Dying for Love

CHAPTER THREE

Matt had gritted his teeth as Grace bolted from his office. Discovering her hovering outside his door, bracing herself to meet the Big Bad Wolf in all his toothy glory, had not improved his mood. He liked that his employees were terrified of him. It kept them on their toes. But terrified was a world away from the emotion he wanted from Grace.

Hours later, he still couldn’t get the disastrous meeting out of his head. The buzz of the intercom was a welcome distraction.

“A Mr. Whiles on the phone for you, Mr. Duncan. He’s a bail bondsman.”

Matt raised his eyebrows. “Put him through.” The line clicked. “This is Duncan.”

“Mr. Duncan, my name is William Whiles. I’m checking up on an employee of yours. Grace Debry. Can you confirm she’s employed at your firm?”

Matt hesitated. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your business.”

“Bail bondsman. Protecting my investment, ya know?”

Leaning back, Matt absently picked up an ink pen. “Really?”

“Yes, sir. You can’t be too careful nowadays, not even with a pretty little thing like her.”

His jaw clenched at the overt familiarity. “Miss Debry is out on bail?”

“Yep, that’s right.”

Matt’s gut tightened and he exhaled evenly. “What exactly was her offense?”

“Can’t rightly say. Not my end of the problem.”

She wouldn’t be the first employee to have a problem with the law, but he wasn’t buying it. “You don’t mind if I put you on hold, do you?”

“Not at all. You can’t be too safe nowadays. No sir’ey. You go right ahead. I’ll wait.”

“Thank you.”

Matt dialed Grace’s extension on another line and asked her to come to his office. From his company’s initial investigation and working with her for six months, she didn’t seem like the kind of woman to get into legal trouble. William Whiles, however…

Matt steepled his fingers beneath his chin. Why would someone call under false pretenses? Was Grace involved in something dangerous? Gambling? No. She’d bought a new car a few months ago. The dealership had called after hours to verify her employment and he’d personally taken the call. Drugs? No way. His protective instincts were warring against his usual level-headed approach, making him want to punch William Whiles in the face and ask questions later.

A soft knock, then the door pushed open and Grace peeked in.

“Please, come in and have a seat.”

The gentle sway of her hips as she approached was mesmerizing. He swallowed with difficulty, thankful for the cover of the desk. She glided into one of the chairs facing his desk and crossed one well-shaped bare leg over the other. Lusting after an employee was making office life horny…thorny. Pants tight, Matt shifted.

“Mr. Duncan?”

Right. Get a grip. “I have…” He glanced at his phone lines. The blinking light had stopped blinking. “…had a William Whiles on hold. Do you know him?”

Grace frowned and he tried not to think how adorable she looked. “No, I don’t. Why?”

“He claimed to be a bail bondsman and wanted to verify your employment.”

The frown intensified. Her gaze snapped to his, fair skin flushing then washing free of color. Emerald eyes darkening, Grace’s chin notched up. “I’ve never been arrested in my life.”

Husky with anger, her voice lit his libido on fire. The way she walked and talked combined with the fire in her eyes…Maybe he should call his secretary to monitor the meeting before he lost control, went into caveman mode and alienated Grace. Not to mention got sued for everything he owned.

The simplicity of her response and obvious anger evaporated any doubt and confirmed his initial suspicion. Too bad he’d inadvertently given the guy the info he wanted. “He claimed you were out on bail. I think he was just looking for information. Unfortunately, he knows you work here now. I’m really sorry.”

The tightness bracketing Grace’s mouth relaxed, but worry lines puckered her brow instead. His skin prickled with guilt. Her hair was pulled back in some sort of complicated twist, emphasizing her frail beauty. Granted, he knew she was far from frail after countless board meetings and watching her butt heads with misogynistic contractors. Her inner strength drew him as much, if not more, than her looks.

Matt cleared his throat, annoyed with himself for mooning over her like a pubescent high-school freshman, frustrated with his inability to fix this, and concerned because she still looked too pale. “Miss Debry, is there something going on I can help with? Is someone bothering you?”

She glanced at him, then her gaze fell to her fingers, twisted together in her lap. Her lips parted and closed several times. Chest rising and falling on a silent exhalation, she smiled. “I’m fine, but thank you for your concern. I’d better get back to work.”

She didn’t look fine. Not knowing what else to say or how to convince her to confide in him, he let her go.

Halfway across the room, she turned back. “I’m sorry you were…” she waved a slender hand vaguely, “disturbed on my behalf.”

“It’s not your fault.”

Grace nodded, hesitated for another second then spun on her heel and left.

As soon as she closed the door, Matt picked up the phone and buzzed his secretary. “Nancy, was there a number for the last caller?”

