She flashed a cool smile right back at him. “Let me be the judge of that, Quasar.”
He held her gaze for a long moment. Alright, then. Here goes. “I told you my mother died when I was fourteen. Had she lived, my parents would have been married forty years this year.”
“Did your father remarry?”
He shook his head. “No. He hasn’t remarried. Her death took a toll on all of us. She was a special woman who was so full of love.” Sometimes he would wonder what his mother ever saw in Louis. The two were as different as day and night.
“You still miss her.”
He wasn’t sure if she’d made an observation or asked a question. He answered anyway. “Yes, very much so.”
She reached across the table and took his hand. When she would have pulled it away, he decided to hold it hostage and keep it for a while longer. He loved the connection. The feel of their hands entwined. That was one of the reasons he’d held on to it so much on Saturday.
“The two of you were close.”
She said it like she knew. “Yes, we were extremely close. As a kid, she was my world.”
Randi nodded as if she understood, and a part of him wanted to believe that she actually did. “So that left you, your brother and your father.”
He chuckled. Maybe in her world, that’s how it would have been. “No, actually it left me. Then there were my father and brother. Don’t get me wrong. I’m sure they felt the pain of Mom’s loss, as well. But her death made my father and brother’s relationship that much closer.”
“You didn’t feel close to your father and brother?”
Good question, he thought, releasing her hand and leaning back in his chair. “There was a time we were close. At least I thought we were. But even then I knew Doyle was my father’s favorite. That didn’t bother me because I had such a strong relationship with my mom. It was only after she died that it became quite obvious just how close was Doyle and Louis’s relationship, and I was merely being tolerated.”
“Sounds like sibling rivalry. That’s nothing new, Quasar. It happens in the best of families.”
There was no need to tell her what happened in his family was a lot more than that. “Does it?”
“Yes. It even happened in mine,” she said, placing her coffee cup down. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was remembering the times when it had.
“While growing up,” she said, “I never could understand why Dad and Haywood were so close. We were both daddy’s girls, but the two of them shared a special bond, and at times I felt that I didn’t fit in. I knew my father was not Haywood’s biological father. She was only eight or so when our parents married. He wanted to adopt her, give her his last name since her father had passed away when she was only four.”
“Why didn’t he?”
“Because doing so would have hurt her paternal grandparents. Her father had been their only child, and Haywood was their only grandchild. As a girl, she was close to her father and wanted to keep his name. And in spite of that...maybe, in a way, because of it...Dad worked extra hard to make sure that Haywood felt included in the family. That in his heart he would always be more than a stepfather. He knew that he could never replace her father, but he wanted to be the next best thing. And I believe that he was. I didn’t understand his motives at the time. However, when I got older, I did. Instead of getting jealous, I—”
“I never said I got jealous of my father and Doyle’s relationship,” he said, his jaw tightening defensively.
“No, you didn’t.”
“But you think I did,” he said in an accusing tone.
“It doesn’t matter what I think, does it?”
His brow bunched into a frown as he stared into his coffee, as if there was something to discover in the liquid. No, it didn’t matter what she thought. At least it shouldn’t have mattered. She’d said her psychic powers were blocked when it came to him, but she did have a doctorate degree as a behavioral analyst. Was that what she was doing? Trying to figure him out that way?
“What does your father do for a living?” she asked.
He returned his gaze to her face and locked eyes with hers. “He owns a film company, specializing in supplying American movies to an international market and vice versa.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“It is.”
“I assume your brother works there.”
He took a sip of his coffee. “You assume right. And before you ask, the answer is yes, I did work there for a while, as well. Right out of college.” Long enough to be thrown under the bus as Doyle’s scapegoat.
At that moment, he decided that he’d told her everything he intended to. “Enough questions about my family, Randi. Over dessert, how about you tell me about the case that brought you to LA? Those slices of key lime pie look delicious.”
Her lips curved into a smile. “I’m a woman who refuses to stand between a man and his appetite, even when I know he’s trying to change the subject.”
“I’m not changing the subject, Randi. I’m closing it.” He thought he would make that point clear in case she assumed she could reopen it later.
Seemingly impervious to what he said, she gave him a sweet smile and said, “We’ll see.”
* * *
OVER DESSERT, RANDI told Quasar what she knew about the street gang situation. Since it was an ongoing investigation and there were certain aspects of the case she couldn’t divulge, she made sure she stuck to the facts that had been provided in the media. She then told him why it was imperative for her to visit the crime scene tomorrow. “The sooner I can help find that murder weapon, the better.”
He nodded as he slid a piece of pie into his mouth. “So, like the Feds, you think someone is deliberately starting a gang war?”
Disgust etched her features. “Yes. Usually that happens when an outsider comes in, determined to hustle in on territory rights.”
When Quasar shifted in his chair, Randi tried not to notice how his muscular shoulders and powerful-looking arms rippled with the movement. And why were her fingers itching to reach out and touch his hair, thread her fingers through the silky strands?
