The Trigger

by Jacqueline Diamond

  “I hate to be accused of not paying a debt.” His hands itched to touch those slim, straight shoulders.

  She debated with herself briefly before breaking into a smile. “Well, if you insist.”

  They cleared away what remained of the dishes. All the while, Sam tried to tell himself that he would give her a quick back rub and then head home. But he kept wanting to bury his face in the pulse of her throat and trace his tongue across the velvety skin of her jaw.

  It seemed to him that Nora moved more sensuously than usual tonight. She kept sneaking sideways glances at him, and when he allowed himself to glance downward, he saw erect nipples poking beneath her knit top.

  “Well, that’s done.” Sam wrung out the sponge. The counter and sink gleamed.

  “Good job,” Nora said. “Where do you want to do this?”

  His breath caught. “Do what?” When she chuckled, he remembered the subject at hand. “Oh, the back rub. On the couch, I guess.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  They made it halfway across the living room. He was about to ask whether Nora preferred to lie down or have him stand behind her, when she said, “The heck with that. Why not go for it?”

  Before Sam could figure out what she meant, she grabbed him by the belt and tugged him toward the bedroom.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “GO FOR IT?” Sam repeated as they crossed the living room.

  Not until she heard his words did Nora realize he’d misinterpreted her intentions. “That couch is uncomfortable and I want a proper massage,” she explained. “That means skin lotion and lying down.”

  “So that’s what you meant,” he choked out. “You, uh, want your massage in bed.”

  “Sure. What did you think I wanted?” As if she didn’t know!

  “The fact that you’re pulling off my belt gave me a different impression.”

  Glancing down, Nora saw that she’d partly undone his buckle. “That’s because you aren’t wearing a tie.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I wanted to pull you in by the tie but you’re not wearing one,” she explained. “Sam, I’m sorry if it comes as a disappointment, but I’m not planning to undress you.”

  Crinkles of amusement formed around his eyes. “I hope you left your gun in your purse.”

  She paused in the entrance to the bedroom. “Why?”

  “Because I presume you’re not planning to shoot me, either. On the other hand, if you don’t shoot me like you’re not undressing me, I could be in trouble.”

  He gave her a wry smile that wrapped itself around her heart. It made her want to hold him and laugh with him, and maybe fight with him a little, and then drive him completely, thrillingly, soaringly out of his mind.

  Starting now.

  Why be shy about this? Nora thought. Tomorrow they would both be flirting with death. If anything went wrong, they might never get this chance again.

  “Okay, I’m officially undressing you,” she said, and yanked open the buckle.

  “Ow.” Sam’s eyebrows shot straight up.

  “Did that hurt?”

  “Are we going into the bedroom? Because I need to decide which way to collapse.” He staggered a little for emphasis.

  “You know,” Nora said as she steered him inside, “nobody told me you had a sense of humor.”

  “Nobody told me either,” he admitted.

  She found his shirt buttons and released them as she leaned against him, inhaling a sensory brew of pure Sam. He nuzzled her neck and, at the same time, unfastened her bra.

  Nora kissed the corner of his mouth, he kissed the pulse of her throat, and then their lips and tongues met and they melted into each other. Clothes showered around them like a fall of golden leaves. Nothing had ever felt so right as the silken whisper of his skin against hers.

  Sam drew her onto the bed, pushing aside the quilt and stretching beside her on the sheets. Nora couldn’t get enough of touching him, of their bodies exploring each other.

  There was no need for a slow seduction. They’d been seducing each other the entire past week, she acknowledged silently. Every word, every gesture had promised lovemaking.

  Sam propped himself on one elbow. “I hate to mention it, but what about protection?”

  “Don’t worry. I’m prepared.” She reached for the drawer of the bedside table.

  He regarded her with a hint of amusement as she handed him a small packet. “Care to help me lock and load?”

  “You bet!”

  Nora slid the protection into place, enjoying his firmness in her hands. Sam leaned back against the pillows, eyes half-shut, breath coming fast. When she stroked him, a moan wrenched from his depths.

