Page 35 of Hard Focus
Chapter Nine
Two weeks later
“I’m headed out. I won’t see you until late tonight,” Connie called over her shoulder as she yanked on her computer bag, dragging it out of the hall closet. She slung it over her shoulder and shouted, “Remember, I’m going out after work.”
“I remember,” Nelly yelled from the bathroom. “Have fun.”
Connie exited the elevator at the parking level, startled for a moment as her phone started to ring. It was in the bottom of her purse, so she juggled the bag in one hand, balancing her purse on one uplifted knee as her computer bag threatened to slip from her shoulder. Just as she retrieved the phone, it stopped ringingandthe screen went dark. “Of course.” She adjusted her grip on the bag and purse, then glanced at the phone when it began ringing again. Cole’s name flashed across the displayandshe smiled, lifting the phone to her ear. “Hey.”
“Morning.” His deep voice vibrated through her,andshe shivered,hair raisingon her arms in reaction. “I just wanted to wish you a good day.”
“Aww. That’s so sweet.” She angled between two cars on the way towards hers, parked in one of two slots assigned to her apartment. The other sat empty. Nelly’s vehicle was in the shop down the street, regular maintenance planned for today. She’d be riding to work with Alden, whose car was parked across the echoing garage. “I hope you had a good shift?”
Cole had worked last night, and Connie smiled at the memory of him texting and phoning her during down times between calls. Most of his unit’s dispatches had proven to be relatively harmless, with the fire department providing backup at accidents. Each phone call had started with him making sure he wasn’t keeping her from something important, like sleep, and even when he was, she wouldn’t offer the information. It was too novel an idea that a man would be that interested in her, to call her from work.
“Eh, wasn’t the worst. Which is good.” He chuckled, then his voice dipped an octave. “Talking to you was the best part of my night, though.”
“Oh, was it?” Connie preened just a little, opening the back door on the car that had replaced the one drowned in the river. It was newer even if it wasn’t new, but had been gently used, and she liked it. Bright yellow with white interior, she hoped the color would keep anyone from missing her on the roads. “It was mine, too, Cole.”
“Well, I hope I banked a few points lastnight,because I might be late tonight. One of the guys supposed to come on at two called and his little girl is sick. He wanted to be there for the doc appointment, so I told him I’d cover until he could show.” He paused a moment and in the silence between words he pulled in a deep breath, and she shivered again at this evidence of his deliberate control, knowing what came next was important to him. “He offered me a favor in return, so when we’re ready…when you’re ready, I’ll be sure to call him and have him cover whatever shift you say. Evening, or early morning, I figure we can sort something out.”
“It’s nice of you to help him out.” She tried to ignore the wobbling knees she’d gotten from his statement, sounding so much like a promise she didn’t know what to make of it. Early morning would mean an overnight stay, and Connie suddenly felt she’d be very much on board with the idea the next time Cole brought it up.
“So,” Cole said, turning at her front door. It was their third date by her count, finding out tonight he tallied the first evening he’d cooked for her as a date. That had started a good-natured dispute that she’d gracefully given him a win on, because he was right.Four dates. “I had a really good time.” His hands were hot as they cupped her shoulders, fingers skating across her skin as his palms moved up and down her arms. “I want to take you out next time.” Head tipped to the side, he stared into her eyes, and Connie’s heart stumbled as she read the depth of affection he had for her.
“Another date, Mr. Stewart?” He smiled and that dimple flashed, the expression on his face making her stomach flip over slowly. Tender and sweet, his crooked smile turned this handsome man into something more. She teased him, “A girl might think you were sweet on her.”
“A girl would be right, if that girl was you.” He stepped closer, crowding her against the wall, his forearm holding him off her. “I like you, Connie Rowe.” His head tilted and she angled her chin, their mouths meeting in a sliding caress, his tongue dipping inside to taste her. “God,” he groaned, heat from his body covering her like a blanket. “I really like you. Maybe...” He hesitated, voice trailing off as he kissed her again.
“Maybe?” Her questioning murmur against his lips made him groan again, his hand sliding up the back of her neck. Even in a moment like this he was careful of her, fingers gentle around where her stitches had been.
“Maybe afterwards, you could come back to my place?” His cheek slid against hers, mouth by her ear as he asked, “Would you like that, Connie?”
She ran her hands up his sides, fingers bunching in his shirt to pull him closer, wanting to be surrounded by him. The tip of his tongue flicked gently along the curve of her ear and she giggled, flinching away. “Maybe.” His indrawn breath at her whisper made her smile. “Maybe I would.”
“What can I say, I hear from my girlfriend that I’m a nice guy.” She heard laughter distantly through the phone and knew he would be razzed good-naturedly for that quip.
“Girlfriend, huh?” He hummed in response, and she decided to let it go for now, still lost in the feelings from her memories.Maybe. “Okay, nice guy, let me know when you’re off, then? We’ll decide where and when to meet.” She took a breath, and then leaped, trusting he’d catch her without letting her fall. “We could meet at yourplace,if you wanted. You don’t work tomorrow, right?”
Silence for a moment, and she closed her eyes, afraid she’d jumped ahead too fast. Then he proved her instincts right by giving her what she needed. “We’ll meet wherever you’re comfortable, Connie. You want to meet at my front door, I’ll sweep you inside faster than you can imagine. I’ll cook supper for you, and breakfast if you’ll let me.”
“Maybe?” She backpedaled alittle,and smiled when he chuckled, sounding as if he were standing right beside her. “Probably?”
“I’ll take a maybe, but probably is better. It doesn’t matter when you’re ready. I’ve already told you that. I’m here, Connie. I’ll wait.”
“You’re a good man, Cole Stewart.” He harrumphed, and she laughed at his feigned patience with her. “Let me know when you get off shift.”
“I will. And, Connie?” He paused, and she made a sound, unable to get a full word out because the idea of what he might say had her throat paralyzed. “You’re a good woman. I only hope I’m lucky enough to be your man.” When she didn’t respond, he chuckled and said, “See you tonight, beautiful. Have a good day.”
The call disconnected and Connie cradled the phone to her chest for a moment before putting it away, already irritated at herself for being so emotional. Something about Cole made her want to believe, made her want to trust in herself again.
She bent and arranged her bags before climbing behind the wheel. Finger to the radio button, she turned on her morning commute music and drove to work. Once at the lot there, she scanned her employee card and waited for the swing arm to lift. She parked and, with keys in hand, had just exited the vehicle when she heard someone walking, heavy footsteps bouncing off the cars, distorting the sound.
She scanned the area around where she’d parked but didn’t see anyone. “Nervous, leave that to Nelly,” she joked aloud and moved to get her bags out of the car. She was bent over when something wrapped around her neck, yanking herbackwardswith such force she flew against the side of the car parked next to her, her head striking the metal with a stunning blow. Senses reeling from the impact, she shook her head to try and clear the ringing from her ears.
Something moved above her, blacking out the sun, and Connie didn’t have a chance to scream before another blow brought darkness down all around her.
Waking wasdisorienting,because she thought she remembered her morning. Getting out of bed in her own apartment, getting ready for work and then riding the elevator. She thought she’d talked to Nelly,butthat didn’t seem right. Nelly lived with their parents.
