Tropic of Trouble

by Wynter Daniels

  Could she handle a half-hour drive with him? Probably longer now, in the midst of rush hour.

  Minutes later she sat beside him in his truck wringing her hands. She tried to avoid looking at him. His pull was strong but she feared her attraction to him would only lead to no good. Men like Jason couldn’t help but attempt to control women.

  No. She was perfectly fine all alone, with no man to snuggle with. Or make love with. Her nipples hardened at the mere thought of her and Jason in bed together, tearing up the sheets. Naked and sweaty. Flushed with desire.

  She drew a ragged breath and adjusted a vent to direct cool air toward her. Poor Margaret hadn’t been gone two days. Shouldn’t she be mourning her friend, rather than lusting after Jason?

  “Hot?” He fiddled with a lever on the dashboard, making the air blow harder.

  You have no idea.

  “I’m fine, thanks.” But her pussy was slick with her juices. Venturing a glance at him, she noticed how his bulging muscles strained against the sleeve of his polo shirt. His profile could be that of a Roman warrior with that strong jawline and thick neck. He’d be her warrior, the man who’d lay his very life on the line for her honor. Lust burned inside her. She bit back a sigh.

  Think about something else.

  She startled when her phone rang. The cell she’d bought this morning didn’t have the same ring tone as her old one. Rifling through her purse, she closed her fingers around it and checked the display. Her mother.

  Damn it. She’d meant to call her earlier but somehow she must have conveniently forgotten. If she didn’t answer, her mother would keep trying. Rolling her eyes, she hit the Send key. “Hi, Mother. Sorry I didn’t get around to returning your call this morning. I’ve had a hectic day.”

  “Too busy for your old mama, huh? Lucky for you I had time to feed you and care for you and wipe your nose when you were sick.” Her mother’s pained sigh filtered through the phone.

  Kelsey rolled her eyes. “Of course not.”

  “Where are you, dear? I phoned your store and the machine picked up. Since when do you close so early? I thought that elderly lady worked tonight.”

  Thoughts of Margaret clenched her gut. “She’s… Margaret passed away.” She dared not tell her how and where or she’d risk having her mother and Mason show up at her doorstep insisting she close her store permanently and move to Texas with them. A shudder skittered across her skin.

  “What? I just spoke to her a couple days ago. At your shop.”

  Tears stung her eyes. “You did?” Had her mother been the last person Margaret spoke to before her murder?

  “Yes. She was rather short with me, though. Didn’t even say goodbye. The phone just went dead. Maybe she wasn’t feeling well. Did she have a heart attack?”

  “No.” Her chest tightened and she clutched her throat, unable to say anything else.

  “Well, what then? Kelsey?”

  “She…she had an accident.”

  Jason rubbed her shoulder. Knowing he was there—had probably heard the whole conversation—gave her the strength to continue.

  “How awful. You remember I told you about my neighbor, Gladys Hickman? Well, a flower delivery van rear-ended her Cadillac and now she says she has whiplash. Course, Mason thinks she’s faking. He says she’s hoping for a big settlement from the florist…”

  She shut her eyes and tried to tune out her mother’s rambling. At least she hadn’t been forced to make up a story about Margaret’s accident. Yet.

  “Kelsey? Are you listening?”

  She stiffened. “Yes, Mother. But I’m driving. And…hearing…hard…”

  “Kelsey, you’re breaking up. What did you say?”

  A tiny shard of guilt stabbed at her. “Can’t…hear…later…” Shutting her phone, she released a sigh.

  Jason laughed. “You’re in trouble if I ever meet your mother. That’ll make for great blackmail material.”

  “You don’t understand how she can be.” Stashing her cell back in her purse, she glanced around the inside of the cab and noticed an award ribbon hanging from the glovebox knob. Leaning closer, she read it aloud. “World’s Best Brother.” Grinning, she let out an exaggerated sigh. “That’s so sweet.”

  He didn’t say anything, but his face had taken on a red hue.

  “Don’t be embarrassed. I think it’s nice. I don’t have any siblings, but I always wished I did.”

