Liz's Luck [Appledale 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (3 page)

“I’m sorry, Gary, but I didn’t think the first date went so well between us, so I don’t see a reason for us to go out again,” Liz explained patiently. “I’m sure a successful businessman like you has many prospective dates.”

“Of course I do but I want you, Elizabeth,” Gary answered her arrogantly. “I am out with some business associates right now, but I’ll come by your store tomorrow and we can talk more.”

Liz sighed. She wanted to settle this once and for all. “Okay, we’ll talk later, Gary,” she said, hanging up. Liz got ready for bed thinking of Gary. She already dreaded having to confront Gary in person. It would have been less awkward through the phone, but Lady Luck wasn’t with her these days.

The next afternoon Stella came in with a stack of flyers for Liz to put at her store.

Liz looked them over and set them on her counter. “These are great. I’ll make sure people get them.”

“Okay. These classes are good for people and it really will give Lacy the confidence she lost when Chico attacked her,” Stella added, yawning. “I’m taking some to the bank next then I’m going home for my daily nap.”

A few months ago Lacy had witnessed a murder and ended up hiding in Appledale. Chico, the killer, had followed her to Appledale and kidnapped her. Luckily she had been rescued but still had some nightmares left over from her horrifying experience.

Liz smiled at her friend. “You’re right, Stella, and everyone will see how good these classes are. They are free and exercise doesn’t hurt the body.”

Stella laughed, pointing at her stomach even though her friends knew she never liked to exercise. “Hey, I do have an excuse.”

Before Liz could answer her back, Gary walked in and smiled at the two of them. Stella greeted him with a playful smile and teased him. “Gary, I didn’t know you shopped here.”

Gary chuckled and winked at Stella. “I just came to see my favorite girl besides you. Isn’t that right, Elizabeth?”

Liz didn’t want to cause a scene in front of Stella so she just smiled and nodded. Stella gave Gary a flyer and Liz silently groaned and hoped Gary didn’t like to sweat so he wouldn’t show up. Stella said her good-byes and went home.

Liz looked at Gary and decided to be upfront with him. Wasn’t honesty the best policy? “Gary, we had one date and I didn’t think we had much in common. I don’t understand why you are trying so hard to go out with me again.”

“What are you talking about? Our date went great. Besides, we do have so much in common. We are both successful in business and come from a wealthy family. There’s no one else in this pokey little town that can give you the things you need,” he answered, brushing off her concerns as if they didn’t matter.

“If you don’t like it here in Appledale why do you live here?” she asked him out of curiosity. It was true he didn’t seem the small-town type. He had arrived a year ago and always seemed out of place here. Liz had a wealthy background but she did her best not to flaunt it, whereas Gary liked to brag and show off, and it hadn’t made him very popular.

“I’m stuck here temporarily because my uncle wants me to improve this bank, but then I can go back to our California branch, or maybe if your father helps us we can move anywhere we want,” Gary answered, getting excited. “New York, Chicago, or any major city you like.”

So Gary knew who she was. Now Liz understood his determination to date her. It had nothing to do with her but her father, and that made her angry and sad. Wasn’t she likable without her father’s money behind her? This was a common problem in her love life. “Gary, I like this town and don’t plan to move from here. And I don’t take money from my father. I prefer to make my own way in life.”

Gary frowned as if he couldn’t understand her logic. He stared at her for a few seconds as if he didn’t know what to say. “I have an appointment with a client. Let’s have dinner and we will discuss this further. I think we are great together and soon you will see it, too.”

“Gary, look—” Liz began but then got interrupted by the doorbell ringing, and Amy walked in ready to work. Gary took the opportunity to wave cheerfully at her and leave. “Call you later and we’ll finish our talk.”

“Great,” Liz muttered to herself. They had straightened nothing out. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and went to talk to Amy.

“Hey, boss. Has it been busy? You look stressed,” Amy asked, putting her long blonde hair up in a clip. She was a high school senior and was saving money to go to college next year. Liz really liked the seventeen-year-old girl. She was friendly and good with people, and best of all she loved clothes just as much as Liz did.

