by Tatum Throne
“I misplaced the soil sample readings the lab sent over.”
There was a stack of files on the end of his desk. Brine started flipping through them, one by one.
“I don’t think they’re in there.”
She kept looking anyway. When she came to the final file, a blue paper fell out. She picked it up off the floor. “Is this what you’re looking for?”
He stopped his search of desk drawers. “Yep. Thanks.”
There was tension between them that had everything to do with Thane finding her hiding behind his couch in his office. Brine didn’t know how to get over this one. Thane walked around his desk and took the paper she held in her hands. He kissed her temple. “I better get back. Thanks, Brine.”
She didn’t like seeing the wariness in his gaze. Did he trust her? The possibility that he might not or that she gave him reason not to trust her was upsetting. “Can you give me a ride to my car?”
“Yeah, it’s along the way.”
There was a distance between them that wasn’t there before. Thane was a private man, one that was hard for her to get to know. She wanted to know why he was so hard to reach. She had to do something, anything for him to give her another chance.
“Come over tonight after you get off work. I’ll make you dinner.”
He pulled up to her car in the empty Tribal parking lot. “I’ll be by around seven.”
“Great! I’ll see you then.”
Chapter Sixteen
A thrill of danger danced over Brine’s skin. She sprayed perfume on her chest and looked at herself in the mirror. She was dressed for a quiet evening at home. Not for seduction. The perfume was the icing on the cake to tease him if they chose to take things further. Really it was time that they have a frank discussion about what was going on between them.
Dinner was in the oven. All she needed was the man to show up. Brine took the chilled bottle of wine out of the fridge. She twisted in the corkscrew and popped it out. She poured herself a glass. Everything looked perfect. The table next to the window overlooked Poppy’s garden. The sun was lowering in the sky. Deep down she wanted to know how Thane felt about her. Were they just banging? Or did he want something more?
Truthfully, she wasn’t capable of more. He had to know that now before things went any further. She thought about her family. She liked to play the what-if game and think about how things would be if they had lived. Pain shot through her heart when she thought about her twin. She had Josh’s eyes.
The doorbell rang, and she had to keep herself from running to the door and flinging herself into his arms. Brine was proud of herself for walking to the door. She opened it. Thane was on the other side looking incredibly sexy. His dark black hair was wet from a recent shower but he hadn’t shaved. There were two days of growth on his face that made the sharp angles of his jaw look sharper. It also hid the scar on his neck. She wanted to know tonight how he got that scar.
“Hey.”
He came in and gave her a long kiss that had her wrapping her arms around his neck. She slammed the door shut with her foot. He pulled away. “Something smells good.”
“I made dinner. I hope you like lasagna.”
“Love it.”
She wanted this erotic trembling to lead to something more, even if only for a little while. She waited, patiently. Those velvet eyes lowered heavily. She closed the thin gap, pressing her lips softly to his. He groaned as she brushed slowly with her hungry lips. Reluctantly, she pulled away at the sound of the timer chiming.
“Make yourself at home. I’ll get dinner on the table.”
He followed her into the kitchen. “Do you rent?”
“Yeah. Poppy owns the house.”
“Physic Poppy. Have you ever had a reading?” he asked.
“No. I think she has a gift, but she’s not specific.”
“You sound like you know from experience.”
Brine shrugged. “She’s said some things. I’m not sure if I buy it though.”
“Like what?”
Brine put dinner on the table. “She said I’d get pregnant with a girl around December.”
Thane looked really uncomfortable. “Oh?”
She laughed. “You don’t need to worry about me getting pregnant. I’m not able to have children…at least that’s what the doctors said. I’m on birth control just in case.”
His gaze turned serious. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m okay with it. It’s just not in the cards for me. When Poppy said it, well, then it upset me. If she was really psychic, she’d know that I can’t have kids. Right?”
They sat down and she served him a generous slice of lasagna and bread. She was nervous about asking him, but she wanted to know. “How did you get the scar?”
“Bar fight in college. I tend to have a look about me that makes other guys want to fight. It cost me my best friend’s life. The blade wasn’t meant for him.”
“That’s terrible. What happened to the guy?”
“The usual. Arrested for manslaughter. They couldn’t get the murder charge to stick. It was a bar fight.”
His gaze took on a faraway look that told Brine that he was no longer in this room with her. “The past isn’t easy to change, is it?” She shook her head. “I found that out when I lost my family. Bad things happen and not everyone understands.”
He met her gaze. “I’ve never told anyone.”
“It was the right time to tell someone.” She moved her fork through her salad. “And women really run from that look?”
He nodded. “Yeah, women tend not to give me a chance.”
She set her chin on her hand. “I gave you a chance.”
His grin was naturally dangerous. “Yes, you did. I think it had to do with the way we met. I had the upper hand with you chained to my tree.”
“I suppose you did.”
They finished dinner and Brine poured another glass of wine for both of them. “We can go outside and watch the stars come out.”
“I’d like that,” he said.
“Patio is through the living room.”
