Dangerous Attraction Romantic Suspense Boxed Set (9 Novels from Bestselling Authors, plus Bonus Christmas Novella from NY Times Bestselling Author Rebecca York)

by Kaylea Cross

  “You weren’t kidding when you said the turf was blue.” She laughed as she walked over to sit down next to him. “It’s kind of Smurf blue, isn’t it?”

  “You didn’t believe me, did you?” he teased.

  “Well, what’s the score?” she asked, changing the subject.

  “Boise State 21, Virginia Tech 14. They’re just one touchdown apart.”

  “Go Boise!” she declared, pumping a fist in the air, wanting to sound like she was supporting Ryan’s team. In truth, she knew very little about football. The sum total of her football knowledge was that she knew when a touchdown was made and that there was usually a kick for the extra point after, but simply rooting for the home team seemed fun and a nice diversion.

  “Woo hoo! Go Broncos!” Ryan called out in response to a great play his team just made. “I’ll bet Mom and Dad are having a great time at the game. They love their Broncos.”

  Then Virginia Tech scored again, and the game was tied. It was early in the fourth quarter. Boise State got the ball, pulled off what Ryan explained was a Statue of Liberty play, known as a trickeration, and the receiver made an unexpected beeline to their end zone and scored. Touchdown!

  Kate and Ryan were on their feet cheering. Their lead didn’t last long as Virginia Tech scored again, tying the game once more.

  With only thirty-five seconds left on the clock, Boise needed to score again to win. Otherwise, they would be going into overtime. Kate was getting into the game with the help of Ryan’s play-by-play announcing. She had a death grip on his forearm as the ball was hiked to BSU’s quarterback. He threw the ball to one of the receivers, apparently with the precision of a surgeon. The ball was caught near Boise’s ten-yard line and the receiver ran it in for a touchdown with only three seconds left on the clock.

  Kate and Ryan jumped to their feet again, whooping and hollering with excitement as Boise State won. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. He started to put his arms around her, but then she let go, not sure if she should have done that.

  He looked surprised, as if he was wondering what to do next.

  Kate decided she liked kissing him—it felt right. So, she eased her arms back around his neck and kissed him again, letting him envelop her in his arms this time. He returned the kiss, first softly, then deeply.

  Their embrace was interrupted by the jangling sound of Kate’s phone ringing in her pocket. Her first thought was that it might be news about Whitney. Ryan let go of her and she hurried to answer it.

  “Hello, this is Kate.”

  “Hi, this is Detective Porter.”

  “Is there any news?”

  “Well, the computer tech was going through your sister’s computer a second time and I think we may have found something.”

  “What?”

  “I’m not sure that it means anything, but my gut is telling me it might. It’s a photo Whitney had saved on her computer as ‘Suki & guy.’ It looks like she snapped a picture of a worn old photo with her phone, so it’s not real sharp. The tech didn’t think it meant anything earlier, when he was scrolling through the files. However, tonight I was standing over his shoulder when the file came up in her list of saved photos, and I recalled that yellow sticky note we found in your sister’s room. Remember? The one that said ‘Suki & guy’ with a question mark on it?”

  “Yes, I remember that. What do you suppose it means?”

  “I don’t really know. I thought maybe you could take a look at the picture and tell us. Is there a computer where you’re staying? I thought I could email the photo to you.”

  “Let me check.” She turned to Ryan. “Detective Porter has a photo he wants to email to me. Is there a computer here I can use?”

  “Sorry, Dad took it to the shop for repairs when I was here last weekend.”

  “No, Detective Porter, there isn’t a computer here,” she said.

  “Hmm,” Porter responded. “I wonder if there’s any other way to get it to you.”

  “What about my iPhone?” Ryan suggested. “He could email it to me.” He quickly wrote on a scrap of paper.

  Kate picked up the paper. “Okay. You can send it to my friend Ryan’s email address, and he’ll get it on his phone. Send it to Ryan at RyanWilsonHomes—all one word—dot com.”

