I couldn’t think about what would happen here if I had to leave. If I couldn’t read to these kids, if Evelyn didn’t get to make her twice-weekly book requests, I didn’t think I could stand to see her heartbreak.
Picking a book to read, I took a deep breath and tried to forget about everything but my job here. I didn’t want my drama interfering with the kids and their love of story time.
By the time the library closed, I’d gone around and around in my head with all the possibilities of what V could’ve been up to all day. The longer she was gone, the more I wondered if I would see her again. It was stupid to be attached to a woman who was trying to get me arrested and sent to Chicago probably to be killed. She could’ve blown my whole cover. In fact, she may have already. We wouldn’t even find out until it was too late.
I couldn’t shake the fear she might’ve reconsidered her trust in me. If she’d called me in, deciding her relationship with the cop was more important than her belief in me, it didn’t matter what we’d done yesterday. It didn’t matter I could’ve been falling in love with her.
That was definitely a stupid thing to do. Fall in love with the woman who was bringing down the world around you. Except, for the first time in a long time, it finally felt like my world again.
As I locked up the door to the library, I scanned the area for anything out of the ordinary. It looked like just another night in Jubilee Falls—the parking lot was clear, except for my car, nothing seemed out of the ordinary—but I still couldn’t shake the feeling something was off. I hurried to my car, mentally debating whether I should’ve called Veronica. It was probably nothing. It wasn’t like there was anyone around or any indication something wasn’t right.
Still, the entire drive home, I kept an eye on the rearview mirror, looking for a tail, something to prove my paranoia right. Even with the doors locked and the blinds all closed, I couldn’t shake this feeling.
And I still couldn’t decide if I wanted to see Veronica, or if it would just be that much more dangerous having her around.
13
VERONICA
From the moment I dropped Archer at home, I was worried about him.
I should’ve run far from Jubilee Falls, returned to Chicago, acted like I’d let Archer slip through my fingers, but I couldn’t help feeling if I had just left, he’d be all alone—no one to watch his back, no one to keep him safe.
Instead, I waited across the street from the library all day, watching people come and go. This was a small town, and no one seemed even remotely threatening. I hadn’t even seen the two thugs from the other day. Maybe I was reading the whole situation completely wrong. Maybe my being here hadn’t threatened him at all. It certainly seemed like everything was quiet.
But I couldn’t shake this feeling something was off. The same gut that told me Archer could be trusted, was telling me now that there was something wrong.
It was so much easier when I thought Archer was a criminal. At least then, I knew where we stood. I knew all I needed to do was get close to him, get him back to Chicago, get paid. Now I knew different, now I believed his story about Witness Protection, I had to readjust everything I thought I knew.
It didn’t really matter either way, did it? I’d make sure he was safe, then I’d have to go home. I wasn’t here to make some accountant-turned-librarian fall in love with me. And I certainly didn’t want to ruin his life further by outing him. I wasn’t about to believe the shaky foundation we’d built on lies was anything more than a house of cards, waiting to collapse. I wasn’t going to let my heart get crushed in the process.
Around lunchtime, when Archer headed to Weather the Storm, I followed him down the block with my camera but didn’t move my car. Instead, I pulled out my cell phone and called a friend with the FBI, a contact who sometimes gave me the heads up on lucrative bounties before they were announced.
“Myers.”
“Hey, it’s Neptune. I know this is a long shot, but I need to ask you to look someone up in the WITSEC database.”
“V, you know I can’t dig through FBI files just because you ask.” Leo’s voice was exasperated at best. “And certainly not through WITSEC. I’m not even privy to that information.”
“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. You know that. I’m working this case, and there’s something up with this guy. I just want you to take a look, see if he’s WITSEC. You don’t even have to give me any details, just a yes or no.”
“No, I’m not going to go through classified government records to follow a Veronica Neptune whim.” He paused, then asked, “If this guy is in WITSEC how the hell would you possibly know that?”
I sighed as Archer came out of the restaurant. I needed to get off the phone.
This entire conversation was useless. He knew I’d never give up information on a case, and I knew he wouldn’t give me information on WITSEC. It was pointless exercise. I knew that going in.
“Okay, don’t tell me, but if happen to look up Archer Janson, and you happen to find out he’s in WITSEC, maybe you could give his handler a call? Let him know something’s up, and he might want to check on his witness?”
I hung up before Leo could answer, then picked up my camera again, zooming my lens back in on Archer. There was someone in the background, leaning against Weather the Storm. I couldn’t tell, but it looked like he was watching Archer. I didn’t like the vibe I got off him, but he wasn’t making a move. I zoomed in as much as I could. It was one of the thugs from Cherry’s.
I knew my paranoia was higher than the average person, and usually, that served me well, but when Archer made it safely back into the library and the guy I thought had been watching him still hadn’t moved from the Weather the Storm parking lot, I had to wonder if maybe my worry, my paranoia, my fears, were playing tricks on me.
By the time the library closed, I was out of coffee, hungry, and tired. I was tempted to head back to my new hotel room that I’d paid for with cash and was much closer to Archer’s apartment, to sink into a hot bath. No one sinister had come to the library. The man who seemed to be watching him from Weather the Storm eventually moved, and I hadn’t seen him again since lunch.
