by Mary Calmes
I had set up Dr. Kai Akita, PhD, with Dr. Nick Sullivan, MD, and from the looks of things—the body language, the glances, and the testing touches—it was going really well. Nick's hand on his shoulder was allowed to stay, Kai's fingers sliding over Nick's collar was rewarded with a big smile, and the proximity that they kept while walking were all very good signs. I was so pleased with myself I felt like I was glowing. As I leaned over the railing to try and see them as they walked toward the arcade, someone cleared their throat.
"Hey." I smiled at Sam Kage as he scowled at me.
"What the hell are you doing out here?"
"I——"
"People are trying to kill you and you're just—"
They were moving and I had to see. I raised a finger to shut him up and hobbled over to lean against the railing on the opposite side of the pier. I used the binoculars to make sure I didn't lose them.
"What the fuck are you doing?" he asked again, louder, firmer, his voice next to my ear.
"Why can't you ask a question without swearing?"
"Jory... I'm trying not to—"
"It should be perfectly obvious that I'm spying," I said, cutting him off, watching as Nick's hand went to rest between Kai's shoulder blades. "God, I should do this for a living."
"What are you looking at?"
"Remember the doctor that liked me?" I asked as I watched them buy corn dogs.
"Yeah."
"Okay, so I set him up on a blind date with a guy that I met last night at my friend Richard's house."
There was a long silence and I thought he had walked away until I heard him breathe. "Wait now. You met a guy last night and he let you set him up on a blind date?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did a guy you met last night let you set him up on a blind date?"
I lowered the binoculars and scowled at him "Why is that important? The thrill of this moment is that I am a love god."
"Is that right?" He smirked at me.
"Are you kidding?" I mumbled, raising the binoculars. "I'm Cupid, man."
"Okay Cupid," he said drolly. "What's going on with your ankle?"
"Oh... I screwed it up playing racquetball with Dane. I gotta explain to him that he needs to pick on someone his own size from now on."
"I see. May I ask another question?"
"Can I stop you?"
"Dane is what to you now?"
"How'dya mean?"
"Well I'm curious because he used to be called boss and now he's Dane. Explain that to me."
"Dane is my brother now."
"Really?"
"Yeah. He likes running my life."
"I'll bet," he said before sighing deeply. "He's a good guy."
"Yes, he is," I agreed, putting the binoculars down while I crossed through the crowd back to the other side of the pier.
I couldn't see so when I saw a bucket that was turned over behind a cotton candy stall I got up on top of it. I was just in time to see them stop for ice cream; Kai had just wiped some of it off Nick's nose. It was too cute.
"You're gonna fall off that and actually break your ankle, idiot."
I grunted.
"Seriously, why does a guy you just met let you set him up on a date with somebody else?"
"Because he's a keen judge of character and he could tell right off that I had the gift."
"Bullshit."
I shrugged. "Believe what you want."
"Tell me."
"I told him if he had a bad time he could have me."
"I'm sorry?"
"You heard me."
"Have you?"
"Yeah."
"Define that."
"I think it's pretty self-explanatory."
"Do you?"
"Yeah," I said, watching them smile into each other's eyes.
"Awww."
"So you're saying if the blind date goes bad, this guy—what's his name?"
"Kai," I said putting the binoculars down, unsure for a minute what the better course of action was. Should I let my ankle bear my weight for the second it took to get down or get down on it and let it hold me for that second?
"What are you doing?"
I looked down and he looked up and I was suddenly caught in the dark scowl. He looked really annoyed. "Could you move a little? I need to get down."
He reached toward me. "Lemme help you."
"No thanks," I waved him back. "Just move."
"Fine," he said, shoving his hands in his pockets, taking a step away from me. "So seriously—this guy Kai gets to what—fuck you or do whatever the hell he wants to you?"
"Yeah," I winced, letting my ankle hold me for a second, stepping down onto my good one. "Shit."
"And you'll let him?"
I cracked a grin. "It's just my ass, man. I've done worse for less," I assured him before I limped away, ducking between stalls, poking my head around the caramel corn and the hand-dipped candy apples before leaning out from under the overhang to check on them as they stopped to get some bottled water. I was hoping I'd lost him.
"For crissakes, Jory, you—"
"God—why are you here?" I almost whined, turning to look up into his eyes.
His eyes narrowed. "I'm here with Dom and his girl Lily and Maggie."
"Well, I'm sure they're waitin' on ya," I said flatly, hoping my dismissive tone would prompt him to leave.
I watched his jaw clench. "You know you—"
My hand came up to cut him off as I reached into the front pocket on my peacoat and pulled out my phone. I dialed and turned away from him to return to my spying. She answered on the second ring.
"Mother Goose."
"What?"
"I thought we should have code names," Dylan giggled.
"Since we're undercover and all."
My friends were all crazy. "Where are you?"
"I'm getting Indian fry bread. Where are you?"
"You're eating again?"
"I'm at the pier. What the hell else do you do here?"
"Stop eating, we're on a stakeout."
"Shut up. Where are you?"
"By the little dance floor with the black lights."
Her voice was muffled since she was eating and talking.
