by Marie Carnay
Damn. That was cold. “I’m sorry, Holly.”
“Don’t be.” Holly sighed and turned back to the window. “Moving to LA was the best thing that ever happened to me. My dad and I made a new life. Started over.”
“Does he still live there?”
Her lip quivered and she shook her head. “He died last year. Sudden heart attack.”
Oh. Ian frowned. “So you’re all alone now?”
She swallowed. “I guess.”
He should reach across the console and wrap her up in a hug. Kiss away the hurt and pain trapped inside her and make her feel something. Anything. She’d put on a brave front, shutting him down again and again. All week she’d been stoic and calm.
He’d tried to talk to her, but she hadn’t been interested. Now that he’d gotten a foot in the door, he wasn’t going to waste it. She needed to know she was wanted. That she was home.
She cut off his thoughts. “We should go. It doesn’t look like the rain is letting up anytime soon.”
Ian bit back a grin. “Doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the view.”
Holly turned toward him and one look at his face sparked a blush. “Oh. Ian, I don’t think—”
“Good choice. Don’t think.” If she wouldn’t open up anymore, he wasn’t going to push. They didn’t need to talk, but he’d damn sure find a way to wipe that frown off her face. Preferably while she screamed his name.
Her brows knitted. “You never gave me the time of day when I lived here. Why now?”
“You were too young.”
“Didn’t stop you that night.”
“No.” Ian chuckled. “Your dad did.”
Holly paled. “What?”
Ian shrugged. “When I was walking back to the house, your father stopped me. Told me if I ever so much as looked your way again, he’d have me thrown in jail.”
“For what?”
“Everything he could.”
“And you believed him?”
Ian leveled his gaze. “Of course I believed him. Your dad was the meanest lawyer in Midnight Cove. Everyone knew to stay on his good side.”
She smiled. “He was just good at his job.”
“He was ruthless.”
Holly bit her lip. “He just wanted to keep me safe.”
Ian nodded. “Making out with a guy way too old for you wasn’t part of that plan.”
“I guess not.” Holly frowned. “I’m sorry, Ian. My dad had no—”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re here and I’m here, and last time I checked there’s no law against two adults picking up where they left off.”
Before Holly could answer, Ian went for it. Screw holding back and talking. He sprung across the console and reached for her. His hands wove through her hair and his lips landed on hers and she yelped in surprise.
“Ian—”
“Shh. Stop talking.” His tongue ran over her lips and Ian pulled her closer. Tighter.
Holly needed to know the lust never faded. He’d been head over heels for the girl next door since they were teenagers. And now that she was all grown up? He thrust his tongue between her lips and she opened with a gasp.
He damn well wasn’t letting her get away. There might be someone out there trying to hurt him—and her—but they were safe in his car while the rain blocked out the whole world. Holly could push him away and throw up all the barriers she’d constructed over the years and he’d tear them down. One swipe of his tongue at a time.
It might have been terrible timing, but he wasn’t letting her slip away. Not again. Not after all these years.
* * *
HOLLY
Oh my God. At the pool it’d been shocking and overwhelming. Here in Ian’s Range Rover? While the rain poured over the windshield and hid them from view? Downright dangerous.
She couldn’t believe his confession. Her father had scared him off and warned him to stay away from her or else. No wonder he’d avoided her. All these years she thought he’d rejected her. That he’d turned down her shy attempts to get him to notice her. But it’d been her dad.
Well, the hell with that. She’d almost died in a damn car accident. No way was she letting Ian slip through her fingers again. Not when she had a second chance to see if there was anything there. Something more than teenage fantasy.
Holly reached for his shirt, grabbing fistfuls of the expensive cotton as he wove his hands through her hair. She wanted him naked and exposed and his hands all over her. It didn’t matter that they were sitting in his car on the side of the road. She had Ian Knowles right in front of her.
Everything she’d wanted for years.
