Highly Compromised Position (10 page)

“I think all of us should be ready for a call from Tom or Connor if they need backup,” Gavin said. His words chilled Tom.

“I agree,” Logan said. “What else?”

Everyone was silent until Gavin spoke up. “No ideas. Okay, for now we'll see what Tom and Rose's little noontime pretense produces.”

“One more thing those of us who live in the city limits need to do,” Mark said, “is vote for Jake. Election day is approaching. No one in this room wants Gretchen Halifax for Royal's new mayor. We need to all get out and make sure our families and friends go to the polls. If you aren't eligible to vote, then campaign for Jake.”

“Thanks,” Jake said with a smile. “If looks could kill, Gretchen would have done me in several weeks ago.”

“That witch. She surely will be defeated,” Gavin snapped.

“Well, let's all do our part,” Mark urged.

The meeting was over and Tom strode outside to his pickup.

“Tom!”

Tom turned to see Earl Finlay from the Royal newspaper rushing toward him.

“Wait up!” Earl implored, catching up with Tom who waited quietly. Earl had interviewed Uncle Lucas, his family and Tom when they were reunited in Royal. Earl was a distant Devlin relation, so the Devlins cooperated with him but only up to a point. He could push the questions until it was tiresome, and in the last interview Lucas had finally sent Earl on his way.

Gasping for breath, Earl blew locks of brown hair out of his eyes while he yanked out a small writing tablet
and his pen. His brown gaze focused on Tom. “There's a rumor going around and I want to check it out and see whether it's only that—a rumor—or if it's true. Do you think the Windcrofts know the exact location of Jessamine Golden's treasure?”

“No, I don't,” Tom replied swiftly.

“Aw, hell,” Earl muttered, looking crestfallen. “I'd hoped I had a scoop. Is the truce still on between the two families?”

“Are you interviewing me, Earl?” Tom snapped.

Earl's face flushed. “I might be a little.”

“Yes, there's still a truce,” Tom replied. “There's no treasure, that's just a wild rumor, and I need to go,” Tom stated.

“One more question. Who do you think has been causing all the trouble at the Windcroft place?”

“If I knew the answer to that, I would have told the sheriff the minute I learned the truth. I'll see you later,” Tom said, heading for his pickup again.

“Tom, do you swear that Rose hasn't asked you to help her find the treasure?”

“Stop listening to gossip. You know how things can get blown out of proportion and get a million miles from the truth.”

Earl trotted behind Tom, placing his hand on the pickup door when Tom slid inside. “You must have an opinion as to why someone has been trying to hurt the Windcrofts.”

“That could be most anything,” Tom said. “Someone who wanted to run them off their land or someone who is an enemy of the Windcrofts. Rose turned down a couple of men around this area. Will and Nita Windcroft both have fired hands who worked for them. Any of those people could be disgruntled and want to get even.”

“It's always been common knowledge that Rose Windcroft couldn't wait to get away from Royal and their horse farm. Most everyone figured she came back because of her daddy's injury, but maybe that treasure brought her back. Do you think?”

“I think Rose is deeply concerned about her family and the recent mishaps.”

“And you're certain that Rose doesn't know one thing about the treasure?” Earl repeated.

“I've answered that question. Goodbye,” Tom said, starting the engine. Looking disappointed, Earl moved out of the way and Tom shut the door of his pickup. With his jaw clamped shut, he drove out of the lot. The plan might be the best way to catch the killer, but he couldn't shake his terrible premonition that disaster would befall them.

Before he went to the Windcroft farm, he wanted to go back to the Devlin ranch. Now that he had a family, he wanted to keep them informed about his life, so he intended to tell his uncle how things had gone at the Royal Diner.

When Tom slowed in front of the barn, Uncle Lucas came out. Barrel-chested, gray-eyed, with powerful shoulders, Lucas Devlin was patient, likable and reliable. Dressed in his usual Western shirt and jeans, he strode toward Tom's pickup as Tom climbed out.

“I've already heard from one of the boys who heard from a friend in town that Rose Windcroft knows the location of the treasure.”

“Damn. Did everyone get on a cell phone and spread the word while Rose and I were eating lunch? Is there anyone in Royal who doesn't know about this?”

Lucas grinned. “I doubt it. Small towns have a way
of circulating news. To add to that factor is the gold. When money or scandal is involved, word goes with lightning speed. If I wanted to find out, I'm sure I could tell you what Rose was wearing.”

“I believe that. As I told you yesterday, this treasure stuff is all a ruse and I'm staying with Rose to protect her.”

“I hope it works, and you be sure to take care. If you want any of us to come help, let us know.”

“Thanks. I will.”

