Bare It All

“And you really are handsome.” This time it was his hair she tunneled her fingers into. “I’m sure women appreciate the ‘bad boy’ guise you’ve cultivated.”

Bad boy? Guise? His neck stiffened. “I haven’t cultivated—”

“But Reese is also big.” Dropping her hand, she smiled off at nothing in particular. “And incredibly handsome. And he’s...” Her voice faded. “He’s sooo...”

Curiosity got the better of him. “What?”

She licked her lips and inhaled a deep breath, only to let it out in a long sigh.

Put off, Rowdy scowled at her. “If you start purring, I’m outta here.”

A blush warmed her cheeks. She straightened her shoulders and refocused on him. “My point is that you and Reese might have similarities, but you also have differences. Like that giant chip on your shoulder and that cocky swagger—”

“I do not swagger.” Did he?

“—that proclaims you a rebel.” With a mere glance, she shared her sympathy. “You like butting heads with the law, walking that narrow path between saint and sinner, and we both know it. I think you enjoy it.”

The sinner part he could attest to, but where the hell had she gotten the saint angle? “Sorry, doll, you don’t really know me at all. What I do or don’t enjoy. Who I enjoy it with.” He warmed to his subject, ready to wrest the upper hand from her velvet grip. “In fact—”

Suddenly Alice stiffened, lifted her head as if she heard something.

“What is it?”

She put a finger to her lips as if in warning, then shook her head.

Cash watched her with the same confusion Rowdy felt.

As she rose silently from the couch, her gaze on the front door, she said, “So you saw your sister today? How is Detective Riske feeling?”

What the hell was she up to? She made not a single sound as she inched toward her door. “He’s grouchy.” Fascinated, Rowdy watched as she stopped to study the door a moment. “I don’t think he likes being pampered any more than I would.”

She gestured for him to continue. He obliged, but in case trouble intruded, he also stood. “Pepper isn’t the typical mother hen. Far from it. Her efforts at coddling are as likely to drive Logan nuts as anything else.”

As he spoke, Alice went on tiptoe to look out the door’s peephole. Apprehension dropped her back to her heels.

With a huff, she jerked the door open. “You scared me.”

There stood Reese, and it was obvious he’d been eavesdropping. It took him only a second to find his aplomb. “Sorry. I was about to knock.”

She snorted.

That particular sound coming from that particular woman might have amused Rowdy. But under the circumstances, it didn’t penetrate past his annoyance. “Damn it.” He hadn’t heard a thing, hadn’t even realized that Alice had left the door unsecured. “I’m slipping.”

“No, you’re fine.” Alice waved off his disgruntlement. “It’s just that I’m familiar with the sounds in my apartment.”

“He wasn’t in your apartment,” Rowdy pointed out. “He was lurking around the hallway.”

“Lurking?” Reese asked with a raised brow, but he couldn’t very well deny it.

“I’m familiar with those sounds, as well.”

Chagrined, Reese looked at Alice, gave her a half smile and then zeroed in on Rowdy.

Well, hell. He had hoped to be long gone before Reese realized he’d come to call, but too late for subterfuge now. Rowdy lifted his hands in surrender. “Busted.”

Carrying a stuffed overnight bag and some clothes over his arm, Reese strode in, all the while letting Rowdy feel his discontent. “Care to tell me what you’re doing here?”

“I’m just visiting.” Rowdy nodded at Reese’s load. “But it looks like you’re moving in.”

As if someone had goosed her, Alice jumped. “What? No.”

Dismissing that reaction, Rowdy whistled low. “Fast work, Reese. I had no idea.”

Alice started to speak again, but Reese cut her off. “So, now you know. Make note of it, okay?”

Alice subsided with a wide-eyed look of surprise.

So, it was like that, huh? Rowdy saluted him. Sure, there was no denying Alice’s interest in Reese. Hell, she’d spelled it out, all the while going moony-eyed. Granted, he didn’t know Reese that well. But he hadn’t quite figured Alice as his type. Still, stranger things had happened.

Cash showered Reese with the same enthusiastic welcome Rowdy had received. Fickle mutt. “That dog loves everyone.”

“No,” Alice said, “he doesn’t.” Hands on her hips, she addressed Reese with accusation. “You were listening in.”

“I’m a cop, Alice, remember? I’m trained to eavesdrop.” Catching the back of her neck, Reese held her still as he lowered his mouth to hers. Alice froze, but she allowed it.

That was fast work.

