“He’s persistent. It might be time to file a restraining order against him.” Dallas took another attempt at cutting the burger from the other side.
“He hasn’t hurt me or even threatened to hurt me. Not overtly. At best I could petition for a harassment prevention order.”
“If you do, you might have to give up the hope that you can get back together,” Dallas said in a leading, almost arrogant tone. “It’s hard to come back from that. Kind of makes it official.”
“I don’t need the judgment. I get enough of that from my family. Excuse me for holding out a little bit of hope that the plans I made for the rest of my life might actually come together. Sorry I hope I might be able to salvage some part of all the dreams I once had.”
“No one gets that,” Dallas said, a stormy look in his eyes. “There is no happy ending. There is no dream come true. Stop imagining what your life is supposed to be and start living the one you have. If you don’t want him following you around then file the paperwork. Hold him accountable. Move on.”
“You were ready to murder a man tonight. I’m the one who needs to move on? Are you living the life you have or are you fighting old battles?”
“Noted,” Dallas sighed.
“How can you even say your friend is innocent? There is nothing in life that is so irrefutably true that it can’t blow up in your face. No one is infallible. People snap, they change, they let you down. I’m sure you think you know he’s innocent—”
“He didn’t do it.”
“I’m saying I’m sure you believe that, maybe you’re even right, but it doesn’t change the fact that anyone can fail you, anyone can do the unthinkable under the right circumstances.”
“You’re jaded,” Dallas said, his brows knit together with worry. “I know Tim better than I know myself. He was the best of us, the heart of our group of friends. I know he’s innocent.”
“I kind of miss what it feels like to believe in something so fiercely. I miss trusting in people like that.”
“It’s not all or nothing. Some people break your trust, some people stab you in the back, but there are others you just know you can count on. Tim is one of those guys. Get yourself some people like that and you’ll be all right. But for now we just eat our troubles away,” Dallas said, lifting the giant burger up and comically taking a huge bite.
“You’re going to choke to death.” Harlan laughed. “You look like a fool.”
“A satisfied fool,” he said, his elbows propped on the table as he readied for another bite.
“Tell me about the case,” she said, her face falling serious. “Why don’t they think he’ll be granted the new trial?”
“It’s just Melissa’s speculation at this point. She knows the judge and how he normally rules in these cases.”
“Is she a competent defense attorney?” Harlan asked, trying not to pry too much.
“She’s great. I found her through the Innocence Project, and she’s working for next to nothing right now because she believes Tim deserves a new trial based on inadequate representation. His court-appointed attorney was diagnosed with a degenerative disease three years before Tim’s case and his health was failing. Melissa lined up testimony from other lawyers who worked with him and even found evidence and leads that weren’t followed up.”
“When is the hearing?”
“It started today and most of the witnesses testified. She expects a ruling tomorrow,” Dallas said, clearing his throat uneasily. “Melissa says even if this doesn’t work there might be more she can do. But I can hear it in her voice. This is what Tim needs to get out.”
“Likely he’d only get a new trial, not any kind of acquittal. It’s not as though he’ll walk out of prison tomorrow.” Harlan was trying to be gentle but blunt. False hope didn’t help anyone in these kinds of situations.
Dallas shook his head as though he knew this to be true but wasn’t willing to accept it. “It could be the start of something. The tide’s finally turning. If she can get him a new trial, we can prove he’s innocent.”
“How?”
“The investigation was pathetic. They had complete tunnel vision. Tim was the easiest suspect, so they didn’t follow any other leads. I have ways of closing those gaps. I’ve outlined where the investigation could go from here. We don’t have the funds to run it independently.”
“Is this why you aren’t a police officer anymore?” Harlan asked, giving him the grace of staring at her French fries while he answered.
“You’re quick,” Dallas complimented, looking half impressed/half annoyed by her astute deduction of the situation.
“The crime and investigation weren’t in my jurisdiction. I was vocal, and I didn’t pull any punches. When I crossed a few too many lines, my captain told me to back off, mind my own cases, or leave my gun and badge. It was an easy answer for me. A piece of metal and a weapon don’t make you a cop. Those guys who arrested and tried to incriminate Tim give the force a bad name.”
“I hope he gets the ruling you’re hoping for,” Harlan whispered. “I hope it turns out well for you. But who exactly were you going to go kill tonight?”
“There’s a guy,” Dallas explained, then stopped abruptly. “It doesn’t really matter, but he was a witness in the case who lied on the stand. Larry Monroe. Nothing would make me happier than watching that guy suffer.”
“I’m sorry you’re dealing with all of this,” she sighed, leaning back in the booth, aware of the pain weighing him down. “I wish there was something more I could do. This is not how I imagined this night would turn out. I’m sure you could say the same.”
“How did you imagine it?” he asked, eyeing her seductively, the air around them changing, electrifying suddenly.
“I just needed something good to happen. I needed someone to look at me in that way, well you know, it’s just been a long time. I thought by this time of night maybe I’d be . . .” her words trailed off as she grew red with embarrassment.
