Covert Exposure (10 page)

Shannon managed to push herself up to her
hands and knees and the children’s attorney helped her to her feet.
“Are you okay?”

Shannon glanced around the courtroom.
Fireworks still flashed in her eyes.

“Can you hear me? Are you okay?” the attorney
asked again as he kept his hand wrapped around the upper part of
her arm to help steady her.

She placed her hand over her cheek and
squeezed her eyes shut. She opened her eyes and looked at the
attorney. “I guess I’m okay, but my cheek kind of hurts.”

A few minutes later court proceedings resumed
without Lamar in the room. Judge Matthews denied the Clarkson’s
request for custody of their children. Chandra burst into tears and
looked toward Shannon. “This is your fault. You’ll pay for
this!”

Shannon simply turned away from Chandra and
walked out of the courtroom on unsteady legs.

She made it to her office without shedding a
single tear. She pulled out her chair and the second she sat down
the tears began to flow. She placed her elbows on her desk and
rested her head in her hands despite her throbbing cheek.

“Are you okay?” Anna asked as she passed
through the office doorway and took a stance in front of Shannon’s
desk staring down at her. “Court security just called and told me
what happened.”

Shannon lifted her head and looked up at
Anna. “I guess. Lamar grabbed me and we tumbled to the ground. I
hit my cheek on the wood rail on the way down. It hurts, I’m sure
it’s just bruised.”

“Maybe you should go get it checked out and
make sure the bone isn’t cracked or anything. It looks like it’s
already starting to swell.”

Shannon lifted herself from her chair, walked
over to the file cabinet and pulled out her purse. She fumbled
through it until she found her compact mirror. She popped it open
and assessed her cheek, touching it lightly with her
forefinger.

* * * *

Spinelli slammed his phone receiver down and
sprang out of his chair before the court security officer could
finish telling him about Shannon’s altercation in the courtroom
with Lamar Clarkson. He raced up the stairwell taking two steps at
a time. He needed to see her. He needed to make sure she was okay.
His quick heavy footsteps drew glances from Shannon and Anna as he
passed through the doorway of Shannon’s office.

He flashed a quick glance at Anna as he
passed by her, then he zoned in on Shannon. He stared down into her
big emerald green eyes. The redness splattered throughout the
whites of her eyes and the swelling already occurring on the left
side of her face drew his undivided attention. His heart jumped
into his throat at the sight of her, nearly causing him to
choke.

Spinelli fought hard to control himself. He
wanted nothing more than to beat the shit out of the bastard that
did this to her. He sucked in a deep breath and willed his heart
out of his throat and back into his chest. He slowed his
rapid-paced breathing back to normal. With his eyes fixed on
Shannon, he took another step toward her. He placed his fingers
under her chin and slowly lifted it to get a better look at her
face. He worked to find a calm voice. “I just heard what happened.
Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s nothing, really.”

Though she spoke casually, he could tell by
the fury in her eyes she was mad as hell at the asshole that did
this to her. And the slight shiver penetrating her body told him of
the pain she endured.

He cupped her face in his hands. Her skin
felt warm to the touch. He used his thumbs to swipe the damp tears
from her cheeks and continued to stare into her gaze. No matter how
hard he tried, he just couldn’t seem to pull his eyes away from
hers.

Shannon unlocked her gaze and took a quick
short step back, pulling away from him. “I appreciate your coming
up here and your concern, Detective, but I’m fine.”

Spinelli took the hint and stepped back as
well. He felt his heart crack in half as she spoke. His mind raced
for something to do or say in response to her but nothing surfaced.
Disbelief filled him. His exceptional ability to read people, an
ability he’d prided himself on through the years, seemed to
disappear around Shannon. Her words not a second ago brushed him
off yet the intense look in her eyes seemed to tell a different
story. He kept his gaze locked on her, searching for anything, any
clue at all to tell him how to reach her in the way he wanted. This
unfamiliar territory made him anxious. He tucked his sweaty hands
into the pockets of his jeans and cleared his throat.

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay. I’ll be back up
this afternoon then as planned.”

He searched her eyes one more time before he
spun on his heel, nodded at Anna, and went out the door.

