If Tomorrow Never Comes (Harper Falls Book 2)

by Williams, Mary J.

  "The garage is new, in fact, it was just finished last month. So since it was an add on to the original plans, the entrance is right by the barracks. Which, since I'm living here, is convenient for me."

  "I can't believe you gave me some sob story about how you were roughing it out here. I pictured you heating your water over a campfire and rusty old cots, mattresses infested with God knows what kind of vermin."

  The truth was so far from her imaginings that she had to take a moment, let it all sink in. It was barracks, but like none she'd ever seen. The floors gleamed, and if she wasn't mistaken it was highly polished cement—the color of ebony. The bunks, if you could call them that, didn't have those thin little mattresses that you saw in the movies. No, these were thick and—Dani bounced once, then twice—really, really comfortable.

  "Neither Jack nor Drew were ever in the military. But Jack did go to football camp when he was in high school. He came home complaining about how uncomfortable the beds had been. When designing this place, it was the one thing he wouldn't budge one. On the off chance he ever had to sleep here, he wanted his back to survive the night."

  "It's hard to argue with that kind of logic. What is the bathroom like?"

  With a grin, Alex led the way.

  "I'm surprised you ever get those guys you train to leave," Dani said. The bathroom had been way more than functional. It was like stepping into a high-end workout facility.

  "No one complains, that's for sure. And the food? I couldn't believe it at first, but they hire a caterer, three meals a day, plus the kitchen is always open if you want to grab a snack. And then there's this."

  Alex opened two doors on the far side of the room. Dani peered in.

  "A full sized refrigerator?"

  At the moment, it was stocked with every kind of nonalcoholic beverage you could imagine, some of which she had never heard of. Juice, soda, milk. You name it, it was there.

  "They're basically just little boys, aren't they," Dani mused. "Where are the Play Stations and sixty-inch flat screen TVs?"

  "Well, not in here," he assured her. "Those are in the game room down the hall."

  "Of course, what was I thinking? This room is for sleeping, illustrated by those automatic blinds on the windows." Dani crossed her arms, a look of amazement on her face. "I thought you guys were supposed to be up with the sun. I saw Private Benjamin, there aren't supposed be curtains."

  "This isn't the Army, and technically neither was Private Benjamin. Hello, movie. But just so you don't think we're too soft, I don't cover the windows while the crew is here. I take training seriously. Jack and Drew can provide all the niceties they want, I expect hard work."

  "That's my good soldier, spread the discipline." She saw the teasing light leave his eyes. "What? Was it the soldier reference?"

  "No, baby, I'm fine with that. But it does in a roundabout way have something to do with how this evening started." He took her hand. "Come into the lounge and I'll explain."

  Dani didn't even bother to explore the room Alex ushered her into. She could tell it was more of the same, over the top luxury, but right now she was more worried about who bugged her home and why.

  "You think this is about you, your job in the Army?"

  "That seems like the most likely theory."

  Alex settled her on the sofa and got them both a bottle of water from behind the ice cream bar.

  "Okay, before we get into this, just one more thing. That looks like an old fashioned soda fountain. Honestly?" This stuff just never stopped. "I know I keep saying that, but come on. How many flavors do they stock?"

  He handed her the ice cold bottle before sitting beside her.

  "There were fifteen when the recruits were here. And yes, I counted. Right now it's down to chocolate, vanilla, and butter pecan. Oh, and a bunch of odd brand yogurt."

  "Jack keeps that around for Rose."

  "Is there a story I'm missing?"

  "Yes," Dani nodded, "but mine first. What don't I know, Alex, and how much can you tell me?"

  "I'll tell you what I know, and that isn't much."

  Alex went on to explain his meeting with Jack. They had hashed out half a dozen ideas, plots, theories. Call it what you wanted, it didn't matter. The one they kept coming back to, the only one that made any sense, was it having something to do with Alex.

  "But why? What could anyone possibly think you'd be up to that was worth listening in on, worth taking the risk of getting caught putting those things in? You're retired, you're completely out of military intelligence." Dani gave his a speculative look. "You are, aren't you?"

