Chapter Four

Gill could hardly believe his good fortune. He’d spent most of the past two days wondering how he was going to uncover the identity of his mystery woman without giving away too much information, and she’d all but landed in his lap. He’d spent the rest of the time trying to talk himself out of searching for her at all.

He’d even considered packing up his stuff and leaving Jamesville. In the end, he couldn’t make himself go. Not yet. Not until he’d at least talked to the woman who filled his thoughts practically every waking minute.

No doubt about it, Alicia Flint had him tied up in knots. He wasn’t certain he liked the idea, but he didn’t seem to have much choice in the matter. He was old enough and experienced enough to know that the immediate connection between them was special and much more than a one-night stand.

He walked down the sidewalk by her side, waiting for her to speak. She looked great. Even better than he remembered. Her cheeks were red with the cold, her lips were rosy and her black hair was tousled in the sharp wind that blew. He frowned, wondering if her ears were cold. She should be wearing a hat. It was bitter.

Her hands were stuck in the pockets of her black coat and her purse bounced against her side as she strode past the stores and businesses on Main Street.

“Your office far?” He probably should have offered to drive them. He wasn’t exactly dressed for Maine in March. If he stuck around for a while, he was going to have to buy himself a warmer jacket. His leather one was great for Alabama, but not much protection against this kind of frigid wind.

Alicia glanced at him and shook her head. “Not far.” She sounded slightly breathless, the air around her face forming a thin cloud as she spoke. She kept walking, her boots scrunching on the light coating of snow that covered the ground.

He wanted to wrap his arm around her to help keep her warm, but he didn’t think she’d appreciate the gesture. The vibes she was giving off were sending him mixed messages. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked alongside Alicia, letting her set the pace.

It was obvious she hadn’t wanted to acknowledge the fact that they already knew each other in front of the sheriff. That was fine with him. For now. But he’d also seen the way her pupils had dilated and she’d licked her lips. She might want to hide it, but Alicia was still attracted to him.

Gill’s entire body tightened and his erection stirred. There was something about Alicia that excited him, physically and intellectually. She’d be a challenge, in and out of bed. Of that he was certain.

He wasn’t surprised to learn that she was a lawyer. They hadn’t spent much time together, but he’d sensed she had a keen mind. They came to a halt in front of an old, stone building that had obviously been renovated into offices.

As if she could read his thoughts, she sent him a polite smile as she tugged the door open. “It used to be a dry goods shop at the turn of the century. It’s a great building.”

Gill grabbed the door and ushered her inside. The heat hit them immediately, making him realize just how cold he was.

“There’s a real estate office and an insurance broker on this floor.” Alicia started up a wide, oak staircase.

Gill was hot on her heels as she continued to chatter. He realized suddenly that he made her nervous. That could be a good thing or it could be bad. He wasn’t quite sure yet.

“I share this floor with a marriage counselor and an accountant”. She waved her hand down the hallway at the top of the stairs. “This is my office.”

He could hear the underlying pride in her voice and smiled. The door in front of them had her name etched discreetly on the glass with her occupation just below. It looked classy. Much like the lady herself. He pulled the door open and she shot him a warm gaze from beneath her lashes as she passed in front of him. Her body brushed against his, making his muscles tighten and his cock stir. He followed her, catching a whiff of her perfume.

An older woman sat at a desk, busily typing. She looked up, offering a gracious smile. Her eyes widened when they landed on Gill, but she just offered a polite hello before turning to Alicia.

“There are two messages for you.” She hesitated, casting another quick glance at Gill. “Are you still meeting the sheriff this morning?”

Alicia unbuttoned her coat and took the two notes from her receptionist. “Change of plans. I ran into the sheriff at Jessie’s. This is Gill Baron. He’ll be doing some work for us.” She turned to him. “Gill, this is Millie Anderson.”

“Ma’am.” He nodded.

“Mr. Baron.”

“Please, call me Gill.”

“We’ll be in my office.” Alicia glanced at her watch. “Unless it’s important, take a message if anyone calls. We shouldn’t be too long.”

Gill had the feeling she’d have him out of here quickly if she had her way. He on the other hand, was in no particular hurry. His lips quirked upward. If she thought she was going to give him the bum’s rush, she was mistaken. This was his chance to get to know her better and he was going to take full advantage of it.

Alicia led him into her office. It was bright and cheerful, yet professional. Filing cabinets and bookcases filled one wall. Her desk was substantial and made of oak, if he wasn’t mistaken. Two comfortable chairs were angled in front of it. Off to the side was a sitting area with a comfortable sofa, chairs and an ottoman. Classy and cozy.

She hung her coat on a heavy wooden coat rack just inside the door. Straitening her skirt, she strode behind the desk. Gill unzipped his jacket and removed it, tossing it over the back of one of the chairs.

