“All right.”
He waited until they were back on the road before asking, “Something you want to share?”
“Did you call the care facility?” she replied.
“What?”
“Yesterday. After we took off.”
“No. Why?”
“Why aren’t they looking for me? I mean, I know I wasn’t a prisoner, but still...they had the cops there looking for a masked intruder. One of their patients disappears. Shouldn’t that have attracted some kind of notice?”
Anderson’s gut churned, and he cursed himself for not thinking of it. Making the call should’ve been the first thing he did. And Nadine was right. The care center and the police would have been—should have been—more than concerned about losing a patient in the middle of an evacuation incident.
“Am I wrong?” Nadine asked.
“No. You’re completely right.”
“Can you think of a reason they might not be worried about where I am?”
“If you’d checked yourself out.”
“Which I didn’t.”
“Or someone they trusted told them you’d left voluntarily.”
“Like who?”
“Your doctor,” he suggested, then shook his head. “But I can only think of reasons for him to worry more than anyone else.”
“What about Garibaldi?” she replied softly. “He’s a major benefactor of the hospital. His name’s at the top of that board of contributors they have hanging in the entryway.”
“Can’t imagine him trying to cover your tracks for you.”
“But it would make sense, too,” she persisted, “if he thought I wouldn’t be there because his guys were going to make sure I wasn’t.”
The roiling in Anderson’s stomach grew thicker, and his grip on the steering wheel tightened so hard that his hands ached.
Nadine ran a hand over his forearm. “Are you okay?”
“I hate feeling like we’re at his mercy,” he admitted, his voice rough.
“We’re not.”
“How do you figure? The man’s got every damned card, doesn’t he? And he’s a step ahead, too.”
“I think he’s a step behind, actually, because he doesn’t know who you are.”
“That we’re aware of.”
“I’m sure of it,” she argued. “If he did, he would’ve made an effort to get to you, too. At the hospital or at the hotel. But he’s still just focused on me.”
Anderson flexed his fingers and muttered, “Then maybe I’d rather him know who I am.”
Nadine laughed, and he turned a surprised look her way.
“That’s funny?” he asked.
“Misguidedly romantic,” she corrected. “It’s not every day that someone wishes they could be stalked on your behalf.”
“In the old days, they called that chivalry.”
“You didn’t offer to throw your jacket over a puddle, Anderson.”
“Go big or go home.”
“Tell me about it. We just met a week ago, and we’re already engaged.”
Now his hands relaxed completely, and he let out his own chuckle. “Maybe you’re just that irresistible.”
She snorted. “Yeah. That’s the word I’d use to describe myself.”
“We’re not talking about words you’d use. We’re talking about words I’d use.”
“I’ve never in my life been accused of being irresistible.”
“Then you’ve been associating with the wrong people.”
“Clearly.” She settled back against the seat, a small—definitely irresistible—smile tipping up her lips. “What’s so irresistible about me?”
“You’re after a little flattery?”
“What woman isn’t?”
“Ah. But you told me yourself you’re not a typical woman.”
“And that’s what makes me so irresistible?”
“At least partly,” he said seriously. “I like that you’re different.”
“Into freaks,” she replied. “Noted.”
He laughed. “You don’t put up with crap. You tell it like it is. You’re smart and intuitive. You’re determined and fearless. And your world’s been blowing up again and again, and you haven’t given up. Not once. All of that is what makes you irresistible. And if it also makes you a freak, then I guess I’m on board with a first-class ticket.”
“Ugh.”
“Ugh?”
“How am I supposed to top that? Any compliment I give you is going to seem pretty damned lame now.”
Another laugh escaped, and Anderson shook his head. “I bet you’re pretty damned good at placating unruly third-graders, aren’t you?”
“I think I do all right. Why?”
“Because a second ago, all I could think about was throwing myself—chivalrously, of course—onto a grenade for you. Now all I can think about is throwing myself at you directly.”
“Hmm.” She dragged the noise out, obviously amused.
“What?”
“Well, putting aside the relative smoothness of that segue, I have to admit that I don’t get a lot of calls to use my skills to transition from grenades to kisses.”
“And for that I’m thankful.”
“Oh, really?”
“It means I’m first.” He grinned. “Plus, grenades in the classroom aren’t a good thing.”
“No. Best to keep the two things separate.”
He sneaked another glance at her. Her gaze was out the front windshield, that little smile still playing across her face. The sun shone through the side window, catching bits of her blond hair and making it shimmer.
He could stare at her all day, Anderson thought as he forced his eyes back to the road.
“I think I forgot something in that long-winded compliment of mine,” he said.
He felt her brown eyes flick his way. “What’s that?”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. It’s just the truth.”
“Hey, Anderson?”
“Yes?”
“How come some other girl hasn’t already snapped you up? Have you got some dark secret you’re working up to telling me?”
