The Stranger Next Door (10 page)

Chapter Eleven

“You think the partner had something to do with this?” Robbie’s voice echoed over the line.

Jack flopped back on the bed and hooked one arm behind his head. The rest of the evening had passed quickly. Tess and her friend had holed up in the kitchen among stacks of tile, their voices drifting up to him as he looked over a couple of cases and made his call to Robbie.

“I doubt her partner had anything to do with it since he’s been dead for more than six weeks,” Jack said dryly. “But possibly someone he was affiliated with or wronged in some way. It’s obvious someone wants her alive. The comment about getting her to the old man was enough to tell us that. We can assume they think she has some information they need because her partner’s wife wasn’t only murdered; she appeared to have been tortured.”

“You can’t tell me you really don’t think this girl knows anything about what’s going on? You said yourself she admitted she and the wife didn’t like each other. Isn’t it possible she knows who these guys are and what they’re after? Couldn’t she be involved?”

Jack grumbled. “She doesn’t know anything. She might not have liked the wife, but she isn’t a killer. Besides, what would she get from staging her own kidnapping? All that would do is put the spotlight on her, and I highly doubt, if she were a murderer, she’d want that much attention directed at her.”

“I guess you're right,” Robbie said, blowing out a breath. “I’m wrapping things up here. I’ll be headed that way first thing in the morning. If my plane’s on time, I should be landing around three o’clock.”

“Good,” Jack replied. “Did you get any evidence?”

Jack hated to ask because he already knew the answer. The guy Robbie had been tailing down in Mexico for the last three weeks had cheater written all over his face.

“Oh yeah, more pictures and video than you could imagine. He’s a real pig.”

Nodding, Jack closed his eyes for a moment and wondered how people could be so callous to the ones they vowed to love.

“I’ve already called the wife, and she wants to meet me at the airport. She has a flight leaving an hour after mine is supposed to land. I think she already knows what I found and is heading somewhere she can get a quickie divorce.”

“Most likely. Whatever’s easiest for her,” Jack said easily. “Call me when you're finished and I’ll pick you up at the airport. Tess said something about going into the city and picking up a kitchen sink she ordered.”

Robbie snickered.

“What?”

“You got it bad, bro.” He laughed.

“What are you babbling about now?”

“You buy a house after seeing a hot chick living across the street, you run to her rescue and offer to help remodel her house, and now you're living with her, knowing full well, that if someone is after her, you’re now directly in the line of fire.”

“I like her, that’s all,” Jack lied. He wasn’t sure what he felt for Tess, but he was pretty sure it was more than a simple case of like.

“Bull funky, you love that girl.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Jack said, sitting up as quick as a shot. He jumped off the bed then paced to the window. “I don’t know her well enough for all that. I’ll admit, I like her a hell of a lot, but love? I don’t think so.”

But even as he denied it profusely, he couldn’t help but question his feelings. Was it possible to love someone so quickly? He wasn’t a believer in love at first sight; it was a ludicrous concept. But he knew a few couples that claimed that’s exactly what had happened to them.

Hopeless romantics, the whole lot of them.

“Keep telling yourself that, brother. But I haven’t ever seen you act like this before. Wow, if I’d known how exciting your vacation was going to be, I’d have joined you. I can’t wait to see what you do next.”

Jack closed his eyes and struggled to remain calm. Robbie was his best friend. He was also the absolute best at trying his patience.

Jack watched out the bedroom window as the woman he’d been introduced to earlier in the evening piled a couple of boxes into the backseat of her small red car. She then turned toward the porch and smiled. She said something he couldn’t discern then laughed before she slid into the driver seat, started the engine, and pulled away from the house. She drove through the main gates and out of sight.

He and Tess were alone. Every image, every touch, every silky slide of her tongue against his surged to the fore of his mind. She’d been fire in his arms, her desire feeding his own. And what was even more surprising was the fact she hadn’t tried to make him cease his advances. As a matter of fact, she’d urged him on. Just the thought of her gripping his shoulders and pressing her body against him seductively sent a fire-hot need racing through him.

“Hey, you still there?”

The sound of Robbie’s voice ripped him away from his heated thoughts. Shaking his head, he replied, “Yeah, I’m here. It’s getting late.” He faked a yawn. “Call me when you get to the airport. Once you're here, I’ll give you all the details.”

“You got it, boss. Talk to you tomorrow.”

Jack disconnected the call and tossed his phone onto the dresser. He gazed out the window a moment longer. Robbie’s words still rang in his ears.

