Trial by Fire (Sizzling Romantic Suspense) (All Fired Up)

by Taylor Lee

  ~~~

  “I feel as though I am imposing, Nate. You really don’t have to babysit me. I could have ordered-in Thai food and—”

  “Nah, Sam. You’ve lived in a big city too long. Do you have any idea what a coup it will be for my aunt to tell all her friends that she had the ‘talk of the town’ at her house for dinner? You’ll never meet a kinder woman than Mama D. Hell, she even took me in as a kid when my mom OD’d on me. But as good natured as Mama D is she in an inveterate gossip. Loves to be the bearer of a great story. And what could be better than a visiting police commander and a black guy at that. Besides, you’ll give me the excuse I need to spirit Erin away. Mama D will be so bowled over by you, she won’t notice when I skip out. I tell you the woman has a calculator in her brain that keeps track of how many minutes a week I spend with her. Don’t have to tell you I owe her the equivalent of six years of one on one time.”

  Sam frowned. “You skipped over that one, Nate. Your mother OD’d? On what?”

  “What else? Meth and probably an advanced case of STD’s given her profession.”

  “I’m sorry, Nate…”

  “Don’t be. Happened a long time ago. I was six at the time. Mama D was my mother’s estranged sister. She and Marcus took me in. Until I got to be too much to handle. Then the Chief stepped in.”

  “Chief Roberts?” Sam was incredulous.

  “Yeah. He always says he saw a good kid about to go bad and played the good Samaritan. Me? I think he just wanted someone who could keep up with him on the basketball court. Mama D and Marcus didn’t object. I think they were afraid I would corrupt Luke and Connor. Hell, they shoulda known, nothing could corrupt ConnorfuckingFreud. Even as a kid, he was the good one. The golden boy. Now Luke was a different story. He’s still in Afghanistan. Also special ops. Nope, Luke was as bad as me. He just hid it better. He’s my best friend. We both take care of Connor, although he’s convinced it’s the other way around.”

  Walking up the sidewalk to the impressive three story gabled home where he’d grown up, Nate was disappointed to see that Erin’s car wasn’t there. Damn. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep up the front. No sleep last night, coupled with the ordeal of Laura had his nerves strung tight. There was one thing and one thing only that could loosen the knots in his gut and that was a dark-haired seductress with bright tourquoise eyes. Forcing what came as close to a smile as he could summon up, he ushered Sam up the stairs to the veranda and then in the front door.

  He hollered, “Hey, Mama D, the hottest man in your life has arrived. Just remember: even though you’re my best girl, I’m a taken man. But, I do have an unattached guy here who is almost as good-looking as I am.”

  A sprite of a woman turned the corner her face lighting up like a Christmas tree when she saw Nate.

  He took a couple of strides toward her then picked up the diminutive woman and swung her in a circle.

  She shrieked an excited squeal. “You… you scallywag. Put me down, you big tease. Your best girl, my butt. If I was, you’d come and see me at least once a week!”

  Noticing Sam for the first time, she flushed in excitement.

  “Oh you did bring him! Chief Roberts told me you had a guest from California. I was hoping you would invite your friend to dinner.”

  Nate grinned to himself and let her little white lie stand. Mama D had called earlier and threatened him with his life if he didn’t bring his friend to dinner. Said she’d heard he was movie star handsome.

  “First off, Mama. He’s not my friend. Too goddamned good-looking to be my friend. Before I know it, you’ll be preferring him to me and that just won’t cut it!”

  Mama D puffed up like an outraged toad. “Nathan Stryker. You know how I feel about swearing. Especially in front of your nice, new friend.”

  “Oh, oh. Now I’m afraid I’m going to lose you for sure. This is Sam Carter, Mama. Commander Samuel Carter. And believe it or not the dude has sworn all of one time in my presence. See why I’m worried about losing your favors?”

  “Oh Nathan, you big tease. You know I’m crazy about you even if you do say some of the nastiest things.”

  Turning to Sam, she showered him with a huge smile.

  “Hello, Sam. Please don’t listen to Nathan. If he didn’t like you he would never have brought you here—”

  At that moment there was a chorus of girlish voices and three young women came barreling down the hallway clearly excited at the prospect of a guest.

  Nate managed to catch each one of them before they ran Sam over and made quick introductions.

