In His Sights (8 page)

Daisy gestured toward a hallway that Chris knew led to the guest rooms. The master bedroom and Drew's room were on the other side of the house. “Why don't you go put your bag in the second guest room and wash up. We're about ready to eat.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

She took a swat at him and muttered something about not calling her
ma'am
as he sauntered off. Doing as she
said, he put his bag on the bed in the second room and then washed his hands. As he did, he took a few moments to study himself in the mirror.

There were still faint circles under his eyes, but he felt a little better than he had that morning. For some reason, his illness seemed to hit the worst after he'd gotten ready for work, and so the sickness and fatigue dragged at him throughout the day. He'd lost a little weight, but not too much. Having a healthy appetite wasn't the problem—the nausea was, and it didn't seem to be related to eating, which was strange. He was
always
hungry.

And terribly thirsty. That was an odd realization that hadn't occurred to him as possibly being related before: that he couldn't drink enough water. That, along with his other particular symptoms, would've had him convinced he was diabetic if the doctors hadn't already ruled it out.

Cataloging how he felt now, he leaned on the sink. He was tired. A little shaky. But the feverish sickness, the racing pulse, was absent for the time being. Thank God.

He didn't want to wonder how short the respite might be.

Pushing that to the back of his mind, he made his way to the kitchen. There he found Daisy using a pair of tongs trying to place the pieces of chicken on a platter.
Trying
being the operative word, as Shane was wrapped around her like a burrito, kissing her neck and making her giggle. She almost dropped one of the legs.

“All right, you two,” he drawled, pulling up a chair beside Drew. “No fair taunting those of us who don't have a significant other to nibble as an appetizer.”

“And they're at it
all
the time.” Drew rolled his eyes
and snagged a roll from a bowl on the table. “I
so
don't want to watch old people get their groove on.”

“Old!” Daisy's mouth dropped open.

“You're just jealous,” Shane said with a wink. “You'll change your tune fast enough when you have someone special of your own.”

“Who says I don't?” the teen shot back.

Chris watched the verbal sparring match between Drew and his guardians in amusement. Over the summer, the seventeen-year-old had shot up to nearly six feet and had filled out. Tanned and developing muscle from regular workouts, he was a good-looking guy, with a strong resemblance to his late father. Drew was coming into his own, the man peeking out now and then from behind the kid, and it was cool to see.

Not that Shane always agreed. He was staring at his godson, the tables suddenly turned. “Is there something I should know?”

The teen smirked, lips quirking up. “Nope. Unlike you, I don't flaunt my biz to the world.”

Shane narrowed his eyes. Letting go of Daisy, he moved to the table and took a seat across from the young man. “It's not
flaunting my biz
, as you put it, to kiss my wife in the privacy of my own home. So no deflecting. Is there someone special?”

“Wouldn't you like to know?”

“Actually, I would.”

Drew glanced at Chris, then back to Shane, and some of the cockiness drained from his demeanor. “Nah, I'm just givin' ya a hard time. There's not really anybody.”

Shane opened his mouth to say something else, but
Daisy appeared and caught her husband's attention as she set the platter of chicken on the table. An imperceptible shake of her head and Shane dropped the subject, though it was clear he wanted to push harder.

His cousin didn't believe Drew, and neither did Chris. Especially when Drew didn't join in the small talk for the rest of the meal, instead checking his text messages under the table with almost religious fervor. Chris knew the couple preferred that Drew not have his cell phone at the table, but that was a tough rule to enforce, the two of them being cops and needing their own phones to be handy at all times in case of emergency.

Shane gave his boy the stink eye, but let it go. In turn, he was roundly ignored.

Eventually, the conversation turned to work, as it tended to do with a room full of cops. “So, what's going on with the body you and Tonio caught the other day?” Daisy asked.

“Not much. We think it's one of the rash of burglaries we've had lately, but this one went south when he surprised the intruder.” Chris shook his head. “We've got a burglar who doesn't take anything of value, whose point seems to be creeping through people's things. Weird, but not violent. Then he kills the first person who catches him in the act. We just can't seem to grasp the thread we're missing.”

