Pulse Points
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At this point, she had no idea what she was looking for. She had taken the general ledger home that the bookkeeper, Nelda Parrish, was responsible for, but it had shown nothing out of the ordinary, which was not surprising.
Kasey’s hand faltered. Even now, she found it difficult to invade Shirley’s privacy. It felt like she was somehow further violating the dead woman. Temporarily abandoning her task, she looked around. Shirley had made the most of where she spent the majority of her time.
The room was decorated in soft, soothing hues of green and taupe. Creative artwork adorned the walls, and personal memorabilia was placed just right on various tables and shelves. The ambience bespoke of money and power. But then the other offices were by no means shabby. The company occupied one entire floor of this upscale building thereby proving its former success.
What happened?
That question gnawed at Kasey. Yet she continued to hesitate to open the first drawer. It was then that she heard a noise. With goose bumps feathering her skin, she got up and went to the door. However, she didn’t open it. She leaned against it and listened. Several of the employees had keys. After listening a few more minutes and hearing nothing, Kasey felt silly, reminding herself that Detective Spiller lurked outside.
Besides, no one would likely make a appearance today unless it was Tanner. But after the episode in the restaurant, she didn’t think that likely.
Following Ginger’s bombshell that he’d just entered the restaurant, Kasey had been loath to turn around. Luckily she’d been spared. Tanner and his companion had strode past their table, nodded, then moved on. An immense feeling of relief had left Kasey weak, though she’d fought hard not to let her composure slip in front of Ginger.
“Man oh man,” Ginger had whispered, her eyes flashing. “TV doesn’t do him justice. He’s some eye candy.”
Kasey had to laugh, but then she scolded her friend. “Behave yourself.”
“Why?” Ginger’s tone was innocent. “He’s a widower, so he’s available.”
“You don’t know that.”
Ginger sighed. “You’re right, I don’t. I just betcha he has to beat women off with a stick. I’d have to take a ticket and get in line.”
Kasey rolled her eyes.
“Hey, you sure you’re not holding out on me, that you don’t know more?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Kasey all but snapped, giving Ginger an incredulous look. She had known Tanner had been married and that his wife had died from a heart condition. Mark had told her that. But as to the status of his current sex life, God forbid she had any idea.
“Too bad.”
“Hey, are you forgetting you’re not available?”
“Hopefully I soon will be.” Ginger’s mouth turned down. “Though I’m beginning to think Matt’s not going to ever let me go.”
“Yes, he is,” Kasey exclaimed in a firm tone. “He has no choice. He can’t stop you from getting the divorce. Just hang tough and you’ll get rid of him and get what you want to boot.”
“I’m counting on that.” Ginger’s features brightened. “If Tanner hires your agency, who knows what will happen.”
Kasey shuddered to think just how true that was.
“It could mean that what you want is finally within reach,” Ginger added.
“That’s a big if, my friend, so just forget it.”
“His offer?” Ginger sounded appalled. “You’d forget that?”
“Yes.”
Ginger waved her hand. “Pooh, I don’t believe you for a second. If and when he comes with an offer, you won’t turn him down. If you do, I’m going to have your head examined.”
Now, as Kasey thought back on that part of the conversation, she wished she’d kept her mouth shut, that she hadn’t said anything to Ginger. Tanner probably wouldn’t even approach her which would let her off the hook. But if he did, she’d have to ask herself why.
He had to know the agency was in trouble, didn’t he? Maybe not. He had more important things on his mind than a floundering ad agency. Yet she hadn’t mistaken what he’d said. Kasey blew out a breath and tried not to think about him or his intentions. If he called or showed up, she’d deal with him then.
The phone jangled beside her. She answered on the fourth ring. “Parker Agency.”
“Kasey, it’s Tanner.”
He didn’t need to identify himself. She recognized his voice the second he’d said her name. “Yes,” she said, gripping the phone.
“I’m outside, in my car. Is it all right if I come in?”
“Now?” she asked inanely.
“Yes, unless it’s not a good time.”
Kasey hesitated, but only for a second. “I’ll meet you at the door.”
