by Lori Foster
His muscles constricted in reaction.
“I wasn’t so sure about Rowdy. He worried me at first. That’s why I called you when he showed up. But he’s not as ruthless as the others. I have a feeling he walks a very fine line between what’s lawful and what fits his own moral code.”
Since that described Rowdy perfectly, Reese felt his own share of awe. “Probably.”
“The Lieutenant?”
Though Alice had entered the scene in the midst of chaos, she had all the key players down. “When last I left her, she was running roughshod over anyone who stood in her way, issuing orders like a general.” He shook his head. “For such a petite woman, she rules with an iron fist.”
“I liked her.” Alice stared at his lap again.
“I figured you would.” Reese sat forward. “I need some caffeine to kick-start my brain. How about I take Cash out and you put on a pot of coffee?”
The dog, which had almost been asleep, bounded up in agreement.
“If that’s what you want.”
That wasn’t even close to what he wanted, but for now it’d have to do. “Thank you.” He waited, but when she continued to stand there watching him, she shrugged and tossed the sheet aside to stand.
* * *
AT THE SIGHT OF Reese’s big, strong body, Alice sucked in a breath and all but fled to the kitchen. Reese thought he embarrassed her, and yes, he did. A little.
But it was so much more than that, far more complex than mere embarrassment. It was…things she hadn’t felt in far too long.
And she relished it.
After two deep breaths, she called out to him, “I’ll have this ready in ten minutes.”
When he finally replied, his voice came from close behind her. “That works.”
Startled, she turned—and almost dropped the carafe.
Shirtless and barefoot, he leaned in the kitchen doorway, only a few feet away. He’d pulled on rumpled slacks, zipped but unbuttoned so that they hung low, showing off his taut abdomen and that silky line of dark blond hair that disappeared into his boxers.
Boy. The pants helped a little, but not much. He still looked indescribably awesome.
Sighing in resignation at her distraction, Reese said again, “Up here, Alice.”
Mute, she performed the near-impossible feat of lifting her attention to his face. She had a feeling that with Reese so uninhibited, his reminders were going to come fast and furious.
Really, how could any woman not stare at him?
The very first time she saw him, she’d recognized him as a prime physical specimen. Her past had damaged her, sure, but she wasn’t blind or stupid.
It had taken a lot of effort to remember her need for privacy, to look past him, to ignore his friendly smiles and polite greetings.
Then seeing him with the dog…well, that had sealed her fate. Reese stood over six and a half feet tall, but he wasn’t lanky. He had a honed body that drew everyone’s attention. No one could mistake his strength.
Yet he’d been so gentle with Cash. Alice knew she’d lost a small part of her heart to him the moment she saw his patience with his new pet.
And then yesterday, watching him in hero mode as he not only took charge of a deadly situation but also tended to his injured friend…how could anyone be immune to him?
Fully dressed, Detective Reese Bareden was a heart-stopper. Half naked he was enough to turn her stupid with lust.
Amusement showed in the glitter of his green eyes. “I like it strong.”
“What?” Oh, Lord, she’d been visually devouring him again. She swallowed and tried to get it together.
“The coffee.”
“Oh.” How could she have forgotten? She held the carafe with both hands and summoned a smile. “All right.”
New concern eased his smile away. “What is it, Alice?”
“Nothing.” She couldn’t very well tell him that he was one of the most impressive males she’d ever known—and that was saying something, given that she’d met some truly remarkable men.
Men from her past. Good men…who’d been there to counter the depraved.
Even thinking about it caused her to tighten, to close in on herself protectively—
“Alice?”
That deep, gentle voice brought her out of dark memories. Her racing heart slowed, her muscles uncoiled. She let out a tense breath and tried to sound casual. “Yes?”
“You and I are going to have that talk today.”
He made it sound almost like a threat, but she’d known real threats, and Reese didn’t scare her. Not that way. Not in any way, really. “Yes, we will.”
Her quick compliance surprised him. Had he expected her to refuse him? To get defensive?
Truthfully, there were times when even she didn’t know how she’d react. Ugly memories had a way of surfacing when she least expected them.
When it came to men, most of the time she steered clear of them. She definitely hadn’t planned on being drawn to Reese. But she enjoyed talking with him, so why avoid it? He wouldn’t get the information he wanted because it was information she couldn’t share, but she’d tell him enough to keep him satisfied.
For a little while anyway.
Cash strained the length of the leash, impatient with the delay. The adorable dog, still more a puppy than not, was notorious for piddling on the floor when he got excited, curious, when he had to go…pretty much for any reason at all, really.
Luckily both of their apartments had hardwood floors in more areas than not, which made cleanups easier.
