Less-than-Innocent Invitation (10 page)

She turned in his arms, raised herself up on her elbow and propped her head on her hand. “I suppose.” Trac
ing his chin with her finger, she said, “I'm glad you were there, Logan.”

“I am, too, sweetheart.”

“Do you think Rick will be able to get access to some equipment tomorrow?”

“Yeah, it's probably already set up. I'll call Mark in the morning.”

“I'd like to ask another favor, then.”

Logan kissed her, then cupped her breast. “Anything you want.”

“Mm, that sounds promising,” she answered. “But that's not the kind of favor I was thinking of.”

He dropped his hand to her hip. “All right, what?”

“I was wondering if your contact at the station would let Rick and me do some work on our story there. Since we're not on a schedule, we could go in any time they'd have the equipment available.”

He faked a frown, then laughed. “Just my luck. I have a naked woman in bed with me and she's thinking about work.”

Melissa playfully smacked him. “I can always go back to Houston.” Afraid of losing what little time she had with him, she hadn't wanted to leave until she was due to return to her job. But she and Rick had a lot of footage so far and she wanted to get some preliminary editing done.

The thought of her leaving, even for a day, made his gut twist. Sitting up, he said, “I don't think it'll be a problem.”

“Great!”

“What do I get in return?”

She traced a path down his belly and caressed him.
“I'll think of something,” she whispered, then crawled on top of him.

Logan groaned as she scooted down his body, kissing his belly, her tongue wet and hot as she moved lower.

He wondered if she needed any more favors.

 

“Joe Fisher is the manager of WRYL, your affiliate here,” Logan stated at breakfast with Rick and Melissa the next morning. He'd talked to Mark while Melissa was dressing and had learned that arrangements had been made for Rick and Melissa to use the station's facilities. “He's agreed to see you at nine this morning and to set up slots for you to use their equipment while you're putting your story together.”

“You're quite the miracle worker,” Melissa commented, then gave Logan a sweet, yet seductive smile as she bit into her buttered toast. He'd worked miracles with her in his bed several times during the night.

Rick cleared his throat, breaking the obvious spell between his coworker and his host. “That's great.” Swallowing the last of his coffee, he sat back in his chair.

Giving Melissa an impressed look, Logan told her, “Joe recognized your name when Mark mentioned you.”

Surprise lit her eyes. “Really?”

“Yeah, he said something about seeing some of your work. Mark said he seemed really interested in meeting you.”

“It's nice of him to help us out.”

“As soon as you're done, I'll call the sheriff.” And the members of the TCC. They were planning to meet to view the video, hoping to recognize the figure.

“I want to go with you to meet with him,” Melissa said. “I have some more questions I want to ask him.”

Logan had started to speak when his cell phone rang. “Excuse me.” He left the room. After a few minutes, he returned and sat. “That was my foreman. There's a fence down and about a hundred head of cattle free.” He released a heavy sigh. “I'm going to have to stay here and help round them up.” His expression became serious as he looked at Rick. “I want you to stick with Melissa every minute while you're gone.”

Rick nodded. “I will. Don't worry about her.”

Melissa pushed her plate away. “Okay, you two, I'm sitting right here.” She pinned Logan with a stare. “I don't need a keeper.”

“I just want you safe. The best way to be sure of that is to have Rick watch out for you.”

“I'm not in any danger,” she protested.

His lips twisted. “We don't know that for sure.”

“But you suspect that the person who caused the accident was after the map. It doesn't make sense that they would harm me.”

“You and Rick might have caught the thief on tape,” Logan pointed out. “The thief might be responsible for killing Jonathan Devlin and may kill to get the tape. Until we know what's going on, you stay with Rick.”

“Do you trust Joe Fisher?” Rick asked.

Logan had known Joe for years. “Yes,” he answered without hesitation.

“Then Melissa will be with either Joe or me the entire time we're gone.”

“Thanks. And give me a call as soon as you have the tape finished.”

