Crime & Passion Read online

  Madeline raised her eyebrows, shocked. “The Carriage House?”

  It was the most expensive restaurant in town, and she’d heard they charged a fee if anyone canceled a reservation without a twenty-four hour notice. Brandon had really gone out on a limb, since she already turned him down eight times over the last two months.

  Still, Cameron was her past, and she couldn’t mourn the loss of that life forever. At some point, she had to start dating again.

  Being completely honest with herself, she knew she would love spending more time with Donovan, even if he was a player. Something about him intrigued her. However, Lindsey and Brandon reinforced the fact that Donovan wasn’t boyfriend material. She needed to stop wasting time thinking about him.

  Brandon reached out and grabbed her hand again. “The Carriage House is really nice. They have great food, and I promise we’ll have fun. What do you say?”

  She nodded. “Sounds great.”

  Chapter Four

  Donovan sat across from Christy, trying to concentrate on her story. He wasn’t interested in the wild party she attended last weekend, but he murmured something appropriate whenever she paused for breath. She didn’t seem to notice his lack of enthusiasm. He’d tried to steer the conversation to something they might have in common. Unfortunately, Christy wasn’t interested in anything to do with the police force, she didn’t like to read, and apparently anything having to do with world news was a foreign language to her.

  He glanced around the room, wondering if Christy would ever stop talking. He only half listened as she concluded the story with the hilarious—to her—recounting of the inebriated partygoers ringing people’s doorbells and trying to run away before the owners answered. Of course, they did this while naked.

  Drunken idiots, that’s what they are.

  Donovan sighed and leaned back in his chair. It seemed his glory days of dating college girls were over. Although he never thought the day would come, Christy made him feel like an old man, and her party-going lifestyle didn’t appeal to him. Then again, he turned forty-two last month. Definitely time to raise his minimum age limit.

  “You should really come to the next party with me. We’d have so much fun.” Christy batted her long eyelashes and giggled.

  Donovan shook his head. It was time to let her down gently. “I don’t think you’d have fun with me there. You’re a young, beautiful girl. I think you need a guy closer to your own age.”

  She pouted but didn’t say anything as the waiter appeared with their food.

  “Will there be anything else, sir?” the waiter asked, refilling their wine glasses.

  Donovan raised an eyebrow at Christy, and she shook her head.

  “No, we’re fine,” Donovan answered. “Thank you.”

  Christy took a small bite of lasagna before looking at him again. “At least tell me we’re having sex tonight.” Beneath the table, she ran her foot up the inside of Donovan’s leg.

  If she’d smacked him across the face, he wouldn’t have been more stunned. “What are you talking about? I’m not having sex with you.”

  “Oh, come on. All the women around here know the program. You don’t like commitment. You go on a few dates, have sex, and then run away.” Her bare toes stroked his upper thigh, gently rubbing his crotch. “That’s the way things work with you.”

  What the hell? Donovan jerked back, breaking contact with her foot. Is that really what people think?

  “I don’t know who you’ve been talking to,” he said, keeping his tone level, “but that’s not ‘the program.’ I may date a lot, but it’s been quite some time since I found myself in someone’s bed.” That wasn’t something he liked to admit, but Christy made it sound like he was some sort of gigolo.

  She reached across the table, grabbing his hand in hers. “Then why don’t I solve that problem for you?”

  He couldn’t understand what was wrong with this girl. He just told her he didn’t want to date again. Did she really have such low self-esteem?

  He disentangled his fingers from hers and picked up his fork. “Why don’t we eat dinner and then see what we feel like doing?” He knew what he would be doing. Driving her home and leaving her at the doorstep.

  Christy grinned. “I’m taking that as a definite maybe.”

  Donovan took a bite of shrimp scampi, deciding to ignore her comment. She’d find out soon enough. The only woman Donovan fantasized about being in his bed the last couple days was Madeline, and Christy made a poor substitute.

