by Ruth Langan
The sound of her laughter wrapped itself around his heart until he thought he might burst from so much happiness.
“Well, then.” He got to his feet and lifted her in his arms. “I think if we’re going for seconds, we should do it in the comfort of a bed.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her lips in his throat. Against his flesh she whispered, “What about our bet?”
He could feel the fire race straight to his loins. “Lady, with you all bets are off.”
“What’s this?” Heather looked up when Thad entered, carrying a tray. She had slipped on his shirt, rolling the sleeves to her elbows. “I thought you were checking on Brittany.”
“I was. She’s sleeping as peacefully as an angel. Whatever is in that medicine, it did the trick. There’s no trace of fever.”
“That’s wonderful. And this?” She indicated the tray.
“A little snack.” He set it on the night table and lifted off a napkin to reveal some wedges of cheese and slices of salami, and a chunk of sourdough rye bread, as well as two cups of steaming herbal tea.
“Umm.” She piled some cheese and salami on the bread and took a bite, then offered it to him as he climbed into bed beside her. “That’s good.”
“Yeah.” He couldn’t help grinning. “I figured I’d better feed you so you could keep up with me.”
“Keep up with you?” She arched a brow. “Just what did you have in mind when we’re through eating?”
“I thought I might—” he took a second bite before passing it back to her “—tear off that shirt and nibble my way from your toes to your nose.”
“Oh, my.” She touched a hand to her heart. “I’m in bed with a poet.”
“Not exactly.” He studied her over the rim of his cup. “Though I do feel poetic whenever I look at you. Like right now.” He set aside the cup and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, allowing his big hand to linger on her cheek. “I still can’t believe you’re here with me. I keep thinking I’ll wake up and find out it’s all been some wild dream.”
“If it is, then I’m dreaming, too.”
“Did you ever have one this real?”
She shook her head.
“So, you’re saying it’s real?”
She lifted both her hands to his face and stared up into his eyes. “This is real. Only this.” She leaned forward to touch her mouth to his.
He felt the sudden jolt to his system and wondered that, even now, after hours of lovemaking, she could still have this effect on him.
His eyes narrowed on her. “Have I told you how much I like you in this shirt?” He slid it from her shoulders and brought his mouth to her throat. “Or how much I like you out of it?”
Her laughter suddenly turned into a moan of pleasure.
And then, while the tea cooled, they slipped once more into the dark, murky depths of passion.
“Is that a bump on your nose?” In the half-light of early morning, Heather leaned up and touched a fingertip to Thad’s nose. As dawn began to color the sky, they lay together, too excited by the wonder of their newly discovered joy to sleep. All night they had loved, then slept, then awakened to love again. Each time they discovered something new about the other.
“Yeah. I broke it in a fight years ago.”
“A fight? Was this in the line of duty?”
“Hardly.” He gave a short laugh. “It was back in high school. I was a tough kid. Always fighting.”
“Why?”
“Probably to prove that I was just like the other guys.”
“I don’t understand. Why did you need to prove that?”
“Because my dad was a cop. Always policing my friends, looking for any sign of drugs or alcohol. I just thought I had to show everybody I was a tough guy. And I was.”
“I bet you played a lot of sports.”
“Football, soccer and the wrestling team all four years.” He saw her grin and arched a brow. “What?”
“I’m not surprised. You look like the football, soccer, wrestling type.”
“And what type were you? The cheerleader?”
“Hardly. I couldn’t stand to be on the sidelines. I had to be involved. I was on the swim team, the tennis team, and even played on the golf team in college.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“Well, you didn’t expect me to say the wrestling team, did you?”
He laughed. “I don’t know. You learn some really interesting holds. Want me to teach you a couple?”
“I think I’ll pass.” Heather touched a fingertip to the scar on his left cheek. “Is this another trophy from your high-school days?”
He shook his head. “That’s from my rookie cop days when I came up against a dope-head who’d just slit his wife’s throat and wanted to do the same to me.”
“Oh, Thad.” Heather brushed her lips over the scar. “You could have been killed.”
“Yeah. It comes with the badge.” He felt the way her hair brushed his face and wondered again at the feelings she’d awakened in him. In the space of one night in her arms he felt as if he could take on all the problems of the world and solve them single-handed.
He gathered her against him and nibbled her ear. “I’ve got a great idea.”
“You do?” Her voice was muffled against his throat, sending splinters of fire and ice along his spine. “What?”
“Let’s wrestle. I’m dying to teach you a couple of my moves.”
“Great. I’m dying to learn them.”
They were still laughing as they came together.
Eleven
“Oh, no. Did I fall back asleep?” Heather sat up in bed, shoving hair out of her eyes. “I meant to check on Brittany.”
“I just did.” Thad leaned over and kissed her, then with one hand drew her close and kissed her again, slowly and thoroughly. “She’s still asleep. And no trace of the fever.”
“Oh, that’s such good news.” Heather wondered at the way her blood had already begun to heat. Even now, after an entire night together, all Thad had to do was touch her, and the need for him was pulsing through her veins like a drug. “I suppose I should get going.”
