Vinny reached over and put his hand on hers again. “I gotta say it’s the best mission I’ve ever been on.”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth he instantly knew they came out wrong. The smile on her face dropped as she slid her hand out from under his, crossing her arms around her.
“Oh, Annalissa, that’s not what I meant,” he quickly said, wanting desperately to bring the smile back to her face.
Looking out of the window, she said, “It’s fine…really. I was just…um—”
Jerking the car into the right lane he pulled off at an exit, driving until he found a small gas station. Pulling to the side, he cut the engine and twisted his large frame to face her. Giving her arm a little tug, he said, “Look at me. Please.”
She turned her face to him, trying unsuccessfully to hide the hurt.
How do I make this right? he thought. Realizing he had never felt this way, he wanted to make it better. Running his hand over his face in frustration, he looked into her green eyes staring at his in curiosity.
“Annalissa, you’re not…this is no longer…what I’m trying to say is…ah hell,” he growled.
A laugh erupted from her lips as she lifted her hand to cover her mouth. “You sound like me,” she said with a small smile.
He leaned his head back for a second, trying to steal the pounding of his heart. Her soft voice broke through his gathering thoughts.
“Vinny, it’s really okay. I know you were hired to take me…and Easnadh back to Richland. I get it, I really do,” she said as she laid her hand on his arm. She felt the corded muscles underneath her fingertips and wished that they were surrounding her, even as her words told him what she knew. “I know I’m a job. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not having a good time.”
He leaned forward, staring into her eyes as he slid his hand under her hair and to the back of her neck. “You became so much more than a mission to me miles ago, Annalissa.” He watched as her eyes widened in…shock? Lust? Approval? What are you thinking, baby? Can you give a man like me a chance even if I don’t deserve a girl like you?
He watched as she licked her plump lips and his cock pressed into his zipper at the thought of kissing her. Come on, baby, give me a sign. Anything.
“I…I’ve never…I…oh damn,” she cursed, blinking back tears. “I hate not being very articulate when I don’t know what to say,” she confessed.
“Just tell me what you’re thinking,” he prompted, pulling her lips a little bit closer to his.
“You’re everything…a woman could want, Vinny. You have to know that. I know I’m the dorky harpist…the one that someone like you would never see.”
“I see you,” he said softly. Rubbing her cheek with his rough thumb, he moved in a little closer, his lips now a whisper away from hers.
Her eyes grew large and he watched them drop to his lips. He refused to move closer knowing that if they were going to share a first kiss, she needed to be the one to want it. He already knew what he wanted and it was her. And for a lot longer than one night.
“I don’t know the games…you know…the ones that men and women play, Vinny. The pick-up lines or the flirting. I’ve never…done that. I’m too likely to get…hurt,” she said all in one breath, afraid of his response.
“What I feel for you has nothing to do with games. You’re strong and funny. You’re beautiful and sexy, without even trying. You make me feel things that I’ve never felt. And all I want right now is to kiss you. But you gotta do it. It’s gotta come from you,” he said, his thumb now running over her lips.
With hope and a prayer, she leaned in the rest of the way and gave her lips to his.
The kiss started gently. The slow exploration of two people who seemed to have all the time in the world to discover each other. He moved his mouth over hers, relishing the feel of her soft lips against his. With a little pressure from his hand on the back of her neck, he angled her head for better access. Licking the seam of her lips, she opened her mouth on a groan which he felt all the way to his dick. Her arms found their way around his neck and he felt himself pulled closer.
He plunged his tongue into her mouth, exploring each crevice and tangling with hers. Sucking on her tongue she groaned again, this time causing his dick to swell uncomfortably, pushing against his zipper. He moved his hands to cup her face, holding her, cherishing her.
Her innocent kiss led him to wonder if she was innocent in other ways. Slowly he pulled back, immediately regretting the loss of her heat, but knowing she deserved better than to be mauled in the front seat of their SUV in the parking lot of an old gas station.
