Drake was sitting at the table in the kitchen with Mrs. Irons, waiting for Selena to come downstairs. He was itching to find out what had caused Selena’s upset, but Mrs. Irons wouldn’t say anything.
Selena finally came into the room, looking distressed but determined. She handed over a folder and a photo to Mrs. Irons.
No one objected when Drake studied the photo. The girl was waif-like in face and body. Straight blonde hair. Her eyes didn’t quite meet the camera. Very shy. She did not resemble dark-haired Selena in the least.
“Who is she?”
Selena poured a cup of coffee and sat at the table. “My stepsister. Theresa was known for her whirlwind relationships, keeping everyone in the dark. So when I received a wedding invitation by voicemail, I wasn’t surprised. She said she would introduce us and tell us all about him when we arrived. My job wouldn’t allow time off for the wedding and when I had missed it, she stopped answering my calls. Her phone number was disconnected. Mail came back ‘addressee unknown.’ I went to the last address she had given us, only to find a couple who had lived there for the past twenty years. I checked property tax and deed records. Nothing.”
“Is what why you were so upset today?”
“Yes. I hired an investigator to follow up some leads. He had some bad news.”
Drake could tell how difficult this was for her from the way her voice shook.
“And Mrs. Irons says she has some old friends who might be able to help.” Selena indicated the envelope and the photo.
“Where are your parents?” Drake felt for Selena. She shouldn’t have to do this on her own.
Duke pushed his nose on Selena’s lap and whined. She rubbed Duke’s ears. “A few months before Theresa’s wedding, my parents decided to follow up on a real estate lead in Barbados when their plane went down. Their bodies and plane were never recovered.”
She added apologetically, “I really need to get back to the shop and close up.” She kissed Duke on the snout.
“Come on, Duke. We have a mission to complete.” Mrs. Irons waved and was out the door without the aid of her cane.
“I’ll walk with you,” Drake said to Selena.
“I’m okay now. The last straw was hearing I’d hit another dead end. But I’m not giving up until I can hear her voice.” She locked the front door behind them. “And put whoever kidnapped her behind bars.”
He walked beside her, matching stride easily. “I know how you feel.”
She shot him a glance that told him she didn’t think so.
“Someone killed my brother during an assignment he was on. I intend to make sure his murderer is dealt with.”
“Oh God, Drake. I’m so sorry. What happened?”
“I was sent a message.” Drake stepped off the sidewalk, taking Selena with him as a couple of kids rode past them on bikes. “A video accompanied the message, giving a second by second account of the torture and burial. We analyzed the background noise and scenery to find the location of his body.”
“I am so sorry.”
“He was found dead, buried in the city trash heap. The hardest part was telling my parents.” They were in front of the coffee shop. “Listen, maybe my contacts can help you. At least I know my brother’s dead, but you’re hanging out there. Let me help.”
She looked up at him. “I don’t know what you could do about any of it.”
“I know some investigators.”
She hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll find another picture and write down the information.”
“I’ll pick you up for dinner later,” he said. “We can talk about it more then.”
She looked like she was struggling, wanting to say no.
“I really think I can help, Selena,” he said.
“All right,” she said. “Seven o’clock.”
“Seven o’clock,” he said, and resisted the temptation to kiss her again.
• • •
“Why did you move here?” Selena asked that evening when Drake came to pick her up for dinner, sliding into the car on the passenger side.
“Why not here?” he countered, smoothly putting the car into drive and heading into town.
She positioned herself to see him better. “Come on. A few weeks ago you were bored out of your mind, wondering what the hell brought you here. And because you would never have chosen this area to take a break. You look like the type who would’ve worked until retirement, skipping all vacations because no one would do the job to suit you.”
“My boss suggested I take a vacation.”
“You were ordered to take a leave of absence?”
He laughed. “You could say that. Why didn’t you ever give those guys a chance?”
She could tell he was trying to change the subject. “I’m not into dating.”
“They would’ve bored you to death.”
“Yes. I mean no. They were nice, expecting the homey atmosphere of a cooked meal every night. And that’s not me.” She slipped her hair behind her ear for a better view of him. “I didn’t even know a person could use browned bananas until Mrs. Irons baked some banana bread with them. I get by, but I don’t think they’d have appreciated the lack of talents in that area.” Hand under her chin, she stared out the window.