The kiss lingered, and Rowdy lifted both brows. He meant what he’d said: he knew women, so he knew it wasn’t in Alice’s nature to get involved easily. Reese must’ve conjured some magic.

It wasn’t any of his business, but damn it, he felt protective—maybe of both of them. And wasn’t that a bunch of bullshit? Hell, Reese was a well-trained, astute, hulk of a cop.

Alice needed a gentle hand, but Reese...well, Alice hid something dark and dangerous. Rowdy saw it there in her eyes, the same shadows he faced every time he looked in a mirror. Would Alice’s past cause problems for a reputable cop?

Tired of being a voyeur, Rowdy said, “You’re going to make her faint.”

With clear reluctance, Reese pulled back, and Alice struggled to get it together. It was amusing to watch, and her blush was as pretty as her smile, as uplifting as her laugh.

“Behave, Rowdy.” She licked her lips, realized what she’d done and glared at both men.

Rowdy fought off a grin. The lady had grit—which meant she wouldn’t easily give into fears or intimidation. Whatever she had in her past, it had to be something substantial.

It was nice that she had Reese’s attention, but that wouldn’t keep Rowdy from giving protection of his own. After all, Reese was limited by legalities.

Rowdy...not so much.

Judging by Reese’s possessive posture—with both the dog and Alice—things were about to get real interesting.

That was just the way Rowdy liked it.

CHAPTER FIVE

THE DISGRUNTLED LOOK on Alice’s face didn’t deter Reese. He ignored it, just as he ignored Rowdy’s smug amusement and rapt attention.

Because he wanted to, because for whatever reason, she was too damn tempting, he put his mouth to hers again. This time he kept it light, brief to the point of frustration, and when he lifted his head he smoothed her plump bottom lip with his thumb. “Where can I store my stuff?”

Somewhat dazed and definitely flustered, she looked around as if she didn’t know her own apartment.

“I can hang my change of clothes in the hall closet, if that’s okay.”

She didn’t look at Rowdy. She didn’t really look at Reese either.

“Alice?”

“Mmm? Oh.” After a deep shuddering breath, she pulled herself together. “Why don’t I put your shaving kit in the bathroom? I, ah, have a shelf in there, so it’ll be handy when you need it...tomorrow I guess. To shave.” Pained, she did a verbal push to get beyond her stumbling speech. “Please do feel free to use the hall closet for your clothing. It’s mostly empty, so there should be plenty of room.”

“Right.” Empty for now—but when she got her gun back from Logan, she’d have yet another weapon stored there. “Thanks.”

With a dismissive smile, she hurried off. Reese shot a suspicious frown at Rowdy—and saw him watching Alice’s retreat.

No fucking way. Was that interest in Rowdy’s gaze? It better not be. It damn well better be something else—what, Reese had no idea.

Turning to fully face him, Reese waited until he gained Rowdy’s complete attention. To ensure Alice wouldn’t hear, he kept his voice low. “What are you doing here? And don’t give me that bullshit about visiting.”

Rowdy followed his lead and spoke in a near whisper. “She’s scary.”

“Alice? Don’t be stupid.”

“A dog that doesn’t bark is always the most dangerous.”

“You’re calling her a dog?” Reese knew that wasn’t his point at all.

“I’m saying she’s too quiet, and too proper.” Rowdy took a seat again, and Cash abandoned Reese to join him. “She’s also putting on a brave front, almost like she’s been doing it so long she doesn’t even realize it now.”

No kidding. He’d figured that one out on his own. “What do you know of it?”

“Only that it bothers me.”

So Alice hadn’t confided in Rowdy either? Good. He wanted her to trust him first and foremost, not any other man. “Don’t worry about it.” Reese took his clothes to the closet. “I’ve got it covered.”

“Somehow, Reese, I don’t think you do.”

Reese was ready to take him apart, but Alice reentered with forced cheer.

“Where are my manners? Rowdy, would you like something to drink?”

“No,” Reese said, “he doesn’t.”

Confusion tripped her up. “You already asked him?”

“No.”

Alice frowned at him.

Rowdy just smirked. “I’m good, Alice, thanks, anyway.”

Before Alice could protest, Reese asked him, “So, you saw Logan? He’s doing okay?”

“He’s surly and complaining that Pepper keeps trying to shove a pain pill down his throat.”

“He isn’t taking his meds?”