“If you have time right now, I could use a hand over here. I don't want you to get dirty.”

“My clothes wash. What can I do?” Tom asked, always glad to pitch in any way he could.

Tom and Lucas lifted long stacks of two-by-fours from a flatbed truck, then Tom went on to the guesthouse to get some more of his things.

While he gathered his belongings, he paused and made a call, arranging to have three dozen red roses delivered to Rose—at the main house, so she wouldn't answer the door when she was alone at her place. The impulse to send flowers surprised him. Did he really want to court her? Was he doing the wrong thing to cajole her into a loveless marriage? Or was he falling in love with her? How important was this ranch he had bought?

It seemed an eternity before darkness fell and he could leave. In his red pickup Tom drove on back roads through several counties en route to the farm house. When he entered the Windcroft property, he pulled off the road and cut his lights, waiting and watching to make certain no one was behind him.

While he sat in silence, he had time to think. Did he really want Rose to marry him? Did he want a loveless
marriage? As well as they got along in bed and otherwise, he suspected they might fall in love. He contemplated his feelings, wondering if he was already falling in love with her.

He had to admit that his attitude was colored by the expectation of a baby. A thrill zinged in him every time he thought about the baby, and he wondered how long it would take him to grow blasé about his approaching fatherhood. Becoming a father was fabulous. This might not be the way he'd intended it to happen, but it would be good.

He thought about the ranch that he'd had such high expectations for. He wanted badly to live in the country. Yet Rose had no intention of moving away from a big city, and he was convinced that she would never change her mind. Did he want to give up his latest dream for Rose?

He wondered again how strongly he felt about her. He remembered her laughter, the hot sex. Merely by thinking about her a few seconds, he could get aroused.

If she wasn't pregnant, how would he feel? He did care about her. For the first time in his life he didn't want to walk out on a relationship before it got serious.

If they caught the killer soon, she would go back to Dallas. One thing he knew for certain—he had no intention of getting out of her life or letting her out of his, not as long as she responded to him the way she did.

After a twenty-minute wait, Tom continued along the farm drive. When the lights of the guesthouse came into view, he let out a sigh of relief. He drove to the back and let himself in with the key Rose had given him.

“Rose!” he called as soon as he had punched off the alarm. “Rose!”

No one answered and Tom chilled, standing in the house while silence enveloped him.

“R
ose!” Tom called again. He headed to the kitchen moving lightly on his feet, listening for the slightest sound and wishing he had asked Lucas for a gun. Too late for tonight.

Every muscle was tense as Tom stood in the empty kitchen.

Then he noticed a note propped on the kitchen table. He hurried to scan it. Letting out his breath in relief, he tossed aside the paper. Rose was at the main house. He should have thought of that possibility, but panic had gripped him when she hadn't answered his call.

As he jogged across the drive, he tried to stay in shadows as much as possible, even though he knew it was highly unlikely anyone with sinister intentions would get close enough to keep the houses under surveillance. In spite of knowing that, when he crossed the
porch and knocked, he felt on display. As soon as the door swung open and he faced Rose, his pulse jumped.

Looking delectable, she had changed into a red skirt and blouse. He wanted to reach for her and pull her into his arms. The past few minutes of finding her house empty had given him a scare. Instead of hugging her, he jammed his hands into his pockets.

“Come in,” she said.

“I drove all over three counties to make sure no one was following me,” he told her as he entered the house and closed the door.

“Everyone is in the living room,” she said. “We've gotten a few calls this afternoon and Earl from the paper called wanting to know if the rumor he'd heard about my knowledge of the location of the treasure was true.”

“He quizzed me this afternoon, and of course I denied it, just as I'm sure you did. But no one wants to accept that after overhearing us today.”

“You're right. When he asked if I knew the location of the treasure, I told him the truth. I told him that if I knew where the treasure was located, I would have gotten it already and I would have talked to the authorities about it.”

“What do you think he believed?”

“That I know where the treasure is,” Rose replied. “He asked me if I found the gold, what would I do with it. Would I tell others? Would I go to the law with it? Did I know what the law was on finding buried treasure on our property?”

All the time she talked, Tom couldn't resist touching her. Pulling his hands from his pockets, he toyed with her collar and lightly caressed her nape with his right hand. He ached to hold and kiss her.

Instead when she took his arm, he walked beside her casually as they went to the family room to join the others.

Nita, Will and Connor wanted to rehash the afternoon and hear about the meeting of the Texas Cattleman's Club members. Connor sat with his long, jean-clad legs stretched out. He had his arm around Nita, who was curled up beside him on the sofa. For just a moment Tom envied Connor and his obviously happy marriage. Tom was surprised at himself because it was the first time in his life he had envied a guy because he was married.

