Unearthed

by Ann B. Morris

  She’d convinced GrammuU to cancel the cab and come with her to the hospital where she stayed until Beck’s father’s arm had been set and he’d been transferred to a room for overnight observation. He’d slipped on the kitchen floor, one of the emergency nurses informed them. From the smell of whiskey on the old man’s breath, the accident was no surprise.

  When visiting hours were over she’d had a difficult time convincing GrammU to let her call a cab. She’d only made the call by restating her promise to find Beck. The hospital was reluctant to release his father unless someone responsible for his care was available when he went home the next day.

  Watching Beck’s father suffer more from the humiliation of having a stranger witness his condition than from his busted arm had been hard. If only he’d known how sympathetic she was to his predicament. If only she’d had the courage to tell him.

  Alex reached over to the mirror adjustment and moved it a fraction. For a few miles now, she’d been bobbing her head back and forth in an attempt to avoid the blinding light in her side view mirror. She hoped the trailing car would turn off on an exit that led to several small towns in the area, but it had stayed doggedly on her tail. With no other cars on the road, the headlights shone brighter than ever.

  She eyed the speedometer and lifted her foot when the needle approached seventy-five and glanced at the clock. Ten-thirty. She should be home in an hour. God, she hoped so. She still had to find Beck, and she was incredibly tired. Drained was more like it.

  Again, she thought of Beck’s father. He seemed like a nice person. Another decent human being who succumbed to the seduction of the bottle. She thought about how long he’d likely been drinking and how much of his life he’d wasted battling the monsters under his bed.

  Alex made another adjustment to the mirror and when that didn’t do any good, she changed lanes. Another car was ahead of her now, and if she could gain enough speed to pass it, she’d have it in her rearview mirror instead of those blasted, bright lights. She accelerated, passed the car, and when conditions were safe, pulled back into the slower lane.

  A quick glance in the mirror showed the car behind her a reasonable distance away, so she dialed Beck’s number and put the phone to her ear, her other hand firmly on the steering wheel. He still couldn’t be reached. She disconnected the call and laid the phone on the passenger seat. Using her phone while driving wasn’t something she did routinely. But this situation was different. The risk was worth it, especially when the risk was only to herself.

  She glanced at the clock. Only ten minutes had passed. A yawn crept up, and she covered her mouth with the back of her hand. A stop for coffee was a good idea.

  Since she couldn’t remember seeing any fast-food places in quite a while, she figured she was about due one any minute. Anxiously, she searched the interstate for the familiar signs of food, lodging, and gas. Suddenly, light from the rear exploded in the mirror. That annoying driver was behind her again. She pressed down on the gas.

  A car entered the interstate behind her.

  Once more, she had a respite. But for how long? She started searching the side of the road again. Luck was with her. Five more miles and she’d have at least two choices for coffee and a rest room stop. Long minutes passed.

  Damn. What was with this maniac? He was on her tail again. The other car had turned off, leaving her once more at this crazy driver’s mercy. A chill crawled up her spine. Now, they were the only cars on the highway.

  Was her imagination running wild? Or was that damned maniac catching up? Her heart thumped in uneven beats, and her breath came short and fast.

  How far until she could get off the interstate? Or should she? She shook her head. This situation was crazy. She was tired, exhausted, and her mind was playing tricks. But even as she argued with herself she was making a lot out of nothing, the lights got closer and brighter, and she could barely see the road in front of her.

  She gripped the wheel. She was going much, much too fast. But she dare not slow down. Was the idiot playing some stupid game? Or would he blind her and run her off the road?

  Up ahead, bright lights advertising food and fuel were welcome symbols of rest and a safe haven. Should she? Suppose he really was into a weird game and he followed? She’d be a sitting duck for him to get behind her again. Her fingers cramped from gripping the wheel. She went back and forth on the merits of getting off the highway or staying on and outrunning him. Then, while she watched, the car behind her swerved from one side of the road to the other. He’d lost control.

  She pressed harder on the gas and sped past the exit offering coffee and bathroom comfort. Up ahead, she saw the lights of a city. Suddenly, the tension broke, and she started to laugh. So many crazies were on the road today. But she could breathe easier now. Another ten minutes and she’d be home.

  Her mind was filled again with thoughts of Beck. She had to reach him. His father and his grandmother needed him.

  She needed him.

  ****

  Alex inched open the door of her condo when she was certain the person on the other side of the door was Beck. “What are you doing here? It’s two o’clock in the morning.”

  “I know what damn time it is,” Beck growled, shouldering open the door. He kicked it shut with his heel and planted himself firmly in front of her. “What’s more important is what you’re doing here. You weren’t supposed to go off by yourself. I left strict orders.”

  A sudden feeling of vulnerability washed over her as she realized it was the middle of the night. She clutched her robe at her neck. “I explained all of that on the phone. When I finally talked to you,” she said testily.

  “I explained what happened with the phone. The damn battery was low when I left, and I forgot to bring my charger. I called as soon as I got off the goddamned plane.”