* * * *

Shannon stared after Spinelli as he walked
out of her office. Her heart raced and an odd sensation rippled
through her stomach. In her entire life, she’d never seen such
intensity in a man’s stare and it frightened her. She didn’t know
why it scared her but it did. She was sure he was going to kiss
her, right in front of Anna, and she wanted him to kiss her but
then her mouth took over and blew him off.
What in the hell is
wrong with me?

She could feel Anna’s eyes on her. She
shifted her gaze toward her to find her staring intently at her.
The corners of Anna’s mouth twitched upward. “Jesus Christ he’s
good looking. I’ve never seen such dark eyes. And you, my dear, are
holding out on me,” Anna accused as she grabbed a folder from the
desk and used it to fan herself.

“What?” Shannon asked.

Anna shook her head. “Don’t ’what’ me. You
and Mr. Hottie there. What’s going on?”

Shannon frowned. “Nothing, there’s nothing
going on, just work.”

“Nice try but I’m not buying it. That look
between you two was so intense the building could have fallen down
around you and neither one of you would have noticed.”

Shannon shook her head. “We work together,
and that’s all. I don’t really think he’s that into me and he’s
really not my type. Plus I just don’t have the time right now.”

Anna rolled her eyes and blew out a sigh.
“Shannon, dear, Shannon, I know I shouldn’t complain seeing as I’m
your boss but you focus too much on work. As your friend, I’m
telling you that you need to get out and play a little. Go dancing
or go to a movie. Go out and have some fun for a change. That’s
what people your age do, they go out and have fun.”

Anna pointed at the doorway. “And the hottie
you just sent packing, the one that eyes you up as if you’re his
favorite kind of candy, is just what you need.”

“Anna, really, him? You’re kidding,
right?”

“Yes him. I’ll tell you right now, if I were
twenty years younger and single I’d be stuck to him like smoke on
bacon.”

Chapter
Fourteen

Spinelli parked his truck next to Shannon’s
vehicle and waited for her. He wanted to check on her and make sure
she was okay from her unpleasant encounter in the courtroom with
Clarkson. After he’d left her office earlier in the day he found
himself unable to concentrate on anything else other than her. And
even though she’d brushed him off, with her words and actions, the
look in her eyes had been unmistakable. He knew she wanted him. He
wondered why she fought it. It was no secret they’d gotten off to a
rocky start, but he thought that things had somewhat come
around.

Glancing in the direction of the building,
Spinelli caught Anna’s warm gaze as she walked toward him. She
stopped and stood next to his door. He lowered his window. She gave
him a wide smile. “Take it your waiting for Shannon?”

Spinelli searched her mischievous eyes. “I
am.”

“She’ll be out in just a minute.” Anna
shifted her gaze from Spinelli toward the building and then back to
him again. “Any plans for tonight?”

“Not sure yet.”

“Hmm,” Anna replied with a nod. He could
nearly see the wheels turning in her head.

Anna leaned closer to the window. “She’s got
a weakness for Mexican food. She loves El Maya, the place right
down the street from her apartment.” Anna chuckled. “Order her a
margarita and she might even loosen up a bit.”

Spinelli smiled. “Thanks for the tip.”

“Not a problem. Have a nice night.”

He watched as Anna slid into the car two
stalls down, cranked the engine, and drove out of sight. He liked
her, and he knew she cared for Shannon.

Moments later Shannon surfaced in the parking
lot. A puzzled look came over her face when she noticed him. She
walked up to his door. “Is something wrong? Did you find Roland’s
killer?”

“No, nothing’s wrong, and we’ve got nothing
new on the case.” God how he wished he would find the killer. He
worried about Shannon and feared for her safety.

Shannon pulled her eyebrows together. “Then
why are you here?”

She stared at him and waited out his
hesitation. “I was hoping you’d join me for dinner.”

She stood silent, and appeared to be debating
her answer.

“Do you like Mexican? I know a great place
not far from your apartment,” Spinelli chimed before she could say
“no” and shatter his heart.

“El Maya?”

“Yeah, you know of it?”

Shannon nodded.

“I’ll follow you home then we’ll drive over
there together.”

“Okay,” she replied with a small degree of
reluctance.

Spinelli followed Shannon to her place. He
debated sending Anna a “thank you” card or perhaps a bouquet of
flowers.

