…
Kris lay awake as Tessa dozed stretched out atop him.
He kept expecting a tell, one of the unconscious gestures that would signal she wasn’t being completely honest. But they never showed up. As far as he could tell, she hadn’t lied. All he’d seen was the timid, slowly maturing trust he wanted, but wasn’t sure he deserved.
When would he learn not to underestimate her?
A lock of her hair fell across her face. He pulled the strands back, marveling at how the light caught the rich color.
A radio played somewhere, driving home his misery. The heartfelt tone of the singer’s voice called to something foreign inside him. The lyrics described a desperate man pleading for the clock to stop keeping time. His love would be gone forever when morning came again. This was their last night together to love, and the clock’s tick-tock reminded him of incurable pain. In a tone brimming with emotion, the singer begged for perpetual night so the sun wouldn’t rise and she’d never leave him.
A wave of longing threatened to suffocate him as the song continued. The words burned into his soul as Tessa rubbed her cheek on his chest in her sleep. She tightened her hold on him and sighed. He squeezed her gently and kissed the top of her head.
Anxiety welled up inside him as his life imitated the brokenhearted song writer. Tessa would be gone tomorrow, when the strike team came through to rescue her. Damn. He was going to take the biggest risk of his life in the morning and make sure she knew what to expect.
Hopefully, she’d forgive him for what he’d done.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The first weak rays of sunlight illuminated the bedroom.
A tight band settled across Kris’s chest. Unease, concern, anticipation, or something more? He’d been dead inside too long to recognize what brought on the anxiety.
He hadn’t slept much. Reaching for her countless times, reveling in her enthusiastic response. Once he discovered how sensitive she was immediately after she woke up, she had no chance of sleeping the night through. But this was their last morning waking up together.
He leaned over her, kissing her intimately, bringing lips and tongue into play as if he was lovingly attached to her mouth.
She bowed off the bed. In a heartbeat, he slipped his arms under her thighs, bringing her legs over his shoulders before locking her down from his favorite spot at her hips. Now that she was at the mercy of his whim, he covered every inch of her, taking his time, setting her on fire from the inside out. She gasped, raking her fingers through his hair. He pulled up, letting his breath flow across her body until he had her attention. Releasing her hips, he moved her hands, placing them against the sheets with a light tap on her fingers.
Glazed eyes widened, recognizing the censure she’d given him last night.
His attention returned to her swollen flesh, exploring every fold and crevice, both with the tip of his tongue and the flat. He continued, making her writhe beneath him, body tense and expectant, fingers clutching the sheet.
When he reached the crowning pearl, he stroked her once, twice, then again, before latching on with intent.
His name echoed off the walls as her body came apart. Her slow rocking stopped as the pressure dissipated.
He licked around her belly button, up her rib cage, the outer curve of each breast, and gave one nipple a playful bite as he moved up her body. He drew a lazy circle at the hollow of her throat then kissed the pulse point beating so rapidly for him.
“Good morning,” he whispered before capturing her lips.
Her fingers came up to caress his hair. She wrapped her legs around him, trapping his cock between them.
Pleasurable as it was, he released her with a shake of his head. “I have other plans for you, preciosa.”
Night after night, he’d lain next to her, conscious of where his hands were. Hyper-aware of where he wanted them.
He brought her up to sit with her back to his chest. “So perfect.” He caressed her skin as his gaze followed the progress from over her shoulder. “Beautiful.” He cupped her breasts, rolling the sensitive nipples, drawing a moan.
He splayed his left hand at her abdomen and urged her to lean forward. Raining kisses along her shoulders and neck, he nudged her legs apart to allow him between her thighs. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve wanted to touch you like this?”
He allowed his cock to play at her entrance, teasing her without taking the plunge.
A guttural sound rumbled out of her before she thrust back, claiming what she wanted.
He smiled at her impatience before filling her tight walls. Sweet pressure built with every stroke. Jesus, would he ever get enough of this woman?