She jumped when he waved his hand to get her attention. Apparently he’d said something while she’d been staring. “Yes?”
A grin touched his lips as if he’d known where her thoughts had been. “I asked if you’ve done research on the gangs so you’ll know what you’re dealing with.”
She tried not to focus on him sliding another piece of pie into his mouth. Her muscles clenched when he licked the fork. “Yes,” she said in a voice that might have sounded breathless. “I stayed up most of last night researching, which is why I slept the entire time on the plane.”
He released a long, dramatic sigh. “Then I don’t have to tell you how ruthless the two leaders of those two gangs are.”
“No, you don’t.” She glanced over at him curiously. “But how would you know?”
He shrugged those massive shoulders. She recalled that when they’d kissed, she’d placed her hands on those shoulders, and they’d felt taut beneath her fingers. “I did my research, as well.”
She lifted a brow. “Why?”
“I wanted to see what you would be dealing with.”
“You’re still worried about me being here, aren’t you?” she asked, finding the fact that he cared rather touching. When he’d mentioned his concern during their phone conversation yesterday, she’d figured it had everything to do with what he did for a living. His job as a bodyguard was to protect people from the crazies out there.
“Not anymore,” he said, giving her one of those smiles that would make a woman want to curl up in his lap and do all kinds of naughty things to his mouth. To him, period.
“Why not anymore?” she asked, eyeing him intently. For some re
ason he looked like the cat that not only drank all the cream in the bowl but also took his time and licked the bowl clean.
“Because I’m here, and I don’t intend to let anything happen to you. And don’t let that sweet mind of yours try to convince you the only reason I came is to play bodyguard. I told you why I’m here. It’s all about my need to see you. But if I need to step into the role of protector, Randi, I will.”
Randi heard his words and knew that nothing she said would put his mind at ease. Her family had acted the same way when she’d taken her first assignment involving that serial killer. They’d been so certain the killer would add her to his list of strangled young women. She should not have been surprised when Trey popped up at FBI headquarters in Memphis a couple of times, making sure she was okay.
It looked like she needed to tell Quasar the same thing she’d told her brother. “I’m here to do a job.”
He shrugged those massive shoulders again, but this time his chin tightened right along with the movement. “I don’t recall saying that you couldn’t or I would interfere.”
No, he hadn’t, but she could read between the lines. She had dealt with Trey and Zach long enough to recognize an alpha male when she saw one. “It’s what you’re not saying that concerns me, Quasar.”
He was silent for a minute and then reached across the table to brush the back of his knuckles across her cheek. “Don’t let it. I promise not to interfere with the work you came here to do, Randi. Okay?”
He sounded so convincing that she found herself nodding. “Okay.” What else could she say when he was looking at her like that, with those brown bedroom eyes, and touching her skin, making her feel sensations all through her body?
“I’ve got an idea,” he said huskily as he continued to stroke her cheek.
She swallowed, not wanting to admit she had a few of her own, and all of them had something to do with them getting into something wicked. “What’s your idea?”
“After we enjoy the view of downtown LA from your balcony, how about I take you for a drive, show you the city up close and personal?”
Randi stared at him and realized that all the time he’d been talking, his gaze had been on her mouth. Her entire body warmed under his regard. “I’d love that.”
“Then consider it done.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
QUASAR WATCHED RANDI as she stood at the balcony’s minibar, pouring two glasses of wine. He really liked that outfit on her. Her long blouse had cutouts on the shoulders revealing bare skin, and the soft-looking fabric of her slacks flowed sensually over her curves. He even liked the way she’d styled her hair, pulled up on a twisted knot on her head as if to emphasize her beautiful neck. Time and time again his gaze was drawn to her mouth as he remembered how he’d kissed it and how much he’d enjoyed doing so.
Deciding he’d stared at her long enough, he leaned against the rail to look out over the city. He could understand why she wanted to see LA at night from here. It was beautiful. The way the skyscrapers lit the sky was simply awesome.
At that moment he didn’t want to remember why he had left here years ago and vowed never to return. But today he had returned, for the woman coming toward him.
“Here you are.”
“Thanks,” he said, accepting the glass of wine she offered and fighting to ignore the zap in his body when their hands touched.
He met her eyes and knew she felt it, as well. And that’s how it had been most of the evening in her presence. Nothing new. But what was new was his inability to retain a tight grip on his sanity around her, especially when he was known as a man who could take rationality to a whole new level.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Randi asked, turning to look out over the brightly lit city.
Quasar fought back saying You’re beautiful. Instead he answered, “Yes, and I can’t wait to show it to you by car.”
She glanced back at him. “I can’t wait, either.”
He studied her when she switched her gaze from him to look back over LA. She took a sip of her wine, and he thought there was something significantly sexy about her when she did so. His gut tightened as he watched how her mouth fit on the rim of the wineglass, and his mind was suddenly swamped with images of all the other things she could do with that mouth. When he felt heat begin to spread through his body, he knew it was time to suggest that they leave and go for that ride. Or else it would be hard to control his desire for her.
