by Taylor Lee
Tara chimed in, “Me too.” When Tanya didn’t respond and just shook her head, Tara allowed a sly smile to curve her lips. “I don’t know about you, Tanya, but I can think of a lot of things that would turn me on. A six-foot, three-inch, solid-muscle surfer dude who would give Captain America a run for his money would definitely be in the ballpark.” She raised a curious eyebrow and asked, “Which begs the question, little sister. What the hell is going on between you and that drool-worthy super hunk that has every woman in the county with a shred of hormones creaming her drawers?”
Chapter 17
Ryker glanced at his watch, then shot a knowing gaze at the sheriff who was sitting across from him in his accustomed chair next to the fireplace. Assuming a self-deprecatory tone, Ryker said with a grin, “As you recall, I told that wayward daughter of yours to be here no later than 10:00 p.m. So much for issuing orders and expecting them to be obeyed.”
A crafty smile crossed Titus’s lips, then he picked up his pipe and began filling it with aromatic tobacco. When it was firmly packed with Peter Stokkebye PS 2 whiskey pipe tobacco, Titus lit the fragrant mash and sucked in a hearty draft. He puffed quietly for a few moments, then turned his attention to Ryker.
“Ah yes. I keep forgetting that you are just now coming to know my daughter. Those of us who know her well know that orders and Tanya don’t mix well. Particularly orders that compel her to do something that she might not wish to do.”
Ryker took another sip of the Jameson he and the sheriff were imbibing and wrestled with his mixed emotions. On one hand, he couldn’t help but be impressed that the feisty little scamp was gutsy enough to disobey his outright command. On the other hand, he was mad as hell and looked forward to running her to ground and letting her know exactly how he dealt with a woman brazen enough to dismiss him.
Hearing Titus clear his throat, he looked up and met the older man’s twinkling gaze. Doing his best to respond in kind, he shrugged flippantly. “Can I assume that just because it is 10:45 and I specifically told your strong-willed deputy to be here no later than 10:00 p.m. that she may still appear?”
Titus blew out an aromatic puff of smoke and nodded. “If I know my daughter, and I do, forty-five minutes is nothing if she is proving a point.”
“Hmm, and the point being that she doesn’t have to follow orders unless she damn well wants to?”
The sheriff chuckled and nodded in agreement. “More specifically, whether or not she follows the orders depends on who issued them.”
Ryker blew out a hard breath, fighting to maintain his cool. “Thank you, Sheriff Trouble. That’s helpful. However, if you don’t mind, I think I will cut this confab short. As much as I enjoy your company and excellent booze, it appears I have a recalcitrant officer to run down.” When he started to rise, Sheriff Trouble held up his hand.
“Not so fast, Agent Thompson. Even though my deputy is more than a little late, I have every reason to expect that she will soon appear.”
“What makes you so sure, Sheriff? Or does she have a ‘disobedience clock’ that determines just how far she will go to assert her will?”
Again, Titus smiled and nodded. “I’ve never thought of it like that, Ryker, but you may be right. Thinking back on the many times I told Tanya to do something and then waited well beyond my stated time frame for her to obey, perhaps she does have a ‘disobedience clock.’ She knows just how far she can push me before I clamp down.”
Trying not to let his rising anger show, Ryker said coolly, “My sense, Sheriff Trouble, is that your clock is more forgiving than mine.”
“Hmm. I’m confident of that, Agent Thompson. Do know that in this case, the reason I’m confident that she will show her saucy little self is that in addition to you telling her to be here, I also did. And yes, Agent Thompson, ultimately she does do what her sheriff and her father asks her to do.” Quirking a brow, he inclined his head to the doorway. “Indeed, if I’m not mistaken, those are Tanya’s footsteps I hear in the hallway. And if I know her as well as I do, I suggest you prepare yourself, Agent. Those are an angry woman’s footfalls if I’ve ever heard them.”
