by Tara Rose
He finished the last of his sandwich and took a large sip of coffee before speaking. “Nope. No in-laws, and no nieces or nephews.”
He averted his gaze, and Annalise wondered why his face had suddenly gone pale. She wiped the crumbs from her hands and pushed her plate aside. “Are you an only child like me?”
A flash of pain crossed his face, and Annalise wished she’d kept her big mouth shut. She was too direct at times. “You must have been spoiled rotten being the only child, right?”
“Is that what you wanted to be? Everyone seems to think it’s so wonderful.”
He glanced down at his coffee cup. “Sometimes I don’t know what the hell I want.”
That didn’t sound like he was talking about the past. Did he mean he didn’t know what he wanted now? “I think what we want can change, you know? I had a different vision of what my life would be like when I was in college than I do now.”
He glanced up with a sharp gaze. “Care to elaborate?”
She grinned and leaned closer, lowering her voice. “I will if you will.”
The corners of his mouth turned up. “You first.”
“How do I know you’ll keep your end of the bargain, Detective?”
“You don’t. You’ll just have to trust me as a member of the illustrious Racy Police Department.”
“Oh, I see. Playing the cop card on me. Okay. I can’t fight that one. I’ll have to tell you all my secrets.” She finished her coffee, and he asked if she wanted another one, but she shook her head. “Not right now. So, let’s see…in college I had this dream that I’d be some famous PR person. That didn’t quite happen.”
“Is that what your degree is in?”
“I have a bachelor of business administration in marketing. I landed a job as a marketing associate at a company called Compass right out of college, and quit when things went south with my marriage.”
“What happened in your marriage?”
What harm could it do to tell him, too, after all? “My ex-husband and I worked in the same department, and once things were over between us, it got too uncomfortable. I left the job and Cincy to get away from everything.”
“That kind of sucks, especially if you left behind family and a job you enjoyed. Was there any possibility of simply transferring to another department?”
“My family is actually in northwestern Ohio, where I grew up. As for the job, I did enjoy it, although it was tough working consistent sixty- and seventy-hour weeks. As for transferring, I considered it but finally decided it was better just to make a clean break.”
“Working those kinds of hours couldn’t have helped your marriage.”
“Well, we both worked the same hours, so really the long hours had nothing to do with why it ended.” Not directly, at any rate. The long hours helped Jim conduct his clandestine activities, but Annalise didn’t want to tell Chad that right now.
“I’m prying, Annalise. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
She gazed into his eyes for a moment, debating. Dustin had been totally understanding about what had happened, and there was no reason to believe Chad wouldn’t be as well, but telling anyone this story made Annalise feel like a damn fool. She knew it wasn’t her fault that Jim had cheated on her, but shouldn’t she have seen the signs?
“I’m going to get more coffee.” He rose from the table. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like some?”
“Actually I would. Thanks.”
He took her cup and she admired his ass as he walked away. What was with the men in this town? They all looked like they worked out. She really needed to make more of an effort to get back into a gym because she felt better when she did. Not that Dustin had complained about her body the other night. She was still smiling as Chad approached the table, carrying two fresh cups of coffee.
“I hope that grin is for me,” he said, taking his seat.
“It’s for the coffee.”
“I knew it. I’ve already lost you to the great java here.”
Annalise glanced around. There were only two other patrons in the coffee shop now, and both were busy typing away on laptops. She leaned closer and lowered her voice anyway. “Chad, my marriage broke up because Jim, my ex-husband, cheated on me. We were both interested in adding some kink to our marriage and started going to BDSM clubs. He used that as an excuse to carry on with a couple of coworkers, right under my nose. I didn’t see the signs. I should have, but I didn’t. That’s why I left my job.”
Chad visibly swallowed. “I’m sorry, Annalise. That’s a lousy excuse to cheat.”
“I agree.”
“Quite a few people here in Racy are in the lifestyle. It’s not supposed to be like that. I hope you know that.”
She watched his face carefully as her panties grew wet. Was it possible he and Dustin both were interested in the kinky stuff? That would be sweet. But what if things got physical with Chad as well? Wouldn’t that make her a giant hypocrite? Annalise was so confused and unsure, but there was only one way to find out where Chad stood on the issue. “Does that include you?”
He averted his gaze and picked at a loose corner on the cardboard holder around his coffee cup. “Not officially, although I will admit to having certain um…fantasies in that area. There’s a club here, but I only went a few times.”
Should she tell him that Dustin had mentioned Maddox McCree and had told her about his ex-wife’s involvement there? “Dustin mentioned the club.”
His head snapped up. “Did he really?”
Annalise couldn’t interpret his expression. She nodded. “He also told me about his ex-wife. Sounds like he went through something similar to what I did, only Jim never used BDSM play as an excuse to have sex with another woman while I watched. All his extracurricular activities were behind my back.”
Chad nodded slowly as she spoke. “I see. Yes, Dustin was badly burned by her. When did he tell you all this?”
“Friday night.”
Understanding seemed to dawn in Chad’s eyes, and Annalise winced inwardly. “I didn’t realize you were dating him.”
