by Lori Foster
“But it’s faster,” Ray said, leaving Jeremy to wonder how they had gotten to him. At the moment, he felt too lousy to ask more questions. The woman, Ray, chattered on, giving Eli directions while keeping a vigilant eye on the surroundings. The gun stayed in her hand, and after her performance at the compound, he’d bet she hit anything she shot at. Jeremy couldn’t figure her out. Just who the hell was she?
By the time they reached the plane, he was slumped in his seat, his face clammy, ready to die and get it over with. Never in his life would he eat beans or rice again.
To make matters worse, that damn Ray was full of energy and orders, and Eli just let her do it. It pissed Jeremy off and made him doubly cranky.
Eli parked, and then suddenly she was beside him, leaning in close, her velvet eyes black with concern. “You okay, kid? You look like hell.” She stuck the back of her hand to his forehead—as if she had any motherly instincts! “You’re not feverish, thank God.”
“I’m sick because you messed with the food.”
“Yeah. I sympathize with you. Personally, I’d rather be flogged than puke.” She straightened away. “I’ve been nauseous twice in my life, and that was enough for me.”
Jeremy stared at her. “Go away.”
She shook her head at him and wandered off.
Another man, big and blond with a surly expression, appeared from the side of the road. He took one look at Ray’s disheveled appearance and exposed chest and raised his brows. “This ought to be interesting.”
“It’s not.”
Eli’s tone shut down any further questions on Ray’s appearance, though Jeremy suddenly realized that she might not always look that way.
Did she always kick ass?
Eli helped him out of the jeep. “We’ll have you more comfortable in a few minutes.” Supporting him with one arm, Eli steered him toward a Skylane resting in the river.
Before they could board the plane, Jeremy fell to his knees to be sick again.
Over his head, Ray said, “It was probably the bumpy ride that set him off again. I can give him a shot of Phenergan to settle his stomach once we’re on the plane.”
Eli laid a heavy hand on Jeremy’s shoulder. “I’d appreciate that.”
“Well, I wouldn’t,” Jeremy choked out while struggling to his feet. “She’s not a doctor and she’s already poisoned me once—”
“No one asked you.” Eli shoved a canteen at him, then took his elbow and hauled him aboard the plane.
The pilot stayed up front preparing to take off, and Eli stored the gear so it wouldn’t roll around on the flight. Jeremy curled on a blanket on the floor, and seconds later Ray carried him a plastic basin.
Just watching her walk got on his nerves. She had a cocky gait, and even dressed in the ridiculous ruined clothing, she somehow looked commanding and completely in charge.
“Here you go, in case you puke again.” She squatted next to him. “We won’t be in the air long. Before you know it, you’ll be in the States in a comfortable bed after a nice long bath. But for now, you need to scoot your pants down so I can give you a shot in your hip.”
His bloodshot eyes widened. Drop his pants for her? “Hell, no.”
“The Phenergan will kill the nausea and make you a little sleepy. You’ll be able to rest.”
No way would he rest with her around. “Get lost. I don’t need your help.”
Ray made a sound of impatience and those mysterious dark eyes narrowed. In a thousand different ways, she seemed far more imposing and dangerous than the guerillas had. “What’s your problem, anyway?”
She managed to put so much silky menace in her tone, Jeremy hesitated before grumbling, “You.”
“So you’d rather I left you in the camp?”
He forced himself up on an elbow, scowling ferociously. “Eli would have gotten me out, with or without you.”
“But he didn’t,” she reminded him, all smug and mean. “He hired me to do it.”
Jeremy stared at her torn shirt and curled his lip. She didn’t have enough to flaunt, in his opinion. “Is that all he hired you to do?”
Eli suddenly appeared. “Jeremy, I swear, if you weren’t so puny at the moment, I’d turn Ray loose on you.” He put his arm around her and half smiled as he made that absurd threat.
Ray didn’t think it was funny. “I wouldn’t waste my time.”
