Thrill Me Page 7

  Once they were inside the car, Sophie turned in her seat. “However you did it, thank you for getting me out of there. I didn’t think I was going to get past Mr. Shin unless I agreed to come to his house to let him teach me some karate moves.”

  “Scary.”

  “Or going with Deedee to borrow her brass knuckles.”

  “Scarier.”

  “They mean well,” she admitted with a heavy sigh. “They think they’re protecting me.”

  That comment cut through the playful mood. “Which brings us back to our little problem.”

  “The notebook.”

  “Right.”

  The damn notebook. She didn’t know whether to be angrier with herself for carrying the thing in a loose coat pocket, or with Miss Hester for not letting the sidewalk be salted, or with the big dog who had nailed her Thursday morning.

  Then again, if it weren’t for her untimely fall, she wouldn’t have had this amazing man swoop in to help her up.

  “Have you given it any thought since last night?”

  She almost laughed at that. She’d thought of nothing else but how to handle this predicament. She nodded. “Yes, I have. But can we put this off for a while? Just not talk about it right this minute? It’s not like I’m in any danger sitting here in your car.”

  He started to shake his head.

  “Please, Daniel.” She put her hand on his arm. His muscles instantly flexed in reaction. He was apparently very aware of the touch, even through his coat. Pulling her fingers away, she gulped and added, “I can’t deal with this right now. We’ll talk later, okay? Can we just…just drive?”

  He turned in his seat and looked into her eyes. She stared back, not even trying to hide her weary dismay over the whole issue. No, she wasn’t concerned for the reasons he might think—certainly not out of any fears for her physical well-being. But this nightmare was making her pretty miserable.

  “Okay,” he finally said. “Let’s do something to take your mind off it.”

  She sat back in the car, enjoying being in the confined space with him, breathing the same cold morning air, catching a hint of aftershave from his morning-smooth cheeks. How was it possible that in spite of everything that had happened in the past few days, she was so glad to have met him? Glad to have spent time with him, gotten to know him?

  Kissed him.

  Definitely that.

  She hadn’t figured on being back in Daniel’s company so soon after last night, when he’d left her so confused. But one thing was certain…she’d already admitted to herself during the late-night hours that she didn’t want him out of her life. However this turned out, she wasn’t going to regret whatever happened between her and Chief Daniel Fletcher.

  “So, where to?”

  She should go home. She had a ton of pages to produce to make up for getting no work done Thursday and Friday night. But it was a beautiful, sunny morning. Cold and crisp, with the sky a brilliant blue and white puffy clouds holding no hint of snow or rain. Much too lovely a day to stare at a computer screen or the poster-covered walls of her office.

  Before she could answer, they both heard the trill of a phone. Daniel checked the caller ID. “Whoops, it’s your brother. He’s supposed to be showing me a house this morning.”

  Her brother Mick. She began to smile. Because, though he was known throughout three states for being a cad and a player when it came to women, her brother had a quick mind, a killer sense of humor and a protective heart.

  She’d come close, so many times, to telling him the truth about who she was and what she was doing. The only thing that had kept her quiet was that she knew he’d hate having to lie to their parents to keep her secret—Mick truly loathed liars. But now, maybe it was time to come clean. And she couldn’t think of anyone better to ask for advice than her own big brother.

  DANIEL DIDN’T KNOW exactly why Sophie had agreed to leave with him, instead of just asking him to walk her to her own car so she could go home. He took it as a good sign. Maybe she’d changed her mind and was trying to take down some of the barriers she’d thrown up so hastily between them last night.

  Whatever the reason, he was thankful. Last night, sharing an intimate dinner, then a kiss, had definitely whetted his appetite for more of Sophie Winchester.

  “Well, something came up with your brother and he can’t meet me until tomorrow morning,” he told her after a brief conversation with Mick. “Do you want to go somewhere for a while?”

  “Anywhere,” she said. “We can just drive as far as I’m concerned.”

