“Okay,” Rick conceded with a chuckle. “I see your point. But when I finally let you out, you looked like you might not do violence. I think you might have even smiled once or twice. With breathtaking results, I might add.”
Laura would give him one thing. The man was smooth. Not overly so, or in a creepy kind of way either. Rick seemed genuine. The real deal. “Good one.” She laughed. “That kind of talk might get you somewhere with most women, but I’m immune to such charms.” She held up her left hand and dramatically removed the ring she’d purposely put on that morning to celebrate her divorce by taking it off as she walked out of the courtroom. “I’ve sworn off men. Thinking about something drastic like swearing an oath of celibacy.”
Balori shuddered. “Bite your tongue. That sounds like torture to me. In fact, don’t even joke about it!” She eyed Rick up and down. “What do you say, Officer Carver? If Laura isn’t interested”—she winked at him—“you and I could make a go of it.”
Rick laughed, winking back at Laura. “Thanks, Councilor, but I think I’ll pass. I’ve got taxes to finish getting together to take to my accountant and probably won’t have time for much else.”
Balori wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know whether to be insulted or feel sorry for you. I will hope you’re using Laura’s accounting services. At least I won’t have to worry about seeing you as a client when you’re in trouble with the IRS.”
“Of course,” he answered. Laura felt his emerald gaze like a physical caress as it landed on her and she shivered. “She already knows what she’s in for. But, for the record, I made sure my receipts were in chronological order.”
“Lord help me. Like that will help.” Laura sighed dramatically.
“So this is why you didn’t ask for more than you did.” Carl Meadows, Laura’s now ex-husband, fumed as he exited the courtroom along with his lawyer. The other man put a restraining hand on Carl’s. “I don’t know why you threw such a fit when you were having an affair yourself.”
Ever protective of her client, Balori stepped in front of Laura. “This fight is over, Mr. Meadows. If you have anything to say to us, I suggest you use your lawyer.”
“It certainly is not!” Carl was red in the face, his thick head of white-blond hair standing out starkly against his skin, which was now ruddy with anger. “If you think I’m giving you one cent of my money, you can think again!”
“You’ll pay what the court orders,” Balori said, stepping forward, separating Carl from Laura even more. “If you want to fight it, I’ll be there to make sure you lose.”
“I don’t want your money, Carl,” Laura said quietly. “I just want you out of my life.”
Carl stabbed a finger in the air in her direction. “You married me for life, Laura. So much for your high-and-mighty morals. Weren’t you the one who pointed out that those vows were sacred? Didn’t one of them say ‘til death do us part’?”
“You gave up the right to use that card to keep her when you had sex with Linda Lawson in the same bed you shared with Laura,” Balori snapped. “Trust me. You do not want to go there, Carl.”
“I don’t give up what’s mine.” The look on Carl’s face made Laura shiver. She’d been married to the man for three years and had seen that look on several occasions. Usually right before he closed a particularly rough deal by playing dirty with whatever stood in the way of his progress. If she’d learned anything about her ex-husband, other than the fact he was a cheating prick, it was that he was ruthless when he wanted something.
“I’m not yours, Carl. You gave up the right to call me that when you had an affair with my best friend.” Laura tried to keep her voice from shaking, but she was more than a little afraid. And angry. The combination made it hard to remain steady.
Then, Rick was in front of her, pushing Balori gently aside and behind him. “If there’s going to be a problem, I’m going to have to insist you leave. Rick Carver, KSP.” He didn’t raise his voice as he flashed his badge, but there was a raw authority Laura would challenge anyone to defy. Well, that, and he stood head and shoulders above Carl with a body of solid muscle. Even if Carl thought he might defeat Rick in a contest of wills, there was no doubt who’d win a physical confrontation. To Laura’s satisfaction, Carl took a step back even as he raised his chin defiantly.
Carl didn’t acknowledge Rick directly. Instead, he glanced at Laura before turning to leave. “This isn’t over, Laura. Not by a long shot.”