  She loved drawing him out this way, giving him pleasure and watching him yield. Gently, Nora pressed with her thumbs.

  “Whoa.” He caught her wrists. “Slow down. I’m only human. Besides, I’d like to do this the old-fashioned way.”

  “How about both ways?” Much as she ached to take him into herself, Nora also wanted to bring him to climax with her hands and mouth. She wanted to give him joy and watch him fly with it.

  “Maybe later.” Catching her unexpectedly, Sam flipped her onto her back. “I’m calling the shots now, my little vixen.”

  “That’s what you think.”

  “That’s what I know.” Pinning her lightly, he trailed his tongue along the valley between her breasts and then lower until heat enveloped her. A moment later, he stopped.

  “I want us to do this together,” he said.

  “We are doing it together.”

  He ignored her words and lifted himself over her. “Tell me how you like it.”

  “I like it this way.” Grasping his hips, Nora pulled him into her.

  Sensations rocketed through her as she fused with Sam all the way to the cellular level. She found herself transported to a vaster, freer world, like an eagle spreading its wings on the edge of the Grand Canyon.

  Stroking firmly in and out, Sam arced down for another kiss. As they completed the circuit, electricity sparked through Nora.

  They teased and enjoyed each other, but soon their longing proved too strong for delay. When she shifted her hips sensuously, Sam gasped, tried to restrain himself, and lost.

  He pressed himself into her with long fluid motions. The delicious pressure transformed Nora’s body into pure energy.

  Fireworks burst against a dark sky, soaring, exploding, and filling the world with light. There was only Sam, only their glittering response to each other.

  When she came down to earth, Nora was almost surprised to discover they still lay on her bed in the familiar room. It had felt like they’d landed on a cloud.

  After moving away to remove the protection, Sam returned. And cradled her in his arms. Close to her hair, he murmured, “That was spectacular.”

  “Fireworks,” Nora said dreamily. “The Fourth of July.”

  “And it’s only June. Just imagine what lies ahead.” He traced the shape of her breast with his finger.

  “I can’t wait to find out.” Nora rested her cheek against his shoulder.

  “Let’s not wait too long,” he said.

  She felt his hardness stirring against her hip. “I guess we won’t have to.”

  Sure enough, they didn’t.

  SAM HADN’T HAD the dream for a long time. Even in his sleep, he recognized the details: smoke rising in the distance, the wail of a siren throbbing through his head, the sway of the fire truck as it raced along the streets.

  Ahead, he saw a black cloud pouring from an abandoned three-story building. At the curb sat a familiar car—his father’s.

  It didn’t look right. In his sleep, Sam peered harder through the haze. Not his father’s sedan, after all, but a red sports car.

  No, no, no.

  He took out his phone and dialed Nora’s number. When he heard her voice, he shouted at her to get out now.

  Through the billowing smoke, he saw a slender figure silhouett
ed in a third-story window. Phone pressed to her ear, Nora waved gaily.

  He shouted into the phone, Get out! She went on waving, oblivious.

  As the fire truck halted at the curb, Sam heard a terrible cracking sound. In the window, the figure disappeared.

  Someone shouted that the roof was down. The front of the building still stood, but through the gaping windows, he saw only empty space. It was like film footage of ancient ruins.

  Everything inside had vanished. Crumbled, fallen, turned to ash and rubble.

  Nora, where are you?

  Sam hit the sidewalk with a jolt and lit out running. He had to go into the flames and save her. But other firefighters grabbed at him and pulled him back. He couldn’t break free.

  Sam woke with a sickening tightness in his stomach. Morning light seeped through the blinds of Nora’s bedroom.

  Beside him, she slept with her back to him, hair curving across the pillow. Nora, safe and sound.

  Today, she was going to risk her life. Today, Sam had to make sure she survived.

  NORA AWOKE full of excitement and a little jumpy. More than ever, she appreciated Sam’s presence. He understood what lay ahead in ways that no outsider could.

