Whiskey For Breakfast Read online

  “Hey, what happened here?” I asked, pointing to the bumper.

  He cackled once, showing a gap-toothed grin, and he rubbed two fingers and his thumb together so I’d know he could be bought for information.

  I sighed and dug around in my purse for any cash. I didn’t have much. I’d raided my change jar earlier, so all I had was a roll of quarters and a couple of crumpled bills I’d found in the dryer.

  I crossed the street and handed him the crumpled bills. “What happened to the white car that was parked there?” I repeated.

  He took the money and it disappeared into his pocket. “It was the aliens. Straight from the sky.”

  I narrowed my eyes and put a fist on my hip. “That was my ice cream money you just swindled.”

  “Ice cream sounds pretty good,” he said, licking his lips. He picked up his paper bag and shuffled off down the street.

  “Dammit.” I walked back to the space where my car had been and evaluated my options. I could call a cab, but I didn’t have money for the fare. I could call my mom, but then I’d have to listen to her “the world is going to hell in a handbasket” speech. I could probably borrow the agency car Kate sometimes used for stakeouts, but last time I did I’d gotten something sticky on the seat of my pants I’d been afraid to evaluate.

  I pulled my phone out of my purse, figuring I had no choice but to call my mother, when I realized a shiny black pickup truck was stopped in front of me with the window rolled down.

  “Looks like you’ve got a problem,” Nick Dempsey said, his mouth quirking in a smile. I didn’t smile back. My insides had just turned to jelly at the very sight of him.

  We’d been lovers only a couple of months ago, and for the first time in any relationship I’d ever had, I finally felt like I’d found the person I was supposed to be with. Unfortunately, he hadn’t felt the same way. My predilection for getting into trouble and the new career I’d decided to pursue had been a deal breaker for Nick. He was a cop through and through, and he’d broken my heart when he’d walked out of my life.

  We’d only seen each other a handful of times over the last couple of months. He worked for Kate on occasion, and I did my best to avoid him whenever possible, even when he’d tried to speak to me. I still wasn’t quite over him yet, and if I was honest with myself, I was pretty damned angry at him as well.

  “It’s no big deal. I’ve got it covered,” I fibbed.

  He looked good. I mean really good. He’d recently had a haircut so the slight curl that had a tendency to get out of control was ruthlessly tamed. He was dressed for work—pressed slacks and a blue button-down shirt that matched his eyes to perfection. His shoulder holster and weapon were visible and his sport coat lay folded over the back of the seat.

  Cops in Savannah had a strict dress code and a lot of them were young and attractive, but Nick was movie star handsome, which was why he was often the media liaison for the department even though he was a homicide detective. There was more than one woman I knew who tried to get pulled over on occasion just in case she got lucky enough to meet her future husband.

  “You’re such a liar,” he said. I could hear his sigh from where I stood on the street. “Get in the truck, Addison.”

  “Nope, I don’t think so.” I’d decided to stand firm, even though I wanted nothing more than to do what he said. I wanted to breathe him in—the scent of his cologne and the detergent he used on his shirts. It was all so familiar it made my chest hurt just thinking about it. “Really, I’ll call a cab and it’ll all be good. You’re working.”

  “Please.” His gaze was direct and there was something else I didn’t recognize in his eyes. It might have been panic. “I need your help.”

  Against my better judgment I got in the truck.

  ***

  I really started to worry when Nick got in line for the drive-thru at Dairy Queen. We hadn’t said a word to each other and the air was tense with anticipation. I accepted the hot fudge sundae with raised brows and stared Nick down.

  “Things must be pretty bad for you to stoop to this,” I said.

  “You looked like you could use a hit. You’d been standing there staring at the empty parking place for five minutes before you noticed I was in front of you.”

  I rolled my eyes and dug in, moaning as the sugar hit my system.

  “Thanks for the ride, but you just missed the turn to get to my house.”

  “I’m taking the long way.”

