He sucked in a sharp breath, but did not resist. He yielded to her instead.
Ashley clung to the kiss, moving her lips over his firm ones, tasting and lingering. When she went to draw back, he held stronger, sliding his tongue along the seam of her mouth, and she allowed him in. They gasped in unison. She melted into his warmth and strength. A zing shot through her nerve endings from the top of her head to the tip of her toes and everything in between.
“Wowie kazowie!” Peg cried out.
That dropped Ash back to Earth. Apparently it had done the same for Brock; he ground to a halt and eased away. His hot breath fanned over her, fueling flames. Another curl of desire tightened inside her.
Slowly, he returned her to her feet. She clutched his thick upper arms until her knees stopped quaking. Well, until only a slight tremor remained. Ash reluctantly let go of his big, powerful biceps. I’ve died and gone to heaven!
“H-O-T! To the max!” Rico clapped. “I likee.”
“Let’s go, boss.” Felix’s sound advice brought everyone back to the moment.
Peg and Rico raced to the vehicle with the wedding dress and tote bag. “Best thing I’ve heard all night,” Rico agreed.
“Front seat, Rico,” Brock instructed. “Peg, in back with the dress. You,” he directed the last to Ash, “and me in the backseat.”
More necking? She gulped. But, by the look on his now stony features, not likely. Her mind tracked the fast, abrupt movements as they took their places while she felt her lips pulse and throb. Felix hightailed them out of there, gunning the engine.
In the moment of utter relief, she’d reacted to the welcome sight of Brock. He was solid strength and safety. Leaning on him seemed natural and right. Who would have thought the two of them together were combustible?!
Looking at his profile in the dark interior of the vehicle, she realized that in just a few days she’d come to rely on him. Too much.
What about your single’s pact with your besties? You don’t want a man, remember? Just one or a half-dozen juicy contracts to set Mom and Dad and you on a path to a new life.
When all was said and done, he’d be gone. And she’d be alone. Again. Simon had done that once, reeled her in and jumped off the hook when she’d questioned him about her growing suspicions.
Brock turned to look at her, drilling her with an intense stare.
Her heart fluttered behind her ribs.
No, you didn’t! Stop. Now. Before it’s too late.
***
Brock bit down on the overwhelming desire pulsing through him. Relief at her being alive? On top of raging hormones, right? The sweet taste of her lips lingered. Forcing himself to return to the matter at hand, he asked, “Do you want to tell me how you booked a flight to Mexico yet ended up way the hell out here?”
“The cabbie was looney tunes,” Peg answered. “Scared the bejeezus out of us and dropped us in the dead of nowhere. Pictures sure to follow.”
“Oh, I’ve got service,” Rico cried, shoving the phone toward the backseat. “Paps are tweeting about you, Ash! Waiting for you to show.”
“You want to draw attention to yourself?” Brock knew the answer, but had to ask.
“Maybe it wasn’t exactly a sound plan…” She shrugged.
“You think?” He blew out a hot breath.
“Where to, boss?” Felix asked, sending a glance over his shoulder. “Safe house?”
He calculated the situation. She stirred up a hornet’s nest. Looking at her again, he decided to humor her. Why not draw everyone out of hiding? “You want to play in the big leagues? You got it.”
“Huh? This was a bust. All I want is a shower and sleep.”
“No can do. Felix, contact the team. Put two on the Moores’ home, front and back. Also, have someone book a flight to Vegas for Ashley and myself, car service waiting there, and reservations at the Elvis wedding chapel—”
“At the what-el?” Ash croaked out.
“Bridal suite, too, somewhere,” he continued. “Rico, spread rumors on Twitter. Then don’t reply.” He twisted around to find Peg nearly eye to eye with him. “I’m Brock. Nice to meet you, Peg. You, my new friend, are going to help Ashley change into the wedding dress.”
“What?!” the four of them asked in unison.
