by Marie Jermy
Steve glanced at the clock on the night table. Eleven o’clock! Neither he nor Nick was known to sleep in. He’d never slept so well. It must be the Montanan air that Jess had told him about last night on the drive to Silver Creek. Speaking of Jess…Her voice sounded through the door again, wobbly, frantic even.
Steve flung the covers over Nick. Making a quick grab and throwing on a pair of boxers and his T-shirt, he opened the door, almost getting his nose squashed flat by Jess’s fist, which she had raised to knock again.
“Shit! Sorry.”
Despite the curse, her voice wobbled. He took in her watery green eyes. She looked on the verge of tears. He didn’t think Jess did teary. She was supposedly made of steel. Something was wrong. Very wrong. “What’s happened? Are you okay?” Dumb-ass question, fuckwit!
Behind him, Steve heard Nick stirring. “Jess? What’s up?” The question ended on a loud yawn.
“I didn’t want to disturb you two, but something’s come up. Ross and I have to go to Yellowstone. Now. We’re leaving you two in charge.”
“Sure,” Steve said. “Anything we can do to help?”
“Oh, no, that’s okay. Just look after the house for us.”
Jess didn’t offer any further explanation and Steve didn’t press. She walked to the stairs. Then almost as an afterthought, she turned. “Oh, Jez is downstairs.”
Steve closed the door. Nick raised a questioning brow. “Yellowstone? Did she say Yellowstone?”
“Yes.” Steve ran a hand through his hair, finger-combing it into place. “What’s in Yellowstone?”
“Their son, Matt, and his wife. Must be a family crisis of some sort.”
“Well, Jess was certainly upset.” He pulled on his jeans and sat on the edge of the bed to put on his socks and boots. “Jez is downstairs.”
Nick moved from the bed, got dressed, and they both went downstairs. Ross and Jess were on their way out of the door. Their faces were grim but they both managed a smile as they waved good-bye. Jez was seated on one of the brown leather sofas, looking tired, yet there was a spark in her aquamarine eyes as though she was burning to tell them something. Steve hoped she’d made a decision but was soon to be disappointed. In fact, Nick got straight down to business.
“What was said in the interviews?”
Jez shifted slightly. “Well, both denied the break-in. They were fast asleep at the relevant time. They even went as far to say that none of them surface before noon.”
Nick took a seat next to Jez while Steve sat in a neighboring chair, not wanting to disturb police business. However, he was all ears.
“What about the vial? How’d they come across that?”
“Once Drew and Ian Houseman woke, they and their brother Wayne went to Dillon for the afternoon. It’s there where they bought the vial from a man in a bar. They wouldn’t give the name of the bar or where it is. They wouldn’t even give a description of the man who sold them the vial. And that’s what I want to talk to you about.”
Steve noticed that Jez was excited yet held an air of uncertainty. It was as though what she was about to say was just plain ridiculous. She opened her mouth, but Nick got in first.
“Sanders. You think he broke into the vets’ and stole the ketamine and then sold it to the Houseman brothers.” It was a statement not a question.
Jez’s mouth snapped close then opened. She did it a number of times before vigorously nodding. “Exactly! It’s insane, but that’s exactly what I think.”
“What caused you to come to that conclusion?”
Jez yawned before answering Nick’s question. “During the interview while I mainly asked the questions, the ones that George posed sounded like a threat. A very subtle threat, but a threat all the same. His wording was peculiar. It was like he was emphasizing the words to indicate that he’d do some serious harm if they talked. Like he’d say, ‘You won’t be a walking corpse by talking to the police, you know? We can protect you. We won’t reveal our source.’ He’d highlight the ‘walking corpse’ part by dropping his voice slightly. He sounded menacing in a helpful sort of way. Does that make sense?” She again yawned.
“You’re tired.”
Steve rolled his eyes when Nick stated the obvious. He got up and grabbed both his and Nick’s jackets from the coatrack by the front door. “C’mon, we’ll take you home.”
Nick locked the door behind them. He muttered surprise as to the whereabouts of the police SUV. “Have you only just finished your shift?”