  Oh, boy. I was pretty sure I wasn’t cut out for the long way. I was about two minutes away from stripping down and doing something bound to get us arrested. Whenever I was within a few feet of Nick my hormones took over and my brain stopped working.

  “You can just do a U-turn up here,” I said. “People miss that last turn all the time. Really, there’s no need to take the long way.”

  “You’re pretty jumpy. Is something wrong?”

  I turned in my seat and narrowed my eyes. “Really? Why would something be wrong? Just because you left me in the hospital with a gunshot wound and walked out of my life forever, that’s no reason for you to think something might be wrong. I’m fine. You’re obviously fine. We’re all just fine.”

  Nick’s knuckles tightened on the steering wheel. “Maybe if you hadn’t been in the hospital for a gunshot wound then I would have stuck around.”

  “Maybe you should tell me why the hell I’m sitting in this car instead of reaching for my gun.”

  “Jesus, you’re armed?” The horrified look on his face made me feel a little better and I smiled.

  “I’m a single girl in the city. Of course I’m armed. I was the top shooter in my conceal to carry class too. I’m sure you remember better than anyone that I know how to handle a loaded weapon.”

  The sexual tension skyrocketed as Nick raised a brow at me. “Oh, I remember. I have fond memories of how well you hold a loaded weapon.”

  My body temperature went molten and I was pretty sure I might have had a small orgasm. “I think I’ll get out here. Just drop me at the corner. I’m close enough to walk.”

  “Are you dating Savage?” he asked out of the blue.

  “What?” I asked, surprised. “Why do you even care? It’s none of your business who I date.”

  His jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed as he took yet another turn in the complete opposite direction of my house.

  “Maybe I’m dating a different guy every night,” I pressed on. “Maybe the reason I’m so good at holding loaded weapons is because I’ve been practicing. What’s it to you? You’re the one who walked away. I’m about two seconds from opening the door and jumping out into the street, so you should probably tell me what you want.”

  I was starting to think I was angrier than I’d originally thought. Smoke was coming out of my ears and my hand gestures were getting more aggressive.

  “You’re right. You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.” He deliberately relaxed his grip on the steering wheel and the tension seemed to drain from him. “I’m asking for a favor and I know you have no reason to help me out, but I’m going to ask anyway.”

  “I’m not dressing up in a hot dog suit.”

  His gaze jerked toward me in surprise and then he swore as he looked back at the road in the nick of time to swerve around a car. A blare of the horn followed us.

  “Sorry,” I said. “I have bad memories from a summer job.”

  “No hot dog suits, though I’m intrigued. My brother is getting married Saturday night and I need a date for the wedding.”

  I laughed out loud before I could control it. “You’re kidding me. Surely you could find someone other than me to take with you. I can’t imagine you haven’t met someone else in the last couple of months. You don’t seem like the type to let your bed get too cold.”

  His jaw tightened again and I saw a vein throb at his temple. “I’ve been busy with work. I haven’t had the time to date anyone. Besides, after dating you everyone else seems a little boring. They’re cert
ainly less reckless.”

  “And you were doing so well…”

  “Listen, I’ll pay you.”

  My eyes widened at that and my first thought was that I should be angry. I wasn’t a hooker for crying out loud. But then the practical side took over. I needed the money.

  “How much?”

  “A hundred bucks.”

  “A hundred bucks? You’re kidding me? Five hundred and you’ve got a deal.”

  “Five hundred dollars?” he choked. “Are you fucking serious? I could hire an escort for that and at least get sex out of it.”

  “Stop the car. I’ll just get out here.”

  “Fine, fine.” He raised his hands in surrender. “Five hundred dollars.”

  “Believe me, you’re getting out with a bargain. Mostly I still want to do bodily harm to you whenever I see you.”

  He slammed on the brakes and before I knew it my seatbelt was unbuckled and I was sitting on his lap, my empty ice cream container tumbling to the floor. His lips touched mine and every protest I had leaked right out of my brain.

