The Bodyguard’s Baby

by Debra Webb

Laura closed her eyes and allowed instinct to take over. She needed Nick to take her away from this painful reality. To hold her and promise her that everything would be all right. Her hands moved over his strong back, feeling, caressing. She could feel the muscled landscape of his broad chest pressing against her breasts. Her nipples pebbled at the thought of how his warm skin would feel against hers.

  His fingers threaded into her hair and pulled her face up to his. “You should get some rest,” he said thickly, his gaze never left her mouth. “I won’t be far away.”

  Laura shook her head, drawing his gaze to hers. “Don’t leave me,” she said in the barest of whispers. Laura tiptoed and quickly kissed his full lips. Nick sucked in a sharp breath. “I want you, Nick. I want you now.”

  He drew back slightly. “You’re not thinking clearly, Laura.” He searched her gaze, her face, then licked his lips, yearning clear in his eyes. “I don’t want you to regret anything.”

  Determined to show him just how badly she wanted him, Laura stepped back and allowed the sheet to fall to the floor. “I do want,” she told him. “I want you.”

  Nick’s gaze moved slowly over her body. Laura felt its caress as surely as if he were touching her with those skilled hands.

  “I want you, too,” he admitted quietly. “But you’re vulnerable right now and I don’t want to take advantage of that.” His eyes contradicted his words. He did want to do just that. He wanted it as badly as she did.

  “The decision isn’t yours,” Laura concluded. “It’s mine.” She recovered the step she had retreated. Her eyes steady on his, Laura reached up and slowly began to un-button his shirt. His gaze dropped to her hands and he watched as she bared his chest. The knowledge that he was watching her and responding sent a surge of power pulsing through her veins, heating her already too warm body.

  Laura held out her hand. “Your weapon, sir.”

  Nick looked from her hand to her. Laura saw the flicker of hesitation in his eyes. She stepped back and opened the drawer to the night table. “I’m only going to put it away,” she explained.

  He nodded, then reached behind his back and retrieved the weapon. Nick’s gaze held hers as he placed the ominous looking weapon in Laura’s open palm.

  She smiled, her lips trembling with the effort. “Thank you.” Nick would never know how much that gesture meant to her. He could have put the gun away himself, but he hadn’t. He trusted her at least a little.

  Laura closed the drawer and turned to find him right behind her, she looked up into those sea green eyes and melted at what she saw. Savage need, overwhelming desire. Nick took her hand in his and pressed a kiss against her palm, then placed it over his heart. Laura felt weak with emotion. Knotting her hands in his shirt, she pulled it from his jeans, then pushed it off his broad shoulders until it dropped to the floor.

  For a time Laura simply admired the exquisite terrain of his muscled chest. She touched the scar and electricity charged through her. Leaning forward, she kissed that place and thanked God once more that Nick was alive. Laura flattened her hands against his hair-roughened chest and allowed her palms to mold to the contours of that awesome torso. She closed her eyes and committed each ripple and ridge to memory. Desire sizzled inside her, making her bold, making her need. Her fingers slipped into the waistband of his jeans and circled his lean waist.

  Nick groaned low in his throat. “Laura,” he rasped. “How long do you plan to torture me this way?”

  She released the button to his fly, then slowly lowered the zipper, the sound echoing around them. “As long as it takes,” she assured him, her voice low and husky.

  Laura knelt in front of him. The immense pleasure in his eyes added to her own. She pulled one boot off, then the other. The socks were rolled off next. Slowly, she tugged his jeans down those long, muscled legs. Each inch of flesh she revealed made breathing that much more difficult. When his jeans had been disposed of, Laura sat back on her heels and admired his amazing body. Wide, wide shoulders that narrowed into a lean waist and hips, then long, muscled legs. She studied the scarred right knee momentarily, remembering the life he had saved by taking a bullet. Laura closed her eyes and forced away the possibility that he might get caught in the crossfire of all this madness again. She couldn’t bear the thought of Nick being hurt again. The realization that his getting hurt or worse was a very distinct possibility hit her hard. She had to make sure that didn’t happen. Everyone around her that she cared about was being hurt or worse.

