She had wrapped up in the sheet from her bed and gone in search of the man who’d rocked her world the entire night through. The move had been a serious error in judgement. She hitched the sagging material higher over her breasts in an effort to combat the sudden shyness over her state of undress.
“It’s just an angle we’re checking into, Annie.” His appreciative gaze swept from her neck to the edge of material barely covering her chest. Lust burned bright in the depths of his eyes.
Heat soared through Annie’s veins touching off little fires along its path. The familiar tingle surged deep in her center.
“How much do you know about Joe?”
The sudden change of topic was like the shock of ice water to her heated body. She swallowed hard, tamped down the desire, and trained her gaze on his.
“I…” Annie swallowed again, forcing the lump of emotion down. “I’ve known Joe since we were about eleven years old. Why?”
“Did he ever mention being adopted? Or that he’d lived in Texas during any conversations with, or around you?”
“What? There’s no way Joe was adopted. I’m sure we would have found out.”
“So where was Joe at for the first eleven years of his life then, Annie?”
She fought through the confusion trying to pull up memories of what she and her friends had been told about Joe’s early childhood. Had he lived in Texas? It didn’t sound right, but Annie couldn’t be sure. Mason’s question sparked a vivid memory of the day that Mr. and Mrs. Martin brought Joe to school on his first day. It had been Annie’s birthday, and her mother had made enough cupcakes for all the children in Annie’s classroom to have one.
She remembered when Mrs. Maloney introduced Joe to the class. It had been then that Annie had realized she wouldn’t have enough of the treat to share. Not wanting to make the newcomer feel left out on his first day, Annie had given up her cupcake so he could share in the celebration.
Their friendship had grown into one of mutual respect over the years.
“Annie?”
Mason’s voice pulled her from the depths of her thoughts.
“I don’t recall anyone ever explaining that.” She turned, and retraced her steps down the hallway. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Disappointment that the intimacy of the night before had ended, and that she might never experience it again, twisted Annie’s gut.
The heavenly aroma of fresh brewed coffee greeted Annie when she padded barefoot, but fully clothed, into the kitchen several minutes later. Despite the building dread, a loud growl emitted from her stomach.
“Are you hungry?” The corners of Masons mouth tilted upward in a knowing smirk.
“Kind of.” But food was the last thing on her mind.
“Have a seat, and I’ll whip up some french toast.”
Annie obediently sat at the bar. When had she become a guest in her own home? She watched him move around the confines of her kitchen like he’d been doing it forever. Her heart jolted as her appreciative gaze traveled over his powerful body. She recalled the ecstasy of being held against that strong body mere hours ago. Heat burned her face as she remembered how willingly she’d come to him.
With a mental shake, Annie cleared her head of the memories. She turned her head away from his distracting form. The pictures scattered over the surface of the table caught her attention.
Annie slid from the stool, and crossed the short distance to the table. She began stacking the glossy prints according to the incident they belonged to.
Could the Joe she’d known almost her entire life, commit these crimes? Annie struggled to come to terms with the notion.
Did Cathy know? As quickly as the thought formed, Annie banished it from her mind. She could accept the off chance that there might be things about Joe that she didn’t know, but no way in hell did she think Cathy was involved.
Annie picked up the final picture. Anger replaced the confusion when her gaze landed on the body shrouded by the white sheet in the background of one photograph. This innocent person had done nothing to deserve such a horrendous death.
No, there was no way Cathy could be a part of this devastation.
“So what’s the next step, Mason?” She shuffled the photo into the stack before turning to face him. “I’m over this waiting game. I want it done now so I can get my life back on track.”
And get on with rebuilding my life after you leave. She added the mental note.
Mason placed two plates piled with steaming french toast on the table in front of her . He returned to the kitchen for a third one heaping with bacon.
Her stomach growled again as the aroma’s teased her senses.
Mason sat the last plate in the center of the table with the glass syrup dispenser. Annie didn’t wait for an invitation before she plopped into one of the empty chairs.
Mason sat opposite her, and began forking bacon onto his plate.
“The next step is to dig deeper into Joe Martin without letting on what we are doing.”
“And how do you suggest we do that?” She slathered butter onto her french toast before she drizzled the stack with syrup. “And for the record, I’m not agreeing with your accusations. In fact, I hope we prove them wrong.”
Even as she spoke the words, her stomach rolled with dread. And if they managed to do the exact opposite, what would she do then? If Joe was somehow involved, Cathy would be devastated. And if Annie played a part in proving him guilty, she herself, would be as shattered as her friend. This could very well be a no-win situation.
“I hope we do too, Annie.” A warm, solid hand covered hers on the table. “But we have to be ready for the worst.”
“We?” Annie couldn’t hide the sarcasm in her voice. Her gaze flew to his, and the raw hurt that glittered in those dark eyes.
“Yeah, we.”
“Sorry.” Her eyes dropped back to her plate. “It’s hard for me to believe that someone I know might be involved.” She puffed out an exasperated breath. “But then again, it would seem that I may not know him as well as I thought.” Her appetite suddenly gone, Annie pushed the remaining morsels of her breakfast around on the plate. “I’m so confused.”
