Chasing Treasure: Granite Lake Romance

by Jody A. Kessler

  Dazed and a little disoriented, she leaned against the cushions and tried to catch her breath and slow down the whirring inside her belly.

  “Screw this,” he said, and faced her again.

  He kissed her with relentless ardor. His teeth grazed her bottom lip before moving to her jaw and finding a path to her earlobe. “You’re not allowed to hurt yourself again. Do you understand?” Bodie’s voice was rough and heated with passion.

  “I didn’t mean to.”

  “You don’t think. You just act.” He sounded angry with her, but it didn’t stop him from moving down the side of her neck, alternating between scolding her with his frustrations and scalding her with the heat of his lips. Bodie found her pulse and opened his mouth to apply pressure by sucking on the incredibly sensitive spot. Treasure whimpered as his teeth nipped her skin. A sound somewhere between a hungering growl and an irritated grumble moved through Bodie’s chest. His hand moved to her chest and he palmed her breast. His thumb rubbed across her taut nipple.

  “You can’t keep putting yourself in dangerous situations, Treasure. I can’t take it.”

  “I thought I should pull her out of the river after pushing her into it,” Treasure said.

  “Ha ha, funny girl. You did no such thing.”

  “She told you?” Treasure asked.

  Bodie raised his face to look her in the eyes. “Yes. She can’t believe how fearless you were, and strong.”

  “I’m weak. I can’t see people suffer. And I’m stupid. That’s the reason I did it.”

  He shook his head. Treasure wished he would go back to distracting her. When his mouth explored her body, she forgot about the aches and pains. She raised a hand from her lap and ran it down his taut stomach toward his beltline. Bodie shook his head again and stopped her roving fingers.

  “You’re not stupid. And you’re in no shape for sex.”

  “You’re not my doctor.” She raised challenging brows and lifted her chin.

  “You need to understand I can’t do this again. I won’t watch you try to kill yourself. Do you understand this is the last time?”

  “You’re allowed to do search and rescue. What kind of chauvinist garbage is this?” With narrowed eyes and a haughty tone, she gripped his waist and let her nails dig in. One hand slid over the curve of his backside and she squeezed.

  Bodie had her wrists captured in his hands before she could react. He pinned her hands from further exploration.

  “I’m not a chauvinist and we both know it. We also know which of us has the appropriate training,” he said with a tight jaw.

  Treasure attempted to free her hands, but Bodie held tighter. She swallowed, lowered her gaze, and forced herself to relax. Once she succumbed to capture, he released her.

  Treasure held still as he trailed a finger over her temple and pushed her hair behind her ear. Bodie’s hand wrapped around the side of her head, fingers combing through her hair. He clenched a fistful in his hand and tilted her face up. There was strength in his touch, demanding, yet careful. His gaze penetrated deep into hers and she read the fear in his eyes. He was telling her she needed to take him seriously, yet when his lips landed on hers again they were soft and so gentle her heart wanted cry out she was scared, too. Scared she couldn’t always control her actions and knew damned well how close she’d come to meeting death in Broken Falls Canyon. Bodie kept his eyes open and let her see the very core of his soul. Their combined terror, knowing they’d nearly lost one another, swirled and coalesced in the space between them. Bodie’s tongue dipped into her mouth and lingered with sweet agony. His breaths came deep and full as he worked on subduing her and making her understand the weight of his anxiety.

  He loosened his grip on her hair and smoothed it back into place. Bodie’s hand lingered at the nape of her neck. He dropped his gaze. Treasure stared at his dark lashes.

  “Am I still in trouble?” she asked.

  “Yes.” He moved back with deliberate slowness and pushed to his feet.

  “Do you want to punish me some more? Because I have to tell you, your methods are pretty convincing.”

  The side of his mouth quirked. “I have plans. Don’t you worry.” Bodie ran a forceful hand over his scalp.

  As he stood there breathing, she watched the intensity in his sparkling eyes lower from explosive to simmer. He walked over to the bag he brought inside with him when he came inside with the roses and started pulling out supplies.

