Benny smiled a genuine smile for the first time and finally relaxed. “I like you. You got more spunk than I thought you would.”
“There’s more to me than most people think, Mr. Parker.”
“I’m beginning to see that, Cece. And it’s Benny.”
The room upstairs grew quiet. Too quiet.
Cece stood and said from beside the heating register, “Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page. You may continue. I’m sure we won’t have any more interruptions. My granny’s dog knows if he keeps being a bad boy, I won’t let him stay with me anymore, no matter how much he whines.” She firmly snapped the register closed and returned to her seat.
“I had a dog once. Drove me nuts, but he was so cute I couldn’t help but let him get away with more than I should have.”
She could totally relate to the “driving her nuts” and “so cute” parts, but there was no way she intended to let her dog get away with anything. “Well, that’s why I don’t own a pet. Something tells me they are more trouble than they’re worth. Okay, back to you, Benny. You were saying something about being a big guy, owning the brewpub, and things getting a bit rowdy.”
“Right. Anyway, I’ve been trying to clean up my act. Make my pub a more respectable place with fewer fights breaking out. I kind of have a history with having a hard time managing my anger, especially when I drink, but I just can’t stand stupid people. Like that Mumfry Walker for instance.”
Cece perked up over the church janitor’s name. “What about Mr. Walker?”
“He’s an ornery son of a bitch. Oh, sorry, Sister. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
She didn’t bother to correct his use of “Sister” again, knowing that some habits were hard to break. “That’s okay, Benny. Please continue.”
“Well, he’s always coming in and grumbling about something. He’s ex-military and an avid hunter. Totally pro NRA—all that right to bear arms stuff. Last time I got in trouble was because he got drunk and got into it with Senator Sloan over his anti-gun stance and the stricter gun laws Sloan planned to push forward if reelected.”
“You got in trouble how?”
“You have to understand, I’m not originally from here. I’m from the streets of Boston, and I’ve seen too many deaths because of gun laws that weren’t strict enough. I was a Sloan supporter and hoped that change would finally come. Anyway, that night I had a bit too much to drink myself and decked Walker before he could assault the senator. Wrecked up my place pretty good.”
“What happened?”
“Guns were drawn and shots were fired. Cops got pissed. They arrested me and had to shut my place down. It’s not the first time. They’ve shut me down a few times because of the violence. They say this is my last warning. Next time something happens, they will shut me down for good before someone gets killed.”
“I see.”
“I can’t have that happen. My brother and I caused a lot of trouble when we were young. He didn’t make it, but I did. My father moved me here and worked himself to death to create a better life for me. The least I can do is pay him back by saving his legacy. And also, there’s this woman.”
Cece smiled kindly. “There usually is.”
“She kind of reminds me of you. It’s Millie Sherwood from Millie’s Diner, but she won’t give me the time of day. I come in every day for an early dinner before I open my pub. I know she likes me too. Everything was going great, and she was so close to saying yes to going out with me, but then I got in trouble again. I’m trying, Cece. I really am. It’s just hard. I promised her I would change my ways, but nothing I say works.”
Cece thought about what he said, and finally responded, “Actions speak louder than words. I think you need to show her you mean what you say through your actions. Learn to turn the other cheek when you feel anger coming on. And stop drinking when you’re at work. It doesn’t matter that you own the place. You need to set a good example for your employees,” she said calmly and matter-of-factly without the least hint of judgment.
Benny’s shoulders slumped a bit, but he took it like a man. “You’re right on the not drinking at work thing. It’s time I grew up, I guess. But as far as turning the other cheek, I’m not sure I can do it on my own.”
“Then I will show you how,” she said without having to even think about it.
“You would do that?” He looked amazed and hopeful and grateful all at once.
“I’ll do more than that. If you prove to me you’re serious about truly changing your ways, then I will put in a good word with you for Millie. I’d love to see her happy, and I kind of owe her for a favor she did for me recently.” Cece winked at him.
