Branded Page 9

  His friend laughed. “Now you understand why we’re having such a hard time with her. She’s a master. She’s got this innocent routine down pat. She’s very careful and doesn’t mess up. Must have learned it from her papa.”

  Xander’s pride stung from her deception. It only made it worse that he felt like he needed to defend her to Sam and explain she hadn’t really had much of a relationship with her father. But there it was. “I guess that means I’m going to have to bust my ass a little more. Think you can get me a copy of that video showing her in the building? I’m supposed to be working with a friend to help find clues about the real culprit. Maybe if I review it with her, it will nudge her, or she’ll say something she shouldn’t.”

  “Yeah. No problem. Good luck, man. We’re doing everything we can to bust her from this side, too.”

  “I know. Thanks.”

  Xander ended his call and slowly swiveled in his chair, letting his gaze roam over downtown Portland and the Willamette River below as a soft rain left everything in a cloudy mist. The same kind of mist that she’d cast over him. Soft, pleasant, but it distorted his view of the real world, the real woman.

  He’d thought their relationship had made it beyond the first stage, that they’d progressed into at least some sort of friendship. Maybe not the greatest trust, but a version of it. Yet, she’d called and lied straight to his face.

  Then again, what did he expect? That she’d actually fallen for him? It seemed he wasn’t the only one playing a game.

  But he would be the only one winning.

  Chapter Ten

  When Nicole opened the door to her apartment, the mouth-watering scent of roasted beef hit Xander with the force of a strong easterly ripping through the Gorge. An engaging smile turned her lips as Stormy barked and danced at her feet. “Hello,” she said, her simple greeting sounding more like a siren’s call.

  Her first assault left him slightly disoriented, and the loud rumblings emanating from his stomach scattered his plans of attack for the evening. He’d meant to come, get an inside look at his prey’s personal space and conquer, but it was quite obvious to him now things would not be that easy.

  “Hi there.” Xander released Apollo when his pup jerked on his leash, trying to get closer to Stormy. The two dogs sniffed each other a moment before deciding they could be friends, and then they ran off into another room.

  He rested a forearm against the doorframe, the whole domestic scene not lost on him. He still wore his work clothes, only stopping by his house long enough to load Apollo into the car. It wasn’t hard to imagine driving home from a long day of clients and numbers to walk into a cozy home and be greeted by a sexy woman with heavenly smells tempting his taste buds.

  It was even easier to imagine the sexy woman being Nicole. Easier, but not smart. She was doing her best to draw him into her web, and he was fine going as long as he remembered why he was there.

  “It’s good to see you.” Nicole launched her second assault when she leaned in for a hug, her soft and clingy white sweater caressing his hands as the sexy-sweet scent of her perfume stole his attention.

  Unable to resist, he wrapped his arms around her, molding her soft curves against him. He’d meant it as a friendly gesture, but his body recognized a tantalizing potential mate and responded. An unintended mutter of appreciation escaped him.

  She leaned back, capturing him with her bewitching eyes.

  “Good to see you, too.” He should move out of her embrace, out of her realm of control, but couldn’t. That didn’t mean he couldn’t play the game, too. He let a natural, yet seductive smile slide over his lips. He hugged her tighter, as though they could get closer than they were with their clothes still on. As long as she made the first move, he wasn’t going to feel sorry for leading her on. She was doing exactly the same thing to him.

  No harm. No foul.

  Although she would probably cry foul when they finally busted her and she realized putting her behind bars had been his intention all along.

  “Does this mean you missed me?” He shouldn’t ask, but he wanted to hear her say it, even if she didn’t truly mean it.

  Interest flared in her eyes as though he’d challenged her. She lifted a hand to his cheek, running her fingertips across the rough stubble on his chin, keeping her mesmerizing eyes locked on his. She dropped her fingers to his throat, and he could feel her gathering his loosened tie. She tugged on it, and he moved with it, lowering his face to hers until their lips were a breath apart. “This does.” She pressed her glossy pink lips to his, coaxing his primal instincts from where they lay shallow beneath the surface.

