He put his arm around my shoulder. “I never would have let you go.”
“Have you ever been in a relationship where you—I mean, have you ever wanted to get married?”
“I’ve never found the right girl,” he said, looking me straight in the eyes. “But when I do, I wouldn’t hesitate to make a commitment.”
The director came up behind us. “How are we doing here, folks?” Israel turned and shook the director’s hand. “I’m Vance Goodspeed’s brother Israel.”
“Oh, you’re Four’s brother. Nice to meet you. Are you takin’ good care of my girl?”
“Your girl?”
“Our Merritt. She’s quite a woman. I hope you know what you have here.”
“I do indeed, sir.”
They were talking about me like I was a prize mare in my yearling spring, waiting to be mounted and bred by a famous stallion. Did they want to see me bare my teeth? Maybe my body? Although I was baring pretty much of it in my new cocktail dress. I resented the innuendos, and the director’s territorial attitude, like he owned me.
“Miss Saxe. I see you’re tied up at the moment. Let’s talk Monday morning in my office, nine a.m., about our special project.” The director walked away but not before he shot me a warning glance. Several more times, he peeked into the room where we were sitting and caught my eye in what seemed like a suggestive way. Was he keeping tabs on me as an alibi, or was there something more to the director’s interest in me? Was he jealous of Israel’s attentions toward me, or afraid of what I’d reveal?
The director popped his head in again, and this time he got an eyeful. Israel had just leaned into me and planted a possessive kiss on my lips. Caught off guard, I returned his affection.
“Is he gone?” Israel whispered.
“Who?”
“The director.”
I looked up and caught the director’s scowl on his way out of the room. “Yes.”
“What was that all about? If I’m not mistaken, that man is acting improperly possessive toward you. I hope he got an eyeful. He’s your boss, isn’t he?”
“My boss’s boss.”
“If you have any problems with him, I want you to let me know.”
“I will.”
“Four thinks that man walks on water, and that he would walk through fire for him. Seems like a jerk to me. I don’t like the way he looks at you.”
“It’s nothing,” I said, dismissing the director’s obvious interest in me. But it wasn’t anything I hadn’t thought myself. The director was getting a little too cozy for my taste.
“Was that kiss just for the director’s benefit?”
He turned to me and took my chin in his hand. “What do you think?”
I was shaking. I’d never been kissed quite like that before. I was still reeling from the experience. “I don’t know what to think.”
“Just for the record, I’ve been dying to do that ever since I laid eyes on you.”
“Oh.” I took a minute to simmer down and change the subject. “It seems like you’re pretty close with your brother.”
“Four was my guardian angel growing up. No one messed with me when Four was around. If anyone ever teased me, or looked at me funny, Four would make sure they regretted it. My big brother would do anything for me and I for him.”
“I’m an only child, so I never had anyone to look out for me.”
He looked at me intently. “Well, now, that’s all about to change.”
Israel Goodspeed was making assumptions, but somehow I didn’t mind.
“You don’t look like you need protecting,” I said.
“Well, you know how kids can be. Until I grew into my body and learned to defend myself, I got teased a lot.”
From where I sat, Israel Goodspeed had certainly grown into his body.
“I can’t imagine anyone picking on you.”
“I wasn’t always this good-looking,” he said, smiling.
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. I was a pretty scrawny kid.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“What about you?”
“Me? Believe it or not, I had thick glasses and braces on my teeth until I was in eighth grade. I was pretty much a social mess in most respects. I was skinny and shy.”
“Well, now, it looks like you’ve grown into your body quite nicely, Miss Saxe,” Israel said, his frank appraisal causing me to blush again. “Still shy, though,” he said, smiling and crushing me against his shoulder. His man scent—or his cologne, or whatever he was wearing—was invading my senses. The pheromones were definitely flying. I was drawn to him by some invisible force.
We didn’t mingle much with the crowd, just spent time sitting in front of the fire trading stories and getting to know each other. Israel brought me some hors d’oeuvres and kept the drinks coming. I had never enjoyed myself more. I didn’t want the evening to end, but before I knew it, Four appeared and told us it was time to go.
“I hate to break you two lovebirds up, but I’ve got an early morning and a long drive back to Jacksonville.”
Reluctantly, Israel helped me up off the couch, held my hand, retrieved his hat, and led me out to the car.
“Merritt, I had a great time tonight.” He looked like he wanted to say more but couldn’t in front of Four and Peggy.
“So did I.” We held hands on the car ride home, and his body warmth wrapped me in a tight cocoon. We dropped Peggy off first.
When the car pulled up to my apartment, Israel walked me to the door.
“I had a wonderful time. I can’t remember a time I enjoyed myself more,” I said and meant it.
“Can I call you? I’d like to see you again.”
“I’d like that.”
Mr. Yummy leaned in until his mouth was dangerously close to mine. He outlined my lips with his tongue and then braced himself against the doorframe with his hands on my shoulders and kissed me until I was dizzy. He rubbed his rough hands up and down my arms until I shivered. If he hadn’t had me firmly in his grasp I might have swooned. Israel Goodsend was definitely swoon worthy.