  “I can do that,” the detective responded. Kate could hear the clicking of the keyboard strokes in the background. “I’m sending it now. You should have it in just a minute.”

  “Okay, here it comes,” Ryan said. He opened the email attachment and handed Kate his phone so she could see.

  The image came up on the screen, but the photo was too small and fuzzy to identify the people in it. If it had been a close-up photo, it would have been easier. Unfortunately, it was a full body shot that had been taken from a distance. Plus, it didn’t help that it was a photo of a well-worn picture either.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t tell from this little picture. The faces are too tiny,” she told Detective Porter.

  Ryan reached over. “I can spread it out and make it larger. See if this is better,” Ryan said as he used his fingers to spread the photo diagonally, zooming in.

  “No, that made it grainy,” Kate said. “I wish I could see it on a full-size computer screen.”

  “Is there anybody else you know in town who has a computer?” Porter asked.

  Kate repeated the question to Ryan.

  “It’s pretty late here, Kate. This town rolls up the sidewalks at ten,” Ryan said. “Besides, if it’s that tattered, I’m not sure if that would help.”

  She explained it to the detective.

  “When will you be back in Seattle?” Porter asked.

  “We have a flight out early tomorrow morning,” she replied.

  “That’ll have to do.”

  “I’ll come to the police station directly from the airport, about nine o’clock. I can take a look at it then.”

  “Okay. Try to get some rest and we’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight,” the detective said.

  Kate clicked off her phone and sat down on the sofa. Then Ryan sat beside her.

  “Do you know what this means, Ryan? This is the first lead in the case. If I can identify the people in the photo, it might help get my sister back.” She was talking fast, her spirit was energized and her mind was racing. She hadn’t even had a moment to process the kiss, and now this possible break in the case.

  “Yeah, I agree. It could be an important piece in figuring out who took your sister and why,” Ryan said.

  “Yes, exactly. If the police can figure that out, then there’s more of a chance of finding her alive and getting her back, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  She shot up off the couch and onto her feet. “I have to do something,” she said, shaking her hands. “I’m just so excited. I can’t sit still.”

  He noticed the dog whimpering at the French doors to be let outside. Ryan stood too, and he took one of her wiggly hands in his.

  “Why don’t we take the dog for a little walk?” he suggested.

  “Okay, let me grab my jacket.” She sprinted up the stairs to her guest room while Ryan and Riley waited.

  “All set,” Kate announced as she returned.

  Riley darted outside as soon as Ryan opened the door. He flipped the back lights on and followed Kate out.

  They strolled out to the fence along the pasture once again to see the horses in the moonlight. A black horse trotted over to the fence and Ryan put his hand out to pet her neck.

  Kate reached out and stroked her long nose. “She’s a beauty.”

  “I think she’s my mom’s favorite.”

  “Maybe your mother will let me ride her some time.”

  “Maybe,” Ryan replied, winking at Kate.

  “It’s so peaceful out here. Nothing like L.A.”

  “I’m sure L.A. has some good points, no?”

  “Yes, a few, but nothing like this,” she said, gazing up at the sky. “I can actually see
the stars out here.”

  Riley ran up between them and barked a couple of times.

  “He’s telling us he wants to go inside now,” Ryan interpreted.

  “What a smart dog,” Kate remarked. “Okay, boy, let’s go!”

  Ryan took her hand in his again as they walked back to the house, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

  Once inside, Ryan checked on the fire, crouching down to poke at the embers and add a couple more logs to it.

  Kate stood by him, content watching him work. “I really have enjoyed this evening, Ryan, probably more than any other I’ve had in a very long time.”

  He stood up and turned to face her.

  “I’m glad to hear that,” he replied, running his hand lightly down her arm and taking her hand in his. “Now, don’t you think we ought to talk about what happened before the walk, before your phone rang?”

  “What happened before my phone rang? Oh, yes, what was that?” she asked playfully, looking up into his adoring eyes.

  “I believe it would be called a kiss.” His lips curled into an impish smile as he looked down at her.