  He mentally cursed, his body urging him to respond. He slipped his fingers through her silky hair and gripped the strands as though holding on to them would help him hold on to his sanity. He tilted her chin, angling her head in order to deepen their kiss.

  She might literally be the sweetest thing he’d ever tasted. Her berry lip gloss tickled his tongue as he claimed her mouth, and he quickly hardened, as aching need consumed him.

  She was the one to pull away this time, releasing a breathy sigh as she did. It was a good thing she’d ended their kiss because he wasn’t sure he would have been able to stop. She ran her tongue across her bottom lip as though searching for another taste of him. “Goodness. That was…more than I’d intended.” She stepped back, away from the door, allowing him to enter. When he did, she closed the door behind him.

  He cleared his throat. “More than I’d intended, too…but nice. Definitely nice.” He caught her gaze. “I hope you don’t greet all your guests that way.”

  An attractive blush bloomed on her cheeks. “Only the lucky ones.” She grinned before she turned, walking away from him like a warm summer breeze that caressed his skin before disappearing into space.

  He followed, an invisible string of attraction tethering him to her. He passed through an entryway and into a quaint kitchen with light green walls and copper-bottomed pans hanging above the stove. He’d always done fairly well in the cooking department. His mother had made sure of that. But the thought of watching a woman cook for him suddenly took on a whole new meaning. It was sweet, and…sexy.

  Nicole grabbed two mitts from the counter and opened the oven. As she bent forward to retrieve whatever delicious thing she had cooked for him, she presented a nice view of her ass. He indulged, allowing his gaze to trace the charming curves she displayed for him. When she stood, she glanced over her shoulder, narrowing her eyes in a reprimanding gaze as though she hadn’t expected to catch him staring.

  Uh-huh. Right. He grinned in return. He shouldn’t be flirting so much, but it was hard not to in her presence. It must be the same charm her father had owned. But knowledge was power, and even though he enjoyed talking with her, he wouldn’t get sucked in. “Something I can help you with?”

  Just as he asked the question, Stormy came bounding into the kitchen with Apollo hot on her tail. Stormy sat at Nicole’s feet, her tail thumping. Apollo followed her lead.

  “You two will get something if you behave,” she said to the dogs before she turned to him. “Wine glasses. In the cupboard next to the fridge.”

  He did as she requested and even went so far as to uncork the bottle of Bordeaux with the corkscrew she’d left on the counter. He carried the glasses and bottle to the table as she transferred the meatloaf, potatoes and carrots to serving dishes before following behind him.

  Two stubby orange candles burned in the center of the small wooden table next to a basket of crusty rolls. They took seats opposite each other, his knees bumping hers beneath the table.

  “Sorry,” she said as she poured them each a glass of wine. “My house is a lot smaller than yours.”

  He smiled. “I prefer the term ‘cozier’. Your place has a nice feel to it.” And definitely not what he’d expect from someone who’d just made off with a ten million dollar heist. Then again, the smart ones knew better than to flaunt a score. She probably figured it was best to lie low
until the heat cooled, and then she’d ditch this place for some exotic, tropical locale.

  Her eyes grew brighter as her lips curved. “Thank you. It’s not much, but it’s mine.”

  “How long have you lived here?” He followed the graceful movements of her hands as she dished the meatloaf and vegetables onto their plates.

  “A little over a year.” She met his gaze over the candles. “I really hated to leave my aunt alone, but it was time.”

  He nodded. “I can understand that. And you know, once you leave, you can never really go back.”

  “Don’t tell me that.” She gave a laugh underscored by worry. “If I can’t find a job fairly soon, I’ll have nowhere else to go but back to her house.”

