized I’ve been thinking about how it affects me, when it affects you, too.”
“I’m not hating it half as much as you think,” he said with a small smile.
“No?” she asked uncertainly.
“I get to make an entire town believe that I’ve scored the prettiest woman in Eagle’s Rest. It’s not exactly agony on my part.”
Liv felt some heat rise in her cheeks and broke eye contact. “Just making sure. There’s nothing more humiliating than having a man feel trapped.”
“I’m not trapped. I’m just trying to be the professional I am.” He shot her a warm smile. “Am I allowed to hold your hand again? You know, just to make sure we’re in the role when we arrive at...whose place again?”
“Aunt Jean’s.”
“Aunt Jean’s.” He held out his hand, and she slid her fingers into his warm grasp. He gave her hand a squeeze. It felt so good—warm, protective, strong. She resisted the urge to lean into that muscular arm. Whatever she was feeling right now wasn’t logical, and if she gave in to it, she’d only feel foolish later.
“Sure,” she said, and couldn’t help the smile that came to her lips. “It’s for a good cause.”
Liv drove to Aunt Jean’s house on the west side of town. Jean owned a large ’80s style house on two acres of land. They had three bounding German shepherds that were nearly full grown but still acted like pups.
Liv parked on the grass like everyone else, and when they got out of the car, she looked up at the mountain scene that rose up behind the house. The jagged peaks were perpetually dusted with snow, even during the summer, but at this point in the autumn, the snow had moved down the mountain to the halfway mark.
“What a view,” Jack said.
“It never gets old,” she agreed.
She wasn’t looking forward to this baby shower. She loved having a big, united extended family, except for times like these. She couldn’t just bow out of a baby shower without deeply offending someone. Her family knew too much—even the deeper reasons she might have for wanting to avoid an afternoon like this one.
But now wasn’t the time to lose her resolve. She could make it through this, too. Besides, having Jack with her changed the dynamic a litt
le bit.
He scooped up her hand as they headed toward a walkway that led around to the side door of the house. No one used Aunt Jean’s front door—it was the kitchen entrance for everyone.
Liv pasted a smile onto her face as she opened the side door. The dogs woofed in delight and ran toward them with a clatter of toenails against linoleum, and a few of Liv’s aunts and cousins who stood chatting in the kitchen looked up to see who’d arrived.
Liv said hello, gave some hugs and led the way through to the living room, where Viola was seated in a place of honor—a large wicker chair that was decorated with pink and blue balloons. Her belly domed out in front of her, and her husband sat next to her, a big smile on his face.
This was the scene that Liv had wanted for herself—the pregnancy, the proud husband. When she’d lost her baby, she’d been four and half months along. It was supposed to be the safe zone... But Viola didn’t look scared. She was about five months pregnant, and looked adorable.
Liv’s breath caught in her throat, and she swallowed hard. She ruffled the heads of the dogs, then went over to give her cousin a hug and congratulate her.
“I’m so happy for you both!” Liv said, squeezing her cousin. “Really, truly.”
“I’m happy for you, too—” Viola looked around her toward Jack. “He’s cute. Where’d you find him?”
“At a police station, where else?” Liv joked. “You know my track record. I’m going to get myself some punch. Do you want some, Viola?”
“No, no, I don’t dare,” her cousin said, chuckling. “This baby is sitting on my bladder right now, so...”
Liv grinned and met Jack’s gaze. She angled her steps in his direction. Jack met her halfway and nudged her toward the refreshments that were on a sideboard across the room.
Her Lawman Protector Page 13
