Lexie eased against the headboard and brought the covers up to her chin. Resting her head on her knees, she allowed the tears to fall.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
She had more important things to do than crush on Mac. She had to get herself out of this mess with Ryan and get back to Gabriel.
You are the pawn, to be moved wherever I need you.
Ryan’s words terrified her. He was so confident that he controlled her. If everyone she loved was in protective custody, what could he possibly have to use against her?
Before the thought was fully formed in her head, she hopped off the bed and hit the floor running. Charging down the long hallway, she came to an abrupt stop when she slammed into a hard, very bare chest.
“What’s wrong, Lexie?”
“I need to use your laptop.”
“I don’t have one.”
She pushed by him and searched the great room. “Then your desktop.”
Mac reached for her elbow. “I don’t have a computer in the house. What’s wrong?”
“Who the hell doesn’t own a computer?”
“Me.” He let out a sigh. “Computers are for work. This is my home. Now, tell me what’s wrong?”
She swept her fingers through her long-tangled hair, pulling it into a ponytail, then allowing it to flow down her back. “Does Senator Ramirez have kids? I remember a couple of years ago his campaign poster had little kids in it.”
“Lexie, let’s make sure Ryan wasn’t just messing with your head before you go off and—”
“Does. He. Have. Kids.” She took a no-nonsense step toward him. “Answer the damn question.”
“He has four boys under the age of thirteen.”
“Ryan released the drone on a home with small children?” Her heart pivoted into her stomach as she tried to make sense of what she knew about the man. “Were they hurt?”
“No, they had already left for school. The senator was the only one injured.”
“Are they under some kind of protection?”
“Yes.”
Lexie pinned Mac with just as hard a glare as the one he was giving her. “You’re going to need more manpower and more guns… bigger guns.” She dropped onto Mac’s makeshift bed, placing her head in her hands. “He probably knew their daily schedule. All he had to do was watch the house.”
“Don’t figure this guy out. Crazy is as crazy does.”
“You think Ryan was just playing with my head. Damn it, you weren’t there. You didn’t get the pleasure of his soulless, mad eyes up close and personal. Somehow, Ryan discovered that I’m Ramirez’s only daughter, and the fine senator has known about me since before I was born. That would make Ramirez’s boys my half-brothers.”
“Lexie…”
“Don’t go dense on me.” She reached for his cell phone on the coffee table and tossed it to him. “Make the call. Now!”
She clamped her jaw so tight a sharp pain sliced into the back of her head. An instant later, Ryan’s mantra filled her head: At all times, focused, alert, and in control.
She needed to gain control, or Mac wouldn’t hear her. She filled her lungs with air and let it out to the slow count of five.
“Ryan’s exact words to me were You are the pawn, to be moved wherever I need you. He said he could get to me any time he wants, and I would help him destroy the senator.”
Lexie’s pulse rushed through her veins. She was heading into another panic attack.
Mac reached for both of her hands and tugged her from the sofa, bringing her against his chest. Placing her hands on his waist, she moved in, allowing his warmth and strength to seep in. This was what she needed, but she couldn’t help hating herself for wanting it so much.
“Try again, Lexie. I’m listening.”
“The boys are my brothers, and Ryan knows it. He also knows that even though I wouldn’t give a damn what happened to Daniel Ramirez, I would very much care about those kids. They are family.”
She searched his expression for a clue that he understood. “Mac, Ryan will run from the ranch right to them. I know it here,” she said, spreading her hand wide over her heart. “He had no problem killing one of your agents protecting Cole and Marcus. After my escape, he will come at my brothers with everything he has because he needs me. Please, Mac, protect them with everything you got.”
Mac’s grip tightened on her arms. “Why, Lexie? Help me understand why you’re so important to him.”
“I don’t know. He has a plan. I wasn’t able to see much of it, but it was arranged meticulously on a long wall of his ranch house with maps, photo images of border crossings, the state Capitol…”
“Wait, what did he have at the state Capitol?”
“Aerial views, floor plans, the grounds… everything. The only reason I recognized the state house was because of the dome. There were other buildings, but I don’t know them.”
A heavy dread pressed down like an elephant on her chest. “Hacking my workstation to launch that drone was part of his plan. Taking me away from you was another part. Nothing has changed. He will come after me. The only thing he has left to use against me is you and my brothers. He would be insane to take on the FBI. That leaves those four little boys.”
Without releasing his hold on her, he keyed in a text. Nothing was said as they waited for his phone to vibrate. As soon as the reply came in, he gave it a quick glance before shutting it off and setting it on the coffee table.
“Díaz will have a heavier protection detail on the family. He asked me to thank you for the insight.”
“I should have made the connection six hours ago.”
Mac tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his simple gesture vibrating in her toes.
“You were a little busy.”
He set his hand at her hip and drew her closer. The hungry look was familiar, as was her body’s response, and she had no desire to ignore it any further. Maybe this one time she could let go and allow herself to be held.
She brought her hand to his chest, skin to skin, and roamed until her fingers covered his heart. Like the rest of Mac, the beat pulsed strongly against the palm.
