Chapter Fourteen
Today sucked ass. It was the worst way to end a case as well as the best month of Jeremy’s life.
After his shift ended an hour ago, he’d gone home and tried to shower off the stink of the day…
it didn’t work. His intention of grilling a burger and tossing back a couple of beers hadn’t happened.
He headed to the resort instead. He was too restless. Disgusted.
Guilt-ridden.
If only he’d solved the damn break-ins before the perp—Owen, the worker from the gas station—had been spotted trying to break into a car dealership that was closed for the day.
If only the kid hadn’t been cranked up on methamphetamines and gotten spooked by the Good Samaritan who called it in.
By the time Jeremy had tracked Owen down, it had been too late.
The kid had taken off out of town, hit a deer, and then a pole.
If only Owen had survived.
Muttering a curse, Jeremy made his way to Timbers, the bar on the main floor of the Wyne Resort.
It was much closer to his house than Martelli’s, plus there was less chance of running into any of his buddies.
He wasn’t exactly in the mood for company.
Just a drink. Maybe some food, although he wasn’t hungry.
After walking past a host of small shops that sold souvenirs, clothing, outdoor equipment, jewelry, and Jill’s Chocolate Factory, he turned left to head down the hall to Timbers.
Upon entering, he gave the place a cursory glance and relaxed.
None of his buddies were around. Grateful for small miracles, Jeremy slid onto a stool at the far end of the bar and ordered a burger, fries, and a beer.
The place was moderately busy for a Thursday evening. Another thing to be grateful for, as well as the aroma of sizzling meat and savory spices. His stomach rumbled. Maybe he was hungry after all.
Wooden beams crisscrossed the ceiling, adorned with dangling lanterns that cast a warm glow over the cozy space.
The bar where he sat took up a large portion of the interior wall, while tables made from weathered timber were scattered throughout, each decked with fake, flickering candles and checkered tablecloths.
Vintage ski equipment and photographs that captured the resort’s offerings through all four seasons hung on the walls, while large glass windows showcased a kickass view of the lake and mountains in the distance.
Normally, he found the ambiance of the place relaxing and calming, but it did squat tonight. Even the warmth radiating from the crackling fireplace in the center of the side wall didn’t penetrate the chill that had settled over him since finding Owen.
“Thought you usually hung out at Martelli’s on work nights,” Ethan Wyne said from the other side of the bar.
Damn. Where’d he come from?
Probably the kitchen.
Jeremy shrugged and turned his attention back to his beer. He should’ve known he couldn’t go the entire night without running into a friend. And since Ethan and his brothers owned the resort, his chances of eating here unnoticed were zero.
The guy watched him for a moment. “Bad day?”
News traveled fast around here. He was surprised Ethan hadn't heard about the incident already.
“Bad day.”
Didn’t matter, though. Ethan was the type to understand, especially having been deployed a few times with the guard. They’d seen and done shit that never left them.
As expected, dawning entered his buddy’s eyes. “Ah, one of those days. Sorry, man. I was up on the mountain leading hikers all day. I’m out of whatever the loop is.”
Jeremy nodded but didn’t enlighten the guy. He’d hear about it sooner than later. As he took a pull on his beer, the image of Owen’s lifeless body and dead eyes flashed through his mind. Again.
Damn shame. Owen seemed like a good kid.
Too bad he’d gotten mixed up with drugs.
Jeremy expected forensics to match the crowbar and other items found in Owen’s trunk to the crimes, like the shirt with the consignment shop’s tags still on it.
With no bag or receipt in sight, he doubted it was a purchase.
Ethan disappeared into the kitchen then returned a few minutes later with his burger and fries. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Will do,” he said before biting into his burger because his body needed sustenance, and his rumbling stomach was damned annoying.
Ryder walked in then with Sophia on his arm and Phoebe next to her, followed by his sister and Faith.
Jesus, he should’ve gone to Martelli’s.
But he was spared talking to the women because they walked over to a large table in front of the fireplace and sat down, except for his sister.
Jenna strolled over to hug him, even though he was sitting.
She held on for a moment before kissing his cheek, then joined her friends by the fireplace without uttering useless words.
He appreciated that, which she no doubt knew.
Ryder, however, dropped onto the stool next to him. “Sorry about today.”
Stomach tightening, Jeremy nodded, and was grateful Ryder let it drop and chatted with Ethan about a pavilion his construction company was building for the resort.
He tuned them out, barely tasting the food he was forcing himself to eat when awareness skittered down his right side.
Stiffening, he set his burger down and turned his attention to the doorway.
Elle stood there, glancing around the room, then smiled at his sister and the rest of the waving women before heading to their table.
At the sight of her, Jeremy inhaled as if he’d been deprived of air for hours. More like five days. It’d been that long since he’d seen her.
