Quick & Dangerous, page 22
“No,” she choked.
“Querida … ”
“You can’t go without telling me you’re going to come back … come back to me. I know you said you’re going to go back to Texas, but you’re lying.”
“Skye … ”
“You just don’t want to hurt me. That’s why you’re doing this. But you are hurting me. Was I really just a perk of the job?”
He shook his head and looked away. The pain on her face, in her eyes was too much. Of course, being with her wasn’t just a perk of the job. He’d fucking fallen in love with her. He’d opened his heart and let the stubborn little green-eyed goddess inside.
She had ahold of him.
She had all of him.
But she was still in danger, and he couldn’t live with himself knowing he hadn’t done everything in his power to protect her. Even if it meant risking his own life and possibly losing his life in the process.
A tear rolled down her cheek, and her bottom lip wobbled as she stood there in front of him, pouring her heart out, laying herself bare. “Please. I haven’t felt safe or cared for by anyone in a very long time. But I do with you. You make me feel safe. Even when we’re stranded on a deserted island or running from the bad guys, with you I know I’m safe.”
His thumb swept over her cheek, brushing away the hot tears that now ran freely. “Skye … ” His forehead met hers.
“You’re the first person I’ve let in since my mother.”
“I … ”
“You don’t scare me,” she went on. It was as if she had to keep talking. Otherwise, she’d crumple to the ground. She really was The Little Engine That Could. “Your dreams don’t scare me. Your triggers don’t scare me. I want to help you, be the person you let in.”
He kissed her perfect little pierced nose. “I’m broken. There’s nothing you can do to fix me. I’m not the man for you.”
I’m not the man for anyone.
She choked out a sob and shook her head with an intense passion he’d quickly come to adore. “I’m broken too.” Tears dripped over her lips. “Maybe together we could be something whole.”
“Querida … ”
Taking a deep breath, she gripped his dog tags and shook them in her fist, her eyes pleading with him. “These do not define you. Yes, they are a part of you, but they’re not all of you. Your journey isn’t over. Your future is still so bright. Don’t let your past haunt what could be a wonderful life.”
“Skye …” He averted his eyes, unable to look at her, unable to see the pain on her face, the pain he was causing.
“Please, I don’t want to fix you or change you. I just want to be with you. Be your strength when you need it, just like you are for me. I can handle your dreams. I want to help you, be there for you. Help you see that people can still be good. That you are one of those good people, and I need good people in my life.” Her hand stole up to seek the warm skin bared at the open collar of his shirt. She stood up on tiptoe, her lips following the pathway blazed by her hands.
He captured her hand in his and brought it down over his heart. “I can’t give you what you want … the kind of life you deserve.”
“And what kind of life is that?”
He shut his eyes. “Kids, a normal husband with a normal job. I’m not sure I’m cut out for that. Not sure I’m dad or husband material.”
She hiccupped. Was that a laugh?
“Who said anything about kids or marriage? I just want to be with you, whatever way we can.”
“You don’t want kids?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. But what I do know is that I want you.”
“Skye … you’re not safe.”
She closed her eyes. “I know.”
“I can’t rest, can’t let you in until I know you’re safe.”
“Why did you say you were going back to Texas?”
He exhaled. “I thought it’d be easier. Easier to do what I need to do if you hated me.”
“Come back to me,” she whispered, tightening her grasp on his shirt and pulling him down to her.
He breathed her in, kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around her body, hating himself for what he was doing to her. “I’ll try.”
They stood there on the path, surrounded by rich foliage, tiki torches and the distant night sounds of a luxury resort. But they could have been back on their island, back under the stars on their bed of palm fronds for all it mattered. He wished they were.
“Skye … ” His breath ruffled her hair. “I have to go.”
She squeezed him tighter. “You’re not allowed to leave until you tell me,” she said, her cheek pressed against his chest. He could feel her tears dripping hot and wet through his shirt. Tears that he caused.
He pushed her away and gripped her by the shoulders, bending his knees just enough so that they were eye to eye. He ran his thumb over her bottom lip, over the cut. “I love you, querida, and I’ll do my damnedest to come back to you.”
She sniffled, and more tears filled her eyes. But it was the smile that erupted on her face that got to him the most. He had to make it back. He had to see that smile again. He had to see that smile every day for the rest of his life.
“I love you, too,” she whispered.
He took her mouth like she held the air he needed to survive. And she did. She was the breath of fresh air that he sorely needed. She had breathed new life into him. Had given him a reason to hope and dream again. She was his future.
She met his kiss with her own power, thrusting her tongue in and out of his mouth and grappling at his hair with her fingers, tugging hard on the ends until pain ratcheted up the base of his neck. She groaned against him and bowed her back. He hunched over her, dipping her, cradling her head and back in his hands as his mouth continued to explore hers.
It was a kiss he never wanted to end. A kiss that would keep him warm on the lonely nights to come. A kiss he would come back for.
