Hard Justice

by Lori Foster

  Feeling like an utter fool, Fallon reached for him.

  He drew her up and against him.

  “I fell,” she said with a hot blush. She wished there weren’t so many people around to witness her embarrassment.

  Scowling darkly, Justice asked, “Down the steps?” He looked back at them.

  “Yes. Don’t ask me how. It just...happened.”

  He slowly tipped up her face. “Banged yourself up, too.”

  He didn’t know the half of it. Her hip ached, her shin throbbed, but at least the twirling stars were gone.

  Tom stepped close again. “Got her purse.”

  Fallon gave up her stranglehold on Justice, limped as she put her weight on her leg, and attempted a smile. “Thank you, Tom.” She took her purse from him. “Stuff went everywhere—”

  “So did you.” Like Justice, Tom appeared furious. “I think I got most of it.”

  Justice kissed her temple, then said to Tom, “Sorry if I—”

  “No worries.” Tom bent to look at her. “You seemed a little loopy when I first got to you. You sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes. Just humiliated.”

  Tom said, “Want me to lead the way?”

  Nodding, Justice kept her close as they continued slowly down the stairs, following the flow of people out a side door into a near empty lot.

  “We’re parked around front,” Justice said with a frown. “Can you walk okay?”

  “Of course.” The brisk air helped to revive her and after a few more steps, the pain in her hip eased. To get the attention off her, she asked, “Was there a fight?”

  His expression carved in stone, Justice said, “No. Just two idiots arguing.” He continued to watch her closely, proving her ploy hadn’t worked.

  “Does that happen often?”

  Tom answered her. “I’ve seen a few crowd disputes but they’re usually over before they really get any steam.”

  “You’ve got a bruise on your cheek.”

  “I do?” Surprised by Justice’s growl, Fallon touched her face.

  He caught her hand and moved it down. “Don’t prod it. We need to get some ice.”

  “Want me to go back in and grab an ice pack?” Tom offered.

  Fallon answered before Justice could. “That’s not necessary. I really am fine.”

  Neither man agreed.

  Even after they reached the parking lot, they both looked far too grim.

  Why was Tom still hanging around? “Are you parked close to us?” Fallon asked.

  He shook his head. “Got a second?” he asked Justice. “I mean, maybe after you get her seated?”

  Justice’s expression tightened even more, and he nodded. He treated Fallon like breakable glass as she got into the car, then he closed the door and walked a small distance away to where Tom waited.

  Knowing they deliberately excluded her irked Fallon. She wanted to protest, but even more than that, she wanted to take inventory of her injuries.

  She found a large purpling bruise on her shin and a peek in the visor mirror showed a nasty swelling on her cheekbone. Checking her hip would have to wait until she had privacy. She wasn’t about to pull down her pants with people so close to the car.

  She glanced up and found Justice watching her intently as he listened to whatever Tom said. By the second his expression darkened until he looked quietly enraged.

  The two men finished their conversation, briefly shook hands, and Justice started her way.

  Ho, boy. Fallon didn’t know what had made him so angry, but she assumed she was about to find out.

  * * *

  SOMEONE HAD PUSHED HER.

  Justice still couldn’t wrap his mind around it. Why would anyone want to hurt Fallon? And how the hell did Tom know what Fallon didn’t?

  He’d already demanded she tell him what had happened, but she repeatedly insisted that she’d lost her balance in the crush. No one, she promised him, had pushed her.

  He wanted to believe that—only Tom had been adamant. He claimed he saw it, Fallon struggling to reach the wall but two men had deliberately corralled her nearer and nearer to the steps, then shouldered her hard.

  Picturing it put Justice in a murderous rage.

  He’d fucked up, letting her out of his sight, and that pissed him off, too. They were almost to her house when he growled in accusation, “You were supposed to be holding on to me.”

  She stiffened with indignation. “I was until people got in front of me. How could you have not noticed that I was gone?”

  “I felt a hand on my back and I thought it was yours.”

  She snapped back, “Great to know I’m indistinguishable from the crowd.”

  Justice drew a slow breath, reaching for calm. “You’re distinguishable, believe me.”

  “Oh, really?”

  With that sarcastic tone, she sounded as pissed as him. “Yeah.”

  “So when exactly did you realize I wasn’t with you?”

  He cleared his throat. “When the chick cupped me from behind.”

  Fallon went rigid and in a deadly whisper, asked, “She did what?”

  Shrugging, Justice explained, “Reached down between my legs and grabbed a handful. I about jumped a foot.” He glanced at her. “Knew right then it wasn’t you.”

  Agitation narrowed her eyes. “Of all the—”

  “She only copped a quick feel. Then I saw you were gone...” His own anger edged back in. “You could have been killed,” he muttered.

  “That’s ridiculous. Bruised, yes. Dead? Doubtful.”

  Justice pulled to the side of the road less than a mile from her home.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I want to talk to you.” And touch you. “I want this resolved before I let you go tonight.”

  “Justice.” She softened her tone. “I promise, I’m fine.”

  Taking her hand in his, he kissed her sore wrist. “I should have protected you better.”

