Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
OLIVER
I almost feel like I should be knocking on wood.
That’s what my mom used to do whenever things were going really well. Like when my dad won a trip to Disney at work, and it just happened to coincide with me and Maya both getting straight As on our reports cards. Or when I made the varsity soccer team as a freshman at the same time Maya was accepted into the gifted and talented program.
She’d make this silly little smile before finding the nearest piece of wood and announce, “Well! What good fortune! We’d better knock on wood!”
Back then, Maya and I would laugh at her. Not in a mean way, but the way you do when you’re a kid and for some reason, think you know so much more than your parents.
Now? I’d give anything to see her knock on wood one more time. But her luck ended ten years ago, when her failing heart finally gave out. Although, she might consider that good fortune, too. Not leaving us, she was crushed about that, but getting to be with my dad again.
My mom would love Shea almost as much as I do.
I haven’t said the words to Shea yet—not this time around, at least. With everything that’s been going on and the newness of our rekindled relationship, it seems like a better idea to wait until things have settled a bit. And I don’t want Shea to feel uncomfortable staying here with me if I tell her I love her and she doesn’t feel the same way.
I think she does. But I’m not sure.
Shea cares about me, though. That I’m certain of.
And it’s beyond amazing being with her again. Living with her. Seeing her in the morning, all sleepy and rumpled and cute. Cuddling her against me as we fall asleep—Shea stayed in my bedroom the first night we made love, and she hasn’t left since, which is more than okay with me.
The sex is amazing, too. It always was, but I think this time apart has made us appreciate each other even more. Maybe the intensity of it will fade over time, but right now, I just feel so damn lucky every time we make love.
I feel pretty damn lucky all the time, really.
Yes, there’s the uncertainty around Shea’s case, but I’m confident between the police department and B and A, we’ll get it solved. The progress is still frustratingly slow; it seems like every lead turns out to be nothing, but we’ll get it. And Shea’s safe, which is the most important thing.
Safe with me, living at my house, which has already been transformed from adult-dorm-room to cozy-Shea-style, complete with lots of pillows and decorations and pops of blue all over, bringing the bland white-ness of my place to life. In the five days Shea’s been here, my house has been transformed into a home.
Just a month ago, I couldn’t have imagined being this happy.
“Oll?”
Shea’s uncertain voice has me turning from the bathroom mirror to face her before I think to spit my mouthful of toothpaste out. “Yesh?”
Then I see her, and my brain malfunctions for a second. She’s wearing the silver dress, the one she informed me has fringe, not tassels, and… wow. Just wow. When I saw the gracefully dipping neckline and little slit along the side, my first thought was Shea would look amazing in it. But she looks beyond amazing. She’s breathtaking.
The slit exposes a glimpse of toned leg, and the neckline shows off more than a hint of cleavage. The fabric drapes across Shea’s sweet curves, accentuating the flare of her hips and making me wonder what her ass looks like when she turns around.
Her hair is loose, falling in loose waves across her shoulders. The diamond necklace I gave her for her twenty-fifth birthday hits just below her collarbone, sparkling in the bright light of the bathroom. And she has that shimmery stuff on again, which I now know is a special lotion that’s supposed to make her look all glowy, whatever that means.
She looks awesome. That’s what I know.
The tiny creases etched across Shea’s forehead smooth out and she smiles. “I have a question. But you can spit out your toothpaste first.”
Right. The toothpaste. So I spit it out as subtly as I can and quickly rinse my mouth with water. “Okay.” I bare my teeth at her. “I’m not rabid anymore. What’s up?”
“Are you sure this dress is okay?” She spins around. “It’s not too revealing? Too shiny?”
The hem of the dress lifts as she moves, revealing more of her legs. My pants go tight. Pressure throbs. “Um.”
Do I have time to take Shea to the bedroom before we have to leave? Or could we just use the bathroom counter?
“Um?” Shea’s brows wing up. “That doesn’t sound good. I should change.” She heads for the bathroom door. “I’ll find something else. Just give me?—”
“No.” My voice is rough with need. “Don’t change. You look incredible. I was just thinking about how much I want to make love to you. Not that there’s anything wrong with your dress.”
Pink rises in her cheeks. “Are you sure? Because I want to make a good impression on all your friends and coworkers.”