  Nick was a damned good kisser. Legendary even. And I’d missed it. Missed him more than I wanted to admit. His lips were soft and his tongue pressed forward so I had no choice but to open my mouth and let him in. I moaned and my fingers pressed against his shoulders as the world spun around me. Places on my body were getting very warm—warm enough that I was close to combusting. Definitely warm enough that as soon as I got home I was going to help myself self-combust with the memory of this kiss.

  We broke apart, both gasping for breath, and he had that soft, unfocused look in his eyes like he got when we were making love. I knew if I didn’t put a stop to this then things would get out of control.

  And then he did something completely out of character. He rested his forehead against mine and just held me as our pulses slowed and the urge to stake a claim passed.

  “I’ve missed you.” His breath whispered against my lips and I held on to him for a few seconds longer, soaking in his warmth and just the feel of his touch again. “I didn’t want to.”

  “I can’t do this, Nick.” I pushed away and shakily moved back to my seat, fastening my seatbelt. “It hurts too bad.”

  He sighed and put the truck back in gear. “I know, babe. Believe me, I know.”

  Tears pricked my eyes and I blinked rapidly so they wouldn’t fall. I looked out the window for the rest of the drive to my house. By the time Nick pulled into my driveway I’d gotten myself under control and was trying to think about anything besides the sorry shambles that was my personal life.

  “Thanks for the ride,” I said, opening the door before he’d even stopped all the way.

  “Any time. And I mean that, Addison. Call me if you find yourself in trouble.”

  I’d just closed the door when he rolled down the window and stopped me. “Oh, and Addison? I’ll be by to pick you up at six-thirty Saturday night. It’s black-tie.”

  My mouth was still hanging open when he put the truck in reverse and sped away.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The sky opened up about two seconds after I bolted the front door. I kicked off my heels and padded barefoot into the bedroom and then fell face first onto the bed. I tried to make myself fall asleep but all I could think about was that damned kiss, so I tossed and turned for twenty minutes before finally giving up and reaching for the Mr. Incredible I kept in my bedside table. I’d bought it a few months ago at one of those home sex toy parties. It had been worth every penny, though I hadn’t had to use it once while I’d been dating Nick. His Mr. Incredible was more than enough to keep me satisfied.

  An hour later I’d showered and changed into jeans, a blue silk shirt, and a pair of low-heeled black boots. My hair was styled and my makeup finished. I felt refreshed, relaxed, and ready to take on Virginia Peterson at Summer’s Eve Assisted Living. The only problem was I didn’t have a way to get there. I only had one choice really.

  Rosemarie Valentine teaches choir at James Madison High where I used to be gainfully employed. My classroom had been right next to her for years, and I’d heard show tunes sung in Rosemarie’s Southern vibrato in some of my worst nightmares. Her hair was blonde and curled around her round head Farrah Fawcett style, and she always wore two perfect dots of rouge on the apples of her cheeks. Her eyes were cornflower blue and guileless and she was round. Everywhere.

  I’m not sure quite how it happened, but Rosemarie and I were friends. She liked to tag around whenever I was doing easy surveillance, and I enjoyed her company because I never quite knew what was going to come out of her mouth.

  I called her up and asked her to pick me up at my house at five, and it just so happened she was free and completely excited about visiting an assisted living facility. Rosemarie didn’t get out much. She lived with two Great Danes the size of bulldozers. I’d once seen Rosemarie kiss one of the dogs full on the mouth with tongue and everything, so I could see why it might be hard for her to find a man that appreciated all her qualities.

  I made another call to the police station and reported my car stolen. I described the car as best I could and the cop I talked to said it sounded like someone did me a favor, but they’d put a BOLO out for it just the same.

  By the time five o’clock rolled around, all the tension that had been released with the help of Mr. Incredible was back. Mostly because I’d just watched Savage pull into his driveway. I looked at my watch and bit my lip as I saw it was exactly two minutes until five. If I was lucky Savage would disappear inside his house before Rosemarie showed up.

