Bare It All (7 page)

“You
did,
” Pepper insisted, “so
don’t deny it. And besides, Reese will be there. He’s Logan’s best friend, you
know.”

It sounded wonderful, and she badly wanted to accept, but she
didn’t want to make assumptions about her new relationship with Reese.

Pepper misunderstood her long hesitation. “Am I being too
grabby?” She wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t mean to pressure you.”

“It’s not that. I’d love to be there.” It surprised Alice to
feel that way. “It’s just that I wouldn’t want Reese to misunderstand.” Or feel
smothered.

“It’s not up to him. I can invite whoever I want.”

But if she accepted, and things didn’t work out with Reese,
would he bring a different date? What if she had to stay through a ceremony,
watching him with another woman?

Pepper bumped her with her shoulder. “I can almost read your
thoughts.” She grinned. “But trust me, Reese wouldn’t dare. And besides, the
only guests will be the ones Logan and I invite. And because I want to keep it
small, we’re not inviting any ‘plus one’ guests.”

Alice bit her lip. Was she really that transparent? “In that
case, thank you. I’d be honored.”

“Terrific! I’ll have to give you details when we get things
figured out.” She bobbed her eyebrows. “We’ll wait for Logan to recoup so we can
have a real wedding night.”

Alice laughed with her. It was so nice having another woman to
talk to, a woman unlike Nikki and Pam.

That thought gave her pause; Pepper might be different, but she
still wasn’t like Alice.

Again Pepper nudged her with her shoulder. “I can be really
discreet, just so you know.”

Alice didn’t understand.

“If you want to talk about...stuff.” Letting out a breath,
Pepper said, “I see the mask, because I used to wear one, too.”

Confused, Alice shook her head. “I don’t wear a mask.”

“Sure you do.” Lifting a twisting lock of Alice’s hair, Pepper
smiled an apology. “The rain did you in.”

Her shoulders deflated. She prided herself on a nice
appearance, but she’d never figured on getting caught in a storm. “I know.”

“No, I don’t think you do. You look great, Alice. Not that you
looked bad yesterday, but now, with your hair a little wild and that dress
showing off your figure...It’s a good look for you.”

Eyes widening, Alice said, “I look like a used mop.”

“Nope, not even.” Studying her, Pepper shrugged. “Truthfully,
you look sort of sexy.”

Alice’s face went hot. She was both flattered and horrified.
“Of course I don’t.” Hand splayed over her chest, she looked down at her dress.
Her sturdy bra kept her mostly concealed, but the dress did outline her meager
bust. “Do I?”

“You didn’t notice how the guys went all goofy when they saw
you? They practically had their tongues hanging out. Reese was ready to beat his
chest, he’s such a possessive ape.”

Still disbelieving, Alice shook her head. Sexy was not a word
ever applied to her. Clean, neat, well-groomed, sure. Or as Rowdy had claimed,
buttoned-up, and sadly, prim and proper.

But she was not—

“Anyway,” Pepper said, interrupting her private angst. “You
are
disguising yourself. I figured it was on
purpose. See, until recently, I did my own type of hiding. That cretin who died
in Reese’s apartment yesterday?”

Fascinated, Alice said, “Yes?”

“A few years ago, Rowdy and I worked for his club. Late one
night, I saw him kill a city councilman. Cops were involved, so I couldn’t go to
them. I tried talking to a reporter, and he got murdered, too.”

“Oh, my God.” How horrific. Rowdy had left out a few details
when he’d mentioned why he and Pepper had lived the life they had. Empathy
welled inside her like a giant balloon, crowding out all other thoughts and
emotions. Maybe she and Pepper had more in common than she’d realized. “That’s
why he was after you?”

“And my brother,” Pepper confirmed. “Rowdy doesn’t really run
from anyone, but to protect me, he did.”

That gave her great insight into Rowdy, too. What would it be
like to have someone that dedicated to your well-being? Her parents cared, of
course. Her sister, too.

