by Lori Foster
“I’m hoping so,” Wade said under his breath. Not many women surprised him, but she had, showing up at an event like this. And the way she’d gone from simple beauty to glamorous, like flipping a switch? He couldn’t wait to find out what other surprises she had in store for him.
“Well, well, well. You’ve certainly been keeping some hot secrets, haven’t you?” Nina murmured. Molly’s friend looked like a million bucks, literally. Like Wade, she came from old money. People at the clinic couldn’t believe Nina had chosen to intern there instead of at some high-profile, ritzy research hospital.
“No. Not at all,” Molly rushed to reassure her. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Please, Molly. You’re trying to conceal it, but it’s written all over your face.” Her friend arched her brow. “You and Wade King?”
She tried to make her face unreadable, to hide how anxious being that close to him made her. “Me and Wade King what?”
“I’d heard he quit his father’s law firm and is dabbling with a new career.” Nina sipped her Chardonnay. “So he’s your police officer, huh?”
“Don’t say it like that,” she said, even as her stomach heated at the thought of him being hers. “He’s the patrol officer I told you about. The one who stopped that man who attacked me.”
Nina shivered suddenly, pulling Molly in for a hug. “Thank God Wade was there. I mean, I know you’ve learned to take care of yourself, but it sounds like the guy was much bigger and stronger than you. How are your hands?”
Molly looked down at the white gloves covering her abraded palms. “They’re doing okay. But I might have to leave in a little bit.”
“You just got here. You can’t abandon me yet, no matter how nervous Officer Wade King makes you.”
“He doesn’t make me nervous.”
“He would if you could see how he’s looking at you right now. He looks positively…hungry, darling, despite all the waiters carrying around smoked salmon, braised beef and caviar.”
Automatically, Molly turned in the direction that Nina was looking. Sure enough, Wade was standing with his grandfather and two other men, one who resembled Wade so much he could only be his father, but his attention was on Molly. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes lit with an intense glow. She suddenly couldn’t breathe. She heard a buzzing noise in her ears and was barely able to make out Nina’s next words.
“In fact, you’re looking pretty starved yourself, Molly. Come on, let’s get you what you need.” Nina tucked her arm into the crook of Molly’s and led her toward Wade.
Just then a dark-haired, handsome man came up just behind Wade. Recognizing him, Molly gasped. She pulled her arm away from Nina’s and walked in the other direction.
“I see you’ve got your eye on Nina again,” Wade’s father, Thomas King, said. “That’s good. Despite her philanthropic little hobby at the local clinic, she’d make an appropriate match for you.”
Wade barely refrained from rolling his eyes. To his father, an appropriate match had nothing to do with love, common respect or shared interests, but pedigree and political clout. Until Molly had mentioned Nina the night before, Wade had forgotten Nina had interned at the clinic. Even if he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have taken his concerns about his grandfather to her. He liked her, but he didn’t know her well enough to know if he could trust her with sensitive information like that. Yet he wholeheartedly trusted Molly, a woman he’d only recently come to know.. He knew she’d be discreet.
Even if he wasn’t being so himself.
Hell, discreet was the last thing he was being.
With the way he was looking at Molly, he might as well club her over the head and drag her into the nearest bedroom. He couldn’t seem to help himself. That’s exactly how primal he was feeling. His attraction to her was unbelievably strong, and it was only his duty to his grandfather that was keeping him from doing something about it.
Because despite her wariness, he knew she was attracted to him too.
She kept sneaking little glances at him, and he wanted to answer the curiosity in her gaze with more than just words, but again, this was neither the time nor the place. Soon, he thought, he’d have to explore his connection to the little yank more thoroughly.
Quite thoroughly.
“Can you believe Nina invited that little bitch here?”
At the venomous words, Wade frowned. He turned to the speaker, Elliott Grange, the governor’s nephew, who was standing just behind him.
“Elliott,” Grandpa Paul snapped. “Language.”
“I’m sorry, Paul, but Nina’s friend is a gold digger on the prowl. I should know. She was trying to dig her claws into me a few months ago before I finally had to ditch her.”
Wade stared at Elliott. He’d never liked the man, and he immediately recognized his words for what they were—sour grapes. There was more to it than that, though. Elliott looked positively dangerous as he glared at Molly.
Wade sized him up. He was about the same height as the man who’d attacked Molly in the parking lot. Despite the anger and suspicion swirling through him, Wade grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to Elliott. He caught his grandfather’s gaze, and Grandpa Paul winked before turning away to speak with Thomas.
Damn, looked like his Grandpa was his usual sharp self. Wade was relieved as he turned to Elliott.
“So who is she? And how come I’ve never heard of her?” Wade asked.
Elliott snorted. “Maybe because you do everything you can to avoid coming to these types of functions. I’m surprised you’re here now. Molly Peterson’s an old college friend of Nina’s, recently moved to Charleston after her grandparents died. They were in the movie business in Hollywood before moving south.”
He said “movie business” with a distinct sneer. Cocky little shit. Like he’d accomplished anything besides learning how to spend his father’s money and bossing around people whose respect he hadn’t yet earned.