Jeremy watched her as she prepared the shot. With Eli looming over him, he had no choice but to take it. “I saw you throw those guys around like beanbags.”
“Yeah, so?”
“I’ve never seen a lady fight like that.”
Even to Jeremy’s own ears, it sounded like an accusation. She jerked the top of his loose trousers down a good five inches. “Yeah, well, I’m not exactly a lady, so that explains it, doesn’t it?” She stuck in the needle with a little more force than Jeremy thought necessary.
He sucked in a painful breath and cursed.
“Quit being a baby,” she said. “You should feel more human in just a few minutes.”
To hide his discomfort, Jeremy asked, “Where did you learn to fight like that, anyway?”
Ray smirked. “I was raised with two long-haired, vain cousins. They constantly primped in front of the mirror. I grew up having to fight my way into the bathroom every single day.”
Jeremy stared at her incredulously, but Eli laughed. “Lighten up, Jeremy. And show some respect.”
“Respect?” The woman looked to be a cross between a whore and a soldier. “You have to be kidding me.”
“That’s enough.” No longer laughing, Eli pinned him with that penetrating gaze of his, then took Ray’s hand, holding tight when she would have pulled away. He looked stern, but Jeremy could see the smile in his eyes. “I’ll admit Ray may be just a bit unique. But you’ll get used to her.”
Both Ray and Jeremy blinked at his statement. “Get used to her?” Jeremy asked, appalled. Just what the hell did that mean?
At the same time, Ray shook her head. “That’s not going to happen, Eli. We’re parting company tomorrow.”
Eli tugged her closer. “You’re not going anywhere, Ray.”
No one really noticed the lurch of the plane as Buddy took them airborne.
Ray growled, “The hell I’m not. I have to get back home.”
“And where is home?”
“None of your damn business.”
“I’m making it my business.”
Jeremy had never heard anyone argue with his brother. Employees at the malls rushed to please him, ranch hands treated him with due respect. And women . . . well, they sure as hell didn’t go nose to nose with him.
But then, Ray wasn’t an ordinary woman, and she was definitely nose to nose, and furious, too.
“Why?” she demanded, succinct to the point of being rude.
Eli gave a negligent shrug. “I’m not letting you go.”
She fell back a step, no longer so confident. “You’re not?”
“No.” Eli turned his hand to entwine her fingers tightly in his own. “You’ll have to accept me, little soldier.” Then he grinned. “Whether you like it or not.”
Judging by the sound she made, she didn’t like it one little bit.
Neither did Jeremy.
The plane ride hadn’t lasted long enough to suit Ray, but at least Jeremy stayed groggy from the shot, which spared her from his insults and occupied Eli’s attention. Buddy had tried to tease her into a better mood, but she wanted only to escape.
Was Eli out of his mind? Buddy didn’t think so. The way he carried on, Eli was his new best friend, practically a hero, and already a member of the family.
Ray ignored most of the absurd conversation until after Buddy landed his plane near the rented truck. He helped Eli get Jeremy off the plane, then stood beside Ray while she watched the two brothers head slowly for the truck. Thanks to the drug, Jeremy was practically asleep on his feet, with Eli guiding him.
“Promise you’ll invite me to t
he wedding.”
Wide-eyed, Ray jerked her head toward Buddy to stare. Weddings were formal affairs with fancy white dresses and hordes of people and lots of pageantry. They were between two people in love, not in lust, and they meant . . . a lifetime. “There won’t be a wedding.” She could barely get the word out without choking.
“That’s not the impression I got from Eli.”
“Eli’s got jungle fever or something. Ignore him.” She shaded her eyes, saw that Eli was about ready, and headed toward the truck. Buddy kept pace at her side. “He’ll forget about wanting to see me two hours after he’s home.”
Buddy put his arm around her, drawing her to a halt. “I don’t think so, hon, but I’m more curious about how you’ll feel.”
“Richer. We’re getting well paid for this little caper. And you know, Buddy? I think he could have managed on his own.”
“So he didn’t need you after all?”
