by V. K. Sykes
Yeah, dude, you investigated all right. Investigated with your dick.
He could hear the ribbing now.
Last night, after he and Holly had gotten busy, they’d exchanged only a few words and then just let their bodies do the talking. And it had been amazing. Unlike that first time on the dock, they’d had so much more time to explore and experiment. Holly had been all over him, as focused on him as he’d been on her.
So why wasn’t he feeling on top of the world this morning? Because his gut was telling him that Holly was already in retreat mode, just like she’d been after they had sex on the dock. He fully expected her to tell him that nothing had changed between them, at least in terms of the circumstances of their lives. He knew her damn well after all these years, and he knew that’s where things were headed.
The hell of it was that he’d be more than willing to make changes—for his sake and for hers. But Holly wasn’t there yet. He couldn’t tell whether it was because she was afraid to risk her heart again after Drew or because she was too devoted to her career and new partnership to find time for a relationship. Or both. Micah honestly didn’t know, and it was driving him nuts.
Since all he could do was give her some space to figure out what she wanted, he decided to focus on work. That now meant having a quick chat with Crystal Murphy. He’d obviously woken her up, since she pulled open the door of her trailer wearing nothing but a short nightgown that unfortunately revealed quite a lot.
Didn’t need to see that.
Crystal wasn’t pleased about seeing him either, since she glared at him through the screen as she lit a cigarette.
“Hey, Crystal, sorry about dropping over so early.”
Crystal just shrugged and then took a long drag on her cigarette.
“I noticed you with Logan Cain last night at the social,” he said, keeping his gaze fixed firmly on her face. “I’ve got a couple of questions.”
Crystal still didn’t say anything but slightly rolled her eyes.
“So how do you two know each other anyway?” Micah asked.
She blew smoke sideways out of her mouth. “I met him on the boat a while ago. He’s easy to talk to.”
“Has he sold you Oxy or anything like that?”
Crystal’s eyes practically bugged out, and it took her a few long seconds to recover from his deliberately abrupt question. That reaction told Micah everything he needed to know.
“Hell no.”
“Come on, Crystal, you’re lying.”
She looked around as if she expected somebody to be listening. “Well, okay, he gave it a shot,” she admitted. “But I told him I have my own pills.”
When Micah didn’t answer right away, Crystal let out a weary sigh, looking like the weight of the world was bearing down on her. The woman did have a pretty tough life.
“That’s the truth, Micah, I promise,” she said.
He nodded. “Okay, I believe you. But I suggest you stay far away from Cain from now on.”
She gave him a quick nod and shut the door.
Their brief interaction had at least given him a useful snippet of information. Cain obviously was trying to sell drugs to some of the locals.
Micah got back into the cruiser and pulled onto the road, heading for the construction site. As he rounded the curve near the B&B, he saw Morgan trimming the wild rosebushes at the front of the inn’s yard, and she immediately spotted him too and waved.
Should he just wave and keep on going?
As much as he wanted to get to the site—and at Cain—he figured he’d better stop. Unless Holly had just called her in the last few minutes, Morgan was still in the dark about what happened last night. And she sure as hell wouldn’t think he was much of a friend if he just breezed by her now.
He braked and turned into her driveway, parking in the small graveled lot.
“Good morning, Deputy,” she said brightly as she strolled up to the cruiser. “I’m assuming you got my girl home safe and sound last night?”
The mischievous glint in her eye told Micah she was hoping he’d accomplished something more than simply playing chauffeur.
After a quick shower, Holly jumped into Florence’s car and headed straight for the B&B. Last night had been wild for so many reasons, and she’d wanted only to be with Micah. Boy, had she wanted to be with him.
This morning, however, was another story. Now she really needed her best friend. Her life was so messed up, and that was not something she could discuss with the guy who’d taken her up into the stratosphere four times last night. The same guy she was going to have to drop down to Earth today.
Micah had ripped away all her defenses last night, or so she wanted to tell herself. But she’d started it, brushing aside his concerns, and now she had to live with the emotion pouring out in a tidal wave that threatened to drown her. In some ways, last night had barely felt real. The ugly scene at the social, the break-in, and then the amazing night with Micah—she could almost convince herself that it had all happened to someone else.
But when she’d woken up this morning, alone and naked, everything had become real with a vengeance. The dominant question, of course, had been what she should do about Micah, whose touch was still branded on her very sated body. Other questions had then jostled their way into her brain, like how to deal with her aunts, the store, and her partners in New York. It all made her want to hide out in her bedroom for a week.
Absorbed by her thoughts, Holly almost missed the turn into the Merrifield Inn. Braking hard, she barely avoided swiping the mailbox before managing to straighten out and stop beside the old inn’s front porch. Only after she started to get out of the car did she realize that she’d just blown by the sheriff’s office cruiser. Micah’s cruiser.
Damn, damn, damn.
She so didn’t want to have to talk to him right now, not when she didn’t have a clue what she wanted to say. Actually, she didn’t even have a clue what she wanted when it came to him.
Okay, she did want to drag him back into the sack. That was a given.
