“Smart girl. You don’t even sign with your name?” He paused. “Is Violet James your real name?”
“It is. But for the card, I use my middle name…and I scribble.” She placed her hand on his. The immediate zing made her realize—yet again—just how real he was, how alive and how seriously sexy. No way, she thought. Don’t go there. Quickly she removed her hand. “Please, JD. This day has been such a gift. It’s the very least I can do. Please.” She waited for the reactions she was more accustomed to, either the happy acquiescence of a man who was attracted to her for her money and fame, or the injured pride of a man who knew she was richer than him and resented it.
But JD only smiled. “You won’t try to pay every time, right?”
She stilled. “We aren’t doing this again.”
“Of course we are. We’ve barely scratched the surface of the glories of Austin, and anyway, you need a running partner. Can’t have you getting soft. It was nearly too late already.” Mischief shone in his grin.
She smiled in response, then narrowed her eyes. “I’ll be running rings around you before you know it.”
He laughed. “You talk mighty big, sugar. I think I can see how you came to be so successful.” He glanced at his watch. “Oh, man, we gotta hurry.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you out so long. Do cabs come all the way out here? I could catch one and you could go on.”
He studied her. “I said we, Violet. There’s one more thing we need to do, though you’ve probably already seen it.”
“What?”
“The bats. But you might have already watched them from your room.”
“Bats?”
“There’s a bat colony that lives under the Congress Avenue bridge, about a million and a half of them. They swarm out at sunset, and it’s quite the sight. I’m surprised Sophie didn’t mention it.” He smiled. “Maybe she thinks you’re too sophisticated for that.”
She liked that he didn’t. “If you don’t argue and let me pay, we can be out of here sooner.”
“Go for it,” he said easily. “But we have a deal, right? My turn next time. Oh, but first you have to tell me your middle name.”
“I don’t know you well enough.”
His eyebrows rose. “A mystery. I love a good puzzler.”
“You’ll have to work for this one.” She placed her card on the bill and signaled the server, still keeping her head down. This dim corner booth had been a blessing because few people could see her, but she wasn’t going to push her luck. These last couple of hours had been just what she’d needed.
When the receipt lay on the table, she signed quickly, using her other hand to hide the name on it from him, the way she had in school to keep someone from copying from her. This was too crazy. JD made her feel like a teenager again.
She jumped up and waited for him to rise from the booth. As they walked out, she kept her head turned toward him, and he drew her closer, one hand on her hip.
His touch was a warmth she couldn’t ignore, caused an awareness she didn’t want. Just a bodyguard, she reminded herself. He’s doing a favor for a friend, that’s all.
But she’d had more fun today than she’d had in months. Only now, contrasting JD’s warmth to Barry’s cool distance, did she realize what a desert her marriage had been. How she’d deluded herself because she’d needed to believe that she could find a real love that lasted.
“Almost there,” JD murmured as they approached his truck. He hit the key fob to unlock the doors, but as he’d done before, instead of going around to his door, he opened hers.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Are you kidding? My mom would tan my hide if I didn’t hold a door for a lady.”
Southern manners. She’d missed them. “Well, we wouldn’t want to upset your mom, now would we?”
“You got that right.” He smiled. “Come on, Robin. Let’s head for the Bat Cave.”
She chuckled and climbed in.
Thirty minutes later, they were on the north shore of Lady Bird Lake, tucked in a relatively secluded spot away from the crowds gathered on boats and on both shores flanking the bridge, yet still with a view that should give her a good look at the bat flight.
Violet’s eyes went wide and she bounced on her toes at the sight of the boiling cloud swarming out of the roost, her childlike pleasure getting to him in a way he couldn’t afford to let it.
“That’s amazing!” She swiveled toward him, her gaze alight with wonder. “I can’t believe this has been happening every evening, and I’ve missed it. Thank you so much!”
Her delight warmed him, and he realized with a start that her outrageous beauty no longer gobsmacked him because her personality was even more magnetic.
Whoa, boy. Don’t go liking her so much you forget why you’re here. She’s a means to an end, a key to your case. But that felt wrong in a way he’d never experienced on the job.
Then Violet turned to him again, joy beaming, and their eyes locked. Held.
When she finally looked away, he wanted to stop her, to stop time, to have the luxury of simply enjoying being with her. She was nothing like he’d expected. She might be a fantasy for millions, an idol, a dream lover…but he wondered how many people knew the real Violet.
And why in the hell any man would even notice other women existed if Violet belonged to him. Bastard.
No. Oh, no. This was not personal, could not ever be. He had a job to do, and he couldn’t allow himself to get distracted from his goal—bringing down the trafficking ring and saving lives. To keep himself from making a big mistake, he dredged up mental images of the bodies he’d seen only a few nights before, the young, innocent victims who were the reason he was here at all.
While his fingers itched to draw Violet close, instead, he made himself back away, put a step between them.
A job. She’s just a job.
