The woman was rapidly becoming his obsession.
A wave of heat ran through him. Just look at what had happened the other night after the Edward Jones hit. If she ever reported what he’d done, his career was dead in the water. No search warrant gave him the right to paw at her pussy and stick his fingers up her ass.
But she’d liked it.
And that was the problem.
He shifted in his seat as the memories blistered his brain. She’d been hot, tight and unbelievably responsive. She’d enjoyed everything he’d done to her and he’d gotten off on it, too.
It made him hard just to think about it.
He ran a hand over his face and tried to clear his head. He had to get past this. This overpowering attraction between them was interfering with his work. He needed to put his personal feelings aside and do his duty. The fact that she turned his insides to mush was neither here nor there.
She was the key to breaking these cases wide open.
He knew that with every breath he took.
There were just too many “coincidences”. She’d outsmarted him the other night but even smart people eventually made mistakes. Gut instinct told him it wouldn’t be long until she slipped up.
That was why he was here tonight—to catch her when she fell.
The curtain behind him stirred and Riley glanced over his shoulder.
“Oh,” a young boy said in surprise. “Sorry, mister.”
Riley relaxed. The swarm of kids at the event had brought the stuffiness factor down a notch or two. “You looking for someone?” he asked.
“My mom was supposed to be sitting up here.”
Sadie’s kid. Riley looked at him with interest. He liked Talia’s assistant. She’d always been friendly whenever he’d dropped by Coolectibles, which had been quite often over the past few weeks. Her son was a good-looking tweener—old enough to want to act cool, but young enough not to know how to hide his excitement about the auction. Like his mother, the boy nearly vibrated with energy.
Riley gestured to the seats below them. “Sadie traded seats with me. She’s down there near the back of the theater. She said she wanted to be in the thick of things.”
The kid glanced over the edge of the box seat. “That sounds like her.”
“What’s your name?” Riley asked.
“Linc.” The boy pulled at the bow tie of his miniature tux as he sized him up. “Who are you?”
After skirting around New Covington’s rich folk for so long, Riley appreciated the candor. He held out his hand. “I’m Riley Kinkade.”
Linc looked at the offered hand uncertainly. “You’re the cop that likes Talia?”
Riley paused but there was no getting around that question. Besides, if that’s how Sadie looked at him, he could use it to his advantage. “Yeah, that’s me.”
He didn’t like the kid’s instinctive reaction. Linc looked ready to bolt. For the life of him, Riley didn’t know why. Was it because the kid had a crush on her, too? Or was it because he was a cop? He hoped not. The force had been doing a lot of work within the school system to strengthen its relationship with New Covington’s next generation. The goal was to earn kids’ respect and encourage trust in the boys in blue—not scare them to death.
“Are you here to check up on me?” the boy suddenly blurted.
“Check up on you?” Riley asked in confusion.
“I’ve been doing the work, mister. I swear!” Linc began to breathe hard as he pointed unsteadily at the program balanced on Riley’s thigh. “I designed that cover and I folded all of the programs. There were over five hundred of them.”
“Hey, kid. Whoa! Settle down.”
“I…I helped my mom decorate this place for tonight.” Linc’s breaths started to hitch. He grabbed the program and flipped through it. “Number 27. That’s mine, too. I drew it and it’s going to be auctioned off tonight.”
Riley reached out and grabbed the boy by the arm before he fell down. He was nearly hyperventilating. “All right. Sit down, buddy.”
He tugged Linc into the seat next to him and pushed him over until his head was between his knees. “Breathe.”
“I’m…I’m…try-ing to do…what I’m s-supposed to do.”
He patted the kid on the back. “Relax, kiddo. I’m not here to check up on you. I’m just here for the show.”
“Re-Really?” Linc asked, risking a glance at him.
Riley palmed the back of his head and gently pushed him back down. “Come on, now. Inhale. Exhale.”
He glanced at the cover of the program. Huh. He never would have guessed that an eleven-year-old had drawn it. It looked almost professional. He rubbed the kid’s back and waited for him to calm down. After a moment or two, the boy took a deep, lung-filling breath. Riley felt the tense muscles under his hand relax.
After a moment, Linc glanced at him sheepishly. “You gonna push me back down if I try to sit up again?”
“Nah,” Riley said with a chuckle. “We wouldn’t want to wrinkle that fancy tux of yours.”
Linc slowly sank back into the chair. “Sorry,” he said. “I’m not usually that big of a wuss.”
Riley let the statement go by without comment. The kid was embarrassed enough as it was. “Want to tell me about it?” he asked instead.
“About what?”
“Whatever trouble you’re in.”
Linc glanced at him sideways. “I thought you weren’t here for that.”
“I’m not.”
The kid looked at him suspiciously but then shrugged as if he appreciated straightforwardness, too. “I got picked up for spraying graffiti. Working on this auction is part of my community service time.”
Riley drummed his fingers on the back of the kid’s seat. Things were becoming clearer. Little Linc had run astray of the law and he hadn’t liked the nip in the butt he’d received in return. “Was it any good?” he asked.
“The time?”
“The graffiti.” Riley held up the program. “Looks like you’re not a half bad artist.”
