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think I would like that very much, I have to get going. I have
to go into work and finish up a few things, then the charity is
closed for the holidays. I don't have to go back until the
Monday after Christmas. Maybe you could show me later?"
He thought his heart would burst with the joy of knowing it
hadn't been a one-time thing for her. Their friendship was not
ruined, and now they had this new and extremely pleasurable
level added to it.
Today was arguably the best day of his life.
He swatted her lightly on the butt. "Then, I guess you'd
better get to it. I'm not sure how long I can stand here so
close to you without stripping your clothes off and showing
you now."
She danced away with a laugh. "Later, stud. For now, I
have work to do, and you have a blackmailer to stop."
The mood sobered at that, and he stepped closer, placing
a hand on the side of her face. "I will stop him. I promise you,
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Nicolette. I'll find whoever is doing this, and I won't let him
hurt you. You believe me?"
Her eyes moistened as she nodded. "Yes. Yes, Heath, I
do."
Heath ducked his head in his coat and jogged out to the
Tahoe, his steps light, his mood better than it had been in,
well...ever. All he could think about was Nicolette. Everything
bad that had happened to him in the past year; Rudy's death,
his father's death, learning of his father's infidelity, learning
he had an unwanted sibling, had fled, as if his soul was so
overflowing with happiness, it had no room for anything
negative.
The snow was increasing, the wind picking up and blowing
it in sharp, freezing gusts across his face. He experienced a
moment of concern for Nicolette. If the conditions worsened,
she shouldn't be out driving. Her Jeep could handle hazardous
roads well, and she was a cautious driver. Still, he didn't like
the thought of her being out on these roads with bad weather
coming in. If the snow continued to fall this heavily, he'd call
her, offer to pick her up wherever she was.
Before then, though, he needed to follow up on a few
things. His focus was identifying and stopping the
blackmailer, but now he was beginning to wonder about his
friend's death. It sounded more and more like it hadn't been
an accident. But who would have wanted to hurt Rudy? Let
alone kill him? Certainly not Nicolette. He didn't see any
motive for Marla or Donovan to harm him. Of course, he
didn't see any motive for anyone to harm him. That brought
him back to the drugs. If Rudy's death was suspicious, most
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likely it had to do with his secret drug use. The blackmail and
the murder—alleged murder—were probably related.
From what Heath gathered, the barbershop was linked to
Rudy's drug use. Not the owner, Ted. Heath didn't get that
feeling from him at all. He did, however, get that feeling from
Noah Forsythe. He was certain the guy had used drugs with
Rudy, if not sold or bought them. He'd just acted too
squirrelly, too fidgety, not to be hiding something. The only
other thing Heath could think of he'd want to hide would be if
there was some other kind of relationship between him and
Rudy, like maybe sexual.
But that was ludicrous. Forsythe claimed to be straight,
although the jury was still out on that. However, Heath would
bet his life that Rudy was straight as a board. Never in all the
years he'd known him had there been even a hint that Rudy
was anything but a female-loving heterosexual. Good God,
any man married to Nicolette couldn't possibly be interested
in anyone other than her, male or female.
He thought again of their night together, and a pleasant
warmth filled his chest. This time, it had nothing to do with
his dick. He really, truly, genuinely loved being with Nicolette,
even on a platonic level. But now that he knew what it was
like to know her on a level other than platonic, he didn't think
he could ever get enough of her. Of course, most likely he'd
have to.
Even though she hadn't indicated this was just a one night
fling, it was doubtful and way too early to even entertain the
idea of a future for them. First, he had to find the
blackmailer, then make sure Nicolette wasn't charged with
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Rudy's murder. Then there would be the question of how
Nicolette herself felt. Did she want a future with him, or was
she too concerned about what people would think? Was she
too worried they'd look down on her for besmirching the
memory of her saintly husband?
Of course, there was also the very real possibility that she
didn't feel the way he did. She cared about him, no doubt
about that. She was attracted to him physically, something he
hadn't really known for sure until last night. Boy, had he
learned how true that was last night.
Even if Nicolette felt the way he did, even if she wanted a
future with him, Heath had to get past the guilt. He couldn't
shake the notion that he was betraying his best friend by
wanting a future with that friend's wife. Mostly, he had to get
past the question of whether that made him as disloyal as his
father.
Shake it off, stop thinking about that shit. Stop thinking
about Nicolette for right now. You have other things to worry
about.
