Layers Deep (7 page)

“If there was,
I wouldn’t have kissed you.”

Could this
really be happening? So, kissing just anyone wasn’t his style. The
affirmation from his gorgeous mouth that begged to be molded to
mine was a bonus. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from his beautiful
smile and dimple. Oh, my gosh, I was turning out to be like Laura
after all! She was going to have a ball with me if this thing
between me and Cross ever got out.

“I’m surprised
you’re single, Allie. With a body like yours, men should be lining
up at your door.”

“Except I
usually have a tight vest on my chest and a gun at my side when I’m
out and about. The cop ensemble doesn’t exactly scream
sexy
,
and the gun scares off men.”

“Are you
kidding? You could be wearing a snow suit and I’d still want to...”
He pulled over to the curb. “We’re here.”

Cross parked
in front of a low-rise building: my mother’s apartment.

“Thank you. I
really appreciate the ride. I hope your business goes well.”

“You’re
welcome. I’ll be at this hotel if you need anything. And I mean
anything, Allie.”

I knew exactly
what he meant and worst of all, I immediately considered taking him
up on the offer. I took the card he handed me. Cross leaned over
and kissed me on my cheek. I closed my eyes, inhaling him. There
was nothing better than his scent. For the first time since we’d
met, I’d truly miss his company.

Once he pulled
away I went upstairs to greet my mother. The sound of unlocking
metal chains when I told her it was me crawled along my skin. The
dreaded past, pain, and fear overwhelmed me when I stepped in and
hugged her – right after she locked up again, that is.

“It’s been too
long,” she said.

“I’m sorry.
I’ve been working.”

“Just like
your father. So committed to your job. I’m proud of you, Allie, and
I know your father would have been too.”

“How are you,
Mom?” I opened my suitcase and placed the bottle of tequila on the
kitchen table. My mother took out two glasses from the cupboard
without even asking. This was what we did. We drank together to
mourn together, and to forget.

I poured about
an inch deep from the bottom as she sliced the lemons.

“It’s better.”
This was her standard answer.

“I’m going to
kill Wright.”

My mother sat
down casually as if I’d just given her news about the weather. “You
won’t do anything so foolish, Allie.” She pointed to the seat
across the table.

“You’ll be
free of him.”

“I was free
the moment I left Pinedale. My only regret was not leaving sooner.”
She threw her head back, downing the first shot. Her face shifted
as the first burn of the liquid passed through her throat.

“What if he
finds you again? It’s been too quiet for a while. I have a feeling
it may be time to move.”

The two
previous times Wright had come to see my mother, his bad timing
saved her from another brutal attack. She wasn’t alone. Hours later
I’d be driving her to a new location.

“Wright is an
obsessed son of a bitch and knows the law. He won’t stop.”

She raised her
brows slightly. At times when I spoke of Wright, my mouth got away
from me. “I’m more worried about you, Allie. You need to start
living a happy life instead of being burdened by your mother’s
past.”

“Your past is
my past. Your pain is my pain.” I took her hand.

“But it
shouldn’t be this way.”

“I will kill
him, mom, and I need you to know before I do.”

“Darling,” she
said, smoothing her hand on my cheek, the way she had when I was
young, “you won’t do such thing. Wright will eventually get what’s
coming to him. It’s called karma.”

“Then call me
Karma.”

She laughed. I
liked seeing her rare moments of happiness.

“I’m also
quitting the force.”

My mother’s
face sobered and I had her complete attention. “Why?”

“For a new
job. A better job. And, I’ve met someone who will help me get rid
of Wright.” I felt my cheeks warm, and it wasn’t from the
liquor.

She narrowed
her brows. “And does the handsome man know it yet?”

“No,” I shook
my head, not surprised how well my mother understood me.

“Allie, you
need to let Wright go. Try to enjoy life for a change. Don’t let
what happened to me fill your schedule. I know it does. You’ve been
alone way too long. If this man means something to you, and agrees
to help you kill, then he’s not worthy of you. Your father always
said no human should take the life of another unless it’s in self
defense or to protect someone. God will punish those who do.”

