Smoke and Mirrors

by Taylor Anne

  Watching his movements in the mirror was such an erotic turn on. Abby’s body was relaxed and on fire at the same time. He pulled her hair away from her neck and kissed her behind the ear. Warm lips kissed and nipped at her neck while his hands moved over her body until they stopped just below her breasts. Her nipples tightened instantly. Even in the mirror, she could see them straining through her t-shirt. Graeme looked up, his eyes locked with hers. His intense gaze burned her even through the glass. His breath was warm on her skin. Her hands ran up and down his thighs, feeling his muscles tighten with each touch. When his thumbs grazed her nipples, her hands tightened, clenching him through his jeans.

  One hand continued to tease her through her shirt. His other hand roamed down her body, circling her hips. He lifted the hem of her shirt up and eased his fingers into the waistband of her jeans. Her body heated up. She moved provocatively against him. His growl in her ear was sexy as hell. Her head was spinning. She could barely keep her eyes open, but she forced them so she could watch. The thrill of seeing him touch her was overwhelming and exhilarating.

  He paused. Abby was confused until she realized his phone was buzzing on the bar. He ignored it and continued to explore her body with his hands. He pulled her tighter against him. Her head fell back against his shoulder. Giving in, she closed her eyes and simply felt his electrifying touch. Her skin tingled where his fingers wandered. “Oh, Graeme.”

  “Baby, I want you.” His whisper tickled her ear.

  His cell phone went off again, the shrill ring and the vibration on the bar interrupted the moment. Graeme stilled. His gaze met hers. “Damn.” He wrapped one arm around her, and reached behind him to grab his cell phone. “Cooper, what’s up?”

  Abby stayed snuggled in his embrace as she listened to Graeme’s side of the conversation. He removed his hand and she felt a void in its place. He ran his hand through his hair. She felt a shift in his body. For a few brief minutes, he was relaxed and warm. Now, frustration ate at him again. She tried to step away to give him a little privacy, but he pulled her back. She stayed by his side until he finished the call.

  With every touch, she sensed his love and affection. He was the only man that had ever made her feel so deeply. But then there were times when he held something back. Emotionally, physically, and mentally. Was she simply a distraction to keep his mind off the fire? Was he toying with her emotions? Or was this for real? Sometimes she didn’t know what to believe.

  “What was that about?”

  “Cooper and Laci are on their way back. He’s going to stop and pick up some paint.”

  “Good.” Graeme gave her a quick kiss and turned to pick up the rag he discarded earlier. He wasn’t telling her everything. “What else did he say?”

  “Nothing of importance. Let’s get busy before they get here with the paint.”

  Abby searched his face. Whatever Cooper told him, he wasn’t sharing that information with her. Why? Why was Graeme shutting her out? She picked up a bottle of cleaner and turned away. “I’ll get started wiping the walls.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Laci and Cooper returned with the paint. The easy camaraderie that seemed to have started forming between the two of them when they met was now gone. Every time they got near each other, sparks flew between them. And not good sparks. A group of regular customers showed up to offer their help. Everyone worked together for hours cleaning, painting, and hauling off debris.

  After all the help left, Abby and Laci were hanging pictures on the wall, while Graeme and Cooper cleaned up in the back store room. They were each standing on step stools holding a large picture centered against the wall. They drew pencil lines to mark where the nails needed to go in the wall. Abby burst out laughing.

  “What’s so funny?” Laci asked as she struggled to keep the picture in place.

  “Us. How the hell are we going to hang this if it takes both of us to hold it up?”

  Laci laughed. “Yeah, and the guys are nowhere around.”

  Abby took a step down, but as soon as she did, the picture started slipping. “Damn.”

  “Um, ladies, would you like some help there?”

  They both jumped at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. Abby turned around so quickly that she almost lost her footing on the stool. A tall, eye-catching man in a uniform stood a few feet away from them. Without waiting for a reply, he picked up the hammer and nails at Abby’s feet. Then he reached over her and nailed the picture holder into place. He did the same thing above Laci. As they lifted the picture on each end, the man stabilized it in the center and they hooked it onto the wall.

