by Lori Foster
His laugh was quick and sharp, then he shook his head. “Right. My career.” He glanced at her again, grinning, wondering if she could possibly realize how uncomfortable he was with that particular career. “That’s not the only thing, though.”
“There’s something else?”
“Yeah. You see, we’ll need a place to meet. Neutral ground and all that. Someplace away from prying eyes.”
Emily stared.
“You stand out like a sore thumb, honey. We can’t just have you traipsing around in that neighborhood. People will wonder what you’re up to. It could blow the whole thing.”
“I see.”
“My apartment is close to here. No one would pay any attention to you coming in or out. It wouldn’t even matter what time we met. We’ll need to work closely together, finesse these plans of yours. What d’ya say?”
Her mouth opened, but all that came out was, “Oh God.”
Lifting one dark eyebrow, Judd felt triumphant. She was already realizing the implications of spending so much time alone with him. He hid his relief and said, “Come again?”
Emily shook her head, then at the same time said, “Yes, that is...I suppose...” She heaved a sigh, straightened her back, and then nodded. “Okay.”
Judd stared at her, trying not to show his disbelief. “What do you mean, okay?” He’d thought for certain, since everything else had failed, that this would send her running. But no. She seemed to like the damn idea. She was actually smiling now.
“I mean, if you think we could successfully operate from your apartment, I’ll agree to meet you there.”
Contrary female. “Emily...” He faltered. He liked saying her name, liked how it sounded, all fresh and pure. She looked at him, with those huge, doe eyes steady on his face. She was too trusting. She was a danger to herself. If he didn’t keep close tabs on her, she’d end up in trouble. He was sure of it.
“You were going to say something, Mr. Sanders?”
Nothing she would like hearing. He shook his head. “Just be quiet and let me think.”
Obediently, she turned away and stared out her window. He wasn’t buying her compliance for a minute. He had a gut feeling there wasn’t an obedient bone in her slim body. He also suspected she was as stubborn as all hell, once she’d set her mind on something. And she was set to find a gun dealer.
The truck was heating up. It was late spring and even though the nights were still a little chilly, the days were warming up into the seventies. Without any fanfare, and apparently trying not to draw undue attention to herself, Emily began unbuttoning the oversize coat. Judd watched from the corner of his eye.
Just to razz her, because she took the bait so easily, he asked, “Would you like me to give you a drumroll?”
She turned to face him. “I beg your pardon?”
She looked honestly confused. He tried to hide his grin. “Every good striptease needs music.”
“I’m not stripping!”
He shrugged, amused by the blush on her cheeks that was visible even in the dark interior of the truck. She was apparently unused to masculine teasing, maybe even to men in general.
He snorted at his own foolishness. It was men like himself, coarse and inelegant, that she wasn’t used to. He imagined she had plenty of sophisticated guys clamoring for her attention. And that fact nettled him, even though it shouldn’t. Grumbling, he said, “You should try it. Everyone should experience stripping just once. It’s a rush.”
She held her coat together with clenched fingers, her look incredulous. If she knew him better, she’d know what a lie he’d just told. He hated taking off his clothes in front of so many voracious women. But she didn’t know him, and most likely never would. He should keep that fact in mind before he did something stupid. Like what, you idiot? Like promising you’d take care of her gun dealer for her, so she could take her cute little backside and big brown eyes back home where it’s safe? No, he most definitely couldn’t do that, no matter how much he’d like to.
They came to the entrance to Crystal Lakes. “Which way?”
He’d startled her. She’d practically jumped out of her seat, and he was left wondering exactly where her mind had been. “Which way to your place? You didn’t think I’d take you to my apartment tonight, did you? In case you haven’t noticed, lady, it’s after midnight. And I’ve put in a full day. Tomorrow will be soon enough.”
The truck was left to idle while they stared at each other. Finally in a small voice filled with suspicion, Emily said, “You’re not just getting rid of me, are you? You’ll really help me?”
