The feel of Ree’s lips pressed to Quint’s reminded him of just how long it had been since he’d been with a woman. Not good. His last relationship hadn’t ended well when he’d been accused of being in love with his former partner. Former dead partner now.
Ree brought her hands up to his shoulders as her tongue probed the inside of his mouth. Her touch was the equivalent of a bomb detonating inside his chest. Again, not good.
Quint let Ree have her moment. At least, that was the lie he told himself. Admitting she’d knocked him off balance meant he was so far off his game there was no coming back.
Pulling on all the willpower he had, Quint peeled her fingers off his shoulders and broke contact. They both heaved for air as though they’d just sprinted two blocks in the Texas heat.
Realizing the door was wide-open, he sidestepped Ree and closed it. And then the reason for the kiss dawned on him.
“You proved your point,” he conceded.
She whirled around and poked her index finger in his chest. “Don’t ever doubt whether or not I’m capable of doing my job again.”
Her eyes were still glittery and he took some solace in the fact the kiss had shaken her as much as it had him, at least on the surface. He put his hands in the air in the surrender position, palms out. “I needed to know you were capable of going the distance if the case called for it.”
“Yeah? How did I do?” she asked, issuing a challenge with those incredible green eyes of hers.
“I think we both know the answer to that question.” He motioned toward one of the chairs at the two-top table in the kitchen area. “This might be a good time to get better acquainted.”
“Sorry.” She toed off a high heel, and then the second. A little mewl escaped when her feet were finally free. He’d heard the same sound when their lips had first touched. Twice kissed and they hadn’t even gotten through their first day. It had to be a department record. “But I have to be back there in—” she checked her watch “—fifty-five minutes.”
“What? Why?” He didn’t bother to hide his shock.
“To work the dinner shift,” she said, walking over to the couch instead of where he’d instructed.
“There has to be a law against overworking employees.” He joined her in the living space, taking the chair across from her. The cabin’s decor could best be described as simple. The sofa lined one wall and there were two chairs and a coffee table to create a sitting area. A rug defined the perimeter. Creaky, original wood flooring ran the entire open-concept room. A queen-size bed was tucked in another corner, affording very little privacy.
“Charley was already down one waitress and someone called in sick,” she said.
“What was your impression of him?” Quint asked.
“He’s a sexist jerk, for one.” The fact she didn’t hesitate meant there’d been some kind of run-in. Then again, he’d seen the tight-fitting uniforms. Quint fisted his hands thinking about a guy like Davies making a move on Ree. She seemed to realize how little clothing she had on at the mention of the guy, buttoning up her blouse and untying the bottom so she could wear it like a real shirt instead of a glorified swimsuit.
“Did he try anything with you?” Quint managed to ask through clenched teeth. The fact his protective instincts flared only served to remind him that he hadn’t been able to distance himself from the memory of Tessa.
“Nothing like that,” she said. “Just trying to get a feel for the guy.”
“You must be tired after that shift. There’s Coke in the fridge. Or I can put on a pot of coffee,” he offered.
“Coke would be nice. Thanks.” She started to get up, but he stopped her with a hand up, waving her off.
“This one’s on me,” he said as he stood. He retrieved two bottles, popped the caps and then set them down on the glass coffee table.
“Where’d you get these?” She picked hers up. Her forehead wrinkled with the question and it was about the sweetest thing he’d ever seen. It wouldn’t be difficult to fake an attraction to someone like her: bold, intelligent and naturally beautiful.
“Corner store.” This wasn’t the time to get caught up in all things Ree Sheppard. Memorizing her quirks would help him down the line when he needed to know what she was thinking. Besides, those were the little things couples knew about each other. Those oddities that made up a person. Like the way she twisted a strand of hair in between her finger and thumb when she was thinking. Or the little concern line that scored her forehead when she was afraid she’d made a mistake.
Yes, he’d sat at the restaurant long enough to watch her when she was too busy to notice. And then, he’d exited before he could be identified. During the lunch rush, it had been easy to get in and out while staying under the radar. But Charley would have made note if Quint had stuck around. The bar owner might have already, which would say a whole lot about him and his character. Someone who constantly sized others up probably had something to hide. There was no doubt weapons were going through the back door at Greenlight. But who was involved?
