Arden lost his appetite as he read the note someone had left Keera. He didn’t understand it. His town wasn’t a scary place. His school had always been a haven. Was someone out to get Keera? What did he truly know about this woman?
He had no idea of her past, but he was thinking it might be time to figure it out. No, he didn’t suspect her of being involved with the drugs, but even if she wasn’t dealing, or didn’t approve of the dealing, he was more than aware that she was somehow involved, even if it was unwittingly.
He called his brother and told him the latest, and Declan said he’d send people over, hoping whoever was doing this would make a mistake. Criminals were brash and got stupider as time went on. If the person didn’t screw it up this time, then Arden didn’t doubt they eventually would. He just prayed it wouldn’t be at Keera’s expense.
Keera was quiet as they waited for the team to come in, and then she said very few words before they got started on combing through her office again. He couldn’t tell if she was embarrassed, angry, or scared.
“You aren’t in this alone, Keera,” he told her.
She shook her head as sadness filled her eyes. “If someone’s after me, I can’t be at this school. I’m putting the kids in jeopardy,” she said as if a piece of her soul was being ripped out.
There were two sorts of people who worked in the school district—those who did it because it was their passion and they wanted to help shape the younger generation into assets of society, and those who were there for a paycheck because they’d gotten themselves stuck with a degree they didn’t want. Keera was definitely one of those who was there for the right reason.
“You aren’t putting anyone in jeopardy. Whoever is playing this sick game is doing that,” he assured her. “And this school, as well as this community, will stand behind you the entire way.”
“You don’t need to hang around. I know you’re hungry,” she told him, not replying to his words. He wasn’t sure if she didn’t believe them, or if it was difficult for her to accept help. She was going to learn that the people in his community, including him, didn’t walk away when there was trouble.
“I’ll wait. We’ll get food together,” he told her.
She shook her head, but before she could respond, one of the techs came and took her statement and sealed up the letter. They’d both touched it, and Arden hoped they hadn’t wiped away valuable evidence.
“All done,” the other tech said with a reassuring smile at Keera. “We’ll get this figured out. Just give us time,” he added. And then Arden was alone with Keera again.
“I should get home,” she told him. She wanted to put distance between them.
He knew it was because she was in shock, but also because she was scared as hell at what was happening between them. Arden wasn’t even sure exactly what that was, but he knew he could barely stand to not touch her.
There was something about this woman that was piquing his interest unlike anything he’d ever been through before. Yes, he wanted to have her crying out beneath him, but even more than that, he wanted to hold her in his arms and not let go. She was consuming him in a way that had the potential to burn them both until there was nothing left but ashes.
“Let’s get food,” he said, placing his hand on the small of her back. She stiffened for the briefest of moments, and then she gave in, allowing him to walk her from the school. He made sure it was locked tight and then took her to his car.
She only lived about a mile from the school, and he knew she often walked instead of driving. He didn’t see her vehicle in the parking lot, and he frowned. Normally, he’d have zero problem with the exercise, but with someone threatening her, and the fact of her staying late at the building, he didn’t like that she was then walking home in the dark.
They made their way downtown. It was by no means a huge place, but it was filled with character and had some great dining options. The streets were well maintained, and the shop owners took pride in how it appeared. He loved being a part of this community, loved that he was getting to show it to Keera.
“Does Italian sound good?” he asked.
“Sure,” she told him. He’d completely understand if she didn’t taste a thing, but if he could awaken her senses, it would be at Bianchi’s diner. They had the best Chicken Parmesan in the entire state of Washington.
The best part of the restaurant was that they had outside seating, so he could bring Max with them. Of course, he was still considered to be a working dog, even if Max was retired, so it wasn’t as if anyone would stop him from bringing the mutt inside, but Arden liked sitting outdoors. Once the rain started, it might be a while before it let up again.
Keera followed him to the hostess station, and they were led to a corner table where heat from a gas fire kept the area nice and cozy. Large potted trees were strategically placed throughout the small sitting area to give the illusion of intimacy. It wasn’t a bad place for their first date even if the timing was off. Of course, Keera wasn’t aware he was looking at this as a date.
But Arden had decided he needed to help Keera. Beyond that, though, he had to get to know this woman more. And the only way he was going to be able to do that was to spend time with her. It was too bad their night out had started on such a solemn note.
The server was there within a minute, and much to Max’s delight, she had a bowl of water for him, and took a moment to scratch him behind the ears. Arden could swear the dog sighed. Spoiled mutt.
“How you doing, Arden?” she asked. Cammy was a sweet girl, in her second year of college and coming home every chance she could to help out her mom at the restaurant. She’d been a top student of his.
“Really good. How’s college life treating you?” he asked.
“I love it,” she exclaimed. “I might be one of those forever students. At least that’s what my dad fears,” she added with a laugh.
“You were always a good student, so I say go for it,” he told her. He wouldn’t be surprised if she got her PhD.
“And you are still my favorite teacher,” she said with a big smile.
“Love to hear it,” he told her.
She took their drink and appetizer order, promising a short wait since the main dinner crowd had already cleared out. Arden assured her any wait was worth it with her mother’s cooking being so dang good.
After they perused the menu, Cammy came back and finished their order, then left them on their own. Arden wanted to try to get Keera to share what she was feeling or even what she was thinking.
Their appetizers arrived, and Keera picked up her fork, dangling it in her fingers. “You’re going to want to savor this. It’s heaven,” Arden assured her.
She finally looked at him, and he was pleased to see color returning to her cheeks. There was also a new glint in her eyes. Instead of seeming defeated, she appeared angry. Good. He’d much rather she was ticked off, than scared or sad.