  The muscles around his jaw ticked. He cleared his throat and sat higher in the seat. “Jenna’s a great sister. Although she was a real pain in the ass when we were growing up.”

  “She talks about you like you hung the moon.”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down and she could swear she’d somehow upset him. Swiveling toward him, studied his face. She definitely hadn’t noticed that furrow on the bridge of his nose before. “Did I say something wrong?”

  Staring straight ahead, he let out an unconvincing chuckle. “Course not.”

  Jason merged right when he noticed the sign announcing the Hallandale exit. “Want to grab some dinner after this?” He stole a glance at Kelsey, then returned his attention to the road. When she didn’t answer, he said, “I drive way better when I’m not starving to death.”

  “Um…”

  “I’ll even spring for a steak.” The traffic slowed, then stopped. He looked at her again. She had the most beautiful peaches-and-cream complexion.

  “I don’t eat meat.” She stared straight ahead and pointed toward the windshield. “Traffic’s moving.”

  He should have known she’d be a vegetarian. Stepping on the gas, he shrugged. “Then I’ll spring for a wheat grass and soy sticks salad. What do you folks eat?”

  He wished he were funnier so he’d hear her musical laughter more.

  “We folks eat everything but meat. Some people don’t do dairy either, though. They’re called vegans.”

  He held back a chuckle. “Actually, I know the difference. Do you do it for moral reasons or for your health?”

  “I don’t believe in killing another living creature for food.” She folded her arms across her chest.

  “And you don’t believe in guns. What other subversive clubs do you belong to?”

  She treated him to her musical laughter. “The Better Business Bureau. They’re subversives from way back.”

  “Beautiful, smart and even funny.” He wolf-whistled. “You’re the total package, baby.”

  She bristled. “Um, take this exit.”

  He’d embarrassed her. Too bad, because he’d meant what he said. When he checked his side mirror, he sneaked a glimpse at her cleavage, at the smooth curve of her shoulder and her long, elegant neck. A single blonde curl had worked free from her ponytail and he yearned to unleash the rest of her hair, see those gold locks spilling over her naked breasts. Her nipples would be hard as little marbles and the same color as her lips, like the pink hibiscus flowers that grew in his backyard.

  Shit. Now he’d need a cold shower. He adjusted himself in the seat to hide the swelling bulge in his lap.

  He must have grown rusty at reading women. The inconsistent signals she sent drove him crazy. One minute she seemed completely turned-on and the next she acted cool and aloof. He ought to listen to his instincts and his sister’s advice to keep his distance, but something about her captivated him. Something more than the sexual attraction. She touched that part of himself he’d locked away after Charlotte.

  I couldn’t protect Charlotte. What the hell makes me think I can keep Kelsey safe?

  Her voice broke through his thoughts. “Turn right here.”

  He followed her directions to a hodgepodge neighborhood of businesses and houses, ending on a dead-end street.

  “This is it.” She pointed to a small white house on the right. “You can park on the grass.”

  She climbed out ahead of him and strode toward the door.

  Jason surveyed the area. Awfully quiet for this time of day. Of course, the house sat back from the street,
somewhat isolated. He joined her on the small concrete patio.

  Kelsey knocked on the door. Nothing. She tried again. “Art? It’s Kelsey Ackerman.”

  Peering around the side of the building he noticed a carport—an empty carport. “Any idea if Art has a car?”

  She crinkled her nose then negotiated the weed-choked yard in her sandals. “I think so. Why?”

  He motioned toward the vacant spot where a car would normally park. “I think we missed him.”

  She shook her head. “I’m worried about Art. First he doesn’t return my calls and now he’s not here. He’s always here.”

  “Maybe he went to the grocery store, or to see a movie. Who knows?”

  She shook her head. “Art rarely leaves home. Only some sort of emergency would coax him out of his house.”

  Unease crawled over his skin. He didn’t notice anyone lurking nearby, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. No sense in worrying Kelsey, though. “Can’t the guy go on vacation?”

  She bristled. “You don’t know him. He’s not a vacation sort of guy. The guy lives for his work. I suspect he’s agoraphobic. He hardly ever leaves home.”

