"That feels good," he murmured.
"Thanks," she said breathlessly.
"No. Thank you." He groaned, and her fingers stilled. She
sucked in a breath and closed her eyes as a warm, yearning
languor spread through her body.
He shifted to face her, and she dropped her hands. His
eyes roamed over her face and settled on her lips, then rose
once more to hers. His were an intense golden hue and
sparked with an inner flame.
"Want me to do you?" he asked.
Her eyes rounded, and she caught her breath. "What?"
His lips spread into a slow grin. "Give you a neck rub."
"Oh." She laughed shakily and ran a hand through her
hair. "No. That's okay. My neck's fine." She couldn't imagine
how she'd handle having his warm strong hands roaming over
her skin.
"Okay then." His voice was brusque as he stood. "I guess
you can show me where I'll be staying."
She nodded and stood also. Her legs weren't quite steady
as she led him toward the door connecting their units.
The door Nicolette opened led directly into a bedroom.
Heath dropped his duffel on the bed and followed Nic while
she showed him the other rooms.
This side of the duplex looked exactly like Nic's, other than
the decor. There were minimal furnishings, a couple of
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paintings on the walls, and a bouquet of fake flowers on a
side table.
"Here." Nic handed him a key. Their fingers briefly touched
before she pulled back. Just like she hadn't wanted him to rub
her neck. She wanted to avoid touching. Was it because she'd
felt the same thing he had while she was massaging him? And
when he'd almost kissed her?
Not likely. After all, women didn't get boners, did they?
Geez, he was pathetic. A friend offered an innocent neck rub
and he acted like she'd given him a hand job. He shook his
head to clear his thoughts.
"There's another bedroom upstairs," Nic was saying.
"There are clean sheets on both beds and blankets. Clean
towels are in the bathroom cabinet." She moved to the
kitchen, and he followed. "I wasn't expecting guests, so
there's not much to eat here. There should be some
beverages in the fridge." She opened the door to inspect and
nodded. "Beer, bottled water, sodas. A few condiments." She
opened one of the cabinets. "Some canned goods, but not a
lot to choose from. I can shop for you tomorrow, if you'll give
me a list. I know there's coffee here for in the morning, but if
you want breakfast, you'll have to come next door or grab
something out."
"I'll take care of that. Mom wants me to come out to the
house for breakfast. I won't bother you in the morning, unless
I have more questions. I made a few notes, some things to
follow up on so I'll be gone a good part of the day."
"Okay then. I guess you're set."
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"I guess I am." On impulse, he said, "Would you want to
go with me in the morning?"
"To investigate?"
"No. For breakfast. Mom said I should invite you over."
She smiled. "That was sweet of her. Tell her thank you,
but I have to go into work early tomorrow. Maybe some other
time."
"Right. I'll tell her." He almost invited her to Christmas
then, but he didn't. He didn't want to seem needy or insinuate
that he thought there was something more going on between
them than a friend doing a favor for another friend.
"Well, goodnight then," she said. "Call me if you need
anything. Or just knock on the door we came through.
Otherwise, I guess I'll see you tomorrow evening."
"Sounds good. If I have any questions throughout the day
about the investigation, can I call you at work?"
"Yeah. Sure. Just call my cell phone."
He watched her walk away and disappear through the
door. His body tingled as if her soft fingers still touched his
skin.
[Back to Table of Contents]
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Chapter Eight
Nicolette wandered through the house. Silence closed in
around her. The emptiness seemed more pronounced now
that Heath was gone. She went to the wedding photo he'd
been looking at. It was her favorite. Heath looked
devastatingly handsome in a white tux and black silk shirt
with a black tie. She remembered, even on the day of her
wedding, feeling a twinge of jealousy that Juliette was the
one who got to walk with Heath down the aisle, was his
companion for the evening. Juliette and Heath had flirted like
crazy. Nicolette always wondered if they'd slept together, but
never asked either of them. She didn't want to learn that they
had.
In the bathroom, she brushed her teeth and slipped into
her pajamas, then went to bed. Once there, she tossed
restlessly for what felt like hours. She looked at the clock. A
little after eleven. She hadn't been in bed all that long, but
she didn't feel like she'd ever fall asleep.
Throwing back the covers, she climbed out of bed. Maybe
warm milk would help. Something had to. She couldn't stop
thinking about the blackmailer, wondering if it was a mistake
to bring Heath in on this. What if he ended up getting hurt?