“There have been people in and out all day browsing and shopping. I am so glad to see you, Amy. I badly need a cup of tea and a break,” Liz answered with a sigh. “I don’t know what is wrong with me lately. Maybe being close to thirty years old is mushing my brain.”

Amy laughed at Liz’s pained expression. “You are not even close to being old, Liz. All you need is a good break. I’ll be out here watching the store. Go and relax.”

The rest of the day passed smoothly and when Liz finally closed up the store that evening she went upstairs to relax. Tonight she’d just lose herself in a good movie and try not to think of Gary or Ethan.

* * * *

Later that evening, Liz sat snuggled on the couch in her pajamas watching her favorite movie, a romantic comedy. When it was over she yawned and turned off the TV. Suddenly she thought she heard a bang outside and what sounded like glass breaking. Startled, she jumped off the couch and picked up the phone in case she needed it. She cracked her front door open and heard more noises.

Without thinking of the danger, Liz crept down her stairs slowly, trying not to make any noise. It was dark and cold. She was shivering partly from fear and partly from the cold. She should have thought to put a jacket over her thin lounge pants and tank top, but at least she had slippers on. She went slowly around the corner tiptoeing. She gasped when she saw her large picture window had a big crack in it. Suddenly she realized how foolish she had been to come down here alone. She looked nervously up and down the cold, dark street but it was empty. No one seemed to be out at this time of night. Her heart was racing fast and she felt scared. She swiftly checked her shop door and thankfully it was still locked so no one had broken in at least, but who would do this?

Liz quickly called the police station and Ethan answered. She almost asked for someone else but didn’t want to waste time. Liz reported it to him and he told her he would be right there. Still feeling a little nervous she walked back to her apartment stairs to wait. If she saw any strangers lurking around she could run upstairs to the safety of her apartment. She frowned when she thought about the window. That would be expensive to fix. Her insurance company would not be happy with her, but at least it hadn’t shattered into a million pieces.

It didn’t take long for Ethan to show up but he was alone. Liz stood there in front of her stairs freezing and feeling awkward, wishing another deputy had come instead, like one of the Wilson brothers—Gabe or Logan. She really didn’t want to deal with Ethan tonight or any other night.

Ethan’s mouth tightened when he saw Liz shivering in her skimpy silk pajamas, standing on the sidewalk all alone. He took off his coat and put it around her tightly, wanting to yell at her. Why was Liz standing in the dark? Didn’t she know better than that? If she was his woman he would—he shook his head and put those tempting thoughts out of his head. He had to keep reminding himself they had nothing in common. Besides she was dating that uptight snob, Gary Peters. Stella had told him that.

“Did you see anyone?” Ethan asked her, folding his arms across his chest and trying his best to look intimidating. His mouth was set in a grim, firm line which wasn’t unusual. Ethan hardly ever smiled. People usually stepped away from him when he got this mean look on his face. Ethan knew people wondered what he did in the military and made up stories about him. The rumors helped his reputation as a dangerous character, so he said nothing to confirm or deny them. Since he didn’t like being sociable it was fine with him.

Liz looked up into his hazel eyes, wishing Ethan would just put his big arms around her. His body would engulf her and make her feel warm and safe. Instead she answered him in a steady voice, hoping he didn’t notice her voice was a little shaky. “I heard a noise then I came downstairs and saw this and called you. Must be bored kids, I guess. My door is still locked so I guess that is good news for me.”

“You should have waited upstairs. What if he came back, Liz? You would have no way to defend yourself, then what?” Ethan said in a hard, firm voice that expected no arguments. He couldn’t understand why he cared so much that she put herself in harm’s way, but the thought of someone hurting her was like a punch to his gut.

That remark got Liz angry and she let him know it. He certainly knew how to put her on the defensive. “Just because I am a woman doesn’t mean I can’t defend myself, Deputy White, so do not presume that you know anything about me.” Liz could have explained that she had taken self-defense lessons for years, but she didn’t like his chauvinistic attitude.

