Dream Girl

Chapter Ten

Her homework was a bust.

Ashlyn struggled all afternoon to focus on school, but her mind kept wandering helplessly back to the feel of Zach's hands and mouth on her, the things they'd done, the things he'd said.

Thank God Ben and Doug were both working, so there was no chance of them saying something to Zach when he came to pick her up. She regretted telling them about the whole mess. She had violated client confidentially by doing so. Of course, when she'd told them the story that first night, she'd had no idea this was going to happen, that they might actually meet Zach-slash-Connor. She often discussed her cases anonymously, knowing there was no chance her roommates would ever know who she was talking about. She sighed, looking out the window, watching for Zach's SUV.

He pulled up out front, golden hair tousled and spiky as usual, sunglasses covering his gorgeous eyes. He jumped out of the SUV and bounded with his typical energy up to her front door. She flung it open before he could ring the bell.

Although his baggy cargo shorts and short-sleeved shirt were loose, she could tell how big and muscular he was. His calves below his shorts were hard and sinewy, the tanned skin sprinkled with dark gold hairs. He grinned.

"Ready?” he asked. She nodded and shut the door behind her, her leather bag slung over her shoulder, her rollerblades in her hands.

He found the nearest exit onto the freeway and accelerated rapidly into the heavy Saturday afternoon traffic. Ashlyn gripped the door handle as he made a speedy lane change. Yikes. But as they continued, she realized he was a good driver, fast but focused. He drove the way he did everything—full of energy and enthusiasm. It wasn't very far to the freeway exit for his place, and soon they were pulling into his driveway again.

"Seems like I just left here,” she said with a grin, getting out of his car.

He smiled back, tossing the keys in his hand as he led the way in.

Connor was lying on the couch, drinking a beer and staring blankly at the television. Rocky lay on the carpet beside him, but came to his feet and strolled over to Zach, feathery tail waving. Zach leaned down to pat him, sighing at the sight of Connor. With an apologetic glance at Ashlyn, he said, “Hey Connor, why don't you come for a skate with us?"

Conner didn't even look at him. “No thanks."

While Zach opened a closet and dug out his own rollerblades, Ashlyn looked around. She hadn't gotten a really good look at his living room last night. The room was sparsely furnished, with only a huge leather sectional and a big-screen television. Light from the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows cast sharp shadows. “Come on,” Zach said, “there's a path not far from here.” They sat on the front steps and put on their skates, then rolled easily down his driveway to the road.

"You're not bringing Rocky?"

"Nah. I love the mutt, but right now I want you all to myself."

At the road, Zach turned in a smooth curve to skate backward, facing her, and she smiled at his easy skill. “You're good."

"You too,” he said, eyes gleaming. “I play in a roller hockey league with a bunch of guys. Just for fun."

"Ah,” she said, pushing smoothly along the road. At the end of the street, a small paved path led between two houses to the beach path, which was sunny-Saturday-afternoon busy with cyclists and pedestrians, skaters and skateboarders.

They skated along the beach, a crisp breeze off the ocean keeping them cool in the sunshine. Ashlyn felt so alive, aware of the warmth of the sun, the breeze cooling the perspiration on her skin, her muscles working smoothly. They skated and talked easily, and after a while stopped at a little kiosk where Zach bought her a Coke. They sat on a low wall and looked out at the wind-roughened ocean, where sailboats dotted the water with color.

Ashlyn extended her legs in front of her, the skates heavy on her feet, and sipped her drink. The sweet fizz tickled her nostrils and throat.

"Sorry for inviting Connor along earlier,” Zach said. “He just mopes around all the time. I felt I needed to at least try to get him up off his ass."

Ashlyn nodded, guilt heavy in her stomach yet again. Damn. She had to do something, or her guilty conscience was going to lead her to something really stupid, like blurting out a full confession to Zach. Client confidentiality, she reminded herself desperately. It was up to Jessica Montgomery to decide if she ever wanted to tell anybody what she'd done—not her.

