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“Great praise considering that you sounded like you wanted to take clippers to those French nails of hers for her attempted matchmaking.”
The man saw entirely too much for her peace of mind. “Rae has no sense of boundaries where her affections are concerned. She expects us to recognize that what she does is for our own good. Just ask Gus,” Eve added with a chuckle. “But she’s been the equivalent of that college degree I never got as she’s mentored me. And she’s generous to a fault.”
“Then I’m glad you found her. Has this been your first position since moving up here?”
“My second, actually. My first was a secretarial position in the front office of the Broncos, but that was all too much of a reminder of what I’d just left.” Trying to think of a segue out of this line of conversation, she stroked the cool edge of the smooth goblet. Glass was one of her favorite mediums, but she had no artistic passion to do something creative herself. She was beginning to wonder if she had any passion whatsoever. She had Wes to thank for that self-doubt, as well.
“Doesn’t the D.A. want a little of your time?” she asked a little too brightly. “I thought when someone invites you to something like this, it’s because there are things they want to talk about. Or there’s someone you needed assistance in meeting at the function.”
As he tasted his wine, Derek’s gray eyes lit with amusement. “That’s mostly the case in fiction when you have to fill the pages between action scenes. If it wasn’t for my swollen ego, I’d worry that you’re trying to get rid of me.”
“No,” she lied. “But I just wanted you to know that I understood if you wanted to get back to mingling or—I don’t know what’s off-limits to talk about given your job?” Our past. Did you ever have a clue as to what was going on? Was Wes as friendly to you as Sam was to me pretending that everything was normal?
“Ask what you’d like—except for the number of the red phone on the president’s desk. Also, if there really are aliens at Area 51.”
Suddenly, Eve got it—she was fluff to him. Harmless. Her makeover may have upgraded her sex appeal, but he undoubtedly knew better and just saw her as an easy route to getting through his own difficult holiday break before returning to his real world. That compelled her to ask a question that would have annoyed her if their places were reversed.
“Have you heard anything from Samantha since your divorce?”
“No,” he said, without hesitation. “But I’d made it clear to her that I expected not to, except through our attorneys. Are you hoping to hear from Wes?”
“Good grief, no. I think that’s the one thing that would make my family disown me.”
“Whatever it takes,” he mused.
While his lips curved in that appealing way, Eve thought she read something in his smoke-colored eyes that made her think of secrets. She grew immediately apprehensive. “But you … know … something?”
“Eve, it’s New Year’s. Do you really want to do this?”
“The fool got fired, didn’t he? It serves him right. I was always baking brownies and fried pies to soothe the assistant coaches he’d offend—”
“I hear through reliable sources that our exes are expecting.”
She didn’t gasp, she had that much control. But otherwise, Eve was shocked into just staring at him.
“There lies the lesson,” Derek said quietly, almost apologetic. “Sometimes flirting with the idea that you want information ends up teaching you that you don’t.”
Summoning what pride she could, she straightened her spine and squared her shoulders and insisted, “I’m only surprised at how fast it happened.”
“I suspect, being several years older than you, Samantha’s biological clock was sounding like Big Ben’s toll to her.”
“You didn’t want children?” she asked, without thinking.
His look was enigmatic, but he replied, “A child isn’t always the solution to problems.”
Eve looked out into the magical night and watched the lights twinkle on the shrubbery and trees. “I’m so clueless, I didn’t know we had problems. We were married for almost eight years, and I believed him when he reasoned that we should wait before starting a family.” Until he had job security, then it was a larger nest egg, then it was something else.
“Well, if money was one of the reasons, they don’t have that concern now. I gave Sam the house, and she’ll get close to half of my pension to date.”
Eve slid him a sympathetic look. “You were very generous.”
After something close to a growl, he replied, “Legally, there wasn’t much I could do about the pension, and I ended up giving her my equity in the house to keep from having to liquidate a few other things that I inherited from my side of the family.”
“You don’t have anyone left, do you? I think I remember Sam saying you were an only child, too?”
“That’s right.”
