Between Midnight and Dawn (4 page)

The music grew louder as he watched her pace back and forth across her living room. The need to comfort her overcame any qualms he had about disturbing her at this early hour. He went back to his bedroom and hurriedly dressed, taking only a moment to use the toothbrush she’d given him the night before. Done, he slammed out of the cottage and up her front sidewalk.

He lifted his hand and knocked, waited . . . but she didn’t come to the door. He raked a hand through his hair.
She probably can’t hear me.

He tried the handle, not really expecting it to be unlocked, and it wasn’t. He noted with satisfaction the peephole in her door.
Good girl.
Kyle studied the doorbell, hoping for the best. When he pressed the button, the most annoying buzzer he’d ever heard, loud and shrill, announced his arrival. The music grew softer, and a few moments later, the door swung open.

His mouth tightened at the sight of the bruise on her cheek, and her bottom lip was still puffy, although her eye wasn’t too bad this morning, only slightly purple underneath.

Taking in the damage to her slender wrist, he felt like an ass for using her in his quest for justice. Or revenge, depending on how you looked at it. It was unfortunate she was his best shot at catching Barber and putting a stop to his sick crimes.

I won’t let him hurt her. Besides, there’s nothing I can do about him stalking her, no one believes me.

Telling himself that did squat to assuage the feeling of guilt he couldn’t seem to shake. So he ignored it. First thing today, not only would he update her locks, he’d pick up some surveillance equipment, installing video cameras around the property so he could watch her 24/7. Nothing too invasive, though. No live feed from her home. Because, hell, he wasn’t a Peeping Tom . . . He’d also placed long-range, state-of-the-art sound equipment in the cottage. If a pin dropped in her house, he’d hear it.

“Kyle?” She glanced past him toward the cottage she’d rented out to him, then back to him. “Did you need something?”

She spoke so softly he had to lean in slightly to hear her. Big mistake. There was that heady mixture of vanilla and lavender again, her breath hinting of spearmint. He fought against the impulse to lean down and kiss her lush mouth.

The outfit she was wearing didn’t help. Nicole had a thing for beautiful clothing. Womanly, soft and lacy, and very sexy. Today, a black skirt hugged her shapely form, stopping just below her knees, with a slit halfway up one toned thigh. A dark-pink cashmere sweater clung to her like a glove, emphasizing her full breasts and slim waistline. Jeweled black flats completed the elegant outfit.

Worry gnawed at him. She was too vulnerable living out here alone. Even more so given her current hearing issues. His need to keep her safe warred with his vow to see his mother’s murderer behind bars or six-feet-under. His gut churned as his emotions roiled like a shipwreck tossed against a rocky shore.

He cleared his throat, giving himself a little time to get his head back on straight. “I saw you moving around, and thought maybe we could go out for breakfast. My treat.”

Nicole’s gaze slid away. Reaching up to cover her bruised cheek, she shook her head.

Before she had a chance to tell him no, he pushed ahead. “I’m new around here, and could use a tour of the town on the way, if you wouldn’t mind. Maybe after breakfast you could show me the best place to shop for supplies.”

He gave her a pleading look, because there was no way he could leave her unprotected, and he really was hungry, having missed supper the night before. Indecision flashed across her face as she swatted a curl away from her eye. “Please,” he continued, giving her his best smile.

A delicate breath swooshed from her. Both amusement and exasperation swirled in her eyes, as though she knew she was being played, but she nodded. Her tinkling laugh sent of rush of pleasure through him. “Fine, but I’m driving.”

When she turned back into the house to grab her car keys off a hook near the kitchen, his gaze fell to her ass in that tight skirt. He managed to tear his eyes off her shapely form before she caught him staring.

She exited her home and locked the front door. Following her over to her Ford Focus, he eyed it skeptically before squeezing his tall frame into the cramped interior. Even shoving the passenger seat back to the furthest position wouldn’t allow him to stretch his legs into a comfortable position.

He glanced longingly at his full-size vehicle, now with a dented back quarter-panel. “You sure you don’t want me to drive?” he asked hopefully.

Nicole’s tense features relaxed, and she broke into a huge smile. He felt his heart slam into his chest as she transformed from simply beautiful to outright gorgeous. He grinned back at her, happy to put a smile on her face even if meant he was in for an uncomfortable ride.

“You’ll manage,” she said with a teasing note, steering the car down the driveway and onto the country road toward town.

Damp with sweat, Allan stood, careful to keep the condom in place so there’d be no DNA to trace. Morning now, the sun shone through the windows of his hunting cabin as the woman’s soft whimpers sounded around the ball gag in her mouth.

