Single and Searching

by Rita Herron

  Casey smiled at the compliment, and his body stirred with need. But she had said they should eat first, so he vowed to behave himself. "This food looks great. Where did you learn to cook?"

  Casey sipped her wine. "I've been on my own for a while. It didn't take long to get tired of pizza and sandwiches. Besides, I want Henry S. to have balanced meals."

  Gabe lifted the forkful and bit into it, then groaned. "God, woman, you sure know how to please a man."

  Casey raised her wineglass for a toast and winked. "Just wait until after dinner."

  Gabe almost choked on a piece of garlic bread. If the food hadn't been so delicious, he would have leapt over the table and acted on the promises shining in her eyes. But he'd practiced eating his vegetables mixed, and he wanted to impress Casey with his achievement. He intended to linger and savor every minute of the meal she'd prepared.

  Then he'd fulfill appetite number two in the same slow way.

  * * *

  The anticipation of being in Gabe's arms again built within Casey, making her hands tremble as she tried to eat. His gray eyes darkened as he looked at her, then he twirled the pasta around his fork and opened his mouth.

  She had been worried that he'd protest the mixture of ingredients in the dish, had imagined him picking at the mushrooms or peppers, but he surprised her. He closed his eyes, savoring the food, and Casey's body tingled as she imagined jumping his bones.

  But she had to take it slow, had to protect her heart.

  Gabe had made no promises, so she forced down a few bites and tried to make conversation. "How's your story going?"

  Gabe's fork paused in midair, and Casey could have sworn guilt flashed into his eyes. "Fine," he said. "How's your book going?"

  "Great. It's an alphabet craft book. Henry S. and I made pasta pictures today for the letter "p."

  Gabe's brow wrinkled. "What are pasta pictures?"

  "Artwork using dried pasta. We colored some, then glued them to make different shapes and designed. We even painted with wet spaghetti."

  Gabe stabbed another piece of stuffed shell. "I think I'd rather eat the spaghetti, but it sounds like fun."

  "It was. Only Henry S. decided to glue some to the floor and walls. And look up there." Casey pointed to the ceiling.

  Gabe roared with laughter. A handful of red spaghetti noodles clung to the ceiling. Then his gaze zeroed in on several colorful spots where the pasta had been stuck to the wall behind her. "Is that a pig?"

  "Yes," she said, stifling a giggle behind her hand. "He has quite an imagination."

  "I can see."

  "Of course, so do you. You've been creative with these gifts."

  Gabe's gaze turned smoky, and Casey shifted, heat suffusing her. Heaven help her, she wanted his hands on her again.

  Hoping to distract herself, she carried their plates to the sink, then extended her hand to Gabe. "Come on, I have a surprise for you now."

  She'd taken special care in getting ready for Gabe, and she'd worn this dress for him. Now she wanted to take it off for him, too.

  He squeezed her hand. "Wait, open the gift first."

  Casey took the neatly wrapped package and tore the paper, then smiled as she eased away the tissue paper to reveal another gift from Jenna's store.

  "It's a lace teddy," Gabe murmured. "You said you liked teddies for 't.'"

  "I meant teddy bears," Casey said, laughing as she held up the sheer scrap of peach lace. "You really expect me to wear this?" She twirled it around, showing off the racy back.

  Gabe took her hand and kissed her fingers one by one, then stared into her eyes. "Maybe for a minute or two, but I'd rather have you in nothing at all. That's my 'n,' Casey. You, naked."

  Heat raced through Casey, but so did wariness. Gabe's "N" was nude, hers; neverending. Did that mean all he wanted was sex—not marriage?

  "I've been thinking about you all day," Gabe said in a husky voice.

  Her doubts faded. She had no right to ask for more yet. She could handle sex for now. So she took his hand. "Come on. We'll have dessert outside."

  Stars glittered above them as Gabe followed her to a giant oak tree with sweeping moss near the fence. A blanket held a picnic basket with wine, strawberries, an angel food cake and a can of whipped cream.

  "The stars are gorgeous, aren't they?" Casey said softly.

  "Yes, they are," Gabe whispered although he wasn't looking at the sky; he was looking at her. "But nothing is as beautiful as you, sweetheart."

