by Jo Davis
He looked totally manly, sexy, and he was here for her.
He strode straight to Laura, ignoring the open stares of his admirers. “Ready to go, sweetheart?”
Laura blinked up at him, warmed to her toes by the endearment he’d used in front of everyone. “Sure.”
“Laura, sweetie, I’d skip the main course and go straight for dessert,” Toby quipped. The women dissolved into giggles.
She rolled her eyes and spun on her heel as Austin fell into step beside her, grinning. “Sorry about that. We don’t exactly get a lot of excitement around here.”
“In a morgue?” he drawled. “You don’t say.”
She was immensely glad there wasn’t too much awkwardness about her job that might come between them. “Right? It’s not exactly a hotbed of fun in this place.” She waggled her brows, making him laugh. The deep, rich timbre rumbling from his chest made her ache, and intensified the longing she’d been fighting forever.
They walked out together, his hand coming to rest at the small of her back, gently guiding. Every nerve ending sizzled with awareness, and she stifled a sigh, allowing herself to bask in his touch, the wonderful spicy scent of him, the closeness of his warmth at her side.
She told herself not to get her hopes up. Austin simply needed her help, and he had something vitally important to discuss at lunch. Now that Rainey had been forced into a position of constant contact with her because of this case, he was doing his job. Because she’d supported him when he went off the deep end, they had a friendship as well. Perhaps that was all it would be.
He opened the passenger door of his truck for her, offering a hand to help her in. She took it, glancing at him, electrified by the contact and the strength of his fingers swallowing hers.
“Thank you,” she managed, easing onto the seat.
His lips hitched up in a faint smile and he shrugged. “I’m so used to jumping in, I’d forgotten this monster isn’t a low-slung Mercedes. Besides, I didn’t want you to mess up your pretty suit.”
Austin released her and shut the door, then trotted around to his side. He climbed in and they were on their way. Carefully, he merged into the heavy noon traffic.
“Any preferences for lunch?” he inquired, keeping his attention on the road.
“Nothing too heavy, or I’ll fall asleep at my desk this afternoon.”
“Okay. I know just the place on Preston Road,” he said, nodding. “Salads, sandwiches, and stuff. It has a patio area outside, decorated like a garden. We can sit out there and talk, if that sounds okay with you.”
Laura couldn’t contain herself one second longer. In spite of the grand entrance he’d made in the lobby, the stress still rolled off him in waves. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong now?”
“It’s that obvious, huh?” He sounded tired. Sad.
“Very,” she assured him.
A long, long silence.
“I’m sorry about dragging you into my crap.”
Although she couldn’t see his eyes behind the dark sunglasses, his mouth was set in a grim line.
“Why would you say that? I’m right where I want to be.”
“You don’t want to run? If you did, I wouldn’t blame you.”
“I wouldn’t do that, or even want to. I want to help you solve this and get on with your life. Everybody wins.”
“Everybody except the people who’ve been murdered.” He let out a weary breath, but offered no censure.
Mortified at her blunder, Laura stared blindly out the window. How could she have forgotten the victims, the real reason she got dressed and went to work every day? His wife and child? Maybe she’d grown callous in her career, having seen too much.
Then she thought of her estranged older brother, Grayson, and the churning self-doubt eased. No, she’d never forget the family tragedy that had shaped her career path. Her burning desire to help others escape horror and, if possible, find solace.
Austin shut off the ignition. “Here we are.”
He led her inside the small, trendy restaurant and gave the hostess his name. Immediately, they were escorted outside to a table in a quiet, shady corner of the garden. The place was packed, and Laura knew he’d had this planned all along and must’ve called ahead. Otherwise, they couldn’t have secured such a great spot on a beautiful spring day during the lunch rush. Once more, his thoughtfulness confounded her.
A cute blond waitress, who couldn’t have been a day over twenty, handed them menus, giving Austin a serious once-over and a huge smile. He never spared the girl a glance. Deflated, she took their drink order and disappeared.
Austin removed his sunglasses and tucked them into his jacket, rubbing his face. Resting his elbows on the table, he returned Laura’s gaze, his handsome face the picture of exhaustion, eyes troubled. Sparring with her wasn’t on the agenda. Whatever was going on had shaken him badly.
“Before whatever is developing between us continues, and I start doing the news segments with your contact, there’s something you need to know.” He paused, trying to find the right words. “You’re putting yourself at great risk just being around me. In fact, I’m having second thoughts about it.”
“Oh no you don’t,” she interjected, holding up a hand. “I should’ve known where you were going. I’m a big girl and you’re not getting rid of me so easily.”
Instead of getting angry, his voice softened. “I’m not jerking you around, sugar. When I do the news spot, the extra exposure will put you in more danger than you are now.”
“I’m already in the public eye,” she countered. “I’m in the news every time there’s a big case involving a death. There’s always an inherent risk— Austin, what’s wrong?”
He looked away, his expression wretched. “Off the record. What I’m about to tell you stays between us. I mean, my team and my boss know, but nobody on the outside.”
Her heart seized. “Of course. You’re scaring me.”
