by Lori Foster
There was a stretch of silence. “You and Emily got something going?”
“Yeah. Something. I’m not sure what. Hey, how many pancakes can you eat? About ten?”
“I suppose. I didn’t know Emily was dating anyone.”
“We aren’t actually dating.”
“Oh.” Another silence. “Should I be worried about this?”
That brought Judd around. “Well, hallelujah. I didn’t think anyone ever worried about Em.”
John frowned. “She’s my sister. Of course I worry about her.”
“Good. But no, you don’t have to worry right now. I’ll take care of her.”
“And I’m just supposed to believe you because you say so?”
He almost smiled again. John sounded just like his sister. “Why not? Emily does.”
That brought a laugh. “My parents would have a field day with that analogy. They don’t think Emily has very good judgment.”
“And what do you think?”
“I think she’s too naive, too trusting and a very good person.”
Judd grinned. “Me, too.”
“So tell me how she got the black eye.”
Suddenly, John looked much older, and very serious. Judd gave one sharp nod. “You can set the table while I talk.”
Fifteen minutes later, Judd had three plates full of pancakes, and he’d finished a rather convoluted explanation of Emily’s exploits. It was an abridged version, because even though Judd admitted to helping Emily, he didn’t say anything about going undercover as a male stripper, or his overwhelming attraction to Emily, or their newly discovered sexual chemistry. In fact, he wasn’t certain yet just what that chemistry was, so he sure as hell wasn’t about to discuss it with anyone, let alone Emily’s little brother.
John was appalled to learn what steps Emily had taken to try to help him.
And he hadn’t even noticed her black eye.
Judd knew he was feeling guilty, which hopefully would help bring him out of his self-pity. “So you can see how serious Emily is about this.”
“Damn.” John rubbed one hand over his scar, then across his neck. “What can I do to help?”
Ah. Just the reaction he’d hoped for. From what Emily had told him about John, Judd hadn’t known for sure what to expect. By all accounts, John could have been a very spoiled, selfish punk. But then, he had Emily for a sister, so that scenario didn’t seem entirely feasible. “You want to help? Stay out of the east end. And stay out of trouble.”
“But there must be something—”
“No.” When John started to object, Judd cursed. “I’m having enough trouble keeping an eye on Emily. And she has enough to do without worrying about you more than she already does. Give her a rest, John. Get your act together and keep it together.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You don’t know my parents.”
“No. But I do know your sister. If she turned out so great, I suppose you can, too.”
John laughed. “That’s one way of looking at it.”
Emily walked into the room just then, and Judd immediately went to her. He tried to keep his eyes on her face as he talked to her, but she was wearing another one of those soft, ladylike dresses. But what really drove him insane was the white lace tie that circled her throat and ended in a bow. Without meaning to, his fingers began toying with it. “I told your brother what happened.”
The frown she gave him showed both irritation and concern. “Judd.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” John said as he took a plate of pancakes and smothered them in warm syrup. “I’m glad he told me. And I’m glad he’s looking after you.”
“Judd is not looking after me. He’s a…well, a partner of sorts.”
Judd lowered his eyebrows as if in deep thought, then gave a slow, very serious nod. “Of sorts.”
The look she sent him insisted he behave himself. He wasn’t going to, though. A slight tug on the bow brought her an inch or two closer. His eyes drifted from her neatly brushed hair, her slender stockinged legs and her flat, black shoes. Her attire was casual, but also very elegant. “You look real pretty in that dress, Em. Do you always wear such…feminine stuff?”
Trying to act as though she wasn’t flushed a bright pink, Emily stepped out of his reach and picked up her own plate. She stared at the huge stack of pancakes. “Most of my wardrobe is similar, yes. This is one of my older dresses because I have some work to do today.”
“I like it.”
John suddenly laughed. “I think you’ve caught a live one, Emmie. I don’t remember what’s-his-name ever acting this outrageous. He always tried to suck up to Mom and Dad by being as stuffy and proper as they are.”
After frowning at her brother and giving a quick shake of her head, she said, “I can’t truly imagine Judd ever ‘sucking up’ to anyone. Can you?”
“It’ll be interesting to see what the folks think of him.”
An expression of horror passed over her face. “For heaven’s sake, John. I doubt Judd has any interest in meeting our parents.”
Judd narrowed his eyes at the way she’d said that. So she didn’t want him to meet them? It was no skin off his nose. He wasn’t into doing the family thing, anyway. He couldn’t remember one single woman he’d ever dated who wanted to rush him home to meet her mama.
But somehow, coming from Emily, the implicit rejection smarted. “There wouldn’t be any reason for me to meet them. Especially since they’re out of the country, right?”
Emily stared at her fork. “Yes. And we should have everything resolved before they return if we’re as close to finishing this business as you say.”
And once everything was resolved, there would be no reason to keep him around? Judd wanted to ask, but he couldn’t. It was annoying to admit, but he felt vulnerable. He couldn’t quite credit Emily with using him; she simply wasn’t that mercenary. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t gladly take advantage of a situation when it presented itself. He’d known from the start that she wanted him. They’d met, and sparks had shot off all around them. And if she wanted to have a fling on what she considered “the wild side of life,” Judd was more than willing to oblige. For a time.
