“It may feel that way, but you’re not alone.”
“Yeah, sure. Good night, Roarke.”
****
After a hot shower, Julia pulled on her pajamas and slipped between the covers. Her eyelids were heavy; she could barely read two pages of Patterson’s book. Turning the light off, she fell into a fitful sleep.
Waking with a start, Julia sat straight up in the bed and screamed. Roarke appeared in the doorway and flipped the light switch. Julia squinted and blinked from the harsh light. Scanning the room, she panicked. “Where am I?”
Roarke sat on the bed beside her and took her hands into his. “It’s okay. You’re safe in my apartment.”
“Your apartment. That’s right.” She took a few deep breaths, willing her voice not to sound so shaky. “I’m okay, just give me a second.” A few more breaths traveled in and out of her lungs. “This happens a lot. Really, I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. You’re terrified. Tell me about it?” His brows furrowed.
“No.”
“It’ll help to talk it out, especially if you’ve had the same dream before.”
Julia drew her knees to her chest and hugged her arms around her legs and nodded her head in agreement. “I’m walking down Fifth Avenue window shopping on a beautiful spring day. Men surround me and gag me with rope before throwing me into the back of an SUV and driving away. We stop and the back opens where three men stand with guns pointed at my head. I can’t scream because of the gag. I can’t even shield my face because my hands are tied behind my back. I hear them yell ‘fire’ right before I wake up.” She buried her face in her hands. “I don’t feel safe anywhere.”
Roarke stroked her hair. “Do you feel secure here?”
“I shouldn’t, but somehow I do.” She laid her head on the pillow. “Would you stay with me tonight?”
He raked his fingers through his hair and nodded. “Move over.”
Julia rolled to the other side of the bed, her back toward him as he slipped under the blanket.
“May I ask you something?” She closed her eyes as a single tear dripped onto her pillow.
“Yeah.”
“I don’t get it. You just let me walk out of your life. You didn’t bother finding out where I was or if I was okay. I thought you loved me."
Roarke’s hand slipped around her waist, and he pulled her into the warmth of his body. "I’d never let anything happen to you. Now go to sleep, you have a big day tomorrow.”
Julia nestled into the heat of his chest. She’d forgotten how perfectly they fit together. The rhythmic rise and fall of his chest lulled her into a state between awake and asleep.
“I’ve never stopped loving you.”
Had she dreamt the husky whisper? Her eyes fluttered open for a moment before resuming a blissful state of rest. Placing her palm over his, she laced her fingers into his strong hand and sighed. It didn’t matter if it was a dream, because at that moment she was safe and with the only man she’d ever loved.
Chapter Four
“All rise.”
Julia sat in the front row of the public seating area. Glancing next to her, she smiled at the man dressed in the black suit, his large frame taking up much of the bench. Marquis smiled back.
“You really didn’t have to come.”
“Mr. Velasco asked. I do as he asks, Miss Hale.”
Rolling her eyes, she thought about the argument they had that morning. Roarke had a meeting that couldn’t be missed, but he didn’t want her to be alone. He correctly predicted Shark’s family would fill the other side of the public gallery. More than once, the judge had to stifle their outbursts. By the end of the day, she was happy to have someone on her side.
Marquis returned Julia to Roarke’s apartment where she trudged to the door tired and drained. Before she had the chance to knock, the door opened and Roarke smiled at her, pulling her hand into his. “I know you’re not happy with me for not going today, but I’m hoping this will make up for it.”
She looked over his shoulder to the kitchen island topped with candles and two place settings. A spicy aroma wafting from the kitchen woke her senses, and she couldn’t help but smile. “You cooked?”
“Yup.” Roarke led her to one of the bar stools and busied himself at the stove. “I have to admit, I wasn’t sure how to turn the oven on. What happened to knobs?” He pointed at the digital display above the oven door.
Within minutes, they were digging into two steaming plates of spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread. Julia pointed her fork at the plate while she chewed. “Mmm, this is amazing.”
“It’s good to see you enjoying it. You look like you haven’t been eating much of anything.”
Julia realized how the stress of the hearing had caught up with her. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten a home-cooked meal. Helping Roarke clear the dishes, she reveled in the normalcy of the act. It was as though they’d been following the same routine for years.
“This is my favorite time of night. Take a seat on the couch and I’ll show you why.” He motioned toward the living room.
Sinking into one end of the cool leather sofa, Roarke sat on the other side and pushed a couple of buttons on a remote control. The draperies opened, revealing a sea of moving lights as cargo ships chugged along the Hudson River. At the same time, a flame erupted in the sleek fireplace built into the wall.
“Give me your feet.”
“My feet?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t remember the famous Velasco foot rub?”
Warmth melted over her body as she slipped her shoes off and rested her feet on his lap. “I don’t know, Velasco, the remote-controlled drapes, fireplace and a foot massage. Seems to me you’ve had your share of ladies up here.” Leaning back she closed her eyes and let his hands take over. “Do you remember the first time you did this to me?”
