Hide in Plain Sight

by Sara Orwig

  Struggling to control her emotions, Rebecca was surprised at his concern, because she would have guessed there was not a gentle side to Jake Delancy.

  Lost in memories, she closed her eyes and knew all the tears wouldn’t change anything. Detective Delancy handed her his handkerchief and she wiped her eyes, moving with him and gradually regaining her composure.

  He took the handkerchief from her and stuffed it into his pocket, and she was thankful for his silence while she got herself together.

  “Of course, we're making the undercover guys angry,” Jake said after a time.

  Feeling in control, she glanced up at him. “How’s that?”

  “They're watching us and turning green with envy over my assignment.”

  She smiled, feeling better. And she would have been fine if she hadn’t looked up into his hazel eyes. Their green-gold depths made her pulse skitter and melted some of the barriers around her heart.

  Yet, she knew Jake Delancy was dangerous to her well-being, knew it to the depths of her soul, even though she hadn’t been around him a full twenty-four hours yet. And the biggest part of that danger was her own attraction to him.

  She missed Dan, longed for him, hurt over the loss. It had been two years now since his death. Her reactions to Jake bothered her. She was too aware of everything he did. Right now, she knew his hand was on her hip and his other hand was holding hers, and that slight, innocuous contact was unsettling.

  She should be thankful he was not the marrying kind, but that was not reassurance enough when she couldn’t stop her racing pulse.

  When the song ended, they applauded, and then Jake took her hand. “We'll wait for the next one. That was just a warm-up,” he said with a wink.

  The next number was fast; as she danced around him, Jake wished she had worn something clinging, because he suspected her moves were half-hidden by the linen dress. It’s a good thing they are, he told himself. She was setting him on fire, her eyes half-closed, her head thrown back as if she were being made love to, her lips slightly parted, while she drifted around him like a dancing flame. And then she turned, looking at him, her blue eyes taunting, filled with desire.

  He loosened his tie, feeling hot and knowing it was only partially from dancing. He wanted to yank her into his arms and bury his tongue in her mouth. The chemistry that had sparked between them all day seemed ready to burst into a blaze.

  Rebecca’s gaze was caught, held by Jake’s. His eyes were dark with smoldering desire as they moved around each other. For the first time in so long, she felt like a desirable woman, and she gave herself over to the feelings.

  And then she realized that this was dangerous, that in minutes the sparks between them might become a blaze neither of them could ignore. She gave a shake of her shoulders and stood still.

  “We should stop, Detective. It’s hot in here,” she said brusquely, knowing her anger probably showed, wondering if he would ever guess it was directed at herself for being attracted to him.

  She turned to walk away, and he caught her arm, his fingers on her bare skin sending a current shooting through her. Before she could speak, the band started another old, familiar ballad, and he pulled her into his arms. And in spite of all good sense, she acquiesced.

  This time Jake threw caution away and held her close, wrapping his arm around her waist. She moved with him, their steps together, her soft body pressed against him, the lilac scent enticing him while her silky hair touched his cheek.

  He wanted to tighten his arms, dance into a dark corner and kiss her. He was acting like an adolescent. Melody danced past and winked at him, and he smiled in return. Now why couldn’t she stir any reaction in him? He didn’t want to think about the reasons. And then he was lost to the music, Rebecca’s body against his, and they were moving together as if they had done this a thousand times over. His arm tightened around her narrow waist.

  As soon as the dance ended, he followed Rebecca from the dance floor. Near the table, she glanced over her shoulder at him. “We should go now.”

  Having been about to suggest the same thing himself, he nodded. They said their goodbyes and rode down in the elevator in silence, standing far apart, as if trying to get back the distance that had been between them this afternoon.

  Downstairs, he carefully surveyed the bright lobby. He hadn’t seen any sign of Meskell, but the public place made him edgy.

  At the door, Jake told Rebecca to wait, and she watched while he talked to the doorman, who stepped outside and motioned to one of the valets. In minutes Jake’s pickup was at the door, the hotel lights shining on the bright red metal. He tipped the men and held the door for her, going around the pickup.