  Or to Tahiti. “I didn’t know you’d been looking for a job.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’ve been trying, but these days, it’s pretty hard to apply for something without a computer. I did find, though, if I wear a hat and no makeup, people don’t seem to notice me at the library.” A quick, sassy grin appeared on her lips, and then vanished too soon. “Even still, no bites so far, and I really have to wonder if I do make it to the interview stage if anyone would seriously consider me until this whole thing is sorted out.”

  He wanted to feel sorry for her. He could see how desperate an innocent person caught in her same predicament might become. “I might know of a job.”

  She stopped, wineglass in mid-air. “Really? Where?”

  “A friend of mine owns a bar. He’s looking for a part-time bookkeeper slash waitress.” He wasn’t sure whether or not Christian would go for it, but it would help keep her under the microscope for more hours during the day. “I’ll ask him if you like. It wouldn’t be a ton of money, but it would be some, and he might let you work extra hours cleaning or something.”

  She blinked rapidly, and he worried she might start crying. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am for even suggesting it. But seriously, I doubt he’ll want someone suspected of grand larceny helping with his books.”

  “Christian’s not the type of guy to judge people before he meets them. If I put in a good word for you, explain your circumstances, I think he’ll give you a shot.” Or at least Xander hoped to hell he would.

  He forked a bite of meatloaf and put it in his mouth. A delicious mix of flavors melted on his tongue. “Damn, woman. You have some serious culinary skills.”

  She smiled then, and a weight lifted off his heart.

  He realized he wasn’t very adept at sorting out which of her emotions and words were bullshit and which weren’t, but despite the job he had to do, he liked it better when she smiled. “From now on, you’re doing the cooking.”

  She snorted. “Like you’ve even cooked.”

  He started to speak, but she cut him off.

  “Sandwiches do not constitute cooking.”

  “Okay. You’re right. I owe you.”

  “Big time.” She sighed, and he could sense the shift in her mood. She broke a roll in half, focusing on it instead of him. “I keep putting off asking you because I don’t want to fill our evening with talk of my problems, but I’m wondering if you’ve heard from your friend.” She lifted her gaze to his, worry evident in her eyes.

  He hated that he wanted to ease her fears, but he couldn’t help it. “I spoke with him,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “He’s had a few casual conversations with your co-workers, but nothing that should have drawn attention from the police.” Especially since his friend was the police. “Did your attorney happen to mention the name of the officer who called him?”

  She shook her head. “No, but I can ask when he returns my call. He’s checking to see when I’ll have my computer returned to me.” A quizzical look crossed her face. “I really can’t imagine why it’s taking them so long. There’s nothing even remotely illegal for them to find.”

  Because she’d erased it? “Maybe they’re backlogged or something.”

  She sighed again. “Maybe so. But I wish they’d hurry and do whatever they’re going to do. This waiting is hell.”

  He studied her face, her expression, looking for any sign of guilt.

  Nothing.

  She was either innocent or a damn good liar. And if Hunter’s information was correct, which it had always been before, she was lying.

  * * *

  Nicole sipped her wine, letting the drowsy, content feeling float over her as she gazed up at the twinkling stars in the night time sky. Despite her circumstances, she couldn’t believe how happy she was at that moment. She’d laughed when she’d heard others speak of finding a soul mate and falling in love, but she now wondered if it could really happen. For whatever reason, Xander seemed to make her feel more whole than she had before.

  He lounged in the wicker chair next to her, both dogs at their feet, all of them cramped on her little balcony. Once again, her handsome rescuer insisted the small space didn’t bother him. The nip of fall hung in the air, but they’d tossed a warm blanket over them and held hands beneath it. It was nearly impossible to believe she’d stumbled upon such a gem of a man. The Fates had blessed her in this instance for sure.

  “You know what I wish sometimes?” Xander’s deep voice broke the hushed two a.m. silence that cocooned her block of the city.

  “What?” she murmured.

  “Sometimes I wish I could run away from life. Move to the beach and start over there. Keep things uncomplicated.”

  She sighed. “Uncomplicated sounds pretty good right now.”

  “If you really did have all that money—”

  She inhaled sharply. She didn’t want to think about that.