“Have a seat. Please.” She tucked her purse in a drawer in her desk and pulled a file out of the stack that sat beside her computer.

Gill lowered himself into the chair closest to her, kicked out his long legs and clasped his hands on his stomach. He waited. If there was one thing he’d learned in all his years as a cop, it was that most people didn’t like silence. They would talk just to fill it, sometimes offering you more information than if you asked direct questions.

A sense of contentment washed over him as he sat watching her organize her thoughts and paperwork. It was such an unusual feeling that it took him a minute to figure out exactly what it was. In his former profession, he’d gotten used to dealing with stress and irritation until they’d become the only emotions he experienced on a daily basis. Right now, he felt neither. It was strange, but good. He’d definitely made the right decision in coming to Jamesville. The pace of life was a heck of a lot slower than the city.

Alicia sat forward, all business. Her green eyes landed on him and he caught a gleam of heat before it was buried under a mask of politeness. She cleared her throat. “The case I’m working on is pretty straight forward, but I want to have all my bases covered in case it gets nasty.”

“Of course.”

“Needless to say, everything I tell you is confidential.” She straightened her notes, making the paper crackle.

“Absolutely.” He tipped his head to one side. The sun chose that moment to break free of the clouds and a ray shot in through the window, illuminating Alicia. She reminded him more of a fairy queen than a lawyer. She looked as if she’d be just as comfortable sitting on some forest throne, giving directions to her faithful warriors, as she did sitting behind her desk.

Man, he was losing it. He’d never waxed poetic in his life. It felt strange, yet somehow right. He shook his head and forced himself to listen as she went over the particulars of the case. Or at least as much of it as he needed to be aware of.

The blouse she was wearing this morning matched her eyes. The v-neck was discreet, yet his gaze was drawn again and again to the slight expanse of skin exposed at her neckline. The material draped loosely over her breasts, yet he knew how firm and full they were. Gill wondered if she was wearing a sexy bra beneath it. Maybe. But then again, even if she wore plain white cotton, she’d be sexy. Her pants were tailored and looked expensive even to his masculine eye, as were the low-heeled leather boots she wore.

He realized she’d stopped talking. He’d gotten distracted by Alicia once again. If he didn’t pay attention, she’d fire him before he even started.

“So, you want me to talk to these folks and get statements from them.” He reached over and took the sheet she offered him. It contained a list of names, occupations and last known addresses.

“Yes.” Alicia tapped her pen against the blotter, stopping suddenly as if realizing what she was doing. “This is a very sensitive case. My client is divorcing a prominent member of the community.”

“Messy.”

“Yes.” Alicia shoved her fingers through her hair before rubbing the back of her neck.

Gill wanted to rub it for her, maybe nibble on her nape. She looked tired.

“And it’s going to get messier. She’s suing for full custody of their daughter. Her husband abused her for years, but she kept silent about it, hiding it. She’s finally gotten the courage to leave him.”

All thought of seduction fled and he sat up straight. The thought of any woman being abused set him on edge. “How bad?”

“Bad enough.” Alicia shook her head. “I’m not sure she would have left him if her brother hadn’t moved back to town. Her husband, Jim, is a bully, but he’s a charismatic bastard who has half the town almost convinced that Elizabeth is mentally unstable and an unfit mother.”

“Don’t worry. I know how to ferret out information from people. I’ll get you what you need.”

She took out an official form, laying it on the desk in front of him. “Keep track of whatever hours you spend working on this. I’ll make sure you get paid.”

Irritation filled him. He wanted to be more to her than just the hired help. He folded the paper and tucked it into his back pocket. “It shouldn’t be any problem, even with the people who don’t live here any longer. It may take me a bit longer, but I’ll find them.”

He stood and so did she. Gill could see the dismissal in her eyes. He wasn’t having any of it.

“I’ve dreamed of you the past two nights.” He wanted a reaction out of her and he got it. Her face paled, then turned red. Sauntering around the side of the desk, he came to a halt just in front of her.

She tipped back her head so she was looking straight at him. “This is not a good idea.”

“Probably not,” he agreed, but that small fact wasn’t going to stop him. He cupped the back of her head with his palm and leaned down. Their lips met. Alicia kept her mouth closed and held herself stiff, but she didn’t push him away. He was a patient man, and continued his quiet assault on her senses.

He licked at her lips, remembering her unique taste. Memories of that mouth licking and sucking at his body made his temperature rise. He clasped her shoulder with his free hand, urging her closer.

Alicia moaned and the sound shot straight to his groin. His balls pulled tight against his body as his cock lengthened and thickened. Her mouth parted and her tongue darted out to touch his lips. He kept the pressure light, encouraging her to take what she wanted.

