by Mia Dymond
Good God, the woman tempted him.
He released a long, slow breath and quickly redirected his thoughts before things went from bad to worse.
Despite his uncertainty, he’d thoroughly enjoyed their morning walk on the beach. Originally, he planned a quick outing long enough to grab some fresh air but when he saw her eyes sparkle in the sunlight, he wanted to make her happy. Hell, he owed it to her after the ass he made of himself the night before. And spending the quiet, intimate time with her did him good. He opened up bits and pieces of his private life to her and found happiness by sharing those things with her. Even the love discussion hadn’t been entirely awkward.
Kat was a very insightful woman; she knew when to push and when to pull back and he was amazed at the connection he felt with her. Kat wasn’t afraid to build relationships quickly and love – an attribute he envied. She expressed emotions easily and without shame; love, anger, fear, happiness, he’d witnessed each and every one of them cross her beautiful face.
If he allowed himself to love again, he would love her.
He let a smile split his lips. He could very easily love her.
He raised his head, wondering when exactly the water had stopped, when the doorbell distracted his thoughts. He glanced at his watch. Five o’clock p.m.
Since he knew for a fact neither he nor Kat expected a visitor, he didn’t bother moving from the sofa. One of his team would’ve checked in, and one of her friends or her father would’ve called. Foster had been instructed to stand down until further notice so whoever rang the bell wasn’t expected. Case closed.
He waited, not surprised when the bell didn’t ring a second time.
“Who was that?”
He moved his gaze to the top of the stairs and damn near swallowed his tongue as Kat came down the stairs, wearing nothing but a towel and a frown.
“Did I hear the doorbell?”
He simply nodded as he stood and moved to the bottom of the stairs, lost in the false hope that the towel might slip from her body.
“Well, did you answer?”
“No.”
“Good grief. I will.”
He had just enough time to grab her elbow and stop her movement as she breezed past. “Not dressed like that you won’t. I’ll see who it is.”
When he reached the door, he paused only a second to glare out the peephole.
“Well?” she prompted.
“There’s a package on the porch.”
She slowly nodded. “Okay ….”
“Is that normal?”
She shrugged. “I’m not expecting anything but I get deliveries for the charity sometimes.”
“I meant, is it normal for the deliveryman to ring the doorbell and run?”
“Is the truck parked at the curb?”
“No.”
“Well, you didn’t rush for the door,” she chided. “When he does visit, he doesn’t normally wait. He just rings to let me know he’s leaving something.”
Still not convinced about the normality of the delivery, he unlocked the door and glanced around the area before he reached for the box. The sun rested an inch or two lower than mid–way in the clear, blue sky, casting both heat and light over the lazy Florida evening. The air was thick, absent of wind, and the sound of waves rolling into the shoreline was the sole noise around them. No sign of the deliveryman or anyone else for that matter.
And then he heard it.
“Kat!” He shouted at the top of his lungs and over the sound of a ringing telephone. “Get down!”
He slammed the door closed, sprinted toward her, and took her to the floor behind the sofa in a perfect defensive tackle.
He had only milliseconds to tuck her beneath him before an explosion shook the house and debris rained down around them. Wrapped tightly around her, darkness overtook him, dragging him deep into the recesses of his mind.
“Is it really necessary to do this now, Melaina?”
She gave him that smile – the one she gave him when she was practicing great restraint. “Yes. I want to make absolutely sure my mother’s birthday cake is perfect.”
“You and the baker could Skype.”
“No,” she insisted. “I want to do this personally.”
He knew it was fruitless to argue. He’d known her for a total of five years and he hadn’t managed to win an argument.
“We need a car at the front gate,” he said into the radio on his shoulder.
She stood on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “You spoil me, Jace.”
“I love you.”
It was as simple as that. He would give her the moon if it made her happy.
He took her hand, braided their fingers, and led her to the front door. “Let’s make this quick.”
He opened the front door, ready to take a step forward when he froze at an all–too–familiar warning sound.
“Is that the telephone?” she said from beside him.
“No.”
He shoved her back inside the house and had only seconds to spare before an explosion deafened them and pieces of her father’s black Suburban rained down around them.
Despite her position beneath the mountain of male on top of her, Kat couldn’t deny the overwhelming heat exchanged between them. Although she knew she should feel panicked, the pounds of muscle that pinned her to the floor wrapped her like a warm blanket and she fought the urge to snuggle deeper into the depths. Electricity tingled her skin where it pressed his and her heart pounded like a pair of bongo drums. Not out of fear, but of sheer excitement. Flat on her back, her lips pressed the top of his right pectoral and although his shirt covered the area, she wanted very much to open her mouth over him and caress the hard muscle with her tongue. No doubt the surface would be solid, unforgiving and so very, very nice.
She nearly screamed when he finally eased himself up to balance on his elbows and glanced down at her. “You okay?”