Walking a few feet into the kitchen, he tossed the used condom in the trash and rolled on a new one, not even close to being satisfied. Picking up the bottle of cologne off the counter, he splashed some on. His father’s brand, Allan felt it brought him good luck on his hunts.

Reaching up to swipe his sweaty brow with the back of his hand, he took a good look at his plaything in the bright morning light. Slender arms and legs strapped to the table, her body a colorful patchwork of love bites and bruises. So much like Nicole Chambers, with the same build and dark curly hair, stretched out before him like a pagan sacrifice.

But she wasn’t Nicole, and that thought enraged him. He wanted to make the woman suffer for not living up to his fantasy. Snatching up his steel whipping cane, he raised it above her and brought it down hard against soft pale flesh, over and over again, as he excised his demons. Her high-pitched mewling sounds cranking up his excitement with each satisfying blow. He could clearly read the knowledge of her fate shining from the shocked depths of her eyes.

Just when Allan thought she’d pass out and end all the fun, he tossed the cane to the side, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. He gently patted her cheek, murmuring soft words of comfort. No, she wasn’t Nicole, but she was offering him some satisfaction, at least.

He’d play with her for a few more days, then leave Wade a message he’d never forget. One that would expose the guy’s true motives for being in Port Huron, and hopefully get the annoying son of a bitch off his back.

Chapter 4

Nicole took the last bite of her scrambled eggs, then nibbled on her bowl of fruit as Kyle polished off a hearty breakfast of biscuits and gravy, hash browns, sour dough toast, orange juice, and coffee. Watching the large amount of food he consumed made her stomach hurt. Lifting his glass for a drink, a swatch of dark hair fell casually over one eye.

He really was quite handsome. The kind of guy she’d always gone for. Tall and lean, with tousled jet-black hair, looking in need of a cut as it curled at the base of his neck, and warm hazel eyes that shone with interest every time he glanced her way.

It left her feeling a little bit breathless.

And a little bit horny.
I bet he’s good in bed.

She pressed her thighs together and told herself to knock it the hell off. The last guy she’d gone out with almost killed her, and she needed to take a break from men. Because so far, she hadn’t made very good choices.

Before Larry, she’d dated a high-powered executive from a software company who’d treated her like gold. Thankfully, she hadn’t slept with him either. At least when it came to taking a lover she was more cautious. The jerk had wined and dined her, made her feel special, and she’d seriously been considering having sex with him, until she’d found out the dirtbag was married with a baby on the way. Nicole could count on one hand the men she’d dated, and she’d been intimate with only a few. Seemingly nice enough guys, until you got to know them better and they turned out to be either a mama’s boy, a playboy, or just plain jerks.

No thank you. She’d had enough.

Although, she
was
growing tired of being celibate. Her vibrator was good in a pinch, but it couldn’t hold her at night and keep her warm. Nicole blew out a sigh. She had no business thinking about Kyle that way. He was her tenant, nothing more.

Kyle lightly touched the back of her hand where she held her coffee cup, and she realized she’d been staring at him. Her cheeks heated, not having heard a word he said. Besides daydreaming in inappropriate ways, it was loud in the restaurant and she was having a hard time understanding him with all the background noise.

“You okay?” One dark eyebrow arched her way.

She nodded, lifting her cup into the air. “Just need more coffee.” Nicole smiled gratefully at the waitress as she refilled the cup. Taking a sip, she asked, “So, do you think he’ll be back?” She shivered at the thought.

Kyle’s jaw tightened and he stared at her for a long moment. A hard expression slid across his features, his eyes filling with dark emotions she couldn’t read.

She shifted nervously, wondering what he was thinking to bring such an intense look to his face. Did he worry the man was coming back for her? Then the look was gone, and he smiled, as though they didn’t have a care in the world. Maybe she’d imagined it.

“No. Men like him are cowards, and as long as I’m living on the property, you’ll be safe.”

She blinked, digesting his words like a bad piece of meat. Kyle wouldn’t be living in her cottage forever. She set her cup down and clasped her hands together, resting them on top of the table. “So you think he’ll be back once you’ve moved out?”

Kyle shook his head. “That’s not what I said, Nicole.”

He placed his hand over hers, stilling her fidgeting. His touch was firm, but gentle, his palm warm, and she felt it all the way to her core.
Hell. I’m in some trouble with this guy.

A determined look settled across his face. “By the time I leave, the sheriff will have this asshole behind bars.”

“You really think so?” Her tension eased. Something about him made her believe in him. Trust in him. And trust wasn’t something she gave easily, not after the way she’d been burned in the past. Kyle seemed different. He radiated strength of character, and she felt he was a man she could count on to be honest with her.

