“Except that you’re no sister to me, Abigail MacKenzie.” Ryan took her hands. Pressing the softest of kisses to her palm, he said, “You drive me out of my mind with your beauty, and your laugher. I’m captivated by your wit and I’m addicted to your smile. And at the end of the day, there’s no one I’d rather be with than you.”
It was the sweetest thing Abigail had ever heard. But he couldn’t mean it—she knew better. He felt guilty, because of what had happened to her in the woods. And he was putting her in an impossible position, saying his piece in front of all these people. She couldn’t even challenge his lie, set the records straight without completely humiliating both of them.
Unable to hold back, she said, “You told me to forget about you, and said that you could never give me what I need. When I challenged you, you said you’d fire me.” Voice shaking, Abigail continued, “I knew you didn’t mean it, but it hurt. Like a knife being plunged into my gut.” Or rather, my heart.
“And I plunged that knife inside of you.” Ryan lowered his eyelids. “My admission doesn’t make it right, but I said what I did because I was trying to protect you. Because I told myself if I got that close to you, I’d hurt you. The truth is, the only person I was trying to protect was myself.” He blew out a long breath. Then, taking her by the shoulders and looking deeply into her eyes, he said, “I was afraid that if I allowed myself to feel what I was feeling, and I lost you, I wouldn’t survive it a second time.”
“Maybe you were right, Ryan,” Abigail said, her voice becoming tight as all of the emotions she’d been carrying the last few months welled inside of her.
“No!” He grabbed her arm as she turned to leave. “I pushed aside the best person to ever come into my life out of fear. Fear of losing you as I was so terrified for your safety. So terrified, Abigail, that I managed to hurt you, again and again and again. I’m so sorry for doing that to you. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you walk away from me without a fight. I love you, Abigail MacKenzie. I love you with every fiber of my being. You’re the only woman for me. And if you’ll give me the chance, I intend to spend the rest of my life proving that to you.”
Abigail could hardly hear anything over the beating of her heart. She whispered, “You love me?”
Ryan wiped the tears from her cheek. “More than you could know.”
“Oh, Ryan.” Abigail fell against him. She cried, everything she’d been holding back coming out in one relieving torrent.
Ryan tipped his chin, and before she knew what was happening his soft mouth came down on hers. So passionate, his kiss made her feel like she was flying. They were the only two people in the world, and they were soaring high above the clouds. She trembled as she opened one eye and saw the crowd watching them with eager smiles and eyes.
Suddenly there was an eruption of cheers and everyone clapped. They clapped even louder as Ryan pulled her close and held her in his arms, the most wonderful place Abigail had ever known.
“Kiss her again!” someone shouted. And Ryan responded by dipping her and kissing her mouth so softly, so passionately, it was as though they were inside of a dream, instead of a room full of curious onlookers.
After several moments the bystanders began to go about their business. The conversations became loud once again, and Abigail realized that several people were talking about them. The chatter all centered around the dramatic argument between the front desk employees and the steamy kiss they’d just shared in front of a room full of people. Staring into Ryan’s eyes, Abigail could tell that he heard it all, too, and that he’d never been happier.
Looking into his eyes, she said the words she’d always been afraid to. “I love you, too.”
“I’m so sorry, Abigail. So sorry that I wasted so much time. You were right to believe that I had a secret. I found a ledger at the Red Fox Hotel that matched the one you and I found here, and a wallet, containing Christopher Barrows’s business card. My supervisor threatened me, and later, so did Dempsey and Becker. I thought if I could prove that they’d murdered Barrows I could get out from under their grip. When you started tailing me, and especially after I learned your father’s death was connected to all of this, I thought the only way I could protect you was to keep you out of it. As terrifying as it was to see you tied to that tree, I realize now that that was the wrong thing to do. I know it won’t be easy and that it will be dangerous, but I promise you, I’m going to help you find out exactly what happened to your father.”