She gave a weary smile. “No. I finished at about 9:30. But because I now don’t trust George as far as I can throw him, I drove to Butte and personally handed that vial to Tyler Whitmore. He’s the head scene investigator there. When I returned, I parked the SUV behind the Slumberland and walked here to stop me falling asleep.”
“What did Whitmore say?” Nick asked.
“He said he’ll call us with the results ASAP.”
Steve listened to Nick and Jez discussing the case and Nick’s own suspicions about Sanders as they trudged up Silver Street and onto Main Street. He didn’t interrupt because he was more wary of where he was walking. The snow was really deep in places, blurring the road’s edge, and on more than one occasion he’d almost taken a face-first, nose-freezing tumble. And shit, was it cold! The sooner he got into some thermals, the better. And a hat. His ears were beginning to tingle with the cold. He blew on his fingers to warm them then shoved them deep into his jacket pockets.
Steve didn’t notice that Jez and Nick had stopped outside CC’s Coffee Shop until he almost bumped into Nick. “Sorry.”
“You’re cold,” Nick said, again stating the obvious.
“Jeez, you think?” Both Nick and Jez looked as warm as toast, no doubt due to their thermals. Steve moved a little closer. He almost stood on Jez’s toes, and because she hadn’t said she’d reached a decision to a ménage relationship with them yet, he thought she might move away, but she didn’t move one inch. She gave him an understanding smile that was also loaded with warmth. That smile gave him an idea. “I just need some body heat for my brain to function. Now what were you saying?” he asked Nick.
“I said I want to talk to the Houseman brothers myself.”
“And you will. Just not today. It’s just you and me, remember?”
Nick poked him with his elbow. “I remember.”
“Good.” Steve turned to Jez. “I’m—we’re not rushing you, Jez, but would you like to come to dinner tonight. Just dinner,” he repeated. “I’ll cook the main course and Nick will do the dessert. No doubt it will be something chocolate.”
“I, er…” Jez began.
“Just dinner,” Steve again repeated. “Ross and Jess had to go to Yellowstone, if you don’t already know. I—we thought it would be nice, you know, to spend some time together and get to know one another. No strings.” He poked Nick for encouragement.
Nick smiled. “Like Steve said, just dinner, no strings. Spend the evening with us, Jez.”
Steve could see Jez was melting. But then again, so was he. Nick’s lazy smile sent sparks of love and lust through his insides, turning his blood into warm syrup. Maybe they should forget the hike and return to the house and fuck each other warm until Jez arrived later that night. He raked a desired-filled glance down Jez’s warmly-clad body and finally up to her chignon-coiled golden hair. Thoughts of making love to Nick while Jez watched and then her joining them so they could then love her was enough to make his cock go rock-hard. He groaned under his breath, trying his damn hardest to stay calm and controlled.
“I’d like to, but it’s too short notice,” Jez said.
“Too short notice for what?” a male voice asked behind them.
Judging from the man’s uniform and the insignia on the shoulder lapels, Steve correctly assumed that this was Chief Connors. A shiver darted through him and his cock wilted. Not only was Connors not wearing a coat, but he didn’t even look cold. The man must have thermal guts.
“To ask for the ni
ght off,” answered Jez.
Steve found himself just as hopeful as Jez sounded at the mischievous glint showing in Connors’s eyes. A slow and very knowing smile emerged. “Sure, why not? I haven’t done a night shift for a while. Besides, you’ll be in in the morning,” Connors said to Nick. “Not that I think for one minute you’ll want to babysit George.”
Steve’s outstretched hand was shaken firmly. “Sir, I’m Detective Steve South. It’s good to meet you.”
“Likewise, Steve, likewise. But I’m not sure why you’re calling me ‘Sir.’ You’re on sick leave, are you not? I’m not your boss, probably never will be,” Connors added with a pointed look at Nick. He turned to Jez. “Tonight’s fine. Go enjoy yourself. Now if you’ll excuse me, that’s what I intend on doing right now. There’s a latte with my name on it.” He edged around them and entered CC’s, the bell above the door tinkling along with Jez’s giggle and Nick’s stifled guffaw.
