The Truth (2 page)

She clasped her hands together, smiled sweetly, and batted her eyes mockingly. “New partner? Oh, that’s such good news. The only thing missing from this town is a cop who’s light on his feet and as graceful as a one-legged tap dancer.”

Jordan groaned.

Grayson’s eyes flashed with mischief. “You can’t blame a man for being swept off his feet by a beautiful woman.”

“Should we worry when he’s swept off his feet by a four-year-old boy?” Lexie challenged.

Grayson ignored her retort, and held out his hand to Ryan. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Ryan giggled and reached out to shake the outstretched hand.

He stepped through the door behind a laughing Jordan and turned around, his eyes filled with amusement. “And Lexie, it was
very
nice bumping into you.”

Grayson shot upright, the covers pooling around his waist, his face masked in sweat. His chest felt tight. Opening his mouth, he inhaled, dragging air into his lungs. He could still smell the blood, hear the explosions, feel the sand blow across his cheeks and burn his eyes.

The nightmare replayed each night when he tried to sleep. A broken record of the death and fear he’d lived with for two years as a soldier, fighting in the deserts of Iraq.

The price he’d paid to become a soldier had been high. Everything changed the day he’d packed his duffle bag. The road he’d been on, the life he’d seen himself living, was a stark contrast to the reality he lived now. He’d never imagined he’d be waking up alone, shaking from a nightmare that wouldn’t end, without her beside him to hold onto.

Looking around the room, he felt displaced. It wasn’t a tent filled with cots and footlockers, and it wasn’t his quiet little house nestled along the creek in Kentucky, just a mile from his family home. He’d needed a change, a fresh start. His parents had been hurt by his decision to move so far away. He understood their disappointment. They’d spent every day for two years wondering if he’d make it back. But after six months struggling to adjust to being home, he realized part of what he so desperately needed was to break away from them.

Grayson stepped from the bed and walked through the empty living room of his apartment. Having started his new job right away, he’d had no time for furniture shopping in the weeks since he’d moved in. He pulled open the shades and gazed out the window. The stars shone clearly in the California sky. It wasn’t the smog-filled nights he’d pictured when he accepted the job offer in Carmel.

He didn’t know why he’d chosen to come here. This was where she’d wanted to come, a place he’d never even once contemplated. Still, when he’d seen the job opportunity he jumped at the chance. He wondered if he was a glutton for punishment.

His mind wandered to the spunky brunette he’d met earlier. Not met, really, more like crashed into. What a contrast she was to her brother, his new partner. She was sparks and fire where Jordan was calm and cool. She was outspoken and feisty, quick witted and exciting, all wrapped in a tiny, sexy package.

He recalled the way her amber eyes roamed, taking in every detail of his face. He’d been wrong the minute he decided to lean in close enough for a kiss, but he’d liked the information it gave him. She would have let him kiss her. The flash in her eyes, and the way she stood so tall when she couldn’t have been more than five foot two, made him want to know more.

Maybe she was just what he needed. If he were to be honest, this was the first time in years any woman had caught his attention.

Stepping away from the window, he knew he wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep, so he opened a box and began to unpack. He unloaded a box of glasses, placing them into the cupboard closest to the fridge. His new kitchen wasn’t big, but it was conveniently designed, with frosted glass cupboards, dark cherry wood, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. There was just enough counter space to indulge his love for cooking, and possibly entertain the spunky pixie who continued to enter his thoughts.

Looking around, he couldn’t bring himself to continue with the monotonous task of unpacking any more boxes. He needed to move, to escape the demons that threatened to overwhelm him. Decision made, he laced up his sneakers, grabbed his keys, and headed to the beach.

The sun had just begun to rise, creating splashes of orange, purple, and red that stretched out across the water. The waves rolled softly and created a soothing sound on the mostly deserted beach. Picking up his pace, his shoes dug into the sand, producing the resistance he enjoyed.

He inhaled the salty air, and pushed himself forward, trying to concentrate on the sounds of the seagulls, dogs barking in the distance, and the rumbling of the surf. Anything to erase the overwhelming feeling of loss, regret, and loneliness he’d awoken to.