Melissa pouted, but that Logan showed his concern for her sent a warm feeling all through her body. “All right,” she told him. “You win this time.” It was easy to give in to Rick and Logan because, at the moment, she didn't have any plans otherwise. “But I do want to go with you when you talk to the sheriff. And don't even try to talk me out of it.”

“W
hat's going on with you and Logan?” Rick asked, breaking the silence between them as they drove toward WRYL.

“What do you mean?” Melissa asked coyly.

He smiled at her and his eyes twinkled. “Sugar, you're not fooling me with that innocent act. You and the cowboy have been joined at the hip since we arrived.”

Blushing, she gave him a sidelong glance. “We're old friends. We're just getting reacquainted.”

“Reacquainted in bed?”

“Rick!”

At the honk of a horn, he turned his attention to the road. “Look, the sparks have been flying between you two since the night of the anniversary ball.”

“Oh,
pleeeze
.” She rolled her eyes.

“The man wanted you that night. It was written all over his face when he walked up to you.”

She shook her head and chuckled. “No, actually, I think he wanted to throttle me.”

“Not hardly, babe.” The song playing on the radio filled the cab for several moments, then Rick looked at her again. “He's been very accommodating since we've arrived.”

“Yes, he has,” she answered softly. Melissa thought about Rick's comment. Logan
had
been helpful. He'd gone out of his way to be open and friendly. For years she'd mentally forced him into a tiny box that he no longer seemed to fit, and no matter how hard she tried, he wasn't going back into it.

She still didn't want to believe that she was in love with Logan again, but it was silly to deny it. Sighing as Rick turned right off the highway onto the main road that led to the center of Royal, she stared out the window.

Where was her relationship with Logan headed? He hadn't made any promises and she hadn't asked for them. To believe they could have a happily-ever-after ending between them was foolish. In a few days she was going back to her job in Houston. Back to where she belonged.

But after being here with Logan, living in Houston seemed a lifetime ago. She'd once thrived on the excitement of a big city, relished her work as a reporter, looked forward to achieving even more success with her job.

Now she knew they were only replacements for what was lacking in her life.

Love.

Fulfillment.

Logan
.

Maybe her heart would survive the trauma of living without him.

She remained silent as Rick parked in the lot at the television station. One thing she couldn't seem to stop thinking about: she'd never been happier.

Getting out of the truck, Melissa waited for Rick to retrieve his camera from behind his seat.

She
was
happy with Logan. She loved him deeply, cherished each moment with him. But that didn't mean they had a future together, did it?

She'd said as much to Logan when she'd pointed out they led separate lives. He hadn't corrected her, hadn't tried to make more of their relationship than the physical love they shared. That, more than anything, told her how he felt.

Yes, she loved him, but he didn't feel the same.

So where did that leave her?

 

Joe Fisher was waiting for Melissa and Rick when they entered the lobby. About fifteen years older than her, Joe was balding and had the kindest blue eyes of anyone she'd ever met. “Hi. I'm Melissa Mason. This is my videographer, Rick.”

“You don't need an introduction,” Joe said with a cordial smile. “I know exactly who you are. It's so nice to meet you. And you, Rick. Please come this way.

“Do you have time for a quick tour of the station?” he asked.

“We'd love one,” Melissa answered for them. She could hardly say no, and besides, she'd been impressed by the décor. It was both professional and attractive.

The station was smaller than theirs in Houston, but the technology was state of the art. Melissa complimented him.

“We're quite proud of it.”

Joe led them through the engineering department and showed them the editing facilities. “Make yourself at home. If you have any questions, there's an assistant production coordinator in the next room.”

An hour later they were done copying the accident video. They left with two tapes: one for them and one for Logan. As they drove to the ranch, Melissa called Logan to let him know they were returning. He was standing in the driveway when they pulled up. Rick dropped her off, then backed his truck up and drove to his cottage.