She shook her head, saddened with the awful truth. As Jeremy had said, Eli would have gotten him, with or without her. “Not for this—and probably not for anything else.”
“No? Why don’t I ask him . . . ?”
Before he’d taken two steps toward Eli, she jerked him back around—then threw herself against him in a tight bear hug. “I’d like to just leave with you.”
Buddy’s arms tightened until he lifted her right off her feet. “If you really feel that way . . .”
She shook her head and forced herself to step back. God, now she was even being clingy. Eli had changed her, and not for the better. She rubbed her face. “Ignore me. I’m just tired.” And in love and heartsick and . . .“I’ll have your cut wired into your account tomorrow.”
Buddy nodded. “Promise me you’ll think about things, Ray. Don’t just write Eli off, okay?”
All she did was think about him. “Quit worrying, Mom.” Buddy laughed at that and pulled her into another hug before turning her toward the truck and swatting her posterior.
“Be good. And give the man a chance!”
With a wave, Ray jogged toward Eli. She deliberately smothered those weak, tender emotions that made her question herself. She’d face this—him—just as she’d faced the rest of her life: with logic and determination.
“Ready to go?” Eli asked.
Ray nodded and got into the truck without a word. She started the engine and made a slow, bumpy path back to the road. In her rearview mirror, she caught Buddy’s plane lifting into the sky. It was almost over. She’d done what she set out to do. She’d gotten Eli’s brother, no one had gotten seriously hurt, and she’d get paid. Like she’d told Eli, it was a breeze.
Except for the fact that she’d fallen for him.
They rode to the hotel in complete suffocating silence. Ray now wished she hadn’t planned to spend the night again, but her flight didn’t take off till the next morning. Then she and Eli would head their separate ways. Could she get an earlier flight? It might be worth checking into once she reached the hotel.
She was just pulling into the lot, Jeremy slumped against her shoulder, when Eli said, “Ray?”
After that long silence, the sound of his voice almost made her jump. “Hmmm?”
“Don’t you dare try to sneak out on me.”
Had he read her mind? Just in case, she dredged up her most caustic look. “You still have to pay me, so I’m not going anywhere. But,” she added with emphasis, “if I did, I wouldn’t sneak.”
“Glad to hear it.” She drove up to the front door where they were met by the valet. “I’ll take care of the money in the morning.”
They each climbed out. Over the roof, Ray said, “I thought you could do it tonight.”
Eli reached inside for his dozing brother. “Nope. I’m thinking of that money as insurance.” He winked at her. “I need to talk to you, and this way I know I’ll get my chance.”
Or she could say to hell with the money, and leave while she still could. She already knew if a flight was available, she’d take it. She didn’t want Eli’s money—she disliked herself enough at the moment without taking pay.
Jeremy came awake with a start, staring around himself blankly before giving in to a wide yawn. Thanks to Buddy, he wore clean clothes and shoes, but he still looked like hell. And given the way his gaze sought her out, he still disliked her. But then what brother wouldn’t react that way to the likes of her?
With a hefty tip and a brief explanation that his brother was ill, Eli got VIP treatment. He was shuffled to the front of the registration desk, their bags carried in, and before Ray knew it, she was again in a hotel room. This time she had her privacy and she wasted no time in calling the airlines.
There were no earlier flights. She hated to admit it, but she wasn’t really disappointed. Regardless of what she knew to be right, her heart hurt when she thought of leaving Eli.
She lingered in the shower, changed into clean clothes, and then for almost an hour stood in front of a window that overlooked the parking lot, her emotions turbulent, waiting. Finally Eli knocked on her door. She knew it was him without looking. “Go away.”
“Open the door, Ray.”
She gave a short laugh. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Suit yourself, honey. But it’s going to draw a hell of a lot attention when I knock the damn thing down.”
She didn’t think he could do that, but he would cause a ruckus trying. Feeling her heart pound heavily in a mix of excitement and foreboding, Ray gave in and turned the lock.
Eli stepped inside, closing and locking the door behind him. Leaning back, his arms crossed at his chest, he said, “You look like a frightened rabbit.”