“Just a second, I’ll check.”

Impatiently tapping his fingers on the desk, he stared out the window. What was going on with Grace? He wanted to help. Needed to in a way he couldn’t describe. Cursing his helplessness, he flung the pen he’d been fiddling with onto the desk.

The line clicked open. “The number was blocked, Mr. Duncan.”

“Damn.”

“Can I help with something, sir?”

“I’d really like that last number.”

“Shall I call security to see whether they can find anything?”

Matt hesitated and the line beeped.

“I need to pick up that call.”

“Of course. Thank you.”

The situation didn’t sit well. He felt like he’d harmed Grace, and that was the last thing he ever wanted to do.

*****

Grace drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. She couldn’t decide if she was happy to be going home or not. Discovering her kitchen trashed had left her more than a little freaked out. The weird phone call Mr. Duncan had received didn’t help. She needed a dog. One with really big teeth.

She couldn’t call the police. What would she say? “Hi. Someone rearranged all of my kitchen stuff then moved my car to a different spot in the parking lot.”

Right. They’d think she was an escaped mental patient. Besides, her time as a foster child had painted an unfavorable picture of the police. They were sometimes called upon to deliver her from home to home. They could have been carting a cardboard box for all the interest they’d shown. Sitting in the backseat of a patrol car, throat tight, leg bouncing and separated from the uniformed officers by a cage, hadn’t left the best impression.

Like a magnet, the paper lying on the passenger seat drew her gaze. So simple and unassuming. A stray scrap of paper. Could have been anything. Yet it felt like an oversized tarantula crouched on the seat, unmoving, creepy eyes following her every move.

“Just a prank. Some kids getting off on freaking me out.”

Even spoken aloud, the words did little to reassure her. She pulled into her apartment complex and parked in her assigned space. Her car had better be in the same spot in the morning.

Trudging up the sixty-two steps to her condo—she’d counted—she hesitated outside her door. Please, please, please. No more surprises.

Grace unlocked the door and pushed. It swung inward, banging softly into the wall. Nothing stirred. She stepped inside and set down her purse, rubbing the back of her neck.

“Miss Debry?”

With a startled squeak of surprise, Grace swung around. “Mr. Duncan?”

“Are you okay?” He glanced inside, brow drawn tight.

“What are you doing here?” Leaving the door open behind her. Way to be vigilant, Grace.

His frown deepened, but when his gaze again met hers, his eyes were shuttered. “After today’s call, I was worried about you.”

“You were?”

“Is that really so hard to believe?”

“Well, yeah.”

He didn’t respond, just watched her with his unfathomable brown eyes. Heat climbed up her neck and settled in her cheeks. Okay, the polite thing would be to invite him in. She glanced through her lashes. His gaze was fastened on her breasts. Her nipples went pebble-hard in a heartbeat. Gnawing on the inside of her cheek, she gestured him in—not the most gracious invite ever.

“So.” She shut the door and faced him. “You came here just to check on me?”

The setting sun speared through the glass balcony doors and outlined him, making him appear bigger. Harder. Grimmer. Which oddly made her feel safe.

“It’s not often I have people call and lie about one of my employees, Grace.”

Grace? What happened to Miss Debry?

“Uh…”

Nice. Smooth, Grace. Way to fumble like a virgin in the backseat of a car with the quarterback. It’d been a long day. The furnace kicked on and carried Mr. Duncan’s cologne on a burst of warm air, further hobbling her brain.

She cleared her throat. “How about those Boise State Broncos?”

Mr. Duncan’s lips twitched. “I wasn’t aware they were playing.”

“They’re not?”

“No. It’s March.” The twitch spread to a smile and out sprang his dimple.

She crossed her arms. Stared at his mouth. Uncrossed her arms. Cleared her throat again. “Oh.”

His smile slipped into obscurity. That wasn’t disappointment making her sigh. Really.

“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”

The temporary haze of desire lifted and the reality of her morning flooded back. Her muscles clenched. She glanced at the kitchen.

“Grace.” He walked like a cat. In a heartbeat he’d crossed the room and stood far too close, a breath away from invading her personal space. “Please.”

His low voice, combined with a word she’d never heard from him, turned her to mush. Totally unfair. She sighed and gestured toward the kitchen. “Have a look at my kitchen.”

He turned without question and crossed the room.

Restless from the day’s events and his presence in her space, she kicked off her shoes and curled into a corner of the couch. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Just someone messing with me.”

He turned, frowning. “Assuming you’re normally neat here, like at work, this is more than someone messing with your stuff.”

He’d noticed she was neat at work? “It’s not a big deal.”

The frown turned into a glare and she sighed.

