by Fiona Archer
After giving her thanks to the TV crew’s producers, London helped her family and Cleo clean up before the last reluctant reader was ushered out of the store.
She gave signed copies of her book to Cleo’s two staff members who’d helped tonight. Tomorrow she’d arrange for a delivery of baked treats from Seven Dishes to the store as more thanks.
“Since you caught a taxi here, I’ll drive you home after dinner, okay?” Heath grabbed her small roller suitcase filled with leftover bookmarks, keychains and other gear.
Considering he had said the “okay” after he’d started walking with her case, she guessed he wasn’t really asking.
Then again, a lift home with Heath suited her perfectly.
She stood by his SUV as he stored her bag.
While London’s dad drove her mom and Grandma to the restaurant, everyone else enjoyed the five-minute walk from the bookshop.
Her mom had reserved a table on the outside terrace. Heath sat on one side of London and Harper on the other at a long rectangle shaped table.
Heath’s presence seemed to fill not only the space on her left, but take over the terrace. Every brush of his arm against hers, the way the material of his pants skimmed against her bare legs—every touch was like a lit match to her skin. The faint scent of his aftershave teased her senses. She wanted to get even closer, press her face against his neck, feel the scratch of his stubble on her skin, and trace her fingers over the tanned column of his throat.
“Hungry, Red?”
She swallowed and forced her gaze to meet his.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Heat flared in his eyes seconds before her mom asked him a question. After one long hungry look, he broke their contact and answered her mother.
Hell, being next to the man was like playing with dynamite. With merely a stare, he could set her body on fire. And in front of her family no less. A quick scan of the guests showed everyone consulting their menus—except for one.
Jinx, with a smile on her face, gave London what could only be described as a conspiratorial wink before dropping her gaze to her menu.
London swallowed a giggle. Should she feel embarrassed Jinx had caught her and Heath in a shared moment? Maybe. For London, knowing the handsome detective was equally attracted to her set her pulse racing, and it felt like…like she was riding a rollercoaster. Only there were no dips, just a race to reach ever higher.
After they’d ordered their meals, baskets of steamy garlic bread and platters of antipasto were placed on their table.
London offered the basket of bread to Harper and Heath, before taking a piece for herself. She turned to the café owner. “No Seth tonight?”
Harper shook her head. “He’s off on secret men’s business with Adam.” She leaned forward and glanced at Heath, whose face remained expressionless. “I’d have more chance of getting the nuclear launch codes than getting information from the Justice guys when they go ‘silent’.” She made air quotes with her fingers.
London turned to Heath. “Nothing to share?”
“Nope.” He sipped his beer and looked across the table at Mercy and Jinx who were in deep conversation.
“Hmm, is it because you won’t share, or you don’t know what Seth and Adam are up to?”
With the lazy grace of someone who held all the answers, Heath slowly turned his head to face her. “I’m thinking I’ll keep you guessing.” He grinned at her pout.
“And you think I’m contrary,” she muttered to herself, gaining a chuckle from Heath.
“She hates that.” Derek lifted his bottle of beer. “The not-knowing. Drives her nuts.” He swigged back a mouthful of his drink. “Made for a lot of fun growing up.”
“I bet it did.” Heath’s grin grew wider at her hard stare.
“You’re the devil.” London said to Derek before glancing at her girlfriends who were now watching the interplay between siblings. “Don’t believe my brothers’ good-guys act. I was the only girl to four boys. They were merciless to me growing up.”
Aidan made a scoffing sound. “Like you didn’t get your revenge.” He nodded to Derek. “Remember when she stole your model MiG fighter and drew the Wonder Woman logo all over it with colored markers?”
“Go, girlie!” Grandma Shaw shook her fist in the air, much to the delight of the women around the table.
Derek frowned. “I’d forgotten that happened.”
London snickered. “He ran to Dad and whined.”
“I didn’t whine.” Derek shifted in his seat. “I voiced my displeasure.”
