by Erika Rose
“On TV yes because I find it interesting.” She joined him and started scanning through the titles. “In real life it’s not so interesting, it’s just sad.”
Cole didn’t know how to respond to that so he continued scanning through the titles. “Anything you’d prefer watching?”
Rose shrugged. “You pick.”
She sat down on the large sofa facing the television set as Cole pulled out a DVD.
“You’ve got mail?”
“Sure, I haven’t seen it in a long time.” Rose said pulling the throw over and kicking off her shoes.
Cole sat down next to Rose, chastening himself. He should’ve sat in one of the chairs. It was going to be a lot harder to keep his hands off her when she was snuggling next to him. Since it would be too obvious to move at the moment he sat back and hoped Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks would take his mind off Rose.
“I can’t believe he didn’t go to her. What an ass, he just leaves her sitting there with the rose.” Rose said as she took a sip of the wine that Cole had poured for them as the movie started.
“But he can’t admit it now. She hates him. He needs to wait until she gets to know him better.”
“I don’t care, he’s still an ass he’s closing her business.” Rose said defiantly.
Cole laughed. “This is why I don’t like rom-coms. I get the guys side of it and women always just keep saying they’re asses.”
Rose smirked as her eyes met his. “Well they are! Look at Sam, I thought we were in a relationship, meanwhile I was just one of the many he had on the side.”
Her words were easy but Cole could still hear the pain behind them. “Not all men cheat Rose.”
“Really? Tell me Cole, have you ever cheated?” Rose sat up facing him and crossed her legs. “Come on be honest?”
Cole sighed ruefully. “Yes, but there were extenuating circumstances.”
“Like what? She didn’t satisfy you, you lived far away? Come on, all cheaters have an excuse and believe it’s valid.”
“Actually I don’t have an excuse. It was fifth grade and my girlfriend was Lisa Spade. We held hands once a week when I walked her home each Friday. One Friday she was sick and had stayed home and her friend Lauren asked me to walk her home instead. Since Lauren’s house wasn’t out of the way I agreed. I didn’t even hold her hand. But come Monday, Lisa tells me I’m a lying cheating sack of fleas, and that Friday Taylor Robinson started walking her home.”
Rose laughed at his childhood memory. For a moment Cole could see the weight of Emmaline’s death had lifted. “You call that cheating? I’m talking about something past the ninth grade at least?”
“No.”
“Just no?”
“Just no.” Cole leaned closer, their faces mere inches apart. “I haven’t been in a relationship since Lisa Spade. But if I am one day I can guarantee I won’t cheat. That’s why I don’t commit.”
“Right.” Rose smirked. “You’re a player, so if you don’t make promises you don’t break them?”
“Something like that.” Cole said. At least he didn’t hurt anyone, he thought to himself.
“And you think just because you don’t commit or make promises no girl has ever fallen in love with you?”
“I…” How did he answer that? He had never stuck around long enough to find out.
“Just as I thought. If they did, it wasn’t your problem.”
Cole felt his temper start to rise. “Look I don’t have relationships because I don’t have the time. I’d rather be honest with a woman before…well before rather than have her wondering when I’m going to call her.”
Rose smiled at him seductively and leaned closer. “So as long as she knows you’re not up for a relationship you’re in the clear?”
“Rose?” Cole asked confused. He had seen many women come on to him over the years; being handsome, Cole found more a hazard than a blessing. There were times when it suited him, especially when he was looking for some harmless fun. But he had never imagined his quirky petite neighbor coming onto him.
“What?” She asked innocently as she licked her lips. “I know you don’t do relationships, and I know it’ll only be tonight.”
The credits had started rolling on the screen making turning toward the TV futile.
Her brown eyes enchanted him as his gaze drifted to her lips; they were open in invitation, a whisper away from his own.
Before he could stop himself he closed the distance and brushed his lips over hers. The soft touch, the innocence of the kiss had arousal pooling in his groin. Wanting more, he tangled his fingers into her hair and pulled her against him. He teased her lips open with his tongue; she didn’t hesitate but gave him access.
She tasted of wine and something mysterious that shot through his system like a drug.
She pulled away momentarily and moved over him, sitting on his lap with her legs on either side of his waist. She pressed onto his lap rubbing against his arousal that was already rock hard.
Gripping her hips, he kissed her even harder. She gasped as he meandered down her throat. It was that gasp that brought him back to reality.
“Rose, not like this.”
“What?” She asked her eyes heavy lidded with wine and arousal.
“Not tonight, God knows I want to, but not tonight.”
As the memory of the day’s events washed over Rose, Cole saw her eyes watering as she all but jumped from his lap to her side of the couch. “I’m sorry.”
Cole leaned over and brushed a tear from her cheek. “Don’t be sorry, I feel it too, I can’t think of anything I want more. But I don’t want you to regret it in the morning.”
Rose nodded somberly and Cole knew that was the end of the conversation.
Standing up he walked over to the DVD collection. “What do you want to watch next?”
CHAPTER 8
“Rose?”
“Rose?”
Through the fog of pain and sadness, Rose heard the voice the third time. She looked up at the blank screen in front of her and noticed the time. Had she just stared out the window for the past hour?