  A tingle traveled up Casey's spine at the sound of his husky voice. Then he covered her mouth with his, teased her lips apart with his tongue and ravished her mouth.

  Casey's legs went weak. She'd planned to seduce Gabe, but every time he touched her, fire sizzled through her blood and she fell apart.

  "I like this dress on you," Gabe said, raking his gaze over her body. "But I'd like it off better."

  Casey traced a finger along his jaw. "I've been thinking about your dimple all afternoon. "

  Gabe chuckled. "Then let's end the agony. I've wanted to make love to you again since last night."

  But for Casey the agony began as he slowly peeled her dress over her shoulders. One kiss to her neck set her on fire, then he blazed a trail down her neck and shoulder. His fingers and mouth were everywhere, caressing her face, her neck, her breasts, her nipples until Casey moaned and urged him closer. Still he tortured her with more kisses down her stomach and her belly, then lower, pressing sweet tongue lashes on the curve of her hip and to the heat between her legs.

  He slid the dress down to her ankles, moaning as his hands skimmed her bare hips. "God, Casey. If I'd known you weren't wearing panties, we never would have made it through dinner."

  Casey shivered against him. "I've been fantasizing about this moment," Casey whispered through a ragged breath.

  Gabe lowered her to the blanket and tenderly stroked and teased her legs apart, then dipped his mouth to her damp curls.

  "Gabe?" Casey clutched his hand and tried to pull him up.

  "Shh." He held her legs firmly apart. "I'm ready for dessert."

  He took her gently into his mouth, suckling until he tasted her honeyed sweetness, loving her with his tongue and mouth until Casey convulsed, groaning and trembling with the sensations assaulting her.

  Then Gabe moved over her, pushing his clothes down, freeing himself. With a gentle urgency, he thrust into her and Casey hugged his body to her, angling her hips as Gabe gripped her legs to encircle him.

  "Casey, god, Casey," Gabe whispered.

  Casey closed her eyes and prayed he'd say the words she desperately wanted to hear.

  Then thoughts of words evaporated and suddenly nothing mattered, but the mind-drugging feel of Gabe joining with her in the most primal way. He lowered his head to suckle her breast, moving his hips slowly, withdrawing slightly, then plunging harder until Casey could bear no more.

  "Please, Gabe," Casey whispered.

  He cupped her face between his hands and gazed into her eyes, desire darkening the depths. His skin was flushed as he tilted her hips up to fill her more completely. She squeezed his arms, urging him on, needing more, and he complied. He thrust harder and faster, building a rhythm that made Casey quiver with erotic sensations. A second later, her body began to spasm with pleasure, and he pounded deeper, faster, deeper, faster until she cried out his name and he groaned, then shuddered as his own release claimed him.

  Erotic sensations fluttered through her as he pulled her into his arms. Time seemed suspended as they lay entwined, bodies and hearts joined while the moon played peek-a-boo with the clouds and the crickets lended their own music to the background. Birds fluttered down nipping at the basket and cake box, and Casey stood, opened the cake, broke off a large piece and scattered it in the yard.

  Gabe had never seen anything more beautiful than the vision of her naked body bathed in the moonlight, her soft voice crooning ridiculous words to the birds as they gathered their late night dinner.

/>   "Are you cold?" Gabe whispered, hugging Casey to him as she scooted down beside him.

  Casey shook her head. "No, I'm still tingling from making love to you."

  "So I lived up to your fantasy?"

  "It was even better."

  Gabe raked a finger over her bare shoulder. "Sweetheart, we've just begun."

  Casey had no idea how there could be more, but Gabe showed her. The whipped cream she'd intended for the strawberries made a delightful appetizer when he applied it to her nipples. And of course, she returned the favor and found several more places made more tantalizing by the taste of the fluffy foam on his hard body. Then some places tasted better without anything at all, because they tasted of Gabe. Strong, masculine, heady.

  Finally a light sprinkling of rain brought them hurrying inside. Gabe lit a fire and they shared a cup of cappuccino. Casey settled down on the rug and Gabe moved behind her, stroking her naked body with his own. At Casey's silent acquiescence, Gabe entered her again, and Casey surrendered completely, accepting the pleasure Gabe offered her and meeting his passion with her own.

