by Lori Foster
Groaning again, Molly got up, put on her favorite robe, then brushed her teeth while examining the massive shiner under her left eye. She’d have to pile on the makeup and then maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t look as if she’d been in a street brawl. As a favor to Nina, she was attending a charitable gala at the Magnolia Plantation before work. The plantation and surrounding gardens were an elegant and popular setting for some of the area’s most upscale events. Heaven forbid she show up looking like she’d gone nine rounds in the ring with—
A loud knock on her front door made her jump.
The first thing she felt was fear.
Last night, her attacker had known her name. Maybe he knew where she lived. Maybe he was at her door right now.
The next thing she felt was rage.
Because of her abusive father, she’d spent most of her childhood living in fear, until her grandparents had taken her in. When she’d finally gotten out on her own, she’d sworn never to live in fear again. To never let a man dictate how she lived her life. She could still hardly believe her mother had stayed with her father despite his abuse. Molly had been a child then. Now Molly was nearly thirty, and damned if she would let a stranger shake her foundation so ruthlessly.
She searched for some kind of weapon when another knock sounded.
“Molly, it’s Officer Wade King.”
Her anger morphed into intense curiosity. Why was hot Officer King knocking on her door? And why was she feeling such delight because of it?
Ruthlessly, she pushed the feeling away. Stepping toward the door, she called, “How’d you find me?”
“I got your personal information for my report, remember?”
She gnawed at her lip with indecision. While every cell in her body demanded she let this man into her house, she hesitated.
Gator squawked, then flew into the room and landed on her shoulder. Automatically, she braced her arm out so he could trail down to perch on her forearm. At the feeling of his weight, her anxiety diminished slightly. But not completely.
She’d heard stories about assaults being committed by cops. Or people pretending to be cops. But she doubted Wade King had hijacked a patrol car, police uniform and all the other accoutrements she’d seen on him last night in an elaborate attempt to…w hat? Save her and then attack her in her home in broad daylight?
But she still didn’t open her door.
“Molly, why don’t you call the police station and ask them about me?”
She jerked and, even though she felt slightly foolish, she walked to the phone and did as he said. A few minutes later, the dispatcher confirmed that Officer Wade King had called in and warned them to expect a call from a Ms. Molly Peterson, and that he was currently at her house. Slowly, still balancing Gator on her arm, she opened the door.
“My little friend,” Gator squawked.
Wade’s eyes crinkled in a way that made her insides clench just the way they had the first time she’d heard his voice. “At least he’s not calling me a bastard today.”
He was out of his uniform and dressed casually in jeans and a short-sleeved polo shirt. Thick biceps stretched the openings of the sleeves, and she was once again struck by how handsome he was. There was a slight furrow between his brows. “I know you worked late. I’m sorry to show up here so early. I was just…”
The silence hung in the air as the possibilities went through her mind: he’d just been in the neighborhood. Or he’d just been in a hurry to finish his report and had additional questions….
“I was just worried about you.” He cleared his throat. “I wanted to make sure you were all right.”
She sucked in a breath.
“Sorry to show up unannounced.” He shrugged, then seemed unsure what to say next.
“You’re out of uniform.” Immediately, she felt foolish for pointing out the obvious, but she couldn’t get out of her head that he was worried about her. Was that in a protect-and-serve kind of way or something altogether different?
He looked down at his clothes and battered cowboy boots and smiled. “I got off shift a little while ago, but I was thinking about you. Wondering how you are. Truth is, I could have waited to see you later tonight, but I didn’t want to be distracted when I brought my grandfather in. I hope that’s okay.”
It felt more than okay, but she couldn’t say that, of course. “That’s fine.” She pulled the door open wide and gestured with her hand. “Please come inside.”
He walked in and looked around.
She tried to view the carriage house from his eyes. Looking at him dressed so casually, he didn’t appear to be the grandson of a socially prominent man. But he’d said as much on the phone yesterday. Also, because she hadn’t been able to sleep, she’d researched him on the internet. To say his family was affluent was definitely an understatement.
The King family was renowned in Charleston.
He was from old money. Lots of old money. His family home looked like something out of Gone with the Wind.
Someone like that, she’d thought, would be the type to lord his privileged background over others. That’s why, when he stepped inside her home, she waited to see the thinly disguised disdain in his gaze. Or, at the very least, some trace of arrogance. Instead, all she saw was appreciation for the cozy touches she’d added to the carriage house. And an endearing awkwardness that almost made her think he was feeling shy around her.
But that was impossible, wasn’t it? The guy was all charm and testosterone. Why would he be shy around her?
“How are you feeling?” he asked, and took a step closer to her.
A step too close, obviously, for Gator suddenly shouted out, “Bastard.”
They both stared at each other a second before bursting into mutual laughter.
“Maybe I didn’t need to check on you. Looks like you’ve got your own personal bodyguard right here. May I?” He extended a finger while cocking his brow.
