Surviving With Love

by Vickery, Rebecca J.

  “Hold on, I’m here,” she told him as she unlatched the door. “Sorry, I fell asleep.”

  “I was about to kick the door in. I’ve been knocking for five minutes,” he said as he impatiently pushed past her into the room. He carried two large shopping bags in his hands, which he tossed on the bed. “No calls?”

  “Not yet. You went shopping?” Stacey couldn’t get the images of her dreams out of her head. She definitely needed coffee.

  “Disguises. We need to fit in and I thought you might like a clean shirt. I figured we could put some of the packs in the shopping bags. Hauling around five backpacks is bound to get a few looks. I walked through the park. It looks good for the meeting. All you have to do is convince Thompson.” He moved to stand in front of her gazing down into her eyes. “But I do not want you to do anything that might endanger Marcus. I’m with you however you want to do this.”

  “About what I said earlier—I didn’t...”

  Cord was drawn by the lingering sleepy passion he saw in her beautiful blue eyes. He put a finger over her mouth then barely stroked his other hand along her jaw-line. “Hush. Don’t say anything. “Just put it down to both of us being stressed out and on edge.” He couldn’t tear his eyes from hers. “Your eyes are so sexy. What are you thinking, Parker?” he whispered huskily. Sliding his finger from her lips, he stroked it across her cheek then let his hand cup the other side of her face.

  Unable to hold back while staring into his deep brown eyes, Stacey whispered, “I was dreaming about you.” She held her breath, waiting to see what he would do.

  “A good dream or a nightmare?” he teased, giving her a crooked half smile.

  “Very good,” Stacey admitted softly. “You were kissing me. I didn’t want to wake up because I knew you would stop,” she told him honestly.

  “Stacey, you’re killing me,” he groaned. His voice barely a whisper, “I want you so much.” He tilted her face slightly to accommodate his kiss. Her lips were soft and full as he savored them gently. Cord touched first one lip, then the other with the tip of his tongue. Keeping his kisses soft and tender, he waited for her to press against him, to show him she wanted more. He wasn’t quite prepared for the demands she suddenly made.

  Stacey ached, on fire with wanting him. Never in her life did she dream she would feel like this. Pressing her body to his, she parted her lips to invite him in. She slid her arms around his back and held on tight. She heard him groan again and he deepened the kiss until she forgot where she ended and he began. Lost in wave upon wave of new feelings, she didn’t protest when his hands left her face to glide down her body. When he cupped her breasts and teased her nipples, she moaned with pleasure. Growing more excited by the second, she enthusiastically learned his taste as Cord taught her the feel of his tongue playing with hers. Stacey worked her hands under the back of his shirt stroking the warm firm skin she had longed to touch earlier.

  Instead of satisfying her needs, this just made her want more.

  Cord felt the same and pulled back only long enough to jerk off his shirt then ease hers off too. Before she had time to object, he pulled her back to him.

  Stacey gasped as her partially bare flesh touched his bare chest.

  He took advantage with a deep hungry kiss. Tenderness fled as passion flared. With quick nibbling kisses he moved along her jaw-line and down her neck.

  Stacey’s breathing grew ragged and fast. She couldn’t get enough of the feel of him. She was dying to be closer. Alive and hungry, she couldn’t think past his mouth on her or his hands touching and stroking her body. Sliding her hands up his chest and around his neck, she twisted her fingers in his hair. Tugging gently, she managed to pull his mouth back to hers. Excitement flooded her veins when he put a hand on each side of her waist and lifted her. Wrapping both arms tightly around his neck, she marveled at the feel of his bare skin against her stomach.

  Easing one hand at a time to her bottom, he pulled her fully against him. He felt her freeze, shocked, for only a moment. Cord opened his eyes to look into hers.

  Stacey smiled ever so slightly, her breath brushing his lips as she whispered, “So that’s what you feel like.”

  He would forever be surprised by her sassy mouth. Using his hands on her bottom, he moved her a little and watched her reaction.

  “Cord,” she whimpered.

