December Frost (A Southern Romance Monthly) (10 page)

They ate and watched the news. Cecelia got up and moved her plate beside his so they could both face the TV.
 

"Wow…they're comparing it to the snow storm of '93." Thomas had finished his first bowl full and was serving himself a second. "Up to 8 inches. Wow. I think we might be here a while."
 

She had to agree, especially when she saw the satellite image of the storm. It did look a lot like that storm in '93, which had been dubbed The Storm of the Century. She finished her plate full and sipped her wine. She'd poured Thomas a small glass of the delicious brew, but only one. He was going to have to take some medication tonight.
 

 
The power flickered once during dinner but didn't go out.
 

"Is the generator on?"
 

"No, but it's ready and primed on the back deck. I also turned the heater on out there." She finished her wine. "And the jacuzzi."
 

Thomas gave her a broad smile. He looked a bit better. The circles were lighter and he wasn't as pale. "Oh…you really are an angel."
 

Cecelia shrugged. "So…you plan on telling me that dream you had?"
 

"Oh…you want to know?"

"Yes I do."
 

"On one condition." He dug into his second helping of linguini. "You soak in the jacuzzi with me."
 

Cecelia didn't answer immediately. "We have to clear the dishes first."
 

"Why don't I clean up—'cause I want to finish this delicious dish—and you go ahead and get in the tub?"
 

He was offering to clean up? A man? Really? Cecelia hadn't known anyone but her brother to offer to do that. And she'd always considered Lex an aberration. After staring at him she slowly nodded. "Okay. Then after the soak, you have to get some sleep."
 

"We'll see."
 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Thomas watched Cecelia disappear down the hallway. His gaze followed the nice sway of her back end as it moved in her jeans. When he'd first met her—was it only last night—he'd been attracted. She was a handsome, lovely woman, and filled a little black dress out nice.
 

As he moved the dishes to the kitchen counter he remembered thinking he'd do her. In fact, he planned on doing her and then catching the Phantom. He had no idea his life and her life would become so entwined with one another. And now that he knew her, now that he'd met a small part of her family and she'd helped him instead of tried to prosecute him, he wanted more than just a one night stand.
 

He wanted…

Thomas stared down at the remaining linguini.
I want to what? Protect her? I've never wanted to protect anyone but myself. I can't think about meaningless sex anymore—not with Cecelia. With her…it would mean…everything.
 

His shoulder twinged and he rubbed it before he turned back to the table and cleared the rest of the dishes. Left over containers were under the stove and he saved the linguini. It was more a comedy of errors—him trying to pour and corral a bowl of slippery noodles with one good arm. He managed to get it done with less of a mess than he thought he would make. He rinsed the dishes and set them in the dishwasher but didn't know where the washing liquid was.
 

A deep thrumming started as he began cleaning off the table with a rag. That noise had to be the thrumming of the jet engines in the jacuzzi. The thought of Cecelia stepping into the warm, churning water made him strain against his tight jeans. He hurried what he was doing and tossed the rag in the sink before he half ran down the hall to a door at the end. He paused just outside, counted to ten and tried to rearrange himself in his jeans before stepping through. Unfortunately nothing was going to hide the fact he wanted Cecelia.
 

Nothing.
 

She'd already seen the proof of that.
 

Unless… He felt panicked. What if Cecelia thought his erection was because of her friend Deb? After all, Deb had been the one in the room before Cecelia saw him. Was that why she'd looked so shocked?
 

Oh no…

The idea that Cecelia would think he was attracted to anyone but her filled him with dread.
 

"You know I can hear you breathing on the other side."
 

Cecelia's voice brought him back to the present. He filed his fear away and opened the door. A mixture of cold and warm moist air caressed his skin. He hadn't seen this part of the cabin yet—at least not from the inside. It had all the indications of being a closed in porch. Two light bulbs illuminated the room. An impressive grill stood on his left beside a door. A small table with three chairs sat in the far left corner, and to his immediate right was the jacuzzi.
 

It was a nice model—an expensive one if he remembered right from his own experience. The cover had been tipped to the far wall and steam rose from the water.
 

Sitting against the right corner of the tub was Cecelia. It looked as if she'd stepped into the tub in her bra and panties.
 

"I pulled down the shades on the screens," she said and gestured to the walls. "I know we're in the middle of the woods, but just in case someone is watching, they can't see in here. And besides…take a peek out there. The snow's nearly covered the screen itself."
 

He tried to walk to the closest screen without showing the bulge in his jeans. Nope. Not happening. He hoped it was dark enough for her not to notice. He did move the edge of the plastic screen and saw only snow. Just like she said. It was piled up against the screen. "Wow."
 

"Yeah…and it's still snowing. The generator's on the other side of that door, right outside. It's got a lock on the starter, so if we have to use it, no one can shut it off. You know…sabotage it."
 

Thomas turned to face her. She was the most beautiful vision he'd ever seen. A dark haired siren. "You always this paranoid."
 

"Remember what I said about being paranoid. And the events of the day proved to me that you," she pointed at him. "Have someone after you. You're also wounded and haven't been able to recover properly. So—if you want to join me—I promise to behave myself. And if you want to be alone, I'll give you privacy. It's up to you."
 

Was she serious?
 

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Cecelia watched Thomas as he looked around the back porch. She was more interested in his reaction to her. Getting in the hot tub in her underwear hadn't been her first choice, but she hadn't thought to pack a swimsuit. Not in December.
 

And besides…it was a treat watching Thomas's eyes widen and his breathing increase its pace. He looked tired, but his naked body was forever imprinted on her brain, and she found herself wanting to see it again.
 

And touch him.
 

