Guardian

by Catherine Mann

  Rage at David and at life in general sapped her, leaving her light-headed as she gasped through the pain. Did he even understand the line between courageous and reckless? “Don’t you have some great joke you’d like to crack right now?”

  “No.” The gentle comforter had long departed. David stood silent, his lean body one fluid line of tension. “I’m just waiting for you to finish. Come on, Sophie. Why else am I no different than Lowell Campbell?”

  The mere mention of her husband drove her the rest of the way. “You never have to face the backlash of your actions. You leave that part to the women, the stuff that requires more gut courage than you’ll ever know. We’re the ones who pick up the pieces of lives blasted to bits by your latest reckless endeavor. Step in front of a bullet. Smack a bridge. Honorable or not, the end result is the same. The woman explains to her children why they don’t have a father.”

  Even though a portion of her brain whispered how she wasn’t being entirely fair. Haley Rose’s mother had bailed. David had lost his stepson…But the power of her emotions, frustrations, and fears just steamrolled over her logic.

  Her eyes fluttered closed. She chewed the corner of her mouth, grounding herself in the mundane pain to avoid facing the larger ache as she pushed David away.

  “But hey, kids, he was so brave.” Her eyes snapped open. “Well, I’ve got a news bulletin for you, Major. Dying is easy. Being left behind, that’s the tough job.”

  Sophie stared at the dynamic, fearless man in front of her and knew she would give almost anything to feel his arms around her again.

  Anything except risk a repeat of the past year.

  “So don’t preach to me about keeping my head clear.” She punctuated each point with a step closer. “Don’t explain to me about being strong.”

  The roaring in her ears faded and the world around her grew as silent as the moment when the Cessna’s engine had stopped.

  All her senses fine-tuned to hyperaware. Her fingers gripped the warm cotton of his shirt stretched along the breadth of his shoulders. The scent of him, like crisp air and musk, saturated the air and chased away the acrid stench of fear. And she couldn’t deny it. Her body burned for him.

  His pupils dilated with an answering arousal.

  An answering excitement stirred inside her, spreading, heating, sending a bolt of moist desire gathering between her legs. She’d wanted him, ached to have him fill her since that crazy moment in the courtroom, but the desire was nothing compared to this greedy hunger gnawing at her.

  Yes, the adrenaline dump in the aftermath was always the most powerful, and the feelings coursing through her were multiplied by the crash. She knew this.

  And still she bracketed his face with her hands and guided his mouth to hers.

  * * *

  David froze in shock.

  For all of two heartbeats, and then to hell with restraint.

  He palmed the back of Sophie’s head, sealing his mouth to hers more firmly. Her mood changes were giving him whiplash, but then he was anything but steady right now himself.

  The soft, sweet sweep of her tongue against his sent a bolt of undiluted need straight to his groin. Inhibitions peeled away out here in the vast expanse of desert nothingness, surrounded by more nothingness. Emotions flooded him with all the tension of the crash landing, the fear for Sophie, the restraint in holding himself in check in the crisis.

  Awareness flowed between them, more tempting than a simple grope. Her verbal blast had shocked him more than the broken gauge. He wouldn’t defend himself. Apparently there wasn’t anything he could say that she wanted to hear.

  Her curves molded to him, the lush softness of her breasts pressed to his chest, the give of her hips fitting into the cradle of his. They’d kissed before, but this was a whole different sort of coming together.

  Unvarnished. Raw. Lust. Fueled by the life-and-death moment in the air.

  She gripped his shoulders, her fingernails digging through cotton to push half-moons into his flesh. The power of her need fed his. His hands tangled in her hair, swept over her back and down to cup her bottom, lifting her, bringing her closer. Her legs slid up and around his waist, spreading her wide and hot against him.

  “Sophie,” he groaned against her mouth. “I want to be buried inside you right now, but this place is far from a bed and any of the romantic niceties you deserve.”

