Heiress Under Fire

by Morey, Jennifer

  “Come here,” he said, and a flood of warmth washed through her. She rolled to her side and moved closer. He held his arm open for her. She caught the softness of his eyes before she lay against him with a satisfied sigh. Maybe, just maybe, they had a chance.

  Chapter 10

  Elam kissed the corner of her mouth. The soft touches sent tingles across her skin. Smiling, she opened her eyes, sleepy and content.

  “You didn’t think we were finished, did you?” he asked in a gruff, bedroom voice.

  “Did I give you that impression?” she teased right back.

  He chuckled. “Not at all.” And rolled on top of her.

  Light from the marina filtered through the open drapes of the small window. Otherwise it was dark, casting Elam’s face and shoulders in deep shadows. His blue eyes glowed as he gazed down into her eyes.

  She ran her hands up his sides and around to his chest, where she tested the hard flesh before hooking her arms around his neck. His mouth curved in a slight smile, making his eyes crinkle at the corners. It bubbled up a lighthearted and soft laugh of her own.

  He pushed one of her legs aside with his knee, making room for both of his. She hooked her ankles over his butt. He grunted when that movement pressed him against her. She stopped smiling when he ground his erection where she still ached for him.

  Drawing in a much-needed breath of air, she dug her head back into the mattress and closed her eyes, giving in to sensation.

  “You’re so amazing.” He took her lips with his for a messy, hot kiss. “Beautiful.”

  She sought more of his mouth. More connection. More everything. His fingers dug into her hair and he gave her what she wanted. His other hand moved from her rear up her side, lighting a ball of fire low in her abdomen that radiated all the way to her heart. He lifted his head, and his gaze melted into hers as he found his way to her waiting heat.

  An involuntary sound of pleasure escaped from her. He drank it from her lips and tongue. She felt dizzy with feeling.

  He pushed into her inch by slow inch. She blinked her eyes open. His looked right into hers, leaving nothing from her. No emotion. No vulnerability. The intensity of it stole her soul. She shuddered.

  “Elam.”

  Oh, God, this meant too much.

  Just as panic began to swell, he buried himself deep inside her and withdrew with deliberate slowness. He made love to her like that, holding her gaze with his, driving her panic away. He captured her heart and claimed it, making her irrevocably his.

  Farren woke through a groggy fog. Moaning, she rolled from her side to her back, her hand plopping down on the pillow above her head. A few moments later, she came up onto her elbows and realized Elam wasn’t in the cabin.

  Disappointment ruined her morning bliss. She checked the clock affixed to the night table. Almost one. No longer morning.

  Maybe that was why he wasn’t here.

  She rolled out of bed and went to shower. All the while an increasing unease encroached upon her. What did last night mean? More important, what did it mean to Elam? She was afraid to look too closely at what it meant to her. A lot. Exactly what she had feared. She’d leave it at that.

  She shut off the shower. Dried herself. Dressed.

  By the time she put her hand on the doorknob to leave the cabin, dread consumed her. She didn’t want to see Elam’s face. What if he distanced himself from her now?

  Her heart beat faster and a fine tremble gave her shoulders a shiver and made her hands unsteady. She tried not to dwell on memories of last night and to focus instead on what had led to what had happened. The discovery that Shay could be her father had left her vulnerable and searching for answers she’d likely never get. Just like when she was a child. The old feelings Shay had dredged to the surface had thrown her—made her wish, even now, that she could know what it was to be part of a real family. That vulnerability had led to what happened with Elam. He had served as an outlet. But that outlet meant more to her than an affair.

  She was doing it again. Desperation was what made her crawl onto Elam’s lap. That deep-seated need of hers to feel wanted. She couldn’t escape the foundation of her childhood. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t outgrow the insecurities. Couldn’t overrule them through sheer will.

  So what would it take? Real love? Wasn’t that what she’d felt last night?

  She jerked her hand away from the doorknob. But it turned anyway, slowly, quietly. The door inched open and there stood Elam, stopping short when he saw her.

  He didn’t smile or say anything. She sensed his awkwardness. Or was it guardedness? She felt him assess her. The morning after…

  How did he feel about it? Did he want to explore it further or would he rather distance himself in preparation for the day they went their separate ways?

  Flustered, she pushed the door open wider and brushed past him. No one was in the salon. She came around the wall and entered the dining area and galley. Haley looked up from a plate of salad, a laptop open and running beside it.

  “Sleeping Beauty wakes at last,” she commented with a laugh.

  Farren ignored her and zeroed in on the coffeemaker.

  “Must have been some party.” Haley did a poor job of hiding her speculation. “Elam was just in here. He brewed a fresh pot of coffee. I think he went back into your room to get his gun.”

  There was a bag of bagels on the counter. Farren shot Haley an unappreciative frown before grabbing one and pouring herself a cup of coffee. When she turned toward the table, Elam entered the galley, shrugging into a short-sleeved button-down shirt that covered the holster he now wore. The reminder that he was armed, just as the rest of the crew was, worked to push her discomfort away. Imaad was still out there, watching and waiting for the right time to pounce.