But she wasn't going to push herself on him—not if he was too ill and needed rest, which is why she asked him if he still wanted to soak. She gave him an out so that he wouldn't feel as if he had to join her.
 

Thomas slowly removed his jeans, favoring his right arm. He was wearing a pair of white briefs with a large, happy bulge under them. Luckily Lex had loaned him several button down shirts. Once the shirt was off, she could see the ripple of his muscle in the dim light as he moved toward her. The bandage wrapped around his shoulder and under his arm, with a few bands crossing his chest.
 

"You're going to get your bandage wet." She didn't know why she said that and felt embarrassed afterward.
 

"Eh," Thomas said as he carefully stepped into the churning water. "I think your brother sent a whole box of supplies."
 

"Yes he did." Cecelia moved to help guide him in. She really was worried about him falling or getting light headed. It wasn't until after he was sitting in the tub with her, facing her, that she started worrying about infection with the bullet wound. Was the water safe? Would he get sick?
 

Why am I so worried about a guy I just met?
 

Thomas leaned against the back. His torso was long enough that his shoulder wasn't submerged, but she was keeping an eye on him. He closed his eyes. "Oh man…you have no idea how great this feels." Then he opened them and looked at her. "Or maybe you do."
 

She resettled on her side and watched him. The warm water and jets weren't helping alleviate her rising attraction. She enjoyed watching his neck as he moved. His jaw. His profile. He was in her opinion, perfect.

Which meant there had to be more to his history, more that would reveal all his faults.

But…did it matter at that moment?

"Cecelia."
 

She refocused on his eyes. She hadn't noticed he was staring at her. "What? You okay? Are you light headed? Do you need a painkiller?"
 

"No, no. I'm good. I just…" He licked his lips. "I was just wondering why you're a cop?"

Cecelia blinked. Really? She shrugged. "I don't know. I think it's because our dad was a cop. He wasn't ever a detective. That was me wanting to go as far as I could."
 

"Is he still living?"
 

"Yes. He's retired on a pension. Lives in Savannah now. Not that far from where Lex's girlfriend's uncle lives. He's in Tybee Island."
 

Thomas gave her a nice smile. "He proud of you?"
 

"I think so. He says so. I think he's actually happier I'm a detective now and not a beat cop."
 

"I bet you looked nice in a uniform."

"Uh…not really. Detective is a lot harder. I was undercover last month when my brother was attacked."
 

"Someone attacked Lex? What—they didn't like the fact he pronounced someone dead?"
 

"No. First day on the job and he showed up at a crime scene. Local accountant was murdered. Only the killer was still around. Jumped him."

Thomas shifted in the tub and she admired his arms, and his shoulders. "I take it he's okay?"

"Yep. Brought he and Nana together."
 

"Weird how that happens, huh?"

"Yeah." She tilted her head to the side and listened. "Sshh."
 

He became still and looked around.
 

After a few seconds she relaxed. "Just the wind."
 

"You really are paranoid."
 

"No, I'm a cop."
 

Thomas stretched his long legs out and brushed against Cecelia's. She felt her nipples pull taught with the thought of him running his leg against hers. "Do you…" He swallowed. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

"What?" The question surprised her.
 

"Do you have a boyfriend? A special man in your life?"
 

It was an odd question. Especially when looking at their present circumstances. But the question also touched her heart. "Thomas, why are you asking me that question?"

"Because I want to kiss you." He cleared his throat. "And…I don't know anything about you. I know you're a cop. I know you have a scary brother." He flashed a grin and Cecelia wondered what Lex had done to elicit that kind of opinion. "I know you're a beautiful, intelligent, strong woman who doesn't like shrimpy grits."
 

The last sentence made her laugh. "You were listening to me and Deb."
 

"Yeah. I just…when I saw you…I almost forgot the reason I was there, which was to prevent that statue from being stolen. And when I saw you upstairs with that gun—you were the sexiest woman I'd ever laid my eyes on."
 

"Sexy?"

"Yeah. Weird huh? But I just…I really like you. I like spending time with you, though I'd prefer there not be some crazy international thief trying to kill me. But I uh…" he swallowed again. "I like being honest."
 

"I'll say." Cecelia became aware of his straight on gaze. Thomas had talked about himself in length, so it did seem right he'd be curious about her. "Not much to tell. I was…I was married once. It lasted three months…" she lowered her gaze to the tiny white-caps in the water.
 

"Divorce?"

"No. He worked Vice and was deep undercover. But an informant ratted him out. He was killed." She looked away from him, feeling even more embarrassed about him seeing her get emotional. "We…no one knew he was dead for several weeks." She wiped the corner of her eye. "It wasn't unusual for him not to check in when he was working. But then a body was found badly burned. Lex was working in Fulton County and caught the case. He recognized him when they brought him in…found the wedding ring in his pocket."
 

"Oh shit…" Thomas moved as close to her as he could. "Stop…I'm so sorry. I'm…shit…" he had his hand to his face. "Cecelia I didn't know. I didn't want to bring up such bad memories."
 

She reached out to him and put her hand on his knee. "I know you didn't. And it's okay, Thomas. Really."
 

He looked so unhappy, so upset kneeling in front of her in the hot tub. She knew he was miserable and she didn't want him to be. Her husband had died nearly two years ago. He'd been the love of her life. But now…now as this thief looked into her eyes, she had to wonder if it was a signal that it was time to move on?
 

To take a chance?

She shifted in the tub's seat and reached out with both hands to place them on either side of Thomas's face. Cecelia leaned forward as she pulled him toward her. He tilted his head as he no longer needed the prompt to come to her.
 

And when their lips finally met, Cecelia released a moan she hadn't heard herself make in years.