That was all it took to clear Ray’s mind. She drew her brows down and glared. “What do you want?”
“You.”
She had to close her eyes against the husky timbre in his tone. She felt it all the way to her toes, invading her soul, her heart.
Eli moved while she stood there silently before him. Ray opened her eyes when she felt his hand touch her face. “You want me, too, Ray. Admit it.”
She swallowed hard. “Don’t you see, it doesn’t matter what I want. I’m realistic, Eli. And you should be, too.”
Eli didn’t argue with her. Rubbing his thumb over her bottom lip, he whispered, “You are so beautiful.”
Frantic, Ray shook her head. “I knew you would come. I kept waiting. All through my shower, I was listening for the door.”
“I had to get Jeremy settled first or I’d have been here sooner. He’s feeling much better now that he’s showered and changed. He was actually starving.”
Ray laced her fingers together. “A good sign, right?”
“Yes. He no sooner finished eating than he fell asleep again.”
“That’s the medicine and the adrenaline rush, and probably a lot of relief, too. He’ll be groggy for a while I bet.”
Eli caught her arms and drew her closer. “You did good today, Ray.” He hesitated, then said, “I’m sorry I yelled at you. It scared the hell of me when Miguel grabbed you and that other guy joined in.”
“They underestimated me.”
Eli nodded. “I can sympathize. I made that same mistake at first, too. But”—Eli bent to kiss her gently—“I can’t make that mistake again.”
Warning bells went off in her head. “What do you mean?”
Eli straightened, a little regretful, a lot determined. “I’m spending the night here.”
Ray’s mouth fell open. How the hell could she leave if he stayed by her side? Duh. That was probably his intent. “Your brother . . .”
He shook his head. “Jeremy is going to be fine once he gets rested up and has a chance to eat his fill.”
“He doesn’t like me, Eli.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Of course it does,” she almost wailed. “He’s your brother. How do you think the rest of your family will react if you drag home a hired soldier?”
Eli chuckled. “You make yourself sound like a har
dened criminal. I’m proud of your abilities, Ray. That’s all that’s important.”
Ray lifted her chin. “What about Jane?”
As if soothing a fractious child, his voice gentled. “I already told you I wasn’t marrying her.”
“No, you told me your grandfather was counting on you to unite the families. He’d be damned disappointed with the likes of me.”
“Once he meets you, he’ll be pleased. My grandmother, too.”
His grandmother? Ray groaned and covered her face with both hands. This was a nightmare.
Eli pulled her hands down, then laid his finger across her lips. “Hush, now.” Both hands cupped her face, leaving her to stare into his mesmerizing eyes. “God, I missed you, Ray. You’ve been so silent the past few hours, and I was too busy trying to get things settled to see to you. But I want you to know, I meant what I said. I’m determined to make you mine. Completely. And I don’t give up easily once I set my mind on something, so you may as well save your arguments and agree.”
“I won’t be forced into anything.”
“Of course not.” He drew her closer and nibbled on her lips. “I just want a chance to convince you, that’s all.”
More like coerce her, she thought, as her thighs trembled and her belly curled. “Eli . . . you refuse to see what’s right.”
He smiled at her disheartened expression. “What I see, honey, is that you haven’t once told me you don’t want me.”
Ray blanched over that. Blast it, she hadn’t.
“You only claim it won’t work. But I can make it work. You wanted me to trust you, right? Well, how about giving a little trust, too?”
This wasn’t about trust, damn it. Why wouldn’t he see that? Meaning to push him away, Ray put a hand to his chest, and saw that she was shaking. With need? It infuriated her.
But she couldn’t bear to turn him away. Not tonight. She did need him. That should have made it easier for her to walk away. She’d been needy as a young child, and again when she was with Kevin. Both times had been miserable disappointments. Needing was bad—but with Eli, it seemed strangely exciting, like a dark lure.
She’d make him need her, too. For tonight, for right now. And then she’d leave.