Ethan was tempted to pull Liz in his arms and kiss her until she stopped arguing with him, but instead he gave her his best impatient look that made everybody stay quiet as soon as they saw it. Only it didn’t seem to work with Liz.

Liz stood there and glared back at him as if she wasn’t afraid of him. “What, no comeback? Because you know I am right!” Liz wanted to stick her tongue out at him, too. He was so frustrating.

Ethan felt amusement replacing the anger he had felt at finding her standing on the sidewalk in the cold and dark like a sacrificial lamb. But he didn’t let it show. “You weigh like a hundred pounds, if even that. What could you possibly do to disarm an attacker?” He smirked. “Where is your boyfriend, the banker? Shouldn’t he be here protecting you?”

“It’s none of your business, Deputy White,” she stated firmly. Let Ethan think what he wanted. He wasn’t interested in her anyway, so she wasn’t going to explain anything to him.

“I’ll file a report and tomorrow you can go by the station and pick it up for your insurance company. You’d better get inside. You’re turning blue,” he ordered her like she was a little girl.

Liz pressed her lips together to keep from saying more. She frowned at him instead and handed him his coat. Ethan reached out to grab his coat and on a crazy impulse grabbed her arm instead and pulled her close. Liz wasn’t expecting it so she fell against him. He steadied her by grabbing her waist with his hands. This is crazy, he thought to himself, but he had already made her mad so he might as well taste her lips like he had been dying to do since Halloween.

Liz put her hands on his chest, feeling his body heat seep into her own body, warming her up immediately. She looked up into his beautiful eyes and she opened her mouth to protest but he leaned down and swallowed her protests with his mouth in a hot, hungry kiss. Ethan forced her lips apart and his tongue went right in her mouth, exploring its softness. Liz moaned into his mouth, loving his aggressiveness. It turned her on even more. Liz loved it when a man took control.

Ethan could feel the hunger overtaking him. He pulled Liz closer into his body and Liz could feel how hard he was. She slid her arms around his neck, caressing the skin, and he couldn’t help but shudder at her touch.

Liz had never felt such an intense pleasure before, and she was getting damp just from a kiss! Suddenly without warning, Ethan pushed her away from his body, breathing hard and trying to take control of the situation.

Ethan looked into Liz’s eyes. They were a shiny blue color and her lips were swollen. Ethan had never been more tempted to just pick Liz up, throw her over his shoulder and take her upstairs. He was close to losing control. That had never happened to him and it was very disturbing.

“That shouldn’t have happened. I am so sorry,” Ethan said with a big sigh, stepping back away from her. “I take the blame for that, Liz.”

Liz could feel her heart drop. That was the best kiss she had ever experienced and he regretted it? She tried not to cry. Liz cleared her throat and said. “It’s okay. No harm done, Deputy. Can I go inside now?”

Ethan nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Liz turned and gave him one last hopeful look then went upstairs to her apartment and slammed the door shut. Elizabeth Daniels has grit and fire, Ethan admitted with a smile, still trying to control his libido. Most people wouldn’t dare talk back to him. His size alone scared people off, yet this tiny thing stood up to him. He chuckled quietly to himself and went to his patrol car, wishing things were different between them. He hadn’t even realized how lonely his life was until he started wishing for something he couldn’t have. He had a long night ahead of him and now he was stuck with a hard-on from hell and no way to relieve it.

Lacy stopped by the store the next afternoon. “Hey, Liz, I heard about your window. Is everything okay?” She looked at Liz with concern and glanced around the store. The window had already been fixed and the store looked perfect. White Christmas lights decorated the windows, and green garland and red bows hung elegantly around the store. Soft music played within the store.

“Yes, it’s all fixed now,” Liz answered with a smile. She was relieved she could get it fixed so quickly. Once she turned in the police report to her insurance company they would reimburse her.