She mewled at the loss of his lips on hers. As he pulled away, she lifted her fingers to her mouth, feeling her swollen lips as they tingled. Her eyes sought his, afraid of what she would see. Disgust? Regret? Or worse, a cocky look of conquest.
As her gaze focused on his face and not just his lips, she saw…care. A slow smile. A look of…
“Annalissa,” he whispered her name and she loved the way it moved over her. “You deserve more than a kiss where we are now. But know this and take it down deep in your soul…you’re not just a job to me. But you are my mission. Keeping you safe. Keeping you happy. Keeping you.”
Her eyes widened again as she tried to understand what he was saying. “Vinny, I’m no good at this. I told you. You have to speak…plainly, so I get it,” she said.
“Okay, baby. Here it is. I want you and I want to see where this goes. You stopped being a job to me, but wanting to make you happy and wanting you with me, is my mission now.”
A slow smile spread across her face, illuminating the dark corners of his soul. Leaning over to kiss the end of her nose, he nodded toward the old gas pumps. “We’re here so I’m gonna fill up the car. It doesn’t look great but do you want to take a bathroom break?”
Receiving an enthusiastic nod from her, he pulled to the pumps and she went in to get the key. She walked around to the side of the building to enter the restroom. It was old and she was afraid of some of the bugs she saw under the sink. Quickly finishing, she hurried outside wanting to rejoin Vinny. Smiling to herself, she thought back to their kiss. He wants me? Me?
*
Suddenly, a hand clamped over her mouth while another hand snaked around her waist in a vice grip. Whirled around, she saw another man coming from the corner saying, “Keep her quiet. Get her in.”
Panic set in as she realized they intended to kidnap her. The hand on her mouth was too tight…keeping her from screaming…and breathing. Her feet stumbled as the assailant tried to pull her along causing him to shift her upwards in his arms, giving her the opportunity she needed. Biting as hard as she could on the finger that had slipped into her mouth was her only defense.
He yelled as he dropped her on the pavement. “Bitch!” he bit out. His partner raced back around the other side of the car towards her.
“Vinny!” she screamed as loudly as she could, scrambling up to her feet. A blur flew past her and she heard the sound of flesh hitting flesh. Continuing to move away from the car, she managed to get to her feet before turning around. Vinny had raced past her, landing a punch to the first man, breaking his nose from look of the blood that was spurting out, before whirling around and grabbing the second man around the neck. Squeezing tightly as he held the man, he growled, “Who sent you?” and with another jerk, added, “And I’d better like your answer.”
“Don’t…don’t know…” the man choked out.
“Wrong answer, asshole,” he bit out, fury pulsating through his veins. He had already been coming to see what was taking her so long when he heard her scream. Goddammit, I should never have let her out of my sight.
“Just…got…text…who to…,” the man tried to speak. Vinny let up slightly on his hold allowing the man to gasp out, “who to follow and get.”
Vinny reached in the man’s pocket pulling out his cell phone, quickly looking through the texts. There it was.
Follow blk SUV, l
ic TX6590319, get girl, text when accmpl
With a growl, he dropped the man to the pavement and pulled out plastic handcuffs, easily dispatching him as well. Stalking over to their car he grabbed the keys and popped the hood.
Annalissa had moved over to the gas station, leaning against the bricks. She watched as Vinny disabled both men and then cut hoses on the inside of their car. As he walked around, he bent low pulling out a knife from his boot, slicing all four tires. His chest heaved with adrenaline. Then he turned and speared her with his gaze, lifting one muscular arm.
That was all the invitation she needed. Flying across the pavement, she jumped into his arms, choking back a sob.
He enveloped her in his embrace, holding her fiercely, willing his rage to dissipate. His body shook as much as hers. This was different. This was no mission gone wrong. This was personal. All because of the beautiful woman crying in his arms.
