Bare It All (2 page)

Insane.

She inched closer still—
just as she had in
his dream.

“You have some dark bruising.”

Reese followed her concerned gaze to his wrist and saw the ugly
marks there, testament to how he’d tried to free himself from the key-lock metal
cuffs—
his own friggin’ handcuffs
—that had been
used against him.

“It’s fine.” Never had he felt more helpless than when he’d
been in those restraints, knowing that his own failure could facilitate the
murder of others. Never again would he be caught unawares.

Once was more than enough.

Alice hesitated. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”

Other than his pride at being taken off guard in his own
apartment... “No.” He wanted nothing more than to move past it all.

She accepted that without an excess of coddling. “Your friend
will be all right?”

“Logan? He’s a detective, like me.”

“I thought so. When I saw him yesterday, I knew he was
safe.”

Safe? The things she said always had double meanings. “Just as
you knew the others were dangerous?” Alice had seen people come into the
apartment building, and somehow she’d known they weren’t friends. Not only was
she astute, but she also wasn’t afraid to react—thank God.

“Yes.” She gave him a level stare. “I can usually tell.”

How?
Reese wanted to know. It
wasn’t as if criminals walked around with a damn sign on their foreheads. God
knew, if they did, his job would be a hell of a lot easier.

As a detective, he’d dealt with enough shady characters that
he’d gained something of a sixth sense about them. He noticed things, slight
nuances that others missed.

But what had happened in Alice’s life to give her that edge?
“Logan is fine. You met Pepper?”

“Yes. She stayed in my apartment with me while Detective Riske
went to your aid.”

“Call him Logan—I’m sure he’d insist.” Reese thought of the
moment when he’d realized Logan had been shot. He hadn’t let the wound slow him
down, until blood loss had done that for him. “He’s home with Pepper now,
healing and no doubt being pampered.”

Because of Alice’s quick thinking, Reese and his friends were
all alive, and a very bad character dealing in every aspect of corruption,
including new ventures into human trafficking, was dead.

Reese had a lot of regrets for how things had gone down
yesterday, but he didn’t feel even a smidge of remorse over that.

Alice tipped her head. “Logan and Pepper are in love?”

“He is for sure.” It wasn’t like him to talk out of turn, but
he heard himself say, “And that added to the craziness of the sting. Cops going
undercover do
not
fall in love with key
witnesses.”

“Why not?”

“Complications, for one thing. Hard to think rationally when
you’re emotionally involved.”

“He didn’t seem emotional to me. As soon as I related my
suspicions, he took over. He stuffed Pepper into my apartment, prepared himself
the best he could and warned us—unnecessarily, I might add—to keep the doors
locked.”

“Knowing Pepper, that had to be a laugh a minute.”

She smiled at his sarcasm. “She was mostly silent, and very
worried. You do realize that Pepper is also in love with your friend?”

Alice sounded so sure about that, Reese shrugged. “Okay.”

“Rowdy is her brother?”

“Yes.” Reese stretched, felt too many kinks in his shoulders,
and winced while rubbing a hand over the back of his neck.

He saw Alice gaze in awe at his biceps, and it warmed him. He
left his arm up a few seconds longer—until he realized how absurd that was.

Damn it, she seduced him without trying, and in totally
unconventional ways. “You met Rowdy?” Reese couldn’t recall any introductions,
but then, he’d had his hands full dealing with everything else.

“Briefly.” Alice’s attention coasted over his chest, then down
to his abdomen.

His muscles constricted in reaction.

“I wasn’t so sure about Rowdy. He worried me at first. That’s
why I called you when he showed up. But he’s not as ruthless as the others. I
have a feeling he walks a very fine line between what’s lawful and what fits his
own moral code.”

Since that described Rowdy perfectly, Reese felt his own share
of awe. “Probably.”

“The lieutenant?”

Though Alice had entered the scene in the midst of pandemonium,
she had all the key players down. “When last I left her, she was running
roughshod over anyone who stood in her way, issuing orders like a general.” He
shook his head. “For such a petite woman, she rules with an iron fist.”

“I liked her.” Alice stared at his lap again.

“I figured you would.” Reese sat forward. “I need some caffeine
to kick-start my brain. How about I take Cash out and you put on a pot of
coffee?”

The dog, who had almost been asleep, bounded up in
agreement.

