by Lori Foster
“There’s always a reason for the things I do.” He checked behind him, then backed out of the lot and steered into traffic. “Any other stops?”
Oh, she could play this game if that was what he wanted to do. “I wouldn’t mind stopping somewhere to buy a wallet. Maybe if we get the phone at a mall, I could find a wallet then.”
“No malls. But you’re a quick shopper, so I’m sure we can work it out.” He pulled out his cell and put in a call. While it rang, he said, “Let’s get into Kentucky first, though. I’ll feel better about it then.”
“That’s fine. As long as I get to call my editor and agent before it’s too late.” Molly didn’t know who he had on the phone, but she went silent when she knew the call had been answered.
“How are my girls?” Dare asked first.
Ah, so he’d called Chris. While she continually peeked out the side-view mirror, watching for that black car, she half listened to Dare. He caught up with Chris and told him that they’d be back before dark. It’d be a relief to settle into Dare’s home with him again. She felt calmer there, less expectant.
But Kathi was right; that could be a problem.
While Dare and her father had talked in the library, Kathi had used the time to whisper warnings to her, all in the name of stepmotherly concern. But she had made one very valid point.
As the one who had rescued her, Dare held responsibility for her continued well-being. But when would his sense of obligation end? As long as she remained in his home, would there ever come a point when he would be comfortable in ending their relationship? How, Kathi had asked, could Molly ever know Dare’s true feelings as long as he was saddled with the task of caring for her?
Molly glanced over at Dare and noticed him watching the rearview mirror. Her stomach knotted.
“No, I’ll take care of that once I’m home,” Dare said into the phone. He listened again for a few minutes and then said, “Thanks. Call Trace back for me. Ask him if he and Alani want to meet for dinner tonight. Yeah. Tell him anywhere along I-75, from Cincinnati down, would work. He can pick the place, but get back to me soon on what he has to say.” He nodded. “Appreciate it. Tell my girls I’ll be home soon.” Dare ended the call.
She couldn’t keep the frown at bay. He’d made dinner plans for them without conferring with her. She had no say in his decision.
And why should she? She reminded herself that she was a guest of Dare’s hospitality; of course he had to maintain a regular schedule, and he couldn’t do that by completely putting his life on hold for her.
Dare held out his phone to her. “If you want to make any calls right now, you can use my phone.”
She thought about it and decided she wanted to get it out of the way. “Thanks.” Right now, any routine normalcy, like talking business, would be welcome.
She called her agent first. As it worked out, once she’d explained to her that she’d been “caught in circumstances beyond my control, which left me incapable of calling,” her agent was very understanding and offered to get hold of the editor for her. She also had several things she needed to fax to Molly for immediate signatures.
Molly checked with Dare, got his fax number and shared it with her agent. Using the excuse of being under the gun on time, Molly promised to talk more when she could, and she told her agent that she’d explain in more detail when she was able.
After she handed the phone back to Dare, he asked, “Everything okay?”
Molly nodded. In the beginning, she’d been so excited about the movie, so flattered and so proud. Now, it seemed almost insignificant in the scheme of things. Her priorities had shifted in a big way.
“She was far more understanding than I thought she’d be.”
“No big questions?”
“No, thank God. She just said that she hopes I’m okay and to let her know if she can do anything.”
Dare grinned. “You’re making her a lot of money.”
Molly shrugged. “Sure. But she’s also a very nice, warm woman with loads of good business sense.”
While she had Dare talking, Molly decided to venture into her concerns. “Will Natalie truly be all right?”
“I don’t think anyone wants to bother her, but even if they did, Jett’s going to keep an eye on her. He won’t leave her alone, except for when she’s at school.” He put a warm hand on her thigh. “Try not to worry, okay?”
Resting her head back against the seat, Molly wondered how she could not worry. Especially when she again saw Dare look in the rearview mirror.
Still with a hand on her thigh, Dare asked, “What are you thinking?”
It wasn’t like her to play games, so she gave him an honest answer. “I was going over conversational pieces.”
“Like?”
“Mark Sagan in, and out of, a suit.” She swiveled her head to look at Dare. “It was strange how my stepmother said that, don’t you think? Almost as if she knows him more intimately than we first thought.”
Dare chewed his upper lip, glanced at her, then back to the road. “You picked up on that, huh?”
He had to be kidding. “Didn’t you?”
“Yeah.” He shifted in his seat, put both hands on the steering wheel. “Yeah, I did.”
“Dare?”
His mouth flattened.
“Oh, for crying out loud.” She’d had enough of his macho posturing. “I’m not that fragile, you know. I won’t break.”
“You’ve been through a hell of a lot. That business with your father and his nutty wife…” He shook his head. “Damn, Molly, that was painful for me to watch. I can only imagine how it is for you to live it.”
He’d been distracted in his concern for her? Okay, she could forgive that—as long as it ended right now. “That’s the one good thing to come out of all this. I realize now that I have very real endurance. If what happened to me had happened to someone else I know, I’d expect her to be falling apart. And I’d understand if she did. But…” She shook her head. “I really am going to be okay. I know it, and I can’t tell you what that feels like, but it’s…good.”