“The antibiotics, sure. But the pain pills make him sleepy, so he’d rather suffer the discomfort. Thing is, if he so much as flickers an eyelid, Pepper can’t bear it. She wants to ‘comfort’ him.”

Imagining that, Reese grinned. Like him, Logan wasn’t big on being coddled. It emasculated a man, especially a man who wanted to do the coddling. “I can see why that’d make him surly. At least he has a reason to stay in bed.” Then, just to tweak Rowdy, he added, “With Pepper.”

Rowdy slanted him a look. “If Alice weren’t present, I’d tell you what to do with that sentiment.”

That seemed to startle Alice out of some heavy-duty daydreaming. “What does it matter if I’m—”

He pushed to his feet. “I don’t want to singe your ears, hon.”

“Oh.”

Hon? Reese collected her to his side again. “I was going to check in with Logan today, anyway. Maybe I can run some interference for him.” And thinking that gave him an idea.

He looked down at Alice. “What do you have planned for the day?”

“Nothing much. I finished my work while you were—” she waved a hand at the couch “—sleeping. I thought I might give Cash a bath.”

The dog flattened his ears, slunk off the couch and went behind a chair.

Bemused, Alice watched him. “Maybe instead I’ll make a run to the grocery.”

“Is there something you needed?”

She bit her lip. “I have a sweet tooth.”

Somehow, the way she said that felt like an admission. Reese saw the same confusion he felt mirrored on Rowdy’s face. “I do, too.”

“Me, three,” Rowdy said.

“Jelly beans are my favorite.” She looked at both men.

“Chocolate ice cream,” Rowdy said without hesitation.

Would he ever understand her? Reese wondered. “I’m up for anything, but I especially like caramels, and warm peach pie is always good.”

“Mmm, sounds delicious,” Alice agreed. “You’re both in such great shape, you can probably eat anything you want without worrying about it.”

“You’re slim,” Reese told her. “Surely you don’t—”

“Diet?” She shook her head. “No. But I’m bad, I use food as...” Her voice trailed off.

“Comfort,” Rowdy finished for her. “Pepper does the same thing. She says the worst for her was the evenings. But instead of a few jelly beans, she’d binge on an entire pizza.”

Alice smiled over that. “I go through a bag of jelly beans a week. Sometimes two bags.” She tipped her head at Rowdy. “Your sister is really beautiful.”

“Yeah, she is,” Reese agreed. “Logan is a lucky guy.” Reese paid little attention to what he said. He was too busy trying to figure out Alice’s thoughts. Was she making some sort of female-inspired comparison? He hoped not, because Pepper Yates was an extremely unique woman.

But then, so was Alice—only in a very different way.

“Maybe we can shop together on the way back from seeing Logan and Pepper.” Holding her hand in his, he rubbed a thumb over her knuckles. “You’ll come with me, won’t you?”

She couldn’t quite hide her pleasure. “You want me to?”

“I’m sure Pepper would like to see you again.” He could keep Alice close by taking her along, and while there she could give Pepper someone else to focus on. Whether or not Logan would thank him for that, Reese couldn’t say.

Touching her hair as if to straighten it, Alice asked, “When did you plan to leave?”

“I’m ready now if you are.” He sent a pointed look Rowdy’s way.

“And there’s my cue to hit the road.” As Rowdy walked to Alice, Reese saw the slight rise in her anxiety.

Rowdy, the dick, pretended that he didn’t. “Thanks again for everything.”

Everything? What the hell did that mean?

Alice stuck out a hand. “It was nice to see you again.”

Ignoring her impersonal gesture, Rowdy hauled her in for a big hug, lifting her right off her feet.

Which meant her hand was now caught between their bodies, against Rowdy’s midsection, and that had Reese seeing red.

She all but groped him. Unwillingly, sure. By accident even. But still...

He stepped forward—and Alice disengaged herself.

She didn’t go far. In a low, too-serious voice—as if Reese wasn’t right there and more than able to hear every single word—she said, “If you ever want to talk, I’m here.”

No, she was not. “What the hell does he have to talk about?”

“Not a thing,” Rowdy said, his good humor obliterated by her offer. And then with exasperation: “You stole my line again, hon.”

Reese stepped forward in warning. “You’re pushing your luck, Rowdy.”

Drolly, he said, “Yeah, wouldn’t want to do that.”

Reese started to fume, and Alice slipped forward to lead Rowdy to the door. “I’ll see you out.”

Cash launched into the fray, always excited by the idea of a trip outdoors.