“If that’s what you want.”

That wasn’t even close to what he wanted, but for now it’d have
to do. “Thank you.” He waited, but when she continued to stand there watching
him, he shrugged and tossed the sheet aside to stand.

* * *

A
T
THE
SIGHT
of Reese’s big strong
body, Alice sucked in a breath and all but fled to the kitchen. Reese thought
he’d embarrassed her, and yes, he had. A little.

But it was so much more than that, more complex than mere
embarrassment. It was...something she hadn’t felt in far too long.

And she relished it.

After two deep breaths, she called out to him, “I’ll have this
ready in ten minutes.”

When he finally replied, his voice came from close behind her.
“That works.”

Startled, she turned to see him and almost dropped the
carafe.

Shirtless and barefoot, he leaned in the kitchen doorway, only
a few feet away. He’d pulled on rumpled slacks, zipped but unbuttoned so that
they hung low, showing off his taut abdomen and that silky line of dark blond
hair that disappeared into his boxers.

Boy. The pants helped a little, but not much. He still looked
indescribably awesome.

Sighing in resignation at her distraction, Reese said again,
“Up here, Alice.”

Mute, she performed the near-impossible feat of lifting her
attention to his face. She had a feeling that with Reese so uninhibited, his
reminders were going to come fast and furious.

Really, how could any woman
not
stare at him?

The very first time she’d seen him, she’d recognized him as a
prime physical specimen. Her past had damaged her, sure, but she wasn’t blind or
stupid.

It had taken a lot of effort to remember her need for privacy,
to look past him, to ignore his friendly smiles and polite greetings.

Then, seeing him with the dog...well, that had sealed her fate.
Alice knew she’d lost a small part of her heart to him the moment she’d seen his
patience with Cash. Reese stood over six and a half feet tall, but he wasn’t
lanky. He had a honed body that drew everyone’s attention. No one could mistake
his strength. Yet he’d been so gentle with Cash.

And yesterday, watching him in hero mode as he’d not only taken
charge of the deadly situation but also tended to his injured friend... How
could
anyone
be immune to him?

Fully dressed, Detective Reese Bareden was a heart-stopper.
Half-naked, he was enough to turn her stupid with lust.

Amusement showed in the glitter of his green eyes. “I like it
strong.”

“What?” Oh, Lord, she’d been visually devouring him again. She
swallowed and tried to get it together.

“The coffee.”

“Oh.” How could she have forgotten? She held the carafe with
both hands and summoned a smile. “All right.”

New concern eased his smile away. “What is it, Alice?”

“Nothing.” She couldn’t very well tell him that he was one of
the most impressive males she’d ever known—and that was saying something, given
that she’d met some truly remarkable men.

Men from her past.
Good
men...who’d
been there to counter the depraved.

Even thinking about it caused her to tighten, to close in on
herself protectively—

“Alice?”

That deep, gentle voice brought her out of dark memories. Her
racing heart slowed, her muscles uncoiled. She let out a tense breath and tried
to sound casual. “Yes?”

“You and I are going to have that talk today.”

He made it sound almost like a threat, but she’d known real
threats, and Reese didn’t scare her. Not that way. Not in any way, really. “Yes,
we will.”

Her quick compliance seemed to surprise him. Had he expected
her to refuse him? To get defensive?

Truthfully, there were times when even she didn’t know how
she’d react. Ugly memories had a way of surfacing when she least expected
them.

When it came to men, most of the time she steered clear of
them. She definitely hadn’t planned on being drawn to Reese. But she enjoyed
talking with him, so why avoid it? He wouldn’t get the information he wanted
because it was information she couldn’t share, but she’d tell him enough to keep
him satisfied.

For a little while, anyway.

Cash strained the length of the leash, impatient with the
delay. The adorable dog, still more a puppy than not, was notorious for piddling
on the floor when he got excited, curious, when he had to go...pretty much for
any reason at all, really.

Luckily both of their apartments had hardwood floors, which
made cleanups easier.

After another long look, Reese nodded at her and led the dog
away. Moving out of the kitchen, warm with admiration, Alice watched him go. His
disheveled blond hair and darker beard shadow only made him more gorgeous. Sleek
muscles flexed...everywhere. Over his very wide shoulders, his back, down the
length of those thick arms and thicker thighs...

