by Jen Talty
With herself and others.
“I was too embarrassed. Besides, you had your own issues and confessions to deal with,” she said.
Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose. “The biggest one I never told you.”
“Bigger than thinking you’d made a mistake by asking Quinn to marry you?”
“Depends on how you look at it, but all I could think about that night, and for weeks after, was you. What it would be like to kiss you. Be with you. Sort of made it easier to let Quinn go, especially when Rosie told me you were coming home. I’ve wanted to call you or stop by to see you for the last three weeks.”
Annabel tried to tear her gaze from his, but she couldn’t even blink, much less take a normal breath. Long seconds ticked by as they stared at each other. Her heart hammered in her chest like a jackhammer. She hadn’t expected this, and even though she still felt that old pull of attraction, she wasn’t ready for anything more.
“Have you thought about me?” he asked softly.
“I’d be lying if I said no, but… don’t take this the wrong way. I’ve been hyper-focused on starting over. Alone.”
“I get it. Really, I do. It’s been a hard adjustment, and I hate to admit it, but sometimes I miss Quinn, or at least the thought of her.”
Annabel had been leaning in toward Ethan as they shared these confidences, subconsciously drawing nearer to him physically and emotionally. His comment made her draw back. It had only been a few months, but she couldn’t deal with going on a date with a man who still pined for another woman.
“You okay?” he asked.
She nodded, catching her breath and slipping her bruised ego into a nice little box in the corner of her heart.
“I imagine her getting married isn’t helping right now.”
“Actually, it makes it easier. She wouldn’t set a date with me, and this one she’s jumped into with blinders on. Makes me grateful because we would have ended up miserable and eventually divorced. I’ve given her enough of my life. I’m a one-woman man, and I want a family, kids, the white picket fence, and now I kind of want a cat.” He rested his hand on the back of the sofa as Trouble purred, curling up between them. “So, it’s not her I miss. I still want all those things, but with the right woman.”
Annabel held her breath, unable to say a single word. Maybe there was nothing to say.
“I’m really glad we ran into each other because I wanted to see you.”
“Me too,” she admitted, her fingers intertwined with his. If she wasn’t careful, Ethan could steal her heart.
He hesitated. “Today, when that car sideswiped you, what had you been doing? Did you cut him off in traffic? Was it possibly road rage? Had you seen that car before?”
“I’ve told you everything I remember. I pulled onto Route 1 and moments later this car came from out of nowhere and crashed into me. I don’t think it could be road rage because the street was clear of traffic when I pulled out. Honest. And I wasn’t on the phone or distracted if that’s your next question.” She shrugged. “It couldn’t have been intentional even if the old guy thinks it was.” She gave him a smile. “Let it go. I’m fine, though the car has a serious booboo. My insurance will cover the damage.”
He sighed and stood. “Maybe you’re right, but there was something about the real concern the old man had about the whole thing. He was sure he saw the guy purposely jerk the steering wheel in your direction.”
“The same old man who didn’t get a good look at the driver? Who couldn’t describe the cap he wore or the model of the car?”
“I guess you’re right.” Ethan released her hand. “Do you mind if I get changed?” he asked.
“Not at all. When you’re done, I’d like to drop my stuff off before we head to...” she turned and caught his gaze. “What are we going to do now? It’s getting late for a boat ride, isn’t it?”
“Not really, but I’m kind of hungry. How about we just head over to Doug’s Food, since it’s right next to your place.”
“Perfect,” she said. “Can I get a glass of water?”
“Help yourself to anything you want. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.” He kissed her cheek, letting his mouth linger a little, but she wouldn’t complain.
She liked the way his warm lips heated her skin.
“Glasses are to the right of the sink.”
While he slipped away, she admired the kitchen, which had all stainless-steel appliances with a microwave drawer in the island instead of it being built in over the stove or resting on the countertop. She’d seen them in a few magazines and thought it an ingenious idea. The cabinets were all white and looked brand-new, as did all the furniture. On the far wall hung a colorful Marlin made of some kind of metal. “Did you remodel all this yourself?” she said loud enough that she hoped he could hear from down the hall.
“The kitchen and living areas were done when I bought it. Chip and I did the bathrooms and bedrooms ourselves when we had free time. Actually, we just finished a couple of weeks ago.” Ethan stepped into the living room after trading in his uniform for a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt with the saying: Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses, spelled out in an ocean teal-blue color. The shirt hugged his muscles, without being too tight. “Let me show you the rest of the place.”
She followed him down the hallway to the first room, all the while checking out his butt. Being with any man hadn’t been part of her well-laid-out plan, especially her best friend’s brother. Then again, her mom always told her the best parts of life often came from left field.
“I use this as a home office,” he said as he opened a bedroom door. A large white desk sat in the middle of it, facing the picture window. A partially open laptop located on the left side of the desk was hooked up to a monitor that was pushed off to the side.
“I’d hate having my back to the door,” she said as Trouble looped through her legs, rubbing his back as he passed.
“I know. I normally would too, but living alone, well, it doesn’t bother me now. Plus, I love looking at the ocean when I write.”