I knew my
mother was lying through her teeth for my benefit. She’d shoot
Wright between the eyes the moment she got a chance, no matter what
Daddy had said. Daddy didn’t know Wright the way we now did. And, I
could tell she hadn’t left the apartment for a while, perhaps had a
neighbor do her groceries. She’d only go out if it was necessary.
That’s how she’d lived for the past thirteen years. My mother
didn’t live – she survived.

“It’s to
protect you.” I took my shot, letting the first gulp burn my
throat. It didn’t matter how smooth the tequila was, the first one
always burned. After the initiation, the liquor passed through
smoothly, and after a few it was almost like water.

“I’m fine
here.” She pointed to the corner of the room where a shotgun was
propped in a corner.

“Did you
register it?” I asked.

She shook her
head.

“Good. He
could find you if you had.”

“I told you
not to worry. If Wright steps anywhere near me, I won’t
hesitate.”

“I know you
won’t.”

Three quarters
of a bottle later, we ordered pizza with wings. The day passed in a
haze. I told my mother about the mysterious Tristan Cross and his
job offer. She examined my face as I spoke about him, and I wasn’t
sure why. She looked worried. She knew I was a good cop and could
protect myself, but the lack of details about the undercover hooker
position had her questioning everything about Cross, including my
feelings for a man I’d just met. I couldn’t hide that he was hot
and I thought about him day and night. For a moment, she had a
peculiar smile on her face. My mother’s knowing expression hid
something from me. It had been a while since I’d seen her this
interested in what was happening in my life. Perhaps because my
life up to this point had been too boring? She said I reminded her
of her young self when she went to a prom, which surprised me.
Fortunately the tequila took my wit away and I didn’t overthink
it.

I enjoyed a
refreshing shower and slid into the one black dress I’d packed. I
forgot why I had decided to take it with me, but a girl should
always have a black dress on hand. Deep inside, since Cross had
given me his hotel address, I’d known I’d end up wearing it to see
him. The black fabric hugged my curves as if it had been sewn on.
On such rare occasions, when I could discard my man-fitted uniform,
I felt like a real woman. The hint of natural makeup on my face
took me back in time. It was identical to how my mother had worn
her makeup – before the assault, when she actually went outside to
let the sun bronze her face. My mother was already in her
nightgown; I kissed her goodnight and told her not to wait up. I
didn’t leave until the last click of the chain lock sounded.

The cabbie
drove too slowly for my liking. But at least I’d sobered up a bit
before he pulled in front of Planters Inn. I paid him and rushed to
the hotel, stopping in the lobby. The interior screamed money, and
the little devil on my shoulder broke out in its ‘you don’t belong
here’ laughter.

My fingers and
toes tingled. I cracked my head to the side and took a deeper
breath. What the fuck was I doing? I should be with my mother, but
her early bedtime and even earlier mornings just weren’t my
thing.

The faint
sound of quiet live music drew my gaze toward the lobby bar.
Another shot of tequila would add some braveness to my body. I
headed for the low-lit room. The plush carpeting under my feet felt
like a sponge when I stopped in the doorway. The man at the grand
piano began a new tune as I scanned the tables. Orange and brown
Tiffany lamp tones from above hardly illuminated anyone, casting
precise shadows on people’s faces that allowed intimate and private
conversations. My gaze finally rested on the bar and the broad
shoulders of a muscular back. They stretched out under a black
shirt that could only belong to one person. A fragment of his thorn
tattoo showed from underneath the sleeve. A glass of scotch swirled
the ice cubes in his right hand. Tristan Cross looked as sexy from
the back as from the front.

I took a deep
breath in and slowed my steps toward him. The faint bar light shone
from the top, lighting the blond streaks in his tussled brown hair.
A foot away I stopped. Feeling someone’s gaze on my back, I turned
around. I shook the weird feeling off as nerves, and slid my hand
around Cross’s waist from behind.

“I want you to
taste me again.” I closed my eyes and leaned around from behind,
pressing my lips to his. The response was immediate. His lips
swelled and I opened my mouth. The sweet taste of scotch filled my
mouth. His tender tongue welcomed me as if it was once again our
first, semi-deep kiss. My mouth searched for the small scar ripple
on his lip, but I couldn’t feel it. He explored me provocatively,
yet not too deep to draw attention. His arms rested on my hips, and
I wondered why he hadn’t embraced me yet. I wanted to be closer, to
feel his hard chest against mine.

