Bare It All (19 page)

“Don’t be. Was time for her to go, anyway. Hang on a sec.”

Reese heard Rowdy talking low, heard a grumbled female protest,
insistence from Rowdy, then the louder sounds of a woman scorned.

Had Rowdy wakened her just to tell her to leave? Brutal. But
that was Rowdy, hard-edged, coarse and apparently inconsiderate to women.

Not his sister, who he cherished.

And being truthful, Rowdy had never been inconsiderate to Alice
either.

Reese winced, remembering how he’d gotten answers from Alice
last night. But damn it, he’d had good reason.

What possible excuse could Rowdy have for kicking a woman out
of bed?

Feeling like a hypocrite, Reese considered calling back when
Rowdy might be less occupied. He was about to disconnect when he heard the
woman’s complaints soften to pleas.

Low conversation, followed by a gruff, suggestive laugh,
filtered through the phone lines.

A door closed, bed springs squeaked and Rowdy said, “So what’s
up?”

Unbelievable. “You’re alone now?”

“Yeah. And given I was occupied for most of the night, I’d like
to get a little more sleep. So unless you have a good reason for this
call...?”

“I do. I wanted to talk while I’m outside with Cash.”

“Meaning away from Alice?”

Exactly, but Reese didn’t want to say that. “The girl that
Alice helped yesterday—do you know anything more about her?”

“Not a thing. She’d already taken off on a bus by the time I
caught up. I asked, but Alice said she’d only given the girl money, not bought
the ticket, so she didn’t know where she was headed.”

Reese didn’t buy it. Alice wasn’t one to leave things to
chance. “You believe her?”

“Hell, no. Alice is a little too sharp for blind trust.”

That Rowdy knew her well enough to understand that rubbed Reese
the wrong way. “She told me the girl had a unique tattoo.”

“Told me that, too. So?”

Damn it, he did not want Alice confiding in Rowdy. Jealousy was
a son-of-a-bitch, so Reese did his best to deny it.

He heard a toilet flush, heard water run. “You still there,
Reese?”

“Yeah.” Pinching the bridge of his nose, he said, “It could be
unrelated.”

“I need coffee, so if there’s a point to this, let’s get to
it.”

“All right.” Going to the requisite tree—the spot Reese now
thought of as his “taking out Cash tree”—he leaned against the trunk and gave
Cash enough leash to explore. “Peterson found a similar tattoo on another
girl.”

“No shit? Maybe a new fad, huh?”

“The girl was dead.”

Rowdy fell silent. “You said it was like the tattoo Alice
described?”

“From what I could tell, yes.”

“One girl running, another dead, both with the same tat. That’s
one hell of a coincidence.”

“I know.” Since Alice often surprised him by joining him
outside, Reese kept watch on the apartment doors while telling Rowdy what he
knew about the tattoo. “You think you can keep an eye out?”

“Sure thing. I’ve already noticed a couple of tattoo parlors
not that far from the mall. I’ll check them out.”

“Thinking of getting inked?”

Rowdy snorted. “Not my thing. But I’m buying a bar, so I scoped
out the area.”

Buying a bar? That was news to Reese. “You’re serious?”

“Yeah. Alice didn’t tell you?”

Damn it. There was a lot Alice didn’t tell him. “She hadn’t
mentioned it, no.”

“It’s not a big deal. I figured since Pepper was settling down
here with Logan, I may as well do a little settling of my own.”

A bar counted as being settled? To Rowdy, probably. “Is it
nice?”

“Hell, no. It’s a total dump. But I have plans for it.”

Interesting. “I owe you, so if there’s anything I can do, let
me know.”

“Maybe. We’ll see.” Rowdy paused. “So...I guess I’m up now
after all. Might as well go check on those tattoo parlors. I think I get the
gist of the design, but if you can text me over a photo, it’d help.”

“I’m not officially back on the clock yet, so it’ll probably be
a couple of days before I can do that. But soon as I can, I’ll take care of
it.”

“We’re meeting at the station today?”

