In Two Weeks (NY State Trooper Series) Read online

  In the darkness, his eyes met her gaze. Fear of the unknown loomed behind her usual confident stare. “You’re right, I don’t.” He continued to search her eyes, forcing the decision on her. “I think you’re a beautiful woman and an amazing person, but I don’t want anything other than physical satisfaction. If you don’t want that, roll over and go to sleep.”

  “You won’t think badly of me if I choose not to sleep?” The heat of her body sent his heart thumping against his chest as she snuggled in next to him. Her hands glided across his body, touching all the places she knew drove him insane with passion.

  “I just want you to know where we stand.” He kept his hands to himself in a desperate act to keep from completely ravishing her body.

  She cupped his face and leaned in. Her breath smelled like wintergreen. “I’d really hate you if you stayed here because of me, again.”

  Unable to contain his desire anymore, he grabbed her butt and heaved her to him. “Nothing.” He narrowed his eyes, hoping to drive the point home. “And I mean nothing will stand in my way of this promotion.”

  His pulse stopped momentarily when she smiled. He had expected her to falter, gasp, or try to hide her emotions. Not react as if all the pressure had been taken off her, like she’d actually been worried he might be falling for her.

  Never, he chided himself, before roughly taking her mouth with his. “Whoa,” he said as she flipped him on his back, removing his boxers in a matter of seconds.

  Somewhere in the midst of passion, he realized she was no different than him, using his body for her self-fulfillment. Somehow, it changed the experience for him.

  She wasn’t going to try to change his mind. She didn’t want anything other than sex.

  Later, he shifted carefully in his bed; not wanting to disturb the naked beauty tangled between his legs and arms. Staring at the nothingness of the ceiling, he let his senses fill with her peachy smell. The softness of her supple skin felt like rose petals against his.

  The red glow of the sun peeking from the mountaintops pushed through the windows. He’d have to put an end to this constant poor judgment. Nothing good could come from using her, even if she wanted to be used. Worse, she was using him.

  The phone rang and Ryan jumped, bumping him in the face.

  “Damn it. You got my nose again.” His eyes watered, while he fumbled for the phone.

  “Oh, God.” She chuckled. “I’m so sorry.”

  He lifted the phone from its cradle, then hit the talk button. “Yeah, right,” he muttered. “Blake here.”

  “Oh, like I did it on purpose in my sleep,” she said.

  “Is that my sister?” Pat yelled.

  Jared swallowed. “Pat? It’s five in the morning. What’s wrong?”

  “Marci’s in labor.”

  “She okay?” Jared rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe Ryan should come with me to Rochester.”

  “No!” Ryan snapped. She covered her mouth with her hand.

  Jared’s heart stopped for a moment, silence on the other end. “Pat, you there?”

  “I’ll deal with you later. Put my sister on the phone.”

  Jared closed his eyes, then handed the phone to Ryan. “He wants to talk with you.”

  “Great.” She yanked the phone from his hands. “What?”

  For the first time since he was a kid, Jared felt like he just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

  “You take care of your wife and I’ll take care of myself. I’ll let you know what I decide when I come see you in the hospital.” She clicked the phone off and chucked it onto the bed. “Damn, I’ve got a loud mouth.”

  “Won’t argue that point.”

  She shot him a sideways glance. “What are your plans today?”

  “I’ve got some paperwork, but otherwise I’m free until I leave for Rochester.”

  “I have to go in to work for a few hours, then do you mind if we stop at the hospital on the way out?” She threw back the covers and jumped from the bed, snatching his robe and tossing it around her naked body.

  “Out of town? As in, you’re coming with me?”

  “Only because I refuse to horn in on Penny and Chuck, since they just got engaged, and I can’t listen to my brother’s lectures. I guess you’re the lesser of three evils.”

  “Oh, babe, I’m evil all right.” He leaped from the bed and marched to the bathroom trying to figure out why he was so mad. It wasn’t like he should be upset. She was coming with him, but only for safety reasons. And that’s all he cared about.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ryan fisted her hands, then rolled them across her lower back, staring at the clutter she’d let collect on her desk. Nothing she did could ease her constant fear that someone was watching her. Or rid her of the memory of Jared’s touch. Last night had been a true test of her acting ability. It honestly amazed her that she’d been able to pull it off.