His voice was full of disappointment, and Annalise wanted to crawl under the table. “We just went out to dinner.” She was torn between blurting out all the juicy details and telling him to mind his own business.
Chad’s lips drew into a thin line. “Do you have plans to go out again?”
“Yes.” He’d find out anyway.
“I’d call that dating.” He still looked more disappointed than upset, and she didn’t know what to do or say.
“Chad, I’m sorry that I’ve upset you. I’ve never dated two men at the same time in my entire life. I’m just as confused about this as anything.”
His gaze finally softened a bit. “I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Dustin and I are best friends. I guess you should know that.”
“I didn’t know until now. But I guess he didn’t tell you that he went out with me.” Or that he’d spent more than twelve hours in bed with her, either. Shit. What the fuck was she going to do now?
“No, but it’s really none of my business, is it?”
“Chad, please don’t say that. I feel so foolish right now. I don’t want either of you to think I’m playing a game or something here. I assure you, I’ve never been like that.” Annalise suddenly felt like she was going to cry. She was embarrassed and confused, and she began to wish she had backed into his damn police cruiser. Then he wouldn’t have asked her out. She excused herself to the restroom before the tears spilled over her lashes.
Chapter Eight
Chad cursed all the demons of hell as he watched Annalise hurry away. What the hell was the matter with him? He was acting like a jealous kid. But he couldn’t help it. He should have asked her out when he first saw her working in Luke’s Bar. It was his fault for waiting. She said she’d been out with Dustin on Friday night…
A sudden thought occurred to him. Was she the reason he hadn’t been able to reach Dustin
Saturday morning? Had she spent the night with him? “Fuck.” He hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but a quick glance around assured him that no one had heard it. Dustin had finally called him Saturday afternoon and gave no reason for not answering his cell earlier, but then Chad hadn’t asked either.
He and Dustin had been friends for a long time. He’d have to talk him before allowing anything to happen with Annalise. He owed him that courtesy at least. But why the hell did this have to be so fucking complicated? It had been so damn long since he’d spent any length of time in the company of such a pretty and charming woman. Fuck it all. This sucked.
When she returned from the john, fresh guilt washed over him at the sight of her face. She’d been crying. God, he was a giant shit. He had to find a way to make this right. She didn’t deserve his petty jealousy. She didn’t know his past, and it wasn’t right for him to take out his insecurities and fears on her. From what little she’d told him, her own past hadn’t exactly been idyllic.
“You want to get out of here and take a walk along the river?”
She nodded. He helped her put on her coat and took her hand as they exited the coffee shop. Even through the glove her skin was warm. Had Dustin found all her skin to be that warm as he’d enjoyed her ripe, luscious body? Stop that, asshole.
They passed several shops before descending the stairs to the Riverwalk. “I’ve noticed something about the stores here,” she said. “They all have quaint names. Nothing fancy, and hardly any chains.”
He smiled down into her upturned face, grateful that she’d brought up a subject about which he could prattle on for hours. “The only chain stores other than Starbucks I know of are Walmart and Mickey D’s. Most of the shops have been passed down through family members and the names just stuck.”
“So that explains the unassuming name of the coffee shop we were just in.”
“That shop is actually fairly new compared to some others. I believe it opened in the mid-nineties. It’s owned by Jane Snyder, and her daughter is Cathie, who owns Cathie’s Printing Shop on Market Street.”
Annalise laughed, and the sound washed over Chad like summer rain, chasing away the chilly air blowing off the river. “You weren’t kidding. They keep it all in the family.”
“We try to. Luke’s Bar is about the only place on Market that wasn’t passed down. He bought it after the original owner died without anyone to leave it to. Luke’s father helped him, although rumor has it that he got it for next to nothing.”
They stopped to admire a flock of geese flying overhead. Annalise picked up a stone from the grass lining the walkway and leaned over the railing. “Does his father own a bar?” She tried to make the stone skip on the water, but all it did was bounce once and sink. “Well, so much for that idea.”
“No, he owns a garage that does car repairs, so if you ever need any work done, let Luke know. His brother Rafe works there, too.” He picked up a stone and stepped over the railing. “You have to be closer to the water to get them to skip. More level with it. Come on.” He held out his hand and she took it, stepping over the railing. “I’m surprised you can do that.”
“What?” Her smile lit up the space around them, and his heart gave a strange lurch.
“Step over this railing with those short legs and all.”
“They’re short, but they get the job done.”
Chad tossed the stone and watched it skip five times across the water. It gave him something to focus on other than her comment, which had immediately conjured up images of those legs wrapped around Dustin as he fucked her. How the hell was he supposed to have a conversation with this woman if everything they said reminded him of what she might have done with his best friend? And what if he was wrong about that? What if all they’d done was have dinner?
“Well,” Annalise said, placing her hands on her hips, “You’ve obviously done that before.”
He picked up another stone and handed it to her. “Here. It’s not as hard as it looks. Want me to show you how?”
“Sure. Okay.”
