“There’s a lot of work that needs done on this place.”
“Yes, it’s a big project and without the funds, it’s not easy. How about more tea? I’d offer you something stronger, but I’m a little bare right now.” The corners of her mouth lifted. She still had the dark circles under her eyes but considering how emotional she was the last time he saw her, she looked a lot calmer. Her voice was back to the melodic tone that made him think of a soft tune.
He watched her open the refrigerator and bend over to look in. Although he shouldn’t have, he couldn’t resist admiring how rounded her bottom looked in the faded jeans. His mouth watered and the temperature rose by ten degrees.
“I have water too. And that’s about it.”
“I’ll take more tea.” Bells and whistles went off inside his head, warning him to say farewell and get away, but he couldn’t seem to form the words. He liked being here. Liked catching up. Really enjoyed watching her move about the kitchen as if she was starting to own the place, or rather making her mark. The more she invested in the place, the more certain he was that she would stay.
As she poured more tea for him, she swept her tongue along the plump curve of her bottom lip like she had all her focus on filling the glass. When she handed it to him, their fingers brushed, and gazes met. The connection was strong, and he thought she just might lean in and allow him to kiss those beautiful lips, but she suddenly turned away and busied herself wiping down the already clean counter.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
“No. I grabbed a burger before I left town.” Although now he wished he’d kept his mouth shut because he would have gladly stayed and joined her for dinner. “I hope the rental company can get you another car?” This way Zander wouldn’t have to worry about Lansing giving her any more rides. He shouldn’t feel so damn protective over her.
“I’ve decided not to rent another. After doing my budget, I realized it was a luxury I didn’t need right now. So, unfortunately, I’ll be without transportation, but now that I have a job, a temporary one, I can save some money.” She dropped the cloth in the sink and lifted herself on the counter. “Sheriff Rudy called me today.”
“He did?” He lifted a brow.
“He offered me a job. Painting the nursery. I guess you knew that already.”
“Yeah.” The one word sounded like he’d forced it though a constricted throat. “He hates painting so he told me he was going to ask you. I’m sure once word gets around of your talents, you’ll get a few more jobs. In fact, my place could use some decorating.”
She shifted and the overhead light illuminated her features. She was beautiful—no, she was stunning. From brown eyes, to pert nose, to plump lips, he could barely fill his lungs with air. He needed to keep his head on straight, but why was it so impossible when it came to Wynn? Maybe because every time he got near her he had thoughts of holding her, touching her soft skin, hearing the faint noises of pleasure…his desire came rushing back with a vengeance. “You really want your home to be decorated, or are you feeling sorry for me?”
“You know, for someone who needs a job you shouldn’t ask what someone’s intention is in hiring you,” he teased.
“True. I can’t argue with that. Hey, can I get your input about something?” She seemed to have a lot more energy. “One thing I noticed in town is there’s only one place that accommodates for overnight visitors. That’s the bed and breakfast. However, when I ran into the owner she told me she’s getting ready to retire and will be closing. What if I turned this place into a bed and breakfast? We’re far enough outside of town to offer peace and quiet, but close enough to touring spots.”
He smiled. Couldn’t help himself. He loved seeing her excitement. “The place is definitely big enough, but to open it up to visitors, you’ll have to make sure the electrical and water systems are up to date and accommodating. Not to mention—”
“Many renovations are needed.” Her shoulders dropped.
“Don’t let those things deter you. I think once the bed and breakfast closes, the town will need something.”
Her smile returned some. “Thank you for the vote of confidence. By the way, I’m glad we can talk. I wasn’t sure if things would be…well, awkward.”
“Why?”
Worried lines appeared around her eyes and he hated to see the happy Wynn slip away some. “Although the last time I saw you we did agree to start anew, I thought maybe you’d think I was trouble.”
Zander smiled. “There’s this clause that we lawmen abide by. Innocent until proven guilty.”
“Does that mean you’re still not completely sure of my innocence?” The frown returned.
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. I don’t know your ex, but from what I—” he stopped, uncertain if he wanted to divulge that he’d researched Salvano. “You told me he’s not very steady.”
“A part of me wonders if he’s okay, but I can’t be sucked into his games again. Is it wrong of me to feel this way?”
“Men like Salvano play on people’s emotions.”
She nodded. “He certainly could make me feel sorry for him when it played to his advantage.”
“You did say he was seeing his secretary, right?”
“I’m sure there were many others. I was a fool.”
“And yet there’s a possibility he’ll come here to see you.”
Wynn gave a slight shrug of one shoulder. “I-I don’t know. I didn’t tell him about this place, but…” She worked her bottom lip until it was plump and pink.
“What, Wynn?” He could see she wanted to talk about something that was bothering her.
“I took some money…”
“From Rory?”
She nodded. “Not much. He kept some money hidden in the house. I didn’t have a choice. I wouldn’t think he’d come after me for a measly two thousand, but I don’t know him any longer. If he’s desperate, he might do anything.”
Zander scratched his temple. “Are you spending that money?”
“Only a twenty. I sold some jewelry at a pawn shop and it helped. I’d rather not touch the money I grabbed from Rory, unless it becomes dire.” She had her fingers squeezed around her glass until her knuckles were white.