  She made the mistake of looking at his eyes, which were intent and right on her. He seemed angry about something. Did he think she felt as though she’d settled for less than her ideals? She wouldn’t call it settling, but she still didn’t trust him to be there for her after they returned to the States. He was too devoted to his job and too convinced any woman like his former wife wouldn’t work for him, wouldn’t accept him the way he was. Truth was, she couldn’t reassure him. Her idea of a family man wasn’t a sniper who’d be gone a lot on dangerous missions.

  Sitting at one end of the table, she broke a piece of bagel off and put it in her mouth. Elam poured a cup of coffee and brought a bagel to the table. He sat at the opposite end. Farren slowed her chewing, nerves rolling in her stomach. She sipped some coffee and couldn’t stop her eyes from looking at him.

  Those eyes dissected her. She had no doubt of his anger now. He didn’t like her withdrawal.

  Well, what did he expect? She couldn’t keep throwing herself at him. Not when he’d in all likelihood end up no different from every other man she thought was worth the risk.

  Haley’s eyes rolled right and left, checking both ends of the table as she ate her salad.

  Travis and Keenan walked into the galley.

  “Good, you’re both up,” Travis said. “What happened last night?”

  A shock wave hit Farren and she looked at Elam.

  “Shay wouldn’t talk,” he said, keeping his eyes on her.

  Keenan retrieved a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. “He isn’t going to, then.” He twisted the cap off the bottle and drank.

  “An affair with a woman whose husband is an arms dealer would destroy his career,” Travis said.

  “Maybe he wasn’t having an affair. Maybe his anti-terrorism angle is all an act,” Haley said. “He might have been in on the deal.”

  “And Carolyn was working with her husband?” Keenan drained the water bottle.

  Haley nodded.

  “Then why is Imaad here?” Travis asked. “He planned to come here before he knew Farren was going to be here, remember.”

  “Maybe not,” Elam interjected. “Ameen chartered the Sea Minstrel after Farren arrived in Bodrum.�
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  “But you said Asil had a Marmaris Yacht Festival brochure near his body.”

  Elam nodded. “That’s right. So Imaad was planning to be in Marmaris before Farren came to Bodrum. What does that tell us?”

  “That Congressman Shay is the key,” Haley answered. “He’s what’s linking it all together.”

  Farren watched all four of them mull that over for a moment.

  “Maybe we should just take Imaad out,” Travis said. “Elam, you could get a clear shot from here.”

  “I think we should wait until we know what Shay’s involvement is,” Haley said.

  “I agree,” Keenan said.

  “Me, too,” Elam said, “although putting a hole in Imaad’s forehead would put an end to this.”

  “We’ll get Shay to talk,” Haley said. “We just need a little more time.”

  “All right,” Travis said. “I’ll be on deck. Imaad’s men have been wandering the docks all morning. We need to keep an eye on them.”

  Haley put her fork down and stood. “I’ll go with you.”

  “Maybe I’ll take a stroll on the pier,” Keenan said.

  Elam didn’t move from his seat. Farren looked down at her bagel and lost her appetite.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” he commented.

  Farren heard the edge in his voice. She looked up at him and shrugged. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”

  A moment passed before he said, “Is something wrong?”

  “No.”

  “You normally talk more.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Why? Because I’m not talking everyone’s ears off?”

  He angled his head. “Maybe I missed something. I thought your climbing on my lap meant you liked me.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  She stared at him. Was he angry at himself for falling for a woman he thought was wrong for him? Or did he just want to know why she’d withdrawn? Well, all right. She’d let him know.

  “I didn’t settle,” she said. She didn’t land Mr. Average and Full of Commitment, either. But she kept that to herself. She didn’t land him, period.

  Long seconds passed. Farren watched his emotion begin to soften. For some reason that piqued her.

  “Will that make you feel better when this is over and you go your own way?” she asked.

  He angled his head and eyed her derisively.

  “Well?” she pushed him.

  He straightened his head and met her gaze dead-on. “We didn’t use a condom.”

  Was he insinuating that if she was pregnant they’d see each other again? She didn’t want such obligation. All the reasons she didn’t want to get involved with him reared up in her head. Never home. Sniper. But those hands…

  Oh, God, how could she love them so much? They were killing hands, yet they were capable of gentle caresses. Gentle, intoxicating caresses.

  “You didn’t get me pregnant.”

  “What if it ends up that I do?”

  “What would you do if it did?”

  His jaw clenched and relaxed. “I’d do what’s right.”

  “What? Marry me?”

  When he didn’t answer, she knew that’s not what he really wanted.

  “I’m not pregnant.” She sure as hell hoped not, anyway. The timing should be wrong, but…who knew? She fisted her hand in her lap. Damn it, how could she have allowed herself to be so careless? She’d never done anything like that before. She’d never slept with a man and not seen to her protection. That had always been important. Except with Elam, it had been more important to feel him inside her.

  “Would you tell me?”

  His question snapped her back into focus. She searched his eyes. Slowly, she nodded, more confused than ever. He’d never answered her question about whether they’d see each other when this was over. His only concern was whether or not he’d gotten her pregnant.

