by Karen Kelley
She wasn’t meant to be a cop, any more than she was meant to have a relationship with one.
Chapter 18
“I don’t like leaving you here alone,” Conor said.
“Your father said there were some new developments and he wanted me down at the station.”
Jessica knew he thought she’d get into some kind of jam. And why wouldn’t he think she was incompetent? Especially since she’d told him how she’d let an arsonist get away so she could free a goat.
Then set about seducing Conor.
He’d made the first move the second time, though. Like that exonerated her. She was making excuses. She didn’t like that in other people and she damn well didn’t like it in herself. She’d been making mistakes… period.
Who could forget the infamous tape she’d stolen? Or Barry nearly catching her red-handed?
Well, she wouldn’t screw up again, even if it killed her. “I’ll be all right,” she assured him. He still didn’t look convinced.
“It’s different now. We’ve made contact.” He began pacing, then stopped and looked at her, a worried frown wrinkling his brow. “What if Barry comes over?”
“I won’t answer the door. Even if the house catches on fire, I won’t step one foot out the door. I’ll stay close to the window and keep watch. I’ll even call you if they leave. I know what to do. I can take care of myself.”
How many times did she have to try to explain she really could take care of herself if push came to shove?
“Promise you won’t do anything,” he pleaded, finally relenting.
“Scout’s honor.”
He looked dubious. “You were a Girl Scout?”
“Why do you think I went into real estate? I’ll have you know I sold more cookies than anyone in my troop.” Of course, she also had more relatives than anyone in her troop, too. And what neighbor would say no to a cute kid selling cookies, especially when her father and at least half her other relatives were cops, paramedics, or in the fire department. Nope, they weren’t about to take any chances upsetting her relatives.
“Well, this isn’t the Girl Scouts. Don’t open the door—for anyone.”
“I’ll be okay. Go.”
She walked with him to the door and shut it behind him, reaching toward the lock.
“Don’t forget to lock it,” he said from the other side.
“Give me a chance and I will,” she mumbled, shaking her head. She turned the lock. It clicked loud enough for him to hear.
When she heard footsteps walking away, she sighed with relief. All of two seconds passed before she gave in to temptation and pulled back the curtain and watched him climb into his car. Damn it, he wasn’t out of sight and she already missed him. She didn’t move from her spot for a good three minutes, then sighed deeply when she turned away.
The coast was clear. Time to get busy. Lord, she was going to hell for lying.
She hurried to the phone. If the suspects did make their move tonight, as Conor believed, Jessica had a feel ing he wouldn’t let her go with him. She picked up the phone in the hall and quickly punched in some numbers. It rang twice before it was answered.
“Hello?”
“Mike, this is Jessica. I need you to bring me a few things.”
“This is my day off,” he whined.
“Please.”
“Jessica…”
“Pretty please?”
Her cousin groaned. “Okay, okay. What do you want? And it better be legal this time.”
She quickly gave him a list of what she’d need, but be fore she hung up, she asked him one more favor. “You still have your motorcycle, don’t you?”
Silence.
“Mike?”
“No, not my motorcycle.”
She frowned. “What’s the matter? Don’t you trust me with your toy?”
“It’s not a toy!”
Oops. She’d forgotten how much the shiny red bike meant to him, but it wasn’t like it was a monster Harley or anything. It was a Honda 233cc Rebel. Apparently marriage hadn’t mellowed him when it came to his bike. But she did want to borrow it, so she’d be nice.
“I know it’s not a plaything. I promise to be very care ful, but I do need it. Besides, you taught me to ride it. The least you can do is loan it to me.”
Silence.
“This isn’t some scheme to get even, is it? I was only getting you back for the Saran wrap on the toilet seats. That was really low, even for you.”
“Yeah, I know.” She grinned. “That was a good one, but no, I’m not trying to get even. I’ll take really good care of your bi… motorcycle. I won’t put a dent or scratch on it. Swear, but right now I really need to use your bike. Please, cuz.”
“That’s not fair, Jessica. You’re using that same tone of voice that always got me into trouble when we were grow ing up.”
“Then you’ll let me borrow it?”
There was a few seconds of silence before he spoke. “If you put one teeny-tiny dent on it, I’ll hang your hide on the side of a building.”
“Thanks, cuz.”
“By the way, how’s the stakeout going?”
“Great… well, at least not bad… except for a couple of minor incidents.” She cringed. Mentioning her screw-ups would serve no purpose—so she didn’t.
They talked for a few more minutes before hanging up. She sauntered into the living room and glanced toward the suspects’ house. At least she’d be prepared if Conor turned stubborn, and what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. She might not even need the bike.
Barry walked out the front door. She held her breath, but he only lit a cigarette and stood on the front porch to smoke it. He glanced once toward their house, but she kept herself hidden behind the curtain and silently prayed he wouldn’t decide to drop by for a visit.
When he finished his smoke and thumped it in the grass, then went inside, she thought she’d at least feel relieved. She frowned. It had been more like disappointment. She hadn’t realized just how ready she was for a little action.