“Yeah.” He lifted his cup up to chug down the last of his coffee, placing the empty cup on the table.

She licked coffee from her bottom lip, and studied him. A big man, he didn’t appear to have an ounce of fat on his well-toned body, and she bet he was just as yummy naked. Her brain froze on that image and she gave her head a slight shake, trying to dislodge the tempting vision.

Kyle gave her fisted hands a slight squeeze before releasing them. The dimpled smile he flashed her stole her breath.
Could he be any more charming?

He raised his hand to signal the waitress for the check. “I hear you own a pottery shop. I’d love to see it. Maybe pick up a piece for my new place.”

Ignoring her racing pulse at the chance to spend more time with him, even while telling herself she shouldn’t be, she nodded, reaching for her purse to dig out her wallet. “Sure. We can walk. It’s only down the block.”

He tossed the check for the meal on the table, along with a couple bills. “Great. Breakfast’s on me.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but before she had the chance, he continued, “You can pick up the tab next time.”

Next time?
She liked the sound of that.

What part of ‘don’t get involved with another man right now’ don’t I understand?

Kyle got to his feet and walked around to her side of the table, sliding her chair back to help her stand.
God, what a gentleman
. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had treated her so well.

Never, actually.

Yep. A lot of trouble . . .

When they entered Nicole’s pottery shop, a bell chimed above the door. Kyle studied the interior, impressed with what he saw. It had a sophisticated feel, with tall glass bookshelves holding beautiful ceramic art in vibrant colors, strategically placed for visual effect inside the decent-size space. Wooden shelves lined the walls, filled with unpainted pottery pieces, and kid-sized round tables lined one side of the room.

A long-legged blonde, wearing black dress pants and a tucked-in white blouse, stood perched on a short stepstool at the back of the room, adding an unpainted ceramic vase to the top shelf. The woman glanced over her shoulder, and a smile lit her face when she saw Nicole. She held up her index finger in a ‘hang on’ gesture and centered the vase between two other art pieces before climbing off the stool and heading their way.

“That’s Sheryl,” Nicole said, smiling at the woman as she neared.

The smile on Sheryl’s face fell when she caught sight of Nicole’s bruised cheek. Her mouth formed a perfect O, before snapping shut. Her eyes narrowed, and she glared at him.

Kyle held his hands up in a surrender gesture, taking a quick step back from the woman bearing down on him, with murder in her eyes. “I didn’t touch her.”

When his back slammed into the door, he had the urge to laugh, but managed to keep a straight face as the statuesque blonde, looking like she’d stepped straight off the cover of a fashion magazine, glared at him as if she wanted to kick his ass.

Nicole eased in front of him, defending him. This time a chuckle did escape, hopefully not loud enough for the women to hear. “Sheryl, it wasn’t him.”

Mouth pressed tight, Sheryl took a deep breath through her nose. Her gaze shifted back to Nicole, and tears filled her eyes. She leaned down and swept Nicole into a tight embrace. “Oh my God, what happened?”

As if realizing she wasn’t speaking loud enough, the woman released Nicole from her death grip and leaned back to study her face. “Who hit you?” she asked, more loudly this time. Her eyes flashed. “Is Larry out of jail? I’ll fucking kill him this time. That son of—”

Kyle’s lips twitched. He liked this woman already. And figured she might actually be able to kick this Larry’s ass, if need be. She was slim, nearly as tall as he was with an athletic build and light golden-blond hair, thick and wavy, reaching the middle of her back, and the palest of green eyes.

Rob would be all over that.
She was just his buddy’s type.

“No,” Nicole said, giving a strained laugh. “It wasn’t Larry.”

“Then who?”

“Some guy broke into my house last night and attacked me.”

“You’re shitting me?”

“No,” Nicole said, tugging her friend over to one of the round tables. She introduced them, then told her what had happened.

Sheryl listened, wide-eyed, her expressive face giving away every one of her horrified emotions. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she reached across the table to give his hand a quick squeeze. “Thank you.”

Kyle shifted uncomfortably in one of the student-like wooden chairs surrounding the table, and not because of the chair’s size. No. He shifted because he was an asshole, and didn’t deserve this woman’s gratitude. The guilt sitting on his shoulders felt like a ton of bricks. Sheryl wouldn’t be so pleased with him if she knew how he planned to use Nicole to catch a serial killer.

“Not a problem,” he said gruffly.

Sheryl sat back in her chair, studying Nicole with worried eyes. “Why don’t you come stay with me for a while?”

“No, thanks. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m renting her cottage, and will keep an eye on her.”

