“No kidding. I’ve got myself my very own physical therapist. It’ll just take a while till I’m up to speed,” he said.
Thompson narrowed his eyes, his suspicion evident. “I won’t ask what changed your mind.”
“Good, because I wouldn’t tell you.”
Thompson turned his steely gaze toward Duke. “You’d better not be spilling department secrets.”
Duke shook his head. “It’s not like he’s an outsider.”
“He damn well is. At least until he aces his physical and gets his ass back in here.”
Jake laughed. “I think this is what they call talking about me like I’m not in the room.”
“Shut the hell up, Lowell.”
Jake shrugged and started for the door.
“Where are you going?” Thompson asked.
“Somewhere you won’t hear me talking, Lieutenant.” Jake infused his tone with the right amount of respect because he truly liked the older man and knew his superior had the department’s as well as Jake’s best interests at heart.
“I hear you in my sleep,” Lieutenant Thompson muttered, and Jake laughed, letting the door swing shut behind him.
In the stale-smelling hall, he slowed his steps, taking in what he knew so far. His perp was playing clean until he figured the cops were through with him. And though Lieutenant Thompson might know Jake was sniffing around, at least he now thought Jake was cooperating with therapy. He wouldn’t be too hard on him if he caught Jake looking into things behind the scenes. With his live-in therapist at work from nine to five, Jake had his daytime free to hunt around.
And he had his nights free for Brianne.
BRIANNE TRIPPED on her shoelace and paused in front of the high-rise building that housed Rina’s penthouse on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Jimmy had moved her in yesterday, and, to her surprise, Jake had made himself scarce. He’d shown her to her room, told her to make herself at home, and then left her to settle in, saying he had an appointment. She appreciated the respect and space he’d given her to acclimate alone to her new surroundings. When Jake was in there, the humongous apartment grew much smaller, and there seemed to be no air to breathe.
As she knelt down to tie her shoe, a humid breeze blew in the night, similar to the air that wafted through her window as she tried to sleep. Because the air-conditioning in the penthouse was cool and uncomfortable, and she’d hoped some familiarity would help her relax, she’d opened the window last night seeking the warmer air. But she’d tossed and turned, anyway, restless because of a heat that had nothing to do with Norton lying next to her or the outside temperature, and everything to do with the fire Jake ignited in her.
She double-knotted the lace, lingering over the simple task, avoiding going “home.” But eventually she had no choice. She stood, smoothing her dark green hospital scrubs and taking a deep breath for courage before facing Jake. She deliberately hadn’t changed after work, hoping the more professional she looked, the more professional she’d act. Even if Jake forced her to tease and cajole him into some form of cooperation, she planned to maintain distance.
It would take strength and fortitude not to succumb to her attraction to Jake, but she’d gathered that strength before, at the lowest point in her life. She’d just have to gather it again. Rina’s job gave her a means of achieving goals—the money to relocate to California and to continue to be close to the brother she’d raised.
Giving in to Jake’s seductive powers, succumbing to a man who valued danger and risk, couldn’t result in anything more than a short-term affair. Brianne didn’t indulge in meaningless relationships. She’d learned long ago that they failed to relieve the loneliness. And given the strength of the attraction between herself and Jake, by indulging she would only set herself up for a broken heart.
BRIANNE NELSON. Pretty name for a pretty lady, Louis thought. A name he’d had no trouble learning from the waitresses at the upscale bar Detective Lowell liked to frequent. Louis Ramirez wasn’t surprised a man like Lowell had developed an interest in the woman. Any red-blooded man would look twice. He had. And now she was bent over, tying her shoes, giving him a view of her slim waist and rounded ass. What a waste, her interest in the detective.
The damn cop thought he was so smart. Louis couldn’t stifle the snicker that escaped. He’d not only beaten the rap, he’d beaten Lowell. Lowell hadn’t been clever enough to recognize a setup. He’d gotten shot and hadn’t been strong enough to pull himself up and do the Miranda rights himself. And he hadn’t been able to keep Louis in jail. Louis loved the cop’s obvious frustration over the fact that no one could say Louis was anything but a clean citizen now. But talking to Louis’s girlfriend was taking things too far. Making things too personal.