“It’s empowering.” Voice low, expression intimate, Dare said, “Your strength is undeniable.”
Such a smooth talker. Somehow Dare made a comment on her fortitude sound like a very sexy compliment. “Then we agree that I’m not the type to crumple into an emotional mess. So, out with it.” She half turned to face him, as far as the seat belt would allow. “Does your silence have to do with that car following us?”
Surprise flashed in his gaze before he masked it.
Molly rolled her eyes. “I’m not a complete dummy, either.”
“I’m aware of your many qualities, honey, you don’t have to keep reminding me.” He checked the rearview mirror again. “I would say that car likely means that we’re on the right track.”
“You think Dad sent people to follow us?”
Dare hedged. “I’m still mulling things over.”
Narrowing her eyes, Molly said, “Mull them over out loud. It’ll help bring clarity.”
His gaze clashed with hers for a heartbeat, and then he looked away with a grin. “You really are getting back to normal, aren’t you?”
Her neck went stiff. “Meaning what?”
Now the grin turned into a laugh. “Nothing insulting, I swear. You were just so damned polite and reserved at first, it made me nuts.” He glanced at her again, all over her. “I like this new…” He thought about it, then shrugged. “Confidence. But more than that, really. You’re self-assured, poised, assertive.” He held out his hand, and when she took it, he lifted her palm for a kiss. “I’m glad that you’re getting back some of your own.”
Molly gave him a stern and direct stare. “I think this is your way to avoid telling me what my dad wanted with you.”
“Wrong.” He let her go to return his hand to the wheel again. “Your dad asked for a little time before I break the big story. That’s all.”
“But you aren’t planning to break a
story anyway.”
“We know that. He doesn’t.”
“What was his reasoning?” A horrible thought occurred to her. “Did he offer you something in exchange for your silence?” She wouldn’t put that past her dad. Public humiliation would be hell on earth for him.
“He did.” Dare took an exit off the more rural streets and onto the I-75 highway. “He offered to hand over the one responsible.”
Her stomach lurched, and pain squeezed around her heart. Damn it, she’d thought herself immune to her father’s vitriolic machinations.
Apparently not.
Trying to hide her reaction, Molly nodded. “So he does know who’s responsible?”
“Not exactly, no. But he has a few ideas, and in an effort to exonerate himself, he’s going to do a little checking on his end. At this point, I don’t think his snooping around will hurt anything, so I told him to go ahead. Later in the week, I’ll call him to find out how it’s going.”
“He really believes that you would throw the story out there for the media?”
“I was convincing, wasn’t I?”
“Not to me, but then I know you better than he does.” Molly wasn’t at all sure that she really wanted to know, but neither did she want to hide her head in the sand. “So who does Dad suspect?”
“He wouldn’t say.” Dare worked his hands on the wheel. “But I believed him that he has an idea or two. And you know…” He thought about it, glanced at her and away, then admitted softly, “I’m rethinking him as the one responsible.”
It felt like a weight had been lifted from her, with just that possibility. “Really?”
“Something didn’t fit. I don’t know. I’m sure your father is a slick liar.”
“He’s a shark, in business and out.”
Dare nodded. “But he seemed genuinely insulted to be accused of having you hurt.”
Ridiculous hope sprang to life. She knew her father would never love her, but apathy would be easier to bear than deep hatred.
With tentative caution, Molly admitted, “To me, too.”
Dare slanted a measuring look her way. “You didn’t say anything.”
She looked down at her hands. “I guess my trust in you outweighs my need for my father’s affection.” When Dare’s silence wore on her, she looked up to see a very thoughtful frown on his handsome face. “I didn’t want to obviate your instincts with my own, likely jaded, perspective.”
“Actually,” he told her, “I trust your instincts, too, so always feel free to tell me what you’re feeling.”
“Do you mean that?”
His frown darkened more. “Of course I do.”
“All right.” She took a breath. “Then why are you keeping me in the dark?”
That accusation didn’t sit well. “I tell you everything you need to know.”
Now, that hurt. “So, I’m on a need-to-know basis?”
“No. Don’t twist my words.”
“You’re the one who said it.” Her throat felt thick. It was insane that something so small could hurt her feelings on the heels of everything else she’d been through.
Dare made a visible show of striving for patience. After another glance in the rearview mirror, he took an exit toward a newer strip mall.
He said nothing, so she didn’t, either. But she hated the tension between them.
After he parked, he watched the mirrors, waiting, and when the black car didn’t show, he turned off the SUV, released his seat belt and reached for her.
Molly stiffened in surprise. “What—”
Holding her shoulders, Dare pulled her over the console and kissed her. This was no friendly peck. His lips worked over hers until she parted them. Then his tongue stroked in. The kiss was hot and deep, and oh-so-stirring.
Molly came up for air and straight-armed him. “If that’s your way of shutting me up—”
He laughed and kissed her again, this time for a tickling, teasing smooch. “That was my way of making myself feel better.” He smoothed his thumb over her cheek. “From the very beginning I’ve been irresistibly drawn to you. If you’re near enough, I’m going to want to touch and kiss you for no reason other than that I like it.”
