A Trick of the Moon (6 page)

“Hey, I'm a cop, and if I'd been taking the report, I would have called it that. He had the book in his hot little hand, and you took it from him. Case closed.”

Maura didn't want to tell him he was right. She'd always put forth the idea the book was on the shelf, when in actuality Declan had been reaching for it and had it in his grip as she'd taken it from him. At the time she remembered hoping the handsome man with the long hair would look her way. Instead he'd made a fuss about the book, and she'd kept it, to make up for the fact that he 36

Melinda Barron

hadn't really noticed she was a woman, just a fellow English student competing for research material.

That story made her remember that in all the years they'd known each other, Declan had not made one move toward her in a sexual manner. He'd had girlfriends, and she'd had boyfriends, and they'd talked about dates and breakups and other things that went along with relationships. But he'd never ever made a move to kiss her. Until this afternoon, when he'd kissed her cheek.

He'd hugged her, but that wasn't sexual. His lack of movement in that direction let her know he wasn't interested in her sexually. The thought hurt her, and it was reinforced by the fact that he'd brought a friend along on this trip.

No problem, she tried to convince herself. Sex does nothing but get in the way of friendships anyway. If we'd had sex, we probably still wouldn't be in touch, and she couldn't stand the thought of losing Declan as a friend, even if she didn't see as much of him as she wanted to.

How many former lovers did she see? None, not on a social basis anyway.

She may have seen a few around town in Albuquerque, but that was always an awkward situation. They'd nod at each other and act like they were making small talk, when in actuality they were all, including herself, trying to figure out the quickest way they could get away without sounding rude.

What was it about physical intimacy that made people so uncomfortable?

Her parents had taught her there was nothing wrong with it, yet she still found herself pulled into the “fuck and run” category that kept her from establishing a meaningful relationship. And as much as she wanted to connect with Declan, doing so would probably put a wedge between them that she couldn't live with.

That meant it was a very good thing he'd brought Dario with him. This way there would be no sex, just three friends working to solve a little mystery.

Declan put the vegetables on a plate and handed it to her. “The meat's almost ready. Will you cut these up, please?”

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37

Maura took the veggies to the table and cut them into strips, then checked to make sure they had everything else they needed. She needed to concentrate on food and not on the two gorgeous men on her patio, men whom she wouldn't be able to do anything more with than talk with. It could prove to be a long visit.

* * * * *

“No chick flicks.” Dario leaned back in his chair, lifting the front two legs off the patio floor. “I vote for a good action flick. Do you have any of those?”

He tried not to stare at Maura as she stacked the dirty plates and made a pile of leftovers to feed to the two dogs, which sat patiently waiting at the edge of the concrete.

They'd decided on movies tonight, and that was just fine with him. He hoped they would take his mind off the fact that he'd been rock hard for the last hour, ever since he'd pressed against Maura as he'd reached for the food.

That had been a bad move. He'd been attracted to her the minute he'd walked through the door, but he hadn't planned to act on it, knowing how Declan felt about her. Feeling her body against his had only increased the attraction he felt, and made all the blood in his body rush to one spot, and tonight he couldn't think with his little head. The fact he'd have blue balls by the end of the night wasn't something he was looking forward to.

Declan wasn't making a move toward her, which was a bad thing as far as Dario was concerned. His friend was shy in some respects, and maybe just a little afraid of rejection. Dario didn't think that would be a problem, though.

From the way she laughed and joked with them as they'd exchanged words at the site, he didn't think she was the type to back down from sex. In fact he was sure she'd enjoy it, very much.

But with Declan it was much more than that. Dario didn't want to do anything that might get in the way of his friend letting Maura know exactly how he felt.

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Melinda Barron

“What do you have other than chick flicks?”

“Do I look like the chick-flick kinda girl?” She was standing near the table now, frowning down at him.

“All women are the chick-flick kinda girl,” Dario retorted. “They may not admit it, but deep inside them they want the flowers, candy, and 'I love you; let's live happily ever after' speech at the end of the movie.”

“Really?” She sat down in the chair next to him, focusing an intense gaze on him. “Did I expect it in
Terminator?
No. What about
Mortal Kombat
or
Kill
Bill
?”

“Which volume?” Dario grinned at her and was gratified to see a smile replace her earlier defensive look.

“What about Bond?”

“Bond? There's lots of love in Bond movies,” Declan put in, leaning his elbows on the table.

“There's lots of sex in Bond movies, or at least the earlier ones,” Maura replied. “There's a difference between sex and love, as you well know.”

Dario saw Declan open his mouth, then close it again without saying a word.

“There's nothing wrong with sex,” Dario said. “Although, I might point out as per your earlier words, that this discussion could be termed as sexual harassment, skipper.”

“We're off the clock,” Maura replied. “And why are you calling me skipper?

Do I remind you of an overweight shipwrecked man wearing a blue shirt?”

“No, you're the boss, the captain, the skipper.” Dario shrugged, then cocked his head just a little. “So we're off the clock, does that mean we're getting paid hourly, or are we salaried workers? I'm just asking because, after this gig ends, I'll have to fill out paperwork for unemployment benefits.”

“Kiss my fanny,” Maura said, her words tinged with humor. Then, as if realizing what she'd said, her eyes widened and she grabbed the plates. “I made A Trick of the Moon

39

flan last night. Do you want some now, or should we wait until after the movie starts?”

“I'm voting for Bond,” Declan said, and Dario nodded in agreement. They both ignored her suggestion about dessert. “Lots of action and other things to titillate us.”

“You are so bad,” Maura replied. “It's a good thing for both of you it's after-hours.”