  What had happened last night when they made love? she mused dreamily. She’d never experienced that kind of merging before.

  When she leaned down to kiss his cheek, he stretched. After blinking for a moment in the sunlight, Sam sat up and studied her, frowning. “I had a dream about my father. Only it was really about you.”

  Nora didn’t like the sound of that. “You mean about dying in a fire?”

  “The roof falling in. The whole mess.” His chest rose and fell heavily. “Nora, I hope this isn’t a bad omen.”

  “When did you get superstitious?” She swung her legs out of bed, eager to get moving before this conversation became any more burdensome.

  He placed a restraining hand on her arm. “I know it would be hard to change our plans with so many people involved. But let’s find another way to handle this.”

  She couldn’t believe it. He was trying to control her, just like Len. Okay, that might not be fair, but what gave him the right to smother her just because he’d had a bad dream?

  “Stop right there.” Nora pulled away. “Whatever you think happened between us last night, here are the facts: we went to bed. Now we’re back to being partners. Separate people who do our jobs.” She gestured toward the window. “See that? It’s the light of day. Reality. Take a good look.”

  Irked, she grabbed a robe off a chair and stalked into the bathroom.

  When she came out, he was dressing. Sam’s face had a shadowed, reserved look. “Nora, I’m not trying to push you around.”

  “No, you’re trying to protect me. But I can’t be who I am with some guy treating me like a china doll.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Maybe I can’t stop you,” he said. “But I’m going to watch over you whether you like it or not.”

  “Just keep out of my way,” she answered.

  “See you at the office, then. I’ll shower at home.”

  “Okay.”

  He hesitated as if he wanted to kiss her. In a way, Nora wanted him to, but she couldn’t stop bristling. Finally Sam gave a nod and left.

  She didn’t have time to sort through what had just passed between them or why it left her with a hollow sensation. Her mind was too busy racing ahead, sorting out plans for the day ahead.

  After scarfing up the leftover ice cream for breakfast, she put on a suit appropriate for a business executive, although she decided not to don the wig until after she picked up Barbara. Then Nora headed for the station.

  Once she arrived, she finalized details with Max. The corporate plane was due at about 11:30 and Barbara’s official flight arrived at 2:47. The backup officers were to meet her and Barbara at one o’clock at the Sunscape Coffee Shop. The cheerful glass-fronted restaurant lay along the route from the airport into town, and Nora had reserved its private room.

  From there, some officers in uniform would take Ms. Noot to the hospital. The rest of the team, in plain clothes, would trail Nora. Although Sam tried to insist on riding with the police, Max nixed the idea.

  “We’re already risking the possibility that the Trigger might recognize Nora, but at least she’ll be in disguise,” the chief said. “If he spots you, we’ll have zero chance of catching him.”

  “But I know his methods,” Sam argued. “And this is my case.”

  “That’s why we want you here at the station, monitoring all information as it comes in,” said Adam Guthrie, who was supervising the team. “We’ll need your objective input.”

  Sam’s mouth closed in a hard, stubborn line. Although he didn’t argue further, Nora hoped he wasn’t going to make himself a pain in the neck.

  She should have anticipated this. She should have maintained a distance between them. Maybe, after today, there’d be nothing left but distance between them. Although the prospect dismayed her, it couldn’t be helped.

  Afterward, Sam stayed behind for a word with Adam. Nora went upstairs with Max.

  “Danger must agree with you,” the chief said as he stepped into his office. “You don’t seem nervous.”

  “This kind of work excites me,” Nora admitted. “I know it’s risky. There’s a part of my brain that tells me I must be crazy to do this. But it gives me an adrenaline rush.”

  At that moment, Sam ambled out of the stairwell into the second-floor hallway. Whatever might be running through his mind, he’d resumed his usual easygoing demeanor. “Hey, Nora, I must have left my belt at your place. You didn’t happen to bring it, did you?”