With his thumb, he nudged her chin until she faced him. “I know you, Lexie Trevena.”
“What?”
Slowly, his head lowered until he was inches from her lips. She should move, but every cell in her body declared war on her common sense.
“You said I didn’t know who you are. You’re wrong.” He brushed his lips over hers, his teeth nipping her bottom lip. “Don’t you want to argue with me?”
She couldn’t help sucking in a breath. “Not yet.”
His deep chuckle had the same effect as his touch, sending a charge right to her core. A moan escaped her throat as he took her lips for a second kiss, this one hard, demanding. But it ended way too soon.
“I know that you have the sweetest heart. Rico betrayed every promise he ever made to you, but you took his son and loved him as if he were your own without a second thought. And, you’re ready to go to battle for brothers you didn’t know existed a few hours ago.”
He brought his mouth over the tender area right below her ear and kissed his way down her throat before raising his head. “Maybe that isn’t everything, but it’s important. You want to know something else I know about you?”
Her words stuck in her throat.
“I know you need to forget all your reasons why we aren’t a good idea and just be with me.”
Twenty
Lexie’s stomach clenched as deep, unleashed emotions churned to the surface. How could she even consider the idea of a relationship with Mac? Bad plan! Her heart would never survive him.
Mac’s hands cupping her neck shut off her brain, her body taking control. He eased her even closer, the move, a possessive act that sent ripples of awareness through every cell. This was the moment her mind normally retreated.
Nothing. Common sense just flew out the window. Lucas “Mac” McNeil was lethal, and it was his true su
per power.
“Are you going to fight me on this, Lexie?” He softly nipped her bottom lip as his mesmerizing eyes transformed into the deepest pools of gold she had ever seen. They stared down, exploring every inch of her.
“Well?”
“No… no fight.”
“Good plan.”
An arm pressed at the small of her back, bringing her against his length, and his mouth devoured hers. Her hands reached out for support to find only skin—hard, pulsating skin.
This kiss wasn’t like any of the others they’d shared. Mac held back nothing of himself. He was demanding, taking what he wanted. And for the first time in a long time, Lexie didn’t mind his aggressiveness. It ignited something in her that was new, exciting―something she’d never felt before. This man wanted her, wanted everything she could give and willing to give her just as much in return.
Her walls dissolved, and she gave over to the feeling. It came in fast, overwhelming, awaking the dormant sensual side she had carefully locked away.
Need screamed to be released. She wanted all of Mac at once. To her shock, she clutched the denim covering him and brought him hard against her. Her lungs emptied and her mind whirled in so many directions, she couldn’t focus. It took her several moments to recognize that Mac spoke as he dipped his head into the swell of her neck.
“What?”
“I said, put your arms around my neck.”
His mouth reclaimed hers and Lexie did as he asked. He cupped her bottom, lifting her. Her legs went around his waist and she clung to him, the kiss so potent, only this moment existed. He stalked into the hallway and entered the bedroom.
“Oh, the bed. Good idea,” she said, breaking their connection for an instant. He could have taken her against the wall for all she cared.
As he laid her gently onto the cool duvet cover, his mouth trailing the side of her face to her neck as he towered over her. She couldn’t help pressing into him.
He eased to the side, drawing her slightly over him, and threaded his fingers into her hair. “If you don’t want this, say something now.”
She spread her hands over his chest and gave him a half-hearted shove. “You almost make that sound like a threat, McNeil,” she said as she brought her lips down on his right nipple and sucked. He took in a hard breath. Good, he was in as bad shape as she was. “Am I acting like I don’t want this?” Lexie eased over the top of him. “I want you.”
“Good, because I have dreamed of this moment for too damn long.”
That registered and her bravado drained from her. “You thought of us like this?”
“Hundreds of times―maybe thousands. Every night since we met. Do the math.”
She caressed the outline of his bottom lip with the tip of her finger. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
“I was waiting.”
“For what?”
“For you to be ready for me.”
Her heart skipped, another first for her. “Then this really means something to you?”
“Yes, Lexie. If you aren’t there, then say something.”
She brought her hands to his face as she shifted to the spot where their bodies fit perfectly. Her lips started at his eyes, kissing each lid before she worked her way to the side of his face, brushing over the stubble. Just the feel of those bristly hairs against her tender lips sent a jolt through her.
Everything about Mac set her on fire, but he also scared her to death. The need he created tonight would stay with her forever. And, walking away, unthinkable. “Who said I wasn’t ready? But if you don’t think you can a handle me―”
His mouth trapped her words with another deep, mind-blowing kiss. He tasted of mint, her favorite flavor. Her body sealed the win over her mind.
“Oh, sweet Lexie, I can take you, and will start right here.”
He rolled her under him as one hand roamed her side to her hip, tugging at the hem of her T-shirt. Lexie eased away from the bed. With one jerk, the T-shirt came over her head.
“And that’s what I thought would happen.”
“What…”
“Lexie, you take my breath away.”
Her mind fought for one final skirmish, and she almost grabbed the sheet to cover herself. It had been almost three years since anyone other than Gabriel had seen her topless.
