by Jen Talty
He sucked in his lips as if totally disgusted with her statement. “So you did sic the cops on me?”
“Excuse me?” A tight breath caught in her throat. She gripped the doorknob just as it clicked shut. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Some trooper came to work this morning asking me if I had ever committed a crime, even when I was a kid.” He lifted his arms as though he were ready for a fight. “Why would anyone care?”
Trying not to shake, she collected her thoughts. “As you know, there have been some threats made against me.” She swallowed. “I’m sure the cops are just checking around the hotel.”
“So why pick on me? I took you out, bought you a nice dinner, and what did I get in return?”
Careful not to make a noise, she twisted the knob. An eerie darkness seeped from his stare. “I’m sorry you feel that way. But like I said before—”
“You’re only interested in friendship. But I guess you’re certainly interested in that trooper friend of yours.”
“What do you mean by that?” The cops knew about her and Jared. They wouldn’t go around telling the world that they were having sex while someone ransacked her apartment. The only other person who would know, would be the person who’d been watching.
“I mean it’s obvious that the two of you are an item, which makes no sense since he just took a job transfer.” His chest heaved up and down, while his fingers trembled. “I didn’t put that rat in your drawer, and I resent you implying that I did.”
“First.” She swung the door open. “I didn’t imply anything. Honestly, the thought never crossed my mind.” Needing to get the upper hand, she looked him directly in the eyes. Damn jerk didn’t back down. “As far as whom I choose to date, or not date, it’s none of your business.”
“I see the nice girl-next-door façade has finally cracked.” He arched a single brow. “Call off the hounds, or else,” he ground out before bolting from her office.
Shaking out her trembling hands, she reached for her purse with the intention of calling Jared, but it seemed someone had decided to call her. Without looking at the caller ID, she flipped open her phone and answered with a shaky breath.
“Ryan, how could you? I trusted you.”
“Eddy?” She couldn’t believe her ears. It had been months since she’d spoken to the man. Her rump hit the corner of her desk, and she let out a little yelp.
“You said you understood.”
“I never said I understood.” The throbbing in her temples pulsed, shooting pain to other parts of her body.
“I don’t like getting badgered by the cops. At least your boyfriend had the decency to hide behind a two-way mirror.”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.” Eyeing her office, she wanted to kick herself. It wasn’t as if Eddy was hiding in some corner. “Crap,” she mumbled, looking under the desk. “Where are you?” She moved to the hallway, and looked in both directions.
“Basically under house arrest, no thanks to you.”
“Why’d you call me?”
Silence, followed by muffled voices in the background, then Eddy spoke softly, too softly. “You’ll get what’s coming to you.”
The phone went dead. “Damn it.” She punched Penny’s number. She tapped her wristwatch. Hopefully Penny could slip out of work and meet her at her brother’s bar. Jared would be the next phone call, and she was sure he’d demand she leave and go to the station or her brother’s or something. She decided to set up her own plan, and make Jared deal with it.
But being alone wasn’t an option.
Chapter Nine
Ryan pulled into the parking lot of her brother’s bar. She glanced around for a spot just as Pat ran from the door. She winced, knowing he wasn’t rushing to her side because the rain was coming down in buckets.
“Do you think anyone followed you?” He opened the door, offering a hand. She took it and then nudged the door closed with her hip.
She hurried toward the well-lit entrance with Pat’s arms tight around her. He constantly looked over his shoulder.
Her brother might have meant well, but this kind of treatment would drive her wacko. “I take it Jared called.” Water sloshed onto her already soaked feet when she shook her coat. “Are Penny and Chuck here?”
“They’re in the back corner.” Pat grabbed her by the shoulders. “This is serious shit, ya know.”
She wanted to stuff her fist in the man’s mouth. “That’s why I called Jared.”
Pat narrowed his eyes. “Is something going on with you two?”
She opened her mouth, but then shut it tight, knowing she’d just given him the answer he’d been looking for.
“I’ll kill him,” he grumbled.
“Why? What the hell did he do?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.” Someone called Pat’s name, but he just put his hand up and stared her down like she was a child.
“What I do with my life is my business. But if you must know, we went to visit Johnny together and, well, he’s different, that’s all. I think he’s finally going to be able to move past all this.”
“And on to Rochester.” Pat arched a brow. “Can you move past this?”
“I think I’m a little more concerned with who’s stealing my underwear, sticking dead animals in my desk, and ripping my bed to shreds, than Jared’s move.”
“I’m sorry. I’m scared for you.”
“Me, too,” she admitted, accepting his overpowering hug. Sometimes it was like he forgot she was half his size.
Ryan shook out the water on her coat, then hung it up on the rack before making her way to the back of the bar. She spotted Penny, who was practically sitting on Chuck’s lap. Chuck was all smiles, while he batted Penny’s nose with his finger. Must be nice to be in love, Ryan thought, trying not to be jealous as hell of her friend.
Normally Penny’s love life didn’t affect her one way or another because it wasn’t a love life, just sex. Penny caught her eye and jumped up, waving frantically, calling out her name. At least Ryan knew she’d always be a part of Penny’s life no matter who stole Penny’s heart.