  A prickling of awareness coursed through Donovan and he glanced at the entryway. As though his thought summoned her, Madeline entered the room through the cherry wood archway. A short red dress hugged her voluptuous curves, drawing attention in all the right places. Donovan watched, mesmerized as she followed the host. She had on six-inch stilettos, showing her gorgeous legs off to advantage. They put her head well over that of her companion, but Maddie carried herself with such pride, it was hard to notice the man accompanying her.

  The host stopped two tables away from Donovan. Madeline’s date came to her side, pulling out her chair and ushering her into it.

  Donovan’s blood ran cold. He couldn’t believe it. She was on a date with Brandon Feldman. What was the man up to? Donovan wasn’t narcissistic enough to think Brandon only dated her to piss him off. Still, Brandon never missed an opportunity to make Donovan’s life hell and be a pain in the ass in general. Donovan understood why Brandon hated him, but that didn’t mean he liked Brandon being with Maddie.

  “Want to feed me a bite of your scampi?” Christy asked.

  Donovan shoved his plate toward her, not taking his eyes off Brandon as the man rounded to his own chair. He saw Donovan looking at him and jerked his chin forward in recognition, smirking.

  Damn him!

  Christy made an impatient noise in the back of her throat and tapped his hand.

  “You know,” she said when he looked at her, “for a man hoping to get laid tonight, you don’t seem to be trying very hard.”

  Donovan rested his chin in his palm and gave her his full attention. “Can I ask you a question?”

  She giggled and twirled a strand of dark hair between her fingers. “Sure.”

  “Why sleep with a man who told you he doesn’t want to see you again? Have you no self-respect?”

  Christy’s eyes tightened at the corners. “How dare you!”

  “I’m not trying to hurt your feelings. You’re a beautiful girl, Christy. We’re not a match, though. I think you should find—” Donovan stopped speaking as the waiter appeared at his elbow.

  “Is everything satisfactory?”

  Christy smiled at the waiter. “The food’s great, but we need some more stuff. I’m going to get something out of wasting my time tonight. Bring us a bottle of your most expensive wine and one of everything on the dessert menu.” She lifted her chin, her eyes boring into Donovan’s, challenging him to cancel the order.

  This could be the most expensive pity date he’d ever been on. “Skip the wine,” he told the waiter. “We have half a bottle left. Bring her the desserts.”

  The waiter nodded and walked away.

  “It would have been cheaper to give me what I really wanted.” Christy folded her arms and settled back into her chair. “I’m taking the leftovers home.”

  Donovan nodded, feeling guilty for hurting her feelings.

  Soft laughter drew his attention back to Madeline’s table. She’d pulled her long brown hair into some sort of twist on the back of her head, and Donovan admired the graceful curve of her neck. Long earrings dangled as she laughed again at something Brandon said.

  Wait a minute? What if that bastard is trying to use her to get a story?

  Donovan lurched from his chair and closed the distance between him and Maddie. He leaned down to her ear, getting a faint whiff of green apples from her skin as he inhaled. “I need to talk to you.”

  Madeline jumped and whipped her head to face him. “Donovan? What are
you doing here?”

  He looked back at his table. “Same thing as you, I guess. We need to talk, now, before you say another word to your date.”

  Her eyebrows narrowed. “I’m busy. What do you want?”

  “In private.”

  Madeline shook her head. “I’m sorry, Brandon.” She reached across the table to squeeze his fingers in hers. “This will just take a minute.”

  “I’ll miss you.” Brandon lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it, though his gaze flicked to Donovan before he returned his attention to Madeline. “Don’t keep me waiting long.”

  Donovan wanted to snatch her hand away from Brandon, but took a deep breath to keep his cool. He pulled Madeline’s chair out for her, and she brushed past him to lead the way to the front foyer of the restaurant.

  She turned to face him. “I can’t believe you, ordering me to talk to you right now. Talk about rude! I’m on a date.” She put her hands on her hips. “What’s so important that it can’t wait?”