Jane sat quietly knitting. Near her, Will was in his big chair with his foot propped on an ottoman, his eyes full of curiosity. “Rose said all went well,” Will commented.

“I think Rose was very convincing,” Tom replied. “We'll see what the future brings. At the restaurant I told Rose I'd come help her with the treasure on Wednesday afternoon, so something should happen soon.”

All the time Tom talked, he was aware of Rose sitting in a chair near him, so close yet so out of reach. He longed to get back to the guesthouse and be alone with her, and it was difficult to keep his mind on the conversation swirling around him.

Finally to his relief, Rose stood and said her goodbyes. In minutes they sauntered into the dark. Tom put his arm around her shoulders.

“I'm glad to be back here and have you beside me.”

She laughed. “I'm so protected, I don't know how anyone can do anything to try to get information from me. I think you guys should let me go into town.”

“No way!” Tom argued. “You're not doing that.”

“Tom, I'm so sheltered here, no one can get to me. And if anyone tries, they'll see that you're around. If I'm
bait to lure the killer, then I have to be out there where I can be seen. Tomorrow I'm going to discuss it with Connor and tell him to talk to the others about it if you won't.”

“He won't either. He was adamantly opposed to doing this. None of us would consent for you to go into town. Forget it.”

“Maybe you'll rethink it when Wednesday comes and nothing has happened. I think you need to get together with your Cattleman's Club guys and think about the next step. I don't expect one thing to happen between now and Wednesday.”

“Frankly I hope it doesn't.”

“If it doesn't, then you're not one degree closer to solving the mystery,” she argued.

Tom unlocked the back door and switched off the alarm, gazing around. “I'd feel better if you'd stay right here and let me check the house.”

“Why? We have an alarm and it was turned on.”

“I could get in here without setting off the alarm, turn it off, then reset it and hide in the seconds it takes for someone to leave the house. Connor, Gavin, and the others could all do the same.”

“You're not former military or a lawman. Where'd you learn about alarms?”

“I worked for an alarm company one summer while I was in college and I have an engineering degree. Alarms aren't that sophisticated unless you get a very expensive system and I doubt if this one is. Until recently, probably no one on the farm locked the doors at night.”

“No, we didn't when I was growing up. Why should we have?”

“Now there's a reason.” He glanced toward the front of the house. “You stay here and I'll be right back. If you hear a ruckus and I find someone in here, you run first and call Connor second. Just get the hell out.”

She nodded, seeing a side to him she hadn't seen before. “You sound like you've done this other times.”

He merely shrugged, put his fingers to his lips and left the kitchen. She didn't hear a sound after he left. She wondered if he carried a weapon. She surveyed the kitchen, moving on tiptoe to open the pantry.

Bright light spilled over shelves neatly stacked with staples, canned goods, bottles and jars. She switched off the light and soundlessly closed the door, looking at the door to the hall closet. She crossed the room to open it and see that everything was as it should be.

In minutes Tom came striding back. “Everything's fine. Come in.”

“Are you armed?”

“Only with compliments. You looked good enough to be lunch today and even more attractive tonight.”

“Thank you,” she said laughing. “And thanks for the beautiful roses.”

“Sure. Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady.” His fingers closed around her wrist and he drew her to him. “Come here, Rose,” he said, his smile vanishing as he held her in his embrace. “It's been way too long since we've kissed.”

As her heart thudded, she put her hands on his muscular biceps. She looked up at him. “Tom—”

“Shh,” he whispered. “Just kisses.” He leaned down, his gaze going to her mouth until his lips covered hers.

While her pulse raced, she wrapped her arms around
his neck and stood on tiptoe to return his fiery kiss. Pressing against his hard length, she poured all her yearning into it, in spite of knowing that every kiss was building a bridge to disaster.

Tom leaned over her, his tongue possessing, touching off flames that sent melting currents in her veins.

“I want you, Rose,” he murmured. “I want you back in my bed like we were that first night.” Trailing kisses to her ear, he caressed her nape.

She looked into scalding gray eyes that proclaimed his longing as convincingly as his words. “You're trying to seduce and charm me to get me to say yes to your proposal. You can't get my answer through your head. You have the tenacity of a bulldog.”

“I just know what I want,” he said, his tongue tracing the circle of her ear and sending more tingles dancing. She ached low inside and wanted him. His mouth covered hers again and his tongue went deep into her mouth, stroking her tongue.

“Tom, stop,” she said, pushing against him. “You're trying seduction and you want marriage, which would be wonderful if you were in love, but you're not. This is lust and determination to get your way. I don't want to be part of that. I'll say it again—I'm not marrying and settling on a ranch.”

