Strip Tease

by Karen Erickson

  “So what happened next?”

  “A.J. went inside to confront Billy. I was supposed to follow him in a few minutes later but I got stopped by one of Billy’s creeps who gave me a bunch of shit. I heard the shot just as I walked through the front door. Billy pulled the gun on A.J. when he turned around, shooting him in the back. He couldn’t even face him like a man.” Nate shook his head, all of the old memories tumbling back into his mind. “Billy got off on a technicality.”

  “So he was tried and not convicted?”

  “No, there wasn’t enough evidence. He’d hired a real slime ball for a lawyer, the guy was a snake. He found some sort of loophole in the system and got Diaz off. Besides the fact that Diaz had a witness who said he was with him the entire night.” Nate paused, remembering the smug look Billy shot the TV cameras when the case was dismissed. He’d been at home, watching the news and the rage that had filled him had been overwhelming. Even though he’d already known what happened, had been there to witness the travesty to justice. “I promised then I would get him someday. For A.J.’s sake.”

  “Oh, Nate, that’s awful. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s all right. It was a long time ago.” He still had nightmares. Waking up in the middle of the night, screaming A.J.’s name. He’d relived that moment over and over again. How he found his partner and close friend lying in a pool of his own blood. How he had to go to the house and tell A.J.’s pregnant wife her husband was dead.

  One of the hardest moments in his entire life.

  He still went and visited Leslie as often as he could, which wasn’t often enough. He enjoyed playing with his now three year old godson. Little A.J. was the light of his mama’s life.

  “No wonder you want to get him so bad. He’s affected your life in one of the worst ways possible.”

  He lay there silently, trailing his fingers up and down her arm. He’d been pursuing Diaz with a burning anger ever since. The anger had consumed him and turned him into a not so pleasant person to be around sometimes.

  Hell, most of the time.

  Funny how his attitude had changed, softened a little bit since he met Janelle. He was still intent on capturing Billy and bringing A.J. the justice he deserved, but he didn’t feel as consumed with it. He thought about other things.

  Like how soft and sweet Janelle was in his arms. How good she tasted. How unbelievable it felt to be buried deep inside her.

  He squeezed her tight, settling her firmly against him. She snaked her leg out, wrapped it around his thighs and his cock went on high alert, hardening immediately.

  “You’re insatiable,” she murmured, humor lacing her voice.

  “Only because you’re a tease.”

  “I am not.” She tugged on his chest hair, making him yelp.

  “Ouch.” He rubbed his chest.

  “You deserved it.”

  He liked the way they could lighten the moment after such a heavy discussion. He liked everything about this woman—except for the fact that she was connected to Ginger.

  And that was a huge obstacle to overcome.

  “I guess I did. I’m bad.” Forgetting his troubles, Nate rolled over, hovering above her with a grin on his face. “I should be punished.”

  Janelle smiled, arching her lower body against his. “I have a feeling my idea of punishment and your idea of punishment is two different things.”

  “They might be closer than you think.”

  He kissed her, losing himself in her arms, in her mouth.

  It was easier to do than face the truth.

  Chapter Six

  “Are you all right Janelle? You seem distracted.”

  Janelle nodded, pushed a stray hair out of her eyes. She smiled at Marnie, inwardly upset she let her boss see how foolish she was. Letting a man occupy her thoughts when she should be focused on her work wasn’t good. “I’m fine, sorry. Just tired.”

  Marnie smiled in return. “You’ve been working so hard lately, of course you’re tired. You should leave early this afternoon, go have some quality me time.”

  “But don’t you need my help?”

  “With all of your efficiency these last few days, I think we have a much better handle on this event than we did last year at this time. I think you’ve earned an afternoon off.” Marnie snapped her notebook shut, then checked her cell phone, which rested by her elbow. “Sometimes we all need to escape from life and forget our troubles.”