  They stepped back to admire their work. “Yes,” Abby exclaimed. She gave Laci a high-five. She turned to thank the man and make introductions. Before she got the words out, she caught a glimpse of two men walking toward them. They both had scowls on their faces. What’s up with that?

  Abby realized what was up when Graeme and Cooper got a little closer. Their eyes went from Abby and Laci, to the man standing in between them. Abby and Laci smiled a knowing smile at each other. Jealous. That’s what the men were. Graeme’s eyes searched for Abby’s, and then stayed locked on hers until he was by her side. Jealous. Really.

  Graeme was the first one to speak. “Captain Mike, I see you’ve met Abby and Laci.”

  “Well, not exactly,” Abby said. “He walked in at the right time, otherwise this beautiful sunset picture you had painted for the bar would be splattered all over the floor.” She held her hand out to the captain. “Abby Monroe. Nice to meet you, and thank you for the help.”

  Graeme’s body tensed. Cooper stood next to Laci, but he wasn’t touching her. She shook hands with the man also. “Laci Ramsey. And yes, thank you.”

  “Detective Ramsey,” Cooper exclaimed. Laci nudged him in the side. “Ouch.”

  The man looked from Cooper to the women, a smile forming on his face. “Captain Mike. Nice to meet you ladies. Glad I could help.”

  “What brings you here this evening?” Graeme shook hands with Mike.

  “Just wanted to confirm with you that the gas can we found was used to start the fire. We were able to get a few sets of prints, but we have not been able to make a positive ID. We’re officially investigating this as arson.”

  “I figured. Thanks, Captain. If I think of anything I will let you know.”

  “Anything at all, even if you don’t think it is substantial.” He turned to leave, but stopped at the door. “Oh, and Cooper can get you a copy of the report next week for your insurance.”

  “Thanks.” Graeme waved at him as he walked outside.

  Laci poked Cooper in the chest. “Calm down boys, we had the situation under control.”

  Cooper grabbed her hand and linked his fingers with hers. “He’s such a player.”

  “Uggh. Really? And look who is talking.” She pulled her hand out of his.

  Cooper’s mouth dropped open. He stared at Laci as she walked to the bar. “What the hell does she mean by that?”

  They shrugged their shoulders. “Don’t know, Cooper. Maybe you should go find out.” Abby taunted him.

  His brow wrinkled. Then he turned and walked away from them. “Hey, wait a minute,” he called out to Laci.

  “Wow. Looks like there’s a little tension going on there,” Abby said. Graeme reached up to straighten one end of the picture they just hung.

  “Yeah, I don’t know what’s up with those two. Cooper said there was someone out here hassling you two. I didn’t realize it was Mike.”

  “Why does that bother y’all so much?”

  Graeme harrumphed. “Doesn’t bother me. I don’t know Mike that well, but I don’t think he would bother you. Colby speaks too highly of him. Says he is one hundred percent focused on his career right now.”

  Now she was confused. If the man was not a threat, why the alpha male aggression? “Then why does it seem to bother Cooper? He works with him, doesn’t he?”

  “Yeah, they work together. I think that’s whe
re the issue comes in. Cooper has said that Mike is recently divorced. So I think Cooper feels a little competition anytime there is a woman around.” Graeme ruffled his hands through her already messed up hair. “Come with me. I’ve got some more insurance forms I need to finish filling out. You can keep me company.” He took her hand and led her to his office.

  While he worked on paperwork, Abby put together all the receipts for the liquor he bought to replace what was destroyed. The price of alcohol was horrendous. She put the slips of paper on the filing cabinet next to the window. Bending over the drawer, the cool air from the nearby fan tickled her back. She reached behind her and pulled her t-shirt down to cover the exposed skin. Behind her, Graeme mumbled something she couldn’t make out.

  She rested her hands on either side of the window frame. From there she watched Cooper and Laci exchange words. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but judging by Laci’s animated arm motions, it was pretty deep. Cooper just kept smiling, obviously taunting her. Abby didn’t know what they set off in each other, but the sparks definitely flew. She would have to remember to ask Laci about that.