But it was up to her to tell Jessica. She sighed.

"What's the matter?” She glanced at Zach and realized he'd heard her heavy exhalation.

"Nothing,” she said lightly. “Should we head back? I'm feeling hungry."

"You like to eat, don't you?” he asked with that sexy, boyish grin. He took her empty cup from her and tossed it in a big trash bin nearby. Then he grabbed her hand and they skated lazily back the way they'd come, hand in hand. Like he was her boyfriend, she thought crazily, girlishly.

But it felt so good having her small hand enveloped in his large, rough one. Her legs were shorter than his, and he matched his stride to hers, their strokes equally smooth and rhythmic. And it felt so right.

Maybe this would all work out, she thought hopefully. Hell. Who was she kidding? This was all going to come crashing down around her soon. And what did it matter? She was in no way looking for a relationship. Men were never faithful, and hoping for commitment was just asking to get kicked in the teeth. She'd have one more night with him tonight, tomorrow she'd have to see him on business, and Monday she'd make her confession to Jessica Montgomery.

Taking a deep breath, she smiled up at Zach as she skated along beside him, holding a little tighter to his hand.

When they got back to his place, the most delicious aroma of cooking beef greeted them. Without asking, Zach opened two bottles of beer and handed one to her as she sat on a stool at the kitchen island. He opened the oven door and leaned in to lift the lid off a large casserole and stir the contents.

Ashlyn's stomach growled a little. “That smells incredible,” she said, appreciating his nice butt in his jeans as he bent over. When he stood up and turned around, he caught her checking out his ass and grinned.

She felt her cheeks warm but smiled at him. “Nice ass,” she said impishly. “Bet you've never heard that before."

He laughed and started to move towards her; but just then, Connor slouched into the room. Ashlyn could tell he hadn't shaved recently—probably not since Friday—because she'd noticed how clean-cut and businesslike he'd looked at that meeting, compared to Zach's casual surfer look. Today he was definitely scruffy in baggy gym shorts and a T-shirt.

"Smells good, Zach,” he commented, going to the fridge for a beer.

"Beef carbonnade,” Zach said with a grin. “Or should I say Beef Rocky Harbor Sunshine Brown Ale."

"It's made with beer?” Ashlyn asked, a little incredulous.

"Of course it's made with beer,” Zach replied. “So is dessert. Chocolate stout cake."

Ashlyn choked a little on the brew she was drinking. “Holy sh-shoot,” she managed. “I've never heard of that."

Zach shrugged and tipped the bottle to his lips. His throat worked as he drank the ale; then his lips curved in a sexy smile as he lowered the bottle. “Stick around,” he invited. “I can show you many new things."

His hot gaze fastened on her across the kitchen and it felt like a touch, a warm, delicious caress. She glanced at Connor, and then back at Zach as she forgot to breathe.

Zach, too, glanced at his brother and bit his lip.

Connor, oblivious, took a seat at the island. “How was the skate?” he asked, clearly not caring.

Ashlyn's heart tightened a little at his obvious unhappiness. Shit.

"It was good,” she said lightly. “You should have come. Do you play roller hockey, too, Connor?"

She sensed Zach's gaze on her as she made conversation with his brother.

"Yeah,” he said. “But I'm not as good as Zach. He's the athlete."

"Really?” she murmured. “I would never have guessed."

Zach snorted. “What, I'm a total spaz?"

She couldn't help but laugh. “Oh, yeah, definitely,” she mocked him, eyes dancing as she looked at his lean, muscular body. Even the way he walked was athletic and graceful, and he was as smooth on those skates as Wayne Gretzky on ice.

Their eyes met and held, sharing her teasing amusement, and a sweet heat enveloped her body. God, he was sexy. His lips closed over the beer bottle again and he swallowed, eyes still on hers. It was the hottest thing she'd ever seen.