She lowered her chest, tilting her hips up, tightening around him. Her spine arched beautifully, ending in a pile of sleep-tousled hair that shook with every thrust. Slender arms were folded, her fists pulling at the sheet right past her head.
Her ragged breathing was punctuated with a whimper as she came close to the edge.
He held her hips, enjoying the way her body caressed his cock at this angle. He picked up the pace until her body tensed. His head fell back as he gave one final stroke, grinding against her, plunging them into the abyss.
…
Tessa lay curled in his arms, trying to catch her breath. They were covered in a thin sheen of perspiration and nothing else.
He pulled her hair off her shoulder and kissed the spot he bared. “I thought you preferred to sleep in this direction.”
“Hmm, this is good.” She snuggled back against him. “I feel safe.”
The unexpected punch landed square under his ribcage. Guilt coiled in his belly, pulling him away from the heat of her body. He didn’t deserve the gift of trust, not with what he’d put her through.
His smile turned thoughtful as she sighed. “You’re leaving already?” She pouted, running her temple along his chin.
“No,” he murmured. “I have some time.”
She shifted, giving him a quick, hard kiss.
He caressed her face. “Why don’t I get breakfast, then we can talk.”
“About?” Tessa tilted her head to one side.
Unfamiliar emotions pummeled through his defenses. He tapped her nose playfully. “You can convince me you need instruction in driving me crazy.”
“You’re laughing at me again!” she chided.
His eyes roamed over her face, memorizing every detail. “Of course not, preciosa.”
She ran the back of two fingers along his semi-hard cock. “I’ve never been that intimate with a man,” she confessed. “But I’d like to share the complete experience, if you’re willing.”
He nodded with a slow blink.
“I want you as helpless as you left me.”
The image of her mouth on his cock destroyed every other thought. He grew hard as her hand surrounded him.
She smiled and mimicked his raised eyebrow.
Kris bit back a groan. “You had a ride pending, mi vida. I wasn’t going to give up seeing you take charge.” She continued the soft caress, weakening his resolve. “Don’t start now. If you finish me, we’ll never get fed and I’m starving.”
Her chuckle danced around him. “Go on, so you can hurry back.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Kris inhaled the collage of breakfast scents at the café and scanned the room. As usual, the petite girl behind the counter greeted him with a come-hither smile.
“Good morning,” she said.
“Let me have two orders of huevos rancheros, a bacon and egg taco, and a barbacoa taco on flour tortillas.” She jotted down the order in typical restaurant shorthand. “Throw in two regular coffees and a large coffee in milk.”
“Red or green salsa?”
“Red.” He grinned. Over the past days, he’d found he and Tessa had similar taste in food. They were incredible in bed together, and she was quick and fearless to protect those dear to her. Under different circumstances, things between them could have been fantastic
.
Thinking the unexpected smile was for her, the cashier leaned in, offering an unobstructed view down her low-cut top. “Anything else you want today?” She winked, tossing her dark hair over her plump shoulder.
“My total.”
With a disappointed pout, she added up the items. Then the TV distracted her. “Hey, guys!” She stuck her fingers in her mouth, producing an earsplitting whistle. “Come here, it’s on again!” People in hairnets spilled from the kitchen, eagerly staring at the TV.
She turned back, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Have you seen this?” She pointed toward the television.
“What?”
“The girls that got lost over the weekend. Check it out.” She giggled, excited. “This is great!”
The truck keys bit into his palm as a heavily made-up news anchor announced the clip.
“—footage of the two Americans reported missing on Saturday night. One of the kidnappers is seen here struggling with his captive.”
Kris braced himself as an icy wave of dread slammed into him.
The video seemed to be shot from the road. Oscar was pulling Tessa out of the car. Then a delay when he’d been shouting to Felipe, who wasn’t visible behind the truck. Meanwhile, Tessa had gone into action and the camera turned to her. The patrons gave a collective “Ooooh!” as Oscar went down.