The sun was above the horizon, now, and looking at his watch, Grayson realized he’d been running for over an hour and it was time to turn around. He still needed to shower and grab some coffee before his shift. The thought of coffee brought a smile to his lips. If he hurried, he could make it back in time to stop at Ocean Breeze Java.

Thinking again of the fiery woman who owned the coffee shop, he wondered if stopping for coffee each morning might become his new favorite habit.

Lexie was crabby. She’d started her morning by stubbing her toe on an abandoned Tonka truck, pouring a half glass of left over apple juice down the front of her new shirt, and wasting fifteen minutes searching for her keys. She finally found them in the cargo hold of her son’s favorite military airplane, parked beneath his bed.

Behind schedule and short staffed, she knew it was going to be a long day. Pausing as she walked through the door, she took a moment to appreciate the business she’d built. Small round tables were sprinkled throughout the room, surrounded by round-backed wooden chairs. Sage colored wing-back chairs were set in corners, separated by glass-topped wicker tables, inviting her customers to sit and stay a while. Small vases sat on tables, their fresh flowers splashing color throughout the room. Sunlight filtered in through the floor to ceiling windows that surrounded over half of the store. The counter boasted a brightly lit bakery display of fresh scones, cookies, and homemade rhubarb pie.

She tied her apron behind her back and headed for the kitchen to start a batch of blueberry muffins. The bell over the door chimed, announcing her first customer. She looked up with a smile, and her stomach flipped when she looked into Grayson’s green eyes.

“Morning.” The purr in his voice shot electricity through her system.

“Deputy Hunter, you’re up early. Aren’t I a lucky girl you’ve decided you enjoy my coffee.” She replied, sarcasm dripping off each word. She wanted him to leave, to never have come at all, anything to stop her body from reacting to him with this uncomfortable yearning.

“It’s not just your coffee I enjoy. But after a restless night, I could definitely use some.”

Biting her tongue to stop her smart retort she simply said, “What can I get for you?”

“A large black coffee and dinner with you tomorrow night.”

Her stomach lurched, and her heart rate increased. “One large black coffee coming right up.” She turned her back to him in hopes of hiding the strong reaction she was having to him.

“And dinner?”

Determined not to let “yes” slip from her mouth, she decided to say nothing. What was it about him that made her want to run as fast as she could in the other direction? It was more than her not wanting a relationship, she’d never struggled to say “no” in the past. It was more than her embarrassment at having her attraction to him so blatantly exposed as she lay on the cement outside her shop the day they met. It was even more than the conflict going on between her body and her mind. She didn’t want to want him. It was as simple as that.

She slid the cup across the counter. “It’s on the house.” She wanted to get him out of her shop as fast as possible.

Without looking away from her, he ignored his coffee and said, “You don’t eat dinner? Or you don’t eat dinner with men you’ve just met?” He cocked his head to the side, looking as if her answer would be so profound he was afraid to miss one word.

“I don’t date,” she said matter-of-fact, looking him directly in the eyes, willing him to give up his pursuit.

Dimples indented his cheeks and his eyes lit with challenge. “You’ll take those words back before long. I have a way of breaking people down. It’s part of what makes me good at my job.” He winked at her, slid a couple of bills across the counter and strutted out of the shop.

He showed up the following morning, and the next three mornings, each time ordering a large black coffee, smiling at her, charming her, complimenting her, and each time asked her to dinner. Each time she declined. Each time it became more difficult; her body seemed to have a mind of its own.

Saturday morning she found herself watching the door for him, and was actually disappointed when he didn’t show up. What was happening to her? She was sure she must be losing her mind. She’d made one promise to herself, and only one: she would never again allow herself to go through the pain love could bring. Her life would be filled with her family, her business, and her son. That would be all she’d need. It was the key to her happiness.

For eight years, she hadn’t once questioned her decision not to date. Now, a week after bumping into Grayson — literally — she was daydreaming about the arrogant, handsome cop with a quick smile and the ability to make her body hum simply by being in the same room. His arrogance made her crazy. The fact he could see her reaction to him made her angry. The way his lips moved, the sparkle in his eyes, and the dimples in his cheeks when he smirked made her knees weak. He was costing her sleep, and that made her … well, that made her doubt her ability to keep him away, and that just made her angry all over again.

