Justice Inked (Cowboy Justice Association 7) (14 page)

R
ayne could have sworn she saw Dare smiling when they were driving away from the lake. He’d covered his lips with his fingers but she would have bet everything she owned that his mouth was curved upwards…with happiness. For all she knew he might even have dimples in those cheeks, and that was a sight she’d pay big money to see.

“Are you okay? The blanket is wet and the heat is going full blast.”

“If I’m cold it’s my own fault,” Rayne laughed. “It was my idea to dance in the rain. I should be asking you if you’re okay.”

Dare shrugged his wide shoulders. “I’m fine. This isn’t really all that bad. I just don’t want you to get sick or anything.” That was sweet. She liked having him fuss over her. It had been a long time since anyone had. “You need to do the finishing touches on my tat, after all.”

Rayne burst into laughter at his self-serving statement. “So I do. When do you want to come in and finish it?”

“Things are so crazy right now I can’t commit to a time. Hopefully soon. I really like the way it’s turning out. If I haven’t already told you, you’re very talented.”

This night was turning out differently than she’d ever pictured. He had been nice and attentive, even adventurous. She hadn’t expected him to play in the rain with her. If anything she’d thought he would scold her for being childish. But instead he’d held her as they danced, his warm, muscular body so close. She’d felt so safe and protected in those moments and she’d allowed herself to be vulnerable.

“Thank you. That means a lot to me, Dare. It really does.”

The silence grew as he drove through the storm, finally pulling up in front of her house and putting the truck into park. Climbing out the driver’s side, he came around to open her door, a gentlemanly touch he didn’t need to perform but she found that she liked quite a bit. Without speaking he walked her to her door, the silence stretching between them and amping up her awareness. His wide shoulders. The soft rise and fall of his chest. The leashed power she could feel as he stood next to her at her front door. He towered over her, at least a foot taller, but she didn’t feel one ounce of fear.

She took a few deep breaths to calm her libido, which was making itself a freakin’ pest after months in hibernation. He was too damn handsome and she was a pushover for a pretty face.

He’d smiled.

He would probably never admit it and she didn’t really know for sure, but she’d felt his happiness. He’d felt joy and she’d helped with that. It made him more approachable and infinitely more attractive.

Dare took a step closer and leaned forward so his lips were inches from her own. She resisted the urge to press herself closer to the heat of his body still trying to play it cool and safe. “Normally at the end of a first date I’d try and get a goodnight kiss. If I tried to steal a kiss right now would you let me, Rayne? Or would you slap me across the face?”

Rayne had zero self-preservation at this moment in time and her next words showed it.

“You wouldn’t need to steal it.”

He didn’t give her the opportunity to second-guess her answer. Wrapping his arms around her waist, she felt herself pulled onto her tiptoes as his lips descended onto hers. Her own fingers anchored into his shoulders, digging into the hard muscle while his tongue gently swept her mouth, playing tag and tickle and driving her slowly crazy with want.

She didn’t feel the chilly wind or the dampness of their clothes. Her world had narrowed to the two of them and the wild beat of her heart beneath her ribs. Dare’s kisses were pure sin and she didn’t want salvation.

When they finally pulled apart, his cheeks were flushed and his blue eyes dark with desire. His hands were splayed, one on her back and the other behind her head, his fingers tangled in her hair. The heat from his fingers seeped into her flesh despite the layers of clothing between them and it was all she could do not to throw herself at him again, taking his mouth with her own until they couldn’t remember their names. Or why it was too soon.

Too soon. Too fast.

A few days ago she hadn’t even liked him much, and now she was planning how to get him out of his clothes with the precision of a military offensive. Slow down. Savor the buildup. She’d had too many relationships that rushed to bed but only ended up at the finish line.

Dare’s palm cupped her jaw and his thumb caressed her swollen lips. “So…tonight was…good.”

“It was. Thank you for dinner.”

She sounded breathless but then again, she was. He’d kissed the heck out of her and she was still recovering.

“Thank you for being so understanding. Would you maybe want to go out again?”

He sounded unsure and nervous, which was laughable really. He’d turned her knees to jelly.

“Sure, give me a call.” Neither one of them seemed to want to end the evening but eventually she reluctantly pulled away, unlocking the door. “Well…good night. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Soon. Good night.”

She entered her home and slid the deadbolt into place before peeking out of the front window. He must have seen her because he gave a brief wave before climbing into his truck and driving away.

Shedding her wet clothes, she quickly drew a hot bath, adding some fragrant oil before sinking down into the water and letting the heat chase away the cold that had settled into her bones.

Dare Turner had turned out to be someone different than she’d thought. Someone sweeter. Kinder. Not to mention their chemistry was off the charts. She hated to hope – she’d only been let down in the past – but he might be a man she could fall for.

This relationship just might have a future.