Chapter Three
If there was one thing Rick Carver could never stand, it was a bully. Carl Meadows smacked too much of “bully” to Rick. He’d also seen that look in a man’s eye before. Carl would definitely cause more trouble for Laura.
“That really wasn’t necessary,” Laura said softly. “I can handle him.”
He glanced at Laura, flashing her a grin he hoped looked genuine. In reality, his instincts for battle were stirring. “You shouldn’t have to handle him. He should obey your wishes and leave you alone.”
“He will,” she said with a shrug. “He’s just angry because the judge is making him pay alimony. Once he appeals and I don’t contest, he’ll get over it.”
“Do you really think so, Laura?” Balori asked the question quietly. The woman obviously had good instincts as well. “Because I’m not so certain. I didn’t say anything before, but Carl worries me.”
“He’s not harmless, but he’ll leave me alone. He’s got Linda to occupy him now. Given what I saw on the videos he had, I’m willing to bet he’ll forget me quickly enough.” She tried to smile, but Rick saw the flash of hurt before she masked it.
“Come on,” he said, feeling uncomfortable. It was an unusual sensation for him. Especially where women were concerned. “How about I treat you two lovely ladies to lunch?”
“I have another case, but you two go ahead,” Balori said, casting Rick a covert look as she urged Laura to go with him. “If Rick’s bringing his taxes to you and his receipts are organized according to a man’s standards, it would be the perfect opportunity to give him a few pointers.”
“Thanks, but I’m really not hungry.”
“I’m afraid I have to insist,” Rick said, taking his cue from Balori who kept giving him a stern look while jerking her head toward the door. Obviously, she wanted him to force the issue. “I am in desperate need of your assistance, and the way I see it, you owe me one for not giving you that ticket.” Again, he tried to look friendly and engaging when all he wanted to do was follow Carl outside and make sure he understood he was never to bother Laura again.
With a sigh, Laura capitulated. “Fine. But I’m buying. If this is business, then lunch would be tax deductible.”
Rick couldn’t help the genuine laugh. “How about we discuss that over lunch as well.”
“Why do I have the feeling your ‘discussion’ is only going to serve to distract me while you pay for it anyway?”
“Probably because you’re an intelligent woman who knows how the human male works.”
“Considering how we met, I would have to disagree with that statement.” Her muttered comment spoke volumes as to the depth of her pain. Carl Meadows had not only broken her heart, but breached a trust Rick feared Laura might never find again. Not only her husband, but her best friend as well. How did one recover from something like that?
Well, it was a good thing he was only interested in her as a friend. He wanted to help her heal because she seemed like a really nice person. Not because he found her perfect, dark skin particularly attractive to him. Or because the dark golden color of her eyes beckoned him on some primitive level he didn’t understand. Or because she had the exact type of body he loved on a woman, all curvy and soft looking.
He shook himself. Nope. Not at all interested in anything but friendship with an interesting, beautiful woman.
The women took the lead, heading out of the courthouse and into the parking lot. Rick followed behind them, a silent guarding shadow. Balori waved as she climbed into her BMW while Laura hea
ded to a more sedate small SUV Toyota, Rick in tow.
“Did you have a particular place in mind?” Rick waited until she’d unlocked her door to speak. By that time, he’d closed in behind her, trapping her body between his and the car door. Naturally, she jumped, giving a little squeak.
“Don’t do that!” She turned, batting his chest with her tiny hand. Of course, Rick had to capture those delicate fingers and hold them close. It would have been illegal not to.
“Do what?”
“Sneak up on me. You nearly frightened me to death.” Her eyes were wide as she gazed into his. The dark amber orbs seemed to sparkle, wide from her startlement.
He grinned, which probably looked more than a little wolfish. “You knew I was following you. It shouldn’t have been a surprise I was still here.”
“Well, I thought you went with Balori.”