  “I wasn’t planning to do it,” she explained. “I’ve never been one to kiss a guy first. It just…happened. It was one of those spontaneous things.”

  “I’m glad you did.”

  “Me, too,” Kate agreed.

  “I really wanted to kiss you out by the horses when we were out there the first time, but I thought I’d better not.”

  “Why not?”

  “With everything that’s going on with your sister, I just thought… well, I didn’t want to take advantage of you, Kate. But I’m so attracted to you that I can hardly stand it.”

  “I was starting to wonder. I thought maybe it was just me.” She pushed herself up on her tiptoes and happily planted another kiss on his warm lips. He started to slip his arms around her, but he stopped short, hearing an untimely squeak from the front door opening. Their heads turned in unison toward the noise.

  * * *

  “Hello! We’re home!” his mother called out as she and his dad came through the front door.

  Ryan and Kate abruptly stepped apart and laughed at yet another interruption.

  He could tell his mom had an inkling there was more to the we’re just friends spin he was trying to sell her before they left. He appreciated her giving them sufficient warning that someone was walking in on them.

  “What are you two giggling about?” Jeanie asked, setting her purse down on the counter as Jack helped her take her coat off.

  “Oh, nothing,” Ryan answered, like a guilty schoolboy caught red-handed, trying to hide his mischief.

  “Yeah, I’m sure it was nothing,” Jeanie smirked.

  Ryan could tell his mother thought there might be something going on while she and his dad were out of the house. And, he knew she’d be pleased that her son might have finally found a great girl. Vanessa the Shark, as his mom liked to call her, had always rubbed her the wrong way.

  She whispered something to Ryan’s father as she gently jabbed her elbow in his side. Ryan figured it had something to do with him and Kate.

  His father changed the subject fast, confirming Ryan’s suspicions. “Hey, did you guys catch the game on TV?” he asked as he moved to the great room and sunk down into his oversized leather chair. He put his feet up on the matching ottoman and leaned back.

  “Yeah, we saw the last quarter. It was great,” Ryan answered.

  “I even enjoyed it, though I’ve never been much for football,” Kate said as she directed her attention to Ryan’s father. “I have to say, it was an exciting game, at least the part we saw. We were cheering and jumping up and down.”

  “I know what you mean,” Ryan’s dad said, “the crowd in the stands was going wild, too.”

  “And Ryan had told me about the crazy blue turf yesterday, but I thought he was kidding until I saw it for myself,” Kate added.

  “We love our blue turf,” his mom declared, sounding proud of it.

  “It’s definitely different,” said Kate.

  “Well, I’m glad you guys had a good time. Did you do anything else?” Jeanie asked, obviously fishing for details.

  “As a matter of fact, we did. We took a walk out to the pasture, and I showed Kate the horses. Then we came back and made dinner before we watched the end of the game.”

  “Sounds like a nice evening. You know, it’s not very late. Would anyone care for some coffee or dessert?” Jeanie offered.

  “Not me, thank you,” Kate replied. “We have a very early flight to catch in the morning, so I think I’m going to turn in. I’ll need to be up by five.”

  “Our plane leaves at seven-thirty,” Ryan explained to his mother, moving in closer to Kate. “I’m not ready to go to bed yet, but let me walk you up to your room.”

  “Okay,” she said, looking up at Ryan with a playful grin. Then she turned her attention to his mom. “Thank you so much, Jeanie, for the dinner you laid out and for your hospitality.”

  “You’re welcome. Good night, hon.”

  As Kate turned to walk toward the staircase, she called out to Ryan’s dad, who was across the room starting to doze off in his easy chair. “Good night, Jack.”

  “Night,” he moaned, with his eyes remaining closed.

  “I’ll be right back, Mom. I have something to tell you.” Ryan escorted Kate upstairs to her room, where they paused at the door.

  “What exactly are you planning to tell your mom?” she asked.

  “About the break in the case. Why?” He thought for a moment. “You don’t think I was going to tell her about us, do you?”

  “I wasn’t sure. It kind of sounded like it.”