He could feel her quivering. Sense her indecision. He wanted to drag her up against him and grind his pelvis against hers. Instead, he waited, gradually deepening the kiss. Their tongues tangled, breath mingling as they rediscovered one another. When her breasts grazed his chest, he almost howled with pleasure.

…

What the heck was she doing? Alicia couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. Passion was making her lose all common sense. There was no other explanation for her actions. She shouldn’t encourage him. She couldn’t afford to have an affair with Gill, but oh, how she longed to.

She’d never met a man who could make her body sing like he could. A simple touch from Gill was as good as an hour’s foreplay from another man. She was a chocoholic and he was the finest dark chocolate available. He was addictive and too much of him wasn’t good for her.

He was working for her. She needed his expertise with this case. Alicia had always made it a policy never to mix work with pleasure. She’d watched other colleagues try it over the years and it never worked out well. There were always problems.

“We can’t,” she gasped as he broke away and kissed his way down her jawline and neck.

“Sure we can,” he whispered. “We’re both adults.” He captured her earlobe between his teeth and nipped gently. Alicia shivered. “And we want each other.”

She couldn’t argue with him when his tongue was tracing the sensitive whorl of her ear. His strong fingers slid down the back of her head to her nape, holding her in place as he nibbled on her earlobe. Dampness gathered between her thighs, making her squirm.

She wanted him to stop. She wanted him to never stop.

She was being torn apart. Two halves of a whole—one sensible, one passionate—both warring for control. Her knees threatened to give out and she grabbed his shoulders for support. Big mistake. Her fingers curled into him. His muscles were thick and heavy. He was so solid she wanted to lean on him if only for a moment.

His skin, so warm and firm was almost within her reach. She tugged at the fabric of his shirt, pulling it from his waistband and slipping her hands beneath. Her fingers played over the expanse of muscle beneath. The crisp hair in the center of his chest tickled her palm. He groaned when her thumb flicked his flat nipple.

Alarm bells went off in her brain. She couldn’t do this. She was in her office for heaven’s sake. What if someone walked in on them?

Sliding her fingers from beneath his shirt, she placed both hands on his chest and pushed. He went easily, stepping away from her. His blond hair was tousled and his eyes practically seared her with their heat. She was no longer cold from the walk in the chilly air. In fact, she felt as if she’d stepped into a sauna.

She licked her lips and tried to catch her breath. His gaze slid from her face and landed on her chest. Alicia didn’t need to look down to know that her nipples were visible through the silk of her blouse. She raked a hand through her hair and tried to gather her defenses. Better late than never.

“I’m sorry. As I said, that was a mistake.” She held up her hand before he could speak. “Hear me out.” He nodded, tucking in his shirt where she’d tugged it out of the waistband of his jeans. There was no mistaking the heavy erection outlined against his zipper. She forced her gaze away.

“I work in this town. You’re just passing through.” Alicia tried to figure out the best way to phrase this without sounding like a prude or a hypocrite. “The other night was wonderful, but it was just one night. This is a conservative town and I can’t risk my reputation on a fling.”

His lips tightened and his shoulders tensed. Alicia stood her ground, straightening her spine.

“Let me get this straight,” his low voice rumbled. “It’s okay to risk your reputation for a one-night stand, but not a relationship.”

“We don’t have a relationship.”

He reached out his hand and stroked the curve of her cheek with his thumb. It took all her strength not to lean into the soft caress.

“Yes, we do,” he countered. “All you have to do is admit it.”

“Gill,” she began. “I…” How could she admit to the man that she really liked him, but needed to stay away from him for that very reason? He was just passing through and she had her reputation, and her heart, to protect.

“Stop worrying.” Leaning down, he brushed a quick kiss across her lips. “Everything will work itself out.”

She couldn’t stop herself from touching her mouth with her fingers. She could still feel his warmth. Taste him on her lips.

Gill strode back to the chair and grabbed his jacket, pulling it on as he made his way to the door. “I should have a preliminary report for you by dinner time. Do you want me to pick up something to eat or will you?”

Alicia shook her head. “You can just call me.”

He stopped, one hand on the door, and pinned her with a steely gaze. “Ignoring it won’t make it go away. We need to discuss it. We can either do it here, in a public restaurant, or in private.”

She chewed on her bottom lip. He was right. What could one evening hurt? It was just dinner. Right? She could handle him and the passion that flared between them. She was an adult. They were both adults.

Decision made, she gave him a crisp nod. “I’ll be home by six.”

He smiled then and her heart sped up. “I’ll bring dinner.” She watched as he left, taking most of the energy in the room with him.

She stood there staring at the door until Millie buzzed her to let her know she had a call from a client. Shaking off the sensual lethargy that surrounded her, she straightened her blouse and cleared her voice before picking up the receiver. “Good morning, Jack. What can I do for you today?”