  “No need to be so nasty,” she said, her stomach clenching.

  He widened his eyes. “I’m nasty? What about you?”

  “Why are you here?” She realized they were both short-tempered, and things would only get worse until they’d both settled down. “Why aren’t you on your way home or to the hospital?”

  “I can’t do anything until later today. I’ve called the hospital. My old man’s doing fine.”

  She took a small step back. “What about your grandmother? She’s worried sick.”

  “I already spoke to her. I promised I’d let her know first thing in the morning about the old man.”

  “I still don’t…”

  He held up his hand. “Enough about my problems. Your problems are what brought me here.”

  “My problems?”

  “You said someone tried to run you off the road, didn’t you?”

  “I said, the situation seemed that way.”

  “That’s good enough for me.”

  She hung her head. “I have more than a crazy driver to worry me now.” They still stood near the door, and she was suddenly aware how close he was. Her thoughts were difficult to focus with him so near. “I had a call on my answering machine to get in touch with Evelyn’s husband the moment I got in. The autopsy revealed she was murdered. Poisoned in the hospital.”

  Beck’s head moved slowly from side to side. “I’m sorry to hear that. But at least it explains why you look almost as bad now as you did the first time I showed up at your door.”

  Her heart sank. “Gee, thanks. You sure know how to make a person who’s already down feel even more miserable.”

  “Aw, babe, I don’t mean to. Come here,” he whispered, opening his arms.

  Without a moment’s hesitation, she moved into his arms and just as impetuously offered her lips for a kiss that was so deep and lasted so long, when they finally broke apart they gasped for air. Yet, neither seemed ready to break the circle of magic surrounding them.

  Beck took a step back, locking his gaze with hers. “We both know the real reason I came here, don’t we?”

  They nodded.

  “Just so we’re on the sa
me page,” Beck said, “no commitments, right?”

  “No commitments.”

  Again, he folded her into his arms.

  A giant wave of desire struck her that until that very moment, she had no idea was possible. “No commitments.”

  “Except one,” he corrected.

  “What?”

  “While there’s you and me, neither of us gets involved with someone else. Deal?”

  “Deal.”

  He crushed her against his chest, before he asked, “Is an extra bedroom down here?”

  She shook her head.

  The next instant he scooped her up in his arms. “Then I’ll prove how macho I really am.”

  He already had a foot up on the stairs before she could object. Not that she wanted to. “I already made that assessment.”

  When they reached the top of the stairs, they were locked in another kiss that neither wanted to end, but had to, if they were to make their way into the bedroom. Beck stopped outside the door and let her slide very slowly down his body, forcing her to look at him.

  “I don’t do thresholds either,” he said with a husky chuckle.

  In his own way, he was reminding her of their promise. No promises of ever after. No promises of love. No commitments. No way would she let that cast a shadow on what he offered. She would take whatever he had to give for as long as it lasted. Nothing in her life had ever lasted forever. Nothing good, anyway. “What do you do?”

  He reached behind her and opened the door with one hand, the other already moving over her body. “I do things guaranteed to drive you crazy.”

  They were at the side of the bed, although for the life of her she couldn’t remember how they got there. The light from the hall had been cut off when he closed the door, but the soft glow from the bedside lamp was enough to afford them an unfettered view of each other. “Promises, promises.” The words were meant to tease, but with all that had happened between them, she was certain the words were no joke. They might not be a couple forever. But as long as the relationship lasted their being together would be serious.

  A stream of cold air from the ceiling vent sent a chill through her as it flowed over her bare skin. When had he slipped the robe from her shoulders?

  His shirt presented more of a challenge than she expected. She hadn’t undressed a man in a long time.

  Beck shifted. “Can you hurry it up a little, babe? I gave up torture along with high-top shoes.”

  The last of the buttons finally slipped free. She slid her hands up his bare chest. When her fingers found the hard points of his nipples the act caught them both by surprise.

  He pulled in a sharp breath.

  She felt powerful, beautiful, and all woman. She rubbed the tips of his nipples with the pads of her fingers and passed the tip of her tongue across his clavicle. “Now tell me again what you really came for.” She trailed her tongue lazily across his chest.

  “Among other things, I came to hear more about the legend.”

  The legend. She’d almost forgotten about it. She’d almost forgotten everything since he’d walked through the door. Her mind went almost blank every time she was with him. When he left, a part of him stayed with her, leaving little room for anything else.

  Beck ran his hands up her arms. The robe slipped from her shoulders and fell to the floor.

  Next to fall was her gown.

  “We both know that right now, at this minute, I’d rather be talking about what I can do to make you feel good instead of hearing about a legend.” He skimmed a finger under her bikinis.

  She shivered, but this time the chill wasn’t from a blast of cold air. Now that making love with him was only minutes away, she was as frightened as she was excited. What if she didn’t please him? Suppose, after their lovemaking was over, he never want to see her again. She considered changing her mind, but desire forced aside the negative thoughts. She wanted him too much to stop.

  Her gaze slid down his chest to his waist. He still wore his pants. She wanted them off. She wanted him naked so she could feel the weight of his desire for her hard against her body.

