“Hey, good buddy.”
Thurmon’s low, rumbling voice forced Brant back around. Before he could respond, his friend was speaking to Millie, who was blushing again.
“You’re the last person I expected to see running around loose,” Brant said after Millie’s head dipped again.
“That’s what happens when you work for yourself, my friend.”
Brant ignored that pointed statement and asked, “To what do I owe this honor?”
Thurmon chuckled. When he did, every part of his huge body shook. For a second Brant was envious. This was a man who had it all—good sex, good money, good food, and good booze. Now that he was no longer a slave to the Secret Service, he had managed to get his life back.
Damn shame he couldn’t say the same.
“Why that sour look on your face?” Thurmon demanded, walking closer.
“Feeling a pinch of envy,” Brant admitted. Then, seeing the confused look on Thurmon’s face, he waved his hand. “Forget it.”
“Is there anywhere we can talk?” Thurmon asked.
Brant nodded. “The coffee area.” He gestured toward a small room adjacent to where they were.
Once they had their coffee and were seated at the small table, Brant made sure he was facing the door to Jessica’s office. She wasn’t about to make a move without him knowing it.
“Jessica’s behind closed doors, I take it.”
“Right,” Brant said. “I know what you’re thinking, but don’t say it.”
Thurmon chuckled again. “Not to worry. I’d rather stick my bare hand in a hornets’ nest.”
“Funny.”
A twinkle appeared in Thurmon’s eyes. “Jessie’s being her usual hardheaded self, huh?”
Brant snorted. “That’s an understatement. In fact, I almost took a hike last night.”
Thurmon’s good humor fled. “You damn well better not.”
“My gut instinct tells me that’s what will eventually happen.”
“Hell, man, you gave your word. Since when doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
Anger rose in Brant, but he clamped down on it. He didn’t want to end up at cross purposes with his lifelong friend. Not now, not ever, especially over a woman who didn’t mean Jackshit to him. Still, he had to make Thurmon understand what he was up against with her.
He didn’t belong here. Didn’t want to be here. Being around Jessica was like living in high-alert mode. He’d been there and done that.
“She’s much too headstrong to adhere to rules and regulations,” Brant finally said, picking up on Thurmon’s growing agitation. “But I suspect you knew that.”
Thurmon had the grace to look sheepish. “Of course I knew it. She and Veronica have been friends forever, like you and me.” He paused, his features brightening. “Doesn’t it help that she’s mighty easy on the eye?”
Brant scowled, even though he silently agreed with Thurmon. Jessica’s image sprang to mind, the way she’d looked as she’d paraded around the kitchen last evening in nothing but a slinky caftan that left little to the imagination. No doubt about it, she was blessed with more curves than a mountain road.
Suddenly Brant felt the heat rise in his own body and cursed inwardly.
“Okay, so she’s attractive,” he forced himself to say in a nonchalant voice. “But beautiful women are a dime a dozen.”
This time Thurmon scowled. “Don’t you get horny as hell, alone in those hills?”
Brant’s features darkened. “Mind your own damn business.”
Thurmon merely laughed, then sobered. “The most important reason for hanging around is your son. Don’t forget that.”
Brant laughed without humor. “My friend, that’s probably the only reason I haven’t taken a hike. Otherwise, I would’ve found another way to repay my debt.”
“Such as join my firm, perhaps?”
“No, not as a partner or anything else.”
“I won’t take no for an answer. Not yet, anyway. Elliot might yet soften your hardened heart.”
Although Thurmon had a teasing note in his voice, Brant knew he wasn’t teasing. He was dead serious. Rather than argue with him about something that was off-limits, Brant changed the subject. “I need you to do something for me. It concerns Jessica.”
Thurmon quickly reverted to all business. “Shoot.”
Brant told him about Jessica’s confrontation with the two cops, Stokes and Wells. “I want you to get me everything you can on those two guys.”
“You don’t have to ask twice. I’m just glad we finally have suspects.” He stood, then slapped Brant on the back. “You’ve still got what it takes, my friend.”
“Don’t give me credit yet. It’s much too soon.”
Thurmon walked to the door. “Stay in touch.”
“Oh, you bet I will. But since I can’t leave Jessica, you’re going to have to do the legwork.”
Thurmon’s face wrinkled in a grin. “Jessica, huh?”
“Get the hell out of here before I throw you out.”
“Whether you ever admit this or not, you’re doing what you do best.”
“Don’t push your luck,” Brant responded in a dark voice.
Thurmon left, but not before his grin spread across his face.
Damn him, Brant thought. Damn this entire situation.
Twelve
“Have you checked your day planner yet?”
Jessica ran a hand through her hair while giving Tony an exasperated look. “Yes.”
“I don’t know why you consented to see that man,” Tony said, flitting around the office, first snatching a dead leaf off a plant, then disposing of their empty coffee cups. “He’s a pain in the rear.”
Jessica sighed. “I know, but he’s a friend.”
“Just because you’ve gone out to dinner with him doesn’t—”
Jessica gave him a startled look. “How did you know that?”
