He shut off the TV and stood, trying to forget his last conversation with Joey. Even as he climbed the steps and caught the nasty scent of stale smoke lingering in the hallway, he didn’t regret choosing Bella over the investigation. They had a mess on their hands, whether she knew it or not, but he was willing to fight his way through the doubts and deceptions to keep her in his life. He wanted her to tell him about Vincent—needed her to, and eventually she would. Maybe she just needed more time.
Sighing, he followed the sound of the shower running in the bathroom and pulled off his clothes, stepping into the spray and wrapping his arms around Bella as she washed shampoo from her hair.
Gasping, she whirled. “You scared me.”
“Sorry.”
She rinsed her hair completely and kissed him. “That’s okay.” She pressed her lips to his again and locked her arms around the back of his neck. “How was your day?”
“Good. Pretty much the same as yesterday, although there was a food fight in second lunch, so that caused quite a stir. And Sadie’s friend Marnie might be sleeping with Tommy, but the girls aren’t sure. They were hoping to find out in a text after school today.”
She grinned. “Sounds pretty intense.”
He groaned out a laugh as he looked to the ceiling. “I liked high school once upon a time, but I can’t say I’m glad to be back. It’s different from when we were kids—or when I was, anyway. I’ve got a few years on you.”
“Not that many.”
“Six.”
“Not that many,” she repeated, pulling herself closer and letting her breasts rest against his chest. “You were a jock, huh?”
He frowned as his hands automatically started sliding up her waist, loving the way her wet skin felt beneath his palms. “How’d you know?”
“I can tell. What was your sport?”
“Football and baseball.”
She raised her brow. “Two?”
“I’m an overachiever.”
“Oh, don’t I know it.” She nipped his chin as she purred in her throat.
He grinned. This right here was worth everything—sharing moments exactly like this.
“Were you good?”
“All things considered, yeah. I was offered a full ride to any Big Ten school I wanted for football.”
She blinked. “Really? And which did you choose?”
“None of them. I went to New York instead.”
“To protect and serve.”
“Something like that. It was easier to get into the police academy and some of the other law enforcement stuff I wanted to be a part of if I went to school in the city.”
“You’re an honorable man.”
“I’m just me.”
“And you’re all mine.” She kissed him.
He grabbed the soap and reached around her, washing her back as she stared into his eyes. “How was your day?”
“Good. Busy. I can’t wait to get back from New York so I can resume some sort of normal schedule at work.”
He moved his hands to her front, sliding slippery fingers over smooth, perky peaks. “How was tonight?”
She snagged her bottom lip with her teeth and made that little whimper in her throat that begged him to eat her alive. “Fine.”
He teased her nipples as they pebbled against his skin. “Did you have late clients?”
“No.” Her gaze left his as she dropped her arms from around him and turned, reaching for the bottle of conditioner.
He could have Bella right now. All he had to do was shut his mouth and slip inside her wet heat. Hot, steamy shower sex was so much simpler, but he was choosing a different path tonight. “So, where’d you go?”
She worked the cream rinse through her hair. “I had dinner with my dad.”
He waited for her to say something more or turn and face him again, but she did neither. “That’s nice.”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t talk about him much.”
She jerked her shoulders. “What do you want me to say?”
“I don’t know. He’s your dad.” He captured her by the wrist and made her face him as his frustration grew. “What does he do for work?”
“He was a mechanic. Now he’s retired.” She rinsed her hair, holding his gaze as the water sluiced down long inches of silky black and the tension grew between them. “Did you eat?”
He swallowed, absorbing the swift disappointment. She wasn’t going to tell him anything. “Yeah. I made a sandwich.”
“Do you want anything else?”
Just answers. He shook his head. “No, I’m good.”
Something moved through her eyes—apology, regret. He couldn’t be sure as she wrapped her arms around his waist, holding on tight. “I’m going to miss you this weekend.”
Clenching his jaw, he returned her embrace, closing his eyes as he settled his cheek on top of her head. “I’ll miss you too.” And he would.
“If you let me finish up in here, we could light some candles and open a bottle of wine.” She drew away, looking into his eyes. “I kind of feel like ravishing you.”
“Really?”
“I can’t seem to get enough of you.” She gained her tiptoes and tugged on his ear with her lips, then her teeth. “I was thinking about riding you,” she whispered. “Then maybe you could ride me afterward.”
He kissed her hungrily. “How about we just get started in here?”
“Tempting.” She stroked his erection. “But I want you in my bed. I love taking advantage of you on silk sheets.”
He debated for about thirty seconds whether he was going to let her have her way with him or cave to instant gratification and take her against the shower wall. “I’ll get out and light a few candles.”
“Give me five minutes and I’ll be in to join you.” She smiled at him.
He smiled back, marveling that the sexy tigress with the sly eyes was his. “Try and make it four.”
She grinned. “Four it is.”
He stepped from the tub, and his smile faded as he breathed in the misty scent of cigarette smoke and secrets. Grabbing a towel, he wrapped it around his waist and left the bathroom, assuring himself that he was fine with the way things were.