“Thankfully all of my family is still alive.” Eve almost felt guilty for having so much when he had so little. What’s more, she had a reliable vehicle and a modest nest egg from her share of the equity that had come from the sale of their house, and Wes’s college debt was paid off. “I’m sorry that you have to think about Wes living in your house.”
“That happens less than you might think.”
Seeing his eyes try to hold her gaze, she admitted, “You know, back when we were neighbors, I was intimidated by you. So much so that I delayed going outside if you were mowing or something.”
He leaned forward and offered a conspiratorial, “We train to have that effect on people. Keeps everyone but reporters and politicians at arm’s length.” Lifting his glass again he waited for her to lift hers and gently touched rim to rim. “Allow me to make amends.”
Eve’s heart skittered at his subtle flirtation. “Amends” were not necessary and those feelings were part of a past she really was trying to put behind her. On top of that, she reminded herself, while he was handling her with kid gloves, she was still being handled. He’d admitted as much. He was a control-oriented man. Hadn’t she just divorced one of those? Maybe Wes was an amateur compared to someone trained by a government agency, but Wes had carried some clout in their community as he’d risen to the post of head coach of consistently winning football, basketball and baseball teams. Increasingly, he’d carried that persona home with him. She’d parried it with some success through her sense of humor and the reminder that “For better or worse” didn’t necessarily mean illness, it meant someone dropping the ball relationship-wise. No, hindsight told her that she hadn’t been completely blindsided by the divorce.
“You have to appease my curiosity,” Derek said, breaking into her thoughts. “What brought you to Colorado? I think Samantha said you were born and raised in Texas.”
“That’s true. All of the senior members of the family live near a retirement community north of Houston. That’s where both sets of my grandparents are. My parents joke that they live off campus.” At Derek’s surprised look, she grinned with pleasure. “Yeah, the Eastons and Leelands are a bunch of tough old birds. Plus I have an older brother, Nicholas, in Houston. He’s a cardiac surgeon, and my middle sibling, Sela, is a corporate attorney in San Antonio. To answer your question, I just needed some space. It’s true that my grandparents are getting frail, but I thought I could catch a flight anytime and spend a long weekend with everyone. What I didn’t count on was how busy Rae would keep me. And I must admit the cold makes me question part of my decision. Don’t get me wrong, I like the outdoors but winters aren’t as long in Texas as they are here.”
“You’ve got that right. Do you ski?”
She couldn’t quite stifle a giggle as she thought of her answer. “I’m deemed expert on the kids’ beginner slope, and I’ve humiliated myself twice by taking the 360-degree excursion tour via the lift to the adult slope. Just ask Rae and Gus.”
“I could cure that.”
Wow, Eve thought, when the man wanted to make a point, he didn’t mince words. “Short of threatening me with arrest for scaring children and wildlife with my screams, I doubt it.”
Derek’s look was as intimate as it was confident. “That I’d never do.”
Once again she felt things she had no business feeling around this man. Eve was certain that he didn’t really mean to sound seductive, but an undeniable chemistry had spawned between them. What a surprise, considering his deceptively conventional appearance. His square-jawed, slightly off-angle face denied him classical handsomeness the way his loose-fitting suit almost hid that he was a man of strength. Having glimpsed his badge as he’d tucked away his BlackBerry, she supposed the cut of his clothing was to hide what else that belt carried. She’d seen him in shorts and his legs were powerful and well shaped. Even tall Sam must have felt tiny wrapped in his arms.
“Well, either way,” she said, grateful for the darkness that hopefully hid her blush, “you’d be wasting your time.”
“Then you should try cross-country skiing with me. I actually like it better. Shorter skis, and you can pick the difficulty of your terrain. Plus it’s more private,” he added at her doubtful look. “Few people to see any mishaps.”
Her traitorous imagination pictured them in a secluded part of the woods, her sandwiched between him and a great old pine, him unzipping her jacket and caressing and kissing her until she couldn’t feel the cold anymore.
She shook her head to stop the images. “Skidding across the supermarket parking lot is as adventurous as I’m willing to get these days. Trust me, I’m too boring for you.”
“Says who? Wes the Wonderful, who needed to collect more than sports trophies to feel good about himself?”