  A little breathless, she whispered, “It wasn’t your fault.”

  He didn’t remind her that she’d just been blaming him for not noticing sooner how they’d gotten separated. “Whether Tom is right or not, I want you to be careful.”

  “I’m always careful.”

  No, she wasn’t. Her exuberance kept her wide-eyed with absorption, but not caution. At times it seemed to Justice as if she rushed to soak up as many new experiences as she could, as quickly as possible, as if she thought the opportunity would only last so long.

  In doing so, she also gave him a new perspective. He began to notice things he’d long taken for granted.

  Thanks to Fallon, he had a new outlook on life. Accepting the necessary changes he’d made came easier than expected. Hell, he was starting to feel as if he’d only just discovered what he’d always meant to be.

  Featherlight, he brushed his fingertips over her bruised cheek. “I’m sorry.” It pained him to see her hurt. He wanted to hold her close, and he wanted to rage.

  If it had been deliberate, he’d damn well find out.

  She leaned into his palm.

  That simple show of trust did crazy things to him. “Fallon...”

  “Hmm?”

  Using care, he tunneled his fingers into her silky hair, then nudged her closer. Trying again, he said, “Fallon.”

  She stared at him with those big, dark eyes, making him hard with need. “Yes?”

  “God, you tempt me.” There, let her deal with that.

  Her eyes widened in surprise, then grew heavy lidded in understanding. She looked at his mouth—and did the unthinkable.

  She leaned toward him in silent consent.

  “Damn,” he whispered, already dragging her closer and pressing his m
outh to hers. He started slow and easy, but when she made a small, hungry sound, his good intentions snapped. He tilted his head, nudged her lips open, and tasted her with his tongue.

  So sweet.

  Justice told himself to pull back, but Fallon settled her hand on his shoulder, lightly dug her fingers into his muscles, and it set him off.

  Crazy how such a simple touch from her affected him.

  The kiss was a little wild in ways he hadn’t known were possible. He knew good old chemistry, but this was something else.

  From a kiss.

  Because of Fallon.

  He was supposed to be protecting her, not pawing her in the front seat of a car.

  But before he could think better of it, his hand was on her breast, lightly cuddling. God almighty, she felt good. Even through the layers she wore, her stiffened nipple grazed his palm and that, too, fired his blood.

  Her gasp of surprise turned into a throaty moan, proving she enjoyed the touch as much as he did.

  While teasing his thumb over one thrusting nipple, Justice pulled back and put his forehead to hers. Their heavy breaths mingled.

  “We need to stop,” he murmured low, trying to convince himself as much as her. Despite that, he continued to play with her, loving how she trembled, how she clutched at him. Her breasts were sensitive and he knew if he ever got the chance to have her, he’d enjoy spending an extra amount of time there.

  He was just about to get it together and retreat when she touched her lips to his again.

  Approval had never felt so hot.

  The damned center console was in his way, but still he managed to kiss her firmly enough to press her head back against her seat. Needing to feel her skin, he reached for the hem of her shirt.

  Getting under the oversize SBC fighter T-shirt was easy, but she wore another shirt under that, tucked in. Continually kissing her and feeling like a bumbling high school boy again, Justice inched it away.

  Fallon never once protested, but then, she seemed so involved in dueling with his tongue, so lost to sensation, Justice wasn’t sure she even noticed.

  When he finally stroked his palm over the soft, naked flesh of her waist—yup, she noticed that.

  She jerked back with a yelp, frantically righting her shirts and retreating as far away from him as she could.

  Justice was left holding air.

  Breathing hard, he watched her, concerned, wary. “Guess I stepped over the line?” He wanted to kick his own ass. Of course that was over the line. Hell, he wasn’t supposed to be kissing her, much less fondling her.

  “I didn’t realize... I can’t...” She folded her arms around her middle and stared at him. “I can’t.”

  Trying to figure out how to proceed, he nodded. “Okay.” He had a raging boner and adjusted his jeans.

  She watched his every move as if expecting him to pounce on her.

  “I understand.” He sat back, giving her as much space as he could. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to rush you.”

  She said nothing.

  Damn it, he couldn’t take it and reached out to gently brush her cheek. “Honey, it really is okay. My bad. I shouldn’t have let things get so far.”

  As if pained, she closed her eyes. “No, I’m the one who should apologize. I’ve overreacted. It’s just...”

  She looked so pained, he asked softly, “Just what?”

  “I... I meant to talk to you. To explain.”

  He waited, but again she went silent. “You want to tell me something?”

  “No. Not tonight.” She dropped back in her seat, her posture far too defeated. Then just as quickly she sat forward and faced him. “Tomorrow. Could we talk tomorrow?”

  Whatever it was, Justice didn’t know if he wanted to hear it. “Sure. We’re going to Cannon’s, right?”

  Immediately she shook her head. “No, it needs to be before that. Maybe over breakfast?”

  Did she plan to fire him then? He probably deserved no less. Not that it’d matter. Whether working for her or not, he’d continue to protect her—and pursue her. At this point, he couldn’t seem to help himself. “I had planned to do some gardening.”

