Simply the Best (2 page)

Two and a half hours later, Emma sat at one of the few two person tables at the Kettle. The tiny coffee shop catered to the college kids and the commuters wanting a quick shot of java before they headed to work. By eight, the local bands jammed on stage to whoever happened to listen. A duo sang folk songs. One played a guitar while the other clicked spoons. Emma didn’t hear a bit of the music. She focused on the door.

For all she knew, Sam’s invitation was bogus. Eight-thirty and he still hadn’t showed up. She toyed with the rim of her hot chocolate cup. The scent of the coffee churned her stomach. Some needed the boost of caffeine. She’d never acquired the taste.

“There you are.” Sam sat opposite her. “I didn’t see you at first.” He placed two cups on the table. “I see you got something. I’m sorry. This was supposed to be my treat.”

“I like to be prompt.” She laced her fingers around her paper cup. “So.”

“So.” Sam smiled. “What did old Trevor have to say? I assume he reamed you once you got off break.”

“Same old, same old.” She shrugged. Thinking about her skeevy boss wasn’t her idea of fun. Especially not with Sam there. “He’s a douche but what are you going to do?”

“Arrest his ass.” No humor in his words, just raw irritation.

“Huh? What are you? The law?”

“I’m a patrol officer for Gates Mills.” He whipped out his wallet and displayed his badge. “See?”

Holy Christ. He wasn’t kidding. “Uh…okay.” She pushed the wallet back across the table. “And you go around picking up women in the library?”

“I’m a cop, but I never said I was smooth.” He slipped her hand into his. “I wanted to get to know you. You fascinate me.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Where you’re from? Your last name. Why you look so sad?”

Great. Lots of things, most of which she didn’t want to answer. “I grew up down by Columbus in the country and came up to Cleveland to be a dancer for the hockey team. That didn’t work and I ended up working for the library. I know, I know. Opposite ends of the spectrum.”

“I don’t know. If you weren’t there today, I might have ripped Trevor’s face off, and I know I wouldn’t have found a book about a black widow that cuts the heart out of her victims.”

“Yum.”

“Yeah, it’s gross reading. I’ve seen some pretty gruesome stuff, but this will churn your stomach.”

“What about you? If I’m coughing up my vital stats, then you should, too.”

“Officer Sam Rhodes, thirty-three, single and a lifetime resident of Gates Mills. Libraries aren’t usually my thing. I tend to hang out over at the Rusty Nail Bar or at Yank My Chain. I’m into men and women and I’m not a virgin.”

“At thirty-three, I’d assume not.”

Sam opened his mouth, then closed it and put both hands in the air. “This music is driving me crazy. Want to go somewhere else? I can barely hear what you’re saying.”

“Sure.” She picked up her cup and slung her purse across her shoulders. “I suppose you’re going to tell me you’ll keep me safe from all the boogey men out there. You’ve got a great weapon?”

“I’ve got my off-duty weapon on me, yes. I’m licensed to concealed carry. Perk of the job, but I earned it.” He offered his arm. “I’m also a gentleman and my mother would kick my ass if I didn’t show my manners.”

“Thanks.” She linked arms with him and allowed him to walk her out of the Kettle. Giving in to him seemed so easy. Too easy.

Outside the coffee bar, he let go of her but wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Got cold tonight.” He eased her closer. “I know, corny pick-up line…”

“It’s fine. It did get cold.”

“I like to hear the person I’m talking to. Call me old-fashioned, but there’s something special about conversation. People need to do it face-to-face more often.” He rubbed her bicep with the pads of his fingers. “Better.” They walked in silence past the closed up shops along the main drag. Traffic rumbled by, lights flashing on the store windows and down the sidewalk. Tiny yellow twinkle lights glittered from one of the awnings. They stopped at the stone bridge across the Black River.

“It’s pretty out here.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. Emma spread her hands over the ornate granite handrails. “Quiet.”

Sam caged her between the railing and his body, wrapping his arms around her. “I used to come here when I was in school. I’d watch the boats, the people milling around, people doing things they shouldn’t be.”

“You’re observant…and a little scary.”