  “Should I be concerned?” Treasure asked. Watching him move around the apartment as if he owned the place, she realized her tension had melted away with his fiery kisses. A sort of magic accompanied Bodie’s arrival and she was caught in his spell.

  “Yes. Yes you should. I will be taking care of you for the rest of the night. If you don’t like it, too bad. Get over yourself.”

  Treasure suddenly no longer cared she was gimpy and had multiple bruises and sore ribs.

  Bodie filled a pot of water at the sink, heated it on the stove, and made a cup of tea. While the bag steeped, he returned to the couch holding a tube of ointment. He placed the mug within arm’s reach and sat down again.

  “Umm… what’s going on here?” Caution mingled with humor as she watched him.

  Bodie took her calf and gently raised her leg until her foot sat in his lap.

  “I’m going to be your personal medic and heal every square inch of your body,” he said matter of fact.

  “I thought you said I wasn’t allowed to get naked with you.”

  “I said sex wasn’t happening in your current condition. But see this?” He held up the tube. “It’s going to make you better.”

  Bodie unwrapped Treasure’s ankle with careful attention and skillful fingers.

  “You sound rather confident.”

  “I am,” he said.

  “And what’s in the cup?”

  “Drink it. It’ll make you feel better. Don’t worry,” he said as she gave the mug a skeptical look. “It’s all natural. I swear, it works.”

  Treasure picked up the mug and gave it a sniff. It smelled similar to lawn clippings and kitchen spices.

  “Do you trust me?” Bodie uncapped the tube and squeezed some of the gel onto his fingers.

  She took a sip and thought she detected chamomile mixed with other herbs. “Maybe,” she said.

  “That’s good enough for me.” Bodie began massaging the ointment into her sore joints and muscles.

  Treasure drank more tea and felt it absorb into her bloodstream. A centering calm settled in the pit of her stomach and began spreading outward. Whatever Bodie rubbed into her skin had the effect of heating and numbing the area. She became so relaxed she started talking about everything that happened today. Her visit to the Pinellis and her evening out with Melanie.

  Her dad came up in the conversation and Treasure didn’t feel the overwhelming sadness mixed with regret as she told Bodie about her thoughts and newly discovered realizations about him. She went on to tell him about what Washoe County EMS informed her regarding Court Prescott, and the upcoming hearing in a couple of days.

  “They still haven’t made a decision?” Bodie asked.

  His hands stopped working the muscles of her calf and anger flashed hot on his face.

  “They said the parking lot video wasn’t clear enough to see what happened. It’s still his word against mine.”

  “What happened, Treasure Hope? You haven’t said anything in detail. You know how frustrating it is when our patients withhold the information we need.”

  Treasure stared at the roses and shrugged. “The details aren’t important right now. He was out of line, that’s all. I willingly walked over to his truck, but then he acted inappropriate. I’m not going to say any more about it right now.”

  “And human resources believe him over you?” Bodie said, clarifying where he could.

  “He made the claim against me first, and I think they’re leaning his way. Plus, he has Paul to back him up. They’ve been friends since for
ever. I’m not giving up, but at this rate, I’m going to have to get another job to make up for the time I’ve lost.”

  Treasure couldn’t believe how relaxed she was. Whatever ingredients were in the tea, or the ointment, loosened her tongue. Talking about Court and work didn’t even raise her blood pressure. The same couldn’t be said about Bodie. He looked as if he were considering how to kill Court — or her for being evasive.

  “It’ll all work out,” she said. “I’ll get a lawyer if I have to. He won’t get away with what he did. I’m just sorry I didn’t go straight to human resources after it happened.”

  “Treasure, I’m not going to push you into telling me tonight, but I need you to make me another promise.”

  She smiled, knowing what he was about to request. “I promise I won’t do anything stupid regarding Court.”

  A heavy sigh left his lungs. She guessed correctly.

  “He sounds dangerous and you know how I feel about you being in any more dangerous situations.”