Cradling her left foot in one hand, the thumb of the other circled the tender skin of her arch. “If I recall, I think it lead to the first time for something else.”
The pad of his thumb moved to the base of her toes where he rhythmically rubbed small circles under each digit. Julia moaned, her eyes still closed. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
A low chuckle filled her ears. “That depends. Is it working?”
“I miss the feeling of silk sheets.”
“So, you’ve been in my bedroom?”
“Maybe.” Her eyelashes fluttered, and she raised her eyebrows.
He placed her feet on the cushion next to him. In one fluid swoop, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to his bedroom. Pushing open the door, he slowly let her body slide over his as he set her down at the foot of his bed facing the mirror above his dresser.
“This isn’t a good idea,” she said staring at his reflection deftly unbuttoning her blouse and sliding it off her shoulders.
“I can’t think of a better one,” he whispered before he took her earlobe between his teeth.
“That’s not fair. You know what turns me on.” She stretched her arm up, causing her back to arch and her breasts to spill into his palm as he unsnapped her bra. She ran her fingers through his hair.
“Damn right I do. I’m the only one who knows.”
He was correct. There hadn’t been anyone since she left Roarke and moved to Denver. No one ever came close. Not that she hadn’t tried. Roarke was never far from her mind with every date made, every casual drink and lunch. Those men never had a chance.
Guiding her body around so that she faced him, he touched her cheek and trailed his fingers along her face. Hooking his finger under her chin, he lifted her face to his. “I’ve never stopped loving you. Not for a moment.”
Her hands rested on his strong chest, and she studied his eyes. She nodded in belief. Undoing each button of his shirt, she delivered small kisses to each area of exposed skin until she found the buckle at his waistband. When she fumbled with the leather strap of his belt, he encircled her wrist and brought her hand to hi
s lips before picking her up and laying her on the bed.
“You miss the feel of silk sheets on your naked body?” He yanked the comforter out of the way, and her back slid over the cool fabric. He swiftly rid her of her skirt and panties.
Julia self-consciously grabbed at the top sheet to pull it over her exposed body, but he pulled the sheet away and out of her reach.
“No way. I’ve waited two years to get you back in my bed. I want to see everything.”
Her pussy flooded like hot lava at his words. “I need to feel you inside me.”
“Not so fast, love.”
He disappeared into the bathroom for a moment and returned with a foil square before dropping his pants and boxers to the ground. She licked her lips at the sight of his erection.
The mattress dipped as he hovered over her body, resting his weight on his hands. Kissing her lightly on the mouth, he nipped at her bottom lip before leaving a trail of kisses along her jaw and down her neck. She leaned on her elbows, and the desire to see his tanned skin against the pink flush of her breasts overtook her senses. She’d always loved the contrast between his olive tone and her ivory skin. He cupped her bare breast in one hand and laved the other with his mouth. His tongue drew circles around her small breasts before capturing her nipples one by one between his teeth. She threw her head back and moaned. The twin sensations of pain and pleasure almost tipped her over the edge.
“Please, Roarke. Now.”
He tore the foil packet and rolled the condom down his shaft before returning to her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, closing the space between them. Groaning he plunged inside her. “Fuck, you’re so tight.” He turned to his side and rolled her so that she mounted him from above.
Bucking her hips she pushed downward, taking his full girth within her inner walls. His hands guided her hips as they found their familiar rhythm. Roarke’s hand caressed her belly, his thumb finding her clit.
She clenched her teeth as she rode his cock, lifting high until just the tip remained inside her core then sinking down low so that his balls kissed her ass. Sweat lined her face as he reached up and brushed away the damp hair that stuck to her brow, guiding her mouth to his. Their tongues tangled with each thrust. Julia closed her eyes and called out as bright bursts of colors played under her eyelids and pulsating waves of pleasure rocketed through her body. His climax wasn’t far behind, and she collapsed onto his sweaty chest in sated exhaustion.
They lay in silence, except for panting breaths and beating hearts. “Was it always that great?” she said chuckling.
“We’re good together.” His fingers played along her spine, sending shivers down her back.
Julia was playing with fire, and she knew it. I have to put a stop to this now before I won’t be able to. She rested her chin on hands folded upon his chest and looked into his eyes. “Too bad you’re a mobster and we have no future.”
“Jules.”
“I’m serious, Roarke. I don’t see a house with a white picket fence and a fluffy dog running around the yard anytime soon with you. I don’t belong in your life, and you don’t belong in mine.” She pulled the top sheet from the bed, wrapping it around her body as she moved from the warmth of his bed. She padded across the room and closed the door on her way to the guest room.
Chapter Five
“All rise.”
Day two of the hearing and Marquis sat at her side again. She’d expected Roarke to at least make an appearance. Testimony would finish with the informant taking the stand. The prosecution thought the judge would decide the sentence shortly after. Julia was anxious to know the identity of the informant who tried to help her father and who saved the lives of the young couple. She’d met them the day before after they recounted that fateful night.
“You may call the prosecution’s last witness.”
