A heavy weight lifted. Her father hadn't sent her husband to his death. Yet, she was beginning to see she hadn't known her husband as well as she remembered. “Why didn't you turn York in?"
"Ha, and give up his share?” York started to rise again, but the agents shoved him back down in his chair.
"Girly, I was in debt.” Her father's gaze fell to the floor in shame. “And tempted by the serpent."
Chapter Seventeen
"But if you were willing to share some of the profits with my father, why did you kill Mark?” Amanda didn't understand why York had killed her husband.
"Your clever husband let me taste the goods first.” York's sinister laugh made Amanda's skin crawl. “For people with dragon blood, it only increases your sex drive. But for me, I was flying high on good sex and had a buzz that would rival a large number of stiff drinks.” The man frowned. “Mark's cocky attitude was irritating. He had no respect. I saw no reason to deal with him. I had the formula."
"Without the directions on how to create it,” Seth added.
York lunged for Seth in the chair next to him, but the DC agents stopped his attempt to attack her father.
Disgusted, Amanda realized Mark died from his own stupidity. Why did he go to York in the first place? He'd told her he planned to sell the serum back to the Dragon Center so it could help people who wanted to have children.
What happen to change him? Was money his only motivation?
That wasn't the man she remembered.
Turning her face into William's chest, she whispered. “Can you get rid of these two?"
He drew her closer. “Jake, I think it's time to take York to the Dragon Center for more questioning."
A rustling noise erupted as York struggled with the agents.
"I'm not going with you,” York screamed.
Amanda looked up just as the man ran straight past them and into the glass wall. The impact should have landed him on his butt on the floor. Instead, the glass gave. Night air rushed in as York disappeared.
Shocked, Amanda could only stare at the gaping hole. William stood and helped her to her feet.
"Jake, go down and take care of the police. We'll need to file a report.” He continued barking out orders to his other agents as everyone in the room came to terms with what the crazy man had just done. “You two, escort Seth home."
In a fog, Amanda watched everyone file out of the room. Her father paused at the door, gave her a sad smile and left. Two agents followed him out of the room.
When the door closed behind them, she raised her head to look up at William. Her mind and body exhausted, she didn't think she could handle much more. “Now what?"
Her heart expanded at the gentle look in his eyes. His large hands cupped her face. “Now that you have your answers, we can get on with our lives."
Amanda blinked, trying to see his crooked grin through her tear-filled eyes.
"William.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed her tired body into him. “Hold me."
His strong arms encircled her in his warmth. He ran kisses down the side of her neck. “I think we better get you to bed soon or you're going to collapse."
He picked her up, and she snuggled into his chest, closed her eyes and whispered, “Where do we go now?"
* * * *
William carried her into the same room they occupied the first time they had been in York's hotel. “I decided since it's so late, you'd prefer to spend the night here instead of trying to make the long trip home."
She didn't comment as he laid her on the bed, her body limp and lifeless against the black sheet. He placed a red satin pillow under her head.
"I need to finish up with the business upstairs.” He brushed the hair from her face, concerned by the pale color. The lady looked exhausted. “I shouldn't be too long. Are you going to be all right? I'll have a man outside the door should you need anything."
"I'm fine.” Her green eyes slid closed. “I'm going to try and rest."
William didn't want to leave. If he had his way, he would climb into bed and drive every thought of the past day's events from her mind.
But the police were requesting his presence.
He left and headed back to York's suite. Pausing just over the doorway, he took in the presence of the short pudgy man next to the wall of glass. The man was not on his list of invited guests. “What are you doing here, Cornerman?"
"I was in the neighborhood.” The man shrugged, leaned briefly through the window to look at the ground below, shuddered and turned back to the center of the room. A sinister smile played around his lips when his eyes lit on William. “Not a pretty way to die."
"If we'd known the man was strung out on drugs, we would have restrained him.” William didn't feel this was any of Cornerman's business. The politician was searching for another way to further his career by using York's death as a strike against the Dragon Center.
"Is that your official story?” Cornerman walked back to the middle of the suite where William stood next to the police chief.
Not liking the man's implications, William addressed Perkins. “It's the truth. You can ask anyone in the suite. We'll all give you the same sequence of events."
"Right. And everyone in the room either works or is related to someone at the Dragon Center. How do we know you're giving us the truth?” Cornerman questioned.
William's blood began to boil, but he'd been in the administrative game long enough to not show his emotions. He shrugged. “That's something the police will have to decide. As usual, the Dragon Center will cooperate in any capacity the authorities want us to."
"And that would be?” Cornerman looked at Perkins.
The police chief shook his head and closed the envelope in his hand. “By all accounts, the man was being questioning about a serum the Dragon Center was interested in attaining. The same drug we believe caused him to take a plunge out the window."
"What's to say they didn't help him over the edge?” Cornerman accused.
"No evidence. York was known for dealing in drugs.” Perkins handed Cornerman a file. “He's been brought up on charges numerous times. Apparently he was also hooked on the stuff. As far as we're concerned, we have one less criminal to deal with."