Or, what if he told someone, and the details of Rudy's past
leaked out?
No. She didn't have to worry about that. She could trust
Heath. And he wouldn't get hurt. He knew what he was doing.
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He was in the military and had been a cop for several years.
Now he had his started here and went up own security firm.
Yes, Heath could take care of himself. He was smart and
would probably figure out who was behind this, but then
what? They still couldn't go to the police. How would they
stop the guy, short of killing him, even if Heath uncovered his
identity? Maybe if Heath gave him a good scare, let him know
they were onto him, he'd just go away. Especially since he'd
made quite a profit in the past few months.
She moved through the dark house. In the kitchen, she
made do with the night light plugged into the outlet. The
house was chilly. Nicolette shivered, wishing she'd put on her
robe.
She put a cup of milk in the microwave. As she waited for
it to heat, she glanced out the window that looked out over
the backyard. Although it was well after dark, the bright snow
lit up the night. A figure moved across her yard, and her
heart started beating so fast and hard it was almost painful.
Dear God. Someone was out there. Should she get Heath?
The ding of the microwave made her jump. Taking the mug
from the microwave, she peered out the window once more.
The intruder moved close enough that she recognized him.
Heath! Her relie
f was so strong she nearly wept.
She watched him move around the semi-dark yard in
confident strides. He was checking things out. Making sure
she was safe. Protecting her.
She gripped the warm mug between her hands and sipped
cautiously. In addition to her fears and uncertainties about
the blackmail and Rudy's murder, she had to be honest and
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acknowledge the biggest concern of all. How could she keep
herself from falling in love with Heath all over again?
Heath, his brothers, and his future sister-in-law gathered
in the kitchen for breakfast, his mother busy at the stove. Her
efforts sent the tantalizing aroma of sausage in the air. Heath
sniffed appreciatively.
The waffle iron dinged, signaling one of her mouth-
watering waffles was up for grabs. As Clint went for it, Heath
tried to cut him off by shoving his empty plate in Clint's path.
"Mine. Back off." Clint lightly hit Heath on the arm to
deflect his aim.
Heath grinned and tried to shoulder his older brother
away. "Gotta move faster, Clinty."
Clint gave a mock scowl. "Don't touch that waffle, Candy."
Heath rolled his eyes at the childhood nickname, and didn't
bother to remind Clint he'd gotten his name from Lee Major's
character on the Big Valley series, not the candy bar. Heath
had spent most of his life pointing out that fact, but his
brothers insisted on calling him Candy because they liked to
torment him. Although Heath always despised the nickname,
his spirits lifted with the good-natured banter. He growled at
Clint, but moved aside and let him have the waffle.
When his turn finally came, he helped himself and held his
plate out for his mom to add a few sausage patties, then
joined the others at the table.
He eyed his younger brother and his fiancee, noting the
almost tangible tension between them. Not exactly the affinity
he'd expect from a couple pledging to spend the rest of their
lives together, but then, in the short time he'd known
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Sydney, he'd discovered that she managed to inspire tension
in everyone around her.
Thoughts of Nicolette surfaced, and he wondered how
she'd fit into the King family picture. Pretty damned well, he
concluded. His family already liked her. Once they got to
know her better, they'd love her. Too bad Heath wasn't
allowed to, or at least not in the way he wanted.
He shoveled food down faster, suddenly anxious to launch
his investigation. Someone was threatening Nic. If he couldn't
make her his, the least he could do was protect her.
As any friend would.
He looked at his mother, still working at the stove.
Between bites, he said, "So, Mom. Why the insistence we
come for breakfast?"
She placed a skillet of eggs on the table. The three
brothers took turns heaping their plates. Sydney nibbled on
dry toast, ignoring the sumptuous feast.
"Well, boys, it seems to be the only time I can get my
family in one place at one time." Amelia settled into a chair at
the head of the table and, one by one, favored her sons with
a look that meant she'd not be challenged. "Keeley's coming
by today. She called late yesterday afternoon. Asked if I
minded. I've invited her over, and I want to tell you all, at the
same time, I won't tolerate any shenanigans. You'll behave.
Treat her like family."
The food in Heath's mouth seemed to congeal in mid-
chew. He managed to swallow but pushed his plate away.
That was the last thing he'd expected, or wanted, his mother
to say. He'd known of the likelihood that the interloper would
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be forced on him at some point, but he certainly wasn't ready
for it to happen yet.
