He couldn’t will a relationship to happen – no matter how much he wanted it – and he couldn’t make her feel romantic feelings about him. Last night she’d definitely acted like he was what she wanted and the same for this morning, but he also knew that for all Dizzy’s talk about embracing life she was a cautious woman when it came to dating. She’d had a few boyfriends since returning to Tremont but not what he would call an active social life. While he had wholeheartedly cheered on her pickiness when it came to men before, now it was a different story.
So he’d thought about kissing Dizzy all through the ride back to Tremont and then during lunch as well. They’d stopped at the local diner to eat and practically every head in the place had swiveled to see the two of them walking in together. Apparently, the gossip mill was working overtime because no one looked surprised. They’d already heard about the date last night. He’d felt the weight of their gaze as they’d sat down and ordered and all through their meal. At one point, he’d thought Dizzy hadn’t noticed but then she’d smiled behind her napkin when two older ladies walked by and practically tripped over their shoes because they’d been too busy staring to watch where they were going.
“We’re like animals in the zoo,” Easton muttered as the two women exited the diner. Unfortunately, there were still a couple of dozen people inside doing a terrible job of pretending that Easton and Dizzy weren’t the center of attention and the topic of conversation.
Laughing, Dizzy took the last bite of chocolate cake. “Except they’re stuck in cages and we can walk away any time. Does it really bother you that much?”
“Yes and no. Yes, because they’re acting like us sitting in the same booth is such a shocking thing. No, because this town has the attention span of a gnat. They’ll be on to the next thing in a few days.”
“Well…I’m not the usual female that Easton Anderson dates.”
She wasn’t, thank goodness. She was so much more.
“I think that’s a good thing.”
He was rewarded with a smile. “You’re such a sweet talker. Would you mind if we stopped into the bookstore for a minute? Elena said she found some interesting used books when she was in Seattle for the weekend and she wanted to show them to me.”
He’d already paid the bill so he nodded and they stood up to leave, his hand on her lower back. Twenty-four sets of eyes followed their every movement until he and Dizzy were standing outside in the sunshine.
“I hope they find their new topic of gossip soon,” he said as they walked two doors down to the bookstore. “You may be used to this but I’m not.”
“After awhile you won’t care, trust me.”
He opened the door for her and it rang a bell to alert the proprietor. Elena’s family had been running this bookstore for almost sixty years and everyone in town knew her and her mother and grandmother before her. At somewhere south of forty, she managed the store and her four children singlehandedly all while giving back to the community. She had donated stacks of books to the community center when it first opened and then on Christmas too so that every child would have a brand-new book from Santa.
The smiling woman waved at them from the top of a ladder where she was shelving books.
“Come on in. Are you here to look at those books, Dizzy?”
The smell of new and old books hit his olfactory senses and he couldn’t stop the smile that immediately came to his face. There was something about a bookstore that made him happy.
“I am if this is a convenient time.”
Elena scrambled down the ladder as if she was half her age. “Perfect timing. I was just going to take a break.”
Easton nodded toward the back of the store where he knew she kept a large selection of historical biographies. “While you ladies do that, I think I’ll go browse.”
“There’s a new Teddy Roosevelt back there you might want to look at,” Elena said. “Just came in the other day.”
That was right up his alley so he made a beeline for the display, leaving Elena and Dizzy enthusiastically diving into a pile of musty old books behind the front counter. He was paging through the Teddy Roosevelt tome when he felt someone walk up behind him. Moving aside to let them peruse the bookshelf, he was shocked to see Madame Viola standing there looking incredibly normal. No bright colors or gold. No oversized earrings. If he didn’t know better he would have taken her for a friendly grandmother picking out books for her grandchildren.
Clearing his throat, he nodded at the older woman. “It’s nice to see you again, Madame Viola.”
He felt a little silly calling her by her work name but he had no idea what her actual last name was. Or if Viola was even her real name.
She didn’t greet him in return or even smile, her entire expression grave. “I’m glad I saw you. I’ve needed to speak to you.”
Placing the book back on the shelf, he hoped this wasn’t a complaint. Had the Accounts Payable department forgotten to cut her a check for the party? He went straight into businessman mode.
“Of course, how can I help you?”
She shook her head. “It’s how I can help you. I received more messages and you need to know. Your soulmate is in danger. There is evil all around her.”
“Um…yes, I remember you telling me that.”
It wasn’t information he was likely to forget even if he thought it was all bull.
“You have to protect her.” Viola placed her hand on his arm, her tone urgent. “The evil is growing stronger.”
By now the entire story about Dizzy, Trip, and the call to the police was all over town, of course, and clearly Madame Viola was exploiting it for her own gain. She’d made a lucky guess at the party last week but she was pushing this too far.
Straightening his shoulders, he tried to be as polite as possible but he wasn’t going to take any crap either. This town needed to get their nose out of his life. He’d start with this woman.
“Madame Viola, I appreciate your concern but frankly this is none of your business, and I would ask that you leave me and also Dizzy Foster alone. I don’t believe in psychics or mediums or any of that shit. I think you’re taking a local gossip item and using it to your advantage, which I find reprehensible. Now if you will excuse me I need to leave.”
