A Guilty Affair (18 page)

Riley chuckled ruefully. “Of course. I rear-ended you. Not exactly the best first impression to make.”

“Not exactly,” he agreed with a smile in his voice. “I used a few choice adjectives to describe you even before I got out of the car.”

“I'll bet.”

“But it got better once I actually saw you.”

She traced lazy patterns on his flat, muscled abdomen. “Better in what way?”

“For starters,” he said huskily, “I thought you were the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.”

Riley's heart thumped. It was the last answer she'd expected to hear. Slowly she lifted her head and searched his face in the moonlit darkness. “You really thought that?”

He nodded. “I still do.”

She shook her head, her throat suddenly tight. “You can't say things like that to me, Noah,” she whispered.

“Why not?”

“Because…because…”
Because you've already gotten inside my head. Don't get in my heart too!

He laughed softly, letting her off the hook as he drew her back into his arms. He kissed the top of her head, then murmured, “Don't ask questions you're not ready to hear the answer to, baby girl.”

He was right, of course.

“So now it's your turn. What was your first impression of me?”

She grinned. “Really want to know?”

“I asked.”

“Well, the first thing I thought was that you looked mean, which, under the circumstances, was perfectly understandable. I was terrified of you. You looked so mad.”

He chuckled. “It wasn't all directed at you. I'd already been having a bad morning.”

She nodded. “Once you got closer, your expression softened. Probably because you saw the sheer terror on my face and took pity on me,” she added with a grin. “Anyway, once I realized you weren't going to arrest or strangle me, I relaxed enough to see how good-looking you were.”

“Good-looking, huh?”

She smiled against his chest, grateful he couldn't see her face, because suddenly she found herself blushing. “Better than good-looking. Fine as hell. I remember marveling at how incredibly broad your shoulders were and thinking you had the most amazing, penetrating eyes I'd ever seen.” She paused, deep in thought for a moment. It was funny how the mind played tricks on you. She'd buried those memories deep into her subconsciousness, ashamed to admit, even to herself, that she'd found Trevor's best friend so damned appealing. “You know, before I met Trevor, I'd only been attracted to brown- and dark-skinned men. There's just something irresistible about smooth, rich mahogany skin,” she murmured, running her hand up and down Noah's chest, feeling the muscles bunch and quiver beneath her touch. “I love your skin, Noah. Every beautiful inch of it.”

“That goes both ways.” His voice was tight, rough.

“It's entirely possible,” Riley continued philosophically, “that if I'd met you and Trevor at the same time, say, like, at a nightclub, based on physical appearance alone, I might have danced with you first.”

“Just once?”

She grinned. “Okay. Maybe a second and third time.”

He chuckled, tipping her chin up so that he could see her face. He brushed a kiss over her forehead, then across her mouth. She opened for him, seeking his tongue, and they kissed deeply and provocatively.

Noah's eyes were glittering with desire when they at last drew apart. “You know what I think?” he said softly as he pulled her on top of him. “I think we would've danced all night.”

“You think so?” Riley's heart was pounding violently against her ribs as she straddled him. “All night?”

He groaned as she lowered her body onto his long, thick shaft. “And into the morning.”

“Mmm. Like this?” He groaned softly as she began to gyrate on him, slowly and seductively, closing her eyes as she gave herself over to the exquisite sensations. He reached up and fondled her breasts, teasing and caressing her nipples until they hardened to aching points.

Heat poured through her limbs, drawing her backward like a bow. With her head thrown back, she braced her hands on his upper thighs and rode him while he thrust hard, fast, deeper with every stroke.

As their bodies slapped noisily together, she could feel another climax building, just as powerful as the others had been.
“Noah,”
she moaned.

“Dance for me, sweetheart.”

Her back arched tautly as her body began to contract around his throbbing penis, wringing an orgasm out of him at the same time she came with an exultant cry.

When her spasms tapered off, she collapsed against him in boneless exhaustion, and he gave a low, husky laugh. As she snuggled against him, he stroked lazy hands down her back and over the curve of her bottom. Lulled by his gentle caresses, she soon drifted off to sleep, not knowing that Noah remained awake long afterward, whispering words of love to her.

E
arly
the next morning, Riley sat on a bar stool at the center island in Noah's kitchen sipping a cup of fresh-brewed coffee. As she read the newspaper, her foot swung from side to side, matching her buoyant mood.

She'd gotten very little sleep the night before, she still had to drive home and get grilled by her grandmother, and she was probably going to be late for work on her second week on the job.

But none of that mattered.

For the first time in years, Riley felt at peace. And she knew it had everything to do with the gorgeous man who sauntered into the kitchen just then, buttoning the cuffs of the gray-and-white-striped broad-cloth shirt he wore.

Riley's pulse quickened as he walked over and leaned down to kiss her softly, sweetly, their lips clinging before he drew away to nuzzle her throat.

“Something smells wonderful,” he murmured.

“I made coffee.”