Pressing her body as close to him as he could with one hand holding her head against his neck and the other arm wrapped around her waist, he cradled her. Making shushing sounds he comforted her, assuring her that they were fine.
“Baby, we gotta go. The gas station owner is an old man, but he’ll be coming around to see what’s going on soon. I’ve got their phone and we need to get somewhere so I can let Tony know what’s happening.”
She nodded against his neck and lifted her face. He set her down carefully, whispering, “Hold on to me like we’re lovers who just fuc…um…have been making out back here, in case he’s looking.” She gave him a curious look but did exactly what he asked. Wrapping her arm around his waist, she smiled brilliantly at him, giggling appropriately as they walked to the SUV.
Within another minute, they were back on the highway. Calling Tony, he looked at the clock. Tony had him on speaker instantly, having assembled their group back at the agency, knowing that at any time Vinny might need them.
Vinny quickly explained what had happened, hearing cursing in the background. The group began to quickly work the problem and plan the next step of the mission.
Giving Lily the phone number of the cell phone he had taken, she and BJ began working on tracing the phone and the calls to and from it.
Jobe said, “There’s no way this could be random at this point. A few people at each airport just randomly sending drugs in luggage aren’t going to have the resources to do this kind of reconnaissance. Gotta be bigger and it’s gotta be aimed at Ms. O’Brian. Someone knows exactly who has the drugs and is now actively searching for you two.”
Vinny agreed, asking, “Anything suspicious on that list of people who had access to the harp case before it left LA?”
Gabe answered, “Still working on it brother. By the time we added the stage crew to the ones that were in her inner circle, there were a lot of hands involved. But we’re on it, bro.”
“How’s she holding up?” Tony asked. “I got the feeling that she isn’t made of very strong stuff.”
Vinny glanced to the passenger side, seeing her pale face with slight bruises forming on her lips from the assailant’s hands. Dark circles were under her red-rimmed eyes, but she was still beautiful to him. And her fuckin’ chin was lifted. “She’s shaken, but okay,” he answered.
She jerked her head toward him, knowing he was referring to her, a small smile turning up the corners of her mouth.
“She’s a lot tougher than she looks,” he added.
“You want me to see if I can get a private pilot to meet you at some airstrip and get you here quicker?”
“Nah. It’s already getting late today and I want to stop soon to get some food in her and we’ll rest for the night. We can get through to Kentucky in several more hours and will stop at Louisville. Find us a place to stay and rent a room. I’ll get there and rent one too, but we’ll stay in your room as added protection.”
“What about tomorrow?” Tony asked.
“Yeah, see what airstrip is close to Louisville and we’ll meet someone tomorrow.”
As they ended the strategy call, Vinny tossed his cell into the cup holder between the two front seats and took her hand again.
“You said I was tougher than I look,” she said, smiling at the compliment. Watching his handsome profile, she could not take her eyes off of his lips. Strong. Soft. And wanting them back on hers.
“Lots of women would be screaming hysterically. Hell, lots of men would have been pissing in their pants. But you, girl, you bit that man, screamed for help and stayed out of my way to let me do what I had to do.” Squeezing her hand, he said, “I couldn’t have asked for more.”
He looked over at her, seeing her eyes focused on his lips. As angry as he still was about the attack, he felt his blood rush from his head to his dick. Oh hell no! “Babe, you staring at my lips like that makes me want to pull over again and take those lips and hell, take anything else as well. But I’m not doing it. Letting my guard down last time got you attacked and almost kidnapped. Not happening again.”
“That wasn’t your fault, Vinny.” Seeing him about to answer, she continued, “No, it wasn’t. I know I’m your mission and you never fail. But even you said this goes beyond a mission.”
“Never done this, Annalissa. Never mixed work and pleasure.” He thought for a moment and amended, “Not just pleasure. But feelings.”
