by Jen Talty
“I hope you used protection.”
“I’m not an idiot.”
“Glad to hear one of us isn’t.” Penny glanced at Ryan, then dropped her gaze to her lap. “I’m pregnant.”
“What?” Ryan knocked over a glass, sending water all over the table. “Did you say preg—”
“Shush, I don’t want people to know.” Penny’s eyes shot around the room. “I haven’t even told Chuck yet.”
“Are you sure?”
“What am I going to do?” Penny wiped her face. “He told me he loved me.”
“That’s a start.” Ryan finished cleaning the table, thankful for the change in subject. “Do you want to spend the rest of your life with Chuck?”
“God, Ry. I never thought I wanted all of this. I mean, a husband, a baby. But damn it, I do.”
Ryan looked over at the pool table. A smitten Chuck waved and then winked. Jared, on the other hand, took the blue chalk and fiddled with his cue stick giving Ryan only a half smile. He might have told her he didn’t regret last night, but his actions spoke louder than his words. “Do you want the baby?”
“I want it all,” Penny admitted.
“Then go for it.” Ryan shifted her gaze to Penny. “Tell him how you feel, what you want, and tell him about the baby. If he loves you, things will work themselves out.”
Penny smiled. “He did say he wanted to get married someday and have a couple of kids.”
“When did he say that?” Ryan felt her purse vibrate on the back of her chair.
“The other day. We’re so great together, and I think he really loves me, but I’m scared.”
Ryan glanced at her cell. It was a blocked number. Her forehead beaded with perspiration. She tossed the phone back in her purse. Determined not to deal with it, she turned her attention to Penny. “I know you’re scared, but you have to tell him tonight.”
“I will. Who called?”
“Probably the wrong number.” Her chair jerked. “Hey!” she yelled, looking over her shoulder.
Jared yanked her purse from the chair, then dug his hand deep inside, rummaging around.
“What are you doing?” She tried to grab it back.
He didn’t answer, just snatched up her phone and flipped it open. “Damn it, Ryan. You really need to call me over when this happens.”
“When what happens?” She plopped against the back of her chair, folding her arms. “Control freak.”
“Is this the only blocked call you’ve gotten today? I checked out the phone call from Eddy; he actually had the nerve to call you from the police station. This isn’t a game.” Jared’s tone could only be described as condescending.
She knew it wasn’t a game, and she was damn scared. But she didn’t like her lover treating her like a child. Lover? No, Jared wasn’t her lover. He was still the overbearing protector he’d always been. “I got two hang-ups at work, but I already told you that.”
“If it happens again, wave me over and then answer it. We might be able to get a lead that way.” He rested his hand on her shoulder. “I’m just trying to nail this guy before something really bad happens, okay?”
“Yeah, like having her home gutted isn’t bad enough,” Penny said.
“I’m doing the best I can,” Jared said behind his clenched jaw.
Ryan kicked Penny under the table. Jared didn’t need to be reminded of what he thought were his failures in life.
“Fine, but I’m worried about her.” Penny grabbed Chuck’s hand when he sat down beside her.
“Her is sitting right here.” Ryan waved to everyone.
“We’re all on edge about what’s happening.” Chuck’s calm voice rang out. “Let’s all just try and have a good time.”
Ryan wasn’t sure if that was possible. Between some sicko successfully scaring the crap out of her, and dealing with the consequences of sleeping with Jared, she wasn’t sure a good time could be had.
“Give me your keys. It’s still pouring.” Jared held his hand out to Ryan. “I’ll drive your car to the door.” He peered out the small window in the restaurant’s door, doing his best to remain indifferent.
“What about your truck?” Ryan asked.
“You’ll drive me to it, then I’ll follow you home.” And then he’d go straight to bed, without her.
“What are you going to do about the carriage house?” She plopped her keys in his hand.