  "One hundred percent," he assured her. "But people hold grudges. I made some enemies, both in and out of the Army. I'd hate to think it was someone in military command, but I can't rule out any idea at this point."

  "So what do we do?"

  "Keep our eyes open, be vigilant. Jack and I put some of our people on my sister and your family. I really don't think they're in any danger," Alex quickly added. "If at some point that changes, we'll let them know, but for now I think it's best to keep it between us and Jack."

  "And Rose and Tyler."

  "Yes." He knew there was no point arguing. The three women told each other everything, why should this be any different?

  "And Drew."

  That threw him but just for a second.

  "Of course, and Drew."

  "I knew it," Dani exclaimed.

  "What?" Well, shit.

  "I knew the moment you made up that stupid excuse about Drew getting a hotel room, that something was up. The way you grabbed my phone, the cryptic conversation, and he didn't sound like he had been drinking."

  "Damn it, Dani—"

  "And if he had been? You never would have left his safety to chance. You would have gotten on your bike and gone after him, ASAP."

  "I—"

  "Do you deny it?"

  "No, but listen." He took her chin in his hand, waiting until she was looking him right in the eye. "This is not about you, or me. If it were, I'd tell you in a heartbeat. As it is, you know more than you should, which means I've broken my promise to Jack."

  She could tell how much that bothered him; a promise to Alex was a sacred thing.

  "I guessed, you didn't tell me."

  "Same difference. I'm trained to keep secrets, Dani. The CIA should recruit you, you'd have the enemies talking before lunch."

  "First of all, thanks, but let's not get carried away. Second. The CIA? No, thank you. And third, I know why you and Jack want to keep this on the QT; you're afraid we'll tell Tyler. Which means Drew must be in danger or it wouldn't matter."

  "First," Alex began, mimicking her. "You are that good. Second, I agree about the CIA. And third, you would tell Tyler. That's already been established. And it's why I'm not telling you anything more. If you don't know, you won't have to break your girl code thing."

  "You know that Jack is telling Rose, probably already has."

  "That's up to Jack, I stand by my promise."

  And she loved him for it. But since she wasn't ready to say it and he most certainly wasn’t ready to hear it, she asked him one more question about Drew before dropping the subject—at least for now.

  "Is he in danger?"

  Alex thought about that for a minute.

  "If he is, and I'm not saying he is, any danger he might encounter is of his own making."

  "Well, that's not the least bit confusing." Dani had more to say, but she'd promised herself to let it go.

  "Now back to our feature presentation. What can we do? I don't like the idea of passively waiting, looking around corners. And I just had a thought." Dani sat up straighter. "What about my car?"

  "Checked out and clean."

  "Okay." She settled back.

  Alex picked up her hand, kissing the back. She was taking all of this better than he would have expected. Not that he thought she would break down into a sobbing heap. Dani had a rod of steel in her. She questioned, prodded a little, but didn
't overreact. Still, finding out your home had been bugged wasn't an everyday occurrence. If she had wanted to freak out a little, it would have been her due.

  "As to what's being done, I've made some calls. There are still a few people that I trust implicitly. They will do some discreet checking."

  "So it's going to pretty much be wait and see." Dani frowned. "I don't like it, Alex."

  "Neither do I, but at the moment, it's all I've got." Alex kissed her softly. "I'm sorry if my crap is coming back on you. Now do you understand why I left you?"

  No, I do not. And she never would, but it didn't seem like the time to get into that.

  "How is this your fault? You take too much on yourself, Alex. You can't control what other people choose to do."

  But knowing it doesn't help me feel less guilty.

  "I have an idea." Dani scooted closer. "Waiting has never been my long suit, so what do you say we find some creative ways to pass the time."

  "Any ideas?" Of course Alex knew where this was going. His body was already on full alert. But the teasing, the anticipation, was part of the fun.

  "I don't know, soldier." Dani whipped off her shirt. Her bra was lacy and a pale pink, a perfect veil for her slightly darker nipples. "If you could while away a few hours doing anything your heart desires, what would it be?"

