The Tycoon's Captured Heart (17 page)

Ella smiled, almost dancing as she worked in her store that morning.  She wasn’t in love, she told herself.  She couldn’t be in love.  She’d only known the man for one day and it was ridiculous to think she could love a man simply because…well, because he was good in bed and he repeatedly pet her cats.  Well, cat.  Rocket had been on a roll this morning.  He hadn’t slowed down enough to be petted.  But she’d watched with a melting heart as Daniel had repeatedly rubbed Tummy’s belly until he’d slipped out the door this morning. 

It was just lust, she told herself as she smiled at another customer. 

Three necklaces sold!  That was a new record, she thought with excitement.  Business was getting better every day. 

“Lunch!” she thought with a smile.  “Can you watch the store while I run down to Brian’s to grab some sandwiches?” she asked her assistant, Debbie. 

“Sure!  Can you get me one of those pastrami sandwiches?  With that incredible sauce that Brian won’t give me the recipe for?”

Ella laughed.  “Absolutely.  Two pastrami sandwiches, coming up.”

She sang as she walked down the sidewalk, waving to the other shop owners who were out in front of their stores or glancing out their store windows.  The area was in the process of being gentrified, but still had a bit of the old-time grit.  It wasn’t quite “fashionable” yet, but it wasn’t the dicey area it used to be.  More people were coming in to shop, discovering the smaller stores and the friendlier service than the chains that were big, but also anonymous. 

Inside Brian’s deli, she grabbed two bags of chips and leaned up over the countertop.  “Hi Brian!  Can I get two pastrami sandwiches to go?”

“Sure thing, doll!  Knocked out any detectives today?” he asked as he immediately went to work on her order. 

Ella laughed, shaking her head because, apparently, all of the store owners had heard about her tussle with Detective Daniel yesterday.  “Not yet.  But the day is young!”

“You go girl!” he said and sliced the meat. 

The bell over the door rang and Ella moved to the soda machine to get drinks, not bothering to look at the newcomer.  Unfortunately, something in the air changed.  There was a tension in the store, a strange sensation and she looked around.  There were only a few small tables that were full, but everyone had stopped talking, all eyes watching the man in the expensive coat that sauntered over to Brian’s counter. 

“I’m looking for someone,” the man said and Ella instantly knew that this man was evil.  She didn’t understand what it was about him, but he made her shiver with fear. 

Brian barely glanced up.  “Who you need?” he asked. 

The silence in the store made the conversation seem louder. 

The man glanced around, apparently unconcerned about witnesses.  “I heard a rumor that some chic thinks she can challenge me.”  His eyes moved over to Ella but dismissed her.  “Some blond chick.”

Ella knew that he was referring to her run-in with Daniel yesterday and a chill went down her spine. 

But she also understood that this man was most likely the culprit behind the extortion and she wasn’t going to back down.  She glanced at Brian who was studiously piling pastrami onto the rye bread, not looking to the right or left.  He was protecting her!

“I heard someone joking about that too, Mr. Morgan.  But I think it was just a silly rumor.”  He put the second piece of bread on the sandwich and sliced it with a large knife.  “No one would go around challenging you.”

Ella noticed Brian’s shaking hands and knew she was going to act.  But Daniel’s stern blue eyes popped into her head and she decided against an outright challenge.  With her drinks in her hand, she walked over to the counter.  “Are you Mr. Morgan?”  She opened her eyes wide.  “The same man who bought that building around the corner?”

Dan Morgan turned around and smiled, looking at Ella once again but this time with interest.  “That’s me.  Wanna come over and check out some of the space?” he asked, and Ella’s skin crawled at the less than subtle innuendo. 

She almost skipped over to the man and…Ooops!  “No!” she gasped as the contents of both of her drinks “accidentally” soaked the evil man’s dress shirt, the ice cubes falling to the floor but most of the liquid drenching the man and his expensive coat. 

