“It means a lot that you came all this way,” he told her. “But I can’t just forget about them. I promised I’d help.”
She took a step forward. “You don’t have to do it alone!”
This was about to become just the kind of teary scene he avoided. “Piper, you’re overthinking this.” He grabbed his GPS and programmed in the coordinates. “I’ve got to go. This has taken way too much time.”
He was grateful when she didn’t say anything else, but still, he avoided looking at her as he collected a satchel, sunglasses, and shrugged into his jacket. She walked with him to the door.
They stared at each other. “I’ll be fine,” he told her.
But Piper planted her hands on either side of his face and kissed him fiercely. “I’ll never forget you, Mark Banning.”
Piper had given it her best shot. She’d hoped Mark would look at the material she and Mary and Dancie had collected, but he hadn’t. At least she’d given him the two most important pieces of information. It was hard to let him walk out without begging him to stay or going after him, but it was his decision.
It would be a whole lot easier to accept it if she wasn’t in love with him. She should have told him. She’d meant to, but at the last moment, she’d heard herself saying she’d never forget him. And it was true, but it was the type of thing people said when they never expected to see each other again.
And that was probably why she’d said it.
* * *
HER PARTING WORDS ECHOED in his mind, no matter how much he tried to ignore them.
Mark drove as fast as he could on the open highway, trying to make up for the late start and the fact that he’d soon have to turn onto unpaved roads. There was very little traffic and once the GPS alerted him to the turnoff, there was nothing to break the monotony of miles of scrubby landscape.
He checked the gas gauge, something he should have done before starting out. And he would have, if Piper hadn’t distracted him. Lucky for him, there was plenty of gas.
Piper. I’ll never forget you.
She’d driven all the way to Presidio to tell him Mendoza was the boys’ uncle. Honorary uncle, at the most. And probably forced.
But she was right about the guy being clever. Using Gilberto as a go-between was deliberate. A little dig. Gilberto had been Mark’s best source of information about how Mendoza used the network of boys, and Mark hated knowing he must have been punished for talking with him. No one else would say much of anything, out of fear. The families rarely, if ever, saw their sons again. Mark knew from the time he spent at the main compound that Mendoza offered visits home as rewards. But had any boy ever earned one?
Mark’s foot eased on the accelerator.
You were set up.
He’s their uncle.
No. He pressed the gas again. Thanks to Piper, he was second-guessing himself. This was exactly why he worked alone.
But how had Gilberto been able to talk with his friends if he never saw them?
For the next few miles, Mark’s thoughts churned until the GPS signaled that he was approaching the turnoff. Mark slowed until he was right beside it, but instead of turning, he stopped.
Where was he headed? There was nothing around him and this turn took him away from the mountains he assumed were his destination. The next section of the route took him close to the border where he was bound to encounter patrols. Not that he had anything to hide, but he’d rather stay under the radar, since he wasn’t officially on assignment.
And Mendoza knew it.
He’ll destroy the thing you value most.
I’ll never forget you.
She would not get out of his head.
Or his heart, either.
Mark bashed his hands against the steering wheel and stared at the road. Then he turned the truck around and drove back to the hotel.
* * *
HOURS BEFORE PIPER EXPECTED him to return, she heard a card key in the lock and an instant later, an angry Mark stalked over to where she worked at the desk. “Mark, you scared me! What happened?”
He glared at her. “I love you, that’s what happened!” Exhaling, he paced over to the window and stared out, his back to her.
He’d said love, right? But he hadn’t said it like it was a good thing. Piper watched the rise and fall of his shoulders. “Did you meet with Mendoza?”
“No, I didn’t meet with Mendoza!” He turned around and paced back over to her. “How could I meet with Mendoza when your voice wouldn’t get out of my head?”
Piper decided it was a rhetorical question.
He closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose before telling her what happened. “I kept thinking about what you said. I began to question everything, second-guessing myself. I hate that.”
“I know,” she said quietly.
“You said you’d never forget me.”
“I won’t.”
“That’s my thing.” He paced around her as he talked. “I was determined to leave a journalistic legacy so great that no one would ever forget me. I thought being forgotten as though I’d never existed was the worst thing that could ever happen to me.” He came to a stop in front of her. “You know what’s worse?”
Piper shook her head.
“Being remembered for the wrong thing, for doing something bad.”
“Your reputation. Of course.” She knew she was right. “Mendoza wants to destroy your reputation because that’s what you value most.”
“But it isn’t.” Mark drew her out of the chair and into his arms. “You are.” And he kissed her with all the romance and passion lacking in his earlier angry statement.
Piper stopped thinking and let herself absorb all the emotions in that kiss. It had cost him to acknowledge his feelings and make himself vulnerable. Piper vowed he’d never regret it.
Eventually, they came up for air and Mark rested his forehead against hers. “Now what?”
“Well,” Piper said. “There’s the bed, or we can catch Mendoza. Your choice.”
Mark narrowed his eyes. “Is that a trick or some sort of test?”
Piper shook her head. “The truth is that I am exhausted. I was up all night and I’ve been worried about you for a long time. Now that you’re safe, I feel myself crashing.”