  Her arms went around his neck, her legs holding strong. “What I want, what I deserve, is to quit fighting this attraction. I need you here and now.”

  “God, Sophie.” He pressed his face into the curve of her neck, drawing in the jasmine perfume of her shampoo. “You’re killing me here.”

  Her legs slid down and she angled her face to look at him. “But you don’t really want this.”

  He combed his fingers through her hair. “Wrong. I want you, make no mistake, but is this really the time or the place?”

  “This is exactly the right time and place.”

  There was no missing the fiery conviction in her voice and eyes.

  Still, he pressed, “You have to know that’s adrenaline talking.”

  “What’s so wrong with that as long as I’m a hundred percent sure this is what I want? And believe me, I want you. Here. Now. Quit trying to protect me all the time and just be with me.”

  The driving urge to keep her safe encompassed more than one level. “That’s easier said than done. Hell, Sophie, I don’t have protection.”

  A smile curved her kissed-plump lips. “I do.”

  She leaned to scoop her purse from the ground and yanked it open. She unzipped a hidden pouch and pulled out—thank God—four condoms, neatly folded.

  “Ambitious woman.”

  “How long do you think we have before the state trooper arrives?”

  He looked at his watch and the midafternoon sun over the deserted stretch of sand. “An hour, but we’ll hear him coming long before he gets here.”

  She pressed the condoms into his hand and folded his fingers over them. “Then the question is, Do you want to have sex, here and now? No niceties, just you and I together…”

  His free hand covered her breast.

  Her mouth snapped shut, and her eyes fluttered closed. Her head fell back as she arched her spine, fitting her more firmly into his palm. He stroked and explored, and wondered where the hell control had gone. But then everything was a power struggle with Sophie.

  Gripping his wrists, she moved his hands lower to her hips. Then let go. With deliberate precision, she peeled her doubled tank tops over her head in a sweep that left him stunned all over again. His mouth dried up, his eyes locked on her as she stood in her jeans and bra, tumbleweed rolling past her feet.

  God, she was magnificent.

  She reached behind her back to unfasten her ivory bra, bold and winning the hell out of this power play, and he was happy to lose. She flung aside the scrap of lace. The sun streamed over her, glinting off her golden hair, showcasing the tan lines around her breasts. Her dusky nipples were tight and calling to him. He tucked the condoms into his back pocket and devoted his complete attention to caressing, stroking, tempting her as much as she tempted him.

  He filled his hands with her creamy softness, dipping to taste her. He laved his tongue around the budding desire, flicking and pressing her to the roof of his mouth. Her husky “yes” stoked the flames hotter and higher inside him.

  She tugged at his camo pants, slipping the button fly free so slowly his erection throbbed. Then—finally—her small cool hand slid inside his boxers. She stroked the length of him, then up again, her thumb gliding over the glistening tip of him.

  The need to come all over her hand almost overtook him.

  Her fist glided, her thumb sliding over the damp tip and slickening her hold. Too easily he could be a damn selfish bastard and let this play out right now. He was that close to the edge.

  Before he lost it totally, he eased her hand from his pants and kissed her wrist, right over her speeding pu
lse. He nipped his way up his sun goddess’s arm and back to her breasts, distracting her while he unfastened her jeans. But she wasn’t a passive follower. She wriggled her jeans down and off—which shimmied her nipples against his mouth in a tantalizing brush that sent sparks exploding behind his eyes.

  He slid his finger between her legs, exploring the slickness, reveling in how ready she was for him.

  She bit his ear lightly, the rasp of her teeth catching just enough to sting without injuring. “Enough foreplay. I want it all. I want you, inside me,” she demanded. “Now.”

  And he was more than willing to follow her order.

  He yanked off his T-shirt and draped it on the ground. He lowered her onto his makeshift blanket, kneeling over her. Sand and pebbles dug through his pants, anchoring him in the stark reality of coming together out here in the elements. Her hair fanned on the desert floor. She drew her knees up, her feet planted, and for the moment he let himself just look at her, uninhibited, offering herself to him.