  Although a sliver of fear nagged at her as they climaxed and drifted to sleep. She had guarded her heart for years, had never allowed herself to get too attached for fear of losing someone close.

  But she had given her heart to Gabe when she'd made love him. And Gabe had never mentioned love.

  How would she survive if he decided to walk away?

  * * *

  The sharp sound of his cell phone jerked Gabe from sleep. He gently eased his arm from around her, and slipped out of bed, although he paused to smile at the picture Casey made, flushed and exhausted from their lovemaking. Some time in the middle of the night, they'd finally made it to her bed. He never wanted to leave.

  A thought that scared the hell out of him.

  His cell phone trilled again, and he tiptoed to the kitchen and phoned Hank.

  "Thornton here, what is it?"

  "Some guy named Quickchange called. He said he had some information for you on the ABC robberies. He wanted you to meet a guy named George at seven o'clock at the railroad track at Stone Mountain."

  "Got it. Thanks, Hank." Gabe checked his watch. Damn. He'd wanted to spend the whole day in bed with Casey, but he'd have to leave. The case was too important. He had to make sure he cleared Casey without her ever knowing.

  His heart stuttered with unexplained feelings. The need to stay with her, to confess that he wanted more than just a night in bed with her.

  That he wanted her all the time. That he wanted for her to be his wife.

  Sweat exploded on his brow. Yes, he could buy a ring for the letter "R". But was he ready for that? For marriage and a ready-made family?

  Shaken by the idea, he put on a pot of coffee, took a quick shower, and leaned over to kiss Casey. She rolled to her back, stretched up her arms and pulled him on top of her.

  "I wish I didn't have to go, but I do, sweetheart," Gabe said. "Work demands it."

  Casey nodded. "I wish you didn't have to leave either. You'll call?"

  Gabe's stomach tightened. Would Casey ever completely trust him? "I'll call."

  Casey smiled and gave him a kiss that reminded him of their erotic evening. The scent of their loving still lingered on her body. Faint whisker burns marked the curve of her breasts.

  Her taste still sweetened his tongue.

  Yes, he would definitely call.

  * * *

  "So, you recognize these boys?" Gabe asked.

  The short squatty owner of the U-Find-It Pawn Shop lit a cigarette and inhaled a drag before he spoke. "Yeah, they've been hanging around the store."

  "You think they were hired to do the robberies?"

  "That's my guess." George blew a puff of smoke into the air. "About a month ago, they started hangin' outside on the corner all the time. Saw 'em talking to this new guy I hired to work night shift. Here's his address. Boys call him T.J."

  Gabe nodded. "Thanks. I'll check him out."

  On the way back to the office, Gabe phoned Hank. "I've got a lead to check out. I'll be in later."

  "Hang on a minute, Thornton. Lieutenant Harper called. He needs to see you as soon as possible."

  "Okay. I'll stop by there first."

  Gabe made a U-turn and headed for the station, sighing in relief. He was one step closer to ending this thing and clearing Casey.

  Then he would figure out what to do with these crazy feelings toward Casey.

  * * *

  "Casey Jones?"

  Casey stared at the police officer perched on her doorstep in shock. Jones, she hadn't been called that name in years. "Yes?" she finally managed to squeak.

  "I'm Officer Ford from the Atlanta police department. I need you to come down to the station to answer some questions."

  Casey clutched the door for support. "What is this about?"

  The officer cleared his throat. "We have evidence that suggests you may be involved in the ABC robberies. You can either come of your own volition or I can arrest you."

  Casey dug her fingernails into the door frame, her mind racing. Robberies? Why would they think she had something to do with a robbery?

  The officer gestured toward the side table by the door. "You may want to get your purse, ma'am."

  "Uh... sure." Casey grabbed her pocketbook, stumbled down the steps, and climbed into the police car.

  Memories of being arrested when she was thirteen suddenly assaulted her and a cold chill swept up her spine. Sometimes it didn't matter if you were innocent or guilty... the system didn't always work.

