Friends and Lovers Trilogy 03 - Seduced (26 page)

“That’s okay,” she bit into a butter-slathered slice, and smiled. “Fattening, but good.”

He sipped his coffee and watched as the woman ate with gusto. Not wanting to spoil her appetite, he picked at his own omelet and enjoyed the view. Having breakfast with Sofia Marino. He could get used to this. “Sofia, about what I did in the shower …”

“It was very sexy.”

“Yeah?”

Her lips twitched. “I take back the fuddy-duddy crack.”

A trace of a grin touched his lips before he sobered. He swiped both hands over his face, steeled himself for part two. “About …”

“I don’t think I’m … I think we’re okay.” She laid aside her fork, hooked the coffee mug with slender fingers. “My cycle, the timing, I don’t think I’m ovulating.”

Leave it to Sofia to be blunt.

“I just panicked for a minute. I thought about it when I was in the bathroom, and I think we’re okay. Besides, one time.” She shrugged. “What are the chances?”

“I know you’re not that naïve.” He watched as she lifted the mug to her lips, noticed the slight trembling of her hand. Okay, so maybe she wasn’t so calm.

She sipped, regarded him over the rim. “I’m not pregnant.”

“What if you are?”

“I’m not.”

He studied her at length, keyed in on a pattern. “This isn’t real. This isn’t happening.”

Her cheeks flushed. “What?”

“You’ve said that a couple of times over the past two days. Like a mantra.” He leaned forward and laid his right hand over her left. “You can’t wish something away, Sofia.”

She slowly set down her coffee, her gaze riveted on the hunter green mug. “According to Rudy, affirmations are powerful. See it, be it. I guess, subconsciously, I hoped it would work in reverse. I wanted to spin reality into a bad dream.”

“Better to face your demons and conquer them, hon. Otherwise, they’ll linger or sneak back when you’re least expecting and bite you in the ass. It’s something I’m just realizing myself.” He smoothed his thumb over her knuckles. “We’re heading back to Phoenix today. We’re going to face what you’ve blocked out, together. Later, if it turns out you’re pregnant, we’ll face that together too.”

“Later?” She met his gaze, crinkled her forehead. “You mean you want to continue this,” she fluttered a hand, “whatever it is, after we solve the mystery?”

She blinked back tears, and his heart cracked. “I didn’t make that clear?”

“Last night when I asked how long you’d be around? You said,
‘as long as you need me’.
I just thought … ” She refocused on the mug, traced a finger around the rim. “It’s pretty standard in my world. Actors work together on a project. Weeks go by, sometimes months. It’s like living in this bubble. Friendships form, affairs flare. They seem genuine, but then the production ends and, well, people drift.”

“You think what’s happening between us is a result of being thrown together in a highly stressful situation? Once the adventure’s over the thrill is gone? Something like that?”

“I just know that things aren’t always what they seem.”

Then it clicked. Her reluctance to accept his amorous feelings as gospel, unfortunately, made perfect sense. She knew that he’d weaseled his way into the Falcone family by conning Julietta into believing he loved her. She’d been disgusted by his behavior. The lie. He’d been disgusted too. But, he’d been focused on the greater good. Christ, no wonder she didn’t trust him. “As long as we’re talking about worlds, maybe this would be a good time to clear the air about Julietta.”

Her gaze flew to his. Sympathy swirled in those big brown eyes. Sympathy and kindness. “You aren’t responsible for that woman’s death, Joe.”

“A wise person once said to me, and I quote:
‘Logically, I know that. But surely you of all people understand why I feel somewhat responsible’
.”

She flipped her hand over so that their palms connected, curled her fingers around his hand in silent unity.

Touched, he forced a smile and continued. “That same wise person pointed out, just yesterday as a matter of fact, that I’ve spent the last few months dodging life.”

She blushed. “So, on top of all your other talents, you have total memory recall?”

“Let’s just say important things stick.” He rolled his head to ease a kink. “Christ, I really don’t want to talk about this, but I need you to understand, Sofia. What I did, conning Julietta, I did in the line of duty. I didn’t feel good about it, but then again, over the years I’ve pulled some damned unethical stunts in order to eliminate some sick, dangerous scum. I had every intention …” he paused, closed his eyes, and summoned composure. Battling guilt and self-disgust, he refocused on Sofia. “I had every intention of letting her down easy. Once the sting was over, I planned to get her into counseling. She had an insecurity issue that exacerbated her drug and alcohol problem. I wanted to help, but …”

“She wouldn’t let you.”

