Refusing to Fall (Dennison Series Book 3)

by Ferraro, W

  Then she touched him.

  Reed refused to admit what he was feeling, and suddenly, he felt like he was either going to throw up or he needed to smash something until his knuckles were bloodied. Rising from his seat, he went into the downstairs bathroom and slammed the door behind him.

  Get it together, Dennison! If you keep this up, you might as well just declare that you know her better than all of them put together considering you know her in every biblical position there is.

  He paced the moderately sized space running his hands through his neatly kept hair. After he had made what had to be the twentieth lap, he turned to the mirror, straightened his hair, adjusted his creaseless sweater, and let out a deep breath.

  When he returned to the main room, he retook his seat, ignoring the looks of confusion directed his way. Feeling an absurd need to watch Colby and Dustin interact out of his peripheral vision, he became more and more troubled by what he saw.

  Berating himself for acting in such a way, he willed himself to stop watching her and return his focus back to the hockey game. It was a harsh battle, but he finally did it, watching a whole ninety seconds before relapsing to watch the couple across the room.

  Then it happened—their eyes met, and he finally could see her clear confusion and underlying panic.

  Moreover, he suddenly felt like he was an inch tall.

  Suddenly considering this situation from her point of view, he could only imagine the continuous sense of shock to her system.

  All his focus had been on his concern of how his family and friends would react to his private life coming out, but now, he felt like an asshole for not considering what effect this would have on her.

  Yeah, they agreed on mutual and casual, but it didn’t mean he should refuse to acknowledge he knew her.

  No one needed to know the depth of their relationship. Hell, Lancaster wasn’t that big of a town—when it came out she had lived there before here, the questions would start.

  Damn it!

  Refusing to be concerned with watching her now, he saw her head to the door and leave.

  He remained seated for another moment or two before he rose without a word, grabbed his peacoat from its hook, and said his short good-bye.

  “Where are you going? It isn’t even the third period,” Gage asked from his perch on the couch.

  With his coat in hand, he answered, “Early day tomorrow. I’ll catch the rest of it at home.”

  So many sets of eyes turned to witness his departure, but he slid the door closed behind him and walked with purpose to the only other apartment door in the hallway. Standing in front of it, he let out a deep breath and knocked.

  Listening to the muted sound of her moving around on the other side, he felt his blood begin to pump harder when the lock released.

  The door slid open and finally there before him she stood, looking at him just as she used to when she would greet him in Lancaster.

  Her brown eyes searched his face, demanding some sort of answer, and all he could offer her at this moment was a smile.

  Neither spoke; they just continued to drink in the sight of each other. Reed’s awareness of his surroundings shook him out of his revere, and he asked huskily, “May I come in.”

  Reed’s eyes followed the movement of her little pink tongue as it came out and licked her bottom lip before her teeth pressed down on the incredibly soft flesh. She continued to remain wordless, but she did move to the side, bringing the door wider with her.

  He took several steps in, instantly observing the difference in her place from his brothers. The first being the substantial size difference; where the guys’ place was open and sprawling, hers was more condensed and cozy. Observing the changes her short-lived presence had made, he saw her personality in every corner of the place. His eyes drifted to the right, immediately falling on the painting he would never forget. His mind went back to how sensual and lost in herself she was as she painted, and how he never thought he had seen anything sexier than Colby like that.

  Removing his eyes from the canvas, he turned around to face the small woman who remained next to her now closed door, looking at him as if she was trying to dissect his purpose for being here.

  “Hey,” he said, as he threw his coat over a box that stood against the exterior wall.

  He watched as she changed positions so that one foot was out causing her entire leg to be straight, as she focused all her weight on her back leg. She crossed her arms under her small chest and waited for him to go on.

  When he refused to say anything else and continued to just drink in the sight of her, he knew he was selfish, but he just couldn’t help himself. She truly was breathtaking.

  Uncomfortable under her scrutiny, he let out another deep breath, ran a hand through his dark hair, and finally spoke. “Looks like our good-bye wasn’t necessary, after all.”

  Hoping for some sort of humor, he was now aware they were alone, and she wasn’t going to make this easy for him.

  What were you expecting, her to jump on you and wrap those sinfully strong legs around you as soon as the door closed and offered them an ounce of privacy?

  She must have finally decided to take pity on him, as she moved silently from her spot, past him, and into her kitchen area. He watched as she opened her fridge, removed a bottle of red, and took a glass from the nearby sink strainer. She poured herself a substantial amount and sipped it. Never once did she offer him some; she just continued to drink as she watched him, waiting for him to say something.

  Remaining where he was, thinking it was best, he began, “Look, Colby, I’ve handled this badly. I should have acknowledged knowing you either at the restaurant today or just now down the hall. It was wrong of me not to.”

  He watched as she took another sip of her wine, and when she placed the glass down, she finally spoke. “Why didn’t you?”

  There it is.

  He offered her the only truth he had. “I just didn’t.”

  In true Colby form, she took his answer with acceptance.