“Why, Ashley, you are going to be my bride after all.” Something clutched inside. “Quickie wedding escape between gigs and you’re back in town by Saturday night. That should give everyone enough time.”
“You’ve lost your mind.” Her glare did not go unfelt.
“Most likely.”
“O la la! I wanna go. I can be the witness,” Rico said.
“Sorry, pal. Not going. Just stirring the pot. We feed the tabloids to post pictures and we sneak away.”
“Seriously?” Doubts to his sanity shaded her question. “Me showing up at the airport in a wedding dress?”
“You just came from a modeling shoot. Rico, add that to a tweet. Last time you saw Ash, she was leaving with the dress still on.”
“Ah, I likee. Isn’t this exciting, Peg?”
“I’ll say. Wait until we write the book about our lives, Rico. Bestseller, here we come!”
Ashley groaned, sinking down in her seat.
“Be careful of what you ask for, Ash,” Brock whispered to her.
Memories of holding her picture through the long days and nights downrange and longing for her to be his beamed bright. Ridiculous dreams sparked hope. And hope had saved his butt more than once. That feeling, raw and so seldom exposed nowadays, swelled inside his chest.
And you be careful of what you wish for, Rockdale!
Chapter 9
Ash struggled in the tight confinement of the backseat, pulling and tugging the voluminous satin dress on. “I’m keeping my pants on,” she said to no one and everyone.
Rico chuckled. “That’s not what he’d like. Right, big guy?”
Peg snorted. “Good one, pal! Invisible high-five ya from the rear here.”
“Really? You two could not make this any worse than it already is,” she said between gritted teeth. Hello, I’m dying here! Wedding chapel? Bridal suite?
The vehicle slowed as Felix swiveled the wheel and darted down another side street.
She tilted to the side. Then she yanked once again. Her hand slipped and her elbow jabbed Brock in his rock-solid shoulder. “Oopsie!”
He muttered something, reached over, and then picked her up and sat her on his lap sideways. “More room.”
The growl of an explanation rumbled through his chest and she kinda liked the way it vibrated against her side. But she gulped at the realization of something else pressing against her backside. “Ah, you like me?”
“Well, I am happy to see you. Alive.”
“I’ll just go now.”
Brock held her tighter. “Finish.”
“My top?”
“That and roll your pants up, so no one can see them.”
“The thing is…”
“What’s the thing again?”
“I’m not wearing a bra,” she whispered. However, it seemed like everyone in the vehicle had heard.
“Girl, don’t worry. I’ve seen all sizes, even yours, before.” Rico chuckled.
“I’ll say! For someone who likes boys, he’s seen a lot—I mean, a lot—of girl parts,” Peg said. They both laughed.
Felix snickered. He reached up and twisted the rearview mirror away.
“Thanks,” she murmured. But it wasn’t Brock’s employee she was that concerned with. No, the man holding her breathed a little heavier, as if drawing in air proved difficult. And his hands, wrapped around her waist, shook a tad.
Tiny thrills raced up and down her spine at the effect she was having on him. At least he’s not immune to me. One-sided was never good. Been there. Done that. Lived the betrayal!
Kicking herself mentally for putting herself in this position, Ashley grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it to her chest. She stopped to cove
r herself with one arm, and then realized she’d never wiggle out of it like that.
One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three… She shucked it off, but it got stuck with her arms in the air, tangling in her haste.
“Whoa, now!” Brock’s heated breath fanned over her bare skin.
His arm crossed her front, brushing her breasts, and then stayed there, covering her. She bit back on the moan that bubbled up inside her. Heat penetrated through his denim shirt and lit a fire in her. Or fueled the embers from that smoking hot kiss!
“Just take it off already,” he said under his breath.
The strain in his words and restraint in his actions stirred the sparks crackling inside her. With Peg leaning over from the back and helping, they maneuvered the shirt off. Ash, free now, went for the bunched-up bodice and encountered his muscles. “I’m good now.”