Not waiting for a reply – because he didn’t care what more she had to say – Easton strode back to the front of the store. Anger burned deep in his gut but he hadn’t let it loose on Madame Viola as much as he could have. If the woman was smart, she’d give him a wide berth. In fact, the whole fucking town could do that as well. He was going to do what he wanted to do, say what he wanted to say, and date whomever he wanted to date.
Tremont could kiss his ass.
Chapter Seventeen
‡
After the bookstore, Easton drove them to his home so he could pack an overnight bag. Dizzy had never been to Easton’s home so she wasn’t sure what to expect. She had a vision of ultramodern decor with lots of chrome and tile with all the rooms done in white, gray, or black. Sleek and clean and logical. Just the way he liked things. So she was speechless when he pushed open the front door and she stepped in.
Her first impression was warmth. Dark oak furniture in a Shaker style, leather furniture and large throw pillows in red, yellow, and blue. A couch she could sink into and never leave. Paintings on the walls–
Hold the phone. That was one of her paintings. Right there on the wall in between the living room and kitchen. Forgetting her tour of the home, she walked up to it, noticing that the homemade frame she’d put it in had been replaced by one that was worth far more than the actual picture. The wood gleamed and she couldn’t stop herself from reaching out and running her finger down its smooth, cool surface.
“I had it re-framed about two years ago.” Easton came to stand beside her. “It’s one of my favorites.”
She didn’t paint many landscapes but she’d been in a phase and had painted part of the Anderson ranch and home. Like many of her paintings, she s
old them on consignment at the local store or she donated them to a worthy cause. If she remembered correctly, she’d given this to one of the Anderson charities to be auctioned off for a new pediatric hospital ward.
Easton had to be reading her mind. “Yes, I bought it at auction. When I saw that it was the ranch, I had to have it. I outbid Shane and Noah. If Carter had been there I probably would have had to outbid him as well.”
Easton had paid actual money for one of her paintings. She barely knew what to say.
“I never know where they end up. I never imagined you would have one.”
“You have a great deal of talent, Dizzy.”
His soft voice was right in her ear, his warm breath on her cheek. Dizzy could feel the heat from his body, standing so close to hers and she had a terrible impulse to reach out and run her hands down his chest.
Just to see if it felt as good as it looked.
Control yourself.
“Thank you.”
A lump of emotion had risen in her throat that made it hard to speak. This logical, cold businessman had enough sentimentality to want a painting of his childhood home. It got her right in the feels. How was she supposed to stay even halfway detached when he acted like this? She was beginning to fall hard for this man of contradictions. She’d known him for years but she was beginning to believe that she’d never really known him at all.
“You’re welcome. You want the nickel tour?”
She absolutely, positively did. If the living room was any indication she was in for more surprises. He led her into the kitchen which was a little more as she’d imagined, clean and modern. The appliances were stainless steel, the countertops granite, but there was still an air of home and comfort despite the more chilly furnishings. It might have been the bright red oven mitts on the counter next to the stove or perhaps the large copper frog by the sink that dispensed hand soap. It was nice to see he had a sense of whimsy.
“Nice,” she commented. “Do you ever cook in here?”
“I do cook every now and then but I admit that it’s not often enough. Does it look untouched by human hands? I’ll tell the cleaning service they’re doing a great job.”
Dizzy inspected the refrigerator before answering. Spotless. “You should give them a raise too. I’ve never seen a stainless steel appliance not have fingerprints on it. At least one. It’s amazing. Is there even food in there?”
Easton laughed and leaned against the counter. “Probably not much. Some sandwich meat, cheese, and a six pack of beer. The freezer has ice cream and frozen pizzas. I’m never without those. Ready to see the rest of the house?”
The rest of the home included Easton’s office on the first floor and the master bedroom on the second floor. At the top of the stairs, he’d waved toward the end of the hall that there were two more bedrooms down there but that he hadn’t really done anything with them.
Hesitating at the doorway of his room, Dizzy watched as Easton pulled a small duffel from the closet and began tossing clothing items into it. She would have pictured him packing with military precision and efficiency so it was amusing to see that this one activity was done rather haphazardly.
“I’ll just be a second here,” he said, disappearing into the ensuite bathroom before returning with a small leather toiletry case. “I think that’s it. If I missed anything I guess I can always wear something of yours.”
He was teasing about that, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief and his smile wide. For once with this man Dizzy wasn’t going to hesitate. Instead, she walked right up in front of him and pulled his head down, crashing her lips against his.
The heat between them was instantaneous and before she could catch her breath Easton had her lying on top of his bed, his body hovering over hers as his mouth ravaged hers like a man thirsty after days in the desert. Blood rushed in her ears and the world tilted so she did the only thing she could to keep from falling. She grabbed Easton’s shoulders and held on for dear life, hoping he could help her find steady ground even though he was the single reason she was reeling. Like a one-man wrecking crew, he’d smashed through all the reasons they shouldn’t do this.
