He wanted to take that emotion out of her eyes. He never wanted to hear her scream like she had again. But at this moment he couldn’t even assure her that everything was going to be okay because he didn’t know what might happen next.
“I saw some tea bags up in the cupboard. Do you want me to make you a cup of hot tea while we wait?” he asked.
She looked so cold with her arms wrapped tightly around her, as if the fear inside her had stolen every ounce of her body heat.
“That would be nice. There’s a teakettle in the cabinet under the coffeemaker.” Her voice was higher than usual and her lips trembled.
He had just put the water on to boil when a knock fell on the front door. As he walked through the living room to answer it, he hoped like hell all the cops in Kansas City law enforcement didn’t have a sketch of him as a person of interest in the murder.
He opened the door and two officers flashed their badges and swept inside, their rain hats and suits dripping water on the floor. “Sorry,” the taller of the two said. “It’s a heck of a rainstorm out there.”
“No problem,” Nick replied. “Why don’t I take your coats and hang them?” There was a three-hook coat hanger just inside the front door.
Introductions weren’t officially made until their coats were off and they’d all stepped into the living room where Julie hadn’t moved from her position on the sofa.
Officer Sean White and Officer Frank Roberts stood while Nick explained why they had been called out on a stormy night. As he told them about the phone call and then the doll, Officer Roberts’s dark eyes gazed at him intently.
Paranoia immediately filled Nick. Did the officer know something about McDowell’s murder? Was it suspicion that had the man staring at Nick so attentively?
A shrill whistle filled the air. Julie released a small scream and the two officers went for their guns. “It’s the teakettle,” Nick said hurriedly. “If you’ll follow me into the kitchen, I’ll show you the doll.”
In the kitchen he quickly pulled the kettle off the burner, stopping its noisy hiss, and then took the towel off the doll.
“Now that’s a nasty piece of work,” Officer White said in obvious disgust.
“I hope you’re going to take it away.” Julie spoke from the doorway.
“And you don’t have any idea what this is all about?” Officer White asked her.
Julie shook her head. “I...I had a car accident a couple of days ago and it’s done something to some of my memories.”
“You said the threatening phone call came from an anonymous number?” he continued.
She nodded.
“Probably a burner phone,” Officer Roberts said. He turned his gaze back to Nick. “Can you think of anyone who might want to harm Ms. Peterson?”
Despite the coolness of the house, Nick felt warm...too warm. Why was the officer looking at him with such scrutiny?
“No, nobody,” he replied.
“You’re Coach Simon, aren’t you?” Roberts suddenly asked. Nick nodded and the officer elaborated. “I knew I’d seen you before. My boy played for you a couple of years ago... Cody Roberts?”
Nick breathed a sigh of relief. “Sure, I remember Cody. He was a good tight end. Is he still at KU?”
“Yeah, but he’s not playing football anymore. He’s pretty focused on his classes. He wants to get a degree in criminology. Seems he wants to follow in his old man’s footsteps.” Roberts’s broad chest puffed up.
“Enough about football and kids,” Officer White said. “We need to get moving before the next wave of storms moves in.”
Nick suddenly realized the thunder and lightning had abated and the rain had stopped. “There are more storms moving in?” Julie asked half breathlessly.
“The weather reports are for bands to continue to move in and out until dawn,” Officer White replied. “We’ll take the doll with us and attempt to pull off some fingerprints, but don’t expect too much.”
“This might be nothing more than scare tactics, but I’d say the best thing you can do is try to think of anyone who might have a beef with you.” Roberts pulled on a pair of gloves, took a large plastic bag out of his back pocket and bagged the offending toy.
All of them walked to the front door.
Officer White took a card out of his pocket and offered it to Julie. “You call me if you think of anyone or if anything else happens. In the meantime, I’ll open a file and if we get anything at all off the doll then I’ll contact you.”
“Thank you,” she replied.
Within minutes the officers had pulled on their rain gear and left. Nick locked up after them and then turned to look at Julie. “Still want that cup of tea? I can reheat the water.”
She stared at him, her eyes filled with fear and quiet despair. “I’m frightened and I’ve never been so cold in my life. I don’t want hot tea. I want you. I want you to hold me through the night. I need you, Nick, and if you really love me, you’ll sleep with me tonight.”
Chapter Seven
Her hair smelled of peaches as stray strands tickled the side of his face. He had one arm around her and she fit perfectly against him, curled up at his side as he lay on his back.
He’d had no choice but to climb into her bed. It would have been odd for a fiancé not to hold the woman he professed to love through a dark and stormy night and after she’d had such a bad scare.
Thankfully, almost the minute they had gotten comfortable in the bed, she had fallen asleep. Sleep was the last thing on his mind. If her warm, curvy body next to his wasn’t enough of a distraction, his racing thoughts kept sleep at bay.
What he wanted to stay focused on was the question of who was threatening Julie and not on the white-hot desire that pulsed in his veins.