****
It took Tanya a full two hours to get her torrential emotions under some semblance of control. After she managed to convince her sisters and Gunnar that she was okay, she insisted that what she needed was sleep. It was hardly a lie in that she’d barely slept the night before, make that the last two nights, and she was at a breaking point. Finally, her sisters reluctantly agreed that she should go home and, as Tara insisted, take a long bubble bath and crawl into bed. Knowing those wise, comforting suggestions were the last things she would or could do, she beat a hasty retreat from the Bitter n’ Twisted that forever after would be known as the scene of her breakdown.
Sinking onto the chaise lounge on her wrap-around deck, she poured herself a healthy shot of Jameson, the whiskey she drank with her beloved father. Thinking about the sheriff and how upset or, more likely, how angry he would be when she blew off their meeting tonight, Tanya forced herself to think about the man who had turned her life upside down and shot it to hell. She still couldn’t believe that he’d insinuated himself into their group tonight as if he had every right to be there. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. How dare the overbearing agent think that he could join them, knowing how embarrassed she would be? Then, acting as if he deserved to be there, he’d sidled up next to her and pressed his knee against hers! She knew from the laughing gleam in his eyes that he’d felt her startled reaction and seen what she was sure were her flaming hot cheeks.
It was hard to decide what the worst parts of the evening were. In a fit of self-flagellation, and apparently needing to thoroughly crush her already damaged spirits, she relived the most challenging elements of what had to have been one of the most debilitating nights she’d ever spent. For God’s sake, Gunnar had not only invited him to join them but then relayed that ridiculous story about Ryker taking down Manny Davis. Worst of all, Gunnar told them how their father had labeled him Tanya’s white knight. All of that was bad enough, but when Ryker took on Bram, what had been embarrassing became devastating.
It was bad enough that Bram had been even more “Bram-like” than he usually was. God, the way he’d pompously introduced himself, then started in on his usual drivel about her diet and her weight was more than she could stand. Especially knowing that with every word he said, Bram cemented the image of the overbearing, insipid man that he was. Particularly compared to the impressive man beside her, who had actually taken on her fiancé and cut him down in a way Tanya was confident Bram had never been challenged, going so far as to warn the supercilious doctor not to “mess with perfection”—meaning her.
Clearly, she needed to reevaluate her relationship with her fiancé. Tanya knew she was becoming less and less tolerant of his pretentious ways. What used to be amusing and what she tolerated as “Bram-isms” were beginning to annoy the hell out of her. She conceded that she’d loved her big shiny ring—until she didn’t. She admitted that she wore it less and less as Bram annoyed her more and more. But he served a purpose. Being engaged made it possible for her to ignore all the men who’d chased after her since her reasonably sized C-cup breasts had become a challenging Double D at the tender age of fifteen. Challenging to her but apparently not to the scads of men who couldn’t seem to get enough of them or of her.
Which brought her to the crux of the evening and the man who’d turned her reasonably well-ordered life on its axis. Seeing the scorn on Ryker’s face as he shot her haughty fiancé in the ass, not only calling him puny but also calling him out for belittling her, Tanya addressed the angst that was making it hard for her to draw a deep breath. Without a doubt, Agent Ryker Thompson was the sexiest, most drop-dead handsome stud she’d met. As well as the most arrogant and bedeviling man who’d ever come into her life. He challenged her on every level of her being. He interfered in the crimes she was working. He questioned her judgment in front of others and her f
ather, no less. He insinuated that she was rash, uncontrollable. Even tonight, he’d dragged her away from the table and ordered her to meet him at the sheriff’s office, clearly assuming that she would do as he commanded.
Remembering her sisters’ on-target intimations that something was “going on” between her and the Captain America double, she conceded with a tormented sigh that it was more than that. In addition to inserting himself into every phase of her life, he’d taken her on at her core. As a woman. And after he’d done what no other man had come close to doing, he’d pushed her away, declaring that given the fraud that she was, she wasn’t worthy of him. It took another glass of Jameson for her to come full circle and decide that yes, dammit, she would meet him tonight. She didn’t care if it was already 10:30. In fact, it was even better that she was late. She knew that her father expected her and was not unaware of the upset between her and the arrogant agent. The sheriff would expect her to be late but knew that ultimately she’d do as he’d asked her to.