After another long look, Reese nodded at her and led the dog away. Moving out of the kitchen, warm with admiration, Alice watched him go. His disheveled blond hair and darker beard shadow only made him more gorgeous. Sleek muscles flexed…everywhere. Over his very wide shoulders, his back, down the length of those thick arms and thicker thighs…
He pulled the door open.
Breath strangled in her chest. “You’re going outside like that?”
He glanced down at himself, and shrugged as if he didn’t have a body that could stop traffic and hearts alike. “Why not?”
The man was all but naked! He hadn’t even buttoned his pants. “You’re…indecent.”
“I won’t be long.” He checked that the door wouldn’t lock when he closed it, and out he went.
Alice stood there lost in thought for far too long before she remembered that she had coffee to make.
Never had she thought to have a man in her apartment. Certainly not a hunky police detective, and most definitely not overnight. It made sense for her to be off kilter.
She no sooner finished preparing the coffee than she decided Reese might also like something to eat. It was lunchtime for her, but he hadn’t even had breakfast yet.
Maybe he hadn’t had dinner the night before either. His work as a detective had literally landed on his doorstep, and she doubted he’d had time to relax, much less enjoy a real meal. A man his size likely required a lot of sustenance.
Yesterday had consisted of bad guys coming and going, good guys sneaking in, gunshots and arrests, deaths and ambulances… Shivering, Alice wrapped her arms around herself.
The life or death scenario had been unsettling for her too. Having Reese on her couch, near at hand, gave her a sense of security that no weapon could. Even having Cash underfoot was reassuring. People still left her ill at ease, but animals were so nonjudgmental, so welcoming, she n
aturally took comfort from them.
Reese didn’t know it, but being Cash’s dog-sitter was the greatest gift. Until he’d proposed the arrangement a few days ago, she hadn’t realized what a difference it made to have another living, breathing creature nearby.
She sighed, realized several minutes had passed, and decided she’d ask Reese what he’d like to eat.
Picking up her keys, she locked the door behind her. Never again would she take any chances when it came to security. On her way out, she glanced up the steps at Reese’s apartment door. Unlike in the movies, there was no dramatic caution tape draping the door, but yesterday Reese said they preferred for him to stay out until they finished gathering their forensic evidence, or taking photos, or whatever they had to do. She really had no idea of police procedure. Other than Reese, she’d never known a good officer.
Sure, she’d been acquainted with a few shady men who claimed the badge but not the honor that should have been inherent in the job. Yesterday, she’d met good cops.
She’d learned the hard way to recognize the difference.
Remembering the day before made her palms sweat. Yes, Reese had only come to her because of the destruction in his place, but she was glad for any reason. While she hopefully put up a brave front, no way had she wanted to stay alone.
As she’d done so many times, she pushed the unpleasant memories to the back of her mind and went down the steps to the glass, double entry doors.
Before she stepped out, she saw Reese standing there in the shade, Cash’s leash held loosely in his hand.
Two neighbor ladies, one a beautiful blonde with oversized breasts, the other a very cute and petite brunette, stared at him adoringly while chatting.
They wore jogging shorts and sports bras and had a lot of skin showing. They stood far too close to him for mere conversation.
Alice didn’t think about it, didn’t even have time to process her reaction before she found herself striding out to the yard and right up to Reese and Cash. She snatched the dog’s leash from his hand, startling him.
Lifting one eyebrow, he looked down at her. “Alice.”
Her heart punched painfully against her breastbone. Unfair that a man with morning rumpled hair and whiskers could still manage to look so good. “The coffee’s done.” She stared at the women while thrusting the keys out to him. “I can wait with Cash until he finishes up if you’d like to go on in and get a cup.”
Slowly his expression shifted from surprise to amusement. “Why thank you, Alice.” With a knowing grin, he accepted her key ring. “Your hospitality knows no bounds.”
She had no idea how to reply to that.
With a pleased smile Reese touched her cheek, bid good day to the other ladies, and headed inside. The bright sunshine gleamed on his shoulders and gilded his fair hair. Though barefoot, he didn’t pick his way across the grounds; he strode like a confident man in control of himself and those around him.
When Alice realized that she wasn’t the only one noticing, she cleared her throat, loudly.
The blonde laughed. “Sorry, honey, but you know, I just can’t pull my eyes away. He’s an awful lot of man.”
The brunette agreed. She looked at Alice and asked with palpable doubt, “So, you two have a thing?”
A thing…? Understanding sank in. “What? No!” Alice looked down at herself too. No, she wasn’t cute and petite like the brunette, and she certainly didn’t have the curves that the blonde flaunted. She was just herself, plain, understated, most times all but invisible.
Hadn’t she been told that often enough?
And thank God for it.
“We’re only neighbors.”
“Uh-huh, sure you are.” The friendly blonde continued to smile. “I wish I was that type of neighbor, too. I’ve suggested it, but I swear, Reese is a squirrely one, always dodging me.”
“You’ve actually suggested…?”