“We’re not safe.” His face was grim and he’d included her.
“So we’ll get rid of Mendoza.” Piper led him over to the desk. “Here’s what we found. Take a look at it and if you have questions, contact Dancie and Mary. By the way, I had Travis hire Mary as your temporary research assistant so your trip here is on the books. Just in case you needed rescuing and BT needed persuading.”
He looked sheepish. “Thanks.”
“By the way, did you open a bank account?”
“Yes,” he admitted slowly. “How did you know? Dancie’s boyfriend?”
“Don’t ask.”
“Not asking.”
Piper gripped the back of her neck and looked at him uncertainly. “Don’t get mad, but you need to work with the authorities on this.”
“I’ve tried. They’re not interested.” Mark stepped behind her and began rubbing her shoulders. It felt so good, she could fall asleep standing up.
“Weeeell, you’ll probably find them more interested now.”
His hands fingers. “What have you—”
Piper held up a hand.
“I don’t need to know,” Mark said. “Do I owe Dancie’s boyfriend a pizza?”
“Several pizzas,” Piper told him. “Even more after we catch Mendoza.” She yawned and he nudged her toward the bed. “Promise you won’t catch him while I’m asleep?”
Mark smiled down at her. “Promise.”
* * *
FOUR DAYS AND A DOZEN pizzas later, Mendoza and his men were in custody, and the boys had been returned to their families.
The red pickup truck had been specially modified to smuggle illicit cargo. Between that and the bank account, and other surprises Mendoza had put
into place, Mark would have been involved in a messy scandal at the least and likely would have ended up in prison.
They had their first argument over how many times Piper was entitled to say “I told you so.”
“Piper?”
Piper had been packing and trying to pretend she wanted to leave. The truth was that the past few days had been thrilling, and exciting, and tense, and fulfilling and she didn’t want to go back. Dancie could have the office. Dancie could have everything.
Except Mark. Mark would be in Austin for a few more weeks, but after that…
Pasting on a fake smile, she looked up to find Mark regarding her with a troubled expression. Uh-oh. “What?”
“I don’t know how to do this.”
Alarm filled her. “How to do what?”
“Have a relationship.” He swallowed. “I don’t know how it’s supposed to work, but I do know we can’t have one if we’re not together.”
He was breaking up with her. Piper’s heart squeezed and she couldn’t breathe. She didn’t want to breathe. Maybe she’d pass out and wouldn’t have to hear what he said next.
“I know it’s asking a lot, but I want you to come with me. Be my researcher. Do the same thing you’ve been doing the last few days—except without the help of Dancie’s boyfriend.”
She gasped and became a little light-headed. “You’re asking me to go overseas with you? To work as your partner?” They’d made a great team, but she didn’t think he’d even consider it.
Mark nodded. “You always said you could find me the right person.”
“I did.” She grinned. “But you’re sure you don’t need someone with more experience?”
“I need you. Besides, you’re good at it.” He looped his arms around her. “You’re good for me.”
Piper beamed at him. “I am great for you. I am perfect for you.”
“I love you.” His mouth quirked. “I don’t want to mess this up.”
“I love you, too. And I am not going to let you mess this up.”
Epilogue
Congratulations on completing THE PIPER PLAN and landing your perfect man! We at Perfectly Fabulous Plans, LLC, hope he agrees that you’re his perfect woman and you’re having a fabulous life together. If you’d like further help, please check out HOW TO KEEP IT FABULOUS: Living with Your Perfect Man, and COMMITTING: How to Take the Next Step.
A year later.
“I MISS THE WIG.” Mark propped an elbow on the counter and tweaked a lock of Piper’s shoulder-length hair.
“I’ve missed the fries.” She inhaled Friezen Burger’s grease-laden air. “Toni’s still here. Do you think she’ll remember me?”
“You are unforgettable,” Mark told her, and sent a lazy smile down the bar where Toni was taking an order.
Sure enough, within moments, Toni raised her head, lit up in recognition and headed toward them.
“Clearly, so are you,” Piper said. She’d accepted that all over the world, women just loved Mark. She couldn’t blame them, because so did she.
Toni leaned on the counter, eyes only for Mark. “Long time no see.”
“We’ve been out of the country or nothing would have kept us away from your fries.” He slipped an arm around Piper’s waist.
Toni’s gaze shifted.
“Hi, Toni.
Toni blinked.
“It’s Piper. No wig today.”
“Oh! Hey.” She looked at the two of them. “Welcome back. What can I get you?”
“One classic basket and a long platter,” Mark said.
Toni made a note. “Any sauces to go with that?”
He looked down at Piper and his eyes darkened. “Maybe later.”
A look. That look was all it took, even after a year together, to send the familiar molten feeling spreading through her body and cause her heart to beat with heavy, syrupy thuds.
They’d seen each other at their best and their worst, impatient and irritated (Mark) and anxious and stubborn (Piper).
And this past year had been the best of her life.
A year ago, she’d thought she wanted security and stability and a man with whom she could put down roots so deep, no one could ever rip them out.
