One way or another, he’d figure out how to find that woman. Next time, he’d make it so she wasn’t afraid of him.
~*~*~*~
Brittany stared at her reflection in the steel walls of the elevator. Tears pooled in her eyes. Her hair hung down around her shoulders, and her mouth was swollen from passionate kisses. Inside, she died of shame.
Why had she kissed him? Anger welled up inside of her. Why hadn’t she remembered that she was a detective? She was actually a very good detective. But nobody would know it now.
Disgrace racked her body, making her feel worse now than a few minutes ago. Austin Reeder was a class A jerk, just like she’d thought earlier when she’d asked him about his relationship with Hillary. Why her instincts had lead her in that direction, she’ll never know.
Closing her eyes, her body shook. She wanted to cry over the mistake she’d made, but she couldn’t. Soon she’d leave this elevator, and she didn’t need anyone seeing her this distraught and asking questions.
She wiped the smudged mascara from underneath her eyes. As shame washed over her, she became more determined to find the evidence needed to put Austin Reeder in prison for murdering Hillary Banks. Men like Austin should be locked up forever!
The ding of the elevator announced the lobby of the grand hotel as it opened the doors for her. Taking a deep breath, she tried to rid herself of the proof she carried of her steamy kiss with Austin.
As her high heels clicked on the marbled floor, she focused on the front doors. She couldn’t get out of this place fast enough. But when a man came rushing through, she paused. He saw her and stopped. His gaze swept over her from the top of her messy head clear down to her high-heeled shoes.
He gasped, stroking his sandy colored, well-groomed goatee. “Brittany Russell? Why are you all dolled up?”
Growling, she marched toward her partner, Kurt, and slugged him in the arm. “Where have you been? I called you several times. Didn’t you get my messages?”
He rubbed his shoulder and grimaced. “No, I haven’t listened to your messages, yet. I figured you were calling me to tell me about the captain’s instructions, which of course, I’d already heard. And I was in a hurry to change my clothes so I could meet you here.”
“You changed?” She glanced over his attire, looking exactly the same as he does every day they have worked together in the past year. Today he wore navy blue slacks, and a beige, button-down shirt that had the sleeves rolled up to the elbow, and a blue, white, and black striped tie. Sometimes he wore a suit jacket that matched the slacks, sometimes he didn’t. Today, he didn’t.
“Of course. You didn’t expect me to come here wearing my sweats, did you?” He shrugged. “I was jogging when the captain called.”
She groaned. “I can’t believe you went home and changed your clothes. The captain wouldn’t let me do that. I was at my father’s engagement party.”
Kurt chuckled as he eyed her dress, once again. “So you went and talked to Reeder looking this hot?”
She rolled her eyes and walked past him out of the hotel’s automatic front doors. Several times during the year they’d been teamed up together, she had wanted to punch him in the nose. Now was one of those times. He enjoyed teasing her, which she could dish right back, but she wasn’t in the mood for it. Not after what had happened with Austin.
“Did you find out anything when you talked to Reeder?” he asked, keeping up with her long strides.
“A little.”
“Tell me.”
“Reeder is definitely a suspect. He was carrying on with Hillary before she was murdered.”
“Carrying on? Do you mean they were lovers?”
She rolled her eyes again, but this time she looked at him. “He didn’t consider them lovers because there was no love between them.”
Kurt shook his head. “What does that mean?”
Once she reached her silver Volkswagen Jetta, she stopped and leaned against it. “I’ll tell you about it later. Right now, I want to go home and change. My feet are killing me. I’ll meet you back at the precinct in an hour, and I’ll explain more at that time.”
She didn’t wait for his answer before climbing in and shutting the door. Kurt waited a few moments before turning and walking to his dark blue Honda Accord. She started her car and drove out of the parking lot, feeling lower than dirt.
She’d treated Kurt badly. Of course, they all had their bad days, and she was always there to help lift Kurt’s spirits, just as he’d been there to lift hers. But not today. Nothing could cheer her up. Maybe if she could go back in time to right after getting the call from Captain Martinez, she’d certainly do things differently. First off, she’d go home to change instead of being afraid of the captain reprimanding her for wasting her time as he’d told her before. Then, she wouldn’t have acted unprofessionally.
This wasn’t the first time she’d pretended to be someone else in order to obtain the answers she sought—and it wouldn’t be the last time—but it was the only time she’d forgotten that she was a police detective. She’d somehow forgotten that Austin Reeder was a suspect.
Tears streamed from her eyes as she drove toward home. How could she hold her head up now? And how was she supposed to tell Kurt what she’d done?
She was such an idiot…an idiot who’d pretended to be a call girl. Could she sink any lower than that?
THREE
Austin wiped the steamed mirror in the bathroom after he’d taken a shower the next morning. Once the glass cleared and he could see his reflection, he frowned. He hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep last night, and it was all Brittany’s fault. Or perhaps, it was Derek’s fault. His friend had set Austin up, for his own entertainment, when he’d specifically asked him not to. Because of that—and the way the date had ended—Austin couldn’t sleep.
Could Brittany have been Derek’s birthday joke? Austin wouldn’t have put it past his friend. But one way or another, he needed to know now. He also needed to find Brittany and apologize.