  “What do you do to forget?” Janelle would love to be able to forget her troubles but they’d multiplied by about one hundred thousand since she had mind blowing sex with Nate last night.

  God, could she have done anything stupider than fall into bed with the sexy detective?

  No, she really didn’t think so.

  “Oh, sometimes I go to the bookstore and browse the magazines. Especially the travel or home improvement ones because with those I can daydream. Or I’ll go do a little retail therapy and look around some of my favorite shops, maybe haunt the mall. I don’t know, I just try and slow down my normally hurried pace and relax for a bit. And I definitely think you need to do that. Relax, let your mind wander. You’ve been awfully focused lately.”

  “I want to do a good job for this fund raiser, Marnie. I want everything to be flawless.” Janelle worried her lower lip, looking over her to do list for what felt like the millionth time. Marnie was right, most everything that needed to be done up to this point was handled. The remaining items on the list couldn’t be taken care of until they got closer to the date.

  Marnie laughed. “These events are never completely flawless, let me tell you. There’s always some sort of screw up like the lighting company not showing up until two hours before the show, or one of the models broke her foot right as she’s going onto the runway. Trust me, I’ve seen it all.”

  “Gosh, I would freak out if any of that happened. Did they really? What did you do?”

  “Yes they did actually happen. What could we do?” Marnie shrugged. “These are things out of our control. We have to roll with the punches, find a quick solution and move on.”

  The idea alone of anything crazy happening on the night of the Passion for Fashion event made Janelle want to break out in a cold sweat. She did not want to disappoint her boss. This was her moment to shine. She’d be devastated if it was ruined in any way.

  “Janelle sweetie, seriously.” Marnie’s hand rested over hers. “You need to calm down, take a chill pill. I can see the panic in your eyes and the event is still a ways away. Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine.”

  Janelle took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She was being ridiculous, she knew it. Overreacting because she didn’t want to face the truth of what was really happening in her life. She didn’t want to think about Nathan Banks and what she was going to do.

  What could she do? Ignore him? Pretend what happened between them last night never happened? Sure, it sounded easy.

  But the reality was, not so much. The sex between them had been amazing, though she didn’t want to admit it. He’d been so caring, so sweet, then rough and sexy just when she needed him to be.

  Nate had been almost...perfect. And she’d never been able to say that about any guy she’d slept with before.

  “I think I will take you up on the afternoon off offer, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course, I don’t mind. I’ll get someone to cover the phones and you go ahead. It’ll do you some good.”

  “More than anything, I want a nap. Sleep sounds the most relaxing to me right now.” Janelle stood, pushed her chair back under the table. They’d met in the company conference room to discuss the plans for the event.

  “Do whatever it takes to refresh you, Janelle. Everything will be waiting for you here in the morning. See you tomorrow.”

  Janelle left work minutes later, unable to push the away the guilt that swamped her. Since she started working at the agency, she’d never taken one sick day, had never arrived late and certainly never left early.
This was a major moment.

  Of course, maybe it had been a mistake, leaving hours before she was normally off. Now she was alone with her thoughts, all of which focused on the delectable Nate.

  A shiver moved through her as she climbed into her car. The man had magic hands, magic fingers, magic lips. Magic everything. He’d been able to bring her to climax in minutes, over and over again, until she thought she couldn’t come anymore. They’d literally gone at it all night long. The man had been insatiable.

  She’d been just as bad. Worse. It was almost embarrassing, how eager she’d been for him, for his touch, his kisses…

  Tugging on her car door, she gasped when it didn’t budge. A shadow loomed over her and she glanced up. A broad shouldered man stood beside her car, the sun shining behind him, casting his body in shadow so she couldn’t make out his features.

  “Seen Ginger lately?” His voice was pitched low, very rough and a foreboding shiver moved through her.

  “Who are you?” She jerked on the door handle but it wouldn’t budge. The man had a firm hold against her car door and he didn’t look like he was going anywhere soon.