But this was different. Alice touched her hand in
understanding. “I’ve met your brother, and I’m pretty sure he’d do anything for
you.”

“True enough.” Pepper didn’t retreat from the touch. She looked
down at her feet, but only for a moment. “We were in hiding for way too long. I
had to look like a hag to ensure if anyone saw me, they wouldn’t recognize me.”
Her mouth curled in distaste before she squeezed Alice’s hand and regained her
grim humor. “It was such a drag, looking
bad
all the
time.”

Seeing her now, Alice couldn’t imagine such a thing. “You’re so
attractive I don’t know how you managed to
not
look
good.”

That made Pepper laugh. “You should have seen Logan when I
threw off the dregs and reverted back to me. It was a hoot. Well, sort of. At
the moment I didn’t think so because I was worried about everything else.” She
leaned close to whisper, “Logan was undercover, so I had no idea he was a cop
when I slept with him.”

“Wow.” No other words came to mind. “That must have
been...interesting.”

“Yeah, picture my shock when he arranged for Reese to show up
and arrest my brother.”

And that, of course, would explain some of the bad blood
between Reese and Pepper. Her heart broke a little, imagining what Pepper had
endured. “That must’ve been really awful.”

“No kidding. I was so furious I wanted to take them both
apart.”

“Furious...and hurt?”

Pepper shrugged. “In the end, it worked out. And thanks to
them, Rowdy and I are now free.”

No more hiding. Alice envied her the freedom. “So you’ve
forgiven the deception?”

“Yeah, sure. Don’t tell Reese, though.” She gave a devilish
grin. “I like giving him a hard time.”

Given her carefree expression, Alice believed it. Pepper looked
truly happy—and well loved. “I’m glad you and Logan found each other, regardless
of the path you took to get there.”

“That’s about it.” Her fingertips tapped the edge of the tub
before Pepper said, “This is nice—talking with you, I mean.
You’re...comfortable.”

Alice gave a short laugh over that dubious compliment. “Thank
you. I’ve enjoyed it, as well.”

“Maybe it’s because we’re both different.”

Not exactly a subtle hint, but Alice just smiled. “Maybe.” In
such a short time they’d settled into an easy alliance. “Bullet wound aside, I’m
glad to see that you and Detective Riske both fared so well after everything
that happened yesterday.”

“You worry a lot, don’t you?”

About everyone and everything. “Sometimes.”
Always.
“As you said, I’m...different.”

“Different is good.” Pepper sized her up. “You know what? I
think we should do a makeover on you.”

“On...me?”

“It’s not an insult, I swear.”

“I wasn’t insulted.” More like...intrigued. “I’ve never fussed
much with the usual female stuff.”

“You don’t really need to, not with your dark lashes and brows.
But it wouldn’t hurt to loosen you up a bit.”

“Loosen me up?”

“Is there an echo in here?” Pepper teased, but then suddenly
stalled. “I’m rushing things, right?”

Alice waved that off. “No, of course not.”

“You’ve probably got better things to do—”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea.” Would she enjoy being
loosened up?
Possibly. “I wouldn’t mind looking more
fashionable—that is, if it won’t be too much work for you.”

“Are you kidding? It’ll be fun.” Pepper paused to draw a
breath. “God, it’s been forever since I just had fun. Especially with another
woman.”

Alice got caught up in her excitement and her teasing mood.
“You won’t expect me to go around in wet dresses, will you?”

“Reese has to be able to function, so, no.”

There was more laughter—until a tap sounded on the door.

CHAPTER SEVEN

R
EESE
SPOKE
THROUGH
the
closed door. “Are you ladies having your own private party in there?”

After winking at Alice, Pepper said, “Butt out, Reese.”

“All right. But you should know that Logan is about to leave
the couch to come look for you.”

Pepper shot off the tub ledge and jerked open the door.
Muttering, “He wouldn’t dare,” she rushed around Reese and down the hall.

Still sitting, hands in her lap, her ankles together, Alice
wondered how Reese saw her.

Was Pepper right?

