Layers Crossed (8 page)

“Emma, stop
bribing your niece and nephew, and for once act your age.”

“I’m not the
one organizing family dinners mid-week. What’s this, an
intervention of some sort? What are you up to?” I asked Tristan,
resting my hands on my hips.

My brother
came closer and took me into his arms. The gesture was so welcome.
I hated how much I loved it when he hugged me with so much care. He
held me like that for a moment before whispering, “There’s no
intervention, Emma. But your instinct is, as always, spot on. There
is something we need to talk to you about. We love you more than
you know, and I’m sorry we gave you such shitty cases that made you
question everything in life.”

Julian’s voice
sounded from behind, and Tristan let go of me. “We should have
realized sooner that dealing with cheaters on a daily basis could
have consequences. I just hope you haven’t lost faith and hope and
trust. And perhaps this new case you’re being so secretive about
will bring some of that back. Maybe it will open your heart to new
possibilities, so that you can finally grieve properly and move
on.”

My heart
ached. Julian and Tristan knew how much I’d loved David, and how I
never spoke about him. I couldn’t. Letting go wasn’t something I
wanted to do – not yet.

“Thank you. I
really appreciate that. But to call a family meeting mid-week…”

Julian led me
toward the dining room as he continued. “You’re flying out in less
than forty-eight hours, aren’t you? We couldn’t wait until the
weekend, and wanted to get to know the man you’ll be staying
with.”

“What are you
talking about?”

“Hello,
Emma.”

My head flew
up. Right there, at my parent’s house, was Eric. He stood up and
away from the table as soon as I crossed the threshold of the room.
Wearing a pair of darker jeans and a t-shirt, he was barely
recognizable without his cowboy hat. Eric looked as stunning as the
evening I’d met him. All tall and sexy as hell with his scarred
brow rising by a fraction, knowing so well what the sight of him
had done to my body in a split second. And a sleeve tattoo? My
mouth dropped open as I took in his right arm, beautifully inked. I
made a mental note to inspect the design when we were alone. If I’d
thought he looked hot yesterday, well today Mr. Cowboy was
scorching hot.

“What the hell
is this?”

“Emma!” my
mother scowled.

“I’m sorry,
Mom, but going behind my back and inviting my client to a family
dinner is where I draw the line.”

“May I have a
word with you?” Eric took three large steps and was standing in
front of me. He knew very well that at this moment there was no way
I could or would say no to having a moment alone with him. Maybe
he
could give me an honest answer.

He guided me
out of the house onto the back porch. The slight touch of his palm
at my lower back didn’t go unnoticed. In fact, it made me tingle
with uncomfortably delightful heat, which spread from that spot all
over my body.

We leaned
against the railing. The ocean waves hitting against the shore were
louder this evening, and I hoped they’d camouflage our conversation
enough that no one else could hear it. “I want you on this case. I
don’t think I can trust anyone else with it, and please don’t make
me retell my childhood story to your brothers. They just want to
know you’re not going away with some wacko you just met. So play
nice at dinner, answer their concerns, and Friday morning, we’ll be
on our way to Ogden, without anyone else to question your work,
authority, or research methods. Can you do that for me, Emma?”

“When did they
contact you?”

“Last night.
The message asked for utmost discretion. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell
you, Emma.” He brushed the side of my hand with his, carefully so
that no one would see it. I could already feel pairs of eyes
staring at us through the window. “But I couldn’t risk the chance
that they’d take you off the case. You still want me, don’t you? As
your client.”

Of course I
want you!
Why was I so confused? It was a simple job. Why were
my brothers messing with my head so much?

“This will be
good for you and for me. I promise. I see you need this time away
from home as much as I need you to help me. Show them the mature
woman that you are. Prove yourself to them as the amazing
investigator that I know you are.” His whisper, so close to my
cheek, flew along my skin like a teasing ribbon of lust. I
instantly felt my breasts swell and the butterflies in my tummy
flutter with need.

“How do you
know?”

“Call it a gut
feeling, Emma. You were meant to come into my life to help me. I
know that to be true the same way I know the sun will always rise
in the East and set in the West.”