“I remember the first time I came here and saw this,” she said softly. “I was amazed at all the tall buildings and bright lights.”
In a way, he was glad her words had interrupted his thoughts. He took a sip of his wine and asked, “How long ago was this?” He wondered if another man had shared the view with her as he was doing. Why did the thought of that possibility bother him?
“It was years ago. I was probably nine or ten. I came here with my parents and Haywood.”
He chuckled. “Let me guess. Your parents took you and your sister to Disneyland. Right?”
She looked over at him and smiled. “Yes, but that’s not the reason we came. We flew to LA to see Trey. He lived here with his mother and stepfather.”
Quasar nodded. He recalled her mentioning last week that her brother had grown up in California. “Do his mother and stepfather still live here?”
She shook her head. “No. Trey’s mother passed away a few years ago, and Harry died last year. Trey was close to his stepfather.”
Quasar thought her brother was a lucky man to have had a close relationship with both his biological father and stepfather. When she took another sip of her wine and the gesture caused arousing sensations in his groin again, he knew it was time to leave her hotel room. “Ready to take that car ride?”
A smile touched her lips at the same time those dimples he’d gotten overly fond of appeared in her cheeks. “I’m ready when you are, Mr. Patterson.”
* * *
A SHORT WHILE LATER, Randi was convinced more than ever that Los Angeles was one of the most beautiful cities she’d ever visited. The streets after dark were just as stunning as the view from the hotel balcony. For the past hour, Quasar had covered a lot of miles, and she’d taken in numerous sites. Traffic wasn’t too bad this late. LA was known for its traffic congestion until around nine at night.
Now they were on Sunset Boulevard and headed toward Beverly Hills. It was a beautiful night for a car ride, and they decided to cruise with the windows down instead of using the vehicle’s air conditioner. He had pointed out a lot of places he used to frequent while living here.
She knew them leaving her hotel room had been for the best. There was no telling what kind of trouble they would have gotten into had they stayed there any longer. More than once she’d seen the heated look in his eyes and felt in response a rush of stimulating sensations invade her body. He wanted her, and she wanted him just as much.
“Before we leave LA, I’m hoping we can dine at Hollywood and Vine.”
She glanced over at him. She’d heard about the legendary restaurant but had never eaten there. “That would be nice. I would like to add Roscoe’s to the list, as well. I love their chicken and waffles.”
“So do I. I use to eat there a lot back in the day.”
“How was it growing up in Los Angeles?”
He smiled. “I loved it. A lot to do, beautiful beaches, Hollywood. At the time I couldn’t imagine myself living anywhere else.”
“But now you consider Charlottesville your home.”
When he brought the car to a stop at a traffic light, he glanced over at her. Was that sadness she noted in the dark eyes staring back at her? “Yes, Charlottesville is my home now.”
When the traffic light changed, he turned his attention back to the road. The next few miles took them into Beverly Hills. She would periodicall
y glance over at him, and more than once he’d turn his head and catch her staring. He wouldn’t say anything but would flash a sexy smile that set off a spark of reactions within her.
They had left the city and were traveling up some mountain road. Beautifully lit homes that cost millions flashed by. She should have asked where they were going, but instead she turned to him and asked the one question she really wanted answered. “Why did you go to jail, Quasar?”
He didn’t say anything for a long moment. “The state of California claimed I was involved in land fraud.”
“Claimed? Were you or weren’t you?”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I served the time.”
The time instead of my time? His choice of words made her think he’d been accused of a crime he hadn’t committed. She was about to ask if that was the case when he spoke first. “What do you think of the view now, Randi?”
She glanced out the window. They had driven to the top of a mountain that overlooked the entire city. It was the most beautiful view she’d encountered. She saw not only the brightly lit skyscrapers but also several other glittering buildings and homes. The view was simply breathtaking.
“Where are we?” she asked, leaning forward to take it all in.
“Mulholland Drive Overlook. It’s one of the most popular places in LA to park.”
She could see why. “Um, sounds like you’ve been here before.”
He chuckled. “I could deny that I have.”
“Don’t bother. You took those winding roads too much like a pro for it to be your first time up here.”
“Thanks, and I have been up here a few times.”
“Lucky girls,” she said, grinning.
Although the interior of the car was somewhat dark, the moon shone enough to see the tightening of his jaw. “One girl. I dated the same girl all through high school.”
“Oh. Then, lucky girl. What was her name?”
He was quiet a moment, as though he might not answer, before saying, “Lilly. Her name was Lilly.”
Why was she feeling slightly jealous of a woman from his past? She evidently had meant a lot to him for him to have dated her all through high school. She then remembered something he’d told her last week. “Is Lilly the one who wouldn’t wait for you while you were in jail?”
Seized by Seduction--A Compelling Tale of Romance, Love and Intrigue Page 12