Those eyes of hers could be lethal. He wanted nothing more than to tug her close and promise her he wouldn’t leave her, that he’d take care of everything, that he’d... She looked so damn vulnerable. It didn’t make a bit of sense. Usually people with big money went around feeling confident that money would get them anything. They didn’t bother with doubts.
Irritated now, he rubbed the bridge of his nose, then said in a low tone, “Since I haven’t gotten my thousand bucks yet, you can be sure I’ll be sticking around.”
After heaving a small sigh, she said, “Of course.”
Now, why did she have to sound so disappointed? And why did he feel like such a jerk?
“Left, up the hill, then the first street on the right.”
Judd knew he had no business forming fantasies over a woman who blushed every time she spoke. Especially since he’d have to keep her close, more to protect her than anything else. She didn’t understand the magnitude of what she was tampering with, the lethal hold gun dealers had on the city.
An idea had been forming in his mind ever since he’d realized he couldn’t discourage her from trying to save the world. He’d thought, if he became aggressive enough, she’d run back home to safety.
Instead, she’d only threatened to find someone else to help her. And he couldn’t let that happen. She might get herself killed, or maybe she’d actually find out something and inadvertently get in the way. He’d worked too hard for that to happen. He wouldn’t allow anything—or anyone—to interfere. He would get the bastard who’d shot Max. But damn, he’d never expected Emily to openly accept his plans.
Crystal Lakes, as exclusive and ritzy as it was, sat only about twenty-five minutes from the lower east side. It was one of those areas where you could feel the gradual change as you left hell and entered heaven. The grass started looking greener, the business district slipped away, and eventually everything was clean and untainted.
Emily pointed out her house, a large white Colonial, with a huge front porch. It looked as if it had been standing there for more than a hundred years, and was surprisingly different from the newer, immense homes recently built in the area.
There were golden lights in every window, providing a sense of warmth. A profusion of freshly planted spring flowers surrounded the perimeter, and blooming dogwoods randomly filled the yard. All in all, the place was very impressive, but not quite what he’d expected. Somehow, he’d envisioned her stationed in real money. Any truly successful businessperson could afford this house.
Judd stared around the isolated grounds. “Do you live here by yourself?”
She nodded, not quite looking at him, her hands clasped nervously in her lap.
“No husband or little ones to help fill up the space?”
“No. No husband. No children.”
“Why not? I thought all debutantes were married off at an early age.”
He didn’t think she’d answer at first, but then she licked her lips and her skittish gaze settled on his face. “I was...engaged once. But things didn’t work out.” She rushed through her words, seemingly unable to stop herself. “I bought this house about a year ago. My parents don’t particularly like it—it’s one of the smaller homes in the community. But it was an original estate, not one built when the Lakes was developed. It’s been renovated, and I think it’s charming.”
She said the words defensively, as if she exp
ected some scathing comment from him. Judd didn’t like being affected this way, but there was something about Emily that touched him. He could feel her emotions, had been feeling them since first making eye contact with her. And right now, she seemed almost wounded.
Very gently, he asked, “Did you see to the renovations yourself?”
“Yes.”
He looked around the dark, secluded yard and shook his head. “Your parents approve of your living here alone?”
“No, but it doesn’t matter what they think. When my grandmother died, she left me a large inheritance. My parents expected me to buy a condo near them and then invest the rest using their suggestions.” Her hands tightened in her lap and she swallowed. “But I loved this house on sight. I’d already planned to buy it, and receiving the inheritance let me do so sooner than I’d planned. I don’t regret a single penny I spent on the place. Everything is just as I want it.”
“What if you hadn’t gotten the inheritance?”
“I would have found a job. I’m educated. I’m not helpless.” She gave him a narrow-eyed look. “But this way, I don’t have to. I’m financially independent.”
And alone. “How old are you, Emily?”
She raised her chin, a curious habit he’d noticed she used whenever she felt threatened. “Thirty.”