  Jason took her hands to keep her from wringing them. “I’m sure he’s fine. We’ll try calling again later. Let’s go grab some dinner. I think you need a glass of wine…or two.”

  Nodding her agreement, she marched ahead of him toward his truck. Before climbing in, she ran her finger along the deep scrape on the door. “You’re lucky you didn’t get hurt when you were run off the road.”

  He reached past her and opened the door. “Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself. It’s you I’m concerned about.”

  “How totally sexist of you.” She slid into the seat and huffed out a sigh.

  Ignoring her comment, he circled the truck and got in. Sexist or not, with the book dealer MIA, he refused to leave Kelsey alone. No telling what the murderer and Lilith might do.

  They stopped at a Chinese restaurant on the way back to Miami. A diminutive Asian woman seated them at a secluded booth with a pagoda lantern overhead. In deference to her vegetarian lifestyle, he ordered vegetable lo mein.

  “So you’ll go ahead with the book fair, right?” He sucked a noodle into his mouth.

  She set her chopsticks down. “It’s kind of disrespectful to Margaret, but on the other hand, if there’s the possibility that it’ll help catch her murderer, well, then I’ll do it.”

  “I just want you to remember something.”

  “What’s that?” She sipped her plum wine.

  “These people are obviously dangerous. I’m still afraid they may come after you.” He touched a blonde curl that had come loose from her ponytail and tucked it behind her ear, felt her subtle shudder when he did. “I don’t want to take any chances. So I’d like to stay at your place or have you come to mine.”

  She started to protest, as he’d predicted, but he silenced her with a finger on her lips. They were soft and moist and he’d never yearned to kiss a woman more, but he held back. “Kelsey, this is serious. I’ll camp out on your couch or the floor, I don’t really care where. But I don’t want you to be alone, particularly at night. Callahan said he won’t approve an officer outside your apartment all night. And an occasional drive-by doesn’t cut it.”

  She worked her jaw, but said nothing for a long moment. “I don’t like anyone to tell me I have to do something, particularly a man.”

  He couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah. I figured that out. I don’t want to run your life. I’m only trying to keep you alive.” He craved so much more with her, but for now, acting as her bodyguard would have to be enough. Besides, getting involved with an obstinate, ornery woman didn’t appeal to him. Way too much work. He wished his libido felt the same, but every moment he spent with her, he craved her. That firm, round ass, the gentle curve of her hips and that amazing rack. He undressed her in his mind and his cock stiffened. Imagining the sensation of her tongue on his erection, he dug his fingers into his thighs.

  Quit it!

  She drank another sip of wine then set her glass down hard. When she licked her lips, Jason sucked in a breath, forced himself to drag his eyes up to hers.

  “Fine. But don’t even think about coming into my bedroom.”

  Relief mixed with disappointment swirled inside him. He held up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.” Why tell her he’d never been a scout?

  Returning his gaze to her mouth, he studied the glossy sheen there. As if a lover had kissed her, ran his tongue along her lips, still sweet with the wine.

  Stop it. At this rate, he’d have blue balls by time they made it to her apartment.

  They arrived at Kelsey’s place a little before nine. Jason scanned her extensive book collection as she fixed them drinks. “I’ve never seen so many books outside of a bookstore or library.”

  She joined him in the living room and handed him a bottle of beer. Standing so close to him, she couldn’t help but pull in a whiff of his cologne and that sexy, masculine smell. She sipped her wine to banish his scent.

  He’s only here to protect me.

  Jason took a long pull on his beer and eyed her. “So what’s your pleasure? To read, I mean.” But his gaze slid over her body like a silky negligee.

  The innuendo and the wine conspired to ratchet up the heat blooming inside her. She fanned her face. The man made her feel like a hormonal schoolgirl. “Um, I love romance or a good mystery. The Ann Putnam series is my all-time favorite. Ever hear of her?” Dare she hope he also loved books?

  He shook his head. “I don’t read much for pleasure. I’m more into movies. Action, adventure, that sort of thing.”