  “She would definitely be pleased, but no, I meant I wanted to tell her about the lead,” Ryan assured her. “I think we can keep this thing between us to ourselves, for just a little longer.”

  “So there is something between us?”

  “I don’t know exactly what yet, but I definitely hope so.” He lingered for a moment, studying her face. Then he leaned in and gave her a short and sweet kiss good night. “I’d better let you get to bed. Good night.” He opened the bedroom door for her and then headed toward the stairs.

  “Okay, good night,” she said as he walked away. “See you in the morning.”

  Strolling into the kitchen, Ryan found his mother perched on a stool at the center island, stirring sugar into her cup of tea. She looked up when he walked in and her eyes brightened.

  “Well?” she asked, raising her eyebrows, obviously hoping for some juicy details about their budding romance.

  “I just wanted to tell you and Dad that we got a phone call tonight from one of the detectives in Seattle, and they may have a lead in Kate’s sister’s disappearance.”

  “Oh.” His mother sounded a little disappointed. “Don’t get me wrong, I think that’s really good news. I hope it pans out. But, well…I just thought you were going to tell me about something else.”

  “You mean something about me and Kate?”

  “Yes,” she admitted.

  “Mom, you know a gentleman should never kiss and tell,” he said with a wink, making his mom’s face light up with a smile. “I have to be up early tomorrow too, so I think I better turn in as well. Night, Mom.” Ryan leaned over and gave his mom a peck on the cheek.

  “Night, Son.”

  Ryan’s dad was fast asleep in his favorite chair, snoring.

  * * *

  “I’d better go and get some shut-eye, Sis. We have a big day tomorrow,” Ethan said, a wicked smile spreading across his lips. He set his empty beer bottle down on the coffee table, stretching as he stood up from the sofa.

  “What’s the plan?” Suki questioned, getting up out of her chair and following him to the kitchen.

  “The plan I had is mostly out the window. The idea is still to kill Kate, but the details keep changing. I hadn’t planned on her running off to Idaho. Now I’ll have to rethink the tim
ing of things.”

  “I don’t want to fly by the seat of my pants,” Suki moaned, “not on something this important.”

  “I get it,” he said, scratching his neck then running his hand over his face. “But we don’t know exactly when she’ll be back in Seattle. You call me when you hear from her, and we’ll firm up the plan.” He seemed a little jittery and anxious to leave.

  “So what are you thinking?” she pressed. Suki could tell by his restlessness that her brother needed more drugs, which was not good. She needed him to be clearheaded if they were going to get away with his plan.

  “I’m gonna grab her and take her somewhere secluded, and I’m gonna make sure she knows who I am and why I’m doing this. She’s got to know!”

  “Are you on something?” Suki already knew he was—she just wanted him to know she knew.

  “I’m okay—get off my back!” Ethan hollered. “I…I just need a little something to calm my nerves, that’s all.”

  “You need to be sober and focused tomorrow,” Suki ordered, grabbing hold of one of his arms.

  “I will be,” he said, shaking loose from her grip.

  “Do you have a gun?”

  “No. I could get my hands on one easy enough if I need to, but I’d rather use my knife, the one Dad gave me.” He pulled a switchblade out of his back pocket and clicked it open. “I thought that would bring things around full circle, ya know? I could slit her throat, or stab her maybe,” he said, his eyes focused on the blade as he brandished the knife. “Less noise, you know. I don’t want anyone calling the cops ‘cause they heard gun shots.”

  “You didn’t take that thing with you to L.A., did you?” Suki asked.

  “Nah, I left it at my place here. Those airport guys would’ve snatched it from me for sure.”

  “I just know you keep it on you most of the time.”

  “Yeah, I do, but give me some credit, Suki. I’m not stupid.”

  “Okay, okay. So, how are you planning to grab Kate?”

  “I’m thinking on it, little sister. I have some thoughts I’m kicking around, but I have to know when she’s back and where she’s at. That’s why I need you to call me when you hear from her.”

  “All right. I understand,” she assured him.

  “I gotta go, Sis.”