Stealing Gold (The Logan Series Book 4) (9 page)

The
stranger focused all his attention on Adam. “There’s been a misunderstanding.”
He spoke fast, stammering with nerves. “Ask the lady to lower the shillelagh.”

Adam
stared back, and didn’t answer.

“I’m
Paddy Twohig, from the farm.” He waved a hand to the right. “Our family were
friends with your grandmother. You’re Adam Logan, aren’t ya?”

Adam
nodded. “Do you want to explain why you’re holding my wife’s knickers, Paddy?”

Paddy
swallowed. “
It
was Jack.” He proffered the panties Adam’s direction, waggling them in the air
as if he was desperate to get rid of them. “The donkey. He must have leaned
over the back fence and grabbed them. He came home with them in his mouth. He
was always doing that with your grandmother’s things.”

Stacy lowered the walking
stickShe fought back the urge to giggle,and snatched her underwear from Paddy’s
hand.

“I’m sorry, Miss, er, Mrs
Logan. He can’t resist pink. I’ll be going then.” Before either of them had a
chance to respond, he hiked up his dirty jeans, turned on his heels, and
scurried away along the path.

*****

Dogs
Bay was everything a beach should be. A curving crescent of white sand, with
turquoise sea beyond, and even a heather-purple lump of mountain in the
distance.

“Shoes
off.” Adam extended his arm so she could grab it while unsteadily slipping off
her sandals. The sand was warm and gritty. She curled her toes in, leaving soft
indentations. “Dry sand feels different to wet sand.” Adam scooped up a handful
to show her. “This sand is formed from shell and other marine detritus. There’s
a miniature world in every handful.”

She
peered at it, noting the differing shapes and textures.

“Try
walking.”

Up
at the far reaches, away from the water, the sand was piled into dunes with
scrubby plants growing on top. Stacy took a step, then two, her feet forming
deep gouges as the ground flowed and moved under her. “So this is what shifting
sands means.” She slipped, ran a couple of steps, then stopped on the flat.

“I
can’t remember the first time I came to the beach. We spent weeks staying with
my grandparents every summer. A couple of days after we broke up from school,
Ma would pack us into the car and we’d be off. Dad stayed home.” He took her
hand as they trekked across the sand to a spot sheltered by an outcropping of
rock. “Here’s good.” He laid a towel onto the sand, then removed his T-shirt
and toed off his shoes.

Stacy
unfastened the wraparound dress, and placed it carefully on the towel, then placed
her sandals below it. There were only a handful of other people on the beach,
but she felt exposed and awkward.

“I
never went on vacation when I was a kid. I had no other relatives than my
parents, and neither of them was inclined to go anywhere. When Lester became my
manager, I worked all the time. I had one burst of rebellion when I sneaked out
and went to the convention and checked into a hotel under a fake name without
anyone knowing my whereabouts.” She grinned. “And you know what happened then.”

“You
married me.”

They
were at the boundary of beach and sea, and Adam stepped in, the clear water
pooling around his ankles.

She
took a tentative step, and squealed. “God, that’s cold!”

Adam
took her hand. “You’ll get used to it. Come on.” He walked into the water,
pulling her with him, laughing and shrieking as the waves foamed around her
calves, her thighs, her waist.

This
is fun
. She
splashed Adam, pulled away from him, and ran through the water. Playing like a
kid would. Like a kid should. Like she never had. When she was young, she’d found
it difficult to make friends. Parents at the school were cautious about inviting
her to come and play at their houses, and there was no point in inviting anyone
back to hers. The prospect of bringing someone home to her mother passed out on
the couch had been a deterrent since she was old enough to realize not everyone
had a home life like hers.

That
was her past. She could make her own future.

She
scanned the water. Adam had disappeared. A moment later, she shrieked as
something touched her ankle. Before she could register what it was, she toppled
into the waves. Then Adam’s strong arms were around her, holding her safe.  She
spluttered and blinked water out of her eyes.

“You…”
She couldn’t hold back laughter. “You bastard!”

With
a grin, he tightened his hold.

Her
arms curved around his neck, and she tugged at his hair. “Have you thought
about my proposition?” She raised her eyebrows. “Are you going to be my man
candy, or do I need to look elsewhere?”

