Her head jerked up. “You’re spying on me? Following me?”
“If that’s how you want to phrase it, go ahead. I prefer to say I’m staying on top of the situation.”
She glared at him. His cavalier smile told her he knew everything and her heart sank to her stomach, filtered down to her knees then thudded to the floor.
“Okay…okay, you caught me.” She might as well confess. Shrugging, she leaned back. “That must’ve been you the other night. Benny said someone was watching me.”
“Now you’ve caught me.” He didn’t take his eyes from her face. “Am I mistaken or did you not agree to be straight with me when we started this?”
“I know.” She sighed. “Damn it, Judson, I couldn’t give up my contacts there.” Her arms folded over her chest, and she looked at him from beneath her lashes. “How else will I be able to get information if I don’t work the case right where the main players are?”
“I understand.” He placed his hand under her chin, and forced her head up.
“You do?” She squeaked.
“And I have no problem with it. But, the Playhouse is a rough place. I should be there when you are, so I can keep an eye out for you.”
The touch of his hand along her jaw wreaked havoc on her concentration. If his touch affected her this much, how could she survive his eyes on her for a full eight hour shift? She gulped. Talk about foreplay. At least on her end.
He withdrew his hand. The movement pulled her to him as if he were a magnet. She stopped with a jolt. No need to make a complete fool of herself.
Her skin burned where his hand touched. She put her fingers to her chin in an effort to catch the heat.
“Trust me; I’ve been in seedier spots than Benny’s. You don’t need to worry about me. I’ve gotten out of some sticky situations on my own.” Even though she wanted to sound tough, she couldn’t hide the shakiness in her voice at the idea of having him around while she worked. “Plus, it’d blow my cover to have you lurking around.”
“You’re not getting out of it that easily. I have a plan. We’ll tell them I’m your ex that’s trying to win you back.”
Sunny rolled her eyes, laughing. “You’ve got to be kidding. Nobody will buy that.”
“If you want me to keep my mouth shut when I’m with your brothers, you’ll make sure they do.”
His devilish grin caught her off guard, the mixture of a threat and his charm were a dangerous combination. Her stomach thrilled, she pressed her hand to it. To have him help behind the scenes was enough, but now he wanted to intrude in her investigation at the bar. She’d have to put up with it to solve Karina’s murder, and show her family she wasn’t out of her league.
“Well, when you put it like that, I’ll give it my all,” she said through a tight-lipped smile. She didn’t like being forced into the situation, but her choices were limited to none.
“Good.”
“But, again, just for the record, I’m more than able to handle the situation.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “You never cease to amaze me, Sunny.”
“Someday I might just have to show you how I can handle myself. Even you’ll be surprised when I flip you over my shoulder and you’re looking up at me with your back pressed against the floor.”
“You’re giving me something to look forward to.”
Sunny rolled her eyes, but the heat coming from his expression sent a tingle across her skin. “Since I’m working tonight, how do you want to do this? Tell me where you’ll be sitting and what you’ll be dressed like so I can find you.”
“I’ll surprise you, how’s that?”
“You’re a man of mystery, Detective Blackwolf,” she said, chuckling as she observed the sparkle in his eyes.
“Isn’t that what all women want?” he teased.
“That’s the rumor.”
Judson lifted her hand in his, her breath caught in her throat as his firm grip closed around her fingers. His touch was so hard and strong, but soft and gentle at the same time. When his thumb caressed the tender skin of her palm she had to concentrate to suck back a moan. Guarded gray eyes met her wide blue ones. The flutter of ten thousand butterflies soared in her stomach, and Sunny lowered her lashes.
Chapter Five
Sunny dreaded work tonight. She walked into the smoke-filled room with legs of lead, and her eyes wandered over the tables crowding the floor.
Judson left her apartment a little over two hours ago so she could get ready, but assured her he’d see her soon. She had no idea if he would be here at the start of her shift, or if he’d show up later.
She rubbed damp palms down the backside of her shorts, and stopped short outside the back room where she clocked in when she heard Slater and Tasha’s voices.