Could he actually consider her
sexy?
Not just available, but a woman he specifically wanted? It was
such a foreign concept that her mind blanched over the idea—until she peeked up
at Reese and saw the heat in his gaze.

Hello! He stared intently at her bare feet, her calves, up to
her hands clenched together in her lap and then to her breasts, now rising with
her deep breaths.

“Reese?”

Green eyes met hers. His voice sounded lower, rougher. “Why are
you hiding in here?”

“I’m not.” Knowing he might see her differently—and accepting
that she wanted him to—changed everything. Alice felt shy and uncertain as she
stood. “Pepper and I were talking.”

“Oh?” Hands in his pockets, his gaze still moving over her, he
leaned on the wall. His casual position blocked the doorway, keeping her in the
bathroom with him. “Dare I ask the topic?”

“Their wedding,” she blurted.

His mouth curved in an indulgent smile. “Girl talk, then.”

“Well, sort of.” What did he consider girl talk? “We discussed
a lot of stuff. She’s nice.”

“She has her moments.”

Her dress might be clingy, but then so was Reese’s shirt, and
Alice couldn’t stop staring at his chest. No shirt would have been better, but a
shirt outlining every muscle? Not bad. “We’re making plans for some outings
together.”

“You don’t say?” He maintained his casual stance but was now
more focused. “What type of outings?”

“She wants to give me a makeover.”

Abruptly Reese straightened. “Come again?”

Rather than go into detail—because, really, it made her feel
too silly—Alice said, “And we might go to the shooting range to do some target
practice together, too.”

Blank surprise washed over his face. “Target practice?
You...with Pepper?”

Rushing past that seemed wise, as well. “And I would love to
attend the wedding after they finalize plans. That is, if you wouldn’t mind too
much.”

Sidetracked, he stepped farther into the room. “Why would I
mind?”

“Because you’ll be there, and I didn’t want you to feel...I
don’t know. Too crowded or anything.”

He stepped closer until only a few inches separated them. “I
don’t know what that means, Alice.”

He smelled good, all rain-damp and warm. She drew in a deep
breath, filling her lungs with his scent. It was enough to leave her dizzy.

Reese tipped up her chin. “Alice?”

“I don’t want you to tire of me.”

Frowning, he lifted his hands to cradle her face. His thumb
brushed her cheek. “That’s not going to happen, so don’t worry about it.”

But of course it could. Maybe not today. And if Logan and
Pepper married quickly, maybe not by the wedding. But Reese couldn’t know what
the future would bring. “How old are you, Reese?”

He cocked a brow at the odd question. “Thirty.”

And yet he wasn’t married, which had to mean he avoided
commitment...didn’t it?

“And you, Alice? Mid-twenties?”

“Good guess. I’m exactly in the middle.” She felt far older,
though. Sometimes she felt so emotionally tired, worn out.

Defeated.

“That makes you twenty-five?”

“Yes.” Making the mistake of looking up at him, Alice said
again, more softly this time, “Reese?”

Watching her with absorbed fascination, he brushed her bottom
lip with his thumb. “That other kiss we discussed?”

The husky timbre in his voice sent her pulse racing. She went
on tiptoe, lifting up to him, leaning in.

Ready. “Yes?”

“I don’t want to do it here, in Logan’s bathroom.”

Disappointment dropped her heels back to the floor. “Oh.”

Reese treated her to a knowing smile. “We need to get going,
anyway.”

So soon? She hadn’t even made it out of the bathroom yet. “Is
something wrong?”

“Other than me wanting to seduce you in a friend’s bathroom?
No.” He kissed her forehead. “The weather isn’t letting up, and I’m a little
worried about Cash, that’s all. I hope he’s not one of those dogs that spooks
over thunder and lightning.”

The sweet sentiment warmed her even more than the anticipation
of his kiss. Could Reese Bareden be more appealing?

She touched his bulging biceps. No, he couldn’t.

Everything on him was supersize—his muscular physique, his
attitude...and his caring. “I left my bedroom door open for him, with the radio
on. He’s probably under the bed right now. He goes there sometimes when I’m
working.”