“Uh, well, I don’t mind, but Gator’s a little skittish around strangers under the best of circumstances and—”
But Wade was already working that magic voice of his, rubbing Gator with his finger, soothing and crooning and cajoling Gator to come to him. And to Molly’s shock, the parrot actually did. For several seconds, he perched on Wade’s arm, head tilted, staring at him inquisitively before suddenly shouting, “Yippee ki yay,” and then flying onto Molly’s shoulder.
She petted him with the crook of her finger. “Anyway, as you can see, I’m fine. We’re fine. But I appreciate you checking.”
He nodded, but his gaze darkened as he focused on her face. In his other hand, he held up a digital camera. “You made a good point about your injuries being more visible with time. I thought I’d take a few more pictures. Do you mind?”
“No. That’s fine.”
Nodding, he stepped closer, focused his camera on her and took several shots. At one point, he pushed back a strand of her hair and lightly traced the arch of her cheekbone with his fingertips. “That looks like it hurts.”
“It’s a little sore, but not too bad,” she whispered.
His gaze lowered to her mouth before he stepped back again. He took several photos of her face and palms, then said, “Do you have any other injuries that have only now showed themselves? Other than those I can see, I mean?”
She tugged at her robe lapel. “No. Nothing.”
To his credit, he managed not to look disappointed. “All right, then. If you’re sure you’re okay, I’ll be going. But please be extra careful. And if anything happens to make you uncomfortable, you still have my phone number, don’t you?”
“Yes. I do.” Relief swept through her at the knowledge that this tension between them would finally be over. But she felt disappointed, too. His face and especially that voice were hard to resist.
“Great.”
“Great,” she echoed.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
She suddenly remembered the appointment with his grandfather and felt a jolt in
side her. At least she’d have some time to recover before she’d see him again. “Yes, tonight.”
He stopped at the door and turned around. “Unless… This isn’t exactly kosher. I’ll be upfront about that. You’re a crime victim and I was the responding officer. I’m glad I was there, but it complicates things in terms of—” He shook his head. “Sorry, I’m babbling. What I mean is, despite the fact it’s not something I’d normally do, I’m hoping I can interest you in some coffee before tonight?”
She was tempted. Very tempted. But then she remembered everything she’d read about him on the internet. “No. I appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested.” She lifted her chin, hoping the action would give more credence to her reply.
He stared at her for several seconds. “Are you romantically involved with someone, Molly?”
She swallowed hard. Shook her head. “No, I’m not. But I don’t think that’s—”
“No means no, and you turning me down won’t affect the way I handle your case, I promise you that, but I feel a spark between us. Something worth investigating. I’m pretty sure you feel it, too.”
Wow, talk about getting to the heart of the matter. Was he always so straightforward? Despite herself, she found his manner quite refreshing. And alluring. Which was dangerous. Hadn’t her experience with men taught her anything? “You’re wrong,” she forced herself to say. She didn’t clarify whether she was denying the spark or the something worth investigating. “Here, I’ll show you out.”
But he didn’t move. “Look, I know you don’t owe me any explanations, but did I—did I do anything to make you uncomfortable? To make you fear me?” He looked genuinely concerned. In a flash, she remembered feeling his hard body against hers last night and how he’d politely tried to hide his physical reaction from her. She’d appreciated his discretion even as she’d felt a tingling response at the knowledge that he was attracted to her. As attracted as she was to him.
She bit her lip. How could she explain she didn’t want to open herself up to being hurt by a man again without actually explaining… “No. It’s just, I’m just—I’m happy with my life the way it is. I’m not looking to complicate things.”
He pursed his lips, stared at her as if he was mulling her words over in his head, then smiled. “Well good. Because neither am I.”
Was that another spurt of disappointment she felt? “Good, then it’s settled. No complications for either of us.”
“Yes, it’s settled,” he said easily. Too easily.
For a second, she was suspicious.
He stepped out onto the porch and turned back to her. “But one thing, Molly. I’ve found that sometimes things that seem like complications turn out to be blessings. So please don’t write me off yet. Not until you figure out which one I am.”
Chapter Four
Wade knew a skittish female when he saw one.
And Molly Peterson was definitely skittish.
With good reason. Case in point, the attack she’d suffered the night before. But he had a feeling there was something else at play. Something in her past that was the more likely cause. He could tell by the precise way she carried herself and her manner of interacting that she was an independent spirit. There was also the fact that she’d fought back against her attacker, and that she’d obviously had some self-defense training. She didn’t trust easily, yet she had a big heart. And a courageous one. She’d have to in order to do the kind of work she did. He could tell it was more than just a job to her—she actually cared about people she’d never even met.
He admired that. It had taken him far too long to drum up the courage to leave his father’s law firm and do what he truly wanted to in life. That’s why he was in his mid-thirties and just beginning his law-enforcement career. Police work was too blue collar for a family as pedigreed as the Charleston Kings. At least, that’s what his father had always said. And what Wade had always believed. Until he’d lost his grandmother, and his grandfather had become determined to encourage his grandson to do what made him happy instead of doing only what people expected him to.
Listening to his grandpa Paul was the best decision Wade had ever made. Even the more mundane aspects of police work interested him, and he had a personal goal to make detective within the next few years.
“We going hunting, Wade?” his grandfather asked now.
