“McKenzie Marie Sullivan! I’m not sure I like you hanging out with all those foul-mouthed rock stars.”
“Oh, now you’re sounding like Momma. Eat your fortune cookie,” she ordered, tossing it at him.
He caught it and opened it. “‘A lifetime of surprises is about to begin,’” he read, then crunched into his cookie as they headed toward the cashier.
“In bed.” McKenzie giggled.
“Huh?”
“Don’t you know how to read a fortune cookie? You read whatever it says, then add ‘in bed.’” She cracked her cookie and tried to slide her fortune out. “‘A lifetime of surprises is about to begin in bed.’ Sounds pretty good, Coop.”
He grinned. “What does yours say?”
“‘Life is bound to have its share of disappointments’ …in bed. That sucks.” McKenzie stood on her tippy toes to give her big brother a fond peck on the cheek and then slid her hand through his arm. Cooper was quiet while he was walking her to her car, mulling over what she said about giving things a go with Laney.
When they got to her car, she turned to him. “You know, Cooper, you may have made the Dean’s List every semester of your life, but I am the one in the family with the common sense, even if I can’t hold down a job.”
He grimaced. “I’ll think about it.”
She poked him in the chest. “Do!”
Chapter Eleven
Cooper made it back to his desk, but found himself distracted from the work in front of him. Deciding he would go back to Phat Jack’s later, he knocked off early to swing by Laney’s place, and find out why she had stopped by without talking to him.
But when he got there, no one responded to his knocks. As he was turning away, a man on the adjacent stoop asked suspiciously, “Can I help you?”
He glanced over to see the curly-haired man he had seen through Laney’s window the night before, holding grocery bags. He had an instant dislike for the man. “I’m here to see Laney.”
“She’s gone.”
“I can see that.” He sized him up. “Are you her boyfriend?”
“Maybe,” he answered, evasive. “What’s it to you?”
He bristled, but replied pleasantly enough, pulling out his badge. “I’m the officer assigned to the murder of Ms. Essex’s sister, so…I was wondering if you knew where she was.”
“Oh.” The neighbor’s guard dropped a fraction. “I’m not sure.” He balanced one of the bags on his knee so he could get his key in the door.
“Well, my name’s Cooper Sullivan, you are…?”
“Steve Bertrand.”
“Steve, nice to meet you. What do you do for a living?”
“I own my own security business and teach karate on the side. In fact, I installed the system at Walter Davis, the school where Laney teaches,” he added with an air of pride.
“Ah. Well, we may need to install a system here for Laney if we don’t catch the killer soon.”
“Why?” he asked, alarmed. “What does that have to do with Laney?”
“We don’t know if this has to do with just Sydney, or if they may be targeting other Essex family members.”
“No one would want to hurt Laney,” Steve said defensively. “She’s not like Sydney. Sydney thought she was hot stuff. But Laney, Laney is sweet…she’s different. No one would want to hurt her, believe me.”
“Yes, I agree. Well, if you should see Laney, would you tell her I stopped by?”
“Sure, sure,” he said, still wary. Cooper doubted the message would ever get through.
“Okay, thanks.”
Cooper crossed to his car, but when he threw a glance back over his shoulder, the neighbor still stood on his stoop, watching him.
* * *
Laney paced the office. The door opened behind her.
“Kent,” she breathed, relieved to see him.
Kent Heaton strolled into the room.
“Laney,” he walked up and gave her a quick hug. “I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon. How are you?” he said, taking her hand.
“I’ve been better,” she admitted. “But you can help me out.” She smiled at him, hopeful.
Kent crossed to sit behind his desk. “Anything, Laney. You know that.”
“Good. I was hoping you would say that.”
“What is it that you need?”
“I want to come back to work. The day after tomorrow, if possible.”
“The day after tomorrow? You haven’t even had the funeral yet.”
“I’m well aware of that, Kent!” she snapped. But then, seeing his look of surprise, she added, “I’m sorry. It’s just…I need something to do. I can’t sit around my condo anymore. Time to think is too painful.”
“Yeah, but Laney…”
“Really, Kent, I can hold it together, I swear.”
“Laney. You need time to heal.”
She bolted out of her chair and circled to stand behind it. “If I have any more time I’m going to lose my mind. I have to have something to do to take my mind off things.”
He studied her. “You look tired, and this edginess is uncharacteristic of you.”
“Come on. You know what it was like after…” She was taking a risk here. “After your break up with Jan.” His jaw tightened and he crossed his arms but she went on. “You threw yourself into your work to numb the pain. And, because of that, you rose up the ranks.”
“Yes. But we both know I made some big mistakes, too.” Laney knew what he was referring to. When she first came to Walter Davis after student teaching there, Kent was her mentor teacher. He had been younger then, and much more foolish, and erred by making a pass at his even younger first year teacher. Even though troubled by the breakup with his long-term girlfriend, he must have known it was wrong to initiate anything with Laney. She had let him down with as much grace as she could, and because of that, they had always remained friends. He stood up and walked around the desk, leaning on its edge. “It’s because I know you better than most of my teachers that I know this is tearing you up inside.”
