by Lori Foster
"You're mad because I didn't lose control?" He felt disbelief and a touch of annoyance. Every woman he'd ever known had valued his control, relied on it, counted on it. He also felt a surge of hunger so strong it shook him. She was so open about wanting him, how could he not return the favor?
"There it is." She looked as confused as he felt. "You leave me at a disadvantage, which is a place I've been too many times with men. I swore I wouldn't ever let that happen again."
Running his hand roughly through his already rumpled hair, Brent fell back in his chair, resigned. "So you don't want to see me again?" Not that it mattered. He had no intention of walking away just yet, and since he held her lease, he'd have plenty of reasons to see her if she did try to end things.
"I'm not sure." She took a deep breath, warning him that he wouldn't like what he was about to hear. And he was right.
"But I'm not going to sleep with you until I've had time to think about this, to figure it out."
Talk about a plan backfiring… With a humorless laugh, Brent stood. "First you raise hell because I didn't take you, and now you're saying you may not even want me to. You're fickle, Shadow."
"I'm just trying to—"
"I know what you're trying to do, honey. You want to run the show, to call all the shots. Fine. But don't expect me to sit around waiting for you to make up your mind how to do it."
Her big brown eyes were direct, but also solemn. She wasn't going to give an inch. "If that's how you want it."
She had the upper hand and he hated it. In fact, he wouldn't tolerate it. He gulped down the last of his coffee and said matter-of-factly, "Go get your coat. We'll see what we can do about your car."
Uncertainty, and if he wasn't mistaken, hopefulness, settled over her. "My coat?"
"Yes. It's cold outside, and it snowed again last night." When a slow, impish smile lit her face, Brent felt his chest constrict. Unfulfilled lust, he decided, nothing more. "I'll take you by the auto parts store and we can pick up a distributor cap."
She scampered out of her chair. "I'll just be a minute."
When she turned to leave, Brent finally read the words on the back of her sweatshirt. His laugh took her by surprise.
"I think I'm the one who should be wearing that," he said.
"What?"
"Your shirt. H.S.A. State? I didn't understand what the initials stood for until now." He read aloud, still chuckling, "'The State of Heightened Sexual Arousal.' Very catchy."
Shadow's smile went crooked. "It's a very big seller."
"I can imagine." With Shadow in the vicinity, every male for miles probably knew that state.
All humor vanished when they stepped outside. Brent was the first to notice the footprints in the snow. They led around the house, leaving the walkway occasionally, where it was obvious someone had approached the house to peer inside the windows. When he'd looked out the door earlier, it had been too dark to notice them. But now he saw there was even one window where the ice had been scratched off, to give a clearer view.
"I told you I saw someone," Shadow reminded him, trudging behind him as he retraced each print. They made a marked path at the side of the house, then headed toward the street. Brent broke into a trot when he realized they led to his car, which he'd left parked on the curb in front.
His curses should have melted the snow. A single, long, deeply etched scratch ran from the front fender to the back. Shadow looked nearly sick, and Brent went rigid with rage.
"Oh, Brent. I'm so sorry."
"I'll get the bastard," he said through his teeth, "don't worry about that." His anger shifted to near fear when he realized the ramifications of the damage. "This is too much of a coincidence to ignore. Your secret admirer, probably the guy from last night, has crossed the line from annoying to dangerous. Phone calls are one thing, breaching someone's privacy and damaging their property is too damn much."
She caught her hands together. "You really think it's him? But that doesn't make any sense. It's just been a few calls, a few small gifts."
"And a missing distributor cap."
Her brown eyes were grim, a little scared. "You don't think those are unrelated incidents?"
Brent would have liked to reassure her, but he couldn't. "You have the address and phone number of the guy who was in the parking lot last night?" he asked.
"Yes. When he entered the contest, he filled out all the papers you did."
"I think he's the one."
She looked around her quiet street, her cheeks pale, her mouth tight. "We should call the police."
"Damn right." He took her arm, his mind made up. "And from now on, until this is resolved, I'm keeping a very close eye on you—whether you want to see me or not."
* * *
Shadow couldn't decide which was worse, having someone harass her or having Brent constantly glaring over her shoulder. She wouldn't have minded the latter so much, except that was all he did.
He hadn't kissed her again, made no reference to their one night together and acted more like an over-anxious parent than an interested male. Shadow was fed up with it.
Her secret admirer was still a secret. Despite Brent's assumption that Chad Moreland, the pharmacist who'd entered her contest, was the guilty man, it hadn't worked out that way.
Brent had ranted and raved at the police station when he was told Chad had a solid alibi for his whereabouts the day Brent's car had been vandalized. And sending flowers and cards wasn't a crime, even if they could prove he'd done so, which they couldn't. Chad denied any association with Shadow, other than participation in her contest. She was embarrassed to have accused him, and Brent was furious that he didn't have answers. He wasn't convinced Chad was innocent, but there was nothing the police could do.
What had further enraged Brent was the warning the officer felt compelled to give him. Brent couldn't touch Chad and shouldn't threaten him. A restraining order was out of the question, unless they could provide proof of identification that Chad was the man who'd been at her house. They couldn't. The only thing Chad had done was offer Shadow assistance the night her car wouldn't start. He'd been on his way to a party, he'd said, and it had turned into an all-nighter. He even seemed hurt by Shadow's accusations. She didn't know what to think.