Was it possible it was somebody in her family? None of them seemed the type to issue anonymous warnings. They were more up-front and in-your-face. Was it somebody who worked with her at the pawn shop?
Unfortunately he had the feeling that the police would be little help in solving this mystery. They had much bigger crimes to solve—like the vicious murder of Brian McDowell. And crime certainly hadn’t stopped with that murder.
His stomach clenched tight as he thought of how uncomfortable he’d been when Officer Roberts had eyed him so closely. Guilt had coalesced with paranoia and he’d been certain the night would end with him under arrest. How did real criminals live with that?
A faint flash of lightning lit the room, followed several moments later by a rumble of thunder. Thankfully, Julie didn’t stir.
He didn’t want her awake. Being next to her as she slept was difficult enough. He hadn’t felt this kind of desire for a woman since Debbie. After her death, he’d believed he’d never want a woman again. But Julie definitely stirred that emotion inside him.
It wasn’t just about feeling the softness of her skin next to his. It was far more than the heady scent of her. Her warm smile made him want her. Her laughter pulled him to her.
There had been so very little laughter in his life over the past three years. There had been very little life. He’d been dead inside since he’d buried his wife and Julie reminded him that there was still life and laughter and desire.
Not that it mattered. He wasn’t in the market for a wife. And, in any case, he had damned any future relationship with Julie the minute he’d told his first lie to her. What he didn’t understand was why this thought depressed him more than a little bit.
He must have dozed off because he suddenly jerked awake. Had the thunder awakened him? Perhaps. As he remained still, a bright flash lit the room and thunder boomed overhead.
Beside him, Julie moaned. “No.” She punched at the sheet that covered them and thrashed around. “No. Go away.” Her voice held a desperate appeal. “Go away!” She sat upright, her chest heaving and her eyes wild as lightning flashed a
gain.
“Julie.” He sat up beside her and reached over to turn on the bedside lamp. The pupils of her eyes were dilated, nearly usurping all their blue color. He said her name once again. She stared at him for a long moment and then released a startled gasp.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. It was a nightmare.” She drew her knees up to her chest as if attempting to disappear. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Was it the storm?” he asked.
“No...it was the doll.” She raised a hand to the bottom of her throat, a gesture he had come to recognize as a display of her anxiety. “I dreamed it was alive and it was trying to come into the house to kill me.” She lowered her legs and turned toward him. “Nick, I’m so sorry I disturbed your sleep.”
“Don’t apologize for a bad dream,” he replied. “We all have them at one time or another.”
She rolled over so her upper body was on top of his bare chest. All his muscles tensed and he closed his eyes as a fiery desire coursed through him. She swept a hand across his skin and whispered a sigh against his neck.
He wanted to douse the flames she stirred inside him, but as she moved her hand lower on his abdomen, the flames only burned hotter.
“Nick,” she said softly as her fingers toyed with the waistband of his boxers.
He opened his eyes and her lips were right next to his. Her eyes telegraphed need and want. With a groan, he pulled her closer against him as his lips captured hers.
Someplace in the back of his mind he knew this was wrong on so many levels. But that didn’t stop him from rolling her over onto her back and continuing to kiss her. Rationality certainly didn’t halt his hands that found her soft breasts and taut nipples.
He was going to make love to her. She’d believe she was making love with a man who loved her, who had committed his life to her. She wouldn’t know yet that he was nothing more than a virtual stranger to her. Even with all that in his head, it wasn’t enough to stop the moment.
Their tongues swirled together with a frantic hunger. She tasted of hot desire and he loved the taste of her as they continued the kiss.
He stroked his hands across her shoulders and down her arms. Her warm and silky skin was made for a man’s caress. She moaned slightly against his mouth. The husky sound, so filled with her desire for him, heated the blood flowing through his veins.
He was half breathless and yet he didn’t want to stop tasting her sweet lips. When thunder boomed overhead, she didn’t flinch. It was as if she was completely lost in him. And that only turned him on more.
She finally stopped, only to sit up and shrug the spaghetti straps of her nightgown off her shoulders. The silky garment fell to her waist. The sight of her breasts in the flashing lightning coming through the window made him want to touch.
He covered her breasts with his hands, loving the feel of softness and the pebble hardness of her nipples. He moved his lips to cover where his hands had been.
“Oh, Nick,” she whispered and placed her hands on the back of his head to encourage the intimacy.
As the storm raged outside, the rest of their clothes were abandoned. She was beautiful in her clothes, but she was breathtakingly beautiful naked.
She showed no shyness or hesitation. Rather, she was passionate and exciting. She had no idea this was the first time they had ever made love. She met him with the confidence of a long-time lover and a woman who was certain she was loved.
For every caress he gave her, she gave back to him until he had to take her completely. Anything less was impossible.
He hovered between her thighs. He gazed down at her. Her pupils were still wide, but he knew now it was from desire and not any fear.
“Take me, Nick,” she said, her voice husky with desire. “I want you so badly.”