  "Well." He licked his lips, his eyes glued to the hardening nubs. "We tried hang-gliding."

  "That we did." Dani slid one strap off her shoulder.

  "I always wanted to learn how to make the perfect souffle´, but at this time of night, who would I get to teach me?"

  "Hmm, problematic," Dani agreed as the other strap joined the first.

  "Now sex…"

  "Yes?" She reached behind her back, her fingers pausing, one step from undoing the hooks.

  "If done right, sex can take your mind off just about anything." Alex swallowed hard, his breathing labored, almost ragged. He was trying to will that scrap of material to fall away. When it finally did, he was certain he'd never seen a prettier sight.

  "But it has to be done right," she tossed the bra aside, her hands coming up to cup her firm, full breasts. She held them, silently inviting him to enjoy her offering. "Do you think you're up to the task?"

  Alex moved, his mouth hovering a scant inch from the straining, flushed tip she presented.

  "I think it was just yesterday that I proved to a certain lady that I was up for anything she had in mind."

  "Maybe." Dani gasped at the first swipe of his tongue, then moaned when he pulled her nipple into his mouth. "Maybe you should remind her." She sighed, threading her fingers through his soft, dark hair—pulling him closer. When it came to Alex, there was no such thing as too close.

  Alex let the hard, wet bud slip from between his lips giving it a soft kiss before moving to its twin. He paused, his eyes, deep, molten chocolate, meeting her deep emerald gaze.

  "Distracting you for hours? It will be my pleasure."

  WHEN ALEX HAD said hours, he wasn't exaggerating.

  There was no faulting his stamina, or technique, or the way he left her limp and thoroughly satisfied. She wanted nothing more than to snuggle down in his arms, her body still humming from multiple orgasms. Instead, she kissed his shoulder and stood—then froze.

  "Were we just filmed?" It hadn't even occurred to her when they were going at it hot and heavy that there were security cameras everywhere. Great if you wanted to stop vandals, thieves, and the occasional ninja, but not so great when you just had sex on the game room sofa.

  "I'll have Jack wipe it in the morning."

  "You will not," Dani cried, hands on naked hips, her glorious hair a beautiful mess of tangles and curls.

  "You want to save it?" Alex teased. "I'm sure it's hot, damn hot."

  "Of course I want to get rid of it. Have you ever seen those home sex tapes? No one looks good."

  "That's the reason you want it wiped?" Alex laughed. "Because you're afraid you were caught from a bad angle? Trust me, baby, you don't have any."

  Dani snatched up his t-shirt and pulled it on. She was getting chilly and if they were going to have a long debate, she needed some covering. Apparently, Alex didn't have the same problem. He seemed quite comfortable sprawled out and naked. Not that it was a hardship to look at all that hard muscled male flesh, but he was a bit of a distraction. A really, really gorgeous distraction.

  "Everybody has bad angles, especially on those digital cameras. But that isn't the point. I want the feed wiped, but not by Jack. That would be way too embarrassing."

  "Even if he promises not to peek?"

  Dani looked at him as if he had just grown two heads.

  "I know he wouldn't—it's Jack." Which pretty much said it all. "But he would know. How could I look him in the face after that?"

  Alex hid his smile, figuring she wouldn't appreciate him laughing at what she considered a serious situation, but it wasn't easy. She was so earnest, so worried. He tried to think of something to say that would lessen her discomfort.

  "Jack won't bat an eye. Can you imagine how many times he's had to do the same thing when he and Rose got carried away? You know how they are, they can barely keep their hands off each other. I doubt there are more than three or four rooms in the whole place that they haven't put their stamp on, so to speak."

  "And you think that makes me feel better?"

  "I'd hoped it would."

  Alex stood up and took her into his arms. He brushed her temple with a kiss, then repeated it on her lips, this one lingering.

  "Jack's our only option, baby. I can't do it, I wouldn't know where to start. A couple clicks of the keyboard and our XXX movie debut will be no more. Jack will be discreet. I doubt he'll bring it up more than once or twice a month and never around strangers."