“Except that I already know everything I need to.” Abigail smiled through tear-filled eyes. “My Dad loved his family more than life itself. He was brave and kind and he had a bigger heart than anyone I know. Just like you, Ryan Newberry.”
Ryan smiled, a well of pride, gratitude, and warmth about his handsome face. “I’m going to make all of this up you—forever, if you’ll let me. That’s a promise that I intend to keep.”
“We have time,” Abigail said, gazing into Ryan’s deep blue eyes.
“Yes.” Ryan’s nose brushed against hers. With a look that promised a lifetime of passion, adventure, and love he said, “Yes, Abigail, we do.”
THE END
WWW.JESSICALAURYN.COM
If you loved Dangerous Secret and can’t wait to see what romance lies ahead for your favorite characters, read on for a preview of the next suspenseful title in the Pinnacles of Power series:
DANGEROUS PROPOSAL
The Pinnacles of Power
JESSICA LAURYN
Available at BookStrand.com
The Pinnacles of Power
Dangerous Proposal
At nineteen, Alec Westwood nearly committed the most horrific of crimes—murder in cold blood—and narrowly escaped the assignment with his life. When a stunning young woman crosses his path wearing the insignia for the organization that recruited him, he vows not to let fate get a second chance. But when the enchantress gives him a kiss that leaves him spellbound, Alec realizes the power she holds is greater than all his strength and fortitude combined.
On the run from her psychotic fiancé, Lena Benson vows to forge a new life. But when her new friend Jack tells her to stay away from Alec Westwood—the man she believes her fiancé hired to track her down—she takes matters into her own hands. Alec may have the charm, but she’s calling the shots, even if that means resisting a man whose eyes and touch rob her, literally, of sense.
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Length: 92,483 words
Chapter 1
North Conway, New Hampshire
“I’m impressed, Newberry.” Dr. Alec Westwood sat back in his chair and took a lingered sip of vodka, admiring the small crowd of women scattered across Valley Tavern. Unfortunately for his sake, the majority of its beauties were engrossed in heavy conversations, which was not exactly what he had envisioned but not at all to his surprise. He didn’t imagine there were too many upstanding women in North Conway who enjoyed being hit on at nine o’clock in the evening.
He turned to the man seated across from him, who appeared to be exercising every ounce of strength in order to keep his eyeballs in their sockets, and said, “You’ve managed to find us a leisure activity that’s held my interest for well more than fifteen minutes.”
“Not a bad place, is it?” Ryan Newberry remarked. “My sources say this is the spot to check out if you’re looking for a woman with the entire package. Beauty, brains, and a killer behind.”
Alec chuckled. “That certainly does cover the bases. What more could a man ask for than a nice tight ass he can sink his teeth into?”
“You make it sound so depraved,” Ryan said, his smile indicating he was hardly offended. “All I’m doing is giving you a nudge in the right direction. You could just as well spend the seventh consecutive Saturday night planted in front of your plasma screen.”
“What’s so bad about that?” Alec asked, taking a bite of his exceptionally tasty hors d’oeuvre, portobello mushrooms with kalamata olives and sundried tomatoes.
“Nothing,” Ryan answered. “So long as you enjoy sleeping alone.”
“I’ve never had any shortage of women in my bed,” Alec clarified.
“Maybe not. But it must be pretty difficult to keep your dance card full when the majority of your companions aren’t invited back for an encore.”
“If I find one I like long enough to keep around you’ll be the first to know,” Alec replied. He grinned. “Not every woman is Abigail.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d prefer very much to keep my wife out of this conversation,” Ryan said, shifting in his chair.
“Fair enough. Though, a woman of class does tend to carry herself a bit distinctly. Her hair is sleeker, her skin is softer, and she often smells of expensive perfume. Rose or lavender—something that promises passion and hints that she has money in the bank.”
“Good lord,” Ryan said rather loudly. “If you knew as much about doing a coronary artery bypass as you do about women, you’d probably be running Memorial Hospital by now.”