“And I want you.” He eased into her and was immediately lost in her heat. She met him thrust for thrust, moaning her pleasure as her fingers clutched at his back.
Too fast. Everything was happening too fast and he tried to slow down. He wanted her with him when he reached his peak. He wanted to make sure she was thoroughly pleasured before he allowed himself his own.
And then she was there, her body tensing as she moaned again and again. Small shudders swept through her and his release was upon him. Intense...wild, his climax rocketed through him.
He finally collapsed onto his elbows, keeping the bulk of his weight off her. She looked stunning with her dark hair splayed out on the pillow and her cheeks flushed with color.
She reached up, placed her hands on either side of his face and then rose just enough to meet her lips with his. He tasted her love in the softness of the kiss. A love she’d given to him without question, without any reservation.
“That was magic,” she said when the kiss ended.
“Yeah, it was.”
“Has it always been that good?”
“Always.” He got up from the bed, grabbed his boxers from the floor and went down the hallway to the bathroom he’d been using. He didn’t want to linger and give her an opportunity to say anything more about what they’d just shared. He didn’t want to utter one more lie to her tonight.
He looked at his reflection in the mirror with disgust. This was the absolute worst thing he could have done to her. Hell, he hadn’t even used a condom. He’d been so caught up in the haze of desire, he hadn’t thought about protection.
When her memories came back to her, there would be no way to protect her from knowing he wasn’t who he claimed to be. He’d taken advantage of her in so many ways and tonight in the worst way possible. He was a fraud pretending to be a fiancé for his own selfish purposes.
A boom of thunder sounded overhead.
Run, a little voice whispered in his head. Get your things and get out of here now.
“I can’t,” he said to the man in the mirror.
He was in way too deep now. Not only was he afraid for her, he’d also grown to care about her. He couldn’t just run away like a coward, especially after what they’d just shared.
This whole ordeal had started because of his hatred, because of his rage toward another man. But now it was so much more complicated than that. At the moment that particular rage seemed distant and rather unimportant.
Pulling his boxers back on, he knew exactly what he was going to do now. He was going to return to her bed and hold her. He was going to continue to hold her until the thunder and lightning stopped because he knew she was afraid of those things.
He left the bathroom and went into the bedroom, where she was just getting back into bed. She smiled at him, but the smile was short-lived as thunder once again boomed.
“Let’s cover up our heads,” he said, hoping to keep things light between them despite what had just happened. Besides, the last thing he wanted was a recap of their love-making where she told him how very much she loved him.
“Sounds good to me,” she replied.
Minutes later the light on the nightstand had been turned off and he was spooned around her back. Her body tensed slightly each time the storm made its presence known.
“I don’t know why I’m such a baby,” she said softly.
“Everyone has an irrational fear about something,” he replied.
“What’s yours?” she asked drowsily.
He couldn’t tell her that his biggest fear at the moment was being arrested for murder. Or that his second biggest fear was what would happen when she regained her memories.
“Nick? Are you asleep?”
He didn’t reply.
Within minutes her breathing became the slow and regular rhythm of sleep.
Sleep didn’t come so easily to him.
He should be arrested. He should spend the rest of his life in a jail cell. His crimes against Julie would haunt him for the rest of his life. And tonight he’d committed the worst kind of felony
against her by making love to her.
He needed to find out who was threatening her. He didn’t want her to face whatever danger might be reaching out for her all alone. Once that mystery was solved, whether she had her memories back or not, he had to tell her the truth. He had to let her know that he wasn’t her fiancé and he’d lied about everything.
He just couldn’t figure out why his heart ached just a little even thinking about it.
* * *
JULIE WOKE ALONE in the bed with bright morning sunshine drifting through the curtains. She moved a hand to Nick’s side of the bed and the warmth that lingered there let her know he’d gotten up only recently. The sheets still held the faint aroma of his cologne.
She closed her eyes and released a sigh of utter contentment. Making love with him had been wonderful. It had been everything she’d imagined it would be. He’d been so passionate and yet tender, and sleeping in his arms had felt like home.
She was almost sorry he was already out of bed. She wouldn’t have minded a repeat performance. “You’re going to have the rest of your life with him,” she whispered to her pillow. The words warmed her. He was everything she wanted for herself. She just wished she could remember all the moments she’d spent with him before now.
Remember. The threatening phone call...the horrific doll... She so desperately needed to remember so she’d know where those threats were coming from. Who was responsible? She squeezed her eyes more tightly closed, trying to summon something—anything—from her not-so-distant past.
There was nothing there. It was like a big black hole that swirled and whirled inside her head but gave up nothing.
With a frustrated sigh, she got out of bed.
Pulling a short, cotton robe around her, she went into the bathroom to brush her teeth and hair before joining her fiancé for morning coffee.
Her fiancé... Her heart thrilled.
Thank goodness he’d gotten over his reticence to make love to her and now they could truly enjoy the intimacy of a couple in love.
Desperate Strangers Page 8