“What’d she say to that?” Concern filled Tasha’s voice.
“She wasn’t thrilled when I told her we’d have ta put her down. It reminded her of that last time.” Slater’s voice was hard.
“Yeah, but that was over twenty-years ago. You’re off the hook due to time restraints.” Tasha’s chuckle sounded unsure, tense.
Sunny’s heart stuck in her throat, and she held her breath in an effort to hear every word.
“Her words exactly. ‘Murder doesn’t have a statute of limitations.’” Slater’s voice grew near as their footsteps crossed the old wood floor.
Sunny ducked around the corner and flattened herself against the wall as they stepped into the mudroom.
“If ya happen ta see her, don’t mention I told ya.” Slater finished as they stepped through into the bar.
“No way, I don’t want to get on her bad side.”
With her hand to her throat, Sunny expelled a long breath of air. Murder. Statute of Limitations. Did Slater know something about Karina’s murder, something more than she originally suspected. But, it didn’t make any sense for Tasha to be involved in any of this. Heck, she was only a couple of years older than Sunny. She would’ve been a child when Karina was killed. But, what if Slater was using her to keep tabs on Benny? Learn what he knew and thought. It almost made sense. Sunny had noticed Tasha and Benny together more often than before, but hadn’t thought much about it. She assumed Benny asked Tasha to help with the new hires and take a leadership role with the other dancers.
Sunny swallowed hard, her heart still pounding against her ribs. It sounded like they were talking about Karina. All the words and the time line fit. But who was the mystery woman they both seemed wary of?
She walked inside the room and punched in. A chill ran over her skin, and she rubbed her hands up and down over her arms in a swift movement.
The letter she’d received today was still tucked inside her purse. Someone had placed it in her mailbox, and it wasn’t the mailman, only her name appeared on the envelope, no address or stamp. The shaky penmanship, written with a bold black marker, commanded her attention with the four simple words.
Benny’s closest friend knows.
Her stomach grew queasy with tension and excitement. Whoever wanted to help her had been right at her front door. Benny was the first person to come to mind. He always had a black marker somewhere on his person, be it his pocket, or gripped in his fingers when he was at the bar. But it wasn’t like a bold black Sharpie marker was uncommon.
It all made her fear for Benny. Maybe he knew more of what happened to Karina than he let on. He could be afraid of Slater, question his involvement, but with no proof he sent Sunny the messages so she’d dig deeper. All the thoughts jumbled inside her head and she pressed her fingers to her temples. If she had time alone with Judson she’d tell him what she’d overheard, show him the note and get his thoughts.
Sunny turned on her heel coming face to face with her boss.
“Whoa, you surprised me.” Her palm covered her heart. “What’s up?”
Benny steadied her, his hands firm on her upper arms. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to talk to you before you hit the floor.”
“The guy from the other night is back.”
Great, he’s already arrived.
“Where is he?” With an unsteady hand she placed a length of hair behind her ear. Her nerves were on edge and a breathless feeling invaded her lungs. She doubted her ability to get through the night with Judson there to monitor her every move.
“He’s sitting at the bar, in the corner.”
“Okay, thanks for the heads up.”
“Sunny,” he paused, genuine concern etched across his face. “He asked for you by name.”
“He did?” Sunny hooked her thumb into the belt loop of her shorts to hide the shakiness of her hands.
Well, it’s improv night at Benny’s Backyard Playhouse. Hopefully I can keep up my act all night.
“If you have any problems give me the signal.”
The signal consisted of a fingerless whistle, which thanks to her brother Craig she had quite a talent for. “Will do. Thanks.”
“Not a problem, girlie.” He saluted her.
Sunny readied herself mentally for the long night ahead.
****
Judson sat perched on the wooden stool in the corner at the bar. He took a swig of the bottled beer he planned to nurse and watched the doors from the back room swing open. Sunny emerged and the thin line of her eyebrows rose a notch. She inspected the people filling the stools around the horse shoe shaped counter.
Her gaze slid over everyone until it rested on him, she bit her lip. He winked at her, and color rose up her neck to cover her cheeks.
Judson placed his beer in front of him, and ran his ring finger and thumb from the center of his pasted on mustache to the tips. Her high heels accentuated her slender legs and he was drawn to the slight sway of her hips as she moved toward him. When she brushed a trembling hand down the front of her shorts, it showed her agitation. He made the decision to have a little fun with her.
“Hey, baby.”
“Don’t hey baby me.” She stopped in front of him. He grinned at the idea she had decided to play this off as the angry woman.
He removed his baseball cap and wiped his hand over his freshly shaved head. “Surprised to see me?” he said loud enough for the guy following Sunny out of the back room to hear. He leaned against the row of cupboards just inside the bar, his eyes intent on them.
Something about the older man’s almond shaped eyes and tall angular frame made Judson stop and stare. Benny suffered a stab wound years ago. The damaged nerves left him with a limp that would be a constant reminder of his troubled youth. Although it’d been quite awhile since he’d seen his mug shots, there was no denying the resemblance. No doubt this was Benny.
“What the h—” Her mouth hung open for a brief moment before she snapped it shut. The fact he’d surprised her with his disguise increased his playful mood.
“How about giving your guy a smooch?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Drop dead.” Her pretend anger didn’t carry over as she leaned into the bar so only Judson could hear. “Don’t you think you’re taking your disguise a bit far?”
Judson couldn’t resist, he leaned over the counter, placed his palm behind her neck and dragged her toward him. His mouth caught hers before she had a chance to react. Her body stiffened, but before she could pull away he brushed his tongue playfully across her lips. She moaned, the sound stopped his heart. Her lips softened, letting his tongue slip inside to mingle with her own.
God, her mouth tasted sweet, like honey. His fingers slid up the nape of her neck to fan across the back of her head and pull her closer.
When they broke apart, Sunny gazed at him doe-eyed. She teetered back before steadying herself by gripping the cabinets beside her. The rosy hue on her cheeks turned a brilliant red.
Judson took several breaths. His heart started to beat again, but its rhythm was off. The kiss was supposed to be a joke, a ruse, done partly to convince anyone watching them of the role he was playing, and partly to piss Sunny off. He hadn’t expected her to taste so damn good, or to feed the need gnawing at his insides.
His control over the situation had dwindled. Their brief kiss had affected him more than he wanted to admit, and more than he wanted her to know. He sat back, grabbed his cold brew and lifted it to his mouth. The spontaneous kiss to tease her when she couldn’t do anything about it had backfired.
Fury creased her brow as she shot ice blue daggers at him, her surprise overtaken by anger. This time it was real. Benny limped to her side. Even with a bad leg he moved with surprising speed. His jaw ticked, his intense gaze rested on Judson.
“Hey, don’t touch my girls.” Benny stepped in front of Sunny as she picked mustache hairs from her lip.
Damn, he’d have to act fast. “Let me give you the four-one-one old man, this is my girl.”
Judson stood then glanced at Sunny. Even though she glared at him with cold eyes, hands on hips, and foot tapping the floor, she looked downright sexy. The twitch between his legs begged him to jump across the counter and drag her into his arms for a more thorough kiss. He stiffened his stance to resist.
“Whoa, cue ball, you wait—” Throwing in the nickname referring to his bald head was a great touch. She played her angry part well, but then again, she wasn’t acting.
“Sunny baby, you need to fill this old coot in about us. You didn’t go and find yourself another sugar daddy did you?”
Sunny winced.
Judson smirked.
And Benny looked from one to the other.
Judson loved this. Her stunned expression as she looked from him to Benny more than made up for the lengths he’d gone to for his disguise.
“Don’t baby me.” Her eyes were mere slits. “And, for your information this is my boss. Not my sugar daddy.”
“Or anyone else’s for that matter.” Benny’s voice was devoid of emotion.
Sunny directed her words to Benny. “This is my arrogant ex, Judson. Although he’s annoying, pig headed and bad mannered, he’s harmless.” Sunny narrowed her gaze when she turned toward Judson.
For the most part Benny relaxed and extended his hand to Judson. An edge of tenseness remained around his mouth, but Sunny guessed he’d get over it soon enough. “If Sunny says your okay, then you’re welcome anytime. I’m Benny, Benny Griggs.”
“My friends call me Jud.” Judson grinned and the men shook hands. “The ladies call me cue ball.” He winked at Sunny, sliding his palm across his scalp. Both men laughed when she rolled her eyes.
“Get over yourself.” Sunny shook her head. “I’ve got work to do.” She stomped toward the other end of the bar just as an over exuberant customer yelled for another round.
****
Sunny rested her hip against the bar while she talked to Kelly Hartford, a new girl Benny had hired to dance a few nights a week, and bring the club into the twenty-first century with a website.
As Sunny looked over her shoulder to shoot Judson the stink eye, he only smiled, wiggled his brows, and continued his conversation with Benny.
“Isn’t that cute?” Kelly cooed. “Looks like Benny’s got himself a new friend.”
“Yeah, super cute,” Sunny grunted.
“Not only a new friend, but a hot-a-licious one at that.” Kelly’s tongue slid over her bright red lips lit up like a neon sign. “He’s gorgeous, Sunny. How do you know him?”
Sunny shrugged and looked away. “He’s my ex.”
She didn’t like lying to Kelly. They were close in age and something about Kelly was different than the others she’d met at the bar, they’d bonded in an instant. She seemed out of place and Sunny’s intuition nagged her that the other girl was there for more than just a paycheck. But then again, she had reason to doubt her instincts.
“Hmm, ex-what?” Kelly giggled and squeezed Sunny’s hand. “Ex-boyfriend, ex-lover, ex-husband, or extra
ordinary.”
Sunny laughed and swooshed her hand away. “Kelly, you’re naughty. But, I like it.”
“Hey….hey, Sunny-girl.” One of the regulars slurred from across the floor. “How bout you wiggle your purty little fanny over here with another round.”
“Yeah, yeah. Hold your horses, Joe.” She turned from Kelly to fill a tray with several beers for the group seated around the table. They were short staffed tonight, so Sunny had to tend bar and wait tables.
“Come on, Sunny-girl, we’re drying up over here.” Another man at their table called.
Sunny laughed in good humor. They liked to give her a hard time, but they were harmless. “Maybe if you tipped better I’d move faster.”
“You’re breaking our hearts.” Joe placed his hand over his chest in an exaggerated swoon. His friends laughed.
She balanced the circular tray over her shoulder and rounded the bar toward their table. Sunny placed their drinks on napkins in front of them. “There you go boys, drink up.”
When the cool touch of an unexpected hand glided up the back of her leg to cup her behind she jumped and spun around. “Don’t touch the help, buddy.”
The stranger leaned back in his chair, cocking his head to one side. His pale blue gaze slid over her from head to foot, as if appraising her. A smirk pulled at the corners of his thin lips. “Relax kitten, I’m just having some fun.”
Her first reaction was to hit him with her tray, but she held her breath and counted to five in silence.
“Not my kind of fun.”
Play it cool. You’ve been through this before. Craig had taught her several wrestling moves that had come in handy over the years. Her hands fisted as she prepared to put one or two into action.
The hollow laugh of the stranger caused the hairs on the back of her neck to rise. Her toes clenched inside her sparkly red stilettos. He tossed his long, dirty-blond hair from his face. “No need to play hard to get.”
Everyone underestimated her ability to bring a grown man to his knees. Just last week she’d surprised a guy when he’d cornered her outside the restroom. She’d warned him nicely, but when he made a grab for her, she flipped him over her back so that he hit the floor with a thud before he’d had a chance to blink. He’d left the bar not only with a bruised back but a dented ego as well.
Some Like It in Handcuffs Page 6