Theresa wished on a lucky star, even though she couldn’t see any in the broad daylight, that her brother would answer the door. Not Dusty.
Figures she wouldn’t get lucky twice in one day.
The door swung open to Dusty’s ugly face, his eyes glassy and red. The strong smell of alcohol drifted her way. Although, she had a feeling it was a permanent odor that never left.
“Is my brother here?”
Dusty slumped against the doorframe, a wily grin appearing. “Just you and me, babe.”
Her hand tightened around the car keys that were fisted in her jacket pocket. She had the strange urge to stab him in the eye, especially when he spoke to her in such a slimy tone.
“Just let him know I stopped by.”
James could come get his car from her house. Not only did she not want to be in the same vicinity as Dusty, she didn’t trust him enough to hand over the car keys. She turned around to leave.
“Whoa! What’s the hurry?” Dusty reached out so quickly to grab her arm that she jerked against his chest. He took that opportunity to snake an arm around her and press her closer. “You smell like a cupcake.”
“Let me go.” She shivered with disgust as his face dipped closer, his hot breath fanning across her neck.
“Stay for a drink, darling.”
He never understood the word no. But he’d understand this very clearly.
Her hand swung out of her pocket, the car key between her fingers, and slammed it down into his thigh. He screamed in pain and shoved her away.
She had no time to steady herself and fell down hard, her cheek grazing the cold cement sidewalk.
“You bitch!” Dusty hobbled before snatching the keys in front of him that had fallen from her hands. “You’re damn lucky this shit didn’t go through my jeans.”
Even though her face hurt like hell, as did her knees that also landed hard, she scrambled to her feet and backed away. “No, Dusty, you’re lucky I went easy on you. Don’t ever touch me again. I don’t think my brother would like to hear about it.”
He laughed. The sound sent tiny tremors down her spine. “That dumbass doesn’t scare me.”
She started to slowly back up. “Well, I can also tell Officer Crowl.” She never would, too embarrassed to even think about his grimy hands on her, but the look in Dusty’s eyes said the thought scared him.
The vile sneer on his face made her want to run, but she held her ground, refusing to show him any fear. “Go home, Theresa. Be very careful. You never know what might happen.”
She didn’t respond to that, because honestly, what could she say? She knew a threat when she heard one. If she said anything to Officer Crowl, Dusty would do something to her. She had no doubt about that. Well, it was a good thing she never intended to tell him.
As calmly as she could make it appear, she turned around and walked away. She could only hope Dusty gave James the car keys back without an issue. Because she had no intention of ever returning to that house. Not even if James called her.
By the time she made it home, the cold had numbed her to the bone. Although, part of that was from Dusty’s filthy hands on her. The disgust filled her from head to toe. She locked her door, double-checking it was secure, then all but ran to her laundry room where she removed her clothes and tossed them into the washing machine. Pouring in some detergent, she started a load without adding any other clothes. She just didn’t care. Removing the evidence of his touch was all that mattered.
Walking calmly, yet the nerves running rampant through her veins, she hopped into the shower, turning the water as hot as it could go. For a few minutes, she just let the spray cleanse her. The warmth soothed her weary bones, soaking deep inside until the water started to scald her. Maybe it was a little too hot.
She found a better temperature and lathered herself up, washing every spot on her body. By the time she finished, she was as red as a tomato. Wrapping her big, fluffy white robe around her body, she tied the knot and cleared the mirror of steam with her hand.
“Damn.” Leaning closer, she tenderly rubbed a finger down the small, ugly bruise that had started to form on her cheek. The pain wasn’t intense when she pressed lightly on it, but it ached. She hit the ground hard for the second time that day, but she didn’t think she cracked any bones. She figured she would’ve felt more pain if that were the case.
Well, she could only hope the bruise faded to nothing by Monday, which was highly unlikely, or she’d be caking on the makeup. She did fall, but Bonzo wasn’t likely to believe any story she could probably concoct. He’d want to know why she fell. Lying wasn’t a good forte of hers.