Personal could go both ways, he thought, and watched as Brianne Nelson headed into Lowell’s building and checked in at the security desk out front. Fancy address for a cop to be hanging out. He took a drag on his cigarette, then stomped it into the ground. Lowell was a damn fool if he trusted money to keep him safe. Because if and when the time came, no doorman or security system would keep Louis out.
CHAPTER FOUR
JAKE SPENT THE AFTERNOON on the streets talking to old informants and even older friends. No one had any information on Ramirez, but Jake hadn’t expected them to. All he wanted was for the slime to know he was on the prowl, asking questions. That he hadn’t forgotten Ramirez had taken down a cop, was responsible for Jake’s injury. That they would meet up again.
When Jake got home, the apartment was quiet except for Norton. Though Jake wanted nothing more than to hit the shower and relax, he grabbed the leash and took the dog on a long walk—on the hot sidewalk. The pedigreed pooch dragged his heels, trying to run home or bolt into any open door he could find where the sun wasn’t baking the concrete. No mutt with a brain would want to roast in this heat, and Norton obviously agreed. Jake had to admit, the dog was smart, something the sharpei had proven when he’d rolled over and begged for a belly rub from Brianne. Figuring they had in common both their attraction to her and the fact that they both were male, he decided to give the dog a break.
Once Jake got Norton to his favorite patch of grass, he gave the order his sister had explained would take care of things fast. “Do business,” Jake muttered, hoping nobody saw him talking to the mutt.
Unbelievably, as usual, Norton finally did his thing. Jake rewarded him with a fast trip home and a huge bowl of cold water. Then he took a cool shower for himself, and by the time he heard the sounds of Brianne’s return, he’d washed away the grime of the day. He was ready to spar with Brianne, to keep her at a respectable enough distance to avoid therapy—among other physical entanglements he couldn’t afford.
Jake told himself that his moral code wouldn’t let him take advantage of their living situation. He reminded himself that putting Ramirez away had to come first. And he knew for certain that being both a cop and a gentleman who kept his hands off Brianne would require all his mental and physical energy.
He stepped back and greeted her in the large marble entryway. “Welcome home.”
With a curt nod, she walked toward him with brisk, no-nonsense steps. Obviously she had the same concept of distance in mind. He forcibly stopped his smile from turning into a full-fledged grin. Her curt stride, accompanied by her baggy green pants and top exuded a professional demeanor, one she no doubt intended to use to put him off.
He understood. He’d tossed and turned last night, knowing she was asleep in another room in the same apartment, remembering the kiss and knowing he would have liked to take it further—to make love to her and satisfy the yearning she inspired.
She stopped in front of him and let out a huge sigh. “Boy, am I beat.”
Before Jake could respond, Norton bolted into the room and ran across the floor, coming to a sliding halt in front of her. If she hadn’t been in his way, he’d have hit the elevator doors behind her with a resounding thud.
Brianne grinned and bent down to
scratch behind his ear. “Hiya, Norton. How are you? I missed you today.”
Jake groaned. Leave it to the mutt to thaw the chill. He wished she’d missed him half as much—then realized he was jealous of the dog. He shook his head, as disgusted with himself as he was impressed with Brianne, an exhausted woman with a soft spot for a lonely pet.
“I’m sure he missed you, too. With Rina gone, he’s at loose ends. He either whines nonstop, or I can’t find him anywhere. Like last night. I think he must’ve curled up somewhere that reminded him of Rina. A pile of clothes or someplace I haven’t found yet.” He shrugged with his one good shoulder.
“He was with me.”
He glanced up, surprised. An adorable smile tugged at her lips.
“He weighs a ton. I couldn’t move, couldn’t roll over. Once he lay down next to me on my blanket, I couldn’t budge him, not even with all my body weight. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about since he must have slept with you before I moved in.”