Daisy made a face. “That's damned strange.”

“What about the vial and the syringe that was found out back of the victim's place?” Shane asked. “Got the test results on those yet?”

“Not yet. The lab is
really backed up
,” he emphasized with air quotes.

Shane snorted. “There's a news flash.”

“Yeah. It's a miracle crimes ever get solved, as slow as things move.”

Drew looked up from his texting. “So, does anybody have any
good
news?”

Chris shrugged, but was unable to contain the bubble of happiness that welled inside him. “I've got a date tomorrow night.”

“Awesome,” the boy said with a grin. “Is it the hot chick who was at the party the other day?”

“Her name is Robyn, and she's a doctor. She's smart
and
hot.”

“Dude, that rocks. What else do you know about her?”

He thought about that. “Not as much as I'd like, but I hope to change that. I know there's no husband in the picture, but not why. She's warm and kind, if a bit reserved, like she's been burned before. And she's got a little girl who's in first grade.”

Drew made a face. “A kid? Wow, what a buzzkill.”

“That's rude,” Shane began.

Chris waved off his cousin with a laugh. “It wasn't too many years ago that I would've agreed with you. But attitudes change as you get older and spend more time alone. Trust me.”

“I can't imagine being saddled with a kid, much less somebody else's, but I'll take your word for it,” Drew said.

Shane's tone cooled. “Excuse me? Want to run that by me again?”

The teen looked to Shane and his eyes widened as he
realized what he'd said. “I was thinking of a
little
kid, not . . . Anyway, may I be excused?”

“Sure.” Shane frowned after the young man as he put his plate in the sink and left the room. “I worry about him.”

“He's a normal teenager,” Chris said. “He's fine.”

“I guess.” Shane looked at Chris thoughtfully. “But he's right about one thing—be sure you know what you're getting into. Getting involved with a woman who has a small child is no light responsibility.”

He struggled to keep the annoyance from his tone. “I'm quite aware that's a huge game changer, okay? I'm looking to settle down with someone special, not tap a piece of pretty ass and run. Plus, I like kids and I want some of my own.”

Shane held up a hand. “All right, sorry. I care about you and I want you to be happy, no matter what. You know that.”

“Yeah, I do. Sorry for getting defensive.” He blew out a breath.

“Not a problem.”

Shane and Daisy rose and started clearing the table. Chris tried to help, but Daisy shooed him away. With nothing else to do, he wandered into the living room and turned on the television, killing time until they joined him.

The three of them shot the breeze until Chris yawned, realizing that the week had caught up with him. Excusing himself, he retired to the guest room, closed the door, and undressed. Then he slid naked between the sheets, enjoying the sensation of them on his skin.

Rolling to his back, he closed his eyes and pictured Robyn. Her auburn hair and big blue eyes. He couldn't help but imagine her lush figure bared to his gaze, his palms tracing her curves. Was her ass the nice handful it appeared to be? How would it feel to squeeze the mounds in his hands as he drove between those long thighs?

Arousal woke his cock, and he groaned as it thickened, the length brushing against the cool sheets. God, he wanted her. His fantasy fueled his desire, and needed an outlet. Reaching down, he palmed the hardening flesh. Stroked the warm skin, bringing his rod to full attention. Delicious tingles skittered from the weeping tip to his balls, and he spread the pearl around the head. Then gave himself a few strokes, worked down to his sac to cup and massage it.

So good.
Gripping his cock again, he made a snug fist and began a slow rhythm, pushing the turgid length through the warm tunnel. Nerve endings began to fire, licking at his shaft like a thousand tongues. Driving him crazy, spiraling his need higher.

All too soon, his balls drew up tight, signaling the impending orgasm. With a few last pulls, he sent himself over the edge with a hoarse cry. Spurts of hot cum bathed his abdomen and chest, painting him with creamy stripes. As he came down from the high and reality set in, he stared at the ceiling and let himself hope.