“Don’t.”
One word was all it took. She relaxed her shoulders, allowing the feeling of skin against skin to pull her under his spell. That was what this was, a spell.
She raised her head and captured his mouth, her lips softening and accepting him.
He broke the kiss, eased his mouth down on her body until his lips were inches from her breast. He inched closer, teasing her to madness before he captured her nipple between his teeth and gave it a slight tug. Heat jolted into every nerve.
She had to have more, so much more, and he didn’t have any trouble delivering. While his mouth drove her to distraction, his other hand swept over her hip into the center of her core. She almost shot off the bed as intense heat ripped through her. She clutched her hands into his thick, wavy hair, and pushed up into him. “Mac, now.”
“I’m just getting started.”
“You’re killing me.”
“No, sweetheart. I’m loving you, and I’m not stopping until I have tasted every inch of you.”
His rich baritone voice almost sent her over the edge. She pressed herself into him as her heart pulsed so hard against her ribs, she could hear the vibrations between her ears.
“You want to know something else I know about you?”
“Yes… no… Stop talking. I can’t think.”
He let out a chuckle, then took hold of the hand on his chest and captured it over her head. Her mind battled to break free, but her body arched further into him.
“You want this as much as I do. And―”
“And?”
He lowered his head, his lips caressing over the spot right under her breast, and then worked his way to her navel. With a one quick jerk, the pajama bottoms joined the T-shirt wherever it had ended up. He brought his lips over the tender spot. As his finger traced a path to her center and her world exploded around her, he whispered, “This isn’t a one-timer for us, Lexie. A lifetime will not be enough. Do you know why?”
She couldn’t have answered him if her life depended on it.
His lips followed his fingers. “We’re exactly where we both want to be, under each other’s skin.” He raised his head and pinned her with a heated look. “Agree?”
“Yes.”
Twenty-One
A hint of cinnamon and chocolate filled the kitchen just as Lexie stepped into the great room.
“Mac?”
“In the kitchen.”
He pulled out another bagel and set it on the plate. He had grudgingly eased his body from under Lexie, showered, and was on his second cup of coffee even though coffee was the last thing he wanted.
Just hearing her voice spawned vivid images of their lovemaking, hardening every muscle in his body to the breaking point. She was full of fire, spice, and so sexy-soft―such a contradiction. How was he supposed to spend the day focusing on a missing drone and Ryan when everything in him wanted only to have Lexie in his bed, their bodies entwined?
As he smeared the bagel with his favorite spread, he didn’t doubt for an instant he could keep her safe. But how did he keep her from bolting?
“You’re wearing the face,” she said as she approached the kitchen island.
He pressed his lips into a grin. “No face. Just thinking.”
He set the last bagel on the platter and moved away from the counter. Reaching for her, he drew her into his arms and brought his lips to hers just until they touched. “Good morning.”
The kiss that followed morphed from lips barely touching to a hard, demanding assault, mouth, tongue, teeth, and their bodies molding into each other. Mac stumbled, his spine hitting the counter. The extra support allowed him to lift her higher against
him, but he couldn’t get enough of her.
As quickly as the kiss began, Lexie broke away and inched back, taking in a deep breath. In a shaky whisper, she asked, “You made breakfast?”
“If you want to call it that.” He moved the platter closer. “This is my famous breakfast of champions, a freshly toasted cinnamon bagel covered with chocolate spread. It isn’t the healthiest thing to start the day with, but it gets my motor running.”
“After that kiss, I don’t think that’s the only thing that gets your motor running?”
Mac captured her waist between his hands as his lips again covered hers. For this moment, she was his, and his world was perfect.
His cell phone vibrated across the counter. It had to be Díaz returning his call.
“Is that about Gabriel? May I speak to him?”
Mac held up a hand. “No, sir, I think it needs to be this way. We’ve underestimated Ryan.”
Lexie moved out of the kitchen, avoiding his eyes as a deep pink rose in her neck and cheeks. Mac poured coffee into the empty mug identical to his and added a spoon of sugar. He followed her into the great room and wrapped his arm around her waist with one hand, handing her the mug while his lips brushed the tender skin at her neck. Díaz said something in his ear. He gave his head a shake and yanked his attention on the conversation.
“Give me forty-five minutes. I’ll call when I’m closer.”
Shutting off the phone, he slid it into his back pocket and wrapped his free arm around Lexie. He hadn’t been away from her more than a half hour, but he missed her, missed the feel of her in his arms.
Silence surrounded them as they both stared through his French doors into the Hill Country beyond his property. If only he could keep her by his side. Lexie was antsy, running scared. It was like watching a jackrabbit on the side of the road before it jumped in front of a moving car.
Maybe last night was only the adrenaline pumping through her veins. Mac had moments like that over the years where he had to connect with someone, feel another heartbeat, bury himself so deep inside that person, the horrors he witnessed didn’t drag him under. Dead-end relationships were a thing of the past. Lexie was his future. He’d ached for her for so long, but he wouldn’t manipulate her.
In the Shadow of Pride Book 4 Page 14