  Her eyes held his, intense and full of passion. Something darker lurked in her expression, but hell, the feelings inside him weren’t pretty, either. He pulled the condoms from his back pocket and tore one free. Her steamy gaze followed his hands as he sheathed himself.

  She lifted an arm, linking her fingers with his and tugging him down until the sand grated along his elbows. He covered her, and her legs slid fluidly around him. Bringing him closer. Positioning him exactly where he wanted to be most.

  He should go slower, for her, but Sophie’s heels urged him to thrust deep and fully. Her damp heat clasped around him. Snapping the last restraints on his control. This joining was edgy…

  Inevitable.

  The sun beat down on his back, the wind rasping sand over them in a way they were going to feel later. Yet still she rolled her hips against him, her heels digging into his ass, urging him closer.

  Deeper.

  Faster.

  Encouraging him like her breathy gasps that she was close, so close. Sweat slicked his skin and hers, melding them flesh to flesh. A flush spread over her chest, broadcasting her own rising pleasure.

  She arched hard off the desert floor, her cries flung out. No need for quiet or careful holding back. Her release clamped around him, taking him, holding him, then sending him over the edge after her in pulsing wave after wave. Her nails scored his back, her body bowing in aftershocks.

  Panting in the aftermath, he rolled off her, scooping her into his arms and shifting to sit on his shirt. As he cradled her against his chest, he couldn’t hide from the truth. This out-of-control encounter wasn’t just a by-product of adrenaline.

  He was falling hard and fast for Sophie.

  TEN

  What the hell had just happened to her?

  Silently, Sophie eased herself from David’s arms, needing some distance, and given they were in the middle of the desert, there was space to spare. Her nerves were every bit as sensitive as her well-loved flesh. While she felt the intensity of his gaze, thank goodness he seemed to understand she wasn’t in any way ready to talk.

  Or maybe he was just as shaken as she was.

  She shook out her clothes. Still, perspiration glued specks of sand to her skin with a reminder of what they’d shared here. Never had she lost control of herself that way—not in an argument and certainly never during sex. She didn’t consider herself inhibited, but she was the silk, candles, and romantic music sort.

  Being with David here had been…intense. More than a little scary.

  Out of the corner of her eyes, she watched him. David fastened his pants and whipped the sand from his T-shirt before tugging it over his head. The front was dotted with sweat—from him or her?

  Or both of them.

  Finally, she couldn’t avoid his full-on gaze any longer. So she stared back, the wind whipping over her. He reached, and she braced herself for the power of their connection. His hand landed on her shoulder, a simple touch, yet more moving than a full-out stroke from anyone else.

  She wished she could reach out as well, but even with her clothes on again, she felt bare and vulnerable.

  Squeezing once, David’s hand fell away. “It’s safe to say the plane’s not going to blow up. I’m going to take a look around while we wait for the state trooper.”

  “Good idea.” She nodded, finding a smile and hoping he could understand her silence came from how much their first time together moved her.

  And what a crazy time to think of her first date with Lowell.

  She’d been twenty, he’d been thirty-two, which had seemed so very worldly to her then. He’d gone all out with a five-star restaurant, paid the lounge singer extra to serenade her, even bought exotic flowers. She still had one of the blooms pressed in an album.

  It seemed a little cliché now that she looked back. A lot of glitz and not much substance, especially as time wore on. But it had seemed so wonderful in the beginning.

  Which made her question what she was feeling now.

  Her gaze tracked over to David at the plane. He’d already opened the engine compartment and now he lay flat on his back underneath the belly of the craft. As a military systems tester, he would have a more in-depth knowledge of an airplane’s mechanics than the average aviator.

  Of course nothing about David was average.

  He tucked back out from under the plane and rolled to his feet. “Sophie, come here.”

