by Lori Foster
“Hey, I put up with it,” Ethan pointed out.
“Me, too,” Riley added. His own interview had been carefully edited by Regina. Anything that might have been too personal or hurtful had been omitted.
It was still embarrassing, especially because the love she felt for him had shone through and Harris and Buck had harassed him for days afterward, pretending to swoon, blowing him kisses and asking for his autograph. But the public had gobbled it up, his chief was thrilled with the positive P.R. for the department and Regina had thanked him oh so sweetly, so he was glad he’d given in.
Buck finally said, “Regina, be reasonable. You have to call off Walters.”
Her nose lifted. “I could do that—if you agree to give me a story.” Her gaze slanted to Harris. “Both of you.”
With hardy groans and a lot of grumbling, they surrendered to the inevitable. “Deal.”
Regina relaxed. “I’ll return their call after dinner. But I need the interviews before our wedding next week.”
“Why the rush?” Harris asked, looking somewhat stricken by the whole idea of being in the limelight.
“After the wedding, I plan to be busy for a while—with my own personal hero.”
Riley hugged her close. He knew the truth: Regina was the heroic one. With her big heart and unwavering faith in human nature, she had filled his soul. He intended to keep her safe for the rest of their lives. If that made him a hero, too, at least in her eyes, then he’d gladly live with the label.
* * * * *
Don’t miss the next book in Lori Foster’s sizzling new Love Undercover series!
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CHAPTER TWO
ALICE STOOD THERE lost in thought for far too long before she remembered that she had coffee to make.
Never had she thought to have a man in her apartment. Certainly not her hunky police detective neighbor, and most definitely not overnight. It made sense for her to be off-kilter.
She no sooner finished preparing the coffee than she decided Reese might also like something to eat. It was lunchtime for her, but he hadn’t even had breakfast yet.
Maybe he hadn’t had dinner the night before, either. His work as a detective had literally landed on his doorstep, and she doubted he’d had time to relax, much less enjoy a real meal. A man his size likely required a lot of sustenance.
Yesterday had consisted of bad guys coming and going, good guys sneaking in, gunshots and arrests, deaths and ambulances... Shivering, Alice wrapped her arms around herself.
The life-or-death scenario had been unsettling for her, too. Having Reese on her couch, near at hand, gave her a sense of security that no weapon could. Even having Cash underfoot was reassuring. People still left her ill at ease, but animals were so nonjudgmental, so welcoming, she naturally took comfort from them.
Reese didn’t know it, but being Cash’s dog-sitter was the greatest gift. Until he’d proposed the arrangement a few days ago, she hadn’t realized what a difference it made to have another living, breathing creature nearby.
She sighed, realized several minutes had passed, and decided she’d ask Reese what he’d like to eat.
Picking up her keys, Alice locked the door behind her. Never again would she take any chances when it came to security. On her way out, she glanced up the steps at Reese’s apartment door. Unlike in the movies, there was no dramatic caution tape draping the door, but yesterday Reese had said they preferred for him to stay out until they finished gathering their forensic evidence or taking photos or whatever they had to do. She really had no idea of police procedure. Other than Reese, she’d never known a good officer.
Sure, she’d been acquainted with a few shady men who claimed the badge but not the honor that should have been inherent in the job. Yesterday, she’d met good cops.
She’d learned the hard way to recognize the difference.
Remembering the day before made her palms sweat. Yes, Reese had only come to her because of the destruction in his place, but she was glad for any reason. While she hopefully put up a brave front, no way had she wanted to stay alone.
As she’d done so many times, she pushed the unpleasant memories to the back of her mind and went down the steps to the glass, double entry doors.
Before she stepped out, she saw Reese standing there in the shade, Cash’s leash held loosely in his hand.
Two neighbor ladies, one a beautiful blonde with oversize breasts, the other a very cute and petite brunette, stared at him adoringly while chatting.
They wore jogging shorts and sports bras and had a lot of skin showing. They stood far too close to him for mere conversation.
Alice didn’t think about it, didn’t even have time to process her reaction before she found herself striding out to the yard and right up to Reese and Cash. She snatched the dog’s leash from his hand, startling him.
Lifting one eyebrow, he looked down at her. “Alice.”
Her heart punched painfully against her breastbone. Unfair that a man with morning rumpled hair and whiskers could still manage to look so good. “The coffee’s done.” She stared at the women while thrusting the keys out to him. “I can wait with Cash until he finishes up if you’d like to go on in and get a cup.”
Slowly his expression shifted from surprise to amusement. “Why thank you, Alice.” With a knowing grin, he accepted her key ring. “Your hospitality knows no bounds.”
She had no idea how to reply to that.
With a pleased smile, Reese touched her cheek, bid good day to the other ladies, and headed inside. The bright sunshine gleamed on his shoulders and gilded his fair hair. Though barefoot, he didn’t pick his way across the grounds; he strode like a confident man in control of himself and those around him.
When Alice realized that she wasn’t the only one noticing, she cleared her throat, loudly.