  A tremble ran through her as he held her in his arms. Cord watched as she closed her eyes and parted her lips for him. His tongue delved deeply into her mouth as he took the several steps necessary to get to the bed. Lowering her carefully, he followed her down, keeping most of his weight off her by propping on his elbows. Cord stroked her neck and upper chest with the tips of his fingers. He pressed more fully against her. “Your skin is like silk,” he breathed and followed his fingertips with the tip of his tongue.

  Stacey shuddered, involuntarily raising her hips to him as she whispered his name over and over.

  “You are such a passionate woman. The first time I kissed you, I knew it. I’ve wanted you ever since,” Cord growled in her ear. He nibbled the lobe before returning to her mouth. Trying to keep her innocence in mind became more difficult with each kiss. But his promise to Sam ran through his mind and he eased off her. Cord held her as he gentled his kisses and slowly drew back. She snuggled into his arms while he stroked her hair and waited for his body and hers to calm down.

  “What’s wrong?” she finally wanted to know.

  “I...,” Cord took a long deep breath then tried again, “I had to stop. I couldn’t go any further without...,” he searched for the right words. His brain functions weren’t on full power yet.

  “Going all the way?” she supplied with a little smile on her lips. “Even though I haven’t, I do know what it’s called.” Using one finger, she drew a line along his breastbone following the sparse, crisp, curly hairs south to the line that arrowed down the center of his stomach.

  “Well, that’s one way to say it,” he agreed and grabbed her wandering finger. He took it to his mouth and nibbled on it.

  She giggled lightly. Using her feminine wiles was sort of fun, Stacey was discovering.

  “Why don’t you look in that bag and find your shirt? Although this view is just fine,” Cord arched one brow and assured Stacey as he looked her over. The way she laid beside him, her breasts bulged nicely over the cups of her skimpy white lace bra.

  She rolled away from him, a little embarrassed at his direct appraisal, and got up. As she walked around the bed, the phone rang. Stacey jumped and looked at Cord.

  “Take a deep breath and remember you have what he wants, too. Answer it, Parker.”

  “Hello,” she said hesitantly as she picked up the receiver.

  “Miss Parker?”

  “Yes, this is Stacey Parker.” She nodded at Cord to let him know this was the call they were waiting for.

  “I understand that Mr. Brooks’ package arrived. You have it all?” asked the deep male voice she now associated with Thompson.

  “I haven’t counted each item, but there are five parts to the package.”

  “Very good, Stacey. It sounds like you have it all. I will give you instructions for the delivery—”

  “Wait,” she interrupted. “I want to talk to Marcus.”

  “You’ll see him soon. Don’t waste my time,” Thompson ordered curtly.

  “If I don’t talk to him, I won’t know he’s still safe. I’ll think you’ve done something to him then I won’t have any reason to give you the package. You’re the one wasting time if you won’t let me talk to him,” Stacey insisted crossing her fingers.

  Cord sat down beside her on the bed and covered her hand with his, offering his support.

  “Very well. I will call back in thirty minutes. Be there.”

  The line went silent.

  “He hung up. He said he’ll call back in thirty minutes,” Stacey’s voice trembled slightly, and her hands visibly shook.

  “You did great. You established control.
They must be staying somewhere that doesn’t have a phone. He has to go back to bring Marcus to whatever phone he’s using,” Cord explained.

  “Or he got mad and wants me to lose my nerve,” she worried.

  “I don’t think so, Stacey. He’ll call.” He patted her hand, purposely avoided looking at her bare skin. “I’ll order coffee while you get dressed.”

  Stacey blushed as she hurriedly found a v-neck, sky blue cotton sweater with short sleeves in one bag. She also dug out a plain white tee shirt, a red and white checked sports shirt, two pairs of sunglasses, an extra shopping bag, and a red baseball cap. In the very bottom of one bag in a smaller sack was a hair clip with blue silk flowers and white ribbon for her hair. Seeing it almost made her cry. Her emotions were in serious condition.

