“Oh, I do this thing….”
“La, la,la … I’m gone.” Mike plugged his ears as he hurried out of the house. When he got next to his car, he heard Sandy yell from the doorway.
“I’ll give Billie a call and tell her about that thing.” Sandy wiggled her fingers when he glared at her.
Mike pulled into the driveway of the Carters. He did his best not to be too early but it was six thirty, and he honestly couldn’t wait to see Billie. So, with a red rose on the front seat of his car he glanced toward the house. Billie was in the window, and she took his breath away.
He’d been so mesmerized by her that he left the flower in the car. Before he had a chance to knock Matt pulled open the door. His face was unreadable, and for a moment Mike thought something was wrong.
“Remember what I told you,” Matt growled and if Mike hadn’t seen the slight quirk of his lips he’d have thought Matt had changed his opinion.
“You do know my uncle is a third-degree black belt and has taught all of us Karate. I also have four brothers and the same uncle that are police officers?” Mike rested his shoulder against the door jamb.
“No, I didn’t know that, but you hurt my sister, and I won’t care.” Matt chuckled as he moved so Mike could enter the house. He slapped Mike on the back and led him into the living room.
“It’s so good to see you, Michael,” her mom wrapped Mike up in a hug.
“Nice to see you too, Mrs. Carter.” Mike wasn’t the least bit uncomfortable with Mrs. Carter’s hug.
“Hi, Mike.” Billie smiled and as if by magic everything else faded into the background. Mike barely registered Marg kissing his cheek. All he knew was the most beautiful woman in the world stood in front of him.
“What a welcome. A threat from your brother and a hug from your mom.” Mike chuckled and moved slowly toward her. “But just a hi from you.”
“This is the first date; you don’t expect anything else, do you?” Billie laughed.
“I’m not going to answer that. Are you ready to go?” He didn’t expect anything, but he did want more with her. A lot more.
“Yes.” She smiled and allowed him to lead her out to the car.
Billie didn’t seem the least bit surprised when Mike opened the door for her or that there was a rose waiting on the seat for her. At least she didn’t show it.
On the drive to the restaurant, they made small talk. Billie told him they’d be telling Chloe over the weekend that Matt was her father. They also wanted to get his name added to the little girl’s birth certificate. Mike quickly offered to help them with it.
The restaurant was quiet. Probably because it was a Tuesday evening. The waitress sat them at a table in the corner with the view of St. John’s harbor, but that probably had more to do with Mike’s call earlier that day.
“I’ve never been here before,” Billie said as he helped her off with her jacket. He almost swallowed his tongue when he saw what she was wearing under it.
The white sleeveless blouse stood out against her caramel skin. She wore jeans that hugged her hips and ass and accentuated her tiny waist. His cock hardened instantly as he pulled out her chair.
“You're a real gentleman, aren’t you?” Billie smiled as he sat across from her.
“I try to be, but that outfit is making it difficult to remember that.” Mike took her hand and kissed her palm.
“What’s wrong with my outfit?” She met his gaze, and his stomach did a flip-flop.
“Not a damn thing. You’re stunning.” Mike didn’t notice the young waitress next to the table until she cleared her throat. Billie hypnotized him.
“I’m sorry to interrupt but would you like something to drink before you order?” Mike tore his gaze away from Billie to look up.
“I’ll just have a beer. What would you like, sweetheart?” Mike glanced at Billie and didn’t miss the little shiver when he used the endearment.
“I’ll have the same.” She gave the waitress a sweet smile and then brought her eyes back to him.
Mike heard the waitress say something, but he was already under Billie’s spell again. He could just sit there and stare into her eyes all night, but when her eyes flicked down to his lips, his dick jerked. Kissing would be a better way to spend the night or touching or …
He needed to stop where that train of thought was going before the zipper on his jeans made a permanent imprint on his member.
“You take my breath away.” Mike kissed her wrist and felt the goosebumps rise on her skin.