Moments later, she had ushered him into her office, relieved to be back on familiar ground, though her domain was not nearly on a par with Shirley’s. In fact, she hadn’t bothered to decorate her office, since her situation there had been so tenuous.
“Sit down,” she said in as normal a tone as possible.
“Thanks.” He lowered his big frame into the chair, all the while looking at her.
It was all she could do not to flush under his scrutiny. “I haven’t made any coffee.”
He shook his head. “I don’t need any more today. I’ve had more than my share.”
She nodded.
“You’re not comfortable with this, with me, are you?”
Kasey felt the pulse in her throat beat overtime. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Sure you do. You wish I hadn’t come.”
She met his narrowed gaze head on. “If that were the case, I wouldn’t have let you in.”
“Good, that means we can do business.”
“I didn’t say that, Tanner.”
“Right,” he said through tight lips. “I’m getting ahead of myself.”
“Before we go any further, the agency’s not doing well. I may have to close it.”
“All the more reason why you should hear me out.” Tanner paused and crossed one powerful leg over the other. “First though, who’s the guy hanging around outside the door?”
She knew he was referring to Spiller. Or at least she hoped so, refusing to give credence to the other possibility. “What did he look like?”
Tanner told her.
“He’s a detective. I’m under protective watch.”
Tanner frowned and eased forward in his chair. That was when she got a whiff of his cologne, that same fragrance he’d had on at the cemetery. She ground her teeth together.
“Why?” he asked, his tone blunt.
She told him.
“Good Godamighty, Kasey, why didn’t you tell me?”
She raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t think it was any of your business.” And still didn’t, but she kept that comment to herself. What was the use of further antagonizing him? Besides, it was too late to cry wolf. By letting him in, she had made herself fair game.
“If you’re going to work for me, it’s my business.”
She gasped. “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”
“Typical politician, right?” Humor quirked his lips. “Isn’t that what you’re thinking?”
Kasey forced her stiff shoulders to relax and smiled. “That and more.”
“Ah, so you haven’t forgotten how to do that?”
“What?”
“Smile. The young girl I knew was rarely without a smile on her face.”
“I’m no longer a young girl,” she snapped.
“That’s for sure.”
His tone was drawling and his eyes were probing as they swept over her, stopping only after they clashed with hers. She wanted to vent the anger that was charging through her. But something else, something more potent, stopped her—the charisma of the man himself. After all this time, he still had the sexual power to knock her off her feet.
“Did you see the shooter’s face?”
His harshly spoken question brought her back to reality. “No. It all happened so fast, it was a blur.”
“Then he must’ve seen you.”
Was his tone anxious, or was she reading more into it than was there? “No, I’m positive he didn’t, or he would’ve already come after me.”
“I’m glad the police aren’t just taking your word for that.”
“Me, either, though it’s a bit disconcerting to know you’re being watched, even if it’s by the good guys.”
His gaze deepened. “So how are you holding up? Really?”
“Actually, I’m barely holding body and soul together,” she admitted, a tremor in her voice.
Tanner’s features contorted. “Damn, I hate that this happened.”
“I’ll be fine, Tanner. It’s not your worry.”
“You’ve already said that.”
A lengthy silence followed his terse words.
“Look,” she finally said, “whatever you had in mind concerning the agency won’t work.”
“Because you don’t want it to?”
“No, because it’s not in your best interest.”
“Why not let me be the judge of that?”
“All right, how’s this? The agency’s in such a hole I’m not sure it can make payroll at the end of the week.”
Tanner’s eyes widened.
“When I came six months ago, everything appeared rosy. Only after I got here did I learn that Shirley hadn’t been up-front with me. Financially, the agency’s on the skids. I don’t know how to be any more blunt.”
“Did you demand to know why?”
“Of course, more than once. But she always hedged with the same excuse, telling me the agency had hit a run of bad luck, that it had lost several lucrative clients in a row. I shouldn’t have let her get by with that, but I thought since I was so new I would tread lightly and give her the benefit of the doubt. Now I know that was a mistake. She’s dead, and the truth died with her.”
“The records won’t show where the money’s gone. You can bet on that.”
