by Jen Talty
“Yeah, right,” she muttered, using her foot to push back the kitchen door to the main house.
“What?” Jared crumpled the papers he’d been looking at and peered over them. “You okay?”
“Oh, I’m just ducky.” She tossed her briefcase on the kitchen table, sending it tumbling across the ceramic top. It landed on the floor with a thud.
Jared followed the flying briefcase to the floor, then glanced back to her with a lifted brow. “Bad day?”
“My life can’t get any worse. And I owe it all to you.” She plopped down in the chair, kicked off her heels, and wrinkled her toes.
“Care to tell me what I did?” He chuckled as he set his paper aside. He clasped his hands together and lifted them behind his head, like he was amused.
“Thanks to you, I’m paranoid, afraid of my own shadow, and I can’t even have a conversation with someone without wondering if they’re out to get me.” She gave him a nod, pursing her lips, then went back to rubbing her aching feet. “And you got my mail!”
“I happened to be getting my mail and your box is right next to mine. Excuse me for being a gentleman.”
“Trust me, you’re no gentleman.” She dropped her left foot to the floor, then lifted her right and started rubbing the ball of her foot.
“What happened that you’re not telling me?” he barked in his usual commanding tone. The table shook when his hands landed on the top.
“You see?” She bolted upright. “You’re such a control freak. I can’t take it. I think I’m going to my brother’s tonight.”
“No, you’re not.” He glared at her.
“Oh, yes I am, and don’t try and do that thing with your eyes then kiss me you know where, because I’m not sleeping with you again.” Stomping to the refrigerator, she pulled back the door and grabbed a soda.
“Is that what this is all about? Us?” He rubbed the back of his neck like he always did when something bothered him.
“Relax, Jared. There is no us.” She patted his shoulder. “I’m just annoyed by the way you try to control every aspect of my life. And now, having to come home to you? I miss living by myself.”
“You’re not living with me.” He reminded her with a harsh tone. “And don’t fret, because I think we’ve got some good info on Rudy. I wouldn’t be surprised if we were able to make an arrest in a day or two, although that doesn’t mean you can be lax about your safety.” He stood and hovered over her, cupping her chin with a firm hand. “Rochester is hot for me to start, so don’t sweat it. I won’t be around to annoy you much longer.”
She swallowed, staring into his angry eyes. “You really think it’s George through Rudy?”
“Yeah.” He dropped his hand and turned from her, taking slow steps toward the hallway. “Chuck called me this afternoon. He’d like us to be at the Mason Jug around seven. He’s got a surprise for Penny, and he’d like you to be there.” Jared paused and glanced over his shoulder with narrowed eyes.
“I think he’s going to propose, and it would be nice if you were there for your best friend.” He waved his finger at her. “But that’s just a suggestion. I wouldn’t want you to think I was controlling that aspect of your life. Hell, I’m sorry I ever cared.” He smacked his hand against the doorframe. “Damn it,” he muttered.
Ryan watched in shock as Jared walked away. She stood in the middle of the kitchen for what seemed like an eternity, just blinking and staring off into nothing. She’d been hard on him, yes, but she never dreamed he’d react like she’d actually hurt the man’s feelings.
“Impossible.” She shook out her trembling hands. That man was just impossible, and no one would ever be able to live with him. How could she have fallen in love with him? “Oh, God, no,” she whispered, dropping her face into her hands. I don’t love him, I don’t love him! She tried to tell herself, but it was no use.
She loved him.
All of him.
Now what was she supposed to do? All of her toiletries were in the master bathroom, where he was probably changing from his uniform and jumping into the shower. “Don’t even go there.” She scolded herself.
Squaring her shoulders, she left the kitchen and made her way upstairs. Jared’s words about Chuck rang out in her ears. She’d do anything for Penny. Even if it meant she had to face Jared at the moment.
She tapped on the door, but got no response. She pushed it open. Thank goodness, she could hear the water running in the bathroom. She tiptoed toward her duffle bag, reached in and grabbed her favorite jeans and the skimpiest top she could find. Anything to annoy the man.
