Guarding the Truth Read online

Parker took her keys from her hand—again inciting an electric current that led up her arm when their fingers touched—and locked up her place before handing them to her and moving on to his. “You can never be too careful,” he said over his shoulder.

  Don’t I know it.

  That was an understatement. Little did he know… Parker was warm and friendly, and she wanted desperately to get to know him. To have a normal friendship, or more, with a normal person. Someone who had no idea in the world she was a spoiled rich girl. It was so pleasant to be in the company of someone who couldn’t judge her for her money.

  Madeline had dated, but sometimes it was hard to ascertain the true motives of her dates. Which was fine, because she hadn’t been out with anyone who interested her. Often they were carbon copies of generations of staunch gentlemen with no personality. Fake. Boring.

  But Parker was decidedly not boring. And…umph! This time she did run into the back of him while he was opening his door.

  “God, I’m so sorry. I’m so clumsy today.” He turned to catch her so she wouldn’t fall backward and was now gloriously close to her and holding her shoulders with both hands. His smile was genuine. His breath, inches from her face, was minty, like he’d just brushed his teeth.

  “Don’t sweat it. I’m not sorry. It isn’t often that a beautiful woman keeps running into me. I’m flattered.”

  Lord, her face was heating. Did he say she was beautiful? Her stomach fluttered. Her pulse sped. She hoped she didn’t faint. Or swoon like the young maidens in romance novels. This was, after all, the twenty-first century. Not seventeen eighty-five.

  He didn’t let go. In fact, he may have eased her closer, squeezed her arms tighter. Was he thinking of pulling her even more into his embrace? Madeline was sure not going to protest.

  “A drink. I’m going to get us something to drink.” His voice was husky. It vibrated through her. “Want to sit down? I have this fantastic mauve floral couch from the seventies you’re welcome to enjoy.” He grinned wide. Wonderful, straight teeth that had surely seen braces in his youth gleamed at her to confirm his smile. But still he held on to her. His hands gradually slipped down to her forearms.

  A phone rang, the shrill sound breaking the spell and causing them both to jump. The noise came from Parker’s pocket. It wasn’t really a ring, in retrospect, but some sort of musical jingle. He probably had a different tone for each person on his contact list.

  Parker made no move to answer the call. He ignored it and headed into the kitchen. The spell they’d been under completely disintegrated. Madeline was surprised to find herself rather disappointed. The absence of his touch was a letdown.

  She moved to the couch and sat a little bit too primly on the edge. Realizing her mistake, she tried to slouch back and look more…collegial…for lack of a better term. She wanted to blend in better than she had at Yale. Did he notice how nervous she was? How she was shaking? If he did, he didn’t let it show.

  “Coke, water, juice, beer, Sprite…” he hollered from his position with his head tucked into the fridge.

  “Whatever you’re having is fine.”

  “Coke it is, then. Sorry, I’m not a diet guy.” Parker wandered back to the living room, deposited one drink on the end table, and smiled while he popped the top and handed her a can.

  “Thanks.” She didn’t want to comment on his assessment of women and diet beverages because, truth be told, there were no carbonated sugary-sweet drinks, either high fructose or saccharine infused, in her father’s home. Except, of course, those reserved for bourbon and Coke or some similar hospitable item kept on hand in case a visitor should request one.

  The only cola Madeline drank was usually on campus. “A disgusting luxury of the poor,” her father would say in a low mocking voice, “designed to rot your insides.” He was, after all, a doctor.

  She took a long drink of the cold liquid and sighed. Audibly. It would’ve been nice to roll the cool can over her burning cheeks, but this was not exactly a commercial for refreshing beverages.

  “Haven’t you ever had a Coke before?” He chuckled as though it was a joke as he sat on the couch next to her. The tiny living area shrank with his proximity. It was really a greatroom of sorts, kind of a kitchen slash family room, but on a scale much smaller than any place she’d ever been. Was it hot in here?