“It wouldn’t be a very dark secret if I was going to tell you so quickly, would it?” he teased.
She gave his shoulder a playful push. “That was actually a serious question.”
“Ah. Your subtle way of asking about my past.”
“I’m not very good at subtlety. In case you haven’t noticed.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed.”
“You’re avoiding the question.”
He sighed. “We’re only about three minutes from the lodge.”
“And that’s three minutes you can use to confess all the lurid details of your love life,” she countered.
“Three minutes, huh?”
“Do you need more time?”
He covered a laugh at her pointed tone. “Three minutes will do.”
“I think we’re actually down to two and a half,” she said.
“That’s cutting it close.”
“Then I guess you better hurry up.”
“Persistent, aren’t you?”
“Didn’t you say a minute ago that was one of my more irresistible qualities?”
“And your memory’s a steel trap, apparently.”
“Stalling again.”
“Okay. Fine. Here it is. My love life, in under three minutes.” He inhaled, then laid out the embarrassingly minimal details in rush. “High school sweetheart moved away right after graduation. Vet school. Never heard from her again. Kinda expected it to happen, so I got over it quickly. I worked for a year, then went into the academy. Dated casually while I trained, but didn’t have time for anything too seri
ous. Same for my rookie year at Freemont PD. Second year, though, I met a woman I liked a lot. A clerk at the courthouse. Clara was her name. We went out for eighteen months or so before she broke it off. She told me I was married to my job, and she wanted something more. I resented that for a while. My Mr. Nice Guy attitude even took a back seat to Mr. Bitter. But when I got into my next relationship—a year with a woman who owned a chain of statewide coffee shops—I realized that Clara was right. I chose my work over my relationship at every chance. And even though my new girlfriend either never noticed or didn’t care, I knew I wouldn’t ever be able to give her anything more than I was at that moment. So I ended it. That was three years ago. And here I am.”
“Wow.”
“Wow?” he repeated. “I didn’t think it was all that impressive—more like underwhelming.”
“No. I mean...did you even breathe while you were telling me all of that?”
“You said I had to fill three minutes.” He nodded out the window toward the Whispering Woods Lodge, which loomed on the horizon. “And we’re here, so I’d say my timing is damned near impeccable.”
“Uh-huh. And you always do what you’re told?”
“I try to accommodate when I can.”
“Riiiight.”
“It helps when doing what I’m told serves my own interests.”
“And what are your interests in this case?”
Anderson shot her a smile as he took the final turn up to the lodge. “Right now...making you happy, sweetheart.”
Chapter 11
As they made their way from the truck to their room, the blooming warmth in Nadine’s chest didn’t fade. If anything, it grew, spurred on by the fact that Anderson’s fingers were threaded tightly with her own. By the time they actually made it to the suite, the warmth was a burn. And when the door shut, it became a raging inferno. Her chest wanted to burst.
As Anderson turned her way, his mouth open to say something, Nadine pounced. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, dug her fingers into his hair and slammed her lips forcefully to his mouth. She took all of the heat coursing through her and channeled it into the kiss. And yet when she pulled away, it stayed. Banked. Just waiting to blow up again.
She lifted her eyes to meet Anderson’s and she saw the same warmth reflected there.
“Success,” she breathed.
“Success?” he repeated.
“In your ‘right now’ interests.” She leaned back and smiled. “I’m happy.”
His mouth tipped up on one side. “Oh, yeah?”
“Crazy, right? I’ve been attacked. Had my childhood home burned down. And I’m pretty sure we can agree that Garibaldi wants me dead. But I’m happy. Right now. Right here with you.”
He lifted a finger and smoothed her hair back from her face. “That is crazy. Some therapy might be in order.”
“How about another kiss instead?”
“Don’t we have some work to do?”
“All right. If you don’t want to kiss me...” She took a step back.
He took a step forward. “That’s not what I said.”
She took another step back. “No. Not literally. But we can’t work and kiss, can we?”
He moved closer again. “How can we be sure unless we try?”
Suppressing a laugh, she tried to inch out of reach, but both of Anderson’s hands shot up to close on her shoulders. His palms slid down her arms to her wrists, and he lifted her hands to his waist, and this time when Nadine moved back, it was because he was pushing her. Three steps, and the backs of her knees hit the couch.
“Hey!” she protested. “This most definitely is not work.”
“I know.”
His smile turned sly, and with a little shove, he sent her backward. And he followed. He landed over top of her, his thickly muscled arm holding him up. He grinned at her.
“Not a bad view,” he said.
“Lamest line, ever, Anderson.”
“Well. Maybe I can make up for it.”
He tipped his head down, and Nadine let herself be swept away. His mouth was warm, his tongue firm as he ran his mouth first over the length of her throat, then the line of her jaw. He kissed and sucked, teased and tasted. The opulent hotel slipped to oblivion, and the very pressing fears and worries weren’t far behind.