Everything else was in the bathroom. Well, she figured one of the other bathrooms in this house had to have soap and towels. She’d survive. But could she survive the glorious smell of Irish Spring seeping from under the bathroom door?
“You can have it now.” His dark sexy tone made her jump. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I’ve been like that all day.” She tried to scurry past him without noticing the towel draped low around his waist. But he stopped her by curling his fingers around her forearm.
“What happened? More hang-ups? Did someone threaten you?” He tilted her chin with his thumb. “I’m not trying to control you, but keep you safe, and do my job.” His greenish eyes held her stare.
She swallowed the emotions leaping from her gut, screaming at her to throw herself at him. “Lisa visited me today, on business.”
“Really.” His brows shot up. “What kind of business, and why didn’t…” He cleared his throat. “I wish you would’ve called me.”
“She wanted to book some rooms for a business function for her husband, but she made it very clear she can’t stand the sight of me.”
Jared tightened his grip. His eyes reduced to narrow slits and his jaw clenched tight. “Did she threaten you?”
“Jared?”
“What?”
“You can’t go off half-cocked because Lisa came to see me at work. I was the person she was directed to. She probably tried to avoid me.”
“Are you going to accuse me of being controlling when I tell you that she’s got her own set of problems and could be a possible suspect? Are you going to flip out on me because I’m trying to do my job?” He released her arm, but his face had turned flaming red.
“No, but I’m going to tell you that I’m in charge of my life, and you have no say in who, where, or what I do.”
His chest heaved up and down with his ragged breath. His eyes had grown dark, a look she knew well. However, the intensity of his stare carried a sense of passion she’d never seen before. His gaze dipped to her middle. “Two things I won’t budge on.” He raised his head and met her gaze head-on.
“Excuse me?” The muscles shaking in her legs caused her to falter and tumble into his arms. His tone had softened, but his words seemed harsh against her ears.
“You’re to do things my way regarding your safety until I have someone in custody. And if you’re pregnant, you will tell me, and we’ll decide what to do together, got it?” His tone wasn’t meant as a question, but an order. Not something she could live with, ever.
She cupped his face. “You are a big ogre. But—”
He opened his mouth to say something, but she tapped her finger against his lips and shook her head. She’d never lie to him, but she wouldn’t cower from him either. No matter what happened or didn’t happen in the future, he had to know she was her own woman. And a capable one at that. “I will trust you when it comes to my safety. I will take all the necessary precautions when I stay with Pat, and I won’t do anything stupid. Heck, if you want me to call you five times a day, I will, if it will keep you off my back.”
His lips formed a half smile.
“As far as the whole baby thing goes, no point in talking about it until we know, and it would appear I’m going to get my period any day now, so no stress.”
His smile faded for a moment. “What exactly does that mean?”
“If you must kno
w the details, my body does certain things a few days before, like I gain five pounds and my breasts are swollen and tender.”
“Really?” He cupped her breast and gave it a squeeze.
“Hey.” She jumped back.
He chuckled as he adjusted his towel. “You’re right. They are bigger.”
“Oh, my, God. You are an impossible man.” She appreciated how he tried to lighten the mood, or possibly change his attitude when it came to her, but sometimes she couldn’t read him as well as she would like. Although she knew for certain Jared was not a family man. Not anymore.
“Yep.” He turned and maneuvered toward his dresser. “Now, unless you want me naked and on top of you, you best get in the shower and…” He glanced at the clock. “And we have about forty-five minutes, which gives us plenty of time.”
“Not.” She slammed the door behind her, then locked it. The nerve of that man. The nerve of her stupid body aching to be filled by the most arrogant, self-centered, condescending, adorable, sexy, kind, and loving man. “Oh, God.” She stepped into the shower, not allowing the tears to fall. Talk about falling for the wrong person.