His father grimaced. “Son, you yelled and carried on so much, I took all you boys fishing to give your mom some peace and quiet.”
“Amen to that.” Her mom rolled her eyes.
London nodded. “I hid my Barbies in the attic for two months after that. By the time I got them down, Derek had discovered girls and forgotten all about getting his revenge.”
Heath’s smile seemed wistful, almost sad. As if… Of course. How must it hurt seeing others reminisce about the kind of times he’d lost with the passing of his family.
Without thinking, London reached over and squeezed Heath’s hand. For a second he looked surprised, before he ran his finger over her hand in a gesture of… What? Thanks? Maybe acknowledgement that she understood?
A team of waiters delivered their entrees. As everyone started eating and chatting around the table, London glanced at Heath.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked quietly as he forked some of his pasta.
She debated sharing, but in the end, if she wanted to get to know the man better, eventually, the subject would come up. “You’re a conundrum to me, Detective.”
He stopped eating and turned his face to hers. “How so?”
“One minute you’re mister ice cool, always in control. Then I catch a glimpse of someone else, someone…vulnerable. And I realize I hardly know you.”
His gaze held hers, as if assessing her motives. “Give me an example.”
“Well…” God, how did she start this off? “…before, when I joked about Derek discovering girls. I caught the sadness in your smile and realized you have such different experiences from me because of the loss of your family.”
Heath stared at her a moment before answering. “I remembered teasing my older sister. Same with you guys, just in reverse.” He glanced at his plate before giving her his gaze once more. “And yes, those memories bring regret with them.”
Regret? At the memories of his loved ones? What an odd choice of word. A bittersweet joy would have been her choice.
At least he was sharing a part of himself. “Do you think about them often?”
“Yes.”
Sorrow filled her. Losing your family at such a young age? How tragic. “God, Heath, that’s—”
Heath shook his head. “Not in the way you think.” He shrugged. “Remembering them reminds me of who I am, where I came from, and who and what helped shape me.” Setting down his fork, he picked up his beer. “Now, tell me, did Derek have a Ken doll growing up? That would give me hours of payback in the squad room.” He smiled, taking any sting out of the change of topic.
But she understood. Everyone had their secrets. Or maybe more apt, had a limit of what they were willing to reveal at one time.
And whether Heath realized he’d shared such a big part of himself or not, she was thankful.
****
Heath swallowed down his mouthful of beer, not tasting the cold liquid as London said something about Derek preferring remote controlled trucks to Ken dolls.
Regret. Jesus. He’d actually used that term. “Those memories bring regret with them.” A piss-poor word to describe the gut-churning guilt he’d carried since that night seventeen years ago. One moment he’d been teasing his sister about her idiot boyfriend and the next…
“I take it Ken dolls didn’t feature in your childhood?” London bumped his arm with her shoulder, dragging him from his thoughts.
“Nope. I
was into sports from a young age, footy mostly. Played as a kid, loved the game.” His bedroom had been decorated with posters and the maroon and white flag of his local rugby league football club. “The Manly Sea Eagles were my team.”
London’s snorted. “They were so tough they named themselves ‘Manly’?”
“No.” Heath chuckled. “Manly is a suburb on the northern beaches. It’s where I grew up.” He leaned closer to her, catching the scent of her light floral perfume. Feminine. Classy. “And don’t knock my team, woman. I already get grief from my brothers. The Sea Eagles are a team you either love or hate. My idiot brothers fall into the latter bunch.”
“Ah,” London nodded. “You think they’re jealous of your Manly-ness?” She wiggled her eyebrows.
The little writer had found a play on words and she was off. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“I’m thinking.” She pretended to ponder for a moment, before giving him a huge smile. “No. However, I’ll spare you the annoyance—for now. I’ll wait until your brothers are around for maximum impact.”
“Brilliant,” he muttered. This girl. How could a woman frustrate him so much and entrance him beyond distraction at the same time?