“Then it’s settled. I’ll pick you up at eight tonight.”
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
“We’re going to my pub, of course. You said you’d show me how to control my anger when I’m tested, and what better place than at the source of all my trouble?”
“What better place indeed?” She swallowed hard, having a sinking feeling that Benny would be “tested” in a big way once Detective Jackson found out what she was up to.
***
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Ace demanded the second Cece came upstairs from her clinic to her apartment.
“My job. What I want to know is just what you thought you were doing, eavesdropping on my confidential conversation, Detective? You really are a dog.” She arched an eyebrow at him and stepped around him into the apartment, loose strands of her gorgeous hair slipping from her bun. Damn, he wanted to pull out the pins and plunge his hands deep. What the hell was wrong with her? He ground his teeth. What the hell was wrong with him?
He grunted and followed her into the kitchen. “Someone took a shot at you in the senator’s barn, yet that didn’t stop you from going off half-cocked and infiltrating Woody’s on your own. If I hadn’t come along, you would have been in serious trouble, Sister Spanky. You really don’t see the danger you are in, do you, Cece?” He stood tall and intimidating, with his hands on his hips, towering over her.
She sucked in a tiny breath, and her lips parted slightly as she stared up at him with wide, innocent eyes. His gut twisted, but he held himself firm. She had to know how serious this situation really was. She wasn’t bulletproof, and he damn well couldn’t live with himself if anything happened to her.
She took a deep breath and shook off her haze, responding with, “I would have been fine, Detective. I am an adult and perfectly capable of taking care of myself. And for the record, I do realize the danger I am in. However, some things are worth our sacrifice if it comes to that. I owe the senator, and I am determined to pay my debt to the society I live in by helping steer them on the right path.”
“You’re really going to go to Benny’s Brewpub?”
“Yes,” she said without hesitation and fixed herself a tuna fish sandwich on whole wheat. “Want one?”
Oh, he wanted something, all right: to kiss her, throttle her, lock her in her bedroom, and make her his own. Unfortunately, none of that could happen. He blew out a heavy breath. “I could eat. And when you’re done with that, what time should I pick you up tonight?”
She stumbled while making his sandwich but didn’t say anything until she finished and handed it to him with a stiff smile. “That won’t be necessary. Benny is picking me up.”
“Not on my watch, darlin’.” Ace’s nose nearly touched hers as he added, “Tell him you’ll meet him there, or he really will be tested … by me.”
“Then I’ll see you at eight. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Some of us need to get ready in peace.”
***
After Ace left, Cece locked the door behind him, grabbed a throw pillow off her couch, and proceeded to scream into it as loud as she could.
The man was insufferable.
He made her so angry, yet he made her mouth water. Darnit, why did he have to be so appealing? It had to be because of the dreams she’d been having and the
fact that it had been a really long time since a man had done anything intimate to her whatsoever. She wasn’t a virgin. She was a normal, healthy, warm-blooded woman who knew what it was like to be made love to by a man. It had just been forever since that had happened.
But she also knew she couldn’t afford to get involved with Detective Alistair Jackson. The last thing she needed was a broken heart to cloud her judgment. She might be taking risks, but she wasn’t stupid. She knew she was in real danger, but she also knew she had to do the right thing, no matter the cost.
Cece knew this wasn’t a real date. Ace was simply accompanying her for her protection when she went on her mission to help Benny in his Brewpub tonight. And, well, Benny had to learn to get along with the local law enforcement if he planned to remain open and win over Millie’s heart. Even so, Cece had spent hours going through her closet, looking for something to wear.
She mostly owned skirts or slacks in blacks, grays, and browns for work; a couple pairs of jeans for sturdier tasks; and a warm-up suit for exercise. Add in sensible pajamas and seven pairs of practical undergarments and that pretty much made up her wardrobe. Up until now, she’d never had a need for entertainment and evening attire.
