by Jen Talty
She let out a long breath. “No. I’m going with you.”
“That’s not a good idea.” He hooked the leash to Coop’s collar. “Find me something, Coop.”
The dog pushed his nose to the ground and started sniffing, his tail wagging crazily in the air.
Reluctantly, Destiny went back inside. Maybe a cup of tea might help calm her nerves. The only person who had any reason to fuck with her was Jake. It had to be Jake. He had an axe to grind.
She paced in the kitchen, waiting for her water to heat as well as for Mason to return. Her entire time with Lucas, she’d been looking over her shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop. They were always one game away from getting caught. One game away from pissing off the wrong player.
It was a risk she gladly took.
Same with turning over evidence to help put Lucas behind bars. And she’d do it all again.
However, given the chance to go back to her first day in Thief Lake, she wouldn’t trip Jake. That wasn’t worth the aggravation she’d suffered for the last few days.
Tap. Tap.
She jumped, gasping. Her heart dropped to her stomach, but it had only been Mason.
“You scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry. I figured you heard us coming.” He unhooked Coop, who plopped himself down under her table. “The only thing we found was a couple of Ho Ho wrappers.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She snagged the garbage, took the wrappers from Mason, and shoved them into the trash can. “Have you gone back to that boy’s mother to ask her what his favorite treats are? Because I suspect it would be those things.”
“I’ll give Angie a call.” He rested his hand on her shoulder. “Do you mind if I use your bathroom?”
“Go right ahead.”
“I’ll be right back.”
She raised the mug to her lips. “Shit,” she mumbled, setting the cup down and racing toward her bedroom. “Mason. Wait!”
Too late.
He stood in the doorway, scratching his head. The water rippled as her vibrator splashed about in the tub. He bent over and lifted her bra with his index finger.
“I was taking a bath when Coop went nuts. And I don’t mean barking like the crazy dog he is. I mean a deep, throaty, warning kind of growl.” She snagged her bra as well as her panties and tossed them in the hamper. “His hair was standing up on end as well.” Quickly, she reached inside the tub and twisted the top of the vibrator, shutting it off and rolling it in a towel. Without thinking, she tossed that into the laundry basket.
“You’re going to wash that with your clothes?”
Leave it to the sexy policeman to make this situation even more awkward.
“I’m going to leave the room now,” she said softly. When she turned, she got a look at her flushed faced in the mirror. She’d never be able to look at him again without blushing.
And she wasn’t typically a shy person, especially in the bedroom.
But that was the bathroom.
Oy. She needed another drink, and she didn’t go light on the pour either. Sitting at the kitchen table, she drank half a glass of wine and made the decision that she would never bring Coop over again. The dog belonged to Mason, and she needed to put some major distance between them. It had nothing to do with what he just witnessed and everything to do with why she had a vibrator in her bathtub.
The wood floor rattled as the sound of Mason’s boots bounced off the walls.
“My boss and his wife will be joining us for dinner.” He helped himself to a glass of wine as if he owned the place. “As well as my buddy Toby and his bride.”
Fuck. He did actually own her cottage, but still, he had no right to make himself at home.
“I’m sorry, but I’m just not up to any kind of gathering or party.”
“Because of what I saw just now?” He arched a brow. “You should hear the vibrator stories the firefighters have. That’s nothing.”
Did he seriously just say that? “No,” she said sternly. “I just think it’s better if we keep things on a professional level. I know I’ve been sending mixed messages, but—”
He grabbed the bottle of wine and topped off their glasses. “I’ve heard you loud and clear. No dating. Just friends. Have you eaten dinner? And be honest.”
“Not the point.”
He raised his glass. “I’m going to go take a shower and change out of my uniform. I’ll return the glass when you return my dog.”
“Take him now.”
“Nope. He’s sleeping.” He had the audacity to press his sensual lips against her temple. “I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Before she could open her mouth, he was out the door.