He lifted his head and winked at her. “That's not what I was talking about, but that smells good, too.”

He walked over to the counter and poured coffee into the ceramic mug she'd set out for him. “Great brew,” he said after taking a sip.

“Thanks.” She smiled. “I have my talents.”

“Believe me, Riley Kane, you're a woman of
many
talents,” he said in that low, velvety tone that had a dangerous effect on her heart rate.

She eyed him warily. “Don't look at me like that. You've already made me late by insisting we take a shower together.”

“Hey, I was helping you out. This way, all you have to do when you get home is throw on some clothes. I saved you time by having you take a shower with me.”

“Yes, but a
thirty-minute
shower, Noah?”

His grin was downright wicked. “I wanted to make sure we didn't, uh, miss a spot.”

She laughed. “Yeah, right.”

He chuckled. “Besides, it doesn't matter if you're late to the office. I already called Janie and told her you're accompanying me on an errand this morning.”

“I am?”

“Sort of. Before we head into the office, I thought we could have breakfast somewhere, and I'm not talking about IHOP. Somewhere with linen-covered tables and fresh-cut flowers as centerpieces. How does that sound?”

Riley warmed with pleasure. “It sounds wonderful, Noah.” She hesitated, biting her lower lip. “But I don't want to start getting preferential treatment just because I'm sleeping with the boss.”

He grinned. “Hell, that's one of the perks of the job. Just ask Janie.”

Riley laughed, rising and walking over to the sink to wash out her empty cup.

“By the way,” Noah said, leaning back against the counter, “what did you want to discuss with me on Monday night?”

“Monday night?” she echoed blankly.

“Yeah. You came here to talk to me about something. We got…sidetracked.”

“Oh!” Riley was shocked, and more than a little dismayed, to realize she'd completely forgotten about her encounter with Trevor's mother. How could something urgent enough to send her racing to Noah's house in the middle of the night have been forgotten so easily?

You knew this would happen. Getting involved with Noah is already interfering with your mission
.

She jumped as Noah took the coffee mug from her hands, which she'd been scrubbing vigorously, and set it down in the empty sink. Taking her hand, he led her over to the small breakfast table and made her sit, then pulled out another chair and nimbly straddled it.

“Talk to me,” he murmured. “Tell me what happened.”

Riley hesitated. “I ran into Trevor's mother on Monday.”

Noah's expression softened. “I'm sorry. That must have been very difficult for you.”

“Not as difficult as it was for her.”

As she relayed her entire conversation with Leona Simmons, Noah listened in impassive silence. Even when she told him about the woman's odd, distracted behavior and her remark about Trevor, Noah said nothing.

“Well?” Riley prompted when she'd finished her account. “What do you think?”

“I don't know what to think.”

Riley frowned. “‘A mother should never have to bury her own child. Especially when that child—'She didn't complete the sentence. Especially when that child what? What did she stop herself from saying?”

“Especially when that child had such a hard life,” Noah suggested. “‘Especially when that child was all I had left in the world.'I don't know, Riley. The woman is still grieving. Nothing she said was out of character for a mother mourning the loss of her only child.”

“I know that. But it was the way she said everything, and the strange way she behaved. I'm telling you, Noah, Trevor's mother is hiding something.”

Noah frowned. “Because she lied about not getting your letters or phone messages? Her reason made perfect sense. I know it was painful for her to see you again after all these years. Hell, Riley, when
I
saw you for the first time a couple of weeks ago, it was painful. You brought back so many memories of Trevor—”

“I'm sorry,” she said softly. “I'm sorry the sight of me causes you so much pain.”

Noah closed his eyes for a moment. “That's not what I meant and you know it.”

“You're right. I'm sorry.” She drew a deep, weary breath and slowly exhaled. “I think Ms. Simmons is hiding something, and I want to know what it is. That's what I came here to talk to you about on Monday night. I know it may not seem like it because I forgot to tell you, but until I get some answers, that conversation with Trevor's mother is gonna bug the hell out of me.”

In silence Noah studied her face for several moments. Finally, in a resigned tone, he said, “I'm going to call one of my contacts in the police department. Maybe it's time to get you in front of a sketch artist to give your description of the man you saw at Trevor's funeral.”

Riley's throat constricted as she gazed at him. Words couldn't begin to describe the depth of gratitude she felt. “Thank you, Noah,” she whispered.

And somehow, she knew that was enough.

“We missed you at Fast Eddie's on Sunday,” Paulo Sanchez said to Noah that evening when they met for drinks at a local bar. Noah had chosen somewhere off the beaten path, where they could talk in private without being observed by other cops.

“Sorry about that,” he said, signaling the bartender for two beers. “Something came up.”

“Something,” Paulo countered with a sly grin, “or someone?”

“None of your damned business,” Noah said good-naturedly.

Paulo gave a shout of laughter. “I knew it!”

“Knew what?” As the bartender set down two bottles of beer in front of them, Noah reached for one and took a healthy swig.