“Why would I do that? She told us she had another case. Besides, why settle for Balori when I could spend my time with you?”
Her smile was genuine. “You think you’re so smooth, Officer Rick Carver. But I have news for you. You’re not nearly as charming as you like to believe.”
Catching her gaze and holding it for a moment, Rick let the full weight of his interest wash over her. And there was no way she didn’t see that interest in his eyes. “Yes. I am.” He raised an eyebrow. “Steak or pasta?”
Laura blinked several times, probably trying to decide if he was for real or not. “Uh, pasta,” she finally replied, if a bit breathlessly. Good. She understood he meant to woo her. “But I have to insist we keep this strictly professional.”
Rick raised an eyebrow. “Of course. For now.”
***
How the hell had this happened? Laura found herself being helped into her chair by a devastatingly handsome man when she’d only just gotten rid of another man. Up until she’d met Rick, Carl had been one of the most attractive men she’d ever seen. Maybe it was the turn his character had taken in her eyes or maybe it was simple reality, but looking at Rick, Laura wondered what in the world she’d ever seen in Carl. Rick was the kind of man who took time to help a complete stranger come back to her sanity. Carl had been the man to nearly rob her of that sanity in the first place. Looking back, she had to wonder why. He so wasn’t worth it.
So now, as she ordered her chicken Alfredo, she snuck covert glances at her dining partner for the afternoon. Still in his uniform, his arms were barely contained by the short, gray sleeves that seemed to have no give to them. Broad shoulders and massive chest further strained the material, but he didn’t seem to notice. One muscular thigh brushed against her leg and a shiver went through her. No. Shiver wasn’t the right word. It was as if he shocked her with his touch, like a little zing of electricity passed from him to her.
Laura chanced another look at Rick and found those intense green eyes of his boring into her. For several moments, there was no one, nothing in the world but the two of them. Her breath caught, heart racing out of control.
Summoning all her control, Laura pulled her gaze from his. A little growl came from his direction, but she refused to look at him, instead concentrating on her meal.
“So…” Rick cleared his throat. “Taxes.” He pulled out a brown expandable folder and laid it on the table. “That’s all of it. I tried to organize it for you, but, I’ll admit, it may still be a mess. Accounting really isn’t my strong suit.” His grin said he knew it was a mess and he would be waiting for her call. Counting on it, even.
“I’m sure it’s fine.” It was hard to find her voice with her awareness of him. When had he ceased to be a faceless cop who was only doing his job to a flesh-and-blood man she found herself almost uncontrollably attracted to?
“You’ll be sure to let me know if it’s not.”
“Absolutely.” Yep. He knew she’d be calling him. This could get tricky. Did she really want another man in her life this soon? Ever?
“I’m making you uncomfortable,” he stated, grinning when she glanced up sharply at him.
“No. I’m just hungry. The meal is very good.”
He chuckled, letting her know he wasn’t buying it. “There’s really nothing to be worried about. I was fully investigated by the KSP before they hired me. No skeletons in my closet. Hell, my last job before this was in the Marines. Retired with honors including a purple heart from Iraq.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Wanna see my scar?”
“You’ve lost your mind!” Despite her outrage, Laura couldn’t help but giggle. The man seemed to know every way there was to coax her out of a bad humor. He got around her defenses so easily. Just like the first night they’d met all those months ago.
“My brothers tell me chicks love scars.” He shrugged. “I take it they were wrong?”
“I’m not looking at your scar.” Laura picked up the folder and peered inside. The mass of papers secured with rubber bands and paper clips nearly gave her hives. She quickly shut the folder and glanced up at his grinning face.
“You sure you don’t wanna see my scar?”
Chapter Four
“Okay. I give up. You’ve really managed to kill me.” Hearing Laura’s sweet voice on the other end of the phone the next afternoon really shouldn’t have stirred Rick to life, but there it was. Just that one little sound put him on edge, made him want to wrap his arms around her and see where it led.