“Early afternoon.” Which would give him time to prepare Alice
first. If what she’d said was true—and with Alice, he wouldn’t swear to
anything—she hadn’t been in a police station since the days immediately after
her knight in shining armor rescued her.

Thinking that soured Reese’s mood real fast. How often did she
touch base with the elusive bastard?

“Don’t worry about it then,” Rowdy said, adding with thick
sexual innuendo, “I’ll see if Peterson will give me a peek.”

Innuendo was wasted on Peterson, but he still chuckled. “She’ll
neuter you if you’re not careful.”

He heard the grin in Rowdy’s tone when he said, “Later,
Reese.”

After disconnecting, Reese called over Cash, and together they
went in to find Alice. Anticipating a shower with her, thinking of how he’d help
brace her for the interview at the station, he walked in...and found Alice
sitting in the kitchen.

Eating jelly beans.

“For breakfast?” he asked.

The look she gave him didn’t bode well. Body slumped in the
chair and her head propped on a fist, she tossed back two more jelly beans while
glaring at him. She looked pissed, but when Cash came over and leaned on her
leg, she made him feel as welcome as ever.

While getting the dog fresh water and food, she said, “I forgot
last night, and then again this morning.” She ate more jelly beans.

Hmm. Alice hit her candy the way some people hit alcohol. Reese
crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “Forgot what?”

She cast him a dirty look and set the dog’s dishes back on the
floor. Snatching up the bag of jelly beans, she marched into the other room.

Hands on his hips, Reese took in her stiff spine and squared
shoulders as she left. She expected him to chase after her, to ask her what had
her upset.

As if he didn’t already know.

But damn it, he was the one with a bone to pick. Let her stew,
he decided, and went about making coffee. He was filling the carafe when she
stormed right back in. She ate three more jelly beans while staring a hole in
his back.

“Something on your mind, Alice?” He added the water to the
machine and turned it on.

“I’m mad at you.”

And so she went on a jelly bean binge? “Care to tell me
why?”

“I thought we’d be more comfortable on the couch, away from
Cash. I don’t want to upset him.”

Instead, Reese pulled out a chair. “Soon as I get my
coffee.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You want to do this here, in front of
him?”

“Plan to shout, do you?”

“Maybe.” She hunted through the bag for a red candy. “It’ll be
better if I just go take my shower while you get your caffeine fix.”

Before she got too far away, he spoke softly, calmly. “I
thought we were going to shower together.”

“Why?” She kept her back to him. “Did you want to
interrogate
me more?”

A sneer from Alice? Great. He must’ve really hurt her feelings,
and suddenly he felt guilty. “Until I get all the answers, yes, I’ll keep asking
questions. But that’s not why I wanted to shower with you.”

She pivoted to face him. “Why, then? Did you hope to get busy
in the shower, too?”

Forget guilt. It annoyed him that she kept using Rowdy’s term
for sex. “Actually, yes.”

Her chin lifted. “I was hoping so, too. I’ve never had sex in
the shower.” Taking two steps closer, the bag of jelly beans clutched in her
hand, she lowered her tone from annoyed to more curious. “How’s that work
exactly?”

Leave it to Alice to turn him on in the middle of an argument.
There was nothing conventional about her, and he liked that. A lot.

Slowly pushing back his chair, coffee forgotten, Reese
approached her. She didn’t storm away.

Nice. Definitely not the typical female response.

He took her shoulders and turned her around so that she faced
the fridge. Staying close to her back, he aligned their bodies. “First I’d wash
you all over,” he whispered near her ear. “My hands would be soapy and slick and
they’d slide over your wet skin.”

She held still and nodded.

So quick, so easy to turn her on. Even in the middle of anger
and hurt feelings, she didn’t deny either of them.

That was a very special thing—because their relationship was
special. He wondered if Alice realized it.

“Here,” he said, caressing her breasts, moving his palms over
her nipples. “And here.” He lowered a hand over her stomach, pressed it between
her legs.

Her head fell back to his shoulder. “Would I wash you,
too?”