The rest of the meal passed in a blink for Heath. Put that down to the good company at their table, including London with her rich, full laugh and even more tempting body, outlined in exquisite detail by the clingy blue material of her top.
Heath knew bugger all about fashion; nevertheless, he had a fresh respect for Jinx and whatever the hell she did as a stylist in creating London’s look tonight. In that top and the long black skirt with the split up the side, London was a fucking knockout.
Sitting next to her during tonight’s meal had been an exercise in delight and torture. Dropping his gaze to London’s lap, he caught a flash of toned thigh courtesy of the inspired split in her skirt. Sensational legs. Feminine and soft, but toned.
How would it feel having her legs wrapped tight around him as he plunged his cock deep inside her?
Blood rushed to his groin. Christ. He prided himself on his level of self-discipline—a man avoided getting a hard-on in company—but his wandering thoughts had tested him tonight.
“Don’t laugh, Mercy, it’s true. I can’t walk in high heels. Do you know how I met Seth? I tripped and literally fell into his arms.”
Harper’s voice snagged Heath’s attention. The sweet café owner was smiling, enjoying herself. Heath was glad her attention had been distracted from her family’s dramas.
And as for Harper’s thoughts earlier on the whereabouts of Seth and Adam…
They were out hunting.
Adam had left a message on Heath’s phone, stating his brothers were chasing down a lead regarding the Russians and their involvement with Stanton Fox. The nightclub venture Fox had entered into with the Russians made no sense. Heath guessed the deeper Adam and Seth dug, the murkier the picture.
The waiter brought the bill to the table, and Kieran slapped his credit card into the small folder and thrust it at the waiter before anyone else could offer. “This is my daughter’s special evening, and her parents are paying for dinner. The end,” he declared.
Heath respected the man’s pride. At the next opportunity, he’d return Kieran’s generosity.
It wasn’t until he stood from the table that Heath noted he had reasoned at the next opportunity and not if.
Well…so be it.
He snagged London’s hand as their group walked out of the Pink Door. Right now, he wanted to know her better, seek out the things which made her laugh and the dirty secrets that made her blush.
Fuck yes, he wanted her blushing—as he spoke dirty to her, sank deep inside her, and as she begged to come.
This blushing would be purely sexual. Carnal. And she’d be desperate—for release, for pleasure.
For him.
Out in the alley, the streetlight above shined down on London, illuminating her hair into a glowing sheen of deep reds and golds. A late night breeze kicked up, lifting a few strands across her face. Heath couldn’t stop himself from gently sweeping them back. He ran his fingertips over the velvety skin under her ear before dropping his hand.
“Better.” His words came out as a gruff whisper.
London stared up at him, silent. Her tempting mouth was slightly open. How soft would her lips feel? All he had to do was run a finger…
A soft chime of someone’s cell phone dragged him out of his thoughts. He looked away, only to lock gazes with Derek. Long seconds passed before the fellow cop turned his attention to his parents.
Big brothers. They were protective bastards. No matter whose family they belonged to.
Joanne and Estelle Shaw exchanged hugs and kisses with everyone, including with Heath, before moving to stand next to Kieran’s SUV.
“Jinx, Harper, Cleo, do you need a lift back to your cars?” Kieran asked as he unlocked his vehicle and helped his mom into the back passenger side seat. Derek held the front passenger door open for his mom.
“Thank you, no. We’re having a sleepover at Harper’s tonight,” Cleo offered with a smile. “We have to walk off some of that delicious dinner to make way for the snacks we have in our overnight bags.”
“A sleepover?” Mercy, Aidan’s girlfriend, said as she stood next to London. “I haven’t done that since I was a kid.”
Harper grinned at the wistful note in the cute blonde’s voice. “You and London have got to join us next time,” Harper offered. “I have two sofa beds and a spare room. We can easily fit you in.”