And Officer Crowl. What would he think?
Ha! Would he even care?
As she walked to the kitchen to grab a glass of wine, she told herself he would care. As a cop only. His look of concern today when she fell in front of his house hadn’t been fake. Then he told her to leave.
Yeah, it would be in her best interest if she removed the evidence of any bruise to avoid any questions. She didn’t feel like making up a story, or providing the real reason.
Grabbing the unopened box of wine from the pantry, she poured herself a full glass to the rim. She was in for a long night. Snagging the box in her left hand, she carried her glass in her right as she made her way to the living room. The box of wine took residence on her coffee table next to the open box of her jewelry supplies, then she plugged in her Christmas tree.
Sinking into the couch, she turned on some joyous music and let the spirit of the holiday fill her up. Something beautiful and magical to get her mind off of every horrible thing that happened today.
❄
Before he could think about what he was doing, he raised his hand and knocked. He talked himself out of this at least a hundred times as he drove over to her house. Maybe more like two hundred times. His mind refused to shut off. Theresa was all he thought about his entire shift. Which is probably why the drunken idiot he had to arrest for disorderly conduct at Tucker’s Bar & Grill managed to throw a fist at him. He avoided getting hit, because the dude was drunk and had lousy aim, but if his mind hadn’t wandered, he would’ve never even had the opportunity to attempt anything.
Why wasn’t Theresa answering her door?
He glanced at his wristwatch. “Because you’re a dumbshit. She’s probably asleep.” His shift ended at ten o’clock, then he went home and changed before driving the long way to her house trying to talk himself out of coming. It just hit eleven o’clock. Of course, she was in bed. I want to join her.
Thoughts like that weren’t going to get him anywhere. Turning around, his heart skipped a beat when he heard the swoosh of the door.
“Officer Crowl?” Her voice trembled. “Did something happen to my brother?”
He turned toward her and almost staggered back from the worry in her eyes. God, what an idiot. Why did he think they had a moment? She thought he was knocking on her door so late at night because something might’ve happened to her brother. Here he was putting worry in her mind for no reason at all.
“I’m not here because of him.” His eyes glanced down at his clothes. He had on a thick winter jacket, jeans visible with a pair of black and white tennis shoes. His state of wardrobe should’ve been clue enough he wasn’t knocking on her door because of her brother.
When he looked back at her, she was biting her lip, the worry gone and replaced with wariness. The hallway behind her was dark, as was the front stoop where they stood. Theresa needed a motion sensor light. It wasn’t safe. He wanted to see her beautiful face without the shadows crawling over every inch.
“I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You fell today.” His concern for her hadn’t left his mind all day. Not his real reason for stopping by, but he had to grasp for something before he looked like more of a fool than he already did.
“I’m fine. Thanks for stopping by.” The door started to slowly close.
“Wait.” His hand stopped the door from shutting completely. Think, idiot! Say something. “You never did give me the necklace for my mother.”
“Oh, of course. Umm…”
She really had no intention of inviting him in. Why should she? He never acted like a gentleman with her. He didn’t warrant a good enough reason to be invited in, even if he did have a lame excuse for stopping by so late at night. He shouldn’t want to be invited in. Coming here had been a mistake. But he couldn’t help it. He wanted to feel happy for once, and anytime he was around Theresa, he felt that.
“I’m sorry, Ther—”
“Come on—”
They both stopped speaking, waiting for the other to finish their sentence.
Suddenly, her laughter filled the space, making the tension building between them slowly wither away like fog on a beautiful sunny morning.
“It’s freezing outside. Come in while I grab the necklace.”
She opened the door further and walked down the short hallway, obviously assuming he’d just follow. Which, of course, he did. He was finally inside like he wanted from the moment he decided to come over. He wasn’t about to back down now. Although, he should. He had no right to be in her home, wanting, wishing for things that he didn’t deserve.
He closed the door and followed close behind her, which wasn’t too hard as she took her time walking to the living room. Her steps were slow, but slightly uneven. When he eyed the box of wine on the coffee table and a half consumed wineglass, he groaned internally at his lousy timing.