“Is it a habit
of yours to kiss strange men?” someone asked behind me.

I jumped up,
suddenly aware it was Cross who spoke. “What the hell?” I felt my
mouth drop open as I pushed away from the look-alike.

“It felt more
like heaven,” the man said.

I looked from
him to Tristan and my hand flew up to cover my mouth. The
resemblance between the two men was unbelievable. From the high
cheeks and deep hazel eyes down to the little dimple in his chin,
this man was a slightly older version of Tristan Cross. The only
piece missing was the small scar on his upper lip.

“Allie Green,
meet Julian Cross, my brother.” A wicked smile stretched across
Tristan’s face.

The man I’d
just kissed offered his hand to shake.

“Why did you
kiss me back?” I accused, tightening my fists.

“Why do we
eat, sleep, or walk?” he answered, grinning. “And I’m not the one
who kissed you. You kissed me first.” He still held his hand out,
waiting for a proper introduction.

“Seriously?
You share the same tattoo artist too?”

Both of them
simply grinned.

I did the
double-take between the two brothers who could have passed for
twins. Yet it seemed Tristan’s older brother had more of a devilish
streak than Tristan. I finally took his hand and shook it in a
formal greeting.

“You’re not
the first to make the mistake, although next time I’d prefer to be
on the receiving end.” Tristan guided my elbow to sit up on the bar
stool. He then leaned in, whispering in my ear, “You look
ravishing, by the way.”

The warm
breath caressed my cheek and the room seemed to shrink again,
making me acutely aware of how close Tristan was to me.

“Thank you.
I’m sorry about that, Julian. I won’t make the mistake again.”

“I didn’t
mind,” he answered.

“Trust me, she
won’t make the mistake again.” Tristan’s tone sharpened. He sat on
my other side, and for a moment I felt like I was squished in a
yummy Cross brother sandwich.

“I didn’t mean
to interrupt your evening,” I said.

“I’m glad you
did, and you’re not really interrupting. We’re done for tonight.”
He looked toward the bartender and called, “Comisario.”

“Wait...” I
placed my hand on Tristan’s. The touch may as well have been a
kiss. It weaved like an electric current up my arm to my face and
my lips in a series of heated waves and sweet pulses. I locked my
gaze with Tristan’s, saying, “That’s too much.”

“It’s on me,
Allie. Enjoy.” The bartender poured a shot of one of the most
delicious tequilas I’d ever encountered. Cross tapped the bar with
his finger, and the bottle remained on the bar.

“Thank you.” I
swung the first shot back, letting the smooth liquid run down my
throat. It didn’t burn the way my first one normally did, and the
instant relaxation flew through my whole body.

“If you excuse
me, I have an early morning.” Julian stood up, took my hand into
his, and kissed my palm as if he were from Europe.

Holy
crap!
The man was as hot as Tristan, with most likely tons of
women swooning around him as well. I was way out of my league.

“It’s been a
pleasure, Allie. Hopefully I’ll get the same kind of greeting next
time,” he winked.

“Don’t count
on it, brother.”

They shook
each other’s hands, which I found too formal for siblings, and
Julian strode off toward the elevators. The bartender poured
another shot for me.

“And here I
thought you made a business excuse just to go on a trip with me.” I
swiveled on the bar stool toward him. My knee touched his and
stayed there, as if attached. He shifted and my leg squished in
between his thighs.

“I did.” He
took a sip of his scotch. “The beauty of being my own boss is that
I can do business wherever I want.”

“Are you doing
business now?” I asked, swinging my head back again. “This is
good.”

“I’m glad you
like it. How is your mother?”

“You’re
avoiding my question.”

“All right.
No, I’m not doing business now. I’m enjoying your company, Allie.
You look beautiful tonight. Is that your mother’s favorite dress?”
he teased, sliding his hand onto my thigh, smoothing over the
velvety fabric.