For a long moment, everyone held their breath as they all looked down at the floor, then slowly raised their eyes up to his wet, dripping shirt and the furious expression in his eyes. 

“You idiot!” he said and raised his hand. 

Ella might not know how to fight, but she knew how to duck.  And she was fast!  Ducking below the flying smack, she almost slipped on the wet floor. 

When she stood up again, more than ready to defend herself, another man behind her was whispering in the evil man’s ear. 

Ella watched in fascination as the older man visibly pulled himself back under control.  “Sorry about that, girly,” he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.  “Automatic reaction.  No harm, no foul, right?”

A moment later, he handed his wet coat to a man Ella assumed was his bodyguard and walked out of the deli. 

When the door swung closed, there was an almost audible sound of relief from the other patrons. 

Brian came out from behind his counter and stood next to Ella as the big, black SUV drove away.  “Ella, honey, that’s not a man to mess with.”

She took a deep breath, trying to pretend as if she weren’t concerned.  “I hate bullies,” she said.  “And that man looked like he was about to say something to you.”

Brian laughed and shook his head.  “He was asking about you.  You should call your boyfriend and let him know that you just tossed cold soda on the man of the hour.”  He walked back behind the counter and handed the two sandwiches to Ella. 

She tried to hand him money but he shook his head.  “No charge.  You stood up to the guy, you deserve at least a last supper,” he joked. 

At least, she hoped it was a joke.

She walked back to her shop, trying very hard not to look over her shoulder for a goon who may or may not be ready to stomp on her in retribution. 

“What’s wrong” Debbie asked as soon as Ella stepped into the store.

Ella handed her the sandwich and then slumped down onto one of the stools.  “I think I might need to visit Detective Daniel tonight.”

Debbie’s eyes widened.  “What happened?”

Ella fiddled with the paper wrapping of her sandwich.  “Well, this guy, he looked mean.  He was about to toss out threats.  But…”

Debbie put down her sandwich without taking a bite.  “What did you do?”

Ella cringed.  “I sort of dumped our sodas on the man’s dress shirt and coat.”

Debbie only stared at her friend and boss, unable to form words.  When she swallowed, she shook her head.  “Go!  Go now!  Go find your boyfriend and tell him what happened.  Tell him you need those self-defense lessons immediately.  And a bullet proof vest.”

Ella stared right back, not sure she wanted to believe that things were this bad.  But Debbie jumped off of her stool, grabbed Ella’s purse and dumped it in her arms.  “Go now.  He’s at the thirty-third precinct.  Just ask for Detective Warner.  They are probably expecting you.”

Ella grabbed her car keys off of the hook by the back door, glancing at Debbie nervously.  “I’m not in that much trouble.  I don’t need to…”

“Yes, you do.” 

Debbie closed the back door and Ella stood there, looking stunned.  But she glanced to the right and left, worried now.  She’d only been defending Brian.   Anyone would have done the same thing. 

But she jumped into her red Jeep and backed up, worried now. 

Driving to the precinct, she parked in one of the visitor’s spaces and hurried into the station.  “I need to speak to Detective Daniel…I mean, Detective Warner?” she asked of the receptionist. 

The man looked at Ella for a moment, then his face broke out into a wide grin.  “You’re the lady that tried to beat him up yesterday, aren’t you?”

Ella’s shoulders sagged.  “Why is everyone talking about that?”

The man laughed, a rich, warm sound that made Ella feel safe and secure.  “Maybe because no one has been able to take down Detective Warner since…ever.  There’s an ongoing challenge out there.  Anyone who can take him down gets the pot.”  He winked at her.  “My money is now on you.”

Ella smiled weakly.  “You didn’t see me try yesterday or you’d be placing your bet safely in his column.”

The man laughed again.  “Yeah, he’s a tough one, but I have faith in you.”

She sighed.  “Is he here?”

The man glanced behind her.  “He just walked through the doors.”