“Have you been drinking, Theresa?”
She whipped around so quickly she nearly fell to the floor if he hadn’t grabbed her, one hand on her waist, the other on her back. Perfect position to pull her closer and snuggle against him. And he did a little. Her tiny steps didn’t resist.
“Is it a crime to drink in your home by yourself?”
It took all of his strength not to close the distance to her lips. The glassiness of her eyes, which was easier to see now, and the smell of the sweet wine on her breath had him maintaining his control. Although, he didn’t drop his hands from her body.
“No.”
“Then why does it matter if I’m drinking?” She scooted even closer. Not that he tried hard to stop her. “Why are you here?”
Didn’t he explain that already? “The necklace.”
She slapped her forehead. “Duh! Let me get it.” She moved out of his embrace before he could stop her.
And what a bad idea it would’ve been to try and stop her. First, because he should’ve never showed up at her house. Second, because she was clearly drunk, or at least very tipsy. He’d never take advantage of her like that.
She circled the couch, bending in front of the coffee table as she rummaged through what looked like a fishing box. His body instantly reacted to the picture in front of him. Her round little ass wagging in the air had him wishing she never touched a drop of wine tonight.
But because she did, he forced himself not to move a muscle.
Bolting upright, she snapped her fingers as she giggled. “It’s not in there. It’s in my coat pocket.” She smiled, a sweet smile, as she pointed at him. “Be right back.”
He watched her walk out of the room, her slow, lazy pace a serious turn on. Did she know the way her hips swayed side to side were reeling him in? Probably not. Theresa wasn’t the kind of woman to flirt so blatantly.
A light sound of Christmas music filled the tiny living room space, although, the sound was slightly muffled. He moved closer to the couch, eyeing her phone sitting close to the edge. Why wasn’t she listening to music on the radio or a CD? Music never sounded pure and beautiful out of a tiny speakerphone.
Theresa clearly enjoyed the dark tonight because the living room was layered in darkness, besides the delightful tree lit up in the corner.
A Christmas tree.
He still didn’t have one. As he thought about it, he never intended to put one up, but a plan started to form, one he should diminish in its tracks.
Theresa came back in the room with a small lacy drawstring bag. “I hope your mother likes it.”
Aiden took the bag from her hand and opened the tiny pouch to reveal a sparkling yellow necklace that had three layers of beads. He poured it into his hand, eyeing the delicate design of light yellow beads patterned with darker yellow beads. It was simple, yet gorgeous. Like Theresa. He loved it, just because she made it. He had no doubt in his mind his mother would as well.
“It’s gorgeous. She’ll love it.” He looked up, wanting so badly to kiss her breathless, but the glossiness in her eyes stopped any movement. “Will you help me find a Christmas tree tomorrow?”
She smiled, then laughed softly. “You don’t need my help.”
His resistance was slipping. A hand extended until he reached her cheek and brushed back a strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear. “Maybe. But I want it.”
In his crazy messed up way, he was admitting he wanted her. Did she understand his mixed up words?
“Officer Crowl—”
“Why do you always call me that?” It annoyed the hell out of him. “I want you to call me Aiden.”
For a small second, she looked panicked. Or perhaps he interpreted it wrong. But he didn’t misinterpret her silence. He was making her uncomfortable for some reason.
“Will you please help me tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
That’s all he needed to know. “I’ll pick you up around noon. Have a good night, Theresa. Sorry for dropping in so late.”
She nodded, but said nothing else as they walked to the front door. He made sure he heard the lock click behind him before he headed to his vehicle.
He had a date.
Well, he thought so, anyway. Did Theresa see it like that?
Shit. He had to work tomorrow and he said he’d pick her up at noon. That didn’t give him much time to hang out with her before his shift started at two. Would Chief Duncan give him the day off on such short notice?
Slamming his door shut, something close to a smile graced his face. The first real smile in the longest time. There was only one way to find out what the chief would say.
He just had to ask.