  The posture drew Donovan’s attention to her low-cut neckline and visible cleavage. She was such a refreshing change to the women he’d been dating. Madeline had the kind of body that could keep his attention for a long time. He couldn’t help but compare her to Christy, who hardly seemed to have anything to fill her bra.

  “Well?” she demanded.

  Seeing the fire in her chocolate eyes, he realized it might not be the best time to check out her body. Madeline was seriously pissed off.

  “Look, Maddie, I’m sorry to pull you away like this, but I’m a little concerned about the fact that you’re dating Brandon Feldman. I thought we should talk about it.”

  “You’re concerned about my date?” She looked past him into the dining area. “At least he doesn’t need to check in with his mommy if he’s going to be late.”

  Donovan grimaced. “Yeah, I know, I know. Christy’s a little young.”

  She snorted. “A little?”

  Donovan touched Madeline’s shoulder, letting his fingers linger against her soft skin as he trailed them down her arm. “That isn’t what I’m worried about. You do know Brandon runs the town’s newspaper, right?”

  She shrugged. “What of it?”

  “There are certain details we didn’t release about Frank’s murder, such as the color and composition of the rope. Also, no one knows you think you saw some sort of bat in the person’s hand.”

  “Do you have a point?”

  “Yeah, of course there’s a point.” She was so damn argumentative. He didn’t know why that turned him on. “I think Brandon’s dating you so he can get the scoop. He’s always looking for insider information, and he’d love nothing more than to screw up this investigation and make my life hell.”

  Madeline took a step back from him, folding her arms together beneath her chest. Donovan closed his eyes briefly, trying not to notice the way her breasts jutted toward him even more.

  “So what you’re saying to me,” she said in a light tone, “is Brandon’s after a story.”

  Donovan nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”

  Her lips pursed and she raised an eyebrow. “Is it that inconceivable to you that someone might want to date me? You think a man would only be interested if he could get something in return for dinner?”

  “Wait. That’s not—”

  “I know what you want from women, Donovan. I heard all about it from Lindsey, but I think Brandon is a bit above using me like that.”

  The tight anger across her face stopped any words Donovan might have said.

  She shook her head. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to ruin your precious investigation. I won’t say anything about it. For the record, though, Brandon never asked.”

  He stepped forward, gripping her elbows in his hands. “Wait, Maddie, let me explain. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

  “You don’t need to explain anything. Just leave me alone.” Madeline uncrossed her arms, breaking his hold. She started to walk away, but threw a look at him over her shoulder. “Thanks for the warning. I’ll keep it in mind. But, believe it or not, some people are actually attracted to me.” She paused and a look of complete disgust covered her face as she wrinkled her nose. “Not all men are users.”

  ***

  Nearly two hours later, Madeline’s anger still hadn’t subsided. She followed Brandon out of the elevator in her building and walked to her door. What made Donovan think he had a right to interrupt her date? Especially to tell her she was undesirable. The nerve of that man astounded her...but he had looked good tonight.

  Stop that, Madeline!

  She turned to face Brandon at her doorway, plastering a smile to her face. Donovan’s poor behavior wasn’t her date’s fault, and she’d struggled through the meal, trying to stay pleasant. The truth was, she felt no sparks with Brandon, and nothing could change that situation.

  “Thanks for dinner. You were right. I needed to get out and have a good time.” She leaned down slightly to give Brandon a peck on the cheek. “I appreciate everything. Have a good night.”

  Brandon’s sandy-brown hair fell over one eye and he caressed her cheek. “Do you have time to invite me in for a drink?”

  Madeline sighed. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but she didn’t want him inside her home. “I have to be at Woofy Cuts tomorrow by seven.” She shrugged, trying to seem sorry. “I think we’d better call it a night.”

  Behind her the elevator door pinged, signaling someone else had entered the hallway. Madeline tried to turn to see which of her neighbors it was. They’d think she was a slut, considering they saw Donovan at her apartment just last night.