* * * *
Jared bit his tongue the moment Ryan entered the kitchen in a top that left nothing to the imagination. Not to mention the jeans that hugged her body showing every glorious curve. He knew if he said what he was thinking, she’d probably smack him. “You want a sweater? It’s kind of cold out there.”
She tilted her head and pursed her lips.
“Fine,” he muttered, pulling back the door.
She laughed, then tossed her hair behind her shoulders and smiled as she walked out the door.
“Wonderful,” he mumbled, resting his hand on the small of her back. “We walk or ride; you get to decide.”
“Oh, how big of you.” She crossed her arms around her middle and shivered. “Ride.”
“I won’t say I told you so.”
“You just did.” She opened her own door, scooted in, then slammed it shut without giving him a second glance. Why did he care so much? Why did she have to smell like peaches and roses?
He punched the gas, making the tires squeal, but didn’t say a word. He slammed on the brakes as he pulled into a parking spot. Once again, she ignored him, getting out and jogging toward the door. “Fine, I quit.” He tossed his hands wide and followed her in.
Ryan searched the room, when Pat pointed to the back corner. Penny and Chuck sat at a large table with Randy and a blonde.
Jared followed Ryan to the table feeling like a puppy in tow. He went to pull back her chair, but she beat him to it and had the audacity to glare at him. Why was being a gentleman these days so taboo?
“Looks like she’s pissed off.” Randy leaned across the table, shoving a beer in front of Jared.
“I tend to have that effect on women these days.” Jared sipped his beer and scanned his surroundings. “Damn.” He eyed Tom and a few people he didn’t know. Tom was taking a group photo with an expensive looking camera. That guy was nothing but trouble and Jared knew it.
“Isn’t that the guy you had me run a check on?” Randy asked.
“One and the same.” He glanced at Ryan, who actually acknowledged him. She nodded, signaling she was aware of Tom. At least she was living up to her end of the bargain and was aware of her surroundings.
Although the way she twirled her hair with her fingers and acted all sexy certainly didn’t help the situation with Tom, much less Jared’s own insane lust.
Jared adjusted his seat to check out what was going on behind her. “Oh, hell.” He spotted Lisa at a table with a few women. Thank goodness her back was to him.
“I’m Tammy,” the blonde next to Randy said, then thrust her hand in front of him.
“Crap, sorry. Jared, this is my date, Tammy Caulkins, Jared—”
“Yeah, yeah, nice to meet you, Tammy.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” she said, smiling, practically shoving her breasts forward for him to check out. Not going to happen. He kept his eyes above her neckline.
“I wouldn’t believe a word of it.” A flash caught his attention. Whipping his head around, he focused on Tom, what he was wearing, and whom he was with. Jared reached out and yanked Ryan’s chair closer. He whispered, “Who’s he with?”
She leaned into him, pressing her cheek against his. “Some people from work. I knew he might be here.” Her breath was hot against his neck. “He invited me, too.”
Blinking, he cocked his head. “I should’ve known that.”
She patted his cheek. “Now you know. Who’s with Lisa?” Without even trying, Ryan was the most radiant woman he’d ever known. She carried herself with such poise and confidence; he pitied the fool who fell in love with her.
He shook the bad thoughts away. Throwing his arm around her chair, he leaned forward and inhaled her intoxicating scent, then planted a kiss on her nose. “One of them is some chick she hung out with in high school. Bad news. Not sure about the other ones. But they don’t look like the kind of women Mr. Stillman would like his wife socializing with.”
“She seemed so mature and Stepford-like, when she was at the hotel.”
“Everything about her has always been an act. I don’t trust her as far as I can spit.”
“She blamed me for Johnny,” Ryan whispered. “Why would she do that?”
“I don’t know, babe.” Forgetting about his surroundings, he lost himself in her warmth. “Jealous, I guess.” The pounding of his heart echoed in his ears. His breathing grew labored and the pressure of her hand against his thigh was more than he could manage under the circumstances. Tilting his head, he brushed his lips against hers, thrilled beyond comprehension when she closed her eyes and participated.