He pulled the door open.

Breath strangled in her chest. “You’re going outside like
that?
”

He glanced down at himself and shrugged as if he didn’t have a
body that could stop traffic and hearts alike. “Why not?”

The man was all but naked! He hadn’t even buttoned his pants.
“You’re...indecent.”

“I won’t be long.” He checked that the door wouldn’t lock when
he closed it, and out he went.

CHAPTER TWO

A
LICE
STOOD
THERE
lost
in thought for far too long before she remembered that she had coffee to
make.

Never had she thought to have a man in her apartment. Certainly
not a hunky police detective and most definitely not overnight. It made sense
for her to be off-kilter.

She’d no sooner finished preparing the coffee than she decided
Reese might also like something to eat. It was lunchtime for her, but he hadn’t
even had breakfast yet.

Maybe he hadn’t had dinner the night before either. His work as
a detective had literally landed on his doorstep, and she doubted he’d had time
to relax, much less enjoy a real meal. A man his size likely required a lot of
sustenance.

Yesterday had consisted of bad guys coming and going, good guys
sneaking in, gunshots and arrests, deaths and ambulances.... Shivering, Alice
wrapped her arms around herself.

The life-or-death scenario had been unsettling for her, too.
Having Reese on her couch, near at hand, gave her a sense of security that no
weapon could. Even having Cash underfoot was reassuring. People still left her
ill at ease, but animals were so nonjudgmental, so welcoming, she naturally took
comfort from them.

Reese didn’t know it, but being Cash’s dog-sitter was the
greatest gift. Until he’d proposed the arrangement a few days ago, she hadn’t
realized what a difference it made to have another living, breathing creature
nearby.

She sighed, noticed several minutes had passed, and decided
she’d ask Reese what he’d like to eat.

Picking up her keys, Alice locked the door behind her. Never
again would she take chances when it came to security. On her way out, she
glanced up the steps at Reese’s apartment door. Unlike in the movies, there was
no dramatic caution tape draping it, but yesterday Reese had said his colleagues
preferred for him to stay out until they’d finished gathering their forensics,
or taking photos, or whatever they had to do. She really had no idea of police
procedure. Other than Reese, she’d never known a good officer.

Sure, she’d been acquainted with a few shady men who claimed
the badge but not the honor that should have been inherent in the job.
Yesterday, she’d met good cops.

She’d learned the hard way to recognize the difference.

Remembering the day before made her palms sweat. Yes, Reese had
only come to her because of the destruction in his place, but she was glad for
any reason. While she hopefully put up a brave front, no way had she wanted to
stay alone.

As she’d done so many times, she pushed the unpleasant memories
to the back of her mind and went down the steps to the glass, double entry
doors.

Before she stepped out, she saw Reese standing there in the
shade, Cash’s leash held loosely in his hand.

Two neighbor ladies, one a beautiful blonde with oversize
breasts, the other a cute and petite brunette, stared at him adoringly while
chatting.

They wore jogging shorts and sports bras and had a lot of skin
showing. They stood far too close to him for mere conversation.

Alice didn’t think about it, didn’t even have time to process
her reaction before she found herself striding out to the yard and right up to
Reese and Cash. She snatched the dog’s leash from his hand, startling him.

Lifting one eyebrow, he looked down at her. “Alice.”

Her heart punched painfully against her breastbone. Unfair that
a man with morning-rumpled hair and whiskers could still manage to look so good.
“The coffee’s done.” She stared at the women while thrusting the keys out to
him. “I can wait with Cash until he finishes up, if you’d like to go on in and
get a cup.”

Slowly his expression shifted from surprise to amusement. “Why,
thank you, Alice.” With a knowing grin, he accepted her key ring. “Your
hospitality knows no bounds.”

She had no idea how to reply to that.

With a pleased smile, Reese touched her cheek, bid good day to
the others and headed inside. The bright sunshine gleamed on his shoulders and
gilded his fair hair. Though barefoot, he didn’t pick his way across the
grounds; he strode like a confident man in control of himself and those around
him.

When Alice realized that she wasn’t the only one noticing, she
cleared her throat, loudly.

The blonde laughed. “Sorry, honey, but you know, I just can’t
pull my eyes away. He’s an awful lot of man.”

The brunette agreed. Looking at Alice, she asked with palpable
doubt, “So, you two have a thing?”

