NY State Trooper- The Complete Box Set

by Jen Talty

  Come hell or high water, he was taking this transfer.

  4

  “Thanks for coming.” Ryan pulled back the tab on a Diet Coke and handed it to Penny, before grabbing another one for herself. “Want to take this in the family room?”

  “God, I wish I could afford this place.” Penny ran her fingers across the almond colored granite countertops. “I would love to live here.”

  Ryan gripped her soda can. She had known she’d have to move someday, she just thought it would be when she was ready. “Me, too. I asked Jared if he would consider being the bank so I could buy this place, but he didn’t go for it. Said something about he wasn’t that rich.”

  “You could have ten kids, and this kitchen would still seem huge.” Penny opened a few cabinets. “There’s enough dishware in here to serve an army.” She took a big swig of her soda. “How big is this place, anyway?”

  “Here.” Ryan grabbed the fact sheet and shoved it at Penny. “Five thousand square feet, five bedrooms, five and a half baths, and a partridge in a pear tree.”

  “Testy.” Penny wrinkled her nose, and then headed down the short hallway toward the family room, which was really more of a great room housing two oversized sofas, two recliners, a loveseat and ottoman, and a large screen plasma television. Of course, one couldn’t disregard all the expensive artwork and decorations. She couldn’t help but wonder what Jared was going to do with all this stuff.

  “I started looking for a new apartment.” Ryan flipped the switch and the light flickered, illuminating the soft creamy walls, accentuating the chocolate colored couches. “Not much out there.”

  “But this sheet says there’s already a moneymaking tenant.”

  Ryan snatched the listing. “It says the servants’ quarters have been converted to a carriage house which makes a great rental. And do you know what old man Foster gets for his little shack he rents out?” When she flopped onto the sofa, a pillow bounced to the floor.

  “Can’t say that I do.” Penny joined her, tucking her feet under her butt.

  “Fifteen hundred a month, and it’s nothing like the carriage house. Not even close. I can’t afford anything that high. Besides, I should move over to Bolton. It’s closer to work, and these roads get really nasty in the winter. But I’m going to sleep here tonight. With Jared.”

  Penny coughed, then sputtered. “Did you just say what I think you said?” Penny wiped up the soda that had fizzed out of her mouth and landed in her lap. “Don’t say stuff like that when I’m drinking.”

  “I’m serious, Pen. The man doesn’t know how to have a relationship and that suits me just fine. I’m not ready for a lifetime of love, just one freaking night. That’s all I’m asking for.” Ryan let out a slow breath, trying to keep her erratic heartbeat under control.

  “You can’t handle it.” Penny snorted. “He’ll break your heart into tiny little pieces, and I doubt you’ll be able to recover. I think you need to stay the hell away from him.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Ryan muttered.

  “You want me to lie to you? Tell you that I think you should go for it? Come on, Ry. I’ve known you since we were in preschool. You’ve had it bad for Jared since you knew how to say his name. Being with him in the biblical sense will only hurt you, and you know it.”

  Wasn’t that the truth? But Ryan still wanted to know what it would be like to make love to him, no matter the cost. She’d get over it. Her brother’s first wife had run out on him for another man, and he’d survived. He’d found Marci, and now they were expecting their first baby. All was well in his world. So, she’d survive it, if she could get “it” to happen.

  The kitchen door slammed shut. Ryan leaped to her feet and gasped. “Jared?”

  His sexy drawl came from the kitchen. “Yep. Got your brother with me, too.”

  “Great.” Ryan rolled her eyes. Just what she needed, her big brother. And knowing him, he’d demand she come and stay at his place, making up some story that Marci needed her help. Right. Dumbass brother.

  “I’m going to go surprise Chuck.” Penny gave her a sisterly hug. “I got him all hot and bothered on the phone, so I guess I should go put the poor man out of his misery.”

  “Are things going well?” Ryan asked.

  “Well enough.” Penny lowered her chin. “Be careful, okay? I love you lots.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Now get lost.” Ryan shoved Penny toward the kitchen. “And keep your trap shut on the way out. The last thing I need is you and your mouth.”