"Right.” Cornerman took the file and glanced through it before he handed it back. Turning for the door, he fired his parting shot. “You know, William, I'll be watching you."
"Sounds boring.” The man wanted the Dragon Center closed. He was responsible for the bill in Parliament to make it happen, but William couldn't fight the man's prejudice. “We both have to do what we think is right."
* * * *
Waking, Amanda searched the mattress for William. Her hand found the rounded edge before she remembered he wasn't in bed with her. He'd woken her early to explain he still had some work to do this morning regarding York's suicide.
The events of the prior day came crashing back around her. For a brief moment, she thought about burying her head under the pillow and going back to sleep. Her stomach growled, motivating her into action. She rolled over and forced herself to sit up on the side of the bed.
She looked around and recalled her first visit to this room. The incredible passion she'd felt in William's arms. The heat and pleasure he'd generated in her body as they conceived their child.
Amanda smiled.
The time on the video screen told her he was due back anytime.
She started to step away from the bed when her footsteps faltered. He'd said he wanted to discuss his note when he returned. She didn't want to address the issue. He couldn't truly love her. Not the way she'd learned to love him over the last few weeks. Even with his overprotective attitude, he still treated her like an equal, someone he respected and valued. She couldn't imagine her life without him.
Slipping on her shoes, she walked to the door.
A young man greeted her. “Hello, Mrs. VanHorn, how can I help you?"
"I need to run downstairs for a few ticks.”
Amanda tried to move past the man, but he blocked her exit.
"I'm one of Mr. VanHorn's agents. He said you are supposed to wait here until he returns."
"Were those his exact words?"
The man looked taken aback by her question. “He wanted me to make sure no one came in or out of this room."
"But did he say I couldn't leave?"
"No, but—"
"Then he wasn't talking about me?” Amanda prodded, knowing the agent wouldn't want to make William angry. “I'm not a prisoner, am I?"
The man shook his head.
"Well, then I'm free to go downstairs.” Amanda pushed the man's arm out of the way and started down the hall. He followed.
"If you're not going to stay in the room, I'd better go with you.” The agent stopped beside her at the doors of the lift.
Amanda smiled and put her hand on his arm. She didn't want to get the man in trouble, but she had things she needed to do. “Good, I can use the help."
* * * *
Glancing at the door down the hall, William wondered where the agent was he'd assigned to watch Amanda. No one stood in the hallway. He checked down the other hallway but found it empty as well.
Concern knocked his heart rate into overdrive. He mashed the button on the keycard, and the lock released. He opened the door slowly and did a quick scan of the room for any abnormalities.
The soft glow from the sun rocks lit the area. He glanced at the bed and saw it empty. The bathing room and washroom were the same.
She was gone. He couldn't imagine where she could have disappeared.
His agent better know where she was.
William yanked out his messenger and headed back to the hotel room entrance.
The door opened in front of him, almost hitting him in the face. “Who th—” Amanda held open the door.
"Where have you been?” William's gaze swept over the cart his agent pushed into the room. “I thought I told you not to let her leave."
"I—"
"I told him you didn't mean me.” She stepped over to William. Her hands slid over his chest. She rubbed her body against him. “You weren't trying to hold me prisoner, were you?"
"No, but I didn't want you leaving until I got back, either.” William put his hands on her waist, holding her close. He could smell the sweet scent of her skin. “You know how I feel about you going anywhere without me."
She smiled as her hands circled his neck. “But I got hungry."
Her eyes told him she didn't only mean for food. The tight nipples pressing into his chest radiated a heat straight to his loins.
"You could have ordered something delivered.” The door closed as his agent made a wise exit. “Amanda, we've got to talk about your habit of disappearing."
Her fingers played over his lips, silencing his next comment. “I don't want to fight."
He opened his mouth and sucked one of her fingers inside. The tantalizing flavor of strawberries greeted his tongue. He took hold of her wrist. “What have you been eating?"
"I had a few samples of the food I brought up.” Amanda glanced over at the cart by the wall. “I thought you might be hungry, too."
William noticed the assortment of fruits and treats.
"Then I guess you don't want to rest a while before we eat?” He maneuvered her toward the bed.
Her eyes held a glow in their depths he didn't remember ever seeing. “I'm not tired."
She followed him and hit the magnetic release button on his suit when he paused next to the bed. “You have on way too many clothes to be able to rest."
Taking a deep breath, he expected the citrus smell of her heat to hit his senses. Instead, only the sweet smell of the fruit behind her filled his nasal passages. Confused, he let her help him get undressed.
His gaze fell to the deep cut of her blouse. He admired the form-fitting clinginess of the red, lacy material. Her breasts larger now that she was pregnant, were extra sensitive to his touch. He licked his lips in anticipation of the tasty treat.
She shoved him down on the side of the bed, and the slit in her black skirt caught his attention. He wondered if she'd chosen to wear the underwear his agents had bought.
