by Nicole Helm
“Let me go get a condom,” he said in a raspy voice that sizzled over her skin.
“You have condoms?” she asked dazedly.
“Sure. Rangers are like Boy Scouts. Always prepared.”
“I hope Boy Scouts aren’t prepared in that way,” she called after him when he disappeared into the bathroom. When he reappeared, she grinned at him. “Wait. Please tell me you were a Boy Scout.”
“Of course I was. Made it all the way up to Eagle Scout. You have no idea the things I can do with my hands.” He grinned.
She spread out on his bed. “Show me.”
He tossed the condom on the bed then undid his belt, eyes never leaving hers. Goose bumps rose on her skin at that steady, brazen gaze. He thought she was beautiful. He wanted her as much as she wanted him.
And still that need coiled deeper, no matter that she didn’t think it could. She could barely sit still as he pushed his jeans and boxers off in one quick push, and then he was standing there naked.
He was just always so impressive. Tall and strong and broad. Long and hard and something close to intimidating. But no matter how nerves hammered in her chest, she didn’t even think of backing out or changing her mind.
Not because she only wanted something good or to cross some adult rite of passage off the list, but because she wanted him. Only him.
He slid onto the bed, over her again, spreading her legs apart with his knees. His fingers trailed up her calves, over her knees, her thighs.
She should do something, too, but all she could seem to do was lie there and breathe, watching his blue eyes intent on the most intimate part of her. He stroked her there and she whimpered, much to her own chagrin.
But his fingers were like magic. Sparking, spiraling the pleasure of magic as they entered and stroked, found places inside her that had her panting, writhing, pleading. She’d never felt this out of control, this desperate for something, except freedom.
But she didn’t want freedom now. Not from Bennet. She wanted more of him. More of him inside her, on top of her.
“Please,” she whispered, so close to some unknown cliff she didn’t understand but knew she wanted to fall over. Over and over again.
He paused for a second, grabbing the condom and pulling it out of its package. She watched as he rolled the condom on his thick erection, and Alyssa couldn’t quite fight the little kernel of panic that settled in her chest. “Bennet.”
His blue eyes met hers, sure and steady as he positioned himself at her entrance. “Shh. It’s all right. I’ll take care of you.”
She relaxed. “I know.” It’d probably be easier if she could stop believing in people, but everyone who’d come into her life since she’d left that bunker had proved to her that her brothers’ betrayal was their shortcoming. Not hers.
She could feel the tip of him slowly take the place of where his fingers had been. She was still pulsing with that lost orgasm, and as he slowly pushed inside she tried to chase that almost pleasure as much as she tried to ignore the uncomfortable tightness.
Everything was too big and too much, and yet everything she’d wanted was right there. Bennet inside her, Bennet on top of her, Bennet. Hers.
He moved, and there was a dull pain mixed in with that pleasure, but it was diluted enough she could enjoy that pleasure. Chase that joy that needed release. He moved slowly, his body hard against hers, and it made her feel safe. Protected.
All without being locked in or hidden away. He was bringing her to life even as he made sure nothing bad happened to her.
“Alyssa,” he said, sounding pained, and that’s when she realized a few tears had escaped her cheeks.
“It’s not bad crying,” she managed, because it wasn’t. It was a release like any other. Too many emotions and feelings built up and leaking out.
“Good.” He kissed a tear, his hand curling around her hip, angling himself differently, and this time when he slid deep, she gasped.
So, he did it again. And she forgot about that odd fullness and focused instead on the way he pulsed through her, uncoiled that heavy tight knot deep in her belly. This time she moved with him, and something seemed to explode inside her, waving through her, an intense, pulsing pleasure she wanted to bask in forever.
And still he moved inside her, making it all last longer, spiral harder, brighter. Until he was pushing deep, groaning and holding her tight to him.
She was so crushed to him she couldn’t even wrap her arms around him like she wanted to. She wanted to hold on and never let go.
Someday you’ll have to let go.
She closed her eyes against that thought, listening to the heavy beating of his heart. This was just like any other captivity. You only had the time you had. She’d enjoy it while she had it.
“Don’t sleep on the window seat tonight,” she said into his chest.
His mouth brushed across her temple. “I won’t.”
Chapter Thirteen
Bennet knew they were falling into too much of a routine, and yet he couldn’t seem to help himself. What man in his right mind could?
They explored each other at night, researched all angles of the case during the day and sometimes distracted themselves with more sex then, too.
They hadn’t gotten anywhere, and it should irk him more than it did. But it was hard to be irked about anything with Alyssa in his bed.
Even now, when they were both dressed, focused on reading through different things to do with Dom Cochrane’s case. It felt...right. Right to be working in the company of someone he could quickly talk into getting naked.
Which seemed like a hell of an idea right now, since they’d have to start getting ready for the gala soon. He slid the laptop off his lap and rolled onto his side.
Alyssa was engrossed in the papers she’d been rifling through, her eyebrows drawn together, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth.
The feeling in his chest scared him more than a little. He’d told her he couldn’t make her any promises a few days ago, but every time he looked at her he wanted to make a million. He wanted to make sure she was always with him.
