She didn’t move her hand, didn’t pull back from him, and he was grateful.
Her eyes studied his like her life depended on it, and he hoped she saw the sincerity there. “Then what is?”
Never before had he wanted to disappear with a woman—to sweep her off her feet, take her to the mountains, and forget anyone else existed but the two of them. His head swam, the muscles in his back tightened.
He’d only just met her.
“A friend of mine is missing and I need to go find him.”
He paid close attention as her eyes slid to his mouth, then up again, as if she could read the truth on his lips. Intensity had returned to the swirling blue of her irises.
“I can help you find him,” she offered, confidence and solicitude in her voice.
Hugh lifted his hand from hers. “I don’t need your help.” This wasn’t a game. He didn’t need any neighborly support. And he sure as hell didn’t need her around to distract him.
She slowly pulled her arm back, sliding her palm along the table but leaving the money in place. “You don’t understand. I really can help you. I’m…” She paused and closed her eyes for a moment. “I’m a private investigator.”
He didn’t know what he’d expected her to say, but that wasn’t it. Her occupation had never entered his mind. However, now that he knew, could she help? Would she be able to offer valuable input? Information was what he’d wanted from the get-go. The only thing different now was her knowledge wasn’t personal—it was professional.
“I’ve rendered you speechless, huh?” she asked when he neglected to give a timely reply. “Did Kensie and Francesca tell you I was a hairdresser or something?”
Remembering his place, he cleared his throat. “Or something.” That was the easiest answer he could muster.
“Something like…”
“It doesn’t matter. I appreciate your offer, but I don’t need your help.” It was safer for her if she kept her distance. Safer for him too. “I’ve got it under control, so no need to worry your pretty little head.”
Oh, he’d blown it now. He could take his “pretty little head” and shove it. Tess wasn’t about to let him off the hook. She was enjoying the date far more than she anticipated, feeling things she never thought she’d feel again, and then he threw in a missing friend? Awesome. This guy was too good to be true. She wanted in on the chase. Wanted to feel the rush of a hunt.
Next to him.
“How about I just tag along and offer my assistance when you don’t need it?” She waited a beat, then added, “Free of charge.”
Damn, she wished she had a camera because his expression was priceless. She’d replay his flabbergasted look in her mind all night. And smile.
He reminded her of his masculinity by puffing out his chest. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
At least she thought that was what he was doing. It was rather distracting. A lesser woman would probably swoon.
“Look, I’ve got nothing better to do tonight, so come on. It could be fun.” She didn’t like the imploring note in her voice, but she didn’t want the elation inside her to end. Something about Trey’s proximity brought out the happy, young, mischief-seeking girl she’d once been, and she wanted to keep pretending she was everything she wasn’t.
“Are you ready to order?” the waitress asked, sounding impatient as she paused at the table.
“No, actually. We’re leaving, so just the check please.” Trey pulled on his leather jacket and slid closer to the edge of the booth.
The waitress nodded and scurried off, disappearing into a crowd Tess hadn’t noticed on her trip back from the restroom. Probably because she’d had her eyes on him.
“I’m very good at what I do,” she said, hating being told no.
“I’m sure you are. But I don’t need a PI.” By his bullheaded look and forbidding note in his voice, Tess was shit out of luck.
She silently cursed. Besides practically begging to help him, she couldn’t believe she’d told him she was an investigator. She’d never told anyone that. Not even Jason— until he’d proposed, and look where that got him. Her cover was second nature; production assistant rolled off her tongue like cheeseburger with fries. Shit. Shit. Shit. She’d forgotten who she was.
And liked it.
But she couldn’t afford to do that. Not now. Not with a new assignment and her ass grass if she failed.
“Because pilots are so good at finding people?” Apparently she didn’t mind if her ass was grass. She couldn’t let it go. Couldn’t let him go. She wasn’t acting reasonable or mature or respectable. And she didn’t give a crap. She wanted to escape. Just for tonight.
Something flashed in his eyes, changing the color from blue to a dark greenish brown, and he snarled. “You don’t like to take no for an answer.”
“No. Not—”
“And for your information, I’m very good at finding people. I do a lot of search and rescue. So I’m perfectly capable of locating my friend on my own.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t capable. Just that two heads are usually better than one.” Wow. The words coming out of her mouth were completely foreign to her. When the hell had she ever wanted or needed a partner?
“I’ve got that covered. The friend that interrupted us is waiting for me.”
“He seems pretty occupied to me.” She nodded in the direction of the wood-paneled bar. The guy had a pretty redhead practically sitting in his lap and cocktail glasses dangled from their hands. “And not at all inclined to leave anytime soon. I’d make a much better sidekick.”
After he glared at the bar, his disposition softened slightly. His hunched shoulders relaxed, and his eyes darkened. His gaze fell to her lips when he said, “What I’d like you for isn’t the sidekick position.”
Regardless of how hard she tried to remain cool, she was positive her cheeks turned ruby red. The corners of her mouth also betrayed her, pulling up against her will. And did her eyelashes actually flutter without her permission? Bad eyelashes.
