Becki had tossed and turned for the last several hours. She listened to the wind howl outside and thought about how thankful she was for Royce’s insistence that he stay with her tonight-- even if he was on the couch and she was wrapped up like a cocoon, all alone in her bed.
“Stop it,” she said aloud. Counting sheep was rumored to help combat insomnia. However, she was now at 1,197 and not one bit closer to closing her eyes than she had been two hours ago. The bedside clock said 3:30 AM. The storm was weakening and the sun would soon be popping up over the horizon, which meant Royce would soon be leaving.
Becki was still not sure where things stood with them. Sure she was attracted to him, and she knew he was attracted to her; but honestly, where did things go from here? She was not interested in a fling. She had plenty of offers for temporary company. She was not interested in a hook-up, but was afraid to hope for something more with Royce. Her heart could not stand being broken yet again.
Suddenly, a loud crash sounded just outside her window! Becki screamed!
Royce heard the noise immediately followed by Becki’s scream. His feet hit the floor at a dead run with his heart in his throat. He burst into her room without bothering to knock.
There she sat, in the middle of her bed, wearing pink frilly pajamas with her hair pulled up high on her head, and her eyes as big as silver dollars. Judging by the dark circles under her wide eyes, she had not had any better luck sleeping than he.
“That sounded close! I hate storms,” Becki said with a shiver.
Gone was the “I’ll be fine” bravo of a few hours ago, replaced by the “scared shitless wimp” she really was when faced with lightning and thunder.
Royce didn’t need an engraved invitation. He stalked straight to the bed and climbed in beside Becki. He pulled her body up against his turning her to face away from him as he scooted down into the covers lining her head up with the soft pillow. Then he whispered, “Go to sleep, sweetheart. I’ve got you. I’ll take care of everything. Just close your eyes and go to sleep.”
“Ok,” she said, already half way there. She had not slept one minute during the long night. Between thinking of Royce lying on her couch, wondering what she could possibly have been thinking to insist he sleep all the way out there and being afraid of the storm, she was completely exhausted.
Snuggling more deeply into his arms, she closed her eyes and mumbled, “Goodnight Royce.” The words barely passed her lips before she promptly dozed off.
Royce pulled the covers over her bare shoulder and tightened his hold on her just the tiniest bit. Sleep did not come for Royce, but he was used to sleepless nights. In his line of work, all-night surveillance was not uncommon, and back-to-back twenty-four-hour shifts were more frequent than he cared to admit.
This was more enjoyable than pulling surveillance duty though, much more enjoyable, he thought with a smile.
* * * *
CHAPTER FIVE Becki awoke to the smell of bacon-- bacon? Bacon equaled breakfast. Breakfast equaled morning. She didn’t do mornings. Pulling a pillow over her head, she closed her eyes and tried to convince herself that she was dreaming. It was working fabulously too, until a sexy, low voice called from the doorway.
“Wake up sleeping beauty. Breakfast is served.” Becki forced one eye open to peek from under her pillow. She saw Royce leaning casually against the door frame with arms crossed and lips curved in a sexy smile. He made her heart race, and thinking of the past few hours spent wrapped in his arms made her tingle all over. Royce had spent the night with her, protected her throughout the storm, and behaved like a perfect gentleman. Darn it!
“Ugh, what time is it?” Becki grumbled, allowing the pillow to fall back down, covering her face again.
Becki felt the bed dip as Royce sat down beside her. He gently pried the pillow from her fingers and away from her face. Just her luck! Sexyas-sin was right there within reach, and she had puffy eyes, messy hair, and morning breath.
“Go away, Royce. I’m not a morning person, and I look like something the cat dragged in,” she said attempting to turn her back to him. As it turned out, she was unable to move as the blankets were wrapped tightly around her, and Royce was currently sitting on one end of them.
“You are starting to give me a complex,” he complained, “always telling me to go away. Besides, you look beautiful,” Royce said with a smile.
“Have you had your eyes tested lately?” Becki groused.