He was already half hard, and with her provoking question, he
went fully erect. He could practically feel her small hands working over him,
and he said hoarsely, “If you wanted.”

“I would.”

Yes, she would. Alice never held back during sex.

If only she was that honest the rest of the time.

Unwilling to have that thought intrude, Reese blocked it and
instead concentrated on the here and now with Alice. “After we’re both nice and
clean—”

“And excited.”

Taking the bag of candy from her, Reese tossed it onto the
counter. “I’d position you in a way to make it easier. Like this.” He took her
wrists, helping her to plant her hands flat on the front of the appliance.
“Leave them there, but step back a little. Widen your stance, but keep your legs
straight.”

Her ass cuddled into his groin.

Biting off a groan, Reese held her hips. “That’s it. Now arch
your back.”

She did, and he thought he’d lose it. He trailed his hands up
her taut body, over her waist to her breasts. “I could take you like this, with
the water running over us.” He matched action to words, pressing the hard ridge
of his erection to her sweet bottom. “It’s a favored position of mine. I can
easily hold your breasts and play with your nipples while going deep.”

She groaned.

Giving up, Reese said, “I’m sorry if I upset you.”

Her nipples were tight, her breath broken and fast. “Okay.”

Damn it, he’d just had her last night, not that many hours ago.
But with Alice, it didn’t matter. Each time he had her just made him want her
more. “I
had
to know, Alice.” God, he hated to admit
the truth, even to himself, but she left him strung so tight... “I was jealous.”
Of a fucking phantom—her white knight.

Another man, one who’d been there—thank God—when she needed him
most.

Alice turned so suddenly that they both stumbled. Since he’d
been leaning into her, lost in lustful visions, she ended up flattened against
the refrigerator, his body crowding into hers. “You were jealous?
Seriously?”

Trying to reorder his thoughts, Reese cupped her face. “And
worried. I can’t protect you if I don’t know everything.”

“Okay, I get the protection part. You’re a detective.”

Did she think he went around getting intimately involved with
every woman who faced danger?

“But...jealous?” she said with a puzzled frown. “Of Trace? With
me?
”

That annoyed him. “Why not you? You’re the most fascinating
woman I know.”

“Trace saw me only as a victim.”

“Then heroic as he might’ve been, he was also a blind
idiot.”

Alice considered that, her thoughts almost transparent. She
touched his chest, brushed her hand over his left nipple—which had a very
different effect than when Nikki had done it—and she made up her mind.

Smiling, she grabbed his hand. “Come on.”

“To the shower?”
Please let it be to the
shower.

“Yes.” She hauled him into the bathroom and went to work on his
slacks. “But Reese?”

His pants loosened, and she put her small hand inside, wrapping
her delicate fingers around him. He caught his breath. “Hmm?”

“I
really
enjoy sex with you.”

Damn it, why did that offend him? Because with Alice, he wanted
it to be more than just sex.

How much more, he didn’t yet know. But definitely...more. A
lot. Maybe...everything.

Thoughts like that were way too heavy for the moment. Reese
managed a nod. “Ditto.”

“Please, don’t mess things up by playing games, okay?”

“Maybe not that game,” he conceded. He took her hand and
removed it from his person, then bent to lift her nightgown up and over her
head. “But there are other games, Alice, games that you’ll absolutely
enjoy.”

Naked, excited, she stared up at him. “You’ll show me?”

Hiding his smile, he turned on the shower, took her hand and
helped her step inside.

“Give me two minutes to brush my teeth and shave.” He trailed
the backs of his fingers over her belly, then lower. Meeting her gaze, he said,
“I don’t want to leave you with whisker burns.”

She released a trembling moan and nodded. “Please, hurry.”

So incredibly sweet. So fucking hot. And so trusting—at least
with this.

Somehow, some way, he’d earn her trust in all things. But for
now, he considered this a great start.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

D
ESPITE
THE
FACT
that
they were headed to a police station, where she was sure she’d be questioned
endlessly, Alice felt pretty good. After amazing sex in the shower, she’d fallen
back into bed for a nap.