  Suppressing the thought, Laura’s gaze moved back up those long, powerful legs. Black briefs concealed the part of him that made her wet and achy. Nick had taught her what it was to be a woman in the purest, most primitive sense of the word. Not one day had gone by in the past two years that her body had not yearned for his. Now, at last, she would know that pleasure once more.

  One last time.

  With painstaking slowness, Laura slid his briefs down and off. Nick groaned loudly when she pressed a kiss to one lean hip. His arousal nudged her shoulder sending a shard of desire slicing through her. She wanted him inside her. Now.

  Laura stood, braced her hands against his chest and tiptoed to kiss his firm lips. His eyes opened and the savage fire burning there seared her from the inside out.

  “No more,” he growled. Nick lifted her into his arms as if she weighed nothing at all. Three steps later and they were on the bed.

  “My turn now,” he warned.

  Laura bit down on her lower lip to hold back her cry of need as he kissed his way down her body. He paused to love her breasts. Taking his time, he laved and suckled each until Laura thought she would die of it. He gave the same attention to her belly button, licking, sucking, arousing.

  Nick suddenly stilled. His fingers traced her side. “What’s this?” he murmured.

  Trying to make sense of his question through her haze of lust, Laura stared down at where his fingers touched her. Stretch marks. Few and faint, but there just the same. Why hadn’t she thought of that before?

  “Stretch marks,” she answered. “From my pregnancy. Everyone gets them.”

  Nick traced the pale marks hesitantly.

  “Your evidence,” Laura added when he remained silent.

  Nick smiled at her then. “Absolutely,” he concurred. A predatory gleam brightened his beautiful green eyes. “And my pleasure as well.” His tongue followed the same path his fingers had taken.

  Laura moaned her approval.

  His fingers trailed down her skin until they found that part of her which throbbed for his touch. Laura arched upward when one long finger slipped inside her. His thumb made tiny circles around her most intimate place of desire.

  “Nick,” she murmured. Instinctively her hips moved against his hand. A second finger slipped inside and Laura cried out.

  His mouth captured hers. Slowly, thoroughly he kissed her, his tongue mimicking the rhythm of his fingers. The feel of his lips, soft, yet firm and commanding, commanding her with devastating precision. His tongue touched all the sensitive places in her mouth, a sweet torture to which she gladly surrendered. Laura writhed with the tension coiling tighter and tighter inside her. She gasped for air when his mouth finally lifted from hers. His ragged breath fanned her lips, igniting another fire in her soul. Nick moved between her thighs. Those magic fingers, hot and moist from her body, slid over her hip and beneath her to lift her toward him. Release crashed down on Laura the moment he entered her, stretching, filling, completing.

  Nick covered her mouth with his and took her scream just as she took him inside her. His fingers entwined with hers, pulling her hands above her head. Slowly, drawing out the exquisite pleasure, Nick thrust fully inside her again and again. Her tension building even faster than the first time, Laura met his thrusts, urging him to hurry. Her heart pounding, her breath trapped in her lungs, Laura spiraled toward release once more. One last thrust and Nick followed her to that special place of pure sensation.

  His breathing as jagged and labore
d as hers, Nick pressed his forehead to Laura’s. “Are you all right?”

  Laura nodded once, unable to speak.

  “Rest now. We’ll talk later,” he told her as he rolled over and pulled her into his protective embrace.

  Laura closed her eyes against the tears. How she loved this man. But they would never be able to be a family. No matter how he felt about her at this moment, when he discovered the truth, he would despise her for keeping his son from him for so long.

  Laura had to find a way to get away from Nick. He had been hurt by her too much already. Nick had taken a bullet and almost died for her. She had kept his son from him all this time. He deserved better. She could not risk him being hurt by James Ed’s men again. If something happened to her Robby would need his father. Nick only had to take one look at Robby to know that the child belonged to him. And she knew in her heart that Nick would not stop looking for him now no matter what happened. He had urged James Ed to give him this time with Laura. Nick had stuck his neck out for her too many times already. Decision behind her, Laura considered her best course of action. Too much time had been wasted already. Doc’s office might hold some clue to where he had gone. And maybe even some proof of her child’s existence. Something she could take to the police.