“When she learned of my betrayal, she took refuge in her great-uncle’s home. The Falcone ranks closed in. I couldn’t get to her. I told myself maybe it was for the better. A clean break. I figured she’d be pissed at me for awhile and then move on to a new boyfriend. She’d moved on plenty of times before. Meanwhile, I hoped one of her uncles would bully her into laying off the booze and drugs.” He frowned. “A few weeks later, she overdosed.”

“You’ve been punishing yourself ever since.” Sofia shook her head. “I feel so heartless for chastising you like I did last fall. I didn’t know all the facts. Frankly, I didn’t care. I was having a hard time … Chaz had just … well, he lied to me. I still can’t believe I fell for his bullshit. What’s worse, it wasn’t the first time I’d been duped by a man.” She rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe I’m telling you this. I never confided in anyone, not even Lulu. But since we’re clearing the air, I want you to know why I was so hostile.”

“You don’t owe me …”

“Please. Let me get it out. Chaz told me he loved me, promised me the moon personally and professionally. Meanwhile, he promised several other actresses on his roster the same thing.” She groaned. “I was a blind fool.”

“No. You were trusting. You believed the best in someone who claimed to care about you. In that regard, you’re very much like your sister. All that optimism,” he said, quoting her from last night. “Priceless.”

And Chaz Bradley had taken advantage. Joe fisted his free hand in his lap. He’d clocked the bastard once. He should’ve done worse. “I knew Bradley was a prick the moment I laid eyes on him.” He frowned. “Okay. So I can see where you’d compare me to the guy.”

“Yes, well there’s a big difference between the two of you. I know that now. You actually feel bad about what you did. But quitting your job, Joe, a vital job. Was that really necessary?”

“I quit the Bureau because I didn’t like who I’d become, the depths I’d sink to to make a bust. I needed time away, time to reevaluate my life.”

“And I interrupted the process.”

“No, you kicked the process into high gear.” He wasn’t one for talking out his problems, wasn’t one for laying his emotional cards on the table, but he’d come this far. This woman, who’d been jerked around by a string of men, deserved complete honesty. “Sofia, I understand your reservations, but I assure you my feelings are genuine. Deep down, I was, I
am
hoping you’ll need me for a very long time.” He interlaced his fingers with hers, crawled out on a limb. “Like … forever.”

She tried to pull away, but he held her firm. “Please, don’t joke about that,” she said in a soft voice. “Out of the several months we’ve known each other we’ve spent, what, maybe sixty hours together? Once you get to know me better, you may end up hating me. Maybe you’ll grow bored. Crave variety.”

Inwardly, he cursed Chaz Bradley and every other bastard who’d treated her poorly. “Not gonna happen.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I just am.”

She glanced at the ceiling, shook her head. “How’s this going to work? We live in separate states.”

At least she was considering the possibility. “Come here.” He tugged on her hand, and when she rose, he pulled her down onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her head to his shoulder, soaked in her warmth, her scent. “I don’t have all the answers, Sofia. All I can say is, one step at a time.”

She traced her fingers over his lips. “I’m sorry I overreacted before. You’re right. I’m scared. About a lot of things.”

“I know.”

“We need to solve the mystery.”

He grasped her hand, kissed her palm. “Yes, we do.”

“I can’t remember his name, Joe. I can’t remember his face.”

“I think I can help you with that. Based on what you told me last night, I did some research, and narrowed the field to two strong possibilities.” He felt her shiver and strengthened his embrace. “Don’t worry, babe. We’ll face this together.”

“Together,” she whispered.

“Having a hard time with that, aren’t you?”

“I’m sorry. You don’t know how much I want to believe … I’m just, I’m not ready.”

“It’s okay.” He kissed her forehead, his body vibrating with optimism. “I’ll wait.”

Rainbow Ridge, Vermont

P
atience rated low on Rudy’s list of admirable qualities. Not always. Just today. When chaos reined supreme at Hollyberry Inn. And though it was pleasant chaos, it ill-afforded him even five secluded minutes with Jean-Pierre.