“We’ll figure it out.” He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before releasing it. “Do you know Joe’s family? Other than his wife?”
Annie thought for a moment as he forked a bite into his mouth.
“Not really. I’ve seen them around at school and social functions, but now that I think about it, they always seem to stay at a distance.” Her brain buzzed with memories of conversations with Cathy. “Heck, I don’t even remember seeing them at the hospital when Cathy had either of the kids.”
“Interesting.”
“I’d say, since Joe is an only child. Wouldn’t you want to be there for the birth of your grandchildren?”
“If I’m ever blessed with a family, I’ll be there for every important occasion in their lives.”
Annie’s gaze cut to him. Not a trace of mirth was evident in his features. The bottom dropped out of her stomach. What would it be like to raise a family with a man like Mason? No doubt he would be true to his word, and be active in everything. She had learned firsthand over the last several days what a dedicated caregiver he could be.
Shrugging off the daydream, she drew her attention back to the task at hand. There would be plenty of time later to dream about what might have been. When Mason returned to his real life, she’d have plenty of memories to dwell on.
“I’m sure you’ll make some lucky lady happy to hear that.” There was no joy in the smile she plastered on her mouth. The thought of Mason with another woman, let alone starting a family with her, burned like acid in her stomach. “The quicker you finish this assignment, the sooner you can get on with your search.”
“Who said I have to search?” He rolled the fork around between his fingers, his dark gaze locked on her. “Maybe I’ve already found that lucky lady…”
Embarrassment surged up in A
nnie. “Why did I think you were any different than any other man I’ve known?” She slid away from the table, and picked up her plate. So much for giving into daydreams. “I should’ve known better.”
She moved into the kitchen, and made quick work of scraping and rinsing the plate, setting it in the sink alongside the pans Mason had used minutes before.
The need for escape pummeled her. Raw emotions tore at her. She shouldn’t have let them get so out of control. Hadn’t she known from the moment she’d first laid eyes on Mason, that he had to capability to hurt her? She had no one to blame except herself, for the ache building in her chest.
Tears blurred her vision, but she’d be damned if she let him see her cry over him.
Head bent, she spun in the direction of the hallway, determined to make it to the sanctity of her bedroom before she could burst into tears and make a further fool of herself in front of him.
Mason stood large and foreboding, blocking her path of flight. Fury, barely held in check, twisted his handsome features, and for the first time since she’d met him, Annie felt the slightest degree of unease. Thick, muscular arms crossed over his broad chest.
“Excuse me.” Annie dropped her gaze to a spot on his chest. “Mason, please move.”
“Let’s set the record straight right now, Annette.” He spoke in a slow, deliberate tone that heightened her level of uncertainty. “There’s no one waiting back home for me. If there were, this,” He stabbed the air between them with one finger, “would never have happened. Job, or no job.”
She swallowed hard against the dryness that consumed her throat. Unable to make eye contact, she dropped her gaze to the wooden floor beneath their feet instead.
So there was no one waiting patiently, or impatiently, at home for him? She’d made a fool out of herself for no good reason. Her heart plummeted in her chest. Embarrassment burned through her body.
She took a deep, fortifying breath, before raising her eyes to his again.
“I’m sorry. I’m not sure what came over me. It must be the lack of sleep.”
The heat burned hotter in her face as vivid memories of why she’d been awake most of the night before, raced through her mind.
“I think I need to stop talking now.” She stepped sideways in an attempt to maneuver around him. Once more, her route was blocked. “Please Mason, if I get an hour of sleep, this won’t happen again.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” He hooked an arm around her shoulders, drawing her against the heat of his body. “I could use a nap myself.”
Annie’s gaze flew to his. All traces of anger had disappeared to be replaced by the now familiar look of want. Her stomach flipped with an answering hunger as he led them toward the bedroom.
“And to finish what I was saying earlier before you so rudely cut me off,” He spun her in his arms until they stood face to face in the doorway to her room. “Maybe I’ve already found that lucky lady and am now, even as we speak, in the process of winning her over.”
Annie swallowed hard. Oh Lord was she ever in trouble now.
~&~
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“I’m going to my parents’ house. I bet they would know more about Joe’s family situation.”
Annie bounded from the bed and crossed the floor to the dresser sitting there. Mason took the opportunity to admire her naked backside. Smooth, pale skin covered lush round cheeks that he’d be willing to bet had never seen a ray of sun. His palms itched with the desire to cradle her bottom as she rode him again.
He grew instantly hard as images flew through his mind. Had it really been less than an hour since the last time they’d made love? He draped a forearm across his eyes to block out the tantalizing view of her lithe body as she hunted for clothing. Hell, he should be grateful to her for bringing him back to reality. If she had left it up to him, they might never leave the house again.
A spark of disappointment shot through him when the door to the adjoining bathroom closed. A second later he heard the shower water come on. Dropping his arm from his eyes, he glanced around.
Man are you in trouble, Mason. He heaved a deep sigh, as, for the second time that day he slipped into his faded jeans. Opting to skip a shirt, he made his way to the kitchen. After starting a fresh pot of coffee percolating, he waited for the shower to go off before he made his way back to the bedroom.