“She’s pretty,” Wade said, tossing out the bait.
“She’s okay. Nina’s a whole helluva lot more beautiful. But the bitch has nerve, thinking I’d want anything to do with her.”
“You tell her that?” Wade asked.
“I sure did.”
Elliott must be the guy Molly had dumped. No wonder Molly had been reluctant to go out with Wade. With his comment about his grandfather being of a certain social stature and needing to exercise discretion, she probably assumed he was no better than Elliott. That annoyed him a little. Not enough to make him give up on the pull between them, but it irked him. Oh, maybe on the phone she would make that kind of assumption, but they’d met face-to-face. She’d seen for herself that he worked the streets, in a job as blue collar as anyone’s. He’d have hoped she’d give him the benefit of the doubt, but it looked like Little Miss Independent needed a lesson in not judging others just as much as Elliott did.
Well, maybe not quite as much.
“You’re such a prick, Elliott,” Wade said, leaving the other man staring at him openmouthed. “You always have been and you always will be.”
“What’s wrong with you, Wade? You got a thing for that little—”
“Don’t,” he drawled. “You’ll regret it.” He stared at Elliott for several seconds, daring the man to defy him. He didn’t. “Someone attacked Miss Peterson yesterday outside her office. You can bet, no matter what their background, I’m going to find out who it was and I’m going to make that person really sorry.”
Elliott sputtered. “What? I didn’t—I wouldn’t. Are you crazy? I was on a date last night—all night—with someone much more deserving of my time and attention. If you don’t believe me, I’ll give you her name and number and you can call her.”
“You do that, because I’ll be checking into it. By the way…do you like licorice?”
“Licorice? What kind of question is that?”
“Just a question. Someone was telling me about a drink. Coffee and sambuca. It’s supposed to taste lik
e licorice. You ever try it?”
“I’ve had sambuca neat. I found it disgusting,” he sneered. “Your friend must have horrible taste.”
“Right. Like I said. You’re a prick. And I’d lay off the sambuca for a while.”
Elliott’s scowl was turning uglier by the second. “I just told you—”
“Excuse me, I need to speak with my grandfather.” Wade turned, walked to his grandfather and waited politely until the older man finished his conversation and turned to him. “We going hunting, Wade?”
Thomas frowned. “What’s he talking about?”
“It’s a private joke, Dad. Grandpa, would you like to talk to my friend, Ms. Peterson, some more?”
“Ms. Peterson?” his father said, but Wade and his grandfather ignored him.
“Don’t mind if I do. She seemed perfectly delightful. Reminded me of my sweet Pearl, may she rest in peace.”
“Wonderful. Let’s go.”
He saw Molly slip onto the patio and led his grandfather toward her.
Chapter Five
Molly took in the sight of the garden grounds. It was gorgeous and reminded her of the greenhouses in California her grandparents had taken her to when she was little. She glanced at her watch, literally ticking down every second until she could leave. Nina was her best friend and didn’t enjoy these things any more than she did, otherwise she’d never have come. But a promise was a promise and—
“Molly.” The smooth and sexy male voice came from behind her. “Are you enjoying yourself? It’s sure beautiful out here.”
She turned and saw Wade and his grandfather coming toward her. She smiled. “Yes, it certainly is.”
His father called out to him from inside. “Wade, can you please come here. There’s someone important I want to introduce you to.”
The implication being that he didn’t think Molly was important. Wade gritted his teeth. “I apologize for my father’s rudeness. Would you excuse me for just a minute? Grandpa, do you want to come with me or—”
“We can chat a little while you’re gone,” Molly said. “That is, if you’d like,” she said as she looked at Paul, who smiled.
“I’d be delighted, young lady.”
“I’ll be right back,” Wade said, his expression grim as he stalked toward his father. By the way they spoke, Molly could tell Wade wasn’t afraid to get into it with his father no matter where they were.
She was growing more fond of him every time she saw him. Could he really be what he’d presented himself to be? A kind, charming man who adored his grandfather. A cop devoted to protecting and serving others. Even his inability to completely ignore his rude father indicated he was a man with a high degree of integrity. But past experience had taught her that first impressions could be deceiving.
“I adore my grandson, but my son sometimes acts like a bag of wind. Lizzy saw something in him, though, and once in a while Thomas reminds me why. I try to remember that. I apologize for his rudeness.”
“Lizzy is Wade’s mother?”
“She was. She’s gone now, just like my Pearl.” He looked wistful, and she automatically thought of Boyd and the young wife he’d lost. It hurt to lose those you loved. She knew that from experience, even if the only loved ones she’d lost were her own grandparents. That was painful enough, and she couldn’t imagine losing a spouse who was supposed to be with you when you were old and wrinkly.
Her eyes instinctively sought out Wade. He put his life on the line every time he went to work. She barely knew him and the idea that he could get gunned down, that his vibrant life force could be extinguished, made her sad.
“Are you ready to go duck hunting, Molly?”
She jolted at Paul’s words. She studied him intently, but his eyes were clear. “Um— Right now?”
“I’ve got the hunting dogs waiting for us. As soon as Wade returns, we can be on our way.”