"I'll be right there. Don't move anymore, you're gonna be crippled by tomorrow."
"Fine. Hurry up," I said before I hung up and replaced the phone in my coat.
"Who was that?"
I had hoped he'd taken the hint but he was still there.
"I asked you a question."
"My girl Dylan," I snapped at him.
"Who?"
"Bye, Detective," I dismissed him, raising the binoculars, smiling wide as they sat down on a bench on the pier, facing each other.
"You know you should show me more respect."
I grunted and moved away from him. I was going to raise the binoculars when he stepped in front of me.
"Maybe I should just take you home."
"You have Maggie to take home," I blurted out with more vehemence than I wanted.
"Wait—what?"
I shook my head. "Just never mind. Could you please leave me alone?"
But he didn't move.
"What do you want?" I asked him, my voice sounding strained.
"You're hurt, lemme help you."
"No," I snapped irritably, shifting around him, looking for the lovebirds. "I don't need your help."
"Clearly you do."
I groaned loudly.
"Jory, you—"
"There you are." Dylan sniffled as she walked up beside me. She lifted my arm and leaned into my side. "Lean on me," she ordered gently. "I don't want your ankle to implode."
I draped my arm around her neck and kissed her temple.
Her contented sigh made me smile.
"So how's it going? Are you off the hook or what?"
I passed her the binoculars and pointed down the pier.
She put them to her eyes and
smiled wide. "Oh yeah, you're safe. Good job, love god."
I glanced over at Sam. "Thank you."
His scowl could not have been any darker.
"Hi." Dylan smiled at him suddenly. "You're the detective, right? I met you Friday night."
He looked directly at her and I heard her sharp, indrawn breath before she shivered. I understood. Hard to know what your reaction to Sam Kage should be. The man was menacing and alluring at the same time. He radiated danger and plain old raw sex appeal. The combination was intoxicating.
"You're his new partner, right?" Sam said gruffly.
"Huh?"
"Aren't you Jory's partner?"
"What?"
I bumped her to break the spell.
"Oh... yes," she recovered, offering him her hand. "It's nice to see you again."
He shook her hand quickly. "And you."
"We're on a spy mission," she smiled impishly. "Did he tell you?"
"Yes, he did."
"Are you here alone? Do you want to share a cab home with us?"
"No, I have friends and—"
"His girl's waiting on him," I told Dylan. "He has to go."
"Oh okay," she nodded, her arm tightening around my back. "Well then, we'll see you, Detective. You have a nice night."
He nodded.
"Could you give me a little of your weight, please," she snapped at me gently.
"I'll crush you."
"I think I weigh more than you." She sighed. "Just let me take care of you. I'm dying to mother you."
I rolled my eyes and we started to walk away.
"Why don't you let me drive you guys home?"
Dylan stopped but I kept going.
She planted her feet.
I pushed her off balance, forcing her to take a step forward.
"What are you doing?" She was confused. "Stop nudging me."
"Let's just go."
But she ignored me, turning instead back to Sam. "I thought you were out with your friends?"
"I am but we're about to leave anyway. It's no trouble, and if his ankle's bad like you said then I would be glad to help."
"It's not that bad," I grumbled quickly.
"Are you kidding?" Dylan was flabbergasted. "The limping is getting worse not better."
I sighed deeply. "We can catch a cab. It's no problem.
Thanks anyway."
"Jory," Dylan began, "don't be an idiot." She looked over at Sam. "We would appreciate a ride, Detective, thank you so much."
"Sure," he said softly, walking over to us. "Maybe you should lean on—"
"It's fine," I said fast, stepping past him.
"Jory," Dylan gasped, reaching for me.
"I'm fine," I told her, gritting my teeth as I strode down the pier. I was nothing if not stubborn.
Dylan ended up holding my hand as we followed Sam back to where Maggie was leaning against a railing, watching Dominic and Lily play bumper cars.
"There you are." She smiled at him, her eyes soft. "Where did you go?"
"I saw some friends," he muttered, tipping his head toward Dylan and me. "They need a ride. Are you guys ready to go?"
"Oh yes." She smiled at him. "I've been ready for an hour.
I've gotta work tomorrow."
"Okay, let's go then."
"Are you going to stay at my place?"
My stomach lurched.
"Not tonight," he said coolly.
"Oh." She was disappointed. "Okay."
"Can I get a witness?" Dominic shouted out as he stalked over to us.
I smiled at him and when he reached me his hand came down heavy on my shoulder.
"I am actually very happy to see you." He squeezed tight.
"I swear to God, kid, you're a lucky sonofabitch."
"Jory?" Dylan looked up into my face.
"I'll tell ya later," I assured her. "Dominic Kairov, this is Dylan Greer, my partner at Barrington."
He reached for her hand and they shook as a striking, statuesque blonde woman stepped up behind him. She was Lily Beck, and he introduced both Dylan and I to her. It was only then that Maggie complained she hadn't been introduced to either one of us.
"Maggie Dixon," she smiled at me as she took my hand.
"You're the Jory?"
"I'm just Jory," I told her.
"No, you're the one that stayed with Sam for a while, right? The teacups are yours."