“Yom-da-da-da-da,” she chanted under her breath. Peace and inner tranquility were what she was striving for. Not guns and action. She wanted to be a lady and sell real estate. She didn’t want to be a cop. Stability would make her happy. At least, she thought that was what she wanted. She wasn’t quite as positive as she once was.
* * *
Conor walked into the police station with purposeful strides and went straight to the chief’s office. Gloria glanced up as he entered.
“Joe’s been expecting you.”
“I left as soon as he called.”
A mischievous gleam sparkled in her eyes. “You and Jess getting along?”
Heat crawled up his face. “She can be stubborn at times.” He certainly wasn’t going to tell her exactly how well they were getting along.
“But she’s cute and funny, too,” Gloria said, pushing for more.
This wasn’t the time or place to start a conversation about his relationship with Jessica. He wasn’t sure there ever would be a time or a place.
For reasons he wasn’t quite sure about, he didn’t want to talk about what was going on between them. If there even was anything substantial. And if there was… well, it could be worse. At least he hadn’t noticed her stealing anything the one time they went shopping.
When he didn’t answer, Gloria’s smile widened. “I guess Joe was right, for once,” she murmured. “Go on in.” She motioned for him to enter and went back to her paperwork.
It wouldn’t do any good trying to convince any of the Nelsons there was nothing serious between him and Jessica. He’d already figured out they were a stubborn bunch. It was better to just let the matter drop.
Conor rapped his knuckles on the door before he went inside.
“Record time,” the chief said as he looked up from the papers littering his desk.
“You sounded like whatever you were going to say was important.”
The chief motioned for him to
take a seat. He cautiously sat in the chair across from the chief’s desk.
Had the chief found out about him and Jessica getting intimate? No, he didn’t think that was something Jessica would discuss with her father. Or any other family member, for that matter.
“The case is closed.” The chief shut a file he’d been looking at and smiled.
“Excuse me?” What was he talking about? The case wasn’t closed. How could it be?
“You heard right. We caught the burglars an hour ago. They robbed a house on Barnett Circle. The homeowners were away at the time, but they’d installed a brand-new alarm system. When it detected an intruder, the company called us. Caught them red-handed—two men. They’d even left a stuffed raccoon sitting on the sofa.”
“They confessed to the other burglaries?” He was stunned. This was the last news he’d expected to hear.
The chief’s chair creaked when he leaned back. “They’re denying everything. Hell, one of the guys said they’d been out drinking and had a little too much, ending up in his girlfriend’s home. They didn’t know about the new alarm system. Said the raccoon was for her. Too coincidental, if you ask me. We haven’t been able to contact the homeowners to confirm their story, but I’m not buying it.”
“Do you have the mayor’s tape?”
“No, but they’ll talk. Their kind always does. They’re still claiming the girlfriend is real.”
“That’s…” He shook his head. “That’s great.” Then why didn’t he feel relieved? Something bothered him. Then he remembered. “What about the conversation? The one I overheard. They were planning another job.”
The chief shrugged. “It was probably just that. A job. Not a burglary. There are movers who work at night so they won’t interfere with the office personnel jobs.”
“I’d have sworn that wasn’t what they were talking about.”
“We all make mistakes. I guess you and Jess can pack it up. You’re probably both ready to get back to your own places.”
Conor’s gut clenched. Was this why he was so stunned? Had he already guessed the surveillance was over before the chief spoke the words? How did he really feel about possibly never seeing Jessica again? Just the thought left a sour taste in his mouth.
The chief picked up the globe on his desk and turned it over. Snow began to drift toward the base.
“I don’t suppose you and Jessica will be seeing each other again. She’ll probably hook up with Al.”
“Yeah, probably.” The thought of Al kissing Jessica didn’t sit well with him. In fact, he’d like to punch the guy out.
Jessica didn’t belong to him, though. He had no rights just because they’d had sex.
“A shame,” the chief said. “I kind of thought y’all would get along.”
“She doesn’t date cops.” Lame. Before he dug himself in a hole he couldn’t climb out of, he stood. “I guess I’ll go back and tell Jessica she can head home.”
Conor left the chief’s office, mumbled a good-bye to Gloria, and hurried out. If she said anything, it didn’t sink into his brain. His thoughts were on Jessica. Damn it, he didn’t want her to walk out of his life. Whatever was between them wasn’t over yet. He didn’t like leaving loose ends.
Jessica knew something was up the minute Conor walked back into the house. She hadn’t seen him look this serious since the day he’d mistakenly arrested her for solicitation. She had a feeling she wouldn’t like whatever he was about to tell her this time, either.
He went into the kitchen without saying a word and pulled a soda from the fridge.
“What?” she finally got up the nerve to ask. “You look like you wish that were a beer rather than a soda. Or maybe a stiff shot of whiskey.”
He took a long drink, then went to the table and pulled out a chair.
“Actually, it’s good news.”
She raised an eyebrow as she sat in the chair across from him. “Yeah, you look like you’re jumping for joy.”
“They caught the burglars.” He ran a thumb over the condensation on the outside of the canned drink. “We can go home.”