“No, he sat at the foot of the bed whining all night.” Jake shook his head and swallowed hard. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. While he’d lain awake fantasizing about Brianne, the damn dog had been living Jake’s dreams. He eyed Norton, who lay at her feet, with an annoyed scowl.
“Really? Hmm.” She stretched and yawned all at the same time and quickly clasped an embarrassed hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m just low on energy. Add to that the tossing and turning I tried to do last night and…well…sorry.” A beautiful blush stained her cheeks. “I’m just tired. And hungry.”
In that instant, Jake decided everything, including being jealous of Norton and keeping his distance, could wait. She appeared more exhausted than he’d remembered seeing her. Then again, he hadn’t had too many up-close-and-personal conversations, something that would change now that they lived under one roof. Looking at her tired face, he had a very strong desire to wrap Brianne in his arms and keep her safe—from the outside world, and from her own life which was so obviously wearing on her.
As a cop, he’d always had an overactive protective instinct, but what he felt now went beyond a professional impulse to protect. “Can I get you anything to drink? A glass of soda or water?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No, thanks. Just food. I know we never discussed the details of this living arrangement, but I did some food shopping during my lunch hour and I thought I’d put together a quick dinner. Can I…should I…” Her voice trailed off, professionalism giving way to uncertainty, barriers crumbling in light of awkward reality.
He found her uncertainty endearing and a refreshing change from her consummate forced demeanor. To hell with the cop and his secrets, Jake thought. The man in him wanted to ease her stress. “Actually, I called in for pizza before jumping into the shower. It’s already in the kitchen. You’re welcome to share.”
“Thank you. I love pizza and, to be honest, I’m so exhausted, cooking’s the last thing I want to do.” Her enthusiasm was so tangible he wanted to taste it—and her.
She turned, her ponytail bobbing as she bounded toward the kitchen, Norton hot on her trail. Jake followed a short distance behind. She tossed a canvas bag on the floor by one of Rina’s decorator wrought-iron, ladder-back kitchen chairs, rested her hands on the table, and inhaled deeply.
“Mmm. That smells delicious. I haven’t had a slice in ages.”
“How come?”
She turned to face him. “How come what?”
“If you love pizza so much, why haven’t you had any lately? You work two jobs, long hours, and you said yourself you’re exhausted. Every single New Yorker knows take-out’s easier than cooking.”
“It also gets expensive.”
He debated for a moment, then decided to ask. “Two jobs must bring in a good salary. What does the money go for, if you don’t mind my asking?” Once again, it wasn’t the cop’s need for answers but personal curiosity that drove him now. A need to get to know her better.
She eased herself into a chair, her hands curling around the gleaming chrome handles. “My parents died when I was twenty. My brother was nine, and I’ve raised him ever since.”
Her lonely existence touched the heart he’d closed off after his ex-wife left. “I’m sorry.”
He came up beside her, placing what he meant to be a supportive hand on her shoulder. But when it came to Brianne, no touch was simple. Heat exploded beneath his fingertips, but he left his hand in place, unable and unwilling to break contact.
“It’s been a long time, but thanks. Marc, my brother, he’s special, unbelievably bright, and it would have been a disservice to him and his abilities to keep him in public school. Everything I earn has been split between his education and making ends meet.”
Jake stared, grateful for the insight and amazed at her generous spirit. She’d given and sacrificed everything for her sibling, and, though Jake would do the same for Rina, his heart twisted with the notion that he’d been right—Brianne was an incredible woman. “Your brother’s lucky to have you.”
A blush rose to her cheeks, and she waved away the compliment, as if what she’d done was inconsequential. “I’m lucky to have him. We’re like this—” She crossed her fingers to make her point.
He nodded, an unexpected lump in his throat. “Well, dig in.” He pointed to the white pizza box on the table. “Your days of deprivation are at an end.”