He hoped like hell that, very soon, making love was just that—and not an empty, lonely fantasy.

“Mommy, what's wrong?”

Robyn paused in the act of wearing a hole in the living room carpet and looked down into Maddy's face, realizing her anxiety wasn't lost on her daughter. She hadn't kept her date with Chris from Maddy. Her little girl liked the man, and besides, the idea of keeping something as important as a potential new person in their lives from Maddy didn't sit well. Smiling, she bent down and gave her a quick hug.

“Can you keep a secret?” she asked in a stage whisper.

“Uh-huh!”

“I'm a little nervous about having dinner with Chris,” she admitted.

“Why? You like Chris and he's nice.” Her cute face scrunched as she pondered this.

Kids, God love them. She hardly recalled a time when life was that simple, and you either liked someone or you didn't. “Yes, I do like him, very much. But what if he doesn't like me as much as I like him?”

Maddy nodded. “Like when Tara invited Danny to
her birthday party but he said no 'cause he didn't want to go to no stinky girl's party. Tara cried.”

“Well, that was very rude of Danny to hurt Tara's feelings. And yes, it's sort of like that.”

“But Chris invited
you
, so why would he be mean?”

Laughing, she threw her arms around her baby, squeezed her tight, and gave her a big kiss. “Why, indeed? How come you're so smart?”

“Because!” Giggling, Maddy tried to squirm away. Robyn held fast and tickled her ribs.

“Because
why
?”

“I don't know!”

The doorbell interrupted their silly fun, and for a second her heart lurched. Then she saw the form standing on the other side of the frosted glass and knew it had to be Rachel. She walked over and let her in.

“Hi, hon,” she said to the girl. “Thanks for sitting tonight.”

“Hey, no problem. It's not every day you have a hot date.”

“I'm pretty sure we had a different president the last time it occurred.”

Rachel laughed and Robyn set about giving the sitter instructions.

“No soda with Maddy's dinner tonight. She chose to have hers with her after-school snack.”

“Mooommy!” her daughter whined.

Robyn ignored her, refusing to engage in a battle of wills. “Bedtime at eight thirty if she's been a good girl. That's thirty minutes longer than usual,” she told Maddy, cutting off her protest. “Take it or leave it.”

“O-
kay
.” Crossing her arms over her thin chest, she pouted for about five seconds. Then the doorbell rang again and she forgot all about being annoyed with her mom. “He's here!”

A tall form stood on the other side of the glass, shifting slightly from side to side. Maddy bolted before Robyn could stop her, and threw open the door to reveal Sugarland's sexiest detective standing on the threshold.

“Chris, hi!” Maddy was practically bouncing.

“Hey, munchkin,” he said warmly. “I have something for you, if you want it. Sort of a thank-you for letting me take your mom to dinner.”

His arms were full of flowers and some sort of stuffed animal, and as Maddy reached for it, Robyn saw it was a purple teddy bear. There wasn't anything more disarming than seeing the pleasure on Chris's face at making her daughter so happy. Having seen him interact with her before, Robyn knew it was genuine.

She looked over at Rachel to see the twenty-year-old staring at Chris like he was a steak on a dinner plate. A tiny surge of possessiveness rose in her, though she couldn't blame the girl. Just then Rachel glanced at Robyn and mouthed,
Wow!

Robyn smiled. That was an understatement. The man looked heart-stoppingly gorgeous in black jeans and a silky-looking gray-and-black fitted shirt. His brown-gold hair was artfully mussed with a bit of product, much more so than the previous times she'd met him. He'd gone to some trouble with his appearance, and she liked that.

Not that the man had needed any improvement. He was already hot enough to melt her panties.

Maddy was suddenly shy, burying her face in the bear's soft fur. “I love him. Thank you.”

“I'm glad, sweetheart, and you're welcome.” He turned to face Robyn and handed her a vase of mixed flowers. “These are for you, pretty lady.”

She took them, thrilled to her toes. “Thank you, they're beautiful. I don't remember the last time anyone gave me flowers.”