  As Jake hurried to slide behind the wheel, his instincts told him Meskell was not far away. “Rebecca, there are too damn many cars and trees. Get down until we're out of this lot.”

  Instantly she unbuckled her seat belt and tried to lean down without touching him—an impossible feat in the pickup. “Put your head down. I'll know you're not coming on to me,” he said with amusement, pushing her down.

  She placed her head on his thigh and instantly his amusement was gone. He inhaled deeply, trying to keep his mind on his driving and Meskell.

  “You can get up now,” he said in minutes, his voice husky. He wiped his brow, then yanked off his tie and tossed it over the seat between them. She buckled up, and they rode in silence.

  As soon as they pulled into the drive at his brother’s house, he switched off the ignition. “Zach and Sally would keep the girls for a week or two if you’d like.”

  Giving it a moment’s thought, Rebecca shook her head slowly. “Sissy can’t cope with it. I'm sure she’s had a good time tonight, but since she lost her father, she needs the reassurance that I'm there. She has bad dreams—she wakes up screaming for me, and I think she’s afraid she'll suddenly lose me the way she lost her father.”

  Jake squeezed her hand. “Sorry. She'll get over that as time goes by.”

  “I hope so. Right now there isn’t any other solution except to keep them with me.”

  He nodded and stepped out of the pickup. He spoke to Zach and returned to wait until the garage door opened. Jake pulled into the brightly lighted two-car garage and stopped.

  Both girls were asleep as Jake and Zach carried them to the pickup. “Thanks again,” Rebecca said, stepping out of the pickup to speak to Zach and Sally.

  Zach put his arm across Sally’s shoulders, and he held her close against him. Both of them smiled at her.

  “Bring them again, Rebecca. And you come over, too,” Sally said with a warm smile, while Zach kept his arm across her shoulders.

  “Thank you,” Rebecca replied, sitting down and closing the door quietly as Jake buckled up. Looking at Zach and Sally, Rebecca was reminded again of Dan, because they had had a good marriage and had been so much in love.

  Jake backed out and they drove away. When the number of houses thinned and the lights faded behind them, she felt danger close in around her like the enveloping darkness. The orange glow from the dash highlighted Jake’s strong cheekbones and left the hollows of his cheeks in shadow. He looked solemn, almost angry, and she wondered if he was thinking about Meskell or about what they had felt when they were dancing.

  In the close confines of the pickup, she was conscious of Jake all through the drive, remembering dancing with him, her skin still tingling from his touch. What was it about him that made the air seem to sizzle?

  When they arrived home, he wouldn’t let her carry either girl inside. The tall policeman came out and stopped beside her window, while Jake carried first Tara and then Sissy into the house.

  “I'm McCauley, Mrs. Bolen,” he said in a raspy, friendly voice. Thick curls showed beneath his cap. “There were no calls, and everything was quiet. I'll be parked by the garage tonight.”

  “Thank you,” she answered, feeling secure with McCauley outside, yet on edge at the thought of Jake and her under the same roof all night.

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nbsp; “Rebecca,” Jake said, sliding onto the seat beside her and placing his arm across her shoulders, “we'll hurry inside.” Her pulse raced and she was aware of him pressed against her side.

  “Ready?” he said, looking down at her, and she prayed he couldn’t hear her heartbeat.

  “Yes. We only have a few feet to cross to reach the door.”

  “No need to take chances. Let’s go,” he said, sliding out and pulling her out. McCauley fell in step on her other side, and they all rushed to the back door. As she entered the kitchen, Jake stepped back outside to talk with McCauley for a moment, and then he entered the kitchen and closed and locked the door.

  Only the small light above the stove was on, and it cast Jake’s cheeks into shadow, highlighting his cheekbones, emphasizing the rugged angles and planes of his face and making her think of danger again. The tiny kitchen seemed to shrink, to be dominated by his broad shoulders and lean frame. Her heart was pounding, and she knew she needed to put more space between them than the small kitchen allowed.