She inched toward the window, staring at the waves crashing against the shore. A strong wind ruffled the leaves in the trees and took kite surfers soaring high as they cut through the whitecaps, boards pointing toward the sky before turning and bouncing across the raging water. “Are you still writing crime stories?”
“It’s a fun hobby. Maybe someday I’ll get published.”
“I bet you’ve got a lot of material.” She turned and gasped. He stood less than a foot away, and his jade eyes caught her gaze and wouldn’t let go.
He tilted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “I’ve thought about kissing you for months.”
She desperately tried to keep the corners of her mouth from tipping upward in a warm and welcoming smile.
“So, if it’s okay with you—”
“You’re asking for permission?” And here, most said chivalry was dead.
“I’d rather be rejected before finding out you’re probably the best kisser ever.”
She stifled a school-girl giggle.
He cocked his head back. “Was that too sappy a line?”
“A little,” she admitted while she collected herself, resting her hands on his broad shoulders. “Lucky for you, sappy lines work on me.”
“Do they now?”
Her eyelids fluttered closed when his lips pressed softly against hers like butter melting over a stack of fluffy pancakes. His mouth moved masterfully across hers, applying the right amount of force at the precise moment she wanted more.
His strong hands slid around her back, pulling her close. A soft moan developed deep in her throat as he deepened the kiss by parting her lips with the tip of his velvet tongue.
He tasted like the humid air that rolled in from the sea with a twist of lemon, and she could easily get drunk on the flavor.
Jumping into a relationship with both feet would be a bad idea, especially with a life-long friend. She splayed her hand across
his chest and pulled back.
“Wow,” he whispered. “I never expected that.”
“What? That I’m a good kisser or that you’d be kissing me.”
“Both. But it’s more than that.” His tone was sultry and serious.
“What do you mean?” Only she knew exactly what he meant, and she needed to put the brakes on. Not that she didn’t want to explore what could be with him, she didn’t want to rush it either. She didn’t want to lose him as a friend.
Ethan seemed to regain his senses as well. “Let’s just enjoy the evening, okay?” He laced his fingers through hers and guided her through the other two bedrooms, which were identical with a queen-sized bed, coastal-colored bedframe, and matching desk, except one room was coral, the other green.
“You did this all yourself?” She peeked into one of the bathrooms, grateful the focus was no longer on the sexual tension filling the air.
“I had a little help in the decorating department from my mom and sister.”
The tile floors were a light-gray with a crisp-white grout. The countertop in this particular bathroom had a coral swirl, to match the bedroom. In the shower, a stone waterfall lined the wall under the showerhead.
“But the work, yes, I did it all with the help of Chip,” Ethan said.
“I need you to come do my bathroom. It’s got those old-fashioned, tiny square tiles on the bathroom floors. It’s gross.”
“I don’t know, my fees might be too expensive for you,” he said with a wicked, teasing smile.
“Yeah, and what is your hourly rate?” she asked, enjoying the lighthearted flirting perhaps a little too much.
“It won’t be monetary,” he said, tugging her into the master bedroom.
She gasped.
“I’m kidding.”
She ignored the thumping of her heart as her eyes took in the king-sized bed. A sea turtle painting graced the wall above the gray headboard. Cobalt-blue pillows dotted the bed over a white comforter. A matching dresser graced the far wall, and the bathroom and walk-in closet were about the same size as the bedroom.
But none of that compared to the view through the sliding glass doors that opened to a private balcony. Every window of the condo faced the ocean, and the idea of rolling over and opening her eyes to the morning sun and smelling the cool ocean air every day would be a little piece of heaven. She released his hand and followed Trouble to the sliders. “May I?”
“By all means,” he said. “I’ll be right back. Make yourself at home.”
There was something unique about the humidity in Florida and the muted air that rolled in off the sea. The wind roared through the palm trees, blowing her hair across her face.
“What do you think, Trouble?”
The cat stood up on his hind legs, with his paws on the railing, staring out over the street.
Annabel glanced over her shoulder. “I think Ethan is the better view.”
Trouble didn’t take his eyes off the road.
Chapter Six
It’s always a long day when I don’t get my catnaps in between helping humans deal with the mysterious things that go on about them.
I also know it’s going to be a long night.
Ethan’s eyewitness was right. That car barreled into Annabel on purpose. I know this because on impact, I reacted quickly, getting a better look at the driver.
I feel certain it’s the same man from the bushes and the same human from the storage facility. I can’t be totally sure, but my detective instincts are never wrong.
I just don’t know if it’s Danny, the ex of Annabel’s neighbor, since I have yet to see the suspect. Not even a picture. Something I will have to remedy as soon as I can. I will need to do a full inspection of Annabel’s building, as well as the entire complex.
I take the time to scan the area in front of Ethan’s condo building, making sure all is safe before I climb up on the chair next to Annabel.
I close my eyes, feeling the warmth of Annabel’s body against mine, my mind turning over the evidence. Something isn’t quite right with this unknown Danny being the number one suspect in the hit-and-run. He has no motive to do so. Annabel has only just moved to Jupiter. What could possibly be the connection? No doubt, Sherlock would agree with my assessment.