“Not the ones I’ve seen, that’s for sure.” Kasey drummed her nails on the desk. “When you phoned, I was about to go through her desk to see what I could find, if anything.”
“Good idea.”
“Detective Gallain’s due to question the staff and me later this week.”
“When you find where the money went, you may very well find her killer.”
“Maybe, maybe not,” Kasey pointed out. “The two might be in no way related.”
“I’m betting they are.”
“My point in telling you all this is so you’ll get a clear picture of why you should take your business elsewhere.”
“On the contrary, my business is exactly where it needs to be. I can keep your business afloat.”
“Why are you doing this, Tanner?”
“Will something as simple as I trust you suffice?”
“No.”
He chuckled. “It’s the truth. I just got burned by a big outfit in Dallas, the Randolph Agency, to be exact.”
“How do you know that’s not where I worked?”
“Because I checked you out.”
That fueled her anger. “You have a lot of nerve.”
“There’s a lot at stake—my political future.”
“Still, I’m not the right person to step in at this late date.”
“I disagree.”
“I’m flattered, all right. But I’ve been out of the hands-on part of the business too long. In Dallas I did mundane, grunt work, if you will. That’s a far cry from what you need.”
“But you’re capable.”
“Yes,” she admitted tersely, “but—”
“If I’m willing to take the chance, then what have you got to lose?”
Kasey opened her mouth to launch another strenuous objection only to then shut it. Tanner’s business would indeed keep the agency’s door open. Wasn’t that what she wanted? Yes. She desperately wanted to remain here, to make a go of this endeavor for her own sake as well as her son’s.
If only her savior was anyone but Tanner. She should turn the offer down for that reason.
“Kasey, all you have to do is say yes. It’s just that simple.”
A bubble of hysteria almost erupted. Simple. God, any association with him was anything but that. However, he didn’t know that, she assured herself. Her secret was safe forever.
“Kasey,” he pressed.
She took a deep breath. “All right. I’ll do my best.”
Seven
“S o do you have anything in mind right off?” Tanner asked.
“No,” she answered with raised eyebrows. “Surely you didn’t expect me to.”
He shrugged, then grinned, a grin that took her breath. She covered her confusion by saying on a burst of breath, “I don’t even know what you’re running on, what issues you feel strongly about.”
“You mean you haven’t been following my campaign?”
A glint in his eye had joined that grin, and she knew he was teasing her. Possibly even flirting. For a moment, she dropped her guard and took the bait, grinning back. She heard him release a gust of air when their gazes held for several beats.
“So are you interested in hearing what I’m about as a politician?”
Kasey spoke around her desert-dry mouth. “Now?”
“Why not?”
“Fine.”
“Are you going to ask me if I’m a Democrat or a Republican? Or is that something you happen to know?”
“Actually, I don’t.”
“I sure haven’t made an impression on you, have I?”
“Politics and politicians haven’t been high on my priority list.”
Tanner’s lethal grin appeared again, crinkling the skin at the corners of his intense brown eyes. “Please assure me that’s about to change.”
“Absolutely.”
He wiped his brow in a mocking gesture. “Whew, my faith is restored.”
Allowing this light banter to continue between them wasn’t wise. As it was, Kasey had already let it go too far. She was no match for him. In her vulnerable state she had to be careful, or she’d be snared again into that web of charm and self-assurance that was so him.
“So what made you decide to run for office?”
“In other words, why would I want to jump in a fishbowl?”
“Exactly. I can’t imagine living that kind of life.”
Tanner was quiet for a moment. “After the fact, I really think I can make a difference. But I never even thought about running for office until a friend, Jack Milstead, pitched the idea to me.” He paused with a shrug. “He was persuasive, and I needed a new challenge. The rest is history, as they say.”
“Rich and bored, huh?”
It was obvious she struck a nerve, for he stiffened visibly. “Is that your opinion of me?”
“I don’t have an opinion one way or the other.”
His lips relaxed and he cocked his head. “If you’re trying to piss me off because of another attack of cold feet, it won’t work. I’m not letting you off the hook.”
Kasey felt heat steal into her face. “So what are you passionate about? Those passions will determine how I map out the strategy.”
