The temperature in Owen’s body rose so high, he thought he’d boil over. “Pat, do you mind leaving us alone for a minute?” Owen didn’t turn around to see if his brother left or not. He focused in on her face, a guilty-looking face. “Please tell me that you didn’t set last night up by using my nephew to get to me.”
“It wasn’t quite like that.”
“Great. You used my nephew to lure a couple of masked bandits into your garage just to trick me into coming over? Do you realize I had to file a report?”
“I didn’t call the cops, I called you. And I just wanted to get your attention.”
Get his attention? Was she crazy? “We’re not kids anymore. And there are much better, more honest ways of getting a man’s attention.”
“I tried those, you ignored me.” Her face turned hard as she drew her lips in a tight line. “This isn’t a big deal.”
Relax, Owen. Let her explain, a soft voice echoed in his mind. He swallowed his breath.
“You just heard something, didn’t you?” Courtney had the audacity to smile. How on earth could she think it was remotely okay for her to use his nephew in a trick to get him into bed?
“Yeah, the voice of reason telling me to walk out that door and never look back,” he muttered. “I don’t like being manipulated.”
“Don’t deny the connection.” She gripped his bicep. “You feel it. I know you do.”
“Right now, the only thing I feel is anger. At you.” He jerked away. “I don’t like my job being on the line because you wanted to play games with me. And how the hell could you use a kid, my nephew, to try to get me in your bed? What the hell were you thinking?” It didn’t matter that he actually cared for her. Or wanted to be in her bed.
The problem was the whole thing was just a game to her. Just sex. Nothing more. He should have known. He shouldn’t care, because he really didn’t have anything else to give.
Stop that. You have a lot to give, and she needs it.
“I’ve got to get to work.” He turned and marched out the door and didn’t look back. Even though his newfound voice told him he was making the biggest mistake of his life.
Courtney forced a smile as she watched the kids in Ms. Ricter’s class devour her goodies. Not only did she wish she could’ve made enough for the whole school, but she wished things had gone differently with Owen this morning. But she couldn’t let Jake continue to get reamed out by two grown men for something she’d asked him to do.
Thanks a lot, Grandma.
Wasn’t my idea to use the kid. Should have let me do the meddling.
Still would have backfired.
Then make it right. Try being honest with him this time.
Her grandmother’s words of wisdom echoed in her head. Courtney wanted to shake her fist to the skies. She knew Owen didn’t like games. But telling him they were soulmates who had to find each other, or their lives would always feel unfulfilled, disjointed, and basically unsatisfied wouldn’t have worked. No, that wouldn’t go over real well with Mr. Skeptical.
“Thanks, Courtney,” little Nicky said.
“Anytime.” Her heart warmed by the sweet smile on his face. Poor kid had just lost his mother to cancer, and his father had run out on him the year before. Currently, Nicky was living with his uncle, but he worked full-time and just couldn’t do the school thing. So Courtney figured bringing in snacks every so often for him might bring a little more happiness to his life.
“My uncle doesn’t have a girlfriend you know.”
Boy did she ever. The man called her at least twice a week. His uncle was nice enough, but he wasn’t Owen. “I’m sure your uncle will find the right person, just like I have. You know, each person has a soulmate. One person that was made just for them. When you find them, you just know it.” She heard a click and glanced toward the door as that someone just strolled into the classroom. Her heart leapt to her throat.
“Good morning, Chief McNally.” Ms. Ricter greeted him at the door with a smile and red cheeks. “Thanks for coming by.” She patted his bicep and got all giddy.
Damn. Courtney hadn’t expected competition. Her grandmother had told her all about Natalie, the girlfriend from hell, but she’d long since disappeared and last she’d heard was engaged to some assemblyman. Courtney checked out the teacher and although she was cute, she didn’t think Owen would be interested. But what the hell did she know. And by the narrowed stare Owen tossed in Courtney’s direction, he wasn’t too happy she was there.
“Ma’am.” He nodded.
She swallowed her pounding heart, keeping her focus on the kids.
“Class.” Ms. Ricter clapped her hands. “Let’s grab our goodies and gather on our mat. Chief McNally is going to talk to us about the importance of safety while we go trick-or-treating.”
This should be Courtney’s cue to leave, but not when Ms. Goody-Two-Shoes teacher was ogling her man. Instead, she adjusted herself in her seat, snagged a piece of cake, and licked at the frosting while staring at the object of everyone’s attention.
He squirmed. So she positioned herself to give him a good look down her shirt if he chose. She shoved her finger in the frosting and sucked. His eyes damn near bugged out of his head before he scowled and turned his attention to the children that had gathered at his feet. At least she knew she still affected the man.
Her mood turned all mushy as she watched him laugh and smile with the kids, all the while helping them understand the importance of being safe. He didn’t seem to intimidate them with his uniform and gun, but instead, created a sense of trust. The kids asked him questions about