Chapter Nineteen
Planes rumbled overhead as Reed and Bella walked through the early morning madness at LAX. He wheeled her carry-on behind him and tightened his grip on her hand as they weaved their way among harried travelers in a rush to make it to their destinations. Even at six thirty a.m., Los Angeles International was a zoo.
A woman struggling with two cranky toddlers knocked into Bella as she passed by. Then a man easily twice Bella’s size plowed into her, sending her into Reed’s side.
“Whoa, take it easy, buddy.” Reed frowned, wrapping a protective arm around her.
“Sorry about that,” the guy called over his shoulder and continued down the long hall.
“Geez.” She chuckled as she met Reed’s gaze.
“Luckily, this is your stop right here.” He guided her out of the worst of the traffic as they approached the terminal checkpoint.
“Thank goodness.” She set her laptop case on her luggage. “I was starting to fear for my life.”
“You don’t have to do that, baby,” he joked, playing Mr. Cool as he pulled her against him and laced his fingers behind her waist. “Consider me your personal bodyguard.”
“My hero.” Batting her lashes, she mirrored his loose hold, dressed as casually as he’d ever seen her in snug capri jeans and a simple white sleeveless top. She’d tossed her hair into a ponytail and shoved her feet into her Vans sneakers instead of her typical high heels, but she was no less stunning in her laid-back attire.
He chuckled and nuzzled his face next to her ear. “You always smell so good.”
She wrapped her arms tighter around him. “You always smell like you.”
He lifted his head, staring into her eyes. “I hope that’s a good thing.”
She nodded and kissed him. �
�It’s perfect.”
He let his hands wander up and down her sides, always eager to feel her under his palms. “You’re going to call me when you land?”
“Mmm. As soon as we start taxiing to the gate.”
“Maybe you can get a little rest—ask for a pillow and catch a few Z’s.” He touched a gentle finger to the dark circles she hadn’t been able to erase completely with the concealer stuff she used.
She grinned. “I’m starting to think a couple days apart might not be such a bad thing. We can actually get some sleep.”
Silky sheet sex had turned into floor sex. Then they’d ended up back in the shower before they fell asleep an hour before the alarm went off. He smiled and hooked his thumbs through her belt loops. “Today’s going to suck, but every second of last night and this morning was totally worth it.”
“Agreed.” She winked and nipped at his chin.
He glanced at the departing flights screen. “You should get going.” But he didn’t want her to. He wanted her to stay right here in LA, where he wouldn’t have to worry about her…or wonder.
“I have an hour until I need to board.”
His gaze wandered toward the line, noting that it wasn’t too bad. “I want you to be careful. Stay off the subways at night.”
She slid her hands up his arms, stopping and resting them on his triceps. “I will.”
“I want you to have fun.”
“I’ll do that too.”
“Make sure Luisa’s watching out for you.”
She shook her head. “I can watch out for myself.”
“I know you can.”
Sighing, she smiled. “I’m going to miss you, but I’m really looking forward to helping her. It’s exciting to think of her dreams coming true. And I get to be there to see it—to be a part of her big moment. She’s worked so hard for this.”
Why was it so easy to believe her? Why did this trip seem like nothing more than a friend helping a friend? He needed answers. Eventually, Bella was going to have to tell him about her father, but for now he wanted to focus on Reed and Bella the couple—on how good they were together. On how right everything felt for the first time in his life. “Sometimes I think you’re too good for me.”
She shook her head again. “I think we make each other happy.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “I’ll pick you up on Sunday.”
She nodded, her soft skin rubbing against his. “You and Lucy will be all right?”
“She’s going to hang out at the Cooke Compound for a few hours while I’m at work. Then we’re going to go chase some seagulls, grab an ice cream or two—”
“No people food. ”
He rolled his eyes. “So we’ll just chase seagulls.”
She laughed.
He glanced at the departure screen again. “You should go, Bella.”
“Okay.” She let herself settle against him.
He tightened his hold around her, savoring the feeling of her cheek pressed to his chest the way he liked best. “Let me know when you get in.”
“I will.” She drew away.
“See you in a few days.”
“See you.” She kissed him and gave him another long hug. “Bye.”
“Bye.” He watched her walk toward the back of the line, certain he was the biggest of fools for already missing her. “Bella?”
She turned.
He closed the distance between them and captured her cheeks, kissing her deep and sliding his tongue against hers.
She moaned.
He eased away, touching his lips to the tip of her nose, then her temples. “See you.”
She nodded and got on with the process of handing over her ID and ticket. Moments later, she stood on her tiptoes, waving to him through the new rows of people.
He smiled and waved back, watching her turn and disappear among the chaos of travelers getting their items ready to be x-rayed. Sighing, he started back the way he’d come. Everything was going to be fine. Bella was going to go see her friend in Brooklyn, and he was going home to Lucy. In three days, he would pick up his girl, and they would get back to their lives.
