Broken Trust

by Tanya Jean Russell

  Waking up curled into him that morning, she’d tried her hardest to remain still but had failed miserably. Her efforts not to twist around and touch him had resulted in her twitching like some sort of fool, and in the end she’d been grateful when he’d woken up. She just hoped that he had bought her effort to pretend she had still been asleep for the moments before he moved, leaving her alone in the bed. It was a good thing he’d gone out for a bit. Some distance and she could get over the little crush she was developing for the man who was putting himself at risk to keep her safe.

  Chapter Eleven

  As he let himself back into the apartment Chase called out to Beth to let her know it was only him. To his surprise she bolted down the hallway, almost skipping to him before reaching down and grabbing a bag out of his hand, and skipping back to the kitchen.

  “Are you okay?” he called to her retreating back.

  “The news was just driving me loopy,” she called back.

  The good humor in her voice made it clear she was doing fine.

  “Did you spend the whole time I was out watching the news?” he asked as he entered the kitchen, amused to find her emptying the plastic bag onto the kitchen counter haphazardly.

  “Goodness, how long are you expecting us to be here?” she teased, ignoring his question as she smiled up at him while he placed the rest of the bags on the counter.

  “I didn't know what you'd like,” he explained, running his hands through his hair

  “So you bought everything?”

  “Umm, I guess.”

  “Oh, chocolate!” Beth exclaimed, beaming at him as she pulled a purple packet from the bag. Her bright smile made him swallow hard.

  “I missed chocolate!” she continued as she darted over and threw her arms around his waist. “Thank you so much! You are an angel!”

  He stood rigid, staring open mouthed at the pretty woman wrapped around him. She was amazing. Here she was stuck in a safe house, worrying about her family, yet she managed to find joy in something as simple as a cheap bar of chocolate that he’d picked up as a last resort. After spending what felt like hours trying to decide what she would eat, he'd finally figured that if all else failed the chocolate would be a good standby. If he’d known she’d react like this he’d have thought twice before buying it.

  No, he wouldn’t. Who did he think he was kidding? He’d have bought every bar in the damn shop. Since he’d woken to the feel of her curled into him that morning it had taken every ounce of willpower not to simply pull her into his arms and worship her the way a man should. But he couldn’t. She didn’t know who he really was, and she wasn’t someone he could treat lightly. Anyway, for all he knew she had a boyfriend and would be as likely to slap him. Her attraction to him was obvious, but that didn’t mean she’d be willing to act on it. Hell, if she knew what he was really up to there was no way on earth she’d act on it.

  So he pushed the memory of the morning away. He’d held it together enough to resist when she’d been half naked in his arms, feigning sleep, so he could do it now.

  After what felt like an interminable time, but also nowhere near long enough, she finally unwrapped her arms from his body and stepped away. Chase was thankful her focus on the snack meant she was oblivious to the effect she had on him. He could only stare as she hurriedly unwrapped the chocolate bar and took a huge bite before sighing with pleasure.

  Forcing himself not to dwell on the desire that washed through him at the sound, he made a concerted effort to lighten his mood.

  “I take it you're enjoying that!”

  “Shhh,” she said. “I'm busy!”

  Despite himself Chase leant against the counter across from Beth and watched her as she enjoyed the snack. A warm feeling filled him at the pleasure the treat was bringing her. He shouldn't care so much, but the joy of having been able to do something to make her happy was undeniable. For the first time since he’d carried her out of the church she looked properly relaxed. The tension she’d been carrying was completely gone. He wasn’t naïve. He knew it was only a temporary reprieve, but it was something. As she finished, her tongue darted out and licked away the tiny piece stuck on the corner of her mouth. He coughed involuntarily, and as her head spun toward him in response to the sound he hurriedly shifted from the counter and lunged for the remaining bags, pulling the last bits of shopping out as a pink blush spread across Beth’s pale skin.

  Clearing his throat, properly this time, Chase searched for something to say. He had to find a way to break the tension before it got unbearable, but Beth beat him to the punch.

  “Steak,” she said as he pulled it from the bag. “You know how to cook steak?” Her tone was full of amusement and doubt.

  “Well, sort of,” he said, smiling at her wryly. “I was kinda thinking you might do better…” he trailed off hopefully.

  Chase loved a good steak but had a tendency to turn them into leather. He knew he really shouldn't be expecting the heiress he was protecting to cook for him, but her work with the omelet that first day had shown she was a good cook. Plus it had been months since he'd enjoyed a good home-cooked meal. The last time he’d made it back to his mum’s was before he’d gone away for his last assignment, and this one had started the moment he’d landed back on British soil. Besides which, he rationalized, keeping her busy was a good thing so she didn’t dwell on the current situation. Despite that, he acknowledged he didn't know how she would react to his cheeky suggestion.