Chapter 22
Skyler
Three LONG weeks later …
Skyler cracked her neck for the umpteenth time that day as she sat in her office and stared at the dozen computer screens in front of her. There’d been reports of a guest getting handsy with a few female employees, and she was playing back some security footage to see if she could spot the culprit.
“How’s it going in here?” Tate asked, wandering in and for once without a kid on his hip. He was dressed in a pair of tan linen pants and a white linen shirt; this meant he was not on the clock today. She’d come to learn quickly that her brothers took work and play very seriously. They worked hard, but then they also made lots of time for play and family. And they made sure that they sent a clear message to everyone which mode they were in based on their dress. Dark pants and resort polo or dress shirt, and they were on the clock and approachable for all things concerning the resorts. Dressed down like Tate was now, and any and all problems needed to be brought to the attention of the general manager. She admired her brothers and how dedicated they were to their children. They were determined to rectify their own upbringing, be there for their children, present and hands-on.
She pushed her glasses up into her hair. “Looks like it was Mr. Chiasson who’s been getting a touch too familiar with staff,” she said, pausing a couple of screens where, lo and behold, Mr. Chiasson could be clearly seen with his hand pinching a waitress’s bottom, and another where he deliberately brushed his arm past the bartender’s chest to graze her breasts.
“What room’s he in?”
She brought up the guest registry. “He’s in the main building. East wing, tenth floor. Suite 1017.”
He nodded. “Great, thanks. Book him a flight for this afternoon, please.”
“You sending up Mako?”
“Yep.”
Mako was one of Tate’s big Polynesian security guards and enforcers. He had a massive face tattoo, dark eyes, a buzz cut and was roughly the size of a Smart car. He could probably bench press two Smart cars. He was who Tate sent whenever an issue needed to be dealt with. Nobody ever said no to Mako.
“You heard from Rob?” Tate asked.
She smiled but didn’t bother to look at her brother. It seemed they were on a rotation. Every day a different member of her big crazy family would come and check on her. Yesterday it had been Silver; the day before, Gavin. They usually visited her in her office, made small talk and then asked if she’d heard from Rob. Then they’d invite her over for dinner because they hated the thought of her being alone.
She’d quickly grown to love her new big family, but they were intense and a little smothering.
“Hmm?” he asked, resting his hand on her shoulder and spinning her around in her leather swivel chair to face him. “No word?”
She shook her head. “No, no word.”
And that had been her answer each and every time one of them had come to call.
She hadn’t heard a thing from Rob since he left. But he’d said as much. He said he had to go underground for a bit, that the fewer people who knew where they were and what they were up to, the better. He couldn’t risk Rubio getting wind of their plan, and he’d be using burner phones until the job was done.
She understood. Probably more than most, given her own life spent ducking under the radar, but it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. Didn’t make her worry.
If he died, would she ever know? Would his family contact her? Probably not. They had no idea who she was.
She swallowed, spun her chair back around and focused back on the security footage. It was easier to just throw herself into her new job than spend her days and nights worrying about what kind of danger Rob was in.
“We really appreciate you taking the time to revamp our security and computer systems,” Tate prattled on. “As well as handle a bunch of policy and procedure crap for our refugee workers.”
“Mhmm,” she hummed, focusing in on a lone figure approaching the front gate.
“I mean, that’s the last thing those poor souls need when they flee their countries, is to be forced to make heads or tails of all the bureaucratic nonsense. They just want to start work and start a new life.”
“For sure, for sure. Happy to do it,” she said, not really paying attention. Instead her attention remained on the figure by the gate.
“Who’s that?” Tate asked, placing a hand on the back of her chair and leaning in over her shoulder.
Skyler gasped, and warmth, relief and a thousand other emotions spiraled through her as he looked directly up at the camera, and smiled that sexy, knowing smile.
“Well, fuck!” Tate said with a laugh.
But Skyler was already pushing her seat back and running full-tilt out of the office. Her eyes blurred and her stomach did flip-flops as her sandals made an obnoxious slapping sound on the tile down the seemingly endless hallway of the hotel.
Did it ever end? Did the floor just keep getting longer?
The Exit sign shone bright green in front of her, and she slammed into the door and pushed it open. Fresh, warm tropical air flooded her lungs. But she couldn’t stop. She wouldn’t stop. Not until she saw him for herself and not just on a tiny computer screen. She needed to feel him against her skin, make sure he was real.
She didn’t care that she was drawing attention, questions and stares from staff and guests alike as she continued to run across the grounds. She ignored them all, along with the stitch in her side. The front gate wasn’t too far now. She could see it.
Up the driveway lined with stunning topiaries and indigenous flowers she ran. A few gardeners even stopped what they were doing and watched her.
But none of that mattered.
She didn’t care that she was making a scene. Or that sweat beaded on her forehead like drops of dew on a leaf. What mattered was the man who stood beyond the gate that was slowly opening. The man whose face was stretched out into the biggest smile, who hid his beautiful brown eyes behind badass aviator sunglasses and was growing impatient with how slowly the gate was opening.