"I'll have to reserve the pleasure for another time," he
finally said. "I wasn't planning to come back today."
His mother cast a searching look his way, as if trying to
detect whether he was being a smartass. She didn't
comment, and he didn't elaborate further, didn't add that, if it
were up to him, he'd never meet Keeley Jacobs.
Sydney snarled, "Isn't that just peachy." She stood
abruptly, ran her hands down her skirt, then turned a
venomous gaze to Alex. "I'm going into the city for a while.
Remember what I told you."
What had she told him? That, in actuality, she was a
demon and the ceremony would have to be held beneath a
full moon, while her minions sacrificed a virgin? At least that
would make the wedding interesting enough to give Heath a
reason to be there.
Alex watched his fiancee storm from the room and shook
his head. "She's just stressed about the wedding."
"You're the one who should be stressed," Heath said
before he could stop himself. "You've got to wake up to that
every morning for the rest of your life."
At Alex's stricken look, Heath wished he could take it back.
His mother scowled at him, but didn't comment. He was
certainly scoring a lot of points with her today. At this rate,
she'd be glad he wasn't staying here this week.
Before either of his brothers could weigh in, Amelia turned
Thomas's house before Keeley arrives. I'm on the Kappa's
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Annual Association Meeting committee, and I need to go over
venue details with her." With that, she stood and limped
toward the door.
When only he and Clint were left, Clint said, "What's going
on with you?"
Clint's question brought him out of his reverie, and he
looked up with a frown. "What do you mean?"
"I mean you haven't been yourself. What's bugging you?"
Heath stared out the window at the festive holiday display
in the front yard. He tapped his fork on the plate and
muttered, "Friend of mine's in trouble."
"Is she pretty?" Clint said with a grin.
Wondering how much he should reveal, Heath decided to
give his brother something. Heaving a sigh, he leaned back in
his chair. "It's Nicolette."
Clint remained silent as he processed the information. His
brother knew Heath had a thing for Nicolette in college. What
he may not know is that the 'thing' hadn't ended when Rudy
won the girl. After a few moments, Clint gazed steadily at
Heath. "So not just any woman."
Heath didn't respond, but the expression on his face must
have portrayed his consternation.
"Careful there, little brother," Clint said, "that 'friends'
thing can get a little tricky."
No shit. Like they all hadn't noticed the new way Clint
looked at their surrogate sister, Jesse. "I suppose you'd
know." Heath experienced a modicum of perverse satisfaction
when Clint's amused look became a scowl. Going in for the
kill, he said, "You've been spending a lot of time with Jesse."
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Clint gave a reluctant nod. "Yeah."
Heath smiled at Clint's discomfort and offered a bit of
wisdom he'd gleaned from his own disconcerting mess. Plus,
he felt it was only fair that he issue a warning. After all, he'd
have to whip his older brother's ass if Clint toyed with Jesse
and ended up hurting her. "Be careful there, big brother."
Clint seemed to be digesting the advice, but before he
could reply, Heath stood. Time to head out. He had a woman
of his own to protect.
His own. Right. She wasn't his own in the sense he wanted
her to be, so he'd have to make do with what he had. Which,
right now, was the opportunity to be near her. As he carried
his plate to the sink, he threw over his shoulder, "Well, I've
got some things to do. I'll talk to you later."
Clint nodded, and Heath left him deep in thought. The
house was empty. Good. That meant he wouldn't have to
suffer through any more probing questions as he made his
way out the door and into the cold December morning.
Heath drove a few miles down his mother's road to an
abandoned farmhouse. The small farmhouse was gray now
but Heath remembered it being bright yellow. He couldn't
recall who had lived there, but knew no one had in years. The
grass was dead now, but in the spring it would grow to nearly
chest high before someone—either the unfortunate owners or
the city—would cut it down.
The driveway almost wasn't there, but two barely
discernible trails were left. Heath pulled onto them, then
parked behind a row of bare trees. As he'd done with almost
every ancient structure he'd seen since he was a small boy,
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Heath wondered if the James Gang had ever hidden here. All
his life, he'd been fascinated by their story and had convinced
his parents to take him out to see the James farm twenty
miles away in Kearney as often as he could. They'd seemed
somewhat amused and a tad concerned that their middle son
was so enthralled with a notorious outlaw like Jesse James.
Leaving the Tahoe running, Heath slid the seat back to