  Laura had to find her baby. But she had to make sure Nick stayed out of the line of fire this time.

  This was between her and James Ed.

  Chapter Nine

  The scent of an angel tantalized him. Nick snuggled more deeply into his pillow. Laura. He smiled and opened his eyes to the bright morning light spilling into the room. He reached for the woman who had turned his world upside down once more.

  “Good morning,” she murmured.

  Nick kissed the tip of her nose. “Morning,” he rasped. “Did you know that you look like an angel when you wake up?”

  Laura giggled. God, how good it felt to hear that. But Nick wanted more than a glimpse of the woman he had fallen in love with. He wanted her to laugh out loud. To drive him crazy like she did two years ago. While he watched, sadness filled her gaze once more, and Nick knew she had remembered that her son was still missing.

  “Hungry?” he inquired, trying to keep the mood light. “I could eat a horse.”

  She smiled. “You’re always hungry.” Laura searched his gaze for what seemed like forever, as if she were afraid it might be the last time she could look at him this way. “You go take care of breakfast. I want a long, hot bath,” she said suggestively. “Maybe you can even come join me.”

  “Maybe I’m not as hungry as I thought.” Nick nuzzled her neck, then nipped the lobe of her ear.

  Laura gasped and pulled away from his exploring mouth. “For once I am,” she murmured.

  Nick bowed his head. “Your wish is my command, madam.”

  Laura giggled again as she scurried from the room. Nick watched her departure in rapt appreciation. He loved every square inch of her petite little body.

  “Don’t lock the door,” he called out after her. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  “I’ll be waiting,” she called from the bathroom. The sound of water rushing into the tub obliterated any possibility of further conversation.

  Nick threw back the sheet and got out of bed. He stretched, feeling better than he had in a very long time. He pulled on his jeans, tucked his weapon into his waistband and started toward the kitchen. This was the way it should be, the two of them together making love, sharing moments like this morning.

  But there was Laura’s child. Nick slowed in his progress toward the kitchen. He scrubbed a hand over his stomach. The notion of a child would take some getting used to. Nick certainly wanted children of his own. He paused at the kitchen doorway. Did it matter to him that this child belonged to another man? A slow smile claimed Nick’s mouth. Hell no. Nick would love Laura’s child just like his own.

  Feeling like a tremendous weight had been lifted from his shoulders, Nick set to the task of making breakfast. He whistled as he worked. Nothing like great sex with the woman you love to make a man happy, he decided. All he had to do now was sort all this insanity out.

  Twenty minutes later and Nick was ready to join Laura. At this point he might only get to dry her back. He grinned. But that was fine with him. Nick sauntered down the hall, anticipation pounding through his veins. He could make love to Laura for the rest of his life and never stop wanting more of her. He tapped on the closed bathroom door.

  “Ready or not here I come,” he teased. Nick turned the knob and pushed the door open. Steam billowed out to engulf him. Nick frowned. What the hell? He stepped into the bathroom and water pooled around his feet. His heart rate blasted into overdrive, pumping fear and adrenaline through his tense body. He fanned his arms to part the steam. Water was pouring over the side of the tub. Where was Laura? Fear hurdled through Nick’s veins. He peered down at the tub. No Laura. Thank God. He swallowed hard as he leaned down and turned the swiftly flowing water off, then opened the drain.

  Nick straightened and took a breath. His next thought sent anger rushing through him, neutralizing the fear he had felt. He crossed the wet floor to the window, parted the curtain and cleared a spot of fog from the glass. Peering out, his suspicion was confirmed. His rental car was gone.

  Nick swore hotly.

  Laura was gone.