With a groan, Ian kissed her harder, shoving his tongue past her lips. Mmm. He tasted of mint and lust and she moaned out loud. Forget the ocean and the car accident and the waves. She could drown right there in the front seat of an SUV while Ian slipped his hands beneath her dress.
His fingers raced across her fevered skin and she gasped as his thumb swiped across a nipple. Even through the lace of her bra, his touch sent shock waves through her.
Over and over he stroked—every rake of flesh-on-lace pushing her on and driving her forward. She lapped her tongue across his, thrusting it inside his mouth, kissing with all the passion she possessed. It was better than she could have imagined. Magic.
Running her hands down his chest, she found his jeans. She fumbled with the button and zipper until Ian stilled her hand.
He pulled back and nipped her ear. “Ladies first.” His words hit hot and quick against her ear and as Ian angled his body toward her, he shoved her legs apart with his hand.
Wow. He pressed his palm against her panties, rubbing in tight, firm circles as Holly spread her legs wider in the seat. As his fingers slipped beneath the soaked lace, she moaned into his mouth. Need eclipsed all thought. All doubt.
Over and over Ian stroked her, rubbing her plump clit in rough circles until Holly lost focus. She couldn’t tell up from down or hard from soft—all she could feel were his fingers stroking her to climax.
As her lips fell open, he grabbed her head with his free hand and kissed her hard. Tongue and lips and fingers, all combining in white-hot heat. Pleasure. Bliss.
Holly panted into his kiss, moaning and crying as he rubbed harder. Faster. With a grunt, Ian leaned forward and thrust two fingers inside her aching channel, pumping in and out as she shuddered into his palm.
He pulled back and her eyes fluttered open.
“Come for me, Holly. Come all over my hand.” Ian slipped his soaked fingers up to her clit and pinched. Oh, God. She came on a wail as he held her head and stared. For a moment, everything disappeared—the car, the storm, even Ian. The only thing was pleasure, rolling through Holly’s body in waves, washing over her like the rain pouring down the windshield. She sagged against Ian and he hoisted her up, pulling her over the console until she collapsed against his chest.
Holly gasped for breath. Wow. She hadn’t even taken off her clothes and she’d had one of the best orgasms of her life. In a car like a sex-starved teenager. She shifted on Ian’s lap as his hands ran up her back.
His lips landed soft on her temple. “Still think I wasn’t interested?”
“You’ve convinced me.” She rose up on her knees and bit her lip. “It’s only fair I return the favor.”
“You don’t—”
Her fingers found his lips. “Shh. I want to.” As Holly reached between their bodies to find Ian’s belt, a ringing sound stopped her still. “What is that?”
“It’s my phone.”
She tugged on the leather. “Let it go.”
Ian shifted in the seat. “I can’t.” He grabbed the phone from the console. “It’s my alarm company. Something’s wrong at the house.”
Holly stilled as Ian swiped the phone on. “Knowles.”
His jaw clenched and Holly knew it wasn’t good. She eased back into her seat and straightened her dress. Sexy times were over.
“I understand. I’ll be ther
e in ten.” Ian hung up and started the car.
“What is it?”
He frowned and backed out of the space. “Glass break sensors went off to the main house and the camera’s been disabled. Someone’s trying to break in.”
Oh, no. She buckled her seat belt as they pulled onto the road. “You should call the police. Let them handle it.”
“They’re on the way.” He punched the gas and they sped down Main. “Can you text Trent? He needs to meet us there.”
“Okay.” Holly took Ian’s phone and scrolled for Trent’s number. She typed a quick text as Ian barreled toward the edge of town.
“Are you sure we should be going to the house? What if whoever’s doing this is still there?”
Ian’s facial muscles twitched. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”
Holly opened her mouth to protest, but Ian’s phone vibrated in her hand. She glanced at the screen and relief surged through her. “Trent’s on the way.”
“Good. Hopefully, we can catch whoever’s behind this red-handed.”