  Beck caught her wrist as she reached for his buckle. He held her hand to the side and stole a quick kiss then tilted her chin with his finger. “Some things were meant to be done slow, babe, but this act isn’t one.”

  The boots came off first then he stripped bare and came back to finish the abbreviated kiss. She had tasted his desire before, but this time, she felt all the heat from his body centered in his mouth, ready to melt the rest of her clear down to the floor.

  He drew back and their gazes met. “I want to keep on the lamp.”

  She nodded. She didn’t want it any other way. Their bodies were too close for her to see all of him, but from what she’d already seen and felt his was a singular beauty she didn’t want to miss. He dug in his pants pocket and hurriedly tossed what she guessed were condoms on the bedside table.

  Then, in a swift motion, he pulled her up against him and pushed down the panties over her hips. “Let me know if I get too carried away.”

  She covered his mouth with her fingers. “I’ll let you know.” Not that she thought she’d have to. As gritty as his talk got sometimes, she was sure his behavior was nothing more than a cover up to hide tender emotions he didn’t want the outside world to see.

  But she wasn’t the world. And she had to believe that even if she was only a temporary indulgence, she was in some way special, and he’d never intentionally hurt her.

  Beck tugged the panties as far down as he could then balanced her while she stepped out of them. Locking his arms around her waist, he crushed her to his body.

  In a surprise move, he lowered his mouth hard on hers. An unpleasant memory from the past surfaced, and she leaned back far enough to catch his gaze. “Sometimes, I’m not quite as responsive as I want to be.” She wished she didn’t have to make such a confession, but after his honesty, she owed him the same.

  Tracing the outline of her lips with his finger, he looked steadily into her eyes. “I’ll let you know if it presents a problem.”

  He eased her onto the bed, but instead of lowering himself with her, he stepped back.

  His gaze moved over her body, as if he were studying her from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. For a moment, she felt self-conscious.

  “I could stand here all night looking, but I need to touch you. I need to taste you.”

  She put out a hand to stop him when he made a move to join her on the bed. “Not yet. Now’s my turn to look.”

  Slowly, he moved toward her again.

  This time, she held out her arms. “You’re beautiful,” she whispered, as he lowered his body over hers. Realizing what she said, she giggled. “I hope you don’t mind being called beautiful.”

  “I mind that you beat me to it. I was just going to tell you how beautiful you are.”

  “You really are beautiful.” She ran her hands down his sides then up again to the powerful muscles across his back.

  He captured her face between his hands. “So are you. Really.”

  Never before had she considered herself beautiful. Maybe she never would again, but tonight, at this moment, she felt like the most beautiful woman in the world. He made her feel that way.

  “Enough talking,” He reached behind him for a condom and quickly sheathed himself. He slid back on top of her and covered her mouth with his. She yielded, her body straining to meet his with every thrust of his tongue and every caress of his hands.

  They kissed until she was drunk from the desire she sipped from his mouth. When his lips sought her breasts, she silently gave him permission to take full charge of her body. For however long he stayed, she was totally and completely his. She would go to any lengths to please him. And he had yet to make one demand.

  Except the demands he now extracted from her body with his lips and his hands. Those demands didn’t count, because they brought her exquisite pleasure as he moved from one breast to the other, workin
g the tips of each until they tingled from his soft little nips before he filled his mouth once again with as much of her as he could.

  Her mind was fast being overtaken by her senses, and distinguishing one part of her body from another became more difficult as waves of desire washed over her body.

  At just the moment she was certain her body couldn’t take one more pleasurable shock, he slipped his finger inside her. Her gasp wrenched his mouth from her breast and he looked up, his face etched with fear.

  “Did I hurt you? Did I?”

  Her jaws were clenched so tight she couldn’t speak, so she answered him with a lift of her hips and a soft moan of pleasure.

  He sighed, found her breast again, and slipped his finger deeper.

  She lost track of time until cool air wafted across her heated breasts as he kissed his way down her body.

  He moved lower then lower still. He withdrew his finger, and with both hands, he embraced her hips and lifted her to his mouth.

  She pressed a knuckle to her lips to keep from crying out, but she was powerless to stop the deep moan of pleasure he called from her when he tightened his embrace and stilled her while he drove her close to madness.

  Then his mouth moved over her belly and was at her breast again. His fullness nudged between her legs.

  She moaned his name.

  “I’m here, babe. I’m right here, where I belong,” he whispered as he guided himself inside her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Beck brushed the hair back from Alex’s forehead.

  They had just made love again, and Alex’s cheek rested contentedly on his chest while she listened to the strong, steady beat of his heart.

  “Have I thanked you yet for taking care of my grandmother and my old man?”

  She drew light, wide circles on his chest with her finger. “Not in so many words, but I got the message.”

  The sound of his chuckle momentarily obscured his heartbeat. He didn’t laugh often, but when he did, the laugh came from deep within. She wished she could make him laugh more. Or that she could laugh more. Then she realized she had since she’d met him.