Blood Stains

by Sharon Sala

  She shivered with sudden longing. It wasn’t the first time looking at him had made her hot. He’d already made his plans for their future clear. The funny thing was, sometime over the past few days she’d begun to share his vision.

  As she watched the play of muscles in his arms and across his back, she wondered what it would be like to be with him, feeling the power of his body, the rush of blood and the push of urgency as he drove himself into her, over and over. Just the thought made her shudder with longing. It was a miracle to her that he could still flirt and look at her the way he did. After everything she’d put him through, not to mention the way she looked now, he should be disgusted by all he’d seen.

  But for whatever reason, he’d stayed steadfast, and she had come to appreciate him in ways she could never have imagined. He’d seen her through things that only a married couple would expect.

  At one point, one of the pain meds they gave her made her sick. She’d spent hours throwing up, and God love him, Bodie was by her side the whole time, holding up her head and grabbing for the pan.

  The first time she’d been able to get out of bed and walk to the bathroom on her own, he’d been the rock on which she’d leaned.

  The day the nurse announced she could go stand in the shower in her little bathroom instead of having another bed bath, it was Bodie who’d helped her back into a nightgown.

  She hadn’t seen the horror in his eyes when he’d first seen her naked body, but she could imagine it. The cuts and bruises, the tiny stitches and the staples in her head, which they’d finally removed, had all been vivid reminders of what she’d lived through. By the time he helped her back into bed, he had his emotions firmly back in control and his need to make someone pay even stronger.

  For Bodie, what they were going through together only cemented his belief that they were meant to be. If they could get through this without freaking each other out, nothing would ever get in their way.

  But for Maria, it was the knowledge that every time she woke up screaming, all she had to do was reach out and he was there.

  By the time the day came for her release, she was ready for the next phase of this crazy sexless affair. Just a look between them was all the proof they needed that making love was on their minds 24/7.

  Two days earlier, the plan for Maria’s release had gone quietly into action. All her belongings had secretly been moved from the hotel to Bodie’s home, but the room was still listed in her name.

  The chief was all over whatever plans they’d made. After finding out that Tank Vincent’s little black book had never turned up in evidence, it was apparent that Frank McCall had concealed it for his own profit. Probably blackmail.

  A sketch artist had come to the hospital and spent an entire afternoon with Maria before coming up with a sketch that Bodie immediately knew would be impossible to use. Even after computer aging technology, the face had been too generic, which was why they were now at this crossroad.

  A bait and switch.

  Tulsa P.D. officer Nora Watts was in Maria’s hospital room, checking herself out in the mirror while the others watched. She was wearing jeans and a blue blouse. She had on boots like the ones Maria favored, and was tucking a lock of her own blond hair beneath the dark brown wig, reminiscent of the style of Maria’s own hair.

  “How do I look?” she asked, posing for approval with all her makeup and bandages.

  “Better than Dave,” Bodie quipped.

  His partner glared. He was wearing a Bodie-style Stetson, jeans and a sports coat, along with boots like the ones Bodie wore. From a distance, they would easily pass as Bodie and Maria, which was the plan.

  “I don’t know how you stand these freakin’ boots,” Dave muttered.

  Bodie chuckled.

  “I’m ready,” Nora said, then turned and winked at Maria. “You get well, honey. I’ve got your back.”

  Maria made herself smile, but she was scared. Leaving the relative safety of the hospital was unnerving. But the plan was that the police escort waiting outside would take Nora/Maria back to the hotel under guard in the hopes that, if the killer was watching, waiting for another chance at her, he would make the mistake of picking on the policewoman instead.

  “Be careful,” Maria said.

  Nora looked back over her shoulder as she seated herself in the wheelchair.

  “Don’t worry about me. I have PMS and a gun.”

  Dave groaned. “Dang it, Nora…TMI. Too much information.”

  Their lighthearted manner eased the tension, and within moments the fake-out began.

  Dave jammed the Stetson down low on his head, grabbed the back of the wheelchair and pushed Nora out into the hall. A pair of armed and uniformed officers followed, leaving Maria and Bodie alone in the room.

  Sam was outside in his motor home, waiting for his part in the drama to unfold. Everyone and everything was in place. As soon as they got Nora on the road, they would slip out of the hospital unobserved.

  The media had been given word that the bombing survivor was being released. A couple of news vans were already out in the parking lot, hoping to get film of her leaving the hospital.

  Four police cruisers were waiting at the entrance, along with a big SUV with tinted windows. When an orderly appeared in the doorway wheeling a dark-haired woman toward the SUV, everyone’s attention shifted.

  Nora had donned a pair of dark glasses, too, and when she went to get up from the wheelchair and into the SUV, it appeared as if Bodie Scott, well known for his boots and Stetson, was there to help her in.

  Within moments, the small convoy drove out of the parking lot: two black and whites in front, the SUV in the middle, and two more black and whites behind. Both news vans followed as the procession began wending its way through the streets of Tulsa, back to the Doubletree Hotel.