He withdrew slowly as she pulled up one side and then the other. It had to be the most erotic thing she’d ever felt, yet he’d never touched her. Once. Not like that.
“The back.” She sounded breathy even to her own ears.
“Peg.” Brock helped Ash shift and angled her so the other woman could assist.
“Got it, big guy.”
In record time, Ashley was done and back on her side of the seat, propping up one leg and then the other to roll back the yoga pants. “I’ll have to go barefoot.” She kicked off her ballet slippers.
“For sure! Ew! Black shoes with a white wedding dress.” Rico agreed. “Even the paps would be suspicious of that.”
“Gun it for the airport, Felix.” Brock sounded stern and weary all at the same time.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I thought…”
“You could help. I know. Listen, I’m not here for show, understand? There’s a viable threat waiting for you. I’m the expert. Not you. Let’s hope we can pull this off and get you out of this mess fast.”
“Threat?” Rico and Peg asked at the same time, jerking to look at her.
“Ah, guys, there’s something you should know,” Ash said, cringing inside. She’d forgotten to tell them. Well, the most important part of the story…
Crazed fan 101 lesson coming right up!
“I’m sorta, kinda, being stalked.”
It sounded bad. Really bad.
Silence descended.
The weight of it finally hit Ash.
Oh, hell, I’m being stalked!
***
The closer they got to the airport, the more Brock figured he should have pulled the plug. His nerves danced as if they’d jump out of his skin at any moment. Or was that the aftereffects of Hurricane Ashley? Damn, he’d never experienced anything like it. Steamy. Erotic. With witnesses to boot. He bit back on a groan of part lust and part stupidity. “Who’s meeting us there? Theta driving?”
“As if she’d let anyone else take the wheel,” Felix said, fixing the mirror. “In place. Says it’s packed solid. Not much wiggle room, if you know what I mean.”
“OMG! Are we going to die?” Rico squeaked. “I’m not ready. I haven’t found the one.”
“Pipe down,” Felix bit out. “They’re talking in my ear.” He pointed to his Bluetooth and continued with that conversation. “Roger and out.”
“Hey, buddy, that’s my line. Can’t steal it,” Peg said. “I got dibs.”
“No one is going to die. Not on my watch.” Brock prayed he was right. He’d never lost a client. Only a dozen buddies. Glancing over at Ash, wringing her hands, he recalled her fiancé, full of life and that bravado that placed them both in harm’s way. I promised to take care of her. “You sure about this?” he asked softly.
She gulped. “What kind of life are my parents and I going to have if we can’t catch this person?”
Her logic made absolute sense.
“How many times can you hide them? How many times can I run?”
“I take that as a yes then.” He’d do the same in a heartbeat. Protecting the ones you loved was always paramount in life. Realization jolted him. They had the same purpose. No! Do not connect!
“Boss?” Felix glanced back, captured his stare for a split second, and then continued to drive down the highway.
He could only imagine what his team was saying to Felix in his earpiece. Just sipped the Kool-Aid! Going rogue on us? “Plan B?”
“Not a rule?” Ashley poked fun at him.
“Change of plans. Too many people. Too exposed. Too much vulnerability.” Not enough control.
“But the paps?’ Rico stuck his hand back, waving his lit-up cell phone.
That gave Brock an idea. “Closest church. We stage a fake wedding.” It’d yank the sucker out of hiding or put a bigger target on their backs. “What do you say, Ash—ready to get married to me tonight?”
***
Sitting on the wooden pew at the back of the silent, peaceful church, Ashley slid a tad closer to Brock and that solid shoulder and arm of his. Comfort. Security. Out of the side of her mouth, she asked, “What’s your plan, Stan?”
Brock chuckled. “Sanctuary?”
“Reprieve?”
“What the hel— sorry—were you thinking?”
She cringed. And here it comes! Off with her head! “Somehow I think you don’t really need an answer for that one.” Chalk up another epic mistake!
