by Jen Talty
* * * *
The following evening, Ryan perched herself at a table in the back corner of the Mason Jug. She fiddled with her cell phone and waited for Penny, who was late. Nothing new there. Penny would be late for her own funeral.
Ryan looked around the bar. All the regulars and a few new faces filled the room. A couple of guys she knew from high school waved, then continued with their pool game. The music wasn’t too loud, but it drowned out the voices around her.
She’d worked her butt off to graduate from high school early. Then she crammed a four-year degree in business management into three intense years. She took a full load each semester and every summer, spending what little free time she had waiting tables.
She noticed her brother behind the bar. He gave her a glancing nod, then smiled as a waitress yapped in his ear. Against all odds, she and her brother had come out on top. She was finally in charge of her own life.
“Hi.”
She sloshed her water before she looked up, trying not to cringe. “Tom, you scared me.” Going on a date with him the other night had proven to be a huge mistake. One she didn’t plan on repeating. He had been irritable toward her all day at work, no matter how nice she’d been.
“Sorry. Mind?” He tipped his head toward the empty chair.
Oh, she minded all right, but she had to work with the numbskull. “Actually…” Looking around the room, she smiled when Jared stepped through the main door.
He strode across the floor in that cocky, arrogant cop stroll, like he owned the place. She wished she could take her eyes off him. But all she could do was stare at the sexy thing moving effortlessly toward her.
“Hey, babe.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Tom, right?” He extended his hand to Tom.
Must have been quite the handshake considering how Tom’s face scrunched as if he were in pain. She tried not to smile, but gave up as Jared sat down. Normally she hated it when he came to the rescue. Any other day she’d make it perfectly clear it annoyed her. However, considering what she had planned and the short time she had to achieve her goal, she’d put up with his interfering ways.
“I’ll see you at work.” Tom had the nerve to pat her shoulder.
She gave him a slight smile, reminding herself that being nice was always the best way to deal with people like him. “See you later.” Slowly she turned to face Jared, knowing he’d have a huge scowl on his face.
“Something’s off with that guy.” Jared arched a brow. The lines on his face were set and hard.
She gave Jared a knowing nod, but couldn’t respond because his damn greenish eyes caught her attention and now she couldn’t look elsewhere.
“Glad you agree. Now you need to stop being so sweet to guys like that.”
“Being mean is only going to make working with him harder.”
“Dating him is what made working with him a bitch.”
“You’re impossible. Can we stop talking about it, please?”
“Fine. Want a drink?”
“No, thanks. I’m waiting for Penny.” The wild beat of her pulse pounded in her ears. Even when he made her mad, he had this strange ability to make her swoon.
Jared chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“I think Penny’s getting it on with some guy in the parking lot. Actually, I think I know the guy.”
“Great.” Ryan snatched up the menu, and hid her blushing face behind it. Damn crazy fantasies of a naked Jared just wouldn’t go away.
Jared gently took the menu from her hands, then touched the emerald necklace he’d given her for her birthday. The green rock fell down toward her breasts. He hesitated for a moment before touching her skin. “Looks real nice on you.” He dropped his hand to his lap, leaving behind a hot pulse trickling to her midriff.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Looking for you.” His eyes sparkled, and a slow grin appeared on his face. “I want to apologize for my rudeness the other day.”
“No need.” She shrugged, but deep down she wanted to jump and shout. Jared apologized to no one.
“Don’t you think this thing with us is weird?”
Weird? No weirder than the rest of her love life. Or lack thereof. She picked either guys who suffocated her or guys who dumped her right after they’d gotten into her pants. She smiled. At least with Jared the dumping would be mutual. “Because we’ve been friends forever?”
“That, and I’ve known you since you were, like, two.” He scrunched his face as if he’d just eaten something sour.
“Okay, so that is weird, but so what.” Tentatively, she rested her hand high on his thigh. “You’re a few years older. Not a big deal.”
“Try close to ten.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re the one who started flirting and telling me how hot you think I am.”
“You’re the one who propositioned me.” His gaze dropped to her hand. He lifted it in his and clasped his fingers through hers. “Why don’t we try and go out on a date? A real date. Flowers and everything.”
Holding her breath, she lifted her free hand and traced a path with her index finger across his jawline. “If you think that will help with whatever problem you’re having.”
He grabbed her hand, and then pressed his lips to her palm. “I don’t have a problem.”
“Then what’s the big deal?”
“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t just jump into bed with anyone, or even on a whim.”
That wasn’t quite what she’d heard about his shenanigans over the years. Not to mention the women that came and went every so often from his house. “I’m not just anyone.”
“Then humor me. Let me take you to a nice restaurant for dinner and maybe some dancing. A goodbye thing.”
She forced a smile. “I’d like that.” And she meant it, but not that he actually called it “a goodbye thing.”
He glanced toward the door and laughed. “Penny’s here.”
Ryan watched Penny give her new boyfriend a wet, passionate kiss. “Oh, now that’s just gross.”
“Really?” Jared leaned in. “Close your eyes,” he whispered.
