Illusions of Love (6 page)

I
walked back toward my office after two hours of interrogation that got me
nowhere. He lawyered up after a while, and I hit a dead end. I stepped inside
and hesitated when I saw Cole sitting in the chair in front of my desk. I
rolled my eyes and shut the door. “What do you want? I said to send the papers
not bring them yourself,” I grumbled as I sat down. I was already grumpy from
my failed interrogation. I didn’t need him to add to it.

He
smiled like my tone had no effect on him at all. “I don’t have the papers. I
came because I know you are getting off work soon and I would like you to join
me for dinner.”

I
looked at him a little unsure. He still had the gorgeous deep blue eyes that
made me want to do whatever he wanted. I could imagine there were tons of girls
that did whatever he wanted. I cleared my throat and looked away. “I don’t know
if that’s a good idea.”

He
laughed, and the sound sent sensations through me. “Afraid you might like it,”
he teased.

I
felt my cheeks heat up at his innuendo. “I am busy,” I countered trying to keep
my tone even. I knew I sounded ridiculous. I could hear the tone of my voice
and it made me cringe, but I couldn’t stop it. I silently cursed myself for
acting like a lovesick girl.

“I’m
sure. Just have dinner with me. It will take a whole hour out of your evening.
I know it is a lot to ask, but I am asking anyway.” He sounded amused like he
knew I wasn’t busy. I would just end up going home to my fish, Martin. I would
have a glass of wine, maybe a bath, and call it a night.

I
sighed relenting. “Fine an hour,” I said firmly as I stood.

He
smiled and stood as well. “I promise that is all I am asking.”

I
slid my coat on and followed him out. I was nervous as I walked beside him
toward the exit. I never felt for anyone what I felt for Cole. It seemed like
so long ago, but I could feel all the feelings trying to sneak their way in,
and that was irritating. The cool evening air hit my face and I felt a little
better.

“We
can take my car,” he said and smiled as he turned toward a pretty blue sports
car.

“What
happened to the truck?” I asked trying to ease the tension.

He
smiled as he held the door for me. “Believe it or not I still have it. Too many
good memories to give it up,” he said playfully.

I
felt my cheeks heat up as I slid in the passenger seat. I silently chided
myself for letting his flirtatious comments affect me. I couldn’t let him in
again; not after last time. He climbed in the car and set off. “You’re obviously
doing well,” I said as I looked the sleek interior of the car over.

He
glanced at me and a small smile played at his lips. “I am, doing very well. I
see you are too, detective.”

“What’s
with the tone?” I asked watching him.

He
shrugged. “I just didn’t see you being a cop.”

“What
did you see me being?” I asked a little curious now. The truth was I never saw
myself being a cop either. I decided to go for it and put all my energy into my
work so I didn’t have to think about a personal life.

“I
could have seen you being a model, maybe a porn star. You did have some moves,”
he teased.

I
smacked his shoulder and he laughed. “I am glad you had such high expectations
for me.”

“Well
you did date me. I mean that didn’t speak well for you.” He was teasing me and
I felt my cheeks starting to redden even more.

“Unfortunately
I agree,” I muttered.

“Ouch,”
he said amused.

I
sighed. “So any girlfriends I should know about? Hidden trust funds? Anything
that might surprise me?”

He
gave me his best innocent look after he parked. “Never. I already got my trust
fund, and I am married. I don’t cheat.”

My
mouth fell open in surprise. He had to be teasing me, but he looked serious.
“You’re joking right?” I asked a little nervous that he was serious.

“Maybe,”
he said as he climbed out. I couldn’t read his tone. I wasn’t sure if he was
being funny or serious.

He
held my door for me and I climbed out. “What do you mean maybe? It is a yes or
no question.”

He
smiled as he offered his arm. “I mean if you stick around long enough I might
tell you.”

I
narrowed my eyes at him, but didn’t say anything as I laced my arm through his.
He was definitely different. He was more of a gentleman and less of an unruly
young stud.