Despite his enormous backpack, he attempted to wedge his way between the brick post and the gate lubricated with molasses.
He broke free just as she reached him.
“Querida,” he breathed, dropping his backpack at his feet and scooping her up into his arms.
“Rob,” she choked, burying her face in the crook of his neck as he spun her around and off her feet.
Hot tears slipped down her cheeks as she continued to take him in, make sure that he was real. He smelled good. He felt good. He looked good.
“You’re alive.” She wasn’t ready to lift her head. Her mouth fell to his neck, and she kissed the place where his pulse beat steady and true.
Rob’s chest shook on a silent laugh, and he gripped her more tightly against him, inhaling her hair and kissing her temple. “I’m alive, querida. I’m back.”
He was back.
He’d come back to her.
Her chin trembled, and she blew out a shaky breath, finally feeling like she could let him go … just a bit.
He pulled his aviators off his face and smiled. He still hadn’t put her down, so for the moment, they were eye to eye. “I love your hair,” he said, nuzzling her once-again dark brown tresses. “Suits you.” Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment from the intimacy of his touch. She still couldn’t believe he was real.
She studied his face, studied his eyes. They spoke of horrors she knew he didn’t want to discuss, but they also spoke of relief. So instead of asking all the tough questions, she simply grinned. “Thanks. The hairdresser did a great job getting it back as close to my natural color as possible. I missed my brown.”
A serene smile fell across his lips as he plopped her back down on her feet. She’d forgotten how much taller than her he was. His shoulders seemed wider too.
Silence fell between them as they stood there under the hot Tahitian sun. The anticipation of his return had been huge, all-consuming. She’d been fretting for weeks about his survival and whether she’d ever see him again, and now that she had, she began to wonder if she’d built it all up in her head.
Was the romance really there? Or had it been a passion fueled by the thrill and suspense of the moment? Was it the danger that had pushed them together, and now that the threat had been neutralized—she assumed—were they incompatible?
“You’re thinking awfully hard there, darlin’,” he said, reaching for her hand and turning her so they could begin to wander back toward the resort. “Want to talk about it?”
She stopped them again and spun around to face him. “Why did you come back?”
“Because of you,” he said plainly. “Because you asked me to.”
“But … ”
Simply because she’d asked him to?
“Because I’m in love with you, querida. I promised to save you, to protect you, and I have. Now, I’m here for the rest.”
She blinked up at him, the sun making her see spots. “The rest?”
“Of our lives, querida.”
A sob clutched the back of her throat.
“I’ve done nothing but think about you for the last three weeks. Think about our time together, think about getting to know you better and starting a life with you. You’re it for me, Skye.”
Skyler’s bottom lip shook as his words poured over her. It wasn’t just temporary passion fueled by the thrill. It was real, honest, deep love. He loved her.
It’d only been three weeks, but he seemed different. He seemed … more at peace.
She’d changed too. Spending so much time with her brothers and their families had made her realize she wanted one of her own. She wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself. She wanted to hear the laughter of her own children playing in the living room or backyard as she prepared dinner. She wanted to feel their downy soft hair through her fingers as she read them a bedtime story. She wanted the life she’d grown up with.
Did Rob want children?
He’d been terrified of baby Marcus. Would he be terrified of his own child?
“Again, querida, you’ve got that look. You’re thinking real hard about something.”
She nibbled on her lip for a moment.
“Skye, no games. Talk to me.”
“I want children,” she finally blurted out.
His eyebrows shot up his forehead, and even though she knew he was trying hard to dampen down the sudden fear that was spiraling though him, she saw it fleetingly behind his eyes. “Been doing a fair bit of babysitting?” His chuckle was forced.
“Yeah. And, I just realized, I want what I had. I want a family of my own. I loved my childhood. Loved my parents. I want to be a part of something like that again.”
Rob let out a shaky breath and tilted his head up toward the cloudless Polynesian sky. “Gimme some time, okay?”
Her heart rate picked up. That wasn’t a no.
He brought his gaze back down to her face, and all she saw was love. Hope spooled through her.
He cupped her chin in his hand. “I want you. I want to be with you. And if that means being the best damn dad I can be, then I will. Just … gimme some time.”
She could give him time. She could give him the rest of her life.
Blinking back tears of joy, she grinned up at him. “Time. I can do that. As long as you never leave me again.”
His own smile faltered, and he averted his gaze.
“What? You’re not leaving again, are you?” She clutched the fabric at the front of his shirt. He couldn’t leave her. Not again. He just got back. He just promised her forever.
“I’ll need to go back to Texas and sort some things out for a few months, sell my place and let my mom down easy that I won’t be buying the piece of property across the street. But if this is where you want to make your life, then I’m in. I want to be wherever you are.”
She swallowed. Oh, Texas. That was different. Releasing his shirt, she licked her lips. “What will you do here?”
