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  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  Publisher’s Note:

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are the work of the author’s imagination.

  Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is coincidental.

  Solstice Publishing - www.solsticepublishing.com

  Copyright 2017 – Rachael Tamayo

  Crazy Love

  By Rachael Tamayo

  Dedication

  To all those brave men and women that make up the thin blue line.

  Chapter One

  Noah

  The rain beats down on my car as I sit in the parking lot, eyes darting from the door of the CVS to the clock in the dash. It’s almost time for her to be leaving. Raindrops bead and drip down my windshield as I grab the oversized umbrella in the seat beside me.

  A gentleman would be waiting at the door.

  My car is parked around the corner, well hidden. Water sloshes over my leather shoes, the cuffs of my suit pants are dampened as I trudge through puddles, holding the umbrella high. A smile reaches my face when I imagine how happy she will be when she sees that I thought to meet her at the door.

  Under the overhang, I close the umbrella and check my phone again. She’s going to be coming out any moment now. My heart rate picks up a little bit. I can almost see her bright red hair and those big, round brown eyes as she smiles up at me, says my name when she greets me.

  The doors open. I hold my breath, turning, hoping. It’s only a little, elderly woman. She’s not looking as she fishes keys off a small purse dangling from her arm.

  The doors open again. I see that bright red hair before I see anything else. Gripping the umbrella, I watch the doors open, my heart slamming against my ribs.

  “Bye!” Her voice is lilting as she waves goodbye to someone in the store.

  She’s not carrying an umbrella. This won’t do. What if she got sick from getting wet? I’ll have to speak to her about taking better care of herself. I won’t have her being careless.

  “Emily, hi.” I say, stepping into her path.

  Those brown eyes stir up something deep inside me as she turns towards me. Emily sidesteps me, her smile flickers a bit before resting on her lips. She takes a deep breath and glances towards her car, keys in hand. “Hello there, Mr. Burrell. How are you today?”

  “Terrible weather isn’t it? Headed home?”

  “To a friend’s engagement party, actually. I’m running a bit late. I got stuck on the phone. You don’t like the rain?”

  I shake my head. “I prefer sunshine. And I’ve told you before, call me Noah.”

  She shifts her weight, glancing at her car again.

  “I hate to rush off, but I have to get going. My friend will be wondering where I am. I’m sure the night pharmacist can help you.”

  Surely she realizes that she’s the only reason I come by every day. She’s just teasing me. I smile.

  “Let me walk you to your car. I have an umbrella.”

  “I’m fine. I’m not parked far. Thank you.”

  “I insist. I won’t have you getting sick.”

  She blows out a breath. “It’s no problem. It’s not cold out. Don’t trouble yourself.” She starts out into the rain.

  I reach out, grabbing her by the elbow. My hand on her skin sends heat through me. I’ve never touched her before this moment. Stopping, she turns back and looks at me, pulling carefully away from my grip, depriving me of the skin left revealed by her short sleeved polo shirt. “Seriously, I’m fine,” she says, sternly.

  Normally I’d never tolerate this… attitude. This… defiance. But this is Emily. My Emily. She just doesn’t understand yet, but she will.

  Once she understands, she will thank me.

  “Of course you are. But why deprive a man the chance to do a gentlemanly good deed for the day?”

  Defeat fills her eyes as she nods, motioning with a gesture for me to come with her. I walk by her side, as I’m meant to. She’s close to me, under the protective umbrella, sheltered from the rain. I linger as she opens her car door, gets inside, and then looks up at me after sticking her keys in the ignition.

  “Thank you, Mr. Burrell.”

  “It was my pleasure, Emily. Tell Caroline good luck in her engagement for me.”

  I walk off, leaving her staring after me. I hear the car door slam, and I realize my mistake. Maybe she won’t catch it.

  I shouldn’t have said Caroline’s name.

  I walk towards the store until I know she’s pulled off, then head back to my car, silently cursing myself for letting it slip that I know her friend.

  Damn it.

  Surely, Emily will understand. Women like men that pay attention, don’t they? She will be proud of me for watching over her.

  I toss the umbrella into the back seat of my car, assuring myself that my Emily knows me better than this. She won’t be angry. She will be flattered.

  I have just enough time to get to dinner before heading to her house. I need to give her time to leave before going in to check my cameras.

  ***

  Emily

  I must have mentioned her name. I don’t remember doing it, but surely I did. It’s the only way he would know it.

  Isn’t it?

  Noah Burrell is an irritation to me, and nothing more. I’d love for a day to go by without him popping up in the pharmacy window to say hello. This middle-aged guy is probably just lonely, but I don’t see why. He’s practically made of money, and sure to tell me about his business or drop hints about his wealth at least once a week.

  At first I thought it was cute. Older guy just being friendly. He’s handsome, in that distinguished sort of way, but I’ve never been one to go after older men. After a couple of months I realized that he was singling me out every time he came into the store. Now it’s been months and it’s just getting creepy. My coworkers tease me, telling me that he’s my sugar-daddy boyfriend.

  I suppose that I’m too nice. I should just tell him, point, blank someday that he’s getting nowhere but he hasn’t actually done anything but be friendly. Never asked me out, never touched me, until today. When he grabbed me to keep from going into the rain.