“That explains the attitude. You’re not eating enough.” His tone wry. “You’re not a morning person until you’ve had your coffee, either.”
“When I moved here, the first thing I craved was gourmet coffee. I had developed a habit I couldn’t do without. The need for coffee. Strong, silent, and kick-ass. The closest thing I found was in the grocery store, and if I doubled the suggested amount, I was able to achieve the wide-eyed look, but my senses still weren’t satisfied. I wanted to smell the richness, feel the strength in the first sip, and by the end of the day still ready to kick ass if I had to. Though my attitude is from the past, I’ve hung onto it just in case.”
“Don’t your senses miss anything else?” he asked.
Her eyebrow rose. “You mean sex, don’t you?”
The half-smile on his face told her he did.
“The wild emotions that come within relationships — with sex — don’t fit into my life right now,” she said.
He drove into the paved circular drive of Maurice’s, a well-known surf-and-turf restaurant, and parked. The valet opened his door and another waited to help her out, but Drake gestured he’d do it. She’d hesitated when he offered to help her out of the car, knowing his touch would send her heart racing — and it did.
“A penny for your thoughts,” she said, once seated.
“I’ll share mine for free,” he leaned over, whispering them from behind.
Her breath hitched. “I’ll keep mine to myself.”
He sat down and picked up the wine list, gesturing for her to choose. She shook her head and suggested he do it. “That sounds like a challenge.”
“It’s not. It’s a choice.”
He gave his selection for the house wine to the waiter, who then handed them each a menu.
Selena chose oysters and a salad. Drake’s eyes widened at her selection. She blushed. Drake ordered the prime rib rare and hesitated.
At his hesitation, Selena glanced down at the menu and nodded. “I believe he would like the horseradish.”
The waiter accepted their menus, kept his opinions to himself, and disappeared.
“I like the flavor. You don’t mind the bite in it?”
She raised her glass of water to him in a small salute. “It’s not as if we’re going to kiss later. So … no. But I do like things with a kick to it.” She took a small sip, hiding her smile. No doubt he’d take that as a challenge.
“The night is young. You might change your mind. Women have been known to do that.”
She laughed.
Music filtered from a shimmering curtain in the corner. The soulful notes drew couples onto the floor and into each other’s arms. Lights dimmed above. Candles flickered with enchantment, dancing to notes only lovers could hear.
Selena loved the place. Once in a great while, she and the girls took a night out and relaxed, choosing this place for its quiet atmosphere and fireplaces, totally eliminating the stress and worry from their days.
A hand on her shoulder made her realize how quickly he moved. She didn’t question it as he held out his hand and placed her hand into his, captivated by the silent amusement and heat in his eyes.
He led her onto the dance floor, the spot secluded and dark. His arms surrounded her, drawing her close. She could handle this.
For the moment.
His fingers caressed her back, reminding her of the same circular motions he’d made on his cup. The same silent promise in his eyes. Her nipples tightened at the thought of his hands, his mouth, caressing her. The way he kissed already spelled trouble.
“What are you thinking?” he asked softly.
The sensations he was creating had lulled her into contentment. “Nothing.”
He placed her hand on his shoulder and lifted her chin. “Nothing, huh? You’re not a very good liar.”
He brushed a gentle kiss on her lips. Surrender came easily, her lips parting for more. He enfolded her hand back in his. “I’ll wait for another time and place to finish this.”
She sighed. She was breaking her rule of no dating. Not wanting to give into the emotions spiraling inside but knowing she would surrender if her plan to match him up with someone else didn’t work fast enough. If it did work, she wasn’t so sure she could stand watching him with another woman.
After the last note faded into the shadows, he held her hand, refusing to surrender it as they walked back to the table.
“How long are you staying?” she asked. She missed the warmth of his embrace and caresses. Not a good sign in her book.
“For a few weeks. Are you ready for me to leave so soon?”
“I was wondering who I should send next.”
Nothing like placing all the cards on the table.
His eyes narrowed. “Sweetheart, you can send all the women you want, but it won’t work. When I make up my mind, nothing can deter me. If you want to ignore what’s between us, I can wait. But not in the background.”