He would get a great deal of satisfaction when Donner was taken care of, and he’d be able to return to his normal routine: life without a driving purpose. He’d be alone again, without Max and without the overwhelming need to avenge him. Actually, he’d have no commitments, no obligations at all, unless Emily…
Judd shook his head. With any luck, he’d be wrong in what he was feeling, and he wouldn’t miss her. The time he had with Emily right now would be enough.
Hell, he’d make it enough.
With that thought in mind, he urged Emily to eat, and he dug into his own pancakes. When she was almost finished, curiosity got the better of him and he asked, “So who was this bozo who tried to schmooze your parents?”
Emily choked. He took the time to whack her on the back a few times, then caught her chin and turned her face his way. “Emily?”
When she didn’t answer right away, John spoke up. “Emmie was engaged to a guy for a while. She loved him, but he only wanted to use her to get in good with my parents. Luckily, everyone found out in time, before the wedding.”
“Thank you very much, John.”
“Oh, come on, sis. It wasn’t your fault. The guy was a con artist.”
“Yes, he was. And that is all in the past. I’d appreciate it if we found something else to talk about.”
Judd transferred his gaze to John. “Your folks are pretty hard on her about it still?”
“God, yes. And she lets them. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her really defend herself, though I’d like to see her tell them where to go. They even try to bully her into giving up her work with the homeless. They keep reminding her how she got burned once. It was a real embarrassing event. The papers got wind of it and all of society knew.” John made a face, then added, “My parents really hate being publicly embarrass
ed.”
With a disgusted sound of protest, Emily stood and took her plate to the sink. Judd glanced toward her, then back to John. “She’s still a little touchy about it.”
“Yeah. It was pretty hard on her. But Emmie is tough, and she doesn’t let anything really get her down. Including Mom and Dad. That’s why she moved here, away from my folks. She won’t argue with them, but she will walk away. Of course, they hate this house, too. I don’t know why she puts up with them.”
Swiveling in his chair, Judd saw the stiff set to Emily’s shoulders, the way she clenched her hands on the sink counter. He wanted to hold her, to comfort her, but the time wasn’t right. Later, though…“Did you love him, Em?”
It took her so long to answer, Judd thought she’d decided to ignore him. It wasn’t any of his business, but he wanted to know. The thought of her still pining over some guy didn’t sit right with him.
Then she finally shook her head. “I suppose I thought I did…maybe I did. But now, it doesn’t seem like I could have. I was so wrong about him. He was out of work and needed me, and I thought he cared about me, too. But he turned out to be a really horrible man.”
Judd was out of his seat and standing behind her in a heartbeat. “That was one incident.”
She turned and smiled at him. “Are you thinking I might decide I was wrong about you, too, Detective?”
“Since I don’t know what you think about me, how am I supposed to answer that?”
When it came, her smile was sweet enough and warm enough to make his muscles clench. He caged her waist between his hands and waited.
“I think you’re probably a real-life hero, Judd, and unlike any man I’ve ever known.”
The words hit him like a blow. He stared into her dark eyes, dumbfounded. He saw her acceptance, her giving. He was a man with no family, no ties, a cop out to do a job, and willing to use her to do it. He was certainly no hero. But if that was what Emily wanted…
John cleared his throat. “Maybe I should make myself scarce.”
Remembering where they were and who was with them, Judd forced himself to release Emily and take two steps back—away from temptation. “No. You can help me do the dishes while Emily calls to see if she can get someone here to repair the hot-water heater.”
“Do the dishes? But I don’t know how…”
Judd smirked. “It’s easy. I’ll show you what to do.”
“But—”
“Do you want to be able to take care of yourself or not?”
Emily laughed. “Well put. I’ll leave you two to tend to your chores.” But she stopped at the doorway. “By the way, Judd. What if there was something on that film?”
“I’m picking it up today. Then we’ll know.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No, you won’t.”
“But…”
His sigh was exaggerated. “You’re as bad as your brother, Em. I thought we had an agreement.”
When she turned around and practically stomped away without a word, Judd decided she was mad. “Well, hell.”
John only laughed. “Gee, I’m really tired. Too much traveling, I guess. I think I might need to spend a lot of time in my room, resting up.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
With a buddy-type punch in the shoulder, John said, “I think you’re going to have your hands full with Emmie. She can be as stubborn as a mule, and it’s no telling who will win. I don’t want to get caught in the crossfire.”
And I don’t want Emily caught in the crossfire, he thought. Which is why I’m leaving her here. There was really no other choice. He would get Donner, one way or another. The past, and Max, couldn’t be forgotten. And he couldn’t pretend it had never happened, not without finding some justice.
It would be only too easy to get wrapped up in Emily’s problems. It would be much too easy to get wrapped up in Emily. But he wouldn’t. Judd was afraid Emily could easily make him reevaluate himself and his purpose. Arresting Donner and seeing him prosecuted had to remain a priority. But he was beginning to feel like a juggler in a circus, wanting his time with Emily, and still needing to seek vengeance on Donner.
