Shivering at the recollection, she took a bite of her chicken, afraid to look directly in his eyes for fear he could see or read her thoughts.
“How did you come to work for Caleb and the Reliance Group?” Chase asked as he sliced off a section of his porterhouse steak.
Grateful for the change of topic, she speared a few glazed carrots onto her fork and finally looked across the table. His expression was curious and full of interest, which made it easy for her to open up to him. At least about work-related things.
“About four years ago, I moved to Vegas, and my first job here at the Onyx was as a reservations clerk. From there, I moved to a junior casino hostess position and was eventually promoted to executive casino host,” she explained before taking the bite of vegetables.
A moment later, after a drink of her water, she continued. “At that time, no one at the hotel knew of my psychic abilities, and I preferred to keep it that way. Being able to read people and see things that aren’t tangible isn’t something I put out there, mainly because of the skepticism and distrust that comes with admitting you’re clairvoyant.” Then there were dishonest con men who saw an easy opportunity and used her gift to swindle other people—all without her knowledge.
Her stomach cramped at the reminder of how gullible she’d once been, to the point that she’d let someone close for the first time ever, only to be deceived in the most devastating way. She’d let her heart rule her emotions and the decisions she’d made, instead of keeping a clear head and seeing past her ex-boyfriend’s bullshit charm for the unconscionable crook he’d been.
It was a lesson learned the hard way and had nearly destroyed her confidence and self-worth. Now, when it came to men and relationships, or rather, affairs, she purposefully kept things casual and short-term, because her biggest fear was letting her emotions get involved, which skewed her judgment when it came to seeing people for who and what they really were.
“I totally understand about keeping your psychic ability close to the vest,” Chase said in commiseration, completely oblivious of her inner turmoil. “When people learn what you’re capable of, a lot of them either tend to think you’re a freak, or a fraud.”
“Exactly,” she said, hating more than anything that her gift had been used to dupe an unsuspecting victim, and she’d unknowingly been part of the scam.
She forcibly shook off those dark thoughts and continued with her story. “I knew Caleb because he worked casino security, and one night he was escorting a man through the gaming area who was drunk and belligerent. As I was walking toward them, the other man stepped into my path before Caleb realized what he was doing. I had to put my hand on the man’s chest to keep him from knocking me over. The first thing I felt was the evil emanating from him, and that was quickly followed by flashes of a woman gagged and bound to a bed in a hotel room. It was the terror I saw in her eyes that convinced me that whoever this girl was, she wasn’t a willing party to whatever games he was playing with her.”
The unpleasant memory still had the ability to make her feel sick, and she set her fork on her plate until she finished the story. “As soon as Caleb handed the man over to his security guys, I pulled him aside and told him what I’d seen. Of course, Caleb was doubtful and suspicious, but just to be on the safe side, and because I wouldn’t give up, he had someone go up and check the drunk man’s hotel room.”
Chase’s gaze turned compassionate. “Where they found the woman,” he finished for her.
“Yes.” She really did hate seeing the worst in people, literally, yet she also knew she’d most likely saved that woman’s life that night. “She was a prostitute that the man had picked up on the Strip, and he’d had her tied up in his room for three days, physically and sexually assaulting her while threatening to kill her if she didn’t do what he wanted.”
Chase’s jaw clenched. “Son of a bitch,” he muttered beneath his breath.
That made her smile and helped to alleviate the dark mood at the table. “Yeah, he was definitely that. A few days after the incident, Caleb called me up to his office and asked me to be a part of the Reliance Group, to use my gift to help solve cases, and I agreed. I figure if I’m going to have this psychic ability, I might as well use it for good causes.”
Despite her decision to join TRG to help in the fight for greater good, accepting the cases Caleb assigned to her wasn’t always simple or easy. She was still thrust into dark, complex situations that completely inundated her, and she sometimes saw things she’d rather forget and that gave her nightmares for weeks.
But it was knowing that she had the ability to help people, and possibly spare them the kind of pain and devastation that could destroy a person’s soul, that kept her on TRG’s payroll. And knowing that she was ultimately in control of her emotions during those cases made all the difference as well.
This case with Chase was an amusing diversion, like a fun and entertaining scavenger hunt. There was nothing ominous or dangerous about trying to find the rest of Al Capone’s cane. And knowing there was nothing treacherous or detrimental about following information and clues to unearth a historical object was a huge relief.
The only thing that posed any danger on a personal level was their blazing, unavoidable attraction, which came with a sizzle and burn that felt too damn good. Yet, beyond the draw of the sexual heat they generated together, she could tell there was something else about Chase that threatened to chip away at the walls she’d erected after her heartbreak and disillusionment.
It had been years since she trusted a man on an emotional level, and though she wasn’t able to put her finger on exactly what that “something else” was when it came to Chase, her woman’s intuition—not her psychic abilities—was warning her that this man could easily charm his way into her heart if she let him.