An hour later, she’d awakened in a cocoon of warmth, Reese
holding her close to his chest, Cash curled behind her knees. Any movement at
all would have disturbed them, so for a while she’d stayed still, relishing the
comfort, the nearness.

The sense of being loved.

In a relatively short time, Reese and Cash had both become a
part of her world. It seemed impossible to imagine an entire day without either
of them. She enjoyed caring for Cash, and even arguing with Reese had its
obvious rewards.

Sex in the shower and a nap—who knew that would be the result
of a disagreement? For her, it was energizing and fun.

But how did Reese feel about their situation?

He’d be returning to his duties soon. She had her own stack of
projects to catch up on. Would they be able to work out a compatible
routine?

She glanced at Reese now, driving down the busy streets.
Dressed in his work clothes, wearing dark sunglasses, apparently lost in
thought, he still made her warm and melty all over.

It probably didn’t matter, Alice decided, what he wore
or—preferably—didn’t wear. Freshly showered and shaved, hot and sweaty from a
long day or, as was the case this morning, slumberous and affectionate.

She loved him. Period. She wanted every moment she could have
with him, as many moments as he would give to her. But if she told him that,
would he pull back? Would he consider her too clingy, too smothering?

While she’d been dressing for the day, she and Reese in the
bedroom together, her parents had called. Both of them on the line, both excited
to talk with her.

Reese had smiled at her, ready to give her privacy.

She didn’t need it. Not with this, not with him. But instead of
finishing with his clothes, he’d sat on the side of the bed and pulled her down
to his lap. She’d leaned on him, his arms around her, his chin on the top of her
head, while talking.

Her mother claimed that she’d read between the lines, that even
in an email, she’d recognized that Alice was moving forward now—that she was
ready to let them back in.

Around the joy and laughter, Alice had heard the tears in her
mother’s voice, the gruff emotion in her dad’s. Over and over, her parents said
that they loved her, that they couldn’t wait to see her again.

Why she’d kept them at such a distance, she could no longer
say. What had once felt important, even insurmountable, now
felt...insubstantial. Even absurd.

She loved her family and they loved her.

Regardless of her past, of what she’d done, their feelings for
her hadn’t changed—Reese was right about that. She never should have let so much
time pass away from them.

She would never let that happen again.

Unfortunately, her folks were on a vacation for two more weeks.
They offered to return immediately, but Alice rejected that idea. They would all
get together for dinner after they returned, preferably when her sister, Amy,
had time away from her heavy class load. God, she’d missed Amy.

A lot of uncertainty remained in her future, but she had her
family back, and for now at least, she had Reese and Cash. That was all pretty
darned wonderful.

“I’d like to meet your parents.”

Had he read her mind? “I was just thinking of them.”

“Happy thoughts, I take it, given your smile?”

“Very happy.” She let out a sigh. “You’ll love my folks and my
sister.” Imagining what they’d think of Reese had her biting back a grin of pure
pleasure. “They’ll love you, too.”

Alice watched him, but the
L
word
had no noticeable effect on him.

“I promise to be as charming as possible.” As Reese pulled into
the police station parking lot, he reached for her knee. “You’re not worrying
about the interview, are you?”

“No.” She trusted Reese. He kept telling her everything would
be okay, so she would believe him.

“If not your folks, and not the interview, then what? And don’t
bother denying it, honey. I can tell you’re fretting over something.”

Honey.
She liked that. “You think
you know me that well?”

“Getting there.”

Maybe it was time to stop stalling. Before they met up with his
lieutenant, she had a giant truth to share. “You’re right. I do have something
on my mind.”

He parked the car and removed his sunglasses. Pity that,
because seeing his eyes always made things more difficult for her. He had that
type of penetrating gaze that made her want to squirm one way or another, even
when she didn’t have mammoth revelations to share.

He rested his left wrist over the steering wheel, stretched his
right arm along the back of the seat.

