Pulse Points

by Mary Lynn Baxter

  “Oh, all right,” she said in a huff, though her insides were on fire. When he looked at her with that indulgent humor, she found his particular brand of charm even harder to resist.

  “That didn’t kill you, now, did it?”

  “Nearly.”

  Tanner chuckled. “I didn’t know you were so stubborn.” Suddenly his features sobered and his voice dropped a pitch. “But then there’s a lot I didn’t…don’t know about you.”

  Feeling that thin layer of ice threaten to crack under her feet, Kasey ignored the personal reference and busied her mind and hands with preparing the coffee. Meanwhile, Tanner went about his chore of tidying up.

  Later, with cups and a tray of cookies, they made their way into the living room. Kasey sat in the big chair. Tanner sat on the sofa adjacent to her. Once again, he seemed to have no qualms about making himself at home and comfortable, having loosened his tie and stretched his legs out in front of him.

  They sipped on their coffee while the silence grew around them.

  “Anything further on the investigation?” Tanner asked, leaning over and grabbing a cookie.

  “Not that I know of. I keep waiting for Gallain to make another appearance, but so far he hasn’t.”

  “I wish Gallain would get off his dead duff and find the killer.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  “My gut says you’re safe, but I don’t think you feel that way, especially when things go bump in the night.”

  That drew a smile. “As long as it’s nothing but a cat, then I’m okay.”

  “Just be careful.” He angled his head and lowered his voice. “Don’t take any unnecessary chances.”

  “I’ll try not to.”

  “Don’t work at the office at night by yourself.”

  “Not even on your project?” she quipped while trying to overlook the possessive note in his tone and how protected it made her feel.

  “For sure on that.”

  A breath exited her lungs. “When I came here six months ago, I had such high hopes of a bright future with the agency, finally accomplishing something on my own for myself. Now, look what a mess my life’s in.”

  “It’ll straighten out.” Tanner leaned forward. “I have faith in you and your ability.”

  “I’m not so sure.”

  “Well, I am. That’s why I hired you.”

  She hoped that was the truth, but she still harbored doubts, only to turn around and reassure herself. He had no way of knowing the truth and never would. Still, she just wished her heart wouldn’t go bump when he was around.

  “Hey, don’t get down on yourself,” he added in a coaxing tone.

  Her eyes flashed. “I’m not. I’ve never been a quitter and I don’t intend to start now.”

  He didn’t respond right away. “You said you wanted to do something for yourself.” He paused again. “Does that mean you weren’t able to when you were married to Mark?”

  Although he knew that line of questioning was off-limits, he’d asked anyway. By rights, she should’ve told him that was none of his business. But again, if she made a big deal out of not discussing her past, his suspicions might be aroused.

  “Yes, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t content or happy.” Her tone was defensive.

  Tanner’s eyes raked over her in the tense moment that followed. “That’s what I wanted to hear,” he said softly. “That was my greatest hope for you.”

  She hadn’t expected him to say that. Feeling her stomach pitch, she bit down on her lower lip. “It’s just that Mark wasn’t the best at handling money.” She couldn’t believe she’d said that. But now that she had, she went on, “I didn’t know that until after he died,” she finished lamely.

  “Is money the only reason you went back to work?”

  “I had intended to, anyway. But then, it was no longer negotiable.”

  Tanner rubbed his chin. That was when she noticed how prickly it had become. Despite the fact that his hair was on the light side, his beard wasn’t. But then neither was the hair on his strong arms. She swallowed with difficulty.

  “You’re damn good at what you do. You’ll make a great success of this business.”

  “I wish.”

  “You don’t believe that?”

  “It’s not that easy. Advertising is so personal. It takes the right combination.”

  “You hit that combination with me, and I’m hell to please.”

  “But you weren’t pleased, not at first, but you won’t admit it.”

  “That’s not true, dammit. But I’m not going to argue the point with you because you’ll just get pissed at me again.”

  Kasey cut him a side glance. “I’ve already made some changes in the news ads. I hope you’ll approve. They’re much more hard-hitting without being offensive.”

  “Do you think I’m on the right track?” Tanner rubbed his chin. “I know you’ve designed them according to my needs and specs, but you’ve never really given me your personal opinion. I’d like to have it.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t. My opinion doesn’t matter.”

  “It does to me.”

  “Even if I’m conservative and you’re liberal?”

  Tanner’s lips twitched. “So does that mean I can’t count on your vote?”

  For another long moment, sexual tension crackled between them.

  “That’s none of your business,” she responded in a prim, unsteady voice. “Who I vote for, that is.”

  He chuckled. “Then I’ll have to work on that. I’m going to need all the votes I can get.”

  “I figure you’re a shoo-in.”

  He looked shocked. “Against an incumbent? I don’t think so.” His eyes darkened. “But I’m curious as to what makes you say that.”

  “You have looks, money and—” She broke off, realizing how she must sound. Heat scalded her face.

  “And?” he prodded with piercing eyes.

  Her chin jutted. “Okay, ego.”

