The taxicab pulled up outside her house and she went with Ludo to the door. “Sure you don’t want me to stay?”
Tahlia smiled and shook her head. “No, it’s family stuff. I wouldn’t want to burden you. Look, I’m sorry, Ludo. Will you be okay?”
He grinned and touched her cheek with his finger. “I’ll be fine. Can I call you tomorrow? You know, to discuss how we coordinate my hiding place?”
She chuckled softly. “Of course. Thank you for a lovely day.”
“Thank you, Tally …can I call you that?”
“Of course.” God, she wanted him to kiss her so badly …but that would be such a bad idea.
He touched her cheek again and was gone. Tahlia felt bereft, not just because, god, he was so fucking sexy she could scream, but because she also felt a kinship with him. A friendship had been forged today. She sighed and went back to talk with the police.
Ludo stood on the deck of the ferry, looking out over the waves, dark now as the sun had set. Today had been a revelation for him. Never had he met someone like Tahlia. He realized today that he’d misjudged her. At work, she was all business, but off-duty, she was fun and flirty and …
Damn, the softness of her skin when he’d stroked her belly. He had wanted to kiss her so badly that he’d flung every caution to the wind. If those cops hadn’t turned up, he had no doubt that they would be fucking right now. The thought of her curves in his hands—those pillowy breasts and the deep, round navel he’d caressed with his fingers. Her long legs wrapped around him and his cock buried in her wet, silky cunt. Jesus …
Yes, he wanted her badly; at the same time, the part of him that had found a friend didn’t want to jeopardize her career or put her in an awkward position with any potential boyfriend she might have. Ludo still wasn’t convinced there wasn’t something going on between Tahlia and Ellory Mackenzie; he’d seen the fond looks Ellory had thrown his junior during their meeting.
And why not? Ellory was probably the best man for her. He was her brother’s best friend, he’d obviously been her rock since Cade’s death, and he was here in Seattle, not flying off and staying on film sets all over the world.
Ludo felt depressed. Why did he feel, all of a sudden, that he needed to work harder to be worthy of Tahlia Penn? She was incredible …and he knew that he would do anything to make her happy.
Tahlia said goodbye to the cops and closed the door, feeling drained. She couldn’t process what they had told her—not at first—but when it hit her, she felt like screaming.
Miss Penn, we have reason to believe that your brother was murdered. We’ve been looking into cold cases in which suicide was given as the reason, but the victims had no motive. We looked over your brother’s post-mortem, and we have reason to believe he was already dead when he was thrown from the cliff. Why the medical examiner at the time didn’t comment on it, we don’t know. But to start things off, we need to know. Miss Penn…is there any reason you could think of why someone would want to harm your brother?
Tahlia walked back into her living room and grabbed her cell phone, scrunching herself into the corner of the couch, the way she always did when she was upset. She called the one person who would get how she felt right now.
“Tally?”
“Ell …” She burst into tears.
Ellory’s voice was hard when he spoke. “Tal, what’s happened? Has he hurt you? Has Ricci hurt you?”
“No, of course not. Ludo’s gone.” She was surprised at the vehemence in his tone. “Ell, the police were just here …they’re reopening the investigation into Cade’s death. Ell, they think he was murdered.”
There was a silence on the other end of the phone, then she heard Ellory let out a long breath. “I’m coming over.”
Tahlia opened her mouth to protest, then shut it. Yes, she needed him here now. “Okay.”
An hour later, Ellory was walking in her front door. He wrapped his arms around her, and she gladly leaned into him, needing his solid frame to make her feel secure again.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?”
She nodded, then he released her and led her to the couch. “Tell me everything.”
Tahlia repeated verbatim what the cops had told her. “They say his neck was broken before he went off that cliff. I don’t get it, Ell. Who would want to hurt Cade, of all people?”
Ellory blew out his cheeks. “I have to say, it’s weird …but Cade had his share of crazy fans. Maybe someone stalked him? It’s unbelievable to me, too, Tally, that anyone would do this to him. Are the police sure?”