It was hard to admit, but Robbie was right. He’d never been this attracted to a woman and never had he been as protective or as willing to put his life in danger for a woman he hardly knew.

But when he was with Tess, it was as if she was all that existed. Her happiness, her safety, the only things he wanted.

Perhaps he should give more thought to what Robbie had said about love at first sight.

“This is crazy,” he said to himself disgustedly. Turning from the window, he strode back to the bed.

Love at first sight was just something hopeless romantics dreamed about. It wasn’t real. What he felt for Tess had to be something simpler; perhaps it was the beginning stages of love or something that over time could blossom into love. There was no doubt he was attracted to her, desired her, and, despite their short acquaintance, cared about her.

But love this early in the game?
No way.

As much as he wanted to go to Tess and pick up where they’d left off, he couldn’t. Her unexpected reaction to his caresses, his premature feelings, and Robbie’s words had built so many questions within him, and if he was correct, Tess probably needed a break herself. If this situation was confusing to him, it had to be confusing to her as well. Over the coming days he’d take things slower while he tried to find the answers to his surmounting questions, but deep down, he knew his attempts to do so would be futile. He only wondered how long his attempts at gentlemanly behavior would actually last.

Pulling off his loose-fitting jeans, he slid into bed and tugged the thick bedding over his head. Closing his eyes, he groaned wearily as sleep finally claimed him.

Chapter Twelve

Just as Patrice had said she would, she’d showed up a little after noon and they’d spent less than an hour going over tile samples before they finally decided that Tess’s choice of the small, blue-and-green multi-colored glass tiles were the right choice to go with her recycled glass countertops.

Once that was settled, Patrice took the extra tile samples and headed back to the city while Tess accompanied Jack to the Home Depot.

“So this is where you get all of the materials for your house?”

Tess glanced up and smiled. “Not all of my materials. I like to shop around, you know, look for the best deal. This place just happened to be the one to give me the best deal on this sink.”

He nodded as they made their way to the service desk.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m Tess McCoy. A special-order sink was supposed to be ready today. Can you tell me if it’s been delivered?”

“Sure.”

The clerk behind the counter punched the keys on her computer then smiled. “It just arrived. You’ll need to go back to kitchen and bath and make sure it’s the right one. Then when you’re ready, we’ll have someone help you to your car with it if you wish.”

“Thanks.”

Turning, Tess felt Jack take her hand in his, and a spark flared deep within her. She liked Jack, and the fact that he wasn’t afraid to let people assume they were a couple made her want to jump up and down like a little girl who’d just been given a pony. She knew this was most likely nothing more than an entertaining way for Jack to pass the time being cooped up in her house with her, and once the possible danger to her passed, it would end and he’d go back to his bachelor lifestyle. A pang of hurt resonated within her at the thought. Ruthlessly she smothered it.

She’d enjoy what time with Jack she had, while she could.

“There’s the sign for Kitchen and Bath,” Jack said, glancing down at her. “Are you all right?” The smile fell from his face. His expression filled with worry.

He’d seen her troubled expression.

Schooling her features, she smiled up at him. “Yes, I'm fine. Let’s go check out my new sink.”

As they approached the small desk with a banner hanging overhead reading Kitchen and Bath, a petite, woman came from behind the desk to greet them. Her hair was short, curly and silver. Her form was thin beneath her orange smock. Her eyes were as sharp as a hawk’s as she took in the two of them. Tess couldn’t help but think her grandkids most likely didn’t get away with too much, and she smiled.

“I’m Harriett,” she said, rushing forward to extend her hand to them.

“I’m Jack Blake, and this is Tess McCoy,” Jack said, taking the woman’s offered hand.

“What a lovely couple.” She beamed as she glanced from Tess then back to Jack.

“Oh no, we’re not—”

“Thank you,” Jack interrupted her.

Tess peered up at him and wondered what the hell he was doing.

“I see so many young couples come in here but the two of you look happier than most. It’s good to see such happiness within a couple.”

“But you only just met us,” Tess said gently with a shake of her head.

“I know, but there’s a glow about the both of you. It can only be love.”

Tess stood frozen for a moment before mumbling a small thank you. She wasn’t upset by the woman’s observation, but something she said had Tess’s hopes flying.

You two just have a certain glow about you. It can only be love.

She suspected her attraction to Jack was impossible for anyone to miss, but Jack’s attraction to her couldn’t be as strong …
could it?

“Holly from the customer service center called back here and let me know you were coming. We have your sink right over here, and I must say, I think it’s beautiful.”