He
growled and bit her neck softly, sending a tremor through her. “If you’re
determined to mess around with someone over the next few weeks, you can forget
targeting anyone else, I won’t stand for it.” One hand flattened over her
breast. “Just as long as we both know the rules.”

“No
falling in love.”

He
nodded. “Friends with benefits. No regrets.” He pressed an open mouthed kiss on
her lips. “No regrets,” he whispered again, reinforcing his words.

“Your
life is fun.”

He’d
always done exactly what he wanted, when he wanted. Had a tribe of Logans
guarding his back, and supporting him unconditionally. Her mood dipped. Her
life had never been like that. Lester had never cared about her at all, even
though she’d thought he did. She breathed in deep. “I want my life to be fun
too.”

“Fun
means accepting the unexpected.” He nibbled her ear.

“I
didn’t expect a stranger arriving at the front door with my panties.” It was
the first time anyone had ever called her Mrs Logan, a title she no longer
held. Adam had called her his wife, and even though it was no doubt meant to
intimidate Paddy, a warm feeling had spread through her at being publicly
claimed. As though she was part of his family too.

His
gaze swept the shoreline, then his fingers hooked into the straps of her
swimsuit and peeled down the top. “I bet you weren’t expecting this either.”

Her
nipples pebbled in the cold water, until Adam cupped her breasts with his big
hands. “I could introduce you to sex in the sea, but I reckon it’s overrated.
And rolling around on the beach will get sand where the sun don’t shine.” He
squeezed, then pulled up her swimsuit. “Let’s go home.”

Chapter Ten

A
couple of days later, she stayed late recording, and got a lift home with
Christine rather than call Adam to collect her.

There
was no sign of him when she let herself in, but the lamps were lit, and he’d lit
a fire, making the cottage warm and welcoming. With a smile, she kicked off her
shoes, strode into the kitchen to place the Indian take-out she’d brought home
into the oven to keep warm, then went to find him.

The
bedroom was empty. The bathroom too.

His
office was dark.

A
noise came from the room she had yet to investigate—the one he’d called his
home gym. She pushed open the door quietly.

A
long black leather bag swung from the ceiling, shaking with every punch of his
boxing glove clad fists. He wore only a pair of black shorts, and his wide
expanse of chest was gleaming with sweat. The cut of defined muscles flexing in
his back, his strong legs, made her feel hot and needy.

She’d
loved his lean and rangy body before, but he hadn’t sported a six-pack like he
did now. Adam’d always been so cerebral—it was something she’d found infinitely
sexy about him.

But
buff worked too.

When
they were together, he’d spent most of his time inside—his attention glued to
his computer. Unlike his brothers, he had no time for sport, or that was how it
had seemed. Things had definitely changed.

Something
alerted him to her silent presence. He glanced behind him, and a wide, sexy
smile spread on seeing her.

“Hey,
you’re home.”

His
shorts hung low on his lean hips, emphasizing the V between his hipbones.

“I
always meant to ask you. What happened to your glasses?”

“Laser
eye surgery.” He grabbed a bottle of water and drank. Even the movement of his
throat as he swallowed was arousing.

“I
didn’t know you boxed.”

“I
started after I got rid of the glasses.” He put down the water, and stalked
toward her. “Boxing and glasses don’t mix.”

She
glanced around the room. “So this is the gym, huh?”

“It’s
not great.” He grinned. “But let me give you the tour.” He clasped her hand. “Here
we have the boxing area: one punchbag, one pair of gloves. He waved at the
bottle of water. “The refreshment center.”

She
swallowed a giggle.

“And
over here, we have the rowing machine. If you sit up really straight, you can
see the ocean through the window.”

“So
it’s just like the real thing.”

He
nodded.

“Do
you need to be a member to use the gym?”

“It’s
very exclusive, but you haven’t seen it all yet.” He pushed the door closed to
reveal a hook on its back. “We have two pieces of classic exercise equipment
here.” He took them off the hook and held out the other. “Skip?”

“I’ll
skip it.” Fooling about with him was fun. “I brought dinner.”

“I
eat dinner.” His eyebrows rose. “But I’m sorta sweaty. I should shower.”

“Oh,
coincidence. I also shower.” She grabbed the hem of her T-shirt and pulled it
over her head.

She
washed his chest. He washed her hair, her feet, and every place in between.