  Franklin heard the news that the bombing victim was being released. He’d driven into a parking lot across the street, waiting and watching long enough to confirm the fact. His ire rose as he saw her being wheeled out of the hospital, then loaded into the SUV. When they drove away, he slipped into the busy city traffic and followed, making sure to stay at least a block or two behind. As they turned off the street and into the hotel driveway, he stopped on the street long enough to see Maria exit with the cowboy cop on her arm and walk into the hotel.

  Satisfied that he knew where she was, he drove away. There were plans to be made, but if all went as expected, by tomorrow, his troubles would be over.

  “Easy does it, honey,” Bodie—the real Bodie—said, as he helped her up the steps, then into the motor home.

  Sam was hovering. “I got you a pillow and a blanket, if you want to lie down while we’re driving.”

  During the past few days, Maria had grown accustomed to the presence of these men. One from her past. One from the present. Both joined in a common goal: to keep her safe. But she felt shaky. Standing up for just that short time had made her feel light-headed.

  “I think I will lie down.”

  Bodie helped her back to the tiny bedroom, then took off her shoes as she sat down on the side of the bed. He watched her ease herself down, but he knew her well enough now to know she was jumpy. However, it was an understandable reaction to leaving the safety of the hospital. Someone wanted her dead.

  “It’s going to be all right. I promise you,” he said softly.

  She pulled the fake cap of bandages off her head, then reached for his hand.

  “I’m scared, Bodie.”

  “Lie down, baby,” he said, then pulled the blanket up over her legs before he leaned down and kissed her square on the lips.

  “Trust me?”

  She’d spent a lot of time watching this man in action over the past few days. One thing she’d learned was that he was a man of his word.

  “Yes.”

  “Ready to go home?”

  They’d already crossed that bridge a couple of days ago, when he’d informed her that he was taking her to his house, that she was
no longer safe on her own.

  “Yes.”

  Sam poked his head in the door.

  “What can I do? You need anything else?”

  Maria smiled. “You’re taking care of it, Sam, just by helping me get home.”

  Sam nodded sternly, but he wanted to grin.

  “Bodie…you ready to go?”

  “Yeah. Just give me a minute to get to my car. You know the address. Head for my house. I’ll be behind you to make sure we aren’t followed.”

  “Got it,” Sam said, and lumbered back through the motor home to the front seat.

  Bodie looked down at Maria. There were so many things he wanted to say, but there would be time for that later.

  “I’ll be right behind you,” he promised.

  “I know. I’m okay,” she said.

  Bodie winked, then quickly made his exit.

  Sam shut and locked the door as he watched the lanky cop lope across the parking lot. As soon as Bodie got in his car, he called back to Maria, “We’re leaving now. Don’t worry, sugar baby. Uncle Sammy will take good care of you.”

  Maria sighed, then closed her eyes. Sugar baby. He’d always called her by that pet name. The fact that she remembered now was such a gift.

  The old motor home began to move, slightly rocking the bed on which Maria was lying, but she didn’t care. It felt a little bit like being rocked to sleep, which seemed like a good idea. So she pulled up the covers and closed her eyes.

  By the time darkness fell on Bodie Scott’s house, Sam’s motor home was parked at the back of the property and hooked up to an outside electric pole. Bodie had invited Sam to sleep inside, but Sam had turned him down.

  “I’ve slept in this old bus plenty of times before. It suits me. Besides, it’ll give us an edge. I’ll have eyes on the outside of your house while you’re inside with Mary. If I see something fishy, I’ll call your cell.”

  As far as Bodie knew, Maria was still asleep in her bed in the back of the house. He was in the kitchen, cleaning up from their dinner. The television was playing in the living room. He could hear bits and pieces of whatever was on but was more tuned in to the night sounds of his house.

  He was pretty sure their plan to sneak Maria from the hospital without being seen had been successful, but he wasn’t at the point of being willing to bet her life.

  His parents had been planning on coming up this weekend and taking him out to dinner, but he’d put them off with a promise to reschedule later, claiming work-related duties that couldn’t be avoided.

  He would have loved to have them meet Maria—and for Maria to meet them. But not now. He took no chances when it came to involving his family in his work, and until this case was over, Maria was off-limits to everyone but him.

  He was putting the last pan in the dishwasher when he heard a noise behind him and turned around.

  Maria was standing in the doorway, pale but upright, which was a truly amazing sight.

  “Baby! Did you call? I’m so sorry. I was running the water and didn’t hear you. What do you need?”

  “I didn’t call. I don’t need anything. I just felt like moving around a little, and I wanted to see you.”

  “So here I am,” he said, and pulled her gently into his embrace. “God…you feel so good in my arms. There was a time when I was afraid I’d never hold you again.”

  Maria wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into his chest.

  “Who knew all this would happen? I’ve been in Tulsa nearly two weeks now and spent seven…”

  “Eight,” Bodie corrected.

  “…eight days of that time in a hospital. I just want to feel normal again.”

  He laid his cheek against her head, taking care not to get close to the healing cuts, and closed his eyes.

  “You feel pretty normal to me,” he said.

  She laughed softly. “I can’t believe you’re still making passes at me. I look like a used target on turkey-shoot day.”

