Nowhere Safe

CHAPTER 13



Why couldn’t Josh see that she was at the end of her frayed rope?

Josh took the last turn toward her house in north Ft. Lauderdale, and Trish watched the headlights of his Porsche sweep across the first frame house on her street.

When he reached her driveway and pulled in to park, he said with more authority this time, “Don’t get out until I come around.”

“Don’t give me orders.”

“Do you fight everyone this way, or just me?”

Why was she fighting him? Because he’d had her on edge all night. The man was gay, but he’d sent her constant strange signals that had her body twisted with need. Then he wouldn’t let her go to ReSolution alone when she had no idea what the stalker was doing.

Or what danger she might have been leading Josh into.

She was too tired to fight. “I’ll wait.”

“Thank you.” He walked around the car, a dark shadow moving with a smooth stride. Then her door opened and he offered her a hand. She took it, and that sizzle of energy she’d been experiencing since they’d first met in the task force office slid along her senses as he helped her out of the car.

No point in trying to tell him goodbye here.

Knowing what little she did of Josh, she wouldn’t be surprised if he wanted to come inside and check out the house. Were computer techs trained in defense? They must be, since he’d mentioned a service weapon. She had pepper spray and could defend herself against a physical attack, but finding that black chess piece in ReSolution had unhinged her confidence.

She’d had no chance to examine it closely with Josh hovering, but she was pretty sure that rook was from an infamous chess set that had belonged to a famous serial killer in 1867. The set had been stolen from a private collector several years ago.

The serial killer had once been a promising chess champion before being imprisoned for murdering an opponent. When he escaped, he’d used the pieces as a calling card, systematically killing everyone he’d fingered as being at fault for putting him in prison.

“Careful,” Josh said, taking Trish’s elbow as she started toward the front door. He guided her with an odd mix of gentleness and strength that had her wondering what he’d be like as a lover.

Crap. Exhaustion had sent her mind on one heck of a trip to Fantasyville.

Josh noted, “You should have a security light out here.”

“I do.” She looked up at the spotlight controlled by a motion detector. “Must be burned out.”

A warning tapped at her shoulders. That bulb had been replaced ten days ago. Had someone...

Stop jumping to stalker default. Every blown bulb wasn’t the result of terror tactics. Besides, Josh was with her. Whatever training he’d had, she’d noticed serious muscle when she’d touched his chest at the shop earlier today.

For this one moment, she experienced something she hadn’t enjoyed in a long while. She felt safe.

This man had persisted in accompanying a belligerent date to attend what had to be a boring event for him, then faced law enforcement at her store. And he’d helped her out by speaking up when she couldn’t form a reasonable reply for why she and Josh had gone to her shop in evening clothes that time of night.

He’d come to her aid when she was reeling from the latest threat, expecting the shop to explode into flames at any moment.

Josh had been tolerant throughout the entire evening. More than that, he’d been giving her far more consideration than she’d given him.

She’d been the date from hell.

But he said the most bizarre things. Like just before the police showed up when she was sure he’d said he was interested in her.

Why would he toy with her that way? Especially at that moment when she was obviously distressed?

They reached the front door that needed a new coat of gray paint, which probably meant the shutters did, too. Unlocking the door, she stepped inside and hit the wall switch for the lamp.

That worked.

The burned-out spotlight was probably a fluke.

“I’m home and safe,” she said, turning to Josh who stood too close behind her in the doorway. It even smelled safe with the welcoming scent of a winter mix potpourri.

Josh loomed over her just inside the doorway. “Aren’t you going to invite me in for coffee?”

That was not a question about coffee. Any female would recognize that as a date wanting to come inside to get cozy.

Enough was enough.

She tossed her purse on the sofa. Out of patience and dead on her feet, she was done with this game. “Why would you want me to do that?”

He lifted his palm to her cheek. “Because I’ve been waiting all night to be alone with you.”

“This is ridiculous,” she muttered. “Are you going to tell me you’re actually attracted to me?”

“No. I’m done talking.” He cupped her face and kissed her.

She turned to stone, shocked beyond words. He sure as hell wasn’t talking. He tasted warm and masculine. Everything about this kiss said skill and he used his lips the way an artist wielded a brush to create a perfect work of art. But something was missing.