  Graeme’s chair scraped the floor behind her. She turned. He stood, walked toward her, and stopped right in front of her. His warm hands cradled her face.

  “I’m glad you’re here.” That was all he said. He leaned down and covered her mouth with his.

  ****

  Abby was just too damn sexy. The skin tight t-shirt, that damn tattoo peeking out from beneath her shorts. His blood boiled like never before. He had to touch her. The gleam in her eyes was all the encouragement he needed. He tasted her sigh as he teased her tongue.

  Her arms wrapped around him. Her silky hands tugged urgently at his shirt until it was untucked from his jeans. He moaned when her hands touched the skin on his back. She was heaven, and she was all he wanted. All he needed. His hands explored the curves of her body. When he stopped to touch her breast, he heard her sharp intake of breath. The smile on her face touched his lips. He leaned into her to get as close as possible. He wanted her next to him. Hell, he wanted to be inside her.

  “Oh Graeme.” Her soft, whispered words tickled his ear. Her tongue toyed with his earlobe, then she took it into her mouth, gently sucking.

  “God, Abby.”

  Her hands were all over him, igniting his flesh everywhere they touched. He pressed harder against her. His hands tangled in her hair, he gave a tug, pulling her head back a little. Her eyes widened with surprise and delight. All he had to do was gaze into her eyes and he knew when she wanted it rough, and when she didn’t.

  Her neck was exposed, so he leaned down and kissed her on that sensitive spot. Trailing his mouth from her chin to her breast, he took her nipple into his mouth and sucked through her shirt. Her head banged against the glass with a thud. He looked down into her face. Her eyes were closed and she was smiling.

  Movement on the other side of the window caught his attention. Cooper and Laci were still at the bar. Cooper was staring directly at the mirror. He must have heard Abby’s head hit the glass. Oh well.

  Graeme turned back to Abby and continued to pleasure her. Watching her, feeling her was all the aphrodisiac he needed. She reached her hands out to him and pulled his head down to hers. This time she kissed him. My God, the woman could kiss. When she released his tongue, he left tiny kisses on her cheeks. Her head thrashed back and forth. Then she leaned it back against the glass again. The thud was louder than last time.

  Graeme peered out the two-way mirror again. Cooper was staring straight at him. Graeme knew Cooper couldn’t see him, but it felt like he could. The smirk on Cooper’s face was all Graeme needed to see to know that the other man knew exactly what was going on inside the office. Cooper winked at the mirror, took Laci’s hand, and led her outside.

  Graeme gazed down into Abby’s blue eyes. All he could think, and say, was, “I want more, Abby.”

  ****

  The next morning, Abby and Laci went back to the bar to offer their help again. Seeing the bar now, Abby was amazed at the amount of work they accomplished yesterday. All of the debris had been hauled off, except for the trash cans, which were full of broken bottles. The inside of the bar smelled like fresh paint instead of smoke. Everything inside was clean once again. The only thing left to do there was hang a few more decorations back on the walls—and restock the bar.

  “Hey Cooper.” She called up to Cooper, who was on the roof. “What can we do to help today?”

  Cooper climbed down the ladder and stood next to Laci. He wiped his hands on his shirt. “Graeme convinced the liquor store owner to let him in early this morning so he could restock. We unloaded the cases next to the bar. You can work on placing them on the shelves. And as soon as he gets back from the paint store, we are going to replace these boards and paint them.”

  Laci moved a step away from Cooper. “Come on Abby, let’s start on the bar. By the time we’re finished it will be time for me to leave.”

  “Leaving so soon?” Cooper tilted his head back and lowered his eyes at Laci, clearly taunting her. “I was going to invite you to dinner this evening.”

  Abby watched the exchange between the two of them.

  Laci rolled her eyes. “Sorry, Cooper, but I do have a job to get back to. I don’t have as carefree of a lifestyle as you.”

  Cooper laughed. “Aw, come on. Call in and say you’ll be delayed a day. What are they going to do, fire you?”