Debating, Tanya reached into her jewelry box and yanked out the diamond ring that just hours before she’d promised herself she would never wear again. Infuriated, she challenged herself. Why the hell shouldn’t she wear it? So that the arrogant asshole would know that he’d gotten to her? Know that she cared he thought she was a fraud? Great. Fine. Let him. All to the good. When the hotshot solved his big, bad crime and sashayed out of her life forever, she could go back to being the fraud he insisted she was. Hell, she might even decide to put up with Bram. At least he just thought she was fat, not dishonest.
****
Marching down the hallway to the sheriff’s office, Tanya relied on her fuming anger to propel her forward. She knew what she was up against and was determined to take control of what was sure to be a challenging situation. Entering the usually comforting confines of her father’s office, she was gratified to see her father waiting for her, an enigmatic smile on his face. In the next second, the reason for his quizzical expression was clear. Lounging in the chair across from him was the man that she fully intended to confront. Make that the man she’d intended to take on—until she saw him. A frown marred his brow and she didn’t miss the rigid set of his jaw. But it was his narrow-eyed gaze that stopped her short. While a smile quirked his lips, it was clear that the iron-eyed man was anything but amused. Raising his glass to her in a provocative salute, he glanced at his watch. “You’re late, Deputy Trouble. I told you to be here at ten o’clock.”
His cocky assertion lit the angry coals roiling in her gut. Tanya snorted scornfully. “You’re lucky I came at all. To be very clear, the reason I’m here is because my father asked me to come. Which means that whatever you wanted to talk to me about, he can relay. So if you don’t mind, leave . . . or I will.”
When Ryker put his glass down on the table and sat up straight in his chair, her father intervened. “Tanya, please. Come in and sit down. Agent Thompson and I have some important information to discuss with you.”
Backing up toward the door, she threw her father an impassioned look and shook her head. Before her father could do more than frown at her, Ryker came to attention. His voice was soft. Dangerously so. Rising to his feet, he said, “You heard your father, Tanya.” Nodding to the chair beside him, he said, “Please sit down. Now.”
When she continued to back away, fiercely shaking her head, he was beside her in seconds. Yanking her toward him, he captured her writhing body in his arms and backed her toward the doorway. Glancing over his shoulder at the clearly troubled sheriff, he apologized.
“I’m confident that you are not pleased with what seems to be a continuing drama, sir. But once again, your irrepressible daughter and I clearly need to resolve a few things before we can proceed with our briefing. If you’ll excuse us, please.”
As he dragged her toward the door, Tanya fought to free herself. Inhaling the scintillating fragrance of his expensive cologne mixed with the masculine scent her body recognized as his alone, a cascade of fiery sparks flooded her groin. When he tightened his grip and brushed his rough beard shadow against her cheek, she faced the reality of what was about to happen. He would take her in that room and force her against the wall. Just the thought of his muscular body pressed against hers was the deal breaker. Finding strength she didn’t know she had, she shoved against him and cried out, “No!”
Not letting her go, Ryker frowned inquiringly. She pressed her hands against his chest, forcing him back. She knew she looked deranged—she certainly felt it. But she also knew she couldn’t go in that room with him. Not when she knew what would happen. She couldn’t want him as much as she did to allow him to tease and torment her and then turn her away. She glared at him and repeated, “No.”
His frown deepened. “No what, sweetheart?”
“No! I won’t go with you.” She added fiercely, “Fine. I’ll . . . listen to your stupid presentation. Just let go of me.”
Still holding her arms, he studied her for a long moment. Finally, he nodded. “Hmm. Smart move, Deputy.” He added, glancing at his watch, “However, there’s one additional issue we need to address. By my calculations, you have kept the sheriff and me waiting for fifty minutes. While I don’t expect you to apologize to me for your unprofessional behavior, you do owe your long-suffering father an apology.”