  Jared believed she didn’t care about anything other than sex.

  But she hadn’t expected Marci to go into labor, tying up her brother for days. Last Ryan checked, Marci still hadn’t given birth. Between the horrid pictures, three more hang-ups, and no real answers, the only smart choice would be to take a mini-vacation. With Jared. Wonderful.

  Ryan tapped her pencil against some papers, but she was unable to concentrate on anything other than those photographs and Tom and Lisa. Tom had been carrying an expensive camera and looked like he knew what he was doing. Lisa’s camera was one of those disposable ones, but you could still blow up the negatives. Eddy owned a camera. Then again, so did just about everyone, including Jared. Her stepfather had a fascination for pornography, but she didn’t ever remember him taking pictures.

  A knock on her door startled her, sending her pencil tumbling to the floor. “Tom.” Jared had warned her to stay clear of Tom. Jared went so far as to call Rick and ask him to keep tabs on Tom.

  She’d been pissed and let Jared know it, but she knew he was right. She needed to be careful.

  “I owe you an apology. I had a little too much to drink last night and I think it got the better of me,” he said, his tone remorseful.

  She kept her eyes from locking with his. “I didn’t like you sneaking up on me like that.”

  “Again, I’m sorry.” He remained in the doorway and looked genuine, but that didn’t make the goose bumps on the back of her neck go away. “The camera is digital, so I deleted the ones I took of you.”

  “Well, thanks.” She didn’t believe him, but it didn’t matter. “Do you take a lot of pictures?”

  He smiled. “It’s a hobby.”

  “What do you like to take pictures of?” She hoped her voice didn’t sound panicked.

  “Mostly people. I love action shots.”

  She studied the man standing before her. He wasn’t very tall, nor was he muscular, but he did carry himself with a sense of confidence. He sort of looked liked one of those successful dorks who’d made a million. He didn’t look like some guy who went around lurking in the shadows.

  Then again, Eddy didn’t seem like a guy who liked to masturbate while he watched women parade around in their underwear.

  “I heard about your car.” He stepped into her office. “I can’t believe someone actually shot at it.”

  “Me neither,” she admitted.

  “Some of us can’t help but wonder if whoever is doing this is really after that trooper friend of yours. Cops make enemies all the time.”

  “I’m sure they do,” she said, checking the time. “I can’t imagine what I’ve ever done to make someone hate me that much.” She prayed her voice didn’t shake like her trembling legs.

  “I know this isn’t my place, but like I said, maybe it’s the company you’re keeping.” He tossed his hands to the side. “It’s not just me. Other people think that, too.”

  “Great,” she said under her breath. What would those people think if they saw those damn pictures? “I have to let the police handle it.” She opened her middle
drawer, searching for a pen, then slammed it shut. “I’ve got a lot of work to do before I take off today. Thanks for your concern.”

  “I heard you were taking some time off. Going anywhere?”

  Her pulse hammered so fast spots danced around her head. Placing both hands on the desktop, she swallowed and forced her eyes to connect with his. “My free time isn’t any of your business. But if you must know, I’m just going to be hanging out and working on getting my house back in order.” Lying had never come easily to her, but lately she’d been the queen of falsehood.

  “Well, I’m handy with a paintbrush and pretty good with a hammer.” He winked. “If you want my help, just give a shout.” He turned on his heel and in seconds was gone.

  She blinked a few times, shaking out her hands. Hopefully she’d be able to relax a little in Rochester. Just then her cell phone buzzed. Her brother’s number flashed across the caller box.

  “Hi, Pat! Did she have the baby?”

  “It’s a boy,” he said. “A big one. Not sure Marci’s talking to me right now.”

  “How big? And what did you name him? Come on, spill.” All the tension she’d built up in her body over the course of the last few days melted away at the thought of new life entering the world.