  She blinked. “Gardening?”

  “Yeah. The same time someone tossed paint on your driveway, my flowers got trampled.”

  “Flowers?”

  Did she have to sound so disbelieving? “You know those colorful things you plant around the bushes?” He lifted his chin. “My mom and granny got them for me as a housewarming gift, so I used them in the landscaping. If Mom finds out they got destroyed, it’ll upset her. So I’m going to replace them before she has a chance to visit.” Defensively, he added, “I don’t want her upset.”

  Very slowly the shock left Fallon’s face and her brows pinched down. “What do you mean they got trampled?” And in a higher pitch, she added, “On purpose?”

  “Looked like.”

  Getting riled, she demanded, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Confused by that reaction, Justice shrugged. “You had enough on your mind.”

  “Enough on...”

  Sighing, he draped an arm over the steering wheel and looked her over. “You keep repeating my words. Did a little groping cause that, or was it the kissing?”

  She drew back. “Neither!”

  “Settle down,” he soothed, relieved that she was no longer so withdrawn. He’d take her irritation over shock any day. “I just wondered.”

  “You had no right not to tell me! If your flowers were sabotaged, there’s a good chance the two incidents are related.”

  Was there any doubt? “I assume so.” Which meant there was definitely a threat, whether she wanted to see it or not.

  As if she’d read his thoughts, Fallon huffed. “You keep thinking someone is harassing me, but did it occur to you that you could be the one being harassed?”

  Justice snorted. “No.” But now that she said it... He considered it only a second or two before saying, “I’m not worried about me. I can handle myself.”

  “Apparently you can’t handle your flowers.”

  Boy, she really was in a snit. To smooth things over, he said, “Sorry I didn’t tell you. You’re right. The more you know, the more cautious you’ll be.” Hopefully, anyway.

  The annoyance faded under grudging acceptance. “Thank you.”

  To seal the deal, he added, “If I get done in time, I can come by early and we can talk then.”

  He watched as she chewed her bottom lip.

  “Or,” she offered, “I could help you plant tomorrow?”

  She looked very uncertain, as if she expected him to refuse. Shoot, he’d love the company. Problem was, a woman like Fallon shouldn’t be digging in the dirt, especially not with her bodyguard. “I have about three dozen flowers to get in the ground and it’s going to be warm tomorrow.”

  “I won’t wilt.”

  He thought about it for only a second. He could best protect her by keeping her close—and yeah, that excuse worked as well as any, and was definitely more acceptable than just wanting her company. “If you’re sure you don’t mind, then I can pick you up in the morning.”

  Amazingly, her face lit up. “What time should I expect you?”

  Damn it, he badly wanted to kiss her again. He had enough sense to resist, but it wasn’t easy.

  After they made their plans, he drove the rest of the way to her house and walked her up to the door. With his hands in pockets to keep from touching her, he said, “Put some ice on those bruises, okay?”

  “All right.” And still she stared up at him.

  “Good night, Fallon.”

  Her gaze went to his mouth. “Good night.” In a flash, she went on tiptoe to kiss him. Just a warm touch of her mouth to his before she darted into the hous
e and shut the door.

  His hands were still in his pockets, but a smile split his face.

  Amazing how something so wrong could feel so right.

  * * *

  GODDAMN IT, HE needed this win.

  Rising frustration burned in his guts. Things weren’t working out as quickly as he needed them to and his patience wore dangerously thin.

  He was a man of action, a man who made things happen, but all he could do now was stay vigilant until he found the leverage he needed.

  Why wouldn’t Justice get on board?

  Why did he have to be so goddamned stubborn?

  By pure luck, he’d gotten ahead of them today. He’d waited in a driveway, headlights off, and he’d planned a clever accident for when Justice’s car got close.

  When they’d pulled over to the side of the road, he’d gotten diverted. From the bright moonlight, he’d watched them making out.

  Interesting.

  Apparently, the girl’s spill down the stairs had sparked Justice’s possessive instincts after all.

  When they’d finally driven on, he’d made the split-second decision not to interfere. He’d hold on to his plans for the accident and use it another, more propitious night. The stakes grew higher with time, and that was in his favor.

  Now that he knew he could use the girl as motivation, he didn’t want to rush and risk a misstep.

  He needed to plan carefully.

  Finally, everything was falling into place.

  CHAPTER TEN

  FALLON KNELT IN the soft grass, gardening gloves on her hands, surrounded by pots of daffodils and pansies.

  She loved Justice’s home.

  It was a moderately sized ranch with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a one-car garage and a front porch that ran the length of the house.

  “I painted everything after I moved in,” he explained while opening a bag of fertilizer. “Used to be this dull army green.”

  “I love the yellow with white trim. And the black roof and shutters are classic. The front door is really beautiful, too. Is that also new?”

  “Yeah. Used to be just a plain door, but I put in the sidelights and transom.”

  “It looks amazing.”

  Crouched next to her, Justice sat back on his heels. “The whole house is about the size of your garage.”