The tingles in
my hands and arms dissipated. This man had a way of easing my
anxiety and soothing my worries. He made me feel like I was
important and the only one in the world. Since David’s death, Eric
was the first one to make me feel like a woman.

“All right. If
they’re playing me, I can play them even better.”

“That’s my
girl.” He grinned and everything inside me melted. Could I really
concentrate on my job around him? I had to. I had to prove not only
to my brothers but also to myself and Eric just how good I was.
Most importantly, there was no way I’d fail my Cowboy.

We headed back
to the dining room, and after proper introductions to everyone, we
sat down to eat.

“Is he your
boyfriend?” Jack asked out loud, pointing to Eric.

“No, Jack.
Eric’s a client.”

“Can he be
your boyfriend? He gives good piggy back rides.”

He does
what?

Eric simply
shrugged and Jack continued. “I heard Mamma say to Auntie Allie
phat you need a man who can give it pho you so good phat you’ll
stop looking for a wooser.”

“Jack!” Kendra
interrupted him. “You need to stop eavesdropping and twisting
Mommy’s words, honey.”

Julian frowned
at his wife, and I couldn’t help but giggle.

“Some things
never change in this house.” My father laughed out loud. “Too bad
you can’t remember how you were, Em. I think Jack takes after you
more than anyone.”

“Thanks,
Dad.”

“What do you
need to give her phat’s so good?” Jack’s attention was now on
Eric.

“Ok, Jack. I
think it’s bath time for you, little man.” Kendra moved his chair
back.

“It’s all
right,” Eric said. “What do you think it is, Jack?”

“I think it’s
chocolate. Chocolates always works on Mamma when she’s upset, and
Daddy says he’ll melt the chocolate and lick…”

“Jack!” This
time Kendra covered her son’s mouth as he tried to mumble the final
words from underneath it.

Everyone at
the table burst out in laughter. This certainly felt like the good
old days. At one point, Eric’s arm rested over the back of my
chair. This subtly possessive way in which he made me feel like we
were a couple (which of course we weren’t) was certainly something
that I hadn’t expected. Did I want more from him than I could take?
Yes, of course I did! This man spiked my hormone levels to new
heights just by looking at me. His body, his demeanor,
old-fashioned yet understandable ways, and his scent. I found the
proximity of him excruciatingly painful because I couldn’t actually
touch him. He had my head spinning and heart hammering out of
control. Why was he affecting me this way? What was it about him
that made me feel all fuzzy and warm inside? I mean, I’d dated hot
men before, but none of them seemed as down-to-earth and as
comfortable with me as Eric was.

“So, Eric.
Emma seems not to want to share anything about your case. Why is
there a need to fly out west?” Tristan asked.

Here comes
the interrogation I was waiting for,
I thought.

“If Emma
thinks there is, I trust her. And I appreciate her confidentiality
and discretion.”

“You two seem
to be clicking the right way,” my brother continued. I knew exactly
what he was referring to. He’d seen the chemistry between the two
of us. I couldn’t hide it, and neither could Eric.

“We do. I
think this partnership will work out quite well. And I already know
we’ll have a great friendship even after this case is done. Emma’s
a very confident woman with intelligence that’s difficult to find.
Thank you for assigning her to me.”

Julian’s jaw
tensed by a fraction. I was sure it was because of the way Eric had
said I’d been assigned to him.

“Emma’s one of
the best we’ve got. She’ll do a great job,” Mrs. Cross said. “And
you seem like a man who will keep her safety in mind.”

“I wouldn’t
let anything happen to her. You have my word on that, ma’am.”

“I’m quite
capable to take care of myself,” I said, but no one seemed to have
heard me.

“Emma’s
confidence likes to get the better of her lately, and she’s been
quite adventurous.”

“Hello, I’m in
the room, you guys,” I said.

“Her free
spirit is what makes her perfect for the job,” Eric defended.

“All right, if
you guys are done with the inquisition, I’d like to go home and
pack up. Mom, Dad, thank you for a wonderful dinner.”

As soon as I
pulled my chair back, Eric stood up, and my brothers’ jaws dropped
to the floor at the gesture. I picked up a few empty plates and
headed to the kitchen. Of course Allie and Kendra followed me with
more dishes. I knew they wanted the scoop.