“Sorry.” He let go of her and stood beside her. “When you don’t matter to anyone, you can get away with a lot.” He turned his back on the water. “My parents walked away when I was sixteen. I wasn’t a jock or a genius. I played a little football, got through school, put myself through the academy and did what I thought my folks should’ve done for me—I protected people.”

“Makes sense.”

“What about you? Why do you look so sad?” He smoothed a lock of her hair from her face. “Trevor?”

“No.” She grabbed her right wrist and rubbed the scars, but stared out at the water. Some memories were meant to be buried. Some needed to come out. He might not be the forever kind of guy, but she needed to share her burden with someone. If he was strong enough to stand up to Trevor, then he had to be a good guy. Yes, it was time to unload to someone she could trust.

“I developed faster than the girls I went to school with. It’s funny, when you’ve got a big chest, guys seem to think you’re willing to do things out of your comfort zone. They push and force…” She pressed her lips together. Enough talking. Tears burned behind her eyes. It was time to let the past go without divulging everything.

“Assholes.” Sam crooked his fingers under her chin, forcing her to look at him. “I can’t say I was any better. Once I got into the academy, I sowed my share of wild oats.”

She nodded.

“Honey,” he put his arm around her, “I’m sorry.” He tucked her tight to his chest. “I can’t imagine what you went through.” Sam petted her hair. “You were young.”

“My parents tried to help. Daddy threatened all my boyfriends with his shotgun.” She wiped the tears from her cheeks. “There was one guy… I really liked him and thought I could trust him. He was from the neighboring school. I told him about the way I’d been treated and he swore he’d never treat me like dirt.” He shoulders shuddered. “I refused to have sex with him, and just like the rest of them, he told everyone I was a whore. His ego took a bruising and my life was never the same. He made me believe no one could be trusted.”

“Aw, sweetheart. Any guy who does that deserves to have his
nads
ripped off.”

“I kept my baby brother from all of it. He thinks I was a good girl.” Once the dam burst, she couldn’t hold her emotions back. She gulped a couple of deep breaths to calm down. Sam made her feel comfortable. Like he cared.

“You’ve got a brother?”

“He races dirt cars. Last I heard, he had a steady girlfriend and was second in his division.” She smoothed her arms around his neck. “I don’t like my past and hate talking about it, but going through that stuff made me stronger.” She stared up at him. “I’m usually cautious, but something about you makes me want to go for what I want.”

“Me, too.” He wound his arms around her and met her for a kiss.

****

He hadn’t planned on being attracted to her. Yes, he liked both sexes, but guys were the ones who turned him on. Not women. Emma was different. The moment his lips touched hers, rational thought left his brain. He savored the sweetness in her kiss and the softness of her body against his. More than anyone, he wanted her.

Sam caressed her back, learning her curves. He wanted to learn her likes and dislikes in bed, too. With one look, she changed everything.

Emma smoothed her hands under his shirt and trailed her fingers over his abs. He shivered. Unlike a man’s rough touch, she touched his skin with whisper softness. Despite the clothing between them, the heat from her body seared him. Her breasts pillowed against his chest. He deepened the kiss and sucked on her tongue. She writhed closer to him. He swallowed her moan. Sizzles started in his groin and spread through his veins. A lock of her hair tickled his cheek.

She broke the connection first. Her breath fluttered over his face. “Sam, we can’t do this here.” She eased her hands out from under his shirt. “I don’t want the people in the boats to get the wrong idea.”

“The one guy way over there in the barge?” He chuckled. “You’re a smart girl. Can I take you home?” He couldn’t deny the pull between them, even if he didn’t understand his bone deep need to be around her. Christ. He wanted to protect her from all the wrongs in the world. Crazy, since he barely knew her. Something about Emma spoke to him down to his soul.

She shook her head. “I drove.” Emma balled her fists on his chest. “You can follow me. I’m a good girl, but sometimes good girls like to be bad. We could talk in private?”

Hell yes. The horn ball in him wanted to fuck her the moment he reached her apartment or house or whatever. The rational part of him liked her cautious spunk. She wasn’t a wallflower, by far, but she had rules. Just the kind of woman he wanted.