  Ten minutes later, the officer held her arm as she walked inside the station. Nausea gripped her stomach into a tight knot.

  Tension radiated from the tall black man who approached her. "Ms. McIntyre, I'm Lieutenant Harper. I have a few questions to ask you."

  "I don't understand." Casey smoothed down her skirt as the officer showed her into what looked like an empty office.

  "Make yourself comfortable, Ma'am. You're going to be here for a while." He pointed to a straight vinyl chair sitting next to a long scarred wooden table, but Casey remained rooted to the spot. The need to run bolted through her.

  The Lieutenant faced her, his arms folded, his dark eyes boring into hers. "We have information from a witness stating that you were seen at a crime scene."

  "What crime scene?" Casey's body swayed, and another burly officer guided her into a chair.

  She slumped down, her head spinning as the police began to drill her with questions about her whereabouts the night of each robbery.

  Casey answered the questions as best she could, her first reaction of shock turning to anger and last, worry. Just being implicated in a crime, the publicity and trial if it came to it, could jeopardize her custody of Henry S. "I don't understand why you think I'd be involved in any of these crimes," Casey said. "I'm a single mother and a writer, not a thief. "

  "Our resources show that you've had some financial instability the last couple of years."

  Casey struggled to hold onto her temper. They had looked into her bank records? "Well, yes, I'm a writer so money isn't always stable, but I have a new project that I'm sure is going to sell and do well."

  "But you recently adopted a child and children cost money."

  Casey was appalled. "That doesn't mean I would steal to support him. "

  "But you might have paid some teenagers to steal the merchandise for you. After all, people get desperate sometimes."

  Casey shot up from the seat. "That's ridiculous. I'm a good mother, a good role model."

  "That's not what your juvenile record shows." The cop stood and glared at her with narrowed eyes. "Now, sit back down, Ms. McIntyre, while we check out your story. I assume you have witnesses to corroborate your whereabouts on each occasion. I've sent for Gabe Thornton. He should be here any moment, and we can continue."

  "Gabe? What does he have to do with this?"

  "Thornton has been investigating this case for
the paper. I believe the lead came through him."

  What?

  Casey gaped at the man in shock. The ABC story was the one Gabe was working on? The reason he kept leaving her?

  Tears burned the backs of Casey's eyes. The burly officer opened the door and Gabe walked into the room. His eyes flickered with surprise, then he clenched his jaw as his gaze rested on her.

  "Gabe, what's going on?" Casey asked, suddenly frightened. She wanted to run to him and hurl herself in his arms, but he stood rigid, his expression a mask.

  "I'm sorry, Casey. Don't answer any more questions without a lawyer."

  Lieutenant Harper cleared his throat. "We haven't arrested her yet, Thornton. But look at these photos we got off of the surveillance cameras near one of the pawn shops."

  He opened a folder and produced several pictures of her talking to three young kids who looked like thugs.

  "The boys have confessed," Harper said. "Although so far they have refused to give up the head of their ring. "

  The breath rushed from Casey's lungs. "Gabe, this is a mistake. Tell them it's crazy. I don't know these guys. I've never even met them."

  Gabe knotted his fists by his side. "Please, Casey. Just be quiet. You need an attorney."

  The Lieutenant turned back to Casey, suspicion slanting his mouth into a thin line. "It'll be best for you if you tell the truth now. We can cut a deal."

  "I am telling the truth," Casey said through gritted teeth.

  "Maybe sitting in a cell for a while will convince you to talk." Lt. Harper turned to Gabe. "Thanks for your help, Thornton. We'll take it from here."

  The blood roared in Casey's ears as she struggled to put together the pieces. Gabe had answered her ad, her alphabet ad. He had been investigating the alphabet robberies.

  Because he thought she was behind them...

  She clutched her stomach as the truth dawned. That was the reason he'd been dating her?

  She searched his face, hoping, praying he would deny the accusation, but regret and guilt darkened his eyes instead.

  Dear god. She had made love to him and given him her heart.

  But he had lied to her. He had used her for a story. He had suspected she might be a criminal.

  And now she was going to be arrested and lose Henry S. forever.