In Two Weeks (NY State Trooper Series) (26 page)

“I’m glad to hear it.”

Against his better judgment, he slipped his hands under her shirt. Her hot skin scorched his fingers. “If your case isn’t wrapped up by then, I’d like you to consider a few things.”

“Got it covered.”

“Really?” He lifted a brow. “How so?”

“I promised Marci I’d come stay with her for a few days. I know she’s not a cop, or a man, but safety in numbers. Besides, this manager of Pat’s is starting to work out, so the bar can practically run itself, freeing up some of Pat’s time.”

He opened his mouth, but she covered it with her hand.

“Then, Penny’s lease is up, but she won’t live with Chuck until they’re married, which won’t be for two months, so if it’s okay with you, she’s going to move into the carriage house with me.”

“What if the house sells?” Annoyed by her handling the situation, he tried to poke holes in her well-laid plan.

“I’m sure the culprit will be caught by then, and hopefully I will have found a new apartment and can still live with Pen until the wedding. But worst case, I’ll move in with Pat.” Undeniable confidence sparkled in her eyes.

“I guess I can’t argue with that.” He rolled her from his lap, gently resting her back against the couch, then pressed his rigid body against hers. “I’m glad you have a plan.”

“I’m glad you approve.” She glanced across the room. “What time are we meeting your friends? And don’t we have to check out?”

“I paid for a late checkout, so anytime in the next hour, and we’re meeting them across the street.” He felt guilty because of his strong, powerful desire for her. He wanted to believe it was wrong, but she felt so right in his arms.

Temporary,
he reminded himself. So much in his life had changed. The way he dealt with his agonizing grief, his job, his home, but this thing with Ryan was temporary.

The strong connection he felt for her only intensified because of the threats. This bond they shared was nothing more than him jumping into his job with two feet, like he always did. He wouldn’t allow it to be love.

* * * * 

Ryan wanted to slap herself across the face. Would she ever learn? The more she made love to Jared, the worse she felt.

“You done in there?” Jared banged on the bathroom door, impatience in his tone. “The car is in the front loop.”

She checked herself over one last time, knowing she looked fine. If she was being honest, she looked damn great. Twisting the handle, she pushed back the door. “Are you ready yet?” She smiled. Somewhere along the line she missed the boat. She should’ve been an actress.

He just laughed, shaking his head, then grabbed their overnight bags.

“What’s the girlfriend’s name?” Ryan asked. Why she wanted to impress these people was beyond her. She’d probably never see them again.

“His name is Brad Gloshen, and her name is Wendy something.”

“Have you met her?” She slipped into the car, then Jared pulled out of the parking area and across the street to the Hensman Pub, a local hot spot. Looking down the street as the car zoomed across, she had to admit the town was quaint, but it wasn’t Lake George.

“I just met him last month. Didn’t even know he had a girlfriend until I told him you were coming.”

“Oh.” She stepped out of the car and headed toward the restaurant.

Jared pushed open the door into the noisy restaurant and bar. “He’s kind of my superior, so when he suggested we go out, I couldn’t say no, now could I. There he is.”

She squinted across the crowded room, eyeing a very handsome older gentleman. He had grayish hair, but it offset his gorgeous eyes. His body wasn’t too shabby to look at either. “Are all troopers hot?” she said, half to herself.

“I wouldn’t know,” Jared said with a chuckle. “But his girlfriend is a looker.”

Ryan shifted her gaze to the tall brunette standing next to Brad. She didn’t look old, but Ryan guessed her to be at least thirty-five. “She’s too old for you.”

“Breasts too big, too,” Jared whispered. “I like mine a bit smaller.” He patted her butt.

“Like I said, a Neanderthal.”

“Jared, so glad you could make it. I know it’s a long ride home. This is Wendy Brooks.” Brad guided them to a table in the other room, where it was a little quieter.

“Wendy, nice to meet you. This is my friend Ryan O’Connor,” Jared said.