He headed to the barbershop, peering out the windshield
at the ever-increasing snowstorm. Hell. Visibility was almost
zero. Ice pellets pinged the windshield. The Tahoe's tires
grabbed the road and held, but others weren't having as
much luck. Several cars were abandoned on the side of the
road, and Heath studied each of them, trying to see if it
looked like people were still inside. If so, he'd stop and offer
help, but all the ones he'd passed so far were truly
abandoned.
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He finally made it to the barbershop but he wouldn't get
any more questions answered today. Just as he'd suspected it
might be, the shop was closed. They'd left early because of
the weather.
He tromped back through the deepening snow and climbed
into the Tahoe. Digging out his cell, he dialed Nicolette.
Nicolette had never been so glad to be home in her life.
The drive had been treacherous, the road worsening by the
second. Nothing had ever felt better than being inside her
cozy duplex, warming herself in front of the fire. Nothing, that
is, until her phone rang, and she recognized Heath's number
on the caller ID.
"I'm heading home," he told her in his husky, sexy tone.
They were three simple words, but there seemed to be a
wealth of meaning behind them.
&n
bsp; "I can't wait until you get here."
"You and me both."
"So...tell me what's going to happen then." She was being
purposely flirtatious. She wanted to make sure Heath was as
anxious to be with her again as she was with him.
"How about I show you what's going to happen?"
"Can you give me a hint?"
He laughed. "Let's just say clothing won't be involved."
A warm glow spread through her, happiness nearly making
her head burst from her neck. Whoever would have guessed
she'd finally have sex with Heath King? That it would be
beyond her wildest expectations, that they'd settle into this
easy, flirtatious, expectant rhythm and actually be planning to
do it again?
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"Promise?" she asked, lowering her voice to a husky,
seductive purr.
"Oh, I promise all right. You just wait."
"What if I can't wait?"
His low growl carried over the phone. "God, woman. I'm
driving in a snowstorm to get to you. Don't distract me like
that or I'll never make—" he abruptly stopped, as if his
remark made him think of what happened to Rudy.
Some of her eager anticipation dwindled, but the warm
glow didn't completely go away.
"Drive safe," she whispered into the phone. "I'll be
waiting."
"You got it." The relief in his voice was evident, as if he'd
been worried that the mood was ruined. "I'll be home in ten
minutes, fifteen tops, depending on how bad the roads are
between here and there."
Steady snow covered the windshield quicker than the
wipers could clear it off. Heath cursed the conditions that kept
him crawling along the roads when all he wanted to do was
rush home to Nicolette. He still couldn't wrap his mind around
the thought that she was waiting, that the end of his journey
would take him straight to her. He knew it was a temporary
dream come true, but he would enjoy it as long and as fully
as he could.
He flipped on the radio. Maybe music would make the
drive seem less endless. Christmas music flowed from the
speakers, and Heath grinned, thinking of how much sweeter it
sounded now than it had just a few days ago when he'd been
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on his way to Kansas City. He didn't even cringe when the
Chipmunks squeaked out their rendition of "Silver Bells."
Few vehicles were out on the roads, even though
snowplows were busy clearing the streets the best they could
under the circumstances. Through the dense white curtain,
taillights shone like beady red eyes. The car was small,
maybe a Cobalt or Focus. Heath was amazed it was actually
moving on the icy, hazardous roads.
As if his thoughts had jinxed the car's odds, the taillights
swung to the right, and a flash of headlights appeared for a
few seconds before the car went into a slide. Heath watched
helplessly as the vehicle slammed into a tree, looking like a
hot wheels car tossed by an angry child.
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Chapter Fourteen
The car shuddered to a stop, the driver's side door
crunched by the massive oak.
"Shit!" Heath slowed and pulled to the side of the road.
Grabbing his cell phone, he dialed 911 as he flung open his
door. Icy wind fought his efforts, but he managed to climb out
of the Tahoe. "There's been a car accident," he shouted into
the phone when the operator answered. "They ran off the
road, crashed into a tree."
"Where did this happen, sir?"
He gave the operator the location, making his way in the
deep snow, hoping whoever was in the car was okay.
"Were you in the accident? Is anyone hurt?"
"It wasn't me. I was behind them. I don't know if they're
hurt or not. I'm going to check now."
"Emergency vehicles are on their way, sir. Don't move the
victim, okay?"
"I won't. Hold on."