She nodded, still lost in the incredible strength of his hold.
His lips split into a cocky grin. “I guess now’s as good a time as any to tell you that your towel slipped.”
She gasped, yanked the terry cloth back into place, and then looked back up at him. “Do I want to know what my house looks like?”
“It’s a mess.”
“I see.”
She continued to lie beneath him, amazingly calm – so much so that she didn’t really care if he ever rolled off – until it became a chore to pull air across her lungs. As badly as she hated the thought, she was going to have to ask him to move.
“Chaos?”
“Hmmm?”
Although she knew he heard her, his gaze continued to move over the area around them.
“I can’t breathe.”
“Sorry.”
He rolled to one side and immediately her body cursed a blue streak. She sat up and suddenly she wanted to crawl right back underneath him. Her door hung from the hinges, minus the knob which appeared to be stuck in the wall near the kitchen. Plaster hung from the walls and the ceiling. The television screen now showcased a hole right through the middle. The room began to spin and she blinked in an attempt to focus.
“Chaos,” she said with a calm she certainly did not feel, “someone tried to kill us.”
He stood and then bent to scoop her up in his arms. “I’m afraid so. It’s only a matter of minutes before my team and the police department shows up. Can you make it upstairs to put something on?”
She glanced at her feet, hanging over one of his arms, with blood streaking both shins. “I’m fine. I’m not in any pain so I’m sure they’re just superficial cuts.”
“Okay.” He gently placed her on the floor. “Watch your step in your bare feet.”
She negotiated the maze of debris and finally made it to the bottom step.
“Kat,” he said from behind her. “Turtleneck, please.”
She rolled her eyes and took the stairs two at a time. Once she reached the top, she nearly sprinted to the b
edroom and dropped her towel. The reality of murder had definitely sent adrenaline racing through her veins and she had every intention of using every drop of it to her advantage.
She jumped into the closest pair of panties she could find and then snapped on a bra just as quickly. A simple yellow t–shirt and a pair of jeans followed. She managed to slide her feet into a pair of sandals and finger–comb her hair before heading downstairs. She smirked. For once, her failure to put away the laundry had paid off. She’d be sure to let Chaos in on that information later.
By the time she reached the bottom step, people crowded her living room. Alpha Four huddled in one corner with her father and James Foster. Everglade Springs policemen and firefighters scoured the area that now resembled a war zone. Men in white space–like suits gathered debris. Bomb squad, she assumed.
“Kate!”
Her father covered the space between them in long, quick strides with everyone else behind.
“Thank God you’re safe.”
He pulled her into a tight hug and this time, she burrowed deep and basked in the love and comfort. When he finally released her, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“I’m safe.”
“We’ve decided you’ll go home with Chaos. James will take care of things here.”
She moved her gaze to Chaos who raised one eyebrow as if seeking permission to proceed. She didn’t even hesitate to nod in agreement. As if the reality of almost dying wasn’t enough, the realization that he could have died beside her was. Never could she deny his dedication to her nor hers to him.
She looked back at her father and smiled. “Thanks, Dad. You should go home, where it’s safe.”
“I plan to. I’ve already spoken to Chief Nelson and he’s assured me he and his men will help Alpha Four any way possible.”
“Kat.” Thunder gestured at the hole where the front door used to hang. “Did you call him?”
“Who?”
“Hawthorne.”
She moved her gaze in that direction, surprised to see Steven Hawthorne stopped by a policeman. “No.”
“Kat!” Steven caught her gaze and waved a hand in the air.
She glanced back at Thunder. “Should I go see what he’s doing here?”
“I’ll go with you.” Chaos stepped forward and took her hand.
Once they stood at the doorway, he nodded at the policeman to let Steven enter.
“I saw the flashing lights,” Steven explained, “is everything okay?”
“It is now,” she told him. “Thanks for stopping by to make sure.”
“What in the world happened?”
“The incident is under investigation,” Chaos answered for her. “We’ve been asked not to say anything until the detectives figure it all out.”
“Understood.” Steven reached to lay a hand on her shoulder. “If there’s anything at all I can do for you, please do not hesitate to call.”
“Thank you.” She patted his hand. “I will.”
The policemen at the door escorted Steven out and then Chaos urged her back toward the group. “What business would he have near your house?”
“His office isn’t far.” She sighed. “And there are several single women who live down the street. Perhaps he had a date.”
“We’re headed home,” he told the rest of the men as they approached. “I’ll meet you all at the office in the morning to sort this all out.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Ace parked his truck in Carley’s driveway and grinned. This was going to be fun. Nothing like a good old–fashioned ambush to start the day off right.
He climbed down from the driver’s seat and left the safety of his vehicle, careful not to slam the door. No sense alerting her to his presence; the element of surprise was the best thing he had going for him.