As good an excuse as any, Reese decided. He took down the dog’s leash. “No, I’ll walk him out. I’ll take Cash with me, so as soon as you’re ready we can take off.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I only need a few minutes.”

Rowdy didn’t wait, so Reese had to hurry to get Cash hooked to the leash so he could follow.

He caught Rowdy in the parking lot. “Hold up, damn it.”

Rowdy paused, then with a shrug, walked into the grassy area.

They stood there in silence a moment, watching as Cash chased a bee while also trying to piddle. He hobbled along on three legs—the fourth in the air—before running out of leash and landing back on his tail.

Rowdy shook his head. “I do like that dog.”

“So does Alice. Good old Cash was my icebreaker.” Dark clouds rolled over the sun, and a breeze carried the scent of rain. Reese surveyed the sky with interest. “It wasn’t until she saw the dog that she stopped snubbing me.”

“But she has stopped.”

It gave Reese great satisfaction to confirm it. “I’ll be staying with her a few days while they clean my apartment.”

“Bragging? Hell, Reese, you may as well use a branding iron on her.” Thunder rumbled, announcing a threat of storms to come. “Calm it down a little, why don’t you.”

Advice from another man, a man who’d just been in Alice’s apartment, didn’t go down smooth. “What’s your interest?”

“Hell, I don’t know.” Rowdy leaned over to pluck a dandelion. “There’s something about her. It’s like she’s guarded. Even hurt. Unlike most people, she’s too alert, too intuitive, like maybe she’s waiting for something to happen.”

“Something bad.”

“Yeah. And the way she rolled with that shit yesterday? A dead body doesn’t shake her. And the stuff she says, how she says it...”

“I know.” It unnerved Reese, as well, and made him determined to shield her.

“I want to find out what happened to cause her to be that way.”

Reese wanted the same. “I’ll handle it.”

“So will I.” Rowdy tossed aside the weed. “Don’t start huffing, Reese. It doesn’t suit you. Sarcasm, sharp wit, that’s more your speed.”

Reese held silent, not a single bit of sharp wit coming to mind.

“You know I can find out things you can’t. No, not by grilling Alice. I won’t do that to her.” When the stiffening breeze blew his hair, Rowdy shoved it back with both hands. “Hell, if I tried, she’d probably put me through the inquisition, all while showering me with concern.”

Interesting. “That’s what she did?”

“Totally threw me. Not even my sister tries that hard to get in my head.” He narrowed his eyes at Reese. “She treated me like some damned abused mutt she wanted to heal.”

As Reese knew, Rowdy had plenty of demons to deal with. He and Pepper had not had easy lives. Apparently, Alice saw it, too.

But was that her only interest in Rowdy?

“What did you tell her?”

“I denied everything.” The baring of Rowdy’s teeth didn’t come close to resembling a smile. “Something’s up with her, and we both know it. My guess is that you’ve already made plans to check into it, but your legal channels are limited.”

“Duly noted.” Sticking to legal channels had almost gotten him and his friends killed, in his own damned apartment.

Rowdy eyed him. “Give it a rest, Reese. That wasn’t your fault. No one blames you.” He stared toward the dog, now digging at a root. “I’m glad it’s over.”

But it wasn’t, not yet. One scumbag might’ve died, but others remained. The tentacles of evil reached far and wide. “You know, I figured you’d be Lieutenant Peterson’s problem right about now. Yesterday we rounded up parts of the human trafficking ring, but there are more connections, others to pull out of hiding.”

“And you thought I’d be following leads?” He examined a few raindrops that landed on his forearm. “Now, Reese, would I ignore a direct order from your lieutenant to stay out of that?”

Yeah, he absolutely would. Where innocent women were concerned, few men could stand aside and do nothing. A man like Rowdy? No way would he stay uninvolved.

“If you trip up,” Reese said, “Peterson will have your head.”

“My head and my balls—at least that’s what she told me.”

They shared a quick smile before Rowdy sobered again.

“One advantage to living under the radar is that I made contacts on the street. And before you say it, yes, I know how to ask around without drawing too much attention. There won’t be any blowback for Alice.”

“If she’s not from around here, you won’t find jack shit.” Rowdy had cultivated many friends in high and low places, but he didn’t have unlimited boundaries.

“True enough. The thing is, I’m more concerned with any remaining threat against her. If she has legitimate reason to worry, I’ll be able to find out.”

Reese hated to have another man poking into Alice’s business. Yet he knew it was true; Rowdy did have connections that might elude the law.