“I hired a buddy of mine, Rory, to fix it. He starts tomorrow. I’ll have him store your belongings in the garage.” He pushed open the door, then turned back to look at her. “I spoke with the realtor. She actually thinks it’s a good idea if you live in the main house until it sells. I’d pay you.”
Her already annoyed expression turned deadly.
“I didn’t mean it like it sounded,” he said softly.
“What exactly did you mean?” She glared.
“It’s going to take at least a month for the carriage house to be completed. You need a place to live, and after I move, I’ll need someone to take care of the place until it sells.” Had he not taken her to bed last night, he supposed his words wouldn’t have felt so cold. But the harsh reality was last night shouldn’t have happened, and it would never happen again.
“I told you I’d help with the sale of the house.” She huffed. “I’m tired and I want to go to bed.”
“Be right back.” He charged out into the wind and rain. Lightning flashed in the sky, followed by a big bang. The raging storm matched the fried emotions he didn’t know how to handle.
Not to mention the broken condom. He didn’t know if she knew about it or not. Part of him didn’t want to say anything. The likelihood he’d gotten her pregnant…hell, he should know better than anyone it only took one time.
He prayed he hadn’t gotten her pregnant. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he had. He’d thought about having a vasectomy, but just never got around to it. Maybe he should. Having a kid would ruin his life. And hers.
The rain came down so hard and fast it didn’t matter how close to the door he got her SUV, she was drenched by the time she scooted into the driver’s seat.
“So much for having a great hair day.” She ran her fingers through her luscious hair, dripping water in her lap.
“I like it wet.” He reached in his pockets for his keys, then looked over at her. Mascara smudged under her eyes, and when lightning flashed across the sky, her face brightened. Never before had he seen such a beautiful sight. “You’ve got an umbrella?”
She shook her head. “I always lose the suckers.”
“I guess we’re gonna get even wetter.” He bolted to his truck, then followed her the half-mile home.
The rain didn’t appear to be letting up at all, even though the wind had died down. After snatching the mail, he took Ryan by the hand and raced to the porch.
“Crap,” she muttered. “I need a change of clothes from the carriage house.”
He pushed back the door, then flicked on the kitchen lights. “Pack up your clothes in the morning and Rory will bring them over here. And anything else you might need.” He shook off his coat, then kicked off his shoes. “Damn socks are soaked.”
“I’m not moving in with you.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“I’m not asking you to.” He glared at her. “But until this bastard is caught, you’re stuck with me, babe.”
“I don’t need a damn bodyguard.” She tossed her purse on the kitchen table, then pulled back a chair. Once settled in the seat, she kicked off her black pumps and rubbed her feet.
He enjoyed watching just about anything she did. He rubbed the back of his neck. Nothing about his thoughts made much sense. He wouldn’t deny he cared, but he didn’t like the feeling that he cared beyond protecting her from bodily harm. “I spoke with Rick today, and he said he could give you Friday off.”
Her shoe fell to the floor, then she looked up at him with wide eyes. “Why would you do that?”
“I have to go to Roch
ester, and I don’t want to leave you alone.”
“Oh, no you don’t, buster.” She bolted upright, sending the chair tumbling backward. “You’ve got some nerve going behind my back like that. What gives you the right to tell me where to go? Or to use your friendship with my boss to manipulate me?”
“You’re not staying here alone while there’s some lunatic out to get you,” he said. Letting out a breath, he tried to rip his gaze from her angry eyes hurling daggers at him. Heck, he was just trying to be a nice guy.
“Not the point.”
He laced his fingers around her upper arm and shot a few daggers back of his own. She could be too damn stubborn for her own good. “Exactly the point.”
She looked down at his hand. “I’m not a child, nor your property. I will not be dictated to.” She yanked her arm free from his grasp.
Blinking his eyes, he tried to calm his frustration before he said or did something he’d really regret. “I’ll see if I can postpone my meeting.”