“Fantastic.” London’s smile lit up her eyes, and not for the first time, Heath was charmed by the way her face shone with her happiness, like a kid unwrapping presents on Christmas morning. “We could do a movie marathon and feast on Mercy’s macadamia and toffee fudge. I swear the stuff’s addictive.”
“London’s right. Totally addictive,” Mercy added. “And an absolute necessity for a girls’ night in.”
“I’m sold.” Jinx nodded. “And Harper’s place is close to a couple of great clubs. We can check them out and then crash on those sofa beds.”
Jesus. Why did the last suggestion fill him with dread? Maybe because he’d seen Jinx demand his kill-first-ask-questions-later brother Adam put on a party hat and sing karaoke. Heath knew grown men who wouldn’t attempt such risky behavior. What trouble could the bubbly blonde get up to in a club? Then he remembered how he met London, nearly arresting her as she carried out her ‘research’. Christ, London and Jinx together could prove no end of disaster.
“Hey, I’m all for going clubbing.” Estelle Shaw poked her head out of the SUV’s back passenger window.
“God help us,” Kieran muttered under his breath as he closed the front passenger door, cutting off the sound of his wife’s giggling. “We’re leaving before any firm plans are made.”
“I’ll call you, Gran.” London waved as Estelle gave her a thumbs up.
“Let’s go, before Gran calls out for the women’s phone numbers.” Aidan chuckled as he tucked Mercy to his side and started walking back toward A New Chapter.
“No problem,” Jinx said with a grin. “I added everyone’s numbers to her phone and your mom’s during dinner.” Ignoring Aiden’s rueful groan, she leaned past Harper to catch Mercy’s gaze. “Mercy, I got your number from Estelle. Hope that’s okay?”
“Sure.” Mercy smiled. “I expect a call soon from one of you guys to arrange a sleepover.” She grinned at Aidan before adding, “Or maybe the club. We can’t let Estelle down now.”
The women’s laughter mixed with the good-natured sighs of the men. Heath chuckled as he once again captured London’s hand and walked the short distance to the bookstore.
There was something about the way her hand fit in his—the feel of her smoother skin on his, her acceptance at the firmness of his grip—that fired a primitive thrill deep in his soul. There was no denying London was a feminine woman. All curves, floral scents and the material
clinging to her body—all of which made his blood heat and his mind crave her beyond measure.
Outside of the building housing Harper’s café and apartment, everyone shared more goodbyes. Harper whispered something to London that made her chuckle, but when he caught their gaze, both women pressed their lips together, as if forcing themselves not to smile.
Maybe later he’d enjoy interrogating those shared words out of London?
Heath watched the women enter Harper’s building, making sure the door clicked safely behind them.
Aidan and Mercy left as Derek kissed his sister on the forehead. He turned to Heath. “See you tomorrow. Early.”
Heath began to answer but was cut off by London.
“I’ll try to have him home at a respectable hour, but I can’t promise. See, I’ve done my yearly goals in my awesome Erin Condren planner. You know, the one decorated in dark gray with the pink and peach colored flowers?” She waved away her brother’s confused look. “Anyway, I’ve marked August as “Ravage a sexy, innocent man month.” She nodded, her expression earnest as she gazed at her brother. “I even got these super cute red lip stickers for when I hit my goal.” She bit her lip before imploring, “I really, really want to use that sticker, dude.”
Heath choked on a laugh as he saw the look of frustration on Derek’s face.
“Jesus, London.” Derek shook his head. Without another word, he headed to his car.
Heath studied his apparent would-be seducer.
London shrugged. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. A few times tonight I caught him and Aidan giving you their glowering big brother scrutiny. I thought it was about time I let them know I’m a grown woman, not a teenager.”
Heath, for one, needed no convincing.
He steered her toward his SUV. “I don’t mind the scrutiny. They’re your brothers. You could be fifty and they’d still give the evil eye to any guy who does more than sit next to you. That’s their job.”
She studied him with a gentle smile as he opened the front passenger door. “Thank you.”
“For what?” He stepped back to allow her to climb in, but she remained in place.