  The rain had stopped, but the ground was soggy and the sky still gray and dreary. I stood as still as possible because Savage had superpowers and always seemed to know when I was trying to avoid him. Or maybe it was X-ray vision because he turned and looked directly at me, like he could see straight through the blinds.

  I dialed Rosemarie and waited for her to pick up.

  “Where are you?” I hissed.

  “Turning onto your street as we speak. Am I late?”

  “No, but I’ve got a problem. Savage is standing in his yard and I’m avoiding him. Pull in front of the house and push the car door open. I’m going to run out and jump in before he can talk to me, and then you can drive away.”

  “Oh, boy.” I could hear her breathing grow heavier over the line. “My palms are getting sweaty. I don’t do well under pressure.”

  “You’ll be fine. It’s no big deal. I’m at the door and ready to run.”

  I grabbed my purse and heard the squeal of tires from down the street and I had a sudden thought that maybe I was asking too much of Rosemarie. I opened the door and caught a glimpse of Savage with his mouth hanging open as Rosemarie’s bright yellow Beetle jumped the curb in front of my house, taking out my trashcan. The passenger door swung open and I was out the door like a shot, avoiding the puddles as best I could.

  I looked up in time to see Savage start my way and I squeaked and ran faster. I could see Rosemarie through the car door, her head turning back and forth between me and Savage, the panic obvious on her face. I was almost home free when Rosemarie pressed on the gas pedal and the car shot forward. The door was still hanging open as the wheels left the curb and bounced back onto the street.

  “Rosemarie, stop!” I yelled.

  “I’m sorry! I got nervous!” she yelled back. But she didn’t stop.

  I was running alongside the Beetle as fast as I could, trying to figure out how to jump in without killing myself. If I hadn’t been jogging every day for the last month I never would’ve made it. We were halfway up the street when Rosemarie slammed on the brakes and I thunked my head against the door as it swung back at me. I hopped in the passenger seat and slammed the door closed while Rosemarie laid rubber.

  I turned in my seat to look back, but all I could see was Savage bent over at the waist shaking with laughter.

  Rosemarie and I were both out of breath and my hair and makeup were probably no longer as perfect as they’d
been before I’d left the house.

  “I don’t think I’m meant to be the getaway driver,” she finally said. “I sometimes get a little excitable.”

  “That’s okay. If I ever rob a bank I’ll make sure to call someone else.”

  ***

  Summer’s Eve Assisted Living sat on top of a hill in Chatham County. Black iron gates surrounded the estate on all sides and the grounds were lush and green. Rosemarie pulled up to the closed gate and rolled down her window to press the intercom. I expected there to be a crash of thunder at any moment because it would’ve been perfect for the atmosphere. Summer’s Eve looked more like a prison than a place to spend your final days.

  The gates opened after Rosemarie gave my name and she drove up the long driveway and pulled into a little parking area to the side of a large gothic mansion of gray stone complete with gargoyles. We both got out and looked around. It was completely silent. No birds, no animals, no car motors, no airplanes, and no leaves rustling—nothing.

  “This place is creepy as shit,” Rosemarie said. “I think I’d rather eat a bullet than ever have to live in a place like this.”

  I hmmmed in agreement and we made our way to the front door. It opened before I could press the buzzer.

  “Ms. Holmes?” The woman was somewhere between twenty-two and seventy-two. There was too much plastic surgery getting in the way to make an accurate guess, and I was thinking we’d probably have to chop her in half and count her rings if we wanted to know her real age. She had honey blonde hair and the whitest teeth I’d ever seen. She wore an expensive black suit and red heels that made my mouth water with envy.

  “Yes, I’m Addison Holmes.” I stuck out my hand when she offered hers. Her grasp was firm and businesslike and I found myself continuing to stare. I’d never seen anyone put together quite like she was. She was pretty at first glance, but the closer I looked at her features, it was like she’d been dealt her nose, eyes, and mouth from a Mr. Potato Head grab-bag.