“Well, that's not right. I'm a firm believer that a woman should get flowers all the time, especially for no reason other than she's perfect.” His smile was breathtaking.

“I think that's an opinion I could get behind. Thank you again.” Impulsively, she gave him a hug and inhaled his spicy scent. He smelled damned good, and that brief moment of contact with his hard, muscled body had her yearning for more.

With regret, she let him go. Carrying the flowers to the sofa table, she moved a couple of framed pictures and placed the vase in the middle. Then she waved a hand at the sitter. “Oh, this is Rachel, Maddy's sitter. Rachel, Chris.”

“Nice to meet you,” he said politely. Robyn was gratified to note he barely spared a glance for the pretty young woman before returning his focus to her. “Are you ready to go?”

“If you are.”

“I am.” Turning to Maddy, he said, “I promise not to keep your mom out too late, okay?”

“You'll keep her safe 'cause you're a policeman, right?” She was as serious as could be.

His mouth quirked, but his tone was equally solemn. “That's right. She's in good hands.”

“Okay.” And that was that.

Robyn hugged her daughter good-bye, and then waved to Rachel, who assured her that Maddy would be in bed by eight thirty. Then she let Chris guide her down the sidewalk, loving the feeling of his hand on her lower back.

When they approached his car, she ogled the shiny black Camaro with the dark tinted windows. “Damn, sweet ride.”

“Glad you approve,” he said, opening the door for her. “I saved for ages to afford the down payment. Worth every penny.”

Shutting her door, he hurried around to the driver's side and slid behind the wheel. “Are you into cars?”

“I am,” she admitted. “I love good old American muscle. If I was rich, I'd have an entire temperature-controlled warehouse full of classic cars just like Jay Leno does.”

“Me, too. That's something else we have in common.”

“So, where are we going?”

“I was thinking Italian food, if that's okay with you? There's a new restaurant that opened on the river and I've been meaning to try it.”

“Sounds fabulous. I could eat Italian every other day.”

“Great.” He glanced at her. “You look beautiful, by the way.”

“Thanks. You look very handsome yourself.”

He smiled, shaking his head as if he didn't really believe her.

She admired his profile as he drove. Again, she was
struck by how the gorgeous outside of him, so far, seemed to match the inside. How many men brought a gift to their date's child?

“You've lived in Sugarland for two years, right?” he asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“Yes. We moved here from Phoenix, Arizona, after my husband, Greg . . . passed away.” That term was so innocuous. So far removed from the real tragedy.

“I'm so sorry,” he said sincerely. “He was Maddy's father?”

Not so much—at least not at the end.
But she wasn't ready to go there just yet. Too many horrible memories, and too much sadness for a first date.

“He was. Her memories of him are pretty dim, though.” Seeking to change the subject, she asked, “What about you? Have you always lived here?”

“No, I moved here from the Dallas area a few months ago. I wanted to be close to my cousins, and I'm glad I made the move. I love the people and the scenery.”

“That's good. What about your folks? Do they live in Dallas?”

His jaw clenched and he hesitated. She realized too late she'd probably hit a nerve, but he gave no further indication as he answered. “Cancer took my mom when I was twelve. My dad lives north of Dallas, but we don't stay in touch. He's a drunk who used my mom as a verbal punching bag for as long as I can remember, and then shifted his focus to me when he didn't have her to demean anymore.”

“I'm so sorry,” she said gently. “That must have been rough growing up.”

“Could've been worse, I guess. I've
seen
worse, like
women and children being physically abused. My father never hit us, but he made our lives miserable just the same. I have no respect for him.”

“Is that part of the reason you have a soft spot for kids?”

“I suppose,” he mused. “Someday I'd like to give my kid the happy childhood I didn't have. Disney World, late-night movies with pizza and popcorn, picnics in the park, a dog, the whole works.”

An emotional lump formed in her throat. “I have no doubt you'll make some boy or girl very lucky one day by being their dad.”

“I sure hope so.” He grinned. “I want a houseful.”