“As soon as I heard Riley was working for you,” Paulo said, “I knew it was only a matter of time before something would happen between the two of you.” His grin widened as he lifted his beer to his mouth. “Didn't waste any time, did you?”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Aw, come on, Roarke! You're gonna hold out on
me
, the guy you poured your heart out to?”

“While I was in a drunken stupor,” Noah reminded him.

Paulo laughed. “Don't blame the alcohol. You wanted to unburden yourself. I could tell.”

“Whatever you say, Sanchez. But just for the record, the reason I didn't make it on Sunday is that I took Riley to get new tires. By the time they finished working on her car, it would've been too late for me to run home and change my clothes and make it to Fast Eddie's on time.”

Paulo gave him a knowing look. “So you
haven't
slept with Riley? Is that what you're telling me?”

“I'm not telling you anything,” Noah grumbled.

Paulo wagged his head at him. “You're a man of many secrets, my friend.”

“Hard to keep any in this damned town. Who told you about Riley working at the agency, anyway?”

“Lety, who heard it from a friend of hers who works at the courthouse. Apparently Riley's been making a lot of trips there on behalf of Roarke Investigations. Lety was mad she had to hear the news from someone other than Riley.”

“Maybe that's because Lety's always been a little loose lipped.”

Paulo grinned, taking a gulp of beer. “Don't let her hear you say that. It'd break her heart. You know she's got a thing for you.”

Noah grimaced. “God, I hope not.”

“Of course,” Paulo said with mock sobriety. “Doesn't she know that as far as you're concerned, all other women pale in comparison to the lovely Miss Kane?”

Noah grinned, not even bothering to deny the allegation.

“Seriously though, Roarke. What's it like working with her? Everything you ever thought it would be?”

“I never actually fantasized about
working
with Riley.” Noah's mouth twitched. “My fantasies were of a…different variety.”

“Yeah, I'll bet.” Both men shared a low chuckle.

“So what've you got her doing?” Paulo asked. “The company newsletter?”

“We don't have a company newsletter.”

“Too bad. It'd be a great place to announce your engagement.”

Noah choked on a swallow of beer. Paulo reached over and pounded him hard on the back, his face all innocence. “Was it something I said?”

Wiping beer from his mouth, Noah glared at the other man. “We're not engaged.”

“Not yet. Give it time.” Paulo's knowing smile held the wisdom of a sage.

Noah shook his head, absently rubbing his thumb back and forth against the frosty condensation lining his bottle. “I haven't even told her how I feel about her.”

“Well, you've got until the end of August. But I wouldn't wait that long if I were you.”

Noah remembered the way Riley had reacted when he told her she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. How would she react to the news that he'd been in love with her for the past five years? Would it send her fleeing back to Washington, D.C. on the first thing smoking?

He didn't even want to imagine. Which was why he hadn't bared his soul yet.

Coward
, an inner voice taunted.

On the nineteen-inch color television mounted above the bar, the Spurs were trying to avoid elimination in the NBA finals. Noah watched the game in silence for a few moments, then said, “I need a favor.”

Paulo grinned. “I'd be honored to be your best man—as long as your brother doesn't mind.”

“That's not the favor I need,” Noah muttered, reaching for the large yellow envelope he'd placed on the counter beside him, “but, yes, Kenneth
would
mind.”

“Figured as much. What's this?”

“A composite sketch of a person I'm investigating for one of my clients. Could you run it through the system to see if you get a positive ID?”

Paulo opened the envelope and partially withdrew the charcoal illustration of the German man Riley had described for the freelance sketch artist that afternoon. “Doesn't look familiar. One of your cases, you say?”

Noah nodded.

Paulo folded the envelope and tucked it inside the front pocket of his black sport coat. “I'll see what I come up with.”

“Thanks, Sanchez. I owe you one.”

Paulo flashed a crooked grin. “Just make me your best man and we'll call it even.”

Noah laughed. “Hell, if I ever work up the courage to ask Riley Kane to marry me, I'll name our first-born after you.”

Sitting cross-legged on the floor of her parents' musty attic, Riley lifted a faded black-and-white photograph out of a box and smiled at the image of her grandparents posing outside their first home, a small clapboard house located on the east side of town. In the photo, Florinda and Elgin Kane were beaming at the camera, their smiles bright and full of hope for the future. After twenty-five blissful years of marriage, Elgin had died of esophageal cancer. Riley, who'd only been a toddler at the time, had grown up with no memories of her grandfather other than the tales she'd heard from her grandmother. Florinda, who'd moved in with her son and his family shortly after burying her husband, had never remarried. In that moment, it occurred to Riley that she'd never asked her grandmother why.

With her lips pursed in thought, Riley added the photograph to a box of memorabilia she planned to showcase at Florinda's seventy-fifth birthday party. As she was securing the lid on the box, her attention landed on an old wooden trunk pushed into a corner of the attic.