Ryan sucked in a breath, then let her eyelids drop, but didn’t take her sight off his luscious lips.
He grinned before pressing his mouth against hers. His hot tongue darted inside her mouth and ignited a fire deep in her belly. A rumble rolled from his lips to hers. Instinctively, she ran her hands up his thighs, hips, and fisted in his shirt.
He cupped her cheeks, staring at her for a brief moment before pulling away. “Not so gross,” he whispered, then stood and walked toward the door, not looking back.
Ryan stared across the room. She blinked a few times, but couldn’t focus. The man had kissed her blind.
“Earth to Ryan.” Penny waved her hand in Ryan’s face.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m here.”
“You looked dazed and confused.” Penny sat down with her own look of discomfort as she fiddled with her pinky ring. “Sometimes I’m such a fool.”
“Why?” Ryan said, still breathless. She touched her lips.
“Like an idiot, I told Chuck I loved him.”
Ryan gasped, covering her mouth.
“Don’t look so shocked. It was in the midst of multiple orgasms, so he probably didn’t think much of it.” Penny flapped her arms in her normal dramatic way. She shrugged her shoulders, but Ryan didn’t miss the single tear rolling down Penny’s cheek.
“Oh, my. You really do love him.” Ryan giggled. She never thought she’d see the day Penny gave her heart wholly to a man.
“Yeah. I think I do. But I don’t think he loves me.” Penny sighed as she glanced around the room. “Oh, my God. It’s like a freaking high school reunion in here. Doesn’t anybody have anything better to do than hang out in the same old same old?”
Ryan laughed. “Come on.” She pushed back her chair feeling like a new woman. “This calls for an old-fashioned girls’ night out. I’ll get my brother to m
ake us some wings to go with the tequila I got for my birthday.”
“Oh, that so works for me.” Penny stood, adjusting her hair behind her ears. “But now you have to explain the major sucking face with Jared.” Her eyes twinkled.
“Not.” Ryan covered Penny’s mouth with her hand. “Don’t say a word. I know what I’m doing.”
Penny looped her arm over Ryan’s shoulder. “No, you don’t.”
A few hours later Ryan and Penny had sprawled out in the lounge chairs on Jared’s front lawn down by the lake. He had never minded her using the yard. She couldn’t help but wonder if the new owners would allow whoever rented the carriage house full use of the lawn. Somehow she doubted that.
Large shrub hedges lined the lush one-acre spread down both sides of the property for privacy. A few boats hummed by, their wake rolling onto the shoreline.
“Are you going to tell Chuck?” Ryan hiccupped, feeling the effects of the alcohol. “That you meant what you said. That you love him.”
“Nope.” Penny shook her head vigorously. “I don’t think I can drive home. Mind if I crash here?”
“Not at all.” As Ryan pushed herself to her feet, her legs wobbled. “Why do I do this to myself when I have to get up for work?” Pressing her shoulder blades together, she tried to keep herself from stumbling. Drinking had never been one of her strong suits.
“Because I’m such a bad influence.” Penny’s arm crash-landed on Ryan’s shoulder and they nearly fell over.
“Yes, you are,” Ryan said, doing her best to guide them to the carriage house. She gasped when she reached the gaping hole that used to be her front door. “Oh, my, God!” She froze. “What the hell?”
“Holy crap,” Penny mumbled. “I know we didn’t leave the door open.”
“Maybe I should take a look around.”
“Are you nuts? We need to call the cops.”
Ryan glanced over her shoulder and looked to see if Jared was home. Relief flowed through her body immediately. “Jared’s pickup is here, so he’s got to be around somewhere.” Frantically, she looked toward the main house, but all the lights were off. “Where the heck is he?”
“Right in front of you, babe.” His deep throaty voice comforted her.
“Thank God.” Her pulse increased as panic set in. Jared stood in her doorway, in his uniform, with latex gloves on his hands. “What happened?”
“Someone broke in.” He peeled off the gloves. “I’ve got backup on the way.” He directed his gaze to Penny. “Can you drive?”
She shook her head, jaw gaping open and her eyes wide.
“Can you call your boyfriend? Chuck, right?”
“Yeah,” she whispered, then pulled out a cell phone with trembling fingers. “You want to come to my place?” Penny asked, pressing the phone to her ear.
But before Ryan could answer, Jared said, “Ryan will stay with me. Just sit tight for a little while.” He led her to his pickup and opened the tailgate, hoisting her up onto the cold metal. “Don’t either of you move.”
Red lights flashed in the sky when a police car rolled down the street. Ryan watched as some local officer chatted with Jared. “Penny?”
Penny jumped up and took Ryan’s hand. “Is he always this controlling?”
“This is nothing,” Ryan said. When Jared took over, the world was given no choice but to listen.
“Thank goodness it was a nice night out. I shudder to think what might have happened if we were inside. But I’m surprised they didn’t go for the main house.”
“I can’t believe someone broke into my house, period.” Ryan swallowed, remembering all the hang-ups.
Jared continued to talk with the other officers, but Ryan couldn’t hear them. Her body had gone numb. Then headlights swept down the road and slowed by the driveway.