“So soon?” He couldn’t hide the disappointment in his tone. “Why do you have to go?”
“I thought you’d want me gone before Brittany wakes up.” She touched a finger to the little frown line between his shaggy brows. “So she won’t start asking questions.”
“What kind of questions? Heather, she’s only four.”
“But she’s a very smart little girl.” She looked up at him. “Won’t she find it strange that I spent the night in her daddy’s bed?”
“She might. If she has any questions, I’ll answer them the way I always have. As honestly and directly as a four-year-old can understand. But I don’t know how she’ll react. It’s not something she’s seen before.”
That admission, no matter how accidental, had Heather’s heart doing a quick free fall. It confirmed what she’d suspected, that Thad Law was no womanizer.
Before she could remark, he added, “But this much I know. Brittany trusts you and accepts you without reservation. I don’t think she’s likely to give it a thought. Now, how about some breakfast?”
She nodded. “All right. But first, I hope we can salvage my clothes. I didn’t bring anything to change into.”
He brought his hand from behind his back and deposited her clothes on the bed. “I think they’re intact, though I wouldn’t swear to it. I’m afraid I was just a little out of control at the time I took them off you.”
As he turned away he said, “I’d love to stay and watch you dress. In fact, it’s another of my fantasies. But I need some coffee.”
“Oh, coffee. You just said the magic word.” She climbed out of bed and started toward the shower. “Make enough for two. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
She made it in five. And Thad marveled that within minutes she managed to look as fresh and beautiful as if she’d spent the day a
t a spa. Her skin glowed with that wonderful luminous quality. Her hair, damp from the shower, was a glorious tangle of waves. He was gratified to note that her blouse and slacks seemed none the worse for his behavior of the previous night.
He held out two boxes of cereal. “You have a choice of Cinnamon Circus Animals or Sugared Xs and Os.”
“Oh, I love cinnamon.” She filled a bowl and was just devouring her breakfast when Brittany came walking out.
When the little girl caught sight of Heather she gave a delighted squeal and flew into her arms. “You’re here.” She turned. “Look, Daddy. Look who’s here.”
“Yeah. I see.” He winked at Heather. “Isn’t this a grand surprise?”
“Uh-huh.” Brittany climbed up on a chair. “Are you eating some of my Cinnamon Circus Animals?”
“Yes, I am. Is that all right with you, Brittany?”
The little girl nodded, then called to her father, “I’ll have what Heather is having, Daddy.”
“I thought you might.” He placed a bowl in front of her and handed her a spoon. “How are you feeling, sweetie?”
“Oh, I feel fine, Daddy.” Brittany turned to Heather and launched into an animated conversation.
“I remember seeing you last night,” Brittany said around a mouthful of cereal. “You told me funny stories and kept me from being afraid. And you kept Daddy from being afraid, too.”
“Well, sometimes when we’re afraid, it helps to have a friend around, doesn’t it?”
“Uh-huh. Daddy’s my best friend,” the little girl said simply.
“You don’t know how lucky you are to have a friend like your daddy, honey.”
The little girl smiled suddenly. “You can share if you want, Heather. Would you like Daddy to be your best friend, too?”
Heather stared hard into her bowl, avoiding Thad’s eyes. “I’d like that, honey.”
Thad listened in silence. It all seemed so normal, so right, somehow to have his daughter chattering like a magpie to this woman who looked so relaxed in his kitchen. Eating, of all things, Cinnamon Circus Animals.
“Do you have to work today, Daddy?” Brittany looked up from the table.
“Not today, honey. It’s Saturday.”
“Oh good.” She clapped her hands. “That means we can go shopping, and then to the park.”
“Is that what you always do on Saturday?” Heather sat back, sipping strong black coffee.
“Uh-huh. Don’t we, Daddy?”
“Yep. Whenever I don’t have an emergency at the station.” He ambled across the room and took a seat at the table, stretching out his long legs.
“Can Heather come with us?”
“If she wants to.”
They both glanced at her, waiting for her answer.
She set down her cup and gave them both a smile. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
Brittany slurped up the last of the milk in her bowl before grabbing Heather’s hand. “Will you help me get dressed?”
“Sure thing.” With a last glance at Thad, she allowed herself to be led to Brittany’s room.
For the next half hour the apartment was filled with whispers and giggles as the two went through the closet and decided what the little girl should wear.
Heather couldn’t stop herself from fantasizing of this as their first family outing.
“Oh, Daddy.” Brittany was perched on Thad’s shoulders as they walked through the gathering shadows toward home. She polished off the last of her ice cream, then wiped her hands and mouth on the dampened wipe that Heather passed her. “This has been the best day.”
Heather was taking her time with her cone, licking each little drop. When she looked up, she realized that Thad was watching, and that with every sensuous movement of her tongue his eyes darkened, his look grew more intense.
She polished off her cone before tucking her hand in Thad’s. The heat from his touch was like an inferno. Or was it her own body temperature that had gone up several notches?
She glanced up at Brittany. “What did you like the most?”
“The swings in the park. Especially when I was so high I was flying.”