“You won't give us a chance together,” he accused, a muscle working in his jaw.

“That's because of your motives. You're not doing this because you really want me or—”

“Oh, the hell you say!” he said in a low voice. His eyes were darts of lightning that made her breath catch. He caught her around the waist and hauled her against him as his head came down and his mouth covered hers
again. This time, his kiss was full of such blatant desire that she shook.

He kissed her as if she were the only woman on earth and he was on his last day. His fiery, passionate kiss rocked her to her innermost being. His mouth on hers proclaimed that she was his woman, that he desired her more than life itself.

Stunned by his ardor and the white-hot sensuality that left no doubt that he wanted her desperately, she trembled and clung to him and kissed him in return. Her pulse roared, shutting out sound. Her mind had clicked off, and she was running on feeling and passion. Blinding lights exploded behind her closed eyelids while her world spun out of control.

Shaken by the intensity of his need, she was devoured and empowered at the same time, surprised by the depth of the effect she must have on him.

He swung her up and carried her to his bedroom while he continued to kiss her senseless. When he set her on her feet, her need for him was escalating, driven by his caresses as he slid his hand down her back and over her bottom.

“I want you, Rose. And we can have love between us,” he said, grinding out the words while his fingers twisted free her buttons and her skirt dropped away. He pushed off her blouse and stepped back to cup her breasts in his large hands, his thumbs circling her nipples and sending heat waves convulsing in her.

He unsnapped her lacy bra and peeled away the black thong she wore, sliding his hands slowly down her legs while he knelt to trace fiery paths across her belly with his mouth.

She gasped, winding her fingers in his thick, short
hair, and then she pulled him up. “Let me kiss you,” she said while her fingers tugged at the buttons on his shirt and unbuckled his belt. As soon as the last clothing was shed, she stroked his manhood.

He groaned, framing her face with his hands. “I want you, Rose. You'll be mine. You're fighting something good and lasting.”

He kissed away her answer and picked her up to place her on the bed before moving between her legs. With his manhood thick and hard, he entered her slowly.

She wrapped her long legs around him, running her hands over his firm butt and tugging him closer. He withdrew and plunged into her again, moving with deliberation to fill her. While sweat broke out on his forehead and shoulders, Tom fought to keep control so he could drive her wild with need. He wanted her moving beneath him, desiring him. He intended to send her over a brink and see her lose the control that she always had to have. He craved her and he wanted her to yearn for him.

“Tom!” she cried, tugging on his buttocks, running her hands on the backs of his thighs. She nipped his shoulder lightly. When he turned his head, she caught his lower lip in her teeth and then drew her tongue over his lip.

He bent his head closer and gave her another kiss while she ran her hands over his naked body and moved beneath him.

“Tom, love me!” she implored, and his pulse jumped again. Sweat still poured off his body and he struggled to keep from letting go, drawing out her pleasure as long as possible.

“Rose, my love,” He ground out the words and then his control was gone. He moved his hips, thrusting hard and fast, filling her while her warm softness enveloped him.

Arching beneath him, she screamed with pleasure. She gasped and climaxed, ecstasy spilling over her as she stroked his back.

“Rose!” He ground out her name and shuddered with his release, pumping into her before he slowed and then languidly moving with her until he rolled over and propped his head on his hand. “Rose, it's fantastic. We're damned fine together.”

She started to say something, but he put his finger on her mouth and gave her a look that made her bite back her words. “Shh,” he whispered. “Give us a chance. You're not even allowing us an opportunity to love.”

“You're a dreamer, Tom.”

“No, I'm not, and no one else has ever accused me of being one.”

“And you go after what you want like someone driven.”

“Stay here with me.”

“I am with you and I'm not leaving,” she said, finally beginning to catch her breath. She ran her fingers over his smooth, muscled shoulder.

“No, I mean all the time. Before you answer, think about it. I want you with me.”

Rose lay in the semidarkness, the only light spilling in from the hall. She gazed into his eyes while she played with locks of his hair that tumbled over his forehead. Dark stubble was beginning to cover his jaw, and she drew her index finger along his chin.

“I want you with me,” he repeated.

“Are you doing this to guard me?”

“Hell, no. I can guard you without being in bed with you.”

She wondered what it would be like to be married to
him, but then thoughts of his ranch loomed. Moving to the country was a total barrier. “There are so many questions, Tom. We don't know each other really well. But the ranch is a bigger hurdle. I can't stress often enough that I won't compromise on that. I won't live there even part of the time.”

He sighed. “I don't know, Rose. I had my heart set on the ranch. I wouldn't have to stay on it all the time, but I'd want to some of the time and I'd want you there with me.”