  “I asked for that,” he muttered, though his lips twitched again. “At the moment, Butler and I are running neck and neck in the polls. But I don’t see that holding for the duration. Maybe this new media blitz will kick butt. Butler’s butt, to be specific.”

  “So much for the high road,” she said lightly.

  “Ah, so you don’t approve, after all?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “Yes, you did.” He sighed. “Look, I’m still not going after Butler personally. Maybe it won’t come to that. But again, maybe it will.”

  “That’s why politics leaves such a bad taste in people’s mouths.”

  Tanner reached for the cookie tray and held it out to her. “Speaking of taste.”

  Without even thinking and without being hungry, she took one. They munched in silence. But she didn’t enjoy hers; it tasted like she had a mouthful of grit.

  Had she lost her mind? Apparently so. Here she was carrying on a normal, if not flirty, conversation with a man whom she should avoid at all costs.

  “How’s your mother? I’m assuming she’s still alive.”

  That question took her aback. She hadn’t been aware that he knew anything about her family. But then, he had been a good friend of Mark’s, and they had kept in touch through the years.

  “She’s alive, but not well. After she was diagnosed with osteoporosis, she fell and broke her back within two months of Mark’s death. As a result, she’s in a nursing home in Wyoming where my brother Ben lives.”

  “Which means you don’t get to see her often.”

  “Not as often as I’d like, that’s for sure. I’ve thought of bringing her back, but—” Her voice trailed off. She had no intention of going into the pros and cons of reuniting with her mother. As it was, she’d let this conversation stray way too far off base.

  She stood abruptly. As if he sensed her sudden agitation, he stood as well. Their gazes touched before both turned away.

  “My time’s up, right?”

  She didn’t
so much as blink. “Right.”

  “Aren’t you going to walk me to the door?” His tone was mocking.

  Once there, she held onto the doorknob for support. She didn’t intend to look up at him, but the silent pull of his eyes drew her.

  Before she realized his intentions, he brushed a finger across the corner of her mouth. “You had a crumb,” he said huskily.

  Her lips parted on a gasp as he captured her eyes once again and held them. Then groaning, he lowered his head and kissed her. It was a deep gentle kiss, seeming more spiritual than aggressive. But when his tongue touched hers, that changed. The kiss deepened and intensified. Her heart soared and she clutched at him; her fingers dug into his shoulders for support.

  But she need not have worried. He apparently had no intention of letting her go, placing a strong arm across her back and molding her against him. She felt every hard plane of his body, leaving no doubt about his arousal.

  Then abruptly he pulled away, breathing hard. Without taking his eyes off her, he framed her face in his hands. “Please don’t tell me I shouldn’t have done that.”

  She could barely speak around the lump in her throat. “All right, I won’t.”

  “Go to bed,” he whispered. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Fourteen

  Horace Bigfield was in his mid-fifties with gray hair and a big, strapping body. He had been Shirley’s attorney, and now was Kasey’s. Today was the first opportunity he’d had to fit her into his busy schedule. Although Kasey felt the partnership agreement was solid, she’d feel much better after this session. After all, she had no idea of the contents of Shirley’s will or if it had any bearing on the business. Therein lay her anxiety.

  “Good morning, Horace,” she said. “Thanks for seeing me.”

  “Thanks for being so patient.” He sat down behind his massive desk with a huff like he’d been running up a long hill. “This has been one more busy week.”

  Kasey smoothed a wrinkle from her linen pants before she looked up. “I know what you mean.”

  He scrutinized her closely. “More so than me, I’m sure. What’s the latest on Shirley’s killer?”

  “As far as I know, they haven’t arrested anyone.”

  He tapped his pen against a folder. “That’s too bad. Even though Rushmore’s a small city, a crime of this magnitude still hits hard. It affects everyone.”

  “Especially since Shirley was so well-known and liked.”

  “Well, someone sure as hell didn’t like her.” Bigfield leaned back in his chair and tapped the pencil against his stained yellow teeth. “I understand you saw the whole thing.”

  Kasey wasn’t surprised by his remark. As predicted, the rumor mill was at work. “That’s not true.”

  “Oh.”

  She gave him a short version of what happened, hoping then to move on to the business at hand. This was one niggling problem she wanted to lay to rest today, if possible. She didn’t like talking about that fateful day in the parking garage. It brought home the horror all over again.

  “Damn shame you had to go through something like that.”

  “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.”

  The office was quiet for a moment, then Bigfield said, “May I offer you some coffee?”

  “No, thanks, I’m fine.”

  He repositioned his chair and opened the folder in front of him. “I went over the contract again as well as Shirley’s will.”

  “I haven’t seen the will.”

  “It was made before you came on board and before she was murdered.”

  Kasey fought off a sense of uneasiness. “Meaning?”

  “Meaning she left the business to one of her cousins.”

  Kasey made a face. “Is that a problem?”

  “No, but it would have been the smart thing to change her will at the same time we drew up the contract.”

  “Why didn’t she?”

  “It wasn’t from the lack of trying on my part, believe me. But she kept telling me she wanted to make other changes and needed more time.” His features darkened. “Unfortunately she never got that time.”

  “So where does that leave me?”