  “Hang on, Sam. You are about to meet three of the most gorgeous girls you’re likely to see… except that each one is a bigger pain in the ass than the one before. But, hell what can you expect from girls?”

  An outraged chorus erupted from the girls as they crowded around Nate. Gathering them all in a bear hug, Nate looked over the tops of their heads and grinned at Sam.

  “The girls think I am a chauvinist pig, just because I think Mama D and Marcus ought to lock them up in the attic until they are at least thirty years old and past their prime. That’s the only way I can think of to protect them from all those hormone factories otherwise known as teenage boys who are sniffing outside their door!”

  After the shouts of outrage had died down and Amy and Cherie had primly introduced themselves to Sam, Glenna sidled up to him with a frown pinching her brows together in a straight line. She stood for a moment staring at Sam thoughtfully.

  Nate grinned and murmured, “Be prepared, Sam. At nine years old, this one hasn’t learned to edit her thoughts—which is why she and I get along so well.”

  He grinned at Glenna and said, “Okay, squirt. Out with it. As if we could stop you.”

  Glenna pressed her lips together, her disappointment obvious.

  “They said you were black. But you don’t look black. You look more brown, like my friend Cecile.”

  Ignoring the older sisters’ gasps and Mama D’s frown, Sam stepped up and shook her hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Glenna. And yes, I can see why you are disappointed. The same thing happens to me when someone says their friend is white and they turn out to look like you. But I hope that we can be friends even if we don’t completely meet expectations.”

  Glenna squinted up at him and then said. “Uh, okay. But first, why do you have that kind of a beard? It doesn’t look like Nate’s and I like his best.”

  Nate’s smile widened. “You know what, squirt, that is precisely what I’ve been wondering. C’mon, Sam out with it. What the hell do they call that fancy scrub decorating your chin?”

  Sam winked. “For both of you outspoken ones, we call it a billygoat beard. A friend of mine had one and I thought it was hot, so I grew mine out. What do you think, Glenna, now that you know it has such a cool name, you think you could get to like it almost as much as Nate’s?”

  Before she could answer, her sister called out, “Erin’s here! Erin’s here!”

  Sam quickly became second best as the family turned as one to greet the woman coming through the doorway.

  As he moved toward the beautiful woman, the fist that had been gripping Nate’s chest loosened its hold. Nate sucked in a deep breath. For the first time since he left her naked in their bed this morning, Nate knew what it felt like to drag in a lung full of air.

  Chapter 11

  Erin responded gratefully to the excited greetings from Nate’s adoring cousins. The girls, Mama D and Marcus—and especially Connor and his wife Kaitlin—had made her feel a part of a family that she had never had. She loved all of them and appreciated them taking her into their lives and their hearts. In part, it was a reflection of how much they loved Nate, but she’d come to believe Nate when he told her that they were all crazy about her in her own right.

  Giving Mama D a peck on the cheek and a hug, she nodded to the tall man standing politely to the side. He must be the visiting police commander that Connor had told her about. Gosh, he was handsome; mo
vie-star handsome.

  But the commotion behind her faded into the distance when she saw Nate. She snagged a breath, but it didn’t do much good. She never failed to be surprised at the way she reacted to his presence. It was as though he turned on an electric switch that sent a current of sensation first to her brain then made a beeline for her chest before flooding her core. If he hadn’t reached for her it’s likely her knees would have buckled and she’d end up in a puddle on the floor. But he did reach for her and pulled her up tight against his strong chest. Breathing in his unique odor of subtly expensive cologne and strong man, she reveled in the smell and feel of him. If it hadn’t been for the crowd of people behind her she would have moaned.

  She would have been embarrassed by her overwhelming reaction to him if he hadn’t responded to her in the same way. When he saw her walk in the door, a light flashed in his eyes that she knew was reflected in hers. His emerald green gaze darkened with lust and another emotion that stole her breath. No man had ever looked at her the way Nate did. Oh there wasn’t a man she met who didn’t ogle her, rake his eyes over her voluptuous body. She’d come to expect their open perusal—and ignore it. It was part of being who she was. But Nate’s gaze was different. It was blatantly sensual, no make that sexual. His eyes caressed her as surely as his hands soon would. They ran over her lips, her throat and made her nipples tingle and peak. At his sexy smile, moisture dampened her secret folds and the nub at the top of her sex throbbed with need. And damn, that was before he touched her.