  “And talk.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  “Hey, you blew me off last night. But now I have you at my mercy.”

  She responded with a tiny grin, obviously reading the double meaning of his words.

  After they’d buckled up and he’d started the car, she said, “I didn’t exactly blow you off.”

  “You threw me out, Sophie.”

  Her reply was so low he could barely hear it. “I regretted it all night.”

  He swallowed hard and shifted in his seat. Not many women would come right out and admit something like that. Then again, Sophie wasn’t like most women. That’s what he liked so much about her. “Let me make sure I follow you. I get the feeling you’re not saying you regret making me leave because of your safety.”

  She chuckled. “No. Your physical protection wasn’t what I was thinking about most of the night.”

  He took a deep breath, trying to slow his suddenly racing heart as heat dropped straight into his lap.

  “So, do you care to tell me what you were thinking all night?” he asked in a low voice, though he knew he was playing with fire. He was behind the wheel of a damn patrol car. Playing sexy word games with her could leave him too distracted to drive.

  She shot him a glance that said she, too, knew they were treading in dangerous territory. “That’s probably not a great idea.” Then she added, “At least not while you’re driving.”

  He hit the brakes, stopping in an intersection, eliciting a hearty laugh from her and a honk from the driver behind him. After giving the impatient man an apologetic wave, he stepped on the gas. “Okay, so, if we’re looking for a topic of conversation, there’s always the notebook.”

  She turned in her seat, looking at him as he pulled his cruiser onto the highway. The road was clear of snow, with big piles of the stuff on either side. The crisp morning air and brilliant blue sky made it a perfect day for a drive.

  “I don’t suppose you’d just, uh, take my word for it that I’m not in any danger.”

  “Nope.”

  She blew out an impatient puff of air. “Look, I’m serious about this. No one is out to get me.”

  “You can’t be sure.”

  “I am.” She reached out and put her hand on his arm until he glanced over. “I am certain. Can you just trust me on that?”

  She sounded certain. But there was no way she could be, not any way he could think of, at least.

  “What do you say? Would you consider letting this drop?”

  He shook his head. “Not until you tell me how you’re sure.”

  “I can’t. It’s not something you’d understand.”

  He shot her a look out of the corner of his eye while he sped up to pass a slow-moving tractor trailer. The driver had hit his brakes when he saw the light on top of Daniel’s cruiser. Typical.

  “Is this your big secret? The thing you keep hidden from everyone?” He sensed he was onto something when she looked away, staring out the window as if she’d never beheld a highway sign before. “The thing you think nobody will understand?”

  “I’m sure of it.”

  Thinking back to everything he’d learned about Sophie, to his own impressions, and right up to her insistence that she knew she was in no danger, he reached only one conclusion. He didn’t necessarily buy it, but he knew there were cops out there who did.

  Sophie thought she was clairvoyant.

  “It’s okay, I think I
do understand.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah. I have an idea what it is you’re hiding, and why you think other people wouldn’t be able to handle about you.”

  “Really?” she looked both curious and surprised.

  He had to be honest with her. “I mean, I don’t particularly care for that stuff myself, but know there are people who do.”

  “That stuff?”

  He shrugged, trying not to sound like he thought she was nutty. Though, he did wonder for a brief moment…. “You know, um, that ESP stuff.”

  Her jaw dropped open. “You think I think I’m clairvoyant?”

  “Isn’t that what you were talking about?”

  She began to chuckle. “Oh, sure, I’m a mind reader. Didn’t you know? Gee, I’ve helped the police with hundreds of cases.”

  She was joking but didn’t sound overly offended. “Okay, so can you read my mind right now?”

  She closed her eyes. With one hand, she made a circular motion over her head, and the other patted her stomach.

  “That’s a kid trick.”

  “Yes, but it helps me concentrate. You see, I first learned about my abilities when I read the lunch lady’s mind in fifth grade and realized what exactly was in meat loaf surprise.”

  “Yum. Sounds as good as Ed’s steak.”