She lowered her head, unsure of what to say next.
“I’m not sure this is such a good idea, but… I’ll let you come back next Monday, if you are up to it. No sooner.”
She flew around the chair to plant an unexpected kiss on him. “Thanks, Kent. I knew you would understand.”
He smiled. “I can’t say no to you. But Laney, if you change your mind, I want you to let me know. I’ll keep Liz on standby for another week just in case.”
“Thanks. That will be perfect. I’ll get out of your hair.”
She left his office feeling better. She would be returning to school. She may not be the same person she was before Sydney’s death, but she’d be back in the classroom.
* * *
“You’re not gonna start another fight tonight, are ya?” the bartender said with a grin.
“Hey,” Cooper retorted, “I didn’t start it. But—” He held out his hands. “—I took off the gloves. I’ll behave, I promise.”
“Just kiddin’, man. That guy was an ass. And three-times your size, dude. I wouldn’t have had the balls.”
He shrugged. “He pissed me off.”
The bartender gave a robust laugh. “Well, good thing you’re light on your feet, Mac, or we’d still be picking up your pieces.”
He laughed with him, pulling his money out to order a beer.
“Put your money away. This one’s on me. What’ll you have?”
“Thanks. I guess I’ll take a scotch, straight up, then.” He let his eyes wander while the bartender poured his drink. “It’s quiet tonight,” he commented.
“Yeah. I guess all the curious folks came out the last few nights. Now everyone is spooked off.”
He feigned ignorance. “And why’s that?” he asked, raising his drink at the bartender in a salute and taking a sip of the smooth, top-grade scotch he was served.
“‘Cause of the murder.”
He swallowed, his eyes wide,
giving his voice the proper note of alarm. “Someone was murdered here?”
The bartender leaned on the bar. “Don’t you read the paper, buddy?”
“Just the sports page. Name’s Cooper by the way,” he added, offering his hand.
“I’m Dave. You never catch the news?”
He shrugged again. “Sometimes at the gym. Man, I thought this was a nice place. Somebody shot someone in here?” He searched around as if looking for the blood splatter.
“No, man! Out in the parking lot. A woman was strangled. Sydney Essex.”
He stared at Dave blankly. “Who’s she?”
“You never heard of Sydney Essex? She writes all those sappy romance novels my wife reads. But it gets her in the mood sometimes, so I don’t knock it, ya know what I mean?”
Cooper chuckled and nodded, playing along. A customer down the line waved a hand.
“I’ll be right back.” Dave took off to fill the customer’s order, giving him a chance to eyeball the place for a while.
After several hours, he had zeroed in on a large man with a dark beard and bushy eyebrows. He wore an expensive suit, like the others, and lots of jewelry. People kept stopping by his table near the end of the bar and shaking hands, but not staying around for long. He tried to inconspicuously watch the handshakes, to see if anything was being exchanged, but in the dim lighting, he wasn’t having much success.
“Hey, Cooper,” Dave said, his voice low. “Look who walked in. Blondie.”
His jaw hardened.
“Is she a friend of yours?”
“No. I just met her the other night,” he said truthfully, his voice with an edge.
“Maybe she came back looking for you. You know, her knight in shining armor and all.”
“You read too many of your wife’s romance books,” he commented, not taking his eyes off Laney’s reflection in the mirror.
“I don’t know, man. I’d give it a try if I was you. She is one appealing lady.”
“I’d have to agree with you there.” Cooper watched as the bartender waltzed down to pour some kind of shot for her. Her hair was loose and curly, as it dropped beyond her bare shoulders. She had on a turquoise number that was even sexier than the one she wore before, if that was even possible, but as he strode toward her, he felt his anger beginning to rise again. What the hell was she doing? I thought I’d made it perfectly clear that she was not to come back here.
Laney downed her shot and raised her hand to order another. Cooper brought his hands down on either side of her on the bar. She raised her eyes and caught his in the mirror. He wanted to get her alone and chew her out. “Let’s dance.”
She turned on her stool to face him. Her eyes were fearful, but she raised her chin in defiance as she stared at him. That little cocky lift of her chin almost undid him. He knew how torn up inside she was and how she was fighting the pain that threatened to engulf her. He recognized her need to rebel against him, to defy somebody, anybody, to do something to turn back the tide of grief. But at the same time, the mild irritation, which had turned into anger, continued to seethe inside of him. Why would she return to the place where she had run into trouble before? And then, there was the second question that continued to bother him, why had she been in the arms of another man last night? He knew it was crazy to be upset by what he saw, after all, he had no claim on this woman, but all rationality concerning her had left a long time ago.
Chapter Twelve
Before Laney could react, Cooper took a hand and pulled her toward the dance floor. Just as they hit the parquet, the same sultry song that had been playing the last time he saw her dancing began. He rolled his eyes. Perfect!