  Nestled in his arms she allowed herself to sink into his strength. His voice was low, meant for her alone.

  “God, darlin’, I missed you. So much, Erin.”

  Erin felt as well as heard the need in his voice. Glancing up at him, she didn’t miss his rigid jaw or the taut lines around his mouth and eyes that mirrored the strain in his voice.

  She whispered, “Are you okay, Nate?”

  He barked out a short laugh. “I am now, darlin’.”

  Hearing the girlie cousins’ snickers behind them, Erin eased out of Nate’s tight grip and turned to face them. Heat warmed her cheeks at their giggles. Good grief, she hoped she wasn’t so obvious that even the teenage girls could see how she felt. When she’d slipped out of his arms, Nate dragged her in front of him and held her against his chest. The bulge against her back confirmed that he was as aroused as she was. For a brief moment she convinced herself that the girls were too young and Mama D too excited about her coveted role as hostess to notice. But a quick glance at the man standing to the side with a knowing smile quirking his handsome face indicated that they hadn’t fooled him.

  Nate nudged her forward and said, “Erin, meet Sam Carter. Sam, this is Erin. And just so we’re clear from the beginning, anyone who so much as looks at her sideways will be missing a key body part.”

  Sam put up his hands in a gesture of surrender and bowed slightly. Grinning at Nate, he said, “Forewarned is forearmed. I’m pleased to meet you, Erin. But given the look on Detective Stryker’s face, I will stay at a respectable distance to ensure I leave this charming gathering with all body parts intact.”

  Both Nate and Erin laughed, but Mama D didn’t hide her chagrin. Bustling over to them, she shook her finger at Nate. Her plump cheeks sported embarrassed spots of crimson.

  “Nathan Stryker! I swear, you get more incorrigible every day. Erin, do something about him!”

  Erin quirked a brow and asked the flustered woman, “What would you like me to do, Mama D?”

  “I don’t know. But, for goodness sakes, make him behave!”

  Erin smiled sweetly and leaned back against Nate, surreptitiously rubbing her bottom against his aroused cock.

  “Now, why would I want to do that, Mama D? I kind of like him the way he is.”

  Erin winked at Nate over her shoulder.

  Both Nate and Sam laughed at her saucy response.

  Sam shook his head, obviously impressed.

  “You’re a lucky man, Detective. And, you, Erin, you come as advertised. I was told earlier by some of the detective’s closest confidantes that you had the ‘big dog’ as I believe they call him, rolling on his back like a needy puppy begging you to rub his tummy.”

  In a low pitched growl for Sam’s and Erin’s ears only, Nate added, “Among other body parts.”

  All three of them shared a hearty laugh.

  “Hey, don’t tell me the party started without the guest of honor,” Connor called out. Dragging Kaitlin, his gorgeous wife, behind him, he held their seven month old baby boy in his arms. Even with the flurry of oohing and aahing women who descended on him, the baby slept soundly. Giving him up to his grandmother, Connor joined Erin, Nate and Sam.

  Sticking out his hand, he said, “Commander Carter, I presume? I’m Connor Lang. I have the privilege of being this guy’s cousin, the husband of that beautiful woman over there, and the proud father of the most amazing son a father ever had.”

  Connor smiled at Erin. “But my true claim to fame is that this gorgeous woman calls me her boss.”

  Sam shook his hand. “You’re a lucky man indeed, Connor. But I understand from your cousin that anyone who so much as looks at Erin sideways is in danger of harsh treatment. I take it you don’t fall under that decree?”

  Nate snorted. “You’ve got to be joking. I created that rule because of this lecherous fucker. Hell, Connor’s with Erin more than I am. Fortunately, as possessive an asshole as I am, Kaitlin is a close second—possessive, not an asshole. Between the two of us we keep them on the straight and narrow.”

  Connor smiled, his handsome face glowing as he glanced over at his wife who was nursing his infant son.

  “Not an issue, Sam. The only one who loves his woman as much as I love mine, is Nate. And yes, I am a lucky man.”