“The other waitresses seem intimidated by him,” Ree finally said after taking a few drinks from her Coke. She tucked a stray hair behind her ear, which he’d noticed meant it was time to get serious.
“It’s possible he runs a tight ship. It’s one way to keep his staff minding their own business,” he said. Again, his hands fisted at the uncertainty of it all. They were going to have to work with another agency on this case most likely at some point. The realization brought all the flashbacks to mind. His blood boiled as he thought about the mistakes made on the night he’d lost his best friend, and remembered that she’d asked him to be the godfather of her kid. He still couldn’t figure out how she’d talked him into holding off on telling their boss about the pregnancy. She’d asked for time to deliver the news on her own terms. And Quint would spend the rest of his life regretting giving in to her request. Because she and her baby would be alive right now if he’d stood his ground the first time. Tessa would have been assigned to desk duty and he would have gone into the bust alone.
“Everything okay?” Ree’s voice broke through the memory.
“Yes. Fine. Never better.” Quint shook it off. “What did you say before?”
She shot a look, and her forehead wrinkled.
“I stood up to him,” she admitted. “I’m not sure he’s used to getting that reaction from his waitresses.”
“It could make him watch you closer.” Quint didn’t normally have an issue with keeping his temper under control. But right now, regrets about that other assignment sent his blood pressure soaring and gave him an intense need to put his fist through a wall. Better yet, find a boxing ring and go a couple of rounds with a willing participant.
Quint released a sharp sigh. Keeping his thoughts out of the past was proving more difficult than he’d imagined it would be.
He reminded himself this case was no different than the dozens of others he’d been on, and he could handle whatever came his way. Questioning himself on the fact would only lead to second-guessing himself in a critical moment. Ree deserved a partner with open eyes and a clear head.
“I SHOULD FEED you before you have to get back,” Quint said and, for the first time, looked more concerned than angry at her.
“The food next door is amazing based on what I’ve seen and smelled. I get a dinner break, so I should be fine until then.” Ree tucked her feet underneath her bottom as she finished the last of the Coke. It was exactly what she needed. That, and a few minutes to refresh her makeup before she headed back into the lion’s den. The same nervous excitement struck every time she was about to go deep undercover.
“What have you done so far?” Quint reclaimed his seat.
“In terms of...?”
“Work assignments?” he asked.
“I’d rather talk about this one first, if you don’t mind.” Those last few words came out defensive, so she took in a slow breath to calm her nerves. Partnering with someone like Quint, with his formidable reputation, had a way of ramping up her nervous system. She had to remind herself she’d been assigned because she was ready for a case with the legend. She was going to make mistakes. Period. In life. In this job. Mistakes were inevitable. Granddad had once told her it wasn’t the fact that she’d made a mistake that was important. It was the way she recovered that mattered.
Recovery was everything.
“That’s fair,” Quint said. “I was trying to get a gauge on whether or not you’d dealt with any weapons cases to see if we could find any links.”
“None recently,” she said.
“We both had access to the same file, so I know the basics about you,” he continued.
Why did her stomach flip-flop at the thought Quinton Casey knew anything about her personal life? Or was it the lack of one that had her wishing she could sweep the whole topic under the rug?
“Ditto,” she said.
“As far as this case goes, we know what we’re looking for,” he said.
“Any signs of weapons being run through the restaurant or via Charley, an employee or his suppliers,” she said.
“The question isn’t whether or not it’s happening. We know that part is true after busting Lionel Turner,” he continued after nodding his approval.
“Too bad he didn’t give us names,” she said.
“That would make this a little too simple for me,” he countered.
She nodded. Right. The department wouldn’t send someone like him for such easy pickings. Or her, for that matter.
He pulled a document up on his cell phone. “Greenlight has a total of five kitchen crew—a cook, two assistants, an expeditor and a dishwasher.”
She nodded.
“Did you get any names?” he asked.
“One goes by Chef. The two assistants are Pele and Craig. The expeditor goes by Fender, and the dishwasher is Eddie.”
He nodded as she rattled off names. “Chef must be Lorenzo Rocco, according to IRS payroll.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Fender must be Alec Feeny.”
“No idea what the real names are,” she admitted.
“Waitresses are harder to identify since he only shows two on payroll,” Quint stated.
A moment of silence passed. His forehead wrinkled.