Holly nodded. She wanted this to end as much as Ian, and with Trent meeting them there, they’d have backup. But she knew how slow police were to respond in the Cove. If the intruder was still there, Ian was right. They could catch the person. But something in her gut told her it wouldn’t be that easy.
CHAPTER EIGHT
TRENT
TRENT KILLED THE lights and pulled into Ian’s driveway. No cars. No movement. Not a single police siren or flashing light. Where the hell are the cops?
It’d taken him at least ten minutes to get there. He’d been driving down the coast, letting his thoughts drift to Holly and things he shouldn’t. Then she’d texted and flipped everything upside down.
He checked his watch. Any law enforcement department worth a damn should have gotten someone there by now. Maybe that was part of the problem. In a tiny town like Midnight Cove, there wasn’t much in the way of police. Or fire. Or EMTs. They had to get more calls about cats stuck in trees than burglars doing a smash and grab in a mansion. They probably figured it was teenagers out for some fun. Not a possible killer.
Trent eased the glove box open and pulled out his backup pistol. Always be prepared. That’d been his motto since boot camp. He flicked off the safety and surveyed the front of the property. No sign of anyone. Didn’t mean they weren’t there.
He swung the door open and slipped to the ground. Thank God he’d dressed down for the day. Running shoes were a hell of a lot better for chasing an intruder through bushes and over sand than the dress shoes or flip flops Ian had been sporting. With a deep breath, Trent ran for the main house. He crouched, gun held low in front of his body, as he kept below the bushes. Adrenaline spiked in his blood and he forced his breathing to stay even.
It’d been too long since he’d been out in the field. Too many jobs where he’d tracked criminals over the computer and not on the ground. Spending his time behind a desk and fielding threats from the office wasn’t how he wanted to spend his time. This—getting low and dirty and letting the rush pump in his veins—that was what he needed. A chance to forget everything but the mission.
He could concentrate on the job and let Ian and Holly and the crazy distraction they’d become fade away. The weight of a gun in his hand and a threat around the corner. That should satisfy him. It would have to.
Slinking toward the sliding glass door, he hugged the stonework. His back scraped against the rough edges and he eased closer to the light spilling from the windows. Another step and something crunched beneath his feet. Trent bit back a curse. Broken glass.
Not a false alarm. Trent paused as he reached the edge of the door. It’d been smashed to pieces. Giant shards of glass littered the stone patio and reflected the living room light. He tensed, raised his gun, and stole a glance inside. No movement. If he were being cautious, he’d wait for the cops. Treat it like a crime scene and stay put.
But Trent was sick of playing safe. Sitting around and twiddling his thumbs while Ian sent him on wild goose chases was driving him mad. Ian didn’t take this threat seriously enough. Neither did Holly.
Shit, they were probably pulling up outside. If he didn’t clear the house before they got there and the perp was still inside…Trent could end it with one shot.
He slipped inside and a shot of pain lanced his arm. He ducked out of the doorway and glanced down to see a line of blood welling on his arm. Piss. He’d cut himself on the broken glass. Treating it would have to wait. He had a building to clear.
Room by room, he worked through the house. He checked in closets and behind furniture. Under beds and around corners. Anywhere and everywhere a burglar could hide. He came up empty.
Whoever had broken in was long gone but he’d left a message loud and clear. Trent strode back to the entryway and unlocked the front door before turning back to the debris. He crouched on the marble tile as the sound of police sirens wailed in the distance. About damn time. He didn’t know what they’d say, or whether they’d take this kind of message seriously or not, but Trent sure as hell did. Someone had been there and they’d made a statement. One Ian needed to see firsthand.
His phone buzzed in his back pocket and he answered on speaker. “Come to the front. The house is clear.”
He shoved his phone back in his pocket as a car pulled up outside. Moments later, Ian pushed open the door and stumbled to a stop. Holly slipped in behind him and her gaze flicked to the smashed bits on the floor.
Trent stood up with a frown. “So Ian. Are you taking this seriously now?”