Holly scrambled back into the car and shoved the keys into the ignition, thinking about the long odds on making a getaway without being noticed. Given the noise she’d just made with her botched turn into the driveway, those odds were probably close to zero. If she raced out now, she’d look like the lamest coward on the planet.
The issue became moot anyway when Micah strode out the front door and onto the porch. Though her mind froze, her body heated up in a nanosecond at the sight of him. Even though the guy had gotten virtually no sleep, he looked as sexy as ever. His heavy-lidded gaze and dark stubble made him look just a little rough and dangerous.
Dangerous to your heart, for sure.
He jogged down the steps to her car. Her legs felt like soggy spaghetti, so she didn’t even try to get out.
“Hey, I thought you would sleep in a bit,” he said with a warm smile. “You were really out.”
“Yep, I was pretty tired.”
He frowned slightly at her terse response. “Are you okay? I wanted to stay, but I also wanted to get out early. You know, keep the gossip down.”
Holly nodded. He was being so sweet, which made her feel even worse. “I’m fine. Listen, thank you for… for everything, Micah. You certainly went above and beyond the call of duty.” She mentally cringed at how awful that sounded, but nerves were twisting her tongue into knots.
He blew out an exasperated breath. “It was no duty, babe. The furthest thing from it.”
They were treading into dangerous territory, so it was time to deflect. “Did you tell Morgan what happened last night?” When his eyebrows ticked up, she waved a hand. “About the break-in, I mean.”
“Just the basics,” he said drily. “About the break-in, I mean.”
This time, she didn’t manage to hide her wince.
“I’m afraid she’s not real happy with you right now,” he said.
“I should have called her,” she said. “I’ll talk to her now
.”
“I called the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and spoke to one of the detectives about the break-in,” he said. “Did you call your aunts yet?”
Good, back to business. “Yes, I spoke to Beatrice just before I left the house.”
“How did she sound? It must have been a hell of a shock.”
Totally freaked out. “She was very upset, as you can imagine. I told her there was no need for her to rush home, but she insisted on coming back for a while. She’s going to catch an afternoon ferry.”
He hesitated for a couple of moments. “Did you ask her about the hydrocodone?”
“Yes. That bottle was on her dresser, just like I said.”
“Okay, I’ll include that in my report.” Then he sighed, suddenly looking very weary. “Man, what a mess.”
Her chest pulled tight with a combination of worry and guilt. “Micah, I’m so sorry. I wish I could do something to help.”
“You did a lot of helping a few hours ago,” he said, his mouth quirking up. “That was amazing help.”
Heat flushed through her body. She stared up at him, at a loss for words.
“You could probably use some space now,” he said, taking a step back. “But if you want me to keep an eye on your place again tonight, just call, okay?”
He was letting her off the hook, and that, perversely, made her feel… deflated.
“Thanks, but Beatrice said she might stay the night. She’s been a total trouper through all this, but I think she’s just about had it with trying to sleep at the hospital.”
Micah briefly cupped her cheek. She wanted so badly to lean into his big hand.
“Okay, babe,” he said. “But whatever you need, just ask.”
She had to force the words past her tight vocal cords. “I will. Thanks, Micah.”
He slid his sunglasses down and settled his gun belt on his hips.
The lawman has returned.
“Well, now it’s time I said good morning to Mr. Cain and Mr. Horton,” he said. “I’ll keep you posted on what I find out.”
A shiver rolled down Holly’s back. The thief who had trashed her house struck her as a dangerous bastard. She hated the idea of Micah confronting either of those guys.
“Please be extra careful today,” she said.
“Always.” Micah turned and strode away to his cruiser, not looking back.
Chapter 24
I can’t believe you didn’t call me last night,” Morgan affectionately scolded Holly at the door. “You should never have to go through something like that alone.”
“I wasn’t alone. Or didn’t Micah mention that?”
“That’s not the same. He’s a guy.”
Yeah, I noticed. “Are you going to invite me in for coffee or interrogate me here at the door?”
Morgan gave her a sheepish smile. “Sorry, sweetie. Let’s go sit in the kitchen and scarf down some blueberry scones.”
“Thanks, but I’ll stick to coffee. My stomach…”
“I’m sure. I probably wouldn’t eat for a week if a break-in happened here.” Morgan led the way to the kitchen and gently prodded Holly into a chair at the big table. “Micah told me about what the guy stole,” she said as she poured coffee. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. And poor Florence… that gorgeous brooch. It had to be worth a bomb.”
“I just wish I didn’t have to tell her that now, not in her condition.” Holly and Beatrice had talked about how to handle that problem and agreed that the news should come from both of them—but only after the doctors gave the go-ahead.
“So tell me exactly what happened,” Morgan said.
Holly filled her in. Her pal shook her head and made sympathetic noises, occasionally patting her hand. Things started to get dicey, however, when Holly tried to dance around the issue of what happened later with Micah. Morgan was obviously trying not to be too pushy, but her expression of curiosity mixed with disbelief made it clear she was starting to figure things out.
Oh, what the hell.
“And then… I ended up sleeping with Micah,” Holly blurted out.
Morgan blinked a few times. “Uh, okay.”
