by Lori Foster
No, so far, it didn’t. “Who would want to hurt you?”
Hugging herself tighter, she turned away. “I’m sorry, but I think I should talk to Nathan about that first.”
With more questions than answers, Hogan asked, “Because he’s the sheriff?”
“In part.” Her gaze lifted to meet Violet’s and then resolutely moved to Hogan’s. “I never wanted anyone else hurt. If I’d thought there was any way—”
“We know that,” Violet said.
Hogan agreed with a nod. “As I told Violet, she was likely collateral damage.”
Brooklin winced, took a deep breath and straightened. “As long as I stay away, I don’t think anyone would bother her.”
Violet almost shot out of her chair. “Forget it! I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m not about to let some thug choose my friends for me. Next time I’ll be ready. Next time I’ll—”
Incredulous, Hogan turned on her. “What the hell are you talking about? You both need to be more careful, not go around offering challenges.”
“I’ll be careful,” Violet said, her eyes mean as she figuratively dug in. “But I won’t let you dictate to me, and I like you, Hogan. What makes you think I’d let some vicious dick push me around?”
“God help me,” Hogan muttered. How would he convince her not to be reckless? He couldn’t risk her like that, definitely couldn’t lose her—
Surprising him, Brooklin was the voice of reason. “I understand, Violet, I really do. Of course you’re right. But tonight I’ll talk to Nathan. Until then, if I see you, it should only be in a big setting like this. Not alone. In fact, you shouldn’t be alone at all.” She looked at Hogan. “In the evenings—”
“I’ll be sure to close down the place with her.”
Flopping back in her seat, Violet grumbled. “I’ve been running this business alone for a very long time without a babysitter.”
Brooklin’s devastation showed through her brave front, despite her slight smile. “That was before me, though.”
Neither Hogan nor Violet had anything to say to that. It’d help if he knew what they were dealing with.
Soon. If Nathan didn’t get in touch tonight, he’d track him down again tomorrow.
On her way to the door, Brooklin said, “Please be careful, okay? Both of you.”
“Are you leaving alone?” Hogan asked, and he saw Violet beam at him as if he’d just done something wonderful. Hell, it was only a question.
“I was able to park closer this time.”
“I’ll walk you out anyway.” He pointed at Violet, taking in her beautiful tumbled hair, the body-hugging tank she wore, the makeup and the jewelry. “Stay put, okay? I have a lot of compliments to give you soon as I get back.”
Her smile widened even more. “You noticed.”
She had to be kidding. “I’m not blind, honey. I just prioritized.” He closed the door on her delighted laugh.
A laugh.
After receiving confirmation that someone had likely tried to—
“I like Violet a lot.”
Hogan glanced at Brooklin. “Yeah, me, too.”
She didn’t look at anyone as they walked through the restaurant. “I really will stay away from her.”
“Why? If you can make it here without harm, then it’s the perfect place to visit, right? Lots of people around. Safety in numbers and all that.” He opened the front door, searched the area, saw nothing but the usual sluggish traffic, sunshine and neighbors, then stepped out ahead of her. “I appreciate that you kept her off that leg for a while today.”
“I needed to apologize.”
“Knowing Violet as I do, I doubt that. She wouldn’t blame you.”
“No, she didn’t.” Brooklin pointed to her car. “This is me. I found a spot at the curb this time.”
“Lucky.”
“I circled the block three times.”
Hogan laughed. “Okay, then let’s call it smart.” He waited while she unlocked the door with a key fob, then opened it for her. When she was in, he said, “Mind if I ask where you’re headed?”
“Straight home. I have some work of my own to get done. And yes, I’ll be watching the area, same as you just did.”
“Still doesn’t feel right. I’m surprised Nathan isn’t dogging you.”
“He tried.” She put the key in the ignition. “You interrupted a bit of a disagreement this morning.”
“With Nathan insisting and you refusing?”
Brooklin fell quiet, then gave a soft laugh. “Odd how you have me spilling my guts. Nathan could tell you that I rarely do. But for some reason, here I am, sitting here and telling you things.”
Not enough things. Hogan smiled. “Since I’m not Nathan, maybe sharing doesn’t bother you as much.”
“I didn’t want to get involved.” She frowned. “Or maybe it’s that I didn’t want to involve anyone else. Know what I mean?”
“I do.”
She dropped her head back against the seat. “But now I’ve involved Nathan and Violet both.”
“I’ll watch out for Violet.”
“I’m glad.”
“And you,” he said, “should trust Nathan.” Then more softly, he added, “You don’t want to be looking over your shoulder your entire life.”
“No,” she agreed. “I don’t.” She turned her face up to his. “Go and give Violet that flattery now. She’s waiting for you.”
Hogan returned her smile. “It’s nice, you know?”
“To have someone waiting?”
He nodded.
“My thought exactly.”
He watched her drive away, then headed back inside. He went to Kristy first, to see how she was managing.
The second she spotted him, she almost collapsed and tried to hand him the tongs. “What took you so long?”