  Fortunately, Beth laughed, her eyes crinkling as she covered her mouth with her hand, tears beginning to stream down her face as she lost control. Chase found himself leaning back to watch Beth as the laughter transformed her face. She seemed so young, so innocent in that moment that it was hard to believe she had anything to do with the crashes. She carried on laughing for so long that he started to wonder if she hadn’t gone a bit hysterical. He should have found her amusement at his expense irritating, and if it had been anyone else he definitely would have, but he understood the importance of allowing her to relieve the building tension. It would improve her chances of getting through this without falling apart completely. His easy acceptance of being the butt of her humor was a practical thing, he insisted to himself. It had nothing to do with how much he loved the sound of her laughter.

  “Okay, you're on,” Beth said when she’d finally gotten a hold of herself again. “But, you have to help.”

  Beth pulled the funny square-shaped pan that had come with the set he’d purchased for his refuge out of the cupboard, and placed it on the hob while he pulled leaves from the lettuce, laying them out side by side to chop. Making the mistake of glancing up at her, he was embarrassed to realize she was standing watching him, a look of wry amusement on her face.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, clearly fighting the urge to laugh at him again.

  “I’m cutting the lettuce into little bits,” he said frowning. He would have thought that was obvious.

  “Okay.” She clearly fought to pull herself together. “Would it be all right if I showed you a cheat to do it faster?”

  He nodded his agreement, suppressing a smile of his own at her words. Here was a glimpse of the CEO in waiting, someone capable of getting what they wanted by making the person she was speaking to want it themselves. She patiently showed him how to quarter the lettuce before crushing each quarter with the heel of his hand, which made chopping it into pieces a damn sight easier than the way he’d been doing it. Unfortunately, it was hard to concentrate whilst he was desperately trying to ignore the little jolts of electricity that passed through him every time their fingers brushed together.

  Chase absentmindedly buttered the chunks of crusty bread as Beth dropped a small amount of water into the griddle before adding the oiled and peppered steaks.

  “How do you know how long to cook them for?” he asked, watching her curiously.

  “It's about how thick they are. These are a couple of centimeters so I'll do them for about two minutes each side.
That should make them about medium. Is that okay for you?”

  “Sounds perfect,” he said, sniffing appreciatively as the delicious smell of meat began to fill the air.

  “Can you put the salad bowl and bread on the table and I'll serve these up?” she asked.

  Grabbing at the opportunity to put some distance between them, he readily agreed. He was continually surprised by her. It would be all too easy to forget that she was an heiress, that one day she would be one of the richest women in the country. Ignoring the fact that a simple soldier was so far beneath her that it was ridiculous to even acknowledge his growing attraction to Beth, the fact was, she was a part of the company he didn't trust. Not just a part, but its future leader. Plus, he didn't know how anyone could live their life in the spotlight. He'd experienced the full focus of the press once, and it wasn't something he was prepared to ever repeat, for his mum’s sake as much as his own.

  Without meeting his eye Beth silently placed a plate in front of him as he sat at the table, before easing herself into the seat across from him.

  “Christ,” Chase groaned as he chewed a mouthful of the steak. It was cooked to perfection, almost melting in his mouth. “This is amazing,” he mumbled through a mouthful.

  “Even better, you'll know how to do it yourself next time,” she replied.

  “I'm sure I'd find a way to cock it up.” He laughed back as he shoveled another mouthful in. “Perhaps you could be my full-time cook,” he teased, taking his eyes from his plate for the first time since he'd begun eating to meet Beth's eyes. His good mood faded as he caught her astonished expression.

  “Oh, um. Not really, um … I was just joking,” he stuttered.

  She just stared at him. Damn, how could he have been so stupid? Of course she was stunned. He’d just suggested that the future CEO of Great Britain Air become his cook.

  “I'll forgive you,” she smiled.

  He wracked his brains for something to say, anything to try to forget how embarrassing he’d just been.

  “How about I teach you a card game after dinner?” Chase asked.

  “That would be great.” Beth paused. “But we left the cards at the safe house when we escaped,” she finished, her tone one of disappointment.

  “Aha.” Chase grinned. “This is my private safe house. I have cards here. After years of waiting around for the action to begin I've learnt the value of a pack of cards.”

  “What shall we play?”

  “Well, you name it and I'll know it, so, what would you like to learn?”

  Without hesitation Beth replied, “Poker!”

  “Poker? Not Canasta or bridge or something you can play when you get back to your real life?”

  “No. Poker,” Beth said determinedly. “Father won't teach me. I think he's convinced that the second I know how to play I'll rush off and play strip poker with the first man I see!” Beth said, blushing an adorable pink as she realized what she'd said.

  He nearly groaned out loud at the thought of playing strip poker with Beth. It had been a few days since he'd carried her in that silky dress, but his body could still remember the feel of hers pressed against his. That, combined with the memory of her half naked body curled into his that morning, made the idea of strip poker all too real. The jolt of lust it sent through him made him thankful for the table between them. It didn't, however, stop his mouth.

  “Doesn't your dad know that you can make a strip version of any game? Even Snap.”

  She let out a whoop of laughter.

  “That's brilliant!” she managed to choke out between her giggles. “I will have to tell him that next time. He'll have a heart attack!”