  “I get it. Believe me when I say I hope I never see him again. I’m not going to go find him and make him sorry for what he tried to pull on me no matter how much I’d love to castrate him and blow up his truck. It’s a shame he has the BMW though. Which is how this all started. I wanted to see if there was any chance it was my dad’s old Beamer. It wasn’t, by the way. It had over sixty thousand less miles. Court’s not worthy of the bike.”

  “I agree the asshole doesn’t deserve the motorcycle. I assume he used it to lure you in.”

  Treasure didn’t deny Bodie’s assumption.

  “Court’s behavior is beyond comprehension. I’m angry with Paul for being completely blindsided by this bastard. I always thought Paul was an all right guy.”

  “As bosses go, he’s been a good one. I guess it goes to show no one is perfect.”

  Bodie’s jaw clenched and he said nothing for a few breaths.

  “Maybe you should have a cup of this tea, too.” Treasure tilted the mug up and swallowed the last of it. “What’s in it anyway?”

  “Mostly herbs. My mom made me, my brothers, and my dad drink it when we were recovering from minor injuries and accidents.”

  “Huh,” Treasure said. “My ribs and shoulder are bruised, too. Do you think your ointment will help?”

  “Let me take your shirt off for you and we’ll find out,” Bodie said.

  “Sounds like a good plan, Mr. Paramedic.”

  He used the upmost care and tenderness to massage the ointment into every sore muscle and joint. She wanted Bodie to stay the night, but didn’t want him to sleep on the hard floor. Snuggling with him on the couch would be amazing, but with a sprained ankle and sore ribs, she could barely get comfortable by herself. She couldn’t imagine a way to fit together on the couch and be able to get some rest.

  Bodie knew all this and didn’t consider the idea for more than a second.

  “We’ll have another night to be together. But it won’t be tonight.”

  “I’m sorry. You have a long drive back,” she said sleepily.

  “Don’t apologize.” He cupped her cheeks and gently kissed her forehead, temple, nose, and lips. All frustrations and fear he exposed to her earlier were now completely behind him. “You need sleep. I’ll be fine. We’re both night owls, remember?”

  “I thought I was, but I’m so tired.”

  “You should be. It’s the tea. You’ll feel like a new person tomorrow.”

  “Promise?”

  “I do.”

  She smiled and he laid his lips over hers once more. He lingered and breathed her in.

  “Come over for dinner?” she whispered.

  “When?”

  “Whenever you can,” she said.

  “Okay.”

  He tucked her in and let himself out. Treasure fell asleep before his truck pulled out of the drive.

  Seventeen

  LIMPING INTO the meeting at Washoe County human resources department wasn’t ideal, but Treasure didn’t have a choice. The crutches kept her from putting weight on her ankle and the injury would heal faster if she followed the doctor’s orders. Frustrated and irritable about not being able to ride her motorcycle and continuing to borrow Bodie’s Jeep, she rearranged her financial priorities to regain the independence she was used to. Getting her car repaired sat on the top of the list. After investing in motorcycle parts for the Vincent, Treasure still had extra cash from selling the Sport Scout. She could catch up on miscellaneous expenses that had fallen to the wayside if she divvied up the money carefully. Counting on the money from selling the Vincent before it sold was folly. There would be no chickens until the eggs were hatched, and the money deposited safely in her bank account.

  Her return to Reno had come prematurely, which was good and well for Treasure. Her boss in HR was back from vacation and wanted to get Treasure’s meeting taken care of immediately. The sooner Treasure received an answer about the state of her employment the better — even if it meant being unemployed. At least, she would have an answer and could move out of this state of limbo.

  They agreed on a group meeting. Treasure wanted to see Court’s reaction when she told her bosses what happened. She had to believe the truth would prevail.

  She arrived early and Liz, the head of HR, brought Treasure to her office. Her boss took the chair behind the desk and peered at her from behind gold-rimmed glasses. “I saw the interview on the news with Mr. Everett. You saved his fiancé’s life. The rescue in Broken Falls Canyon was incredible.”