"Are you ready to go yet?" Brent asked from the office doorway.
Shadow looked up from her inventory check. Brent stood there, dressed in black jeans, a charcoal-gray pullover and a black leather jacket. It was an effort to draw her eyes away from him. Although it had been little more than a week since the fateful night that had sent everything awry, it felt like months to Shadow. She couldn't sleep for wanting to touch him again, to kiss him and have him kiss her back, to…
But she'd ended all that herself. If Brent was still interested, he was evidently waiting for her to start things back up. Damn, but she hated getting herself into these impossible situations.
"I'll be ready in just a moment," she answered with a sigh.
"Any calls today? Any gifts?"
Same old song, same old dance, she thought. "Not a thing." She closed her books and went to get her coat from the rack. "We probably overreacted."
"Don't sound so hopeful. I think it's more likely my presence has scared him off, but I'm not taking any chances."
She already knew that. Brent proved to be a most ardent protector. So far, he hadn't once behaved as she'd expected.
He took her arm as they started out the door and even that innocent touch had Shadow's pulse leaping. His hands were so large, so strong and always so warm. Turning her face up to his, she suggested, "Why don't we celebrate his disappearance? We could stop and eat somewhere. Or maybe—"
Brent interrupted her, his jaw tensing in a noticeable way. "I already have plans."
"Oh." Her heart sank. Their relationship, started with such intimacy, had dwindled to a friendship; Brent wanted her safe, but that's all he wanted. She should have been pleased with his concern, but instead dejection weighed her dow
n.
Brent slanted her a look as he opened her car door and helped her inside. Leaning one arm against the roof, oblivious to the snow that had gathered there, he explained gently, "I usually go home to see my parents on Thanksgiving. But I canceled this year, so they're coming here for a short visit. They're arriving tonight."
Her heart sputtered back to life. His parents. That was definitely preferable to another woman!
"They won't stay long," he explained, "because they need to be back in Chicago before Thanksgiving. My grandparents and other relatives usually show up there for the holidays."
Shadow knew immediately why Brent had changed his plans. Guilt swamped her. "This is ridiculous, Brent. You shouldn't miss a family gathering just for me."
It was the first tender look he'd given her since the night he'd stayed at her house. He said gently, "I didn't feel up to going all the way to Chicago, anyway. And my parents were curious to see where I'm living, so they're actually looking forward to coming here."
He tried to make light of it, to make her feel better, but it only made her feel worse. "Does that mean you'll be all alone on Thanksgiving?"
"Shadow…"
She didn't let him finish. "You could come home with me. My parents would love to meet you."
Brent stepped away from the car. "I don't think that'd be a good idea."
His immediate rejection felt like a slap, but she hid her hurt. The last thing she wanted was his pity. "If you change your mind, just let me know."
"I'll do that." Brent closed her door, then waited until she'd started her car before going to his own. As usual, he followed her to her house. There was no sign of Chad or anyone else hanging around.
Shadow unlocked the front door, reached inside to turn on the wall switches, then turned back to the street, waving to Brent. He returned her wave, but didn't pull away. He waited in his car, watching, until she finally closed and locked the door.
As she shrugged out of her coat, she pressed the button on her answering machine to receive her messages. Listening to her friend Annie extend an invitation for holiday shopping, Shadow almost missed the note on the floor.
She picked it up, and one quick look made her knees weak. Written in a childish scrawl, it said, "No other man can replace me. I'm patient, so I'll wait. For now. Yours, always."
He'd been in her house, was Shadow's first horrified thought. She ran from door to door, checking the locks and thankfully finding each secure. Her heart was still hammering when she realized the note could have easily been slipped through the mail slot, which was right over the telephone table. She took several deep breaths to calm herself and then a new thought came to mind.
If Brent found out, he'd never stop hovering. She was already disrupting his Thanksgiving holiday; how could she impose further? Why he felt it his duty to protect her in the first place, Shadow couldn't fathom. It was apparent he no longer wanted her sexually—even his superhuman control wasn't that strong. And they'd only known each other a little over a week, so he couldn't feel obligated out of long association.
He owed her nothing. But she knew instinctively that he'd become even more diligent if he found out about the note.
It was ironic, since she was the one who'd put him off, but with each new day, Shadow wanted him more. Brent was strong and stubborn and proud. And protective.
She admired him too much to keep him at her side when he didn't really want her, simply because he suffered some outdated notions of male obligation. The police weren't overly concerned, so she wouldn't be, either. She wasn't a helpless female. She'd been taking care of herself for a long time and she liked it that way. Any relationship she had would have to be reciprocal. Her sense of independence demanded that much.
Giving the note a scathing glare, she picked up the phone and called the police. The same officer who'd taken her earlier complaint stopped by. He was solicitous, but as she'd suspected, there wasn't much they could do, given that the note was anonymous and non-threatening. He cautioned her to be extra careful—which she'd already planned on her own—and to call immediately if even the smallest thing overset her. Then he left.