At least Benny’s Brewpub wasn’t fancy. She’d ended up choosing a pair of jeans that were a bit snugger than she remembered, with a long-sleeve black T-shirt and short black leather boots. She was about to pull her hair up into her standard bun when there was a knock on her door.
She jogged to the door and opened it to find Ace on the other side. Glancing at her watch, she smiled. “Right on time, Detective. I didn’t realize it was so late.”
He stared at her so intensely that she started to squirm. Finally, he cleared his throat. “You ready?”
“Just let me put my hair up first.”
He grabbed her arm to still her as she started to move. “Leave it. You look great.” His deep voice set off vibrations in her mid-section.
“I do?” She blinked.
He frowned. “Yeah, sure. And like you said, it’s getting late. We should go.” He stepped back to let her pass through.
“Okay, then.” She grabbed her wool coat off the hook and stepped through her door. “So do you, by the way.”
“I do what?” He cocked his head to the side.
“Look great too.” Her gaze ran down the long length of him from his green, long-sleeve, cotton shirt that hugged his biceps, to his brown leather bomber jacket and the faded jeans that showcased all of his assets, and came to rest on top of his brown leather cowboy boots.
When she realized what she was doing, her eyes snapped back up to meet his surprised yet slightly pleased and definitely troubled ones. She felt her cheeks flush pink, so she quickly led the way down the stairs to his truck, parked out front of her building on Main Street. In minutes, the detective joined her, but neither spoke until they reached their destination.
Benny’s Brewpub was a neat place: small but with a lot of rustic atmosphere. It wasn’t that far down the road from Millie’s Diner on Salvation Lane. Detective Jackson and Cece sat at the bar, with Benny behind the counter. Benny turned around and froze when he saw Ace.
“Sister.” He nodded slowly to Cece, giving her a look that said Seriously?, and she gave him a reassuring smile that said You can do this. He took a big breath and then turned to focus on Ace. “Evening, Detective. What can I get you?”
“I’ll have what you’re having. It’s bound to be good, right? Good and strong, that is. Still drinking on the job, Benny?”
Benny stiffened, giving Cece a pleading look. She gave him a stern look and very slightly shook her head no. Benny cracked his neck. “One water coming right up,” he said through clenched teeth, obviously choosing to ignore the jab.
Ace just stared at him with a half-smirk on his face and then glanced at Cece. She gave him a hard look that said, You make this hard for him; I’ll make things twice as hard for you. Ace lifted his hands palms up. Cece ignored him and focused on Benny.
“Water sounds wonderful, Benny. Thank you,” Cece said, and then covered his huge hand with her much smaller one as she added in a low voice, “I’m proud of you. You can do this, and I’ll be here right beside you all night long.”
Ace rolled his eyes and grumbled, “Better give me whatever you’ve got on tap to go with that water, Parker. I have a feeling I’m gonna need it.”
“Coming right up.” Benny beamed as though pleased as punch that he’d passed his first test and was also realizing that Ace was in much more trouble than he was at the moment.
Ace downed half his beer, and Cece sipped her water when she saw the church janitor, Mumfry Walker, come into the pub. “Oh, no,” she muttered under her breath, hoping he wouldn’t start anything with Benny. It was hard enough to keep Ace under control. The last thing she needed was a full-blown fight to break out.
“Oh, what?” the detective asked.
“Don’t look now, but Mumfry Walker just walked in.”
“Where?” Ace swiveled on his stool, scanning the establishment.
Cece smacked his arm. “I said not to look.”
“Relax, Sister. I could be looking for anyone.”
“How many times do I have to tell you I’m not a sister anymore?”
His gaze roamed over her heatedly. “Tonight you most definitely are. Because if you’re not, you might just find yourself in the confessional come morning.”