Linc shifted in his seat but one corner of his lips twitched and some of that excited energy returned. “It was pretty cool,” he admitted. “I drew a big T-Rex. I’d never worked on that big of a canvas before.”
“Canvas?”
“The wall of Covington Elementary next to the basketball courts.”
“Ah.” Riley supposed that if one wanted to draw a life-sized T-Rex, that was the place to do it. “Just couldn’t resist?”
“Kind of.” Linc shrugged. “I didn’t have anything else to work on.”
Riley paused. Now that was one he hadn’t heard before. Graffiti artists were notorious for putting up their messages to mark their territory. Others did it maliciously to deface property. That wasn’t what he heard going on here. He sat forward and braced his elbows on his knees. “What do you mean?”
“I used to go to the after-school art classes with Mr. Albright but they were canceled. I filled up my sketchbook at home and Mom wasn’t around—”
“But the school wall was.”
“Yeah.”
Riley nodded. “You’re just a man with restless hands.”
Linc sat a little straighter in his chair. “That’s right. That’s what I am.”
“So who’s working your case?”
Their uneasy trust wavered as Linc shot him another look. “What do you need to know that for?”
“I thought I’d talk to the guy tomorrow when I go in to work. You know, put in a good word for you.”
Linc’s eyes widened. “You’d do that?”
Riley shrugged and looked around the theater. “Looks like you’ve been working pretty hard to me.”
“I have.”
“And are you going to keep working hard?”
Linc nodded fiercely.
“Are you going to paint graffiti again?”
The nod quickly switched directions. “Nuh-uh.”
Riley nudged the kid with his shoulder. “You tell you
r mom to talk to me. She can give me the information I need.”
Linc practically sprang out of his seat. “For real?”
“Why not?”
“I’ll go tell her right now.”
“But Linc…” Riley called as the kid sprinted for the staircase.
The boy spun around in his tracks.
“Next time you need something to draw on, use a napkin or something.”
“Right.” Linc smiled. “See you later, Kinkade. Watch for Number 27.”
Riley settled back into his chair as he heard footsteps bounding down the stairs to the main floor. Poor kid. Idle time often spawned trouble but Sadie was doing a good job. Linc would turn out fine with his mother keeping track of his hide. There were other wayward little souls who weren’t as fortunate.
The houselights dimmed and Riley’s attention focused on the stage. It was about time this show got started. He’d been watching out for Talia ever since he’d arrived but she’d been frustratingly elusive. A flash of white in the wings caught his eye and, suddenly, his wait was over.
“Damn,” he hissed when he got a good look at her.
He’d thought he’d been prepared for everything tonight but he hadn’t been ready for that.
Applause filled the air as she walked to center stage but he couldn’t move. She looked incredible. She was wearing a crisp, white, wrap-around top that made him think of Christmas. He knew what that snug material hid. One little tug on the bow at the side of her waist and a very nice present would be revealed. Two, in fact.
She came to a stop behind the podium at mid-stage but he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She turned slightly and a groan left his lips when he saw the way her leather skirt hugged her ass. The slit up the side came to nearly her hip. Long legs, firm breasts and a hidden treasure between her legs…
Did she lie awake at night looking for ways to torture him?
He rubbed his palms against the arms of his chair. He wanted to put his hands on her again like he’d never wanted anything in his life.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” she said warmly. “Welcome to the Sizemore Foundation’s First Charity Auction.”
The smile she sent out to the crowd was so warm and inviting, it hurt. She’d never looked at him like that. Not even once. From the moment they’d met, everything between them had been strained.
“We’re here tonight to show our support for something near and dear to my heart,” she said. “My father created the After-School Arts Program for Inner-City Schools nearly twelve years ago. I’m here to carry on his work.”
Riley felt himself break out in a cold sweat. Would it really hurt that much to scratch this itch? Get it out of their systems? Ease the tension?
“The money raised tonight will be used to purchase much-needed supplies such as crayons, paints, ceramics…”
They both wanted to hit the sheets. If Hendricks hadn’t knocked on her apartment door at precisely the wrong moment, he wouldn’t even be asking himself these questions. He would have already nailed her.
“Art pencils, glue…”
Was he just prolonging the inevitable?
“Sketch pads and canvas paper…”
Because delayed satisfaction had never— His lustful thoughts skidded offtrack. Wait a minute. Had she just said “canvas paper”?
His attention focused.
“The funding will also be used to support teacher pay. Space rental. Heating bills. Electricity. But best of all, it will be used to put smiles on kids’ faces.”
Riley went still as a very dim lightbulb went on inside his head.
Oh, shit. Could it be?
“Will all the children who’ve participated in the after-school program please stand?”
Kids bounded out of their seats in every corner of the audience but his gaze sought out one very energetic little boy at the back of the room. One little boy who hadn’t had any paper to draw on because his class had been canceled…
“These children are the reason why we’re here tonight,” Talia said, her voice catching. “They deserve to experience all the joys and wonders of art. Let’s make sure they can.”
“We love you, Miss Sizemore!” a group in the back yelled.
Riley became entranced when Talia’s chin quivered.