He couldn’t hide his surprise. “You don’t look more than twenty.” Without thinking, he reached out and touched her cheek, his fingertips drifting over her fine, porcelain skin. “Twenty and untouched.”
She jerked away. “Are we going to sit in the driveway all night? Go around the back, to the kitchen door.”
He shouldn’t let her give him orders, but what the hell. He put the truck in gear and did as directed.
The darkness of the hour had hidden quite a few things. There was a small lake behind her property, pretty with the moon reflecting off its surface. Of course, there were some twenty such lakes in the Crystal Lakes community, so he shouldn’t have been surprised.
“Is the lake stocked?”
“Yes. But it’s seldom used. Occasionally, one or two of the neighborhood children come here to fish. My lake is the most shallow, so it’s the safest. And it’s the only one on this side of the community. Most of the lakes are farther up.”
“You don’t mind the kids trampling around your yard?”
“Of course not. They’re good kids. They usually feed the ducks and catch a frog or two. I enjoy watching them.”
Judd stared back at the house. There was a large window that faced the backyard and the lake. He could picture her sitting there, content to watch the children play. Maybe longing for things she didn’t have. Things money couldn’t buy.
Hell, he was becoming fanciful.
Disgusted with himself, knowing he’d been away from normal society too long and that was probably the reason she seemed so appealing, he parked the truck and got out. The fresh air cleared his head.
He opened Emily’s door to help her out, but she held back, watching him nervously. “I’ll make sure you get inside okay, then I’ll take off. We can hook up again tomorrow morning.”
“Oh. Yes. That will be fine.”
She sounded relieved that he didn’t intend to come inside tonight, and perversely, he changed his mind. He’d come in, all right, but with his imagination so active, he couldn’t trust himself to be alone with her any length of time. Anyway, he told himself, she wasn’t his type—not even close. She was much too small and frail. He liked his women big, with bountiful breasts and lush hips.
As far as he could tell, Emily didn’t have a figure.
But those eyes... She walked up a small, tidy patio fronted by three shallow steps, then unlocked the back door and flipped a switch. Bright fluorescent light cascaded through a spotless kitchen and spilled outside onto the patio. Judd saw flowerpots everywhere, filled with spring flowers, and a small outdoor seating group arranged to his right. Everything seemed cheery and colorful...like a real home, and not at all what he’d expected.
Damn, he’d have to find some way to dissuade her from her plan before he got in over his head.
She turned and gave him a small, uncertain smile. “About tomorrow...”
He interrupted her, coming up the three steps and catching her gaze. “Let’s make sure we understand each other, Emily, so there won’t be any mistakes.”
She nodded, and he deliberately stepped closer, watching with satisfaction as she tried to pull back, even though there was no place to go. Good, he thought. At least she had some sense of self-preservation.
He braced his hands on the door frame, deliberately looming over her. “From this second on, I call the shots, with no arguments from you. If you really want my help, you’ll do as I tell you, whatever I tell you.” He waited until she’d backed all the way into the kitchen, then he added, “You understand all that?”
Chapter Three
EMILY’S MOUTH OPENED twice, but nothing came out. She was too stunned to think rationally, too appalled to react with any real thought. Judd dropped his arms and stepped completely into the kitchen, watching her, and by reflex alone, she started sidling toward the hall door. She had made a terrible mistake. Her instincts had been off by a long shot.
Judd’s smile was pure wickedness. “Where ya’ goin’, Emily?”
“I, ah, I just thought of something...”
Like a loud blast, his laugh erupted, filling the silence of the kitchen.
She halted, a spark of suspicion beginning to form. “What is so funny?”