“Thanks for meeting me.” Ryan wrapped her arms around Penny, getting almost all the comfort she needed.
“Anytime.”
“But I’m sure you and Chuck had other plans.” Ryan dropped her purse over the chair, then planted her butt in it.
Chuck smiled politely. “Not really. Besides, Jared said someone was stalking you? You really shouldn’t be alone.”
Oh, yeah. This guy was a keeper. It appeared his world revolved around Penny. His brown eyes conveyed a genuine empathy. No one could fake that.
“I can’t say the prospect of being alone right now is all that appealing.” As much as Ryan tried, she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her. All the time.
She lifted the water glass to her lips, then swallowed the lemon-flavored liquid. The hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention.
“Jared will figure all this out,” Penny said, with hopeful eyes.
“He’s moving, Pen.”
“When he does, you’ll stay with me.” Penny patted her shoulder.
The chatter in the background only added to Ryan’s already fried nerves. Laughter boomed at one table, sparring words echoed at another, and still other muffled words sounded in her ears, only adding to her confusion. “I just might take you up on that.”
“Jared told me his new job doesn’t really start for a few weeks.” Chuck folded his menu, then set it on the table. “But when he does finally leave, maybe both of you should stay with me.”
Ryan could barely bite back her smile. Chuck’s protective tone and the way he slipped his hand into Penny’s could only be viewed as true love. “I could also stay with my brother.” Ryan took another sip of water. She’d be a third wheel no matter where she went. At least if Marci had the baby soon, Ryan would have something to do. “And I do have to find a new apartment.”
“Jared’s here,” Pe
nny whispered.
When Jared strolled into Ryan’s view, she almost forgot all her problems. His eyes locked with hers and didn’t shift until he took her by the hand and lifted her from her seat. “Hey, babe.”
She blinked, then blinked again, trying to pull herself together as he bent and brushed his lips across her temple.
“Any news?” she asked.
He settled himself down, resting his arm on the back of her chair. “Nothing concrete.”
“This sucks,” Penny said. “I mean, I can’t believe anyone other than George would do such a horrible thing to Ryan.”
“Honey, some people are just psycho,” Chuck said. “You up for a game of pool before dinner?” he asked Jared.
“Sure.” Jared rose. “Order me a beer and maybe some nachos.”
“Same for me.” Chuck planted a kiss on Penny’s cheek, then strode away with Jared.
“If you don’t want to stay with Jared, you know you can stay with me.” Penny leaned in, taking Ryan’s hands. “I know how you feel, and it’s got to be hard staying in the room next door.”
“I stayed in his bed last night.”
“With him in it?” Penny screeched. “Don’t mess with me.”
“I’m not.”
“Was it bad?”
“Oh, good God, no.” Ryan laughed, then smiled. “It was amazing. I never knew sex could be that great.”
“Then why do you look…never mind.” Penny scowled, tossing her napkin on the table. “You shouldn’t have slept with him.”
“Hey, weren’t you the one giving me pointers last year?”
“That was different.”
“How so?” Ryan asked, folding her arms across her chest. “It’s not like he was any more emotionally available a year ago. The only thing that’s changed is he’s moving.”
“And you think you’re in love with him.” Penny glanced over her shoulder.
“I’m not in love with him.” How could someone be in love with a man who had nothing emotional to give? “We had sex, that’s it.”
“I hope you used protection.”
“I’m not an idiot.”
“Glad to hear one of us isn’t.” Penny glanced at Ryan, then dropped her gaze to her lap. “I’m pregnant.”
“What?” Ryan knocked over a glass, sending water all over the table. “Did you say preg—”
“Shush, I don’t want people to know.” Penny’s eyes shot around the room. “I haven’t even told Chuck yet.”
“Are you sure?”
“What am I going to do?” Penny wiped her face. “He told me he loved me.”
“That’s a start.” Ryan finished cleaning the table, thankful for the change in subject. “Do you want to spend the rest of your life with Chuck?”
“God, Ry. I never thought I wanted all of this. I mean, a husband, a baby. But damn it, I do.”
Ryan looked over at the pool table. A smitten Chuck waved and then winked. Jared, on the other hand, took the blue chalk and fiddled with his cue stick giving Ryan only a half smile. He might have told her he didn’t regret last night, but his actions spoke louder than his words. “Do you want the baby?”
“I want it all,” Penny admitted.
“Then go for it.” Ryan shifted her gaze to Penny. “Tell him how you feel, what you want, and tell him about the baby. If he loves you, things will work themselves out.”
Penny smiled. “He did say he wanted to get married someday and have a couple of kids.”
“When did he say that?” Ryan felt her purse vibrate on the back of her chair.
“The other day. We’re so great together, and I think he really loves me, but I’m scared.”
Ryan glanced at her cell. It was a blocked number. Her forehead beaded with perspiration. She tossed the phone back in her purse. Determined not to deal with it, she turned her attention to Penny. “I know you’re scared, but you have to tell him tonight.”
“I will. Who called?”
“Probably the wrong number.” Her chair jerked. “Hey!” she yelled, looking over her shoulder.