“Thank you. I can’t remember when I last ate,” she said, her brow wrinkling as she tried to recall her last meal.
“That’s not good,” he said, pointing down at the antipasto platter with his own fork. He stabbed an olive and enjoyed the tartness of it on his tongue. He was happy when Keera munched on a piece of salami and cheese on a hot piece of bread. She sighed.
“Oh, this is good,” she told him.
“Cammy’s mom is full Italian, and her cooking is unique. She makes all the bread and pasta from scratch. If they run out, the place closes down early. She tries to make sure that doesn’t happen, so she hires high school kids to help in the kitchen. She says there are no egos but hers allowed in there, so that’s why she prefers to teach the younger ones than hire other chefs.”
“She sounds like a woman I’d like to know,” Keera said, making him beam with pride.
“I’m sure she’ll come out and say hi. She often does,” he told her.
“That’s something I like about small towns,” she admitted, giving him a little piece of herself as she relaxed.
She sipped the wine he’d ordered, and he topped off her glass, not trying to get her drunk, but hoping a bit of red wine would help her relax. He wanted her to trust him. He’d never had to try so hard to get someone to do exactly that.
Arden didn’t think he was the best guy in the world, but he considered himself pretty dang close to perfect. People were generally drawn to him, and it fascinated him that Keera was doing her best to keep him away. There was obvious attraction between the two of them, so that made it all the more puzzling. He wasn’t going to be satisfied until he figured out this woman. That was something he knew for sure.
“What else made you decide to come here?” he asked as he dipped a piece of bread in vinegar and oil.
Keera paused with an olive dangling before her lips. He felt himself harden when her tongue swept out and she licked away the seasoning before popping it in her mouth. Damn, she made eating downright sexual without even trying.
He shifted in his seat as he tried to get comfortable. He might as well give up because he had a feeling he was going to be hard until the two of them ripped each other’s clothes away. Needing a distraction, he grabbed a piece of salami and tossed it down to Max, who eyed him for a moment before he carefully picked it up and ate it. Arden was almost surprised when the mutt didn’t demand a plate and fork. He hadn’t been aware a dog could have such a big personality, but Max was the exception to the rule when it came to pets.
“You know you can feed it to him. Would you like to eat off the ground?” Keera asked as she held out a piece of meat, which Max took gently as he scooted closer to her, his head on his paws as he patiently waited for the next morsel.
“He’s a dog. They like to eat things off the ground,” Arden assured her.
“Max is far from an ordinary pet,” she told him in her sternest tone. He could totally see her giving kids a good talking-to. The teens would probably be shaking in their boots. “He has more class,” she added.
Max gave a murmur of agreement as his eyes slanted at Arden in a mocking manner. Arden wasn’t normally a man prone to violence, but he wanted to give the mutt a swift kick in the hind end. Since he didn’t abuse people or animals, he grabbed another piece of salami and savored it as the dog looked on.
Now he was taunting an animal. Arden realized he might have issues. He assured himself it all stemmed from sexual frustration. It was either that or he was slowly losing his mind.
“Well, he likes you a lot more than he likes me,” Arden told her as Max laid his head on her shoe and closed his eyes. It appeared he was done with eating for now, but he wanted to stay close to her.
“That just shows he has taste,” Keera said, her lips turning up in a smile that was quite the beautiful sight.
Their plates were cleared, new silverware was brought out, and their wine glasses were topped off. Salad was brought out next, and Arden kept their conversation light as he watched Keera relax. He couldn’t actually remember the last time he’d enjoyed someone’s company as much as he was enjoying hers. Other than family, of course.
By the time they finished the meal, Arden was stuffed to the gills and still not in a hurry to go anywhere.
“Do you want dessert?” Cammy asked.
“Definitely,” Keera said. “What’s the best you have?”
Cammy smiled in delight. She liked customers who trusted her. It was her mama’s place, and the girl would know what the best of the best was.
“We have one big slice of the pumpkin-gingersnap tiramisu left that’s so delicious you’ll cry when it’s gone. But I have to say, Mom’s secret trifle recipe is particularly delicious tonight, as well. Unfortunately, I had both and will have to run ten miles tonight to work off the calories. I refuse to gain the freshman, sophomore, or junior fifteen,” she said with a chuckle as she ran her hand across her stomach.
“You’ve left me no choice. I’ll have to get both,” Keera said.
“How about we share?” Arden asked. He laughed out loud when her brow wrinkled as if she wanted to turn him down. “I’ve had the desserts before, and trust me, they aren’t small cuts. Each piece is definitely enough for two or three people,” he promised.
“Is he being truthful?” Keera asked, making Arden laugh again. He couldn’t remember anyone not taking him at his word.
“For sure,” Cammy said. Reluctantly, Keera agreed.
The moment Cammy came back with both desserts, and a plate with some chocolates and cookies on it, Arden felt a stab through his gut at the pure ecstasy on Keera’s face. If she got this excited over sugar, he imagined she was going to soar when he got his hands on her naked flesh.
A woman who could appreciate a good meal was a woman who liked to be satisfied. And Arden was up to the task of making sure that happened. When she took her first bite of the tiramisu, she let out a groan that nearly had him coming in his pants—something he hadn’t done in at least twenty years.
This woman was definitely going to be the death of him. He realized he didn’t care—that the end would be so damn pleasurable he’d die wearing a smile. He took a bite of the dessert and let out his own sound of pleasure. Their eyes connected, and he wondered how it was they weren’t bursting into flames.