“Last night, some new evidence came to light involving the murders. We know why the victims are connected. Now we just have to find the culprit to prove it.”
She nodded. “But that’s a major break! Why so grim?”
“Because the killer’s teaching me a lesson,” he said quietly.
“What?” The truth sank in slowly, horror seeping through her veins like poison. This was what she’d been afraid of all along. “He’s stalking you.”
“Yes. Jesus.” He closed his eyes.
“No—” Laura gasped. She cast about for an explanation. Anything but this. “How do you know for sure? Maybe there’s some mistake.”
The waitress brought their drinks. They ordered grilled-chicken salads, though Laura suspected neither of them had much of an appetite. Austin waited until the waitress moved away before continuing.
“I spent some time at the Waterin’ Hole last night, and this girl tried to pick me up. I declined and she left, alone.”
As much as it infuriated her to think of some woman hitting on him, it made her feel good that he’d turned her down. If he said it was true, she believed him.
He took a deep breath, continuing. “Anyway, after I got home, the killer called me. He’d been watching me. Said the girl had been taught a lesson about hanging around with the likes of me. I think he might’ve done something terrible to her.”
“Oh no. That’s horrible.” Her appetite fled.
“Yeah. He ended with basically threatening to kill me when he’s done fucking up my life.”
Her mind reeled. “You think he’s going to come after you.”
“Eventually. I’m hoping the news segments will keep his attention focused on me, rather than on taking another innocent life.”
“This is what pushed you into dangling yourself as bait.” She placed her hand over his. “Please don’t do this. It’s too dangerous.”
T
aking her hand in his, he studied her from under long lashes. “The killer is going to make a move on me. I can’t change that, but I can try to push him into acting sooner, maybe even making a mistake. The problem is, I don’t want you caught in the cross fire. Just being near me—let alone working with me—could cause him to turn his attention to you. If you got hurt, I couldn’t live with that.”
Laura gaped at him, stunned. He’d just learned his life was in danger, yet his concern wasn’t all for himself. He was worried about her. She fumbled to gather her scattered wits.
“I’m not going to get hurt. If you insist on doing the news, Joan won’t mention my name as medical examiner on the case and she’ll make sure we don’t appear together on camera. This should disassociate me from you personally. Will that help alleviate your concern?”
“That helps. I still think you should stay away from me, though.”
“I don’t care.” She squeezed his hand. “Is there any way I can talk you out of doing this? If the killer guesses what you’re doing—”
“Even if he does, his twisted mind will turn it around and consider it a challenge.” He shook his head. “I don’t have a choice, Laura. I have to do this.”
The idea of Austin baiting a maniac filled her with dread. “When?”
“This afternoon, if possible.”
Every instinct screamed against Austin’s plan, but if she didn’t help, he’d enlist someone else. No way in hell.
“When we leave here, I’ll call Joan and see if she can meet us in front of your building in a couple of hours. That should give you time to rehearse what you want to say. You light a fire under your killer and she gets a scoop. Then you can go on your way and forget all about me.”
His lips twitched. “Fat chance. Not a damn thing about you is forgettable, lady.”
And then he smiled. A big, beautiful, full-fledged smile that stole the oxygen from her lungs. French-fried her brain cells. Drove her blood pressure into stroke territory.
Speech deserted her, rescuing her from uttering something stupid. She smiled back uncertainly, giving silent thanks when their salads arrived. Not particularly hungry, she dug in, grateful to have something else to focus on besides the sexy contradiction across the table.
Between bites, Austin watched her intently, a question in his gaze. He held his silence as they ate, his open perusal making her squirm. Determined not to let him unnerve her, she straightened her spine and met his eyes, lowering her fork.
“Spit it out, Rainey. Your thoughts are blasting at me with Dolby sound.”
Austin swallowed a bite, hesitated. He chose his words with care. “I know it’s none of my business, but would you mind telling me whether you’re involved with anyone?”
She stilled. “No, of course not. Do I strike you as the sort of person who’d send out signals that I’m interested in someone if I’m already dating another guy?”
“No,” he said. “I just wanted to be sure. And there’s Danny to consider. He’s planning to ask you out, if I don’t get my ass in gear.”
“What?” Her tea glass paused halfway to her lips, and she set it down again. “Danny? I had no clue he was interested.”
“Are you interested?”
Laura studied his fierce scowl. Why, Austin is jealous! The idea flooded her with prickly heat . . . and a smidgen of mischief. She smiled, unable to resist goading him.
“Danny’s a sweet man. Cute, too. Why wouldn’t I want to find out if we’re compatible?”
Austin’s face darkened. Oh, that look! She’d poked a sleeping lion with an electric cattle prod.
“Danny’s an innocent kid,” he ground out.
“I’d hardly use that term to describe a police lieutenant. I have a feeling the man doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Anyway, I’m not interested in Danny, but thanks for the heads-up.”
Austin graced her with that slow smile again, and her insides flipped. Then he attacked the remainder of his salad, spearing lettuce and chicken with vicious fervor. He really had been anxious at the idea of her going out with Danny. She felt bad for teasing him.