Shadow suffered a sleepless night, more from fretting over Brent's apparent disinterest than the blasted note.
As usual, he arrived the next morning intent on seeing her to work. She'd tried complaining to him, but he'd insisted it wasn't out of his way, and she enjoyed being with him each day.
He came through the doorway, his green eyes were dark. He was watchful, his gaze piercing, as if he expected something from her, but Shadow had no idea what it was and she was too tired to try to figure it out.
Brent crossed his arms, studying her as she donned her coat. "I don't want you working alone at the shop. Keep Kallie with you when you're there."
For a man with limited interest in her, he was far too autocratic. "It's the holidays," she told him flatly. "She's off three days next week for Thanksgiving and an entire week right before Christmas. Besides that, you can't expect her to spend ten hours a day at the shop."
"Then hire someone else," he insisted. "Hell, if you can't afford it, I'll hire someone."
"You most certainly will not!"
"Shadow." He said her name in two distinct syllables, drawing it out in his exasperation.
"You're being unreasonable," she pointed out. "He hasn't threatened me physically. And maybe we were wrong about your car. Maybe it wasn't him."
"I have a gut feeling about this. It isn't over. I'm sure of it."
Shadow drew a deep breath to steady herself. Then, stiffening her spine, she met his gaze squarely. "It's not really a concern of yours, Brent. You're not responsible for me. I didn't mind at first, because I thought you … well, I thought things would be different between us. But now your folks are in town and here you are, baby-sitting me. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."
Brent shoved away from the door in a sudden burst of anger. He ran his fingers through his hair, then gripped a handful and gave a vicious tug. Shadow stared, amazed.
Stomping back to stand directly in front of her, Brent demanded, "Do you do it on purpose?"
"What?" Her eyes were wide, purely fascinated by his spate of ire. She peered up at him, waiting curiously for his answer.
"Drive me nuts! Make me crazy!" His hands came out to grip her shoulders and he gave her a gentle shake. "Make me want you."
That last had been said more softly, almost as if he hadn't wanted to say it at all. Everything inside Shadow melted. "Brent … you still do? You still want me?"
He stared at her, searching her face as if to reassure himself she could actually be asking such an asinine question, then he released her to give a ferocious growl, throwing his hands up and staring at the ceiling.
"Exactly when," he asked, "have I not been particularly clear about that? You're the one who said 'no go,' not me. Hell, I've just been patiently hanging around waiting for you to make up your mind!"
Shadow blinked, then propped her hands on her hips. "How was I supposed to know you were being patient, something I've never seen you be, when it seemed to me you just weren't interested any longer? You haven't once tried to kiss—"
"If I had," he growled, "do you really think I could have left it at that? After touching you, after watching you climax?" He touched her cheek, her jaw. His hand was shaking. "You said you had to have time to think. I've been giving you time."
"But I didn't know that!" she wailed. Then another thought struck her and she frowned suspiciously. "Is that the only reason you seem so concerned about me? You're only trying to—"
"Don't finish that thought." It was the quiet of his voice that filled his words with menace. "I've worried my ass off over you and if you dare to suggest I'd go to these lengths just for a lay…!" He pressed his face close to hers, bending so they were nose-to-nose. "I can have a woman any damn time I want one. It just so happens I want you."
He moved away in disgust. "Hell, woman, you've turned me inside out. All
I can do is think about you and … oof."
Shadow threw herself into his arms, literally, giving him only a moment to brace himself for her weight. He stumbled, but immediately steadied himself and wrapped hard arms around her, squeezing her tight. The small telephone table toppled as they bumped into it. He ignored it. "Shadow."
"I have to warn you, Brent," she mumbled against his throat, not willing to loosen her hold on him. "I'm starting to really care about you. I mean, really care. I think about you all the time, too. And I miss you when you're not around, and—"
"Hush." His mouth settled on hers, insistent, hot. From one heartbeat to the next, his hands were everywhere, touching her breasts, sliding down her back to her bottom, pulling her hard against his body. Just as quickly, he set her away from him.
"Damn." His head was down, his hands on his lean hips. "My parents are at my house waiting for me."
Shadow managed to nod, but it was a difficult feat. "And … and I have to get to the shop."
Brent looked at her, saw the way she gazed back at him, and groaned. "We better get out of here now or we never will."
She nodded again, but she didn't move.
Brent cupped her cheek, his gaze probing. "My parents are leaving this evening. Come to dinner with us so I can introduce you."
He wanted her to meet his parents? Her heart thumped in excitement, but she said only, "I'd love to."
Brent stared down at her, then his gaze dropped to her shirt. It was pale blue, with two cuddly stuffed bears printed on the front, one over each breast. Below was written Don't You Just Love my Teddies? He said, "Uh, Shadow?"
"Hmm?"
"Before dinner? Do you think you could cover your teddies?"
A slow grin came to her lips. "Are you afraid I'll wear something that would embarrass you in front of your mama?"
"You? Of course not." His arms circled her waist. "You're always dressed in the height of fashion."
Shadow punched him lightly in the ribs. "Tell me where we'll be eating and I'll dress appropriately."