He turned to face her. Gazing into her eyes, he was struck by a charge of electricity. Her face was exquisite, hair glowing in the dance floor strobes like it was part of the light show; she absolutely took his breath away. He raised her arm and let his other hand circle her waist and rest against the skin of the small of her back. She shivered and he sensed it was with something stronger than fear. They began to sway to the music, their eyes locked, first with the heat of his anger, but changing to something even more charged. He wasn’t certain whether she had moved her hand, or if he had released it; it happened almost at the same time. She linked hands behind his neck, and he brought both of his to her back. By secret agreement, their hips began to move in rhythm with each other.
His hands dropped to her hips as they moved, but he was unsure of who was leading who. He just knew he was completely and utterly turned on and his heart ached for her in a way that caused him physical pain. His stomach felt hollowed out and filled with only the strong urge to be with her, touching her like this, forever. He’d never felt such all-consuming desire for anyone before and it rocked him to the core, both thrilling and confusing.
He knew the moment the shot hit her as she became more fluid underneath his hands, a slow, sexy smile spreading across her face. He could not smile in return; he could only want and be guided by his private temptress. He was lost in her eyes’ ocean of blue, but he felt himself wading in further. Without thinking, he began to lower his head to hers. As he tilted his head, her eyes traveled to his lips and he was so close now he could feel the sweet warmth of her breath. But the music had changed and while the others around them were dancing, they were standing still.
She put one fingertip to his lips for a second, then took one of his hands from her waist and moved out across the dance floor to the end of his arm, her smile bright. She twirled into his arms and they rocked together, her back against him, engulfed in his arms.
Cooper breathed in the scent of her hair and thought he would go crazy. He tried to nuzzle her ear, but just like that, she moved away again. She laughed, holding on to him by only the tips of her fingers and he laughed too, releasing all the pent up tension, catching her contagious, playful attitude. She crooked a finger at him and he pulled her into his arms, hands on her hips again as they shimmied. He smiled as he bent close to her again. She turned her head and pressed a cheek to his, extending their arms in a tango. Laughing still, he played along, even grabbing a flower to put into her mouth as they glided by one of the tables surrounding the dance floor. It was a carnation, not a rose, but it would suffice.
A few seconds later, she stuck it in his coat pocket and began to flamenco dance around him. She hiked up one side of her dress and held it there as she shook her hips, trailing a hand across his chest and around his back. He knew it was the alcohol making her feel so free, guessing that normally this was something she would never do, but he couldn’t say he minded one bit.
Cooper’s hands felt strong on her hips as Laney moved within the circle of his arms. She prayed what she saw in his eyes was what she wished it to be, a longing similar to hers. She knew she was in more danger in his arms than in the man’s who had her on the dance floor the last time, because Cooper now held her heart in his hands. Without even realizing she was giving it away to him, it had gone from her. She had never felt for anyone the things she was feeling for him, or even known she was capable of such strong emotion. He awoke a part of her she never even knew existed. She wouldn’t think about the woman she saw him with in the hall. She wouldn’t torture herself with the thought she was misreading him. She would only bask in this moment, in the feel of his hands on her hips, their thighs touching and moving together to the rhythm of the music. There was something undeniably sexy about being within arms that could crush her, but instead touched her with great care. She gazed up into his face and, although hair was falling into his eyes, he was looking at her with a smoky intensity. She stopped breathing for an instant, mesmerized by the longing she saw there.
As the music neared an end, he dipped her. She laughed, throwing her head back so that her hair almost touched the floor, but as he brought her back upright, they both became serious. He moved to kiss her again, but her borrowed valor disappeared and she felt a surge of panic. She turned from him and strode across the dance floor back to her b
ar stool. When she reached it, she grabbed for her shot, but before she could throw it back, he took it from her and slammed it back on the bar. He was angry again.
“Uh-uh. You’ve had enough.”
Her own ire rising, Laney picked up the glass and downed the shot sloppily, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Now I’ve had enough,” she hissed, but she could feel tears mounting behind her eyes. She blindly pulled a bill from her purse and laid it on the bar before turning to leave.
“Aren’t you going to wait for your change?” he called after her, but she continued to march away from him. She bumped into an attractive, dark-haired man as he chatted with friends. He caught her by the arms as she was knocked off balance by the impact.
“Hey, what’s the hurry?” he said, his voice kind, perhaps seeing she was upset.
Laney looked up at him, feeling confused. Cooper laid his hands on her shoulders. “She was leaving,” he told the dark-haired man, his eyes hard.
Not even knowing why she was doing it, she stepped closer to the man she had jostled. “Actually, I decided to stay.”
“Laney,” his voice was a warning. “We need to talk.”
The man looked from his angry face to hers. “Is that what you want?” he asked, extending himself to his full height. “You want to leave with this man?”
She never took her eyes from Cooper’s. A tense pause hung between them as she exhaled and lowered her face. “Yes. I’m sorry.” She turned to hurry out ahead of Cooper.
She was halfway across the parking lot when she felt his hand on her arm as he jerked her around.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Tears stung her eyes, but she shook herself free, saying honestly, “I don’t know.”
She pulled out car keys, her hands shaking as she tried to press the unlock button. He snatched the keys out of her hands.
“You are not driving home.”
“Fine!” she spat, and started tramping across the parking lot again.
THE HEART TEACHES BEST (REAL ROMANCE COLLECTION Book 2) Page 7