  His fury burning off the last of the fear lingering in his chest, Nick stamped into Laura’s bedroom. Pain roared up his leg, and his knee almost buckled in protest. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth until the pain subsided to a more tolerable level. Taking a bit more care, he tugged on his shirt and socks and stepped into his boots.

  How the hell had he let last night happen? Nick cursed himself again. It was two years ago all over again, only this time he wasn’t bleeding. At least not on the outside, he amended. With all that had happened, how could he still feel this way about Laura?

  He was a fool, that’s why.

  He had sworn that he wouldn’t get sucked into the Proctor family saga this time. He headed to the door, pulling his jacket on and automatically checking the weapon at the small of his back as he went. Damn it, damn it. Here he was, heart deep in tangled emotions and deadly deceptions.

  He had really screwed up this time. He should have known Laura was up to something. She had given in to his plan of action last night all too easily. She was desperate to find her son. And desperate people did desperate things. Nick knew that all too well. He should have reassured her rather than pushing for answers about her pregnancy. She had ended up unwilling to discuss the issue. Nick cursed himself again. Making love to Laura again had only served to reinforce the feeling that she was his and his alone. The thought that she had been with another man, even once, still tore at his heart. He shouldn’t have pressured her about the child’s father. He should have insisted they do things his way and his way only. He should have realized that something was up this morning.

  Damn it, he was a complete idiot.

  Nick followed the driveway until it intersected the highway. He glanced left. That direction would take her to Jackson. He didn’t think Laura would head that way, not alone and unarmed. His gaze shifted right. It was only five miles to town. That was the direction he needed to take. His knee complained sharply at the thought. Nick shifted his weight to the other leg. Why would Laura go into town?

  Nick swore when he considered that she may have gone back to the old woman’s house. That’s all he needed was for the old hag to call the police and get Laura thrown into jail. James Ed would…

  He didn’t want to consider that his instincts had gone that far south where James Ed was concerned. Protecting James Ed’s interests, including Laura, was the job Nick had signed on to do. But solving the puzzle that was Laura Proctor’s predicament was Nick’s ultimate goal. Nick’s gut instinct just wouldn’t permit him to believe that James Ed was the villain here.

  And neither was Laura. She had definitely been attacked. There was no question in his m
ind about that. And she had obviously been pregnant. The stretch marks were there and Nick had noticed other subtle changes to her body. Her breasts were fuller. However, making love to her had proven the same—mind-blowing. The scent of her still clung to his skin, the memory of her tight, hot body was tattooed across his brain, easily arousing him even now.

  Nick shook himself from the memory. He didn’t have time for that right now. He had to find Laura. His attention jerked to the road when an old truck slowed as it approached him. He squinted to identify the driver.

  Rutherford.

  Headed in the direction of Jackson, the old man passed slowly, did a precarious U-turn, then stopped on the edge of the road right in front of Nick.

  “Need a ride young fella?”

  Nick braced his hands on the door and leaned into the open window. “I suppose that depends upon where you’re headed, old man,” Nick said tersely. He was still annoyed that Rutherford had spilled his guts to Ian and not him. Maybe Nick had gotten too close to all this. Whatever the case, he didn’t like being jerked around or bypassed.

  The old man eyed him suspiciously for one long minute, then one side of his mouth hitched up in a smile. He pushed his John Deere cap up and scratched his forehead. “I’m headed to the same place you’re headed, I reckon,” he replied cryptically.

  Nick eyed him with mounting skepticism. “Is that a fact?”

  Rutherford settled his cap back into place and adopted a knowing look. “It is if it’s an angel you’re looking for.”

  “You know where Laura is?”

  The old man grinned widely. “I sure do. I was out to the barn for a ladder.” He nodded toward the large barn right off the pages of a New England calendar that sat behind and to one side of the Proctor house. “Planned on cleaning out the gutters today. That rain last night pretty much cleared the rest of the leaves from the trees.”

  “You saw her leave,” Nick prodded impatiently.

  “She come running outta that house like the devil himself was on her heels.” Rutherford cocked a bushy gray brow. “But you never did come out.”