“Agent Vaughn, please take the stand.”
Agent? Julia scanned the courtroom. No one stood. The courtroom door opened, and footsteps echoed through the room. Julia strained to view the owner of the footsteps but couldn’t see over Marquis’s hulking form. Her gaze first caught a pair of scuff-free black shoes. Her breath caught as her eyes swiftly traveled up the well-dressed man she knew intimately. “Roarke?”
“Motherfucker!” Shark spat out as Roarke took the stand.
“Your name?”
“Agent Roarke Vaughn.”
“And what is your position, Agent Vaughn?”
“I’m a special agent with a classified organized crime division of the CIA.”
The buzz from the spectators on Shark’s side of the courtroom was deafening before the judge's gavel quieted the crowd.
Julia’s mouth dropped. Roarke glanced her way and winked before itemizing his undercover duties. Through his testimony, she learned her father wasn’t part of the mob as she’d thought. He was also an agent working with Roarke on taking down Shark and the rest of his associates. It was a multi-country investigation, which explained why her father spent weeks away on business. Tears rolled down her face as he explained Tim Hale was his mentor and a hero who’d uncovered and shut down the East Coast drug trafficking ring. The discovery cost him his life. The only solace was Agent Hale was the reason millions of dollars of illegal drugs were now off the streets.
“Why did you come forth now, Agent Vaughn? With your cover blown, you won’t be able to return to your line of work.”
“I did it to ensure the person responsible for the death of my partner never sees the free light of day and that others know me for who I really am.” His eyes flicked to Julia.
****
Everything happened too fast for Julia to comprehend. Two men escorted Roarke out of the courtroom after his testimony. Before she knew it, closing remarks were delivered and court was adjourned. Steve jumped from his chair and gave Julia a huge bear hug. “We did it. Well, Roarke did it. It was the ultimate sacrifice, but Shark doesn’t have a chance now.”
Julia furrowed her brow. The ultimate sacrifice?
Shark’s family stood and began yelling at the defense attorneys. Marquis pulled her away from Steve and shielded her with his body. “We have to go, now.”
Her heart pounded as she slipped into the car, and Marquis drove her back to Roarke’s apartment. She pictured him at home with a bottle of champagne chilling, awaiting her return to celebrate the sentence.
“Agent Vaughn said you can stay in the apartment for as long as you’d like, Miss Hale.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You do realize he’s gone, don’t you?”
“Gone?”
“After an agent testifies in public, they cannot return to their regular life. It’s too dangerous. The agency put him in the witness protection program. He’ll be underground for six months.”
She felt as though she just took a blow to her stomach. “Then what?”
“Then he gets a new identity and gets placed wherever the agency sees fit.”
“So I can see him then. After the six months?”
His eyes lowered. “No. He can’t have contact with anyone from his previous life. It’s too risky. I thought you knew that.”
Epilogue
Seven long months later.
That’s how long it took Roarke to persuade the agency to make an exception in his case. He planned it out. Every detail. Only one question remained. Would she forgive him? His attention focused on the sprinkling of snow flurries floating past his windshield as he pulled to the curb, parallel to a white picket fence. Beyond the fence sat a modest gray ranch with an evergreen wreath hanging on the door. He’d passed the house countless times and even once caught sight of her carrying groceries from the car. It took every ounce of power to drive away. One wrong move and the agency would move him to Siberia. He was finally given the green light and wasn’t about to miss a single second.
He whistled and patted his lap. “Come on, boy.” A ball of fluff bounced toward him from the backseat. Slipping on a pair of sunglasses, he
straightened the brim of his hat and brushed the stray dog hair from his uniform sleeve. Carrying the dog in one arm he strode to the door and rang the doorbell.
Julia peeked at him through the window, and her eyes shifted behind his shoulder to his police cruiser. Opening the door, she smiled at the panting dog. “How can I help you, officer?”
“You reported a lost dog.”
“No, I don’t have a—” Her gaze moved from the dog struggling to get down from his grasp to his face. Squinting, she moved closer. “Roarke?” Her voice was just a whisper.
“It’s Sergeant Shelby, Roy Shelby, of the Denver Police Department.” He pulled his glasses off as the dog jumped out of his arms and ran into the house.
“Oh my God, it is you.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she hugged him long and hard before letting go. “I never thought I’d see you again. Are we safe here?”
“More than safe. I told you I’d never let anything ever happen to you, and now I can spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”
The End
www.sandrabunino.com
Other Books by Sandra Bunino:
www.evernightpublishing.com/sandra-bunino
ANGELS INCORPORATED
Copyright© 2013
Katalyn Sage
“Good luck getting in, bonehead.” Chloe sat across the street from Cuppa-Chino’s, the coffee shop she’d been laid off from that morning, after working there for the last three years. She’d spotted her not-so-favorite, pushy customer as he’d strolled up to the door and given the handle a pull. “Can you not see the sign? Hello, it’s closed,” she mumbled, shaking her head at her best friend.
His Page 14