She grinned and did as he asked. For the duration of the short meal, he watched more than he ate, gaining his fill from her satisfied sighs and gratitude. Such a simple thing, and it broke down barriers far more than any come-on ever would. It was progress he hadn’t expected and it touched him more than he would have liked, especially for a man who couldn’t afford any involvement or distractions right now.
She wiped her mouth with a paper napkin and rose to clean the table. Used to fending for himself, Jake helped and, despite the size of the large kitchen, they bumped into one another often, the current between them charged.
Still, by the time she’d disposed of the garbage and turned back to him, she seemed calmer and more composed than he felt at the moment. “Ready to work?” she asked.
Professional, he thought again. But nothing could erase the confidence she’d shared or the heat they generated. Hell, he’d already caught the fragrant strawberry scent he associated with this woman—the one that turned him inside out and made him want more than he could put into words. But she was right. She was here to do a job, and he ought to let her do it.
“Ready to try and convince me?” He grinned. “It’s a gorgeous night out. Want to see the stars?”
“Pathetic pickup line,” she said.
He chuckled. “No joke. The whirlpool’s outside.” He deliberately waited a beat. “Under the stars.”
Although she blushed a furious shade of red, she held her ground and his gaze. He was still hoping to persuade her to get some rest, but if she insisted on working, he figured sexual innuendo would keep her on her guard—and at a distance. He couldn’t trust himself if they got too close, and heaven help him if her hands actually worked on his body. This woman could have him forgetting his own name, never mind Ramirez.
“It’s the whirlpool or the tub in the master bath,” he said lightly, referring to the water therapy she’d mentioned the other day.
She picked up her duffel bag. “I’ll need to see the extent of your injury and mobility before I can even think about the type of exercises you’ll need. Are you going to let me evaluate you?”
“Wouldn’t you rather take it easy? You said yourself you’re exhausted.” Although he had to admit, the food had put color back in her cheeks and she didn’t look as tired as she had earlier. He wondered if the sexual innuendo had anything to do with the flush in her face and the sudden energy.
“Nice stalling tactic, but it won’t work. Give me a chance, okay? First we’ll loosen the area with wet heat wrapped around your shoulder, and then I’ll check your mobility.”
“We
t heat, huh? Sounds interesting.” His gaze dropped to her lips. She’d licked them once and did so again, her nerves clearly showing despite her outward calm. And just thinking about breaching those walls again, this time feeling her melt in his arms, at his touch, did something to him deep inside.
“Moist heating pads,” she explained, “on the affected area.” If she’d been flustered before, the blush and body shifting increased now. “You know what I mean.”
“Yes, I do.” He let out a mock long-suffering sigh. “No whirlpool?”
“I said water therapy’s always an option. I didn’t say I’d be using it on you.” She wagged her finger in front of him, scolding him for jumping to conclusions.
“What if I’m a good boy and cooperate? Then do I get the water treatment?” He offered her a pleading look and got a laugh for his effort.
Jake knew one thing for certain. No matter how much of a distraction she’d be, he wanted her in that whirlpool willingly before the summer was through. Not that he planned to give in to the need. Still, he reached for her, wrapping his palm around that finger. Surprised, her gaze met his, and his breath caught in his throat. Those warm, compelling green eyes turned the tables, giving her the control that should have been his.
He’d never been in danger of losing control before. Even when his tumultuous marriage was at its best and most sexually charged, he’d never experienced the chemistry he felt now, had never felt the desire to cede power and see where it took him.
She swallowed hard. “Tell you what. You cooperate, and I’ll consider the whirlpool.”
“Hardly a fair deal.”
“But it does give you something to work toward, doesn’t it? In case returning mobility isn’t enough of a motivator.” She met and held his gaze, assessing him. She took his measure, and, as she studied him, Jake knew he had a formidable adversary. One he wouldn’t be able to con for long.
He let out a slow groan. He couldn’t just walk away, and eventually he’d either be confiding in her and asking her to keep his secret or he’d be dead meat, his plan for the summer and Ramirez busted before it began. “Okay, then. I guess the gym would be the best place to start?”
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