Ryan nodded, shaking Wendy’s hand, then Brad’s, feeling a little annoyed at being introduced as a friend. But what did she expect? That’s what she was, and introducing her as his friend that he just had sex with wouldn’t be very appropriate.

Once seated, the small talk began, and Ryan found herself enjoying the company. Wendy was a successful lawyer and one of the most interesting women Ryan had ever met. Not to mention Brad was just adorable, and very smitten with Wendy.

Ryan listened to Brad and Jared talk about the job, and she had to admit, it worried her. His new job sounded very dangerous.

Her stomach fluttered when the waitress put their dinner plates on the table. Usually she loved the smell of sizzling steaks and piping hot potatoes loaded with sour cream, but at this moment, her stomach churned. Must have been the green tea.

She swallowed and fiddled with her food, hoping it looked like she was eating. She smiled and nodded a lot and tried to add to the conversation. Finally, she just couldn’t stand it anymore, and she pushed her plate away.

“You okay?” Jared asked, leaning closer to her. His hand rested on the back of her neck while his thumb stroked the skin at the base of her head.

“I think I’m just tired,” she said, forcing a smile.

“You can climb in the back and sleep on the way home.”

Brad waved the waitress over, asking for the check. “We should let you guys hit the road. I hope I’ll have the pleasure of your company again, Ryan.”

“I did enjoy myself, thank you,” she said, slipping out of the booth. “Just need to hit the little girls’ room.”

“I’ll join you,” Wendy said.

Ryan pushed back the door. She felt a little better, but her stomach was still queasy. An overwhelming fear loomed in the back of her mind. She could be pregnant.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Wendy asked.

“I think I had too much green tea at the spa today.” Ryan smiled politely, then splashed cool water on her face. “Not used to being waited on. Maybe all that aromatherapy has gone to my head.”

“Hardworking girl, huh?” Wendy joined Ryan at the sink, rinsing her hands. “I spent the last ten years of my life making it big and let the rest of the world pass me by. Not this time. I’m landing that guy once and for all.”

“You look good together.” Ryan turned, leaning her hip on the sink.

“He wanted to marry me ten years ago. I turned him down, so he married someone else.”

“Excuse me?” Ryan’s eyes widened.

“He’s divorced now, but I’m not letting him go, not this time. He’s being a little wishy-washy, afraid I’ll change my mind, my career and all. But I want kids, and I’m not getting any younger. Neither is he.”

“Good to know what you want,” Ryan said, holding her stomach as it did another flip.
Just nerves
, she told herself.

“What do you want?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.”

“I think you do, you’re just afraid to ask for it,” Wendy said. “But sometimes we have to learn the hard way. Come on.” She pushed back the bathroom door. “You’ve got a long drive and a lot of thinking to do.”

Ryan swallowed. Thinking would get her into trouble. The only thing she needed was for the psycho to be caught and Jared to move.

Chapter Sixteen 

Jared stepped out of the restaurant into the spring air. He missed the cool lake breeze, but he liked Rochester. Or at least he knew he’d like it. What wasn’t to like? His job sounded exciting. The guys he’d be working with seemed like decent men. Okay, so he’d miss Harmon.

“She plan on moving with you?” Brad asked. A beaming smile spread across his face.

Jared’s gut twisted as though he’d been sucker punched. “We’re just friends.”

“You certainly don’t act like ‘just’ friends,” Brad said, his smile not fading, and that just annoyed Jared.

“You could say we have a temporary thing going. We’ve got a long history, but her life is there, and mine is here. End of story. It’s nothing, really.” A noise from behind him caught his attention.

“Ready?” Ryan asked, with a sarcastic grin.

He knew she’d heard him. But she had no right to be mad. It was the truth, and she knew it.

“Thanks for dinner. I really had a great time,” Ryan said, giving Wendy a hug, then kissing Brad on the cheek. “If you’re ever in Lake George, look me up. My brother’s got a great restaurant, and I’d love to return the favor.”