She nodded. “God …they asked me if I knew anyone who would hurt him, but I said no. I don’t want to believe it’s true, but then I never believed he killed himself, so …” She shook her head and closed her eyes. She felt Ellory stroke her hair. It felt nice and comforting. He shifted closer to her and put his arm around her, pressing his lips to her forehead. She sighed.
“I guess this puts what Ludo is going through into perspective,” Tahlia said. “It must be terrifying to live your life knowing someone is crazy enough to do something like that.”
“Did Cade ever mention he was dealing with a stalker?”
She shook her head. “Never. But I was thinking, he would have been more likely to tell you that than me. You know how much he protected me from.” She smiled up at him. “Like you do, Ell. So, if he said anything, please …tell me now.”
He kissed her. “Not once, Tally. He never mentioned anything like that.” He kissed her again and again—soft, little kisses, until she kissed him back. He pushed her gently down on the couch and covered her body with his.
Tahlia didn’t know how to make him stop without hurting him. All she knew was that this wasn’t what she wanted. Just tell him that, she told herself, but she said nothing. Ell smiled down at her as he stripped her, then as his cock thrust inside of her, she tried to smile back. Get through this. He’s your friend and he obviously loves you …
But she felt like she was betraying him, betraying herself, and, strangely, betraying Ludo. Which was ridiculous. Ellory took her to bed afterward and they made love again, but Tahlia’s heart wasn’t in it. It wasn’t as if Ellory was unattractive. Quite the opposite. He was gorgeous, with hazel eyes, hard body, and ridiculous sexy machismo, but it still felt wrong.
Ellory fell asleep in her bed, not asking if she wanted him to stay. Tahlia slipped from the bed and went into the kitchen to grab some milk. Her vagina felt sore from Ellory’s pounding and she felt a little tearful. In the morning, she would tell him that they shouldn’t do this anymore. He was her family, but they weren’t supposed to be lovers.
Tahlia hoped he wouldn’t be hurt. She would hate to lose him, but she truly could not do this with him. Not when she was so attracted to someone else. She closed her eyes and recalled the tender way Ludo Ricci had stroked her belly and how close his lips had been. She cursed the detectives for not being five minutes later. She knew, had he kissed her, they would have been having sex, without a doubt. Which, of course, was the worst idea. He was her client and she was already sleeping with her best friend, Ellory. So many reasons not to get involved with Ludo.
But the thought made her heart hurt. She drained her milk, then went to brush her teeth. Hesitating only slightly, she slid back into bed, and Ellory murmured her name in his sleep. She stared at him sleeping, his handsome face at peace, and her heart twinged with sadness. Her life would be so much easier if she could fall in love with Ellory Mackenzie, even with the whispers of favoritism that she would have to fend off.
But when she went to sleep that night, she dreamed of Ludo Ricci’s lips against her own, his naked body covering her own, and his voice, low, deep, and sensual, telling her over and over …I want you, Tahlia. I’ve always wanted you
Ludo sat in his chair, watching the scene being shot. He wouldn’t be needed for another hour or so, but he wanted to be distracted from thinking about Tahlia Penn. Sadly for him, the supporting actress looked way too much like Tally for
that to happen. Get a grip, man. You’ve only known she exists for forty-eight hours. But Ludo Ricci had never felt this instant connection with any other woman in his life. Yesterday had been the most fun he’d had with a total stranger—ever. He grinned to himself at the thought. There was something so natural and down-to-earth about her …he imagined taking her back to Italy—to his home in Tuscany hills’ rolling countryside and olive groves. Picking olives and laughing with her in the sultry afternoons, making love long into the night.
“Yo, Ludo.” His assistant, a cheery young man called Buck, came over. “Girl’s here to see you. Says she’s a friend.”
Ludo felt his heart lift. Tahlia had come here?
His hopes crashed a minute later when he saw the blonde, slender woman coming toward him.
Fuck.
Marianne.
She beamed at him. “Hey, baby.”
Ludo, stone-faced, grabbed her arm and steered her away from people, around to the back of the trailers, before he released her. “What the fuck are you doing here, Marianne? Do the words ‘restraining order’ mean nothing to you?”