“It’s my business to know your business.”
Jessica had to smile. “All right, so we’ve gone out several times. However, this meeting is strictly business.”
“No doubt, since he’s got his shorts all in a wad about that land deal.” Tony’s eyes were questioning.
“I’m not going to back down, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I was just testing your temperature. That guy’s got a big mouth, and from what I understand, he’s been using it behind your back to influence some of the councilmembers.”
“Let him talk. When the time comes, I think I’ll have the votes needed to annex the land even with the dissenters. Curtis has waited too late.”
“Let us pray,” Tony said, rolling his eyes. He paused for a moment, his face sobering. “Mind if I ask you something personal?”
Another smile teased Jessica’s lips. “Does it matter? You’ll ask it anyway.”
A grin filled Tony’s face, causing his glasses to slip lower on his nose. Jessica swore that one of these days they were going to simply fall off. She often wondered if he really needed them, as they never seemed to be in place.
“Uh, how are things working out with what’s-his-name in there?” Tony’s tone was low and conspiratorial as his head bobbed in the direction of the outer office.
It took Jessica a minute to regroup, to get her mind off Tony’s inane glasses. But maybe her stalling tactic was a cover. She would have liked to make any discussion of Brant taboo, but she couldn’t. He was a reality she had to deal with. She couldn’t pretend he wasn’t hovering outside her door, nor could her staff.
For now, he was attached to her. Unwittingly her heart raced, especially when she cut her glance in his direction. He was standing at the window, hands in his pockets, appearing totally relaxed, as though he didn’t have anything better to do.
Relaxed he wasn’t, and he had plenty to do—watch her every move. If only she could figure out what made him different, made him so viscerally noticeable. It certainly wasn’t the way he dressed. No one could accuse him of ste
pping off the pages of GQ magazine. As usual, he had on an ordinary pair of casual slacks and a sports shirt open at the neck.
This morning his hair appeared still damp, like it had been sprinkled with dewdrops, or else the sun was shining on it at just the right angle. While it was a tad too long and slightly mussed, that didn’t bother her.
His smell was his own, too, if that made any sense, something she had never associated with Porter. When he’d walked into a room, nothing had popped. With Brant, all her senses sprang to life, a feeling that continually unnerved her.
And thinking about him, staring at him, was becoming a bad habit.
A dangerous habit.
“Jessica?”
“Sorry,” she said in a halting tone. “It’s okay. He’s okay.”
Tony harrumphed. “Right.”
“What else do you want me to say?”
Tony sighed. “Nothing really. I’m glad you have someone looking out after you. It’s just that he’s so…” He wrinkled his nose, then lowered his voice even more. “So manly.”
Jessica merely shook her head and forced herself not to smile. “That he is. And a nuisance to boot.” The instant she’d said those words, she wished she could retract them. They were both to blame for the volatile chemistry between them.
“Oh, really,” Tony said curiously. “Why?”
“Forget I said that.” Jessica’s tone was abrupt.
“Actually I can’t think of anything worse than having a stranger underfoot, especially one with an attitude. But if he can find the creep who’s making your life miserable, then it’ll be worth the aggravation.”
Jessica peered at her watch. “Curtis should be here any minute now, and I need to get my mind in order.”
“You want me to stay?” Tony asked, suddenly all business.
“No. I can handle him.”
“Well, if you can’t, you can always call in the one-man cavalry.” Tony once again nodded toward Brant.
Jessica stared at him pointedly.
“I know that look, and I’m going. I’ll be working on next week’s schedule, and from the way it’s shaping up, you’re going to be on the run.”
Jessica didn’t respond. Instead she focused her attention on the folder in front of her, which was filled with numerous documents concerning the pending land deal, only to be interrupted by Millie’s buzz.
“Mr. Riley’s here.”
“Thanks, Millie. Send him in.” Standing, Jessica smoothed the skirt of her short linen suit, wishing she hadn’t worn linen, since it wrinkled so badly. But the vibrant orange and magenta colors gave her a much-needed lift.
By the time Curtis strode in, she was no longer behind her desk. Instead she stood in the center of the room, a fixed smile in place.
“Hey, it’s great to see you,” he said, smiling broadly and extending his hand.
Jessica clasped it briefly. Curtis was as sure of himself as she was, though she never perceived herself as being cocky. But he was, at least in her opinion. He had dark copper-colored hair and brown eyes. A handsome combination. And he used both to get what he wanted, which was money and power.
And her.
He’d hinted on more than one occasion that he would like for them to be more than just friends, but she wasn’t interested, never had been. There was something about him besides his cockiness that rubbed her the wrong way. Perhaps it was his condescending attitude, especially around women in business—her in particular.
With them at cross-purposes over the land annexation, that attitude seemed to have worsened. Now, however, Curtis was all flowers and smiles.
“You’re looking gorgeous, as always,” he said warmly, his eyes perusing her with the same enthusiasm as his tone.
“Thank you,” she said with cool politeness. “You’re looking good yourself.”
