Cover-Up

by Ruth Langan

  This was how he’d wanted her. Pulse racing. Breathing labored. All trace of control gone. Her eyes focused on him with such intensity, it pierced his heart. If only for tonight, she was his. All his.

  When at last he entered her she let out a deep sigh as she wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him down, drawing him in deeper, until, mad with desire, she began to move with him, climb with him.

  Lungs burning, they rolled across the floor, climbing higher, then higher still. As they reached the crest he buried his lips in her throat and soared. It was the most unbelievable journey to a universe neither of them had ever known before.

  Chapter 10

  “You all right?” Jason muttered the words against her throat.

  Emily absorbed a series of aftershocks and found she couldn’t speak, so she merely nodded.

  “Sorry, I was rough.” He started to scramble up, but she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him still.

  She pressed her mouth to his cheek. “Not rough. Amazing.”

  He wondered at the way his heart reacted. With a jittery little dance. “You were pretty amazing yourself, Dr. Brennan.” He settled himself beside her and drew her close, nuzzling his mouth to a tangle of hair at her temple.

  “I’m sorry I disturbed your work.”

  “You definitely did that. But it was the nicest distraction I’ve ever had.” He pressed light kisses across her face. “I’m still finding it hard to believe you’re here.”

  She gave a little laugh. “That makes two of us. When I turned my car around, I got so nervous, wondering if you were already asleep, I almost talked myself into turning back. Then, when I knocked and you didn’t answer right away, I was all set to go back to the elevator and beat a cowardly retreat.”

  “I did think about ignoring the knock. I’m glad now I didn’t follow my first instinct.” He smoothed the hair from her cheek and stared down into her eyes. “Will you stay the night?”

  “If you want me to.”

  “If I want…?” He framed her face with his hands and lowered his mouth to hers. Against her lips he muttered, “Oh yeah. I want.”

  On a sigh he took the kiss deeper, sending heat spiraling through her. She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave herself up to the pleasure.

  As he burned a trail of kisses across her throat she caught her breath and managed to whisper, “Just one thing, Jase.”

  “Hmm?” He barely paused as he brought his mouth lower.

  “I think your bed would be a whole lot more comfortable than this rug.”

  That had him lifting his head to study her. “You’ve gone all fancy on me now, haven’t you, Dr. Brennan? There was a time, not so very long ago, that you wouldn’t even complain about a sandy beach and no blanket.”

  They were both laughing as he scooped her up and carried her across the room to his bed.

  Once there he stretched out beside her and gathered her close. Against her lips he whispered, “Ah, you were right. This is much better. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to show you some of those fantasies I talked about.”

  “I don’t mind one bit.” Emily twined her arms around his neck, loving the feel of his hands on her, his mouth on hers.

  With every touch, with every kiss, she slid deeper into the pleasure, and deeper into that sweet, sensual place reserved just for lovers.

  In the midnight darkness Emily awoke to the sound of someone trying the door. There was the scrape of a key, the rattle of the doorknob, and then silence.

  Slipping out of bed she listened at the door and was certain she heard someone breathing on the other side.

  “Who’s there?” she called softly.

  There was a quick shuffling of footsteps and then the sound of the slow, creaking descent of the elevator.

  She listened for several more seconds before returning to bed.

  “Where’d you go?” Jason’s voice, muttered against her throat, had heat racing along her spine.

  “I thought I heard someone trying to come in.”

  “Just somebody at the wrong door.”

  “I suppose so.” When he dragged her against the length of him, she shrugged aside the lingering wisps of fear that had awakened her from a dead sleep.

  “As long as we’re both awake…” His hands began a lazy exploration. “…we may as well put the time to good use.”

  That had her laughing. “I would have thought you’d had enough by now.”

  “I’ll never have enough of you, Em.” It was true, he thought as his lips closed over her breast, turning her laughter to a gasp of surprise. If he’d thought to put an end to the hunger, he was only fooling himself. Each time they came together, the need for her was sharper, deeper than the time before.

  He banked the fire that blazed, wanting to show her, with slow, deep kisses and soft, whispered sighs, the things he couldn’t say.

  As his mouth began to work its magic, Emily gave a low moan of pleasure before her mind went blank, and once again she lost herself in him.

  “How did you survive when you left Devil’s Cove?” Emily had propped the pillows against the headboard, and sat watching while Jason brewed coffee in a little window alcove.

  Outside, the sky was streaked with the first faint blush of dawn light.

  He turned and smiled at the sight of her, hair in wild disarray, wearing only his shirt to cover her nakedness. “I became an expert at doing odd jobs. You want a rancher? I’m your man. A groundskeeper? I can do that. Your dog groomed? I’m the best.”

  “Dog grooming? Really?”

  “You bet. After a week, I had more customers than I could handle.” He filled two cups and handed one to her before climbing into bed beside her.

  “When did you find time to write?”

  “Nights, mostly.” He sipped. “At first I thought I’d keep a journal of my travels. After a while I realized that the characters I met were far more interesting than the places I’d seen. Everyone has a story. And some of them are pretty gripping.”

