Causing a Commotion (25 page)

“Eric?” she asked incredulously. He thought she kissed Eric? That’s why he acted all jealous and He-man? “I didn’t kiss Eric. What would make you think I did?”

“No, rehashing this afternoon would ruin tonight. I want this fantasy. I didn’t kiss Eric, have no desire to kiss Eric or anyone but you. Now, forget about this afternoon because it doesn’t matter.”

“What about your dad?” She’d read that his father had been killed while driving under the influence, but she wanted him to open up to her, to share the details of his life.

“Died in a car wreck when I was seventeen.” She smiled ruefully that he asked. She knew he already knew. Still there was something to be said for actually telling him. “I went a little wild for a few years. Did a lot of crazy things I shouldn’t have.”

“My sister’s partner on the force, although at the time, he was just another cop,” she admitted. Not wanting secrets between them, she decided to make another admission. One that would matter. “Colin, I did drugs for a while.”

He stiffened. She’d expected him too.

“Because of what happened a couple of years ago, I want to be upfront about that. Especially after last week. But I give you my word that I don’t use drugs anymore and haven’t in years.” She squeezed his hands. “I know that’s important to you, and I want to be upfront about everything.”

“You don’t have to tell me this again. You told me last week at the hospital that you didn’t use drugs.”

He had been in her room that night. It hadn’t been a dream. “But you’ve wondered about it. Wondered if I was telling the truth. Don’t deny it.”

“I won’t deny the possibility ran through my mind, but when you told me you didn’t use, I believed you, Jessie.”

“You did?”

“Yes. Once the initial shock wore off of seeing you black out, I realized you’d been drugged. Either by accident or intentionally, but I was sure you’d been poisoned before you ever came to.”

She leaned her head against his belly. “Thank you.”

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

She wanted to press, to make him tell her about his past. About Karen. Had he loved her very much? Had the rumors about a secret engagement been true? Had the woman lived would Colin be married? Perhaps be a father?

Jessie’s heart fluttered. She had no maternal instincts. Had never spent more than a few minutes in the presence of kids, but the idea of a baby with Colin’s blue eyes appealed.

What was she thinking? A baby did not appeal. She could barely take care of herself much less be responsible for another person. She was a career woman through and through. Never mind all those women out there who had it all. Jessie just wanted the career. Of course, she’d blown her career today when she’d kneed her boss’ groin.

Perhaps she’d settle for just getting the man of her dreams. Having a fabulous career, too, would be having it all and way too lucky for a girl like her.

“No more talking,” Colin said.

Jessie agreed and nuzzled her face against his abs, breathing in his rich, masculine scent. No, no more talking. They’d talk later. Much later.

* * *

When the phone woke her, Jessie dozed in the crook of Colin’s arm, her body spooned against his.

“Mmmm, do you have to get that?”

“It might be my sister. She’d worry herself to death or come over here if I don’t answer,” Jessie drowsily murmured, picking up the receiver.

Chapter Seventeen

Jessie couldn’t believe the events of the last twenty-four hours. Tamara was indeed missing. No one had seen her since yesterday afternoon when she’d been spotted going into Colin’s office. Oh, but several reported hearing the two argue.

Colin and Tamara arguing? It made no sense. They barely knew each other. Colin denied Tamara having even come to his office, denied arguing with her, but the police still questioned him. Questioned Jessie about Tamara, about Colin, about her relationship with both.

They’d gone to the police station where they both answered questions. But not before Colin called a lawyer. She supposed due to the past he felt it necessary. Jessie saw it as superfluous since he was innocent. She considered calling Jill then decided against it. After all, she wasn’t in any kind of trouble and was only here to give a statement.

Colin on the other hand seemed to be the number one suspect because of his supposedly being the last person to see Tamara. The police hadn’t detained him, but he’d been advised not to leave town—-just in case.

Jessie knew he hadn’t done anything wrong. She knew it. Unfortunately, she might be the only one who believed that whole-heartedly.

Who had made that missing person’s report, anyway?

Currently, they recorded today’s show. Colin looked as handsome as ever, but she could see the tiredness in his eyes, the unease in his gaze. She smiled, hoping to offer reassurance.