  “I'll see about the girls,” she said, hurrying down the hall, feeling as if she were running from a demon instead of a man sent to protect her.

  How could she stay with him night after night in the close confines of the house? Could she request a different detective? And how would she explain that? Tell Detective Captain Vance to please send someone who didn’t give off sparks and ignite the fires of desire that had long been dormant. She shook her head, wondering if she had waited too long to start dating now, but she knew that wasn’t the answer at all.

  Rebecca went to the girls' room to undress them and get them into bed. Tara and Sissy went back to sleep immediately, and Rebecca paused before she left their room.

  Sissy lay curled on her side, her thumb in her mouth, golden locks surrounding her face. Tara was on her back, her arms outflung. Both of them looked beautiful, so innocent, and she prayed the police caught Meskell soon. She kissed Tara’s soft cheek lightly and brushed a lock of hair away from her eyes and then turned to kiss Sissy.

  A few minutes later, as Rebecca entered the darkened living room, she found Jake standing in front of the window; he was holding the drape aside a few inches while he looked out.

  “Hit the light in the hall,” he ordered without turning from the window, and she felt the hairs on the nape of her neck rise as she switched off the light. She crossed the living room to stand behind him. “Do you see something?”

  When he didn’t answer, she studied him. He had shed his coat and she noticed a shoulder holster and pistol beneath his left arm. He dropped the drape into place and turned around, almost colliding with her.

  “You wore a gun tonight.”

  “I usually do.”

  Aware she was standing too close, she turned, bumping a chair. His hands went out to steady her. “I seem to have a knack for running into things since your arri—”

  The words died when she looked up at him. His hand was still on her waist, and his gaze had that intense quality a man has when he looks at a woman he wants. Her pulse jumped; she knew she should move, but she was immobilized, unable to do anything.

  “Rebecca,” he said in a husky voice that was like a caress, and her body responded, her stomach clenching, heat diffusing in her. He stepped closer, his arm sliding around her waist as he drew her toward him.

  Chapter 6

  Her heart thudded as he lowered his head, brushing her lips so lightly that the tantalizing, erotic contact took her breath. His lips felt warm and full against hers, his breath holding a faint touch of mint.

  For a moment, memories of Dan threatened to overwhelm her. She didn’t belong in another man’s arms. “No,” she whispered. “Jake, I can’t. It hurts so badly. I miss him—”

  “Shh, Rebecca. It’s just a kiss,” Jake whispered against her ear, his lips trailing to her mouth, brushing her lips again.

  It had been so long since she had been kissed or touched. A tightening ran through her body, heat streaking in her as she felt barriers shatter like fragile glass.

  Sensations bombarded her; the heat of need and desire, the tingling of her mouth, the strength of his arms around her. Her hesitation diminished as Jake leaned over her, and she let the memories go.

  With a shudder, she placed her hands against Jake’s solid chest, feeling the smooth crispness of his cotton shirt, the leather strap of the shoulder holster, his warm body beneath the cotton.

  She intended to push him away, but his mouth opened on hers, his tongue slid over her lower lip, thrusting against her tongue, and her reluctance vanished.

  His arm tightened around her, pulling her up against him, and Rebecca felt lost in a dizzying spiral. She should stop him. She didn’t want his kisses, didn’t want to respond hungrily. He was the wrong man, as well as the wrong kind of man. Yet her body quivered.

  “No,” she whispered again, turning her head. “You're a threat to me.”

  She shifted slightly, felt the shoulder holster that was a reminder of the danger of the man. She pulled away, sliding her hands down to push lightly against his chest. She felt as if she were coming up from the depths of a dream, opening her eyes to find Jake watching her. It was too dark to read his expression, but his breathing seemed as ragged as hers.

  He ran his forefinger along her jaw. “A few kisses won’t hurt.”

  She looked away, realizing that he probably dated quite often, was probably casual about kissing and dancing. But she wasn’t. Even now, her heartbeat hadn’t slowed and her breathing was erratic and words wouldn’t come. Her hand still lay against his chest, and she noticed with surprise that his heartbeat was racing like hers.