Her eyes flashing daggers at him, she smashed her lips together and shook her head, refusing. He reached for her chin and said softly, “Your choice, sweetheart.”
Seeing his rapier-hard gaze and feeling him tighten his grip, Tanya succumbed. Shoving against his powerful chest, she fought unsuccessfully to break his grasp. When he merely tightened his hold, she spluttered, “Fine, damn you!” Looking down, she mumbled, “I’m sorry, Dad.” Glaring at Ryker, she spit out, “But I’m not a bit sorry I kept you waiting, you insufferable asshole. I just wish it was midnight, not only eleven o’clock!”
He studied her for a long moment, then his lips curved in a smile. “Hmm, something tells me, Sheriff, that’s about as good as we’re going to get tonight. Tell me, shall I let her go—let her join us?”
Titus’s voice was taut, but touched with wry humor. “I for one, Agent Thompson, consider this a victory of unparalleled proportions. I highly recommend that you consider it as such.”
Chapter 18
Tanya was actually grateful when Ryker guided her onto the sofa across from her father. She was sure he felt her trembling legs. It would have been impossible for him not to. Her whole body was shaking as though it had been shot through with adrenaline, which she knew it had been. She wasn’t a newbie to the effects of an adrenaline rush. God knows she’d had them before. In fact, since the blue-eyed stranger had come into her life, they’d seemed to hit her frightfully often.
Struggling to breathe, she was determined to get control of her ricocheting emotions. She was angrier than she’d ever been. At the same time, she was afraid she might cry. She was startled when Ryker sat down in the chair next to her and reached for the bottle of Jameson. He poured a hefty shot in a glass and handed it to her. When she shook her head, refusing to take it, he reached for her hand and wrapped her fingers around the glass.
His voice was consoling with the barest hint of humor. “Take a sip, Tanya. It’ll take the edge off that rush you’re feeling. Heck, in a year or two, you might even be able to think about something other than how you plan to kill me. Or at least how to get me the hell out of your life.”
Shocked that he’d said exactly what she thinking, she could only look at him in alarm. What frightened her was that he might also see how much she wanted him to reach out and hold her. Determined not to let him see the tumultuous feelings wracking her mind and body, she took a large gulp of the potent alcohol and to her horror, choked. She spit out a shower of the expensive liquid, then was consumed by a fit of coughing. Not able to breathe, she coughed harder, tears streaming down her face. Struggling to get a breath, she realized that Ryker had moved onto the sofa next to her.
He sma
cked her on the back and murmured, “Hey, hey. You’re okay. Take a breath, sweetheart. It just went down the wrong pipe.”
Startled at his big body next to hers and even more shocked at his endearment, Tanya coughed harder. In the back of her mind, she reminded herself that he’d called her “sweetheart” when he was dragging her out of the room, but then, his voice had been taunting, derisive. Now it was soft and consoling.
“That’s the way, Tanya. Hang on to me. You’re going to be okay.”
Choking, she shook her head frantically. “No . . . I . . . I’m not okay. I . . . I can’t . . . breathe!”
Holding her tight up against him, Ryker pounded gently on her back, then began rubbing it as he crooned encouraging instructions. “Yes, you can, sweetheart. Just take little breaths. That’s the way. Keep doing that and when you get a full breath you can take a sip of water. Clear that expensive booze from your windpipe.”
Huddling against him, trying to do as he told her to, Tanya was aware of her father standing next to them. His voice was tight with concern.
“Ryker is correct, honey. Just keep taking small breaths. When you can, drink this.”
Tanya saw the glass of water in his hand and nodded. But at that moment, another fit of coughing overtook her. As she struggled to breathe, she heard Ryker quietly instruct her father, “Put the water there, Sheriff. She’s not quite ready. But she will be in a moment.”
He held her tighter, and rubbing her back, he repeated, “Breathe easy, sweetheart. Like that. That’s better. Now that stuff is getting absorbed. How about it? Do you think you can drink a little of this good ole H2O?”
When she nodded, he held the glass up to her lips and cautioned, “Just a few sips. Take it easy, a little bit at a time.”