In his crisp white button-up and necktie, he looked as
comfortable as he did shirtless with his slacks undone. Wearing a slight smile,
he moved his gaze over her face. “I’ll be with you the whole time today.” Using
his right hand, he smoothed back a lock of her hair, briefly brushed a thumb
over her cheek. “I promise.”

“I’m glad. Thank you.”

“All you have to do,” he said, his tone grave, compelling her
to follow his will, “is tell the truth.”

“I know. That’s not a problem.” Not anymore. She’d given it a
lot of thought, and she knew he was right. She wanted everything from him, so
she needed to give him everything in return. She only prayed it’d all work
out.

“Then what’s wrong?”

She’d put it off long enough. Too long, really, given that they
were due inside in minutes. “There’s something I need to tell you before we go
in.”

Dread took the smile off his mouth. “I’m listening.”

A deep breath didn’t help, so she blurted out the truth. “Trace
didn’t kill Murray.”

His expression fixed, voice carefully modulated, Reese said,
“No?”

Alice reached up, laced her fingers in his. “He wanted to. Very
much.”

Slowly, Reese’s gaze hardened. “You’re telling me the bastard
is still alive?”

What a conclusion he’d drawn! “Oh, no, he’s definitely
dead.”

Taking that in, Reese frowned and studied her.

Her heavy heartbeat tried to shake her, but Alice tamped down
the uncertainty and shared with him something she’d never told another human
being. “I killed him.”

That admission caused Reese’s face to first go blank, then hot
with some unidentifiable emotion. By small degrees, his neck stiffened, his hand
tightened on hers. “What did you say?”

“I shot him in the chest, and he...died.”

Reese tried to pull back, but Alice held on. She wasn’t ashamed
of killing Murray. She had no regrets in that regard.

But regrets with Reese...yes, she had plenty of those. “I’m
sorry,” she said in a rush, wanting him to understand. “It wasn’t my secret to
share. I wouldn’t have shared it now except that I don’t want you telling an
inaccurate story.”

The turbulence gathering in his eyes made her uneasy.

“Reese...”

Logan tapped on the driver’s side window, making Alice
jump.

With a low curse, Reese squeezed his eyes shut and put his head
down.

Not looking at her.

He opened his fingers, releasing her hand, so she withdrew it.
The chill of rejection sank in, but she would not second-guess her decision to
be honest. Not anymore.

Not with Reese.

Rather than sit there waiting for him to make up his mind
about...whatever decision he needed to make, Alice opened her door and got
out.

Logan and Pepper looked at her with curiosity. “Everything
okay?” Logan asked.

She wasn’t sure. Reese might need time to come to grips with
her disclosure, so she started around the hood, saying, “It might be best if we
just wait inside.”

Logan frowned. “Wait for
what?
”

She reached out a hand, hoping Pepper would join her. She
didn’t want to go in that police station alone. “For Reese to—”

Shoving open his car door, Reese emerged like a turbulent
storm. His gaze pierced her, stopping her in midstep. “Don’t even think it,
Alice.”

She thrust up her chin. “Or what? You’ll arrest me?”

Scowling fiercely, he opened his mouth, then shut it again.

When Rowdy pulled up, Alice felt incredible relief. Maybe she’d
get a second to talk alone with him, to ask his advice on how to—

“
No,
goddamn it.” Reese slammed the
car door so hard, it drew attention from other people in the lot.

Pepper murmured, “Uh-oh,” at the same time that Logan
whispered, “Shush.”

Shoulders bunched, Reese strode over to her, clasped her chin
and lifted her face. “No, Alice.”

Refusing to be cowed, especially with his friends standing
right there, Alice stood her ground. “No, you won’t arrest me?”

Grim humor brightened his green eyes. “Actually, that part’s
still up in the air.”

Pepper snorted.

Logan said in reproach, “Reese, for God’s sake.”

“What I meant,” Reese said, ignoring the others, “is that you
will not continue to look at Rowdy as a damned confidante.”

How dare he try to order her around that way? Her friendship
with Rowdy was not an illegal activity. “I will if I want to,” Alice said as she
pulled away.