  After tearing the price tag off the sweater, she slipped it on. Taking the hair clip and her pick, she went into the bathroom to work on her hair. The blue of the sweater made her eyes a startling blue when she looked in the mirror. Or was it the passion Cord aroused making them so bright? Shrugging, she pulled her hair back into the clip at the crown of her head. It took a second attempt for her to get the flowers and ribbon fixed just right. A few wisps fell down to frame her face and soften the look. For the first time in a long while, she wished for make-up to tone down the freckles on her nose and enhance her eyes and lips.

  “Get a grip, Parker,” she warned herself. “You’re going to deal with thieves and kidnappers, not attend a party.” That man in there had done this to her, made her want to be prettier and sexier, softer and more feminine. He made her want, period, exclamation point.

  A fully dressed Cord answered the door and accepted a coffee tray as she came out of the bathroom. He stared as she crossed to the bed to begin taking the pins and cardboard from his new sports shirt. “I knew the blue would look good on you, but...”

  She turned to look at him, brows raised in question.

  “You take my breath, Parker.” He forced himself to stop staring and put the coffee tray on the dresser.

  “Good,” she smiled at him with a definite twinkle in her eyes. “Because that’s exactly the way I feel about you. I want to enjoy every minute of it.”

  “Here, drink your coffee and give me that shirt.” Cord handed her the cup.

  Stacey sank onto the middle of her bed and folded her legs. “I’m surprised it’s not black. Why red and white checks? Won’t you sort of stand out?”

  “It matched the cap. You should see what some of those guys out there are wearing. Besides, the selection was a little limited in my size.”

  She was sipping her coffee when the phone rang. “Hello,” she answered it immediately.

  “Stacey, please let me come home,” Marcus pleaded in a small squeaky voice.

  “Marcus, are you all right?”

  Cord came to stand by her and took her hand.

  “I’m okay, but I want Marie. I don’t like it here.” It sounded like he was trying hard not to cry. “And mommy and daddy. When—?” He was cut off abruptly.

  Thompson asked, “Are you satisfied, Stacey?”

  “Yes, but there’s something else you should know. I don’t want it to surprise you. There is a man with me. I needed help to carry the—uh—items.”

  “I’m aware of McConnell’s presence. You won’t need him after you put our package in a vehicle. Then you’ll drive to a location I will relate to you later and dump the items. When I’m certain everything is as it should be, I will tell you where to pick up the boy.”

  “No, I won’t do it that way. What would keep you from taking the package and killing Marcus? I want to meet somewhere public. You get the items at the same time I get Marcus.” Stacey didn’t have to make an effort to sound upset.

  “You are trying my patience, Stacey. If you want this boy back unharmed, you will do as I say,” Thompson insisted.

  “And if you want these items intact, you’ll at least work with me on this. I want this over, but I’m afraid to—to trust you to...” Stacey’s voice broke. Taking a deep breath, she went on as Cord squeezed her hand and nodded encouragement at her. “I won’t give you the only bargaining chip I have without getting Marcus right then. There are several public places where we wouldn’t even be noticed. I’ll meet you with your packages wherever you say as long as it’s in the daylight.”

  “What type of places? If you’re trying to set me up, I’ll make you and the boy regret the day you ever crossed me,” Thompson growled threateningly.

  “I won’t cross you, even though I would like nothing better than for you to be locked away for a hundred years. I won’t do anything to make you hurt Marcus. Haven’t I kept the authorities out of this and recovered your packages for you? There’s a shopping center with a large central courtyard at the edge of town. It closes at six today. Then, well, there’s Main Street. It will be like a bazaar all afternoon. And the other one that might work is the park. It’s usually crowded with families on Sunday afternoon. Check them out if you want. Find another place. I’ll meet you anywhere public before dark and as long as you bring Marcus to trade.”

  “I will think about it. If I see anything suspicious, he’s dead and I will come after my packages.”

  “You won’t have to do that. But don’t forget there may be Lowell police around town. I can’t ask them to stop the regular patrols or they would get suspicious. Please don’t hurt Marcus. I know we can work this out,” she pleaded.