“What’s so funny?” Steve wondered.
“A latte is not all he’s going to enjoy,” Jez and Nick said together.
“The chief has got the hots for Charlotte, the owner,” Nick expanded.
They began walking again and turned the corner into Third Street where they stopped outside the first house. “This is where I live,” Jez said mid-yawn.
“Wow, you don’t have far to walk to work,” Steve said.
“Nor does the chief.” Nick pointed to the house directly opposite. “He lives there.”
Steve took hold of Jez’s hand and grazed a thumb over the soft, warm skin. “We’ll see you tonight, yeah? At about seven?”
“Okay. I’ll be there.”
Jez’s smile was full of promise. His lips tingled with an almighty urge to kiss her, particularly when a blast of red-hot lust had his cock rising to attention once more. He lingered over her hand for a moment before reluctantly letting her go. She waved at them before disappearing inside her house. He said no strings but he wondered if she’d allow him to kiss her senseless later that night.
Nick elbowed him. “Down boy.”
Steve smiled. “I’m so jealous of you.”
“Jealous? Why?”
“’Cause you’ve already had the pleasure of her mouth on yours.”
“It won’t be long before you experience that pleasure, too.”
“Fuck, I hope so. My cock’s so hard, and not just for you either.”
Nick grinned as he slipped his arm through Steve’s as they walked back onto Main Street. “I don’t give a fuck if people stare and wag their tongues,” he stated on Steve’s questioning stare. “We’re doing nothing to be ashamed of. Anyway, it’s our business, not theirs.”
Steve nodded. “And I don’t know about you, but here, I feel free. Freer than I ever felt when we were in LA. Ol’ Frank was right when he said we wouldn’t be able to escape the magic that this town has on people.” He grinned as he took Nick’s hand in his and raised it to his lips. It was Nick’s turn now to look surprised, but then it disappeared as fast as it had appeared. “Let’s go flaunt our freedom and see what the residents of this town really think of two men who are crazy in love with each other.”
Chapter 13
Jez didn’t know why she felt nervous as she stood on the Anderson’s veranda, her hand raised to knock on the cheery, yellow-painted front door. It wasn’t like she didn’t know the two men inside—well, okay, she didn’t know Steve as much as she did Nick—but they’d said tonight would be dinner with no strings, a time for getting to know each other, and she believed them. But was that really what she wanted?
She dropped her hand. She hadn’t slept well because her thoughts had been whirring with the decision that she had to make. Ménage or not? Actually that decision had been easy. She’d want her brains tested if she said no to two gorgeous men who wanted to love her like they loved each other. No, the real distressing part was should she tell them her secret and risk everything going down the proverbial drain before they even got started. It had been hard enough telling Emily, and she was a woman.
It was a common concept that women plucked, waxed, shaved, and went to any length to rid themselves of hair. Hirsute women were so not the in-thing. Yes, okay, she really wasn’t like that. She couldn’t give a damn about having stubbly legs, but to shave like a man was not something she could brush aside so easily. She honestly didn’t think she would ever be confident enough to shave in front of a man, even if that man was the most loveable, most understanding man on the planet.
However, it wasn’t one man she was agonizing over. It was two. Nick and Steve.
Jez swore. To hell with it. This was dinner, no strings. She certainly wasn’t going to be spending the night. Having to shave first thing in the morning before facing anybody wasn’t going to be a factor, even if she did always carry a razor in her handbag. She even kept a razor in her locker at the station when she worked nights.
She raised her hand, but the door opened and Steve just stood on the threshold with an easy grin on his face and a spark of lust swirling in his hazel eyes. She felt her pussy cream but managed to stop the urge to press her thighs together. He was dressed in a thick cable knit, navy sweater and jeans and looked a lot warmer than he had that morning. “I see someone’s been shopping at Denham’s,” she said when her gaze slid down to his feet, and she recognized the brown marl thermal socks that Denham sold in his store.
“Can’t have my little piggies freezing on their way to market, now can I?”
She laughed. “No, definitely not.” He invited her in, and as she swept past him her nostrils picked up the citrus cocktail with misty marine notes of his cologne. As with their appearance it was quite a contrast as Nick’s aftershave was warmer and woody.