I gather Shea in my arms, pulling her close enough that she can feel the growing bulge in my pants. “Not that I care what anyone else thinks, but you’re going to make a great impression. Partly because you look beautiful in that dress, although you’d look gorgeous in anything you wear. And also because you’re an amazing person. Smart, funny, kind…”
“Oll.” Her lips curve into a pleased smile. “You’re so sweet.” She pauses to lean back from me a bit, her gaze sweeping up and down my body. “And handsome, too.”
“Oh? You think so?” Not that I’m an insecure guy, but hearing Shea say she likes how I look is something else entirely.
“Yes. Very handsome.”
“Handsome enough to make a quick detour into the bedroom?”
“Oliver.” It’s lightly scolding. “Do you know how long I took getting ready?”
I give her a hopeful look. “Would it help if I said you look stunning after we make love? All flushed and bright-eyed and your hair all sexy?”
Shea laughs, her earlier uncertainty gone. “While I love that you think that, I was hoping for something a little more polished for an evening fundraising event.” She pauses before adding in a throaty tone, “But definitely after.”
“Okay.” Cupping her cheek, I press a soft kiss to her lips. “After, then. At least twice. First with the dress on—” I slide my hand up her leg. “And then with it off.”
“Oh.” Desire flares in her gaze. “Yes. Absolutely.”
“Alright.” My hand inches higher to give her ass a light squeeze. “Let’s get to this thing, then. Have some good food, listen to some music, talk to our friends, and when we get home…”
She beams at me. “I can’t wait.”
“Wow, there are a lot of people here.”
Shea glances around Cash’s expansive living room, filled with at least fifty people milling around chatting and snacking on hors d’oeuvres. The space is fully decked out in casino-themed decor, from hundreds of black and gold balloons, thousands of twinkling lights strung across the ceiling, and even a giant lit sign over the fireplace that says, Welcome to Fabulous Sleepy Hollow in the classic Vegas style.
I release Shea’s hand to wrap my arm around her waist, then press a quick kiss to the top of her head. “Well, we have firefighters from Stations one, two, three, and four, and the guys from the Ambulance Corps. Plus, most of the police department employees who aren’t on duty. That’s not even taking into account the other locals who came.”
Across the room, a silver-haired woman in a sequined purple dress spots us and waves enthusiastically. “And that’s Mrs. Plimpton,” I tell Shea. “I’m sure she’ll be over to talk to you soon.”
“The woman who thought her neighbor was burying a body in his yard?”
“Yes. That’s her.” Smiling, I wave back at Mrs. Plimpton. “Like I said, she’s quirky. But she means well.”
Shea presses against me. “And everyone here—” She stops. “Nevermind. We already talked about it.”
“It’s okay to go over it again,” I reassure her. “The entire perimeter fence is the same kind Blade and Arrow has. The house itself has cameras and alarms all over, and Cash hired a full security team for tonight to keep an eye on things. That’s not counting all the off-duty police in attendance.”
She gives me a sheepish smile. “I know it’s silly to be worrying.”
“It’s not. But you know I wouldn’t bring you anywhere if I wasn’t confident it’s safe. Right?”
“Yes.” Her expression relaxes as the worry drains out of it. “I know. Sorry to keep asking.”
“Shea, love.” I move to face her. “You can ask me as many times as you want. I don’t mind.”
After a moment’s pause, her eyes go soft. “I?—”
“Kingston!” Cash strides towards us, his smile warm and welcoming. By his side is his wife, Ari, her smile even brighter than his. Once they reach us, Cash puts out his hand and says, “So glad you could come. Can you believe this place? I finally agreed to hire someone to do the decorations, and I think they went a bit crazy. Have you seen the rest of the house yet?”
I clasp his outstretched hand. “Not yet. We just got here. But thanks for having this. I know it’s a hassle, giving up your house for the night and all?—”
“He doesn’t mind,” Ari interjects, looking up at her husband with an affectionate gaze. “Anything to benefit the first responders, you know.” Then she turns her attention to Shea. “Hi. You must be Shea. I’m so thrilled to meet you.”
“Same,” Cash echoes. He nods at Shea and offers his hand. “Sorry to hear about everything. But we’re all here to help. You need anything…”
“Thanks.” Shea shakes his hand, then Ari’s. “Your house is beautiful. And thanks for having me.”