“You’re very good to him.” Lightning flashed outside the small
bathroom window, followed by a crack of thunder that reverberated in the floor
beneath their feet. “To both of us.”

He had that wrong, but she wouldn’t correct him on it. “So our
visit is about over?”

“Yes. Logan invited us to stay for dinner, but I said we had
other plans.”

That was news to her. “Do we?”

Again Reese kissed her, this time brushing his mouth over her
cheek. “We’re going to talk while we get your jelly beans.” He trailed damp
kisses along her jaw. “We’ll pick up something for dinner, too...while we talk
some more—” down to her chin “—and once we get home and check on Cash—”

“We’ll do yet more talking?” Everywhere his mouth touched, her
skin tingled. Somehow he made
talk
sound very
seductive.

Near her ear, he whispered, “I want to know you better.”

Since she wanted to know everything about him, too, she liked
that plan. Smoothing her hands over his solid chest, she nodded. “All
right.”

“Damn, Alice.” His mouth opened on her neck, hot, damp. She
felt the slightest of suctions, and her toes curled. “Agreeable women are such a
turn-on.”

Knotting her fingers in his damp shirt, Alice held on—until
Logan said, “Get out of my bathroom, you perv.”

Alice jumped away in guilt, and Logan quickly amended, “I meant
him, not you.”

“Pepper let you off the couch?” Reese asked. “You managed to
convince her that a bullet to the arm hadn’t handicapped your legs?”

“She’s reasonable when necessary.” Logan waited for them to
leave the bathroom, but as he started forward, Pepper showed up and followed him
into the john.

Biting back a laugh, Reese asked, “Going to lend him a hand,
are you?”

Logan stood there, mouth open to say something, but Pepper shut
the door in their faces before they could hear it.

Alice grinned. “They’re funny together.”

“Much more so than when they’re apart.” Taking her hand, Reese
led her back toward the living room. His stride was so long, she had to trot to
keep up.

“Why the rush?”

He immediately slowed, even pulled her up and into his side.
“Apologies, but I need to sit down.”

“Why?” Reminded of the dark bruises around his wrists, Alice
grew concerned. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“I think I should call it the Alice Syndrome.”

That made no sense to her.

Reese leaned down to her ear, even nipped her earlobe. “My
attraction to you is difficult to contain, especially when you taste so
good.”

A flush warmed her skin. She tried to lean around him to see,
but he didn’t give her a chance.

“At the moment, there’s nothing to see and I’d as soon keep it
that way. So behave.”

She always did, she thought with a sigh. “If you insist.”

He gave her a quick look, shook his head and kept going.

Alice used the opportunity to admire Logan’s home. They passed
the modern and spacious kitchen, then the stairs leading toward a second floor
and presumably the bedrooms.

The house was clean, open and uncluttered without being too
masculine. “Detective Riske has a beautiful home.”

“I like it, too.” Reese drew Alice down onto the love seat with
him. “You know, Logan did most of the decorating himself.”

On their return, Pepper heard him and groaned. “He’s almost too
perfect, isn’t he?”

Logan, who didn’t act like a man recently shot, laughed. “I
only need to be good enough to keep you.”

“You’re stuck with me and you know it.” After a quick kiss,
Pepper directed Logan to sit again but appeased him by perching in his lap.
“Luckily,” she said to Alice, “he’s good at all the housekeeping stuff, because
I don’t really have the domestic gene.”

Logan no sooner got settled than his cell rang, and he
retrieved it from the table. Alice would have given him some privacy to take the
call, but Pepper didn’t move from his lap, and Reese seemed unwilling to stand
again.

After a short greeting, she knew the identity of his caller:
Lieutenant Peterson. She imagined working for that formidable woman could be a
challenge for such alpha men, but neither one seemed to think a thing of it.

Logan said, “Reese is standing here now. I’ll let him know.
Yeah, shouldn’t be a problem. Hang on.” He lowered the phone, holding it to his
chest. “Follow-up interview tomorrow. Is 8 a.m. okay by you?”