Breathless, I let out a sigh.
“Are you free on New Year’s Eve?”
“I’m going home for the holidays, but I will be back in time for New Year’s.” I didn’t tell him that I thought my ex was going to be in town, but Daniel hadn’t formally asked me out for New Year’s yet, and things were uncertain between us.
His mouth met mine again and teased my tongue. And whoa! Sparks flew. Was it because I was intoxicated, or that it had been a long season without? I wasn’t going to dissect it now, not when Israel’s hands were inches away from my—whoa! He was rubbing my skin with his fingers and getting deliciously close to my nipples, which were standing at attention. I wanted more of this, more of him. I reached my arms around his neck and returned his kisses. Four was certainly getting an eyeful. Should I invite him in? Crap, not when Four’s car was idling in the parking lot.
“So you’re free?”
“Yes,” I answered in a rush.
“How about grabbing a movie next weekend?” he asked.
I wanted to grab something else, but thought better of it.
He went on, “I don’t know if I can wait that long to see you again. How about dinner tomorrow night?”
“That sounds great.”
A real date. Not a fix-up. I hadn’t had one of those since I couldn’t remember when. I was moving on with my life, and it felt exhilarating.
“I’ll bet you’ve never been out on the town in Watertown.”
“And you’d be right.”
“Watertown is a hidden gem.”
I had my doubts. “Where are we going?”
“I’ll surprise you.”
I liked surprises. Mostly everyone relied on me to do the planning. Frankly, I was tired of being the responsible one.
The next morning, I put in a full day’s work and found that I enjoyed it, since I had an evening with Israel to look forward
to. At five p.m., I locked my desk, and suddenly the director’s body was hovering over mine.
“Going somewhere, Miss Saxe?”
I stiffened.
“You’re not afraid of me, are you?”
Not afraid, exactly, but the man made me seriously nervous.
“You startled me, that’s all. And I am going somewhere. Home.”
“What if I said I wanted to talk about our special project?”
I was getting pretty tired of that phrase and all it insinuated.
“You were supposed to report to my office first thing this morning to talk about it. I’ve been waiting for you all day, and now you have me coming to you. I don’t like to be kept waiting, Miss Saxe.”
I inhaled a fortifying breath.
“Actually, I have a date tonight, so if you don’t mind, I’ve got to leave now,” I babbled. I looked around for help, but Peggy was on the phone, and Jean and Stanley had already gone.
The director smiled. “With Israel Goodspeed?”
“Yes.” Not that it’s any of your business.
“What is it between you and that Goodspeed boy?”
“He’s not a boy. He’s a man. And anyway, it’s none of your business.”
I grabbed my purse and got up from my seat.
The director held his hands up in mock defeat. “Okay, we’ll resume our conversation bright and early in the morning. Be up at my office at eight thirty. And don’t be late.”
It half sounded like a threat. I ran out the door and didn’t look back. I knew what the director was capable of, but I was more anxious to see Israel. And more than anxious to get out of range of the director. I truly didn’t know what he wanted from me. I was already under his thumb and at his beck and call at work. Did he see me as a replacement bedmate for Savannah? I had already compromised my integrity by lying for him. What else was he looking for? I didn’t feel like sticking around to find out.
Chapter Sixteen
“You look beautiful,” Israel said, twirling me around in my flowing navy skirt, my white organic linen jersey tank under a round-necked cotton boucle top. Facing me, he gave me a sexy kiss. “It’s a good thing we’re going someplace fancy so I can show you off.”
“Where are we having dinner?”
“You’ll find out when we get there.”
I crinkled my nose but I wasn’t upset. I had spent time fixing my hair and wearing a flattering outfit, so it was nice to be appreciated. Anything to get my mind off both Daniel and the director.
We drove about fifteen minutes, which wasn’t very far in Watertown. Israel stopped the car and parked in front of a Victorian mansion.
“Are we still in Watertown?”
“Just outside the city.” He took my hand, and we walked to the entrance.
“The chef at this restaurant is from New York. The place just opened, and I’ve been wanting to try it. Some people at work have been here and rave about it. I hoped you might enjoy it.”
“Thank you. I’m really looking forward to it.” And to being here with you.
Israel looked almost good enough to eat in his navy suit and coordinating tie. I never would have imagined I would be taken to a fancy restaurant by such a handsome man when I first moved to Watertown. But here I was, living a dream, already infatuated with the man seated across from me at the table.
The restaurant could have been in any big city in the country. It was beautifully decorated. The wait staff was attentive, as was my date, and the food was varied and delicious.
I had pasta, of course, my favorite food—spaghetti carbonara—and it was delicious. Usually, I would never risk spaghetti in any restaurant but Italian, and even then, only a good Italian restaurant, but it was cooked just right. The bread was homemade and wonderful. I even had a glass of Moscato D’Asti, which was sweet, the way I liked it. And for dessert, a delicious key lime pie. Israel had a beautiful piece of Chilean sea bass, which he let me taste. Daniel never let me share his food.
“This is a fantastic restaurant, one of the best I’ve ever eaten in,” I said, which for me was saying a lot. I was a bit of a food snob, but this restaurant met my standards and exceeded my expectations.