  That could only mean his heart was still shut tight to outsiders. He wouldn’t risk another loss in his life. Unless a child were involved. What kind of father would that make him?

  A responsible one.

  Unfortunately, Farren wanted more than that in her man. She wanted his heart, too. Even if his job kept him away from home a lot, if she had his heart, she could make it work. It was the only way it would work. Didn’t he see that? Didn’t he see he had to let go of the past and give her a chance?

  Whoa. Was she really thinking they’d have that kind of a chance? Did she want a man like him? Maybe it was the toe-curling sex that had her considering it.

  So they were great in bed together. Everything else between them was a balled-up mess.

  Sitting on the bed with her legs folded in front of her, Farren put down the book and gave up trying to stop thinking about Elam and Congressman Shay. Between the two of them, she was exhausted. She didn’t want to go back to Shay’s yacht. Not with Elam. She didn’t think Shay would say anything with him in the room, but it would be dangerous going by herself, and she was afraid of confirming her suspicion. But what better way to get him to talk?

  Farren checked the clock. It was after eleven. She’d come into her cabin after managing to avoid Elam all afternoon. At dinner he’d quietly brooded. Was he still worried he’d gotten her pregnant? Or was it her distant mood that bothered him? It disappointed her that she hoped it was the latter. If her distance bothered him, that meant he cared. And if he cared…

  She shoved the thought aside.

  Getting off the bed, she slipped on some flat black sandals that matched the black sundress she wore and hung the strap of a purse around her neck and shoulder. The sooner she had answers, the sooner she could go home and forget about Elam. She left the cabin. The salon was dark and quiet. She knew at least one of the team members would be keeping watch. That would make leaving the yacht difficult. But not, perhaps, as difficult as getting past Elam.

  She walked slowly into the salon. Through the shadows, she saw his body stretched on the couch. His gun lay on the coffee table, outside his holster for easy access. She stopped near the table, the sight of him sweet torture on her heart.

  Seeing his chest rise and fall with even breaths and his eyes closed in slumber, she struggled with a pang of affection. Giving herself a mental shake, she bent and lifted his gun without a sound, keeping her eyes on him as she tucked it into her purse. She hoped she could figure out how to use it if she had to.

  Backing away, she tread silently toward the door, then took her time sliding it open. Outside, she stayed in the shadows while she listened for the others. She heard voices topside and inwardly cursed her luck. They’d see her.

  But then the voices faded and she wondered if they’d gone to the other side of the yacht. She stepped to the stern, looking up and behind her. The flybridge came into view. No one was there. When she reached the dock, she started running.

  She couldn’t be sure she’d gotten away unseen, but if she at least got a head start, she’d have time to talk to Shay in private. The marina was still busy, which gave her small comfort. Her heart hammered as she searched for Imaad and his men. Down another dock, she made it to Lucky. The salon was dark. She stepped onto the aft deck anyway. The door was locked.

  Climbing the stairs, she only made it halfway before someone called to her.

  “Farren.”

  She turned and saw Shay standing at the stern rail.

  “Edward warned me you were coming. He saw you on the dock.”

  She didn’t know what to say.

  “Follow me.”

  He went down the port deck and turned at a door that led below deck. Her heart sprang into alarmed beats. What if she was wrong about him? What if Haley’s speculation was accurate and he was working with Imaad?

  A Catholic anti-terror advocate?

  It would be good cover. No one would ever suspect him.

  He was American. A political figure who already had money. What motive would he have for
aiding a terrorist?

  She slipped her hand into her purse, gripping Elam’s gun. She hoped she’d guessed right that he’d sleep with it ready to fire. At the bottom of the stairs, Shay walked down a narrow hall to the right. Dainty light fixtures on the walls lit the way past closed doors. At the end of the hall, he opened a door. Why was he taking her to such a secluded place?

  She stopped in the hall.

  He turned on a light in what she could see was an office. A spacious one. Still holding the door handle, he waited for her to enter.

  “I don’t want my wife to hear us talk,” he said when she didn’t move. “She already suspects something.”

  Her shoulders relaxed. She eased her grip on Elam’s gun and passed him on her way into the office. Light polished wood paneling and bookshelves with tempered glass doors surrounded a desk and seating area. Farren sat down on one of the two white wing-backed chairs.

  Shay sat in the other one, leaning forward and locking his hands between his knees, turning his head to look at her.

  “Are you my father?” she asked outright.

  He seemed to expect the question. “I don’t know.”

  “If you’re lying—”

  He leaned back in the chair and held his hand up. “I’m telling you the truth. I don’t know.”

  She leaned back like him and waited. She wanted answers tonight and wasn’t leaving until she had them.

  “When you came aboard that first time and told me Carolyn Fenning was your mother, I couldn’t believe it was possible,” Shay began, and she realized he’d accepted what she already knew. “She never told me about you. Why did she keep you a secret? If she’d had you with another man, there would be no reason to do that. I can’t stop thinking about that. Why didn’t she tell me about you?”

  “How did you know her?” Farren asked.

  He hesitated. “You have to understand. My wife…”

  “Someone is threatening me for a lot of money. Your wife has nothing to do with this.”

  He found her eyes and she felt him probe for a reason to trust her.