by Marie Harte
“I’ll explain things,” Addy said. “Then you can drive me back to Noel’s after I get settled for a bit.”
Noel sighed. “Probably a good idea. I’ll take little Gunnar home with me. Come on, fella. Let’s go.” He glanced down at the sleeping bundle. “I really like him like this.”
Solene smothered a chuckle. “Hold on and I’ll get you his car seat.”
Once she’d put it in the back seat, he locked the baby carrier in and made sure the boy was secure, then turned to Solene. “Thanks for this. I know Deacon bullied you into it, but you really did a good thing. Deacon wasn’t lying about things not being so safe.”
“What?”
“Addy will explain. And Solene, be her friend. She needs you right now.”
Solene just watched him. A gorgeous woman with light brown eyes, golden wavy hair, and the feminine features of an angel and seductress both, she was more than striking. Her body was lean and curvy in all the right ways, her voice husky, stroking along sensual centers in the brain.
Yet he didn’t desire her at all. He had eyes only for Addy, with her almond-shaped eyes, her creamy skin, and shiny black hair, so straight and soft he wanted to pet her every time he saw her. Her body knocked him for a loop, but it was Addy’s vibrant warmth that had him wanting to be near her more and more. And to see her react so well under such horrific conditions. A man couldn’t ask for a better woman by his side.
He waved to Solene, got in, and started up the car. “Just you and me, kid,” he said to the boy and drove back home.
What, exactly, would Addy tell Solene? He hadn’t told her to keep anything a secret, though he should have. Yet he trusted her judgment. Aside from the mess their date had become, he hoped she remembered their time together before all the violence. She’d said it meant something to her, and hopefully she wouldn’t find it so easy to forget.
God help him, he sure couldn’t.
Solene went back inside, puzzled and pleased at the same time.
“Thanks for watching the baby,” Addy said. She looked tired and a little off balance.
“What happened with you two?”
Something big, because Solene could all but see the confusion stamped on her friend’s face. She loved Addy, but her friend had the tendency to overthink things. Noel, the man who rarely smiled or laughed, had rolled his eyes at her friend. He’d been caring, attentive, and from all Addy had said, he never acted that way.
“Addy,” she prodded. “Tell me.”
She wasn’t prepared for her friend to burst into tears.
“Oh sweetie. Are you okay?” She hurried to get Addy seated with her on the couch and hugged her. Then she drew a box of tissues close and handed her one.
Addy blew her nose.
“Did he hurt you? Was he out of line?” Her imagination worked overtime. “Do you want me to call the police?”
“No. No police.” Addy started laughing, a little bit of hysteria, Solene thought. “You would not believe my day.”
“Start at the beginning.”
Addy groaned. “I was crazy to go out with him. We both know he’s not the stick-around kind of guy. But I’ve had this, I don’t know, crush on him for years. Our date was awesome. We had dinner, saw a play… It was weird how well we got along. We like a lot of the same things, and he’s fun to debate with.”
Solene kept quiet, hearing the joy in Addy’s words. So she wouldn’t go over to Noel’s house and clobber him—yet.
“Then we went back to the hotel. It was beautiful, romantic. And we played cards.”
Solene frowned. “Cards?”
“Yes. See, the first time we were together—”
“Had sex, you mean.”
Addy huffed. “Had sex, it was so out of control and wild, neither of us were prepared. It hit Noel as hard as it hit me. So this time he rented a suite and I got the bedroom. He said he’d leave it up to me whether or not we had sex, since I was obviously ga-ga for him.”
“He said that?”
“Not in so many words, but that’s what he meant.” Addy paused. “And I am ga-ga for him, which makes this so much worse. I’m the one who initiated sex. The night was so much better than anything I could have imagined.” Addy sighed. “He was so amazing, and he made me feel so good. Not just physically either. He was tender and caring and…” She tapered off into a sniffle. “So this morning I wanted to do something nice for him. I went out to get us some pastries and coffee. Then Deacon texted me.”