Brine finished putting everything away when she realized she hadn’t heard the patio door squeak open. A sinking feeling spiraled through her body. She didn’t have to rush into the living room to know what Thane was seeing.
Oh, no. Brine realized too late that there was nothing she could do to take back what he was reading. The work from her research on Thane and Elam Industries was tacked up on her board above her desk. Thane stood before the board, his gaze missing nothing. There were months of research there. She had even hired a private investigator to check into Elam Industries. Although, he hadn’t found anything important. In a moment of weakness, she’d printed off the pictures she took of Thane next to his truck. They were still hot off the printer, sitting on her desk.
“It’s not what you think,” she said.
He flipped through the papers. “You’re missing an important piece.”
“Am I?”
“I’m not the bad guy you think I am.”
She hurt him and she didn’t know how he would ever forgive her. “I know. It was part of my job. I’m not working for the paper anymore. I should’ve taken it down. I did it before I knew you. I know you’re not the person I wrote in the paper.”
“Do you?”
“You’re a good person, Thane. I know that. I see that. I was angry when I wrote that article. I was frustrated.”
She reached for him, but he didn’t let her touch him. She felt raw inside from all the emotion splintering from her body.
“Then what the hell is this?” he demanded. “I can’t win with you, can I? It doesn’t matter what I do. That day in my home office. Were you looking for more dirt to use against me? Is that why you’ve been playing these games to get me to sleep with you?”
He was angry. He had every right to be upset with her. “No. I told you the truth. I’m not working for the paper anymore.”
“What about your blog?”
Tears sprung to her eyes. “I haven’t been able to write in days. Not since I met you! I haven’t been able to think straight since we started fucking. All I think about is you!”
“Maybe that’s a good thing.”
She flinched from the verbal slap. “Thane…” She wanted him to stay but he was going for his coat. “Please, let me throw it out. It’s just a misunderstanding. We can work through this.”
“We’re not going to work through anything tonight. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to think. I’ve never felt this way about anyone, Brine.”
“Thane…”
“I need time to think. I just need time.”
She followed him out the door with tears streaming down her face. He jogged off the porch to his truck parked across the street. Thane’s shoulders were hunched forward. He was running away. Brine felt as though her heart was beating outside her body, and it had nothing to do with her piece for the Sentinel. How can one man destroy all sense of balance in my life?
They were more alike than he knew.
Brine knew she wouldn’t be seeing him anymore. He was letting her go and there was nothing she could do to fix this. The urge to run after him was an overpowering chant in her mind. She watched his taillights until they disappeared. What happened next was out of her hands.
Chapter Seventeen
Organizing didn’t keep Brine’s thoughts off of Thane, but she tried for two days. She wanted to call him, but she couldn’t. It was a misunderstanding he had to get over. She did nothing wrong in doing her job. He had to get over this misunderstanding on his own.
Brine jumped when her cell phone vibrated on the coffee table. She stared at it for several seconds, not recognizing the number. She picked it up before it dumped to voice mail though.
“Hello?”
“Brine. It’s me, Janis.”
“Oh, hey. How are you?”
She laughed. “I’ve been better. Andrew didn’t like finding his shit all over my lawn. What did he expect though? He was the one that brought a tramp into my home.”
“He’s lucky you just put it on the lawn.”
She chuckled. “Trust me, I had other ideas.”
“So what’s going on?” Brine asked.
“I have a favor to ask of you.”
Brine could hear the uncertainty in her voice. “Sure what’s up?”
“It’s Thane. He doesn’t like to admit he’s not invincible. I need you to go see him.”
“Janis…I don’t think Thane wants to see me right now.”
She snorted. “Oh, I know he doesn’t. He doesn’t want to see anyone when he’s like this.”
Brine was afraid to ask but she had to know. “Like what?”
“He’s been stuck in bed. He broke his foot at the jobsite yesterday, and the doctor wants him off of it for at least a week. I went over there to help him, but he doesn’t want my help. I can’t deal with him when he gets this way. He needs to take it easy on his foot or he’s going to hurt himself more. Please, Brine. I’m not above begging.”
“I can go over there and check up on him.”
“Thank you! I so owe you for this. Do the breakfast, lunch, and dinner thing for the next week, just so he keeps off it. It might help if you move in with him for the week.”
“Oh, I can’t do that!”
“Sure you can. I know he wants to see you.”
Janis obviously didn’t know about their fight. “Okay. I’ll take care of him.”
“Thanks, Brine. Oh, he’s out of food in the house, too. I’ll send you a check for your expenses, and make sure to get him enough for two weeks. You never know.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Call me later to let me know how he’s doing. I’ve hidden the spare key under the garden gnome next to the porch.”
“Okay, I will.”
She hung up. What the hell was she doing? This was so not going to end well when she showed up on his front porch with her suitcase in tow. Maybe she could keep him from knowing. If he was stuck in bed, she could pretend to leave. Then she could sleep on the couch. She’d have to play this right, or he’d throw her out on her ass.