  “Owner of the agency. Even though Shirley’s will disputes that, the contract between you two is legal and binding.”

  Relief washed through her. “So the agency is mine?” She wanted him to clarify that as an undisputed fact.

  “Absolutely. As to her home and personal belongings, this particular cousin has also inherited those. To my knowledge there’s no on-hand cash, though at one time there was.”

  “I would’ve said she put it into the agency, but since its cash flow is practically nonexistent that’s not the case.”

  “I’ll draw up papers with you as the sole proprietor. When the papers are ready, we’ll call you.”

  Kasey stood and held out her hand. “You’ve certainly made my day brighter.”

  He smiled. “Glad I could oblige.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Kasey was behind her own desk, staring into space. Two days had passed since Tanner had kissed her. She’d thought of little else. She had asked herself over and over how he’d managed to knock down that cement wall she’d erected between the two of them. No answer had been forthcoming.

  Was she sorry?

  No, God help her.

  Just thinking about the feelings his lips had awakened made her weak all over. Weak with unfulfilled desire. But then eighteen years ago, she’d felt the same way. Tanner’s kisses had affected her like no other man’s, including her husband. That was why she’d succumbed to him that night with such blatant disregard for anything or anyone.

  But she’d been young and brash then. She couldn’t tap into that excuse now. She was older and wiser. That didn’t seem to matter, however. His touch had brought unexpected Technicolor into her life where only darkness had been.

  What about Brock?

  Her stomach lurched. The other night, in the heat of the moment, she had forgotten about her son and what was at stake. In the bold light of day, it hit her like a fist. Yet she still couldn’t say she was sorry. While she was pressed against Tanner’s aroused body, and his lips were drinking from hers, she’d felt alive.

  But that didn’t mean she could indulge herself again. She and Tanner could never be.

  Kasey took a ragged breath and tried once again to concentrate on the layouts in front of her. Realizing she was fighting a lost cause, she decided to do something physical like spend time in her partner’s office, clearing out her desk, something she’d been putting off, and something that would expend some energy.

  “I’ll be in Shirley’s office,” Kasey told Monica, “if I get any calls.”

  “Red’s gone to lunch, but he was looking for you earlier.”

  “I’ll talk to him later.”

  Once she was behind closed doors, Kasey didn’t waste any time. She sat behind Shirley’s desk and began opening drawers, though she felt like an intruder. Shrugging that disturbing thought aside, she continued on. She had brought in several boxes to hold various personal items and began to fill them one by one.

  It was in the next-to-last drawer that she found a notebook. Pausing a moment, she opened it. After perusing the first several pages, she stopped. What she saw listed on those particular pages raised the hairs on the back of her neck.

  Hand-written at the top were the words: Date and Amount of Loan. In total, the sum was several hundred thousand dollars. Kasey gasped in astonishment. The last entry was noted only days before her murder.

  Who had borrowed that much money? And for what?

  Kasey rubbed her head, feeling a headache coming on. Had she just uncovered evidence of blackmail? If so, had Shirley used company funds and managed to cover it up?

  More importantly, had she uncovered the reason for her partner’s murder? With her heart pounding and her hands unsteady, Kasey leafed through every page.

  Even though no name was anywhere to be found in the notebook or
anything else pertaining to the money, she knew this information was important.

  Gallain should know. Kasey reached for his card, then punched out his number, her mind in an uproar.

  What grave error in judgment had she made by trusting her old friend?

  “Would you gentlemen please excuse me?” Irene grinned, her eyes touching on Tanner and Jack. “The little girl’s room calls.”

  “Of course,” Jack responded, rising to his feet along with Tanner. “I think I’ll join you.”

  Irene cocked her head to one side, her lips spread in a sly grin. “Mmm, wonder how many eyebrows that will raise.”

  Jack gave her a disgusted look.

  “I’ll be here when you both get back,” Tanner announced in a bored tone, tired of their company. He watched them disappear with relief, though he knew that relief would be short-lived.

  When Irene found out that he and Jack were having dinner, she had asked to join them, pointing out a powwow was needed. He had agreed and so had Jack.

  During the meal itself, the two had managed to hold to a truce. Even so, he wished he was anywhere else but here.

  Not just anywhere, Tanner corrected savagely. With Kasey. He’d love a repeat performance of that evening two days ago. But his gut instinct told him that wasn’t going to happen. Until he’d made his unexpected move, she’d had a knack for pushing him out, for keeping him at a safe distance.

  Considering what had happened between them and the humiliation he was sure to have caused her, he should’ve kept his libido in check, dammit. But there was something about her that touched him on a level that no other woman had ever reached. And he’d had plenty of women before and after his wife.

  Until he’d seen Kasey at the funeral, he hadn’t realized how she affected him, of course. In a matter of minutes, the years had disappeared, and they were both young, carefree and uninhibited.

  Only they weren’t. They were grown-ups with time and circumstances vastly separating them. Still, he’d lucked out and had been granted another chance to make amends. But being the dumb fuck that he was, he’d blown it. Tanner groaned silently. While she had returned the kiss with matching fervor, he knew regrets would follow.