Nick appeared in the kitchen doorway. He also wore jeans, but instead of a sweater, he wore a plain white T-shirt that molded to his powerful chest, biceps, and abs with mouthwatering relish. “Hi, Jez. Dinner won’t be long. Would you like a drink? There’s beer in the fridge or there’s white wine? Or how about Ross’s favorite whisky? I’m sure he won’t mind you having a couple of shots.”
“I do like whisky, but I fancy a beer. Thank you.” Steve took her coat and she sat down on one of the brown leather sofas. “So what are we eating?” she asked Nick when he returned with a can of beer.
“Do you like curry?” Steve pulled a face as he sat down beside her. His thigh lightly touched her leg, and she could feel his masculine heat seeping through the denim material of his jeans through hers and onto her skin. “Hell, I hope so. I forgot to ask this morning what you’d like.”
She popped the tab and smiled. “I love curry.”
“Phew.” Steve wiped a hand across his brow. “Chicken korma.”
“Did you make it?” she asked, taking a small swig of beer.
“I sure did. Curries are my thing. I can make it mild or as fiery as you like.”
“I’d go for mild,” Nick advised. “Steve’s fiery curries are so hot, your mouth and throat will need treatment for third-degree burns.” He deftly caught the scatter cushion Steve threw at him. “The last time I was fool enough to eat one, I had a sore throat for a month.”
Steve snorted loudly. “That’s the last time I cook for you, baby.”
She laughed at the easy banter between the two men. Their love for one another shone, and she liked it. “And for dessert?” she asked Nick.
“Double-chocolate ice cream. And no, I did not make that. There’s a tub of Ben and Jerry’s in the freezer. Jess’s no doubt. Like me, she’s addicted to chocolate.”
“You’ll be getting fat,” she teased.
Nick patted his firm abs. “No chance.”
“Never say never,” she said although she believed him. An overweight Nick was not something she could envisage.
A beeping noise sounded from the kitchen. Steve rose to his feet. “If madam would like to come this way, dinner will be served.”
Jez followed them and audibly gasped at the trendy laid table. T
he matte black hexagonal plates went perfectly with the deep red tablecloth, and the silver cutlery complemented the smoky-gray color of the glasses. “Wow! You didn’t have to go to this much trouble.” Steve grabbed her plate as he motioned her to sit at the head of the table. She sat down and Nick opened and laid a matching deep red napkin across her lap before taking the chair to her right. “I hope Jess and Ross won’t mind. This must be their best dinnerware.”
Standing at the stove, Steve waved the ladle he was using at her. “Nonsense. You’re never too much trouble. Anyway, we found the plates and the glasses in the back of a cupboard. All layered with dust. So I don’t think they’re used much.”
“Which is a pity,” Nick added. “I like ’em.” He emptied her can of beer into a glass and offered it to her.
“Why didn’t you give me a glass to begin with?”
“Didn’t want to spoil the surprise.”
She laughed and then sniffed with appreciation at the plate of creamy chicken korma and rice that Steve placed before her. “Can I?” she asked, picking up a fork.
Steve grinned. “Please do.”
“Oh, look out. He’ll be asking for marks out of ten in a minute,” Nick said, also with a grin on his handsome face.
Jez took a bite, contemplating the dish as she chewed. She moaned as the gently warming and delicious sweetness of the spices went down. “Ten. Definitely ten.” Steve put a plate in front of Nick then, with his own plate, sat in the chair to her left. “If you ever want to leave the force, I’m sure Clive will take you on as a chef at his restaurant.”
“We met Mr. Fraser this afternoon,” Nick said. “His restaurant, Rendezvous, is a place we’ll be going to again. And again. And again. The food was first class.”
“It is nice there,” she agreed. “What else did you do today? Apart from shopping at Denham’s.”
“We sampled the chocolate delights at CC’s—” Nick began but Steve cut in.
“You mean, you sampled. I sure hope Ms. Coy has more chocolate cake on order. You damn well cleared her out.”
She grinned. “All her cakes and pastries are homemade.”