“I
really like this bathroom.” She gasped as he ran the sponge over her thighs. “It’s
surprisingly big.”

“That’s
the effect you have on me.” He tilted her chin and kissed her deep and wild.
She wrapped her arms around his slippery torso, feeling giddy with joy. He’d
always had a particular effect on her too. He made her happy. When they’d been
newlyweds in their tiny apartment they’d plugged in his collection of game
playing machines and raced cars around the screen. Had on screen kickboxed,
with him always choosing to be the busty female warrior while she favored the
muscle-bound barbarian.

He’d
even bought a sing along program, and they’d spent happy hours blasting out
power ballads, always trying to outdo each other. He did a particularly
impressive Freddie Mercury impression, if she remembered.

His
hands slipped and slithered over her soapy breasts. She pushed him back against
the tiles and curled her hand around his rigid length. Maybe they could play
those games later, but right now there were other, more physical games to play.

*****

“Do I
look okay?”

It
had been almost a week since that topless kiss in the sea, and Stacy stood
before him in the living room, one hand on her hip while the other played with
the silver buckle of her belt. Ink black jeans clung to her thighs and tapered
to her ankles. Wedge heels made her legs go on forever.

Her
hair, the color of butterscotch, was pulled back into a high ponytail emphasizing
the slash of her cheekbones, and she’d done something different to her eyes,
something with eyeliner and shadow transforming her into the type of mysterious
heroine that might knock on Sam Spade’s door.

She
said something, but god knows he couldn’t remember what.

Women’s
clothes were amazing. Her top was made of some clingy gold fabric that shimmered
when she moved. His ring glittered on her finger. Not the marriage finger; the
one on the other hand. She started wearing it today, and he was not the only
one at the studio to notice.

They
hadn’t been keeping the relationship secret, but they hadn’t been flaunting it
either, unless you count the ring wearing.

“Adam.”
Stacey waved a hand in front of his face. “Is this too casual? Too dressy?” She
smoothed her hands over her thighs. “Should I wear something else?”

“You
look amazing.” Every day since that evening in the sea, they’d kissed whenever
they wanted. He reached for her, but she danced away.

“Uh-oh.
No. We’ll be late.”

She
grabbed the clean shirt he’d left on the bed and brandished it in front of him.
“Anyway, you can’t be ready again.” She grinned as her gaze dropped to the
front of his jeans.

After
work, they’d tumbled onto the sofa and ripped off each other’s clothes, then
taken a shower which had rapidly escalated into a make-out session. He’d never
showered so much in his life—because having her in the shower was so amazingly
fantastic.

Her
eyes widened. “Are you…?”

Adam
rearranged his stirring hard on with one hand and took the shirt from her with
the other. “Yes. Let’s go before we get distracted again.”

*****

When
they arrived at the party, Sean rushed over and took her through to the back
garden where a group of people were chatting in the sunshine clutching bottles
of beer.

“You
want a drink?” Adam asked, and when she nodded, he wandered off to a table at
the side of the house to fetch them.

“This
is my wife, Amanda.” Sean glanced over to a smoking BBQ, and grimaced. “Excuse
me, I better go check on the burgers.”

“I’m
so glad to meet you, Stacy.” Amanda’s smile was warm and welcoming. “It’s great
you could come.”

“I
wouldn’t have missed it.” Adam was chatting to Sean with two beers clutched in
his hand. His brow creased, and he glanced over at her with something akin to
worry in his eyes.
What’s that about?

“We
thought maybe… Well, you know, because of the news…” Amanda watched her
carefully for a reaction, and when Stacy didn’t answer, she frowned. “You did
hear the news?”

“I
don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Amanda
grimaced. “You better come inside.” She took Stacy’s arm and let her through
the kitchen into the quiet living room and closed the door. “This morning’s
paper.” She picked the newspaper off the coffee table. “There’s an article in
it about your manager. Apparently he’s in hospital in Bali.”

Stacy
took the paper and sank onto the nearest armchair.

“The
television news has been running the story nonstop as well. He was conned into
a card game by hucksters who tried to rob him, and when he refused to pay they
beat him badly.” Amanda sat beside her. “I’m so sorry, I felt sure you’d know.”