Well, damn. She dropped her head to the table. No matter what she told herself, she knew she’d be banging on his door in the next forty minutes.
6
“Where’s Coop?”
Mason sipped his beer, glancing between Blaine and the cottage, willing his neighbor to come over, or at the very least, release his dog. “With Destiny. Whoever tried to break in shook her up, so I left Coop.”
“You left him because she’s going to have to give him back. And that means she doesn’t plan on coming,” Kaylee said.
He’d known Kaylee most of his life but hadn’t gotten close to her until she returned home around the same time he came back from the military. Since then, both she and Toby’s wife, Emma, had become like sisters to him, and neither one of them pulled any punches.
“That’s too bad. I was looking forward to meeting her.” Emma raised her glass of wine as she leaned against Toby. They made for an odd couple. She’d always been a bit uptight and Toby a total ballbuster, but it worked for them.
“She’s not interested.” Mason decided it was time to wave the white flag. He’d introduce her to everyone in town, but after that, he needed to let it go.
“How do you know?” Kaylee sat at the table next to her husband, with her hand on Blaine’s thigh. They were the gross, touchy-feely couple you hated going out with because they actually enjoyed public displays of affection.
Emma and Toby weren’t much different.
“When I talked to her a little while ago, she had a slight inflection in her voice when you came up in conversation. I’m sure she finds you fascinating,” Kaylee said.
“Maybe. But she’s made it clear she’s not looking for anything,” Mason admitted. “And don’t count on her coming over. She’ll let my dog out, and that’s about it.”
“Wow. You gave up mighty quick,” Blaine said, shaking his head. “Women like to be wooed and chased.”
“Don’t take advice from him,” Emma managed between fits of laughter. “Or Toby. Neither one of them have swagger.”
“Excuse me,” Toby said, puffing out his chest. “I landed you, didn’t I?”
“If that helps you sleep at night, then go right ahead and believe it.” Emma leaned across the table. “Maybe you’re just going about this all wrong.”
“Maybe we should stop talking about it and enjoy me being a fifth wheel, once again.” He held up his hand. “And before you all start. I’m not feeling sorry for myself, and I’m not thinking about Julia—”
“Except you just mentioned her name,” Blaine said, waggling a finger. “You might not be thinking about her regularly, but she’s definitely still fucking with your psyche.”
Mason would be lying to himself if he didn’t acknowledge the fact that what Julia had done to him made him more than gun-shy. He told himself that every man, or woman, should be reserved during the first few months. Blindly trusting anyone generally led to a broken heart, and that was something he didn’t want to experience again. However, Mason didn’t want to spend the rest of his life alone either.
“I’m not using what happened with Julia as the reason I’m backing off Destiny,” he said.
“Then what? Because I saw the way she looks at you.” Blaine cocked his right brow as he ran a hand through his long mane.
The back door to the cottage swung open, and Coop came barreling out, nearly falling over his own snout.
Saved by the dog.
“No jumping,” Mason commanded.
Toby jumped from his seat and landed on his ass on the grass with his legs and arms outstretched like a little kid. “Come here, boy,” Toby said.
But Coop raced past him and went right for the ladies sitting at the table.
“Oh, no, you don’t.” Mason reached out, grabbing the dog by his collar seconds before his paws landed on Emma’s chest. “Go lay on top of Toby.”
“Are you going to introduce us to your neighbor?” Emma cooed like a girl on a mission.
Mason turned, surprised to see Destiny standing two feet away, holding a couple of bottles of wine. He cleared his throat. “I didn’t think you’d show.”
“You said you wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
The corners of his mouth tugged into a smile. “I’m glad you joined us.” He took the bottles from her hands, letting his fingers brush against her silky skin. “You already know my boss, Blaine and his wife Kaylee. That crazy man rolling around on the ground is Toby.”
“And I’m Emma, crazy man’s wife.”
“It’s nice to meet all of you,” Destiny said. She eased herself onto one of the lounge chairs.