  “Oh.” She couldn’t imagine not reading. How in the world anyone could make it through a day without indulging in at least a few pages was beyond her.

  “I’m privy to way too much real life drama through my job. I see it all—mystery, tragedy, intrigue, you name it. Pretty awful stuff. My jail is brimming with stories.” He stood taller, as if at attention.

  She thought about a book she’d read about a woman who went to prison for killing her abusive husband. “How heartbreaking to witness so many broken lives, people suffering behind bars.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Heartbreaking?” His chuckle sounded more sarcastic than sympathetic. “The only broken lives I know of are the ones the inmates forced upon their victims.”

  Could he really be so heartless? “Surely you have compassion for some of them, those poor souls who stumble down the wrong path and wind up in a bad situation.”

  “Do you think the bastard who murdered your friend stumbled down the wrong path? Do you have compassion for him?”

  Her mood clunked. “Well, of course not, but he’s one of the guilty ones.”

  He threw his head back, laughing. “Ask any inmate in my jail why he or she is incarcerated and you know what they’ll tell you?”

  Afraid to answer, she merely shook her head.

  “They’ll say, ‘I didn’t do what I’m accused of. That was my cousin. I get in trouble for his stuff all the time.’” He gave his head a firm shake. “How did we get on to this subject?” Circling around her, he moved closer to the bookshelf and picked up one of her favorite photos.

  “That’s my grandmother and me.” She sipped her wine and reminisced. “They had a farm near Ocala. I spent most of my childhood summers there.” She pointed to the cat. “That was Ghost. He had to go live with them after my folks split up since Mom moved us into an apartment. No animals allowed.” Her heart squeezed. “I miss coming home to a pet.”

  “You can always visit my dog, Elvis.” He stroked a thumb over her cheek and her entire body hummed with yearning. “Maybe hang out with me while you’re at it.”

  His wink heated her insides. Only inches separated them. She parted her lips, invited him closer. Her pulse raced and her breathing grew shallow.

  Shifting subtly toward her, he met her gaze. Fire danced in his eyes,
amber amidst the green. His breath sent goose bumps sprawling over her skin. He brushed his lips along hers, let out a quiet moan and slipped his tongue inside her mouth.

  He tasted like heaven and she couldn’t get enough. She softened against him and his erection pressed into her stomach as he deepened the kiss. His velvet tongue swirled around hers, warm and inviting. Desire flared hot inside her, made her whole body tingle with anticipation. She leaned into him, awakening long-neglected cravings. Her nipples ached with need and her sex grew moist.

  No, I can’t do this. He’ll try to control me. He’ll hurt me.

  Abruptly, she centered a hand on his chest and nudged him back. Breaking away, she shook her head, let out a tortured sigh. “I can’t, Jason.”

  He took a backward step and dropped his shoulders. “Why not?” Tension knotted his brow.

  Turning away, she wiped a rogue tear from her cheek. “You’re everything I don’t want.”

  That hit him like a sucker punch to the gut. “Gee, thanks.” She sure knew how to cut a guy down.

  She spun around and he read the pain etched on her face. “Men like you—”

  He stopped her with a raised hand. “Hang on a second. Men like me? You’re lumping me in with what? Let me guess. All the guys who have broken your heart, is that it?”

  She blanched. “Well, yes. My father was a domineering bastard and my ex-husband, he was more of the same. He’d seemed sweet when we first met. A lot like you.”

  He set his beer bottle down and took her hand. “Don’t crucify me for their sins. I’m not them.”

  She pulled away, refused to look him in the eyes. “If I’m going to work the book fair tomorrow, I ought to get a good night’s sleep.” She gulped down half her wine, then strode toward the kitchen.

  Had he misread her cues? One minute she seemed as hungry for him as he was for her, the next she didn’t even want him around.

  A few minutes passed before she returned to the living room, her arms piled high with bed linens and pillows. Plopping the stack on the couch, she said, “Remote’s on top of the TV, there’s a towel and a new toothbrush in the bathroom, end of the hall. Night.” Without waiting for him to say anything, she disappeared into her room and shut the door.