“Of course.” Ari makes a little it’s nothing gesture. “The decorations are a little over the top, but it is casino night, so… You’ll have to check out the solarium. That’s where all the games are. Poker, slots, roulette…”
“Obviously, just for charity,” Cash adds. “And the silent auction items are in the dining room. We’ve got some good ones this year.”
“Oh, did you see the spa weekend at the Four Seasons?” Another couple joins us, my friend Ben, and his wife, Thea. Thea continues with an enthusiastic smile, “I’m not usually a spa kind of person, but if we win, I could take Laila for a girls’ weekend.”
Turning to Shea, she says, “Hi. I’m Thea Lewis, and this is my husband, Ben. I know you’re Shea, and it’s so nice to meet you. Laila is my step-daughter, and she loves mani-pedis and all that girly stuff. So she’d be thrilled with a fancy spa weekend in the city.”
“It sounds nice,” Shea agrees. “I definitely want to take a look.” Glancing at me, she asks, “Maybe we could bid on a trip. For after all this is over?”
“Absolutely.” Hugging her to my side, I lift my chin at Ben, then smile at Thea. “How’s it going? No kids tonight?”
“For casino night?” Thea laughs. “No way. Laila would want to play all the games. And Elias is in his crying about everything stage.”
“My mom’s taking care of them,” Ben explains. “She loves babysitting, and it gives us a night out. So everyone wins.”
Ari nods. “Same. Now that my mom moved to Tarrytown, she wants to babysit Winnie all the time. She’s always calling, asking if Cash and I want to go out.”
“Oh, that reminds me.” Thea turns to Shea. “Ari and I have a weekly reality TV and junk food night. We’ll either watch The Bachelor , Bachelorette , or Bachelor in Paradise , depending on the time of year. We know they’re kind of cheesy, but fun to watch. Would you like to join us sometime?”
“Yes, please.” Ari brightens. “The new season of The Bachelorette is starting soon. It’ll be great. It’s me, Thea, our friend, Rose, and sometimes Thea’s friend, Penny, comes, too. We make little bets on how often the people say things like”—she makes quotes with her fingers—“ not there for the right reasons or he makes me feel seen .”
Shea’s smile dips. “It sounds really nice. But I’m not sure if I can?—”
“We can make it work,” I tell her. “I can wait outside for you. Or?—”
“You can come here,” Ari says. “It’s not a problem. And it’s perfectly safe.”
“Absolutely,” Cash adds. Then he smirks at me. “And if Kingston wants to come along, he can help me with Winnie. She’s getting into everything now, and I could use the extra set of eyes.”
“Actually, there’s Penny, now.” Thea waves at a petite red-head over by a table that looks to have an assortment of cupcakes and cookies spread across it. “Pen, come meet Shea!”
As Penny weaves her way across the room, Shea glances at me with a bemused expression. I lean down to speak near her ear. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” She kisses my cheek, then continues quietly, “It’s good, Oll. Your friends are really nice.”
Her expression shifts to surprise when Penny joins us, though she hides it quickly. Before Thea can finish introducing her, Penny blurts out, “We’ve met.” Her cheeks go bright red. “I mean, sort of. At the Hop-less Horseman. That night…”
I’m trying to connect the dots, and then I remember. Penny was there, but Kane talked to her, not me. Penny had been out on the patio when the van pulled up, but she and her friends had run inside for help right away.
Flustered and red-faced, Penny tugs at her hair as she continues, “I know I apologized before, but I’m so sorry for not helping that night. I wasn’t thinking?—”
“It’s okay.” Shea touches Penny’s arm. “Really. It was the smart thing to do.”
“But are you okay?” Penny asks. “I mean, obviously you’re okay, but are you really ? After all that…” She claps her hand over her mouth. “God. Could I be any more awkward? Bringing up something like this during a party.”
Honestly, while Penny seems very sweet, I wish she’d stop talking before the reminder of that night drags Shea’s mood down. But before I can change the subject, Shea deftly does it instead.
“You’re fine,” she tells Penny. “Don’t worry. And I’m good. It brought me and Oliver back together, so I’d consider that a pretty great silver lining.” A pause, and then kindly, “How are you doing? I didn’t mean to overhear on the patio, but with your ex?”
“Oh.” Penny grins. “Old news. Iris and Reagan were right. I’m much better off without him.”