Pepper interjected, saying, “Rowdy? Seriously?” She applauded.
“Perfect choice, Alice. I’ve always found my brother to be completely
reliable.”

Now Logan scowled. “
I’m
reliable.”

“Yes, you are.” Pepper patted his chest. “But I don’t want
Alice coming to you for private talks.”

Logan blustered. “I didn’t mean
her
.” And in an aside: “No offense, Alice.”

“None taken.”

“I meant
you,
” Logan told
Pepper.

“Of course.” She cuddled up against his uninjured side. “We are
getting married, after all. Oh, and that reminds me, Alice. We’ve set a date.
Can I still count on you to attend the wedding?”

Alice made a point of not looking at Reese. She could
feel
his pulsing anger as he stood there beside her.
“Absolutely, thank you.”

Logan looked at her, looked at Reese and laughed.

Reese didn’t find it funny. “Shut up, Logan.”

Alice bit her lip. She should have told him sooner, of course.
He needed time to order his thoughts, to adjust to the new information. Not that
she thought he’d actually arrest her. And she wasn’t even sure he could. After
all, Murray had needed killing, and she’d led a mostly quiet life since then, at
least until Cheryl...

Reese shook his head. “The path your thoughts take.”

Did he know her thoughts?

“You’re like an open book, Alice.” Then, under his breath he
added, “At least most of the time.”

Wide-eyed over his observation, she wondered what to do
next—and Reese took her hand. It reassured her, and she started to smile up at
him.

Just then, Rowdy joined the ranks. Alice looked him over from
his dark T-shirt, well-worn jeans and scuffed brown work boots, up to the eyes
he had squinted against the bright sunshine.

Keys jangled in his hand as his long legs brought him closer.
He took in the various expressions and asked, “Fireworks?”

“A little, yeah,” Logan told him.

Grinning, Rowdy hauled Pepper right out of Logan’s hold and
hugged her off her feet. “Kiddo, what did you do now?”

“Not me,” Pepper said, and she pointed at Alice. “Her.”

Maybe going into the station alone wouldn’t be so bad after
all. Alice took a step toward Rowdy, but Reese wasn’t letting go. “No, you
don’t.” He brought his arm up to her shoulders and locked her in close to his
side.

Then he just stood there.

Looking a little mean.

Logan lifted a brow. “What are we doing?”

“Looks to me like he’s going quietly insane,” Rowdy said. He
tipped his chin at Alice. “Is this your doing?”

Alice slumped a little. “Yes.”

“What’d you do now?”

“Well—”

Reese startled everyone when he snarled, “Even with me
standing
here, you two are doing it!”

Rowdy slowly straightened, at the same time releasing his
sister. “Doing
what?
”

“Confiding,” Pepper said with a grin. “Reese doesn’t like how
close the two of you are getting.”

Alice tipped her head back to see Reese. He had his eyes
narrowed in a way that made her uneasy.

Didn’t seem to bother Rowdy, though.

Still, to be on the safe side, she hurried to explain. “We’re
just friends.”

“Men and women are never
just
friends,” Reese said, his hostility coming through loud and clear.

“Usually, I’d agree with you.” Rowdy folded his arms over his
chest. “But not this time.”

“You see?” Alice stopped leaning out of Reese’s hold and
instead cuddled in closer. “Rowdy and I already cleared up any issue of sexual
attraction. That was one of the first things we discussed.”

Reese dropped his incredulous gaze down to her.

“Shit,” Rowdy said. “It’s not like that, Reese, and you know
it.”

With silky menace, Reese asked, “Do I?”

His provoking tone finally started to get to Rowdy. “You damn
well should.”

Logan choked. “Jesus, Reese. Get your shit together, man. I’m
almost embarrassed for you.”

Reese seemed uncaring what anyone else thought.

But Alice cared, darn it. “This is absurd. Rowdy isn’t
interested in me, and I’m not interested in him. Not that way. It’s just...well,
he’s like a girlfriend.”

Rowdy shot around to stare at her. “I am
not
your girlfriend, Alice.”

Pepper barked a laugh; Logan rubbed his mouth.