  Laci’s back stiffened. “That is a possibility I can’t afford to risk. You are incorrigible. I don’t know how you’ve managed to get this far in life.”

  “It’s easy.” He called after her as she walked into the bar. “I don’t let responsibilities tie me down.” Cooper smiled and winked at Abby. He climbed up the ladder to the roof.

  Abby walked inside to help Laci. “Well that was interesting.”

  “Don’t start, Abby.” Laci ripped open a box with a box cutter. She jerked a bottle of vodka out and slammed it down on the shelf.

  Abby chuckled. “Don’t break them. Remember we are trying to restock the bar. Besides, this shit is expensive.” Laci glared at her. Abby threw her hands up in the air. “Sorry.”

  Laci shook her head. “It’s okay. I don’t know why, but Cooper gets under my skin.”

  “In a good way or a bad way?”

  Laci’s head tilted to the side. She puckered her lips. Abby had seen that face many times. It was a sure sign that Laci was confused. “I’m really not sure.”

  They worked steadfastly unloading the alcohol while Cooper and Graeme repaired the outside wall. When the last bottle was placed, they stepped back to admire their work. “Perfect.” They said in unison.

  Laci tilted her head toward the mirror. There were no bottles directly in front of it. “What’s behind there?”

  Abby stumbled over her words. “Why do ask? What makes you think there’s something behind there?”

  Laci simply shook her head. “No particular reason. Just there’s a door right next to it, so I figure there must be a store room, office, or something back there.”

  “Oh.” Abby heaved a huge sigh of relief. Surely her friend had not heard her and Graeme yesterday when they got a little carried away.

  “And…” she continued. “You and Graeme disappeared back there yesterday. That’s all.” She smiled.

  Yeah, she knew. Abby laughed, grabbed her hand, and pulled her outside. “Let’s go find the men.”

  “Okay. And I really need to get on the road. Before I go I want to give you all an update on things.”

  “Sure. Let’s find Graeme. I’m sure he wants to know also.”

  ****

  Slamming the hammer into the board Cooper was holding, Graeme tried not to crush his fingers. He was so damn frustrated. Between the fire, the amount of damage to the bar, the trial, and not getting to spend more time with Abby, he just wanted to slam his head against the wall. Abby was putting up a good front, but Graeme could tell by her tense actions, s
he was bothered by the mistrial. Hell, he was too. He needed answers for all of this. He needed Abby to be safe and happy. With more force than necessary, he drove the last nail into the board, securing it into place. Only then did he acknowledge the women. Abby wore a frown on her face, deep in thought about something.

  Laci spoke. “Just want to give you all an update before I leave. With the deadlocked jury causing a mistrial, LJ and his partner are out on the streets again. Abby, you can come home whenever you want, but I would advise you to wait at least a few more weeks and let things settle down. Right now LJ is going to be looking for somewhere to vent his anger at being arrested in the first place. I think you would be better off staying here. Graeme and Colby can still keep an eye out for you. You’ll be back soon enough when this goes back to trial.”

  Abby shuffled from one foot to the other. Anxiety ate at her nervous words. “You don’t think LJ would come here do you? And what about the tire incident and the brick through the window?”

  Graeme jumped in and spoke before Laci had the chance. He wanted to make sure Laci didn’t reveal the fact that the police believe the fire was possibly related to Abby’s case. He knew for a fact it was, but at that point the police were only speculating. If he turned in the evidence he had, they wouldn’t have any doubts, but Graeme needed to get to the bottom of this on his own. And he didn’t want Abby worrying about any of this. “Don’t jump to conclusions. We don’t know if those events are even related to the case.”

  Laci made eye contact with him, paused, then gave a slight nod of understanding. It killed him to hold information back from Abby, as he was sure it did Laci too. They both had Abby’s best interest at heart.

  Laci placed a hand on Abby’s shoulder. “And I don’t think LJ will come here. He just needs time to cool off. His boss will have him working other deals so he won’t have time to come after you.”

  “Are y’all still going to watch him?” Her voice cracked with unease.