  He knew it was an asshole thing to do, to just leave the reason like that, but he never claimed not to be an asshole. In fact, he had been called much worse and on more than one occasion.

  They remained silent for a few more moments, and then, as if the intensity of minutes ago had vanished, her friendly smile returned, and she asked, “I didn’t know families still existed with more than a couple of kids.”

  This made him laugh.

  “Yeah, we are quite the bunch. After all, this far north when the weather is bad, there isn’t much else to do,” he jovially replied, emphasizing his meaning with a wink.

  That did it; she let out her glorious free laugh.

  He watched as she turned back around, grabbed another glass, and poured him one. She handed it across the counter and space that separated them.

  He accepted it happily, taking a sip, and was grateful when she spoke. “So I assume this means you don’t want anyone to know how well we knew each other if you can’t even acknowledge you, in fact, did know me before. Am I right?”

  Well, when you put it like that.

  “You know what? It’s cool. But now that we have met for the first time and for the second time”—she winked—“we can at least say hello to each other, correct?”

  Reed laughed as he nodded his head in agreement.

  They continued to talk for a couple more minutes, nothing further said on the subject. They stuck to benignly safe subjects, like how she was liking the town and if she was settling in all right.

  Reed tipped the glass back, emptying its contents, before placing the glass on the counter and turning to fetch his coat.

  Putting his arms through the sleeves and buttoning it up, he noticed Colby was now next to him. The smell of cinnamon filled his nose, reminding him what it was like to roll around in her sheets, which had the same scent.

  You just got out of the doghouse; don’t put yourself back there in the same night.

  So cas
ually, she raised her arms and fixed his collar, he hoped she would go up on tiptoes to bring those scrumptious wine stained lips to his, but she didn’t. Instead, with a devilish look in her eyes, she pulled the door open slightly, stuck her head out, and said, “Coast is clear. Wouldn’t want you to get caught in the apartment of a woman you just met today. Oh, what a scandal that would be,” she taunted with mock horror.

  Unable to resist, he leaned down slightly to press his lips to her forehead for just a moment before heading out the door and to the safety of the stairwell. He never looked back, deciding to take the win when he had it. By the time he reached the bottom level and exited through the door, he knew his privacy would be kept.

  As he reached his Escalade, he looked up and noticed a small form looking down from the top floor window. He couldn’t help but smile as he pulled out of the parking spot and headed for home.

  Clearwater Falls had always been a place for Reed to relax, a place away from the demands of his job and his personal life. But now with Colby here, it no longer felt like a private haven. It threatened to be the land of temptation.

  The next morning found Reed in his office early, looking over his case file before he was due at the courthouse.

  This case, in particular, shouldn’t be hard to get a conviction. Nevertheless, Reed hated to be blind-sided by anything. So he always went over every detail, every witness list, and every piece of evidence before heading into court.

  Grabbing his suit coat from where it draped over the back of his desk chair, he was just sliding his arm into the first sleeve when his office door opened.

  Lacey walked in. Her double-breasted black business suit fit her form like a second skin. She’d twisted her blond hair into a sophisticated updo and painted her lips a ravishing red.

  Not faulting in what he was doing, nor acknowledging her unannounced presence, Reed pulled his shirtsleeves down under his suit coat, adjusting his cufflinks before placing his papers in his Brooks Brothers leather briefcase.

  “There is a black tie dinner in Boston that I want you to attend tomorrow night,” she purred her order.

  Reed continued on his way toward his door, again ignoring her.

  However, she grabbed a hold of his arm as he passed, and he could feel her French manicured fingernails pressing through his dual layered arm.

  Standing toe-to-toe with him, she looked up into his eyes. “You seem to be under the impression that I’m asking.”

  This woman has bigger balls than some of the men I know.

  Shrugging out of her hold, he remained where he was, refusing to back down from her. “What is so important about this dinner that demands my attendance?”

  He watched as a grin spread across her face. Dropping her eyes to his feet, she slowly began to lift her gaze up his body until they reached his chest. With skilled movements, she raised her hands placing them on each side of his tie knot, and she methodically spread them wider until they were smoothing out over his shoulders and down his arms. When she reached his cuffs, her hands dropped back down to her sides, and she took a few steps backward as she cocked her head to the side and studied him.

  Finally, she raised her eyes to meet his annoyed ones.

  “A successful campaign isn’t just shaking a few voters’ hands and putting your name on a ballot. There are endorsements, fundraisers, schmoozing, and visibility. That is why you need to be there. Some of the biggest players in New England will be there, and we want them to see you.”

  Of all the stupid reasons!

  “Look, Lacey, I can’t commit to a dinner tomorrow night, and I can’t have the discussion with you of why because I’m due in court.”

  Not waiting for her response, Reed left his office and headed for the office’s exit.

  If he thought that would be the end of it, he was sorely mistaken.

  He had to hand it to her; she could keep up with his longer strides in those heels.

  “This is very simple, Reed. If you want to win this election, then you do as I say. End of discussion. I want you at that dinner and that is all there is to it.”