  “Remain where you are and wait for my call. Be sure McConnell stays put. Don’t forget what I said.” Thompson hung up.

  Stacey slowly replaced the receiver and put her hands to her face. “I wish I could be sure of what I’m doing.”

  “You handled that with really good instincts, Stacey. If you had only mentioned the park, he would have become suspicious. You have to keep telling yourself you are doing what’s best to get Marcus back without anyone getting hurt,” Cord reassured her. He pushed back the need to hold her again knowing where it would lead.

  “I don’t really care where he picks as long as we get Marcus away from him. But I figured that he has similar training to yours and you chose the park. He threatened Marcus again. He said for you to stay here,” her voice quavered only slightly. “How long do you think it will be before he calls back?”

  “An hour, maybe two. It’s almost one now. We should hear from him by three at the latest,” Cord told her. “I think I’ll stretch out and grab a nap.” He lay down on his bed and closed his eyes.

  “You mean you could actually sleep now?” Stacey asked.

  “Probably not, but it sounded good. What’s on television?” Cord needed something to distract him from thinking about how well she fit in his arms. An hour or two to kill in a hotel room with a beautiful, willing woman nearby was asking for all kinds of trouble.

  “Baseball, baseball, golf, car races, or Sunday Church Service. Or the weather channel of course,” she reported as she clicked through them.

  “Okay, forget TV. Tell me about some of the people who come to the Lodge. Do any of them ever wander off? Do you have to go find them?”

  Stacey propped up on her bed and began to tell him stories about some of the guests and the strange things that happened to them over the years. They laughed over some of the strange situations people could get into.

  At long last, the phone rang and Stacey grabbed it. “Hello.”

  Thompson told her, “I was relieved to find out the local authorities don’t know what’s going on. I also checked out the places you suggested and decided I prefer to meet you in the park. This next part we will do my way. You and McConnell will bring the items to the picnic table nearest the woods. Mr. Brooks and the boy will be waiting for you. Once Mr. Brooks is sure our packages are intact, you may take the boy and leave. If there are any deviations from this, the boy will die.”

  “And you’ll shoot us as we walk away?” Stacey asked.

  “What an imagination you have. No, that would definitely bring unwante
d attention from the local law enforcement. I prefer them to think we are still near Lolo Pass. But, I will be armed with my weapon sighted in on the boy until you are out of the park. That will prevent you from trying to attract attention. I also know McConnell will be armed. He is to keep his hands in plain sight at all times. You are to arrive at three o’clock. You have thirty minutes. If I see anything I don’t like...” he let the sentence end.

  “I understand. We’ll place some of the backpacks in shopping bags to avoid drawing attention. We’ll be there at three.”

  Stacey slowly hung up. She filled Cord in on Thompson’s instructions as they put a backpack full of bonds into each of the three large shopping bags.

  “I don’t particularly like the fact Thompson will be hidden with a gun on us. Once the exchange is made, you and Marcus are to walk quickly to the nearest group of people you see. I’ll stay between you and the woods to watch your backs.” Cord was all business once again as he pulled on the checked shirt and checked his weapon. He put on the baseball cap then added the sunglasses. “If you get separated from me, go straight to the chopper and have the pilot fly you and Marcus to the lodge. I’ll catch up with you there. Remember the priority is getting Marcus and yourself to safety.”

  Cord helped her settle one of the packs on her shoulders then slid his arms into the last one. Picking up two of the shopping bags, he waited while she got the other one. He led the way from the inn and they walked the few blocks to the park.

  The softball game was in session and a noisy crowd alternately cheered and booed the action on the ball field. The picnic area was beside the playground. Several children were on the slides and the swings while adults sat at the wooden tables nearby. A man and a boy sat quietly at the last table in the far corner of the park.

  Cord automatically stepped slightly to the front of Stacey to protect her from the man he knew hid in the woods, probably with a scoped rifle aimed at them or Marcus. He slowed and walked more cautiously as they got within range of the weapon. The hair on his neck prickled as he felt the gun pointing at them.