“My
manager’s on the run.” There was a photograph of someone in a hospital bed.
Someone whose face was covered in bandages, and accessorized by tubes. “Are
they sure?” Her chest hurt. Lester had stolen from her, but once he’d been the closest
thing to a father she’d had, and seeing him like this—

The
door opened, and Adam and Sean entered.

“I
just found out.” Adam was at her side in moments. He read the story over her
shoulder.

It
was difficult to know what to do next. Anytime there’d been a crisis, Lester
had dealt with it. Now Lester was the crisis. Who would know what was going on?

After
a couple of minutes, it came to her. “I need to call my FBI contact.”

Sean
and Amanda left the room to give them privacy. Stacy found her cell phone and
searched for the number with shaking hands.

“I’ll
get you a proper drink.” Adam placed the beers on the coffee table, and left
the room.

It
was Saturday. No doubt Agent Black was spending time with his family. But she
couldn’t wait. She had to know. After a few rings he answered.

“Agent
Black?”

“Miss
Gold. I was going to call you.” There was a hint of apology in his voice. “I
didn’t want to disturb you at a weekend.”

There
was no time for pleasantries. Her fingers clutched the phone tighter. “I just
found out. Tell me what’s going on.”

Silently,
Adam came back into the room clutching a glass of amber liquid which he placed
before her.

“As
you’ve probably seen, he’s in Bali.” The agent coughed. “Which has got to be
the stupidest place for a fugitive with a gambling problem to go. We don’t have
an extradition policy with Indonesia, but gambling is illegal there. It appears
he was lured into a card game aimed at tourists, and when he didn’t have the
money to settle the debt, they attacked and almost killed him. It’s a common
scam—gamblers can’t go to the police because they’ve been involved in illegal
activity. Usually they just beat up tourists, and intimidate them into
withdrawing money from an ATM, but in this case he collapsed so they dumped him
from a car in a rough neighborhood.”

The
thought of anyone being treated so badly, even Lester, was abhorrent. “He looks
badly hurt.”

“He
is. They had no idea of his health complications. The doctors say he has a bad
heart, and terminal cancer.”

“I
had no idea either. So, what happens now?”

“Once
they learned he was wanted in the United States, the authorities were keen to
hand him over, but he’s in no condition to travel right now. Once he is, we’ll
be bringing him back to face charges. Are you in Nashville at the moment?”

“I’m
working in Ireland. I’m supposed to be here for another few weeks.”

“You
may have to come back sooner. Once we have him in custody. I can reach you on
this number?”

She
nodded, then realized that he couldn’t see her. “Yes.”

“Fine.
I’ll keep you posted. We’ve tried to keep the fact that he’s a fugitive out of
the news, but I doubt it will remain secret for long, so I reckon the press
will be trying to track you down for a statement. Because of the time
difference, it’s probably smart for us to communicate by email too. Text me
your email address and I’ll send you mine.”

“Okay.”
She swallowed. “I’ll wait to hear from you.”

She
dropped the phone onto the sofa. Reached for the glass and swallowed a mouthful
of brandy, feeling it burn all the way to her stomach. “They’ll extradite him
when he’s well enough,” she told Adam, who slung an arm around her and tugged
her close. “I should feel happy he’s been caught, but I just feel…” She shook
her head, unable to put her turbulent feelings into words. Lester had stolen
from her, and even worse, he’d stolen the year she should have had with Adam.
She couldn’t feel anything for him. Couldn’t have any sympathy.

“We’ll
go home.” Adam’s lips moved against the top of her head.

“No.”
She eased away from him and swallowed another mouthful of brandy. “I don’t want
to leave. We came to enjoy ourselves and I’ll be damned if I’ll let Lester
screw up any more of my days.” She squared her shoulders. Stood. “Come on.” She
reached for his hand. “Introduce me to everyone.”

*****

She
was hurting. But the casual observer would never know it from the way Stacy
mingled with the other guests at the party. Most of them had the sense to
follow her lead and not talk about her manager, but when someone broke the
unspoken code and did, she made some quick comment and changed the subject.

Adam’d
never thought he’d have sympathy for the man who’d helped to destroy his
marriage, but Stacy’s determination to brush off the other man’s situation was
disturbing. It was as though she was blanking her mind of inconvenient memories—writing
Lester out of her history, even though once he’d been everything to her.