“Are you going to tell me why you went to New York?”
Josh half-considered lying, but then he looked at the stiff set of his dad’s jaw. Chuck was one of the best reporters in the business. He could smell a lie a mile away. He wouldn’t be able to get a bluff past him. He tipped his glass up and finished his drink in a single gulp. “I talked with Ellen about running the Miller story.”
“You scooping me, boy?”
“I don’t want you or the station mixed up in this. Miller’s got powerful friends.” His call to Matt had verified that fact. Absolutely nothing linked the Millers to the payments to the victims or the others involved in the series of crimes. The only common thread was Wyatt had been accused of committing each offense. Josh’s eyes locked on his father’s face. “If we run the story, he could try to take the station down.”
Chuck smiled sadly. “You think I don’t know that?”
“And you still want us to do it? Atlanta already wants our affiliate. Miller could make sure that happens.”
Chuck put down his drink and walked toward the fireplace. He rested his hand on the mantle with his back to Josh. The silence in the room was louder than any words Chuck could have spoken.
“Dad?”
Tapping his hand on the dark wood, he took a deep breath before turning back around. “I didn’t want you to know. You have enough on your mind right now.” Chuck ran his hand over his thinning hair. “I don’t really care.”
Josh furrowed his brow as he considered his father’s words. “You got your test results back.” The words caught in his throat.
“Chemo’s not working this time.” Chuck gave a bitter laugh.
“That’s why you wouldn’t let me take you to the doctor last week.”
Chuck nodded slowly. “We were discussing my options.”
“And they are?”
“There aren’t any.” He paced in front of the roaring fire. “Well, there aren’t any I’m considering. Josh, even with another round of chemo, Dr. Griffin said I’m looking at less than a year. I want to enjoy the time I have left — not spend it sick as a dog driving back and forth from the hospital.”
Josh struggled for the right words. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve had a good life. I’ve had the chance to watch both my boys grow into men I’m proud of.” He walked to Josh’s side and placed his hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry about what this story will do to me or the station.” He gripped Josh’s shoulder firmly. “I want to do this.” He patted his son’s shoulder before walking back to his seat. He gave Josh a warm smile. “And I’ll watch with pride as a story we broke here makes it on the national news.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Kelly!” Tara stood from her seat on the park bench next to the sidewalk leading from the apartment complex’s parking lot. The young woman stiffened and froze, a squirrel caught in the middle of the road. Trapped by the reporter, Kelly couldn’t seem to decide if she wanted to run back to her car or seek the safety of her apartment.
Kelly ran for the apartment.
“Wait!” Tara had predicted it wouldn’t be easy to speak with the most recent rape victim, not since the brief interview Kelly gave a day following her attack. Kelly had moved into the nothing-happened part of her recovery. “I just want to talk.”
Kelly paused, clutching her mail in front of her as if it held some type of protective barrier. She met Tara’s eyes. “What do you want to talk about?”
Tara approached her former friend slowly, cautiously. “The police are saying you’re not cooperating with the case now.”
Kelly rolled her eyes and smacked loudly on a wad of chewing gum in her mouth. “I was drunk, Tara.”
“That doesn’t excuse what happened.”
“I don’t even remember what happened.” Kelly’s lower lip trembled and her eyes grew too shiny.
“Yeah, you do.” Tara spoke softly but firmly. “Every time you close your eyes you can see it. You see him.”
Kelly’s face whitened to an ashy pallor. She swallowed thickly. “Maybe you do.” She spat the words out in accusation. “Don’t try to pretend you know what I’m going through.”
“But I do.” Tara let her words hang in the air.
“It’s not the same thing. Wyatt just got in your house.” Kelly took a step back, away from Tara, trying to decide if she should run. Tara was about to lose her. “It’s not the same at all.”
“Wyatt Miller raped me when I was 20. He got away with it. Don’t let him win again.”
A dark car drove past, catching Kelly’s eye. She dropped the mail onto the ground. “I can’t.” Kelly’s voice was a hoarse whisper as she scurried to pick up the collection of envelopes.
“I know your mom’s medical bills were paid off.”
Kelly stood, her hands shaking so violently she almost dropped the mail a second time. “How?”
“I just do.”
The car came to a stop at the edge of the parking lot. Sunlight glinted off its dark-tinted windows. Kelly stared at the car and backed farther away from Tara.
“I can’t help you. I’m sorry.” She turned and flew toward her apartment. Tara listened as the door slammed, not bothering to try to follow; her opportunity to talk with Kelly was gone.
• • •
“He definitely got to her.” Tara leaned forward, rubbing her forehead in a combination of fatigue and frustration. “I almost had her talking to me, but then this car drove up.”
“And you couldn’t read the plate?” Josh removed the whistling teakettle from the stove and poured hot water in Tara’s teacup. He dropped a bag of peppermint tea into the water before turning back to the kitchen table.
“Too much mud.”
“Ironic.” Josh waited for Tara to laugh, but she was too bothered by the afternoon’s conversation. “You know, it’s dirty.”