Melissa held out one of the tapes as she approached Logan, but instead of taking it he pulled her to him and kissed her. For an insane moment, she allowed herself to fantasize what it would be like to be greeted with his kisses for the rest of her life, to live on his ranch, to have his love for eternity.

Aware that wasn't going to happen, she banished the longing from her heart and kissed him back, telling herself she should be grateful for having the time with him now.

“Mmm, that was nice. Care to take this inside?” Melissa whispered when Logan lifted his mouth from hers.

Logan could think of nothing he'd like more. The thought of making love to Melissa consumed him. Day and night.

What's happened between us is wonderful, but it can't last. We both know it.

Melissa's words haunted him. She'd made it clear she wasn't expecting more than an affair. His gut twisted. For her, their affair was just about the sex.

He didn't have her heart.

“There's nothing I'd like more, but I have a meeting at the club in thirty minutes.” He moved his hips against hers, the bulge in his jeans pressing against her belly.

“Really?”

Taking the tape, he said, “We're going to view this to see if anyone recognizes the blurred image of the person taking the map.”

“I want to go with you.” Melissa held Logan's gaze. “I know Gavin will be there. I want to talk with him to see if he's learned anything more about what happened at the museum.”

“I'll ask him for you. I know he has another meeting to go to after this one. Maybe he can talk with you later today.

“I hope so.”

“I don't want you waiting in the truck and you won't be allowed inside,” he told her. “The club is for members only.”

She snorted. “No women allowed? What kind of things go on inside there, anyway?” she asked.

He grinned engagingly. “Curious, huh?”

“As you said to Gavin, I'm a reporter. Maybe I'll do a story on it.”

Logan knew she was teasing by her playful expression but couldn't stop the discouragement from coming out. “I don't think that would be a good idea, sweetheart.”

“What? You don't want the world to know that you're heroes who thwart crime and save damsels in distress?”

“Heroes?” He laughed easily. “You have quite an imagination.”

Melissa studied his expression and found it just a little too practiced. “My imagination is fine. As a matter of fact, I'm imagining myself naked, crawling on top of you and—”

“Stop it, you're killing me,” he said with a groan. Torn between duty and desire, he glanced at his watch. He cursed when he realized he had just enough time to get to his meeting. He kissed her pouty lips. “I really do have to go, Melissa.”

“All right,” she said with frustration that was a little bit fake and a whole lot real. “Your loss.”

“I'll make it up to you when I get back,” he promised.

“I'm going to hold you to that.”

He grinned as she moved out of his arms. “I was hoping you would.”

 

Mark Hartman was the last member to arrive. Though he walked in only minutes after Logan, who had just taken a seat a the conference table, he still got a good ribbing from his friends for being five minutes late.

“Nice of you to join us,” Connor quipped, rocking back on two legs of his chair.

“Yeah, it's not like we don't have other things to do,” Jake added with a laugh.

Mark frowned. “All right, knock it off. I've lost an
other nanny and I haven't had any luck finding a replacement.” He plopped into his chair and slumped down, looking both frustrated and worn out.

“Someone will turn up,” Logan offered.

Concern etched his features. “Yeah, but in the meantime my niece is having to adjust to temporary sitters. The self-defense studio is thriving and I need someone I can count on, someone who doesn't mind taking care of her on the spur of the moment.”

Tom gave him a reassuring look. “It's not like you planned to raise a child. Losing your brother and sister-in-law unexpectedly was hard enough. Not everyone would have stepped up to raise their niece.”

“Yeah,” Jake chimed in. “We all know how much you love her. You're doing the right thing. Give it some time. It'll work out.”

Standing, Logan walked to the corner of the room and fed the tape Melissa had given him into the video recorder connected to large television. “Let's get down to business. You've all heard about the incident at the museum by now?”

“So the map hasn't turned up yet?” Mark asked, still feeling responsible since he'd was supposed to have been guarding it.

“No,” Gavin said. “Melissa was nearly killed and we believe it was because of the map.”