  ~~~

  Nate glanced down at his watch, wondering when it would be possible to snatch Erin and beat it back to their cabin. He knew that Mama D would have his balls in a sling if he tried to leave before dinner. Twisting the cap off his third long neck, he resigned himself to another hour of forced camaraderie. Ordinarily, Nate enjoyed bantering with Connor and loved his girlie cousins. And, hell, Sam Carter wasn’t only an accomplished guy, he was excellent company. But tonight he needed Erin so bad, he ached for her. He admitted to himself, the toll it took to interview Laura was huge. In the middle of the interview he’d gone into observation mode as he always did, looking for nuances, tells, and giveaways. And there were plenty in the conversation with Laura. But he needed down time, to let the niggling images that had the back of his neck screaming for relief settle into some discernible pattern. But more than that, he needed Erin.

  “Hey Cuz, can I assume by the fact that I’ve asked the same question three times and the most you’ve done is grunt, that you’re thinking about your interview today. From what Dan tells me it went fairly well. You doing okay, Cuz?”

  Nate glared at his cousin, then gave a rueful shake of his head and turned to Sam. “I shoulda told you, while other people call this guy Lieutenant Lang I call him ConnorfuckingFreud. The only one who comes close is Dan and I swear to God between the two of them hovering over me, I’m surprised Internal Affairs hasn’t been on my ass insisting that I spend twelve hours a day with a shrink. But, yeah, Connor, thanks for asking. As I trust Dan told you, the interview went fine.”

  Watching Nate take a large swig of beer, Connor’s eyes narrowed.

  “Has to have been hard, Cuz. I can barely stand being in the same town with your ex-wife, can’t imagine how it was for you in the same room.”

  Nate grunted and looked longingly toward the kitchen where shrieks of high-pitched laughter and womanly chatter was the norm.

  Sam spoke up.

  “From a newcomer’s point of view, Connor, I will tell you that your cousin was masterful in that interview. He could have been teaching a PhD class on how to marshal an investigation. The fact that he never let Laura Chambers get the upper hand was remarkable. And she did ever
ything she could to rankle him. He was impressive.”

  Nate whistled. “Damn, Sam, I told you earlier if you kept that up I might start likin’ you. Here you go again. I’m warning you. I’m a hell of lot easier to get along with when I hate your guts. Connor can tell you I’m a bitch to live with if I like you. So can the Chief.”

  At Glenna’s insistence, Nate sat between her and her sister Amy at dinner. He did his best to focus on the precocious child’s amazing observations. He loved this kid. And for some reason he was her hero. Probably because she insisted he looked like her Ken doll, and begged him to play Barbies with her whenever he came to visit.

  Glenna turned to Sam who was engaged in a serious conversation with Erin at the other end of the table.

  “Mr. Sam, do you know how to play Barbies? Would you ever want to play with me and Nate sometime?”

  A titter of laughter bubbled up from her sisters but was quickly squelched when Nate broke in.

  “Don’t know if he’s up to it, squirt.” Nate focused on the solemn little girl. “You might want to warn ‘Mr. Sam’ that the last time we played, Barbie finally passed her proficiency tests on the M16 and aced the target with her Kimber 380.”

  Glenna’s face lit up. “And don’t forget Nate, she did a great takedown of Ken with a garrote. I love how he gurgled when she choked him.”

  “How can I forget, squirt, given that I’m Ken.”

  In the ensuing heated discussion on the advisability of nine year old girls teaching their dolls the best weapons to disarm an intruder, Nate found himself tuning out and instead tuning into the animated conversation between Erin and Sam. Erin was a dedicated amateur runner, running between 60 and 70 miles a week. She credited her running with giving her the strength to escape an abusive husband and survive a harrowing cross country pursuit by her late husband’s hired goons. Nate saw her eyes widen in appreciation when Sam described how he’d been a nationally ranked distance runner at U.C. Berkley and a trainer in the military—once again nationally ranked. Nate did his best to shove down his rising jealousy. He hated to run, would much rather go five rounds in the ring or beat the hell out of a leather bag. Or do his ten daily four-minute miles on a stationary bike.