He
led me up the sidewalk to a small Italian bistro. I had been there once or
twice. It was a nice little restaurant. It would give us plenty of privacy to
talk. I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to talk. The longer I was around him the
more I thought about how things used to be between us. I looked up at him. He
was both a little confusing and intriguing. I wanted to know more about what he
has been doing. He smiled down at me like he knew exactly what I was thinking.
I quickly looked away as he led me inside the restaurant. We were immediately
seated, and he ordered a bottle of wine.

“So
what about you? Any boyfriends since me?” he asked. He attempted to keep his
tone light, but I could hear the hesitation in his voice like he didn’t really
want to know.

I
shrugged. “A date here and there, but nothing serious. I was too involved in
work. I still am,” I said giving him as vague of an answer as I could.

He
nodded in agreement. “I understand, I have been the same way. I am trying to
advance my company as much as possible while I am still young.”

“How
is everyone back home?” I asked changing the subject.

“Same
as always. You know that town will never change.” He had an amused expression
on his face like he knew how uncomfortable he made me. I hated it, but I was
uncomfortable. I was uncomfortable because I was afraid of falling for him
again. I still felt something for him. I would have liked to say it was all
anger, but it wasn’t. “I want you to have some of the money,” he said after a
few minutes of awkward silence.

I
shook my head. “I don’t want your money Cole. I never did. A piece of paper
says we were married. We have never functioned as a married couple. It is your
money. I am capable of making my own money.”

“I
am aware of that. I am not taking no for an answer. I already had your part
transferred to an account for you.” As he spoke he pulled a checkbook and a
debit card out of his inside jacket pocket.

I
crossed my arms defiantly and scowled at him. “I don’t want it.”

He
smiled. “I don’t care. It’s there whether you use it or not; that is up to you.
My conscience will at least be clear.”

I
scoffed. “Well I am glad it is so simple for you. Is that why you asked me out?
So you could force your money on me and clear your conscience?”

He
continued to smile, unfazed by my sudden mood change. “Partly; I also wanted to
see you and catch up. I will only be in town for a little while; then I am
going to France.”

“Oh,”
I said softly a little caught off guard. “What’s in France, if you don’t mind
me asking?”

He
shrugged. “Just a change of scenery. I have always wanted to go.”

Before
I could speak the waitress came over and we ordered our dinners. Once she left
I didn’t speak. I wasn’t sure what to say. The thought of him being that far
away bothered me. I thought he would be in town for good. I had thought of
certain possibilities. If he moved to France that would definitely make it
impossible for anything to happen between us.

“Where
do you live?” he asked after a few minutes.

His
voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I looked at him. “I own a house not
too far from downtown. What about you? Where are you staying?”

“The
Royal Hotel downtown. I don’t like it. I am looking at finding another hotel
soon. I haven’t exactly settled down long enough to buy a house and I won’t be
here long enough to rent or buy,” he said as he watched me.

 “I
have an extra room,” I said speaking before I thought about what I was saying.
“I mean there is no room service or butlers, but it isn’t a bad place,” I said
quickly hoping he wouldn’t agree to it. I didn’t know what I was thinking
inviting him to stay with me. I was beginning to think the wine was getting to
me.

He
laughed. “I don’t need room service or butlers, and it a nice offer. I wouldn’t
mind seeing it. I am sure anywhere is better than the place I am in.”

“Maybe
after dinner then.” I knew I sounded a little breathless and nervous. I felt
like such an idiot. My whole plan was to not let him get to me and I invited
him to live with me.

He
nodded. “That’s sounds good. It will only be for a month or so, and if you get
tired of me you can always kick me out.” He sounded playful. I was glad he was
disregarding my obvious discomfort.

The
waitress arrived and set our plates in front of us. I was relieved the food was
here. We ate in relative silence other than a few comments about the news or
the city.

After
dinner we walked back to his car in silence. He held the door for me and I slid
in the passenger seat. He got in his seat. “I can take you back to the station
so you can get your car. Then I will follow you back to your place,” he said as
he drove.

“Sounds
like a plan,” I said forcing a smile as I attempted to fight the butterflies
starting to form. I didn’t understand why he had such an effect on me.

“Are
you sure you are ok with me staying with you?” he asked as he glanced at me.