He’d have all weekend to spend with Emily before anything more could be done on the case. His body tightened in anticipation with just the thought. Somehow he’d have to manage—without letting her get hurt.
He only hoped Emily understood his motivations.
Chapter 8
“I WANT YOU, EM.”
Emily jumped, her heart lodging in her throat. “Good heavens, Judd. You startled me.”
His hands slid from her waist to her hips, then pulled her back against him. She could feel the heat of his body on her back, her bottom…“Judd, stop that before John sees.”
His growl reverberated along her spine, his mouth nipping on her nape. “John’s taking a nap. He’s still suffering jet lag.”
With shaking hands, Emily carefully laid aside the picture she’d been looking at. She already knew Judd wanted her. He’d made that clear with every look he sent her way. But her brother was here now, and she wasn’t comfortable being intimate with John in the house. She cleared her throat and tried to come up with a distraction.
“I don’t see anything in these pictures that would prompt anyone to steal them.”
Judd pressed closer and his hands came around her waist to rest on her belly. She sucked in a quick breath. His deep voice, so close to her ear, added to her growing excitement. “You have innocent eyes, honey.”
“What do you mean?”
“Innocent, sexy eyes.” He leaned over to see her face, his gaze dark and searching. “You really don’t know what sexy eyes you have, do you?”
It took her a second to remember what she’d been talking about. “No, I…The pictures, Judd?”
His gaze dropped to her mouth and he gave her a soft, warm kiss, then picked up one of the photos. His expression changed as he looked at it, turning dark and threatening. “The guy in the doorway of the deli is an associate of Donner’s. My guess is, he only visits this part of town when making a deal. Since the deal surely concerns guns, I’d say he’s the one who instigated your break-in.”
Emily gave the photo another look. “Really?”
Judd cursed, then tossed the picture back on the kitchen counter. “Unfortunately, I can’t do anything about it yet without taking the risk of tipping off Donner and blowing my cover. If we grab this guy, we put a halt to the deal, and lose our advantage.” He tightened his mouth. “That’s not something I’m willing to do.”
“I see.” But she didn’t, not really. Why was Judd so upset?
“Do you? Do you have any idea how I’d love to get my hands on that guy—now—for scaring you like he did?”
His possessive tone made her heart flutter, and she had to force herself to think about the case. “Then you think he was the one who broke in here?”
“Probably not. Like Donner, he has flunkies to do that kind of thing for him. But your taking this picture has obviously annoyed him. Hopefully, it’ll help strengthen our case against Donner, too, and we’ll be able to make another connection there once we prosecute.”
Emily licked her lips and tried for a casual tone. “Do you think the picture alone will be enough to incriminate Donner?”
Judd shrugged. “Possibly. But I don’t want to incriminate him. I want to nail the bastard red-handed.”
Emily had known that would be his answer, but still…“Judd, maybe it’s time to rethink all this. I mean, is it really worth risking your life—”
He laid his finger across her lips before she could finish. “I’m not giving up, Em. I’ve already gone too far, and I have no intention of letting Donner win. But in the meantime, until he’s put away and everything’s settled, I don’t want you staying here alone.”
So. There it was. Emily knew he was up to something the minute he came back in with the developed pictures. She’d been surveying the pictures, not seeing anything out
of the ordinary, when Judd started acting amorous.
Acting, Emily? Can’t you feel the man’s body behind you? He’s not acting. No, and as much as that tempted her, she had to remember he only wanted to stay at her house to protect her. It had nothing to do with actually wanting her. Well, maybe it had a little to do with that, but wanting her wasn’t his primary motive. She had to remember that.
Smiling slightly, she said over her shoulder, “My brother will be here with me.”
He opened his thighs and pulled her bottom closer to him, his hand still firm on her belly, now caressing. “Not good enough. I want to be certain you’re safe.”
“I…I’ll remember to turn on the alarm system.” Lord, Emily. You sound as if you’ve run five miles.
Apparently done with talking, Judd dipped his hand lower and his fingers stroked between her thighs, urging her legs apart and moving in a slow, deep rhythm. The material of her dress slid over her as his fingers probed. Heat rushed through her, flushing her face, making her legs tremble, her nipples tighten. She slumped back against him and her head fell to his shoulder. How could she let this happen again when she still felt embarrassed over her wild display the night before? It was as if she had no control of her reactions.
Judd lifted his other hand to her breast, his fingertips finding a taut nipple then gently plucking.
“Judd—”
“Let me.” He nuzzled her throat, his warm breath wafting over her skin. “I love how you feel, Em. I love how you come apart for me.”
But you don’t love me. She almost cried out at the realization that she wanted his love. She wanted it so bad. All the old insecurities returned, the memories of how she’d tried, just as her brother was trying, to gain a modicum of real emotion, real affection from someone. They all swamped her and suddenly she couldn’t breathe. She jerked away, hitting her hip on the counter and hanging her head so Judd couldn’t see her face. She felt breathless and frightened and so damn foolish.
His hand touched her shoulder, then tightened when she flinched. “Shh. I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t mean to push you.”
He turned her to hold her in his arms, no longer seducing, but comforting. And that seemed even worse. The tears started and she couldn’t stop them.