After that, the conversation shifts to easier topics, like barbeques and plans for the summer and which restaurant will win the annual competition at the Sleepy Hollow Wing Fest this year. Shea seems like she’s really enjoying herself, all signs of her nerves from earlier gone. But it doesn’t stop her from touching me—either holding my hand or looping her arm around my waist or leaning her head on my shoulder.
I love it. Having Shea here, feeling her touch, hearing her lilting laugh, seeing her eyes sparkling as they meet mine. After years of dragging myself to events because I felt like I had to, this is the first time I’m actually happy to be here.
During a lull in the conversation, Shea glances up at me. “Oll, do you want to look at the silent auction? And maybe play some games?”
“Definitely.” Taking her hand, we say our farewells and head off in search of the dining room. As we leave the living room, I give her a kiss. “You look beautiful. Did I mention that yet?”
“A few times. But you can say it again.” Framing my face with her hands, she stretches up to kiss me back. “And have I mentioned how sexy you look in a suit?”
“Maybe once or twice.” I grin at her. “But you can say it again.”
Once we make it to the dining room, Shea goes into shopping mode, towing me around the colossal dining room table filled with dozens of signs and photos describing all the auction items. Some of the items are more reasonably priced, like dinner out at Horse and Ghost or a brewing lesson from the head brewmaster at the Hop-less Horseman. Then there are more expensive ones, like the spa weekend in Manhattan that Thea was talking about, and a cruise through the Caribbean.
I’m debating between a pretty necklace crafted by a local artisan and a small painting donated by Ian’s wife, Rose, when Shea nearly yanks my arm out of its socket as she drags me down the table.
“Look.” Her voice pitches up with excitement as she jabs her finger at a photo of the Adirondack Mountains. “It’s a week-long stay at the Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid. In a suite with a fireplace and porch. Look at the view.”
Inspecting the informational flier displayed next to the photo, I swallow back my dismay at the starting bid for the auction. I’d love to bid on it for Shea, to take her on a luxury getaway to the Adirondacks, but it’s a little out of my range. I do pretty well as a cop, and I saved a lot from back when I was in the CIA, but spending tens of thousands on a vacation? Probably not the best idea.
Still. She looks so excited about it. And it would be such a great trip. Once this business with the van and the guy at Shea’s house, we could go up there, spend the weekend doing all sorts of romantic things…
“I’m bidding on it.” She scribbles a number high enough to make my jaw drop. “We’ll have to check back later to make sure I’m the highest bidder.”
“Shea.” I meet her gaze. “I’m not sure…”
“I’m bidding on it.” Her chin lifts. “Don’t try to talk me out of it.”
“I’m not. It’s just… that’s a lot of money.”
“I know.” She sets the pen down and faces me, her earnest gaze meeting mine. “You know I have money because of what happened to my parents. I used some of it for college, and some for the down payment on my house, but I don’t just spend it on anything. This, though? Having a special trip with you? It’s more than worth it.”
My throat goes thick. “Shea.”
“Plus, it’s benefiting the fire department. The police. I can’t think of a better cause. And I want to do this. Okay?”
Hugging her to me, I press my lips to her hair, breathing in her soft scent. A surge of emotion sweeps through me, so intense it makes my eyes burn. “Whatever you want to do, I’ll support it.”
“Good.” Tilting her head back, she meets my gaze. “Now. Let’s go see about some of those games.” Her lips quirk. “I’m feeling pretty lucky tonight.”
“I’m the lucky one,” I tell her as we leave the room, “to have you with me.”
“Oliver.”
“What? It’s true.”
“Well, I’d say I’m the lucky one.” Shea kisses my cheek. “But I guess we can agree we’re both lucky.”
Once we get to the solarium, which has been transformed into a nicer casino than any I saw when I went to Vegas, Shea stops to scan the room. “What do you think? Poker? Roulette? Roulette sounds easier, but poker seems like more fun.”
“Poker first,” I reply, while hoping the skills I picked up in college still hold true today. “Then roulette. If that works?”
“Yup.” Swinging my hand a little as we walk towards the poker tables, she gives me a happy smile. “This is great. I’m so glad we came.”
My heart swells. “Me too.”
But just as we’re about to take a seat at the table, an unfamiliar male voice calls out, “Shea Walsh? Is that you?”
Shea jolts, her fingers tightening around mine. Instinctively, I draw her closer to me, wrapping my arm around her. “Are you okay?”
