Chapter 13

"Why were you there?" I asked Carlisle, admiring the way his pants hugged his butt.

He glanced over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow when he saw the direction of my gaze. I grinned. "You were saying."

"I didn't say anything." He picked up a towel and wrapped it around the bag of ice as he walked toward me. "Pen told Jessop she was worried about you when he dropped her off at your house. He came and got me when the sheriff called to tell me you were in trouble."

"I'm so glad you came when you did. It could have been so much worse."

"Hmm." He placed the ice pack on my swollen cheek and held it gently. His free hand stroked my face. "Devereux is not a man to be crossed."

"So, I've been told. You know he's the one who wanted Marshall dead, don't you?"

"I believe so, Tallulah. The thing is, I don't understand why the man would kill his son-in-law on his wedding day if he wanted him to marry his daughter. That's the part that doesn't add up."

"Well, neither Crystal Devereux nor Marshall wanted to get married. I think it was to keep Marshall in line so he wouldn't betray the family. I don't know what tipped the scales, but they planned to hang Marshall. They were going to leave him in his room on the bed. It's very complicated, but I'm sure Marshall will tell the sheriff everything."

"How the hell do you know how they were going to leave him?" Carlisle searched my eyes.

Nervously, I reached up and took the ice pack from him, or at least I tried. A chunk of ice broke free and landed between my breasts. I gasped at the cold and wriggled on the table where Carlisle had placed me.

"Damn it, Tallulah, stay still." Carlisle grabbed my hips and used light pressure to steady me. "Let me."

I watched his face sink to my chest. My body grew warm and swollen in other places—something that seemed to happen around this man. As Carlisle licked his way to the ice, I shivered. His mouth closed around the cube. I couldn't help but notice the intensity in his eyes. His closeness made my heart race and I found myself hoping he wouldn't move away too quickly. The tension between us was palpable, and I wondered if he felt it as well.

That question was answered moments later when he pulled my legs around his hips, bringing me close to his thick arousal. "Why can't I stop touching you?" he murmured, his eyes focused solely on my lips. "Even if you are dressed in sweatpants and smell like strawberries and alcohol." He grinned.

"I fell in the bowl of daiquiri," I muttered as I reached up and slid my fingers into his hair before pulling him close. Our mouths crashed together in a frenzy of desire and our bodies pressed tightly together. As we lost ourselves in the moment and the passion that erupted between us, the tension between us only increased. His hands explored my body with a hunger that matched my own desire, igniting a fire between us that was impossible to ignore. The heat of his touch sent shivers down my spine and made me long for more of him.

Just as I had that thought, Carlisle abruptly pulled away. He kept his back to me as he walked over to the drinks table in the corner of the room. He poured himself a shot of whiskey with shaking hands. My body ached for fulfillment, and I knew it wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

Carlisle turned and faced me, though he remained on the opposite side of his office. He watched me pull myself together as he knocked back the amber liquid. I tilted my head and asked, "Why can't we go out, on a date?"

I felt my cheeks heat as Carlisle moved to sit behind his desk. "You can't be around me," he said.

I was hurt by his blunt answer. I jumped off the table and threw the remaining ice pack on top of it. "I'm going." I grabbed my purse and headed for the door.

I didn't get very far when a warm male body surrounded me. His arms wrapped around my stomach as he pulled me close. He whispered, "I didn't say I didn't want you, Tallulah, because I do. Very much. I keep telling myself that keeping you away from me will keep you safe, but all I have to do is be close and I can't think of anything else but touching you." He planted a wet kiss on my neck. "For now, you're safer at a distance."

Turning in his arms, I pushed him away so I could breathe and searched his face. "What are you doing that makes it unsafe for me?"

His eyes dropped and a hand came up and rubbed his forehead. "As much as I want to, Tallulah, I can't." He glanced at the door behind me. "Jessop's waiting to take you home." He leaned down and kissed my cheek. "I won't come for you until it's safe," he whispered. His eyes met mine briefly as he walked past me to the door. Jessop leaned against the opposite wall.

He looked at his brother and then at me. The man frowned for a moment before smiling and offering his arm. "Come on, Talla. You must be exhausted by now."

"I am." My eyes roamed over Carlisle, but he refused to meet my gaze until the last minute. He allowed me to see the need that swirled in his dark gaze, which knocked me to the ground.

Jessop pulled me out of sight, muttering under his breath.

As I gently crept into the guest room occupied by my closest friend, Penelope was hidden under the white cloud of the duvet. Standing there for a few moments, I considered the wisdom of sneaking into bed with her. It was something we had done many times over the years, usually at Pen's house. We'd double up because the house did not have a guest room.

Pen muttered, "Stalker," while hiding somewhere under the covers.

"How did you know I was here?" I hurried to the bed and let out a sigh as I began to sink into the pillow. I had taken a strong painkiller to ease the discomfort in my face.

"I heard the door." As she turned to face me, Pen blinked a few times before focusing her gaze on my face. "You're hurt. How?"

"I'm fine, Pen. I was hit by one of the bad men. The sheriff put him in jail. Marshall is safe." I sighed. "I'm tired now."

"You didn't mention Carlisle and Jessop," she said quietly. "Tate said he was coming to check on you."

"Okay. I know they took you to Hallen's. What exactly happened?"

I looked up at the ceiling and began to feel emotions that eventually led me to reflect. "Carlisle said he was keeping me safe by staying away." Pen grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "I want to know what's going on."

"You've said that before. Maybe it's time we did something about it."

"What do you suggest?" At the same time the words slowly came out, I felt sleep take hold of me.

"Tomorrow night we stake out the motel."