Marianne’s expression dropped, but she gave him a nasty smile, determined to cover her hurt. “That’s how you talk to the mother of your child?”
“No,” he snapped back. “It’s how I talk to someone who won’t take the hint.”
Marianne gritted her teeth. “I got your lawyer’s letter. You hired one here?”
“Yes, Marianne. I want this over with. I’m applying for a permanent restraining order. The one I have now could still put you in jail if I call security. Do you want that to happen?”
She said nothing, held his gaze for a moment longer, then shook her head, looking away. “No.”
Ludo sighed. “Look, Marianne, how many times do we have to go through this? I don’t want a relationship with you. I’m sorry I didn’t make that clear on the night we spent together. If the baby is mine, then I will support the child, but we still won’t be together. Do you understand?”
Marianne walked off toward the film set. Ludo stopped her. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to see which whore you’re fucking now, asshole. Hey,” she yelled over, ruining a take, “which one of you sluts is fucking Ludo now?”
The director scowled and Ludo sighed heavily. He looked over to the security team. “Guys …”
After the security men had taken Marianne away, the director spoke to Ludo in private. “We can’t have this keep happening, Ludo.”
“I know, Hal. I do. I’m trying. I have a team of lawyers working on it. Maybe if we closed the set?”
The director sighed. He liked Ludo Ricci very much and felt sorry for the man being harassed, but Marianne was a parasite. “I think we’ll have to, for now.”
He left Ludo alone. Ludo tugged out a packet of cigarettes, then realized he hadn’t actually had one for a long time. Since before he’d walked into Ellory Mackenzie’s office. Huh. He had smoked for years, so what was different now? Spending the day with Tahlia yesterday, who apparently loved food as much as he did, but didn’t smoke—he was mirroring her already?
Fuck it, I want to hear your voice. He dumped the cigarette packet in the trash and pulled out his phone.
“Hey, Ludo.”
Peace came over him as he smiled down the phone. “Hey, Tal …how are you? After last night?”
She hesitated, and he realized she thought he meant their almost kiss. “I mean, the cops …I hope they didn’t upset you.”
He heard her let out a long breath. “More unsettled than upset. They had some pretty grim theories. But enough about me, how are you?”
“Just had an unscheduled visit from Marianne.”
“Oh, hell.” He heard her moving around her house and pictured her there. “So we need to get you moved to Molly’s house asap. How soon can you get packed?”
“I’m here until six, then it will take a couple of hours, that’s all.”
“Okay. Okay.” He could tell Tahlia was beginning to strategize; he imagined her pacing around her living room, pushing her glasses up her nose. God …so hot. “So this is what we’ll do—all cloak and dagger, I’m afraid. We have to make sure you’re not followed. Take a cab and go to SeaTac. Then take another cab and ask them to take you to this address in Olympia. It’s an abandoned church in the middle of nowhere, so you’ll be able to tell if you’ve been followed. I’ll meet you there and bring you back to this island.”
Ludo chuckled. “You’ve missed your calling. You should be a spy.”
Tahlia laughed. “How do you know I’m not?”
“Good point. Tal, thank you. I mean it. You’re a sweetheart.”
“Shucks,” she said, and he knew she would be blushing. The girl couldn’t take a compliment. “Look, I’ll go make sure you’re all set for groceries—at least enough to keep you going. Anything you don’t eat?”
“Nothing.”
“Good man.” She laughed, and Ludo couldn’t help but notice that she seemed to have perked up during their call.
“Can I ask if you’ll let me cook for tonight, then?”
Tahlia laughed, a warm, low sound. “After yesterday, hell yes, Mr. Chef.”
“Good.” Ludo smiled down the phone. “So, around eight, then, at the abandoned church in Olympia.”
She chuckled again. “It does sound mad, doesn’t it?”
“I’ll see you later, cara mia. I can’t wait.”