Tanner yanked at the knot on his tie until he worked it loose. “Ah, much better. Now we can get down to business.”
Kasey reached for a tablet, a pen poised above it. “I’m ready.”
“Here goes. I want higher pay for teachers—Texas ranks far too low on the pay scale to suit me. I’ve also devised a more efficient highway system for Texas that will alleviate the traffic problems in and around the major cities. I’m for tightening our borders in order to curb the drug traffic. And last but certainly not least, I intend to put an end to abuse of the elderly, especially in nursing homes. That gets my blood boiling like nothing else.”
“That’s quite an impressive list.”
“So you approve?”
“What’s not to approve, though it will take Super-man to accomplish them.”
He stared at her another long moment. “Maybe you should keep that thought in mind when you map out my advertising.”
In spite of herself, her lips twitched. “I might just do that.”
“Have any ideas jumped to mind?” he asked, grinning.
“Maybe.”
Her hedging wasn’t lost on him. “You’re not prepared to share, huh?”
“Not at this point. You’ll just have to trust me.”
“I do, or I wouldn’t have hired you. I think we’re going to make a good team.”
The room suddenly seemed too warm. Or was it the heat that infused her body under his intent gaze that seemed to peruse her body at leisure? Or was it that she was simply overreacting, reading much more into that look than was there? Regardless, she had to stop thinking about him in any way except that of a client.
Tanner, as a good-looking, available man, was off-limits.
“What about your opponent? I suspect as an incumbent, he’s formidable.”
“You got it,” Tanner countered, his jaws set.
For a few minutes Kasey listened and took notes on Tanner’s assessment of Butler, from his successes to his shortfalls.
“When do you think you’ll have some layouts ready?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Give me a few days. The staff will have returned, and maybe Detective Gallain will have come and gone.”
The mention of the detective’s name drew a frown from Tanner. “You won’t get rid of him that easy. Count on him being a pain in the ass. But that’s not a bad thing until Shirley’s murderer is in custody.”
Kasey rubbed her temple, then crossed her arms over her chest as if for protection. “I still can’t believe Shirley’s dead. It’s still like a bad dream.”
“I’m sure,” Tanner responded with grim under-tones. “Promise you won’t let it get you down.”
“I can’t. I have Brock and this agency to think about. They both need me.”
“And so do I. Don’t forget that.”
Kasey didn’t dare look at him for fear of what she’d see in his eyes. Even so, she was aware of him with every nerve—his big powerful body, how sharp he looked in his sports coat and slacks, the fresh smell of his cologne, the leashed passion in his every move.
“How ’bout I take you to dinner?”
Kasey jerked her head up, then licked her lips. “Uh, no, thanks. I need to get home.”
He looked like he wanted to argue, but didn’t. “No problem. Maybe another time.”
“Maybe,” she said in a hesitant voice.
His eyes swept over her once again before he turned and headed to the door. “I’ll be in touch,” he tossed over his shoulder.
Sweat saturated her body and her breathing was labored.
Kasey felt her heartbeat with every bounce of her running shoes as they slammed against the rubber on the treadmill. Once she and Tanner had concluded their business, she’d been a ball of nerves and her head ached.
Consequently she’d come straight home, changed into her workout clothes and climbed on the machine. She had considered running outside, but the churning clouds had looked so dark and stormy she opted to remain inside.
This grueling exercise session was a good thing. Both her mind and body needed relief. And exercising hard was soul-cleansing.
Even so, Kasey hadn’t completely rid herself of the demons raging inside her, most of which centered around Tanner Hart. She wasn’t sorry she’d taken him on as a client. She had come to terms with that. But she was nervous from both a professional and emotional standpoint.
She dreaded working in such close quarters with him. But in order to do the job and please him, she had no choice. However, she mustn’t treat him any different than she had countless others in his stead.
Only Tanner was different. He wasn’t just any client, and she’d best remember that. She couldn’t ever let her guard down around him. Cool and clearheaded were the operative words.
He would be in constant contact. She knew he would want input on every project she worked on. Her discussion with him had proved that.