She took a big drink of her own beer, forgetting she detested it. She wanted to press the cold, wet bottle against the fever-hot skin of her chest.

"Yeah, I should have gone with you,” Connor said. “I just don't have much energy for anything these days.” He sounded so depressed.

God, not only was she tortured by lust for Zach, but Connor was testing her conscience as well.

"You two aren't twins, are you?” she asked, and Zach laughed.

"No,” he said. “Connor's two years older than I am."

"You look so much alike."

"Yeah. I could see you were kind of confused when we walked into that meeting room the other day."

"Oh, yeah.” She'd been confused all right. Dazed and confused.

"Hey,” Connor said suddenly, apparently reminded of her connection to the investigation. “Tell us more about what you guys are going to do tomorrow."

"Well.” Ashlyn rubbed the condensation on the bottle with her thumb, up and down. “I don't know all the details, but tomorrow we're going to have a look at your place and decide what we need to do. They'll check out your security, see if there's a good place for a hidden camera or two, I don't know. If you want they can tap everyone's phones and record conversations, and we can also monitor everyone's computer use. But I think first we should try to narrow down a couple of prime suspects."

"Yeah.” Connor nodded. Zach tossed noodles into a pot of boiling water and then lifted the lid on steaming baby carrots. Ashlyn liked watching him work in the kitchen. She had no interest in cooking whatsoever, although she did like to eat. Who knew cooking could be so sexy?

"That's a problem,” Zach said heavily, stirring the noodles. “I can't believe someone who works for us would do something like that."

"You must think it's possible, or you wouldn't have come to us,” Ashlyn pointed out.

Zach poured pretzels from a bag into a bowl and slid it across the counter towards Ashlyn and Connor. They both reached hungrily into the bowl.

"I know,” he agreed. “But I guess I mean I just don't want to believe someone who works for us would do it. Jesus. They're our friends."

"They're our employees,” Connor corrected.

Zach rolled his eyes. “They're our friends."

"Maybe we should think about possibilities,” Ashlyn said. “Who's worked for you the shortest time?"

The two men thought. “That would be Emma Smith,” Connor said. “Our office manager and bookkeeper. She's only worked for us for about six months."

"When did Steinbrau first contact you?” Ashlyn asked, holding a pretzel.

"About ... six months ago,” Zach said slowly.

"Before or after Emma started working for you?"

Zach and Connor exchanged a look. “I'm not sure,” Connor said. “I think it was after."

"It was before,” Zach said.

"After,” Connor snapped.

"We can check tomorrow,” Ashlyn intervened, snagging another pretzel. She washed it down with beer and, to her surprise, realized she'd drunk the whole bottle. “Anybody else start working for you around then?"

"No,” Connor answered. “Everyone else has worked for us for years."

They talked about the people who worked at the brewery. Even though Ashlyn wasn't an investigator, she had a natural curiosity and good instincts. Usually.

"Who has access to information about your new products?” she asked.

"Well, Ava Cooper, the Sales and Marketing Manager,” Zach said uncomfortably. “And of course Melissa Jackson, our salesperson. Plus Tim, my assistant brewer."

"Okay,” she said. “Who has access to the yeast?"

"Nobody,” Zach said immediately. “Just me."

"Not even you?” she asked Connor. He shook his head.

"I have no clue what to do with yeast,” he said. “Zach keeps the yeast locked in a lab. It has to be refrigerated at the right temperature. He's the only one who has a key."

"How many keys are there?"

"One. No, two.” She raised her brows at him. Zach grinned. “I have one key at work and an extra one here at home. It's in a safe place."

"Are you sure?"

He shrugged. “Yeah. I haven't touched it in years."

"Maybe you should check."

He went down the hall to his bedroom and came back a few minutes later holding up the key. “Right here,” he said.

Ashlyn nodded, still thinking.

"And the one at work?” she asked. “Where do you keep it?"

"Locked in my desk,” he answered. “And my desk key is on my key ring, which is always with me."