She gave an exaggerated grimace and took his arm, leading him away from the elderly couple that was walking toward them. “To tell you the truth, sir, I’m not that fond of hunting. I’m quite squeamish about it, actually. Especially since I inherited my grandfather’s parrot and became friends with the little guy.”
“A parrot?” Paul looked intrigued.
“Yes. He belonged to my grandfather. His name is Gator and he quotes lines from action-movie heroes. He’s even starred in a couple of movies himself.”
“How delightful. I’d have loved to meet him if I weren’t going duck hunting.”
She tilted her head. “Perhaps I can arrange for you to meet him later tonight. After your hunt, if you like.”
“Yes, that would be wonderful.”
“I’ll arrange for it with Wade?”
“Yes. Please do.” He squinted, deepening the wrinkles around his eyes, and took a good look at her. “You’ve got stunning eyes, my dear. Reminds me a little of my Pearl. She had fire in her eyes, too.”
“Me? Fire?” She put a hand to her chest. “Well, Paul…nobody’s ever said that to me before.”
“I know fire when I see it.” He nodded, clearly in his own world. “Wish I weren’t going duck hunting so soon. It would’ve been nice to spend more time with you.”
His eyes were still clear, but something was obviously off. “We’re on for tonight, though. Don’t forget.”
He nodded again. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Wade returned then.
Her belly flipped, but she simply smiled. “Wade, I need to be going to work, but your grandfather mentioned the, uh, duck hunting. He said he could stop by the clinic to meet Gator before he goes, though.”
Concern immediately flashed across Wade’s face.
Automatically, she placed a hand on his forearm, trying to reassure him. She felt his muscles tighten before the jolt of electricity zipped up her arm. She dropped her hand.
“Do you think you can be there by nine?”
He glanced at his watch. “Yes. You’ll be there?”
He looked so uncertain and worried about his grandfather.
It melted her heart and made her long to comfort the strong male in front of her. Both of them. “Yes. I’ll be there.” She turned to Paul. “Until then, sir.”
Grandpa Paul picked up her hand and kissed it. She turned to Wade. This time, he kissed her gloved hand as well. Before he released her, she went with instinct and stepped forward to hug him. He jerked in surprise, but she held on and patted his back. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered. “We’ll find out what’s going on. I promise.”
He held himself stiff for a second, then nodded and gently kissed her below her ear. She stifled a gasp at the flames of heat that swept through her, and drew back.
He stared at her. Nodded his head. And whispered, “Thank you, Molly.”
Chapter Six
An hour later, they left the gala and Wade used his own car to take his grandfather straight to the medical clinic. It was the best situation, really. Anyone who might care where his grandfather was was already at the gala, so that lessened their chances of being “found out.”
The parking lot of the medical clinic was even emptier than it had been last night, but Wade saw Molly’s small white hatchback. Something inside him fluttered with anticipation as he parked his car beside hers, then walked his grandfather into the building. They passed by Danny McKinney, the guard who’d been on his rounds when Molly had been attacked. The same one who’d provided Wade with the security tape from last night, the same security tape that showed him squat. Tonight, the sullen-faced young man directed him to an office a few hallways down.
As they walked, Wade remembered the convenience store on the other side of the parking lot. If it had a security system and cameras set up, it’s possible they’d caught a glimpse of Molly’s attacker. He made a mental note to find out.
When they entered her office, Molly was sitting by herself and talking on the phone. She’d changed into casual clothes and was sitting behind a small glass partition, the fluorescent
lighting making the bruises on her face stand out far more than they had earlier.
She looked up at him, smiled politely and pointed a finger in an “I’ll be with you in just a minute” gesture.
But one thing she also did was blush, a pretty, feminine shade of pink that had him immediately wanting to take off her clothes and see if her skin was that pretty all over her body. He just bet it would be.
“Good taste continues to run in our family,” his granddad said. “She’s a pretty one. Seems smart, too.”
“Yes.”
“And kind.”
“Yes.”
“She brave?”
Wade thought of the way she’d fought off her attacker last night. The way she’d tried so hard to hold it together afterward. The way she’d refused to let him in her house the next morning until she’d called the station and confirmed who he was.
“Definitely. But she’s already turned me down.”
His grandpa’s eyes narrowed as if he were trying to figure out what he meant.
“I invited her for coffee earlier today and she politely declined.”
Instead of looking disappointed, his grandfather looked amused. “You’ve got King blood running through your veins, so I’m sure you won’t let a little thing like that stop you.”
Wade had never really talked about women with his grandfather, so he didn’t know how to answer that. He was right, of course, but still.
When his granddad didn’t say anything else, Wade turned to him. “Well?”
“Well what? I said you had great taste. I’m just wondering why you’re still sitting here with me when she’s off the phone.”
Wade stood as she approached them, a smile on her face and Gator perched on her shoulder. “Hello, Wade. Sir. It’s so nice to see you again.”
She nodded her head at Grandpa Paul, who beamed.
“Pleasure to see you again, ma’am. Thank you for making time for my grandson to come calling. He’s certainly smitten with you.”
She looked at Wade and gave a nervous laugh when he didn’t refute the statement.