  “It’s one thing to hear someone’s story. It’s another to turn it into a bestselling novel.”

  “Luck. Timing.”

  She couldn’t help but marvel at his easy dismissal of his talent. It was so like him. She’d never known Jason to put his ego on display.

  He studied her over the rim of his cup.

  She flushed under his scrutiny. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I just don’t know why you bothered to put on my shirt.”

  She arched a brow.

  He set aside his cup, before taking hers from her hand and setting it beside his on the nightstand. “Didn’t you know it would just make me all the more determined to take it off you?” With his eyes steady on hers he drew her close, sliding the shirt from her shoulders as he did.

  What was it about his touch, his kiss, that could bring this weakness to her limbs? She was a bright, sensible woman. But all Jason had to do was touch her and she could feel her mind begin to cloud, her body go all soft and fluid.

  She put a hand to his chest to slow his advance. “We were going to get up early, remember? And get a fresh start on the day.”

  “And we are.” He ran whispering kisses over her face before claiming her lips. “I can’t think of a better way to start the day than this.”

  Outside the window birds were just beginning their chorus. A breeze, carrying the perfume of roses from the gardens below, rippled the curtains. Out in the harbor a boat’s horn sounded. But the man and woman locked in an embrace were oblivious to everything except each other. The world beyond their room no longer mattered. All the wounds of the past, all the worries for their future, slipped away as well. For now, for this moment, they’d found their own private paradise.

  “Come with me to The Willows, Jase.” Emily stood in the small bathroom, wearing the terry-cloth robe provided by the Harbor House, blowing her hair dry after a shower. “Sunday brunch is always a treat, especially when my sisters can make it there.”
<
br />   He leaned a hip against the sill and stared out at the expanse of lawn already filled with families enjoying the flower gardens that surrounded the gazebo. “I don’t want to intrude on a family tradition.”

  “You wouldn’t be intruding.” She set aside the hair dryer before disrobing and slipping into her dress.

  Before she could ask for help Jason crossed the room and reached for the back zipper. Instead of closing it, he slid his hands inside and drew her against the length of him. Against the nape of her neck he muttered, “If you wouldn’t mind skipping brunch with your family, I can think of something else to occupy our time on a lazy Sunday morning.”

  “I’ll just bet you can.” She absorbed the quick flash of heat before turning around to face him. “Come with me, Jase. You’ll enjoy yourself. And you know my family would love to see you again.”

  “I’d love to see them, too. I’ve no doubt I’d enjoy their company.” He drew her close and nibbled her lips. “Does Trudy still make that fabulous cinnamon coffee cake?”

  “Uh-hmm.” She twined her arms around his neck. “And fresh strawberries in mounds of real whipped cream. Not to mention a platter of fried chicken and the most amazing country omelette with mushrooms and cheese you’ve ever tasted.”

  “You’re making me hungry.”

  She laughed and pressed her mouth to his throat. “Have I mentioned Trudy’s freshly ground café latte?”

  His hands tightened at her back. “Be still my heart.”

  “You’ll come with me?”

  “I don’t see that I have a choice.” He held her a little away. “Do you think, before we leave, there’s time for…?”

  “Glutton.” She slapped his arm.

  “All you have to say is yes or no.”

  She couldn’t keep the smile from curving the corners of her mouth. “Quiet. I’m trying to figure out how much time we have.”

  “That does it.” He scooped her up and carried her to the bed. “I promise I won’t even muss your hair.”

  “That’s the last time I trust you.” Emily ran a brush through the tangles and examined her makeup in the mirror.

  Jason stepped up behind her and grinned at their twin reflections. “Can I help it if you turn into an animal in bed?” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before picking up his watch. “We’re late for brunch.”

  “Not if we hurry.” She snatched up her purse and shoes and was halfway out the door when he caught up with her.

  “Will we take your car or mine?”

  Emily thought a minute. “Mine. I’ll drive you back whenever you want to leave.”

  “Deal.”

  They walked arm-in-arm to the elevator and used the descent to indulge in one last kiss. As they came to a shuddering halt Emily stepped away.

  Seeing it, Jason grinned. “You think you’re going to fool anyone with that little charade? By now, everybody who works here knows that you’ve been up in my room all night.”

  She couldn’t help laughing. “What was I thinking? For a minute there I almost forgot that I’m back in Devil’s Cove. By noon there won’t be anyone left in town that hasn’t heard.”

  “So let’s just give them something to talk about.” He linked his fingers with hers as they stepped out on the main floor, nodding greetings to the desk clerk before stepping out into brilliant sunlight.

  Within minutes the valet brought Emily’s car and they were heading through town.

  Jason stared out the side window. “I can’t believe all the development that’s going on.”

  “Mom’s in the thick of it. Her business is thriving. She’ll be only too happy to tell you all about it over brunch.” Emily swung up the driveway and came to a sudden stop. She turned to Jason with a smile of satisfaction. “We made it with minutes to spare.”

  He looked over at her with a silly grin.

  Seeing it, she arched a brow. “What now?”

