I doubt it.”
Derek’s look was as intimate as it was confident. “That I’d never do.”
Once again she felt things she had no business feeling around this man. Eve was certain that he didn’t really mean to sound seductive, but an undeniable chemistry had spawned between them. What a surprise, considering his deceptively conventional appearance. His square-jawed, slightly off-angle face denied him classical handsomeness the way his loose-fitting suit almost hid that he was a man of strength. Having glimpsed his badge as he’d tucked away his BlackBerry, she supposed the cut of his clothing was to hide what else that belt carried. She’d seen him in shorts and his legs were powerful and well shaped. Even tall Sam must have felt tiny wrapped in his arms.
“Well, either way,” she said, grateful for the darkness that hopefully hid her blush, “you’d be wasting your time.”
“Then you should try cross-country skiing with me. I actually like it better. Shorter skis, and you can pick the difficulty of your terrain. Plus it’s more private,” he added at her doubtful look. “Few people to see any mishaps.”
Her traitorous imagination pictured them in a secluded part of the woods, her sandwiched between him and a great old pine, him unzipping her jacket and caressing and kissing her until she couldn’t feel the cold anymore.
She shook her head to stop the images. “Skidding across the supermarket parking lot is as adventurous as I’m willing to get these days. Trust me, I’m too boring for you.”
“Says who? Wes the Wonderful, who needed to collect more than sports trophies to feel good about himself?”
Although his tone wasn’t unkind, the sting of truth had Eve swallowing hard. She raised her glass in salute, even though she wasn’t sure her hand would be steady. “You’ve got me, G-man. I guess a new dress does not a bruised ego fix.”
“It’s New Year’s and whether you’re into resolutions or not, at least let your hair down for the evening. Figuratively speaking,” he added, giving her cute do another admiring glance. “That’s a great song they’re playing out there, can you hear it?”
She could. She was woefully behind with new titles and singers, but she loved this classic. “Etta James singing ‘At Last.’”
“Ma’am.” Derek rose and formally bowed as he extended his hand. “These are close quarters, but would you care to shuffle?”
Why not? she thought, liking him more with each surprising disclosure into his character. She also was touched at how he was trying to make her feel comfortable around him. Unable to deny the invitation in his eyes, Eve placed her hand in his and rose. “Brave man risking a trip to the E.R. tonight.”
His chest shook in laughter as they stepped toward each other in that little cool nook bathed in muted light and surrounded by Rae’s pots of herbs. Their addictive scents added to the ambience as man and woman rocked gently to the romantic jazz. In her heels, Eve’s temple barely reached his freshly shaven, strong jaw, and yet her hand, engulfed in his, felt like she was cocooned in peace. It was intriguing to discover that someone larger than Wes, and in a more serious line of work, could exhibit so much more tenderness.
“You’re one surprise after another,” she murmured, letting her eyes close. “I’m going to remember this.”
“I damn well hope so.”
She chuckled softly at his mock indignation. “Do you sing?”
“Now you’re pushing your luck.”
As he spoke, his breath subtly moved her bangs and tickled her forehead. She realized she wouldn’t have minded if they were his lips. “Do you mind if I do?”
“Are you kidding? Was Tom Hanks ever crazy enough to say no to Meg Ryan?”
Softly, Eve crooned the next stanza.
“Lady, you have soul in your genes.” Derek stopped and coaxed her chin up so he could see her face. “I want to hear more.”
But there was no more music. The stereo went silent and someone turned up the TV to play the countdown to the New Year. Eve and Derek looked at each other. Despite the distance, the cacophony threatened to shatter the fragile web of magic between them. Time had passed more quickly than either of them realized and caught them in a particularly unexpected and potentially complicated situation.
“Five … four … three … two … one … Happy New Year!”
“Happy New Year,” he murmured, his gaze roaming over her face.
“And to you,” Eve whispered. She grew sad as she felt this sweet, unexpected moment coming to an end.
But instead of releasing her, Derek slowly lowered his head and touched his lips to hers. The caress was warm and gentle. He made her feel delicate and special. Before she could reason herself out of the impulse, Eve kissed him back.
With a sigh of relief, or gratitude, he slid his arms around her again, only this time he brought her closer. Nevertheless, it felt as right as when they were dancing. Then he slanted his mouth over hers, seeking a deeper connection.
“Eve?” Rae called as she swept into the kitchen. “Have you seen Special A—? Oh … and there you are!”
Chapter Two
Eve and Derek separated like guilty teenagers caught by their parents. Well, she did, which gave Derek little choice but to release her. She automatically smoothed her hands over her dress, while miserably watching Rae pat her hands together as though she’d just hit the jackpot at Vegas.
“Do you need me to bring out something?” she asked.
“No, no. Apologies, darling,” the redhead all but gushed. “I just had to tell Special Agent-in-Charge Roland that we need to arrange for a ride for him. The district attorney’s neighbor’s house is on fire, and he rushed off to make sure all is well at his home. He sends his deep regrets,” she added to Derek. “Eve dear, I’m thinking you should handle this, since you and Derek are longtime friends.”
As Rae began bobbing her head up and down for emphasis, Eve started shaking hers. Leave the party with Derek Roland? They’d only been alone for a little while and look what had already happened! Besides that, she wasn’t about to drive down this mountain at night with the road still mostly covered in packed snow and ice. She was barely competent at driving in the stuff down on the flats.
“Rae, did you forget that I was to stay and help Carmella clean up?” she asked, referring to the Graingers’ live-in housekeeper.
Rae dismissed that technicality with a flick of her hand. “If I can’t adjust to a little unexpected glitch like this, I’m in the wrong business, aren’t I? Not to worry, dearest. We’ll get things taken care of. Enjoy the reunion, you two and—Happy New Year.”
She dashed away before Eve could think of another reason her presence was vital. That left her and Derek in awkward silence.
This was definitely a night for reality checks, she thought with increasing embarrassment. “I can’t decide whether she thought she was helping, or being sarcastic,” Eve told him. “I’ll go explain that she was wrong about what she thinks she saw.”
“What was it then?”
The question, as much as the way he was watching her, left Eve at a loss. She hadn’t meant to offend him. All she’d intended to say was that she’d gotten caught up in the moment. Rae might have even done her a favor before she’d made a bigger fool of herself.
“You don’t have to feel obligated about the ride,” Derek said, suddenly reaching for his BlackBerry. “I’ll call for a cab.”
To come all the way up here tonight of all nights? “The aspens will leaf out before you have any luck with that plan,” she told him, resigned to what had to be. “Rae’s