Nadine leaned her head back to give Anderson better access, and the move arched her body against his. She couldn’t help but appreciate the strong, hard line of him as their still-covered skin met. It made her want to tear off every piece of fabric. To give in to the most basic of urges and to forget all else. And without even being conscious that she was following through on the need, she lifted her fingers to the top button of his shirt. They unfastened that one. Then the next. The third popped open with the barest touch, and Nadine slipped her hand inside. His skin was perfect. Just barely smooth enough to not be called rough. She dragged her fingers back and forth over his collarbone, reveling in the feel of it.
I want more, she realized.
But when she reached for the fourth button, Anderson growled something unintelligible against her throat and pulled back.
“Nadine...”
The way he said her name—raw with passion—made her reply come out as a gasp. “Yes?”
He bent again to rub his nose against hers lightly. “I’m a nice guy. But I’m not a saint.”
“I’m counting on it.” She gave his lower lip a nip.
He groaned. “We should stop.”
“Really?”
“Not because I want to.”
“Well, I’m willing to keep going. I’ve only got a few buttons left. Then we can move on to disrobing me.”
“You’re killing me.”
“Is that code for something?”
She slipped her hand to the fourth button, but he pulled back. It set him into a kneeling position. Right between her legs. His shirt had parted, exposing his thick chest and displaying a mouthwatering hint of his defined pectoral muscles. Nadine’s desire for him only spiked higher. She reached up and pressed her hands to his thighs.
“If you really want to stop,” she said, “I’d suggest moving to the other side of the room. Quickly. Because I’m not the only one with a few irresistible qualities.”
He looked genuinely torn. So much so that Nadine laughed, then slid back and dragged her legs free.
“Relax, Detective Somers. I’m not about to force you to get naked.”
He didn’t smile back. Instead, he adjusted his own position, then leaned forward to cup her cheek.
“I want this, Nadine,” he said. “I want you. But I also want it to be right. I don’t want to be in a rush, or to have any other distractions or concerns weighing us down.”
The heat in Nadine’s chest reared up again, and she smiled. “You’re underestimating the effect you have on me.”
“Oh, I am, am I?”
“Definitely. The second I get close to your lips, I forget everything else.”
“Like this?” He pushed up to give her another kiss—this one soft.
“Exactly like that,” she agreed.
“But when I pull away...it all comes flooding back?”
Nadine made a face. “Yes. More quickly than I’d like.”
“Well,” Anderson said with a smile. “That’s what I’m trying to avoid. I want you to focus on me one hundred percent.”
“Me focusing on you, huh? What about the other way around?”
“Oh, I have no doubt that I can put everything aside in favor of you.”
“Even your investigation?” she blurted, then quickly tried to backpedal. “Sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“No need to apologize, honey. Really. I’ve gotta admit that the case has gone on the back burner since I met you.”
“I’m s—” This time she
cut herself off with a headshake. “I don’t want to get in the way of your work any more than I want to be your work.”
“You’re not. On both things. I promise.” He grabbed her hand and brought it to his mouth. “Tell me you believe me.”
There went that explosion in her chest. And she finally recognized it for what it was—burgeoning affection. She liked him. A lot. And every time he said something that made her sure the feeling was mutual, her heart swelled.
“Well?” he pushed. “Have I earned that much trust?”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
“Good,” he said. “So should we take care of the scary stuff that’s getting in our way so we can move on to more important things.”
“Okay.”
He gave her another kiss, then grabbed the laptop, talking as he pulled it from the bag. “The guy in the store did the setup. Nothing too fancy. Figured we didn’t need to break the bank to look through a few files.”
Nadine winced as something occurred to her. “I owe you—or the Freemont PD—a lot of money.”
“What?”
“The hotel room. The clothes and the food. And now a computer. Maybe not breaking the bank, but it’s still a good chunk.”
“I’ll just take it out of the date credits.”
“Date credits?”
“Yeah. What I’d normally spend on movie tickets, dinner, wine and roses. Trust me. The cost is comparable.”
“But I’m the kind of girl who normally pays her own way.”
“Then you can pay for the next round of purchases related to crime solving.” He held out his hand. “Have you got the USB stick?”
She retrieved it from the little pocket at her waistband and gave it to him. “I’m kind of hoping this is the last crime I’ll have to solve.”
“You want to turn in your gun and badge so soon?”
“I’d like to have gone without the fictional pair completely, actually.”
“So why’d you stay in Whispering Woods at all?”
“I’m sure Brayden filled you in on the details.”
“He told me that you found out unexpectedly that your mom still had her place here. And I know about the teaching position, and you explained about Grant the Ungrateful. So I get why you’d feel compelled to come. But I’m not sure why you stayed.” He studied her face, his hand hovering near the USB port. “Closure is all well and good, but most people just let the authorities deal with things.”
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