A thing? Understanding sank in. “What? No!” Alice looked down
at herself, too. No, she wasn’t cute and petite like the brunette, and she
certainly didn’t have the curves that the blonde flaunted. She was just herself,
plain, understated, most times all but invisible.

Hadn’t she been told that often enough?

And thank God for it.

“We’re only neighbors.”

“Uh-huh, sure you are.” The friendly blonde continued to smile.
“I wish I was that type of neighbor, too. I’ve suggested it, but I swear, Reese
is a squirrely one, always dodging me.”

“You’ve actually suggested...”

“That we hook up, sure. And believe me, I haven’t been subtle!”
She laughed. “I figured he turned me down because we’re too close for comfort,
being in the same apartment building and all that. But if he’s spending the
night with you, then that must not be an issue for him.”

The women stared at her, waiting for an explanation. Why hadn’t
she left well enough alone? She had no claim on Reese, so she should have kept
her nose out of it.

But she had butted in, behaving like a territorial girlfriend,
giving them reason for speculation. Walking away now would be both rude and
fodder for gossip.

“Do you both live here?” she asked, while trying to decide how
to proceed.

“Upper floor,” the brunette said. “She’s on one side of Reese,
and I’m on the other.”

“Doesn’t that sound naughty?” The blonde laughed again. “We’ve
known Reese awhile now.”

Alice’s temples pounded. “How...nice.”

The blonde performed introductions. “I heard Reese call you
Alice. I’m Nikki, and she’s Pam.”

“Hello.” Until Reese, Alice had managed to keep her distance
from all of her neighbors. Now she had Reese’s admirers curious about her.

Knowing she’d just complicated her life, Alice turned her
attention to Cash. Perhaps she could distract the women by playing with the
dog?

But no, Cash flopped down in a ray of sunshine and looked so
comfortable, she hated to disturb him. There was no help for it. She smiled at
the women. “If you live that close to Reese, then you already know what happened
yesterday.”

Pam lifted both brows. “You mean between the two of you?”

“No!” Good grief. Such a suggestion. “Really, nothing happened
between us.”

Nikki grinned some more.

“I was talking about the police conflict that took place in his
apartment.”

“We were out late,” Pam said.

“And much of the morning, too,” Nikki added. “What
happened?”

Hoping to extricate herself soon, Alice did her best to
summarize. “Yesterday, I saw a person going into Reese’s apartment, so I called
him.”

“You have his number?” Pam asked with disbelief.

“I... Yes.” Alice wanted to groan. Pam and Nikki looked ready
to pounce on her every word. She nodded toward Cash. “I watch his dog for him
while he works, so it was necessary to exchange numbers.”

The women peered at Cash with disdain. Nikki said, “He pees
everywhere
. I’d send him to the pound for
that.”

Feeling very protective of the dog, Alice scowled. “He’s a
puppy still. He’s learning.”

Pam couldn’t quite uncurl her lip. “So he’s actually Reese’s
dog? I assumed he was yours since you’re the one I usually see bringing him
outside.”

“I pet-sit for him. Reese only recently got him, but being a
detective, his hours can be...unconventional. And right now Cash needs a lot of
attention, not to mention structure.”

“So yesterday, when you said someone went into his place?”
Nikki dismissed the dog. “Reese was getting robbed?”

“Not exactly. It was just...” Unsure how much she should
actually tell, Alice fudged the truth. “A conflict of sorts, that’s all. It all
ended well enough when another detective showed up. But Reese’s apartment got a
little...messy.”

With bullet holes. Blood. A dead body on the floor.

She shook her head. “Reese had a lot to do once they made
arrests, a lot of follow-up work, so he got in late.” Or rather, early. “His
apartment is still considered a crime scene.”

Uncaring of all that, Pam asked in disbelief, “And so he came
to
you?
”

Alice shrugged. “He slept on my couch.”

“Your couch?” Nikki put a hand to her heart in dramatic
fashion. “I would have
dragged
him into the
bedroom.”

“Or joined him on the couch.” Pam grinned.

Through tight lips, Alice explained, “We don’t have that type
of relationship.” In fact, she wasn’t sure what type of relationship they had. A
couple of times now Reese had hinted about an attraction, but was it just
teasing?

And if it wasn’t, what then?

