Deadly Shadows (7 page)

“I always liked playing doctor.”

“Ooohhhh.” She tossed the pencil at him. “Go to work. Get out of my house.”

“I’m renting it. Have a signed contract to prove it.” He stopped in front of her.

“You’re impossible and I’m trying to think here and you’re making it hard.”

His dimple peeked at her. “That’s nice to know.”

The man reminded her of a panther. He set the briefcase on the center island on one side of her, reaching across trapping her between him and counter behind her.

“Don’t move your stuff,” he said, his voice quiet.

She licked her lip, looking up at him. “I was going to run to the store and get some food.”

“You’re changing the subject.” He leaned in ever so slightly and she felt her blood heat.

“You don’t need to be out there alone in the cottage.”

She couldn’t think with him this close. And
why
was he this close?

“I-um-I don’t think….” She licked her lips

“Good.” He lowered his mouth to hers. A breath away his eyes met hers and he smiled.

“Don’t think.”

A spark lit deep within her as his lips, soft yet firm, met hers. Jesslyn didn’t move, couldn’t move. Aiden didn’t touch her other than with his lips on hers. Before it started the kiss ended. His smile dimpled. She liked that single dimple in his right cheek.

“I’m glad to see you don’t always bite,” he whispered.

Bite? Jesslyn blinked, shook her head as he stepped back, though still kept his arms on either side of her.

“Depends,” she whispered.

This close she watched his eyes darken. Fascinating.

“Don’t move to the cottage.” His voice whispered over her.

Jesslyn was surprised to realize she almost answered, “Okay.”

But she didn’t.

She put her hands on his chest and pushed back. “Are you a vegetarian?” she asked. “If you are, I think I’ll buy steaks.”

Looking up, Jesslyn barely caught his frown.

“What? Vegetarian? No.”

“Good. I’m going to get to the store before it gets too busy, then I’ll come back here and crash.” He grabbed up his briefcase. “Take the nap first. You look like hell.”

“Compliments, compliments. My heart’s all aflutter.” Jesslyn rolled her eyes and managed to keep from walking him to the damn door.

She waited until she heard the click of the front door and then looked out the window and watched as he backed his Jeep down the drive before driving away.

What was with her?

A panther. She chuckled out loud. And what a sleek, smooth panther too.

Silence settled around her, heavy and almost oppressive. Jesslyn looked around the

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kitchen, out into the living room. Nothing had changed. What was different?

Deciding not to think about that, she headed upstairs. Maybe she would take a nap first.

* * * *

Beethoven blared in her ears as her fingers flew over the keys. Here Jesslyn could keep pain at bay. Here she was in charge and there were few surprises. Well, the muse often took off on a tangent, but it usually turned out to be a good thing. And here, Death didn’t creep his cold fingers over her life. Jesslyn’s headache and nerves made it impossible to eat lunch. She’d taken a couple of ibuprofen after Aiden left, but as yet they did nothing. She could probably take something else soon, but she wasn’t going to worry about that now. She was busy. The hero and heroine were dodging bullets. She didn’t have time for aspirin or water or anything else.

This was her world.

The banging finally registered. Someone was beating the hell out of her door. Dammit.

Jerking her headphones off, Beethoven’s thundering symphony quieted. There was a reason for having headphones, to drown out noise.

Heading down the hallway, she mumbled and cursed whoever would dare to interrupt her.

It better be damn good.

The banging continued.

“I’m coming!” she yelled. “For God’s sake.” She yanked the door open to see Tim and Aiden standing on her threshold. She was tired and bitchy, but she still noticed the foil packages in Tim’s hands, the bags of groceries in Aiden’s. The charred scent of grilled meat drifted on the air. Jesslyn stepped back to let them in.

“It’s about damn time,” Tim all but snarled.

Excuse her. “Well, I’m sorry, dear, but I was busy writing. Aiden has a key, why the hell didn’t he open the door?”

Aiden said, “In case you can’t see, my hands are full.”

“Lord forbid you set something down.” Turning back to Tim she asked, “What are you doing here?” Tim frowned as he crossed her threshold and Aiden grinned his one-dimpled grin that made her heart skip.

“We came to make sure you eat.” Tim brushed past her and into the kitchen.

She caught his you-know-better look as he looked into her near empty fridge. Well, not quite empty. There were eggs and juice. Maybe some salad stuff. And yogurt. There was a carton of yogurt. So she hadn’t made it to the store like she said. Aiden owned a hotel, he had a place to eat.

“Glad to see I took it upon myself to go shopping,” Aiden said pleasantly, setting the bags on the countertop.

Jesslyn watched as he unloaded the bags, then stopped and looked at her.

“What?” she asked.

“You could help.”

“I could.” She swung the front door shut and walked to the kitchen area. “I figure they’re your groceries, you can put them up.”

Tim cleared his throat. “Children, children. Jesslyn, could we get some plates?”

Looks like there was going to be some company tonight. She should have moved her stuff to the cottage above the garage. At least the Chief hadn’t stayed long when he stopped by earlier that morning.