Her gaze flew to the window. Had she fucked up and missed a takedown? No, that hadn’t happened. No way. Nothing looked any different than it had a moment ago. She hadn’t seen the Merediths leave. Or cops barreling up to the door. It was still just as quiet as it had been all day.
She turned her gaze back to Conor. “I don’t understand. What did my dad tell you?”
“That it wasn’t the Merediths pulling the burglaries. They’re innocent. At least of these jobs.”
“But…”
“It’s over.” He glanced out the window.
“What about the mayor?”
“Apparently, he was just campaigning.” He shrugged. “Wrong place, wrong time.”
The breath left her body. At least, that’s what it felt like. Her brain stopped functioning. She couldn’t think.
What did all this mean? That they could pack up and leave? She looked at Conor, wanting… hell, she didn’t know what she wanted. That he wouldn’t leave? She turned her gaze back to the window. He’d told her he didn’t want a long-term relationship.
Pain ripped through her. Maybe if she groveled? No, she wouldn’t stoop that low—at least, she didn’t think she would.
“Jessica?”
She laughed, but it came out sounding more like a death rattle. “I guess you’d started to grow on me. Isn’t that funny?” She stood, wanting to get this over with as painlessly and as soon as possible. “It’ll be great getting home and back to selling real estate. It’s been fun, though, and different… interesting…” Shut up! she told herself. She was babbling like some kind of moron.
“Jessica, it doesn’t have to end here.” He stood.
No, don’t listen to him. “Haven’t we already complicated each other’s lives more than we ever intended? I still don’t want to be involved with a cop and you don’t really want a long-term relationship, remember? We don’t have to make this more difficult than it is.” She twined her fingers in front of her.
He stood and walked around the table, untangling her fingers. “Maybe I’m not so sure about long-term relation ships. I was, but then you came into my life. I kind of like having you near.”
She was afraid this was going to happen. Neither one wanted to walk away from the other. “Maybe we can sort of see each other occasionally.”
Did he have to stand so close? Once again, he was in vading her space. She took a deep breath and his musky scent wafted to her nostrils. Damn, she loved the way he smelled.
In fact, there were a lot of things she liked about him. Wouldn’t her dad have a field day if he found out she was falling for… Oh lord, not that. She didn’t want to fall in love with Conor. Not a cop.
“Maybe it would be better to end it now. Before we get in over our heads.”
“I think it’s too late. We at least need to explore what’s going on between us.” He raised her chin and lowered his mouth.
Her body morphed into a quivering mass of Jell-O. I don’t want this, she told herself as her body screamed for more. I don’t like that he takes his job so seriously, I don’t like that he occasionally can make a joke, I don’t like the way he smiles, the way he laughs… the way he makes love…
I do like it, I do, I do…
She twined her arms around his neck, and with a sigh of surrender, pulled him closer, tasting all he had to offer. He was heat and he was fire. He stole her breath away, but that was okay because he gave her back so much in return.
He picked her up, her arms tightening around his neck.
“I won’t drop you,” he said, setting her on the kitchen counter.
“Good. I’d hate to have to make a trip to the hospital. I can think of a lot more things I’d rather be doing than sitting in the waiting room.”
To hell with it. She didn’t want to deny herself. Tomorrow would be soon enough to regret her actions. But right now, she didn’t want to stop kissing him, b
ut when he pulled away she wondered if maybe he was having second thoughts.
She leaned back, in what she figured was a blatant invitation, but her hand missed the counter and landed in the sink. She fought to get her balance and grabbed the faucet handle. When she pushed herself up, she accidentally turned the water on.
How sexy was this? she thought with derision.
“Here, let me help.” Conor reached for her at the same time she moved. He missed, his hand landing on the hose attached to the sink; a shower of water squirted out, hitting him in the face.
She laughed as she pushed herself upright. What else could she do? He had water dripping down his face. He was all wet.
“You think that’s funny?” He pulled the length of hose out and aimed the nozzle at her.
“It was a nervous laugh,” she said with as straight a face as she could muster under the circumstances. Not an easy task. She didn’t think he bought it, either.
He didn’t.
Instead of hitting her in the face, the water landed on her light blue T-shirt. She sucked in a deep breath. “That’s cold.”
He grinned. “I can see that.”
She glanced down. Her nipples poked against the material of her shirt. The water had made the cotton material transparent as it molded to her equally thin bra.
“Wet T-shirt contest?” she wryly asked.
“You’d win.” His gaze slowly moved over her.
Somehow having her clothes plastered to her body made her feel sexy. Naked… but not.
He slipped his hand beneath her shirt, pulling her bra straps down her arms before he leaned toward her. He wasted no time pushing it down around her waist and drawing her nipple into his mouth, sucking greedily. She arched toward him, not caring that her bra was around her waist like a wet belt.
The material of her shirt rubbed against her naked skin, sending tremors over her body. When he moved, she groaned, but before she could raise much of a protest, he took her other nipple in his mouth and gave it his undivided attention.
The setting sun created an eerie glow about the room, casting the last of its warmth over them, but it wouldn’t have mattered if it were the dead of winter. Conor created his own kind of heat, and she was getting damn hot.