  Shaking my head, I pull into my driveway and dial Caroline’s number as I get out of the car and run to the front door, dodging raindrops.

  “Where are you? I thought you’d be on your way by now.” She groans into the phone as soon as she picks up.

  “I just got home, I was delayed at work. Come on, you know what that’s like.”

  I bend to scratch my dog, Maxie’s head, as she dances all around me. My little brown and white King Charles Cavalier Spaniel wiggles her little butt and licks my hand.

  “Hurry up.”

  “Why are you so nervous? You know all these people don’t you?” I kick off my shoes on the way across my already cluttered living room, dropping my purse in a chair.

  “Most of them. Announcing an engagement is a big deal, okay? His mom already hates me. I have to make sure this is all perfect.”

  I laugh, kicking off my jeans.

  “That’s what mothers-in-laws do, isn’t it? She’ll get over it. I have to go. I’ll text you when I’m on my way.” I hang up before she answers, tossing my phone on the bed.

  I slip into a black halter dress, heels, refresh my face and fluff my hair. After a spritz of perfume, I toss my lipstick, wallet, and keys into my clutch and crouch to kiss Maxie bye.

  “See you later, M
axie. Be a good girl and guard the house.” After making sure she has food, water, and her doggy door is open, I head back out into the rain.

  Caroline’s fiancé’s house is big. He comes from old money and is in medical school. I tease her by telling her she’s found her meal ticket, and she always rolls her eyes at me and tells me the money doesn’t matter.

  I pull my ten year old Toyota into a semi-circle driveway already full of cars and shut off the engine. She’s intimidated by her boyfriend’s family, always has been. I suppose I can understand that, trying to impress his mother has proven to be almost impossible so far. My heels click on the stone pavement as I walk up the stairs, approaching a set of double doors. Just as my finger touches the doorbell one of the doors flies open and I’m face with a clearly stressed out Caroline. Despite this, she looks beautiful. Elegant off white gown, her dark hair pulled into a perfect chignon. She’s lovely.

  I’m grabbed and pulled inside with a swift jerk. The home smells of jasmine and vanilla. Music is playing in the distance. The entryway is decorated with a picture of her and Gary celebrating their engagement.

  “Calm down, what the hell.” I laugh as I’m dragged out of the entry and toward the kitchen.

  “Let’s go get a drink,” she says.

  “Why are you so nervous? You need to take a breath. Gary will handle his mom.” I say as we enter the main room. My shoes fall silent on thick, burgundy-colored carpet.

  Caroline turns to me with a deep breath. “I’m sure you’re right. Gary told me the same thing. I’m just glad you’re here now.”

  Scanning the room, I take in two dozen people that I’ve never seen before. A few I know, met once or twice over the two years I’ve known Caroline.

  That’s when I see him. Without a doubt, I know him. Holding a beer and smiling, laughing at Gary. Isaiah. I’d never forget that face, that head of blonde hair.

  My heart beats in my chest like a kick drum. My palms sweat.

  The guy I ran from. After the hottest night I’ve ever shared with a man. I freaked out and ran. And here he is, not more than six feet away from me.

  “Caroline, how do you know him?” I hiss, pulling her close.

  “Who?”

  “The blonde with Gary.”

  She gives me a puzzled look. “He’s a friend of Gary’s. Why? How do you know him?”

  I look up at her to see suspicion in her eyes. Okay, I admit, I never told her. I never told anyone. It just happened so fast, I let it all fade into the background.

  ***

  Eight Months Prior

  A frazzled clerk at the coffee shop across from my CVS shoves a scalding hot cup of Chai tea at me. One sip tells me that it’s wrong. I try to catch her attention. As I wave vigorously at her, I back into a wall of a body.

  “Shit.” I hear a masculine mumble.

  Spinning, I see a broad chest, crisp white shirt and a black tie with a nice, brown stain down the front. He holds his shirt away from his skin.

  “God that’s hot.”

  My face heats up. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. Are you burned? “I grab a handful of napkins and start blotting at his shirt, my cup placed on the closest table.

  His blonde head pops up. I’m met with copper eyes and a chiseled jawline, then a smile. Uh oh. I have a terrible weakness for cute, blonde men.

  And damn, is he cute. Even covered in steaming hot liquid, he’s adorable.

  ”I think I’m fine.” He meets my eyes.

  “Let me buy you another coffee, and maybe a shirt?” I sigh, tossing the coffee stained napkins in the nearest trash can.

  He glances down at his shirt again, laughing lightly.

  “I have another one in my office, I think. I keep a spare, in case of clumsy, cute redheads.”

  I flush, then grin at him. Tucking a lock of my fiery hair behind my ear, I continue.

  “What did you order? I’ll get you another one. Can you wait? Are you in a hurry?”

  He glances at his watch. “No, I can wait. It’s no problem, it was an accident. What’s your name?”

  ”Emily Bronte.” I stick out my hand.

  “Isaiah Penrose.” He takes my hand in his larger one, mine is swallowed in his grip. Heat travels up my arm and makes my stomach flip inside me.