  “Doesn’t matter. Answer the question, Janelle.”

  Ah God, he knows my name. He knows exactly who I am. “I haven’t seen her in weeks. I have no idea where she is.”

  “You so sure about that?” The man cocked his head, moving in closer and she scooted away. He smelled like foul body odor and stale cigarettes. “I’ve heard you two are real close, being identical sisters and all.”

  Janelle shook her head, panic clawing at her throat. God, what the hell had Ginger gotten herself into? “I haven’t seen her,” she said firmly. “And she won’t return my calls.”

  It was all true. Minus the fact Ginger had called her recently, though it hadn’t been much to count. Even to this schmuck.

  “Well, you be sure and give her this message from Billy Diaz. He needs to talk to her. Pronto. You understand?”

  Janelle’s head jerked in response and she tried to contain the full bodied tremble that threatened. “I’ll let her know.”

  The slimy man slapped her door twice, shot her a creepy leer and then pushed away from the car, sauntering across the parking lot as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

  Slamming her door shut, she started the car with quaking fingers, cursed herself for letting the horrible man get to her. Anger simmered through her veins and she tore out of the parking lot, eager to get home and away from all of her newfound stress.

  Damn her sister for being such a fool and for putting Janelle in such a risky situation. All she’d ever wanted was a normal life, to work hard and eventually find a nice man to settle down with.

  Now she had a punk thug harassing her, a cop who made her panties melt with one glance and a sister who was on the run from her criminal boyfriend.

  Just. Flippin’. Great.

  She drove home in record time, constantly peering in her review mirror, afraid she’d find someone following her. Just like a stupid TV movie. Thank God she didn’t see anyone. The second she pulled into the parking spot at her apartment, she tore out of her car like the dogs from hell were nipping at her heels. She hurried up the stairs, stabbed her key into the lock and turned it, slamming the door behind her and locked it with a firm twist.

  Slumping against the door, she bumped her head against it, closing her eyes. She was exhausted. She was scared.

  Funny how the first thing she wanted to do was call Nate and ask him to come over. As if she needed him to make her feel safe.

  He was working. And they agreed they wouldn’t see each other unless it had to do with Ginger and his investigation.

  This did, the evil little voice inside her brain whispered. One of Billy Diaz’s henchmen threatened you, told you specifically he was looking for Ginger. Nate would want to know. You need to call him.

  Pushing from the door, she went for the phone, grabbing his business card that rested on the kitchen counter. She dialed his cell phone number and listened as it rang, hoping against hope she’d get his voice mail so she’d have to leave a message.

  She didn’t know if she’d be able to stand talking to him.

  His rich, sexy voice answered on the fourth ring. “Banks.”

  “Nate?” She clutched the phone tight, her entire body reacting to this voice. He sounded rushed, irritated and the last thing she wanted was to bother him.

  “Janelle, hey. Are you all right?” His voice took on a hushed quality, full of concern and her heart warmed.

  “Um, not really. Something happened in the parking lot when I was leaving work.”

  “What?” His tone sharpened, the concern taking on an edgy sound. “Tell me.”

  She paused, closing her eyes for a moment and breathed deep. It felt good to talk to him, to hear the worry in his voice. How she wanted to fool herself into believing he cared for her.

  “This strange man approached my car as I was about to leave. He asked about Ginger. He threatened me and demanded to know where she was.”

  “Shit, you’re kidding.”

  “I wish.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “What could I tell him? I haven’t talked to her or seen her in weeks. I have no idea where Ginger is.”

  “Where are you right now?”

  “My apartment. My boss let me take the afternoon off. The guy must’ve been waiting for me in the parking lot.”

  “Stay put, I’ll be right there.”

  “Oh Nate, you don’t have to do that.”

  “Too late, I am. Don’t leave. Wait for me. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” He hung up.

  Pushing the end button on her phone, she set it on the countertop, her stomach fluttering in anticipation.