~~~~
Bella stood among the huge crowds at Luisa’s grand opening event, slightly overwhelmed by the insane turnout. Body Bliss was one hopping place—everything she’d hoped it would be for her friend. Platters of classic Italian hors d’oeuvres were constantly being replenished as she and Luisa filled out dozens of gift certificates for assorted laser treatment options, massage therapy sessions, and microdermabrasion/chemical peel packages. The new Bensonhurst location was off to one heck of a start.
“Rumor has it you’re in need of a water.”
Bella glanced up from her spot behind the desk, smiling at the older man she knew to be Luisa’s father. “I am.” She accepted the plastic bottle and took a long sip, subtly adjusting the hem of her above-the-knee strapless white dress, wishing she’d chosen something more comfortable to wear, like yoga pants and a workout top. She was certainly getting her exercise today. “Thank you.”
Mr. Asante’s gaze tracked around the full room. “I should be thanking you. Luisa tells me all of this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of her good friend from Los Angeles.”
Bella’s smile returned, charmed by his strong Brooklyn accent and the kindness in his eyes. There was something about Luisa’s father that reminded her so much of her own. “I’m happy I could be here to help.”
“In my experience, loyalty’s a rare trait. Luisa’s lucky to have found it in you.”
“I love her very much.”
He nodded. “Do you like a good joke?”
She blinked at his rapid change of subject and grinned, sensing a mischievous streak. “I’m always up for a laugh.”
“Ugh, not the jokes, Pops,” Luisa groaned as she hurried over, rolling her brown eyes and kissing her father’s cheek. She was dressed similarly in a white sundress of her own.
“What? Bella’s never heard this one before. I can guarantee it.”
Luisa groaned a second time. “Let me be as good a friend to Bella as she’s been to me. Spare her your idea of comic relief.” Luisa smiled her pretty smile as she glanced from her dad to Bella—a petite version of the man who had given her life.
“A daughter should respect her father.” He tapped Luisa’s nose with one of his big, beefy fingers.
“I do, Pops.” She hooked her arm around Bella’s shoulders. “I’m taking Bella away for a few minutes to introduce her around, since she’s been a slave behind the desk for most of the afternoon.”
“Wait just a minute now.” Mr. Asante took Bella’s hand and brought it to his lips. “It was nice to meet you.”
She grinned. “You too, Mr. Asante.”
“That’s Dino.”
“Dino,” she said with a nod.
“Have fun, Bella.”
“Thank you.”
Luisa huffed out a breath as she pulled Bella into the crowd. “My pops is such a flirt.”
“He’s very sweet.”
“That’s one word for—”
“Luisa.” A handsome man with an olive complexion and solid build signaled her over with a wave of his hand.
“Oh, Matty’s here. Come on over and meet him.”
Bella sized up Luisa’s pal as another one of her many successful friends—expensive golf shirt, designer slacks, thousand-dollar Italian shoes. “Sure.”
Luisa zigzagged them through the throngs.
“Tell me about these package deals you have here.” He tapped his finger on one of the flyers Bella had copied just this morning, before the madness began.
“I want you to meet someone first. Matty, this is my good friend Bella.”
Matty smiled, flashing his straight white teeth as he held out his hand. “It’s good to meet you, Bella.”
She accepted his greeting, surprised to find herself preferring Reed’s calloused palms over Matty’s smooth grip. Not all that long ago, this was t
he type of man who would have made her heart go pitty-pat. “And you.”
He frowned. “You’re not from around here. I don’t hear any New York in your voice.”
She grinned. “I’m from Los Angeles.”
“Bella and I went to school together in Phoenix.”
“You’re in the beauty profession too?”
“I am.”
“Luisa,” someone shouted from across the room.
“Oh, shoot.” Luisa sighed. “I better go see what’s what.”
“Bella can help me with this menu.” Matty moved closer to her side. “I want to pick something out for my girl over there.” He gestured to the bleach blonde with fake boobs wearing too much makeup and an overly tight shirt.
“She’s lovely,” Bella fibbed.
“What would be a good surprise for her?”
They were both jostled by a group of kids running around.
“It’s crowded in here. How ’bout we go outside, and you can help me pick out somethin’ nice for my girl.”
“I would love to.” Grabbing a pen with the Body Bliss logo printed on it, she stepped out onto the sidewalk with him and sat down at one of the tables belonging to the restaurant next door.
“Hey, Matty,” someone called from down the block, sending him a wave.
Matty waved back, then at another man farther down the street.
“We’re in the city, yet everyone knows you.”
He shrugged. “You grow up around here, people know who you are.”
She smiled, liking the idea of something so quaint despite the urban setting. “So, are you looking for a beauty enhancement treatment or more of a pampering session for your girlfriend?”
He shrugged again. “Beats the hell out of me.”
She laughed. “Luisa offers a great variety of services. My suggestion would be to go with something more along the lines of a pampering session. If…” She waited for Matty to supply his lover’s name.
“Carissa.”
“If Carissa enjoys herself, she’ll probably inquire about the other options that interest her.”
Matty nodded, tipping back in his chair and lacing his hands behind his head. “Sounds like a good plan.”
“What does Carissa do for a living?”
“She works for an advertising firm in Manhattan.”
Deceiving Bella: Book Eleven In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series Page 22