Until a flash interrupted the moment. “What the hell?” Jared blinked, pushing his chair back, wiping his eyes. “Are you nuts?”
“Sorry. Just wanted to get a picture of Ryan for the company picnic. She’s fairly photogenic, ya know,” Tom said with a phony smile.
Jared had half a mind to deck the guy right there. “I could arrest you for that.”
“For taking a picture?” Tom chuckled, but took two steps backward.
“If the lady doesn’t want her picture taken, it’s an invasion of privacy, and I sure as hell didn’t want my picture taken.” Jared fisted his hands.
“Jared.” Ryan stood, placing a firm hand on his chest. “Let it go.” The she turned to Tom. “If you need a picture, come by my office in the morning.”
“Sure.” Tom shrugged, then backed away, heading for the door.
“I see the two of you are causing quite a stir. Seems you’re living up to your trashy reputation,” Lisa said, standing behind Ryan.
“Why, you…” Ryan flew around, hand cocked ready to strike.
“Whoa there, babe. Not worth it.” Jared did his best not to laugh while he grabbed her flying fist. “Can we do something for you, Mrs. Stillman?”
“I should’ve never come here.” She reached in her purse.
Jared moved his hand, ready to whip out his gun. He wouldn’t put anything past this woman.
She pulled out a disposable camera, took a picture, sending the flash right in Ryan’s face. “I’ll ruin you if you do anything to make Lance or myself look bad.” Lisa shoved the camera back into her purse and marched toward the door, never looking back.
“Okay, folks. Show’s over.” Jared glanced around the room at all the staring faces. “Go back to having a good time.” He pushed Ryan back in her chair, and then sat down himself. “So, why was it so important we meet you here tonight?” Jared lifted his glass in a toast. While his night might have been ruined by too many unanswered questions, that shouldn’t ruin it for everyone else.
Chapter Twelve
Ryan lifted her glass. If Jared, Mr. Paranoid, could blow this whole thing off, so could she. “Hey, where are you going?” She glanced at Jared.
“Making sure they left. I’ll be right back.”
“You shouldn’t go alone.” She grabbed his hand. “I mean, if you think one of them could be dangerous.”
“Fine.” He rolled his eyes. “Randy?”
“Yeah, I’m on it.” Randy stood up and walked away with Jared.
Ryan let out a sigh of relief, then a chuckle. Did she just dictate to Jared? Maybe he acted like a control freak because he could, and people tended to listen to him.
Stop. She chided herself. Making excuses for the man wouldn’t change him. And regardless, he was moving. End of story.
She glanced around the restaurant. The familiar bacon and hamburger smell filled her senses. She loved a good cheeseburger, and she planned on having one tonight. Along with cheese fries.
“You okay?” Penny leaned in, squeezing her thigh. “And what was that all about?”
“Let’s just say Jared thinks one of them could be behind all the bizarre things that have been happening to me lately.”
“And what do you think?”
“I’d prefer not to think about it. Did you tell him?” Ryan lowered her head, keeping her eyes glued to Penny’s.
“Tell who, what?” Penny tried to look like she didn’t know what Ryan was talking about.
“To quote my best friend, ‘it’s me you’re talking to.’ “
Penny pursed her lips and cocked her head. “I’m scared.”
“You’ve got to tell him.”
“I know, I know.”
Just then, Jared and Randy strolled in and took their seats. Jared rested his hand on Ryan’s neck, making small circular motions with his thumb, sending her pulse soaring.
Chuck clanked his glass as he stood. “I’m not sure why I wanted to do this with all of you around, but here goes nothing.” He got down on bended knee and took Penny’s hand in his.
Ryan clutched the emerald necklace Jared had given her. A surge of joy, mixed with sadness, trembled inside her body. Penny was about to get it all. Ryan swallowed. She was truly happy for Penny, but part of her wanted to crawl in a hole and hide out for months. Her life would never be so perfect.