Jared yanked her purse from the chair, then dug his hand deep inside, rummaging around.
“What are you doing?” She tried to grab it back.
He didn’t answer, just snatched up her phone and flipped it open. “Damn it, Ryan. You really need to call me over when this happens.”
“When what happens?” She plopped against the back of her chair, folding her arms. “Control freak.”
“Is this the only blocked call you’ve gotten today? I checked out the phone call from Eddy; he actually had the nerve to call you from the police station. This isn’t a game.” Jared’s tone could only be described as condescending.
She knew it wasn’t a game, and she was damn scared. But she didn’t like her lover treating her like a child. Lover? No, Jared wasn’t her lover. He was still the overbearing protector he’d always been. “I got two hang-ups at work, but I already told you that.”
“If it happens again, wave me over and then answer it. We might be able to get a lead that way.” He rested his hand on her shoulder. “I’m just trying to nail this guy before something really bad happens, okay?”
“Yeah, like having her home gutted isn’t bad enough,” Penny said.
“I’m doing the best I can,” Jared said behind his clenched jaw.
Ryan kicked Penny under the table. Jared didn’t need to be reminded of what he thought were his failures in life.
“Fine, but I’m worried about her.” Penny grabbed Chuck’s hand when he sat down beside her.
“Her is sitting right here.” Ryan waved to everyone.
“We’re all on edge about what’s happening.” Chuck’s calm voice rang out. “Let’s all just try and have a good time.”
Ryan wasn’t sure if that was possible. Between some sicko successfully scaring the crap out of her, and dealing with the consequences of sleeping with Jared, she wasn’t sure a good time could be had.
* * * *
“Give me your keys. It’s still pouring.” Jared held his hand out to Ryan. “I’ll drive your car to the door.” He peered out the small window in the restaurant’s door, doing his best to remain indifferent.
“What about your truck?” Ryan asked.
“You’ll drive me to it, then I’ll follow you home.” And then he’d go straight to bed, without her.
“What are you going to do about the carriage house?” She plopped her keys in his hand.
“I hired a buddy of mine, Rory, to fix it. He starts tomorrow. I’ll have him store your belongings in the garage.” He pushed open the door, then turned back to look at her. “I spoke with the realtor. She actually thinks it’s a good idea if you live in the main house until it sells. I’d pay you.”
Her already annoyed expression turned deadly.
“I didn’t mean it like it sounded,” he said softly.
“What exactly did you mean?” She glared.
“It’s going to take at least a month for the carriage house to be completed. You need a place to live, and after I move, I’ll need someone to take care of the place until it sells.” Had he not taken her to bed last night, he supposed his words wouldn’t have felt so cold. But the harsh reality was last night shouldn’t have happened, and it would never happen again.
“I told you I’d help with the sale of the house.” She huffed. “I’m tired and I want to go to bed.”
“Be right back.” He charged out into the wind and rain. Lightning flashed in the sky, followed by a big bang. The raging storm matched the fried emotions he didn’t know how to handle.
Not to mention the broken condom. He didn’t know if she knew about it or not. Part of him didn’t want to say anything. The likelihood he’d gotten her pregnant…hell, he should know better than anyone it only took one time.
He prayed he hadn’t gotten her pregnant. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he had. He’d thought about having a vasectomy, but just never got around to it. Maybe he
should. Having a kid would ruin his life. And hers.
The rain came down so hard and fast it didn’t matter how close to the door he got her SUV, she was drenched by the time she scooted into the driver’s seat.
“So much for having a great hair day.” She ran her fingers through her luscious hair, dripping water in her lap.
“I like it wet.” He reached in his pockets for his keys, then looked over at her. Mascara smudged under her eyes, and when lightning flashed across the sky, her face brightened. Never before had he seen such a beautiful sight. “You’ve got an umbrella?”
She shook her head. “I always lose the suckers.”
“I guess we’re gonna get even wetter.” He bolted to his truck, then followed her the half-mile home.
The rain didn’t appear to be letting up at all, even though the wind had died down. After snatching the mail, he took Ryan by the hand and raced to the porch.
“Crap,” she muttered. “I need a change of clothes from the carriage house.”
He pushed back the door, then flicked on the kitchen lights. “Pack up your clothes in the morning and Rory will bring them over here. And anything else you might need.” He shook off his coat, then kicked off his shoes. “Damn socks are soaked.”
“I’m not moving in with you.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“I’m not asking you to.” He glared at her. “But until this bastard is caught, you’re stuck with me, babe.”
“I don’t need a damn bodyguard.” She tossed her purse on the kitchen table, then pulled back a chair. Once settled in the seat, she kicked off her black pumps and rubbed her feet.
He enjoyed watching just about anything she did. He rubbed the back of his neck. Nothing about his thoughts made much sense. He wouldn’t deny he cared, but he didn’t like the feeling that he cared beyond protecting her from bodily harm. “I spoke with Rick today, and he said he could give you Friday off.”
Her shoe fell to the floor, then she looked up at him with wide eyes. “Why would you do that?”
“I have to go to Rochester, and I don’t want to leave you alone.”