The blonde laughed. “Sorry, honey, but you know, I just can’t pull my eyes away. He’s an awful lot of man.”
The brunette agreed. She looked at Alice, and asked with palpable doubt, “So, you two have a thing?”
A thing...? Understanding sank in. “What? No!” Alice looked down at herself, too. No, she wasn’t cute and petite like the brunette, and she certainly didn’t have the curves that the blonde flaunted. She was just herself, plain, understated, most times all but invisible.
Hadn’t she been told that often enough?
And thank God for it.
“We’re only neighbors.”
“Uh-huh, sure you are.” The friendly blonde continued to smile. “I wish I was that type of neighbor, too. I’ve suggested it, but I swear, Reese is a squirrely one, always dodging me.”
“You’ve actually suggested...?”
“That we hook up, sure. And believe me, I haven’t been subtle!” She laughed. “I figured he turned me down because we’re too close for comfort, being in the same apartment building and all that. But if he’s spending the night with you, then that must not be an issue for him.”
The women stared at her, waiting for an explanation. Why hadn’t she left well enough alone? She had no claim on Reese, so she should have kept her nose out of it.
But she had butted in, behaving like a territorial girlfriend, given them reason for speculation. Walking away now would be both rude and fodder for gossip.
“Do you both live here?” she asked while trying to decide how to proceed.
“Upper floor,” the brunette said. “She’s on one side of Reese,
and I’m on the other.”
“Doesn’t that sound naughty?” The blonde laughed again. “We’ve known Reese awhile now.”
Alice’s temples pounded. “How...nice.”
The blonde performed introductions. “I heard Reese call you Alice. I’m Nikki, and she’s Pam.”
“Hello.” Until Reese, Alice had managed to keep her distance from all of her neighbors. Now she had Reese’s admirers curious about her.
Knowing she’d just complicated her life, Alice turned her attention to Cash. Perhaps she could distract the women by playing with the dog?
But no, Cash flopped down in a ray of sunshine and looked so comfortable, she hated to disturb him. There was no help for it. She smiled at the women. “If you live that close to Reese, then you already know what happened yesterday.”
Pam lifted both brows. “You mean between the two of you?”
“No!” Good grief. Such a suggestion. “Really, nothing happened between us.”
Nikki grinned some more.
“I was talking about the police conflict that took place in his apartment.”
“We were out late,” Pam said.
“And much of the morning, too,” Nikki added. “What happened?”
Hoping to extricate herself soon, Alice did her best to summarize. “Yesterday, I saw a person going into Reese’s apartment, so I called him.”
“You have his number?” Pam asked with disbelief.
“I...yes.” Alice wanted to groan. Pam and Nikki looked ready to pounce on her every word. She nodded toward Cash. “I watch his dog for him while he works, so it was necessary to exchange numbers.”
The women peered at Cash with disdain. Nikki said, “He pees everywhere.”
“I know.” Alice smiled with affection. “Cash has already marked every inch of my apartment.”
“Oh my God, you’re kidding?” Pam shuddered. “I’d send him to the pound for that.”
Feeling very protective of the dog, Alice scowled. “He’s a puppy still. He’s learning.”
Nikki couldn’t quite uncurl her lip. “So he’s actually Reese’s dog? I assumed he was yours since you’re the one I usually see bringing him outside.”
“I pet-sit for him. Reese only recently got him, but being a detective, his hours can be...unconventional. And right now Cash needs a lot of attention, not to mention structure.”
“So yesterday, when you said someone went into his place?” Nikki dismissed the dog. “Reese was getting robbed?”
“Not exactly. It was just...” Unsure how much she should actually tell, Alice fudged the truth. “A conflict of sorts, that’s all. It ended well enough when yet another detective showed up. But Reese’s apartment got a little...messy.”
With bullet holes. Blood. A dead body on the floor.
She shook her head. “Reese had a lot to do once they made arrests, a lot of follow-up work, so he got in late.” Or rather, early. “His apartment is still considered a crime scene.”
Dismissing all of that, Pam asked in disbelief, “And so he came to you?”
Alice shrugged. “He slept on my couch.”
“Your couch?” Nikki put a hand to her heart in dramatic fashion. “I would have dragged him into the bedroom.”
“Or joined him on the couch.” Pam grinned.
“I don’t know,” Nikki added. “He’s awfully big to play with on a couch.”
They both laughed.
Through tight lips, Alice explained, “We don’t have that type of relationship.” In fact, she wasn’t sure what type of relationship they had. A couple of times now Reese had hinted about an attraction, but was it just teasing?
And if it wasn’t, what then?
“Oh, honey,” Nikki commiserated. “That must’ve been torturous for you, having a man like him so close but still not getting the advantages.”
“It’s great news for us, though.” Pam elbowed her friend. “He’s still up for grabs.”
Alice couldn’t fathom their attitudes. “So you’re each interested in Reese?” How would that work? Neither of the women felt possessive?
Pam shrugged. “I do my best to get him to notice me, but Reese is a master at being polite without encouraging too much.”