  “Of course. I’m just…parched is all. Everything tastes great when you’re thirsty.” Hopefully he would buy her latest dribble. Her fingers shook, jiggling the can.

  “So, what are you studying?”

  Studying? “Oh, I’m working on my doctorate in English lit. I really just need a library and a lot of hours.” Madeline relaxed a fraction when the conversation turned to something she was familiar with and could have an intelligent discussion about.

  “Wow. English. Can’t say I was ever very good at it. Sounds like you’ll be busy. How long have you been working on it?”

  “A few months. I just finished all my classwork last year.” Parker was looking her straight in the eye. Obvious interest in her pursuits evident in his gaze. Madeline’s skin warmed under his stare.

  * * *

  Parker had studied her file for three days—information he would need in order to better protect her. He’d read over every detail like a professional. Knew her so well, he could have played her in a musical.

  But none of those details prepared him for the real deal, the living, breathing, sexy woman sitting next to him. Sending electrical current through him whenever he touched her. Driving the temperature in the room to unbearable degrees. And keeping his dick in a perpetual state of unrest. A cold shower wouldn’t be enough to tame it down. Who was going to protect her from him?

  He knew from the ring tone the phone call had been from Detective Reynolds, probably to make sure he’d made contact and that everything was going according to plan. He’d made “contact” all right, but nothing was going as planned. He would have to call Mark back later, much later, when he could again carry on a normal conversation without his excruciating hard-on.

  “So, what are you studying?” The look of genuine interest in her eyes warmed Parker’s heart.

  She was so endearing. He couldn’t help but lean into her. He wanted the contact they’d had earlier in the doorway, even though he knew in his big head he could not wander down that path. His little head was very much in disagreement, and man, did he hope she wouldn’t notice.

  Every time her gaze meandered away from his, she quickly returned to stare at him once again, as if afraid to take him all in.

  She should be afraid to “take you all in” you dumbass. You’re going to scare the girl to death in a minute if you lean any closer to her, and ruin the assignment. Such as it was.

  “I have a master’s in criminology.” Sure, tell her the truth. That’s such a good plan. “And I’m working on some post master’s classes to keep up with the industry. Always changing you know.” Was that even something people did? Would she buy it?

  “Oh, so are you a police officer or something?” Her shoulders relaxed a bit when she spoke. He smiled. Most people would run from the idea of having a police officer next door, afraid of getting caught doing…anything. But not someone needing protection. To her this would be a relief.

  “Something like that…” Get off this subject before you blow your cover. “I’m not working right now. Just taking a few classes.” There. That should do it…or not…

  “Wow. That’s great that you can take the time off.” She gave a nervous laugh.

  “I…um…saved up for a few years… I’m kind of in between…I mean trying to decide what I want to do next.” There.

  “So what did you do before that?”

  Or not. Perspiration was building up on Parker’s lip. He took a drink of the Coke to buy some time to think of another response and used the opportunity to wipe his mouth on his sleeve.

  “Oh, I’ve worked as a police officer in the past…”

  “And…”

 
; “And, a um…security specialist.” Why didn’t you tell her you were an artist or something, you asshole? She’s never going to buy this story.

  “I see.” She clearly did not see. Her brow furrowed, her mouth forming a thin line. Time to change the subject.

  “How’s your Coke? Need another one?” How’s your Coke? Great line, Parker. You’re the epitome of smoothness.

  “Cold. Refreshing. Sweet?” She looked sweet. She was mocking him now. “Yours?”

  “The same… I’d show you around, but I guess that would be redundant after your romp through the place next door.” Sly.

  “True. But, if you aren’t busy… You could—”

  “I’m not. I’m free this afternoon. I mean, no place in particular I have to be before classes start Monday, that is. What did you have in mind?” How about a date? Or I could show you how the bed sinks in the middle? Or we could make out here on the couch and I could get fired. He ached to run his lips over hers and breathe in her scent.