Solene stiffened. “Deacon?” That creep! Making moves on Addy right after she’d been with his friend? And after flirting with her?
“He said something about an emergency with the baby. So I met him at this empty restaurant and was attacked.” She swallowed. “But not by Deacon.”
“Oh no.” Solene put a hand on Addy’s knee. “What happened?”
“It was all so fast. This stranger put his hands around my throat and threatened to kill me. Then Noel was there. He—” Addy took a deep breath and whispered “—he killed a man, Solene. And he hurt the other man with him. Then we left.”
“You just left?” This sounded crazy. “I’m calling the police.”
“No.” Addy grabbed her hand. “You can’t.” She drew in a breath and let it out. “Noel isn’t an investment banker. He works for the government. He called someone to clean up after we left. Solene, I called the police after it happened, and they said there was nothing there. His people made it disappear. Who does that?”
“Holy shit. So is he a spy or something?” Solene looked around her, wondering if even now she was being monitored. She had to stop watching all those crime shows. But seriously. Noel? A spy?
“Not a spy. He said he takes care of problems around the world. I think… I think he’s someone who gets rid of the bad guys. Permanently.”
“Like a hitman or something? An assassin?” Noel, a killer? Was she wrong for being fascinated instead of scared out of her mind? Okay, so a little part of her was freaked out. But…Noel? A man who ironed his freakin’ jeans?
“I didn’t say hitman.”
“No, but we’re both thinking it. Wow. Just…wow.” A thought struck her. “Deacon? Is he one too?”
“I kind of think yes. Noel said he and the others don’t exist in any database or anything. No way to back up what he’s saying as true, but I saw him in action. He’s deadly.”
Now anxiety reared its head. “Should we leave? Get you out of town? I have money. I could make it happen.”
“I’m not afraid of him.” Addy shook her head, her green eyes dark. “I should be, but I’m not. He’d never hurt me, Solene.”
“How do you know that? You barely know the guy.”
“I know enough. He wants to leave the business, to come here and just be Noel Cavanaugh. Especially now with the baby.”
“Yeah, the baby.” Solene didn’t understand any of this. “Is the boy his or some kind of cover story?”
“The baby is another part of the mystery around Noel. Someone is trying to kill him, and someone dropped off the baby saying it’s either his, Deacon’s, or Hammer’s.”
Solene’s heart raced. “Seriously?”
“Yes. I know I should stay out of his mess, but now I’m in it. They tried to kill me to get to him.”
“Shit. This isn’t good at all, Addy.”
“I know. But I still want to be with him. Am I crazy or what?” Addy gave a half laugh, half sob. “He’s the one for me, Solene. It’s weird and nutty and I don’t care. I connect with him on a level I’ve never had with anyone else. And it just figures he’s a killer for hire.”
“That’s some weird-ass karma for sure,” Solene teased, half out of her mind with concern. “Do I need to worry that he’ll kill me if he knows I know about him?’
“No.” Good. At least Addy sounded definite about that. “
He’s a good man. And right now I think he needs me.”
“Right now? What about later?”
“I hope he meant it when he said Friday night was special to him. Because I think I’m falling in love with him.”
“Falling? You mean fall-en, right? Past tense. You’re the teacher and all, but I’d say you’re gone for the guy.”
“Crap. I am.”
They sat in silence for a moment. “Okay,” Solene said. “This is what we’re going to do. I’m going to get packed, then I’m coming with you while this gets sorted out. Don’t argue with me,” she said to stop Addy’s sputtering. “I’m staying with you at your place for double protection. I might not be a secret hitman, but I can handle myself with a Taser. And I’ve had some self-defense training. All those years modeling taught me not to trust men.”
“Is that where you learned it?” Addy feigned innocence. “I thought it was a birth defect.”
“Ha ha.”
