Ryanne Corey - The Secret Millionaire

“They didn’t do anything,” son number two pointed out in a long-suffering voice. “And I told you before, I called in the license plates on both cars. No problems. Besides, this guy is a cop, Dad. Remember? They told me when I ran the plates. I think you should take one of your nitroglycerin pills and go home.”

Anna looked at Zack. “So that’s what you do for a living. You’re a cop. That’s perfect. It really does fit you much better than being a lawyer.”

“There’s something fishy going on here,” Appleton Sr. muttered. “It’s a trick, I tell you.”

“There are way too many policemen in this room,” Zack announced. Not only had a beautiful moment had been cut short, but he was growing increasingly irritated with the short guy’s testosterone tantrum. “I think it’s time for the lady and me to take our leave.”

Anna gave the Appleton boys a dazzling smile. “Can we please leave now, Mr. Policemen?”

The officers bobbed their heads like two dashboard puppies, obviously pleased to grant this stunning lady’s wish. Their outraged father sputtered and coughed, but both Zack and Anna ignored him. They collected their coats and took the stairs two at a time, leaving a family argument boiling over in the basement of Appleton’s General Store.

Anna found herself avoiding Zack’s eyes as he escorted her to her forest-green Jeep in the parking lot. Somehow, what had seemed so natural and enticing while locked in a basement now felt rather embarrassing. Apparently even a brief stolen moment could have consequences. “What a night,” she said, anxious to fill the thick silence. Every second that ticked by seemed to increase her feeling of awkwardness. Kissing a stranger while they were locked up in a basement together was one thing. Facing him as they returned to reality was a bit sticky. “I thought we’d never get out of there.”

“Will you slow down a little? This isn’t the fifty-yard dash. Anna—”

“I can’t believe it’s nearly one in the morning. I didn’t plan on my visit to the store to last half the night. All I wanted was some Tums.” She unlocked her car, tossing him a tight little smile over her shoulder. “I’ve been under a little stress lately, and my stomach doesn’t like stress. I remember once when—”

“Look, hang on a minute. You’re talking faster than a trained parrot. What on earth is wrong with you?”

“Not a thing, not a single thing. I was just…just…” She was suddenly distracted by the car parked very near to hers. Obviously his car, since they were the only two in the parking lot. It was a Lotus, a sleek, silvery work of art. A terribly expensive work of art. This was the sort of car she found mention of in magazines like Fortune and Forbes. “That isn’t…that isn’t your car, is it? That thing has to cost more money than I’ll make in my lifetime.”

“Uh…maybe I’m a very good cop,” Zack mumbled, momentarily caught off guard. Apparently his rapid-fire intellect was adversely affected by a pair of big blue eyes. It was a humbling moment.

Anna giggled nervously. “Policemen don’t make that kind of salary, do they? Because if they do, I’m off to the police academy first thing tomorrow.”

With a sinking heart, Zack saw a new expression on her face, a combination of confusion, curiosity and distance. This was the same expression he had feared he would one day see on his friends’ faces should they ever discover he was such an oddity—a rich cop. Besides, how would he explain to Anna how he amassed his fortune? Actually, I’m a genius. I played the stock market for a couple of months just for fun and ended up with several million dollars. Go figure.

“I’m just teasing you,” he said after an almost imperceptible pause. “It’s not my car. You’re right about cops’ salaries, we barely make enough to pay for our donuts. The Lotus…an inheritance from my father. Can we talk about something extremely pertinent to this moment? Like where the devil you’re going in such a rush?”

“You know…places to go, things to do when I get there. Well, it’s been an unforgettable experience.” She turned to face him, sticking out her hand. “Nice meeting you, Zack. You’ve been an entertaining companion.”

Entertaining? Zack could have sworn that something more went on in that basement than simple entertainment. Again, a humbling moment. “What is this? Do you have a split personality or what? Unless I miss my guess, about ten minutes ago we were lip-locked and loving it.”

Anna turned her back on him, fumbling for the Jeep’s door handle. Her face felt as if it was on fire. If nothing else, she’d learned a little lesson about the awkward consequences of giving in to one’s base desires. Sooner or later you had to face reality. “Sure. It was fun.”

“Fun?” In the past being tagged as “fun” hadn’t bothered Zack at all. Tonight, however, the innocent little word felt like a slap in the face. He reached out and took hold of Anna’s shoulders, firmly turning her to face him. “I didn’t notice you laughing hysterically. I did notice your breathing getting out of control and your hands trembling when I kissed you. Was that part fun, too?”

“Yes,” Anna said stubbornly. “When my fingers are trembling, I know I’m having fun. Fun, fun, fun.”

Zack wasn’t amused. “Why do you need to run off like this?”

“I’m late.”

“Late for what?”

“I’m late for arriving at the place where I’m going.” Wherever that was. Anna deftly twisted free of his touch, opening the car door and climbing inside. She knew she was acting like a schizophrenic, but she couldn’t seem to control herself tonight. As good old Frank would say, she was reacting instead of acting. “I’m a very punctual person.”

“That’s wonderful,” Zack snapped childishly. “Fine. It’s been real, kiddo.”

Biting down hard on her lip, she looked up at him, her lavish blue eyes briefly giving away her confusion. She knew this was the point where she should start the car and drive away, but her fingers simply weren’t cooperating. Strange. A couple of hours ago she had found comfort in the thought that he would soon disappear from her life. Now that knowledge was oddly depressing. “Well…”

Zack looked at the ground, scuffing the toe of his sneaker on the asphalt. “Don’t let me keep you.”

“I’ll be seeing you.”

At that his head snapped up, staring hard into her eyes. “No, you won’t. You don’t even know where I live, and I don’t know where you live. And obviously you’re content to leave it that way.”

Anna was silent for a long moment, though she never broke eye contact. “I think it’s better this way,” she said finally. “I’m not…I don’t usually do this kind of thing. I’m a pretty humdrum kind of person.”

“What kind of thing?” Zack demanded. “Kissing men? Are you a nun or something? Nuns don’t usually wear black leather coats.”

She smiled faintly. “Maybe I’m a trendsetting nun.”

“You’re really going,” Zack said, more to himself than to her. He’d dated his last girlfriend for six months, but it hadn’t really bothered him when they’d parted ways. After only a couple of hours, letting Anna Smith disappear from his life was surprisingly difficult. Besides, his pride was killing him. He didn’t have much experience in not making an impression on a woman. “And I can’t make you change your mind?”

“I can’t afford to change my mind,” Anna replied with a wistful smile. “I’m not very good at complications. I’m one of those weird people who like predictability. I have my life all organized and cozy, waiting to welcome me home. Nothing remarkable, but it suits me perfectly. Besides, tonight was…” Her voice trailed off. She looked down at her lap, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel.