by Susan Stoker
Rex wanted to comfort her, to reassure her that nothing would happen, but despite everything in place back at their office in Fort Worth, something could slip between the cracks and come pouring down on their heads.
He liked her, valued her bravery and tenacity, but had to keep her sharp, and ready for anything.
He pointed to her plate of eggs and potatoes. “Now eat up, and I’ll show you where you can get some rest.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry I overreacted. I’ve put my life in your hands, and I need to trust that I chose wisely, that you are taking this seriously, and would not jeopardize my safety by involving anyone untrustworthy.” She reached out and laid her hand on his forearm. “Thank you.”
The touch sent tremors of awareness through him, like pings of a sonar reverberating through him. He eased his arm out from under her palm. “Ma’am, I’ll do my best.”
He glanced at Bennet, who had that smarmy grin on his face again.
Rex narrowed his eyes. “Eat.” He pointed to the man’s plate. “Everyone, just eat.”
*
Mina’s hand burned from touching Rex. The cop did something to her, and it wasn’t at all unpleasant. If circumstances were different… Crap, who was she fooling? She barely made time for friends in her busy schedule, much less men. Her job kept her occupied year-round, and she liked it that way.
The men she’d made space for in her life had disappointed her so badly, she could only feel aversion when guys approached her for a date. But not Rex. He was hot and serious, and even more smart and sexy. They would be stuck here on the ranch for at least three days, and longer, if the suspects in the video weren’t identified and caught.
She looked out the window. The cloudless blue sky and bright sunshine came as the best gift she’d ever received. Living one minute at a time had been her motto for the last five days, and if she were to be completely honest with herself, she may not live to see another night sky.
Things could go really bad now that his captain had been brought into this, but if Rex said he trusted the man, she had to rely on his instincts. He and Bennet were preparing for the worst, and that gave her hope, more than anything else. The thought of being banished to a dark, musty room under the floor…that was not appealing, but she’d go down into it if they asked her to.
She picked at her food for a few seconds, then started eating. She needed her strength to face whatever was coming their way, even if it was just being vigilant and prepared for anything.
Next to her, Rex ate slowly, his manners impeccable. As if he’d been raised with a great deal of care and respect. He was funny, smart, and serious about his responsibilities. Mina sighed. The forecast for her life expectancy had changed for the better when she’d chosen to place herself in Detective Rex Tarrow’s capable hands.
Chapter Four
‡
Mina, Rex, and Bennet watched the video she’d taken of the shooting. The faces of the men were much clearer on the large screen, but it would take a digital specialist to make them fully recognizable.
They discussed it, Bennet asking insightful questions, and Rex recording everything they said.
She answered the questions honestly, skirting the ones about her having any knowledge of the identities of the men and why she’d chosen that spot to use her telescope. As soon as they heard that the shooters had been identified, she’d tell Rex everything, and explain why she’d withheld information. Information that could make this case a lot easier to solve.
After the men ran out of questions, Rex took her upstairs, where four big bedrooms sat fully furnished, the beds made. “Bennet has no family?” She whispered the words to Rex.
He paused a moment. “Blood family, not worth talking about.”
“Blood family?” She didn’t understand why he’d said it that way.
He pointed down the hall. “The bathroom has new toothbrushes and stuff. I’ll be across the hall.” Rex stepped into a room. “Yell if you need anything.” He swung the door, putting a barrier between them, but leaving it open a foot or so.
“Thanks.” He must come here often. She set down her bag and went to scrape a morning’s worth of yuck off her teeth.
*
Two hours later, Mina woke in her bed upstairs, startled awake by the dream she’d been having. Running, running, panting, sweating, fear. Her heart raced like wild horses across the prairie.
Mumbling sounded from across the hall. Was Rex on the phone?
The sound of a motor came from somewhere. She sat upright, listening. Did he hear it, too?
As silently as possible on the old hardwood floors, she made her way to his room and pushed open the door.
Rex lay on his back, fully clothed except for no boots on his stocking feet. His eyes were closed, and he jerked a couple of times then went silent. Was he having a nightmare, too?
She listened again, no longer hearing the motor.
He’d left the shade up on the window, and she tiptoed over to look outside. Nothing. No movement, no sound. Turning toward Rex, she noticed a scar on his hairline by his temple. His skin looked a shade of tan, almost a honey color. It didn’t look like he’d been tanning, either. What nationality was he? She had a lot of questions for him, after talking with Bennet.
Rex had told her Bennet was his ex-father-in-law, but hadn’t shared anything else, and there was no way she would be able to out-fox a sheriff for information, so that avenue was closed.
His hands jerked and fisted, then he went still again.
How should she wake him? Mina crept toward the bed and eased onto the mattress. It barely moved with her weight.
“What are you doing?” Rex’s voice came out gravelly.
“I’m…I heard a noise. A motor.”
He grunted and moved closer to the far edge of the bed, away from her. “Bennet is on his four-wheeler. He’s got a shotgun and a pistol with him.”
The screen door downstairs slapped shut and the sounds of Bennet wheeling his walker through the kitchen reached them.
Relief washed through her. “But what if he’s been compromised, took money to turn me in?” She smiled at the unlikely scenario.
Rex angled up, resting on his bent arm. His dark eyes looked sleepy as he stared at her. “You think we wouldn’t hear him clomping up the steps with that walker?”
She giggled, actually giggled, at the visual. “You’re saying I’m being paranoid?”
He looked too serious. “Sorry, Doctor. I’m not makin’ light of your worries. Not after all you’ve been through. But I’ve known Bennet since I was—”
Something shimmied soft and warm inside her. She was in bed with the hottest, most capable man she’d ever met. Her hero. And she liked him. His lips kept moving, voicing the reasons why she could trust both of them, as well as his captain and his two neighbors. The words flowed over her, his voice low and sexy with intimacy.
Intimacy? How had her mind slid to that tempting topic? Would he be offended if she suggested they spend their time on the ranch…together? Like, extremely close together?
“Mina?” He waited, watching her closely.
Had he asked her something? Or was he keying in to her mood? Her breath came faster, her eyes felt heavy-lidded as she imagined being in his arms, held tight by those strong muscles of his, kissed by his firm lips. She wiggled a little. Would he push her down into the mattress, taking top position? Or would he pull her on top of him, letting her ride him?
Deep in her belly, warmth spread, encompassing her core, swelling in her breasts until her nipples tingled and tightened.
His gaze dropped to her chest for just a second, then locked with her eyes, a little wrinkle forming between his brows.
Rex was the type of man she would wander up to in a bar, or smile at in a coffee shop, or get closer to at a college football game, even without knowing his personality. But add his exceptionally brave and intelligent persona to the mix, and he was suddenly a man she’d want to spend a lot more time with.
Was she being reactionary, wanting to grab onto him and flirt her way into his embrace? Or was this something real and important, something she should not let slip through her fingers?
There was only one way to find out. She took a deep breath.
Mina pushed up on one arm, wrapped her hand around Rex’s strong, thick neck, and pressed her lips against his. He froze for a second, but she used her lips on his like a caress, softly tasting with her tongue and moaning with the warmth of desire that made her a little woozy.
The bed dipped and he wrapped his arm around her waist, turning her so she lay on her back, throwing his hard, heavy leg over hers. “You sure?” He didn’t wait for an answer before moving in and kissing her, his lips firm, encompassing all of hers, molding her to fit his, then his tongue drew a line between her lips.
“I’m sure.” She squealed as her belly tightened and her breasts tickled with need. She hadn’t felt this kind of physical attraction since… Since never. This was spicy and new and wild as the edge of the universe.
“Mina.” The whisper from his lips blew into her mouth like a prayer. He ran his tongue along hers, slowly and reverently. Then he stroked with exuberance and speed that literally sucked her breath away. “Doc, you taste like pure heaven.”
Glad she’d brushed and used mouthwash, she groaned back, “You taste like pure indulgence.” That kiss confirmed a strong physical connection on top of the emotional one she was already experiencing.
He backed away, his gaze searching hers, then he pulled his hand from her and rolled off the bed like it had caught on fire. He looked over his shoulder at her.
The room grew cooler, suddenly. Why was he standing there? Hadn’t he felt the same, amazing moment between them?
“Rex.” She shouldn’t have used the word indulgence. It sounded so…guilty. “We’re both adults, we’re consenting. Neither of us is involved with…” She sat up, icy cold, now, with the direction of her thoughts. “You’re not married, or engaged, or dating someone, right?”
He shook his head. “No, but this indulgence is not a good idea. You’re under my watch, and I’m sworn to protect you.”
She took hope from the fact he was still in the room. “What if we just close the door and pretend we’re two people who feel attracted to each other, and want to spend a few days exploring that magnetism?” That sounded reasonable, right? And not too…desperate?
“Who says I’m attracted to you?” He rubbed his forehead. “Mina…Doctor, I can’t just pretend I’m not on the clock. Please, just…go back to your room.”
She had never been the type to chase a man who didn’t want to be caught, and especially not a woman to try to lure one into bed when he was unwilling, but things were different today, and probably would be for the rest of her life—however long that ended up being. Somehow, the combination of her tenuous situation and Rex’s perfect body and mind, plus his remarkable character, had unleashed something inside her. Like super powers she’d bottled up all her adult life, and now wanted to let loose on the world.
She took a breath and worked up her courage. “I want to be in your bed, Rex.” She let her voice drop low and sexy as she could manage.
He didn’t move for long seconds.
Was he trying to decide? Trying to overcome his overzealous sense of duty and give in to the needs of the man behind the badge? “Fine.” He grabbed his gun, wallet, and boots. “You can have it.” He walked out of the room, then down the stairs.
Her mouth dropped open. Staring at the doorway, she could only blink. How had she mucked that up so badly? Sexual super powers? Not quite. Rolling out of the warm bed, she tiptoed out the door and down the hall to the top of the steps.
“…because you need to explain what that means, she chased you out.” Bennet’s voice sounded over his television program.
“Just watch your gameshow, old man. Let me get some goddamn sleep.” Rex must be stretched out on the couch.
The volume of the TV decreased and Bennet chuckled softly.
She trudged back to her assigned room and willed herself to fall asleep as she focused on making her dreams feature a dark-eyed lover who would have her writhing and popping like fireworks in a starless sky.
Chapter Five
‡
Rex woke when a truck pulled up outside. Bennet stood on the porch, one hand on his walker, the other on a double-barrel shotgun. The older man nodded to Treven as he got out of his vehicle.
Bennet came inside. “Brought his wife with.”
Rex nodded. “The two of them are inseparable.” Since their wedding six months before, they’d holed up at their ranch whenever she wasn’t traveling with her job. Rex hadn’t even considered asking his buddy to leave his better half at home. He stood as they walked in the door.
Treven hung his cowboy hat on a peg, and Delta, Treven’s wife, had a smile and a hug for Rex. She looked at Rex with her awesome eyes—one blue, one green, and brushed her long, brown bangs off her forehead. “We haven’t seen enough of you lately.”
Rex nodded toward Treven. “He treating you okay?”
Treven strolled up and shook Rex’s hand, and the men leaned forward for a guy-hug, pat on the back.
“Anyone want coffee? A beer?” Bennet wheeled around in the kitchen and surprised Rex by setting a platter of sandwiches covered in plastic wrap on the table.
The three of them wandered into the kitchen and helped Bennet set out coffee, beer, and brownies in a plastic container with the name of a local woman written carefully on one side.
“So, Miss Lilly’s makin’ you sweets now, huh?” Treven winked one of his deep green eyes and reached for a brownie. His auburn hair had grown longer than Rex had ever seen it. Must be Delta’s doing. Loosening up the headstrong cowboy.
Bennet gave that wide grin of his. “Half the ladies in the county bring me things. You’d think me bein’ all crippled would keep ’em away, but nope.” He winked at Delta. “Seems they’re only interested in my mind.” The old sheriff liked to tease her. A whole lot.
Her eyes opened wide and a blush stained her cheeks. “That’s probably true, but a woman knows when a man is capable of giving her…” She winked back at Bennet. “What she needs.”
Bennet’s mouth dropped open, and Rex and Treven let loose with big laughs. Delta could hold her own against any man.
Footsteps sounded behind them. “Hi.” Mina’s sweet voice came softly to his ears. That kiss, lawd on high, he didn’t even want to look at her. If he did, he couldn’t be responsible for his body’s reaction. He’d been sleeping when she’d crawled in bed with him, sure, but his response to her was rocketfire, and like nothing he’d experienced before. Ever. How would he last three days here with her…and keep his hands off her?
Bennet and Treven stood, Rex followed suit, and Mina walked up to the empty chair Bennet pulled away from the table for her.
“Well, if Detective Rex isn’t going to do the honors…” Bennet scowled at him. “Doctor Mina Cooper, let me introduce you to Mrs. Delta Pennington Arnett.”
Delta held out her hand and Mina took it. “You look familiar. Have we met?”
Bennet snorted. “Delta Pennington. Her face is all over the television.”
Mina cocked her head. “You’re…an actress?”
Delta shook her head. “Don’t listen to this crazy man. I’m a racecar driver, and I do ads on TV for motor oil and I have a foundation for injured firefighters.”
“That’s amazing.” Mina sounded excited. “I’d love to hear more about all of that.”
Treven cleared his throat. “I’m Mr. Pennington…uh…I mean, Delta’s husband, Treven.”
Mina shook his hand. “Mr. Arnett, I’m impressed by how well you’ve adjusted to your wife’s celebrity.”
Treven wrapped his arm around Delta. “She’s worth all the extra work.”
Delta elbowed him softly. “I’m no work at all, don’t listen to him.” She gestured to a duffle bag in the corner of t
he kitchen. “I hope you don’t mind, but I brought you a few things that I thought you could use, since, well, you can’t exactly run to town for a change of clothes.”
“Thank you.” Mina blinked a few times. “You’re so kind.” She looked at Treven and Bennet. “All of you. To help me this way, I’m grateful.” She avoided Rex’s gaze completely.
“Hup. Company.” Bennet looked at Rex and pointed out the door. The man had ears like a rabbit.
Rex ran and grabbed the shotgun then peered out through the screen door. The familiar red lift-kit truck rolled down the driveway. “Looks like Clint.” He didn’t relax until the truck came to a stop and he saw his friend, with his short, spiky, white hair, walking toward the house wearing dark aviator glasses.
“Hey.” Clint opened the screen door and walked in.
“Thanks for coming.” Rex shook his hand and set down the gun as Clint took off his glasses.
“Hey.” The man nodded, then strode toward Mina. He held out his hand. “You must be the fugitive.” He grinned, and gave her a look with his light-blue eyes, one that Rex had seen melt many women’s resolve. “Rex didn’t mention how beautiful you were.”
Mina held back a smile. “You must be the paramedic.” She glanced out the door. “Rex didn’t mention your…big truck.”
Bennet and Treven laughed, and Delta looked like she wanted to give Mina a fist bump.
Clint released her hand, not looking as cocky as he had a few seconds ago.
“Have a seat.” Rex went to the refrigerator. “Beer?”
Clint hung his sunglasses from the back collar of his T-shirt, and sat. “Yeah, I could use one after that conversation.”
A gush of relief had flowed through Rex when Mina had cut Clint off at the knees. What had he been feeling before that, when Clint was holding her hand? Couldn’t have been jealousy, could it? He shook off that thought and got down to business.
“We’re going to set up a schedule to cover the hours when the people looking for Doctor Cooper would most likely come to the ranch.” He pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. “Between dusk and dawn.” He drew lines. “We’ll have two people outside, one inside. During the day, Bennet and I will be able to handle it.”