“So what makes you think they might know something?”
The towel in Annie’s hands stilled. Mason fought to hold back his laughter at the ‘You’ve got to be kidding me right?’ expression on her face.
“Yes, I know Hammond’s Bend is a small town, Annie, but it’s still a legitimate question.” He crossed the floor to the chair holding a huge hockey bag sat. Rummaging through the contents, he waited for her response.
“My family has lived here for a long time.” She resumed the task of drying her hair. “My father’s family was one of the founding families in Hammond’s Bend and mom’s family arrived shortly after.”
“So they know everything about everyone in the area huh?” Mason picked up the clean clothes he’d gathered from the bag. He lounged against the door frame as he watched her apply the little bit of makeup she wore. “How long has Joe’s family been around these parts?”
“I’m not sure. That’s what I’m hoping to find out at the farm.”
“Give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready to go.” Mason nodded his head in the direction of the still steamy shower. “There’s coffee in the kitchen.”
“I’ll take you up on the coffee,” Annie smiled, “but I want to talk to my parents alone first.” She rushed on before he could interject. “I promise you I’ll tell you everything they tell me. I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize finding the person responsible.” She heaved a sigh. “Even if it is someone I’ve known most of my life.”
“Are you sure you’re up to driving?” Mason scrutinized her face, searching for any sign of discomfort or fatigue. Hell, who was he trying to kid, even he was tired after the night they had spent together.
“I feel great, Mason.” She smiled up at him. “You look like you could use some rest though.”
“Who me?” He flexed his broad chest and arms. “Nah, I’m good babe.”
Annie threw her head back laughing at his antics. His chest swelled more than he thought possible. He loved making Annie happy, which should scare the hell out of him. But, oddly enough, it didn’t.
“How about you meet me at the diner for a late lunch, and I’ll tell you what I find out.”
“Oh, I see. It’s okay that they know that I’ve slept in the same house with you for a week now, but you’re afraid to bring a man home to mom and pop’s place.”
The grin on Mason’s face belied the stab of hurt the truth of the words elicited. If Annie noticed, she didn’t let on. She brushed past him, and collected her wristwatch from the bedside table.
“Nope, I’m not afraid.” A mischievous twinkle danced in the hazel depths. “After all, what makes you think I haven’t taken someone to their home before you?”
“Well if you have,” He stalked across the distance separating them, and stopped less than an inch from her, “he better not be in the picture now.”
“And what if he is?”
The pink tip of her tongue moistened her lips. His gaze landed on a spot on her neck where her pulse bounded just below the surface. A groan of want escaped him as he pulled her against his half-naked body. Her pupils dilated in reaction to the sudden contact.
He watched her through half-lowered lids as he dipped his head to her. Her warm breath fanned his lips, sending his own heartbeat pounding through his body.
“Um, I need to go, Mason.” She breathed the words with little conviction behind them. “If I don’t, I may never leave the house again.”
“And that would be a bad thing?”
“No. Not if we lived in a fairy tale.” She stepped back, and a zing of disappointment raced through him. “But, we don’t. We live
in the real world, and things don’t always turn out as we want them to.”
“You’re right.” He hauled her close again and planted a chaste kiss that promised of better things to come, on her lips before stepping away. “They don’t turn out the way we want them to, we have to work on them.” He turned and headed back toward the bathroom. “Now get going, I have work to do.”
“Exasperating man.”
A slow grin spread over his mouth at her irritated tone.
Oh sweetheart, you haven’t seen nothing yet.
~&~
“What the hell are you doing you idiot?” Annie grumbled as she checked her rear view mirror for the fourth time since she’d spotted the dark colored car barreling up on her.
She edged toward the narrowing shoulder, and slowed her truck. The move gave the vehicle behind her a wide enough birth to pass on the narrow, two lane roadway.
Another quick glance in the mirror told her it had been for naught. The sedan was still glued tight to her bumper.
Blowing out an annoyed breath, she merged back onto the pavement, and accelerated back up to speed. A sheen of sweat popped out on her palms.
They were fast approaching a deadly set of s-curves. Hopefully the fool behind her had enough wits to maintain a safe distance.
A tremor raced through her as she pictured the steep drop-offs that lined the side of the road ahead. One wrong move and she would be a goner. It was times like these that she hated how far from town her parents lived.
Annie flicked a glance in the mirror again. The front bumper of the vehicle sat a miniscule distance off of the rear of her truck. The sign demarking the danger ahead whizzed by as the two vehicles raced at over the narrow pavement.
Annie’s glance shot ahead over the expanse of asphalt. The first of the three curves loomed ahead.
“Shit.” Fear gripped her stomach. “Slow down. Slow down or we’re never going to make it.”
Annie’s frightened words echoed in the silence of the cab. The sound of shrieking metal filled the air. Annie’s truck bucked and swayed like a two-ton rodeo bull on a Friday night.
Where There's Smoke: The Heroes of Hammonds Bend(Romantic Suspense) Page 12