“I’m quite certain you’d benefit from any of my positions. It’s just a matter of how I can best serve you right now.”
He hit her with a smile that made her forget her own name. “I, uh, don’t doubt that. But right now your safety is my main concern.”
“I’m a big girl and can more than take care of myself.” If he only knew.
“I’m sure you can. But I’m not taking you with me.”
The waitress dropped off the check and he pulled out his wallet. Tess glared at him, hoping he’d reconsider. He left more than enough money on the table and slid her bills back to her.
Fine. She put the money in her purse and got up to leave. If he wanted to play it that way, she’d play. She’d walk out of the bar, pretend to leave, and then…follow him. He didn’t know it, but he’d presented a challenge. And she never backed down from those. Add in an element of danger and she was all over it. Her sense of adventure wanted in. Already, her blood was pumping through her veins a little bit faster. Besides, what harm could come from following him?
“Thanks for the drinks,” she said.
He scooted out and stood beside her and his nearness ramped up her pulse faster than if she’d been standing on the edge of a mountain, ready to hang glide. His woodsy yet fresh-as-rain scent drew her like a fish to a wormed hook. She wanted to bury her face in his broad chest and breathe him in.
“You’re welcome. It was a pleasure meeting you.”
“Likewise.” She took a step away.
“I’ll walk you to your car.”
“That’s really not necessary.”
His arm came around her back. Tingles shot up her spine. “It is.” He guided her through the crowded bar, pausing for a moment to track down his friend. “Wait just a minute.”
He wove his way to the bar. When he planted a firm pat on his friend’s back, the guy jumped to attention, jostling the woman from his lap without a second thought. Either Trey had caught him
by surprise, or more likely, he followed Trey’s lead.
“Hey, babe. Can I buy you a drink?”
Warm, alcoholic breath touched the side of her neck as a shoulder bumped hers.
“No thank you.” Tess turned to find a guy about her age giving her googly eyes.
“Aww come on. I won’t bite.” He licked his lips. “Unless you want me to.”
She took a step back, but it didn’t dissuade the poor jerk. He sidled right on up to her again, this time putting an arm around her waist.
“Listen, moron. I said no. Now move away from me or I’m going to break your arm.”
“Tough chick. I like it. I’m Bo.”
“I’m not going to ask you again.”
“Ask me what, gorgeous?”
“Go away, Bo. Now.” She lifted his arm from her side, but he immediately put it back.
“I don’t want to. I want to buy you a drink. What’s your poison?”
The guy didn’t know boundaries and her personal space wasn’t something she gave up lightly. Two more seconds and she’d slug him. “I said back off.”
“What’s your name?” he asked, seemingly oblivious to her discomfort.
“Taken,” came a deep voice from behind her. Hands roamed up both sides of her arms, sending a shock of sinful tremors to all the important points below her neck.
While she could take of herself, she had to admit it felt good to be rescued. Really good. “Bye, Bo.”
They sidestepped around him, but before they were clear, Bo grabbed her arm. The tug didn’t go unnoticed by Trey and Bo’s jaw met a square punch. Bo stumbled backward, lost his footing and landed on his butt. Someone gasped, but no one moved. Instead, the bar grew silent for a split second before everyone resumed conversing.
As soon as Tess heard the bar door slam and inhaled the cool night air, Trey’s friend circled them like an animal ready to pounce. “What the hell was that?” he asked.
“Tess, this is Dane. Dane, Tess.”
She didn’t extend her hand. His obnoxious behavior confirmed her first impression. The guy was an ass. “Hi.”
“Hey,” Dane answered, still circling. “Now care to explain why you hit that guy?”
Trey ignored the question. “Where’s your car, Tess?”
“It’s just…” Her eyes met his and her stomach got tied up in knots. He was looking at her with more fervor than anyone, even Jason, ever had. “…across the street.”
He glanced at Dane. “Be right back.” Then, turning, he put his arm around her shoulders and veered her toward the street. He tensed as she allowed her body to relax against his.
“I didn’t need rescuing you know.” She never had. Never would.
“I know.”
“Then why’d you—”
“Which. Car.”
“The black one.” She grinned, happy with the popular color choice.
“There’s four black ones,” he said, unamused.
“I figured you could use your investigative skills to pick the right one, being that you’re so good at finding things by yourself.” It was one last-ditch attempt to see if he’d ask her to join him. She didn’t expect him to take the bait, but couldn’t help having a little fun.
He walked by the first car, then the second, without so much as a waver. As they approached the driver’s side door on the third car, he quirked a smile and stopped. “Here we are.”
She’d had her head tilted up, trying to decipher his expression as they walked, but he gave nothing away. “I guess you’re better than I thought.”
His smile grew wider. “You bet I am.”
“You want to make another wager?” He’d stepped right into that one, and an odd mixture of longing and apprehension swirled inside her. Is that what it would take to see him again?
“I think with you it’s best to quit while I’m ahead.”
“Time’s ticking!” Dane yelled from across the street, his voice carrying over a car cruising by.
“You’re not—” she started to say, but Trey had turned and was waving over his shoulder.
“Night, Tess,” he called, halfway to Dane before she blinked. After a second blink, the two were on their way without another glance back.