“You are so on, girlfriend.” Wendy gave Jared the evil eye.

What the hell had he done? Heck, he’d never understand women. You give them what they want, and somehow you ended up the bad guy. “Take care. It was nice meeting you, Wendy.” Jared opened the car door, letting Ryan get settled before jogging around the front of the car and slipping into the driver’s seat. “See you next week.” He waved, then slammed the door and drove off.

Once on the highway, he glanced over at Ryan. Her eyes were closed, and her head was propped against the window. She was probably faking sleep, but he didn’t feel like talking.

He didn’t want to feel anything. But try as he might, no matter how he looked at it, leaving her would be hard. But he had to do it. Not just because he’d never be able to give her what she deserved, but because this job meant the world to him. Meant more to him than she did, didn’t it?

He pushed down on the gas pedal. If he got pulled over, so be it. She could be mad all she wanted. Might even make things easier if she was pissed off enough to leave him alone.

His cell phone rang out. She jumped.

“Sorry, forgot to put it on vibrate,” he muttered, glancing at the number.

“Harmon?”

“I hope you’re on your way home,” Harmon said.

“What’s going on?” Jared glanced at Ryan. She sat up and looked at him with wide eyes.

“Nick picked up Rudy an hour ago,” Harmon said.

“For what?” Jared glanced at the speedometer, then pressed the pedal so he’d reach ninety. “Alert everyone I’m flying down the thruway just past Utica, and I’m getting off at exit twenty-eight. Tell them to leave me alone.”

“I can handle the troopers, but the locals on the back roads, you’re on your own, man.”

“I know, now tell me about Rudy.”

“The guy was lurking around your house. Your friend Rory called it in, and we got him on trespassing. Nick was able to search his car, and guess what he found.”

“Underwear,” Jared said under his breath.

“Jared, you just drove past a cop,” Ryan said looking over her shoulder.

He glanced in the rearview mirror, and the trooper pulled out. “Crap. Frank, got a cop on my tail. Call it in.” Jared moved over to the right lane, but didn’t slow down. “Ryan, grab my badge from my pocket.” He shifted, giving her better access. “Take the phone for a minute.”

The trooper pulled up next to him, and Jared waved, flashing his badge. The trooper held his radio in his hands, then nodded and flicked his lights on, giving Jared an escort. “Give me the phone back.” He pushed down on the accelerator. “You got your seat belt on?”

“What’s going on? You’re scaring me.”

He squeezed her leg. “Don’t be scared. Nick picked up Rudy, and it looks like we got our man. I just need to get home, okay?”

“Home works for me,” she said, keeping her eyes on the road.

“You feeling okay?”

“Speed makes me a little dizzy.”

“Put your head between your legs if you have to.” He grabbed the phone from her hands. “Frank, you still there?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I need you to find Penny Swartz and have her meet us at my place.” He glanced at Ryan. “I need to go to the station and figure out what’s happening, and I don’t think you should be alone, okay?” He pleaded with her.

She nodded, then looked back at the road.

“Anything else, boss?” Frank asked.

“Are you at the sheriff’s office?”

“That I am, sir.”

Jared smiled. “You stick to Nick like a fly on shit, okay? I want to know everything, you got it?”

“Oh, I got it, and I’ll enjoy it, sir.”

Jared laughed. “I’m sure you will.”

“Oh, and Jared?”

Since when did Frank call him by his first name? “Yeah?”

“Thanks.”

“For what?”

“The glowing recommendation to the scuba unit.”

Jared smiled. “I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“Smitty said you set some swimming record in college. Why haven’t you gone through the training?”

Why indeed? Jared glanced over at Ryan. Her hands gripped the armrests and her eyes locked on the darkness ahead. “See you shortly.” He closed his phone, unable to think about the scuba unit. While the post would be demanding and challenging, it could mean staying in Lake George, since he already did lake patrol. Not going to happen. He needed a change.