Although his tone wasn’t unkind, the sting of truth had Eve swallowing hard. She raised her glass in salute, even though she wasn’t sure her hand would be steady. “You’ve got me, G-man. I guess a new dress does not a bruised ego fix.”
“It’s New Year’s and whether you’re into resolutions or not, at least let your hair down for the evening. Figuratively speaking,” he added, giving her cute do another admiring glance. “That’s a great song they’re playing out there, can you hear it?”
She could. She was woefully behind with new titles and singers, but she loved this classic. “Etta James singing ‘At Last.’”
“Ma’am.” Derek rose and formally bowed as he extended his hand. “These are close quarters, but would you care to shuffle?”
Why not? she thought, liking him more with each surprising disclosure into his character. She also was touched at how he was trying to make her feel comfortable around him. Unable to deny the invitation in his eyes, Eve placed her hand in his and rose. “Brave man risking a trip to the E.R. tonight.”
His chest shook in laughter as they stepped toward each other in that little cool nook bathed in muted light and surrounded by Rae’s pots of herbs. Their addictive scents added to the ambience as man and woman rocked gently to the romantic jazz. In her heels, Eve’s temple barely reached his freshly shaven, strong jaw, and yet her hand, engulfed in his, felt like she was cocooned in peace. It was intriguing to discover that someone larger than Wes, and in a more serious line of work, could exhibit so much more tenderness.
“You’re one surprise after another,” she murmured, letting her eyes close. “I’m going to remember this.”
“I damn well hope so.”
She chuckled softly at his mock indignation. “Do you sing?”
“Now you’re pushing your luck.”
As he spoke, his breath subtly moved her bangs and tickled her forehead. She realized she wouldn’t have minded if they were his lips. “Do you mind if I do?”
“Are you kidding? Was Tom Hanks ever crazy enough to say no to Meg Ryan?”
Softly, Eve crooned the next stanza.
“Lady, you have soul in your genes.” Derek stopped and coaxed her chin up so he could see her face. “I want to hear more.”
But there was no more music. The stereo went silent and someone turned up the TV to play the countdown to the New Year. Eve and Derek looked at each other. Despite the distance, the cacophony threatened to shatter the fragile web of magic between them. Time had passed more quickly than either of them realized and caught them in a particularly unexpected and potentially complicated situation.
“Five … four … three … two … one … Happy New Year!”
“Happy New Year,” he murmured, his gaze roaming over her face.
“And to you,” Eve whispered. She grew sad as she felt this sweet, unexpected moment coming to an end.
But instead of releasing her, Derek slowly lowered his head and touched his lips to hers. The caress was warm and gentle. He made her feel delicate and special. Before she could reason herself out of the impulse, Eve kissed him back.
With a sigh of relief, or gratitude, he slid his arms around her again, only this time he brought her closer. Nevertheless, it felt as right as when they were dancing. Then he slanted his mouth over hers, seeking a deeper connection.
“Eve?” Rae called as she swept into the kitchen. “Have you seen Special A—? Oh … and there you are!”
Chapter Two
Eve and Derek separated like guilty teenagers caught by their parents. Well, she did, which gave Derek little choice but to release her. She automatically smoothed her hands over her dress, while miserably watching Rae pat her hands together as though she’d just hit the jackpot at Vegas.
“Do you need me to bring out something?” she asked.
“No, no. Apologies, darling,” the redhead all but gushed. “I just had to tell Special Agent-in-Charge Roland that we need to arrange for a ride for him. The district attorney’s neighbor’s house is on fire, and he rushed off to make sure all is well at his home. He sends his deep regrets,” she added to Derek. “Eve dear, I’m thinking you should handle this, since you and Derek are longtime friends.”
As Rae began bobbing her head up and down for emphasis, Eve started shaking hers. Leave the party with Derek Roland? They’d only been alone for a little while and look what had already happened! Besides that, she wasn’t about to drive down this mountain at night with the road still mostly covered in packed snow and ice. She was barely competent at driving in the stuff down on the flats.
“Rae, did you forget that I was to stay and help Carmella clean up?” she asked, referring to the Graingers’ live-in housekeeper.