“So Watertown is not a complete disaster, then?” Israel posed.
“No, I have to admit it’s growing on me.”
“How about me? Am I growing on you?”
“Now I have two things to like about this town: this restaurant and you.”
Israel beamed. “There’s a lot more here to love, and I want to show you.” He took my hand and stared into my eyes.
“I’d like that.”
“So, Merritt Saxe, what are your plans for the future? Do you plan to stay at the Division?”
I dropped his hand. “I want to stay for at least a year.”
“And then what?” He sipped his coffee and lifted a forkful of tiramisu into his mouth.
I paused. “I don’t know. I have no idea what I want to do with the rest of my life.”
“What did you major in?”
“Journalism and criminology. I also took some creative writing courses.”
“You could always write a book.”
I finished off the remnants of my pie and the last of my peppermint tea.
“About what? They say you’re supposed to write what you know. I haven’t done anything worth writing about.” Now, that wasn’t exactly true. I was involved up to my neck in the biggest murder case the state had ever witnessed, but I couldn’t write about that, or even talk about it.
“Hey, where did you go, there? You look a bit distracted.”
“Just thinking about work. Wishing I didn’t have to go back to it tomorrow.”
“Do you have to?”
“We have a big press conference coming up, and I have a meeting with the director first thing in the morning.”
“What if we played hooky?”
“I don’t have enough time to just take off.”
“Come on, call in sick.”
“Then what would we do?”
“Play doctor?”
“You’re a nut, you know that?”
“I’ve been called worse. C’mon, you obviously don’t want to go back there. Tomorrow’s Friday. We’ll drive down the coast, have some great seafood, maybe stay overnight at a little bed and breakfast I know.”
“Overnight? Isn’t that moving a little too fast?”
“Is it?”
I blushed. Was it that obvious? If we weren’t in public now, I’d be in his arms, right where I wanted to be. Daniel was a thousand miles away in every respect. And I wanted to be anywhere but at the office.
I guess he could tell I was ready to get intimate. He was probably used to girls falling all over him.
“If I had to guess, I’d bet you were the captain of your football team.”
“Then you guessed right. And captain of the basketball team.”
“I’m totally unathletic.”
“It sounds like you’re trying to find ways for me to dump you. In case you’re wondering, it’s not working.”
I laughed. It felt good to laugh. “A bed and breakfast?”
“Separate rooms, if you insist.”
“Well, then, Mr. Goodlove, I’ll take you up on that offer.”
“It’s Goodspeed.”
“Oops, I think I’ve had too much Asti.”
“Don’t let my name fool you. When I make love, I like to go slow.”
All I could manage was a squeak.
“Well, we’d better go now if we want to get an early start tomorrow.”
He helped me out of my chair and put his arm around me and steered me out of the restaurant.
When we got to my front door, I wondered if I should invite him in. I wanted to, but I could hardly stand up straight. The wine had gone right to my head. Israel folded me into his arms and just held me. It felt so good, so comfortable, so right being in his arms, and then he kissed me and I nearly melted into a puddle of mush.
&
nbsp; “Merritt?” he whispered. “Are you asleep?”
“Mmm,” I said, snuggling against him.
“Wake up, sleepyhead.” He kissed me softly on the top of my head.
I stirred in his arms. “I must have fallen asleep standing up.”
“You must have. I would suggest that I stay over to make sure you get to your bedroom, but that would be taking advantage. So until tomorrow? I’ll pick you up at eight in the morning.”
I got the keys out of my purse and opened the door. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” And I did have a good night. Maybe the first good sleep I’d gotten since the murder. Dreaming of Israel Goodspeed.
Chapter Seventeen
My alarm woke me up at seven. I took a shower, got dressed, and picked up the phone.
“Jean,” I croaked, not having to dissemble too much, since I was still hung over. “I woke up with a terrible headache and a cold. I don’t want to get everyone sick. Will you tell Peggy for me? And I had an early meeting with the director. Will you please call and cancel? Tell him I’ll be at his office first thing Monday morning. And thanks.”
“Can I give him your number in case he wants to reach you?”
“I’d rather you not. I’m too sick to talk to anyone.”
“Okay, get well soon. See you Monday.”
I was really racking up the lies. Lying to the police, lying to my boss. I was getting really good at this. I applied my makeup carefully and spent time on my hair. I wanted to look great for our trip. I’d packed an overnight bag with a skimpy bathing suit and a cover-up, and some lace panties and a bra I’d bought to wear for Daniel. But Daniel was never going to see me in them. His loss. I threw in my birth control pills and a paperback romance novel, although I hoped to be too busy having a romance to read one.
Israel was right on time. He’s such a gentleman. So punctual. Always arrives when he says he will. I wonder what would happen if I brought him home. The conversation might go something like this: “So Mom, I’m dating this guy…”
“Is he Jewish?”
“His name is Israel.”
“Hmm. But is he Jewish?”
“Not exactly.”
“What’s his last name?”
“Goodspeed.”
“Hmm.”
The Alibi Page 9