Nikki agreed. “I’d be on him in a heartbeat if he’d give me a signal. He’s so delectably big and brawny.”
Big and brawny were not attributes that Alice generally admired. Not in a man who showed too much intimate interest in her.
But for whatever reason, Reese was different, and her heart raced every time he got near.
“He’s very compassionate,” Alice said, then suffered through some curious expressions from Nikki and Pam. “It’s true. He saved Cash. Someone had put the dog in a cardboard box and left him in the middle of the street.”
“Probably because he pees everywhere!”
Nikki laughed at Pam and agreed.
Alice didn’t find it at all funny. How could anyone be that heartless? Luckily, Reese had cared enough to investigate when he saw the box, and once he’d discovered Cash, he’d taken him to the vet, adopted him, and loved him. True, Reese spent too much time away, but he assured the dog had proper care.
With her.
She sighed. “Reese is one of the kindest men I’ve ever met.”
Nikki grinned at her. “Yeah, and despite his big hard body and that incredible face, I’m sure it was his kindness that you noticed first, right?”
No, that quality might not be what first drew her attention to Reese, but it was definitely what got past her defensive walls.
“He’s also a police detective, honest and protective of others.”
Pam snickered. “And with as long as we’ve been talking, the big, bad cop just might be in the shower right now.” She gave Alice’s shoulder a pat and started away with Nikki. “If I was you, I’d hurry in and join him.”
“Have some fun for me, Alice.” Nikki smiled as she followed Pam. “We want to hear all the juicy details tomorrow!”
Alice was too frozen to say her goodbyes. Until Pam’s parting remark it hadn’t sunk in that she’d left Reese Bareden, a detective, alone in her apartment.
Oh, Good Lord.
There was no telling what he’d find if he decided to snoop. And for a detective, snooping no doubt came naturally.
“Cash, come on, boy. Let’s go!”
Ears lifted, his eyes bright, the dog jumped up, always ready for some excitement.
Good thing, because it seemed to her wherever Reese Bareden went, excitement definitely followed.
* * *
WHILE ALICE HUNG OUTSIDE, saying God knew what, Reese did a quick surveillance of her apartment. Her bedroom was plain to the point of painful, not at all like most ladies’ bedrooms. In lieu of a frilly comforter she had a simple beige quilt over a full-size bed. Utilitarian curtains were pulled back to allow in the warm summer breeze. Not a single piece of clothing showed out of place. Other than one photograph sitting on her dresser, she kept her surfaces clutter-free. He approached the picture for a better look.
She’d had shorter hair when the photo was taken, and beside her sat a girl some years younger. A sister? They shared the same eyes, hair color, and the same lush mouth. Alice looked happy in a way that Reese hadn’t yet seen.
Carefree.
Relaxed.
The Alice he knew never looked quite that tranquil, and seeing the contrast in the photo bothered him.
He strode to her closet to look inside.
Her very basic wardrobe hung in a tidy, organized way with her shoes lined up side by side on the floor. A shoebox on top of a shelf drew his attention and he lifted it down.
Inside he found the heavy Glock that she’d carried into his apartment yesterday. Again he remembered the weapon in her hand, and the look in her eyes.
“Shit.” He returned the box to the top of her closet and closed the door. He started to leave the room, hesitated, and instead looked under her bed.
Not a speck of dust,
but he did find a lethal retractable baton. Scowling, he opened her nightstand and saw a Taser.
“Son of a bitch.” How many people did she expect to fend off? And what the hell had happened to her to make her think all the weapons were necessary?
None of it gelled. Alice was a first-class introvert. Painfully solemn and withdrawn. Sort of...quietly dignified. She reminded him of his third-grade teacher, minus the bun and support hose. He curled his lip, disliking that description a lot—especially given how she turned him on.
There had to be something twisted in that.
At first, Alice-something-or-other—he really needed to learn her last name—had felt like a challenge. He didn’t want to think himself conceited, but women didn’t ignore him, so her disregard had piqued his interest.
Then he’d noticed her odd intensity, the extreme way she focused whenever she ventured outside, almost like she watched for the boogeyman. Why would a young, middle-class woman in a good neighborhood need to be so over-the-top cautious, even in broad daylight?
Her softness felt like a lure. Big dark eyes. Baby-fine brown hair.
And that soft, full mouth...
The first time he saw her smile—at his dog—something had sparked. Reese couldn’t explain it any more than he could dismiss it, but something about her turned him on at a gut level.
He saw that tempting smile of hers and he got hard.
Knowing she could come back in any moment, Reese searched through her bathroom, but in his cursory exploration he found only the usual female products. No meds other than a few OTCs like aspirin and cold pills.
In the spare bedroom set up as her office he struck gold. With enough time to dig around, he could probably uncover all kinds of info on that elaborate computer network. Paper files filled a rack on the corner of the desk. She had an external drive set up. Mail filled a basket, meaning he could learn her last name with a simple peek. Everything was so neatly organized that going through it would be a breeze.
But that would be such a huge invasion of her privacy.