“I beg your pardon? I’m sure I haven’t laid a finger on you.”
“Your taxes! How in the world am I supposed to make any sense out of this mess? I thought you organized them.”
“I said I’d tried to organize them. I even told you they were probably still a mess.”
“Yes, but I honestly didn’t think you were serious. I mean, aren’t you Marines supposed to be the most organized men in the world?”
“Well, ‘organized’ and ‘men’ don’t usually go in the same sentence, but as far as men go, I supposed a United States Marine is pretty well organized.”
Laura snorted. “Except you.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to! This bundle of paper you gave me proved it for you!”
“Hm,” he said, pretending to be deep in thought when this had been his plan all along. “I tell you what. I might be able to see if I have a spreadsheet somewhere that might make it a little easier.”
There was a small silence before she said, “Oh, really. And why do I have the feeling this is going to cost me? It’s your taxes. And this is a freebie.”
“It’s not a freebie. It’s in sincere gratitude for me not hauling your ass to jail.”
“Officer Carver! Are you saying you took a bribe?”
“Only because I hate math and you’re obviously good at it. I look at it more like you took mercy on my poor, inadequate numerical skills.”
She laughed, the sound lyrical in a way Rick never knew existed. The sound seemed to coil around his heart and squeeze. “Fine. Name your terms.”
“A movie. Tonight.”
“A date?”
“Call it two people enjoying each other’s company. What do you say?”
With a long sigh, Laura gave in to him. “Fine. But I want extra butter on my popcorn.”
“You got it, honey. I’ll pick you up at eight.”
“You don’t even know where I live.” She sounded happy despite having just being maneuvered into a date she probably didn’t really want.
“I have connections. If I can’t find the place, I’ll give you a call.”
“I just moved in here the other day. You can’t possibly be that well connected.”
“I’m connected enough to know your lodging is of the extremely temporary sort,” Rick responded smugly.
"Rick!"
"Oh, alright," he said with a laugh. "I called your lawyer, Balori. She was only too happy to give me information."
"I may have to rethink that friendship," Laura laughed. "I can't believe you went hunting information on me. Why do I have the feeling you’ve
been planning this for a while?”
“I’m a Marine, baby. We are always thinking a couple steps ahead of the game.”
Again, there was a short silence; this time, he got the feeling her mood was changing. “Is that what all this is? A game?”
Rick sighed. This woman was definitely skittish. Apparently, the blow delivered by her ex and best friend faded very hard indeed. “Let me just say that, if it were, I play to win. The ultimate prize. Trust me, Laura. I have no intentions of breaking your heart. In my book, earning your trust enough for you to surrender your heart willingly is the ultimate goal. In the process, I have just as much to lose as you do.”
“So, this isn’t a case of a one-night fling then we move on?”
“Not in my book,” he answered without hesitation. “I want a chance to get to know the woman who had the nerve to tell a Kentucky State Police Officer to just ‘give me the fucking ticket so I can go.’ That woman turned me on in ways I can’t even begin to describe to you.”
Rick heard her sudden intake of breath and wondered if he’d gone too far. Given all she’d been through, it was important for him to be honest with her from the very beginning. Still, maybe TMI was TMI no matter the situation.
She cleared her throat. “Well. When you put it that way. I’ll be waiting for you at eight then. A movie in exchange for your organized spreadsheet.”
“Just how skittish are you, Laura?”
“Very. So keep that in mind.” And she ended the call.
As if he could forget. Laura was obviously a strong woman, but when it came to her heart, she was in a very fragile state. As a result, Rick was determined to make this date as positive an experience as possible.
Naturally, that goal made him more nervous than he’d ever been over a date. Why, he wasn’t sure. Only that something about Laura made him believe she was special, that she was one woman he couldn’t afford to let slip through his fingers. By the time he knocked on her door, he was a mess of nerves.
Then Laura opened the door and Rick’s breath refused to come.
A Hero To Trust In Me Page 2