The passion of an artist going for a one-of-a-kind.

This felt more like a reproduction. But damned sexy for a knockoff.

Trish grabbed the lapels of his tuxedo. He did look hot in a tux. Smoked that guy Ryder.

Ryder? Josh’s partner. What kind of idiot was she?

One who thought this was a real kiss by a man really interested in her.

She broke away and backed up. “What was all that about?”

He scrubbed a hand over his face, mumbling, “What the hell?” Crossing his arms, he stabbed a dark look at her. “Are you going to tell me you weren’t enjoying that kiss?”

“No, I can’t say that.”

“Or that you’re not attracted to me?” he continued.

“Nope. Can’t make that claim either, even if it does make me sound like an idiot.”

“Why would that make you an idiot? What is the problem?”

She couldn’t help it. Her mind had hit overload. She grabbed her head and started laughing. “What’s wrong with this?” She spread her arms wide to indicate the two of them. “Nothing other than you being...gay.”

“What the fu...are you serious?”

Pissed off Josh was a scary version of hot Josh. She hesitated then gave up. In for a penny, in for a pound. “Yes, I’m dead serious so I don’t understand why you kissed me.”

When he could finally speak, his words came out chillingly soft. “I’m. Not. Gay!”

“Really?” She struggled to come up with something to say, but all that came out was, “Are you sure?”

He took two steps and pulled her into his arms, cupped her bottom and snugged her up against him. Close. Stomach to hip close. He said in a deep voice, rough with arousal. “Would I be this turned on if you weren’t my type?”

Holy crap that was some erection. She didn’t think he could fake that and the next question was–why would he?

Heat coiled and started a slow burn in her womb. She stared into a fiery blue gaze that refused to let her go. “Guess not,” whispered from her lips.

She ran her tongue over her lips.

The moment stretched tight as a piano wire then snapped when he lowered his head. He kissed her again, but not so softly this time.

This kiss packed a punch. Loaded with pure seduction.

His mouth took possession of hers, leaving no question that she was being kissed by a man who enjoyed women.

A man flush with passion and bent on creating a masterpiece.

She gave in to the longing that she’d fought against all day and pushed her hands up his shoulders, feeling the solid muscle. His tongue swept inside her mouth, brushing hers in a tangled dance.

Her breasts ached to be touched.

Her body had struck up a dialogue with his, and her body was liking this part of the conversation.

Kissing her deeper, his hand slipped between them to cup her breast. His thumb raked across the hard tip, dragging a desperate sound from her. No question he was aroused and the impressive thickness pressed against her.

She shivered, wanting that. Wanting him.

His mouth teased the skin along her neck and shoulders, “You are so damned beautiful.”

Trish smiled, lost in a sensual haze.

A car door slammed outside. Who...?

Crap. Heidi. “Josh...uhm...we have to stop, Sugar.”

He lifted his head, eyes sharp with hunger. “Why?”

“Heidi’s home, and she’s going to want answers.”

The sigh that escaped him came from down deep. He released her and stepped back, breathing just as hard as she was.

She started straightening her dress.

Her mind took the conversation back from her body, and with that, sanity returned. She’d been kissing Josh as if naked would be next in her vocabulary. He had to get out of here. She couldn’t be getting naked with anyone.

Heidi didn’t bother to knock. She bounded in the front door, stopped and crossed her arms. That pose warned no one was going to bed until she got answers. “What happened? I got your text.”

Trish jumped on that opening to explain her hasty exit. “The police had a call about suspicious activity at ReSolution. They met us there.”

The hard lines smoothed out on Heidi’s forehead. She dropped her arms and came over to Trish. “Oh. Everything okay?”

“Yes. False alarm.” Trish hated lying to Heidi by omission, but she still didn’t know why the stalker had sent the police or left that black rook. The stalker’s notes had mentioned Zane and Angel, but made it very clear that anyone Trish told about their little game would be at risk. For that reason, Trish could not share any of this with Heidi. “I’ll walk Josh out and be right back.”