"Yes."
She nodded. "He won't let me touch them."
"You should just throw them out."
She chuckled. "So not happening."
"Let's go," Sam growled and everyone moved at the same time.
At the cars Dominic volunteered to take Dylan and me since he was closer, but Sam shut him down hard. I got a slap across the back before he left and was made to promise to call if I needed him. I was surprised, since I had never thought Dominic even liked me much less cared if I lived or died. I wondered at the change of heart.
Sam held the door open for Maggie and Dylan as I climbed up on the other side. Once we were all in Maggie started asking questions. She wanted to know all about what we did at Barrington. My phone rang so I got to let Dylan answer her.
"Hello?"
"Jory, have I told you lately that you're amazing?"
"Hey, Nicky." I smiled wide. "How's it goin'?"
"So much better than good."
"I'm glad."
"He thinks we have a real connection. He said he can't believe we're in the same place in our lives."
"See." I sighed. "I'm gifted."
"He thinks I'm gorgeous, Jory."
"You are, Nicky. Tell me again that I was right."
"You were right—so right. I'm sorry I gave you any shit at all."
"Call me tomorrow."
"I will. Good night, my friend."
I hung up and turned to smile at Dylan.
"Well?"
"I am the love god."
She smiled at me. "Okay, love god, you've done your good deed for the year. We need to find a nice boy for you now."
"Okay." I reached across the seat for her hand and lifted the palm to my lips. "Whatever you say, love."
"I adore you."
"Right backatcha."
"Ohmygod," Maggie cooed. "Could you two be any cuter?"
I chuckled and Sam asked where Dylan lived.
It turned out that Dylan was the first drop-off. We hugged and kissed and I promised to call her in the morning if she needed to pick me up. On our way to my place, Maggie suggested we stop and get something to eat. She was starving. I wasn't asked; he just pulled over and parked the car before I could cast my vote.
Inside, he left us to make a call before we were seated.
When the waiter came to lead us to the table, he was back. I went to take a step and my right leg cramped up. It had been taking most of my weight all day and it was tired.
"What's wrong?" he asked me, hand on my shoulder, looking at my face.
"I think I'm gonna skip this and go home. I need to get my weight off—"
"You need to sit and ice your ankle and wrap it up. It's not broken or you wouldn't be able to put any weight on it at all, but I bet it's twisted really badly. You need crutches too."
"I don't have—"
"Easy to get. I have this thing I used when I tore my ACL tendon and meniscus. You put ice and water in, and you wrap the other part around your knee or whatever and it—"
"I think I have an ice pack." I smiled, cutting off his rambling as I leaned around him to look at Maggie. "I gotta go, it was really nice to meet you. I'll see ya, all right?"
"Jory, why don't we—"
I turned to go but the arm around my neck stopped me.
"Stop fighting me," he said gruffly, pinning me against his body, fiddling with the collar of my coat. "You're always fighting with me."
I closed my eyes, let out a deep breath, and leaned back against him.
"Let's eat something, then I'll take you home and fix up your ankle."
His breath was warm down the side of my neck, the words spoken softly, gently, meant to soothe me.
"I—"
"I bet I even have extra crutches at my place." His lips grazed my skin; he was that close to me.
"I can't go to your place."
"Why not?" His voice was so low, so deep.
"I just can't."
"That makes no sense."
"I just... let go."
"You're shaking," he nearly growled.
"Sam, what's going on?" Maggie asked suddenly.
"Nothing." He sighed before he clutched me tighter. "Lean on me, J."
I had to let him help me to the booth. I gave him my weight and he wrapped an arm around my waist. He was careful, moving slowly, and I heard the deep sigh that came up out of him.
"Sam, maybe we should run Jory to the hospital." Maggie offered, her eyes darting between us.
"No," he said flatly. There would be no argument.
At the table, he slid into the booth beside me after shedding his coat and picking up his menu. "What're you gonna eat?"
"I'm not really hungry," I told him, leaning back.
"You're gonna hafta take something for the pain so you need food in your stomach."
"I can just—"
"Take off your coat."
I rolled my eyes but took off my trench coat, laying it down between us.
"Put it on the other side, I've got no room."
I moved it against the wall and took a sip of the water the waitress dropped off. After a couple of minutes he realized I was staring at him and turned to look at me.
"What?"
"Is there anything else?"
"Meaning?"
"Meaning you've been barking orders at me... is there anything else?"
His grin was lazy and sexy. "Nope."
"Good," I said, rubbing the bridge of my nose.
"You want pancakes?"
"No."
"An omelet?"
"I'm really not hungry."
He put his knee against mine under the table. "I don't care."
I tried to slide over but his hand was on my thigh instantly, holding me there.
"I'm feeding you, end of story."
"You know, Sam, this whole macho bullshit thing you—"
His phone rang.
"Wait," he said, putting up his hand as he pulled his phone from the coat lying beside him on the seat. "Hello. Yeah," he said, standing up, hovering over the table. "I—hold on." He pressed it to his chest so whoever was on the other end wouldn't hear him. "Just eat something."
"I'm not hungry."