His lips trailed down her neck and nipped at the curve of her shoulder with his teeth, and then his tongue darted out immediately after to salve any wound he might have caused. Her fingers curled into his biceps and a strangled moan escaped her lips when he unerringly found that spot, right at the pulse point at the base of her neck, that made her crazy with want. If the rest of his instincts were that sharp this man was far more than an icy financier. He was temptation and she had no willpower.
But as quickly as it had begun it was over, a groan ripped from somewhere deep in his chest as he dragged his lips away from hers. He rolled off of her and lay on his back on the mattress, his chest rising and falling rapidly. She didn’t move either, afraid to ask the question that hovered on her tongue.
What did I do wrong?
Was it that little sister crap again? She was a grown woman and had been for some time now. She’d screwed up her courage enough to ask when he sat up on the bed, running his fingers through his tousled hair.
“I’m sorry about that. I kind of lost control there for a moment.”
She’d never been one for pretense or games so it didn’t occur to her to hide the truth.
“So did I.”
Shaking his head, he leaned forward so his elbows were on his knees. Still not looking at her.
“It would be wrong of me to take advantage of your emotional state,” he continued on as if she hadn’t spoken. “You’re in a vulnerable position with all that’s happened and you don’t need me to add to that by pressuring you…well, I just don’t want to add to your problems or complicate the situation. I’m supposed to be helping you and keeping you safe, not ravishing you in my bedroom.”
Sweet. Gallant. And entirely unneeded.
“You know I’m the one that started that, right? I kissed you.”
He fidgeted and then stood up as if to put space between them. “You may have started it but I’m the one that pulled you down on the bed. I escalated things. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Because I’m vulnerable?”
Scraping his fingers through his short dark hair – that appeared to be a habit when he was stressed – he made a snorting sound.
“I’m trying to be a gentleman here, Dizzy. You could help a man. Stopping was the last thing I wanted to do.”
She gave him a mock surprised expression complete with wide eyes and open mouth. “Funny, that was the last thing I wanted to do too. Isn’t that strange?” Then she stood and ran her fingers over his stubbly jaw. “But I do appreciate it. Not many men would have done that but then, you’re not like every other guy.”
“I’m definitely not as bright.”
“That is true.”
Reaching down, he pulled her to her feet and slid his arms around her waist. “This whole thing has just happened so fast and I–”
Pressing her fingers to his lips, she nodded in agreement. “It has but it’s not like we’re strangers. We’ve known each other almost our entire lives.”
“These last few days I’ve felt like I never knew you at all and I’m sorry about that. I’ve made so many assumptions and even been one of those people who have called you strange or weird.”
He didn’t seem to understand that to her it wasn’t an insult. “I am different and I’m glad about that. It’s okay if others don’t get it or me. I’m busy living my life. But it wasn’t just you, actually. I made a few assumptions of my own.”
He bent his head and brushed his lips over hers. “Let me guess. That I’m only wired for business and that I have little to no social skills?”
“Let’s just say that I thought you took yourself a little too seriously, but now I know you have a wicked sense of humor.”
He nodded solemnly. “I do. Did you hear the one about the horse who walked into a bar?”
“I have but that doesn’t
make it any less funny, so don’t make such a long face.”
They both cracked up and the tension hovering in the air completely dissolved away. Easton was her friend and, for now, her protector. He might just become more than that pretty quickly and that was fine too. This was nice. She’d never had a boyfriend that she’d been friends with before they were seeing each other. It certainly made things easier.
“I don’t know too many jokes.” He cleared his throat loudly. “That are clean enough to tell a lady anyway. I’ll have to think of another one.”
Dizzy beckoned to him as he picked up his duffel bag. “Stick with me, baby. I’ve got a million really bad jokes to tell you on the way back to my place. Let’s start now. Knock, knock.”
“Who’s there?” he replied with a sigh, leading the way down the stairs.
Dizzy’s mind was buzzing, formulating a plan. If any man in this world needed to loosen up and have some fun it was Easton. She’d start with jokes and then move on to music, maybe even some dancing. If he could do yoga, he could move to the beat.
Then she’d kiss him again and maybe this time they wouldn’t stop.
Chapter Eighteen
‡
Zach and Leanne were in Dizzy’s living room when they arrived back at the house. Easton didn’t even have a chance to ask Zach a question before the other man held out a manila folder.
“It’s the preliminary background on Trip Stanford.”
“Is that why you’re back in town?” Easton asked, settling on the couch. “I thought you left on business.”
Zach grinned. “I did leave and now I’m back. Turns out that particular bad guy walked into the sheriff’s station and turned himself in. I’m officially unneeded on that assignment.”
“I’m glad you’re here and that you were able to get this.”
“Anything to help us?” Dizzy asked as she sat next to Easton.
He opened the folder and they both began to page through the meager documents. Until about a week ago, it looked like Trip had lived a boring life. A mediocre student in both high school and college. Few extracurricular activities, although he’d played the saxophone in a jazz band in high school and was also a member of a science fiction club in college. He’d worked for a conglomerate in Seattle before moving to Tremont to be closer to family, where he’d taken a job in the marketing department of Anderson Industries. Since then he’d been a model citizen except for one speeding ticket and a citation for parking in front of a fire hydrant.
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