While he took a seat in front of her desk, she walked over and closed the door, purposely not meeting Brant’s eyes. She knew he wouldn’t approve of that move, but she didn’t care.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“No, thanks. What I would like to know is who’s that guy hanging around your outer office?”
“Why do you ask?”
A flash of anger appeared in his eyes. “He stopped me and all but frisked me, that’s why.”
Oh, dear. “He’s my bodyguard.”
Curtis gave her an incredulous look. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I wish I were.”
His features sobered. “What the hell’s going on?”
Jessica gave him as much information as she deemed suitable. Actually, just the bare facts.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
She didn’t say anything.
“Do you think it’s someone on the police force?”
“I have no idea.”
He rubbed a baby-smooth chin. “With your high-profile image, it could be any nut off the street who’s taken a disliking to you.”
“Could be,” Jessica said, hedging on purpose.
“Somehow the thought of him in your house isn’t very comforting, either.”
“Let’s change the subject, shall we?” she responded in a chilly tone. “And get down to business?”
Curtis shrugged slender shoulders in a suit she knew had been tailor-made, something Brant would never have considered. Appalled that her mind seemed to be stuck on him, Jessica forced herself back to the matter at hand.
“So you know why I’m here,” Curtis replied in a confident tone.
“To try and talk me out of pressing for the annexation.”
“Exactly.”
“Then I might as well save you the trouble. I’m not prepared to change my mind.”
His features darkened momentarily, then cleared. “I still think you owe me the courtesy of hearing my side.”
I don’t owe you a damn thing. Jessica smiled. “I think I’ve heard your side—more than once.”
Curtis’ lips flattened. “The city can do without the land. You’ve got more than enough revenue coming in to meet the city’s needs.”
“We’re a growing city, one of the fastest growing in the country. There’s never enough money.”
“Then get it from somewhere else,” Curtis said. “This manufacturing park that wants to build on my property will benefit the metroplex even if it doesn’t get one dime of property tax money, Jessica. Think about it. Most of the employees, especially the bigwigs, will live in the city. They’ll be paying taxes on their personal property.”
“That’s not the same, and you know it.”
Curtis stood, his eyes narrowing on her. “Why won’t you listen to reason?”
“I’m not the only one who thinks this move is the right one.”
“Are you sure you have a majority on the council?”
“If I don’t, I will.”
Curtis’ chest swelled. “Don’t be too sure of that. I won’t deny I’m going all out to convince them otherwise, to gather votes for my side.”
“Your ploy won’t work,” Jessica said with a show of confidence she was far from feeling. But if she didn’t appear confident, then Curtis would walk all over her. She couldn’t allow that. She was just as determined to win as he was.
“I guess we’ll just have to see, won’t we?” Curtis’ tone shook with suppressed anger.
Jessica didn’t give an inch and was even able to manage a cool smile. “I guess so.”
Curtis’ mouth worked for a few seconds. “I can’t believe you’re doing this,” he said harshly, before lowering his voice. “Dammit, Jessica, I thought we had something going, that—”
Jessica’s raised hand interrupted him. “You know better than that, Curtis. I’ve never given you any reason to think we were anything other than friends.”
“That’s not true.”
“Oh, but it is true. If you choose to deny that to yourself, then it’s your problem, not mine.”
Anger flared in his eyes. “You’re turning out to be a big
disappointment. Selfishness and political ambitions are masking the soft, feminine woman I know is under that hard veneer you’re displaying.”
Jessica was appalled at his assumption and said as much. “You don’t have any clue about me personally. We’ve only had the most casual of dates, none of which allowed you insight into my private life.”
The anger in his eyes flared again. “I won’t let you nix this deal. I have too much riding on it. Besides, I’ve—”
Curtis stopped midsentence, as though he thought better of what he was about to say, which fed her curiosity. He had sounded almost desperate. Had he perhaps made promises he couldn’t keep? She didn’t ask, because she really didn’t care. If he had done something irresponsible, he would just have to suffer the consequences.
“Ah, hell, forget it,” Curtis muttered.
“I already have.”
He waited a few heartbeats, then closed the distance between them, both his features and his tone softening. “Hey, I don’t want to argue with you. I’d much rather make love to you.”
Jessica’s eyes widened, and she sucked in her breath just as he lifted a finger and caressed the side of her cheek. It was when she jerked away that she noticed that the door was cracked and Brant was moving fast, his face as dark as a thundercloud.
For a few seconds, fury stole her voice. “Don’t ever touch me again.” Out of the corner of one eye, she noticed Brant had stopped at the door, short of coming in.
Still, his presence added more firepower to an already explosive situation.
Curtis’ laugh evolved into a sneer. “For now, I’ll indulge you in your little power play, but not for long. Just so you’ll know, I’m not a patient man.”
With that he wheeled and headed for the door that Brant held wide-open for him. With a set jaw and stiff body, Curtis strode out.
Once he had disappeared, Brant didn’t waste any time in demanding, “What was that all about?”
“He’s the one who doesn’t want the land deal to go through.”
“Does he mean anything to you?”
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