And if she was only skittish thanks to a traumatic past? Well, then, he’d deal with it. “Report to me.”

“I don’t report to anyone.”

Temper spiking, Reese stood his ground. “Maybe now is a good time for you to start.”

Static collected in the air as Rowdy continued to study Reese, until finally he flashed a genuine grin. “Yeah, all right. Don’t implode. I just wanted to test the water.”

“Keep out of the water.”

Laughing again, Rowdy clapped him on the shoulder. Hard. “If I find out anything, I’ll clue you in. You’ll do the same?”

Damn it, he didn’t want to. But maybe an alliance with Rowdy would be a good thing. He could think of him as a snitch, utilize his talents in different ways....

“We’re on the same side in this, Reese. She’s a hell of an actress, and she’s putting up a brave front, but she’s scared. I want to know why, you want to know why, and we both want to ensure that no matter what it is, it never touches her again.”

Reese watched as Cash rolled to his back in a patch of clover. “All right. I’ll tell you what I know so far. But understand this, Rowdy. She’s off-limits.”

“To me?”

God, he despised declaring himself. If this wasn’t so important, he wouldn’t. “It’s nothing personal against you,” Reese clarified. “Far as I’m concerned, she’s off-limits to every guy other than me.”

After Rowdy finished laughing, Reese told him about the kidnapping. They were both grim as death when they parted ways.

* * *

ALICE STARED OUT the passenger window, watching the wind bend trees, the rain flood the streets. The windshield wipers beat a frantic rhythm, and the defroster worked overtime.

She’d been halfway to Reese’s car when the skies opened up and sent a deluge to soak her before she could even attempt to open an umbrella. Combing her hair now would be pointless. Already it started to curl.

Luckily she didn’t wear makeup, or it’d be everywhere.

She’d changed into simple, plain ballet flats and a dark print summer dress that should have been modest and comfortable. But now wet, it kept trying to cling to her breasts, her belly, her thighs. Chills rose on her arms despite the warmth of the interior.

She loved it.

Often when out and about, she couldn’t relax. She stayed too busy watching for threats, observing everyone and everything. She wondered how those people could be so different from her.

And she wondered if evil blended in with the mundane.

Right beneath the noses of the unsuspecting public, people were grabbed. Taken away. Mistreated. Abused.

Forced to do things they didn’t want to do.

Never again would she be unaware of her surroundings. She stayed vigilant, for herself and for others.

Right now, though, on this stormy afternoon, few people could be seen. Even better, she was safe and sound in a car with the impressive Detective Reese Bareden.

Lightning seared the sky ahead of them, ramping up the downpour from a shower to a thunderstorm.

Feeling content, a little lazy and all too comfortable despite the weather and her drenched appearance, she sighed. “I love storms.” She’d always found them sexy. Peaceful. A sign of fresh renewal.

Strung too tight, Reese muttered, “Me, too.”

He slowed as a woman, holding a little boy’s hand, dashed across the street. She almost lost her umbrella beneath a gust of wind. The kid laughed as he deliberately stomped in deep puddles. The poor woman was not amused.

Alice watched them hurry into a restaurant. She realized she was smiling.

“You like children?”

She redirected her smile at Reese. He, too, had gotten soaked to the skin. His dark polo shirt stuck to his broad, solid shoulders and chest. He’d pushed back his wet hair, leaving it in sexy disarray. His lashes clumped together over his bright green eyes.

“I love them.” What would Reese’s children look like? They’d be tall and no doubt blond. Surely confident and happy, like their dad.

“You don’t have any?”

She shook off fanciful daydreams. “No, of course not.” What did he think? That she’d abandoned a child somewhere? That she would live apart from her child? “I’ve never been married, or even in a serious relationship. I mean, not that serious.” Not since the kidnapping had she even looked at a man with interest. “One day I’d like to have kids of my own, though.”

“Boys or girls?”

“It wouldn’t matter to me.” The skies darkened with the storm so that it felt like early evening. Headlights danced over the rain-washed road and reflected off the wet surfaces of signs, buildings and other cars. “I thought men didn’t like to talk about stuff like that.”

“Stuff like what?”

He’d turned that back around on her, so she sought the right words. “You know what I mean. Things so personal. So...intimate.”

“Intimate?” Reese kept his gaze on the road.

If he wanted to discuss it, fine. “Talking about children usually suggests a committed, caring relationship.”