“And don’t ask me how it happened. It just did. It was insane, I know, but there it is. I have absolutely no reasonable explanation.”
Except that Micah was incredibly sexy and wonderful, and the only man she’d ever met who could compare to Drew.
Morgan rolled her eyes. “No, it’s completely understandable. To have something like that happen to you again is way beyond horrible. And Micah… well, he’s Micah. Big and strong and super-protective, and dependable as the day is long. Not to mention the fact that he’s been jonesing for you for years.”
“Yes, and I took advantage of all that. I feel awful about it.”
Not about the sex though, nor how good she’d felt wrapped in his embrace. No sane woman would feel bad about any of that.
Morgan scoffed. “Oh, stop it.”
“And it wasn’t the first time, I’m afraid.”
Her friend jerked upright in her seat. “No!”
“Yes. We did it the night of Lily’s party too.”
No matter how much Morgan might press her, Holly would not reveal the details. What had happened with Micah that night felt too private and too special to talk about even with her best friend.
Morgan whistled. “Holy Mother Mary. You have been holding out on me big-time, haven’t you?”
“I’m really sorry. It was only because it’s not something I’m proud of. It’s just I seem to get weak and stupid around Micah these days. When I’m with him, I want him so much.” She sighed and rested her forehead on her palms. “But it’s just not something that could work out in the long run.”
“You’re not stupid and you’re not weak. And enough with the never-ending guilt trips, Holly. Seriously.” Morgan poked her in the arm, making her look up. “All I want to know now is how it felt when Micah was making love to you. Not what you were thinking—what you were feeling. Because I bet you were feeling pretty damn good, and not just physically.”
Holly couldn’t deny that. She’d suffered a few pangs of guilt and anxiety during the night, until Micah started kissing her again. Then she’d been able to forget everything but the man beside her in bed.
Or on top of her. Or underneath her. They’d done it all, and Holly was still shamefully eager for more.
“Pretty damn good is something of an understatement when it comes to our deputy sheriff,” she said, trying for a lighter tone.
Morgan lifted a hand. “I rest my case. And it happened when you started to open up to him and listen to your heart, instead of coming up with reasons to push him away. It’s okay to listen to your heart every once in a while. It’s okay to be vulnerable.”
Holly mentally grimaced. For years, she’d instinctively rebelled against that very thing. “Not to be too dramatic, but ever since Drew died, I feel like I’ve only got half a heart. And sometimes that even feels like too much.” She scrunched up her nose. “I know that makes me a total wimp.”
“Not even close. You’ve had way more loss at your age than anyone should have to bear. But to say you’ve only got half a heart is just crap. You’ve got a whole one, and it’s a big, beautiful, generous heart that wants to love again.”
Then her friend reached across and took her hand, looking her firmly in the eye. “You can’t let Drew’s death define you forever, because you deserve more than that. And I know Drew would agree with me.”
Holly flinched.
“Yeah, I know, I’m an awful person and you should tell me to shut up,” Morgan said quietly. “But I love you way too much to see you wasting your life on idiots like Jackson Leigh. All I want is for you to be happy again. And really happy, not just busy with your career. That’s cool and all, but it doesn’t get you where you live.” She tapped her chest, right over her heart.
When Holly didn’t answer, Morgan started to look impatient. “Look, Holly, I know you better than anybody. Y
ou need meaningful work but you need love too. And right now you’ve only got one of them.”
Morgan was right, but the words of agreement seemed to stick in Holly’s throat. She managed a tight nod.
“So you probably hate me now, right?” her friend asked, looking comically rueful. “Well, I have a pitcher of lemonade in the fridge. You can dump it over my head if it would make you feel better.”
Holly choked out a laugh. “Stop being silly. I love you more than life itself, and I’m just glad and grateful that you’re being honest with me. I mean it.”
“Whew, that’s a relief,” Morgan said, fanning herself.
“You’re probably right about everything,” Holly said with a sigh. “Now I just have to find a way to actually believe it.” She tapped her hand against her chest. “In my heart.”
“Cain and Horton, round two,” Micah said out the window of his cruiser.
Walter Okrent, the site superintendent at the ecoresort, rolled his eyes. “Jesus Murphy, man, you don’t give up, do you? You’re a pain in my ass, Lancaster. Don’t you know we’re trying to get a resort built here before the end of the century?”
Micah chuckled. “Just a few more questions, Walter. Ten minutes, tops.”
The crusty old super took a step back from the Tahoe. “Okay, those two are doing some shoveling out front this morning.” He waved at Micah to go ahead.
Micah parked as close as he could to the resort building and then headed toward the main entrance with its spectacular ocean view. A small crew was laying down crushed stone for the paved walkways, and a Caterpillar backhoe was digging a trench on the other side of the entrance. There was no foreman in sight.
He did, however, spot his two prime suspects.
Cain glanced up at Micah and poked his friend. Horton looked startled for a few seconds, then shook his head disgustedly. Both men leaned on their long-handled shovels, trying hard to look both casual and badass.
And failing at both, as far as Micah was concerned.
“Wow, Deputy,” Cain said with a smirk, “I guess you enjoyed my company so much last night that you couldn’t stay away.”