“I’m sorry, yes?” She looked up to find her supervisor standing over her desk.
“Rose dear, I heard what happened to your neighbor. I’m so sorry for your loss. Were you close?” Marcia was a ruthless lawyer and known as a shark in the legal world. Kind words and soft eyes looked foreign on her.
Rose nodded. “Yes, we were.”
“Is it true that you found her?”
The memory of Emmaline’s lifeless body and glassy eyes flashed back hard and painful. Rose managed to nod as she pulled Kleenex from her drawer.
“Why don’t you take a few days off? You’ve always pulled more than your weight at the firm, someone else can pull yours for a while.”
Rose looked at Marcia. “It’s really not necessary I’ll be fine.”
“Rose, you’re not fine. You’re shaken, you’re sad and you’re worried. Go home, go out or do whatever you need to do to work through this. When you’re done you come back as the Rose we know and need.” Marcia’s eyes narrowed sternly as she placed her hands on her hips.
Rose wanted to thank her, grab her bag and leave, but she couldn’t. She had a mortgage to pay. “Thank you Marcia but I can’t afford to.”
“Of course you can. I’m not kicking you out Rose, I need you. Take a couple of weeks paid leave. I insist.”
A weight lifted off Rose’s shoulders. She knew she wouldn’t be of much use in the office, never mind the mistakes she could make that could cost millions. She switched off her screen, grabbed her bag and moved around the desk.
She would never have imagined giving the ruthless Marcia a hug, but right now she needed to. She placed her arms around Marcia who stood stiff as a board. “Thank you. And I promise I’ll be better when I get back.”
“Good because I need you come kick some asses again.” Marcia smiled relieved as Rose let
her go.
“Goodbye Marcia.”
“Bye Rose. Take care.”
As the elevator doors closed behind Rose she pressed the button for the ground floor. By the time it reached the ground floor Rose knew exactly what she was going to do. She was going to make sure the Hamptons Police Department find Emmaline’s killer.
The overhead fluorescent lighting shone harshly in the police station. Almost as if it was there to shine a light on all the crime and injustices in the world. The smell of nervous sweat and stale coffee hung in the air, like a specially designed fragrance for all police stations. Rose instinctively pulled her handbag against her body as she approached the desk in the foyer.
“Hi, I hope you can help me. I’m here about the murder on Saturday?”
A middle aged woman sat behind the desk and glared at Rose over her glasses. Her hair was in desperate need of coloring, the previous color had grown out about two inches. Her irritated gaze settled on Rose’s neat dove grey suit and lilac blouse.
“Lady, what murder?” She asked with a raspy voice.
“Saturday Morning in South Hampton. Emmaline Richards?”
She started chewing on gum, which had obviously been stashed in her cheek and nodded as she started paging through papers on her desk. “Oh yes, old lady strangled. Neighbor found her.”
Rose swallowed at the casual tone of her voice. “Yes. I’d like to find out what progress is being made on the case.”
Taking off her glasses she glared at Rose. “It’s Monday.”
“I know.” Rose said frowning.
“It’s been two days; the Detective on the case will get to it.”
“Who is the detective on the case?” Rose asked feeling as if she was trying to pull a bear’s tooth.
“Detective Vanguard. Would you like to leave your name so he can contact you? That is if you have any information worth his while?”
“I’m Rose Adler, the neighbor that found her. I’m sure you have all my information as I had to give a statement.”
Chewing her gum the woman leafed over a few pages. “Ah yes. We’ve got it. If he needs anything he’ll be in touch.”
“I’d like to help. Emmaline was a good friend.”
“Honey, the most help you’re going to be to him is to go home and let him do his job.” Putting her glasses back on she answered the phone that had started to ring beside her.
Rose nodded, knowing when she was dismissed. She walked out of the police station feeling as if she had made absolutely no progress, and the police weren’t even interested in making progress. The first few days after a crime were the most important when it came to following up on leads and questioning unwitting neighbors.
As she pulled up outside her house she noticed two cars in the driveway at Emmaline’s. Her daughters had arrived, Rose thought stepping out of her car. She had met Priss and Jane the year before when they had come for a visit. Both Emmaline’s daughters lived in the city and only came out to see Emmaline over holidays.
She was still struggling with Emmaline’s death and being rebuffed at the police station, but she took a deep breath and went to pay her respects. For a moment she wished Cole was with her. Even though she had made a fool of herself Saturday night, she had appreciated that he had stayed with her. They had spent the rest of the night watching movies and talking.
Rose was surprised to find out they had quite a bit in common. Like their favorite meal of the day was breakfast. Or their love for crime series and hot chocolate Sundays. She had eventually fell asleep on the couch, leaning against Cole. Over a breakfast of pancakes and bacon they had both ignored the attraction that loomed over them ever since their kiss the night before, but Cole was right, not like this.
He had left late morning to return to the city. He had a flight to Miami this morning to attend a meeting. As Rose lifted her hand to knock on Emmaline’s door she couldn’t help but wonder of Cole was missing her like she was already missing him.
