After grabbing a pair of black heels, she hurried downstairs. She slipped on her shoes then looked at herself in the mirror. The emerald green velvet dress hugged every last curve of her body. Gwen had convinced her to buy it a few years ago when her friend had come to Atlanta for a visit. She’d told Thea it would look great, that the color was perfect. It emphasized her eyes, almost matching them perfectly. But she was not used to wearing something so revealing. From the front, it was demure enough for a church social. It was a plain dress, long-sleeved, showing very little skin. But the back…
She turned, and looked over her shoulder. The back of the dress was almost nonexistent. Her entire back was exposed, from her neck to the small of her back. She wiggled her rear end to make sure the material didn’t slip.
A horn sounded and she grabbed her handbag and coat and rushed out the door.
* * * *
Duncan arrived half an hour later than he’d expected and parked his truck a fair ways from the VFW hall. Every big function in the town was held in the hall, partially because of the size and mostly because they had a liquor license.
As he hurriedly walked to the front door, he put on his tux jacket. He’d had a long day of investigating and coming up with dead ends. Then he’d called Thea to tell her he would be late and she should ride with Gwen, and they’d fought about that. The woman was more stubborn than anyone he ever met. But after threatening her with revealing what was going on to Jed, she’d acquiesced. She couldn’t understand that just being alone was dangerous. More company, less chance the bastard would catch her alone.
He shoved his hands through his hair, trying to put it in some semblance of order. Finally, he was inside the building and his eyes instinctively searched for Thea. He saw Gwen. Thea was not standing dutifully beside her as he’d told her to. He scanned the room as nerves bunched his stomach muscles.
She better be inside the building. If not, he would put her over his knee as soon as he got a hold of her. That thought gave him a few ideas about what else to do with her once they got home.
Duncan stalked over to Gwen.
“Hey, Duncan. How was work?” Gwen asked. For once he didn’t return her smile.
“Fine. Where’s Thea?” His tone was abrupt but he didn’t care.
Gwen smile widened. “She’s dancing with your Uncle Chris.”
He placed a hand on each hip and surveyed the room. He spotted her two-stepping with Chris. She smiled at something Chris said. Thea was a beautiful woman but tonight she was stunning. The green of her dress matched her eyes. It was form-fitting, but not as revealing as some of the other dresses on display tonight. It was sexy without being trashy. Classy, just like the lady.
As he watched them, his chest began to hurt and he realized he’d forgotten to breathe. Duncan took a breath, filling his lungs and exhaled just as Chris spun Thea around a corner. Her back was to him and that was when he realized she was practically naked. And Chris’ hand was splayed on her flesh. A wave of heated anger surged through him.
A red haze materialized out of nowhere blinding him to their objective.
“What the hell is she doing dressed like that?” He turned to face Gwen. Gwen raised one eyebrow as she sipped her wine. Maybe the tone in his voice was a bit possessive. “How could you let her wear that dress in public? It’s indecent.”
Gwen smiled, her light blue eyes sparkling with humor. “I helped her pick it out.”
Duncan muttered a curse that had Gwen laughing harder. The music had stopped and the band announced they were going to take a break. He turned and headed toward Thea. Halfway there, he realized he’d been taking off his jacket to cover her.
He knew the moment she saw him. Her eyes widened and she stopped in her tracks. Duncan continued on the same path, and halted within inches of her. She dropped Chris’ arm and swallowed.
“Duncan,” Chris said. “Nice to see you could make it. I know some years it’s hard to get away.”
Duncan never took his eyes off of Thea. “Yes. I wouldn’t miss it this year for anything.” Under his intense stare, Thea’s skin reddened. He couldn’t tell if she were angry or embarrassed. “It seems you’ve procured my date.”
“Oh. I didn’t know…well I had no idea the two of you were seeing each other.”
Thea’s eyes narrowed and sparked with fire. “We are not seeing each other. We were coming together tonight because we were both stag.”
“Well, I’ll leave you kids to sort it out.” Amusement and a touch of something Duncan couldn’t identify were evident in his voice. Duncan glanced at him but the smile Chris gave him showed nothing.
“Thank you for the dance, Chris.”
“Any time, Thea.”
She turned her attention back to him. “We are going to have a talk, Sheriff Perry. Follow me.”
She snapped around. Her anger was palatable but he followed. Who wouldn’t with a view like that?
* * * *
Thea stomped through the crowd. She really didn’t have any idea where she was going. Then she remembered the hall had a few smaller meeting rooms in the back and she headed in that direction.
She couldn’t believe Duncan was running around the room acting like he owned her. Like he had a right to order her around. Where did he get the idea she was going to do what he wanted? Like he was some kind of Neanderthal and she’d be the little woman being yanked around by her hair.
Okay, so she did get a secret little thrill when he strode through the crowd with a determined frown. He moved like a panther, winding his way through the people intent on his prey. And just for a second, some kind of primitive instinct swelled within her. She’d shivered with excitement from the memory.