As he dressed, his head replayed everything that had happened yesterday afternoon, and one question stood out more than the others. If she hadn’t been from Derek, then why had she come to see him? And why was the door opened, as she had mentioned? He’d locked the door before going in to take a shower…hadn’t he? But he’d been so tired, it was likely he’d forgotten.
With a deep sigh, he groaned. He needed to talk to Derek—today if possible. Lately, the women Derek found for Austin was just what he’d wanted. He wasn’t interested in a serious relationship. The type of women he dated were mainly one-night stands. But his friend had mentioned playing a joke on him…
Austin fisted his hands. Was Brittany the joke? Was she sent here to get him interested enough to want to see her again, and again, and again? Curse Derek if that was his plan.
Without wanting them to, old feelings resurfaced. Emotions he had buried years ago. Gnashing his teeth, he thought back on his painful past. Why had he been so enthralled with Brittany, to the point that he couldn’t stop thinking about her? Women were only good for one thing. Not only did his fiancée teach him this painful lesson several years ago, but his very own mother had proven to him women could never be trusted.
Austin’s brain must have been running on empty yesterday due to exhaustion. That’s the only reason he’d acted in such a way.
He wrapped the tie around his neck and proceeded to tie it as he stared in the full-length mirror in his room. Once again, images of Brittany haunted him. She’d kissed him so passionately, how could he forget such an earth-shattering moment? Her long, black hair glided like silk against his fingers, and her amazing rusty brown eyes had darkened mere seconds before they’d kissed.
She’d certainly accomplished making him feel so much desire for her in such a short amount of time. He had his share of women over the past fifteen years, but none of them had stayed on his mind like Brittany had. The question was why?
He’d thought she was different, but he couldn
’t put his finger on what exactly made her that way. A smile tugged on his lips. Immediately after meeting her, he could tell she was more refined, mainly by her actions.
Right after work today, he’d seek out the answers he needed. He’d contact Derek, and if he couldn’t get in touch with his friend, he’d certainly look for Brittany. He wanted another chance at her charming presence, and definitely her sultry kisses. No way could he let that beautiful woman hate him.
Pursuing Brittany would be a challenge, but one he was willing to take on. He needed a little excitement in his life, and this would definitely be the key.
He grabbed his keys, his cell, and his wallet, and then headed downstairs. During the ride on the elevator, he realized he couldn’t wait until after work to talk to Derek. He must call him now.
Austin dialed his friend’s number and waited for him to answer.
The other line clicked on. “This is Derek.”
“Hey, it’s Reeder. I want to thank you for your birthday gift.”
There was a lengthy pause on the other end of the phone instead of the laughter Austin had expected.
“What birthday gift are you talking about?”
Austin chuckled. “You know what I’m talking about. I have to admit, though, she’s one sensual woman. I’m surprised you didn’t keep her for yourself.”
“Reeder, I’m serious. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Confusion filled his head. “I’m talking about Brittany—the woman you sent me yesterday afternoon.”
“I didn’t send you a woman.”
“Quit joking. I know she came from you. In fact, she told me you had sent her.”
“Reeder, I don’t have any women friends named Brittany.”
The elevator doors opened and he walked out, into the underground parking. His nearly new, cherry red, Porsche was parked in his normal space. “She goes by Britt. She’s about five foot, four inches tall. Her body is very slender, but toned. Her eyes are brown and she has long, black hair.”
“Are you kidding me?” Derek snipped. “Reeder, I promise, I didn’t send anyone to you. You told me not to because of your business deal…so I didn’t.”
Finally, Austin realized his friend was telling the truth. His gut clenched and confusion filled his head. “How can that be?” he shouted as he clicked open his car and climbed in. “She was at my place yesterday. I asked her if you sent her and she said yes.”
“She’s lying! I didn’t send her. I swear it.”
Austin closed the door and started his car. “So if you didn’t send her, who did?”
“Did she say she was there as your birthday gift?”
As he backed out of the parking space, his mind tried to recall her specific words. “I think so.”
“Man, I don’t know what to say. She didn’t come from me.”
Austin gritted his teeth. This couldn’t be right. Did he dream what had happened yesterday? No, he’d tasted her sweet lips all night long.
“Well, I want to find her. I won’t rest unless I know why she was in my penthouse.” He gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Derek, I know you can find her, too. I don’t know what it is about you, but you have a woman-radar. You know how to find the ones I like.”
Silence stretched on the other end of the phone. Austin waited for his friend to answer. During the wait, he tried to think of some bribes for his friend just in case he said no. Finally, a ragged sigh came from Derek.
“Fine. I’ll try and find her, but I need you to describe her the best you can. Tell me any of the outward flaws or interesting features she may have that will help me notice her.”
A smile stretched across Austin’s mouth. He couldn’t help it. Thinking about her, made him this way. “She’s very beautiful. Her wavy, jet black hair, tumbles over her shoulders to her lower back, and she has the most amazing brown eyes I’ve ever seen. Her hands are immaculately delicate with long nails, but not the fake kind women like to wear nowadays. She’s probably in her mid-twenties, and she’s about five foot, four inches tall, with very shapely legs. Her chest is not too large, yet not too small. And her body is toned—as if she works out a lot.”