45

In the kitchen she grabbed some plates and glasses. Tim asked her to tell him everything Garrison and she talked about. Jesslyn sighed and shut the cabinet door. So much for writing.

Tim meant well. Setting the table, she complied, filling Tim in on what she knew, keeping to herself the emotions she wasn’t ready to face. Aiden meticulously placed things in the refrigerator. She set down the last glass and watched him. He even arranged the vegetables in the veggie drawer. Hell, she’d always just tossed everything in there.

And why did she care how the man arranged his food?

Jesslyn shook her head. She’d make some tea, concentrate on the mundane. While the water boiled, she asked Tim yet again, “What are you doing here?”

His arms crossed over his chest and studied her for longer than she cared to be scrutinized. Finally, he shrugged. “Sue me. I was worried about you. Being the heartless man most think I am, I called up Aiden and talked him into steaks. Figured you hadn’t eaten.”

Aiden straightened and shut the refrigerator door, walking around the island.

She couldn’t help but grin at Tim. “Yeah, you’re just a cold hearted jerk, aren’t you?”

“So I’ve been told.”

Another knock at her door. What the hell was this? Club Jesslyn?

“Care if I get it?” Aiden asked from his lounge by the table.

“Why should I? You’re renting the place, have a signed contract and everything. Having dinner parties and whatnot.” He only leveled a look at her. “No, I don’t care.” The water started to boil. She turned, moved the kettle, dumped the tea in, and closed the lid to let it steep.

Jesslyn tried to tell herself it was the thought that counted, but it was hard when you found out your friends obviously thought you were weak and frail. Did they expect her to be on the brink of a break down or something?

“Oh. Hi, didn’t know you’d be here, but I guess so,” T.J. said, her voice coming from the front door. “You are renting the place.”

“Hi, Tinks. You remember Aiden.”

T.J. stepped into the house. “Hard to forget,” she said a little lower than necessary.

Jesslyn rolled her eyes.

“T.J.” Jesslyn smiled. “I think you need to join us for dinner.”

T.J. stopped, her black brows arching over her snow blue eyes that looked from Jesslyn into the kitchen. “Oh.”

Color surged up her friend’s face.

Jesslyn turned and looked at Tim. How the hell did she forget that? Leaning close, she whispered, “Think fairy dust.”

T.J. shoved her out of the way and stalked into the kitchen.

“Do you always abrade other people?” Aiden asked her, shutting the door.

“It’s a gift.”

He grinned, slow and easy. “Can’t wait to see what other talents you can boast of.”

On a frustrated mumble, she turned and followed Tinks into the kitchen.

Aiden didn’t follow. She heard his feet thump up the stairs. Tim looked at T.J. “Maybe, between the two of us, we can talk Jesslyn here into your plan of drowning her sorrows and fucking her brains out.”

She could only stare at Tim. “What?”

Tim shrugged.

T.J. grabbed stuff out of the refrigerator. Straightening with lettuce, tomatoes, and other

46

various greens in her arms she winked and said, “You know, fairy dust, color in your cheeks.

Lust.” “I will never understand women’s analogies,” Tim muttered.

Fairy dust? Lust? Her and Aiden Kinncaid? “T.J., have you been drinking?”

The vegetables plopped and rolled on the counter as she dropped them and grabbed a bowl from the cabinet. “No. I told you this morning. Tim and I both think you need this.”

“Need what?”

Tim waggled a steak knife at her. “Not what, who.”

She could only stare from one to the other.

“Well, the sparks between you two are obvious,” Tim continued. “They were this morning. And he asked about you when I talked to him both times today.”

Jesslyn threw up her hands. “Well, hell, Tim, will you pass him a note for me after the pep rally? What is this? High school?”

Her friends thought she should go for her renter?

T.J. tilted her head. “She’s avoiding the point.”

“Why is that?” Tim asked.

Damn him, he was right. She watched as he uncorked a bottle of wine, thinking how she did feel something around Aiden, but lust after him? Sleep with him?

Feet thumped back down the stairs.

Tim filled one wine glass with deep red liquid and handed it to her. “Here, Aiden’s probably thirsty.”

T.J. nodded and leaned on the counter beside Tim. “Indeed, I bet so. I was just thinking the same thing.” Both of them were grinning at her, the dare in their eyes. Tim poured another glass and handed it to her.

Fine. She grabbed both glasses, sloshing wine up near the rim. Taking a deep breath, she turned and almost bumped into Aiden.

He stopped, looked at the glass, to the still-probably-grinning-fools behind her, and back to her. A small smile played at the corner of his mouth as his dimple winked at her.

“Thank you.” He reached out. The moment his fingers touched hers on the glass, she almost let go. Shock. How had she forgotten what his simple touch could do to her? Jump starting her system with a bolt of--something--clear down to her toes. God, those long, lithe fingers of his. His touch was still warm. Artist’s hands, she’d forgotten his hands. Masculine with their long palms, the backs were speckled with dark hair and ended with tapered fingers.