Jack’s slight pull on her hand brought Tess back to the here and now, and she proceeded forward to the box leaning against the side of the desk.

“The depth of this sink and the vintage cream-colored porcelain are absolutely beautiful,” Harriett finished.

Leaning down, Tess peered into the box and nodded. “It’s perfect. Exactly what I pictured.”

“It is quite beautiful,” Jack said from beside her.

“Fantastic,” Harriett said. “I’ll just call Cameron to come, and he’ll help you wheel it to your car.”

They thanked the woman for her help just as Cameron arrived. Tess and Jack led the young man to Jack’s SUV and helped him load the sink into the back. After thanking him, they got into the car and buckled up.

“Harriett was certainly something, wasn’t she?” Jack asked with a smile as he started the vehicle and pulled out into the busy intersection.

“She certainly was. Can you believe she thought we were a loving couple?” She laughed nervously.

In love? As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she feared Harriett was right and that’s exactly what she was. Everything was happening too fast, but Tess had learned at a young age that nothing ever happened as expected.

Jack glanced over at her then continued down the street without a word, only a sexy grin covering his face.

* * * *

Robbie’s plane was scheduled to land at the airport within the next half hour.

Much to her surprise, the day had been particularly good. She and Jack had more in common than she’d initially thought. She was curious as to what his partner was like, as Jack hadn’t said much about him.

If he’s anything like Jack, I'm going to be in trouble.

Weaving through the throng of people bustling about the terminal, Tess scanned her surroundings, taking in all the changes since the last time she’d been in the airport.

It’d been a long time since Tess had been to the airport.

Peering interestedly at the numerous guards carrying wands and walkie-talkies, she sighed.

When she’d told Jack it’d been at least two years since she’d been to the airport, he’d looked at her like she was sprouting a second head. But she understood why. His job required constant travel, and hers didn’t.

“He said his plane was unloading at Gate Thirteen.”

Glancing up at Jack, she smiled. “It’s that way.” She pointed to the right. “Unless that’s changed since the last time I was here, too.”

Chuckling, Jack took her hand in his and led her alongside him.

The warmth of his big strong hand wrapped securely around hers was comforting and confusing at the same time.

Since leaving the house, he’d held her hand, put his arm around her as they walked, and held doors open for her.

It was odd he was being so attentive to her, but she didn’t mind. As a matter of fact, she enjoyed it, and much to her surprise, it felt so natural, so right, to act as though they were a couple.

There was too much to think about concerning Jack and what she wanted from him. She didn’t know what Jack wanted from her, if anything, so she decided to just go with the flow and let what happened happen. Terrible things had happened to her in the past, but that was no reason to shield herself from what could exist between her and Jack. However, the kidnapping attempt weighed heavily on her mind. What if she was in danger? If that were the case, Jack was in danger as well, and she couldn’t let him get hurt. But there was nothing she could do about it. Jack refused to leave her side. She would do her best to keep him safe if that time came. Until then, she would enjoy their time together.

“Robbie said he was meeting with a client, and would meet us in the Spring Garden Chinese Restaurant when he was finished.”

Tess smiled. “That sounds great. I’m starved.”

“Me too,” he admitted with a crooked grin. “Today’s been so busy I didn’t realize we’d missed lunch.”

Tess nodded.

She hadn’t noticed their lack of lunch either, but now that her stomach was growling loud enough to frighten the children passing by, food seemed like an excellent idea.

Stepping off the moving sidewalk, they found the restaurant easily and ordered their food.

“I’ll bring your drink round in a moment. The tea is almost finished brewing.”

Smiling, Jack thanked the server standing behind the counter. Taking the Styrofoam boxes loaded with their lunch from the smiling cashier, Jack led her to a small both near the window. They had a clear view of the terminal and the people coming and going. They would easily spot Robbie when he approached them; well, Jack would. She had no idea what the man looked like.

Gate Thirteen stood only a short distance from where they were eating, so Jack’s friend wouldn’t have to go far to find them.

Sliding into the booth, Tess sat her handbag beside her in the seat and opened the lid to the box as Jack sat across from her and did the same.

The smell of creamy chicken and shrimp wafted up to her nostrils, and she fought the urge to close her eyes and savor the tantalizing aroma.

They ate in silence for long moments before Jack’s warm voice slid over her.

“Did you choose a tile yet?”

Glancing up, she nodded. “I didn’t think I’d ever decide, but Patrice helped, and I think what we picked out will look great with the recycled glass countertop.”