“Whatever,” Reese said. “Not like either of us is working.”

Pepper scowled. “Of course Logan isn’t working. He needs time
to heal.” And then to Logan, “They interviewed both of you at the hospital. Why
do they need to see you again?”

“That was cursory because Logan was in the hospital.”

Logan agreed to that with a nod. “Tomorrow will be at the
station, and more in-depth.”

“You were
shot
.”

Reese said, “Do you really think he’s unaware of that?”

Logan caught Pepper before she could turn her anger on Reese.
“That’s the only reason they didn’t call me in before this. All this shit
usually takes place within twenty-four hours.”

“If he doesn’t answer questions,” Reese told her, “he could
lose his job.”

Aghast, Pepper gathered steam.

“Shut up, Reese.” Logan cupped Pepper’s face to reassure her.
“Trust me, it’s not a big deal. I’m perfectly capable of doing interviews—and
no, I don’t need you there.” He softened that by saying, “I love you, but some
things a man has to do alone.”

Reese laughed. “So says the man recently escorted to the
john.”

Pepper narrowed her eyes at Reese. “Our truce is becoming
shakier by the moment.”

Reese held up his hands in surrender. “If it helps, an
association rep will be around.” His smile twitched. “I promise no one will
abuse him.”

Logan glared at him. “Soon as my arm is healed...” He let the
threat hang out there.

Knowing it was all bluster kept Alice from getting too anxious
over their verbal sparring. It was sort of nice to see friends indulge in
harmless baiting.

She saw that as a true measure of friendship.

After whispering something to Pepper, Logan put the phone back
to his ear. “We’ll be there. Yeah, Reese, too. Got it. Thanks.” He disconnected
the call.

Reese sat forward. “Who’s doing follow-up on—” his gaze went
first to Pepper, and then to Alice “—on the info we got yesterday?”

He didn’t want to mention traffickers again. Given what Pepper
had been through and how she was threatened, Alice appreciated the restraint.
Pepper was clearly a strong woman, a true survivor, but that had to be an awful
memory for her.

Alice knew all about awful memories.

For a few minutes, the men talked shop and occasionally Pepper
chimed in. Alice did her best not to intrude.

When they finished, Pepper still wasn’t happy. “You can’t
drive, not with your arm in that sling still.”

“Reese’ll pick me up.” He glanced at Reese.

“Certainly, as long as Pepper understands that I’m an innocent
bystander.”

Appeased, Pepper asked, “How long will you be gone
tomorrow?”

“Could be a few hours, could be all day.” Logan hugged her with
his good arm. “Depends on the questions they ask and the answers we have to
give. Usually, the D.A. does the interview, and I.A. will watch on a live video
feed. When the D.A. is done, I.A. might have additional questions.”

“In that case...” Pepper glanced at Alice. “We could bump our
shopping trip up to tomorrow. What do you say? Are you free?”

Since she set her own hours, it wouldn’t be a problem. But was
she ready for that yet?

Pepper swayed her by saying, “God knows I need some new clothes
now that I’m not playing the wallflower anymore, and shopping will help keep my
mind off things.”

“All right, then.”

Reese started to object, but Logan jumped in first. “Great
idea.”

Plans were made around Alice, and before she knew it,
everything was arranged.

It struck her that she’d not only let Reese into her life, but
Rowdy, Logan and Pepper, too. Reese and his friends swept her along with their
camaraderie, their openness and caring.

She hadn’t known any of them long, but they’d had such an
impact on her, she already knew she didn’t want to lose them. As usual, though,
much was out of her hands. Everything would change once they learned of her
past.

And with two detectives involved, how could she keep her
secrets buried?

* * *

H
ALFWAY
HOME
,
the rain slowed to a
soft drizzle. In the seat beside Reese, Alice looked drowsy, almost languid.
Hopefully relaxed.

It pleased him that she and Pepper had gotten along, but he
worried about them being out and about alone together.