Chapter Sixteen

D
are drove up to the old barn on the outskirts of Harper where Tanner and Seth were waiting for him. Moulson’s truck had finally been found in an old abandoned building and Dare was hoping there might be some clue as to the identity of the shooter. He was tired of coming up to one dead end after another.

Exiting the truck, he found Seth and Tanner standing in front of the wide open doors of the dilapidated barn that was practically falling down around their ears. One stiff breeze could have collapsed it and Dare wasn’t so sure he wanted to spend much time inside. Search it and then have it taken into custody.

“Good job finding it. I was beginning to think it had disappeared into thin air.” Dare slapped Seth on the back. It was only due to the cooperation of the local sheriffs that he’d made any headway on this case.

The smiling blond lawman led the way into the barn. “Glad I could help. I had one of my deputies out checking for a missing teenager and he came upon the truck. Looks like they intended to come back for it. The keys are still in the ignition.”

Hesitating a few feet from the vehicle, Dare gave Seth a questioning look. “Has the forensic team finished?”

“They dusted for prints and everything they found was bagged for evidence.” He pointed to the tailgate of the truck. “They put the items there. I figured you’d want to get a look and maybe some photos before they take them back to the lab.”

Dare and Tanner perused the small bags, pretty much what Dare would have expected. Vehicle registration. Truck manual. Fast food and gas receipts. A parking ticket from Salt Lake City. A set of keys on a bottle opener keychain.

Tanner picked up the bag with the keys to take a closer look. “Looks like his truck key is on here but there are three other keys. They might be helpful if we could figure out what they open.”

Dare peered over Tanner’s shoulder. “I’d guess at least one is to his home.”

Tanner held up a small silver key through the plastic. “This one is different. Smaller. Maybe a safe deposit box or a locker of some sort. Those are good hiding places for stolen cash.”

“You think they hid it?”

“I would if I stole it. Lay low and wait until the cops move on to another case.” Tanner placed the keys down on the tailgate and picked up the receipts. “Looks like he liked junk food. There are at least a dozen receipts here for hamburgers, fries, and soda. The first one is dated, coincidentally, five days before the bank robbery.”

“Based on the dates and times, we could see if the restaurants in question have any surveillance tapes,” Dare suggested. “We might be able to see if he has any friends. Your bank robbery had four men. so that means if Moulson is one of them there are still three to find.”

Tanner nodded grimly. “And at least one of them is probably your killer.”

Dare heaved a sigh and shook his head. “Nothing here gives any indication why Moulson would break into Rayne’s shop.”

Tanner placed the evidence bag down on the tailgate and rubbed the back of his neck. He seemed to be struggling with his thoughts. “Listen, I don’t want to tell you your business but I agree with Reed. I think Moulson was looking for something specific in Rayne’s shop.”

“I think so too. But what?”

“That’s a good question. I only wish I had the answer because I think it would go a long way as to solving this case. But at least now we have something to investigate. I’ll have one of my deputies start working on these receipts right away.”

“I don’t mind telling you, Tanner, this one’s got me stumped. What does a bank robbery, a tattoo shop break-in, and a murder all have in common? I can barely sleep. It’s driving me crazy. What am I missing?”

“I’m not sure, my friend, but I think when you have the answer to that question we’ll have your murderer. And my bank robbers. We’ll find the connection.”

Dare only hoped it was before anyone else ended up dead.

*   *   *   *

Rayne sipped her iced tea and perused the menu of the local Italian eatery. She had a two-hour break in her schedule today and she’d decided to spend it having a leisurely lunch and then doing some grocery shopping.

Never go food shopping on an empty stomach.

She’d done it too many times to count but today she’d do better. She’d written out a list. A
list
, for cripe’s sake. It was tucked inside the pocket of her jeans and not left on her kitchen counter as usual. It made her feel organized and put together today. Her earrings even coordinated with her sweater. She was hitting on all cylinders. She ought to buy a lottery ticket.

She was deep in thought deciding between chicken parmesan and lasagna when a shadow fell over the table.

“Rayne?”

Looking up, her eyes widened in surprise. James was the last person she’d expected to see today. Or ever, actually. She’d run out of their date abruptly without exchanging phone numbers, so she’d figured she’d never see him again which was fine since she’d started to see Dare.

“James! Hello. What are you doing in Valley Station?”

“Consulting with another vet. I was heading back to Springwood but my hunger got the best of me and I decided to stop for lunch. I’m really glad I ran into you. I’ve been worried about you since that night.”

The concerned way he was looking at her, the plain sincerity on his face, made her do it. Later when Misty asked, Rayne would tell her friend that her brain hadn’t been functioning correctly. Hunger had made her delirious and she’d used up all her common sense making a list for the grocery store. This was why being organized was overrated. Rayne waved her hand toward the other side of the booth. “Would you care to join me?”