Rae dismissed that technicality with a flick of her hand. “If I can’t adjust to a little unexpected glitch like this, I’m in the wrong business, aren’t I? Not to worry, dearest. We’ll get things taken care of. Enjoy the reunion, you two and—Happy New Year.”
She dashed away before Eve could think of another reason her presence was vital. That left her and Derek in awkward silence.
This was definitely a night for reality checks, she thought with increasing embarrassment. “I can’t decide whether she thought she was helping, or being sarcastic,” Eve told him. “I’ll go explain that she was wrong about what she thinks she saw.”
“What was it then?”
The question, as much as the way he was watching her, left Eve at a loss. She hadn’t meant to offend him. All she’d intended to say was that she’d gotten caught up in the moment. Rae might have even done her a favor before she’d made a bigger fool of herself.
“You don’t have to feel obligated about the ride,” Derek said, suddenly reaching for his BlackBerry. “I’ll call for a cab.”
To come all the way up here tonight of all nights? “The aspens will leaf out before you have any luck with that plan,” she told him, resigned to what had to be. “Rae’s right. I’ll take you.” It was the only principled thing to do. Tomorrow, Eve told herself, tomorrow she would talk to Rae. Explain that what she saw was just a bit of late-night craziness on top of a hectic schedule and too little rest or food. “Let me get started on loading the dishwasher.” Back in pragmatic mode, she felt more in control of herself. “We’ll have to wait a few minutes anyway, until some guests leave and there’s access to my car.”
It was closer to an hour before that became possible, but it passed quickly with Derek insisting on doing his share to help. Eve didn’t know whether to be flattered or wonder if he was staying close because he suspected that she might change her mind and abandon him, too?
Finally, after saying a formal good-night to the Graingers and the die-hard partiers, Eve led the way to her red SUV. Only a few steps out the front door and—despite the salt they’d spread earlier—she slipped on some resilient ice. Thanks to Derek’s fast reflexes and strength, he saved her from a nasty backward fall.
“Those heels are suicidal. You should have brought boots to change into.” His breath creating puffs of vapor in the frigid night air that floated around the faux-fur trim of her red parka telling her what she already knew, since his hands were clasped tightly to her waist and her back was flush to his torso. He was leaning close trying to see her face. But now that they were more alone than ever, she couldn’t risk looking into those soul-searching, shaman eyes of his.
“I did. They’re still in my suitcase,” she said, pointing at her vehicle. “I didn’t think I’d need them or my case until later.”
“This is just not turning out to be your night, is it?” he said wryly.
He didn’t know the half of it, she thought, as they continued on toward the SUV. However, as she began to key the door locks, she knew she couldn’t continue this way. “Full disclosure,” she blurted out. “I’m an insurance agent’s dream customer. Not so much as a driving citation, let alone a fender bender on my record. But the other reason I wanted to stay here tonight and help out wasn’t because of you. It was to avoid driving down this mountain in the dark. On the cliff side of the road, no less.” She held out her keys to him as though they were toxic. “Even if you didn’t go through one of those wild defensive driving courses I’ve heard they give you guys … would you mind? And feel free to resist confessing if your own driving record is the worst in the Bureau’s,” she quickly added.
“It isn’t.” The speed with which Derek took possession indicated that he’d been trying hard not to suggest this solution from the moment they’d stepped outside. “Let me get your door,” he said, all solicitude and reassurance. Keeping his arm around her, he succeeded in getting her safely inside.
When they were both settled and he had the engine purring, she fastened her seat belt, turned on her seat’s warmer. Then she basically continued with all of the little fussing movements that came with the reality that their close confines felt more intimate than the sunroom did.
“I think I’ve lost feeling in a few toes,” she said, leaning forward to watch as she wriggled them in the strappy shoes.
“I should have carried you,” Derek said. “It would have been faster and safer.”
The idea of being in his arms again heated her body faster than the heater could. “You’re kind, but tongues will be wagging enough as it is.”
She could feel his sidelong glance and just knew a question was coming; however, it didn’t. Relieved, Eve prepared herself for the nerve-wracking descent.