“The look on your face. Did you think I had visions of taking you instead of the money?” He shook his head, and Emily felt her cheeks flame. He was still chuckling when he said, “It only makes sense that I’d be in charge—after all, that’s what you’ll be paying me for. Like I told you, a rich little lady like yourself would only draw a lot of unnecessary attention hanging around that area. You’ll have to follow my lead, and do as I tell you if you want to stay safe. And another thing, we need to figure out some reason for you being there at all. I think we’ll have to do a little acting. Your part will be easy, since you’ll just be the rich lady. That leaves me as the kept man.” He spread his arms wide. “As far as everyone will be concerned, I’m yours. There’s no other reason why a woman like you would be around a man like me, unless she was slumming. So that’s the reason we’ll use.”
She was so mortified, she wanted to die. Stiff-backed, she turned away from him and walked over to lean against the tiled counter near the sink. She heard Judd close the door, and seconds later, his hands landed on her shoulders, holding her firm.
“Don’t get all huffy now. We have things to discuss. Serious things.”
“You mean, you don’t intend to taunt me anymore? My goodness, how gracious.”
“You’ve got a real smart mouth, don’t you? No, don’t answer that. I’m sorry I teased you, but I couldn’t resist. You’re just too damn easy to fluster.” He turned her to face him, then tipped up her chin.
“Here, now, don’t go blushing again. Not that you don’t look cute when you do, but I really think we should talk.”
Emily stepped carefully away, not wanting him to know how his nearness, his touch, affected her. Even after all his taunting, she still went breathless and too warm inside when he was close. And ridiculously, it angered her when he belittled himself, claiming she could have no interest in him other than as a sex partner. The physical appeal was there, but it was more than that. Much more. He had helped her. He’d actually taken on three inebriated men to protect her, even though he wasn’t a real cop. And he was willing to help her again. She discounted the money; what she was asking could put his life at risk. He must be motivated by more than money to get involved.
But for now, she couldn’t sort it all out. Especially not with her senses still rioting at his nearness. She drew a deep breath, then let it out again. “I thought we were going to wait until morning to make any plans. It is getting rather late.”
; “No, I’ve decided it can’t wait. But I won’t keep you long. Pull up a chair and get comfortable.”
Emily didn’t particularly want to get comfortable, but she also didn’t want to risk driving Judd away. For the moment, he was the best hope she had of ever finding the man who’d sold her brother the gun. She knew her limitations, and fitting in around the lower east side of Springfield was probably the biggest of them. She needed him.
As she headed for a chair, Judd caught the back of her coat, drawing her up short. “It’s warm in here. Why don’t you take this off?”
He was watching her closely again, and she couldn’t fathom his thoughts. She shrugged, then started to slip the shabby wool coat from her shoulders. Judd’s eyes went immediately to the tiny camera she wore on a strap around her neck.
“What the hell is that?”
She jumped, then lost her temper with his barking tone. “Will you please quit cursing at me!”
He seemed stunned by her outburst, but he did nod. “Answer me.”
“It’s rather obviously a camera.”
Closing his eyes and looking as though he were involved in deep prayer, Judd said, “Please tell me you weren’t taking pictures tonight.”
“No. I didn’t take any.” She lifted her chin, knowing what his reaction would be, then added, “Tonight.”
“You just had to clarify that, didn’t you, before I could really relax.” His sigh was long and drawn out, then he led her to the polished pine table sitting in the middle of her quarry-stone kitchen floor. He pulled out a chair for her, silently insisting that she sit. “So when did you take pictures?”
“I’ve been checking that area for three nights now.” She ignored his wide-eyed amazement, and his muttered cursing. “The first night, I took some shots of things that didn’t look quite right. You know, groups of men who were huddled together talking. Cars that were parked where they probably shouldn’t be. Things like that. Not that I really suspected them of anything. But I didn’t want to come home empty-handed.
“I was hoping to find something concrete tonight, so I brought the camera again. Let’s face it. If I did find out anything, I doubt the police would simply take my word for it. I mean, if they were at all concerned with that awful man who’s selling defective guns, well...they’d be doing something right now.” Judd cringed, but Emily rushed on. “If I had something on film, I’d have solid evidence. The police would have to get involved. But there wasn’t anything incriminating.”