“Solene, I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Hey, I’ve already had the baby stay with me. I’m on somewhat-speaking terms with Deacon. And I’m your best friend. I’d say I’m already involved. What’s to stop whoever is after Noel from coming after me too?” A stretch, but hey, why not? Solene had no problem dealing with psychos, government sanctioned or not. But Addy was softer, not as aggressive. She was too damn nice. “It’s settled. Now, help me pack.”
And Deacon, when you get back, you and I are going to talk.
Chapter Nine
Except for a brief visit Saturday night, when he’d come over to thoroughly check over her house for security, Addy didn’t see Noel the rest of the weekend.
She needed time to think. After sending Deacon over Sunday morning to make sure she was still okay, Noel hadn’t bothered her except to tell her to let him know if she needed anything at all.
Solene settled into the spare bedroom with ease. She filled the lonely silence with chatter and jokes at Deacon’s expense that made dealing with the aftermath of the weekend bearable.
Life on Monday seemed too normal, by contrast. The children in her class acted squirrely, typical for a Monday. She had chicken tacos for lunch, graded papers during their quiet reading time, and watched them all leave for home with a smile and wave. Then she drove to Solene’s daycare and waited in the office, grading more papers, while her friend wrapped up to leave for the day.
“Okay, Marge has close-out,” Solene announced as she popped her head in the doorway. “She and Annie are good. We can go.”
They grabbed their coats and drove back to Addy’s house. Once inside, she started a fire while Solene turned on the television and relaxed. Then Addy texted Noel that she’d returned from school.
He’d asked that she text him a few times a day so he knew she was all right. And since he’d been staying away, presumably to make her feel safer, away from memories of Seattle, she had no problem letting him know her status.
But the time apart also bothered her, because she missed him.
“I’m going to pop over to Noel’s for a minute.”
Solene raised her head and stared. “Oh?”
“Yes, I want to talk to him.”
“So call him.”
Addy knew Solene was trying to protect her. The way Noel was trying to protect her. “You know, I’m an adult. I can walk next door on my own, making my own choices in life.”
Solene flushed. “Sorry. I worry about you. You’re not jaded enough for twenty-six.”
Addy chuckled. “And you’re too jaded for thirty-four.”
“Try thirty, bitch.” Solene snorted. “Thirty-four, my ass.”
Addy shook her head, grinning, and texted Noel about coming over. He replied with a yes right away. So that was a good sign, right?
Just give me ten minutes, he texted a moment later.
Just as she readied to leave, someone knocked at the door. Solene tensed, but Addy knew someone meaning to kill her wouldn’t politely knock or ask to come in. He’d wait in the shadows and strangle her. At the thought, she rubbed her neck and hesitantly peered out the side window.
Seeing Deacon, she relaxed and opened the door.
He strolled through, carrying the baby in one arm, a neon green and orange striped diaper bag in the other.
“That’s a very manly bag, Deacon,” she said, trying not to laugh.
He made a face. “I know. But it was either this or pink monkeys.” He shuddered. “I mean, I can be manly and fatherly at the same time. Why aren’t there plaid or non-pastel striped bags out there for guys, right, Noel Jr.?”
The baby glanced around with wide eyes and grunted.
“That means yes.” He winked at her. “Noel is waiting for you. I’m going to hang with my favorite blonde while you guys talk. You can cut through the side fence. He installed a gate yesterday just for you.” His wide smile showed his amusement. “Noel is warming up, Addy. Nice work.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing.” He walked inside and gave Solene a big, insincere grin. “Solene Hansen, as I live and breathe. You get prettier each time I see you.”
“Condescending ass,” Solene muttered loudly enough to be heard. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Solene, the baby.” Deacon shook his head. “Go on, Addy. I’ll keep the bobble-head company.”
Solene shot off the couch. “The what?”
“So touchy. I meant him.” He nodded down at the baby, whose head did seem to bobble around on that tiny neck. “You, dearest Solene, are nothing less than breathtaking.”