“How many girls have fallen for that little line.” Billie giggled.
“I don’t use lines, Sweetheart. I’m honest and straightforward, and when I say you take my breath away, I mean it.” Mike was practically leaning across the table when the waitress returned with their beer.
“Are you ready to order?” She asked.
“We haven’t looked at the menu yet. Can you give us a few minutes?” Mike pulled back but kept Billie’s hand in his. The waitress disappeared again, and Mike sighed.
“I think we better order.” Billie picked up her menu and pulled her hand from his.
Mike wasn’t surprised when Billie ordered a steak and house salad. The night they met she’d told him she wasn’t one of those women who ate like a bird. It was sexy as hell to him. He liked that she felt comfortable enough with him to eat like normal people. Most women would order a small salad and eat half of it. It always bothered him when women would do that and then reach over and grab fries off his plate.
When their plates had been cleared away, and they’d declined dessert. The waitress brought them both coffee. They talked about their families and growing up. She’d admitted that she always wanted to live someplace outside the city and he knew exactly why. He might have been born and raised in Hopedale, but he spent more than ten years in the city. Between Toronto and St. John’s, he’d had his fill of city living. For the life of him, he couldn’t remember why he’d ever wanted to leave Hopedale in the first place.
“Maybe this weekend you can come to my place, and I’ll show you around Hopedale. Then impress you with my cooking skills.” Mike winked.
“I’d love to check out the kind of skills you have.” Billie returned his wink, and his cock came to full attention. The woman was going to be the death of him.
“That statement can be taken two ways.” Mike squeezed her hand.
“Take it however you want to.” She rested her elbow on the table and cradled her chin in her free hand. “What’s wrong? Feeling a little speechless?”
“Trying to get my brain back where it should be.” Mike couldn’t keep his gaze from dropping to her plump lips. When she licked them, he shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He never wanted anyone more than he wanted Billie at that moment.
“Do you want to get out of here?” Billie asked him.
“Oh yeah.” Mike jumped to his feet.
“I think we need to pay the bill first.” Billie giggled.
“You’re driving me crazy,” Mike whispered in her ear as he helped her on with her jacket. His reward was a quick intake of her breath and a small shiver.
Mike tracked down the waitress and quickly paid the bill. Billie, of course, tried to pay for her portion but he put a stop to that. He didn’t know where they were going, but at that moment he needed to be alone with her. He still had his key to his old apartment and had left his old bed there in case he needed to crash there at some point. Bobby and Ernie had made sure he knew he was always welcome there but he was sure it wasn’t an invitation to take a woman back there.
Mike opened her door, and she slid into the passenger seat. As he rounded the car, he caught something move out of the corner of his eye. He turned around but didn’t see anything. The hair on the back of his neck stood up, and he slowly turned around in a circle. Nothing.
“Did you forget how to get into the car?” Billie teased when he finally got in and closed his door.
“Kinda, my brain has taken a trip down south.”
Mike turned in his seat and reached across to cup her cheek.
She leaned into his touch, and Mike slowly moved closer as he studied every inch of her beautiful face. When he met her eyes, and he got lost in the dark brown pools. He’d always been partial to lighter eyes, but Billie’s were the most beautiful he’d ever seen.
“Are you just going to stare or are you going to kiss me?” Billie ran her finger down his cheek, and he shuddered.
“Kissing you isn’t the problem. It’s trying to keep it at just a kiss.” Mike slid his hand around to the back of her neck.
Mike swept his lips lightly over hers and inhaled. A second time he lingered against her mouth a little longer. When she sighed, there was no stopping. Mike covered her mouth with his, and she opened to him. The first flick of her tongue had him pull her closer, and he moaned into her mouth. The taste of coffee and her had him painfully hard, but who cared. Kissing her was like a drug, and he couldn’t get enough.