  Chase started laughing as well. The idea of the CEO of Great Britain Air, always so controlled and commanding, losing it at the idea of his daughter playing strip Snap was hilarious.

  “I'll never be allowed near another pack of cards again!” she added.

  “He obviously cares for you.”

  Beth sobered. “He does. My family are so supportive. I'm really lucky.” It was clear that her thoughts had returned to their safety, so Chase took the opportunity to distract her.

  “They will be okay. Commander Cheshire will be taking good care of them,” he said. “You, however, have some dishes to do.” He grabbed the tea towel and tossed it to her. “I'll wash, you dry.”

  “Seriously? I hate drying.”

  Chase laughed at Beth's look of petulance.

  “Everyone hates drying. You can't pull rank here!” Chase teased, smiling gently at Beth to take any possible sting out of his words as he sank his hands into the soapy water and began scrubbing.

  Hours later, and Beth’s determination to keep playing until she’d finally won a hand had clearly defeated her.

  “Turn the TV on?” she mumbled, clearly so exhausted she could barely form the words from her place next to Chase on his little two-seater sofa in the sitting room. She leant her head back, pulling over her legs the plain blanket she'd commandeered from the bedroom. He'd noticed she often liked to curl under it and wasn't sure how much was for warmth and how much was for comfort.

  Wordlessly Chase picked up the remote control and clicked on the twenty-four-hour news channel. Unlike the official safe house, he had a proper TV here, but unfortunately only one couch though. It had never crossed his mind he'd use the place for someone else's safety. Like many of his colleagues he'd set the place up as a bolt-hole just for him, somewhere to go if things got to hot and he couldn't count on his employer.

  Now he’d brought the heiress to the company he was investigating here. He would have to start all over. Even if they weren't caught now, someone would follow the trail he and Beth had left and find this place eventually. As it was they had a couple of days at best until they were tracked here. He needed a clean start.

  The logistics and costs of setting himself up with another dark safe house made his eyes water. He'd have to be careful until he managed it. Chase snorted to himself. It wasn't like he’d made much progress anyway. Months overseas followed by being stuffed straight into building a cover with Anne Worthington’s groom hadn't given him any opportunity to pursue his private mission. The Commander had set him on this mission on the basis that Chase could use the time to investigate what was really going on at Great Britain Air. So far he’d gotten the grand total of absolutely nowhere. He hadn’t even made it inside the company building. Whether this mission allowed him to do it or not he was getting in there sooner or later, and if it was later Chase was going to need a bolt-hole afterwards.

  A little snort escaped Beth as she shifted in her sleep. Her head slowly coming to rest on his shoulder jolted Chase from his thoughts. He turned slightly, carefully drawing her further into him, so her head rested more comfortably on his chest, and pulled the blanket up so it covered her from neck to toe.

  Despite his exhaustion, Chase fought the urge to fall asleep. Last night had been torture. It had been a long time since he’d slept in the same bed as a woman, and he’d never literally just fallen asleep with one. Although he conceded he hadn’t exactly just fallen sleep the night before, it had been for all the wrong reasons. The few moments of being close to her that morning had been a mixture of absolute bliss and torture. He was determined to stay awake now and just enjoy the feel of Beth relaxed into him, enjoy the feel of her slender arm curled around his waist as she softly snored into his chest. He didn’t know what the hell was going on, had no idea how long they would be here and even though he had burned his dark safe house, he felt at peace. Unfortunately, that feeling was a direct result of having the next leader of Great Britain Air curled around him, meaning it was a feeling that couldn't last.

  Shrugging away the gloomy thought, he let himself enjoy the moment, fighting sleep so he could watch as her eyelids flickered in dreams. She looked so vulnerable in that moment, and her absolute trust in him took his breath away. He just wished he could figure out a way to do what he needed to do without hurting her. Despite his best effo
rts he slowly relaxed into Beth's embrace as sleep claimed him.

  Chapter Twelve

  Stirring, Beth tried to stretch her neck, attempting to soothe the ache from the strange position she had slept in. She realized she was once again wrapped in Chase's arms, and yet again she couldn't make herself move. It made her feel like everything would be okay, as if his very presence could protect her, protect them all.

  She snorted at her own idiocy. As if a single person could protect her from this mess, from the mass of public anger after the air crash. The investigation was ongoing so she couldn’t be sure the airline wasn’t at fault, but when it came down to it, it really didn’t really matter who was at fault. Assigning blame wouldn’t bring those poor people back, wouldn’t return loved ones to their grieving families.

  As always, thinking about it, the horror of it all threatened to swamp her, but she forced herself to calm her breathing. Inhaling deeply, she allowed herself to appreciate the masculine scent that surrounded her. Clean soap with a musky undertone that was all Chase. The blanket she'd become so attached to held the same scent, but breathing it in directly was far better. As Beth absorbed the smell her fingers began to move of their own accord. Gently exploring the hard planes of his abdomen, Beth sucked in a breath. There wasn't an ounce of fat, and even relaxed in sleep she could feel the solid definition of his muscle. She mentally slapped herself for groping a sleeping man.