Violet noticed the distance and looked back. “You okay?”
Face grim, he nodded. “I have to go.”
The light went out of her. “Oh. Of course. I’ve taken up enough of your day.” She put additional space between them and started toward where they’d parked.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I—I have an appointment I can’t miss.” Very smooth, JD.
“I understand. You’ve been terribly kind to give me so much of your time.”
He could sense the hurt his abrupt excuse had caused. Damn it. This was an intolerable position to be in, and he hadn’t even probed for information on Lofton yet. “I had a great time, Violet.” That much was true, though he had no business having fun.
She angled her head partway toward him. “I did, too. I appreciate your going to so much trouble, even if it was only for Sophie’s sake.”
Man, he’d made a hash of this. He gripped her elbow and turned her to face him. “I might have said yes because Sophie asked, but Sophie’s not here now. I meant what I said. I like you.”
A smile of scant mirth. “And that surprises you.”
“It shouldn’t. I know how much more complex Zane is than his reputation, and he’s as famous as you.”
“But?”
He shrugged. “No buts.” He wished he could separate business from pleasure with her. That might be the strongest reason to get to the bottom of her relationship with Avery Lofton, so that he didn’t have to keep walking this line that made him feel like a fraud.
Hell, he was a fraud, who was he kidding? He never got confused about his role undercover, ever.
But this time was different somehow. Because this woman was different, unique.
Not because she was famous or beautiful—though God knew looking at her was no hardship—or probably rich enough to buy and sell him many times over, but simply because
something in her spoke to something in him at a level he hadn’t experienced before.
It scared the crap out of him. He couldn’t do his job if he felt something for her, if she became important.
He needed to back off nearly as badly as he wanted to draw her close; he needed to be near her nearly as much as he wanted to run away.
The job. Focus on the job. Save wondering about the rest for later.
He didn’t have the information he was here to obtain, it was that simple.
That complicated.
“Is your dance card full tomorrow?” he asked with a lightness of tone he didn’t remotely feel.
She studied him for a long moment. “No, but I’ll be fine. You have a job and a life. I appreciate the day, but you’ve discharged your duty to Sophie, and I’ll tell her that.”
Neither the cop nor the man wanted to hear that. “So if I called you tomorrow, you wouldn’t even consider another adventure?”
She appeared torn. “Why would you want to?” When he didn’t answer immediately, she went on, “I mean, yes, I’m Violet James—” here she made air quotes with her fingers “—but I’d hoped we were beyond that. Are we?”
He felt her slipping away. “I thought we were, and I’m sorry as hell if you can’t see beyond your position as queen of the universe.”
Her jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, hell.” He rubbed his forehead. He was so damn tired. “I didn’t mean that. Most people think of me as easygoing and that’s generally true, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a temper. My family would tell you that it doesn’t make an appearance often, but when it does, it’s evil. I’m really sorry about that.”
She subsided. “It’s okay. I know I sound paranoid and probably whiny when I have no right to complain, given all my blessings, but…” She sighed. “It’s just…I try to believe the best of people, to remember where I’m from and the world view I was brought up with. But sometimes I get fooled by those I let in, like the assistant who took some of my lingerie and sold it on the internet.”
He couldn’t help a bark of laughter.
Her expression was rueful. “I know. It sounds absurd, doesn’t it? But would she have done that to a friend? She never even thought of me as a real person who could be embarrassed. It hurts when I think people like me because I’m a celebrity, not because I’m me. And boy, doesn’t that just make you want to puke, hearing me complain when many have it so much worse in life?”
“You had every right to feel embarrassed and hurt.”
She sighed. “I try really hard not to get out of touch, to remember what’s real, but…” She lifted her gaze to his. “I’m the one who needs to say I’m sorry. Let’s try this again.”
She took a deep breath. “I had a lovely day, and I’m grateful you would take time out of what is no doubt a busy schedule to squire me around, especially after how I behaved last night. If, after you leave and have a chance to think about it, you decide you’re up for more punishment—” here she smiled wryly “—at the hands of a woman who clearly has issues.” She shook her head and gave a self-conscious laugh. “Then, yes, please call me tomorrow, should you find yourself with more time to spare. But don’t do it for Sophie, okay? I’ll make sure she takes you off the hook. And I will absolutely understand if you aren’t available.” Then she flashed a genuine grin that made him like her even more. “Or interested, for that matter. I do get that I’m not without my negatives.”
Damn it. He couldn’t afford to fall for her.
But what man could turn down a woman like that?
“It’s a deal. Any particular time better for me to call than another?”
“Not really. I mean, I have an old friend who comes by in the mornings occasionally, but I can still take your call. Make it convenient for yourself.”
An old friend who comes by in the mornings. Holly Patterson would know Lofton’s pattern already, but having this discussion with Violet would help him steer clear of any chance of crossing paths with Lofton and getting on his radar before JD was ready.
“Will do. Now, madam, much as parting is sweet sorrow…”
“You’re not the one on vacation. Got it.”