  “We're playing with fire, Jake, or at least I am. You may take all this lightly, but this is the first time for me since my husband. I just can—”

  His finger brushed her lips, the faintest touch, yet it stopped her words and took her breath and made her mouth tingle for more of his kisses.

  “You feel my heart,” he said gruffly in a low voice. “I know you won’t take things lightly. And I know too damned well we're playing with fire. I've never—not one time—mixed business and my personal life. I don’t date any policewomen, nothing,” he said emphatically. “But you and I are not yet at the point where we can’t smile and say goodbye and walk away without heartbreak. Right?” Jake wondered if he were arguing with her or with himself. Her eyes were huge as she looked up at him with parted lips.

  “I'm more vulnerable. That was my first kiss in so long. Since Dan.”

  He knew she was hurting, and he wanted just to hold her, to try to comfort her. He had to lean closer to hear her. “I can’t take risks,” she said solemnly. “Let’s keep everything platonic from now on. I have to.”

  “Sure,” he answered, fighting the impulse to brush a tendril of golden hair away from her cheek. He yearned to lean the few inches it would take to touch her and kiss her hard and long. Her mouth had been hot and sweet and tantalizing, making him want more. A lot more.

  She nodded and turned away to head toward the hall, then paused. “I had a good time tonight.”

  “It was the best banquet I ever attended,” he remarked dryly, and she laughed.

  “I'll get some sheets and a pillow for you.”

  “I won’t need them. I'll sleep on a chair, if I sleep at all.”

  “I'll get them,” she insisted, and disappeared into the hall. He rubbed the back of his neck and mentally called himself a fool for dancing with her and kissing her. Leave the lady alone. Even if he was a marrying man, and he was not, they would mix like fire and water. She hated his job and he knew how disastrously some cop marriages ended up. And even as he argued with himself, his body burned from her kisses.

  If Vance got wind of Jake’s romancing the widow on the job, he’d be so far out in the boonies doing oil-field burglary duty that no one would ever find him. “Damn,” Jake whispered, raking his fingers through his hair.

  Trying to get his thoughts elsewhere, he turned to
move the drape a fraction and peer outside. “Come on, Lenny,” he said softly. “Get me out of this.”

  Jake stood quietly watching shadows shift and change as the wind blew. A car passed on the highway. Leaves fluttered in the mesquite trees. He heard Rebecca moving around in the house.

  Rebecca closed her bedroom door and crossed the room, suddenly swamped with loss, covering her face and trying to cry silently, so that no one would hear her. She missed Dan. It should have been Dan holding her and kissing her. She sat on the edge of the bed and picked up his picture, looking at it with longing and knowing she had to let go of the past.

  “I loved you and I still love you,” she whispered. The image smiled at her and she knew she had to go on with life. She kissed the picture, feeling the cold glass against her lips. Carefully she set the picture on the table and glanced at the door, her body tingling and longing filling her.

  The evening had been a series of ups and downs, moments of such hurt when things had reminded her of Dan. Yet, she had danced again and kissed again, and maybe next time it wouldn’t be so difficult.

  She stared at the door, too aware of Jake Delancy on the other side of it, sitting down the hall in the darkened living room. She didn’t want to be attracted to him. He possessed too many qualities that she didn’t like in a man—dangerous, reckless, a confirmed bachelor. When this was over, they would part ways and never see each other again.

  She moved restlessly, unfastening the tiny buttons on her dress, reminding herself that Captain Vance thought they would catch Meskell within a week or two. She stepped out of the linen, feeling it slide down over her sensitized skin, the dress warm from her body.

  She removed her underclothes, then pulled on the chambray shirt and buttoned it to her chin. She pulled on cutoffs beneath it.

  She slipped her feet into moccasins and went to get pillows and sheets for him.

  Jake heard a board creak and turned from the windows. Rebecca had changed and now wore a man’s chambray shirt, and he wondered if she had any idea how sexy she looked in it.