Which she wasn’t about to allow. There was no doubt in Valerie’s mind that Chase was all about fun and flings, and while she wasn’t opposed to indulging in a no-strings-attached affair with a hot guy, she and Chase had a job to do, and sex had a way of complicating things when two people had to work that closely together. Their combined psychic gifts notwithstanding.
She finished eating her chicken, and having revealed enough about herself, she intentionally turned the conversation to him. “Where are you from?”
“Chicago.” Done with his meal, he leaned back in his seat, reached for his tequila, and wrapped his long, well-manicured fingers around the snifter. “I have an apartment in the city, but I’m not there much, since most of my time is spent traveling. It’s more like a home base in between jobs.”
Considering she was a girl who preferred stability in her life, she couldn’t imagine the upheaval and disconnect of always being on the road and away from those who mattered the most. And some of those people closest to her were the other members of the Reliance Group. “Is that where your family is? Chicago?”
He hesitated a moment as he absently swirled the amber liquid in his glass. “Yes, but I’m not close to them, and it’s been four years since I’ve seen my parents, brother, and sister. They don’t exactly approve of what I do for a living.”
She heard the thread of bitterness in his voice, and felt bad that there was discord in his family. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. She was certain there was a lot more to his story, but had the distinct impression he wasn’t willing to share anything more than superficial information.
“It is what it is.” Chase shrugged as if it didn’t matter, belying the tight set to his mouth. He took a long sip of his tequila, swallowed just as slowly, and seemed to relax. “What about you? Where did you grow up?”
Just that easily, she was the focus of their conversation again. “I was born and raised in Colorado.”
“Any siblings?” he asked.
Finished with her dinner, too, she set her fork on her plate. “No. My parents died when I was just five, and I went to live with my aunt and uncle, who raised me as if I were their own child. I grew up with my three cousins,
and they are as close to me as siblings would be.”
She smiled, because her life with her relatives had been a good one, despite the loss of her parents at such an early age. She’d been surrounded by unconditional love and the security of knowing she was part of a family unit, even though she kept her emotional distance for fear of losing them as she had her mother and father. And eventually, when her aunt realized Valerie possessed psychic abilities, that issue had been handled with care and acceptance, too—unlike in Chase’s family.
They talked a bit more about her childhood, but like him, she avoided details about certain things—like her parents’ death and how, at the age of five, she’d seen the fiery accident that would claim their lives, even before it happened. And because she didn’t understand the vision she’d seen, she was too afraid to say anything to her mother or father when they’d walked out the door that fateful evening, and never returned.
Valerie’s chest grew heavy with old regrets and the burden of blame. Because not only had she done nothing to prevent her parents’ tragic demise, but she’d also relived a similar scenario all over again when she flashed on a vision of a coworker’s fatal accident.
She hated that her gift was the source of more pain than joy, and after that last incident, coupled with her ex-boyfriend’s duplicity, she’d instinctively kept herself, and her talent, guarded. She felt as though the rug had been pulled out from under her one too many times when it came to people she cared about, and she refused to put herself through more of the grief and heartbreak that had a way of inundating her when her emotions were involved.
Chase lifted the lid off a smaller plate on the table, revealing the dessert he’d ordered for himself. “Care for a bite of tiramisu?” he asked.
She shook her head, plenty full from her meal. “No, thank you, but you go right ahead and enjoy.”
“Oh, I will,” he said in a lazy, sexy drawl. “I love a good dessert.”
She watched him dig into the layered Italian confection with gusto, and suspected he approached life the same way—with passion, verve, and no-holds-barred enthusiasm. Quite the opposite of her more reserved and cautious nature.
“I guess I should ask, what’s next on our agenda? Where do we go from here?”
“San Francisco,” he said as his fork scooped up more liqueur-infused sponge cake. “We have a flight out of Vegas tomorrow afternoon at two, then on Monday we’ll take the first boat over to Alcatraz. I’ve made arrangements with a friend of mine who is a park ranger there who’ll escort us through the prison before it opens to the public.”
She knew that Al Capone had spent time on Alcatraz Island back in the 1930s, when it was a federal prison. Now, it was a popular tourist attraction. She’d never been there herself, and wasn’t sure how she felt about going to a former penitentiary that had once been filled with such darkness, corruption, and evil. It was the kind of place she deliberately avoided, because of the history involved and the intense emotions connected to the inmates and guards who once lived there.
Just the thought of stepping foot on Alcatraz Island filled her with a sense of dread, but she’d made a commitment to Caleb and this case, and would forge through her own personal apprehension and unease. “What do you expect to find there?” she asked him.
“I’ve already been to Alcatraz—a few times, actually,” he revealed, meeting her gaze as his tongue made a sensuous swipe across his bottom lip to lick off a dab of mascarpone filling smudged there. “And quite honestly, I didn’t find much.”
She tipped her head curiously, trying not to think about how that tongue of his would feel licking across her mouth. “So why are you taking me there?”