Annabel giggles nervously, breaking my chain of thought.
Ethan thinks he said something witty, but he’s even more on edge than my new companion.
The human dating ritual is lost on me. I’m all for romance, but most tend to muck it up, and I can’t say that these two are getting it right.
Though, they aren’t getting it wrong.
They just seem to be skirting the fact they have feelings for each other. It’s so obvious. Well, it’s apparent to a skilled detective such as myself. To the average person, it might not be so evident.
Humans. Such simple creatures, yet they complicate the dickens out of everything.
I tire of listening to their babble back and forth as they reminisce about years gone by. Their history is interesting, but they are using it to skive the pending kisses and shagging that they both want.
I stretch before leaping from Annabel’s lap. Perhaps, with me out of the middle, they might be able to get down to business.
Who am I to stand in the way of a little knackering?
I sit near the edge of the balcony. The sun is still bright in the sky but casting the red and pink colors of the evening. A nice breeze rolls off the ocean, but it brings with it the salty air, which makes my luxurious coat tacky, something that I don’t appreciate.
I see people walking down the sidewalk, carrying surfboards as they head to their vehicles. Others are strolling arm in arm. It seems love is in the air.
Annabel and Ethan left the doors open. I could easily go into the bedroom, climb up on the bed, find the sweet spot to rest my head. The bed looks quite comfortable and much more masculine than the pink doggie bed which thankfully, stayed in Annabel’s car.
But for some reason, I can’t seem to settle. The day has been trying, and I feel I’m missing something. Someone is out to get Annabel, but why? My stomach rumbles. Perhaps I’m not at my sleuthing best because it’s been hours since my last repast. And who can nap on an empty stomach?
A Jeep, much like Annabel’s, only with the roof and the doors removed, pulls out into the street. I glance down the other side only to see the same dark-blue sedan that ran Annabel off the road.
I meow, loudly and unrefined, but this situation calls for drastic measures. If I were on the first floor, I’d simply jump. It’s true what they say about cats. We do tend to land on our feet.
But not from the tenth floor.
And the nine-lives thing? Well, that’s said because we are smart and we can outwit anything and anyone, giving us a certain edge and the appearance of eluding death.
I meow, again. I get a couple of glances my way, but the two lovebirds continue with their conversation while petting each other’s hand.
Hormones.
I race across the balcony, leap onto Ethan’s lap, nip at his shirt, before jumping to the floor and running like a wild feline to the edge of the balcony. I stick my head through the railing. The vehicle is still parked there.
“I think Trouble is distressed by something,” Ethan says as he makes his way toward me.
I can’t see who is sitting in the driver’s seat. The day is fading, and it’s too dark. The way the car is angled, the license plate is blocked from my view. I know it’s the same car.
“Damn,” Ethan mutters.
“That looks like the car that hit me,” Annabel says as she bends over, picks me up, and clutches me to her chest, a little too tightly.
But I understand she’s scared, so I give a little leeway with this affection.
“Are you sure?” Ethan asks.
“I can’t be positive until I get a closer look.”
But I can be positive. I meow, impatient with their lack of understanding.
“Let m
e go check things out,” Ethan says.
“You’re leaving me here?” I hate hearing the twinge of panic in my human’s voice.
“Lock the door behind me. I’m going to call it in just to be safe.”
Ethan must have lost the plot because I’m going with him. He pulls the door open, and I leap from Annabel’s grasp, darting through the opening with speed and agility.
“Trouble. Get back here,” Ethan calls, but I pay no heed. Once in front of the elevator, I leap and press my paw against the down button. I’m generally a patient feline. However, in this case, I tap my paw as if I’m a wonky human. If I could open doors, the stairs might be a better bet.
Finally, the elevator doors swing open, and I slip inside, Ethan hot on my tail. I narrow my eyes as he bends over and reaches for me. Raising my right upper lip, I show my piercing teeth and hiss.
Ethan stands upright with his hands raised to the sides. “What is wrong with you?”
“I think he wants to come with us,” Annabel says as she steps inside, arms folded across her chest in defiance.
“He can come, but you’re going back inside—”
I hiss again, letting Ethan know that Annabel will be fine. I will make sure of that. Besides, it will be easier to confirm that indeed that is the same vehicle with her doing the talking. I’m rather tired of acting like a frazzled feline.
“I’m coming with you,” Annabel says.
“Fine, but you need to do exactly what I say, and it starts with staying in the lobby until I know it’s safe, got it?”
Annabel nods.
I sit by the door, waiting for it to open so I can head to the action. The police will need my help.
“Shit,” Ethan muttered, standing at the corner of Miles Court and North A1A in front of the house where he’d seen the suspicious vehicle, but it was long gone.
“Do you think whoever it was saw us coming?” Annabel asked.
He glanced over his shoulder at his building. It sat a good city block from the road. Only a couple of lights lined his balcony, but one could easily see inside. “It’s possible.” He looped his arm around her waist. “I hate to ask you this, but have you pissed anyone off lately?”