She found a deserted room and opened the door and didn’t hold it for him. Instead she let it close behind her. He grunted as it hit him and satisfaction swelled. It was juvenile. She didn’t give a damn.
She flipped on the lights, and turned around ready to do battle. He stood before her, his arms crossed, his feet spread apart. He had the nerve to look irritated with her.
“What the hell was that all about back there?”
His eyes narrowed and his lips thinned into a straight line. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“Ask me the same thing? What do you mean?”
“You need to take the dress back to the store.”
“Why?”
“They forgot to sew the material in the back. I’m trying to protect you and you’re running around half dressed.”
“Let me get this straight. You’re mad because of the way I’m dressed?”
“Yes.”
“Well doesn’t that beat all? I mean, here I was worried that you just made yourself a target for the stalker. If he didn’t know something was going on before, he knows now. What the hell were you thinking stalking me like your dinner?”
For a second, he stared at her, then closed the distance between them. He pulled her into his arms but she refused to relax against him. His fingers skimmed her spine, as his body heat surrounded her. His spicy cologne sent a curl of warmth to the pit of her stomach. He kissed her temple and sighed.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I saw you dancing with Chris and then when you turned and his hand was on your back…”
Oh, God. He was sexy and so masculine when he acted like a primitive male protecting his property. But he was downright irresistible when he was humble. Her whole body relaxed into his and she slid her arms around his waist. She rested her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat.
“I won’t let it happen again. I put myself and you at greater risk tonight, and I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.” His voice was a low rumble against her ear. The sound comforted her. “We better get back. I made enough of a scene to have gained the attention of half the old gossipy women in this town.”
His deep, gruff voice washed over her and sent a wave of heat racing through her. Her nipples tightened and heat pooled between h
er legs. She didn’t want to go back to the dance but she knew they had to. She curled her toes inside her shoes and forced herself to pull away from him. Immediately she sensed the loss of heat and shivered.
She looked up and almost groaned when she recognized the heat in his eyes. He reached for her and she went willingly back into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her lips to his.
The kiss was bruising in intensity. She opened her mouth, allowing for his invasion. He pulled her closer and pressed his erection against her belly. She moaned or he did and she was seriously thinking about the sturdiness of one of the tables when a burst of laughter down the hall brought both of them back to their senses.
* * * *
She pulled away and for a few moments their heavy breathing was the only sound in the room. He lifted his hand to shove it through his hair when he noticed it was shaking. Good Lord. All the woman had to do was kiss him and he was a mess. What the hell was the matter with him? Never before had he allowed anything to interfere with his job. Now, when it was most important he was at the top of his game, he was turning into an overgrown teenager with out-of-control hormones.
“We need to get back.” His voice was rough with unspent desire. “I’ve already caused enough speculation.” Her eyes were dark with passion but she nodded without comment.
He followed her out of the room, turning off the lights. The hallway was deserted as they walked silently side-by-side back to the main hall.
“Should we walk in there together?” she asked.
“Yeah. Everyone saw us leave together so there’s no reason to sneak back in. You didn’t have any phone calls today? No notes?”
Her brow wrinkled. “No.”
They reached the main part of the hall and more than a few heads turned in their direction. The band had retaken the stage and Duncan decided nothing was going to help. At least he could have her in his arms if they danced.
He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her toward the dance floor.
“What are you doing?” she asked. “We’ve already made you a target.”
“Nothing can be done about it now and I want to dance with my girl.”
As the band struck up a George Strait song, Duncan pulled her into his arms. The apples and cinnamon scent he knew now was her body wash surrounded him. He guided her around the floor, her round warm body fitted against his. She was so unbearably soft. Memories of kissing and caressing her sweet flesh had interrupted his thoughts more than once during that day. Hell, he was still half cocked and with a little encouragement from her, he’d explode inside of five minutes of getting her to himself.
The song ended and even though he wanted to stay on the dance floor, he noticed Jed standing on the edge of it. His hands were on his hips and irritation etched his features. The only question Duncan had was what to tell the man? Should he tell Jed about the stalker, or the fact he couldn’t keep his hands off his best friend’s sister?
Thea linked her arm with his. He guided them through the crowd, stopping to say hello to a few people. By the time they reached Jed and Gwen, Jed looked ready to blow. They’d been friends since grade school and, other than a few boyhood skirmishes, they’d never really had a fight.
“Duncan, I think we need to talk.”
He sighed. In his lifetime, he would never have thought to argue with this man and definitely not over Thea.
“Okay. Let’s get out of the crowd.”
Jed glanced around and Duncan watched as his friend reined in his temper. They’d already sparked enough gossip tonight.
“Fine. You lead the way.”
Duncan turned and headed back to the room where Thea and he had had their talk. Anger radiated from Jed and Duncan understood it. He just hoped he could keep his best friend after he explained everything.
* * * *
Thea sipped her water as she watched people dancing. But her attention kept drifting to the hallway where Duncan and Jed had disappeared. They were probably in the same room where she and Duncan had their talk. She could just imagine what was going on.