  Penny dragged Ryan into the kitchen. “You love my mouth.” Penny squeezed Ryan’s cheeks together. “You’ve got such a face.” She smacked her lips against Ryan’s.

  “Gross.” Ryan wiped her mouth. “Save it for the boyfriend.”

  “God, I love a man in uniform.” Penny patted Jared’s arm. “See ya around.”

  “Goodbye, Pen.” Ryan shook her head, watching Penny give a good hip walk to her car. That girl loved to put on a show. Chuck was in for a wicked night.

  “That’s one interesting girl.” Jared laughed.

  “Did you get stuff to fix my door?” Ryan asked, and then landed a quick kiss on her brother’s cheek.

  “Didn’t have time; you can just crash here for now.” Jared ducked his head into the pantry and pulled out a cutting board and some seasonings. “Want a beer, Pat?”

  “I think Ryan should come back to my place,” Pat said, his lips drawn into a tight line.

  “She’s fine here.” Jared clunked the wooden board down on the table and removed his gun belt, setting it on the counter in what seemed like one swift movement.

  Ryan bit her tongue and looked between the two men, who were acting as if she wasn’t even in the room. No point in adding fuel to the fire. They never listened to her anyway.

  “Marci could use the help, and I’d feel better if Ryan were with me, under the circumstances.” Pat leaned against the counter, with his hands braced on either side. His face was tight and his blue eyes filled with determination. But not once did he glance her way.

  Jared tilted his head and tapped his badge. “She’s safer with me.”

  “I’m her brother.”

  Ryan blinked. The gorilla chest pounding would begin at any moment. “Look, fellas. I think I’ve got this under control. I’m going down to the village to find myself some hot guy, go home with him, and have hot, wild sex. A package of condoms is all the protection I’ll need, so enjoy your steaks.”

  “Ryan. That’s not funny.” Pat contorted his face even more, if that was possible. He had this look in his eyes, like he had when he used to scold her as a child.

  “What bar?” Jared asked with a devilish twinkle in his eye.

  “Don’t encourage her,” Pat said, taking a step toward Jared.

  “Hey, if she’s going to pick up some guy, it might as well be me. I just want to know where she’s going so I can go too.” Jared winked.

  “Get your things, Ryan, you’re coming home with me,” Pat said.

  “Save the parenting for the new baby, big bro. I’m a grown-up.”

  “She looks like a grown-up to me,” Jared said, checking her out.

  His roaming eyes sent a hot shiver up her spine. “Oh, for crying out loud. I can’t believe the two of you have the balls to talk to each other like I’m not even in the room.”

  Jared cocked his head and lifted a brow.

  “Don’t say it.” She glared at him. “And don’t tell me what to do, either.” The only way to deal with a Neanderthal was to act like one.

  “Ryan.” Jared’s fingers swept across the back of her neck, then squeezed gently. “I have plenty of room, and I think it would be safer if you stayed here. With me. A cop.”

  Ryan swallowed as she stared into his intense blue-green eyes. His thumb still lingered on her neck, rubbing softly in small circles, sending signals to places that might make someone think the temperature had escalated to an all-time high. “Thanks. Now don’t let this go to your
head, but I’d have to agree.”

  Jared leaned over and brushed his lips across her temple. Her heart pounded so heavily, she thought it might thump right up her throat.

  She took a deep breath and stepped away. “So, have you found out anything?”

  “I’ve got a lead on a guy who was in prison with George, and I’ve got someone looking into it right now.”

  “I’d feel better if you were looking into it,” Pat said, still scowling, but thankfully not fighting her on where she chose to stay. It was her choice after all.

  Overprotective brothers could be a pain right in the petunia. “I’m sure he’s on top of it, Pat.” She grabbed the bag she’d left on the kitchen chair with some stuff she’d packed, in hopes of having to spend the night. “Do you care what room I take?” she asked Jared, tossing her hair in what had to be the worst attempt at being sexy.

  “You can join me in mine,” Jared teased.