As they started down the winding road, Eve was surprised to see that although there had been several people leaving at the same time, she could see only one car ahead of them. Everything else was dark, including most of the other houses tucked into the mountainside. By day she loved this area, loved the way nature crafted art via location and climate into every tree, the way sun and shadows played tricks on the eyes making you see things that weren’t there, and forced you to pay closer attention to not miss what was. But at this hour, all she saw was the sweep of snow cutting downhill and its steepness made her stomach roil.
In self-defense, she half turned to face Derek. “Don’t think I’m staring,” she told him. “I’m simply trying to avoid dealing with what’s behind me.”
“I have to ask, just to reassure myself—is there a panic attack issue you need to tell me about?” Although he frowned, and didn’t take his eyes off the road, there was amusement in his voice. “I don’t have to worry about you grabbing the wheel or anything, do I?”
“I don’t think I’m that far gone. Unless we skid.” Please don’t skid. Please don’t skid. But he was handling the machine beautifully, so far successfully avoiding every patch of ice.
“Why don’t you tell me about that birthmark?”
“That what?” Belatedly, Eve remembered her earlier remark when he’d first entered the kitchen. “Oh! That was just … comedic relief.”
“I’m crushed.”
Eve wished she had the courage to turn forward again, but was afraid that if she did, she would lose what little she’d eaten this evening. She chose her second-best option—to duck deeper into her jacket like a shy turtle. “I’m not really the flirt you’re taking me for.” Of all the people she’d had to make a fool of herself in front of, why did it have to be him?
“Doubly crushed.”
“Seriously. I’m the dumped wife, remember? Sex appeal in the negatives.”
“Right. Which is why, in hindsight, I found myself wishing Rae had taken a wrong turn instead of locating us as quickly as she did.” Shifting slightly in his seat, he abruptly added, “This might sound like bitterness, since I’m the rejected party, as well, but I don’t owe Sam squat, let alone allegiance, and hadn’t for some time. So let me just say this for what it’s worth. Wes is a fool … and that’s on top of being the four-letter equivalent of excrement.”
Eve waited for more, but Derek, erudite man that he was, said nothing else. “Feel better now?” she ventured to ask.
“I do, actually.” After a few moments, he added, “I wish you did.”
“I’m getting better.” At his brief, disbelieving look, she added, “It’s not like I’m hoping he’ll waken one morning to the revelation that he made a mistake.”
“I should bleeping hope not.”
It was sweet of him to be so sensitive to her battered ego. But despite his comment about loyalty undeserving, she couldn’t completely shake the nagging concern that all this attention to her was because he harbored a little fantasy about exacting a bit of revenge against one or both of their former mates. Eve inwardly shook her head at how she had become her worst enemy.
In took less than twenty minutes until the worst of their descent was over. In that time, Eve carefully kept questions away from personal matters. She asked if he supervised a large group of people, and he told her that including clerical staff, they had just under two hundred agents.
“There’s roughly the same number of specialists, analysts and pro staff. Then there’s the different task forces.”
“Good grief, you’re a king with your own kingdom,” she said, intimidated all over again.
When they could see the highway that would take them back to the city, she looked for signs of smoke, or—worse yet—flames, indicating D.A. Maines’s situation had grown dire. “I’m sorry I didn’t voice more concern over the D.A. Will you be able to call him and see how things are over there?”
“Yeah, I’ll check as soon as I get home.” Derek turned onto the interstate. The lights from Denver’s skyline painted a glittery landscape and stark contrast to the wooded foothills. “If anyone is going to get a fast response from the fire department, it’s his neighborhood, but I don’t blame him for hurrying off. I would have done the same thing.”
“I’ve met him only a few times, but he seems quite the family man.”
“That’s the impression I got.”
As they passed a series of restaurants, she almost pointed one out to mention that it was particularly good if he liked Thai cuisine. Then she decided against that. He’d been living here almost as long as she had and probably knew about it. And the last thing she wanted was for him to be thinking that she was hinting at an invitation.
He did get her attention when he turned onto a road that she would have taken to get home. When he took the next left, she looked at him with disbelief. But it was when he turned into her apartment complex that she tensed with unease.