Heidi gave Josh a once over, as if questioning his presence then nodded. “I’m grabbing a shower and changing, but don’t go to bed until we talk,” she said, making sure Trish knew she wanted more than a quick explanation. “I told everyone at the banquet you had an emergency. They made appropriate noises of concern and gave me your sealed packet of information.”

Trish could tell Heidi hadn’t been happy about using the “emergency” excuse, but had given Trish the benefit of the doubt that she did have one of some sort.

“I’m not going to bed any time soon. Thanks for standing in for me.” Trish had until Heidi finished her shower to come up with a story that sounded believable.

Heidi said goodnight to Josh and disappeared back out the front door. Trish heard her double-timing up the steps to her apartment.

What had been one sizzling moment was now awkward as Trish herded Josh toward the door. Once they were both outside, she pulled the door almost closed. What did she say to him now? “Look about what I said–”

“Did you really think I was gay?”

“It didn’t make sense. But Zane said–”

Josh covered his eyes with a hand then dropped it. “I’ve heard how overprotective he is, but telling you that just so you’d keep your distance was one ballsy move.”

Trish hesitated to tell Josh that Leanne was the one who’d said he was gay. That might cause bad feelings at the task force. She’d ask Leanne about it next time she saw her, but first she had to smooth this over for Zane.

Since Josh assumed Zane had made that up, Trish said, “My brother means well.”

“I still don’t understand how you could think–”

She held up her hand. “In my defense, I might not have been sold on it if I hadn’t met Ryder.”

“What did he say?” Josh tensed just as he had when Ryder had stood next to him.

“He didn’t say anything,” she rushed to explain before this caused even more problems within the task force. “I thought he was your partner. You know...life partner.”

Josh’s lips parted with confusion then he threw his head back and laughed, a real, heart-felt sound. She had the strange feeling that he didn’t laugh often or hadn’t in a while because of how it came out almost like relief. He was a physically beautiful male, but seeing his eyes light up that way exposed a relaxed side she found far more attractive.

His laughing slowed to a chuckle. “Glad we cleared that up.”

“Shouldn’t have happened to begin with. I feel like a fool.”

Josh angled his head, a quirk at his lips. “You have that look that says, little sister paybacks are hell.”

“You have no idea.”

“I sort of do. Let’s not tell Zane,” Josh suggested. “That way he won’t be a nuisance.”

“A nuisance for what?”

“For us seeing each other.”

Hold everything. “No. I’m sold on you being a super stud, okay? But I’m not dating right now.”

“Why?”

Did he have to question everything she said? “I’m not ready to date again.”

“Because of your rehab program?”

After so many hours spent in AA meetings and rehab, her chest shouldn’t get tight when somebody said it out loud. It wasn’t a secret, but she still struggled with the stigma. “Not sure how you know that, but yes, that’s the reason. I’m not ready to get involved with anyone.”

“That’s perfect. I don’t want to get involved either. But I’m going to be here for another two weeks and I’d like to see you again.”

“Josh, I’ll be blunt. I’m not sleeping with you.”

He was just as blunt. “I didn’t ask you to.”

Well, damn. What was she supposed to think after that kiss went atomic?

Cupping her chin with his fingers, he leaned down. “What do you say we just get to know each other? No pressure for you, and I won’t have to spend my entire time here alone. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He kissed her lightly on the lips and walked to his car.

He proposed a relationship that sounded like hers and Brendan’s, except Brendan’s quick goodbye kisses were more like Zane’s, a brotherly touch on the cheek that she didn’t feel all the way to her toes.

Josh sure as hell didn’t kiss like a brother.

There had to be a catch to his offer. Nothing could be that easy.

Not when it came to men like Josh Robertson.

She watched the taillights of his Porsche fade as he drove away, thankful he’d been with her tonight when she had to face the police. Trish slapped a palm against her forehead.

When did you get the crazy idea you were out of danger?

There was no way she could see Josh again. Not with a crazy stalker watching everything she did. She couldn’t be responsible for the safety of one more person.

Her body disagreed with the decision, but her body only cared about getting up close to all that hot male again. In spite of how hard she’d tried to push Josh away, Trish liked him.

And that was the biggest problem of all.

It bugged her to think about him with another woman, but she couldn’t face herself if anything happened to someone that sweet and considerate.

He’d have to find someone else to keep him company.