They polished off their meal, relaxing the rest of the time with unimportant talk about this and that. The check arrived and Austin snagged it, refusing to let her pay half.
“I asked you to lunch,” he insisted.
Laura shrugged. “Okay, thanks. I’ll be glad to return the favor next time.”
His eyes crinkled and lit with happiness. “Next time. Right.”
Austin seemed distracted as they walked back to his truck, and no wonder. It occurred to Laura that he hadn’t slept in almost twenty-four hours. She couldn’t imagine the turmoil in his mind, knowing a killer pasted his face on each victim he tortured and killed. Knowing he burned to culminate his sick fantasies by doing the same to Austin.
He opened the passenger door for her, but instead of climbing in, Laura turned to face him. On impulse, she reached up and brushed his cheek with her fingers, stood on tiptoe, and placed a gentle kiss there. The quick intake of breath betrayed his surprise.
She pulled back just enough to peer into those incredible green eyes, swirling with emotion. Steeling herself, she spoke before her nerve fled.
“Austin, I don’t want anything to happen to you, because if it did, who would drive me crazy?” she murmured with a half smile, playing with a lock of hair at his collar. The strands curled around her finger, like dark fire.
“Laura.” He groaned, closing his eyes.
“Who would make me so damn nuts I can’t see straight? Who would—”
Without warning, Austin pulled her against the hard length of his body and crushed his mouth down on hers. Not a soft kiss, but the hungry kiss of a starving man, tempted beyond reason.
Laura melted into him as he backed her against the side of the truck. He spread his legs, fitting them together intimately, his mouth never leaving hers. Big hands cupped her head, buried themselves in her hair. She opened herself to him and his tongue swept inside. Hot, demanding, erotic. Deeper.
Oh yes. Her body sought his, pressing as close as possible, loving his strength and heat wrapped around her. His erection ground into her stomach, seeking sanctuary. Her hands skimmed the nape of his neck, face, and broad shoulders. Wishing them away from here. Someplace where they’d make love for days, and he would be safe from a monster.
Austin broke the kiss, breathing like an Olympic runner, eyes glazed with desire. He shook his head. “God, Laura. I—I’m sorry,” he said in a hoarse whisper. “I didn’t mean to—”
She placed a finger over his lips. “Don’t apologize. That was the most awesome kiss I’ve ever experienced. Gave the term spontaneous combustion a whole new meaning.”
“I shouldn’t have done that.” But he was still attached to her like shrink-wrap.
Laura smiled. “But you did it very well.”
He dropped his hands, backed away a couple of steps. “I shouldn’t let that happen again, for your sake.”
Uh-oh. He had that deer-in-the-headlights expression, morphing fast into full retreat mode. “Too bad, Captain Rainey,” she said, climbing into the truck. “Because you’re going to.”
He moved to stand in her door, preventing her from shutting it, a mock scowl furrowing his brow. “You think so, do you?”
“I know so.”
To prove it, she pulled him in for another blistering kiss designed to curl his toes and leave him wanting much more. She wanted him thinking of her tonight, and anytime he was alone.
His cell phone interrupted with the quirky tune from Inspector Gadget. Pulling away with a muttered apology, he snatched the thing from inside his jacket and answered. He walked to the front of his truck, but she overheard anyway.
“Rainey.” Austin paused. As he listened, his mouth tightened. “What was her name? Physical description, clothing . . .”
<
br /> The color drained from his face. “I’ll be there soon.” He braced his hands on the hood of his truck and lowered his head. “Jesus Christ.”
Laura leaped out of the truck and hurried to his side, laying a hand on his sleeve. “What’s happened?”
He raised tortured eyes to hers. “What I was afraid of. The girl from the Waterin’ Hole. She’s dead.”
5
Austin had once been called to the scene of a suicide. The man had jumped off an overpass into a gulley some forty feet below. He often wondered what had gone through the man’s mind in those final moments.
Austin didn’t want to die, but he was falling, and the ground was rushing up with alarming speed.
When Ashley had been murdered, she’d clawed furrows in her own neck, desperate to breathe as the belt choked her. The knowledge of the terror she must’ve suffered as she died had nearly driven him insane. And her estranged husband, the police captain, hadn’t been there to save her. His grief and remorse had almost killed him.
Now another woman was dead, and his carelessness might’ve put Laura’s life in danger. If the woman’s ID checked out, Stacy Mead had been brutally murdered for much less than a kiss.
A kiss that had set his blood on fire. Had made his lonely broken heart slam in his chest. He’d looked into Laura’s perfect face, buried his hands in dark silk, pressed the curve of her lush body to his, and God, it was as if he’d waited a lifetime to feel whole again. How had the woman trampled his defenses into dust?
For Laura’s sake, he couldn’t let it happen again, no matter what she claimed. Even if the idea of her going out with Danny—perhaps sharing her fiery kisses with his friend—caused inky black rage to spread through his soul.
How rich that he’d been putting off acting on his feelings for her for so long. Just when they found their way to each other, the reason they did meant they had to stay apart.