“You’re not ahead,” she whispered, fighting off the disappointment that had no business tightening her chest.
She opened the car door quickly, ready to take off in pursuit and forget about second-guessing herself. But before her butt hit the seat, she jumped back out. Trey and Dane weren’t driving anywhere. They were headed somewhere on foot. She stashed her purse underneath the seat and shut the door.
The muscles in her legs flexed as she fell back against the car and waited for a bit more distance between them. If she thought about this crazy idea, she’d remember her impulsive behavior often landed her in trouble. And the guy whose backside she couldn’t tear her eyes away from was definitely trouble. Because hasty decision or not, she wasn’t thinking with only her head. Her stupid heart hadn’t beat this intensely in years and if she didn’t seize the moment, she feared it might never again.
The men turned the corner and she shot across the street. Butterflies filled her stomach—an unfamiliar sensation that wasn’t entirely unwelcome.
Tonight was about adventure. An adventure with a sexy leather-jacketed male that wreaked havoc with her emotions and didn’t want her help.
She’d be sure not to offer it.
Chapter Four
Stupid, stupid heels. They slowed her down.
Stupid, stupid dress. It shifted in a most uncomfortable manner, causing all sorts of body contortions Tess wasn’t used to performing when in hot pursuit of someone.
She was stuck with the dress, but the shoes…she whipped them off, broke both heels and tossed them over her shoulder, then stuffed her feet back inside. Her new footwear wouldn’t make walking smoother, but it would keep her ankles from buckling and slowing her down. Kensie would kill her when she returned the borrowed pumps, but what was one more death threat?
“Better,” she murmured, looking up to find Trey farther ahead than she liked. If not for the light shining down from the full moon, she might have completely lost sight of him.
As she hurried to close the distance between them, a howl sounded from somewhere behind her. Goosebumps popped up on her arms, from the cool air—not the noise, she rationalized. Maybe leaving her purse in the car hadn’t been such a good idea. She had nothing on her. No koa blades. No mercury-tipped darts. No gun. She’d been caught unprepared before and survived, but with her recent bungles, she’d started to doubt her abilities.
Don’t think about that tonight, she told herself.
Because right now she couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d rather be. Her body thrummed with anticipation. This game of hide-and-seek, catch-me-if-you-can ranked better than any amusement park ride, better than navigating a winding one-way dirt road in the mountains. And she liked very much that her blind date seemed to enjoy prowling the streets, that he showed no hesitation in going after his friend.
Two blocks away from the bar now, the street stood deserted, the buildings drab. A turn of a corner changed the scenery from trendy to risky. Tess took a deep breath. A breeze carried the scent of metal and rotting fruit, almost making her gag. If she were an ordinary woman, she’d hightail it out of there. Fast.
Since discovery was the last thing she wanted—wasn’t it?—she stuck close to the sides of the graffiti-littered buildings. She moved at a brisk pace, the men advancing quickly and quietly, almost gliding over the cracked sidewalk.
She’d easily followed a hundred marks over the years, but these two guys put her to task. Tonight she didn’t mind, though, because tonight she wanted to give chase. The wild beating of her heart told her she’d regret it if she didn’t follow Trey and get close enough to talk to him again. For some annoying reason, he’d gotten under her skin and she wanted to get under his. Popping up when he least expected it should do the trick.
That was, if she hadn’t lost him. She’d taken her eyes off them for one second. One tiny second. There’d been a rough-edged pebble in her shoe.
“Why are you following us?” growled a voice from behind her.
She froze and let out a sigh, disgusted with herself. “Umm, Dane?”
Hot breath touched the back of her neck as he asked again, “Why are you following us?”
“I wasn’t—”
“You were,” he snarled, forcibly turning her to face him. “Tell me why. Tell me now.” He loomed over her, larger than she remembered. His eyes narrowed to slits and his nose flared.
“Can you ease up on the grip please?” She was sure there would be handprints on her arms where he squeezed.
“Answer the question and I’ll consider it.”
“See, there’s where I’ve got a problem. If you’re going to consider anything, it should be if you don’t let go of me immediately, I’m going to do something you won’t like. And really, I hate getting relationships off on the wrong foot.”
He squeezed harder. “Listen, woman—”
“The name’s Tess, remember?”
“Answer the question.” His gruff tone did little to persuade her. Scratch that. It persuaded her plenty. She’d been up against marks much tougher than this man and she slipped easily into the role of eliminator.
“I’d be happy to. Once you let go of me. Wasn’t I clear on that?” One swift knee to the groin and he’d be holding tight to something else.
“You really think you’re in a position to dictate this conversation?”
She batted her eyelashes. “Why yes, I do. And I believe my terms were immediately.”
“Give it your best shot,” he challenged.
With pleasure. But before she even got her foot fully off the ground, something happened. The air around her thickened, her vision blurred. Sharp, uneven concrete pressed into her back and she realized she was pushed up against a building. Dane’s hands were still on her arms, but the feel was rougher, stronger, fiercer. Had he grown sharp nails?
Veiled Target (A Veilers Novel) Page 4