You’d think he’d asked her to create magic, the way she acted. “It was only a few minutes.” When she started to leave, he caught her arm. “Hold up. I’m not quite done yet.”
“Hogan!”
Keeping his fingers wrapped around her wrist, he peered at the ribs, then proclaimed her an expert. “Terrific job. You’ve kept basting them, right? They look perfect.”
Now instead of straining away, she eased closer and smiled. “Really? They’re okay?”
Using a fork, he pried off one small bite and tasted it. “Mmm. Better than okay.”
While Hogan removed the ribs and put on more to cook, she beamed. “Keep up the great work, and I promise only ten minutes more.”
Cockier by the second, Kristy agreed. “Sure. This is easier than waiting tables. Lots of nice people stop by to talk.”
“Maybe you can be my official fill-in when I need time away.”
Alarm set her eyes wide. “Wait a minute. Helping now and then is fine, but I don’t know about doing this for an entire shift.”
She squeaked when he gave her a quick, laughing hug. “Ten minutes more. Fifteen tops. I’ll be back before things get busy. Just watch for fire and slather on more sauce every so often.”
As he left her, Hogan saw Kristy concentrating hard on the ribs, her tongs at the ready.
He was still smiling when he rapped on Violet’s door and stepped in. She’d left the chair and was busy returning the ice packs to the cooler.
“Let me.” He took it from her, knelt more easily than she could and finished in seconds, the cooler once again secure.
“I could have managed,” she said, her tone nettled.
Hogan didn’t debate it with her, not when he had other, more important things on his mind—such as getting his mouth on hers.
Like a starving man, he caught her close.
“What a—”
The second her
lips parted, his mouth covered hers, his tongue sliding in as he shifted for a better fit. When she melted against him, he lowered one hand to her ass so he could pull her in tight.
“Mmm,” she whispered.
Kissing a path to her throat, he breathed in her fragrant skin and felt his muscles knot in reaction.
A hint of perfume curled around his senses, and he smiled.
Breathless, Violet said, “If I’d known a little makeup and loose hair would cause this, I’d have gotten to it sooner.”
“You look amazing, honey, but you always do.” While palming her perfect ass, he nipped her earlobe and whispered, “But I’d be all over you regardless.”
“Really?”
He drew in her skin, careful not to mark her, then soothed the sensitive spot with his tongue. “I’ve missed you. That’s all.”
She drew back to stare up at him, her gaze wide with delight. “That’s all?”
Framed with mascara, her eyes looked even bluer than usual. Skin flushed, mouth wet from his kiss, she was the hottest, most appealing woman he’d ever known, special in ways he only just started to realize.
To help him concentrate, he shifted his hands off her luscious behind. “It doesn’t matter what you wear or whether your hair is up or down.” He stroked his fingers through the long, silky waves. “Though I admit, you do have gorgeous hair.” He thought of it drifting over his body as she kissed him and nearly groaned.
A slow smile curled Violet’s mouth—a naked mouth, without lipstick, and he was grateful for that.
“So,” she teased, “the fact that I’m wearing my sexiest underthings wouldn’t affect you at all?”
Now he did groan, drawing her closer as the heat built beneath his skin. “How sexy?”
Her small, hot tongue touched against his throat. “Barely there,” she whispered.
Hogan crushed her against him. “Okay, that’s tempting.” He gave her payback, saying, “But not more so than having you naked.” Finally, with no real choice, he stepped back. “And that’s enough of that or Kristy will be stuck on the grill for longer than ten minutes.”
Sensuality dropped away and alarm stole her soft expression. “You left Kristy on the grills? Hogan, you know she can’t cook!”
“She’s not cooking,” he said as he caught her, keeping her in front of him. “She’s minding the grills. That’s all. I got her set up before I came in to talk to you.”
“But she—”
Hogan kissed her again. She resisted for about two seconds before giving in with enthusiasm.
The second he lifted his mouth, though, she demanded, “Who’s waiting tables?”
“I pulled one of the washers.” And before she could explode, he again sealed his mouth over hers. He stuck with it a little longer this time, teasing her lips with his tongue, his teeth. God, he loved her taste, the heat of her.
He eased back slowly with kisses to the corner of her mouth, her chin and her nose.
Eyes still closed, Violet breathed, “I’m going to kill you, damn you. You can’t just take over.”
Unable to help himself, Hogan grinned. “Before you rush off to rearrange things I haven’t messed up, will you promise me something?”
“Depends.” On a sigh, she got her eyes open. “If it’s to let you meddle so much, the answer is no.”
Still grinning, Hogan said, “You’re a tyrant, and no, I don’t need to interfere with your business.”
“Needing to isn’t the point. You enjoy it.” She rested against him, winced when she did so and readjusted so that she had less pressure on her foot.
“Two promises, actually. First, will you try to take it extra easy today? We can manage without you being on your feet too much.”
“I promise to use my own good sense to know when I should rest. How’s that?”
Not good enough, since pride dictated her actions more so than good sense. But pressing her further wouldn’t change that, not today. Besides, he liked her proud and stubborn and capable.