There was something warped in that probably, but no matter how often he told himself he was being an idiot, he wanted her beyond measure. In bed and out. Now and later. She just seemed to belong here, at his side.
So, he tugged one of the papers out of her hand, but she slapped his hand away. “Wait.”
“My charm can’t be wearing off this quickly.”
“No, I think I’ve got something. Bennet, what if...” She arranged some papers he’d printed off for her. The picture of Salvador Dominguez and one of her brothers. The paperwork on Dom Cochrane’s murder case.
She spread them all out, pointing at the pictures of Dom and Salvador. “What if Sal Cochrane, Dom Cochrane and Salvador Dominguez are all the same person, just different aliases? They’ve got the same nose. Same mouth. Salvador is older, obviously, but it has been sixteen years.”
“Salvador has a clear scar on his chin.”
“He could have gotten it in the time between pictures.”
Bennet rubbed a hand against his jaw. “And if that’s true, a man who worked for your father got out of jail, started a new identity and built a cartel to rival your father’s. And is now a donor to my mother’s campaign.”
Alyssa blew out a breath. “What reason would she have?”
“I don’t know. Getting donations has never been a problem for the Stevenses, but perhaps things have gone south and I don’t know about it.”
“Maybe they’re not the same person.”
“He was convicted. Dom was convicted of murder, a murder that was probably ordered or sanctioned by your father. Yeah?”
Alyssa nodded, studying the pictures, so he did, too. Dom Cochrane and Salvador Dominguez
certainly did look alike if you looked hard enough.
“Typically a cartel doesn’t let that happen. They don’t want one of their own talking to lawyers. They don’t want to risk connections.”
“I guess that’s true, but he was the one stupid enough to get caught.”
When he raised an eyebrow at her, she shrugged. “That’s how they’d think about it. He got caught, and we never have. I love my brothers, Bennet, because... Well, a lot of complicated reasons, but I’m under no illusion they’re good men or have never killed anyone. It’s the life.”
“Why were you sheltered from it?”
“I’m a girl.” She shrugged again. “It’s the only reason I ever got. Even before my mother left or whatever it is that happened, the way they’d talk about her... They thought she was weak, and maybe she was. She never spent much time with me.”
“So, what was she doing if she wasn’t spending time with her daughter and was too weak to be part of things?”
“I don’t know.”
Bennet studied the pictures again. “Let’s work off the theory they’re all the same man. Dom Cochrane had orders from your father to kill someone as part of cartel business. Dom gets caught, tried, sent to prison. Who would Dom be most angry with?”
“My father, but like I said, my father hasn’t been well for years. Years upon years. CJ runs the show.”
“So, maybe he transfers the revenge. It’s personal enough, and the cartel family is actual family. It all works together.”
“Except one of my brothers meeting with him.”
“You still don’t know which one?”
“It would make the most sense if it was CJ. He’s the head of things, and it would make sense if Dad passed that earring on to him, but... It doesn’t look like CJ to me. Something about the hand.”
“What about it?”
“CJ is always angry. Fists clenched or on a weapon. My other brothers are always armed, except Oscar.” She paused, her finger touching the hand of the man in the picture. “It can’t be Oscar,” she whispered, shaking her head. “But everything points to Oscar.”
“Are you certain?”
“No. But he taps his fingers on his legs when he’s nervous. Did you see him do it at my office? He’s always done it. This man’s fingers are on his leg, as if he’s tapping them out of sight of Dominguez.”
She looked up at him, her expression sad and a little lost. “Oscar was the sweet one, sweet to me. I can’t believe he’d double-cross the family. It’s not in him. Not like the others.”
“So, maybe it’s not him.”
Alyssa swallowed and nodded, looking back at the picture of Dominguez. “How did we turn out okay? I mean, assuming your parents are part of this. How did we...”
“You know, I learned something from dear old Grandpa Ben.”
She frowned and reached out and touched his cheek. “I don’t like your making light of that.”
“You can’t beat who someone is out of them or beat who you are into them. I’m not saying it doesn’t shape them or leave a mark, but it never does exactly what the bad wants it to do.” He took her hand and kissed her palm. “We are who we are because that’s what we are.”
“So, we’ll still be what we are after this is all over?”
Which wasn’t as simple a question as he’d like. She was the daughter of a drug cartel kingpin, and whether his mother was involved in all this or not, he was the son of a US senator and, more, he was a Texas Ranger. It would be complicated. It would be...
She withdrew her hand from his, and he wished he had the words to make it right. To say they could be.
“Your hair lady is going to be here soon.”
“My nothing. Your hair lady. Your dress. Your party.”
“I’ll pass on wearing a dress tonight, but we need to go over the plan one more time,” he said, ignoring her irritation, really ignoring her hurt. They didn’t have time for that. Not right this second. Afterward when he could work it all out, he’d figure them out, too, but they had to do this first.
Alyssa rolled her eyes. “Never leave each other’s side. Be on the lookout for Dominguez and anyone he talks to. File as much away as we can, and if we have the opportunity to follow him we do, as long as we’re together. That about cover it?”