He walked her back to the library lot to her car. “Where are we headed?”

“I’m in the St. Henry Suites. Building Two.” Her gaze darted to the ground. “You do want to come over, right?”

She didn’t trust him. Good and bad thing. Sam cupped her jaw in both hands. “Baby, whoever fucked with your pride should be kicked—hard. Yes, I’d like to come over. I’ll do my best to restore your faith in the human male. We’re not all assholes.” In the short time since he’d met her, he’d fallen a little in love with her. He wanted to see her smile, feel her body beneath his and make love to her in every way possible. But first, he wanted her to understand how special she was to him. “You’ve got every right to be on guard. I won’t push you.”

“You’re too good to be true.” She opened the driver’s side door. “I don’t know whether to believe you or go with my gut.”

A test? Let her test him. He’d do whatever she needed to feel safe. “What does your gut say?”

“You’ve probably got at least one person on the side and this isn’t going to last.”

Shit. “I don’t have anyone on the side.” He rested his forehead on hers. “Let me take you out. Tomorrow or Saturday? I’m off this week and next so whenever you want, I’m yours.”

“My brother’s racing over at the speedway in Lindale tomorrow. I’m sure we can get into the pits.” She half-laughed. “Wow. What an icebreaker. Come to the race and meet my family. Just forget—”

“Perfect.” Sam kissed her again, stopping her protest. “I’ll pick you up and we can rock that speedway.” He’d wait as long as she asked. “I’d like to meet your family.”

“Now I know you’re full of it.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. Emma swiped her tongue along his bottom lip. When she backed away, blush spread across her cheeks. “How about we end this night right here?”

“You got it. Good night, sweetheart.” Sam closed her car door and watched her drive away. A piece of his heart went with her. His phone buzzed in his pocket. A new text. He gritted his teeth. With no family around, the only people texting him were from the police force. He bit back a smile. Quinton Reynolds. The only man he’d risk losing Emma over.

Checking up on you during your vacation. The beat isn’t the same without you. Call if you need anything.

Yeah, he needed something, but he refused to ask Quint. Not yet, at least. He wanted to see where things were going with Emma before he even considered introducing anyone else into the mix.

Sam stared into the blackness of the sky. One of these days he’d figure himself out—who he wanted, what he needed and how to make everything work.

One day.

The next afternoon, Emma sat on the patio behind the library with her friend, Bethany. No matter how much she tried to avoid him, every time she headed to the second floor Trevor showed up. She counted the minutes until her break. Anything to get away from him.

“I don’t want to talk about Trevor anymore. He’s a dope.” Bethany bit into her sandwich. “I hear you went on a date sort of. So? Is he cute? According to the ladies in audio/visual, he’s a real dish. Tell me.”

Emma shook her head. Trust her best friend to be so excited she forgot her manners. “Yeah, he’s cute.” Exciting, sexy…dominating. The stuff of naughty dreams. She blew out a long breath. “Definitely good looking.”

“Ooh, cool.” Bethany’s brown eyes lit up. “Is he permanent?”

“I don’t know about that.” Emma sipped her soda. “I like him and I’d like to see him. He respected my boundaries. That’s rare these days.” Almost nonexistent.

“Sure is and I’m glad you found him. Trevor, on the other hand, will be pissed.” Bethany balled up the plastic bag from around her sandwich. Her mocha colored hair bounced as she nodded. “Serves him right.”

“Why?” Unease slipped down Emma’s spine. Being her boss, Trevor held the power to fire her. Damn it. She needed the job. Besides, she liked working at the library.

“Duh. He’s being a dick because he’s had his eye on you. You don’t think he got you for the secret Santa by accident.”

“He never said anything.” Although a whole lot more of his actions made sense. She shivered. The garnet ring had been pretty, but an expensive present in a twenty-dollar limit gift exchange. Thankfully she’d never worn it.

“You’d actually date him?” Bethany narrowed her eyes. Her brows knotted. “He’s not your type. He’s not anyone’s type.”