She looks in the direction of the voice, sagging a second later. “Yeah,” she says quietly. “I’m fine. I didn’t recognize the voice at first, but?—”
Before she can explain, the mystery man—at least to me—is in front of us. He’s older, maybe fifty or so, with salt and pepper hair and a trimmed goatee. He ignores me completely, his focus entirely on Shea. In a clipped, nasal tone, he says, “Oh, Shea. It’s so lovely to see you.”
“It’s nice to see you, too.” But her tight smile says otherwise.
His gaze flicks across her body, not in a sexual way, but still assessing. “And you’re looking well. That’s good.”
My jaw clenches hard enough to break stone.
Who is this man, and why is he commenting on Shea’s body?
“Thanks,” she replies with a forced cheerful note to her tone. “This is my boyfriend, Oliver Kingston.” Then she glances at me. “Oliver, this is Doctor Black. We… worked together several years ago.”
“Yes, we did,” he adds. “And I must say, it’s such a pleasure to see you here.”
Shea is stiff against me. She has a death grip on my hand. “It’s nice to see you, too, Doctor Black.”
“Yes,” he continues, the same pleasant smile glued to his face, seemingly oblivious to Shea’s stilted responses. “I have a new practice now. Out in Bedford.”
“Oh.” Her face pales. “That’s nice.”
Normally, I wouldn’t do this, but it’s obvious to me she’s uncomfortable. “Shea, honey.” As she looks at me, I say, “I think I see Mrs. Plimpton over by the blackjack table. I thought you wanted to catch her before she leaves?”
Relief floods her gaze. “Yes. I do need to talk to her.” To Doctor Black, she says apologetically, “Sorry, but I’ve been looking for her all night. It’s been nice seeing you, though.”
That’s a lot of nices. Way more than Shea would usually use.
“Of course.” The doctor gives her a crisp nod. “Good seeing you, Shea. Again, glad to see you doing so well.”
I give him a tiny lift of my chin before steering Shea across the room to the blackjack tables, where Mrs. Plimpton is nowhere to be seen. Once we’re alone, I take both of Shea’s hands in mine, rubbing her chilled skin to warm it.
After a deep breath, she says, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to act so… weird.”
“It’s fine. Are you okay?”
Her gaze goes distant for a second. Then she sets her shoulders and raises her chin. “Yes. I’m okay.” Another deep breath, and then, “He was a counselor at the facility I went to. Not my counselor, but I saw him there.”
My defenses go up. “Did he do anything inappropriate?”
“No. I didn’t really care for him, he always seemed a bit… I don’t know. Fake. Like he didn’t really care about the patients. But he didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Then why?—”
“I guess… I don’t like thinking about back then. The time I spent there… it wasn’t their fault. Most of the people were really nice. Helpful. But my head wasn’t in a good place. I was so upset about everything that happened. With Niall. Jade. And…” Sadness fills her eyes. “You.”
“Oh, Shea.” A hand reaches into my chest and gives my heart a painful twist. “I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault. And anyway—” A smile lifts her lips. “I needed to be there. And it helped. So I can’t be upset about it.”
As a couple moves past us a little too close, I lead Shea out of the way and over to one of the floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s a full moon outside, its light streaming in through the glass and casting a soft glow across her face. “It’s okay, Shea. We all have memories we don’t like to revisit.”
“I know. It’s just…” Stopping, she gives a little shake of her head. “You know what? I’m not going to let this bother me. So what if I saw someone from a time in my life that wasn’t the best? I’m not there now, am I?”
“No.” I brush her hair over her shoulder. “You’re not.”
“Right.” There’s a defiant note to her voice. “I’m at this wonderful party, with games to play and delicious food to eat and more of your friends and coworkers to meet. I’m not letting some brief blast from the past ruin it.”
Pride fills my chest.
My Shea. So strong. Resilient. Smart. Wonderful.
With a little squeeze of my fingers, Shea meets my gaze. Her mouth curves into a soft smile. “So. What do you think? Some games and food? And then we’ll find this Mrs. Plimpton so I can meet her for real?”
A beat, and then she leans close, her lips brushing my jaw. “And don’t think I forgot about later. Two times, you said. And maybe we can break out that oil again.”
Shit.
I love her so much.
“Yes.” I kiss her, lingering for a few moments. “That sounds like a great idea.”