“Oh, that’s funny.” She forced a laugh, reaching for the tea cup.
“You don’t have to humor me.”
“Yeah, I do.” Her brown eyes locked on his. “I wouldn’t be able to get through this if you weren’t here.”
“This wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t here.” Josh still fought with the knowledge that it was the photograph of them kissing that sparked Wyatt’s renewed interest in Tara.
“Yeah it would have.” Tara’s voice was little more than a whisper. Even now, they hadn’t discussed exactly what happened that night. She knew Josh wanted to know, but she just hadn’t been able to tell him. “But he would have been able to finish what he started.”
“Tara.” Josh shook his head, the look in his eyes cautioned her not to tell him something she wasn’t ready for.
“If you hadn’t gotten here when you did … ”
Glass broke in the living room. Rosie shot to her feet from under the table and bolted toward the front door, barking loud enough the neighbors had to hear her.
“What in the hell?” Josh ran toward the front door, catching Rosie’s collar just before she trampled across the shattered glass covering the entire foyer. A charcoal gray brick sat in the midst of the remains of the window.
• • •
“Probably just a kid. Bored.” Lieutenant Savage closed his notepad and nodded indulgently at Tara. “You know how it is around here.”
“A lot of kids throw bricks with notes saying ‘Stop asking questions’ through people’s front windows?” Josh didn’t hide the sarcasm dripping from his voice.
The police officer’s face flushed red. “Don’t you be bringing your big city attitude here.”
“And where do you want me to bring it?” Josh felt his pulse pounding in his ears.
“I can have you escorted outside.” The smaller man took a step in Josh’s direction.
“Josh.” Tara’s hand gripped his
arm, and she pulled him back toward her side. “Really. It’s okay.”
“I’m sure the kids just knew about the case coming up. Thought they’d have a little fun.” Josh could tell the case was already closed as far as this police officer was concerned. Lieutenant Savage pocketed his notepad and turned toward the front door. “You need me to get Roscoe to come over to clean this up? Storm’s brewing out there. He’d be happy to help.” He nodded to the hole where the window once was. The sky flashed purple in the distance. “Don’t want to flood your house.”
And he’d charge a hefty fee for his service, no doubt. “No, we’ll be fine.” Even if Josh had to drive to Augusta tonight to find something to patch the hole with, none of the officer’s buddies were coming over here to help.
“Thanks, Lieutenant.” Tara’s face was awash with fatigue and defeat. She let out a long sigh and began to walk toward the kitchen. The pantry door creaked open, and she stepped back into view with a broom in one hand and a dustpan in the other.
“Do you have something to cover the hole with?” Josh watched in annoyance as the police cruiser pulled out of the driveway. A peal of thunder rumbled, and Tara dropped the dustpan. “Here. Let me.”
He took the broom out of her hand. Careful to kneel in a glass-free area, he tried not to stare too hard at her while he cleaned up the remains of the window. He hadn’t wanted to admit it to himself, but the case was taking its toll on Tara. As each day passed, the circles under her eyes darkened. He hadn’t seen her eat lunch in over a week. She didn’t need this. One attack in her home had been more than enough.
“Tara?” He scooped the glass into the dustpan, waiting for her answer.
“There’s plywood in the garage.” She retreated to the couch, patting the leather to invite Rosie to sit beside her.
“You just keep sheets of plywood in the garage?”
“My dad was a pack rat, remember?” She pointed in the direction of the door to the basement.
“How could I forget?” He was pleased when she cracked a ghost of a smile. He’d worked so hard to earn her trust. The last thing he wanted was to lose her again after today.
• • •
Josh hammered what had to be the final nail in the piece of wood. Tara had to admit, he was thorough. She dared rain to try to get through his repair. In fact, she felt sorry for whoever was going to have to try to remove the plywood to replace the window. He’d been hammering for the better part of a half hour, but now, even that noise couldn’t drown out the sound of the rolling thunder.
“That should do it.” He tossed the hammer in the air and caught it again. He shot her a smirk. He’d enjoyed playing handyman tonight.
The lights flickered and Rosie whined, burrowing her head under Tara’s hand. “I know how you feel, girl.” She tried to keep her voice steady, but one look at Josh and she knew she hadn’t succeeded. He was studying her with the same expression he’d worn when she’d woken up at the hospital.
“Do I look that bad?”
Josh shook his head.
“Liar.”
“I’m not lying.” He placed the hammer on the side table and walked to the center of the room, standing in front of where she sat on the couch. “You never look bad.”
The energy in the room was charged, but it had nothing to do with the lightning flickering through the air outside.
It was time. Tara knew they’d both been fighting against this moment.
Josh hadn’t wanted to rush her.
Tara had simply been afraid.
But she wasn’t anymore. Something happened when she watched that car drive away today. Wyatt was still in control of Kelly. He didn’t get to control her anymore. He didn’t get to decide what she did. He didn’t get to win. She knew what she wanted.
And he was standing right in front of her.
She took hold of Josh’s hand and locked eyes with him. Josh stroked the back of her hand with the pad of his thumb.