Maybe I really was being paranoid. Maybe Archer really was safe here in Jubilee Falls.
Then Archer exited the library. He locked the door and then charged for his car. Moments later, he tore out of the library parking lot like he was filming The Fast and the Furious.
I scanned the parking lot and street frantically, looking for the source of what would make him drive so quickly. Every time I’d ridden in the car with him, he drove fast, sure, but not like this, like someone was chasing him.
I couldn’t see anyone. As far as I could tell, I was the only one watching him.
Had I missed something?
Was someone after him, and I’d been too wrapped up in my head to realize it?
Turning over the engine, I threw my car into gear and followed Archer. If someone really was chasing him, I had no intention of letting them get their hands on him.
Pulling up to his apartment, I holstered my gun and moved slowly into the building, walking on my toes, listening to every noise in the exposed, outdoor stairwell, waiting for any indication Archer was under threat.
My phone buzzing on my hip made me pause a second, and when I saw Archer’s number on the screen, I froze on the stairs. I answered after a deep breath, trying to keep my voice even, in case it wasn’t Archer on the other end.
“Hey, babe. What’s up?”
“V? I know I’m probably the last person you want to see tonight. maybe ever again, but would you come over? We could order pizza, maybe pop open a bottle of wine…” He paused, letting out a long, deep sigh. “I don’t want to be alone.”
“Is everything okay? You sound off.” I scanned what I could see of the parking lot, looking for any oversized vehicles, out-of-state plates, anything that could indicate something was amiss.
“Honestly? I don’t know. I thought someone wa
s following me home from the library. I would just feel a little safer tonight if a woman with a gun was by my side.”
I chewed my lip and started up the stairs again.
“Did you see someone?”
“Not really. I mean, there was a dark sedan parked across the street from the library all day, but it’s a public street. It’s more of a feeling.”
“Umm, that might’ve been me.” I sighed. “I swapped out my rental this morning for something with tinted windows.” I knocked on his door. “Open up. We’ll order pizza.”
I could hear him moving around behind the door. He didn’t pull it open right away, and I assumed he was checking to make sure I really was alone, that this wasn’t some sort of set up.
When he opened the door, it was quick, and he pulled me inside before closing it and locking it again.
“What are you doing here?”
Moving into his apartment, I looked around any nooks and crannies that might reveal something more nefarious going on before I let out a sigh of relief and returned to Archer.
“Are you sure you’re okay? There’s no one else here?”
He nodded, and I put my gun down on the kitchen island before I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him down for a fleeting kiss.
“Don’t scare me like that, asshole.”
“Me? You’re the one following me around, walking through my apartment with a gun. What did you think you were going to find?”
“I don’t know.” I sighed and sunk down on his couch. “I don’t like that you were going around town, business as usual today. What if someone saw you? What if Parsons or someone he works for knows you’re here?”
“Hey, V, I’m okay. The only one stalking me today was you. And maybe a little blonde girl who likes books about unicorns.” He sat next to me and took my hands in his. “What’s all this about? What’s got you so freaked out?”
I closed my eyes, letting my chin drop.
“I’m a P.I., Archer. All I do all day long is come up with worst-case scenarios and wait for bad things to happen. I hate that you won’t just call your handler. I hate that you’re acting like the fact I’m here is no big deal.”
“Isn’t it? Yes, you found me, but do you really think most people could have? I doubt you just googled Archer Janson and a picture of Daniel Johnson came up.”
“Well, no,” I sighed. “But that doesn’t mean I’m the only person who could’ve found you.” I pulled my hands away and curled into him.
Archer scooped me up into his lap, wrapping his arms around me.
“I like that you were worried about me. Makes me feel like maybe you weren’t just using me for a bounty or my body.”
“It was never just about the money. I wanted to think it was, but I wouldn’t have told you half the things I did if it was.” I pressed my lips to his, letting them linger there softly for a moment before pulling back again.
“So just my body then?”
I swatted him playfully. “Let’s order pizza, and you can tell me how your day went. Other than when I’m going to be on edge again when food arrives, let’s just pretend like everything is fine.” I smiled softly at him. “At least if I handcuff you to the bed again, I know you won’t be going anywhere or getting into any trouble.”
“Is that a threat, Ms. Neptune?” He smirked and slid his hand down over the curve of my ass. “Maybe you should be the one in handcuffs tonight.”
“Food first. Some of us didn’t get to indulge in a delicious lunch from Weather the Storm today.”
“Okay, but while we wait for delivery, those lips are mine.”
“Oh, yeah?” I let out a soft groan and moved to straddle him. “What exactly did you have in mind?”
“A little foreplay.” He pulled me in close, pressing a couple soft, quick kisses to my lips before he let his mouth trail down my neck, toward my collar bone. “Maybe stripping you naked before we eat, so I can go right into dessert.”
Scraping my fingernails through his hair, I arched into his mouth as his lips pressed light kisses along my neck and chest, dipping slightly into my cleavage.