  Bodie pulled back with a grin. “You do not.” Then he frowned. “Have you ever been to a turkey-shoot?”

  “I won a turkey-shoot.”

  His grin widened. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously. About five years ago. I think I was all of nineteen. Horrified Bud. It was the one and only time I outshot him, but he’s never lived it down.”

  Bodie laughed. “Like I said before…my folks are going to love you.”

  Maria tugged at his hand. “Come sit down in the living room with me. Tell me about them. I might actually want to meet them one of these days.”

  He rolled his eyes. “You can keep telling yourself this isn’t serious, but you and I both know you’d be lying. I’m serious as a heart attack, Maria. I want you, woman. In my life. For the rest of my life.”

  Maria’s heart jumped. That was a pretty serious vow for the short time they’d known each other, but she was in total agreement. He just didn’t know it.

  He led the way into the living room, then settled onto the sofa beside her. When he turned to face her, he reached for her hands.

  “Here’s the deal, love. Are you much of a gambler?”

  Maria frowned. “As in cards and money?”

  “Not particularly. I mean as in…taking chances when you feel like something is right. Like maybe with your horses.”

  “Oh. Yes, I guess I am. There have been horses that everyone told me couldn’t be trained, but something in me knew that wasn’t true. Between the two of us, we would always prove them wrong.”

  “Yeah. Like that. Gut instinct. Well, that’s how I feel about you. Doesn’t matter how long we’ve known each other. I just know we’re a pair. I’ll willingly wait as long as it takes for you to get into that mind-set, but I’m not willing to let you go.”

  “We’ve never even made out…let alone made love,” Maria said.

  He pretended a huge, heartfelt sigh. “If it hadn’t been for that damned bomber, that situation would already have been rectified.” Then he wiggled his eyebrows and grinned.

  He was crazy, which she loved. But to be fair, there was something he needed to know. She rubbed her thumbs across his knuckles, then looked him straight in the eyes.

  “I’ve dreamed about making love with you.”

  His eyes widened. “Was I good?”

  She laughed. “Mind-blowing.”

  He shuddered. “Lord, woman. Don’t put any more thoughts into my head than what I’m already dealing with.”

  “X-rated?” she asked.

  “No way. What kind of a man do you think I am?” he said, then leaned forward. “Triple-X…at least.”

  Their foreheads touched.

  She felt the heat from his body. There was an energy between them that was almost audible—like a low, urgent hum. She knew that making love with this man would be, at the least, explosive.

  “Just get well, then you watch out,” he whispered.

  “Will you sleep with me tonight?”

  He grunted, as if he’d just been punched, then drew back and stared into her eyes.

  “I will lie with you. I will hold you. But tonight…nothing more.”

  She sighed. “How about tomorrow night?”

  “Damn, woman. Are you trying to kill me here? I’m doing my best to be sensible. You just got out of the hospital.”

  Her voice trembled. “And I’m doing my best to remember what living is about.”

  He lifted a lock of her hair away from her forehead, then ran his finger down the side of her face to her lips. Now he understood.

  “Because you came too close to dying, didn’t you, baby?”

  “I know I’m alive. But I want to feel it, too.”

  “I can make that happen,” he said.

  And just like that, he stood up, scooped her into his arms and carried her back to his bed, set her on the side of the mattress, then began taking off her clothes.

  Maria’s heart started to race, but when she was naked and he still hadn’t removed anything but his shoes, she caught
his hand.

  “You next.”

  “No. Tonight is just for you.”

  Nineteen

  M aria slowly eased herself back onto the mattress, then resisted the urge to pull up the sheets.

  Bodie saw her reticence and stopped.

  “If this feels wrong, I’ll stop right now.”

  “No.” She pulled him down beside her. “I just wish we’d done this before, when my body was all in one piece and one color.”

  “You’re beautiful,” he said softly, and kissed the hollow at the base of her throat, feeling the pulse of lifeblood beneath his lips.

  “You’re alive.” He kissed the bruise on her shoulder, then the one above her right breast.

  “You take my breath.” His lips moved across her stomach, kissing every cut and every bruise that he saw.

  “You stole my heart. Let me love you, Maria mine.”

  She shivered, but pulled him to her, giving him the access for which he asked.

  “Close your eyes,” he whispered, then swept his hand downward across her face.

  She did as he requested, leaving herself blind and defenseless.

  His breath was warm on her skin, but his kisses were scorching. By the time he got to her belly button, she was trembling.

  Then he rose up on one elbow and looked down at her.

  “Did I miss a place?” he asked.

  She put a hand to her mouth.

  He swooped.

  Maria moaned, then cupped the back of his head with one hand and his shoulder with the other. She wanted him closer—deeper—forever. A coil of need was building in her belly as he parted her legs and found the nub between that was the beginning and end of detonation.

  Maria’s body arched against the pressure, which he obligingly increased. She moaned beneath her breath, as his fingers parted her feminine folds, then circled and stroked, circled and stroked, the tiny nub until it was hot and pulsing. She couldn’t think, couldn’t speak. She couldn’t think to give back. There was no time for anything but remembering to draw her next breath. Then she blanked out to everything but the feeling.