“How about we have a seat. I’d like to discuss something with you.”
“Okay.” She looked a little confused.
He took the seat across from her and he’d never been good at filtering his words, so he knew he had to tell her. “That day at the gas station you bought some grocery items.” She nodded. “The cashier had chased after you, but you had already gone.” The creases in her forehead deepened. “You had given her counterfeit money.”
Two awkward seconds passed, and she burst into laughter. “That’s funny. Where would I get counterfeit money?”
“You just said you took money from your ex.”
She blinked. “Yes…but why…I mean…he wouldn’t have fake money in the condo…” And then her face paled. “Oh shit! Do you think the money I took from him is fake?”
“Only one way to find out.”
She pushed back from the table, got up and went to a top cabinet. There she took down a fake can. Wynn placed it before him. “It’s all in there.”
He picked up the can and turned it over, unscrewing the hidden lid from the bottom. The wadded-up cash was stuffed inside. He dragged out the stack and spread them out, examining them closer. “Every single one is counterfeit.”
Her gasp echoed off the walls. “Are you serious?”
He held up a twenty. “The first thing to do to tell if money is fake is to check for shifting ink in the bottom right hand corner. Every denomination of five and above has this security feature. Take this twenty for example, the bill will have a copper color when looking straight at it, but as you shift the bill,” he tilted the twenty, “it will turn more of a greener color, but this one doesn’t. Another simple way, you can run your finger nail down the ridges of the jacket. You try.”
S
he did as he asked. “There are none.”
“Exactly. This is great quality counterfeit, some of the best I’ve seen, but unless trained in how to compare real from counterfeit, this could easily fly past an untrained cashier. I’m surprised the girl at the gas station caught it. Late, but she did.”
Dropping back into the chair, she looked like she’d seen a ghost. “Are you telling me I committed a crime?” There was an obvious quiver to her voice.
He nodded. “Innocently, but yeah, you did.”
“Why didn’t you arrest me?”
Shifting in the chair, he sighed. “I switched out bills with the cashier and she was more than happy to let it go.”
“So, it’s true. Rory is involved in criminal activity.”
Zander neatly stacked up the fake twenties. “It would appear so.”
“How did I not know this?”
“You believed in him and sometimes we choose to see what we want to see.”
“This means he will come after me, wanting the money back.” She looked like she could melt in the chair.
“Not necessarily. If he’s in trouble, he might decide to cut his losses and get out of dodge before everything tumbles down. I’m assuming the people he is in business with aren’t the fuzzy, forgiving type. This cash was on its way somewhere else and your house was just a stopover.” He stuffed the cash back into the can. “All those trips he made out of the country, he must have been bringing the goods back with him.”
“How could he do this? So what do we do now? Do we call Agent Gaines? He’ll arrest me, won’t he?”
“Let me handle this. I’ll contact him and explain. Criminals usually don’t turn in the illegal goods. Trust me, the feds want the big fish.”
“This is a nightmare.”
“It’ll be okay.” He took her hand into his and held it.
Before he knew what she was doing, she was up from her chair and wrapping her arms around his neck for a big squeeze. “Thank you, Zander,” she whispered then loosened her hold.
“For what?”
“For believing in me.” She took a step back. “I know most people would give up on me.”
He stood up. “Hey, I’m a good judge of character. You’re a little spitfire, but far from being a criminal.” He winked. “By the way, I’m taking the notes with me. And before I forget, I have something to give you.”
“A ticket out of town?” Some of the light came back to her eyes.
“Sit tight while I go grab it from my truck. Okay?”
“Sure.”
Although he did bring her something, he needed a reason to get some fresh air. Unfortunately, the cool breeze didn’t help one bit. If anything, the cold made him think of getting warmer which brought images of cuddling up close to soft curves. Of course, Wynn had the curves he wanted to caress, kiss and...grr.
Even retracing his steps in the snow and getting his pants wet didn’t deter his thoughts, or the stretching of his zipper.
What the hell was he doing? Things were getting crazier by the minute. He should call his brothers, or even Rudy, and let them handle the situation. He couldn’t keep a clear mind when his feelings were getting involved. He knew what they would tell him. Run as fast as his feet would carry him. He meant it when he’d said he believed she wasn’t a criminal, but that didn’t change the fact that he couldn’t see past the hold she had on him. He’d been the same way with Sam, not seeing the facts through a blur.
Inside his truck, he slid in and grabbed his phone. He hit a familiar number and his brother, Cullen, answered. “Can we meet later? It’s important…yeah. I’ll see you then.”
After hanging up, Zander sat there for a moment staring at Wynn’s house.
Where the hell was his life headed? He’d come home from the SEALs, hoping for an average life, maybe put away a few criminals before he retired. Getting involved with Wynn was anything but average. Almost stupid. She wasn’t ready for a relationship any more than he was, and that should be a plus, but instead he found himself listing that as a con. All the simple things in his life were changing now that she was in his life.