  “You could show me around town.” This was spoken almost as a question. It was obviously hard for her to ask. She’d probably never asked a man out on a “date” before.

  “Absolutely. Let’s do it.” Too bad I just got here yesterday, and I know only twenty-four hours more than you do. But how hard could it be? He could just start driving and point out things as they showed up. Right?

  “Are you sure it isn’t an imposition?”

  “No, no. I was going to go out to grab some dinner anyway. I’ll take you to dinner. Shall we?” He stood and nodded toward the door.

  “Sounds good. I didn’t realize I was getting so hungry.” Her stomach growled at that moment, as if on cue. They both laughed, but when she leaned over to grab her soda can, she bonked into him. Again. And he was not sorry. Again.

  He steadied her. And when she looked up into his eyes with a gasp, he leaned in and kissed her. He didn’t think about it, didn’t deliberate over it, didn’t plan it or even know about it. He just kissed her. And it was the nicest, sweetest kiss he’d ever experienced. She was soft and pliable and hesitant, but didn’t pull back.

  How many guys have kissed her before? What the hell am I doing adding to that list?

  He eased back, knowing he was breathing harder, knowing his world had just changed. It was no longer a matter of what would happen if they got together, but when. He was not going to be able to stop it.

  Parker had dated many women over the years, but none that ever made him feel what he’d been experiencing for the last several hours. None that were as genuine as Madeline. She was the real thing. So…natural…unpre­tentious…and sexy as hell because of those attributes.

  Neither spoke when he pulled away. He leaned his forehead against hers and stared at her for a moment, judging her reaction. Her eyes were dreamy, with a satisfied look to them.

  Parker smoothed his hands down her arms, and then he did it again. He slowly leaned forward until his mouth hovered over hers. This time not so gently. He wanted this woman with every muscle in his body. He didn’t just want to have sex with her. He wanted to have her. Keep her. Keep her safe. Cherish her and protect her.

  He’d have laughed at anyone suggesting “love at first sight” before today, but not now. This was serious business. Not a joke.

  He eased his arms behind her and pulled her closer. She was small enough that he could reach all the way around her and touch the edges of her breasts with his fingertips. She shivered, but didn’t try to stop him, and that was all the permission he needed to continue.

  He tilted slightly to one side and deepened the kiss, licking her lips, first across the top and then the bottom. And then right through the slit in the center. She opened for him. She let him inside the warm crevices of her mouth.

  Madeline tasted so delicious. He could devour her like this forever and never move. They both had the sweet taste of Coke in their mouths. And then Madeline let her tongue wander into Parker’s mouth. This is what heaven is like.

  After what seemed like ages, he reluctantly pulled back.

  Madeline broke the spell, her voice low, sexy, scratchy. “Wow, thanks for showing me the town. I love what I’ve seen so far. I think I’m going to like it here. The neighbors are so…friendly.”

  Parker smiled down at her and dragged her closer into his embrace. What the hell am I doing? I don’t think this is what her father had in mind. “I know I’m going to like it here.” At least until I get fired.

  “How long have you been here?” Shit. Time to fess up a bit. He was never going to pull off telling her that he’d been there for years.

  “I just transferred here myself. In fact, I got here yesterday.” What would she do with this information?

  “But…I thought…you said…”

  Play it cool. “Yeah, I was just trying to get you to go out with me. I have no idea where anything is in this town.” Smile. Try to look convincing.

  She laughed. Parked exhaled softly in relief.

  “Well, I suppose it was a good pickup line. I guess you did say you were starting classes for post master’s study. I wasn’t thinking about the fact that you couldn’t have therefore been living here for several years.”

  “Want to go get something to eat? I think we crossed into new territory. Now it really is a date.”

  “I am still starving.”

  “So we’re off.” He had to get her out of his apartment before his hormone overdrive took over and had him dragging her into the bedroom instead of out the door. She was definitely not that kind of girl.

  Chapter Four

  Madeline was in love with her new life. If she’d known it could be this good, she would’ve done something different sooner. Well, maybe not. But she would’ve wanted to.