He took a quick moment to glance over his shoulder and analyze the perimeter to assure he hadn’t been followed. His observation told him the neighborhood was still quiet in the mid–morning hour and his presence made absolutely no difference to anyone. Except the female he was about to encounter.
With another smirk, he finally made his way toward a set of steps that led to a massive red door. He shook his head. No doubt about where to enter the house. Once he maneuvered the stairs, he stood outside the door and raised his hand to knock just as the barrier flew open.
Instinct caused him to reach for the weapon tucked in his back waistband.
“What are you doing here?”
Carley stood in the doorway, a frown covering her beautiful, porcelain face and her arms crossed tightly beneath her breasts. So tightly that those perfect mounds of flesh almost distracted him. Almost.
“Gee–jus, Carley!” He grasped her elbow, pushed her inside, and then shut the door. “Don’t ever come at me like that!”
“What on Earth are you talking about? You’re the one who showed up unannounced on my porch.”
He drew several deep breaths in an attempt to regulate his pounding heartbeat and then reeled in his temper. In this case, he did owe her an explanation.
“You’re right. I didn’t call first because I wanted to catch you off guard.”
“Well you did,” she mumbled. “But why?”
“Maybe you’d better sit down.”
His suggestion only caused her deep blue eyes to narrow. “Why, Ace?”
“Someone left a bomb on Kat’s doorstep last night.”
“Oh.” Immediately, her gaze cleared of anger. “Is she okay?”
He nodded.
“And Chaos?”
Another nod.
“Thank God!” She unfolded her arms and rubbed one hand across her forehead. “Who?”
“We don’t know. We’re assuming our perp is responsible but we still can’t confirm the identity.”
He didn’t miss the slight tremble in her hand as she moved it from her face. “Thank you for coming over here to let me know.”
“You’re welcome. But that’s not why I’m here.”
“There’s more?”
“No. I’ve told you everything we know. I came to take you to see Kat.”
“Where is she?”
“Chaos took her to his house. We’re scheduled to brief so he thought she might want some company.”
“Of course.” She reached for her purse on a nearby table. “But I can drive.”
“No. We have no idea what he’ll do next and it’s better if he doesn’t realize what company she keeps.”
He braced himself for an argument, irritated but prepared. Carley was every bit as independent as Kat and he knew she wouldn’t give in easily. Not to mention that her red halter top that allowed him a peek at the tanned skin of her abdomen, and white hip–hugging shorts threatened to make him scream uncle. He waited impatiently, his nerves ticking beneath his skin. It was just a ride, for Pete’s sake, but it wasn’t worth her life to allow her to drive alone.
“Fine.” She released a hard breath. “I’ll ride with you.”
Insanely thankful she hadn’t pushed the issue, he glanced at the wall beside the door and frowned. “Do you have a security system?”
“No,” she said as she stepped around him and opened the door. “Just a lock and key.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, Ace. I lock my house with a key. I have a steel door, a deadbolt and a lock in the knob. That’s it.”
“That’s got to change.”
“We’ll see.”
She gave him a smile as she pressed the button beside the knob and then exited and waited for him to follow. Still not convinced the home was secure, he closed the door behind them, held out his hand, and gestured with one finger at his palm.
“Key.”
She reached into her purse and then handed him a keychain that held several keys with multicolored caps. “Green.”
He slid the key into the deadbolt, satisfied when he heard the expected click, and then buried the whole keychain into his left front pocket.
“I’ll need my keys.”
He nodded as he grasped her elbow and steered her to his truck. “I’ll return them when I bring you home.”
“What if I want them now?”
He stopped at the passenger’s door and grinned. “It just might be worth it watching you try to dig them out of my pocket.”
Carley rolled her eyes as Ace opened the door and she climbed inside. He knew darn well she wouldn’t raid his pocket for those keys – not that she wasn’t sorely tempted. And really, it wasn’t entirely disappointing that he kept them only to keep her safe.
She settled into the cool, leather seat and watched him walk around the truck and enter the opposite side. Dressed in nicely–snug jeans and a navy blue t–shirt that hugged his biceps like a second skin, Ace tempted her like the devil. His short, brown hair lay tousled over his head, making her fingers itch to play there. And although his green eyes were not focused on her at the moment, she knew there was a distinct, mischievous sparkle in the depths.
She squeezed her legs together in an effort to comfort the ache that was now becoming delightfully familiar and decided that conversation might distract her.
“Do Liv and Sophie know about the incident?”
“Yes.” He started the engine and then backed out of the driveway. “Rebel dropped them off when he headed to the office.”
“I’m concerned, Ace. What if this guy manages to stay hidden?”
“He won’t.” His fingers tightened around the steering wheel, an act that told her he was fiercely determined to find the creep.
“Maybe I can convince her to go away until this is all over.”
“That would be ideal.” He turned a corner onto the street she recognized as one that led to Kat’s house and the turned onto a side street. “But we haven’t been able to convince her.”