Though she could get in the building other ways, she chose to use the buzzer. He let her in, and she took the elevator to the top floor. His was one of four penthouse apartments, and when the elevator door opened, she found him waiting in the hall. He’d changed from his work clothes, and this was the first time she’d seen him clad in all casual attire. The jeans, she was sure, were the same pair from Friday night. He probably only had the one pair. On top, the jersey-style shirt advertised the Detroit Tigers. And his feet were naked. This was an unexpected development. She would not have thought he was the kind of guy who was ever barefoot.
An amused smile sparkled in his eyes. “Did you finish your errands?”
“You didn’t follow me?”
“Trust has to start somewhere.” He held out a hand, and because she didn’t know what he wanted, she put hers in it. He tucked her arm under his and led her to his apartment.
It was huge. The entryway was as large as her entire apartment, not that she needed more space for what was essentially a crash pad. His place had an open floor plan. To her left, two walls contained floor-to-ceiling bookcases filled with books, pictures, and statuettes. Of course, the pool table dominated the space. The dining room was straight ahead, and the kitchen branched off from that. To her right, four steps down led to an opulent living room. Huge French doors off the dining room led to an outdoor patio. From her vantage point, she made out a table and chairs.
“This is the foyer, though it doubles as a library and pool hall.” David swept his hand in an arc from left to right, pointing out what she could clearly see for herself, though now she noticed a hallway on the far side of the living room. “Dining room, kitchen, living room. Down the hall, you’ll find an office, guest bathroom, and the master suite.”
She looked around, seeing too much to make reasonable assumptions. “You’re already finished unpacking. You must have had a busy weekend.”
“The apartment came fully furnished. None of this is mine. I only brought what you saw in my car Friday night.”
The SAFE Security website hadn’t listed an address, and a search had turned up 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA, which is the address people used when they didn’t want sensitive information getting out there. His lack of personal belongings indicated that he didn’t plan to stay in the area for very long.
He released her arm and stepped away. “Take off your shoes. You can put them on the rug next to the door.”
It wasn’t a request, and he didn’t bother pretending it was something it wasn’t. A surprised laugh, short and dry, escaped. “You’re already giving orders?”
“Yes.”
It had been a long, long time since she’d allowed anyone to dominate her. Sure, she’d bottomed for him, but it wasn’t the same thing, and she wasn’t sure how much and what kind of control she was ceding. Still, trust had to start somewhere. “So, that’s the way it’s going to be with us, is it?”
“Unless you object.”
She didn’t want to object. No part of her was against this, and her intuition chimed in with full support. She slipped out of her heels, and now when she faced him, she had to tilt her face up even more. “I don’t object.”
A soft smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Good. We’re on the same page. Have you eaten?”
While she frequently grabbed something not memorable on her way to or from the nursing home, she hadn’t today. “Not yet.”
“Good. I made dinner.” Taking her hand, he led her to the sliding door. “It’s a nice night. We’ll eat on the patio.” He pulled out a chair and helped her sit. “Wine?”
Remembering the terms she’d unwittingly laid out the night before, a shiver of anticipation did cartwheels up her spine. “Are you hoping I kiss you before I leave?”
His eyelids fell to half-mast, and his light brown eyes became mesmerizing liquid pools. “I’m counting on it.” She thought he might try for a kiss right then—she wouldn’t have pushed him away—but he just repeated his question. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
This time she gave a straightforward response. “Yes.”
He poured the wine and served dinner, a pilaf and some kind of white fish that was light and flaky with the right amount of lemon and dill. “Do you like it? You said you weren’t picky, and I avoided shrimp. Though, it’s amazing how many shrimp recipes go through your mind when that’s the only dish you can’t make.”
She laughed. “Forbidden fruit. We always long for something the moment we’re told we can’t have it.”
He regarded her with an intensity that made her feel like she was the only person in the world who mattered. It made the air hard to breathe. “What forbidden fruit are you after?”
“The truth.” Her pulse was leaping out of control, and she had to take a moment to compose herself. It had been easier to banter with him when she had questioned his motivation. “Why don’t you shower me with your truth?”
He sipped his wine, buying time, she knew, because he wasn’t sure what he could and shouldn’t reveal. “Truth comes in a lot of different flavors that are widely dependent upon a person’s perspective.”
Pretty words, but she was a master in manipulating a conversation, and she recognized that talent in David. “I said truth, not bullshit.”
He laughed. “What do you want to know?”
“Why you’re here. I figured out that Mr. Calder isn’t nervous that you’re here. It’s the reason he had to bring you here and slip you in under a false cover that has him on edge.” She nibbled on another bite of pilaf and watched him expectantly.
“Nothing I say to you tonight can leave this apartment.”
“I know.”
“Three million dollars is missing. It’s enough to destroy the company. I’ve been hired to find the money, get it back, and figure out who is responsible.”
She nodded. “I thought it was something like that. It makes sense now for you to have an assistant from accounting.”
“Who very thoughtfully copied all her files for me. Thank you. I found some errors, but no irregularities.”