  Damn it, she was behaving like an idiot. She should be scared out of her mind, thankful Nate was coming over. Instead, she was excited at seeing him again.

  Would it be hard to look at him and imagine what he looked like last night as he drove himself inside her? How he tasted when he kissed her? The way he woke her at five this morning, his head buried between her legs, his tongue lapping at her until she came yet again?

  She needed to stop torturing herself. This was going to be hard, but she’d known what she was getting into the minute she kissed him last night. More than anything, she needed to get over it. What was done was done.

  Like a fool, she allowed her emotions into the situation. Something she promised she wouldn’t do.

  God, she was an idiot.

  Nate knocked on her door in record time, a mere ten minutes after he hung up. She opened the door to find him standing there, hands shoved deep inside his pants’ pockets, his expression and stance grim.

  He looked gorgeous. A faint breeze ruffled his dark hair, causing an errant lock to drift across his forehead. His burnished skin appeared even darker, contrasting against his white button up shirt and his hair dusted forearms were exposed by rolled-up sleeves. She was faint at the sight of him.

  “Can I come in?”

  The sound of his voice was even worse. Deep and sexy and skittering across her nerve endings. She didn’t know if she could stand it, having him so close.

  Opening the door wider, she stepped aside and he strode within, turning to face her as she shut the door. “Was it Billy who threatened you?”

  “No, of course not. I’ve met Billy before. This guy was definitely not him. But he works for him, or at least that’s what he said. He was gross, he smelled terrible.” She shivered at the memory.

  Nate paced the living room, whipping out a small notebook from his back pants’ pocket. “Can you describe him for me? Try to get as close as you can remember.”

  Doing as best she could, she tried to remember every detail. She hadn’t been able to see much, what with the way he stood in front of the sun, casting himself in shadow. She was sure he did that little trick on purpose. Nate seemed satisfied with her description though, snapping his notebook shut when she finished.


  “I’ll call it in, let my partner know this guy is out there. Maybe Greg could look for him in the vicinity surrounding your workplace.”

  She frowned. Nate had a partner? He sure didn’t mention him much. “I didn’t realize you had a partner.”

  Nate shrugged, guilt flashing in his eyes. “I’ve been working on my own some nights.”

  “Oh.” Odd. She had a feeling that wasn’t following protocol. “Well, I’m sure the guy is long gone. He didn’t seem the type who’d stick around.”

  “You never know. He might be trying to sniff out some more personal information about you. He might be back at Billy’s club. I’m going there later. See if I can find him.”

  “Okay, thanks.” She didn’t know what else to say, what to do.

  “I’m glad you called.” His voice softened and he took a step toward her, his hand reaching out as if to touch her.

  But then it fell away, his arm hanging awkwardly at his side. His expression shuttered closed.

  Who was she kidding, that this would be easy? That they could forget it all and continue as if nothing happened? It was unsettling, being with him alone. In her apartment. She was tempted to jump him, tear his clothes off and have her wicked way with him for the rest of the afternoon.

  Yeah, this wasn’t easy.

  “You shouldn’t be alone.” His voice was firm, his jaw set in grim determination.

  “What, you want to have a personal bodyguard following me until we find Ginger? I don’t think so. How am I going to explain that to my boss? ‘Oh, don’t mind him, he’s just some guy following me until my strung out sister is found and her mob boss boyfriend is in jail’.” Janelle shook her head.

  “Billy Diaz isn’t part of the mob.”

  “Oh, whatever.” She threw her hands in the air, frustrated. “I can’t believe this is happening, you know? I’m trying to lead a normal life, working hard, trying to get ahead and Ginger still comes along and screws everything up. This is the way it’s been my entire life.”

  Nate frowned. “I can’t let you wander around alone, knowing that guy is probably following you.” Running a hand along his jaw, he looked away. “Maybe I could put a discreet tail on you. Have someone watch your work, follow your car, keep watch here at your apartment.”