“My eye sight is perfect, thank you. Get a move on gorgeous. Breakfast is on the table. I have about twenty minutes before I have to meet Sean, Kurt, and Landon downtown.”
“Oh, I see! They can know all about your ‘super-secret’ business, but I can’t,” Becki pouted.
“It’s a guy thing,” Royce teased.
He lifted her hand to his lips for a quick kiss, and then tugged gently as he stood.
“Come on, lazybones,” he encouraged. “Have breakfast with me before I have to go.”
“Ok, give me just a minute.”
“The clock is ticking,” he said as he tapped his watch.
I’ll be right there,” Becki promised. After all, what girl in her right mind would rather sleep than spend time with a hardbody like Royce?
“I’ll make the coffee,” Royce added as he turned to make his way back to the kitchen.
“Oh, my God!” Becki caught sight of her reflection in the mirror hanging above her dresser.
Her hair stuck out in all directions, makeup streaks smeared her face, and she had a deep “sleep wrinkle” in her cheek.
Rolling her eyes, she “huffed” at the unfairness of it all. She stuck her feet in pink fuzzy slippers, slid her arms in a short pink terry-cloth robe, and sailed to the bathroom to repair as much of the damage as she could.
Moments later, morning breath effectively scrubbed and gargled away, hair tamed and piled in a messy bun on top of her head, Becki sashayed to the kitchen. Sitting in the middle of her kitchen table was a complete breakfast: a stack of golden pancakes, bacon, orange juice, and a vase of fresh flowers.
“Whew! Someone’s been busy this morning. I’m impressed,” Becki said as she breezed in struggling to act as if this were not the most romantic thing that had ever happened to her. Man-o-man, she could get used to this! Come to think of it, this was the second morning in a row she had been surprised by Royce. Of course, yesterday he had been wearing nothing but a miniscule towel.
“I ran to the grocery and checked on things outside,” Royce said as he pulled out a chair for her to sit in. “A few of the surrounding houses are missing shingles, but you seem to have pulled through with very little damage. The crash we heard last night was your neighbor’s carport blowing down. It landed on the fence between your two houses. I’ll let Ryker know when I talk to him. I’m sure it can be easily repaired.”
“Thank you, kind Sir,” Becki said batting her eyelashes playfully at Royce.
“You are most welcome, my Lady,” Royce said with a low bow. Straightening, he grabbed the coffee pot asking, “Black or candied?”
“I like lots of cream, tons of sugar, and whipped cream-- of course,” Becki said innocently. As the words left her mouth, her face flamed with color. Royce--and whipped cream-- together? The possibilities were endless. “Um-, never mind,” Becki amended quickly, wishing she could press a recall button on her last comment. “I think I’m out,” she mumbled, suddenly interested in the pancakes on her plate.
Royce cleared his throat and called her out, “You are lucky I only have about ten minutes before I need to leave, or I would prove you a liar.”
Becki snatched her glass of orange juice and took a big gulp, while she tried to think of a way to change the subject.
Her plan was a dismal failure the moment Royce added, “I guarantee you would enjoy it.”
Becki choked as orange juice went down the wrong pipe!
“I’m sorry,” Royce quickly apologized as he handed her a glass of water.
If the sparkl
e in his eyes was any indication, he didn’t seem too sorry. Thankfully, her coughing jag didn’t last long. After she settled back down, they were able to finish breakfast without further incident.
“Sorry to leave you with the mess,” he apologized, taking a long swallow of orange juice. “Next time you cook and I’ll clean up.”
Next time? Becki felt butterflies in her stomach and decided against eating that third pancake she had been eyeing.
“Mmmm that was delicious,” Becki said as she gathered her dishes and moved to the sink. She was rinsing the sticky syrup from her plate when Royce reached around her to do the same. Becki’s hands began to shake as she felt his warm breath caress the nape of her neck.