  He squeezed her hand. “Legitimately. If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do?”

  “Right now? I’d move to another planet in order to get away from all the accusing stares. But before this happened? I’m not sure. I love Portland, love living in the city. My aunt’s here, and I even liked my job pretty well.”

  “You wouldn’t run off to Tahiti or somewhere?”

  “Of course, I’d love to visit there, but no, Portland’s my home.” She gave him a sideways glance and laughed. “Are you trying to get me to make a run for it?”

  He gave an awkward shrug. “No. Of course not.” He leaned his head against the back of the chair. “Just making conversation.”

  She smiled. She was beginning to love every facet about this man. “So, you’d go to Tahiti?”

  “Maybe. Although I think I prefer the rougher beaches like you find along the coast here or in Washington. Don’t like my sand crowded with too many half-naked people.”

  She raised her brows and chuckled. “You don’t like watching bikini babes?” she teased.

  He faced her. “I’d like to see you in a bikini.”

  An arrow of pure heat shot through her, and she swallowed, trying to keep the atmosphere light-hearted instead of falling into the dark seduction where her body wanted to go. “Funny guy.”

  “I wasn’t joking.” He stroked his thumb over the back of her hand, leaving shivers in its wake. Then suddenly, he stood, surprising her. “It’s getting late. I should go.”

  She stood, too, not happy that their tranquility had been shattered. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure.” He pushed their chairs to the side, opening her door to let the dogs in the house. “Unless you’re inviting me to stay the night?”

  She tried to laugh off the intense excitement building in her core. “You wish.”

  A serious look claimed his expression. “I do. I wished on that star right…there.” He pointed to a bright orb in the sky, his demeanor switching back to flirtatious. “But I’ll wait until you’re ready.” He gave her a quick, hard kiss on the lips before he headed inside.

  Disappointment flooded her. She’d been tempted to say yes, but the moment seemed to have passed. She waited while he gathered Apollo’s leash and followed them to the door.

  “Thank you for an amazing night.” He tipped her chin up, placing h
eated lips on hers.

  Warmth soaked through her. “You’re welcome,” she said against his mouth. When he tried to pull away, she locked her fingers at the base of his skull, holding him tight. “Wait,” she whispered.

  He seemed to sense her level of need and hauled her against him. He held the sides of her face as his tongue tangled with hers in a fierce dance of passion. When he pulled away this time, she let him go, her breath coming in ragged spurts. Dark desire burned in his eyes, matching the heat roaring inside her.

  “This time, I intended for that to happen,” she said, her voice breathless.

  Fiery interest burned in his eyes. “I’m thinking about heading to Seaside this weekend. I have a house along the beach I need to check on. I’d like to take Apollo and let him play on the beach. You and Stormy want to come?”

  A shiver raced through her. She might not have him in her bed tonight, but if she said yes to the weekend, it would only be a matter of time. “We’d love to go.”

  He traced a thumb across her bottom lip, searching her eyes. She wasn’t sure what, if anything, he was looking for. He gave her another quick peck before leaving.

  Nicole shut the door behind him and then sagged against it. “Oh…wow.” Things were definitely getting more complicated.

  She found she liked it that way.

  * * *

  What the fuck had he gotten himself into? Xander slowly descended the stairs leading down from Nicole’s apartment despite Apollo’s insistence that they hurry. Xander had gone there with the intention of maintaining the upper hand and earning her trust. Instead, he’d stepped neck deep in her seductive world.

  He shook his head as though that would loosen her grip on him. He hadn’t realized her sexy smile and the adorable way she pushed her bangs out of her eyes were really sharp claws viciously digging into his heart.

  Then again, connecting on an emotional level may be exactly what he needed to break her.

  He reached his car and let Apollo inside. Instead of climbing in the driver’s seat, he turned his gaze toward the heavens. The same stars he’d shared with Nicole only a few minutes before. “I wished on that star, right there,” he mimicked his previous words under his breath. What kind of idiot was he?