Derek chuckled. “But that could describe a thousand of girls.”
“No, Brittany is one in a million. Her lips are slightly pouty, just the way a man likes just before he devours them, and she has a cute little button nose. Although her eyes are brown, they’re really not quite that color, but almost rusty instead.”
“Rusty?”
Austin’s smile widened the longer he pictured her. “I know it sounds funny, but when you see her, you’ll see what I’m talking about.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Besides having the best bod I’ve ever seen, I think I’ve covered every inch of her. When she came to see me, she wore a red, silk dress with a matching jacket. The skirt of the dress was short, showing off her shapely legs. Her hair had been pulled back in a bun. She looked like she was going to some fancy party. I don’t know if that will help you to find her, but that’s about all of it in a nutshell.”
“Thanks. Although I still expect it will be difficult to find her, I promise I’ll try really hard. I suppose I owe you one since I didn’t get you a birthday present.”
Austin chuckled. “Thanks, Derek.”
After Austin hung up, he thought about what he’d just said. Had he really sounded like a love-struck boy just now? Of course, somehow he’d led the poor woman astray, and he wanted a second chance at passion.
Unbeknownst to him, the woman had gotten under his skin, and he actually liked the feeling. But he couldn’t get soft at this crucial point in his life. Especially not now, since he’d be signing the papers to purchase the Sheridan Hotel tomorrow. He needed to stay focused and strong...then after everything was over, he could let the eagerness fill him again.
Today was already starting out good, and hopefully he’d have some better news after work.
~*~*~*~
Brittany took a fortifying breath as she smoothed out the tiny wrinkles from the fresh black slacks and lavender blouse she’d dressed in. This time she looked presentable to go to work. Although she’d told Kurt she’d meet him back at their office in one hour, her headache had grown worse, and she just couldn’t attempt to talk to him—or anyone—about what had happened with Austin Reeder. The moments of pleasure she’d had with Austin were too fresh, and she couldn’t face anyone.
However, today was a new day, and she’d put the past behind her and start over fresh. Now as she stood at the cement stairs leading into Seattle’s West Precinct, she hoped her body didn’t magnify the transgression she’d done with Mr. Reeder from the day before. Did she still look like a woman who’d just experienced the best kiss of her life? More importantly, did she look like someone who had been very attracted to a murder suspect?
As she walked into the building, her co-workers looked up at her, nodded a greeting, and then returned to their work. So far, so good. Meeting Kurt this morning would be different, she was sure.
He’d been on his computer when she walked into the room. His eyes were fixed on the monitor, and he twirled a lock of sandy colored hair around a finger. He did this unconsciously, and she’d always liked to tease him about it. But she wasn’t in the teasing mood today.
He didn’t notice her until she was almost to her desk. When his gaze met hers, he pushed away from his desk and stood. His tall frame stood over her by a good five inches.
“How are you feeling?”
She gave him a one-shoulder shrug. “Better, I think.”
“Are you ready to tell me what happened?”
She really wasn’t, but…she had to tell him at some point. “Yes.”
“Here?” He pointed to their desks. “Or somewhere in private?”
She took a quick glance around the room. There were too many people at their desks and could overhear. “Private.”
He motioned her to step ahead of him, and then they
walked into the nearest empty interrogation room. As she sat, he closed the door.
“Tell me what happened. I don’t want you to leave anything out.” Kurt paced in front of her. His tone of voice was the one he used when cross-examining the perps.
“Kurt,” she said with a sigh. “I’m not a perp. I’m your partner, remember?”
He chuckled and sat across from her. “Fine. Is this better?”
“Much better.” She forced a smile as she expelled a disheartened sigh. “I waited for you to come, but inside the suite, I heard a thump. My gut told me to go in to check it out. I worried there was a robbery in progress, or worse—someone was trying to kill him.”
He nodded. “I would have probably done the same thing.”
“Good. Thankfully, it wasn’t a robbery in progress, or someone trying to end his life. But he walked out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a bathrobe.”
As she explained, she left out a few things, mainly because she didn’t want Kurt to know all the nitty-gritty details…like how incredibly handsome he was, and how sweet he seemed at first, and how her heart skipped a beat whenever he locked gazes with her.
Kurt sucked in a fast breath. “What?” His voice lifted. “He thought you were a call girl?”
She shrugged. “What else was I to think? The questions he aimed at me led me to believe that I was being paid for by some guy named Derek…or Mr. Reeder, himself. Regardless, money was mentioned.” She huffed. “And of course, you forget what I was wearing. It’s no wonder he thought I was a hooker.”
Kurt shook his head. “Hookers are different than call girls. I thought you knew that.”
She scowled. “Well, yesterday when I was placed in that situation, I didn’t see a difference.”
Kurt’s mouth quirked, but thankfully, he didn’t laugh. She would have slugged him hard if he had.
“So the only thing you found out about Hillary Banks was that she and Reeder were involved in a relationship?”
Prince Charming is a Liar (Your Every Day Hero Book 1) Page 3