“Be glad that isn’t the case, then,” Alec said thoughtfully. Like his companion’s, his white coat—the only thing which labeled him professionally—sat safely outside on the passenger seat of his BMW, leaving him dressed in a simple navy shirt and tie, complimented by a pair of slacks.
Ryan had been Alec’s best friend since the start of medical school, an especially difficult time in Alec’s life. During that particular period, it had been critical to have someone with an appreciation for his circumstances to confide in. Ryan had only lived in North Conway a few years, but they’d shared a similar high-pressured upbringing.
“How do you think you would feel if you really were the chief of staff?” Ryan asked.
“Exactly the way I do now, only with a bigger ego to show for it,” Alec answered honestly. “I’d be the same person, but people would see me differently. Even Colin.” He stiffened, crumpling his napkin into a ball. “The bastard would have no choice. As his superior, I would have absolute control over his every breath.”
Ryan nodded. “It’s sort of difficult to picture—you bossing your brother instead of the other way around.”
Alec was finishing the last of his drink. “It’s infuriating. And unfortunately, I don’t see the circumstance improving itself any time soon.”
“The horrors of being one of the top three doctors in the OR,” Ryan said with a hint of sarcasm.
Alec dropped his voice. “I see your point. But you know I’d never have chosen such an egocentric career if I hadn’t been so desperate to create a wholesome image.” He angled his head, bringing his left thumb against his temple. “Kind of a waste, don’t you think?”
“You live to practice medicine.”
“True enough. Just the same, I could do without the gestapo looking constantly over my shoulder.”
“You’d feel differently if the situation were reversed,” Ryan insisted, glancing in the direction of the entrance. “Colin may be a bit of a know-it-all, but he keeps you on your toes.”
“Yes,” Alec said. “I suppose there’s that to consider. I’d never have pushed so hard to succeed if the thought of surpassing Colin wasn’t so damn enticing. He has a way of driving me to drink and urging me to work harder at the same time.”
Alec froze, catching sight of his brother as he came past a table with two pretty, young women. The ladies brought their conversation to a halt as Colin shot them a grin.
Steam rose in Alec’s throat. Ryan, who’d insisted this evening’s purpose was for Alec to pick up women, had undoubtedly been planning this family reunion from the start.
“I didn’t realize we were expecting company,” he said gruffly. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting with Dr. Curtis.”
“I thought that meeting was cancelled,” Colin said, pulling up a chair. “Never could understand why Curtis schedules meetings so late in the day. His old-school practices are what’s keeping Memorial Hospital from moving into the twenty-first century.”
“It’s a wonder a top-notch surgeon like you has to attend meetings at all,” Alec said drily. “They seem like a waste of time for a doctor who already knows everything.”
Colin chuckled. “Yes, I did make that point to Curtis myself. He’s dead set in his archaic ways. I’m afraid we’re just going to have humor the guy until he retires and the board promotes someone with a fresher approach.”
“I wonder which doctor you have in mind for that,” Alec muttered. “Why wait the two years? Make your case to the board and maybe you can just take the spot now.”
“Alec, chill out, man,” Ryan said.
“You know, that isn’t a bad idea. Maybe I’ll have a talk with Felicity tomorrow.” Colin’s smirk indicated he was already undressing the director’s shapely young daughter in his mind. “I hear she already persuaded Simms to let Curtis go a year earlier than planned. She’d probably speak up again if I made it worth her while.”
Alec clenched his jaw. “God knows, there’s a card you’ve never played before. What’s the matter, Colin? Don’t think you can get the job based on your incredible charm and incomparable medical skills?” Or are you afraid someone else on staff might actually have the balls to challenge you? He tightened his fist with the heat of twenty-nine years of pent-up anger. “Why do this thing behind closed doors?” Unless, of course, you’re worried that everyone might finally see what an arrogant son of a bitch you really are.