  Treasure bit back her correction about Bodie and Vanessa still being engaged. She said, “Sometimes, bravery and spontaneity can be an asset. Mostly, it isn’t. It usually causes trouble.” After the words left her mouth, she realized her admission about her personality could be used against her regarding Court’s sexual harassment charges.

  Liz smiled like she understood. “You could have died out there. Not many people would have done what you did. The river took its toll on you. Your doctor is going to have to clear you for work, depending on today’s outcome, of course.”

  Liz’s more casual tone made Treasure feel slightly at ease. She’d always gotten along with everyone at work. It was another reason these charges against her hit so hard. Even her bosses had always been friendly and personable.

  “My ankle is healing fast. The rest is only scrapes and bruises. I’m confident the doctor will give me the go-ahead for work in a week or less. Did you have a chance to read my statement regarding the incident in the parking lot with Mr. Prescott?” she asked.

  “I’m sorry, Treasure. I can’t discuss this without a second set of ears in the room. Which is why we’re here today. I’m sure everything will work out. I’ll add that I’m sorry you’re going through this. You’ve been through a lot lately. Let’s go to the conference room and see if anyone else has arrived.” Liz rose from her chair and gestured to the door.

  “All right,” Treasure said, a little of her comfort level deflated.

  Liz grabbed a file off the desk and they went down the hall to the conference room. Slowed by the crutches, Treasure hobbled into the room disappointed to see the table already full. She mentally pulled up armored big girl panties and found an empty chair across from Court and his supporters. A man wearing a pinstriped power suit sat to Court’s right and a younger, beautiful and sharply put together woman sat to his left. The woman’s spine appeared as rigid as a beam of steel. Her clasped hands rested on the table. The diamond wedding ring glittered beneath the office lights. She openly glared at Treasure. Treasure kept her face neutral and glanced around the room, purposely looking away from her nemesis. Unfortunately, not before noticing Court take the woman’s hand in his. Fabulous. He’s freaking married! Could this get any worse? The sudden knowledge made Treasure’s insides shrivel and putrefy.

  It came as no surprise when the man in the suit introduced himself as Court’s lawyer, Mr. Charles Trouski. Liz, the company lawyer, her EMS boss, Paul, and the HR secretary settled into
their seats. The meeting began and it was supposed to be quick and to the point. Treasure and Court were supposed to make their case, answer some questions, and let HR make the final decision as to what steps should be taken next. Like, whether or not Treasure would remain employed. It was neither simple nor quick. The prepared statement she had in her mind became muddled and she sounded worse than an ignorant troglodyte. Serious regrets for not writing down what she wanted to say or hiring a lawyer nagged her. Not that she could afford a lawyer, but it would have been wise. Just like making the report against Court immediately after the sexual assault had happened. Her regrets became an enormous blimp hanging over her head. The imaginary blimp exploded into a ball of flame, reminiscent to the Hindenburg disaster. Nothing she said came out right. Court’s acting skills of innocence and victimization were Oscar worthy. The wife’s venomous glare could be felt throughout the room.

  Everything she stated inside the conference room made her sound guilty. Her only condolence was neither she nor Court brought up their one-night stand. She considered exploiting that detail as evidence of his cheating nature, but she couldn’t say it in front of everyone without also making her look bad. She knew the lawyer would spin the truth, making the situation even worse.

  Paul and Liz thanked the group for coming in and dismissed the meeting. The lead weight in her chest ached heavy and cold. Her normal red rage of injustice had no chance of rearing its ugly head when she was emotionally beaten, humiliated, and sure she would receive her dismissal within the day.

  * * *

  Treasure’s apartment manager, Mr. Han, informed her the previous day she could return home as long as she was aware of the paint smell. She arrived at her apartment prepared for the worst. Disasters arrived in pairs and triplets, didn’t they? She half expected her apartment building to be on fire or some other unforeseen tragedy.