  Brandon grabbed her around the waist before she could turn. “At least give me a proper kiss goodnight.”

  Madeline shoved him away from her, irritated by his aggression. She had known it was a bad idea to go out with him, but she’d been upset to learn the truth about Donovan and made a rash decision. “I’m sorry if you expected more, but that’s not happening tonight.”

  Footsteps sounded in the hallway behind her. At least the little gossips would be able to spread around the fact that she wasn’t loose. She obviously didn’t let every stray man into her apartment. Though apparently having Donovan there did enough damage to her reputation.

  “Come on,” Brandon begged in a low voice. “Just one little kiss?”

  “I think you should leave,” she said. “Goodnight, Brandon.”

  Suddenly, Madeline felt a presence behind her as someone loomed over her shoulder. She knew who it was without looking. A delightful shiver passed through her as the heat from his body pressing against her back elevated her pulse.

  “I think the lady wants you to leave,” Donovan said, his breath puffing against her neck. “Looks like the date’s over.”

  No matter what her betraying body wanted her to do, Madeline refused to melt against Donovan. She stiffened her spine and turned the key in the lock, opening the door and stepping inside. She looked at the two men facing off against one another on her doorstep.

  “Why are you here, Donovan?” she asked. “Did you have to leave the restaurant because they didn’t have a sippy cup for your date?”

  Brandon laughed. “I think you’re the one who’s not wanted here.”

  Donovan glared at Brandon. “I’m here on official business, and I do believe Maddie asked you to leave.”

  “My name is Madeline!”

  Memories of her father came crashing in. He’d lovingly called her Maddie McFatty her whole life, never knowing how much her weight bothered her, or how it crushed her when he said that. She worked hard to lose the extra weight once she reached adulthood, but the breakup with Cameron had not been easy.

  Her mom’s life theory was ‘chocolate cake solves all problems.’ Madeline had solved her problems to the tune of twenty extra pounds and only managed to work ten of those off so far. Did Donovan see a fat girl when he looked at her?

  Donovan was staring at her, and Madeline realiz
ed he had spoken to her. “What did you say?”

  “I need to talk to you about some things. Can I come in?”

  Uncertainty gripped her. If he only wanted to scold her again about her dating habits, she didn’t want to deal with that.

  “It’s about the case,” he said when she hesitated.

  “It’ll have to be quick.” Madeline stepped back and swept her arm toward the living room, indicating he should go there.

  “Wait,” Brandon protested. “He gets to come in?”

  Donovan stepped past Madeline, a smirk on his face as he headed for the living room.

  Once Donovan was out of earshot, she sighed and turned to Brandon. “Can I ask you a question?”

  Brandon shrugged. “Sure.”

  “Why do you keep asking me out?” Madeline shook her head. “Don’t you see how much Lindsey likes you?”

  “Lindsey?” Brandon’s eyes widened. “She’s one of my best friends, but she is not into me romantically.”

  Madeline didn’t know why she didn’t see this before. It was obvious Brandon had a thing for Lindsey. The way he always hung around the shop. Some of the things he said. Madeline couldn’t figure out what ever made him ask her out. She wasn’t the girl he wanted.

  “You like her,” Madeline said. “That’s why you hate Donovan so much for breaking her heart before.”

  “Donovan’s an asshole for more reasons than that and someone needs to do something about him.” Beneath his tan, Brandon’s cheeks reddened. “But yeah, she’s a remarkable woman.”

  “So you like her, she likes you.” Madeline patted his shoulder. “And I’m in the way. You’ve been chasing the wrong woman. Call Lindsey.”

  His eyes met hers. “What about us? We’re just getting to know each other. What if we’re a good fit?”

  Madeline didn’t have the heart to tell him they would never be a match. “You should take a chance on the right woman,” Madeline urged. “Call Lindsey. No matter what she told you in the past, I’m sure she likes you.” She closed the door before he could respond.