“Oh, honey,” Nikki commiserated. “That must’ve been torturous
for you, having a man like him so close but not getting the advantages.”

“It’s great news for us, though.” Pam elbowed her friend. “He’s
still up for grabs.”

Alice couldn’t fathom their attitudes. “So you’re both
interested in Reese?” How would that work? Neither of the women felt
possessive?

Pam shrugged. “I do my best to get his attention, but Reese is
a master at being polite without encouraging too much.”

Nikki agreed. “I’d be on him in a heartbeat if he’d give me a
signal. He’s so delectably big and brawny.”

Big and brawny were not attributes that Alice generally
admired. Not in a man who showed too much intimate interest in her.

But for whatever reason, Reese was different, and her heart
raced every time he got near.

“He’s very compassionate,” Alice said, then suffered through
some curious expressions from Nikki and Pam. “It’s true. He saved Cash. Someone
had put the dog in a cardboard box and left him in the middle of the
street.”

“Probably because he pees everywhere!” Nikki laughed.

Alice didn’t find it at all funny. How could anyone be that
heartless? Luckily, Reese had cared enough to investigate when he saw the box,
and once he’d discovered Cash, he’d taken him to the vet, adopted him and loved
him. True, Reese spent too much time away, but he made sure the dog had proper
care.

With her.

She sighed. “Reese is one of the kindest men I’ve ever
met.”

Nikki grinned at her. “Yeah, and despite his big hard body and
that incredible face, I’m sure it was his
kindness
that you noticed first, right?”

No, that quality might not be what first drew her attention to
Reese, but it was definitely what got past her defensive walls.

“He’s also a police detective, honest and protective of
others.”

Pam snickered. “And with as long as we’ve been talking, the
big, bad cop just might be in the shower right now.” She gave Alice’s shoulder a
pat and started away with Nikki. “If I was you, I’d hurry in and join him.”

“Have some fun for me, Alice.” Nikki smiled as she followed
Pam. “We want to hear all the juicy details tomorrow!”

Alice was too frozen to say her goodbyes. Until Pam’s parting
remark it hadn’t sunk in that she’d left Reese Bareden, a
detective,
alone in her apartment.

Oh, good Lord.

There was no telling what he’d find if he decided to snoop. And
for a detective, snooping no doubt came naturally.

“Cash, come on, boy. Let’s go!”

Ears lifted, eyes bright, the dog jumped up, always ready for
some excitement.

Good thing, because it seemed to Alice, wherever Reese Bareden
went, excitement definitely followed.

* * *

W
HILE
A
LICE
LINGERED
outside, saying God knew what, Reese did a quick surveillance of her
apartment. Her bedroom was plain to the point of painful, not at all like most
females’ rooms. In lieu of a frilly comforter, she had a simple beige quilt over
a full-size bed. Utilitarian curtains were pulled back to allow in the warm
summer breeze. Not a single piece of clothing showed out of place. Other than
one photograph sitting on her dresser, she kept her surfaces clutter-free. He
approached the picture for a better look.

She’d had shorter hair when the photo was taken, and beside her
sat a girl some years younger. A sister? They shared the same eyes, hair color
and the same lush mouth. Alice looked happy in a way that Reese hadn’t yet
seen.

Carefree.

Relaxed.

The Alice he knew never looked quite that tranquil, and seeing
the contrast in the photo bothered him.

He strode to her closet to look inside.

Her very basic wardrobe hung in neat array, with her shoes
lined up side by side on the floor. A shoe box on top of a shelf drew his
attention, and he lifted it down.

Inside he found the heavy Glock that she’d carried into his
apartment yesterday. Again he remembered the weapon in her hand and the look in
her eyes.

“Shit.” He returned the box to the top of her closet and closed
the door. He started to leave the room, hesitated, and instead looked under her
bed.

Not a speck of dust, but he did find a lethal retractable
baton. Scowling, he opened her nightstand and saw a Taser.

“Son of a bitch.” How many people did she expect to fend off?
And what the hell had happened to her to make her think all the weapons were
necessary?

None of it gelled. Alice was a first-class introvert. Painfully
solemn and withdrawn. Sort of...quietly dignified. She reminded him of his third
grade teacher, minus the bun and support hose. He curled his lip, disliking that
comparison a lot—especially given how she turned him on.