“Recycled glass?”

Smiling, Tess took a sip of the tea a waitress placed before her and nodded. “The countertop is made of recycled bottles and other glass items so each piece is a different color and reflects the light beautifully. It was a little pricier than the other options, but it’s so beautiful I couldn’t pass it up.”

“So, are you really into recycling and such?”

Swallowing, she shook her head. “Not overly. I do recycle and try to buy things made from recycled material, but this countertop being made of recycled material was just a coincidence.”

When he smiled with an expression of approval, her cheeks flared hot. Why his approval mattered to her, she didn’t know, but the thought of him looking down on her made her stomach tense.

“When will it arrive?”

“Tomorrow morning. That’s why I wanted to pick up the sink today. Everything has been cut and measured and is ready to go once the delivery’s made.”

“How long will it take for them to install the countertop and do the tile?”

She grinned. “What?” he asked cautiously.

“Well, that’s the thing. I’ll save money doing it myself, so…”

His expression was priceless. “You mean we have to do it?” he asked, his horrified voice and expression bringing an uncontrollable burst of laughter from her lips. He looked like a little boy who’d just had a frog shoved down his tighty-whiteys.

Through her laughter, she answered, “Don’t look so appalled. It’s not that hard. Patrice and I did the entire bathroom next to your room in less than two days, and that was our first time ever doing anything like that. Besides, we watch a lot of the DIY Network, so we’ve got a pretty good idea of what we’re doing.”

“DIY Network?” he asked curiously.

“Do It Yourself.”

His expression eased, and she shook her head.

He sighed with relief. “That’s good to hear.”

“Besides,” she continued, “the house still needs painted, and the last time I checked, you were raring to get going on that little project. You can work on that if the thought of cabinetry scares you.” She laughed.

“I think I’ll take you up on that little offer. Painting is so much easier.”

They finished their meal before curiosity finally got the better of her and she mustered the nerve to ask the question niggling at the fore of her mind.

“What’s your partner like?”

“Robbie?” Jack raised his brows. “He’s just … Robbie,” he finished with a shrug.

“Care to elaborate?”

Taking a drink of his soda, his expression grew thoughtful for a moment, as though he were trying to solve an especially hard puzzle.

She understood. If someone were to ask her to describe Dean, she’d have to think of a way to describe him that wouldn’t make him sound bad. It wasn’t that he was a bad person; he was just a little rough around the edges, and his sense of humor wasn’t always funny to others. She figured that was the case with Jack’s partner, Robbie, and he was trying to figure out how to tell her without putting her off before she even met him.

Clearing his throat, Jack leaned back in his seat and sighed. “Robbie’s just Robbie. The ladies love him.” He rolled his eyes and smiled. “He’s a flirt, a real prankster, and he can try your patience, but he’s loyal. Which is more than you can expect from a lot of people nowadays.”

Nodding, Tess agreed. That was one reason she didn’t have a lot of friends. To Tess, trust was something of the utmost importance in a relationship, be that relationship intimate or strictly platonic.

“I completely understand,” she said with a nod. “I don’t keep a lot of friends for that very reason. I think every girl friend I had in school had something to say about someone else behind their back, and every guy—with the exception of Dean—had an extra girl or two in their pocket as well. Trust is a hard thing to find in a person. When you find someone loyal, you should grab on to them.”

“Do you trust me?”

The question caught her completely off guard, and she swallowed quickly.

“I haven’t known you that long, but…” She shrugged as the truth filled her mind. “Yes, I do trust you. It’s odd, but I do.”

Jack grinned, and she couldn’t help but smile back.

“What about you? Do you trust me?” she asked lightly.

“I wouldn’t be living in your house if I didn’t,” he said without pause.

She sat in silence, lost in the glitter of Jack’s eyes for a long moment before the sound of a metal pan hitting the floor brought her back to reality.

“So, Robbie is a ladies’ man, huh?”

Jack pulled a face. “You better believe it.” He laughed. “And speaking of the Devil, there he is.”

Following Jack’s gaze through the restaurant window and into the crowd of people, she had no problem picking Robbie out of the crowd.

It would have been hard to miss him with his shaggy black hair, faded and distressed low-slung jeans and black t-shirt. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think his clothing was painted on. It hugged every inch of his body like a second skin.

She could clearly see why Jack considered Robbie a ladies’ man. Every woman he passed couldn’t stop herself from giving him an appreciative once-over before gathering her senses and moving on, a bit flustered.