The door opened and revealed a devastated Priss. The younger of the two sisters, Priss was the outgoing one. She always bubbled over with happiness and chatter. Today nothing bubbled in Priss except for sadness. “Rose.” Priss said as she pulled Rose inside. “Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to her.”
Rose wanted to be strong for Emmaline’s daughters but she couldn’t fight back the tears that had started to fall. “I’m so sorry.” Rose said as she noticed Jane coming out of the kitchen.
Pulling away from Priss she walked to Jane who had been married only a few months before. “I’m sorry for your loss Jane.”
Jane nodded, clear eyes pursing her lips. Rose understood instantly, she was being strong for Priss.
Rose pulled her into a hug anyway. As her arms encircled Jane she could feel the sobs Jane had swallowed, racking her body.
“You guys let me know if you need anything.” Rose said letting go of Jane.
Rose could see Emmaline’s sharp chin in Priss and her beautiful eyes in Jane. She had never realized how much today would hurt.
Both Priss and Jane spoke at once. “What happened?” “Were you here?”
Rose sighed heavily and sat down in the wingback chair she had moved into place only weeks before. “I was at home all day. I came over late afternoon to bring her passion fruit cheesecake. I came in through the back door and called for her but she didn’t answer. That’s when I moved into the living room and found her.”
Priss excused herself but both Rose and Jane could hear the sobs coming from the bedroom she had run to.
“Is it true?”Jane asked.
“What?” Rose said, still aching for Priss who had just lost her mother.
Jane stepped closer to Rose and lowered her voice. “The Detective didn’t tell us much, just that foul play was suspected and they’re looking into it. What happened Rose, you found her. I need to know!”
“She was strangled Jane. At least that’s what I thought when I found her. I’ve just been to the police station; they’re following leads and doing all they can to find your mother’s murderer.” Rose was sure she would be forgiven for the white lies. She couldn’t exactly tell Jane that the police hadn’t even started on an investigation yet.
Jane took both of Rose’s hands in her own and smiled sadly. “Thanks. We’re having the funeral on Friday. I know today is only Monday but mom always said she didn’t want to be stuffed in a fridge for too long.” Both women smiled at each other through the tears. That was exactly what Emmaline would’ve said.
“Friday’s fine. Let me know if you need me to do anything. I’ve taken a few days off.”
When Jane nodded Rose stood up and made her way to the door. She knew that both Priss and Jane were mourning and they didn’t need Rose to witness their pain or tears.
She walked back to her own house wanting to phone Cole. Needing to hear his voice, to lean on the strength and support he had offered her on Saturday. He was the only one that understood what she had been through. As she closed the door behind her she realized she didn’t even have his number.
CHAPTER 9
The heat was stifling. Cole had forgotten how humid and hot Miami could be even when fall had started to take over most of the country. He tugged at the tie that felt like a noose around his neck. He had been in meetings with new investors for most of the week.
He had managed to put Rose and the events of the weekend in the back of his mind every time he did his presentation, but every time he headed back to the four star hotel he was staying at, it all came rushing back.
Emmaline murdered across the road from him, Rose’s pain and tears over the loss of her friend. He had phoned the detective on the case numerous times since Monday and every time he received the same answer. “We are doing everything we can to pursue the culprit.”
That didn’t tell him shit, Cole thought as he hailed a cab back to his hotel. As soon as he was done with his meeting, tomorrow morning he planned on heading
back to the Hamptons. It was late Thursday afternoon which meant the funeral would more than likely be tomorrow.
Cole had never before felt the need to offer support for someone. Since he had never been in relationship the feeling was as foreign to him as the need to phone Rose. He had his assistant get her number for him on Monday but he hadn’t yet managed to dial the number.
Rose had enough on her plate at the moment without having Cole checking up on her and giving her false hope. She had made it clear Saturday evening that she wanted him, and although he wanted her just as much Cole knew Rose wasn’t the one night stand type.
A cab pulled up to the curb, Cole got in and gave the cabbie the address of his hotel. As the cabbie drove through down town Miami, Cole hoped he would get a good night’s sleep. He had woken most of the week churned up and throbbing for Rose. The memory of her sweet body over his, her soft lips against his own had haunted his dreams all week.
Another reason why he couldn’t phone her, Cole thought as the cabbie stopped in front of his hotel. He didn’t want to give her false hope of a relationship when he knew he wasn’t ready for one.
He stepped out and was chocked again by the suffocating heat. He moved straight into the air conditioned building towards the elevators. Once in his suite he poured himself a stiff scotch and pulled off his tie. He moved to the windows and gazed out over Miami’s skyline even as his thoughts travelled back to what was going on in the quiet suburbs of the Hamptons.
As he finished the scotch he placed the crystal on the side table before pulling out his laptop. He would rather do anything at the moment than draw up another investment proposal, but he pushed all thoughts of Rose and Emmaline to the back of his mind and started working. Rose was just a neighbor, nothing more he tried to convince himself as he starting jotting down figures.
Cole had just hand delivered the investment proposal to the client he had met with the previous day when his phone rang. It was Friday morning and for some inexplicable reason Cole wanted to get back to the Hamptons. Even if it meant a three hour flight to the city and another two hour drive to the Hamptons.