“Damn it, Jared.” She threw her arms wide. “I don’t want you forfeiting your career once again out of your own guilt or sense of duty you have toward me. I appreciate your diligence and dedication to your job, my case, but I will not bear the responsibility of your losing out on this opportunity. And I won’t let you tell me what to do, either.”
A flash of lightning brightened the sky followed by a loud clap of thunder. The lights flickered on and off. A deafening silence followed. The wind hurtled around outside creating a faint whistle, and a few tree limbs smacked against the house breaking the silence.
Jared glanced around the kitchen, then locked gazes with her. Her eyes were hard and her lips pressed in a determined line. For a brief moment, his heart pulsed out of control and he held his breath. Even angry, she had a way of sending his good senses out the window. Her sheer determination should be admired and respected. But he wouldn’t give her that, not today.
“You’re coming with me.”
Her nose flared. “Like hell. I’ll stay with my brother.” She turned, ducked her head into the refrigerator, then came up with a beer. When she twisted off the cap, a loud pop drowned out the hiss of fizz.
Instincts kicking in, Jared lunged forward and tossed Ryan to the floor, the beer bottle landing with a thud and spraying its foamy contents everywhere.
“Stay put,” he whispered, reaching for his weapon. He crept toward the door, then flicked off the lights.
“What was—”
“Shhhh.” He pressed his finger to his lips, then pushed back the door.
“Oh, no.”
He turned when he felt warm hands pressed on his back. “Ryan, get back in the house.”
“Like you said, I shouldn’t be alone.”
Holding his weapon in one hand, he looped his free hand around her waist and pulled her to his back. “Stay close and behind me.”
“Yes, sir.”
He chuckled. “Now you’re willing to follow orders.”
“Was that an order?” She pulled back.
“Please.” He glanced over his shoulder, tugging her closer. “This isn’t a game. That sounded like a gunshot.”
“Sounded like Mr. Thompson’s car.”
The trees swayed with the wind and the rain pelted his body as he made his way toward the road. “Grab my cell from my hip.”
He scanned the area as best he could and hoped for some lightning to help him, but no such luck. When he reached the side of Ryan’s SUV, he saw the shattered window. “Shit.”
“Ouch,” Ryan said, as her hands left his body. “I cut my foot.”
“Don’t move.” Jared lifted her into his arms, tiptoed across the driveway and dropped her down onto the grass. “Your window’s broken.” As he glanced over his shoulder, the weather decided to cooperate and a flash of lightning lit up the sky providing enough light to do a quick scan. “Come on.” He lifted her back into his arms and carried her toward the house.
“What happened?”
“Not sure. But I’m about to find out.” He pushed back the door, then sat her down on the table. “Let’s look at that foot first.” He lifted her leg at the same time he flipped open his phone. He wanted to get some help to sweep the area, especially if it wasn’t the elements that took out her window. That pop could have been anything in a storm like this one, but he wasn’t about to take any chances.
Blood dripped from her big toe to his hand. “We need to wash this out and make sure there isn’t any glass in there.”
“What about your foot?” She pointed.
A trail of blood followed his footsteps. “I guess we do the same thing to me.”
“Harmon here,” Frank said over the speakerphone.
“Get your ass to my house pronto.”
“Why? Sir?”
“Because when I say jump, you don’t question it, you just do it. Get Jenkins too.”
“On my way, sir.”
Jared lifted Ryan into his arms once again, then placed her firm rump on the counter near the sink. When he looked up, she might as well have slapped him. Her eyes narrowed and her brow tightened.
“What now?”
“You’re a bully.”
“Am not.” He grabbed her foot and shoved it under warm water.
“Ouch, that hurts,” she yelped.
“Did you see that?” He pointed out the window.
“See what?” She turned her head with wide eyes. “What, see what?”
While she was distracted, he plucked out a wedged piece of glass in her big toe and then one on the ball of her foot. “Oooouch!” She tried to yank her foot away.
“Got it.” He tossed the glass in the trash.
“Jerk.”
“Thought I was a bully.” He winked.