His breathing was so loud, she had no trouble counting every breath. He was fighting a battle with himself. “I think it’s time for me to go.”
“I don’t want you to go.” She clasped his hand tightly.
“Tara, if I don’t leave right now … ” Josh’s words were choked. He spoke through clenched teeth.
“I know.” She repositioned herself on the couch and brushed her hand on his cheek.
• • •
“Do you trust me?” He pulled her to stand next to him as his voice took on a husky quality Tara had never heard before. Josh cupped Tara’s face in his hands as he brushed his forehead against hers. His eyes blazed into hers as if they were trying to penetrate her soul.
She knew what he was asking. Tara had no doubt that if she said no, he’d kiss her forehead, walk out the door, drive home, and take a very cold shower. She felt her pulse speed, and knew he had to feel it beneath his fingertips.
If she said no, he’d still come back.
But she didn’t want to say no. With an intensity that even surprised herself, she attacked his lips with her own. “In every way,” she managed to gasp out before she buried her fingers in his hair.
God, she wanted this. A surge of desire like nothing else she’d ever felt surged through her belly.
She had to admit it. He had some kind of restraint. He pulled away, hopefully for the last time. “You’re sure?”
Nodding, she removed his hand from her cheek and took it in her hand. “I want this.” Looking him full in the eyes, she licked her lower lip as she placed his hand atop her breast.
Emboldened by her actions, he didn’t hold back. His lips met hers with a tender intensity she’d never felt before. She fought to catch her breath as his tongue skimmed along her lips. She opened her mouth in a sigh, and his tongue claimed her mouth for his own.
When she stopped focusing on the sensation of his exploration of her mouth, she realized his hands had moved. One still rested atop her breast, but the other was settled in the small of her back, pulling her tighter against him. The hardness pressing into her belly told her he wanted this every bit as much as she did.
As she allowed herself to be swept up in the moment, she trailed her hands down his chest, her thumb skimming along the skin exposed at his neck.
He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. He backed away a step. Closing his eyes, his hand traveled to the front of her chest. She let out a soft groan and leaned into him as he cupped her breast through the fabric of her bra.
Tara hesitantly placed her hand atop his as she guided him beneath her bra. Her lips parted, and he slid his tongue against hers without stopping his further exploration. His fingertips traced a circle around her nipple and he felt goose bumps rise on her skin.
She needed more.
Fumbling with the top button of his collar, she was surprised when his hands stilled hers. His lips turned up in a grin as he sped up the process. Soon, her fingers were running through the fine dark hairs on his chest.
Pulling away from her lips, Josh tugged his shirt over his head. Standing in front of her, Tara traced his well-muscled chest first with her eyes and followed with her hands. She didn’t have to question why he’d earned first place on the list of the country’s sexiest men. Tara wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself against his chest. Once she’d had a taste of his lips, she couldn’t resist another.
His hands gently worked their way between the pair as he reached for the top button of her blouse. Taking his lips from hers, he left a trail of kisses along her jaw and down the side of her neck. As he unbuttoned each button, his lips drifted lower down her body. Finally, at the last button, he slid her blouse off her shoulders and let it puddle behind them on the floor.
Her cheeks flushed red as she stood before him in her ivory lace bra, but that didn’t last for long. Josh reached beh
ind her back and unclasped it with ease. “God, you’re beautiful.” His eyes radiated a warmth and tenderness she’d never seen before. “I think we need to go upstairs.”
Tara nodded, barely able to form words. “I agree.”
• • •
Tara’s eyes opened and discovered that her head was resting on Josh’s chest. If not for the lingering sensation between her thighs, she would have almost believed the events over the past few hours had been a dream, an exceedingly vivid dream, but a dream nonetheless.
But she hadn’t been dreaming.
She felt her cheeks flush at the memory. She hadn’t consciously thought about the idea of taking her relationship with Josh to the next level … no, dreams didn’t count. When she realized they were going to make Wyatt pay, something came over her that she couldn’t explain.
She laughed as she remembered her conversation with David about taking the relationship slowly.
Well, Josh did take it slow … at least the first time. She was ready for the sensation of pleasure when that moment came. It truly took her breath away. But she hadn’t expected the other feelings.
Once Josh’s eyes had locked with hers, he never looked away. Tara hadn’t expected to feel so special or so treasured. In those moments, there truly was nothing separating them. Her lips curled into a grin at the memory. She absently ran her hand over Josh’s chest.
“You’re awake.” Josh leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
“I didn’t even know I’d been asleep.” She shivered as he ran his hand down her side.
“For about half an hour.” He rested his hand on her hip. “We’re definitely going to have to work on your stamina.”
Tara’s cheeks flushed a light pink. “Sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. Just gives us a good excuse to practice.” Tara laughed as she tilted her face up and brought her lips to his.
Chapter Sixteen
“You’re sure you want to do this?” Josh’s furrowed brow revealed his concern, even though he was trying to hide it. He traced his fingers along her jawline and Tara could tell he was fighting the urge to tell her he was coming with her.
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