  "Thank you," she said sarcastically. "You've done wonders to ease my mind. But you're right, we have no choice. So I'm going to take a shower before bed, and no, you aren't invited."

  "There aren't any cameras in the bathroom," he called after her, chuckling.

  He was looking around for his left sock when Dani stuck her head back in the room.

  "I was wondering," she said, eyes sparkling with what he recognized as Dani mischief. "I still want that recording gone but do you think we could get a look at it first?"

  "Really?" That he hadn't been expecting.

  She seemed to consider the question and then shook her head.

  "Nah, I prefer doing to watching." Dani wiggled her eyebrows at him before disappearing back to the bathroom.

  Alex forgot about the sock and tossed his clothes in the general direction of where he had found them. Oh, he'd teach her a thing or two about liking to watch. Watch him, on his knees, between her legs. When he was through, watching would be one of her new favorite things.

  "THANKS TO YOU and your magic mouth, I'm going to fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow."

  Dani felt all warm and loose, her body sated. She had slipped into her favorite boyshorts and cami bedtime combo and had just finished drying her hair.

  "If you'll show me where the spare linen is, I'll make up my bed and we can catch some shut eye. That is what you military types call it, right—shut eye?"

  "Sure, sometimes. Dani—"

  "Good, I hate to mess up the lingo." She looked up from brushing her hair and smiled. "It's okay, Alex. I know you don't want to share a bed and I won't push it. Besides, I have plenty of other's to choose from."

  "I want you in my bed, Dani, you have no idea how much."

  Dani felt a leap of hope but tamped it down. She didn't want to get ahead of herself or him.

  "But?"

  "You finish up in here, then we'll talk," Alex said, meeting her eyes in the mirror.

  Dani gave him a reassuring smile. Talking was good—it was a start.

  She joined him a few minutes later. He had made up one of the beds, three cots down from his. Well, she thought ruefully, it could have been worse. In a room roughly
the size of a basketball court, he could have put her a lot farther away.

  Seeing her, Alex pulled back the blankets.

  "Are you going to tuck me in?" she asked lightly as she got in.

  "That was the idea." He arranged the covers and then sat next to her on the mattress. "And then I thought I'd tell you a bedtime story, though I'm not sure it's the kind that's terribly conducive to a good nights sleep."

  This was what she had wanted, but now that he was prepared to share some of his story, Dani felt a sliver of dread. It was one thing to speculate, it was another to know. Whatever Alex had done, whatever had been done to him, wouldn't change the way she felt about him. She just hoped she could find a way to let him know that. Words were fine, but she had to show him that no matter what, she was sticking. She wouldn't run, she wouldn't turn away.

  Alex picked up her hand, absently rubbing the palm with his thumb, and started to talk. Low at first, hesitantly.

  "I still can't tell you where we were or what why we were there."

  "I understand."

  "I had men, young men, counting on me, and I let them down."

  Dani listened, her heart aching. She wanted to reach out, take him in her arms and tell him everything was going to be okay. But this wasn't about her. She had to listen without interrupting. When he was ready, he would tell her what he needed, and then she would try to give it to him.

  "I can't get past it, Dani. I think I'm doing better, then boom, the dream comes back." Alex stood. Pacing didn't really help, but he couldn't sit still. "I don't even know what triggers it, if there is anything."

  "I—"

  "What? It's okay, I want to know what you think."

  "I'm sorry I accused you of treating me like a hooker."

  "Oh, baby." Alex sat back down. He ran his index finger along her jaw, gentle, soothing.

  Dani leaned into his touch. She craved it, wanted him to know. The words weren't there so she hoped he could see it in her eyes.

  "You paid women for sex."

  "Dani, I—"

  "No," she stopped him. "I'm not angry or blaming you—I understand. You sought a physical release and those women gave it to you. I was angry and hurt and unbelievably self-centered. I knew there had to be a good reason why you wouldn't stay the night, but instead of being reasonable, I lashed out. No wonder you were pissed off. I would have been, too."