* * *
HOLLY
Holly’s mouth fell open as she stared at the mess. “What is all that?”
Ian stepped up and toed a chunk of wood. He frowned as he flipped the piece over. “It used to be the sign that hung above my first restaurant.”
Holly looked up and tried to remember where she’d seen it. The light bulb went off. “You mean the piece that was right up there on the wall?” She snorted. “I figured it was some decorator piece.”
Ian crouched. “It wasn’t. I had it commissioned right before I opened the place. A local artist made it out of reclaimed surfboards.” He picked up an oversized splinter and turned it over in his hands. “It was like this when you got here?”
Trent nodded. “Back sliding door was smashed in and this was here. As far as I can tell, this is the only thing disturbed. It doesn’t look like your office was touched.”
Holly couldn’t believe it. No disgruntled customer would break into Ian’s home and smash a bit of nostalgia. They’d have assumed it was some throwaway piece a decorator had hung on the wall and charged three times the price for.
Ian crouched, shoulders hunched as he turned a sliver over in his hand again and again. One look at him and she knew—this was personal. Intimate. Someone close to Ian was hell bent on getting his attention. Whoever it was had definitely gotten hers.
She stepped closer. “This doesn’t look like—”
“I know.” Ian cut her off as he stood up. “Guess you were right to start asking around town, Trent.”
Trent nodded. “It’s beginning to look like someone is out to do more than hurt your business. And that someone is right here in Midnight Cove.”
“Apparently so.”
Ian held himself together, but Holly could see the anger beneath the surface. His shoulders were tight, his jaw worked back and forth, and if he clenched his keys in his hand any harder, they’d probably snap in half.
Trent didn’t look much better. She hadn’t known his face could look so serious. Grim. Holly glanced at his hands and frowned. She hadn’t noticed the towel he held to his forearm before. Is he hurt? As she focused on it, a bloom of red tinged the white cotton. “Oh my God, Trent. You’re bleeding.”
“It’s nothing. Just caught my arm on the broken glass.”
As she opened her mouth to protest, the flash of police lights lit up the open entryway. A pair of uniformed officers hustled inside.
The first officer in the door addressed Ian. “Everyone okay here?” He couldn’t have been more than twenty-three. And from the way he held onto his belt and rubbed the webbing back and forth, he hadn’t been called out to many dangerous situations.
Holly glanced at Trent. The man must have had the same thought. He was practically scoffing at the guy. Thank God he’s here.
Ian interrupted her thoughts and she snapped her gaze back to him. “Yes, Officer.” Ian held out his hand. “Ian Knowles.”
“I know who you are. My mom took me to the Montgomery as a kid. Officer Dawson.”
Ian gave him a tight smile. “Trent secured the place. Whoever did this is gone.”
The officer turned to Trent. “And you would be?”
Trent stepped forward. “Security. Trent Malone.”
The officer looked past Trent to the wreckage. “Looks like some teenagers were out to cause some mischief.”
Holly didn’t miss the look Trent shot Ian’s way. “You think so, huh?”
The officer crossed his arms. “Looks that way to me. You have any better ideas?”
Trent shrugged. “Ian hired me to do some security investigations. He’s been getting some nasty emails about his shipping business.”
The cop frowned and turned to Ian. “You should have come to us, Knowles.”
Trent’s eyes narrowed and Holly sucked in a breath. She’d never seen a man look so lethal. Or pissed off. “It took you half an hour to get here. I don’t blame Ian for not bringing you into the loop.”
The cop started forward, but Ian waved him off. “Let’s not get into a pissing contest. Officer Dawson, I’ll give a statement. You can do your report.” The cop nodded and Ian turned to Holly. “Can you check out his arm? Make sure it doesn’t need stitches?”
Holly nodded.
“Great. Then I’ll see you all in a few.” Ian walked toward the officer and the pair of them headed out the front door to the waiting police cruiser.
Holly turned to Trent. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.”