“Because of the obvious physical connection to Capone.” He set his fork down on the empty dessert plate. “Most of what I know of Capone’s time at the prison is what’s been written in books or secondhand information. I need to find something more tangible, and I’d like to see what, if anything, you might discover while we’re there.”
A light breeze blew, causing a few strands of her hair to tickle her cheek, and she tucked them back behind her ear. “Because of the intensity of the prison, I’m sure I’m going to be bombarded with all sorts of visions and disjointed surges of energy that will make it difficult to pin down anything directly related to Capone.”
Determination etched his features. “I know that’s a possibility, but there’s always a chance you will connect with something that I wasn’t able to. I’ll be taking you to more contained places, like the infirmary and solitary confinement, where Capone spent much of his time while at Alcatraz, so that should help narrow down the impressions.”
“Oh, joy,” she said without an ounce of humor. “The infirmary and solitary confinement, which means I’ll be surrounded by insanity, sickness, and death.” She rubbed her fingers across her forehead, already preparing herself for the horrendous hangover headache she’d be dealing with after her trip to Alcatraz.
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that,” he said, more sheepish than contrite, which told her that there was nothing she could say to change his mind about the trip to Alcatraz.
“We can talk about this more on the plane ride to San Francisco tomorrow,” he said, and stood, clearly done discussing business. “Come over here and check out this view.”
She followed him along the balcony, which curved around the side of the hotel and penthouse suite until they were facing the Las Vegas Strip. With the sun almost set in the distance, and the bright neon lights from the marquees and huge flashing hotel displays along the main boulevard lighting up the town, the scenery was impressive and magical.
Valerie had seen this view at least a hundred times, but never from this high up, from the forty-second floor of any hotel. She leaned against the railing, taking in the breathtaking sight.
Chase settled in beside her, his bare arm brushing along hers as he shifted closer. “Pretty amazing, huh?”
She knew what appeared to be a casual touch was actually a calculated move on his part, but that didn’t stop the snap and crackle of instantaneous awareness from rippling through her entire body, the sensation much like the ebb and flow of an impending orgasm. Just as she’d experienced with him earlier that afternoon. The intensity was shocking, as was the throb of desire settling between her thighs.
Face heating with embarrassment, she tried to remember what he’d just said, but couldn’t think beyond the feverish heat starting a slow burn of need deep inside her. Unable to stop herself, she glanced at him. His face was close to hers, his stunning green eyes mesmerizing her, the warm, woodsy scent of his cologne seducing her senses.…
“Are you okay?” he asked, his expression more amused than concerned as he slid his thumb along her jaw. “You look flushed.”
His skillful fingers skimmed down the side of her throat, light and teasing, and she swallowed back a strangled moan of pleasure as she felt that caress across her breasts. Her nipples peaked and hardened, as if his palms had just swept over the sensitive tips.
I want to touch your soft breasts, feel them swell in my hands, my mouth.…
She shivered, realizing that his thoughts had invaded her head once again, and this crazy thing between them, whatever it might be, was starting to get out of control.
“I’m … I’m fine,” she said, though the breathy quality of her voice told the truth: that she was completely turned on by him and their strong, undeniable connection. “It’s getting late, and I should go.”
Just as she started to move away, he reached out and gently grasped her wrist, sending another sizzling current of attraction and lust spiraling to intimate, feminine places. She gasped audibly, and a slow, shameless smile curved his full lips, drawing her attention to his beautiful mouth before she forced herself to meet his avid gaze.
His thumb glided across the pulse point in her wrist, then added a subtle pressure, testing the rhythm of her heartbeat, which in her chest was pounding hard and fast. A look of pure male satisfaction passed
across his too-handsome face.
“Considering how much time we’re going to be spending together, don’t you think we should talk about this thing between us and get it out in the open?” he asked, his voice a smooth, sexy drawl.
She swallowed hard, not sure she was ready or willing to admit to anything just yet. “What thing?” The blatant sexual chemistry, the fact that she melted whenever he touched her, or the arousing mind sex?
“You know, the static electricity between us whenever we touch,” he said, teasing her about the excuse she’d come up with in Caleb’s office when she reacted to their handshake in front of her boss.
She managed an indifferent shrug, wishing he’d let go of her wrist. She refused to be the one to pull her arm away and let him know just how much power he wielded over her physically, and mentally. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Oh, it’s definitely something,” he murmured, grinning like the incorrigible bad boy he was as he shifted closer, moving ever so slightly until her back was against the railing and he was standing in front of her, preventing any kind of hasty escape. “Aren’t you the least bit curious to find out what would happen if we, say, kissed?”
Yes. Oh, God yes. “No.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “You are such a liar, Valerie. What’s the matter? Afraid you might like kissing me?” He followed up that question with a slow stroke of his thumb against the palm of her hand that sent shock waves up her arm.
“You are so full of yourself.” The husky note of her voice made her attempt at nonchalance fall flat. No big surprise there, considering the sexual tension vibrating between them was near full throttle.
Through the Night Page 4