“Damn it, you’re both.” Grabbing a paper towel, she swiveled her hips and dabbed her wound. “Why can’t you just ask nicely?”
“What?” He hoisted his own foot up over the sink and yanked out a small piece of glass.
“Why do you have to order everyone around? It just annoys the hell out of us.” She hobbled off the counter and dropped her adorable ass on the kitchen chair. Her hair dripped down on her white shirt, nipples puckering through both her wet bra and blouse.
A wave of desire rippled across his body. “As far as Harmon goes, it’s his job to do as he’s told. It’s my job to train him. Part of the territory.”
“Well, I’m not some rookie cop. I’m…” She glanced toward the ceiling.
His own gaze followed hers in search of what she was to him at this point. “My friend,” he offered. “And at present, a case.” Opening a cabinet, he reached for the first aid kit. “And someone may have just shot at your car for their own personal jollies, which just plain pisses me off.” He held out a couple of Band-Aids for her. “And the reason you’re coming with me to Rochester.”
“Jared,” she said with a stern tone.
“What?” He stared at her as if he’d just been scolded.
“I’ll stay with Pat.”
He slammed his fist on the table. “He’ll be working late, which means you and a very pregnant Marci will be sitting ducks for some psycho to attack.”
Her stubborn blue eyes narrowed. “I’ll have Penny come over, too. It’ll be like old times, or we’ll hang out at the bar after work. I promise not to be stupid, okay?”
He sat down and took her hand in his. She accepted his touch, and a sense of doom overwhelmed him. Why did he care so much? “I’m not worried that you’ll do something stupid; I’m worried that some sicko will hurt you, or worse.” Because it was his job to care.
A warm but simple smile softened her determined face. She laced her fingers through his and slid off her chair into his lap. Her lips pressed gently against his, and he could taste the cool rainwater. Unable to blink his eyes closed, he stared into a pair of hypnotic blue pools.
She glided her lips across his scruffy face, unaffected by the coarseness of his stubble, then whispered, “Than
k you for caring, but—”
Snapping his head back, he glared at her. “No buts.”
Her forehead thumped against the side of his head. “You’re not responsible for me. I can take care of myself.”
His hand trembled when he hooked his fingers around her wrists. “If that were the case, people wouldn’t need cops.”
“Cops, yes. You, not so much.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” But he knew exactly what she meant.
“If this happened after you moved, I’d be on my own.”
“But I’m here,” he protested, not wanting her to give up what he could offer her, because he didn’t have much.
“And I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me. But it’s time you let go of this sense of duty you have toward me and do what you want. I hate knowing you didn’t take that job in the first place because of me.”
“I told you before, that wasn’t the only reason, and I’m taking it now.”
“Then don’t screw it up.”
“Don’t plan on it.” He slid his hands over her wet sleeves, across her shoulders and through her glorious wet hair. “Can we come to a compromise?”
“What kind of compromise?”
“I’ll try to arrange my meetings so I’m only gone one night, and you promise never to be alone.” He fisted his hand in her thick hair, water dripping on his lap. “And you let me have Frank check on you.”
“Fine,” she said.
Emotions he’d never felt before swelled inside his gut.
She clasped her fingers behind his neck. “I’m freezing. Mind if I take a bath in that huge tub of yours?”
Flashing lights filled the kitchen window. “Not at all. I’ll take care of your car.”
“Crap,” she muttered, circling her arms around her middle as she rose. “I need my car.”
“Take my truck until it gets fixed.”
“And what will you drive?”
He chuckled. “I just got the BMW ready for summer. I had planned on taking it to Rochester anyway.” He patted her wet bottom, letting his hand smooth across the firm muscle. “Go get warm.”
He raked a hand across his head and glanced out toward the driveway. Jenkins had already pulled out his flashlight and was looking around Ryan’s car. “She doesn’t need me,” he whispered, knowing it was the truth and exactly what he wanted. He didn’t want to be needed by any individual, nor did he want to need anyone in particular.