Billie met his kiss with just as much passion and heat. Mike knew they needed to stop since they were still in the parking lot of the restaurant. For some reason, he had trouble doing that when she threaded her fingers through his hair, tipped her head and gave him better access to her mouth.
He was sure the zipper of his jeans was going to burst open because he was hard as a rock and felt like he was about to come just from kissing her. Mike somehow managed to pull his lips from hers and pressed his forehead against hers while he tried to catch his breath.
“What’s going on in there?” Mike jumped when someone pounded on the side of his car, but since steam covered the windows, he couldn’t see who it was.
“Oops,” Billie giggled and moved back to the other side of the car.
“Fuck,” Mike grumbled as he lowered his window.
Mike rolled his eyes at the grinning face that stared back at him. Aaron rested his arms on the open window as he flashed his biggest smile. The one his little brother used on way too many women.
“What’s going on big brother?” Aaron winked at Billie.
“None of your fucking business, asshole.” Mike pushed Aaron’s arms off the window.
“I’m on duty, and since you’re in a public parking lot, I had to make sure you weren’t breaking the law.” Aaron hadn’t taken his eyes off Billie.
“Yeah, because you’d never do anything like that,” Mike grumbled.
“Well if I had a beauty like this lovely lady, I can’t say I wouldn’t be tempted.” Aaron reached his hand across the car. “I’m A.J., Mike’s younger and much better-looking brother.”
“And much more annoying too,” Mike laughed.
Billie reached out to shake Aaron’s hand, but his sly brother pulled her forward and placed a kiss on the top of her hand.
“I’m Billie and Matt wasn’t joking about your younger brothers, was he?” Billie pulled her hand back but placed it on Mike’s knee.
“Matt?” It seemed his baby brother hadn’t met Billie’s brother.
“Billie’s very protective big brother. He works for Keith and warned about you and Nick.” Mike laughed.
“I’m sure I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. I’m the only angel in the family.” Aaron stuck out his bottom lip. “You don’t believe any of that, do you, Billie?”
“Oh, of course not. I can see you’re as pure as the driven snow.” Billie laughed.
“Are you done?” Mike sighed.
“For now, but I hope I get to see more of you, Billie. Maybe you can put a smile on Mr. Grumpy here.” Aaron hitched his thumb toward Mike and moved back from the car.
“Goodbye, A.J.” Mike started the car.
“Never say goodbye, Mikey. Remember, Nan, says goodbye is forever.” Aaron shouted as Mike’s window closed way to slowly.
“I think I should probably get you home.” Mike put the car into drive and reached out to grab Billie’s hand as they pulled out of the parking lot.
“Yeah, it’s getting late.” Billie linked her fingers into his, and he felt that flip in his chest again. He was falling and falling fast.
“It’s probably a good thing A.J. showed up.” Mike lifted her hand and pressed his lips against it. “I’m not sure how much more restraint I had in me.”
“I know the feeling.” Billie sighed.
It was a little after eleven when he pulled into her driveway. He held her hand as he walked her to the front door. When they were next to the entrance, she turned and slid her arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer.
“I had a wonderful time.” Billie circled her fingers around the hair at the nape of his neck. It gave him goosebumps.
“Me too.” Again, she entranced him with her eyes.
“Is your offer for the tour and supper still open?” Billie pulled him slowly down to her.
“Most definitely.” Mike ran his tongue across her bottom lip and gently bit it.
“Is it possible not to be interrupted by your brother?” She said against his mouth.
“I’ll deadbolt all the doors, but I’m afraid Keith has a key.” Mike chuckled when she groaned.
“I don’t normally sleep with someone on a second date.” Billie pulled back and gazed into his eyes. “But with you, it seems like I’ve known you all my life.”
“I never thought that of you, Billie but I want you to know that I’ve never wanted anyone the way I do you. I’m no angel but the one thing I am is honest, and I wouldn’t tell you that if it wasn’t true.”