“Never thought I’d live to see the day.” She turned to face Gwen who wore a satisfied smile on her face. The pale blue silk dress she wore matched the color of her eyes. Her hair, usually worn in a ponytail or braid was loose around her shoulders, cascading in a riot of curls down her back.
“What are you talking about?”
“Duncan Perry taking the fall. The man has avoided marriage his entire adult life.” Her eyes sparkled from excitement.
“And?”
Gwen took a step closer and lowered her voice. “Honey, you have that man wrapped around your finger. I’m amazed he didn’t rip Chris’ arms out of their sockets and beat him over the head with them.” Thea snorted. “What is going on with you two?”
Thea bit her lower lip. Gwen was really hard to lie to. She had that radar device all teachers seemed to have that could detect any lie within a hundred yards. Gwen had been a mother figure for her for years even though only five years separated them. She loved Gwen, respected her, and Thea could rarely lie to her.
Thea took a deep breath and tried her best to look innocent. “Nothing.”
“BS. Try again, Thea.”
She sighed. She should have known she’d never be able to lie to Gwen. “Not much. And that is all I’m telling you,” she added quickly when Gwen looked like she was going to protest. “Besides, just what is my brother doing here?”
Even in the dim light, Thea could see Gwen blush. “I have no idea. He found me and asked after you. I assume he came here looking for you.”
“You had no idea he was coming back?”
Gwen shook her head and took a sip of her wine and Thea stifled a disappointed sigh. Their parents’ murder had done so much damage. She wished Jed and Gwen would figure out they were meant for each other.
“And don’t think I don’t know what you are doing, Thea Michelle Johnson. That man has staked you out as his property tonight and to my knowledge, he’s never done that before. Any woman was as good as any other. But he’s let everyone within a fifty-mile radius know you are his. You want to play dumb with me, okay. Somewhere down the line, you’re going to need help.”
“Help with what?”
Gwen’s grin grew brighter. “Help with the wedding.”
* * * *
Chase had spent the last half an hour with the one woman on earth he couldn’t charm. He glanced at Fiona. He was so used to seeing her dressed in her ugly business suits, mostly pantsuits. Tonight, she wore a black velvet dress, that should have looked horrible given her ivory skin but it made her look even more fragile and remote.
“You don’t think anything will happen tonight, do you?”
He heard the worry in her voice and understood it. “No. Even if something does happen, Duncan will take care of it.”
She turned her head to study him. “You really love your brother, don’t you?”
“Of course.” The woman puzzled him.
“Well, you’re very lucky. But I agree with you about your brother. He will try and stop this whacko but I’m just not sure if he will be able to. Sometimes, the police can’t do a thing.”
She looked away from him again, turning her attention to the passing landscape, only it was dark and he knew she couldn’t see a thing. Duncan had said he was sure there was more of a story to Fiona than she let on and now Chase was wondering just what it was.
He pulled up to the front door. “Why don’t you go ahead and wait for me here and I’ll park the car?”
She nodded and got out of the car. It took him at least ten minutes to park the car and get back to the front door. Fiona stood shivering standing by the front door.
“Jeez, Fiona, I didn’t mean for you to stand outside.”
She smiled. “That’s okay. I actually like this cold weather. I walk at night.”
“Not by yourself.”
“No, I take Brutus with me.” Brutus was th
e eighty-pound mutt she’d gotten from the pound.
“Well, let’s—”
He stopped in mid-sentence when he saw Jason Warren drive by.
“What?”
“Crap.” He hurried her inside and searched for Jed.
“I gotta find my brother. Thea’s ex just showed up and I’m thinking Dunc’s not going to take that well.”
He hesitated for a moment and she laughed again. “Go on, boss. I can handle myself.”
“Don’t think you are getting out of that slow dance, Ms. Fiona.” Her smile faded just a tad and he laughed. “Yep. You’re stuck dancing with me. But first, I need to find my brother.” He leaned forward and gave her a quick peck on the lips. One little peck and his head was swimming. He pulled away from her before she could return the kiss or slap him. “Be back in a few.”
* * * *
“So, you want to explain what was going on out there?” Jed asked, his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed. His voice was strangled and Duncan was sure Jed was holding back so he wouldn’t shout.
He knew he couldn’t put Jed in danger. So, he decided a half-truth was his best bet.
“Thea and I are seeing each other.”
“As in, you’re dating my sister?”
“Hey, you don’t have to sound so pissed about it.”
“I’m sorry but when the man who’s slept with every slut within the surrounding counties says he’s seeing my sister, I’m not going to be overjoyed.”
“I’m your best friend. And let’s remember, you’re not a virgin either!”
“Yeah, and I know you better than almost anyone. I want to know what the hell you think you’re doing fooling around with my sister. She’s vulnerable right now after the divorce. I do not want some jackass who wants another notch for his bedpost taking advantage of her.”
Anger simmered in his blood. Shock held him immobile. He loved this man like a brother and Jed’s statements cut him deep. He’d not always had a spotless record with women, but he never saw them that way. But apparently, Jed thought he did. Is that what his best friend really thought of him?
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