  She wasn’t ready to face him yet, but hiding seemed juvenile and would give too much credence to how rattled she was. So she braced her shoulders and walked to him.

  “What’s wrong?” She closed the distance between them, sand in her shoe scratching her heel.

  “You need to see this.” Frowning, he rubbed the back of his neck.

  “See what?” she said just as the sound of an approaching truck rumbled in the distance.

  David flattened his hand to the side of the Cessna, a scowl stamped deeply into his face. “There’s a hole in the fuel tank and it doesn’t look accidental.”

  * * *

  Three hours later, David climbed the stairs to his sister’s house. Sophie made tracks a step ahead.

  They’d given their statement to the state trooper and showed him the hole in the fuel tank that looked deliberate. They’d questioned her on her cases, certain she must be the target, especially since she was involved in the high-profile Vasquez case. Investigators were on it, and Sophie had alerted the Office of Special Investigations on base to let them know someone had made an attempt on her life.

  Prints would be lifted from the plane. Video camera footage from the airport would be watched. Hopefully answers would come soon. But not soon enough for his peace of mind. It was like Sophie was a sitting duck—a break-in, a car accident, a plane crash, all within the span of less than a week.

  It was impossible to discount as coincidence. Someone was after her. Most disturbing, how did that person know where they’d been going today?

  One thing was clear, this threat was not going away. She needed round-the-clock protection, and her son and grandmother should leave town.

  Not that she’d elaborated on her plans. She wasn’t speaking much at all.

  “Sophie.” He pressed a hand to the door, stopping her. “We have to talk about what happened in the desert.”

  She looked up, her eyes wary. “Now?”

  “About what happened with the plane,” he clarified. “We should come up with a plan before we speak with the kids.”

  “I know. I’ve been thinking since we left the station.” She rubbed her arms.

  She was radiating a freaked-out, stand-back vibe he couldn’t miss. With grueling certainty, he realized he’d launched himself into a situation that made his relationship with Leslie look like a picnic.

  “What did you decide?”

  “I’m going to send Brice and Nanny to visit some relatives back in Los Angeles. I have to stay here because of the Vasquez case.”

  He stepped closer without touching. �
�You have to know I can’t just walk away from you.”

  “What happened between us today…”

  He touched her lips. “I don’t think now’s such a great time to talk about that. Let’s take care of your son first. I’m going to send Haley Rose to stay with her mom. I’ll feel better if I didn’t have to worry about her being caught in any cross fire.”

  Her eyes went wide and a little wild. “Oh God, David, I should just go.”

  “We’ll talk once the kids are settled.” He opened the door, certain if he gave her the chance to argue, she would be out in a heartbeat. Voices from the kids playing video games echoed, the sounds of family and home.

  He was fascinated by the woman in the desert, her passion and fire. He also wanted to be with the laughing, laid-back Sophie from the amusement park.

  Except now, she’d closed up. He’d seen warriors shut down in the heat of battle, and he could understand her need to numb herself until she had her child safe.

  But he’d also seen people shut down permanently after one too many traumas. He wouldn’t have minded a little of that numbing for himself right now.

  Caged energy rumbled around inside him looking for an outlet. Watching her walk away, he would have to be dead not to want her.

  Dead. She could have died in the plane crash, the car accident, the break-in. Someone was seriously gunning for her. Clearly she must have been targeted because of something in her job. But what? David rested his forehead against the door frame and willed his heart to slow.

  Bracelets chimed, alerting him of his sister’s approach a second before Madison touched his shoulder. “You’re later than I expected.”

  “Sorry about that.” He turned to face her. “Insane day.”

  “I’m not griping.” She leaned back against the entry-hall wall, a monogrammed hand towel in her fist. “I was worried. Is everything all right?”

  David straightened, shrugging through the kink in his neck. “Fuel leak on the airplane. The landing was hairy, but we’re okay. By the time help arrived and we got back in cell phone range, I figured I was close to home anyway. It would be better to talk face-to-face.”