“Fine, it is a big deal. Also, when I left for work this morning, my car had been moved across the parking lot.”

Mr. Duncan’s expression cleared, leaving him about as readable as a brick wall. “What did the police say?”

She bounced off the couch and paced to the sliding door that led onto her small balcony. “Nothing, since I didn’t call them. What would I have said? Someone didn’t like the placement of my baking tools and spaghetti noodles? My car drove itself across the parking lot? Oh, but nothing was taken, Officer. No, the car wasn’t harmed. Of course I’m not on any medication. Oh, you’d like to take me down to the hospital for a psych evaluation? On the state’s dime? How generous.”

“Are you finished?”

“Yes.” She crossed her arms.

“No damage done and nothing taken doesn’t mitigate the situation. Someone broke into your home and your car.”

“Nobody threatened me.”

He strolled toward her. “You have to be hurt or confronted to get scared?”

“No, but nothing major happened.” Her voice rose. She hated being backed into a corner, and that was exactly what he was doing. Deep breaths. Self-control. She refused to yell at her boss.

“Show some common sense. A crime was committed and you need to report it.”

“I don’t want to, Matt!”

Grace gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth. She’d yelled. Called him by his first name. Holy crap. He was not the friendly, easy-going kind of boss that promoted familiarity.

His eyes dark with intensity, he closed the distance between them and gently took her hand between his. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry it upsets you. I’m sure you have your reasons, but this is important.”

Sweetheart? What… Gaze never leaving hers, he brushed his lips across the back of her knuckles.

Her knees turned to water. The look in his eyes was the same as when they had stood behind the bar in his office. Right before she’d bolted.

Nerves licked along her spine. She moistened her lips. “I do realize it’s important. It’s just…I don’t like the police. My childhood… They aren’t…” She bit back a groan and pressed her lips together, meeting his gaze. Noticed tiny flecks of light that seemed to dance in his brown eyes, enticing her closer. Fogging her brain. “I don’t like the police,” she finished softly.

His heat and cologne were an intimate invitation her body was only too happy to accept. Sat up and begged to accept. She swallowed. His finger glided along the edge of her jaw, the coarse texture against her skin surprising and arousing. She glanced down. Rough calluses lined the inside of his hand and fingers. She’d never noticed his hands before; now they fascinated her.

“Call the police.”

Minty-fresh breath washed over her face. Instinct as old as time brought her a step closer. Matt’s eyes narrowed and his gaze dropped to her lips. His head lowered.

She jerked back and slammed into the glass door. Her face heating, she reached up to rub her abused head. Matt… Mr. Duncan, beat her to it. His strong fingers massaged her scalp. Her eyelids drifted shut. Angelic cherubs above, he knew how to use his fingers. Another, much lower, throb joined the first.

Firm, masculine lips feathered across hers. How she managed to remain upright and not melt into a puddle, she didn’t know. Opening her eyes, she stared at Matt. Head cradled in his broad palm, his lips an inch from hers, she forgot how to breathe.

Regret flickered in the depths of his eyes, and he gently untangled his hand. Her happy bits whimpered in denial. Her conscience slapped them into silence—the one thing in her whole body staving off looming insanity.

Number-one mistake—fling with your boss.

“I’d say I’m sorry,” Matt shrugged, “but…”

I’m not, was unsaid, but she heard it just the same. Matt’s gaze lingered on her mouth.

She bit her tongue to stop herself from saying anything dumb. Or worse, licking her lips again.

“I’d better go.”

Doorknob in hand, he paused and seemed to consider her. She tried to meld into the glass door, struggling to wrap her brain around what had just happened.

“Promise you’ll call the police and have the locks changed, Grace. Please.”

Her knees trembled. Two pleases in the space of fifteen minutes from her intractable employer. She nodded, releasing her tongue to gnaw on the inside of her cheek. The door closed behind him and silence descended. Relaxing in small increments, she slid to the floor.

A bouquet of flowers she’d received the other day drew her gaze. They’d shown up on her doorstep without a card. Glancing from them to her disaster zone of a kitchen, she narrowed her eyes. The coincidence was too much to ignore. She rose, snatched them out of the vase, yanked open the balcony door and tossed them over the railing.

“What the…” came a male voice from below.

Grace groaned and leaned over the balcony railing. Mr. Duncan straightened, a few of the discarded flowers in hand. Flower petals decorated his dark hair and the breadth of his shoulders. He glanced up.

Perfect. Could this day get any better? She smiled weakly.

He waved the flowers. “Friends of yours?”

“Not exactly. Sorry.”

He grinned. Even three flights away, it decimated her. Sweet heaven, his smile should be illegal.

“No problem.” He waved and walked away.