I
nodded. “I am barely there anyway. I am sure you are just as busy,” I said
brushing it off like it was no big deal.

“Ya
I am, and like I said, a month tops.” He was smiling like he knew he affected
me.

I
brushed it off. I was relieved when he pulled into the station parking lot. “My
car is the red Camaro,” I said pointing my car out.

 “That
suits you,” he said looking from the car to me.

“I
like it. Just follow me,” I said smiling as I climbed out.

I
was tense the entire drive to my house. I kept trying to figure out why I offered
to let him stay with me. I had a big house, so I had plenty of room. It was a
six bedroom eight bath Victorian. I got it at a great price and I redid the
entire thing. It was way too big for me. I kind of figured I would have kids
one day and that was why I bought it. Lately I wasn’t thinking that way much
anymore, and I was considering selling it. I was beginning to think I was meant
to be alone. I hadn’t even really attempted to date. I just worked.

I
pulled into my driveway and he pulled up next to me. I climbed out as he did.

“When
you said house I thought you meant a little two bedroom, not a house like
this,” he said amused.

“I
got a really good price on it. I redid the entire thing. It kept me busy when I
wasn’t working,” I said as I walked to the door. He followed me and I was
annoyed at how aware of his presence I was.

He
followed me in and I shut the door while he looked around. “This is really
beautiful. It seems a little big for you,” he said as he spoke.

I
shrugged and slid my coat off. “At the time I was thinking about the future.
Now I am thinking about selling it.” He watched me for a second and I couldn’t
read his expression. He looked like he was lost in his thoughts. “Come on, I’ll
give you a tour,” I said quietly.

I
led him through the house showing him each room. On the first floor there was a
formal dining room, a kitchen, a formal living room, a family room, a library,
a study, and two bathrooms. Upstairs were the six bedrooms. Each bedroom had
its own bathroom. Then there was a family room as well.

“This
place is great,” He said as he followed me into the kitchen. I loved the
kitchen because it was huge. There was plenty of room for cooking; if I ever
decided to cook that is. He looked out the double doors that led onto a deck, and
opened to a huge yard that was surrounded by a fence.

“Like
I said it was a steal. Would you like a drink?” I asked as I opened the fridge.

He
nodded. “A beer if you have it.”

I
handed him a beer, and got myself one as well. I sat on one of the barstools
while he continued to look around. The house really didn’t look lived in. I put
furniture in every bedroom and living room. I really had too much time on my
hands now that I thought about it. “Like I said I have room for you. You can
have any of the five bedrooms I showed you.”

“I
think it would be nice to stay here. I’ll have my things brought over if you
don’t mind.” As he spoke he walked over to the wall and started looking at the
pictures I had hanging up.

I
froze when I remembered there were pictures of him on that wall. I didn’t know
why I put them up or even kept them there. There were also pictures of my
family, including my uncle. He touched the one of our wedding night, and I felt
my pulse quicken. I couldn’t see his face so I had no idea what he was
thinking. There were others of us that I took during our short time as a
couple. He probably thought I was a crazy stalker. “Those all remind me of the
happier times,” I said quickly. I felt like I needed to say something. I felt
like an idiot.

“I
didn’t know you still had them,” he said softly.

“Ya,
so like I said I’m not home much. I attempt to keep the refrigerator stocked
and I have a lady named Mona that comes and cleans twice a week.” I was trying
to change the subject. The tension between us was a little awkward now,
especially after he saw the pictures.

“I
can fend for myself, I promise,” he said forcing a smile.

I
watched him for a second. He had that look on his face again. The look I
couldn’t read. My phone rang startling me a little. I looked at it and sighed.
It was work. I was being called in like always. I answered and promised to be
in soon. The suspect from the earlier robbery suddenly wanted to talk. I hung
up my phone and glanced at Cole. “I have to go in. Here is a set of keys,” I said
as I opened the drawer and pulled my extra set out.

I
walked over and handed him the keys. He caught my hand as I turned to leave and
I looked at him. “Thank you. I appreciate this,” he said softly.

I
smiled nervously. “It’s not a problem. I’ll see you later.” I quickly walked
toward the door before things got anymore awkward.