Her eyes flew up to meet his. Licking her lips, she gently pulled her hand from under his, letting go of the glass. “You’re welcome.”

She set her glass aside.

“You don’t like wine?” he asked, his voice low.

“No, I’ve got a headache and if I drink, especially wine, it’ll only get worse.”

“Did you take anything?” he asked before he took a drink.

“Jesslyn, where the hell are your knives?” Tim asked from the kitchen jerking her back.

Idiot. She was an idiot around this man. Why? A writer and she couldn’t even remember what the hell he’d asked her, let alone answer the damn question. It was those blue eyes. Though blue was definitely inadequate. And the hands, yeah, he had great hands. And, well, hell--
let’s be honest
--the whole damn package.

Smiling at him, she turned and went to the kitchen.

47

Everyone helped get dinner on the table. T.J. and Tim bickered about something. Dinner went smoothly. Everyone talked of movies and music likes, things to do here in the summer.

They all veered away from one topic. Maddy.

48

Halfway through the meal, T.J--curse her hide--blurted out. “You know, Aiden. I’m glad you’re staying here. Jesslyn could use a man around the house.”

Jesslyn choked on the one bite she’d managed to force herself to eat.

Aiden’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. “Excuse me?”

“Well,” T.J. expounded. “I was thinking you’d be a good watch dog, so to speak.”

Jesslyn saw his blue eyes cut to her, and part of her wished she could crawl under the table. “Really? And dare I ask as to why you would think that?” He laid his fork down and pushed his plate to the side.

Tim apparently decided he needed to throw his two cents in. “Well, T.J.’s right. Jesslyn spends too much time walled up here alone and what with what happened and all, it’s nice to know there’s someone here to look after her.”

“Am I even at the table?” she asked.

Everyone ignored her.

Aiden looked from the other two, back to her, picked up his wine and said, “I have a feeling she might see things differently.”

“Finally the voice of reason,” she muttered.

A moment stretched between them before T.J. stood up coughing. “I need to get going.

I’ll clean off the table since you were hardly thinking I’d show up to eat.”

“I’ll help you,” Tim offered.

They both split with hands full of dishes. Jesslyn stood and started to help clear the table.

When everything was tidied, and the men were in the living room, T.J. walked to her. “I know this isn’t the time, but I thought of something after I left this morning.”

The knot she hadn’t gotten rid of all day rolled in her stomach. “What?”

“Maddy was an orphan. She had no family, no one.”

“She had us!” Jesslyn interrupted. The men looked up from the living room.

T.J. sighed. “I know that. But as far as arrangements and what not.” She looked away, then back at Jesslyn.

Arrangements. Of course. “Oh.” Jesslyn huffed. “I’m sorry, Tinks. I just--sorry.”

“It’s okay. I wanted to see what you thought about it. Not that we can do anything anytime soon.”

No, they wouldn’t be would they? She had done enough research for her novels to know that some forensic pathologist would be finding any and every detail that might help them to find out who had killed Maddy. Once the autopsy was completed and finalized, the findings agreed upon, her body would be released.

Killed Maddy.
God, the words hit her again.

“Look, just think about it. I’ll talk to Tim and see what he thinks.” T.J. gave her a hug.

“Thanks for dinner, though you didn’t eat but a couple bites.”

49

“You going to be okay going home alone?”

T.J. jerked a shoulder. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’ve got my baby right here to keep me safe.” She patted the gun strapped to her waist.

A grin caught Jesslyn by surprise. “If you get lonely, I’ve got a spare room.” She walked T.J. to the door.

“Wait up,” Tim said. “I’ll walk you out.” At the door he stopped. “You didn’t eat.”

No, she hadn’t eaten.

Aiden had noticed too. Three entire bites did not count in his opinion.

Tim looked at him yet again. Aiden knew Tim had watched him watch Jess all evening, but he didn’t care. He wondered if anything was really going on between Tim and Jesslyn. He was pretty certain there wasn’t. His friend seemed more interested in the female officer.

Tim leaned down, kissed her on the cheek and said, “I’m going back to
The Dime
. You take care. And take something for your damn headache. I’ll call you in the morning.” Tim turned to him with a granite stare that spoke volumes on protectiveness.

“Night,” Aiden said.

“Go.” She shoved Tim through the door, closing it behind him and leaning against it. A pent up sigh released as her shoulders fell. She looked tired as hell. He should probably let her get to bed, or go write or whatever she wanted to do. He had papers to go over.

A glance at the clock showed him how late it was getting. He too had a headache.

Another one. Awkward silence blanketed the air between him and Jesslyn. Rubbing his neck, he caught her watching him.

“Headache?” she asked.

“Yeah, again.”

“For you, it’s probably the altitude. Lowlanders.”

How did she make that sound like an insult?

She turned and walked back to the kitchen. “Come on, I’ll give you something.”

Following her, he asked. “Will it put me in the hospital?”

“Unfortunately, I’m fresh out of arsenic.”