“Oh,” she said, not sure what she was feeling inside after hearing those words. She decided to focus on the investigation and finished with, “Okay then. Anyway, why do you think Walker would show his face in here again after what happened last time when Senator Sloan was here?”
“You’ve gotta be shittin’ me,” Benny growled, slamming his fist down on the bar and tensing as though he were about to pounce.
“Benny,” Cece’s voice was soft, but firm enough to penetrate Benny’s rage.
He focused on her. “But, Sister, you can’t expect me to—”
“I can … and I do.” Her eyes never left his. She had to be sure her message was getting through. “And so does Millie, I’m sure.”
He started taking deep breaths like she’d shown him how to do, for what felt like forever. “Fine,” he finally said. “What do I do? I don’t want him here.”
“The best way to beat him at his game is to find out what he’s up to, don’t you think?”
He thought about that. “I guess so. How do we do that?”
“We wait,” Ace interjected. “It goes to reason he wouldn’t want to step foot back in here after your last altercation either, so why did he? He must want to see someone in a bad way. The question is who and why.”
Benny stared at the detective with a newfound respect.
“I’m not out to get you, Benny. I’m just out to knock some sense into you.” Ace gave him a lopsided grin. “But I see the Sister’s touch is much more effective.”
“You could say that.” Benny grinned back.
Cece looked between the two and threw up her hands. “For the last time, it’s Cece.”
“Not tonight,” both men said in unison, then laughed and clinked glasses.
“I’ll watch the right side,” Ace said.
“I’ll take the left,” Benny responded.
“Report back if you see anything,” Ace ordered.
“Will do.” Benny saluted and then headed over to the other side of the bar.
“What just happened?” Cece asked.
“A truce of sorts. Isn’t that what you wanted?” Ace asked.
“I guess. I just didn’t think—”
“That’s your problem.” Ace downed the rest of his beer.
“What is?” Cece stared up at him, lips parted.
“You think too much.” Ace set his empty glass on the bar and grabbed her hand, saying, “Dance with me.” It wasn’t a question.
Cece felt her eyelashes fluttering wildly. How had she lost control of the situation so quickly? Ace led
her to the far corner of the dance floor on the right-hand side and then took her in his arms as a slow song began playing.
“What are we doing over here?” she asked in a whisper, her eyes darting around to make sure no one was watching.
“You really have been sheltered if you don’t know what dancing is.” A smile teased at the corners of his full lips, and his green eyes sparkled.
“Wow, you do have a sense of humor, Detective. Will wonders never cease?” She smiled back, feeling giddy all of a sudden. She hadn’t felt that in a decade, and it took a minute to realize she actually felt like she was on a real date. Too bad it wasn’t. She sighed out loud.
“What?” He smiled a sincere smile this time, looking inquisitive and way too handsome.
“It’s silly.” She bit her bottom lip, trying not to overthink things like he’d said.
“Try me.” He stared at her lips, and his voice sounded husky.
“Well, it’s been so long since, you know, I’ve been on a date.”
“A date?” His voice sounded strange.
Cece looked up at him. When her gaze met his, he dropped his eyes, and his heated gaze became glued to her lips.
“I know. Silly, right?” she finally said. “I mean it can’t be a date, because a date involves a certain amount of intimacy and intimacy involves …” She licked her lips, unable to speak the thoughts racing through her mind out loud. “I’m overthinking things again, so we should probably—”
He groaned seconds before he finished her thoughts for her—but not in words … in actions.
He tightened his arms around her, pulling her closer, and then his head swooped down to hers. His lips were firm as they pressed against hers. She didn’t hesitate, through with thinking for the moment. She just stepped on his boots with her own and then snaked her arms around his neck to get closer to him, like in her dreams.
He flattened his palms on her back, plunging one up into her hair to cradle the back of her skull and the other down low to cup the curve of her fanny and squeeze, drawing her into his obvious arousal. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him. This was crazy. This was a bad idea. This was amazing. …
Kicking the Habit Page 11