Tahlia was still smiling when Ellory came out, dressed, onto the little balcony where she ate breakfast. She smiled up at him. “That was Ludo. He got a visit from the stalker this morning, on set, so we’ve decided to rush his move.”
Ellory sat down and grabbed a coffee cup. “Okay, well, that sounds sensible.”
Tahlia’s smile faded a little. “Ell …we need to talk.”
Ellory sipped his coffee. “About?”
“Us.” She could feel her face burning. “Ell, I adore you. You know that, right? You’re my best friend in this world and I could not have gotten through this last year without you.”
Ellory gave her a half-smile. “But …”
“But I don’t think I can do this …us …and the sleeping together part. I’m so scared of losing you, Ell. So scared. And if we continue down this path, you’re going to need something from me that I can’t give.”
Ellory looked away from her, then, and she felt awful, seeing the hurt on his face. “Ell, I’m so sorry. If it helps, I want to feel that way about you. I really do. It does seem right, but I just can’t help that I don’t feel that way about you. Maybe we’re too close, you know?”
Ellory smiled and touched her cheek. “Tally, don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay. Just let me get used to the idea of trying to not be in love with you.”
“Oh, god,” Tahlia moaned, and Ellory laughed.
“Kidding. Come here.” He pulled her onto his lap and hugged her. “I wouldn’t want anything to get in the way of our friendship, Tal, not even sex. One question—and be honest—did I railroad you into sleeping with me?”
“Of course not.” Tahlia was shocked, “Ell, I have wondered about you, you know. About you and me together, and I wanted you too, that first time. I would have stopped you if I didn’t.”
But you didn’t want him last night, and you didn’t stop him. Tahlia slid off his lap and picked up the coffee pot. “Want some more of this?”
Ellory shook his head. “I have some stuff to do at home. You’ve got Ludo’s situation handled?”
“It’s no problem. See you at work tomorrow.”
“Sure will.” He bent to kiss her mouth, remembered, and aimed for her cheek instead. Tahlia squeezed his hand.
“Love ya, big guy.”
“Love you, too, smudge. See you tomorrow.”
Tahlia let out a huge sigh of relief. That had been less painful than she had feared. Still, there was guilt …because she knew she hadn’t told Ellory the whole truth.
Ludo. God, she was blow
n away by how much she was looking forward to seeing him. She spent the whole day cleaning to distract herself, even stripping down her bed and throwing the linen into the washer. She told herself there was no motive behind that—after sex, sheets were always icky.
At six, she got in the shower, then deliberately put her most-worn, lilac t-shirt, old blue jeans, and Chuck Taylors on. No make-up, her glasses on her nose …but she did spend a little extra time blow-drying her long hair, so it fell in soft waves around her shoulders. Stop it, she told herself. He is your client. But by the time she steered the Plymouth onto the road to Olympia, her whole body was vibrating with excitement.
The cab driver peered up at the abandoned church doubtfully as Ludo pulled his case from the trunk. “Here? You sure?”
Ludo smiled, handing over a wad of cash. “Really.”
The cab driver’s eyes widened at the huge tip Ludo had just given him. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it. Listen, want me to hang around until your ride gets here?”
Ludo smiled and pointed along the dusty road. “No need. She’s here.”
The driver saw the Plymouth and whistled. “Sweet ride. She’s a beauty.”
Ludo chuckled. “You should see the driver. Thanks again.”
“Sure thing.” The cab driver gave him a fist bump and drove off. Ludo saw him staring at Thalia as she drove up, and then the guy gave him the thumbs up. Ludo was laughing when Thalia stepped out of the car.
“Hey, dude.”
“Hey yourself, Bella.” He kissed her cheek, and it was an almost inhuman feat not to kiss her sweet, pink mouth. He threw his case in the trunk and they set off. He studied her. The lilac of her shirt made her skin glow, accented the shape of her breasts. and clung to her belly. There was a strip of dusky skin between her shirt and the top of her faded blue jeans, which Ludo regretted noticing. It would haunt him, knowing how soft it was. He looked up and realized he’d been caught looking. Thalia grinned, shaking her head, and Ludo laughed.
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