  “Nine pounds, eight ounces, and his name is Nolan Jared O’Connor,” Pat said, proudly. “It was amazing. I was there the entire time, and Marci…God, I didn’t think I could love her any more.”

  “I can’t wait to meet my nephew.” She relaxed back into her chair, letting the happy tears roll down her cheeks.

  “I don’t have to stay at the hospital the whole time.”

  “But you want to. And you should.” And she should go to Rochester with Jared. She’d be safer and maybe it would give the police a chance to catch the guy sneaking around Jared’s empty house. And no one besides her boss and brother knew she was leaving town. Not even Penny knew right now.

  “Are you okay?”

  She swiped the tears from her eyes. “I’m fine.” Hearing footsteps down the hall, she squared her shoulders and tried to peer out of her office. “As soon as…speak of the devil. Jared’s here.” She waved Jared into her office, trying not to gawk at him. He wore a pink golf shirt and black dress pants and he looked like a walking advertisement for the pro shop. “Marci had a boy.”

  “That’s great,” Jared said. A small smile appeared on his paling face.

  “Can we come see the baby?” Ryan asked her brother.

  “See you in a little while. I love you, sis.”

  “I love you too, big brother.” She hooked the phone back on her hip, then looked up at Jared. “Let’s hit the road.” For the first time in a week, she didn’t feel like the world had spun out of control, tossing her to the curb. “We don’t have to stay long, but I have to go meet my nephew. They named him Nolan, and do you know what his middle name is?”

  “I don’t want to know,” Jared muttered, then uttered a curse. “I thought he was joking.”

  “Let’s go, Godfather.” Ryan shook her head. Nothing could dampen her joy, not even a sour faced Jared.

  * * * *

  The entire ride to the hospital, Jared gripped the steering wheel. Over the years, he and Pat had been to hell and back together. Jared didn’t begrudge the man his happiness or his child. But there was a small piece of Jared that couldn’t help wondering where he’d be today if things had been different.

  “What floor?” Jared asked as they got into the elevator. He hated hospitals. They smelled like death and sadness covered by antiseptic. Like having a clean environment where people fought for their lives would somehow make untimely death better.

  “Five.” Ryan reached out and poked the button a few times.

  “That’s not going to make the elevator go faster.”

  She rubbed her hands together, while excitement sparkled in her eyes. “I can’t help it.” Her smile brightened the already well-lit space and melted his heart.

  The elevator bounced at the fifth floor, then a bell rang out as the doors began to push back. Ryan wiggled her way though the small opening, then took off in the direction of Marci’s room as if she were running a marathon and the finish line was only inches ahead.

  He shoved his hands deep in his pockets, following a few steps behind.

  “Here.” When she glanced back at him, her hair bounced playfully at her shoulders. “Pat? Marci?” She tapped the half open door.

  “Hey there.” Pat greeted his sister with a big bear hug, then reached out to Jared, yanking him in the room with his handshake. “Get in here.”

  “I’m sure Marci doesn’t want me here. I’ll just hang out in the waiting room.” Jared’s pulse beat frantically at the sight of Marci holding her infant son.

  “You will not,” Marci said. “I can’t believe how much he looks like Pat.”

  “I don’t think Pat was that big.” Ryan reached out and rubbed her hand across the baby’s red hair. “And I think he was bald.”

  Jared’s son had been bald, but he remembered the softness of his skin. The way he smelled and how fragile he looked. Those images he’d never be able to get rid of. No matter how hard he tried.

  “Pat said the labor was…” Ryan began.

  But Jared didn’t hear the rest of the words. Visions of a tiny casket being lowered into the ground engulfed his memory. His son’s mother nowhere to be found. His body flexed, but he felt like his legs would buckle at any moment.

  “Jared?” A firm squeeze of his bicep jolted him from his nightmare. “Marci asked you if you wanted to hold your godson.”

  “No,” he said quickly.

  “Damn you,” Pat muttered, taking a step toward him.

  “You can do this, Jared. Trust me,” Ryan said in a soft tone.