“You got that right.” Solene shook her blonde hair, and the effect was spectacular.
Addy saw Deacon try not to look impressed and fail.
Solene winked at her. “Be good, Addy.”
“No, be bad,” Deacon encouraged. “Noel needs a break. Dude is missing you something fierce, but you didn’t hear that from me.”
Addy left the house feeling lighter than she had in days. Noel really did like her. He missed her maybe, too. As much as she missed him? She hoped so.
It didn’t seem possible to care for someone in so little time, but it felt as if she’d been given a taste of the real man under the aloof shell, only to have it ripped away before she could get to know him. And that hurt.
She knocked on his side door and waited for him to answer. The evening settled in, and the sky lost its bright blue color under the encroaching pink and orange blanket behind indigo clouds. The day looked magical.
Noel opened the door. He appeared the same as before, tan slacks, a button-down shirt, bare feet, she noted. But the sparkle in his eyes as he surveyed her made him seem more alive.
“Addy.” He stepped back. “Come in.”
“Hi, Noel.” She passed him and did her best not to shiver. She could feel him watching her.
She jumped when she felt his hands on her shoulders.
“Can I take your coat?”
“Oh. Sure.” She gave a half laugh and let him ease the jacket from her.
“You look nice.”
She glanced down at her long skirt, boots, and favorite green cashmere sweater. It provided warmth while flattering her shape. “My teacher clothes. Thanks. Timmy Johnson likes it too.”
“Timmy Johnson?”
“He’s very cute and just turned nine. Oh, and he has a loose tooth.”
Noel gave her one of his rare smiles. “Scared me for a minute there. I thought I had competition.” His smile faded. “Addy, are you okay?”
She nodded. “It’s been hard to forget, but I know you did what you had to do to save me.”
He stepped closer and reached out, then lowered his hand to his side. “I would never, ever, do anything to hurt you. You have to believe that.”
The raw expression on his face reassured her. “I know.” She closed
the distance between them and drew him down for a kiss.
The brief contact wasn’t long enough. Then Noel did something that stirred her, deep inside. He tucked her head into his shoulder and hugged her. The warmth from the contact and his slow sigh melted her resistance.
“God, I missed you. It was only a couple of days, but it felt like forever. Give us a chance, okay? I can be a safe bet. I swear. I just need to work out a few kinks first.”
She couldn’t help the desperate laugh that left her. “A few kinks? The ones with guns, you mean.”
“Yeah.” He rubbed her back, and she loved the affectionate gesture. Noel offered comfort, not a seduction, and the difference meant something to her.
“Noel?”
“Yes?”
She pulled back to look into his dark eyes. When he stroked a finger down her cheek, another burst of emotion heated her belly. So much feeling for this man, and so much of it more than sexual. “Can we play cards again?”
He blinked, then smiled. “Sure.”
“And this time you answer my questions, no matter who wins.”
“If that’s what you want.” He hugged her again. “Anything for you, Addy.”
The name of the game—Go Fish.
“I don’t think I’ve played this in over twenty years.”
Addy grinned. “I’m the master. I beat Ginny and Delia Anderson just last week, and those twins are practically psychic. Ha. Give me all your twos, sucker.”
Noel just looked at her as he handed over three twos.
“I win again.” Their third game.
He sighed. “What now?”
She’d been question loading on each win. “Well, I know your favorite color is green. You have a thing for Asian chicks.”
“I never said that.” He flushed. So adorable.
“You like me.”
“You’re not Asian. I mean, you are, partly, but it’s not a race thing. I’m into you.” He turned brighter red. “Never mind.”
For someone so mysterious, once she’d gotten him talking about himself, Addy found him sweet and caring. But she’d had to dig deep to get to him. Though he’d said she could ask him anything, he’d been giving her stilted and shallow answers for half an hour. Only when she’d threatened to go home to check on Solene had he tempted her with deeper truths.