Heather nodded. “That was fun.”
“And the movie.”
“Who was your favorite character?” Thad asked.
“Goofy.”
They all laughed.
“Mickey was mine,” Thad said.
“I agree with Brittany.” Heather saw the way the little girl was yawning. “I think I liked Goofy best.”
“I liked the piz’ghetti afterward, too.” The little girl announced.
“Yeah. And the pizza and the salad and the gallons of soda we put away.” Heather patted her stomach. “I think I’ve had enough to get me through the next hour or two.”
Thad shot her an admiring glance. “I’ve never known a woman to eat so much.”
“I was just trying to keep up with you.”
“Oh. Is that what you were doing? I thought maybe we were having a race, and you were determined to become a marathon eating machine.”
She put a hand on her hip. “You’re going to pay for that remark, Detective Law.”
He shot her a devilish look. “I hope that means you’re going to punish me.”
She grinned. “In your dreams.”
He leaned close. “You’d be very shocked at the content of my dreams since I met you, Ms. McGrath.”
“You think so?” She lowered her voice. “Maybe I wouldn’t be as shocked as you think.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I’ve had a few dreams of my own since I met you, Detective. But I have to say, reality is much sweeter than any dream.”
“Oh, yeah. I echo that.” He saw her glance up at Brittany, then touch a finger to her lips.
“I think we wore her out. She’s sound asleep.”
“I’m glad that nasty fever’s gone,” he said. “I guess you and the doctor were right.”
When they reached the door of his apartment he handed Heather the key while he slipped his daughter from his shoulders, cradling her gently in his arms. Once inside he carried the little girl to her room, where he and Heather undressed her and tucked her into bed.
They stood side by side staring down at the sleeping child.
“She looks just like an angel,” Heather said softly.
“I know. I’m always struck by the fact that someone as rough as me could have produced someone as perfect as this.”
“She is perfect.” Heather linked her fingers with his. “And so is her daddy.”
As they stepped from the room and closed the door, he dragged her into his arms and covered her mouth with his in a kiss so hot, so hungry, she could feel the heat searing her flesh, dissolving her bones.
“I want you, Heather.” He growled the words against her mouth. “Here. Now.”
She could hardly speak. “And I want you.”
“I’ve been thinking of you, of this, all day long.”
The look in his eyes was so fierce, she felt her heart stutter. But she kept her eyes steady on his as he tore away her clothes and took her with all the frenzy of a wild summer storm.
“What was your life like before, when your wife was alive?”
“My work was pretty much the same as it is now.”
It was well past midnight. As they had the previous night, Thad and Heather had loved and talked and managed a little sleep before waking again.
Now they lay in the dark, snuggled comfortably together.
When he didn’t offer anything more, Heather tried again. “I saw her picture on the shelf in the living room. I’ve been trying to see something of her in Brittany. But all I see is you.”
She felt him give a hiss of impatience.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought up the subject. If it’s painful for you to talk about her…”
“I’m…not used to talking about Vanessa.”
It was the first time Heather had heard her name.
“D
id Vanessa have any family? Does Brittany have grandparents, and aunts and uncles and cousins?”
“None. Vanessa was an only child. She and her parents were traveling in their private jet when it went down.”
“Oh, Thad.” She reached out a hand in the dark and touched his cheek.
His voice sounded distant, disinterested. “They flew often. Palm Beach. Puerto Vallarta. Palm Springs. Vanessa’s father was on the board of several charities. They felt it necessary to put in an appearance as often as they could. As soon as Brittany was born, Vanessa returned to the role of hostess. She was gone as often as she was home. Brittany was much more comfortable with her nanny than she was with her mother.”
Though it was too dark to see his face, Heather knew by the tone of his voice that he was frowning.
“What happened to the nanny?”
“She was a gift from Vanessa’s parents. Not exactly something I could afford on my salary.”
“As an only grandchild, Brittany must have been left quite an inheritance.”
“It’s in trust. She’ll start receiving it at twenty-one.”
“And you? Where did you fit into Vanessa’s lifestyle?”
“I didn’t. I often wondered why Vanessa married me. What could she have possibly seen in me? I not only didn’t travel in her circle, but I’d made it plain that I wouldn’t be willing to change.”
“But you married her. You must have seen something in her you admired.”
“Yeah.” He gave a sigh. “What man wouldn’t be flattered by her attentions? She was a stunner. Beauty. Class. I was so dazzled, I couldn’t think. We flew to Vegas within days of meeting, and returned home to receive a healthy dose of reality. When she discovered that she was expecting a baby, I was on a cloud. But all she could think about was losing her figure. From then on she spent more time with her family than with me.” His tone lowered. “I got the news of the crash while I was on a homicide investigation. I couldn’t even get home to be with my baby until almost a day later.”
“Oh, Thad.” Heather reached out for him and pressed her mouth to his forehead. “I’m sorry.”
As always he felt the jolt of her touch and marveled at it. “What for?”
“For you. For Brittany. For Vanessa. And I’m sorry I asked you. It’s made you sad to talk about it. I can hear the sadness in your voice.”