A cold, slimy feeling slithered along her conscience. “Errors? What kind of errors?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary. Overall, they amounted to under four thousand, and they all happened in the first year you were with CalderCo learning the business of accounting. Your files have been nearly spotless since then.” The encouraging smile he wore didn’t feel right.
“You must think I’m a special kind of stupid.”
“Actually, I think you’re brilliant. Nobody’s records are perfect.”
Hers were. The “errors” concealed petty thefts she’d committed in order to pay for Summer’s physical therapy, which wasn’t covered by insurance. Therefore she didn’t bother to argue. This was a great time to derail the topic. “I noticed the SAFE Security website is no longer available.”
His only response was to press his lips together and barely lift a shoulder.
“And I talked to Ms. B. She told me what you did for her grandson.”
“So you know I’m one of the good guys.”
“Like truth, good and evil depend on perspective.”
He laughed. “Now who’s obfuscating?”
“Well, you’re not exactly saying anything. You’re letting me guess at the blanks.”
Refilling her wine glass, he said, “I’ve told you the reason I’m here. You’re wondering why I zeroed in on you, why I asked Beatrice for an introduction, and why I took you to the play party.”
If he had the access she suspected, then she knew exactly why he’d selected her. “Yes.”
“A lot of reasons, some of which I can’t tell you due to client confidentiality. Suffice it to say that your history raised red flags, and when I found your connection to Beatrice, I arranged a meeting. I think that taking you to a play party helped me get to know you faster and more in depth than would have happened if you’d just been my assistant.” He gathered their empty plates. “If you’ll
bring the wine, we can take this inside. It’s getting a little chilly.”
She hadn’t noticed the temperature drop. Taking the bottle and their glasses, she followed him inside. The amount of light indoors made her realize how dark it had become outside. “Why don’t you like Mr. Calder?”
In the midst of rinsing the plates, David froze. “I just didn’t like the way he treated you.”
She set the bottle on the counter near the living room. One wing of the U-shaped kitchen divided it from the living room. The counter functioned as a bar on the other side. “It’s more than that. Your reaction was visceral, almost as if he’d attacked you personally.”
He finished rinsing and dried his hands before picking up his wine glass. One more step forward, and he sandwiched her between his body and the edge of the counter. “Autumn, we said we’d be truthful with each other.”
“We did.”
“But we’re not at the point where we’re going to bare our souls and tell all, are we?”
The way he looked at her, the way he commanded her body and mind with his proximity and dominating gaze, Autumn had never felt closer to anyone in her life. It scared the shit out of her. “No. We’re not. This is temporary, I know.”
His eyebrows drew together, two fierce slashes. “Temporary?”
“Yeah. You’re leaving as soon as you save the company.”
He put his glass down, and then he took hers and put it next to his. She knew by his expression that he was going to kiss her. He slid his fingertips along her neck and used his thumb to guide her head into the perfect position. “You’re okay with temporary?”
It was all she’d ever had. Nothing in her life had been permanent—not her name or where she lived or who she was, not even the people she’d counted on to always be there. Her father hadn’t planned to die, and Summer hadn’t planned to spend three years in a coma, but it had happened, and she was alone. Perhaps that was the permanence she counted on most.
The way he held her meant she couldn’t move, so she spoke. Her voice came out in a tiny squeak. “Yes.”
He kissed her gently, tasting her lips with a teasing caress before abandoning them to explore other areas. His lips skimmed her eyelids and cheeks before wandering to her neck and shoulder. She felt drugged—safe, warm, and wanted—and it had been far too long since she’d let herself be so vulnerable.
“Who are you, Autumn Sullivan?” His low whisper took a moment to penetrate the fog he’d induced. “Who are you really?”
Once the question got through, the spell dispersed. She stiffened, and he stopped kissing her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He exhaled hard, but he didn’t move away. “You’ve only existed for six years.”
Jerking from his hold, she whirled away and put distance between them. “Are your buddies listening in?”
“Are…What?”
“The other members of SAFE Security—are they listening?” Without waiting for him to answer, she began searching for listening devices. She felt under surfaces, looked inside vases, and took apart pens.
When she knelt to look under the dining table, he lifted her up. “Autumn, what the hell are you doing?”
She pushed him, hard. “What the hell does it look like I’m doing? You’re the Special Forces mercenary spy guy. Figure it out.”
He held his hands up, placating her by appearing to surrender. “I’m not a mercenary, I’m no longer in Special Forces, and nobody is listening to us. This isn’t a sting. Though I apparently suck at it, I meant it to be a date.”
“Then why did you ask me who I was?”
“Because I know that Autumn Sullivan isn’t your real name.”
“It is.” Nobody could prove differently.
“It is now,” he corrected. “But six years ago, you were someone else.”
This was why she didn’t let people get close. This was why she kept all relationships casual. Julianne was a sweetheart, but she was like most people. She’d never questioned Summer or Autumn’s identities. She backed away slowly, heading for the door and wishing she had some kind of weapon to put between them. “Who do you work for?”