  Heat rushed to her face. “It’s in my purse.”

  “Thanks.” Coming abreast, he spotted the chief’s open door and Max’s interested expression. “Oh.”

  No need to say anything more, she reflected, and hurried away with Sam on her heels. In a low voice, she scolded, “Did you really say that by accident? Or are you trying to stake out your territory?”

  “Don’t read too much into it,” he returned coolly. “I goofed, that’s all.”

  Rounding a corner, she nearly collided with Bud Patchett. “Sorry.” Silently, Nora chided herself for getting distracted.

  “No harm done. Actually, I was looking for Sam.” The mechanic switched his attention to the man behind her. “Oh, there you are. You know that suggestion you made earlier about finding out who’s been tapping into those computers? I came up with an idea.”

  “That’s great.” While the two of them conferred, Nora went into the office, retrieved the belt and set it on a chair.

  A short time later, Sam entered. “He could catch the hacker, I’m almost sure of it. Unfortunately, I had to explain that Wonderworld still won’t give permission.”

  “Let’s hope we don’t need it.” Nora didn’t say the obvious: if things went seriously wrong today, searching Wonderworld’s computer records might be like closing the barn door after the horse escaped.

  He slid the belt through his pant loops. What would he have done if she hadn’t brought it? Nora wondered, and decided not to ask.

  “Listen, I’m sorry I shot my mouth off in front of your boss,” Sam said.

  She saw no point in worrying over what couldn’t be changed. “He’ll get over it. We’re both consenting adults.”

  They stood facing each other for a long moment, and then Sam touched her hand lightly. “I still wish I could talk you out of this.”

  “Don’t even try,” Nora said.

  “I know.”

  Keeping their focus on work, they reviewed the final details. Just when Nora believed they’d settled everything, Sam added, “I’m going to follow the backup team in my car. I’ll be monitoring the information, as we discussed, but I can also provide an extra set of eyes and ears.”

  “The chief wants you at the station.”

  “The Trigger’s smart, which means he might pull something we don’t expect. There’s a
lso a possibility he has an accomplice and, if so, the others might not spot him or her.” He spoke with such quiet reason she couldn’t help seeing his point.

  Besides, she didn’t want another fight. “You’d better clear it with Max, or at least with Adam.”

  “I’ll make sure to apprise them of the situation.”

  He intended to wait until he’d set his plan in motion, Nora guessed. Well, she’d always believed in trusting one’s instincts, so how could she ask Sam to ignore his?

  Besides, she felt safer with him nearby. While emotions could cloud a person’s judgment, they could also, as he’d pointed out, make him extra sensitive to details the others might miss.

  “Okay,” she said. “But no crowding me, no moving in because you’re afraid I’ll get hurt. It’s my job to be out there.”

  A muscle jumped in his jaw. “Nora, I won’t kid you. Letting you go is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Part of me wants to haul you off and keep you under guard, but I’ll do my best to respect who you are.”

  She hoped he meant it. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Just in case you’re not, I’ve got your back.”

  She checked her watch. Close to eleven. “I’d better get going. We wouldn’t want to keep Barbara waiting.”

  The office phone rang. Nora lifted the receiver. “Keyes.”

  “This is Officer Cruz at the hospital,” the man said. “You asked me to notify you when Carl Garcola woke up. Well, he opened his eyes a few minutes ago.”

  That could be a major break. “Has he said anything about who attacked him?”

  “The nurse sent for a doctor. She won’t let me disturb him.”

  “Someone will be right over.” They couldn’t afford to delay, Nora reflected as she rang off. To Sam, she said, “Garcola’s awake. He needs to be debriefed. The sooner the better.”

  Conflict warred in his face. It didn’t take more than a moment for him to see the priority, however. “I’ll get right on it.”

  Nora discounted a twist of apprehension at the knowledge that he wouldn’t be following her. “Call me when you know anything.” She picked up her purse, making sure to zip it shut. She didn’t intend to give the Trigger a chance to drop anything inside.