For him, this had to be hell. He’d been arrested, tried for Karen’s death, and although he’d rightly been found innocent, that didn’t erase what he’d gone through up to that point. She couldn’t bear the thought of him having to deal with this. Couldn’t bear the thought that her roommate and friend was missing.

“That’s a wrap,” J.P. announced, motioning for them to follow him. Jessie hated not to mingle with the audience, but in light of the last week’s events, perhaps J.P. was right to be overly cautious.

“They can’t do that,” Jessie illogically said. Of course, Maxwell could do whatever he wanted. She’d really been surprised that he hadn’t fired her yesterday afternoon. Perhaps he’d known she’d nail him to the wall. Instead, he was taking advantage of Tamara’s disappearance and suspending the show. Indefinitely.

If Maxwell got his way, and Jessie imagined he usually did,
Causing A Commotion
wouldn’t go back on air. She was sure of it.

Which meant she would have to take matters into her own hands. Maxwell wasn’t canning the best thing that ever happened to her. Colin Crandall and
Causing A Commotion
.

“I suspected they’d do something of this sort,” Colin admitted. “They’ve got to protect themselves, and I’m a high risk.”

Jessie touched his sleeve, hating that she’d played a role in the events unfolding. “It’s my fault Maxwell pulled the show off air, not yours.”

Were things that out of kilter at Wolf? Were they at that high a risk of someone trying to hurt them? Recalling the coffee, the frayed wires, Tamara’s disappearance, she supposed they were.

“I’ve got to get my purse.”

J.P. sighed. “Fine, get your purse, but hurry. We don’t have much time.”

Colin closed his office door and locked it. Down the hallway, Jessie was leaving her private room and smiled despite the turmoil.

Going to her yesterday evening had been insane, but he didn’t regret it. She’d welcomed him with open arms and a warm heart. He liked that about her. She was so real.

“Perfect timing,” she cooed, slipping her hand into his and giving him a quick squeeze. “Let’s go meet J.P.”

Colin had never been a touchy feely kind of man, but Jessie’s fingers snugly laced with his felt natural. Right.

J.P. stood at the fire exit doorway they’d arranged to meet, his hands waving while he spoke into his cell phone. He looked agitated and didn’t seem to notice them.

“Quit being so analytical,” she scolded. “I kissed you because I wanted to kiss you.” She stretched and pressed her lips to his. “Because kissing you makes me feel good.” Another kiss. “That’s my reason.”

J.P.’s cell phone rang, and he pulled it out from the pocket he’d just slipped it inside. He looked at the number. “Let’s get out of here while we still can.”

Colin’s first surprise was when the alarm didn’t sound at the fire exit being opened. From the fire exit, they traveled down several sets of stairwells. Colin wasn’t sure J.P. would make it as the man groaned and grunted so many times. Neither he nor Jessie said a word after the first time of asking if he needed help and J.P. barked a resounding, “Hell no.” Still, the man moved slowly down the steps, as if each one caused pain.

Once on the garage level, J.P. led them through a maze of hallways. They entered a parking garage from a door that Colin was sure was usually kept locked. A shiny black SUV with dark tinted windows was parked right outside the doorway, with the ignition running.

“Jessie, get into the car,” J.P. ordered. “Both of you get in. There’s no security cameras on this section of the garage, but someone could spot us.”

The alarms that failed to go off when they’d opened the fire door sounded in Colin’s head. Loud and clear. Going with them was a leap of faith he wasn’t sure he was ready to take. Apparently, Jessie had that much faith in J.P., but did Colin trust either of them that much?

Jessie opened the back door of the SUV, meaning to climb into the back and let Colin have the front passenger seat.

“Colin has to be in the back. We can’t take a chance on anyone spotting him. Just in case. Now, get in before someone comes through this part of the garage.”

Jessie nodded and without another word climbed into the front seat. She buckled her belt, then placed her hand on the open door handle. “Colin?”

He was such a damn fool. He was leaving a building where a woman disappeared yesterday. Leaving through a backdoor that led to an unsecured area of a parking garage level. Leaving in a vehicle where no one would see him go.