I could’ve let him distract me with sex. Lord knew, my body wanted me to. But my head wouldn’t cooperate. I couldn’t shake the feeling something was off.
“Archer, wait.”
“Everything okay, V?” He pulled back but kept his hands on my ass, his brow furrowed, his head tilted slightly to the right. And damn it all, his lips looked too kissable.
“I can’t do this right now.”
“I know. Food first. Let me put in an order. What do you like on your pizza?”
“It’s not just that,” I sighed and climbed off his lap, standing to pace in front of his couch. “I mean, yes, I’m starving, and a full belly would probably help me think a lot clearer, but I can’t do this—” I gestured between us— “right now.”
Archer sat up straighter, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.
“Veronica, what’s wrong? What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“How can you still want to do this?” I frowned. “I lied to you. Repeatedly.” I ran my fingers through my hair, ignoring the roiling in my stomach. “You don’t know me at all.”
He reached out and grabbed my wrist, pulling me in closer until I was standing between his widespread knees.
“V, I know you. Maybe not every little detail of your life, but I know you. I know you’d rather eat greasy, fried food than a salad any day of the week. I know when you’re reading a book and you get to a particularly good part, you like to pull your feet up into the chair with you and lean on the armrest, holding the book over the side like you’re trying to dive into it headfirst. I know when we kiss, you make the sexiest little noises when I run my tongue over yours. And I know when we had sex, you weren’t faking how much you wanted me.” He pressed a kiss to my palm. “And I know you like it when I read to you.”
He ran his hands up and down my thighs, looking up at me with those earnest green eyes and those stupidly sexy Clark Kent glasses. “Everything else you said was to make a skittish bounty trust you. It’s not like I didn’t lie to you too. Okay, yeah, we probably need to have a long discussion about what comes next—if anything does—but I don’t believe for one second you’re just out there screwing every bounty who comes along. And I don’t believe that underneath all the lies, and deception, you’re a cold, unloving woman who can’t just enjoy being held, being touched by a man who really likes you.”
I leaned down and pressed my forehead to his. “You really like me?”
“Do you really think I’d invite you back to my place if I didn’t like you? Or that I’d go to all the trouble of planning a romantic picnic if I didn’t think you were worth it?”
“It’s not about worth, Archer.” I sighed and started pacing again.
“Veronica, look at me.”
I stopped and turned toward him.
“You can’t beat yourself up for lying to me unless you’re going to hold it against me that I lied to you.”
“That’s different. I knew you were lying. You’re under a government deal where you have to lie. You get a pass.”
He got up and wrapped his arms around me.
“Well, you did it for a job, so you get a pass too.” He kissed my cheek, holding me close. “Can we just relax a little tonight? Just be you and me without all the other crap?”
“Okay. I’ll try.” I sighed and leaned into him.
He grinned. “That’s all I ask.”
We ordered pizza, and Archer opened a bottle of wine.
While we waited for food to arrive, I settled on the couch next to him, curling into his side. Conversation came easily, and I found myself sharing more about myself. It was like now the wall was down and there weren’t any lies between us we could be just Archer and Veronica.
I spent the night in his arms. Even though it was obvious we both wanted more, he didn’t start anything, and neither did I. We just held each other, talki
ng, making out, but mostly, we were just together.
I waited until the sun was about to come up before I slipped out of his room and back to my car, only stole one quick kiss while he was asleep before sneaking out.
14
ARCHER
Veronica was gone when I woke up. Her disappearing again left me a little frustrated.
I half-wondered if I’d dreamed her being in my apartment, in my bed all night. It wouldn’t have surprised me with how skittish she’d been. If it weren’t for the fact my pillow still smelled like her, I might’ve believed it was all a dream.
Getting ready for work, I wondered if she’d be sitting in her car again all day, watching me from across the street. Or if she’d let me lure her inside with the promise of pastries from Cherry’s.
“What’s got such a smile painted on your face today, Daniel?” The baker grinned at me and popped open a bag, waiting for my selection of treats.
“Just thinking.” I pointed out a few pastries, then added, “and two coffees, please.”
Cherry quickly got my order together, handing it over. “It wouldn’t be that cute blonde who was in here a couple days ago, would it?”
“That’s the one,” I chuckled. “She is cute, isn’t she?”
“Is she sticking around then? I wondered after she picked up breakfast for you.” Cherry handed me my change, then her eyes wandered over my shoulder. Her cop must’ve just walked in.
“I’m not sure, really, but I hope so.” I winked at her. “Should I clear out the room so you and Officer Langley can have some privacy?”
She giggled. “I’ll see you later, Daniel.”
I nodded at the police officer strolling up to the counter as we passed each other. He nodded back, but his gaze was solely focused on Cherry.
I took my purchases and headed down the street toward the library, thinking how happy Cherry and Damon seemed to be, even with everything they’d gone through. I didn’t really know either of them very well, but gossip in a small town like Jubilee spread like wildfire, and I guessed just about everyone in town knew about the tornado that ripped Cherry’s bakery apart and pushed Damon and his baker together. With everything they’d survived to be together, I couldn’t help but wonder if that meant there was hope for me and V too.
Lip Locked in the Library Page 11