“Trust no one.”
“Except you.”
“We’ll trust each other.”
A knock sounded at the door, and Alyssa sighed heavily.
“Who is it?” Bennet called.
“Ms. Delaney is here,” Kinsey returned.
Bennet got off the bed and headed for the door to let Tawny in.
“Wait. Tawny’s doing my hair and makeup?”
“When I asked her for referrals for someone, she suggested herself. I figured that’d work out, keep fewer new people from traipsing in and out.”
“If I look ridiculous after this, I’m blaming you,” Alyssa muttered.
“Be very hard on me. I probably deserve it,” he replied, grinning at her as he opened the door.
* * *
ALYSSA FELT LIKE HYPERVENTILATING. Tawny had done her hair and makeup, chattering on and on about statement colors, and had put diamonds around her neck, and all Alyssa could think was this was all wrong.
Tawny should be going to this party, talking to debutantes and rich politicians and whatever. Alyssa should be in a little apartment above her friends’ garage in her jeans and T-shirt, considering her next bounty-hunting case.
But Alyssa was in some expensive gown, her hair swept back in ways she never would have dreamed it could be curled and coiffed. She was wearing lipstick of all things, and anytime she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she wanted to rip off the weird little gold hairpiece Tawny had pinned into her hair and run screaming in the opposite direction.
But Bennet was counting on her, and no matter how he’d hesitated when she’d mentioned after earlier, she couldn’t let him down. He’d given her too much, even if they were coming to the end of that particular line.
“Now, I know you don’t want to draw too much attention, but I brought two possible pairs of shoes. One is the sensible choice, and one is the little flash-of-fun choice.” Tawny pulled out two pairs of heels from her bag.
Heels. Tall, tall, impossible-looking heels.
“I’ve never walked in heels before.”
“Never walked in... Honey, where did you come from?”
Now that was a question.
“They aren’t any different from regular shoes. Mostly,” Tawny offered brightly.
“I don’t believe that for a second.”
Tawny laughed. “Okay, it requires some balance and some...well, beauty is pain and whatnot.” She handed Alyssa the less flashy pair. “Here, these are shorter.”
Alyssa slid her feet into the heels and tried not to wince as she stood.
“Just balance on your heels and it’ll be all good. Besides, Ben will catch you if you fall.”
“Did he ever tell you why he doesn’t like that?” Alyssa asked, failing at the breezy, conversational tone Tawny always used.
“Like what?”
“Shortening his name to Ben.”
Tawny cocked her head. “No. Why?”
Alyssa knew she shouldn’t say anything. It was none of her business. But, well, Bennet was always protecting her. Maybe it was time for her to do the same for him. “Maybe you just shouldn’t.”
Tawny stood there and didn’t say anything for the longest time. Eventually, she nodded. “All right. Well, you’re all finished. I’ll leave you to make a grand entrance.” Tawny collected all her things and opened the door with a wink.
“Hey, um, I know you’re getting paid for this and all, but thanks. I appreciate it.”
; Tawny smiled that big, pretty smile Alyssa knew even with years of practice she wouldn’t be able to duplicate. “You’re very welcome, Alyssa. Good luck to you.” She slid outside, and Alyssa knew she had to follow. No matter how desperately she wanted to avoid any gala, but especially this gala, it was a job. One she had to do well.
Which meant she had to ditch the heels. She kicked them off and grabbed her tennis shoes. The dress was long enough it would cover the faux pas, she hoped. And if not, well, hell, she’d at least have the ability to run if she needed to, and the dress was already enough of a detriment.
A knock sounded on the bathroom door. “Are you coming?” Bennet demanded. “Tawny said you were done.”
Alyssa took a deep breath and took a few halting steps toward the door. All the nerves were just worry over what they might find out tonight and what danger they might be in. It had nothing to do with Bennet seeing her in this getup.
“Don’t say anything stupid,” she called through the door.
“Well, thank you for that wonderful vote of confidence. Now, would you get the hell out here so we can—” He stopped abruptly as she stepped into the bedroom.
Then he didn’t say anything at all. He didn’t even move. He just stared at her. Expressionless.
Alyssa fidgeted. “I know I said don’t say anything stupid, but you could say something.”
“You...” He reached out and touched the cascade of golden circle things Tawny had fastened into her upswept hair. “You look like some kind of goddess.”
“That counts as stupid.”
“That counts as a compliment,” he returned, leaning in.
She shoved him back. “You cannot ruin my makeup. I don’t know how to fix it. Besides, you said we needed to get going.”
“I think I changed my mind.” His hands landed on her hips, and no matter how she pushed him away, his mouth brushed her neck.
And, okay, maybe she didn’t push all that hard. It was entirely possible she just sighed and leaned into him while his mouth did unfathomable things to her neck.
She didn’t want to go out there. She didn’t want to face strangers or even try to solve a mystery or catch any bad guys. She wanted to stay right here, because once they did all that solving and catching, she wasn’t so sure right here would exist anymore.