“She’s my hero!” The girl pumped a meaty arm. “That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Score one for us short girls!”
“If you have any information on the two American women or this man,” Oscar’s face filled the screen, grainy but recognizable. “You’re asked to contact your local authorities immediately. All calls will remain anonymous.”
“I know he’s been here,” the cashier declared with certainty.
“Don’t tell me, ‘he’s familiar’. Maybe because you stare at every guy you meet,” the cook said dismissively.
Kris walked out while they bickered. He jumped into the truck and was off before he’d even closed the door. The big 4x4 tore through the parking lot and cut over the sidewalk, spraying dirt at nearby cars. Muscles tense, mouth dry, he weaved through traffic, leaving a symphony of horns around him.
He had to get to Tessa before Oscar or Cruz. Protocol dictated both Tessa and Oscar be taken out so neither would lead the authorities to the cartel.
Under other circumstances, Oscar might be allowed to live if he’d killed Tessa then disappeared. But Cruz had his orders. Oscar had accumulated too big a laundry list of screwups.
The truck fishtailed on the unpaved street. Fuck. He sped around a rickety bus, spewing dark smoke in an effort to climb the steep mountain road.
Six blocks. With any luck, whoever was on duty wasn’t watching TV. Four blocks. Three. He could see the road fading into the bramble. Dread nipped at his neck. Tessa…
The truck shot past Jaime’s post and slid into the driveway. Kris retrieved a .9mm from the doorwell. He shoved the weapon behind his belt and left the engine running.
He streaked through the seemingly empty house, taking the stairs two at a time. Please be safe…be alive.
With clumsy hands, he threw back the slide lock. Tessa sat in bed pulling a brush through her damp hair. The towel he’d brought her was draped across her lap.
Air rushed out of his lungs, drawing the strength from his shoulders.
She smiled then froze as he strode closer. “What’s wrong?”
“Let’s go.” He grabbed her wrist and dragged her to the door before stopping. He ducked out, checking the kitchen door and the end of the house. They couldn’t circle the house or they’d end up in a narrow corridor with no protection, the driveway left them in the same predicament. “I have to get you out of here. Be quiet and move quickly.”
He reached for the gun then bolted downstairs without consideration for her shorter legs. An experienced shooter needed three to five seconds to aim and shoot. Running the staircase would be the only stretch where they’d have no cover.
His boots smacked into the loose gravel. Tessa slid into the doorframe with an unceremonious thud. Kris ducked around corners, expecting a confrontation before they reached the front door.
Felipe stood by the vault, an impenetrable curtain over his eyes masking his intent.
Kris came to an abrupt stop. He pulled her behind him with lethal calm.
Felipe’s eyes went wide. “Whoa!” He shook his head and held up his hands.
Kris tightened his grip. The familiar weight of the gun centered his thoughts. Steady.
“I’m not going to die because of Oscar’s stupidity.” He kicked an overstuffed backpack to Kris without breaking eye contact. “That’s ammo, along with all the money I could cram in. Take the girl and go.” He moved out of the doorway and raised his arms high, pulling the shirt from his pants in the process. He turned, showing he didn’t have a weapon and stepped around them to lie down on the ground facing away. “One hundred…ninety-nine…ninety-eight…”
Still aiming the gun, Kris stared at the greenbacks bulging out the half-open zipper.
“Amigo,” Felipe called out, “this never happened.”
“Right.” He tossed the strap over his shoulder and gave Tessa’s arm a reassuring squeeze.
“Ninety-three…”
Jaime met them at the truck, an automatic weapon in his unsteady hands. He was pale, his eyes wide and expectant.
Kris swung the bag at him. “Take this and lose yourself.”
“But—”
“Go while your hands are still clean.”