“I should let you go. You’ve got a bit of a drive.” Billie smiled, but she didn’t move.
“It only takes fifteen minutes.” Mike brushed his lips against hers.
“Text me to let me know you got home safe.” She kissed him again.
“I will.” Mike kissed her once more and reluctantly stepped back and let his arms drop.
“Goodnight, Mike.” Billie opened the door, stepped inside and waved as she slowly closed the door.
“Yep, I’m hooked,” Mike mumbled to himself as he jogged back to his car.
Chapter 14
“Earth to Billie.” Abbie waved her hand in front of Billie’s face.
Damn.
She’d been daydreaming again and missed most of what Abbie had said. It was something about a house being sold or was it a condo.
“Girl, you really got it bad.” Abbie chuckled as she hopped up on her desk and crossed her legs.
“I’m sorry, I’ve just got a ton of things on my mind.” That wasn’t technically a lie but the only thing on her mind at that moment was a certain blue-eyed lawyer that was picking her up at lunch.
“Honey, that smile on your face tells me you are only thinking about Hottie McHottersen.” Abbie teased.
“It’s just all so fast. We only had one date but we’ve talked every night this week, and he keeps sending me these cute little texts.” Billie held up her phone to show Abbie the last text she’d received.
“I’m counting the minutes until I see you today. It’s one hundred and ninety-five in case you wanted to know.” Abbie read it and fanned herself. “Well, that’s just the most romantic thing I’ve ever read.”
“I know, and every time my phone beeps my heart beats a mile a minute when I see his name.” Billie covered her face because no man had ever had this effect on her and it scared her a little.
“Billie, with everything that’s happened over the last couple of months, be thankful that something good came out of it. I’m not saying Mike’s your forever and I’m not saying he’s not. Just grab onto this happiness and roll with it.”
To hear Abbie speak with such passion was surprising. She didn’t typically, but it seemed Peggy’s death had their whole circle realizing how someone can be ripped from the world so quickly.
“I wish the police knew who killed Peggy.” Billie gazed out through the large picture window at the front of the office.
“Me too,” Abbie whispered.
An hour later her phone buzzed again,
but this time it was a text from her landlord. Billie hadn’t been inside the house since the night she found Peggy. Mr. Wells wanted her to pay to have the house cleaned entirely before she handed over the keys. He’d been texting her every day, and she was sure he was starting to get pissed.
Before she had a chance to open the text, the front door of the office opened and in walked Byron Wells. Billie didn’t want to deal with him at that moment, but she at least owed him a proposed date of when she would have her things cleared out, and the keys turned back over.
“Mr. Wells, I was just about to text you back.” Billie stood up and walked around her desk.
“Belinda, I realize that it’s a traumatic time, but I need that house available so that I can get another tenant in there.” His voice raised with a heavy rasp from obvious years of smoking. He rubbed his hand over his thinning hair as his eyes dropped to her breasts. Billie rolled her eyes because the man never looked at her face.
“I’ve paid the rent up to the end of next month, so that means I’ve got a little over a month and a half to vacate.” It always pissed Billie off when he’d ogle her.
“But I want my house back.” He still hadn’t raised his eyes from her chest.
“If you’re willing to refund one month's rent with my damage deposit, I’ll make sure you have the keys by the end of this month.” That statement got his attention because his eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head as they snapped up to meet hers.
“You don’t expect me to pay you back the damage deposit?” He shouted.
“Of course, I do, there isn’t any damage to the house.” Billie kept her voice calm.
“Someone was murdered in my house.” He continued to yell.
“Yes, my best friend but the house wasn’t damaged. So, you need to make that choice. As I said, give me back the rent for next month and my damage deposit, and I’ll give you back the keys the end of this month.” Billie crossed her arms across her chest mostly to hide her breasts from his gawking.
“Fine, but I want my keys by the end of next month.” He snapped. “But don’t expect me to give you a good reference.”
Dangerous Silence Page 11