Ella swung around, startled to see him again.  She was clutching her purse against her chest, trying not to be as affected by his handsome features as she had been last night.  She was embarrassed about all they’d done last night, the way she’d begged him, the way he’d made her….well, that was last night.  This was now.  And she wasn’t going to…

She had to get out of here!  She couldn’t face him, not after last night.  She felt her cheeks heat up with the memories and all she wanted to do was hide.

She didn’t need Daniel’s help.  She’d figure out what to do about the bully on her own.  At least, that was what she was telling herself now.  Faced with having to meet Daniel’s too-knowing gaze. 

Ella knew that she had only moments to get out of the building before he discovered her.  She walked around the furniture in the lobby, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. 

“Ella?” Daniel called out when she tried to bow her head and walk right by him.  “Ella?  What are you doing down here?   I was going to stop by with…”

He stopped when he saw the wary look in her eyes.  “What’s wrong?”

Jim patted his shoulder.  “I’ll see you in a few,” and he walked away.  “Good to see you again Ella,” he said a moment before the door closed behind him. 

Ella waved but Jim had already disappeared, leaving her alone with Daniel. 

“You’re blushing,” Daniel said and took her arm, leading her to a private area.  “Why are you blushing, Ella?” he asked softly.  His hand reached up and touched her cheek. 

“Um…last night…we…uh…”

He almost laughed.  “Yeah, last night was nice,” he said. 

She shivered.  “It was a bit out of character for me,” she told him. 

He pulled her into his arms.  “I’m hoping you might be out of character again tonight.  What are the chances?” he asked. 

Oh, this felt good, she thought.  So much better than she’d been feeling several moments ago.  With his arms around her, all of the embarrassment dissipated.  Standing here in his arms, she remembered why she’d gotten so out of control last night and laughed.  “Oh, pretty good now,” she admitted. 

He laughed with her, running his hand down over her back.  “I’m glad you stopped by.  Want to grab some lunch?” he asked.

That reminded her of why she was here.  “Oh, well, about that.”

He saw the nervous look enter her pretty, blue eyes and his muscles all tensed.  “Ella?  Did something else happen today?”

She cringed and looked up into his handsome features.  “Well, um…yeah.  Sort of.”

And he knew!  Instantly, he knew that she’d put herself in jeopardy again.  “Ella, what have you done?” he demanded, his strong fingers sliding into her hair so that he could hold her, feel her and assure himself that she was okay. 

“No one was hurt,” she promised him, trying to allay his concerns.  “I just sort of…dumped a couple of sodas on this man that everyone seems to be afraid of and he might be the head of all of this mischief that everyone is having problems dealing with and he was pretty angry even though I apologized.  So Debbie and Brian both told me that I should get over here and talk to you but I don’t know if there’s really anything that you can do about it.  I mean, the man’s gone now and…”

Ella couldn’t say another word.  Not with his mouth kissing her like that.  His tongue moved against her lips and she opened her mouth, moaning when his tongue started mating with hers and she moved closer, needing more than just a kiss. 

Unfortunately, he lifted his head and she whimpered, wanting him to keep kissing her. 

“You charged in again, didn’t you honey?” But it wasn’t really a question.  He laughed and pulled her into his arms. 

“I didn’t charge.  I tripped,” she defended herself. 

He already knew her well enough to fill in the blanks she was leaving out.  “On purpose.”

She sighed, feeling much better with his strong arms around her.  “You probably would have done the same thing.”

He didn’t tell her that he would have smashed the guy’s face.  “I have a badge to back up my threats, love.”

She pulled away and looked up at him.  “Okay, then I’m going to become a police officer.”

Daniel looked down at her petite figure, all soft and pink.  She was wearing another pair of jeans but with a pink sweater today that perfectly matched her pink toes.  “You’d be a great police officer, love.  But no way am I letting you take the exam until you can flip me over your shoulder.”

She stepped back, looking at his six foot, three inch frame all covered in delicious muscles.  “How about another lesson tonight” she suggested.