“My favorite color is orange,” he said, circling back to their earlier conversation. “Not like a pumpkin but like the burnt orange of a perfect sunset. When it feels like you’re looking straight into a fire and are mesmerized by the orange glow.”
“Burnt orange sunset. I got it.” In fact, after the way he described it, she didn’t think she’d ever forget it. She also liked that he was telling her something about himself that most people wouldn’t know or be able to guess. Her heart gave a little squeeze in what felt like a strangely intimate moment happening between them.
“Pizza any day over a burger and my favorite beer is whatever is on tap,” he continued. “I like those pizzas where the chef throws together ingredients that maybe shouldn’t work together but somehow do.”
“There’s a place on Third Street in Austin that has the best craft pizza. Ronnie always comes out to the table when the special is ordered,” she said.
“I know Ronnie.” He quirked a brow. “You know Ronnie?”
“Not exactly know him. But I do know his pizzas and they are hands down the best in the state,” she said, unable to contain the excitement in her voice.
“That’s where I took you on our first date, then,” he said with a glimmer in his eyes that caused her stomach to free-fall.
“It was a perfect night,” she said, continuing on with the cover.
“I knew the minute you ordered the special you were different,” he said. His eyes lit up. His expression softened. The way he spoke about their fake date almost like it was real was incredibly sexy. “I never believed in love at first sight but I sensed you were going to be important in my life.”
Well, now she really was transfixed.
“The same was true for me,” she said. “There was something about sharing that first slice that made my whole future flash before my eyes. Us. Kids. A house.”
Quint cleared his throat, as if it had suddenly dried up. He took a swig of his Coke before setting the bottle down on the coffee table and glancing at the clock on the wall. “You have to head out in ten minutes. I think we’ve got enough for now.”
“Yeah. Right.” Ree forced her gaze away from him. She pushed up to standing and oriented herself toward the bathroom. Something was missing. It didn’t take long to figure out what it was. “Right. What was I thinking? My suitcase is in the trunk. I’ll just go—”
“I got it.” He waved her off.
“Not so fast.” She rounded the coffee table in time to grab him by the arm. He whirled around a little too fast and the heat of his stare caused her breath to catch. She swallowed to ease some of the dryness in her throat.
The look he gave her could have melted an iceberg.
“Your ankle,” she managed to get out. “How will it look if you bring in my suitcases when you’re supposed to be hurt.”
He stared at her, boldly, unapologetically. He had to know she was right and yet he didn’t seem ready to accept it. Someone like him, young and strong, would have a hard time leaving her to her own devices. Turned out chivalry wasn’t dead. She’d witnessed it too many times in her home state where men opened doors for women. Not because a woman couldn’t do it for herself, but because he followed a code that said, ladies first.
“All right,” he finally grunted out. “But I’m helping because if I don’t and Charley’s watching he won’t buy into the newlywed angle.”
“Sounds good,” she said. “I’ll make a show of forcing you to let me take my own suitcase.”
“That’ll help.” His face still looked pinched at the prospect of leaving her to it.
“And the story is still that you are studying to get certification in the computer field after being hurt on a job with your moving company, right?” she asked.
“The injury is the last straw since I’m not twenty anymore,” he said with a nod. “At forty-two, I realized that I needed a desk job.”
“And I’m going to be the one working and supporting you while you finish your studies,” she confirmed.
“That’s right. We’re also looking to pare down expenses now and are ready for a change from big-city life,” he said with an approving smile. One that shouldn’t send her heart fluttering.
It dawned on Ree that she could use her body’s reaction to sell the newlywed bit. Her cheeks flushed unintentionally when Quint put his full attention on her. She could use it to her benefit rather than constantly fight against her biology.
There was no use belaboring the point about who carried the bag inside. They were making progress on the rules-of-engagement front, on the getting-to-know-the-little-things front and on the working-together front. She would take the progress as she excused herself. She walked out to her car, if it could be called that considering how bad a shape it was in, and popped open the trunk.
Quint lifted the suitcase out as she insisted on helping. Thankfully, it was on rollers despite the gravel parking lot. She threw her arms around his neck, and quickly realized how much the move caused her breasts to press against the wall of his muscled chest.
For the second time her breath caught, her heart hammered her ribs, and an urge to kiss him overwhelmed her senses. She could do this assignment without getting personally attached...right?