Connor brought his chair down on all four legs. “So you don't think Melissa was the target?”

“No. But someone wanted the map desperately enough to kill for it. Jonathan Devlin's murder proved that. This latest incident confirms how bold the killer is.
If Logan hadn't gotten to her when he did, Melissa could have died.”

Just hearing Gavin state the killer's intent caused Logan's blood to boil. “Which means that if she wasn't the original target, she might be one now. Whoever did this might think they were caught on tape stealing the map. Or, that possibly they were seen by her.”

Jake swore. “Is Melissa all right?”

Logan nodded. “She's a little bruised, but she says she's fine.” Pride filled him. “She's taking the ordeal like a trooper and continuing to cover the story.” He didn't like it, but he respected her dedication to her job. “I'm going to make damn sure nothing happens to her again.”

A brief moment of silence followed Logan's declaration, then Mark asked, “Do you know how the chandelier broke loose?”

“Someone definitely tampered with the wiring and the bolts. It was rigged to drop. We haven't determined how anyone could have gotten access to the attic to do so, but we're still investigating,” Gavin explained.

Logan hit the play button. The museum room appeared on the screen, the map on the podium in the center. “This is the tape from the accident. We were lucky to capture some of it. Unfortunately, where the killer comes in is blurred because the cameraman got bumped during the melee. But it's obvious that someone comes near the podium after the chandelier fell. That individual has to be the person who stole the map.”

The men studied the television in silence. After showing it once, Logan hit the rewind button and they viewed it a second time. “The person isn't very tall.”

Connor nodded in agreement. “I think it's a woman. The figure seems too small to be a man.”

“Logan, play it again and stop it when the image moves into view,” Jake said. As the tape started playing, he walked over to the television. “Stop.”

Logan stopped the tape.

Jake pointed to the slender, blurred image. “It's a woman, for sure. Look at the head.” He circled a small section with his finger. “She has a black cap on, but her hair is in a ponytail. See here?”

“You're right.” Gavin's eyes never left the screen. “The color of her hair is either light brown or blond. But I can't make out who she is. Does anyone recognize her?”

Mark shook his head. “She doesn't look familiar to me.”

“Me, either,” Logan added. “Wait.” He placed his finger against the screen. “There are letters on the cap. See? There's an
S
and a
C
.”

Connor frowned, then said, “That's odd. Why would it have letters that far apart? Look here, her ponytail is between the two letters. There's probably more beneath it.”

“I think you're right, Connor,” Gavin agreed. “At least we now have something to go on. We agree it's a woman?” he asked. They all nodded. “And the letters on her black cap are an
S
and a
C
?” He rubbed his hand over his jaw. “Unfortunately her description fits about a third of the women of Royal.”

Satisfied they'd gotten a solid lead, Logan turned off the television, then removed the tape from the recorder. “What's happening out at the Windcroft horse farm?” he asked Gavin, referring to the trouble Nita Windcroft
had been complaining about. “Anything turn up about the poisoned horse feed?”

Gavin took a deep breath. “Nita's confirmed that the feed didn't come from her regular supplier. In addition to the cut fences she's already reported, she called me this morning with another complaint. She said the air had been let out of the tires in several of her horse trailers. She's convinced that a Devlin is behind the mischief going out there.”

Mark sat forward. “What do you think?”

“That she may be right, but with no actual proof, my hands are tied. We need to consider sending someone out to her horse farm to keep an eye on things.”

“If we do,” Logan interjected, “it may look like we're taking sides.”

“Right. The Devlins might believe we're already suspecting them,” Jake said.

“Which could put fire under the feud if they're innocent,” Connor reasoned.

“It may be wise to hold off sending anyone anywhere until we have more to go on,” Mark suggested. “Nita should understand that.”

“She mentioned that she'd heard that Jonathan Devlin was murdered, which only raised her suspicions that the Devlins have something to do with her problems.”