She laughed, imagining him with children hanging off him, climbing him like a jungle gym. She'd like to do the same thing, for entirely different reasons.

“What about you?” He slid a glance at her. “Would you like more kids someday?”

She thought about that. “Yes, eventually. I think Maddy would love a little brother or sister. If that ever happens, though, I'll need to be in the position to take a long hiatus from work. My hours aren't very conducive to taking care of a new baby.”

“Do you ever wish you were a stay-at-home mom?”

“It's the American dream, isn't it?”

“Not for everyone.”

“I was teasing. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'd want to go back after having more children. I feel bad missing out on so much time with Maddy, what with the long hours and late nights. Sometimes I feel like the sitter spends more time with her than I do,” she said quietly.

Reaching over, he put his hand on top of hers. “I'm
sure that's not true. It just feels that way when your heart is at home.”

“I know. I love my job, but it's hard sometimes, feeling like I'm taking care of everyone except my own family.”

“I get that.”

Chris turned onto the road leading down the hill to the restaurant and found a parking place. As they walked toward the entrance, he took her hand in his larger, rougher one. The simple contact was nice and she relished it until they got inside, and he asked for a table for two.

The hostess took them to a table next to a window with a nice view of the river. Darkness had fallen, and the water reflected the twinkling of lights from piers and other businesses across the way.

“This is a great view,” she said, admiring it.

“It's spectacular,” he answered softly. And he wasn't looking at the river.

Their eyes met and held. Robyn had heard mutual attraction described in all sorts of ways. That moment when two people recognize the spark between them without a word being spoken—from angels singing to fireworks to electricity, and everything in between.

But for her, that recognition was gentle and quiet. It was a shift in her soul as she stared deep into his kind brown eyes and saw all that he was reflected there—sweet, honorable, intelligent, a good cop, a great friend, a man of hidden passion. All the qualities she'd ever wanted in one complete package, one incredible man who she sensed could be hers for the taking.

And it scared her in a way nothing had in a very long time.

“Can I start you with something to drink? Wine, iced tea, soda?” A handsome, dark-haired waiter smiled down at them.

“A beer for me, draft.” The waiter made a suggestion, and Chris said that sounded fine.

“A glass of Chardonnay for me,” she said.

The young man made a quick bow and left.

“I'd heard this place was family owned,” Chris said.

“That would explain the sexy Italian accent.”

“Uh-oh. I can't compete with the Latin-lover appeal.” The humor on his face said he wasn't too worried.

“I don't think it'll be an issue.”

“Like your men a little more . . . homegrown, do you?” he teased.

“Something like that.” It felt good to flirt. “I'm a sucker for a Southern accent, brown-gold hair, and big brown eyes.”

“And big
weapons
?” His grin was boyish, mischievous.

“Especially the weapons. As long as they don't discharge prematurely.”

He laughed out loud, and she liked the sound and sight of him with his inhibitions stripped. The man was simply stunning.

“Sweetheart, not a chance of that. I take weapon maintenance very seriously.”

“Good to know.”

The waiter brought their drinks and gave them time to look at the menu. Robyn scanned the selections, then took advantage of studying Chris while he made up his mind. What Shea had told her in private the other day,
about him battling some sort of health problem, weighed on her mind. Chris seemed to be the real deal, but she didn't want to come to care for another man only to have him leave her and Maddy. She couldn't go through that horrible pain again.

No, she was borrowing trouble and needed to stop. He looked good tonight, the shadows under his eyes faded. Perhaps whatever had afflicted him was becoming a thing of the past. She hoped that was so.

“The menu looks awesome,” he said, setting it down. “Between eating out and Daisy's cooking, I'm going to get as big as a barn.”

“Do you eat at your cousin's house quite often?”

“Sometimes, but not as much as I am right now. I'm staying with them for the time being because I had a water line break at my house yesterday.”

She grimaced. “Oh, what a pain. No major damage, I hope.”

“No, the break was outside, thank God. But I've got no running water and won't for several days, until it's fixed. The utility company said they went by my house while I was at work today and took a look, but who knows.”