“No, I wouldn’t date him and I wasn’t looking for anyone, even if he did ask. The thing with Sam just sort of happened.” She swirled the cola in the can. “Some men, like Trevor, are ignorant when it comes to women. They think they know what to do, but have no clue.” Then there were the ones who did as they pleased, no matter what anyone said. Emma put down the can and rubbed her wrist. The scars faded, but the memories remained.

“Clueless describes him pretty well.”

“Trevor doesn’t matter.” She pushed the thoughts of him aside. Time to focus on better things. “Sam is a good guy. He’s stable and sweet. Did I mention he’s a cop? I looked him up on the police website. Ten year vet of the Gates Mills force.”

“Whoa. A man in uniform. That’s almost as sexy as Blaine.” Bethany rested her chin on her folded hands. Ever since she’d met Emma’s brother, she’d been in love with him.

“My brother is very happy with Mallory. Last time I heard, they were happy and he was planning to pop the question.” She’d talked to him from time to time on the phone, but rarely saw him in person. The racing circuit tended to keep him out of town for months on end. As much as she thought she wanted to be, Bethany wasn’t his kind of woman. He only had eyes for Mallory from the moment they met. “You never did like racing. He’s not going to quit any time soon.”

“You’re right. That dirt gets everywhere.” Bethany fluttered her hand. “He can be handsome and taken. I just want to drool over him.” She sighed. “Like, poster-sized and naked.”

“You’re a dork.”

“You know it.” Bethany tapped her fingers on the top of her water bottle and stared off over Emma’s shoulder. “Does Sam have a bald head? Kind of beefy, like he could crush someone in his bare hands?”

“Yeah.” She glanced in the direction her friend stared. “Sam!”

“Definitely hot,” Bethany murmured. “Does he have a brother?”

“Hi, sweetheart.” Sam strolled across the lawn to the picnic table. “We never decided what time to leave.” He sat beside her. “Who is this lovely woman wanting to know if I’ve got family?”

“I’m Bethany.” Her friend giggled and twisted her fingers. “Sorry. It was rude of me to ask.”

“She’s my best friend.” Emma hesitated before slipping her hand into his. “How’d you find me? Sixth sense or are you spying on me?”

Sam kissed her knuckles. “I went inside and asked your pal upstairs. Once he picked his jaw off the floor and swallowed his anger, he suggested I stop harassing you. Rose, I believe, intervened and told me to check outside. She’s been to the station a time or two to pick up the books we collected for the Christmas book drive.”

“Report him,” Bethany interjected. “That’s crap.”

“Rose noticed.” God. Go figure the woman in charge of hiring and firing everyone at the library would notice she fraternized with a patron for a bit too long. “Well, she’ll say something to him.” Then ream her out, too.

“To answer your question, Bethany, I’m an only child. They broke the mold when they made me.” He smiled. “If I did have one, I’d introduce him to you.”

“I’m going to sign in before I faint.” Bethany collected her things then winked at Emma. “I’ll run interference with Trevor. He needed the wake-up call anyway. Enjoy the rest of your break. Bye, Sam.”

Emma waited until her friend walked out of earshot before she spoke. “She’s my best friend and loyal to boot, but she’s…Bethany.”

“She’s lucky to have you as a friend.”

“You’d better stop being so sweet. You don’t have to win me over. It worked.”

Sam smiled and then trailed his fingers over her cheek. “You deserve to be treated well. I’m following my instincts.”

“I see.” She stared at her hands. “The race starts at seven but the pits open at four.” She glanced at her watch. “Like fifteen minutes from now. Blaine will grab pit passes and a parking tag for us if I call him. It’s easier to get out afterwards if you park with the car hauler.”

“You get off when? Five?”

“Six.”

“Then I’ll meet you here at six. Supper is on me.”

“Sam.” She didn’t mind his graciousness, but she hated to sound so needy. “I can pay for dinner.”

“Honey, I treat my lady well.”

His lady. She rubbed her forehead. The headache from the morning started behind her eyes. Guys weren’t good. They were nice until they wanted something, and then the real man showed up. She wanted to believe in Sam’s integrity. Needed to. Except the fear and the past prevented her from doing so. “When’s the other shoe going to drop? When am I going to find out you’re a psycho killer on the side or a stalker or something?”

“Emma.”