She pointed to the living room. “There's a TV in there, although Dad's is not exactly state-of-the-art. He didn't even have a satellite dish until I came out here, and I'm afraid I never got a converter for the DTV thing, so it probably is not even getting a signal, since we only have one receiver and that's on my TV.

The only DVD player in the house is hooked up to the digital TV in my bedroom, which is mounted on the wall. The only problem is there's only one place to sit in there.”

“King or queen?” Declan stood and picked up a few of the serving dishes they'd used. He put them down, then took the plate of leftovers and headed over to where the dogs still sat waiting. He divided the contents between two bowls, and the dogs wagged their tails, then started to eat. Dario decided he was trying to be discreet without saying to Maura,
Being on the bed is fine with
me.

“It's a queen-size bed.”

“As long as you're in the middle, we'll be fine,” Dario said, standing and taking the empty plates from her. “I hope you got lots of pillows.”

“Definitely.” Declan's agreement followed Dario as he went into the kitchen, then put the plates on the counter. Dario could hear their soft voices as they discussed something, but he wasn't exactly sure what it was. He thought it best to give them a little time alone. Then they'd watch a bit of the movie, and he'd excuse himself to try and relieve some of the tension that was building in his balls. Declan could take it from there. After all, they'd already be in her bed. It would be the perfect opportunity for his friend to make a move 40

Melinda Barron

that could satisfy the both of them, even if it did leave Dario with nothing but his hand.

* * * * *

Maura wondered about her sanity. She'd told herself there would be no sex involved in this visit, yet here she was about to go to bed with two men. Not really go to bed with them, she supposed, just lie in bed. There was a difference, right?

Yes, there was. But then why had she turned out all the lights and lit the candles that sat atop her dresser? It was to provide low lighting, she told herself, so they would feel like they were in a movie theater. If she told herself that enough, she might actually believe it. She thought about blowing out the candles and turning on the lamps on her nightstands.

But she liked the candles and the glow they gave off. If one of them mentioned them, she would blow them out. Until then, they stayed.

She picked up a pillow and tossed it to the bottom of the bed. It would be better to lie down with their heads toward the bottom; that way she could look at the event as a big slumber party, instead of them being in a position to sleep or to…

“Don't go there, Maura; don't go there.”

“Where?” Declan tossed another pillow next to the one she'd just thrown.

“I brought the ones from my room. I think Dario's bringing his too.”

Maura gave him a bright smile and nodded. He frowned and she tried to keep her smile plastered on her face.

“Are you okay with this? We could sit on the floor. Or if you're tired, we'll let you go to sleep.”

She laughed softly. “If you sat on the floor, it would be like sitting in the first row of a movie theater. Plus, it's not even nine o'clock. I may be a country girl now, but I'm not one of the 'early to bed, early to rise' type of girls. If I went to bed now, I'd be up at four a.m. Besides, since Dad went to Albuquerque, I A Trick of the Moon

41

spend most evenings by myself. I'm thrilled to have something to do, even if it is a movie I've seen before.”

“Stick around after the main feature and there might be a floor show.”

Dario put his pillows on the growing pile, then sat down on the bed and bounced. “Nice. Not too soft, not too firm. As Goldilocks would say, 'It's just right.'”

“It's my bed from home. All my other stuff is in storage, well, except for the TV and DVD collection.”

There was an awkward silence, and then Declan asked, “Where's the remote?”

“On the nightstand.” She walked to the top of the bed, then watched as Dario stretched out on his stomach. His long, lean body sank into the mattress, and he bunched up the pillows, using them to keep his head lifted.

Her gaze raked over his back, loitering on his firm butt. Damn, but that was fine.

Neither of them had mentioned the candles or complained about the lighting, so she decided it was okay the way it was.

“You getting in?” The humor in Declan's voice made her stomach clench.

He'd noticed her staring.

“Of course.” It almost seemed as if she were getting into the bed for the first time. She waddled to the middle, then leaned forward. Dario took that moment to look over his shoulder, and the shifting of the mattress made her lose her balance. She started to fall, gasping when Declan's hands clasped her hips. He was right behind her now, almost as if he were going to take her from behind.

Her clit twitched at the contact, and she gasped again. Declan's hands tightened on her hips, and Dario's hand went to her waist, cupping her gently.

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Melinda Barron

Oh crap, this was a bad idea. Her body loved their touch, though, and she felt her nipples tighten against her tight shirt. She glanced at Dario, who was staring at her chest, his eyes widening in appreciation.

This was definitely not a good idea.

“Careful,” Declan said, lowering her gently. She came down on Dario's hand. He wiggled his finger, then pulled away at the same time Declan's hands left her hips. She felt strangely alone now, even though they were both there.

Maybe if she asked again, they would touch her. Or she could fall again and they would catch her.

“Bit clumsy,” she said, trying to laugh. “Who wants the remote?”

“A woman offering a man a remote?” Declan stretched out next to her, pressing close. She was sandwiched between the two of them, and if she'd been a piece of cheese between two slices of bread, she thought she would melt from the heat she felt. Her hand sizzled from where Declan touched her as he grabbed the piece of plastic she clutched. “Don't mind if I do, even if it is a bit naive on your part. You know what they say about men and remotes.”

“I changed my mind.” She stretched out her arm for it, but he held it out of reach.

“Too late.” He pushed buttons at random, a frown marring his masculine features when nothing happened. “This says Power, but the TV's still off.

What's the deal?”

“Give it to me and I'll show you.” She tried, and once again failed, to grab it.

“Children, please.” Dario offered his hand. “Give it to the man who just spent more than a year undercover with not much more than a satellite dish to satisfy his boredom.”