  “Keep dreaming there, big fella.” She flung her bag over her shoulder, trying to act as if that would never happen when in reality that was exactly what she planned on doing. “Pat, you joining us for dinner?” Might as well be nice, even though she secretly hoped her dear sweet brother would take a hike, and soon.

  “I’ve got to get back to the bar. My new manager isn’t all that wonderful,” Pat said behind a clenched jaw, seething in her direction.

  Direct hit. “Catch ya later.” Without looking back, she flew up the stairs and took the first bedroom on the right. Her brother would never learn that pushing her buttons would only make her push back. She dumped her bag on the blue comforter, then flung herself on the bed. Staring up at the ceiling, she began to devise her plan. She had nothing to lose. Even if the jerk turned her down, her humiliation wouldn’t last that long. Two weeks, to be exact.

  “Man, if looks could kill, I would have died five times by now.” Jared coughed, knowing he’d pushed the line. But hell, Pat was such an easy target, especially when it came to Ryan.

  “I don’t like you flirting with my kid sister.”

  “She’s not a kid.” Boy, didn’t Jared know it. He’d had a hard time sleeping last night because of ridiculous fantasies racing around inside his mind. If she kept this up, he knew exactly what would happen. Of course, part of him wanted it to happen, but he had to pull back. He cared for her, therefore he didn’t want to hurt her, and if he slept with her, well, that was the only possible outcome.

  “She has some kind of hero worship going on with you, and then you encourage her.”

  “We’re just friends with a long history. We’ve always been kind of flirty with each other. It’s nothing.” An electric pulse shot through his chest. It was more than nothing and he knew it.

  “I have eyes.” With both hands on his hips, Pat glared at Jared. “You find her attractive.”

  “And I find your wife attractive, too.” Jared ripped open the paper the steaks were in.

  “We’re talking about my sister.”

  “Who happens to be my friend, age difference and all.” Jared rinsed the steak before tossing it on the cutting board he’d already sprinkled with seasonings. Even when she’d been a teenager, Jared had considered her a friend. He’d been there for her, and she’d done her share of being there for him when his ex-wife had left.

  Pat ran a hand across his jaw. “I’m worried about Ryan.”

  Jared pounded at the steak. “Me, too.” He grabbed a dishtowel and wiped his hands, then flung the towel on the counter. “One of the guys George was in prison with is a sex offender, and he lives in Troy.” Opening the refrigerator, he slammed the cutting board on top of some soda cans.

  “Jesus.” Pat rubbed his jaw. “Rapist or something?”

  “Or something, but that’s not my only angle on this one.” Jared turned a chair, then straddled it when he sat down. “You know Tom Grady?”

  Pat looked at the ceiling, then mumbled the name.

  “He’s the moron she went out with the other night. She also works with him. Something about him rubs me the wrong way.” Jared fiddled with his badge. “So you see, the closer I keep her to me, the closer I get to finding out who’s behind all this. Anyone tries anything, I’m there.”

  “What if you don’t find this guy before you move?” Pat pulled the chair out to sit.

  “I should be able to clear this up before I move, I promise.”

  “You can’t promise that,” Pat said.

  Before he left, Jared would do everything in his power to make sure whoever was behind these crimes would be punished. “Let me do my job. I’m kind of good at it.” Jared lifted his beer in a toast, then took a gulp. “What brought you by, anyway?”

  “To check on my sister. And to let you know that you’re going to be the godfather of my baby.”

  “Negative.” Jared stood, then guzzled half his beer. Him, a godfather? Never. “You’ve got a lot of nerve to ask me that this week.” Jared’s heart raced, shooting adrenaline throughout his system. He slammed his beer on the counter.

  “You didn’t kill your son,” Pat whispered.

  “I’m not having this conversation with you,” Jared bellowed. “Please leave.”

  “Let it go,” Pat said.

  Jared gripped the counter until his knuckles turned white.

  “Lisa didn’t love you or Johnny. She didn’t leave you any choice,” Pat said, softly. “Think about it, okay?” The door rattled as Pat tugged it closed.