Shannon parked her car and then climbed into
his truck. Minutes later, they were being seated at the restaurant.
The hostess took their drink order. Spinelli ordered a beer as
Shannon glanced over the drink list. “Do you like margaritas?” he
asked, remembering what Anna had mentioned to him earlier.

Shannon smiled. “I love margaritas but it’s a
work night.”

Was she for real, Spinelli wondered, so pure,
so naive, and so innocent? God he had to have her. He’d never met
anyone like her before. He couldn’t help but smile at her. “I think
just one would be alright.”

She nodded and ordered the margarita.

Most of the dinner conversation revolved
around the case. On occasion, Shannon would interject with some
information about her parents and her sister’s family. He envied
her. She appeared to have grown up in a normal family environment,
the kind where everyone loves each other, and cares for one
another. He wondered what that would have felt like. Anna was
right. The margarita seemed to loosen Shannon up a bit. He hung on
her every word wanting to hear more about her life.

Spinelli glanced down at their empty plates,
and then at his watch. He’d give anything if the clock would just
slow down. He wanted more time with her. The waitress came by with
the dessert tray, and though he didn’t want any more to eat he
ordered dessert in an effort to buy more time.

Shannon passed on dessert but took a bite of
his. His stomach fluttered at the sight of her wrapping her
beautiful mouth around his fork. A bit of chocolate clung to her
bottom lip. He considered swiping it away with his tongue. He
wondered how it would taste mixed with her flavor. She lifted her
napkin to her mouth and rid her lip of the chocolate.
Damn.

After milking his dessert for as long as he
possibly could, he paid the bill and drove her home. He walked her
to her doorway. She turned to face him. “I had a nice time. Thanks
for dinner.”

He scanned her eyes, and leaned in. Her
breath hitched. She looked nervous. He reached up and swiped his
fingers lightly across her bruised cheek. When he’d seen her
earlier in the day her cheek was red, from her altercation with
Clarkson, but now shades of purple, splashed with yellow, covered
her normally pale cheek. “Does it hurt?”

“A little bit when I talk or smile. It’s not
too bad.”

The thought of Clarkson’s hands on her
angered him. “That asshole’s lucky he’s in jail. If he hadn’t
been…” Spinelli caught himself and stopped speaking. He’d wanted
this moment to be nice. He hoped he hadn’t ruined it. Her soft
sweet gaze remained on him.
Still good.

He dipped his head and pressed his lips
gently to her bruised cheekbone. She sighed and then tilted her
head to the side giving him better access. Her cheek felt warm and
soothing to his lips. He eased his kisses over to her mouth. Her
incredible scrumptious lips met his. Though he wanted more, he
worked to keep the kiss light. He worried that if he rushed her
she’d back off. He figured her for a much slower pace than which he
was accustomed.

It took every bit of strength he could find
to end the kiss. He took a step back. Pulling his gaze from her
proved even more difficult. It was as though she wouldn’t release
him. She ran her tongue across her lips. Did she do that on
purpose? He decided if she did it a second time he would deem it
intentional, and would kiss her again. But this time he would kiss
her like he wanted to in the first place, deep and long. He would
explore her lovely mouth, every ounce of it. He stared at her
beautiful mouth, waiting. She stared back.

He knew he needed to end this. If he stayed
another second he wouldn’t be able to control himself. The depth of
his desire for her scared him. He cleared his throat. “Good night,
Shannon. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

He turned and took a step before she spoke.
“Wait,” the desperation in her voice was unmistakable.

He spun around. She stepped toward him,
reached up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him toward
her. She pressed her soft moist lips to his. Her lips parted,
inviting him in. His tongue caressed hers, slow, and controlled at
first, but not for long. She met his quickening pace. She wove her
fingers through his hair. He clasped his hands around her waist and
pulled her tight to his body. Shock, pleasure, and heat spread
through him like wildfire. He kissed her deeper, harder, wetter,
and longer. He explored every ounce of her mouth absorbing her
sweet flavor. His heart raced. He slid his lips from her mouth to
her jaw, to her neck. She tilted her head back. A soft groan
escaped her lips. He whispered her name and all of a sudden, as if
hearing the sound of her name slapped her back into reality she
pulled herself from him and stepped back. She looked confused.