It started with breakfast—a crowded, noisy affair. Rudy’s idea of heaven. At first. Even though everyone had offered to pitch in, he and Jean-Pierre had taken charge. They’d worked seamlessly together, creating a smorgasbord of breakfast entrees. Rudy had concentrated on vegetable omelets, using fresh eggs from a nearby farm and Vermont’s award-winning cheddar, while Jean-Pierre whipped up a family favorite:
Crêpe Millefeuille
with Apple Compote and Apricot Jam. Since Afia had mentioned waffles, they’d served up a batch of those too, along with pure maple syrup and seasonal fruit.

Twice in the kitchen, he’d come close to saying,
I love you
. The three words he’d never spoken to any man. The three words he longed to say to Jean-Pierre, a no-turning-back declaration. But both times, they’d been interrupted. Even at the dining room table, it had been hard to get a word in edgewise, not that he wanted to declare his love publicly, but he had hoped to address the ghost issue.

No dice.

Talk had revolved around children. Afia and Jake’s upcoming birth. Lulu and Murphy’s plans to adopt. Afia’s work with HIV babies and Lulu’s specialized Loonytale, an anti-drug interactive story geared toward grammar students. In between, Jake and Murphy had swapped stories regarding recent cases, lapsing once into sports, which spurred Jean-Pierre to pipe in with his take on the highly publicized Super Bowl “wardrobe malfunction”.

Before Rudy knew it, breakfast was over. When the gang had offered to clear the table and clean the dishes, he’d accepted. Yes! Time alone with Jean-Pierre. The sooner he proposed, the sooner they could start making plans. He had his heart set on a small, intimate civil ceremony, but if Jean-Pierre wanted lavish, he’d have it. After all he’d put this man through, he’d deny him nothing.

Wanting to give him the grand tour of their new home as a prelude to his proposal, Rudy had escorted Jean-Pierre room to room explaining that he’d only purchased essential furniture and had left the decorating up to the creative genius. Jean-Pierre, thank goodness, had been duly impressed and touched.

He’d quickly ushered the man to the outer deck overlooking the Worchester Mountains. The sun shone, birds sang, and the pristine, green view was nothing short of magnificent. The perfect moment. But just as Rudy had prepared to drop to one knee, Afia and Lulu had winged open the sliding glass doors to announce they wanted to go into town. Unfortunately, Jean-Pierre expressed interest as well and before he knew it, Rudy had been sweet-talked into driving them into the quaint town of Rainbow Ridge while Murphy and Jake stayed behind to look further into the prowler issue and the faulty water heater. He started to tell them Casper was to blame, but why bother? Either they wouldn’t believe him or they’d interrupt him mid-sentence.
That’s
the kind of day he was having.

“I’m still disappointed that Jake and I never made it out to LA, Jean-Pierre,” Afia said from the back seat of Rudy’s Subaru. “Not that I’d want to live there myself, but I can imagine it must be very exciting. All those celebrities.”

“Sofie told me she was ordering a decaf espresso at Starbucks one day,” Lulu said, “and when she looked over her shoulder, who was waiting in line behind her? Mel Gibson! Can you imagine?”

“I would have gawked,” Afia said.

Jean-Pierre fidgeted in the front passenger seat, readjusted his seatbelt. “Sofia gawked. I was standing beside her, waiting for my Pumpkin Spice Crème. I think she even sighed.”

Rudy navigated a curve in the road, glanced sideways at his mate. “Did you gawk?”

“Wouldn’t you?”

He smiled. “Yeah. I guess I would.”

“So, what other celebrities did you run into out there?” Afia asked.

Lulu reached forward and squeezed JP’s shoulder. “Tell us some of your favorite stories. You must have some great dish. I know Sofie always does.”

Knowing JP despised the City of Angels, Rudy tried to commandeer the conversation. “Actually, I was hoping to tell you more about Casper.”

“The cat?” Afia asked.

“No, the ghost.”

“Casper the Ghost,” Lulu said. “I used to watch that cartoon. He’s not exactly what I’d call a celebrity.”

Rudy frowned at her via the rearview mirror. “I’m talking about Casper Montegue, the artist. A local celebrity. Dead.”

“Don’t know him,” she said, swiping her wild curls out of her eyes.

“Did you ever shop in Beverly Hills?” Afia asked Jean-Pierre.

“You would be in heaven,
Chou à la crème
.” JP reached over and squeezed Rudy’s thigh, letting him know he was up to the discussion. In fact, he spent the next fifteen-minutes enthusiastically conveying the wonders of Disneyland and Rodeo Drive, appealing to Lulu and Afia’s personal interests.