Sheryl studied him with renewed interest. One finely arched brow rose. “You’re renting the cottage?”

“And I’m getting a dog,” Nicole continued, as though Sheryl hadn’t spoken.

Sheryl’s head whipped back around. “A dog?” She grinned approvingly. “A really big, mean nasty dog, I hope.”

Nicole grinned back. “You bet.”

Both the women laughed, and Kyle felt something pinch his chest in the vicinity of his heart. An organ he’d not used much since his mother’s death, preferring to remain detached, focused on his job and the few friends besides Rob he’d allowed into his life, dedicating most of his time to solving his mother’s murder. But he liked seeing Nicole smiling and having fun.

He also liked the idea of her getting a dog. And he’d make sure she got one that would be able to protect her in case he wasn’t around. Because he’d never be able to live with himself if she got hurt.

Nicole had decided she’d stay and get some work done as long as she was at the shop. After meeting Sheryl, and purchasing an oversized, multi-colored ceramic bowl Nicole had made, and since she’d insisted on driving, Kyle borrowed her car to pick up his stuff and move it into the cottage.

Sheryl grinned. “So, is there something going on between you and Mr. Hottie?”

“He’s just a tenant. I’m taking a long break from men . . . they’re nothing but trouble.”

“True. But that kind of trouble could do you some good. Besides, he’s cute. Kinda looks like Patrick Swayze.” She sighed dramatically. “I so miss him.”

Nicole nodded in total agreement. “Me too.”

“You gonna sleep with him?”

“What? No.” She felt her face flush, stammering, “Absolutely not.”

Sheryl grinned. “I think the lady doth protest too much.”

Nicole grabbed a dry sponge off the pottery table to her left and tossed it at her friend, laughing. “Shut up.”

Chuckling, Sheryl lifted her hand and made a twisting motion near her mouth.

Nicole rolled her eyes. Sheryl loved men, and she’d had her fair share of lovers, starting in high school when she dated the quarterback during their junior year. Nicole, on the other hand, being shy, had rarely dated.

After the last couple of disasters, Nicole was in no hurry to rush into another relationship. Although she couldn’t seem to stop Kyle’s image from flashing across her mind.

He’d told her he’d be back at five to pick her up, although she’d assured him she could catch a ride with Sheryl. But he’d insisted, and she’d been secretly pleased to be able to spend more time in his company.

Ugh.
What part about ‘a long break from men’ wasn’t she getting?

As though she just couldn’t resist, Sheryl blurted out, “I say you should go for it.”

Nicole couldn’t hear her friend’s soft laughter, but the big smile on her face said it all. Nicole shook her head and laughingly insisted, “So not happening.”

“Why not? Not all men are bad. You need to jump back up on the saddle and take another ride.”

Nicole snorted, eyeing her with amusement. “Nice imagery.”

Sheryl wiggled her brows again. “You like?” Her expression turned serious. “But, really, I don’t want to see you growing old and becoming a cat lady.”

“I’m getting a dog, remember.”

Sheryl smirked, her moss-green eyes pinning her. “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Nicole gave her hand a dismissive wave, ending the conversation. “Listen, why don’t you come over Friday night for dinner? We’ll cook out. I’ll make us a couple juicy steaks.”

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. “Hang on.” She retrieved her smart-phone and pressed the power button, swiping the screen to unlock it. She had a new message. When she touched her thumb to the message area she read,
Hello, Nicole.
She didn’t recognize the number.

She keyed in,
Hi,
with a smiley face.
There was no response. She tried again,
Hello?

Still nothing. A bit irritated, she shoved the cell back into her pocket, as one of her best customers came through the door. Mrs. Bowman. The woman stopped in twice a week around this time to work on a turkey platter and was almost done with it. Today she’d finish up with the glazing, and tomorrow it’d be ready for firing in the kiln.

“We’ll be right with you, Mrs. Bowman,” she called out, glancing back to Sheryl.

“What time should I be there?” Sheryl asked. “Should I bring something?”

“How’s seven? And no, just bring yourself.”

“Okay, girlfriend, it’s a date.”

Kyle pulled up in front of Nicole’s pottery shop at the stroke of five, shutting off the ignition. He secretly prided himself on his punctuality, and was always on time, but never too early. A habit he’d learned from his mother, who used to laugh and make a big deal about it whenever they went anywhere. It’d been a fun joke shared between his parents, and it’d always made Kyle smile listening to his father teasing her that she was anal, and should get over it. His dad would laugh, leaning in to give his mom a big kiss as if he couldn’t resist her. Even as a kid, he’d known his parents had something special.