“I love you, too,” she said hoarsely. She quickly wiped away a tear that coursed down her cheek.
The crowd responded with the thunder of applause and he sagged back in his chair. The lightbulb in his head was now so bright, it was blinding. “I’ll be damned.”
He’d just figured out the “why”.
“I hope everyone has fun tonight,” she said, smiling bravely. “So sit back, grab your paddles and be prepared to do some serious bidding! Thank you!”
She waved to the crowd as she walked offstage and Riley watched until those long legs of hers disappeared behind the curtains. He was dumbfounded. Why hadn’t he seen it before? It was so clear. He’d just been coming at things from entirely the wrong angle.
Ah, hell.
The altruism of it all made him ache.
What was he supposed to do now?
* * * * *
Talia’s legs felt shaky as she climbed the stairs to the box seats. She’d never expected to draw such a large crowd. Sadie had passed her the message backstage that the event was a sellout—the first for the community theater in three years. Speaking in front of so many people had been daunting and her excitement was still warring with her nerves.
She hoped that she hadn’t come off as too needy—or too greedy. She couldn’t quite remember what she’d said. She just wanted things to go well tonight. The auctioneer’s voice came over the sound system and her footsteps quickened. At least her part in the show was over. All she had to do now was sit down and let the fast-talking man take over.
She finally made it to the landing. Not wanting to disturb anyone, she quietly opened the curtain. The lights were dimmed but she was surprised when, instead of Sadie, she saw a man sitting in the seat next to hers. Overflow, she thought happily. “Excuse me,” she whispered.
The man politely stood and turned. Talia smiled at him as she moved toward her seat but shock knocked the wind out of her when she recognized Detective Kinkade. For a moment, she was speechless. He looked so good in that tux, her mouth watered but, at the same time, disappointment and fury rushed through her.
“Riley,” she said flatly. Why wouldn’t he leave her alone for at least this? Couldn’t he give up the constant harassment for just one night?
“Hello, Talia.”
The tone of his voice threw her—as did the look on his face. For once, he wasn’t angry or aggressive. Instead, he sounded tired and maybe a little bit concerned.
An unexpected feeling of empathy caught her but she pushed it away. That was tough. She was tired, too. She was tired of the way he’d steamrolled over her life and she wouldn’t stand for it. Not tonight. Police detective or not, she’d have his head if he jeopardized this fundraiser. “What are you doing here?” she demanded.
“I heard so much about this Foundation of yours, I thought I’d come check it out.” He cocked his head. “I’m glad I did. It’s helped me understand you better.”
The look in his eyes was so piercing, she actually took a step back. Understand her? It looked as if he was trying to see right inside her mind.
She felt goose bumps pop up on her arms. His behavior was starting to disturb her.
“This event is very important,” she said in a raw voice. “It’s for the kids. So help me, if you do anything to spoil this, I’ll have your badge.”
“Easy, baby,” he said, holding his hands up in front of him. “I have no intention of making a scene.”
“Riley,” she warned. She was upset with herself when tears pressed at her eyes.
“I’m not here to make trouble, Talia,” he said. “Sit down.”
He caught her by the elbow and heat ran up her arm and into her chest. She was embarrassed when she felt
her nipples stiffen but, like him, she didn’t want to garner any attention. She let him lead her to her seat but she sat down stiffly.
He sat down beside her and, in typical male fashion, spread his legs wide. His pant leg brushed against her ankle and a sizzle ran up her calf. She quickly crossed her legs the other way. She felt his hot gaze immediately clap onto the free display of thigh offered up by the slit in her skirt and arousal warmed her belly. Disgusted with herself, she planted her feet flat on the floor and pressed her knees together.
She didn’t like this side of him. She could deal with the bull in the china shop but this quiet, contemplative side was scary. She didn’t know what he was thinking. She didn’t know what he was planning.
And she didn’t know how she was going to react once he made his move. After the other night, she couldn’t trust herself around him. Her body would betray her every time.
She accidentally bumped against his arm. She quickly scooted away but there wasn’t far she could go. He had the shoulders of a linebacker.
“Relax,” he sighed. “Watch your auction. We’ll talk when it’s over.”
Talk? About what?
Arthur’s tea set was on the block but, no matter how hard Talia concentrated, she couldn’t ignore Kinkade. He had her nerves singing and he seemed uncomfortable, too. She’d never seen him so contemplative. He wasn’t paying any more attention to the auction than she was.
“What is up with you tonight?” she finally asked.
He shook his head. “Let’s not get into it now.”
He expected her to suffer until he finally dropped the bomb? No way. “Tell me,” she insisted.
He let out a low curse. “I’ve got a problem,” he admitted. “A big one.”
She didn’t know why that concerned her but it did. “What is it?”
“You.”
She fell silent. He was a problem for her, too.
He finally looked at her with heavy lidded eyes. “Remember the question I kept asking you the other night?”
She felt her cheeks flame under that steady, challenging stare. “You found what you were looking for?”
His gaze glittered darkly but he cleared his throat. “No, the other question.”
She shrugged uneasily. She couldn’t remember the other question but that didn’t surprise her. “Where is it?” was still ringing in her ears.
On the Prowl Page 18