“Do you think I’ll go up in a puff of smoke at any minute?”
Huh? “Did you drink the wine when I wasn’t looking?”
He tapped his inner calf. “Bringing a gun in a house of worship.”
“Join me on my leap into hell and damnation.”
“You said the H word? You are so in trouble now.”
The grin in his voice made her giggle. “Why, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were teasing.”
“Brings me back…”
In the distance, she heard Rico whispering loudly, “Light the dang candles, will ya?”
A match struck; a blast of flame flared and then it was out. “Ouch, owch,” Peg cried. “My finger. Sucker hurts.”
“Back away. I’ll do it.” Felix’s voice held a weary note.
“I guess they won’t make the cut,” Ash said softly, “you know, for your next elite super-duper team.”
“You, either.”
Ash grabbed her chest. “That smarts. Right to the heart, Rockdale.” She gulped. Her words did sink in; they were all too true. He’d gotten to her.
“You put them in danger. Yourself, too.”
A wave of guilt washed over her. “I seem to be doing that a lot lately.”
“Dangerous woman.” Somehow they both knew he was talking about them now.
Finally, the trio at the altar brought the candles to life. The soft glow illumined the area. The flickering light danced on the stained-glass windows, casting colors. “It’s beautiful.”
“I used to go to a church like this, back home.”
She could make a joke, but thought better of it at the moment. You’re already in too deep now—don’t make it any worse, girl! “Your family? They must miss you.”
“More like me missing them.” His words, low and rough, stuck. “They’re gone. Car accident.”
Her heart twisted. Tears burned her eyes. “No one, Brock?”
He shook his head.
Gently, she reached out and slid her hand into his. His fingers curled around hers and she about melted at his touch. No family? She couldn’t imagine what not having her mom and dad would be like. It was bad enough being away from them for long stretches of time, but, never, ever again?
“What do you mean, I have to take my shirt off?” Felix asked, backing down the aisle and away from Rico. “Boss, this wasn’t in the plan.”
“And reality returns,” Brock said, letting go of her hand and getting up to deal with the duo.
The magical spell broke. Smash and crash!
Ash watched him walk away. Oh, that back and those big, broad shoulders. Yep, hell and damnation coming right up, served on a silver platter.
“Just take the pictures,” Brock insisted, squeezed in to Felix’s white dress shirt. Standing at the altar, facing Ash, gorgeous and looking every bit of a bride in that stunning wedding gown, Brock stemmed the wicked thoughts whirling in his mind.
“You look like the Hulk.” Ash covered her mouth with her hand.
“And that’s supposed to help?”
“She’s right, big guy.” Rico went to touch his chest where the shirt gapped open.
“Back away from the skin.” Peg coaxed him down from the high wire. Clicking a few shots on his cell phone, she said, “Side view helps. Can’t tell you’re bursting out of the seams.”
“The team’s going to love this.” Felix took several on his phone and then held it up for him to see. “You got to get closer, boss. Make it believable.”
He sighed. Would this never end? Get the job done, Rockdale!
“Here, let me,” Rico insisted, nudging his back so he’d stepped forward. Then he went around and tugged on Ash, so now she was toe to toe. “Lean down. Mouths close.” He moved away. “Oh, the paps are gonna love these! Take it!”
The clicks sounded in the sudden stillness.
Brock felt her warm breath on his exposed skin. Darts of desire went off inside him, like fireworks exploding and raining down, hot and sizzling.
When she looked up, he captured that intoxicating stare and he nearly lost it. Dangerous, I tell you. His lips were inches from hers now, but he didn’t take the kiss. Couldn’t possibly, because he’d never stop if he did.
Mayday! Mayday! You’re in over your head, Rockdale!
No shit, Sherlock!
Another strike in the house of worship.
Yep, he was already on fire!
Chapter 10
His hand cupping Ashley’s mouth was not the first thing that presented a problem.
“Sshh!” Brock hissed in her ear.
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