  “Dammit, Lacey, I can’t commit to something for tomorrow when I am starting a case today. What do you want me to do? Ask the judge for a continuance just so I can go rub elbows with some blowholes so you can get a few pictures for publicity? Not going to happen! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am due in court in fifteen minutes.”

  Reed stormed out the door, climbed into his waiting Escalade, and drove to the courthouse. Thankfully, it wasn’t too far of a drive. Arriving in record time, he quickly parked the SUV and ran up the front steps and through security.

  When he reached courtroom three, he opened the door and noticed the defendant and his attorney were already seated, along with quite a few people in the gallery. Reed entered the courtroom, arrived at his table, and began removing papers from his briefcase. Looking at his watch, he noticed he had two minutes to spare.

  Phew.

  Reed sat at his table, straightening his papers. He double and triple checked he had memorized correct dates and locations and made a few notes on his written draft of his opening remarks. Looking at his watch again, he noted the judge should have arrived five minutes ago. Looking up, he noted that the court reporter, clerk, and bailiff were all here. He heard talking behind him in the gallery and the swing of the courtroom door opening and closing. Pulling out his phone, he quickly checked his text messages and glanced at his emails as he continued to wait.

  Another ten minutes went by, and he heard the courtroom door open once more and quickly shut again. The distinctive clicks of high heels on the hardwood floors could be heard. Finally, the judge appeared from his chambers and took a seat on the bench. Everyone in the courtroom stood.

  “Docket number NH5411–29 State of New Hampshire versus Jackson Mark Hurley.”

  Reed takes a seat, as does the rest of the courtroom, aside from the defendant and his attorney.

  “After review and due to insufficient forms filed, I’m ordering a ten-day continuance in this case barring any contentions from either the state or Mr. Hurley.”

  Reed was stunned; quickly looking through all his filed forms, he noted nothing was amiss. However, he could not speak for the other counsel. So with no evident reason to dispute the judge’s decision, he had to remain silent. When the defense didn’t argue, the judge reiterated the new trial date before smacking his gavel and leaving the bench. Reed rose again, waiting until the judge was back in chambers, before picking up his papers and filing everything back into his briefcase.

  “Whatever you didn’t file, Glades, I want a copy of it on my desk this afternoon,” Reed barked to the other attorney.

  The older man looked at Reed with a similar look of annoyance. “It isn’t my forms that weren’t filed. All of mine are accounted for.”

  Reed didn’t respond. Taking his repacked briefcase from the prosecution table, he turned to walk back toward the courtroom doors when he noticed Lacey standing just inside them. Her arms were crossed and a knowing smile ghosted on her lips before she turned and left the courtroom.

  Reed quickly dodged people leaving the room, and thanks to his height was easily able to see Lacey’s retreating form in the throng of hallway traffic.

  “Lacey!” he shouted as he weaved through the crowded hall.

  Reed approached her where she had stopped in a small alcove, the only light the large stained glass window adorned with the impression of the state flag.

  “What the hell did you do?” he whispered angrily.

  Pretending to remove a piece of lint from his suit coat’s lapel, Lacey responded innocently. “I’m sure I have no idea what you are talking about.”

  Bullshit!

  Leaning in very close to her, so close that he could see each lash coated with black mascara, he seethed. “I don’t know what you did, or who you paid, but if this was all done so I could go to a stupid dinner, then you can find yourself another candidate.”

  He turned
to walk away and got all of three steps before her words had him stopping.

  “No skin off my nose. But let me make one thing very clear. If you don’t run now, you won’t ever run. I get paid whether you win or lose, but I will never sign on to run a campaign for you again. And let’s face it, you can’t win without me, regardless of who you think you are or who your family is.”

  Turning around to face her after her verbal threat, Reed felt sheer rage.

  Whether she sensed how close he was to erupting or whether this was all part of her plan, she stepped toward him so they were once again toe-to-toe and softened. “If you run now, Reed, you will win. I guarantee it. Isn’t that what you want? Isn’t this seat what you crave, the springboard to making all the changes to state economics you want? Don’t be a fool and fight me, when I am offering you what you want. Just do as I say and Reed Dennison will be the hero to making New Hampshire the new capital for lucrative and booming industry in the country.”

  Slowly, she stepped around him, and when she was a fair few steps away, she raised her voice just enough to drive home her point. “Next time, Reed, don’t fight me. You will lose . . . everything.”

  Reed watched as she joined the masses in the hallway and disappeared from sight. Still gripping his briefcase, he leaned against the alcove wall, closed his eyes, and let out a deep breath.

  When he felt he had control over himself, he too made his way to the exit. When he was once again in his Escalade and heading back to his office, he let the magnitude of what she implied settle over him.

  The truth was, he wanted the state Senate seat. He wanted it more and more with each passing day. He wasn’t just going to try to make a difference in the state’s fiscal environment; he knew he would make a positive impact.

  Shit!

  Walking into the office, he returned greetings as he passed his staff but never lingered. By the time he reached his office door, he had passed by Garrett, signaling for him to follow as he entered his office. With his coat still on, he slumped down in his chair and put his head in his hands.