He reached the car, but there was no way he could get to
the driver. He stumbled around to the passenger side and
yanked the door open. "Oh, shit," he muttered.
Jerome sat slumped behind the wheel. The deflated air bag
lay on his chest like a fallen parachute.
Heath quickly looked through the car, but Jerome was the
only passenger.
"Hey! Jerome?" He slid into the passenger seat and shut
the door. He pressed his fingers into Jerome's neck.
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"Sir?" The 911 operator said into his ear. "Are you with the
victim?"
"Yeah. I'm inside the car with him. Turns out I know him."
"What's his name, sir?"
"Jerome Badgett."
"Okay. We're going to take care of your friend. Is Jerome
breathing?"
"He has a pulse. He's alive."
"Okay, sir. Does he appear to be in distress?"
"No. He's unconscious but he's breathing."
"Is he bleeding?"
A stream of blood poured from Jerome's forehead and
dripped down onto his left shoulder.
"His head is bleeding."
"Okay. Just stay calm, sir. Help is on the way for your
friend."
Heath didn't bother to point out that he wasn't un calm, or
that Jerome wasn't his friend.
Jerome moaned, and his eyes fluttered open.
"Jerome?" Heath said.
Jerome's head moved until he looked at Heath. "What
happened?" He blinked rapidly then squeezed his eyes shut.
"You were in an accident. Where does it hurt?"
"Ah, hell, man. Everywhere. My head." A low wail came
from him. "My legs. Oh, God. Hurts."
"You're gonna be okay. Help is on the way."
"Sir, is he awake?" the operator said.
"Yes," Heath told her.
"Don't move him. An ambulance will be there soon."
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"How long?" Heath asked.
"It may take a little while."
It was difficult to hear the operator with Jerome's
whimpering punctuating their conversation.
"What are you doing here?" Jerome asked. He was
breathing fast, his face scrunched in agony. "How did you find
me?"
"I was behind you. I saw your car go off the road." Heath
shifted his feet, noticing for the first time that the floorboard
was littered with wadded up fast food wrappers.
"Thanks, man." Jerome reached out a hand. Heath
hesitated a second before taking it. Jerome's hand closed
over Heath's, then his grip tightened, and he stiffened. "Oh,
God. Hurts so bad. Please. Help me."
"Calm down. You're going to be fine." Heath made an
effort to keep his voice low, soothing.
"Get me out of here!" Jerome cried.
"I can't move you. Just stay still and try to be calm. Help is
on the way."
Jerome's en
tire body shook, tears and blood mingling as
they poured down his face.
"Take it easy," Heath soothed. "You'll be fine."
Jerome's terrified gaze darted around the car. "When will
they be here? I have to get out."
"They're on their way."
"Am I going to die?"
"No," Heath said, although he realized that he couldn't be
sure. "You'll be fine. Just breathe and try to relax."
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Jerome nodded. "I shouldn't have been out in this. I knew
I shouldn't."
"Where were you going?" Heath wasn't particularly
interested, but he wanted to keep Jerome's mind off his pain.
"I had a date," Jerome bit out, then laughed. "Met her on
the internet. Stupid to risk your life over a woman, huh?
Especially one you don't even know."
Yes, that was stupid, all right, but it wasn't stupid to risk
your life for the woman you loved. He thought of Nicolette
waiting for him. Would they make love again tonight? The
thought sent a warm tingle through him, and he immediately
felt guilty. Now wasn't the time to be thinking of his own
pleasure.
"Is there someone I can call for you?" Heath asked.
Jerome shook his head. "No one."
"No family or friends who'd want to be there?"
For a brief moment, Jerome looked sad instead of just in
pain. "No. My sister might be there. She's a nurse."
If his sister wasn't there, how could Heath leave Jerome
alone and injured in a hospital? But, Nicolette was waiting for
him...
Damn.
A siren's wail rose, followed by flashing lights.
"They're here," Heath said.
"Thanks for staying, man," Jerome choked out.
Heath nodded and climbed out of the car.
Two EMT's rushed over, and Heath moved back to let them
work. His phone rang, and he looked at the display. Nicolette.
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"Heath?" she said when he answered. "What's going on—
are you okay?" Her voice rose hysterically.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Is everything all right there?"
"Where are you? It's been nearly an hour since I talked to
you. I've been trying to call. What happened?"
He puffed out a sigh. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry
you. A car ran off the road, and I was on the phone with
911."