Everyone thought Mason should put a pool in the backyard, and on nights like tonight, he wished he had. However, if he used his backyard more than five times a year, it would be a miracle. Besides, if he wanted to go for a swim, he’d walk to the lake.
“Have you all lived here long?” Destiny asked.
“Everyone but me has lived here most of their lives,” Emma said. “But once you land here, you never want to leave. Not even in the winter when it’s so cold it brings new meaning to the word shrinkage.” Emma raised her hand and snapped her fingers. “I just made a sexual funny.”
“No one’s laughing, babe. Especially not the men,” Toby said with a chuckle. “But you get points for trying.”
Blaine had once given Emma the nickname of the Ice Princess after they had broken up, and while Emma wasn’t even close to being a bitch, she did come off that way sometimes.
“I thought it was funny,” Kaylee said. “So, tell us about yourself. Mason here hasn’t given us too much information about you other than you single-handedly caught Jake before he hurt anyone.”
“That’s because I’m not a gossip like the rest of you.” Mason set his glass of wine on the table next to Destiny before firing up the grill.
Kaylee gasped. “I’m insulted. Emma’s the gossiper, not me.”
“Gee, thanks. Toss me under the bus.” Emma had been a difficult person to get to know, but once she let you in, she was an open book. Her and Kaylee had an odd relationship, considering Emma had dated Blaine before Kaylee came back to town. To complicate matters even more, Toby and Blaine had become stepbrothers when Blaine’s mom married Toby’s dad, making them one big, happy, cozy family.
“How do you like it here so far?” Toby asked as he brushed off all the dog hair and made himself comfortable at the table.
“I’ve only been in town for a week, and I feel like I’m the center of attention.” Destiny crossed her ankles, showing off her pretty purple toenails. She wore a jean skirt with a white tank top that hugged her body like a second skin. Her tanned, muscular legs were impossible not to stare at.
An ache filled Mason’s heart. He loved his life. He considered himself a happy man. He had everything he could ever need.
Except a companion other than his dog.
“That will die down as soon as we find Jake,” Blaine said.
“Speaking of that kid. Anyone here know if he’s got a thing for Ho Hos?” Mason asked.
“Those are still a thing?” Kaylee asked. “I don’t think I’ve had anything like that in a good ten years.”
Toby waved his hand in the air. “I had those little chocolate-covered doughnuts yesterday. I love that shit.”
“You would,” Blaine said. “Why are you asking about Ho Hos?”
“Destiny found a couple of wrappers when she found the graffiti,” Mason said. “And I found some tonight.”
“I’ll stop by tomorrow on my way in and ask Angie about that.” Blaine nodded.
“How is his uncle?” Destiny asked.
Mason tossed the steaks on the grill as well as the veggies he’d wrapped in foil. “He’s still unconscious, so we still don’t know if it was indeed Jake who beat him up.”
“No way did that kid do that much damage,” Toby said. “Besides, his uncle has always been the one to stand up for Jake when he got into trouble. Defending him even when everyone knew what Jake had done.”
“But who else would want to hurt Dean?” Emma asked.
Mason waved the steak fork in the air. “I could name half a dozen people who have it in for Dean. He’s a good man, but he doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut, and he sucks at poker. Last pickup game, he ended up threatening Scott, asking him if he wanted to take it outside.”
“And what provoked that altercation?” Blaine asked. “Because if memory serves me correct, it was Scott that brought up the problems with Jake.”
“Because Jake had just stolen a bunch of shit from Scott’s garage.” To someone on the outside, it might look as though they were having an argument, but this was just how they talked things out, and everyone was scratching their head over who would not only help Jake escape, but beat Dean to within inches of his life.
“Allegedly stolen,” Emma said. “There was no proof one way or the other.”
“Jake’s a smart kid, so I’m not surprised he managed to unload the items, but he’s not smart enough to get out of an ankle bracelet,” Blaine said.