Suddenly their eyes locked, the longing for physical touch grew bigger than any words she could string together. Harlan had come out tonight needing. Needing to feel good, to feel better, to have something just for herself. “. . . you know.”
“Check, please,” Dallas announced, his eyes never leaving Harlan’s as a fierce hunger spread across his face. Standing, he pulled her up and fished some cash out of his pocket.
“That’s too much for the bill,” Harlan said, watching him throw down a couple twenties.
“It’s the waitress’s lucky night,” he winked.
“Maybe she’s not the only one,” Harlan laughed as they sprinted out toward the car, her body pulsing with the anticipation of his touch. Her head whirled with the excitement of it all. It had been so long since she’d felt this way, since she’d been on the verge of something unplanned and exciting. Something that might actually, at least for a little while, turn out right.
“This is a terrible idea,” she cautioned as they slipped into the car and he fired up the engine.
“Absolutely,” he agreed, his large hand coming down on her thigh and sliding up high enough for his fingers to tantalize her throbbing need. “Should I drop you off at home?”
“No,” she said through broken breath as his fingers fluttered faster. “But where?”
“My place,” he asserted, and the power in his voice made her pray wherever it was they’d get there fast. She was a volcano that someone had foolishly tried to cap and contain. Tonight, in his powerful arms, she’d erupt just as the cosmos had intended. Tonight she’d remember the piece of her she’d tucked away and forgotten for too long. And then that would be enough. Harlan would take this spontaneous wild ride and then return to her life just as it was. One night with Dallas would be enough.
“Hold on tight,” he announced as he sped down the dark road and plowed forward with ferocious determination. “It’s going to be a wild ride.”
Chapter 5
Harlan had ignored the worry in her gut ab
out how many women Dallas had brought to his small loft at the top of an old mill. The mill itself appeared in the process of being converted to condos and basically deserted; none of the other apartments looked finished. And calling his finished was a stretch.
They hadn’t made it halfway up the stairs before his lips were bearing down on hers, and he practically carried her the rest of the way.
“I need a drink,” she announced as they pushed their way through his heavy metal door and practically tumbled into the sparsely furnished apartment.
“Some liquid courage?” he laughed as he pressed her body against the closest wall and ground his hardness into her.
“I, I’m . . .” she stuttered, “out of practice.” She winced at how stupid that sounded. “I’ve only ever been with Rylie.” The admission would probably fall in the over-sharing category but in case this night ended up disastrous, she wanted to lay some groundwork for an excuse.
“Shit,” he breathed out a low animalistic moan. “You didn’t mean that to sound hot, but fuck, that’s hot.”
His lips came crashing down on her neck, sucking the skin nearly to the point of pain, but it sent passionate shockwaves through her. “A drink,” she begged. “Something strong.”
Dallas broke free reluctantly but scooped her from her feet. Effortlessly he carried her toward the corner of the room and placed her on the large unmade bed.
“Stay,” he ordered, and she felt her body shiver with excitement. “One drink, then you’re mine.”
“Deal,” she whispered, fighting back the tiny voice in her head that normally kept her from taking these kinds of risks.
The deal, however, was short-lived. The ring of her cell phone was the equivalent of a fire hose used to put out a match.
“Hello,” she said, catching her breath and clearing her throat.
“Anna thinks she might throw up,” Krissy said, her words running together. “I gave her too much junk. It was the ice cream sundae that put her over the top.”
“Where is she now?” Harlan asked, and Dallas shot up, looking troubled.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, reaching for his coat. “Do we need to go?”
“Have her lie down on her side and try to sleep. If she keeps complaining that her stomach hurts, there’s something in the medicine cabinet to settle it. I’ll text you the name and her dose.”
“I’m so sorry,” Krissy offered, sounding like she’d never forgive herself. “I was trying to be the cool babysitter.”
“She won’t throw up,” Harlan assured. “If she was going to she would have by now. You’d be amazed how much junk a little tummy can handle. One time at the fair she won a corn dog eating contest against grown men.”
“Forget I called,” Krissy begged. “Go back to whatever you were doing. I promise everything is fine. I’ll text you if anything changes.”
“You’re doing great,” Harlan assured her. “I’ll be back early tomorrow morning, but if you need me call.”
Hanging up the phone, she flopped backward onto the bed and sighed loudly.
“Is she sick?” Dallas asked, dropping his coat back down and leaning against the wall.
“She ate too much and misses me. That’s all. She’ll be all right.” Her hand was up over her face now, covering her eyes.
“I can take you home if you want. This was a bad idea to begin with. I never break the rule.”
“The don’t fraternize with the people you are supposed to protect rule?”
“It’s an important one,” he nodded, folding his arms over his chest. “You sure you want to stay?” He flipped on the small television in the corner and lay down next to her.
“Oh, a reality television marathon,” she exclaimed, stealing the remote from him. “That one slaps the girl in the tube top. It’s hilarious.”
“Should I make you some popcorn?” he quipped sarcastically
“Extra butter,” she sang, ignoring the fact that he was only teasing her. “And another drink.”