He stood behind her and slightly to her right, pausing for a second to inhale her sweet scent. The crisp air didn’t mask it the way the smells inside the coffee shop had done. “Now swing your arm back like you’re about to give someone a good swat.” Oh, Lord Jesus. Why the hell had he just said that? Seriously? That was the best analogy he could come up with?
“Okay…” She swung her arm back.
“Turn your palm up and grasp the stone lightly between your thumb and index finger.” He’d like to grasp her nipples between his thumbs and index fingers and tease them until she begged him to stop.
“Like this?” She turned her head slightly to look at him, and he was struck by just how smooth her skin was. And he loved the olive tones in it. The urge to kiss her was so strong he had to avert his gaze from her eyes.
“Yes, that’s right. Now when you toss it, let it go like you’re tossing a Frisbee, smooth and even, in a straight line. Don’t think about it. Just toss it toward the water, and pretend you’re aiming to have it float across the top.”
“So, it’s a visualization trick.”
“Yes. Exactly.”
She threw the stone and it skipped three times across the water. Annalise whooped and pumped her fists in the air then turned and took his face into her gloved hands. Before Chad had time to react, she kissed him right on the lips.
* * * *
Annalise didn’t stop to think. She simply kissed him. Chad’s lips were as warm and soft as she’d imagined, and she could taste the nutmeg that had been in his coffee. She thought it was the most delicious thing she’d ever tasted.
She parted her lips to let his tongue inside, and it moved over hers with practiced precision, forcing small moans from the back of her throat. The sound of the geese overhead drifted away, and there was only Chad. His kiss went deeper, almost desperate, and Annalise clung to him, wishing they didn’t have on so many damn layers of clothing.
Her breathing turned shallow and all coherent thought was gone. Why weren’t the residents of Racy lined up outside his door waiting to kiss him? She was dizzy and gasping by the time he released her mouth. Her nipples tingled, and her clit throbbed. She was certain the snow on the ground underneath them had melted by now.
He gazed into her eyes with a combination of confusion and raw animal lust. “Annalise…I…”
She put a gloved finger over his lips. “Don’t say it,” she whispered. “Please don’t break the spell.” She had no idea what he’d been trying to say. She only knew that anything either of them said right now would wipe away the memory of the kiss and all it had meant to her, and she only wanted to hold onto it for a few more seconds.
“I have to.”
She didn’t answer him. She merely waited, in his arms, to hear what was so damn important. Several emotions crossed his face, including one she swore was jealousy.
“I have to know,” he said. “Did you and Dustin do more on Friday than have dinner?”
Shit. He’d said they were best friends, which meant he’d probably find out anyway. How the hell had she let this happen? “Does it matter?”
“Yes. And no. I don’t know.” Chad ran a hand over his face. “Annalise, I am so attracted to you. I have been since I first saw you two months ago. I don’t know what to do right now.”
“Neither do I.” He’d been attracted to her for two months? Why the hell hadn’t she known that? “I like you, too, Chad. This has been such a fun afternoon. No one’s ever bothered to teach me how to skip stones before.”
She was so happy to finally see him grin again. “So that’s really why you like me, isn’t it? It’s my skill at skipping stones.”
“Yep, that’s it. That’s the true reason.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “So it has nothing to do with my rugged good looks or my kissing then, does it?”
She couldn’t help but giggle. “Oh, those are great, too. Don’t misunderstand me. But being ab
le to glide a stone across a river…well…that’s not a skill everyone has.”
He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, he took her hand. “I promised to show you the town.”
He led her back across the railing and onto the footpath that ran along the river. While they walked, he pointed out the new and old buildings, giving her the history behind each one, who owned the shop in it now, and which family member had passed it down. Annalise knew she’d never remember the history or the names, so instead she simply listened to his sexy deep voice.
She didn’t think about Dustin or Friday night. She didn’t think at all. Annalise wanted to enjoy this day with Chad and let tomorrow take care of itself. When they looped around and were back on Market Street, they kept walking, and Chad continued to talk. Annalise was more familiar with the shops on this street, but she didn’t stop Chad from telling her about them. Anything to keep him from asking her about Dustin again.
“Isn’t this where you live?”
Annalise glanced up at the brownstone, surprised to see they were already halfway down the street.
“Yes, it is. I’d invite you up, but your truck is still parked on Riverfront.” Why the hell had she said that? What was wrong with her?
He stared into her eyes with so much intensity and raw lust that Annalise’s knees threatened to buckle.
“Then again, I could simply drive you to get your truck.”
“Nothing is going to happen to my truck. It’s only a mile away.”
They gazed into each other’s eyes. Annalise was barely aware that other people passed them on the sidewalk. She heard the sound of traffic and conversation, but they may as well have been on TV. The sounds weren’t real to her. The only concrete things were Chad’s blue eyes and the way his lips were slightly parted, as if he were deciding whether to kiss her again.
When he did, the last of the April chill melted away and Annalise’s body became a raging inferno that only Chad could quench. She wasn’t quite sure how they made it up the two flights to her apartment or when she unlocked the door, because she couldn’t remember his mouth leaving hers or fumbling in her coat pocket for her keys.