He felt as if half the restaurant was staring at him, and yet he hardly cared. He’d spent his entire life living in Colin’s shadow, trying to measure up to the image of a man who believed himself more important than God. It wasn’t only himself he was thinking of. It was every person working at Memorial Hospital who had the unfortunate luck of having to associate with Colin. The man made no secret of the fact that he thought himself some sort of hero, a white knight whom Alec and everyone else in his vicinity couldn’t possibly survive without. Colin was there to lend a hand in time of trouble, but he never let the people he helped forget it. Alec was done letting his jerk of a brother believe he considered himself one of those helpless, indebted souls.
He stood, loosening his collar. “I’m going for some air.”
“You all right?” Colin asked. “You don’t look well.”
“I’m fine.” Alec tossed a fifty onto the table. “Don’t wait up.”
In the next room, the bar was alive with the sounds of conversation. Alec spotted a lone stool positioned at the farthest corner of the counter and took it. He’d lost his appetite for fox-hunting, but for the sake of proving that the evening wasn’t a total loss, he’d stick around for the duration of one drink. He signaled for the bartender to acknowledge him, thinking back on his conversation with Colin, which he was sure had drawn the attention of every person within a hundred feet.
Chief of staff—the bastard actually saw himself as the next chief of staff! And he didn’t plan on waiting long, apparently. If Colin’s agenda came together as quickly as he was implying, the world would be turned on its head within a year.
The man sitting on the next barstool laughed loudly, and Alec sighed. He waved his hand anxiously in hopes of being served. His infuriated persona was probably frightening off every person who wasn’t drunk enough to be seeing two of him.
The bartender—a petite blonde who couldn’t have been much older than twenty-two—shot Alec a flirtatious smile. He perked up, replying with a wink and a smile of his own. He asked her for a Glenfiddich. She disappeared to the opposite corner of the bar then returned a moment later with his glass.
Relief flooded Alec’s insides as he took a long, satisfying swallow of scotch. It tasted cool against the inside his mouth, and he finished the rest in one gulp. Remembering his plan to salvage some of the evening, he swore under his breath.
Shaking his head, he opened his wallet as a stunningly beautiful woman sitting on the opposite side of the bar caught his eye. Her soft white fingers—wrapped around a glass of wine—were trembling.
It didn’t seem as if she’d sat in a place like this a night in her life. She caught his gaze, and her hazel eyes opened so widely he almost went over and asked her what was wrong. He was consumed with the strangest desire to take her in his arms and hold her until she was no longer afraid.
The girl’s fearful eyes locked with his. With them fixed on him, she tossed a few dollars onto the counter then slid from her barstool. She looked toward the entrance, as if expecting someone she knew to come walking through the door. When no one did, she made her way toward the back hall.
Alec hesitated. The young woman had come there alone, which, under typical circumstances would have implied she was there in search of a good time. Women who put out without a good deal of effort on their pursuer’s parts didn’t generally interest him. But he had a feeling this one had wandered out of her element.
As she hurried from the bar, the woman in the lacy white dress—which hugged her delicate curves in just the right places—seemed to command the attention of every man in the room. He watched with fascination as her silky brown hair bounced with each hurried footstep. It wasn’t difficult to imagine himself running his fingers through that soft satin texture. The thought of doing it made him uncontrollably hot—and hard. He got to his feet, making a dash for the exit.
“Excuse me,” he called, stepping into the small, dark corridor. “You seem pretty upset. Is there anything I can do?”
The girl stopped short. She turned around. The fear on her face was replaced by a coy smile. “I should think a man like you is used to making women nervous.”
She didn’t seem afraid at all. Maybe she never had been, and this was all an exaggerated guise intended to lure him from the crowd. Alec liked the idea of that. He’d never been enticed by such an aggressive woman before, but this stunning little vision was unlike anyone he had ever encountered.
Dangerous Secret [The Pinnacles of Power Prequel] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 27