“Becki,” he whispered, his lips moving against the soft-spot just below her ear. “I loved waking up with you in my arms. I know there is a lot you don’t understand. There are things I can’t tell you. But I’m asking you to trust me. I feel happier when I’m with you than I’ve ever felt in my life. I want to be the man who makes you happy; the man who walks with you on the beach under the stars.” Becki heard a smile in his voice as he added, “I want to be the one to make-out with you under the pier, and anything else you can think of. I want you to be with me…only me.”
Becki closed her eyes as she leaned her head back letting it rest on Royce’s shoulder. “I would like that,” she admitted. “I would like that a lot.”
“Good,” Royce said grazing her ear with his teeth.
Becki caught her breath. She was assaulted with sensation as he followed the line of her neck with his lips.
“Perfect timing,” he said sarcastically when his cell started buzzing. He released her to answer the call.
“I’ll call you back in a minute!”
Reaching around Becki, he turned off the water that was still running in the sink. “I have to go. Walk me to the door, and kiss me goodbye,” he bossed, linking his fingers with hers to pull her toward the front door.
“Thanks for staying with me. I would have been a little scared to be here all by myself last night,” Becki admitted as she opened the front door.
“I know,” Royce said with a smile.
Becki stuck her tongue out imitating a bratty child. “How does it feel to always be right, O-Wise-One?” she asked.
“Good!” he joked, pulling her in close for a quick kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”
Becki couldn’t take her eyes off him as he sauntered down the steps and climbed into his red Corvette. That was one wicked-hot man in one wicked-hot car. She couldn’t wait to drive it! She also couldn’t wait for that walk on the beach he had promised!
Darn it! Why couldn’t Natie live closer? Becki felt like stomping her foot in frustration. She wanted to sit on her porch with her sister and talk about the sexy man who had just driven away.
Since Natie was on her way home to Indiana this morning, a phone conversation would have to suffice.
# “What’s up, Becki? Is everything ok?” Natie answered her phone with panic in her voice.
“Yes. Everything’s fine…just fine,” Becki reassured her. “I wanted to make sure you and Jonah got started back home this morning as planned. The storm wasn’t much of a storm, was it? How were things downtown last night? Did you get much rain? You didn’t lose power at the hotel, did you? What time--”
“Becki!” Natie interrupted her sister mid-sentence. She could always tell when Becki was upset about something because she talked a-mile-aminute.
“What?!” Becki fired back.
“It’s eight o’clock- in the morning,” Natie said as if that explained everything.
“So? Your point?” Becki returned belligerently.
“Well, let me see…most days you are barely coherent at noon. Unless I missed something, I didn’t see anything in the headlines this morning about the end of the World, and I’m pretty sure you didn’t call me at this hour to discuss the weather. Now, what is going on?”
“It’s Royce,” Becki confided in a rush. “He spent the night.”
“Alright! You go girl!” Natie applauded.
“He slept on the couch,” Becki quickly clarified.
“The couch? What the hell--? Are you crazy?”
“Glad I called you for the pep talk,” Becki complained.
“Sorry. I’m--forget it. And--? You were saying?” Natie prompted.
“He fixed breakfast,” Becki continued, “and then-- he asked me out on a date,” she finished in a rush.
“That’s great!” Natie cheered. “He seems like a really nice guy, Becki. I’m happy for you, and he’s hot as hell. I think you should go for it--see where things lead. The flowers were beautiful, by the way. Didn’t you think?”
“I just don’t know if I’m up to going through all the motions only to get hurt again,” Becki confessed. “You know I have a hard time trusting men. I’m not interested in getting all tied in knots over someone who ends up being completely different than the person he seemed to be at the beginning of the relationship.”
“Oh, Becki, just take it slow,” Natie advised. She knew, better than anyone, how badly Becki had been hurt in the past. “Don’t over-think this. Have some fun and see where things go.”
“I guess,” Becki said with little-or-no conviction.
“If you never take a chance on anyone, you will be alone for the rest of your life.” Natie took the gloves off, so to speak. “Is that what you want?” Natie asked softly.
“Of course not,” Becki answered.