“That we hook up, sure. And believe me, I haven’t been subtle!” She laughed. “I figured he turned me down because we’re too close for comfort, being in the same apartment building and all that. But if he’s spending the night with you, then that must not be an issue for him.”
The women stared at her, waiting for an explanation. Why hadn’t she left well enough alone? She had no claim on Reese, so she should have kept her nose out of it.
But she had butted in, behaving like a territorial girlfriend, given them reason for speculation. Walking away now would be both rude and fodder for gossip.
“Do you both live here?” she asked while trying to decide how to proceed.
“Upper floor,” the brunette said. “She’s on one side of Reese, and I’m on the other.”
“Doesn’t that sound naughty?” The blonde laughed. “We’ve known Reese awhile now.”
Alice’s temples pounded. “How…nice.”
The blonde performed introductions. “I heard Reese call you Alice. I’m Nikki, and she’s Pam.”
“Hello.” Until Reese, Alice had managed to keep her distance from all of her neighbors. Now she had Reese’s admirers curious about her.
Knowing she’d just complicated her life, Alice turned her attention to Cash. Perhaps she could distract the women by playing with the dog?
But no, Cash flopped down in a ray of sunshine and looked so comfortable, she hated to disturb him. There was no help for it. She smiled at the women. “If you live that close to Reese, then you already know what happened yesterday.”
Pam lifted both brows. “You mean between the two of you?”
“No!” Good grief. Such a suggestion. “Really, nothing happened between us.”
Nikki grinned some more.
“I was talking about the police conflict that took place in his apartment.”
“We were out late,” Pam said.
“And much of the morning, too,” Nikki added. “What happened?”
Hoping to extricate herself soon, Alice did her best to summarize. “Yesterday, I saw a person going into Reese’s apartment, so I called him.”
“You have his number?” Pam asked with disbelief.
“I…yes.” Alice wanted to groan. Pam and Nikki looked ready to pounce on her every word. She nodded toward Cash. “I watch his dog for him while he works, so it was necessary to exchange numbers.”
The women peered at Cash with disdain. Nikki said, “He pees everywhere.”
“I know.” Alice smiled with affection. “Cash has already marked every inch of my apartment.”
“Oh, my God, you’re kidding?” Pam shuddered. “I’d send him to the pound for that.”
Feeling very protective of the dog, Alice scowled. “He’s a puppy still. He’s learning.”
Nikki couldn’t quite uncurl her lip. “So he’s actually Reese’s dog? I assumed he was yours since you’re the one I usually see bringing him outside.”
“I pet-sit for him. Reese only recently got him, but being a detective, his hours can be…unconventional. And right now Cash needs a lot of attention, not to mention structure.”
“So yesterday, when you said someone went into his place?” Nikki dismissed the dog. “Reese was getting robbed?”
“Not exactly. It was just…” Unsure how much she should actually tell, Alice fudged the truth. “A conflict of sorts, that’s all. It ended well enough when yet another detective showed up. But Reese’s apartment got a little… messy.”
With bullet holes. Blood. A dead body on the floor.
>
She shook her head. “Reese had a lot to do once they made arrests, a lot of follow-up work, so he got in late.” Or rather, early. “His apartment is still considered a crime scene.”
Dismissing all of that, Pam asked in disbelief, “And so he came to you?”
Alice shrugged. “He slept on my couch.”
“Your couch?” Nikki put a hand to her heart in dramatic fashion. “I would have dragged him into the bedroom.”
“Or joined him on the couch.” Pam grinned.
“I don’t know,” Nikki added. “He’s awfully big to play with on a couch.”
They both laughed.
Through tight lips, Alice explained, “We don’t have that type of relationship.” In fact, she wasn’t sure what type of relationship they had. A couple of times now Reese had hinted about an attraction, but was it just teasing?
And if it wasn’t, what then?
“Oh, honey.” Nikki commiserated. “That must’ve been torturous for you, having a man like him so close but still not getting the advantages.”
“It’s great news for us, though.” Pam elbowed her friend. “He’s still up for grabs.”
Alice couldn’t fathom their attitudes. “So you’re each interested in Reese?” How would that work? Neither of the women felt possessive?
Pam shrugged. “I do my best to get him to notice me, but Reese is a master at being polite without encouraging too much.”
Nikki agreed. “I’d be on him in a heartbeat if he’d give me a signal. He’s so delectably big and brawny.”
Big and brawny were not attributes that Alice generally admired. Not in a man who showed too much intimate interest in her.
But for whatever reason, Reese was different, and her heart raced every time he got near.
“He’s very compassionate,” Alice said, then suffered through some curious expressions from Nikki and Pam. “It’s true. He saved Cash. Someone had put the dog in a cardboard box and left him in the middle of the street.”
“Probably because he pees everywhere!”