When she stepped back, his hand brushed her leg. He grabbed for the end of her skirt.
"Where are you going?” He tugged on the material.
"I was going to bring the cart over so we can eat.” She refused to move closer.
"I'm not hungry for food."
Amanda smiled. “But I want an appetizer."
He released her and watched as she pushed the cart closer. She selected a large strawberry. Glanced at him, she bit a small portion off the end then offered the treat to him.
When he took it, she again stepped back. Some insight into her emotions nudged his brain. His heart rate accelerated.
"Does it seem a little warm in here?” Her hand toyed with the release button on her shirt.
William swallowed the strawberry and nodded. “Not as hot as it's going to be."
"Then you don't think I need these clothes?” Her finger tapped the button, and her blouse opened. She didn't remove it. Instead, her hands slid to her skirt. “You know for Dragon Center agents, your men have good taste in clothing. I just might keep this outfit."
He watched her guide the material over her hips to pool at her feet. “I'll tell them you liked it."
Her blouse, which ran down the front of her body, parted. He got his first glimpse of the soft petals of her sex. No underwear.
"I think you forgot an item,” he teased, ready for her to come closer.
"Oh, I have it, but your men failed in that department.” She walked over to her poche and took out a large square pair of shorts. “They were a little too big."
William laughed and shifted on the bed. His hands itched to touch her. “I'll thank them for their bad choice. Now, can you come over here?"
She dropped the fabric over her poche. Naked, she leaned against the wall. “No. If I do, then I won't be able to keep my hands off you."
Her hands lay against the wall, as if she were uncertain as to what to do with them. On each side of her beautiful body was the mural of two men. Their eyes seemed fixated on her breasts.
"And that's a problem, why?” William started to stand, but stopped when she hugged the wall. Her gaze shifted to the floor.
"Amanda?"
"I never wanted to marry you, William."
Chapter Eighteen
Void of all emotion, Amanda's voice ripped through William. “And to be honest, I never thought you could get me pregnant."
Her hands stroked her stomach. An almost wistful smile played around her lips. “But both have happened."
He didn't like the direction of this conversation. Nor did he want to discuss their past sexual encounters. He wanted her on top of him right now, relieving the pressure building in his groin. “Amanda, what's this about?"
She glanced quickly toward him then back down at the floor. Her eyes revealed a fear he couldn't identify.
"I want you to tell me why you sent me that note."
The tension radiating from her grew in his chest, making it hard for him to think. His own caged emotions forced him to stand and walk to the far side of the room, putting the circular bed between them. They both needed some breathing room.
He didn't want to admit why he'd sent her the note. The words were easy to write. It was saying them, one on one that was hard. Leaning on the opposite wall, he stared at the endless depths of her eyes. “I needed to tell you how I felt."
Her creamy skin glowed with a slight blush. Red hair flowed over her shoulders. Her green gaze traveled a course down his body. She licked her luscious lips, then bit them with longing.
His erection grew as his gaze took a similar trip over her enticing curves. The round slope of her shoulders to the full swell of her breasts, the dip of her waist to the flair of her hips, she had the perfect body. He'd not planned to fall in love. The whole reason he'd wanted to marry h
er was to help repopulate the dying dragon bloodline.
"Do you really love me?” Her words rang across the room.
Her nipples peaked under his watchful gaze. He smiled and bumped into the edge of the bed as he made his way forward. “Yes."
She stepped to the other side of the bed and picked up one of the red pillows. “And what happens if I don't love you?"
He grinned and gathered up another pillow. “Not a problem, you will."
"And if I refuse to ever live in the house with your mother?” Amanda stepped to the left when William stepped to the right. She kept him on the opposite side of the bed, toying with him by holding the red pillow just under her breasts like a feast for his gaze to devour.
"We'll continue to live at your house.” He threw the pillow in his hand at her. She dodged it and sent her ball of fluff flying at him.
"I won't tell you where I am every minute.” Amanda picked up another pillow and rushed quickly away from him. They had circled the bed once and were starting the second pass.
"I have a tracker on you."
"It's been disabled."
He stopped. She was right. He'd forgotten to have a technician check her implant and reactivate the device. “You're not going anywhere."
Her eyes narrowed into slits, and he tried to judge her next move just before he leaped onto the bed. He dove and caught her around the waist before she could do more than take a step away from the bed. He yanked her down beside him.
"William!” She wrestled with him, her arms elbowing his chest, her legs working toward a sitting position, her hair flying around her face. “Let me go."
A shift of his weight rolled her across the bed. Her body aligned with his. A quick maneuver in the opposite direction had her under him, her hands pinned beneath his above her head and his feet dangling over the end of the bed.
"We need to talk,” she said between gasps of breath.
Clasping both her hands together, he used his free hand to brush her hair from her face. “Let's make it a short conversation by getting the facts straight."
He looked down in her sea green eyes. “You're not going to leave me because what we have together is about more than just good sex or having children. You're in love with me."
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