He’d been foolish before, thinking he could change a woman, or change for her, which caused him to make a mistake in loving her. Yet, he didn’t regret the time he’d spent with Sam because he’d learned a lot about himself. Learned that he couldn’t settle ever again unless he knew, without a doubt, where his heart was—knew he’d found someone that accepted him, and his career. Watching his mom and dad, he knew no relationship was perfect, hurdles had to be jumped, but at the end of the day he saw them come together and forget any issues. He wanted that and here lately he knew what he was missing.
Loving Sam was the past, all of it, and he needed to leave it there and move on. His desire to get into Wynn’s bed needed to stay hidden behind an impenetrable wall. Never again would he love and lose and she was a risk.
When he stepped back into the kitchen, he saw her taking puffs off an inhaler. “You have asthma?”
She turned. “I have a mild case, but all the dust in this house has made it worse.” She looked down at his arm load. “What do you have there?”
“Remember I said you needed a larger coffee maker? Here’s one that makes enough for two. And here,” he held up the small toolbox. “I think everyone needs to have a set of tools.”
Her eyes lit up. “You brought me tools?”
“They’re used, but I have enough to share and I thought you could use them around this place, just in case.”
“That’s sweet. I certainly could use them”
“Well, I think you’re about the only woman I know who’d be happy getting tools. There’s also a bolt lock in there. It’ll be safer than that measly lock you have on the front door right now. You won’t have to worry if the door is locked either.”
“Coming from the man who doesn’t feel it necessary to lock his doors.”
“Do you have a Glock?”
“No.”
“So, there’s the reason why I can take my chances and you can’t.”
She moved in and gave him a tight hug, his second for the day. It only lasted a mere two seconds and certainly wasn’t meant to summon sensations in his body, yet he was on fire. A scorching heat burned through him. She pulled back, looking at him through dark lashes. Her eyes were so bright that he could have easily lost himself there. The thought sunk an invisible fist into his gut and he had a hard time swallowing and concentrating. Images of her on her knees in front of him, the soft sound of his zipper lowering as she stared up at him almost undid him. “I’ve never been given a coffee maker or tools before. You’re my first.”
Damn, he could practically feel her wispy hair brushing against his bare skin, feel her mouth wrapped around him…touching him.
“Again, thank you,” her voice trembled. “I can never repay you for your kindness.”
“I’m not asking for payment, Wynn.”
“You say that now.” She blinked.
“Are you comparing me to the ex?” He snapped up a brow.
“I know, I shouldn’t do that. Have you ever just felt like your world was turned upside down and you couldn’t get upright?”
“Yeah. Daily,” he admitted.
Her eyes filled with mysterious moisture. Would she cry again? Heaven help him if she did. It wasn’t as if he was already weak around her.
“Tell me how so, Zander.” The soft tone of her voice made him weaker. “What turns your world upside down?”
Then he found himself blurting, “I was with Rudy when we told the dead girl’s parents that their daughter wouldn’t be coming home. Couldn’t even tell them how she died. Worst part, we have no freaking clue who did this to a young girl who had her entire life ahead of her.” Damn. Why did he go and do something like telling her about his case? Yeah, he knew why. She made him vulnerable—made him want to talk about his emotions. He never liked telling someone that a loved one was gone and would never come back home. He’d grown tough, im
mune on some catastrophes, but he could never grow tough enough not to feel something for families who’ve lost someone they love.
“I’m sorry. That must have been hard.”
He took a step back, pulled off his hat and dropped it to the counter. “There are so many bad people out there, Wynn. Sometimes it feels as if we’ll never catch them all.” His voice wobbled.
“I couldn’t imagine doing the work that you do. I’d have to see a therapist every day.”
“My family helps. They’re a great support. I skip the therapist and have dinner with them on Sundays.”
“You’re lucky to have a close-knit family.”
“You could come with me some time.” Now why in the hell had he gone and asked her? Had he lost his mind? He didn’t have to worry. She’d turn him down.
“If you don’t think they’d mind…”
He couldn’t retract his invitation now. “They’d love it.” Indeed, they would. His family had an open invitation to anyone who wanted to sit down for a hot meal. In fact, Zander could remember having neighbors, friends, you name it, at the dinner table more than not. Not to mention, his mom and sister would be stoked to have him bring a female. They’d been after him for so long to move on.
“Then it’s a date.” Once the words were out he could see that she’d realized what she said. “I didn’t mean date…I only meant…I have no clue what I meant.”
That one word…date…put a whole new spin on what was going on between them. He hadn’t invited her as a date, and he knew she didn’t accept it as so either, but it certainly did open a few new avenues inside his brain. His spine tingled all the way down to his ass.
It also triggered the part of him that wanted to hold her for complete satisfaction reasons.
He knew he’d feel pleasure with Wynn. Knew they could be good together.
Their gazes met—an exchange of silent words. The few feet between seemed to lessen. In her expression he saw curiosity and something else.
Keep it professional, buddy.
Who was he kidding? They’d crossed that line a long time ago.
He took a step back and tore his hand through his hair. “Come hungry to the family dinner,” he muttered. He knew he’d be starving.
Wanted by the Lawman (Lawmen of Wyoming Book 2) Page 9