  “Trust you?” He glared at her.

  “You expect me to trust you when it comes to my safety. Well, I expect you to trust me about this.” She kicked the door closed with her foot, then glided across the room. With ease, she lifted the baby into her arms, kissed his forehead, and whispered something.

  Jared stepped back, bumping into the wall.

  He reached for the constricting button on the top of his shirt. Perspiration beaded across his forehead.

  “Hey there, Nolan. Let’s go meet your godfather. The man who gave you your middle name,” Ryan said.

  “Ryan, please don’t,” Jared whispered, rubbing his sweaty hands across his tense thighs. But she ignored his plea, lifting the baby up and pressing the tiny warm body against his chest.

  Nolan’s hands flew up in the air, whacking Jared in the chin.

  “It’s a startle reflex. He’s fine.” Ryan smiled widely, beaming with love and pride.

  “I know what it is,” he grumbled, raising his arms and nestling Nolan’s head in the crook of his elbow.

  Nolan sucked in his lower lip, then gasped a hearty breath and let it out with a whiney sigh.

  Jared swallowed. He stared down at the precious bundle of life. He hadn’t held a baby since Johnny passed, and while part of his heart soared with joy, another part died again. “He’s…cute,” he said, trying to relax.

  “Like Pat,” Marci laughed.

  “Nothing cute about him.” Jared breathed slowly, using his training to keep as calm as possible. Feeling all eyes on him, Jared glanced around the room.

  Ryan wiped a tear that dribbled down her face. Pat had seated himself on the edge of the bed next to his wife, dipping his head against hers and looking back at him with brotherly admiration.

  As if on cue, Nolan squirmed.

  “Okay, here’s your Auntie Ryan.” Jared fumbled as he handed the baby back to Ryan.

  “Oh, my, God. I can’t believe he’s here.” Ryan snuggled Nolan in close. She deserved everything. Everything Jared couldn’t give her.

  For the next hour, Jared fetched water, soda, coffee, and junk food. Anything to get out of the room of happiness. He couldn’t help but remember how different things were with
Lisa when Johnny was born. Jared hadn’t been there when his son entered the world, but he was there when he left.

  “I’m sorry, but we really should hit the road,” he said, trying not to sound too impatient. “Can I have a word with you, Pat?” Jared turned and stepped into the hallway. “Rory’s going to be working on the carriage house, along with his girlfriend.”

  “I heard she’s some kind of private eye or something.”

  Jared chuckled. “Something like that. Anyway, we want to make it look like Ryan’s there. Only her boss knows she’s coming with me.”

  “I get to stay here at night, but tomorrow I’ve got to go to the bar for a few hours.”

  Jared rubbed his jaw, then slid his hand across his neck. He didn’t think Marci and the baby would be in jeopardy. But if George was behind these attacks, who’s to say he wouldn’t turn on his other stepchild? Jared pulled out Frank Harmon’s business card. “This kid’s really good, and he’d do anything to help out. I’ve already asked him to keep an eye on things. He can come and plant himself here in the hallway while you’re gone.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to put anyone out.” Pat shoved the card into his pocket. “But I’m worried.”

  “So am I,” Jared admitted. “But Harmon’s already got instructions to be at your beck and call. Let’s go, Ry.”

  Anger quickly replaced Pat’s concerned look. He gritted his teeth, then said, “That’s my sister.”

  Jared nodded, but couldn’t form any words.

  “You make sure nothing happens to her.” Pat glanced over his shoulder, then back, taking a step closer. “I don’t know what’s going on with you two, and I don’t want to know. But if you leave her heartbroken, I’ll hunt you down.”

  “Oh, get over yourself,” Ryan said, slapping her hand down on Pat’s shoulder. “Not to be blunt, but I’d have to think of him as something other than a Neanderthal to have my heart broken. Now Nolan on the other hand.” Patting her chest, she rolled her eyes. “He’s a heartbreaker.”

  “Watch your back,” Pat said.

  “I’ll see you in two days.” Ryan planted a kiss on her brother’s cheek, then looped her arm through Jared’s.