“He’s hot,
Emma,” Kendra said.

“Really? I
hadn’t noticed,” I chuckled.

“Don’t pay any
attention to your brothers. I think they’re more concerned about
Eric getting in your pants than the dangers of the case. And he
seems like the kind of guy you should be into. So polite and
courteous.”

“Well, I hope
they keep out of my private business and let me do the job they
entrusted me with.”

“Then you’ll
be hoping all your life. Stop caring about what they think and use
your gut,” Allie said. “And did you see those arms? Jesus!”

“Julian hit
the boxing ring for the first time in weeks as soon as I asked him
about your case,” Kendra added.

“Emma, you
need to make him take his shirt off in front of the guys.” Allie
turned on the water, somewhat camouflaging our whispers.

“You’re both
married. And stop gawking at him like that.”

“Like what?”
They both kept peeking back toward the dining room.

“Like you want
him to mount you from behind.”

“Oh, Emma. We
have your brothers to do that for us. But looking at that fine
specimen is definitely good for the sex drive.”

“Eeww. I don’t
want to know more.” I raised my hands, not bothering to dry them,
and headed out, “I hope you don’t mind, but we have a busy day
tomorrow, and it’s time to pack. Do you need a ride to your hotel?”
I asked Eric.

“Thank you,
but I brought my rental.”

“Good, then
you can leave it here. I’ll have someone drive it for you the way I
promised, and I can drop you off at your hotel on my way home.”

A hint of
nerves covered Eric’s face, but he turned to me saying, “Well, I
can already see that Cross Enterprises delivers more than it
promises. Thank you, Emma.”

I kissed my
parents good night and dismissed the questioning looks from my
brothers. At this point, I couldn’t care less what they were
thinking about me or Eric, because I had a case to solve. And no
one was going to stop me.

C
HAPTER
8

Eric

I gripped the
arm rest of my seat. How in the world did I let this woman get me
on a plane?

“It’ll be
quicker this way.” Her words stung my ears because I’d rather spend
ten hours in a car with her than two on a plane, twenty thousand
feet above earth, without soil under my feet. And why in the world
was I feeling weak in my knees? Maybe because as odd as it might
have sounded, I’d never been on a plane before, let alone on a
luxury private jet suitable for the President himself. From leather
seats to couches and tables – the bathroom had a frickin’ shower
and marble counter tops! Most people lacked half of those
accommodations on ground.

“Ease up
there, Cowboy, or you’ll rip these off.” She touched my hand,
gently uncoiling my fingers, and my grip loosened as if on command.
Her soft palm was so small compared to my large hand, yet so strong
and caring and full of confidence. I’d never seen a woman with so
much poise.

“Why do you
keep calling me Cowboy?” I asked.

“Aren’t you
one? I’m very perceptive. It comes with the job. And if you tell me
you’re not, then that means you’ve hired the wrong person.” She
grinned with certainty glowing through her eyes, knowing very well
that I
was
a cowboy.

“I am. I guess
the hat and ranch and all would have been a clue,” I teased,
slightly letting go of the flying nerves. “Not quite the city slick
boys you’re used to dealing with, am I?”

I wasn’t ready
for her next words. To say they surprised me would be the
understatement of the century. Emma Cross seemed to shock me more
often than I was used to.

“No, you’re
definitely not. You’re much better.” The hunger in her eyes was the
same as the day we’d met at the strip club. She leaned in closer,
her eyes nearly begging me to take her right on that seat. I might
not have been a private investigator, but I knew a come on when I
saw one. Up until now I’d tried to restrain myself. I wanted her
like no other woman, but I didn’t want to push her too far, too
early. While I didn’t want to scare her by showing what I felt for
her (which I wasn’t too sure of either), I wouldn’t have been
surprised if she reciprocated my feelings.

“So explain
this to me. You’ve got a great job, looks like financial security,
pretty much everything most women seek in life. Why would you dance
at a strip club? Why such an outrageous bet? There’s plenty of
stuff you could have done to feel free and alive and unrestrained.
Getting naked on a stage seemed…”