  “Stop talking, you’re distracting me.”

  “Okay,” he replied, thoroughly enjoying her mischievous mood. Daniel was unable to resist her bright smile and laughter. Sophie had left her more reserved, quiet persona behind as the miles widened between the car and Derryville. Like that night at the gym, or when she was safe at home in her own house, she was being the real woman who’d so attracted him from the start.

  He wanted to hold on to her as long as he possibly could.

  “Now, concentrate. Think hard about something…whatever’s been most occupying your mind lately.”

  He did, unable to hide the thoughts that had been most on his mind. They were full of heat, passion, and raw, hot and heavy sex. And they starred her.

  “Naughty boy, Chief.”

  Shit, maybe she was a mind reader!

  “You’re thinking of how hot Deedee looks in her waitress uniform, especially with the purple eye shadow she wears.”

  He made a buzzing sound. “Way off.”

  She scrunched up her brow and tried again. Then she gave a theatrical gasp. “Oh, my goodness, how wicked!”

  Wicked. That sounded interesting. He wondered if she really was turning into him, because pure uninterrupted wickedness sounded pretty damn appealing to him right now.

  “It’s Ed you’re picturing in the uniform and purple eye shadow.”

  He snorted. “Smart-ass. How the hell did you ever get a reputation for being a sweet, good girl?”

  “You mean I’m not?”

  “If you are, then Ed in drag really is my dream date.”

  Her expression said she was pleased someone recognized the true Sophie.

  He continued to drive, and they continued to talk, to laugh, to open up and get to know each other better. The miles slipped by unnoticed, and he honestly couldn’t have said, after a few hours, what state they were in.

  Neither one of them cared. Inside the quiet, cocooned police car, they seemed to exist in a void, where it was just the two of them. No family, no town, no creepy stalkers or gossiping landladies. Just Sophie—the real Sophie—and Daniel.

  Finally, they stopped for lunch at a roadside tavern, sharing greasy burgers and fries. Sophie challenged him to a game of darts, and he proceeded to beat the pants off her.

  He already sensed she wasn’t the kind of woman who wanted any man to let her win.

  When they got back in the car, she confirmed it. “You’re good at darts. I would’ve taken you down if I could.”

  Taken him down. Hmm…he couldn’t resist sharing the quick, wicked image that had flashed through his mind. “I wouldn’t have minded being taken down. Maybe on the pool table?”

  She looked as if she didn’t understand for a second. Then she shook her head and laughed. “I walked right into that one.”

  “Yeah, you did.”

  Their eyes met and held, both of them recognizing that something had changed this morning. They certainly weren’t long-term pals, or lovers, but they’d left the place where they were strangers, or mere acquaintances. Sometime during their drive, they’d become friends.

  That was a strange realization for Daniel. Because he’d never found himself staring at the cute, jean-covered ass of a friend while playing darts. He’d never looked across to the passenger side of his car and been tempted to haul a friend across the gearshift onto his lap so he could kiss her. Taste her. Explore her. Touch every inch of her.

  His gaze shifted lower to take in the creamy color of her sweater against her neck. She hadn’t zipped her jacket and the soft fabric of her top hugged the even softer curves of her body. The car suddenly felt too close, too small, too…hot.

  Her chest moved as she drew in deeper and deeper breaths. Raising his eyes to meet hers, he realized she, too, had noticed the air growing charged, heated.

  “I don’t think you ever thanked me properly for getting you out of the diner this morning.”

  She half lowered her lashes and gave him a coy look. “I remember how you like to say thank you.”

  Recalling the way he’d kissed her to thank her for the soup, he nodded. “That’s how I like to hear thank you, too.”

  Her lips parted.

  “So, what do you say, Sophie? Are you going to say thank you, or are you just going to sit there staring at me and licking those perfect lips of yours?”

  Before he could even think of how she might respond, Sophie gave Daniel her answer.

  She climbed right over onto his lap.

