Her brow crinkled as she cocked her head slightly to the side, continuing to hold his gaze. She sucked in her lips, confusion mixed with interest on her face. She continued her silence, offering him the chance to explain without argument, for which he was grateful. Something he could never remember his parents offering to each other.
“Without giving away more than I should, let’s just say that someone Steven has allowed to become involved with the band is not someone I trust. And because of that association, I’ve now had to include your bandmates and the finances that Steven controls in my investigation.” Having no idea what her response was going to be, her startled reaction surprised him.
“It’s Mr. Kincaid, isn’t it?” Her gaze snapped, and she snorted when he didn’t answer immediately. “I know it is! He’s the only one who’s been around lately.” She released Clay’s hand as she leapt to her feet, pacing to the other side of the room. Whirling around, she threw her arms out to the side. “Suddenly, Steven’s been ‘Mr. Kincaid this’ and ‘Mr. Kincaid that!’ I thought it was weird! I mean, he’s like an assistant or something for Congressman Bennett. Why would he suddenly want to practically manage a small-time Celtic band? I mean, even if we were superstars, the niche is small, and we’d hardly bring in a ton of money for him.” Her hands that had been waving wildly suddenly slapped against her thighs, and she stared back at him. “And of all the dumb luck… I ended up in his house! That crazy-ass, huge house. And then he shows up at the concert.” She stopped pacing and quieted. “This isn’t just about him, though, is it? You’re talking about the band as well.”
He stood and reached his hand out. “Please, sweetheart, come back over and sit with me. I’ll explain what I can, but I want you to be calm and comfortable.”
Her breath left her lungs in a whoosh, and her shoulders slumped. She reached out her delicate hand, and he wrapped his much larger one around it, drawing her near. Settling her once again on the sofa, this time much closer, he kept hold of her hand with his other arm wrapped around her shoulders.
“I have no idea what his interest in the band is at this time. Maybe he just really likes the music. Maybe he just really wants to help. I don’t know, Christina. But what I do know, I don’t like. My fear is that Steven is so enamored with the idea of the band making it big, he’s liable to make decisions that aren’t wise. On top of that, I know that Dunk has a drinking problem, and even Mike had a brush with the law. All of this combined makes me concerned for you.”
She twisted her head around so that she could face him and lifted her free hand to cup his jaw. Her gentle touch soothed him, and he prayed his words struck a chord deep inside her.
“I know you can’t talk about your investigations, so I know you can’t talk about Mr. Kincaid.” Scrunching her nose, she added, “I guess it’s all politically motivated since he works with the congressman.”
His chest eased slightly when she didn’t question him further and accepted that there were things he couldn’t divulge. He reached inside his pocket and said, “I bought you something.” Hesitating, he added, “Actually, I bought it the day I first heard you play with the band.” He opened his hand and there, resting in his palm, was a beautiful, silver, Celtic cross necklace. “I saw you looking at the jewelry and wanted you to have this, but I’ve carried it around for all this time, trying to figure out the right time to give it to you.”
Her eyes widened before she smiled and clapped her hands together. “Oh, my goodness! Clay, this is beautiful!” She lifted her hair, and he draped the necklace around her neck, settling the cross at the top of her breasts. Touching it gently, he slid his knuckle to her chin and kissed her deeply.
“We’re still getting to know each other, and I don’t want you to feel weird about me giving you the necklace,” he said.
“I’m sorry you had to be concerned,” she said. Her eyes sparkled and she laughed. “I have something for you, too. You won’t believe it!” She jumped up and hurried to her purse still sitting on the counter. Rummaging through it, she pulled out a small bag. Walking to the sofa, she sat down next to him again. “I bought this for you when the band was in Ottawa.”
He had forgotten the purchase she’d made when Cobb was keeping an eye on her. Taking the bag, he pulled out a small box. Lifting the lid, his eyes widened at the sight of the heavy silver chain with the lighthouse within a Celtic circle. “Oh, wow, babe, this is perfect.”
“You don’t have to wear it—”
His actions stopped her words as he slipped it over his head and settled the lighthouse pendant on his muscular chest.
Her thumb swept over the stubble on his face, and she leaned in, kissing his breastbone just above the silver, then slid her lips up over his jaw, finally landing on the corner of his mouth. “I love you,” she mumbled against his lips.
He took over the kiss as it flamed hotter, threatening to singe both of them with its intensity. All semblance of finesse flew out the window as noses and teeth bumped, tongues danced against each other, and she squirmed until she was straddling his lap, her breasts pressed against his chest.
There was more he was sure he meant to say, but all rational thought flew out of his mind. Even the ability to make it to the bedroom seemed impossible. His hands skimmed over her bare thighs, up under the bottom of the large T-shirt, and he whipped it over her head, their lips separating just enough for the material to pass between them. Falling over to the side, he took her with him, his hips nestled between her open thighs.
Words no longer mattered. Speaking with whispers and touches, nuzzles and nips, licks and kisses, they spoke their own language of love with their bodies.
23
Christina waved goodbye after another long, wet kiss while standing in the open door of her apartment. Clay had driven her home, and much to her surprise, a rental car was sitting in her parking space. When she expressed concern that he had spent money to not only get her car towed but that a rental car was there for her use, he simply stated that he wanted her safe. He’d explained he had a mechanic friend who ran a garage and would handle everything with her car and insurance. He also said she had use of the rental until she received the insurance check and was ready to buy a new car.
She almost argued with his handling of her situation but snapped her mouth closed. That would be foolish. He cared about her, and she certainly didn’t have money for a car right now, so she would gratefully accept his help. Grinning as he drove away, she had to admit she felt loved.
She had left his house with her short skirt and tank top but added one of his button-up shirts around her top and tied at the waist. Ready to change clothes, she almost ran into Amy as her roommate was heading out the door. Amy halted long enough to get the details from the previous evening, including a few of the details from the morning.
“Honey, I love your band members, but I’m so pissed at Dunk,” Amy groused. “He could have killed you! Or maimed you! I hope he sits in jail for days!”
“To be honest, I’m not in the mood to see him, either. Last night, I was full of shock and anger, but now I really need to think about the band situation.”