He proffered an elbow. “Your chariot awaits, my queen.”
“Why, thank you, kindly knight.” She took his arm with a quick curtsy.
Oh, damn. He really did not want to like her this much.
CHAPTER SEVEN
VIOLET AWOKE EARLY but didn’t remain in bed long. Unlike too many of the mornings since she’d arrived, she was no longer drained by an exhaustion that seemed to go bone-deep. Instead, she was energized and ready to greet the day. This was more like her normal state. She’d never become blasé over the fame and success that had come her way. It was her basic nature to be energetic and enthusiastic about life, she’d certainly been raised that way.
The morning held new promise, and she knew who to thank.
One very hot not-bodyguard.
Easy, girl. But she grinned widely at the thought of JD Cameron, all gorgeous six feet of him. Yes, as she’d told him, she was surrounded by handsome men so often that she dismissed them, and, yes, he was as good-looking as any of them—but to her delight, she’d learned that he was not simply playing the charm game…he was the real deal.
Mostly because he was so much fun.
Sure, he was smooth and clever, but prolonged exposure to him the day before had taught her that she’d gotten him all wrong at the party. His smooth ways were genuine; he was thoughtful and kind. And full of mischief. Quick to smile and intelligent, to boot. She couldn’t recall when she’d last had a more fun day. He’d given her an extraordinary gift by simply being himself and allowing her to do the same. He didn’t curry her favor, and he was secure enough to argue with her over the bill for dinner but also to accept her need to pay it.
They may have had an awkward moment or two, especially there at the end, but that was more her fault than his. She could trust him. Even if Sophie hadn’t recommended him and the lovely MacAllister clan hadn’t taken him to its bosom so heartily, she just had this strong sense of who he was.
Her family would like him. He would fit right in.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. None of that is-he-the-one thinking.
There was nothing wrong, though, with getting involved with an interesting and—oh, yeah, baby—sexy man. He liked her, too, and that certainly soothed some of the ragged edges of her heart. Maybe her dream wasn’t dead, if such a decent and honorable man found her appealing when she wasn’t in star mode. She’d been herself yesterday, the Violet James who’d grown up in Tennessee.
She rolled out her yoga mat on the lovely balcony that faced the lake where, until last night, she’d had no idea a whole colony of bats lived. She could have been watching them every evening instead of sleeping her life away or burying her nose in a book or having a pity party.
But in truth, she wouldn’t have traded anything for experiencing them for the first time, up close and personal.
And, okay…with JD.
She hoped he’d call. Which made her smile at herself because in that moment she could hear herself as a girl, sighing over some jock. It was the modern age, and she could call him if she wanted him, or she could have any number of men available to squire her around.
But she wanted the one with the wheat-gold hair and the long-lashed eyes that could be sparkling silver or storm-cloud gray.
Oh, girlfriend, you have the beginnings of what sounds suspiciously like a crush.
So what? A good crush got your blood pumping. Violet smiled and began her stretches to greet this glorious day.
* * *
JD WAS LATE TO THE TASK-FORCE meeting Monday morning. When he entered the conference room, Doc nodded at him with one arche
d eyebrow as JD took his seat, but he never stopped the briefing.
JD didn’t make a habit of being late—no one did. Doc commanded too much respect for that. But after he’d left Violet and then spent hours combing the area in and around Danger Zone looking for the mysterious Candy—to no avail—the accumulated miles on his feet should have made him tired enough to fall into bed and crash for the night.
No such luck. He’d tossed and turned until two hours before the alarm was set to go off. Candy and her warning about women about to be moved God knows where were partially responsible.
But so was Violet James.
“JD?”
He jerked to attention. “Huh?” His colleagues all had turned toward him with expectant looks on their faces.
“Anything to report?” Doc asked with barely concealed irritation.
He scrubbed one hand over his face. Pay attention, dumbass. “Yeah. I do.” He glanced around. “I know who Lofton’s been visiting.” He shot a look at Vince. “Did you already tell them?”
Vince shook his head. “You made the contact.” His eyes gleamed with humor at the literal interpretation of “making contact” at the party. “Thought I’d leave that for you.”
“Who is it?” Holly Patterson asked.
“Violet James.”
Silence, then an explosion.
“Violet James?”
“The Violet James?”
“America’s Sweetheart is in Austin?”
He nodded. “Vince and I both met her at a party.”
“Yeah,” Vince drawled. “But JD made a much bigger impression.”
“Bite me,” JD snapped.
“Romeo and America’s Sweetheart,” Bob mused. “It figures. You have the devil’s own luck with women.”
Vince snickered. “You gonna tell them or shall I?”
JD shot him a glare.
“Clock’s ticking, people,” Doc reminded.
“Okay, we were there for Jenna MacAllister’s birthday party, and I ran into Violet. Literally,” JD said.
Some wide eyes and chuckles.
On His Honor Page 8