“I guess it’ll have to do. So, let’s move on to the second thing. Will you let me stay the night?” He curled his fingers over her jaw, let his thumb brush over her bottom lip. “Not just for sex. We both need to sleep at some point. But I’m worried, whether you are or not. Until we learn more about Brooklin’s problem, I don’t like the idea of you being alone.”
“What about Colt?”
That she’d think of his son first endeared her to him even more. He couldn’t hold back his expression of satisfaction, or the tenderness swelling in his heart. Crazy that Violet did that to him, turned him on until he thought he’d catch fire, all while making his brain foggy and his thoughts gentle. It was an amazing contradiction, sometimes unsettling, sometimes perfect.
“Colt can stay with Jason and Honor.”
Taking only a few seconds to consider it, Violet nodded. “I don’t mind. Truthfully, I’m a little spooked, too. Having company will be nice. But aren’t you worried about the whole town knowing?”
“Jason and Honor won’t gossip. No one needs to know but us.” Then he thought of how he’d caught Brooklin coming from Nathan’s house and he knew anything was possible.
It didn’t matter. Violet was the priority right now.
Violet—and keeping her safe.
He didn’t want to dwell on that, so he lifted the small oval necklace she wore. “This is beautiful. Brooklin made it?”
“Yes. You really like it?”
“It’s pretty, and it matches your eyes.”
She smiled. “That’s what Brooklin said, too.”
“I also like this shirt. Maybe too much.” The lacy tank hugged her body like a second skin and showed more cleavage than usual.
“If it wasn’t for my stupid foot, I’d have on sexier jeans, too.” She walked her fingers up his chest. “I wanted to get your attention.”
“You always have it.” He briefly cupped her breast, groaned low and made himself step away before he said too much.
Or did too much.
Violet didn’t object; she just watched him as if waiting to see if he’d touch her again.
“You’re dangerous.”
Her lips curled.
Pointing at her, he said, “Stop that before you find yourself bent over the desk.”
Her lips parted. “Seriously?”
Groaning, Hogan turned away and headed for the door in a move of self-preservation. “I’ll check in with you later.” Over his shoulder, he said, “Or if you find the time and want to visit me at the grills, feel free.”
Pleased with that invite, she nodded. “Will do.” She shooed him away. “Now go before Kristy burns something and we have to take a loss.”
Hogan laughed on his way out. Always, Violet kept the success of her diner and turning a profit at the forefront of her mind.
He admired that. He more than admired her.
How the hell had that happened?
* * *
When Brooklin heard the music start, she went to the window to look out. Nathan had his garage door up and she got her first glimpse inside.
It was unlike any garage she’d ever seen.
The band had set up half in, half out, with two guitars, an elaborate set of drums, a keyboard and a tall microphone. Large speakers were stationed near the doors. Behind them, finished walls, a bar, a comfy couch, a table and chairs filled the space.
She wasn’t sure, but she thought Nathan might have created a man cave for himself that served the dual purpose of being the perfect space for the band to practice.
Drunken Monkeys, she remembered. What a name.
None of the guys looked remotely like monkeys or drunks, but none of them were as handsome as Nathan.
While playing one of the guitars,
he sang “Born on the Bayou” and, mesmerized, her heart swelling, she realized he was really good.
And he looked incredibly sexy.
Slipping her shoes on her feet, she hurried out the back door and across the lawns to join them.
When he saw her, Nathan smiled, but he didn’t miss a single note. The other guys grinned hugely and poured their hearts into the music.
As the song ended, she broke into applause. “That was fantastic!”
One of the members, a guy with longish hair and a porn-style mustache, elbowed Nathan and said, “She expected us to suck.”
“Seems like,” he agreed, teasing her. Nathan turned to another one of the members. “Stan, you want to grab her a chair?”
The infamous Stan, she thought. He winked at her, fetched her a lawn chair and presented it with fanfare.
“Thank you.” He was a handsome guy, but again, not as handsome as Nathan.
“No problem.” He folded his arms. “So you and Nathan, huh?”
Handsome and bold, she decided. Aware of Nathan nearby and the other two guys listening in, she leaned closer and said as a confidence, “It’s possible, given we’re neighbors, he’s gorgeous and apparently talented, as well.”
Stan snorted a laugh. “So you’re after convenience and care about looks. At least you’re discriminating enough to care about talent.”
She held up two fingers close together. “I have a smidge of integrity.”
Laughing again, Stan said, “I think you turned it all around. You’re the gorgeous one, but Nathan isn’t too much of a dolt, so I’m betting he’s been hot on your heels.”
“True,” she agreed, playing along. “He completely wore me down.”
“Glad to hear it.” Stan turned to Nathan, fashioned a ridiculously mournful face and said, “I guess this takes me out of the running?”
“You were never in the running,” Nathan said. “Not my type.”
Brooklin laughed with them.
The other two guys came to introduce themselves, Kurt and Mike, also teasing her, razzing Nathan, and finally they got back to work.