After he had left, Kasey had sagged against the desk exhausted, feeling as though she’d been caught in a whirlwind. She hadn’t remembered him being so full of energy, on such high alert. But then, she hadn’t known him all that well despite…
Kasey had tromped down on that thought and gathered her belongings. The office had lost its appeal for more reasons than one. Shirley’s absence was a dismal reminder of what had happened. And without Tanner, all the vitality seemed to have deserted the room. She no longer wanted to be there.
Without a backward glance, she had walked out and closed the door behind her.
Now, as she pulled her mind off Tanner and back on her love-hate affair with the treadmill, Kasey blinked against the sweat burning her eyes. Deciding she’d had enough, she steadily lowered the speed button and was soon walking at a slower, but still brisk pace. Sweat continued to cleanse her pores. She reached for the towel draped over the bar and mopped her face and neck.
After a hot bath Kasey lay on the chaise lounge in her bedroom, a cup of chocolate on the table beside her and a legal pad braced on her legs. She had every intention of toying with ideas for Tanner. Whatever she and the staff put together had to be their best efforts. Pleasing him on her best days would be difficult. But challenging. That was the fun part. And the scariest.
Kasey lowered her head and stared. Not only was the yellow page blank but so was her mind. Except for Tanner’s face. She blinked, but his image wouldn’t disappear nor would details of the fateful night that changed her life.
“You’re tipsy, aren’t you?”
She giggled and pulled his head down close to hers. “So are you.”
“Whoa,” he said with a chuckle against her lips, “not so tipsy that I don’t know what’s happening here. You’re about to get me in a heap of trouble with my friend and your fiancé.”
“It’s his own fault. He deserted me for an old baseball game.” She licked her lips and grinned. “And he’s the one who asked you to take me, even though I barely knew you.”
“Still—”
“You don’t find me attractive?” she asked in a petulant, but cajoling tone, running her finger back and forth across his lower lip.
He groaned, then trapped that finger and sucked on it.
“Kiss me,” she whispered, grinding her hips into his hardness.
His moist lips adhered to hers in a long, hot kiss.
“Do you know what you’re doing to me?” he gasped, pulling back and staring down at her.
“The same thing you’re doing to me, making me hot.”
Without taking his eyes off her, he yanked open her blouse and sucked on her nipples until they were wet and torrid.
“I want to touch you,” she whispered.
Without taking his glazed eyes off her, he unzipped his jeans, reached for her hand and placed it on him.
She gasped, then with wonderment began to caress the rock hard but soft skin.
“Sweet Kasey,” he rasped, jerking down her panties, then leading her to the nearest sofa in the deserted parlor where he spread her legs and entered her.
A moan from deep within her stopped him midway. He stared at her wild-eyed. “Shit, I can’t, not when you haven’t—”
“Please, don’t stop now,” she pleaded, lifting her hips.
“But I’ll hurt you.”
“It’ll hurt worse if you don’t.”
He buried himself in her…
Suddenly Kasey jerked herself upright, her body bathed in a cold sweat while a wave of despair washed through her. Nothing she could ever say or do would excuse her despicable behavior that night so long ago.
She would never forgive herself.
Having grown up in a strict, religious home where guilt was the weapon of choice, Kasey had had little freedom before going away to college. Once on her own, she’d been highly susceptible to the fun and parties of the campus fraternities and sororities.
At one of those functions, she’d met Mark Ellis and soon after they had fallen in love. Or so she’d thought. One evening he had reneged on taking her to a private party. Because she was so upset at not getting to attend, he’d asked a frat buddy to sub for him.
Nothing had prepared Kasey for the charismatic and charming Tanner Hart. The second they met, sexual tension had leaped between them. After hours of laughing, dancing and drinking, they hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other and ended up making love.
Nine months later and much to her shame, Kasey had given birth to a healthy baby boy.
She had never told Tanner that she’d borne his son.
She had told Mark that she couldn’t see him anymore, that she was pregnant with another man’s child, a man who would remain nameless. Mark was devastated yet he had assured her that he could forgive her for betraying him, that he loved her and wanted to marry her. He’d gone on to promise her that no one would ever hear the truth from him and that he’d raise Brock as his own.