Chapter 6
Landmines. Part of Dallas’s police training had been an extensive exercise in demining an area. He’d volunteered for it as the guy who was always ready to take on the most dangerous challenges.
All around him had been buried devices that, if stepped on, could have killed him. And yet, as he looked down at the partially undressed woman sprawled across his messy bed, he felt light years more uneasy than he had that day. She’d stripped out of her dress last night before falling asleep in his bed and happily slid into the T-shirt he’d offered. Now as she lay there, he wondered if stopping last night had been the stupidest thing he’d ever done. But with the sun rising, he’d have to find a way around what they’d started.
Everyone knew there was a rule about getting involved with a client. But it was broken as often as it was enforced. Things happened. When adults were crammed together in dangerous situations, there was bound to be some fireworks. Dallas accepted that as a truth, but never dabbled in it himself. This moment, this trapped feeling, was exactly why.
Houdini himself would have been impressed by the disappearing acts Dallas had pulled on women over the years. He’d fly right out of the country and toss his burner cell phone in the closest trash can if things started to get serious with someone. The last girl he’d had ended in disaster six months ago.
The only rule more pressing than his get out while they’re still asleep was the one that said he couldn’t leave a client without protection. No exceptions. If he left now, Harlan would wake up in this less than desirable neighborhood with no way to get home. Even if he called a car service, it would still be an egregious dereliction on his duties. Unforgivable. And even more so if anything were to happen to her because he’d left.
“I can call a cab,” Harlan groaned without opening her eyes. “You don’t have to stand there looking at me wondering how to get out of this. I’ll give you the answer. The door. That’s how you get out.”
“I, uh, that’s not what I was doing,” he lied, stumbling over his shoes as he tried to busy himself. “I was thinking about where to get breakfast.”
“Right,” she laughed, rolling over, her long mop of dark hair fluttering to one side as she moved. The sheet was clutched tight to her, and he wished it would magically evaporate so he could see her luscious curves again.
“I’m looking for an exit strategy, if that helps. You obviously can’t be my bodyguard anymore after last night. It wouldn’t be prudent. So unfortunately, you’re fired. You can take off now, I’ll get dressed and get myself back to my car.”
“I’ll get you back there,” he said, searching around for her clothes. “Once you’re home you can make arrangements for a new security detail. Or your brothers can. But I won’t feel right unless I get you back safely.”
“It’s not necessary, but I’m too exhausted to argue.”
“Is that a first?”
“Pretty much,” she laughed. “You should be proud though. You lasted longer as my security detail than most the others.”
“I’m sorry I compromised the situation. I’m not sure how I’ll face Emmitt, knowing I can’t live up to my end of the deal. I still owe him.”
“I’ll make sure he knows you were the best of the bunch. Actually, I’ll take the heat on this one. You’ll look like a hero.”
“No, I won’t lie to Emmitt.”
“Oh, all right I’ll tell him I spent the night in your bed. That we sort of fooled around before thinking better of it, and rather than deal with the awkwardness we decided we should part ways. He’ll appreciate your honesty.”
“Good point,” Dallas conceded, tossing her the rest of her clothes and pretending to look at something interesting out the large bay window while she dressed. “If I took advantage of the situation last night . . .” he started, feeling like complete garbage about it.
“Don’t you dare,” she scolded as she pulled her dress back on and pointed at him. “I’m not some simple little girl who didn’t know wh
at last night was about. The last thing I want is some long-term thing. I needed something, you needed something; that’s all this was. We both smartened up in time to change our minds. Don’t act as though I’m not mature enough to deal with it. Don’t act like you’re so intoxicating I’ll struggle to watch you walk away today.”
“You’re good for the ego,” Dallas chuckled, staring too long as Harlan spun her hair skillfully into a ponytail, exposing more of her beautiful face and soft neck.
“I do what I can,” she sighed, her perfume passing under his nose as she made her way to the door. “You’re on the clock another hour. Get me home, and you’re off the hook.”
The words almost slipped from his mouth. Maybe I don’t want to be off the hook. His hand almost reached for the drooping strap that was slipping off her shoulder.
“Yes ma’am,” he said as he buttoned his now wrinkled shirt and fought the urge to lay her back across the bed. She had places to be, and so did he.
“What time is the hearing today?” Harlan asked, slipping into her high heels. “Once I get the girls settled at my mom’s, I’d be happy to go with you.”
“I thought we were calling this the almost one-night stand,” he said, a thudding in his chest at the idea this could spiral into another encounter. It had been the distraction that pulled him through the night without all his focus being on the idea that Tim may never be released.
“It was,” she said, nodding adamantly. “That doesn’t mean I can’t still help you out.”
“Tim has a good lawyer, and you aren’t one anyway. What good would it do for you to be there?”
“I wasn’t offering legal counsel. I was offering support. Unless you have friends beating down your door to help.”
“Most think I’ve crossed the line,” Dallas admitted. “They think my tactics for trying to run down leads are questionable at best. Some have even turned their backs on Tim. I’m one of the few people who hasn’t left him in the lurch.”
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