"Always?” Ashlyn was skeptical. She'd heard many stories from her dad about how careless people could be with keys, thinking they were always safe and secure.

Zach's eyes shifted sideways and he grimaced. “Well, almost always,” he said. “I've never been that concerned, because I trust everyone who works for us."

Ashlyn smiled slightly and shook her head.

"I think dinner's ready,” Zach said, changing the subject.

They sat at the counter, eating and drinking. “This is really, really good,” Ashlyn said approvingly. The beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender, the sauce rich and tangy. “You're a great cook."

Zach smiled at her. “Thanks."

When he served dessert, she wished she hadn't eaten so much beef. The cake was dense and moist, with a deep chocolate flavor. “I can't believe this has beer in it,” she marveled. “It's awesome."

When they were done, she tried to help with dishes, but both men waved her away. “Zach cooked, I'll clean up,” Connor said firmly. Zach put the leftovers in the fridge and then turned to Rocky.

"Want to go for a walk, boy?” he asked, and Rocky immediately leaped to his feet and started spinning in excited circles.

Ashlyn laughed at him.

"Let's go for a walk on the beach.” Zach grabbed a leash off a hook near the door, but didn't hook it to Rocky's collar. “We can walk off some of that dinner."

Only too happy to get a bit of exercise after all the food, Ashlyn followed Zach and Rocky out onto the deck, then down the stairs to the beach.

The low sun gilded everything with rich golden light. Their shadows stretched out long and thin across the sand as they walked. Seagulls cried out overhead, their pure white wings stretched in a soaring arc. Zach picked up a stick and threw it for Rocky.

"Good arm,” Ashlyn said approvingly. Zach glanced at her, looking pleased, and put his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him, matching his stride as they strolled down the beach, watching Rocky cavort in the sand and waves. He brought the stick back and dropped it at Zach's feet, the ritual repeated numerous times as they walked.

"What was the meeting you were at this afternoon?” Ashlyn asked.

"It was a final meeting of the planning committee for the Pooch Picnic next weekend."

"Oh, I've heard of that,” she said. “You're involved with that?"

He nodded and threw the stick again. “We're one of the sponsors this year. It's a fun event, and the money goes to the Rocky Harbor Animal Shelter. That's where I got Rocky. So it's for a good cause."

"I've heard about it but I've never gone,” she said. “I thought you had to have a dog."

"Nah, you don't have to have a dog. You can come to the picnic and just watch the music or the dog contests. Then, in the evening, there's a wine and beer tasting party."

"Sounds awesome."

"Want to come with me next weekend?"

She hesitated. By next weekend, chances were pretty good Zach would want nothing to do with her. “Um ... I'd like to.” She hesitated. “Will you be busy working there?"

"I'll be busy for a while,” he said. “But we have lots of other volunteers, so I'll be able to have some fun. My buddy's band is playing one set in the afternoon, and I want to see them."

His hand slid from her shoulders and reached for her hand, swinging it between them as they walked. “I used to play with them.” He laughed. “We were pretty bad, but we had a hell of a lot of fun."

"Is Connor in the band?"

"No way! He's so not musical. Of course, some would say I'm not either, but that doesn't stop me from making a fool of myself."

Ashlyn laughed. “Do you plan to bring Rocky?"

"You bet. He's entered in the ‘Best Smile’ contest."

"Oh, he will definitely win! He has a great doggy smile."

At that moment, the subject of their discussion ran back and stood in front of them, that handsome smile revealing his pink tongue and big canine teeth. She couldn't help but grin back at him.

"Let's turn back,” Zach said. “The sun's almost going down."

They sauntered back to his house and climbed the stairs up to the deck. Rocky went straight to a huge bowl of water near the house and slurped noisily. When he lifted his face, water dripped off his muzzle as he looked at them, panting.

Zach pulled Ashlyn down onto the same lounge chair where they'd made love the night before, and her stomach did an excited little flip.