“Well, then--”
“I’ll think about it,” Becki agreed. “Did you and Sean go straight home last night?” she asked, changing the subject. “I kind of got the feeling he was interested in spending some ‘alone time’ with you.”
“Jonah and I have been on the road for about an hour,” Natie said quickly.
“O. K…I’ll take that as a no,” Becki said with a smile. The fact that Natie had not immediately answered “yes” gave Becki hope. “You had better call me the minute you get home,” Becki threatened. “I want the gory details.”
“Alright. Well, our exit is just ahead so I need to go. I’ll call you when we get home to let you know we made it safely.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Becki laughed. “You guys be careful.”
“We will,” Natie agreed. “Just relax, ok? Enjoy the unexpected…and keep me informed!” Natie insisted before she hung up.
Eight fifteen in the morning! Before today, Becki hadn’t even known those particular numbers were on her clock. She might as well get in the shower since she had promised to run downtown and pick up candy for the girls. Clarissa, Leann, and Mandy were planning a sleepover with friends tonight. They didn’t have school tomorrow because it was a “teacher workday”.
Becki yawned. Then again, maybe there was time for a quick nap before venturing downtown. Her shift started at six o’clock this evening, and she didn’t expect to get off until eleven o’clock at the very earliest. Yes, definitely time for a quick nap.
# “Sean, where are we supposed to meet Kurt and Landon this morning?” Royce asked as he crested the top of the Cooper River Bridge. He had not called back immediately. After leaving Becki this morning, he needed a few minutes to let his mind clear before talking with Sean. Holding her while she slept had felt like coming home after a long journey: comfortable, natural, wonderful.
“Hi boss, I’ve been calling you for the last hour. I was starting to think you were going to be a no-show,” Sean teased.
“Bullshit, you know better--where and when?” Royce asked.
“Since they are meeting us here, I ran out and grabbed some doughnuts this morning. Kurt just called though and said he and Landon were running late. They wanted to stop somewhere to pick up some old maps of Charleston Harbor. We are going to compare the paper copies with the digital copies I have. From what they were telling me last night, we suspect the digital copies have been altered. Uh, how was Becki this morning?” Sean bravely asked.
> “None of your damn business,” Royce said effectively shutting down the conversation before it began.
“Got it,” Sean backed off immediately but a grin covered his face.
“Have you heard from Joanna?” Royce asked. “She is supposed to be in this afternoon, right?”
His sister was going to have to remove the spell currently cloaking the coin if they wanted to get this mission wrapped up anytime soon. If what Sean said was true, the digital maps they had been using might have been previously altered. That could indicate someone had gone to great lengths to hide something. Sean’s computers and other techno gadgetry were vital to their mission, but sometimes you just couldn’t beat plain old paper and pencil.
Entering the condo a few minutes later, Royce announced, “I’m gonna hit the shower before Kurt and Landon get here. I need you to find that sister of mine,” he called to Sean as he crossed the living room, moving toward his bedroom.
“I’ll see what I can do, Boss. Kurt and London should be here in forty-five minutes,” Sean reminded Royce as he reached for his laptop.
With a few keystrokes, Sean activated Joanna’s microchip. Each team member had agreed to the implant for their safety as well as that of their team members. Sean could monitor their individual locations and route help quickly if a mission became compromised, or one of them needed assistance. The system had proved invaluable when coordinating the movement of team members during critical situations. He was always careful not to impose in personal space, so the chips were deactivated unless they were on a mission. The chip hadn’t seemed to work well if the host, or team member, was submerged underwater. Who would have thought? The tracking system obviously needed some modifications. However, Sean didn’t have time to work on that right now. The first item on his agenda was finding that coin!
Sean found himself thinking about Natie and her poor-excuse-for-aboy-friend. Jonah didn’t deserve her. Natie was the kind of girl most guys would kill for. Sean certainly would. He had instinctively pulled her close when she began crying on the way home, and she hadn’t pulled away. Natie had stayed right where she landed: at his side, their thighs touching and hands linked together like teenagers on their first date. He had been in Heaven.
Treasure Tides (The Coins) Page 11