Wade turned to look at his grandfather, who sat beside him. He really didn’t understand the whole hunting thing. Except for his obsession with that topic, his grandfather seemed fully functional. Cognizant. Even so, despite the fact Grandpa Paul was a guest at the gala this evening, Wade had tried convincing him to skip it. Grandpa Paul, now spiffed up in his custom tuxedo, had insisted. The event raised funds for the SPCA, his grandmother’s favorite charity, and his grandfather was on the board of directors. In truth, his absence would probably have caused more gossip than a little eccentric talk about duck hunting. Wade would just have to stick close by. They’d make a quick appearance, then get home to change before he took Grandpa Paul to see Molly.
“Wade? I asked if we’re going hunting.”
“Not yet, Grandpa. First we’re going to the party at the Magnolia Plantation, remember? After that… Well, I have a lady friend I want you to meet.”
“That so?” Grandpa Paul muttered. “And who’s this friend you’re talking about?”
Wade grinned. “You remember the girl I told you about? The one I met yesterday and want your opinion on?”
“Ah, that’s right. You’ve always had a keen eye for the girls, Wade. I’m sure she’ll be wonderful.”
Wade couldn’t argue with him. He already thought Molly was pretty wonderful, and he hardly knew anything about her. He wanted to know more.
The car slowed, and the partition between the driver and the passenger sections of the limo lowered. “We’re here, Mr. Wade. Would you like me to pull around the front or the back?”
He looked at his grandfather, who was staring out the window. “The front tonight, Samuel. Two Kings wearing their tuxes? We might as well give the ladies a thrill and make a production of it, right?”
Samuel chuckled. “Yes. Plus your father will be pleased.”
“You know I’m always looking to please my father, Samuel.”
Samuel just shook his head and laughed.
Before the driver could step out and open his door, Wade opened it himself and helped his grandfather out of the limo. Grandpa Paul looked good. His tall frame was straight and robust. His coloring healthy. His silver hair distinguished and styled. But then he mentioned those ducks and… Wade winced. He truly hoped the psych evaluation Molly conducted later tonight ended with hopeful news. His grandpa was one of his favorite people, and to think he might lose him, if only mentally, made him sick.
Governor Charles Whitaker greeted them as soon as they walked in the lavishly decorated plantation foyer. “Good evening, Paul. Wade. So lovely to see you here.”
“Good to see you, too, sir.”
“I believe you’ve met my daughter, Nina.”
Wade nodded and shook the hand of the pretty blonde standing next to the governor. She was as classy and beautiful as ever. It still threw him a little that she was Molly’s friend. Not because Molly wasn’t worthy of Nina’s friendship, but because Wade had once thought himself romantically interested in Nina. They’d exchanged a few flirtatious conversations and he’d considered asking her out not too long ago. Things had changed since he’d met a certain spitfire brunette yank. While he still appreciated Nina’s beauty on an objective level, he had zero interest in pursuing her. Instead he had his sights on her friend.
To his shock, said friend suddenly materialized in front of him.
“Molly?”
Her eyes widened and her “Wade?” was confirmation enough that he wasn’t hallucinating. Even so, his brain struggled to reconcile the image in front of him with the woman he’d talked to earlier. That woman had been bare-faced and in a robe, the bruises on her face stark
in the morning light. This woman was made up to the nines, her lips glossy, her eyes heavily lined and her bruises almost fully disguised under her foundation and blush. She was wearing a simple, body-hugging blue gown that managed to be both modest and incredibly sexy.
His first thought was he was happy to see her. His next thought was he’d be even happier to see her out of her gorgeous dress and back in her simple robe. Or better yet, unclothed altogether.
Nina looked back and forth between them before she smiled. “Molly, I didn’t realize you and Wade had met.”
“We haven’t. I mean,” she said, blushing, “we only met today.” She looked at Nina pointedly. “Er, last night.”
“Oh. Ohhhhh,” Nina said, her eyes widening.
Obviously, despite Wade telling her that he knew Nina, Molly hadn’t mentioned him to her friend. Was it because of his grandfather and his request for discretion? Whatever the reason, it made his warm feelings for Molly grow even warmer.
Next to him, his grandfather cleared his throat. “Where are your manners, Wade? I’d like to be introduced to your lady friend.”
Wade jerked. “I apologize. Molly, this is my grandfather, Paul King.”
She smiled, and the expression lit up her face like sunshine on a cold winter’s day. “Mr. King. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Wade has spoken very highly of you.”
The caring way she spoke to his grandfather made him swell with joy.
“The pleasure’s all mine, ma’am,” Grandpa Paul said, as he reached for Molly’s gloved hand and lifted it to his lips.
He could tell his grandfather spoke the truth. Approval emanated from every pore. Wade had to work hard not to stare at how delicious Molly looked, not to acknowledge how damn jealous he felt that his grandfather had gotten to kiss even the back of her gloved hand.
“Ah, there’s Tyrone, Wade,” his grandfather said. “Talking with your father.”
Wade nodded reluctantly. “If you’ll excuse us,” he said to Molly, “My grandfather wanted to find an old friend of his straightaway.”
“Of course. Have a wonderful time,” Molly said.