“Here’s Chuck,” Penny said, still holding Ryan’s hand.
“A BMW?” Ryan eyed Penny. “You’ve left out a few details about your new love.”
“Penny. Are you okay?” Chuck flew from the driver’s seat, leaving the engine running and the door open. He scooped Penny into his arms and planted kisses all over her face before putting her down. “Are you hurt?”
“Just a little scared,” Penny said as Jared approached.
“Jared, right?” Chuck stuck his hand out, but held Penny tight with his other arm. “I’m so glad you were here.”
“You graduated with Randy, right?” Jared swiped a forearm across his head.
“Yeah, I think it was three years behind you. What happened?”
“Not exactly sure yet, but I didn’t think Penny should be alone or drive.”
“All right if I take her home?”
“That’s fine. If I need her, I know how to reach her.”
“Thanks. Please keep me posted.” Chuck nudged Penny toward his car. “Are you okay, Ryan? Can I get you anything? Want to come with us?”
“I’ll take care of Ryan,” Jared said, like it was his job or duty.
“Ryan can take care of herself,” she said under her breath. But quickly reminded herself that someone had broken into her home, and Jared was just doing his job. He was always just doing his job.
“I’ll call you tomorrow.” Penny waved as the BMW rolled down the road, red taillights fading out into the darkness.
“Ryan, this is Officer Jenkins,” Jared said. “He needs you to go through the house with him and make sure nothing is missing.”
She followed him into the house, tears welling in her eyes. A firm hand gripped her forearm as she made her way down the short hallway to her bedroom. “Oh, God.” She stopped at the doorway and looked at her clothing strewn about the room. Her body trembled. “What were they looking for?” Her throat was too dry to cough.
“I need you to tell me what’s missing.” Jared smoothed his strong hand down her back. The circular motion at the base of her spine comforted her. “But you can’t touch anything yet.”
She glanced around the room. “It’s hard to tell, with most of my belongings on the floor. Seems like everything in my closet is out here.” She inched toward her dresser, trying not to step on anything. The drawers had been pulled open and emptied. “I don’t know.” She continued to scan the room. Her clothes had been tossed to the ground as if they didn’t matter. “The only thing I don’t see is my...my...underwear and nighties.”
“Doesn’t look like there are any undergarments here,” Officer Jenkins said.
She jumped, having forgotten the officer was in the room. “My underwear? Who would do such a thing?” Her stomach tightened. The taste of bile rose up to her throat.
“A pervert, ma’am,” Officer Jenkins said.
“But who? And why me?”
“Could be an ex-boyfriend or a perfect stranger, but someone decided to fixate their issues on you, ma’am.” The officer turned toward Jared. “I’ll file a report, and our office will up our patrols. We’ll need to get her prints so we can match them against the prints we’ve found here.”
“State will take care of that and send them to you. What about a tap on the phone? She’s been getting a lot of hang-ups lately.”
The officer lifted his hat, then wiped his brow. “Doubtful, but I’ll check into it. You might have better luck than us.”
“All right. Thanks for coming out.”
“You can put your room back in order now, ma’am.”
“Thanks.” Ryan plopped on the edge of her bed and tried to make sense of what had happened while she and Penny had been having a quiet drink near the lake only five hundred feet away. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought her stepfather had returned. He used to go on rampages and trash the house, just because someone ticked him off. But George was behind bars.
She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling for what seemed like an eternity. Her eyelids sank heavily and her body demanded sleep. She inhaled deeply, then let out one slow breath. She couldn’t believe this was happening to her.
* * * *
That sealed file could’ve been anything. Hell, Jared had been picked up twice as a teenager, once for lewd behavior and once for possession. Both times the cop had opted to warn him and send him home scared shitless. However, that didn’t make him a criminal. Kids made stupid mistakes every day of their existence.
He ran his fingers across the splintered wood. Anyone could’ve kicked in the door. Jared grabbed a soda from the refrigerator before heading back to Ryan’s bedroom. The thought that someone had her panties sickened him. There were a lot of heinous crimes out there, but sexual ones disturbed him more than most.
He paused at the base of her bed and sipped his soda. Ryan had curled up like a kitten and hugged her pillow. He hated the idea of waking her, but she couldn’t stay here alone under the present circumstances.
He set the soda can down on the nightstand and hesitated for a moment. She looked almost peaceful. He slid his arms under her warm body.
“Jared?” Her eyes flew open.
“Relax, babe.” But it was him who needed to relax. The muscles in his body ached like he’d been up for days.
“I have to work in the morning.”
“What time do you need to get up?” He lifted her into his arms and she nuzzled her face into his neck. Her hot breath tickled his skin.
“About six. I’ve got a big event tomorrow at the hotel.”
“I’ll set an alarm for you.” Careful not to bump anything, he made his way out of her room and through the carriage house.
“Are you taking me to your bed?”
“You can’t stay here alone; the door doesn’t lock anymore.” That really didn’t answer her question. He hadn’t given much thought to where she’d sleep. Okay, so he had, but only in the name of protecting her. Yeah, right.