  8

  SOPHIE HAD BEEN going out of her mind being so close to Daniel throughout their morning drive. Occasionally, during their conversations, she’d gotten past the crazy, hungry feeling she had for the man. But it had always been there, right below the surface, making her edgy, aware, anxious. And hot. Oh, Lordy, so hot, in spite of the crisp, cold day.

  When he made his flirtatious comment about her getting him on top of a pool table, she’d been unable to resist any longer. She’d thought about his kisses long into the previous night. Now she wanted to experience them again.

  “Well, you must really not have liked Ed’s Saturday Sunrise Special if you’re this grateful,” he said, laughter on his lips when she’d climbed onto his lap.

  Then nothing was on his lips except hers. She caught his mouth in a hot, wet kiss which answered all the questions that had taunted her through the night. Yes, his mouth did taste both sweet and intoxicating, like a mint julep she’d once sipped. Yes, his breath, mingled with hers, sent a path of pure warmth down into her lungs with every inhalation. Yes, his tongue could do crazy, incredible, intensely erotic things with hers. Mimicking what else he wanted to do.

  What she wanted him to do.

  When he moved his hand to the waistband of her sweater, she whimpered. At his pause, she realized he’d thought she was protesting. “Don’t stop,” she whispered against his lips, pulling his hand close again, almost sighing in relief when she felt his fingers move beneath her sweater to touch her skin.

  Like everything else about Daniel Fletcher, his fingers were hot. Incredibly erotic. He caressed her waist in tantalizing touches from tummy to back. He’d pause to reach below the waistband of her jeans, teasing her hip or the curve of her rear.

  She shivered then, shivered and pressed closer, shifting until she faced him in the seat. Then she moaned, low in her throat, feeling his erection pressing hard into the apex of her thighs. Her jeans felt tight and achy, and she wanted them gone. Wanted nothing separating them but whatever cold air could manage to squeeze between their naked skin.

  “This is crazy,” he murmured as he plunged his hands deeper into her hair, cradling her head for another deep, erotic
kiss.

  “I know. But I want more,” she whispered when he drew away.

  He, apparently did, too. Before she even realized what was happening, she felt cool air on her belly, that had before been warmed by his touch. He lifted her sweater slowly, caressing her midriff, then finally reaching the under curves of her breasts.

  Sophie was suddenly very thankful she wasn’t wearing a bra. He growled when he realized it.

  “Oh, God, yes,” she whispered, dropping her head back as he cupped one breast in his hand and slid his fingers over its tip.

  He didn’t respond, merely bending his head to replace his fingertips with his mouth. He sucked her nipple between his lips, and Sophie jerked against him in instant response.

  She didn’t know how far they might have gone, how crazy things might have gotten. But they were suddenly interrupted by a beeping horn. Jerking apart, they looked out the window and saw a car full of teenagers, laughing and giving them a thumbs-up sign.

  Fortunately, Sophie had been sitting with her back toward the window, so they hadn’t gotten too good a look at her.

  But they’d definitely interrupted the moment.

  Rather than being mortified or frustrated at having been caught making out in his squad car, Daniel began to laugh. “I don’t think I’ve done anything like that since high school.”

  “No car make-out sessions in your recent past?” she asked as she tugged her sweater down. Speaking without revealing the tremble in her voice proved a real effort.

  He gave her one last kiss, then helped her scoot back over into her own seat. “Nope, but, believe me, I’m remembering the appeal.” Then he sighed. “And the drawbacks.”

  “Definitely,” she said, sitting back in her seat and thinking about how close she’d come to making love with Daniel.

  Close, but so damn far, she ached.

  DANIEL WASN’T SURE whether Sophie would retreat into an embarrassed silence after their heated encounter in the car. He half expected her to, knowing she didn’t totally trust him yet, nor trust what was happening between them. Fortunately, she didn’t. No, she didn’t exactly curl across the seat and keep her hand on his thigh, giving him some kind of hint about what could happen between them when he took her home. But she didn’t clam up and pull the silent treatment either.