She was rooted to the spot. His athletic stride carried him around the side of the building. She groaned and dropped her head into her hands.

Perfect. Just…perfect. In the space of twenty-four hours, her life had gone from pleasantly simple to anxiety- and lust-ridden. She massaged her temples. Boring was so underappreciated.

 • Freaked out by stranger invading her home………CHECK

 • Ticked about stranger moving her precious car………CHECK

 • Mysterious flowers messing with her head………CHECK

 • Flirting & considering having a wild fling w/boss………CHECK

 • Men in white coats arriving soon to cart her off………CHECK

Sweet baby cherubs, her life was ricocheting out of control. Grace dialed the police with a soft groan. World’s Biggest Idiot should be stamped across her forehead.

An hour later, she ushered the uniformed police officer out and pressed cool palms to her hot cheeks as she stood in the doorway. Calmly dealing with the sanctimonious, condescending prick had taken every iota of self-control she possessed.

“Probably just a prank, miss. We’ll send a cruiser through the area on a regular basis, if it’ll make you more comfortable.”

The only thing missing was a pat on the head.

Lisie’s door cracked open and her friend’s head popped out, her eyes big as saucers and swimming with worry when they met hers. Despite the circumstances, Grace couldn’t help smiling and rolling her eyes at Her Royal Nosiness.

“You want some company, cher?”

“No, thanks. I think I’m going to turn in early.”

“Alright.” Lisie frowned. “Give me a call when you’re ready to tackle that mess and I’ll come help, you hear?”

“Bossy.”

“Is that a yes?”

Grace brought her heels together and snapped a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am.”

Lisie snorted a soft laugh and pointed a long-tipped finger at her. “I’m holdin’ you to it.”

Smiling, Grace closed her door and leaned back against it. A glance at her kitchen and her smile slipped away on a sigh and a shiver. There be creepers out there.

CHAPTER FOUR

Matt steered the heavy bike into Julia Davis Park. Bright sunshine, blue skies, warm temperatures, and a cool breeze felt more like May than March. He idled to a stop at the side of the narrow road, near a large fountain in the center of the park.

People rode bicycles, children swarmed over the playground, old couples fed ducks and teenagers played with their dogs. Fresh-cut grass scented the air. His gaze swung back to one of the teenagers with a dog and he stiffened, blindly reaching to turn off the rumbling engine.

A big dog had a female teenager down on the grass and it looked like…He shot off the bike and was running before he’d completed the thought.

The closer he got, the bigger the dog became. It loomed, massive and fierce, over the girl on the ground. The dog raised its massive head, locked gazes with him and shifted to stand over the girl. The animal’s protective stance slowed Matt. He stopped several yards away.

The girl lying on the grass tilted her head back. He didn’t dare look away from the huge dog, but an inkling of suspicion trickled through him. From the corner of his eye, pink infused her cheeks and her eyes shone bright with laughter. He might have misjudged the situation.

“Apollo, down.” The dog obeyed her firm command with the docility of a pussycat. Apollo’s gaze didn’t waver. The message came through loud and clear: watch his step or he’d be dog chow.

The girl rolled into a sitting position with fluid grace and tilted her head to the side as she contemplated him.

Daring to look away from the big dog, he met her eyes and rocked back on his heels. Hard. “Grace?”

She laughed and hugged her knees to her chest. Her cheeks were rosy from wrestling with the dog, she had grass in her dark hair and there was dog slobber on her pants. He couldn’t remember a more appealing sight.

“Hello, Mr. Duncan.”

She’d called him Matt at her apartment a few days ago.

He cleared his throat and shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “I didn’t know you had a dog.”

“You mean your extensive background check missed something?” Her light, teasing tone stirred something in him. “I don’t have a dog. Apollo belongs to my neighbor. I enjoy playing with him and take him out for walks whenever I can. There weren’t any dogs in the foster homes I grew up in, and I always wanted one.”

“Really?” Apollo lay panting on the grass, watching him. Must be a male neighbor. He couldn’t imagine anyone else owning a dog like that. Jealousy sucker-punched him and he crossed his arms. “He doesn’t give you any problems? He’s awfully big.”

She chuckled and stood, brushing grass off her jeans. “Now there’s an understatement. He’s an absolute teddy bear, though. Wouldn’t hurt a flea. We were just wrestling when you came flying to the rescue.” She gave a cheeky grin.

Unbelievably, heat washed over Matt’s face. He didn’t usually get embarrassed. Ever.

Grace’s grin widened, displaying a playful side he hadn’t seen in the office. “You’re very sweet. It probably looked like he was mauling me, instead of playing. I don’t know why, but his muzzle tickles and when I start laughing, it eggs him on.”