“Calder—that’s all. I swear I mean you no harm, and your secret is safe with me. I’m here to find the missing money, not to put you in danger.” He leaped for her, crossing the chasm between them with swiftness and grace. She didn’t struggle against him because she knew he was stronger and better trained, so she held herself stiffly in his arms. “I swear to you that I don’t mean to cause this kind of trouble. Please don’t call the Marshalls because they’ll move you. Not only will you have to start all over again, but I just found you. I don’t know exactly where this thing between us will or won’t lead, but I’d really like to find out, and I can’t do that if you vanish. Plus, if you go, it’ll definitely look like you took the money.”
Autumn stared, fascinated and amazed. He truly thought she was in WITSEC, which was far better than the truth, and it afforded her easy outs if he asked things she didn’t want to answer. Only it wasn’t fitting in with the theme of the night. “I am so not ready to bare my soul.”
“I understand.”
Her heart was still racing, only the cause shifted back to something safe. She plucked at his Tigers jersey. “But I am ready to finish that glass of wine with you, and maybe I’ll let you get to first base again.”
He brushed his lips against hers. “I had my heart set on second.”
“Not on the first date, David. I’m not that kind of girl this time around.”
He closed his mouth over hers and sent her senses soaring.
Chapter Six
“You were right.” Autumn fluffed Summer’s pillow, lifted her sister’s head, and placed it back underneath. “He’s wonderful. Thoughtful—he brings me coffee in the morning. And those lips—he’s a fantastic kisser. I wish you could see a picture of him. He kind of reminds me of a young Val Kilmer, circa 1987, only less cocky. He’s confident and self-assured, but not in a way that shoves it in your face. It’s subtle.”
“That’s new for you.”
Autumn jumped and looked at the door. She put a hand over her heart. “Jeeze, Julianne. I didn’t know you were coming. What’s new for me?”
“Subtle.” Julianne came to the bed and rubbed Summer’s forearm. “I’m here, dear. It’s Wednesday, so it’s been four days since I’ve seen you. Lots to tell you, like the fact that your little sister landed the new office hottie. I told you about David, remember? I said he seemed like Autumn’s type.”
Autumn could admit that subtlety wasn’t her strong suit, but it wasn’t a new concept for her. “I can be subtle when I need to.”
“I meant in your choice of dating companion. You tend toward men who are immature. They’re nice and all, but they’re not done cooking. I’m not throwing stones. How can I? I skip straight to the quintessential loser type. But I can admit to being a little jealous.” Julianne looked at Summer. “Autumn wasn’t kidding when she said Val Kilmer. He’s tall, built, and blond. His hair is the thick kind that you just want to run your fingers through.”
Autumn sat on the upholstered chair in the corner. “I’m sorry, Julianne. I was going to tell you, but it didn’t seem real until I told Summer.” She’d waited over a week to say anything to Summer. First she wanted to make sure that David didn’t change his mind. They’d spent several evenings together over the past week, eating good food, drinking fine wine, walking hand-in-hand around the neighborhood, and kissing. Lots of kissing.
Julianne nailed her with a look that screamed, You’re a dumbass. “I know how you operate. Summer may be your sister, but she’s also the only real mother you ever had. She’s my friend too. I often tell her things before I tell you. I’m not upset.”
“Oh, good.” Autumn exhaled in relief. “And I know you’ll keep this between us. I don’t want David to get in trouble.”
Rolling her eyes, Julianne sat on the edge of Summer’s bed. “Oh, please. I’ve seen him wi
th Mr. Calder. The way the old man clears his schedule whenever David Eastridge calls for a meeting is almost pathetic. He made his assistant buy a thousand dollar espresso machine just to have the kind of coffee that David likes on hand. You’ll get fired before your boyfriend would.”
That didn’t make Autumn feel better, but before she could say anything, Julianne screamed.
“Summer! Oh my God! You’re awake!” She jumped up and down.
Summer had never woken up twice in one week. Autumn rushed across the room. She grabbed Summer’s hand. “You’re okay. Don’t try to talk because you have a feeding tube down your throat. You’re safe. I’m here, and you’re safe. I love you so much.”
Summer blinked several times, looking fearfully between Julianne and Autumn. A tear dropped from the corner of Summer’s eye as it closed again. Autumn waited as long minutes passed, and then she felt Julianne’s hand on her shoulder. She turned, and let Julianne hug her as she cried.
Julianne left a half hour later, dragging Autumn with her. “It’s not healthy for you to just sit there all the time. If Summer could talk, she’d tell you that, and then she’d tell me to make you go home and get some sleep.”
Autumn made sounds of agreement, but most of Julianne’s well-meaning lecture didn’t make it in the one ear to go out the other. Like a zombie, she went to her car, started it, and drove toward home. Then she shook herself out of the funk. She had things to do tonight.
The target was a gallery in Royal Oak, which wasn’t all that close to her Ypsilanti home. She called David on the way, intending to leave a message, but he answered. “Hey. I thought you were hanging with the FBI guys tonight?”
The sounds of nightlife—probably a bar—provided background noise. “I am, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t answer when you called.”
Re/Leased (Doms of the FBI Book 5) Page 8