  I’m in deep trouble.

  His smile, ugh. He even has a dimple.

  I’m an hour late to work, thanks to cutie pie. Totally lost track of time while having coffee with him. We exchanged phone numbers.

  Two hours later I’m lost in the world of reading the unreadable, doctor prescriptions and explaining to elderly women why their insurance isn’t covering their medication when my cell phone rings.

  “Hello.” I snap without looking at who it is.

  “Is this the number that I call to report a second degree burn?” I hear laughter in the man’s voice.

  My mood instantly changes. I relax, gaze unseeing at my computer screen.

  “Hi. You didn’t waste any time, did you?”

  “I have tickets to tomorrow night’s Clint Black concert, I was thinking maybe we could meet up and spend the day at the rodeo carnival?”

  I tap my pen on the desk.

  “It’s been ages since I’ve been to the rodeo.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  I smile. “Yes, definitely. What time?”

  “Um, how’s noon? Can I pick you up?”

  I rattle off my address. Normally, I would hesitate to let a stranger pick me up, but he’s a cop, a detective with the Katy Police Department to be precise. A smaller city just outside of Houston, Texas.

  The next day with him turns out to be the best date I’ve ever had. All day at the carnival eating greasy food and playing games. It’s like something out of a movie. I’m weighed down with stuffed animals by the time the concert starts, and he’s laughing at me as I shove a pile of teddy bears in his lap so I can stand up and scream when Clint black comes on stage.

  An hour later, I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy inside when he moves behind me, sliding his arms around my waist. His body flush against mine, his lips against my ear. A chill rolls down my spine. We’ve been laughing and talking all day long. I’ve never connected with anyone so fast in my life, which scares me. Not enough to stop what I know is coming though.

  He hasn’t kissed me yet. Hoping to tempt him, I turn my head and find him so close to my face that my breath catches for a second. Eyes dancing in the flashing lights from the show, a slow country song in the air. Instead of waiting, I turn, facing him.

  He’s tall, but not so tall that I can’t just reach up and kiss him if I want to. His mouth is perfect too, full lips shaped in a perfect inviting curve. They look so soft. I reach up, touch his chest. He’s wearing a Clint black t-shirt that clings to his bulging biceps and a broad, hard chest. His light wash jeans hang loose, but tight enough to see that he has a nice behind, one I’m hoping to get my hands on.

  I meet his light-colored eyes, hoping that he will take the hint. I take a step into him. I’m all but flush against his body now. Something in my chest hitches when he lowers his head. He smells like Hugo cologne for men and his lips are even softer than they look. As soon as our lips collide, we both combust. He grabs my face in both hands, stealing my breath as his mouth opens and our tongues tangle together. I whimper in delight, curling my arms around his neck, pulling him against my chest.

  Isaiah nibbles on my lips as his hands drift down my back, to my ass. His hands are large, gently squeezing me, sliding as far down my thighs as his arms can reach before returning to my butt.

  “You want to get out of here?” his voice is a whisper against my ear.

  I nod. “Yes, let’s go.”

  Forty-five minutes later I’m pinned against the front door of his apartment, the keys are in his hand but he won’t stop kissing me long enough to unlock the door. Hands planted firmly by my head, his mouth devouring mine. I grab him by his belt and pull his hips into me.

  He’s breathing he
avy when he finally pulls his mouth away, jabs the key in the lock, and pushes the door open. It’s closed with a kick. The keys drop to the floor, as does my purse, and I jump on him. He catches me as if I don’t weigh a thing, holding me up as he walks us both down a hall and a door is kicked open.

  I’m mildly aware of being in a bedroom, but only because I’m dropped onto a queen size bed that’s not made. A white down comforter is bunched up on one side, but all I can see is him.

  Kneeling in front of me as he pulls his shirt off. I sit up, reaching for his belt as he starts to work on the buttons of my pink and black plaid cowboy cut top, flying through them and pushing it off my shoulders.

  I unbuckle his belt, glancing up at his smiling face. His jeans come open easily, I slide the zipper down and he pushes me backwards playfully, still kneeling with open pants hanging off his hips. He stands up, meeting my eyes, grabbing my boots one at a time, pulling them off while toeing off his own boots.

  I’m panting when he moves to my belt, opening my pants with flying fingers, jerking my tight jeans off and down my legs so that I’m only laying here in a black thong panties and bra. Before he climbs back in on top of me, he pushes his pants off, then straddles me in just his boxer briefs.

  For a moment, I just take him in. His hair is a tousled mess from my hands being in it, his eyes are bright. His body, just don’t get me started. His muscled chest is heaving as he stares down at me. I graze my fingers over his abs. His muscles clench under my hand as our eyes meet. There is something different about him, about this. I can see that he’s feeling it too. This doesn’t feel like a one night stand, it feels like the beginning of something.

  I don’t want to think about that now. It’s too much, too fast. As I look up into his face, his eyes catch mine as he lowers down to all fours, hovering over me. He looks softly into my face, causing my heart to stop and my insides to liquefy.

  This is like nothing that’s ever happened to me before.

  “You are gorgeous,” he says, quietly, his eyes never leaving mine.