“Why not?” Destiny asked. “I’m sure you could just Google it. No different than how to make a bomb.”
Mason glanced over his shoulder. “I suppose that’s possible, but not probable.” He couldn’t tell the ladies in his backyard that the ankle monitor had gone dark for five minutes, and they didn’t get the alert for another twenty. Of course, Mason believed that whoever helped Jake had hacked the software, and they currently had the cybercrime division of the state police checking into that matter.
“We also have to consider why he’s stuck around, hiding out somewhere in this town,” Mason said.
“He’s got to be the one who tried to break in. He’s the only one who has a beef with me,” Destiny said, her cheeks turning bright red as her gaze hit the ground and she fumbled with her fingers.
“I tend to agree.” He’d been just as embarrassed in the bathroom, but no need to be concerned about it now. He just hoped he’d been the object of her affection and not some ex-boyfriend or a sexy television personality. “Old man Dixon had some vandalism to his place as well, and Jake has all but said he wanted to see the old man dead.”
“Not to mention Dixon chased him off with a gun recently,” Blaine said, shaking his head. “I hated putting the cuffs on that man again, but he broke his parole terms when he waved that thing in the air.”
“With him back in prison, there isn’t any reason for Jake to stick around,” Toby said. “Except to mess with Destiny.”
“If he left, where would he go?” Mason asked as he flipped the steaks. “He has no family outside of Thief Lake, and he’s just a kid. Where the hell would he get the kind of connections necessary to disappear?”
“It’s a little thing called Google. You can find out how to do everything from traveling with a little bit of weed on an airline, to building a bomb, to the best way to dispose of a body. You can even find chat rooms for all of those things, and a few things you won’t be able to unsee.” Destiny leaned back, sipping her wine.
Mason forced his mouth closed. “You know this from experience?”
“I worked in IT for a bit and am no longer shocked at what is on the web, but really.” She held up her phone. “I’ve searched for how to get out of an ankle monitor and
came up with five articles and three YouTube videos.”
“Can you send me those links?” Blaine asked. “I want to check with the state cybercrime unit on the likelihood Jake is acting alone based on that information. Plus, I want to shut it down.”
“Sure. No problem,” Destiny said.
“Steaks are done.” Carefully, Mason lifted the veggie foil off the grill and placed it on the tray.
“Wonderful. Now we can have a work-free zone.” Kaylee jumped to her feet, spreading out the plates.
Mason wanted to laugh at how Kaylee and Emma made sure the girls would sit on one side of the table, and the men on the other. Forcing him to stare into Destiny’s sweet aqua-colored eyes, while they both blushed over the sight of her vibrator dancing in the water.
“This smells fantastic. You really outdid yourself this time.” Toby stabbed at one of the steaks. Blood spattered as he dropped it on his plate. “This guy makes the best marinade for meat. It’s so good that we make him bottle it and give it to us.”
Mason tried not to gawk at Destiny while she cut into her meat, sectioning it off in tiny pieces. Her pink tongue darted across the succulent morsel. A dribble of steak juice rolled from the corner of her mouth. She quickly caught it with her napkin.
“Mmmmmm.” She raised her fingers to her lips and kissed the air. “Hats off to the chef.”
“I’m glad you like.” Mason puffed out his chest with pride. Whoever said the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach didn’t understand how awesome it was to watch the woman of your desire eat a piece of your meat.
He coughed, gagging on his own dinner. Had he really thought that? God, there was something seriously wrong with him.
“You okay, man?” Toby asked.
“Perfect,” he said, shoving a green bean into his mouth.
“So, tell us, why did you decide to move here of all places?” Kaylee asked.
“My mom lived near here for a short time, and she always loved it. Before she died, she constantly talked about coming back. So, when I needed a total change in my life, I decided why not. Lucky me, Mason here had not only a storefront for me to rent, but a cottage to move into.”