  Pat had been right about one thing. Lisa hadn’t given Jared a choice. She’d threatened to leave town, with his child, if he didn’t toss a seventeen-year-old Ryan to the streets. So he took legal action, making sure Johnny would stay with him.

  And now Johnny was dead.

  “I’m going to jump in the lake,” Jared yelled to Ryan, as he jogged up the stairs. His body trembled. He had the strong urge to grab his favorite stash and get lost in the darkness of a bottle.

  Moments later, he stood at the end of the dock and contemplated jumping into the cold lake, butt naked. “What the hell.” He stripped from his jeans and ripped off his shirt. Standing at the edge like he was king of the mountain, he took in a deep breath, then…

  Splash!

  He dove fifteen feet, making sure his hand squished in the muck before shifting his body and surging to the top. “Damn, that’s cold.” He hoisted himself onto the dock, then shook the frigid water from his naked body and wrapped a towel around his waist. He stared out over the moonbeams dancing across the dark blue water.

  He snatched up his clothes and headed toward the lounge chair on the lawn, ignoring the goose bumps climbing up his numb body.

  “Nice show.” Ryan’s voice rang out soft and sexy in his ears.

  The towel slid an inch or two as blood rushed to places it shouldn’t. “How long have you been sitting there?”

  “Long enough. And you’re nuts. That water couldn’t be more than fifty-five degrees.” She’d stretched out across a lounge chair with her hands clasped behind her head and a warm smile plastered on her angelic face. Damn woman was too beautiful for her own good.

  “Tell me something I don’t know.” He waved to her, flashing his clothes.

  “All of a sudden shy?” she teased, seductively crossing her legs.

  “No.” He cleared his throat. “Turn around, unless you want a front row seat for the next showing.” He released the tucked in corner of the towel and chuckled when she went scarlet and turned away.

  Given the opportunity, he eyed her with appreciation. Her lean body had all the necessary curves to drive a man insane, but her legs—well, wow, was all he could come up with. “Do you always sneak up on skinny-dippers?”

  She laughed. “That was a repeat performance.”

  “Huh?” He pulled his shirt over his head. “You can turn around now.”

  “Do you even own a bathing suit?” Her sultry tone warmed his chilled body.

  He sat down on the edge of her lounge chair and propped his elbow on her knee. He inhaled
and smelled her fresh, rosy scent. “Of course. But I prefer my birthday suit.”

  “Once, Penny and I watched you and Randy stumble to the dock, strip, and dive in. We stole your clothes and towel and had to stick cold pizza in our mouths to stop from laughing when you two hightailed it to the house, nudie.”

  “So, you’re the scoundrel who stole my trooper sweats.” He dropped his chin, squeezing her thigh. The heat from her body rippled to his hand.

  “Penny hoped she’d have to go rescue one of you.”

  “And you?”

  “I would’ve let you both drown.” Her playful smile told him otherwise.

  He chuckled, then turned sullen. “Your idiot brother wants me to be a godfather. You have to talk to him.”

  She traced a path down his jaw with her finger and leaned closer. “It’s time, Jared. It’s been too long to hold onto this kind of pain.” Her soft lips pressed against his unshaven cheek, and melted away some of the heartache.

  “I can’t.” He shifted her legs to the side, then rested his head on her firm, flat stomach. Wrapping his arms around her, he closed his eyes. “I didn’t know how hard it would be.”

  “Lisa made it hard,” Ryan whispered, running her fingers across his buzz cut.

  “I didn’t make it easy for her.”

  “That’s not true.”

  He tilted his head and caught her tear-filled gaze. “You were just a kid back then. What do you know?” He had wanted to push her away both back then and now, but for some godforsaken reason, she never left.

  “Lisa didn’t love you.”

  “You don’t know the whole story.” He dropped his chin down, slipping his hand under her shirt and across her warm skin. She gave him comfort and offered so much more.

  “Stop making excuses for her. She took off, plain and simple.”

  “I pushed her away, and then Johnny died.”

  “He died of SIDS,” she whispered, holding him tight. “You couldn’t have known that would happen, and it would have happened whether or not Lisa had stayed.” Ryan tugged at his head, forcing him to lock teary gazes with her.