Oh. Grudgingly, she said, “I like kissing you, too.”
“I know you do.” Smiling, he dropped his hands and stared out the windshield while he gathered his thoughts. “I always work alone, Molly. Other than Trace, there’s never been anyone that I confided in to help me sort out details when I was on a case. When I’m not sure about things, I don’t want to alarm you, or give you false hope.”
She could understand that. “But nothing is ever really concrete, is it?”
“I can usually narrow things down to some pretty damn good guesses.”
His lack of modesty amused her. “I know. And I understand why at first, you tried to…shield me.”
“It hasn’t been that long yet.” He turned his head to give her a long look of consideration. “Yeah, you’re more relaxed every day, but it’s there, Molly. I see it in your eyes still. The fact that someone is following us—”
“Still?” She twisted around to peer out each window, and saw no one.
“You see? You’re jumpy as hell about it, when there’s no reason. Do you honestly think I’d stop here if there was any danger to you?”
Venturing the right reply, she said, “No?”
“So much confidence in me.” He shook his head. “No, I wouldn’t. We’re being followed, but not aggressively. Whoever is on my tail is a pro and probably just wants to know where I’m going with you. Hell, it could be your dad just keeping up with you out of concern.” She snorted.
“Yeah, I doubt that, too. But it’s possible.”
“Want me to call him and tell him to back off? If he knows we’re on to him—”
“No.”
“Because…?”
“It might not be him, and I don’t want to tip off anyone.”
Molly let out a sigh, and insisted on the truth. “So, what’s the most likely scenario?”
After gauging her interest, Dare shrugged. “I’d say it’s probably someone who wants to know where I’m taking you in the hopes of getting to you again.”
Oh, God. She bit her lip. Hard. Then nodded. “Okay, so I assume that you have a plan?”
“Yeah.” Blue eyes glittering, Dare said, “To kill anyone who tries to touch you.”
“Oh.” Rubbing her forehead didn’t relieve the sudden pressure there. “You know, maybe if it’s possible not to kill anyone—”
“And that’s why I don’t tell you everything.” He opened his door and circled around to her side. When she stepped out, he held her face to kiss her again, this time with measured gentleness. “It’s not on you, Molly. You have no reason for guilt over anything or anyone. Understand?”
She nodded. In reality, she didn’t blame herself. But the idea of someone dying just because he followed her father’s orders…
Growling in exasperation, Dare put his arm around her and started her forward. He kept his gaze straight ahead when he said, “If it’s at all possible to safely detain without killing, then I will.”
He made it sound like the grandest concession. Odd that she had to fight a smile over something so serious. “Thank you, Dare.”
Drily, he said, “Don’t mention it.” He opened the door to a wireless store, and they went inside to pick out a phone. While Molly perused the selections, Dare got a call and stepped over by the door to talk. Molly used the time to make her purchase, paying for the phone in cash before Dare could give her more frowning looks over it. It was the oddest thing, how he objected to her spending her own money.
In some ways, he was the most old-fashioned man she’d ever met. In other ways, he was by far the most advanced. In every way, he was unique.
The small shop also had a supply of cell-phone covers with matching wallets, so she was able to kill two birds with one stone. With her bagged purchases in hand, she went over to Dare just i
n time to hear the tail end of his plans with Trace.
Dare closed his phone and put it away. “All done?”
Nodding, Molly told him, “I got a wallet here, too, so I don’t need to stop anywhere else.”
He scanned the parking lot before opening the door and leading her out. “You getting hungry? We’ll meet Trace and Alani right before we get to my place, so not for three hours or so, depending on traffic. We can grab something before then if you want.”
“Are you hungry?” Big as he was, Dare probably needed to refuel often.
“Getting there.” He looked around the area and spotted a bakery a few doors down. “How does a bagel sound?”
“Not as good as a few donuts.”
Grinning, he conceded that and together they picked out a bag of mixed donuts with large coffees. “Anything else?” Dare asked her.
Thinking of the long ride ahead, she said, “I’ll take a juice, too.” And at the last minute she snagged kettle chips and added them to the purchases.
When Dare made a point of not saying anything, she elbowed him. “It’s awful, I know. But I eat when I’m stressed.”
As he paid the cashier, he said, “I don’t want you to be stressed.”
“Tough.” She hooked her arm through his, and they headed back for the SUV. “I know I’m safe with you, Dare, I really do. It’s just that I hate the necessity for you to have to protect me.”
“Molly—”
Knowing he didn’t understand, she cut him off. “I wish I was just safe, without any qualifiers, you know? Like I used to be.”
“I understand.” He opened her door and then handed her their goodies. “It’s unfortunate, but now you know that no one is ever truly secure. There are dangers out there, always, and sometimes you can’t avoid them. It’s a hell of a lesson.” He kissed her and then shut the door.
Is that how Dare felt? Is that how he’d always felt? Did he live his life forever on guard against peril? What a terrible way to live, always waiting for something to happen.
When he got behind the wheel, she said, “Dare?” And when he looked at her, she stretched over the console so that she could initiate the kiss this time. Smiling, she told him, “I like this kissing business, too.”