“Come on. Guys aren’t this nice or this…everything you seem to be.” She disengaged from him and stood, putting distance between them. “I’m scared.”

“You have nothing to worry about.” He swung his legs around the picnic table seat and faced her but didn’t get up. “I came on strong because I know what I want. I tend to have a one-track mind when I aim for something or in this case, someone. I’m yours all week and once I go back to work, we’ll figure something out. I’m not going to screw this up, even if I’m going balls to the wall.”

She grasped her wrist, hiding the scars. “You’re going to break my heart.”

“Not if I can help it.” Sam held out his hand. “I might not be the best man for you, but I’ll be the best man I can be and take care of you the only way I know how.”

Footsteps crunched on the leaves behind her. “Emma?” she cringed. Trevor. When she turned around, he stood with his hands on his hips. “I told you. No visitors.”

She’d had enough. “Oh for the love of Pete. Your mother has lunch with you every Tuesday. No one cares as long as nothing
hinky
is going on.” Good God. She and Sam were more than three feet apart, her standing and him on the bench. Definitely G-rated stuff.

Trevor stepped into her personal space enough to see the dusting of hairs on his upper lip. “My mother was staff. She has certain privileges. You had better start following directions or you won’t have this job. I can replace you.”

The restraint she’d held onto broke, but her courage soared. “You know what? I quit. I don’t need this shit from you. The library over in Bainbridge had an opening for a part-time librarian in the children’s section. I’ll go over there. I’d rather work with kids anyway.”

“You can’t quit. I’m firing you.” The veins in Trevor’s neck bulged and his voice cracked when he spoke. “I’ll make sure Bainbridge and anywhere else you want to go to won’t hire you.”

“Whatever.” She turned to Sam. “Give me fifteen minutes to collect my stuff. We can leave when I get done.”

****

Sam stood face to face with Trevor. He loved the way Emma held her ground against her boss. Loved her courage and her pluck. Trevor? Yeah, he wanted to rip the punk a new asshole.

“She was so much better when you weren’t here,” Trevor snapped. “Go back to your motorcycle club and leave her alone.”

“Motorcycle club?” Sam folded his arms, flexing the muscle in his biceps. The shit didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. “Rose didn’t mention how she knew me, did she?”

“No. She deals with all sorts so I’m sure it was at some community event. She’s better with
charitable
events than I am.” He tipped his chin and smirked. “I bet you’ve never been to a library before now.”

“I’m with the Gates Mills Police Department. Officer Rhodes, to you. I helped collect books for the kids book drive at Christmas. We bring the cars and K-9 officers over for Men in Uniform Day and provided the roulette wheel for the fundraiser. I might not hang out at the library, but I am very visible in the community. Does that satisfy you or should I go on?”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah.” He widened his stance and stared down at the smaller man. “If you want to keep good staff, you can’t abuse them. You can’t shout at them because they aren’t interested in getting horizontal with you. She did her job and damned good one from what I’ve heard. Lay off Emma.”

“And you’ll do what?”

The shit wanted to press his luck? Fine, he’d go there. Sam glared. “I’m not going to come after you, if that’s what you think. It’s not ethical, but I warn you, if I find out you did something to her I won’t hold back my temper. A real man doesn’t treat a woman like shit.”

“You’re threatening me.” Trevor didn’t back down, but the octave of his voice rose a bit more. “You can’t do that.”

“I’m not threatening you any more than I would any other
asshat
.” Sam glanced over Trevor’s shoulder. Emma, bag slung across her shoulder, trudged toward them. She held her head high, but the pain in her heart was evident in the tight smile on her face.

“I’m ready, Sam,” she murmured.

“That’s right. You get out of here. I don’t want to see you on library property,” Trevor snapped. “Ha.”

“Okay, I’ve been nice for long enough.” Sam balled his fists. “The library is a public building. If she hasn’t done anything wrong, you can’t keep her out.” He clenched his teeth. “Get your head out of your rectum and do your job, not harass your staff. I’d hate to see you get busted for harassment. You’re uptight and couldn’t handle a night in county.” He stepped around Trevor and clasped Emma’s hand. “Let’s get out of here before things get ugly.”