Her smile grew, but she turned to look out of the front window at the woods surrounding them. The sun was almost set and she leaned back, closing her eyes. Her mind churned. Drugs, her crew, unknown assailants, her father, Todd, Gordon, Easnadh. And Vinny. He had just admitted to having feelings for her. And I have feelings for him too. Sleep was not going to come, but to not distract him she continued to sit quietly as the highway lines passed by.
Chapter 8
As they came to Louisville in the dark, Vinny called Tony and received the name of the hotel they were staying in and the closest car rental facility. “Room’s gonna be 113, on the back side. Lily’s got you a rental reserved at the local car rental. It’s under the name you used last year.”
Pulling off the highway, Vinny acknowledged the information. He and several of the others had various identifications, including driver’s licenses.
They made a quick stop at the rental facility, the young man behind the desk more interested in the ball game on his TV than he was seeing who was renting the car. He looked over at Annalissa after they had transferred their belongings to the smaller car. They had not stopped for supper, but then there had been little opportunity. There was an all-night pancake house next to the little hotel. Perfect. Not about to leave her alone again, they both walked into the lobby as he got a room on the first floor.
Parking near the room they were registered for, they unlocked the door and moved in. Vinny quickly turned down the covers, messing the sheets up as though they had had a quick fuck as soon as they got in. He wished his thoughts had not gone down that road, the idea of a romp with Annalissa immediately making him hard.
Forcing his thoughts back to the mission, he noticed her standing still to the side, watching him carefully. He walked into the bathroom and ran some water into the bathtub, splashing it on the sides, before getting the towels slightly wet as though they had been used. He rolled some toilet paper off the new roll and flushed it.
Walking back over to her, he looked down into her curious expression. “If anyone comes in while we’re getting something to eat, it’ll look like we’ve settled in here. We won’t be staying, but they won’t know that.”
Cupping her cheek with his large hand, he leaned down hesitating a breath away from her luscious lips. Your call, baby.
Rising on her tiptoes, she wrapped her hand around the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Latching her lips onto his, she relished the feel of them once again. The electricity shocked her right down to her toes, before coming back to her core.
Delving his tongue in once again, he lapped, sucked, and tasted all of her delectable mouth. Her hair fell like silk over his fingers and he pulled h
er body tightly against his. Her breasts, natural and perfect, crushed against his chest. One hand slid down to her ass, its globes filling his hands. Thoughts of all other women fled from his mind. There was no one. No one for him, but the beautiful woman in his arms.
“We gotta stop,” he said, capturing her moan with his mouth. Pulling away regretfully, he smiled at her pout. “I’ve gotta get some food in you and then we’ll get to the other room.”
Heaving a sigh she nodded, her stomach growling loudly giving away her hunger. He entwined her fingers with his as they walked to the pancake house.
Sitting in the brightly lit restaurant, Annalissa felt naked. Her eyes darted all around, nervous about being seen. Or approached. Or attacked. She jumped when she felt his hand cross the table, grasping hers.
“Easy, babe. I got you covered.” He met her questioning look and leaned forward. “We’re in a booth where I not only can see the door to this place, but I can see the front of the hotel where I left the car. Nothing’s happening, but remember if I tell you to do something, then—”
“I do it immediately,” she laughed as she finished his sentence for him. “I know. I just can’t help but think this is all so surreal. Two days ago I was just concerned with making sure my performance was perfect. Now…” her voice trailed off as she searched for the right words. “Now, everything’s topsy-turvy.”
Vinny had to chuckle at her choice of words, the realization of her innocence slamming into him once again. Innocent. I wonder if she is…
Their food arrived and they both ate heartedly. Even though he ate twice as much as she did, he was pleased to see her dig in. Finally sated, they headed back to the hotel. Opening up the door, he motioned for her to stay back. She waited by the door before he signaled for her to come in. Keeping quiet, she followed him through the room over to the window. He had her wait as he went back to their bags and inspected them carefully before zipping them back up.
Vinny: Alvarez Security Series Page 8