  “Nothing.” He stared pointedly at her dress. “Not that they won’t figure it out anyway. But a family as shrewd as yours is hardly going to overlook the fact that you’re wearing the same dress you were wearing when you left last night.”

  “My dress!” Emily stared down at the sexy column of red silk, then burst into peals of laughter. “Hardly appropriate for Sunday brunch.”

  “Where are you going?” As Jason stepped out of the car she was already heading toward the rear of the house.

  “Through the back,” she called over her shoulder. “And then upstairs to change. Cover for me.”

  “Sure. No problem.” Laughing, he followed the sound of voices coming from the patio.

  Chapter 11

  “Jason.” Bert looked up from the table and crossed the patio. “What a lovely surprise.”

  Jason bent to kiss his old teacher’s cheek. “I hope I’m not intruding. Emily asked me to come to brunch.”

  “You’re part of our family here, Jason. You know you’re always welcome.” Bert glanced around. “Where is Emily?”

  “Up in her room. She’ll be down in a few minutes.”

  “Good. I have you to myself, at least for a few minutes.” The older woman linked her arm through his. “Trudy, look who’s joining us for brunch.”

  The housekeeper beamed her approval before pouring a foaming glass of fresh orange juice and handing it to him. “The judge and Hannah are over in the gardens. I’m sure,” she added dryly, “they’re having a lively discussion about fertilizers and bug killers.”

  “Ladybugs,” Courtney corrected. “Hannah is convinced they’re the most efficient bug killer on the planet.” She grinned at Jason as she smoothed the tablecloth and anchored it with an antique cachepot filled with bright yellow daisies.

  Charley and Sidney looked up from the blueprints they’d been examining to call out greetings to Jason. As he ambled closer Charley explained, “The new development. Want to take a look?”

  While Jason looked over her shoulder, Bert wrinkled her nose. “I can’t tell anything from a blueprint. I need to see the finished product.”

  “It’s easy enough, Bert. Here’s the clubhouse.” Charley traced a finger. “And over here are the townhouses. These are plots of land for homes, and this…” She drew a finger around the perimeter. “…will be a championship golf course. Up here in the hills they’re planning equestrian trails, and stables for several dozen horses.”

  That had Bert chuckling. “Far enough away from the country club, I hope, to keep the ripe scent of horse manure from offending anyone.”

  “Horse manure.” That had Hannah hurrying over, with her grandfather close behind her. “I’ve already put in a bid to handle the removal.”

  Courtney giggled. “Oh, be still my heart.”

  Hannah tossed her head. “You won’t be making fun of it when you see what it does for your gardens.”

  “But will I be able to stand the smell of them?”

  Before the teasing could erupt into a war, Sidney caught sight of Emily hurrying toward them, dressed in pale linen slacks and a matching top.

  “A much better choice than the wrinkled red silk you were wearing when you got here.”

  “You were still in…?” Hannah gaped as the realization dawned.

  Seeing the flush on her granddaughter’s cheeks, Bert managed to deflect attention. “I believe Trudy is signaling us to take our places.” She walked over to her husband and slipped her hand into his, before leading the way to the table.

  Before following, Courtney leaned close to whisper, “It seems that some things never change, big sister.”

  When she ambled away, Emily glanced up at Jason’s eyes.

  She’d expected humor, and it was there. But there was something else, as well. A smoldering heat that had her heart tripping over itself as he rested a hand possessively on her shoulder. She and Jason took their seats beside the others at the big patio table.

  “What’s this?” The judge peered at the contents of the platter Trudy was holding.

  “Whitefish.”
With Trudy’s tobacco-roughened voice, it sounded more like a wheeze than a word.

  “What happened to the fried chicken you usually make?”

  “Miss Bert thought fish would be healthier.” She speared a large portion and set it on his plate. “Try it, Judge.”

  Frank Brennan glanced across the table at his wife, who sat sipping her coffee. “Tell me, Bert, why you would ruin a perfectly good Sunday brunch with health foods.”

  “They’re not health foods. They’re just healthy.”

  “There’s a difference?”

  She merely smiled and helped herself to some of the fish while her husband took a larger than usual portion of omelette.

  Charley glanced across the table at Jason, seated beside her oldest daughter. “Everywhere I look in town, I see someone reading your book.”

  “My kind of people,” he said with a smile.

  “I’ve had several clients express some hesitation about living in a town where a potential serial killer might be lurking. I’ve reassured them that you write fiction.” She paused a beat before saying, “It is fiction, isn’t it?”

  He took his time setting down his cup. “It is. But there’s no denying that it was suggested by what happened in Devil’s Cove years ago.”

  Hannah looked on with interest. “I remember hearing about those murders. Weren’t they found to be unrelated?”

  Jason turned to the man seated at the head of the table. “The one to ask would be your grandfather. He was the presiding judge in one of the trials.”

  Frank Brennan nodded. “I remember it well. It was the first murder trial in my career, and stirred up quite a bit of interest, though I doubt if anyone outside our town gave a hoot about it. A teenage girl was found dead in a field. Strangled with her own shirt. A transient field hand was found sleeping off a drunk nearby. A jury found him guilty.”

  “What about the others?”