After she’d finished out her ride-alongs a few weeks ago, they’d fallen into a routine of getting together on his off-duty days, mostly at night, since she was writing every day.
He’d been careful not to falter from their agreed upon plan or break any of his rules, but lately, Jeremy had found himself wanting to see Elle more than just two nights a week.
Stupid, yeah, but thankfully, she’d kept them on track.
Too bad the beautiful woman tended to knock him off the rails.
Like now. She was breathtaking in a strapless, light purple dress with tiny white flowers stitched on it, and a tiny purple sweater opened over it to cover her arms. The dress appeared lightweight, clinging to her generous chest and waist, before it fell away from her hips, hinting at her luscious curves that he knew were underneath.
And, damn, her shoes…
The sudden urge to see her in nothing but the strappy white heels was strong.
Then she spotted him as she’d settled into a chair, and her gaze warmed, her face lighting up. He felt it clear to his bones.
Shit. That wasn’t good.
She got up and walked over and sat on the stool on his other side.
Jeremy’s chest swelled and squeezed at the same time.
Both were due to her presence. He was happy to see her but worried she’d want to talk about his day.
That was the last damn thing he wanted to do.
Hell, he didn’t want to talk to anyone. Not even her.
No, he’d much rather have her naked and wrapped around him as he pounded into her until they were both too exhausted to think, let alone talk.
Yeah, that sounded perfect.
She held his gaze for a long beat. She didn’t ask if he was all right.
She didn’t add her worry to the massive weight already on his shoulders.
No, she just looked at him with those beautiful green eyes, and he found himself warming up from the deep chill that had held him hostage since he’d received the call from the Good Samaritan.
“You’ve had a long day,” she said quietly.
He lifted a shoulder.
“Heard about Owen.”
He remained quiet. No words were necessary.
But she continued to regard him closely and as tended to happen when he stared into her mesmerizing gaze, everything else faded away. The noise of the bar, the chatter, the faces of everyone around them…all of it disappeared until it was just the two of them.
She lifted a hand and placed it lightly on his arm, and incredibly, under that simple touch, he felt himself relax and the tightness in his chest eased up enough that he took his first unobstructed breath since just before noon. “I’ve got your back.”
Her eyes were warm, with a bit of heat and a touch of concern. She could keep the concern. The heat, on the other hand, that held merit, so he nodded. But she’d come here to be with her friends, not a sour-tempered oaf.
He nodded toward the table by the fireplace. “Having another girls’ night out?”
“Sort of,” she replied, her hand still on his arm. “They insisted on taking me out to celebrate finishing the first draft of my book.”
His brows rose. “You finished it?”
“Yep.” She grinned. “About an hour ago.”
He actually found a smile. “Good for you. Go ahead and celebrate. You deserve it.”
“Thanks.” She squeezed his arm. “But what about you? You want to join us?”
“No thanks. I wouldn’t be good company. I’m going to finish eating then head home.” He set his hand over hers. “Go enjoy yourself.”
She stared at him for a few moments before she nodded. “Okay. But if you change your mind, or need…anything, just call.”
Damn. The unspoken offer he heard in her hesitation over the word “anything” nearly had him caving. But he’d meant what he’d said. He wouldn’t be good company, and she deserved to celebrate without his gloomy ass around.
Again, he nodded then removed his hand from hers to grab his drink. “Enjoy yourself.”
She opened her mouth as if to say something, then smiled instead as she stood. “Goodnight, Jeremy,” she said before walking back to her table.
Beer in hand, he found himself staring after her while pretending not to.
Yeah, he was treading a thin line heading to dangerous territory where they were concerned. He needed an intervention but no one he knew would ever do that. Hell, no. They’d sooner push him toward Elle.
He watched her laugh at something someone said and marveled at the way the red in her brown hair gleamed from the flames in the fireplace like a mesmerizing torch.
“Need another beer?” Ethan asked.
Jeremy blinked and turned back around to face his friend…and away from temptation. “No, thanks.”
“Didn’t think so, but here’s an iced tea for when you finish what’s in your hand.” His friend smiled, shoving the drink toward him.
He glanced down at the glass he was holding, noting it was almost empty. Damn, he hadn’t even realized he drank that much already.
Not good.
He needed to finish his food and get the hell out of there. It was a work night and tomorrow was a workday, and yet Jeremy kept hearing Elle’s unspoken offer in his head.
If you need…anything, just call.
A few weeks ago, that wouldn’t have been an issue. He never broke his rules.
But now, whether it was exhaustion, guilt over Owen, or memories of the way the beautiful woman made the world and all its problems disappear when he was in her arms, he feared his rules and logic no longer stood a chance against his fierce, unrelenting need for Elle.