“Excuse me?”

Lexie shook her head, snapping herself back to reality as her eyes focused on the customer waving his hand in front of her face. The heat crept up her cheeks and she tried to force a polite smile onto her face. She could strangle Grayson Hunter right now. “Sorry, what can I get you?”

After the man had left, she grabbed a towel and walked around the counter to bus the tables. Her mind must have wandered again, because she was startled when she locked onto the smug, violet eyes of her best friend. Marissa sat silently, smiling in that irritatingly knowing way of hers, and sipping from a cup of coffee Lexie didn’t remember pouring.

Lexie wrung the towel in her hands, searching for something to say to ease the tension she was feeling, and to erase the look from Marissa’s face. She could think of nothing.

“I’ll be damned. You are human.” Marissa broke out laughing.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lexie set the towel on the table, and plopped down into the empty chair.

“For as long as I’ve known you, I’ve wondered,” Marissa stifled another laugh by quickly taking a sip from her coffee. “You were the only woman I knew who wanted nothing to do with men, but wasn’t gay. It wasn’t normal. Nobody human could keep that going forever. Now, here you are.” She shook her head, her eyes lit with amusement. “Who is he?”

Lexie, breathing fast, shot out of her chair and began to wipe the table with vigor. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Looking up at the door, she willed it open. Of course, as luck would have it, no one walked through the door to save her from her relentless friend.

“Come on, tell me.” Marissa slid forward on her chair and leaned her forearms on the table.

“No.” Lexie shook her head. “No. I don’t know what you’re talking about. There is no guy. No.” She could hear the tone of her voice rising. “I’m tired that’s all.”

She inhaled deeply when the bell over the door offered her an escape. Turning to greet her salvation, she froze. Her hands fell to her sides, the rag falling slowly to the floor, her knees weak.

“Hey, Lexie. You didn’t think I’d forgotten about you, I hope.” Grayson stood there in a tight black t-shirt and snug jeans accentuating his tall frame and broad chest.

She didn’t think it was possible for him to look any better out of his uniform, but he did. Swallowing hard, she struggled to find her voice. “Grayson,” she finally managed.

Lexie whipped her head around when Marissa mumbled an all knowing, “mmm … ”

Glaring at her friend, Lexie turned and headed for the counter, “The usual?”

Grayson sauntered over to the counter and leaned casually toward her. “No, today I want something icy. And dinner with you tonight.”

“How about an Italian soda?” she offered, ignoring his second request.

“Or a nice glass of cold chardonnay over dinner,” he prompted.

“I can’t,” was all she could manage. It was hard not to picture a relaxing night, sitting across from a charismatic man, sipping a glass of wine and leaving her fears in the past. Her skin tingled at the thought.

Grayson’s face grew serious. “Lexie, why won’t you have dinner with me? Are you afraid of men? Or is it you’re afraid of me?”

Her face heated and she mumbled, “No, of course not!” She simply couldn’t have dinner with him. But she also couldn’t explain why. She was having a hard time remembering herself. “I have a son. I don’t have childcare, especially with such short notice.”

“Lexie, I have Ryan tonight, remember?” Marissa walked up to the counter, and eyed Lexie, all but daring her to weasel out of it. She smiled at Grayson. “I’m Marissa Neil, Lexie’s friend. And you are?”

Grayson grasped her outstretched hand. “Grayson, Grayson Hunter. It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you as well,” Marissa purred.

Lexie felt her chest tighten as she watched the exchange. Now what? If he didn’t make her so flustered, she’d have been able to come up with a better excuse. But then, if her friend would’ve butted out, she would have gotten away with it.

Marissa leaned across the counter and whispered, “No guy, huh?” She smirked, and raised her voice adding, “I’ll pick up Ryan from daycare, so you don’t need to worry about a thing, Lex. Have a good time.” She winked at Lexie over her shoulder as she left the shop.