Full of adrenaline, Kris picked Tessa up by the waist and tossed her into the truck. Jumping in, he hit reverse as soon as his butt touched the seat. The door slammed shut as he gunned the gas. He flipped the safety on the gun and dropped it beside him. “Hold on!” He engaged the four wheel drive and headed into the shrubbery.
Tessa grabbed the handle above the door and held on for dear life. They had a rough ride as the sturdy vehicle cut a path through the bramble on its way down the mountain. Thick branches screeched across the lower part of the truck every few seconds, accentuating their pace. Once they connected with the next street, she clipped on the seat belt.
“Your clothes are in the back.”
Tessa reached for the plastic bag and started pulling out the rumpled clothing she’d worn to the club. She dragged on her underwear and finally asked, “What happened?”
Up ahead, a rickety bus turned onto the street in front of them. Kris went around, wrinkling his nose as the rancid smell of unrefined fuel filled the cab.
“Someone recorded Oscar kidnapping you. His face is plastered on every TV in North America.”
Tessa gasped. She jerked her tattered blouse on but couldn’t work the buttons while the truck’s pace jostled her about. Ahead of them, a little boy in shorts and a T-shirt skipped into the street.
“Look out!” He honked and swerved as he slammed the brake. A woman dropped her bag to yank the kid back. She held him tight as food items rolled into the street.
Kris hit the gas, turning the wheel to regain control. He ignored the stop sign. Instead, he drove parallel to the main road and cut in front of a vegetable delivery truck.
“Heather!” She twisted in her seat. “We can’t leave her.”
Unbelievable. How could she still be concerned about the woman after everything he’d told her? “I’m not risking you over her.” He turned, ready to set her straight. But the arch of her brows, her eyes so open and hopeful, suppressed his anger—to an extent. “Trust me,” he stated rather than asked.
She hesitated, then gave him a choppy nod. “Okay.”
“Call Monica. Tell her I’m taking you to the Cathedral.”
“I can’t!”
“Don’t argue with me right now!” He glared in her direction. “Make the call!”
“I don’t know the number,” she cried. “I’d need my phone.”
Relieved, he searched the mirrors again. Felipe made the getaway too easy, so likely, t
hey were heading into an ambush. “Your things are in the glove box.”
Tessa opened the glove box and managed to catch the items before they tumbled out. She dropped their documents on the seat beside her. Quickly, she called up Monica’s number.
“Moni!” she gasped out.
“Dios mio! Tessa! Whe—?”
Tessa cut her off. “Listen to me. I’m okay, but I need you to come get me. Right now. Do you know where—”
“Damn it!” Kris recognized Oscar behind the wheel of the brown panel van speeding toward them. “Tell her to meet you at the airport.”
“Change of plans.”
“I heard. I’m on my way.”
A car horn blared through the phone. “Moni, be careful, please.”
Kris caught the end of a red light and managed to screech through a turn. The van cut behind a collection of ramshackle stands at the corner before jumping into traffic, closer. “Get in the back and stay low!” He made sure the gun was still at hand. “The truck is armored. The backseat is the safest place.”
Tessa did as he said.
Kris brushed a short flatbed of clay pottery. Brakes screeched, horns blared, and a loud thud announced an accident.
He checked the mirror. The van went into oncoming traffic to bypass the pileup. A car veered sideways, scattering more vehicles.
Kris set his jaw and got into the left turn lane.
“Tessa, reach under my seat and get the gray box. Push it out of the base, toward my feet, with both hands.”
The van switched lanes. Tessa came up, box in hand. A round hit the bullet resistant glass behind her with a muted thud. Wide eyed, she dropped to the floorboard. A second thud followed right after.
Grimly, Kris decided that every cent he’d spent armoring his vehicle had just paid off.
Too many cars sped by for him to run in any direction. The light was about to change when he caught the attention of the truck driver next to him and motioned to let him in. The trucker yelled an obscenity and blew him off.
Desire & Deception Page 14