With Mark, every day had been different. They’d had adventures, both good and bad, and the only constant in her life had been Mark. And that was exactly the way she wanted it.
* * *
MARK HADN’T MEANT TO keep Piper away from Austin for an entire year, but the longer they were away, the more he dreaded returning.
What if she never wanted to leave again?
Then he wouldn’t, either.
He’d always known having a long-term relationship would mean the end of his lengthy and risky assignments. What he hadn’t anticipated was that he wouldn’t mind. Having her with him this past year had absolutely affected his work. It was better, richer. He hadn’t seen that coming at all. Heck, even Dancie and her friend Mikey had moved in together, making a family with Chip and Lexie from the shelter. If they could do it, so could he.
But, now, it was Piper’s turn to make the plans, and Mark was going to make sure they included him.
Their order arrived and Piper snatched one of the fries before Toni finished setting the basket in front of them.
“Mmm.” She chewed with her eyes closed. “I have really missed these.”
“They’re the best,” Mark agreed.
“And we know that because we ate French fries everywhere we went and they weren’t even close to these.” Piper took a few more and tried not to gobble them. She savored the earthy saltiness, the crunch and the fluffy potato inside. They were good, even when cold, but they were great when hot.
“Hey, you’re not eating.”
Mark had put some on the platter. “At the rate you’re inhaling those, I was afraid I might not have enough.”
“You can always order more. You know, if you leave them in the basket, they won’t cool off so fast.”
“I know.” He pinched one in half and curved the two pieces. “But they’re easier to shape when they’re cooler.”
“What?” And then Piper saw that the two curved pieces became part of two Rs.
Mark had spelled out MARRY ME with fries. As Piper struggled to swallow, he twisted a last fry into a question mark and nudged a stray bit into place for the dot.
A question, not a demand.
A year ago, Piper would have thought about it and asked what his plans were, where he saw them living, about children and finances and how to split domestic chores before giving her answer.
But that was last year.
Now, she ate an M, scooted the Y and the E together, raided the Rs for the curves to make an S, and straightened the question mark into an exclamation point.
Pretty good for someone whose hands were shaking.
She looked up to find that incredibly charming dazzler of women, Mark Banning, with his eyes closed, exhaling in relief. How had he thought she’d say anything other than “yes”?
“I—”
“—Love you.”
They’d spoken at the same time. “So much,” Piper added, “that sometimes—”
“It hurts to breathe,” Mark finished.
It was exactly what she’d been going to say.
Toni stopped by. “Can I get you two anything else?”
Mark gave Piper a blazing hot look with a smile that dazzled her into forgetting the rest of the world existed.
Just as her jaw went slack, she heard, “Toni, would you wrap these fries up to go?”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt of Blazing Midsummer Nights by Leslie Kelly!
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Blaze story.
You like it hot! Harlequin Blaze stories sizzle with strong, sexy heroines and irresistible heroes playing the game of modern love and lust. They’re fun, flirty and always steamy.
Visit Harlequin.com to find your next great read.
We like you—why not like
us on Facebook: Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
Read our blog for all the latest news on our authors and books: HarlequinBlog.com
Subscribe to our newsletter for special offers, new releases, and more!
Harlequin.com/newsletters
1
SOMEONE ONCE SAID that the course of true love never did run smooth. As Mimi Burdette watched two of her good friends sway together in a romantic dance, however, she had to disagree. Because the true love between this couple had been obvious to everyone who knew them, almost from the moment they’d met.
“They look like a prince and princess,” murmured Anna, her neighbor, friend, landlady and tonight’s hostess.
“Considering the setting, maybe a fairy king and queen.”
She wasn’t kidding. The woods surrounding the backyard of the old plantation house just outside of Athens had been turned into a mythical forest. As dusk fell and a thousand twinkle lights began to gleam in the night, everyone at the engagement party slowed to appreciate the beauty all around them.
A trio of musicians softly strummed their instruments, the lyrical notes riding a warm, summer breeze. The Spanish moss hanging from the live oaks gleamed silver under the evening dew and the firefly-soft lighting. Magnolias the size of dinner plates dotted the trees, looking like a thousand full moons, filling the air with their evocative scent. Lanterns hung from the lowest branches of the graceful pines, and the arches of a dozen arbors were draped with writhing, sweet-smelling jasmine and heavily laden grapevines.
Okay, the vines and fruit were fake. But what an effect!
“You really outdid yourself,” Mimi said to Anna, who stood watching the proceedings, wearing a smile.
The older woman, dressed as always in colorful, flowing robes, merely shrugged. “Setting the stage for romance is easy when the people involved are meant for each other like Duke and Lyssa.” She chuckled. “Of course, it didn’t hurt that I’m helping with the costumes and props for the downtown theater group’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
With her filmy, billowing clothes, and her long ash-gray hair, loose and wavy and entwined with flowers, Anna looked more like a hippie than a retiree. So maybe it wasn’t so surprising that she could take a normal backyard, ringed by normal Georgia woods, and turn it into something out of a storybook.
Tall, Dark & Reckless Page 20