Brine packed and then hit the grocery store on the way over to Thane’s. By the time she got over to his house, it was close to dinnertime. Storm clouds were gathering in the distance. The rainy season could be treacherous in Oregon. Mudslides tended to take out roads. God willing the creek won’t rise while I’m out here, too.
She looked up at the house as she got out of the car. The lights were on upstairs and dark downstairs. She found the key and unlocked the front door. Shadow greeted her at the front door and immediately ran outside. The alarm on the door beeped and she checked to make sure it was deactivated.
“Boo, is that you?” Thane called. “Did you bring me dinner like you promised?”
“It’s Brine. Janis asked me to stop by…She was busy. I’ll be right up with your dinner.”
Brine brought the groceries in and put them away quickly. Shadow followed her around before settling in his sleeping spot. She was glad she stopped along the way for dinner for both of them. She setup sandwiches with sides on a tray and took it upstairs.
Thane was propped on his bed with pillows. His foot was propped up with another four. He looked downright surly at being trapped by his situation. His white T-shirt said Harvard. His gray sweatpants were baggy. He looked her up and down with a suspicious glare in his eyes. The soft cast was splinted up his calf. There were books, the newspaper, and a laptop on his bed.
“Did you go to Harvard?”
“Janis did. I went to U.C.L.A. So, Janis talked you into coming over.”
Brine moved things around then placed the tray on his lap. “I hope you like East Coast subs.”
“I do.”
His gaze turned hungry as he checked out the spread on the tray. He ate and she went about straightening up his room. “How long are you out of commission for?”
“A week.”
“How’d you do it?”
“It was stupid. I wasn’t paying attention. I just landed wrong on it when I fell.”
He was grouchy. He had every right to be. Thane wasn’t the type of man that sat in one place for very long. He finished one half of his sandwich and worked on the second with the same gusto. Brine sat down in the chair near his bed. “Do you have to have a cast?”
“Nope. I’m booted as long as I keep off of it to keep the swelling down.”
Thane finished eating and moved the tray from his lap to the bed. He swung his legs from the bed and grimaced at the change in gravity. Brine rushed to his side as he went to stand. She put her arm around his waist.
He leaned onto her shoulder. “You should be in bed.”
“I have to hit the bathroom.”
“Where’s your crutches?” she asked.
“Under the bed.”
Brine worked one out and put it under his arm. She helped him into the bathroom and waited outside for him to finish. At the sound of the bath water running, she peeked back inside. “Thane.”
She couldn’t hide the exasperation from her voice. His boot was off his swollen and bruised foot. His clothes were on the floor. One hand was on the wall for balance while the other still held the lone crutch.
“I stink. Help me in, woman.”
She flinched at the growl in his voice, knowing she wasn’t the cause of his frustration. “I’m not going to be able to talk you out of this, am I?”
“Nope.”
Brine got wet helping him into the tub when the water sloshed over the edge. Thane sighed his big body into the hot water. “Keep your foot up.”
He glared, and she glared back. “You’re not a very nice nurse.”
“You’re not my favorite patient,” she snapped.
He peeked out of one eye. “Get naked and join me, Nurse Brine.”
“I don’t think so.”
Brine picked up his clothes from the floor and went to find hi
m fresh ones. She tossed the dirty into the hamper in the walk-in closet. She got him a fresh towel, too. Thane’s bruised foot was propped on the edge of the tub when she came back in. His eyes were closed. Steam billowed up from the water. Thane’s dark hair was curling from the humidity. He didn’t look so intimidating when he was out cold. It was the scar and those predatory ice-blue eyes that gave him such a fierce look.
It was only a week. Brine could do this. How hard could it be?
Brine cupped water in her hands and rinsed it over his hair. “What the hell are you doing, woman?”
She squeezed some shampoo into her palm. “Washing your hair. You have a party in it.”
“You’re not invited to the party,” he grumbled.
She smiled. “I’m crashing it this time.”
She worked her fingers through his tangled hair until it smoothed clean. She rinsed it with the same matter of fact efficiency she’d give to cleaning a wet dog. It wouldn’t be good for her sense of control if she thought of Thane in a sexual manner now. She popped the drain and he grumbled.
“I wasn’t done. The water’s still hot.”
“The heat is making your foot swell. You need to get out.”
She helped him stand, all the while trying to avoid looking at his sex. Thane was hung in a way that would make any woman stop and take notice no matter what state it was in. She wrapped the towel around his waist and helped him step out. He fumbled trying not to put weight on it as he reached for his crutch.
“Let’s get you back in bed before you fall over.”
“I never thought I’d want to get back in there.”
She walked him to the bed where she helped him dress and she booted him back up. She shook out two ibuprofen and handed him a glass of water. She tucked him in and turned off the light.
“Thanks for stopping by, Brine. I’m glad you came by.”
“Good night, Thane.”
“Make sure Shadow is inside on your way out.”
“He’s in. Go to sleep.”
Chapter Eighteen