  The days went by. Madeline settled in to her routine of studying. Parker worked hard with his classes also. But he seemed to genuinely like her because he popped up all the time. He would show up at the library suddenly and bring her coffee or just sit with her. She sometimes found him waiting outside for her. How did he have so much free time? He claimed he was only taking a few classes and they just weren’t that hard yet. “Plus, I like being with you.”

  He smiled into her eyes all the time. And Madeline found herself reacting to him with a warm feeling that filled her entire being.

  They spent most evenings together, quickly comfortable in each other’s presence. Sometimes at her place. Sometimes at his. The atmosphere was very relaxed. Madeline had herself a boyfriend. Her first real boyfriend.

  Two weeks into their relationship, life was good, but…it seemed kind of off. Every night they ended the evening with a kiss that took the breath out of her, and then they went their separate ways. She knew he had to enjoy her company or he wouldn’t have been around so often, but why did they never move forward? It was sort of strange, as if they were teenagers instead of consenting adults. She wanted more, and what grown man wouldn’t try?

  She would attempt to study, but it was so difficult with him so close to her. Her palms were always sweaty, and she had to hide them beneath the table and rub them on her jeans. She smiled and flirted with him, silently begging him to take the next step.

  Every night when they parted ways, Madeline was left panting and alone. Yearning for something she didn’t completely understand. None of her previous dating experiences had led to sex.

  Was he waiting for a sign from her? How could she be more forward than she was? She felt shy about making a move on him. Each evening left her steamier, wanting. She would wake up in the middle of the night in a sweat, feeling the arousal between her thighs. Her nipples would be rock hard pebbles, and her breasts ached for Parker to touch them, squeeze them even.

  Much to her personal embarrassment, she began touching herself sometimes in the dead of night, trying desperately to relieve the torture. She would pinch and pull on her tight nipples and then run her fingers through the wetness between her legs when that proved to make the burn even worse instead of better
.

  But Madeline could not lessen the fire. It burned brighter every day, and she knew she would have to take a drastic move with Parker soon or die lying in her own state of permanent arousal at night. Could you die of such a thing? She had sure been put to the test.

  Unable to concentrate around him anymore, on the two-week anniversary of their meeting, she decided to broach the subject, somehow. One way or another, things had to change.

  * * *

  Parker stared discretely at Madeline over the book he was pretending to study across the kitchen table from her in her cozy apartment. Considering they had the exact same apartment, why was hers so much more inviting?

  She’d been taking notes from a mound of books surrounding her, but seemed to have stopped. She was still staring at the paper in front of her, feigning contemplation, but hadn’t moved in ages, except to continue quietly gnawing on the pencil in her right hand. She was faking. She was distracted as hell. Was she going to dump him?

  The turmoil in his gut was caused by a mixture of emotions. On the one hand, he needed to be around her for her protection. It was his job. On the other hand, a more personal level, he wanted this woman like no other and would be devastated to lose her.

  Things had been going so well. He was doing the job he’d been paid to do. It made him sick to his stomach most days when he thought of the lies he was perpetuating with her, but the job had to come first.

  He was selfish, really. He knew he should’ve relinquished her care to someone else, should’ve told her father or Mark he couldn’t do it, that he had a death in the family or something equally awful, but he hadn’t ever been able to make that call.

  He didn’t trust her safety to anyone else. Couldn’t bring himself to walk away and leave her at the mercy of some other possibly less suitable private agent. He gritted his jaw at the idea. He was being dishonest with her and with the people he worked for, but he couldn’t stop himself, and each day it got worse, harder to face.

  Besides, he was in love with this woman. It scared him to admit that to himself, but it was unavoidable. He loved Madeline so much it hurt. He wanted to hold her, to stroke her, to love her. Who was he kidding? He wanted to rip her clothes off, throw her on the bed, and make love to her all night. And tomorrow. And forever.