Military Heroes Romantic Suspense Collection

by V. R. Marks

  "I've spent a lot of time hurting, thinking you abandoned me. Well, abandoned us is more accurate," she said.

  Something about the way she phrased it was a balm to the open wound that never quite healed when he'd thought she'd left him behind without even a word of goodbye. "You wrote to me too?"

  She came around and perched on the coffee table, her knees almost touching his. "Those letters are probably in a box somewhere in Aunt Ruth's attic. I could never quite bring myself to throw them out."

  "I'd love to read them sometime." A blush stained her cheeks, making the scrape look worse for a moment. He reached out, skimming a fingertip along her jaw, then pulled back before he yanked her into his lap. "I came home on leave, but you were gone."

  "That must have been college move in and orientation. It was required."

  "I'm sure." He had a few requirements he wanted to impose, but this truce felt too fragile.

  "What are we doing here, Ross?"

  "Making up for lost time, I hope." He caught her hand and cradled it palm up in his own, tracing each of her fingers as he'd once done with a blade of grass. "You really would have forgiven me for not writing?"

  "Yes," she breathed, her gaze locked on their joined hands.

  "You always were too good for me."

  "That's not true."

  Weaving his fingers with hers, he gave a little tug and she was beside him, right where she belonged. He tipped her chin up, his lips nearly on hers when she stopped him.

  "Is this another friendly sort of thing?"

  He choked on a laugh. "I deserved that." Everything in him wanted her well beyond friendship.

  "Ross, I need things to be clear between us."

  The sincerity in her eyes tugged at him. "Fair enough. How's this?" He took a deep breath and laid his heart bare for her. "We've missed so much due to some odd misunderstanding. As much as I wish life offered do-overs, I'd rather move forward with who you are, who we are right now. No matter what circumstance brought us back together."

  Her eyes sparkled. With tears? Desire?

  "Me too," she said at last.

  He claimed her mouth in a searing kiss, and a rush of need slammed into him as she matched his sensual assault.

  None of his fantasies through the years compared to the reality of the woman in his arms. He laid her back on the couch and set out to tantalize every inch of her. She sighed when he nibbled her ear, moaned when he found that sensitive hollow at the base of her lovely throat.

  When he cupped her breast, she arched into his hand, murmuring encouragement he was only too happy to follow. Teasing one nipple with his thumb, he shifted lower and laid his mouth over the other eager peak until her t-shirt was damp and she clutched his hair.

  He counted it a victory when she whispered his name like a prayer. There'd never been a sweeter sound. Being here, enjoying the woman she'd become eclipsed his treasured memories of their last night together by the lakeshore.

  He suddenly didn't want to do this out here on the couch like the teenagers they'd been. Too much had changed for both of them and he wanted what he hoped would come next to be perfect in new and wonderful ways.

  Using his waning self -control, he pulled back, feeling a rush of masculine pride when he saw her bewildered, unfocused gaze.

  "What's wrong?"

  "Not a thing that a bed won't fix." He scooped her off the couch and carried her back to the bedroom, feeling like a hero when she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his jaw.

  The soft afternoon light bathed her skin in a warm glow as clothing dropped to the floor in the joy of discovery and re-discovery. He'd thought her perfect then, she was more beautiful to him now. The wasted time, his years of doubt and frustration faded as he applied himself to the delicious task, using his hands and mouth to push her up and over that shining edge of pleasure.

  Her body trembling, she urged him with soft words and daring touches to join her. He found a condom and paused at the hot cradle of her long, lean thighs. Her hands on his shoulders, she wrapped her legs around him and he thrust into the passion and heat of her tight body. He paused at the marvel of being joined so intimately with her, feeling her surrounding him at last. Everything he'd thought he'd lost was right here, found at last.

  "Ross?" She traced his lips.

  He caught her finger, sucking on it as he gazed down into those blue eyes soft and unfocused from one orgasm. Her eyes drifted closed as he flexed his hips, prepared to join her for the next one.

  * * *

  When they were both breathing closer to normal he stared at up at the ceiling, unable to get the stupid smile off his face. Thank goodness she couldn't see it, with her head on his shoulder and her hand toying with the hair on his chest. In this moment his world was perfect and nothing seemed impossible.

  He kissed the top of her head. "You really aren't over me are you?"

  She looked up with a satisfied smirk on her lips, her skin flushed from their lovemaking. If he had his way the moment, the closeness, would ever end.

  "Nope. Never have managed that."

  "Good."

  "It's been on my to-do list though."

  "And now?" He didn't like feeling vulnerable, had to work to keep his voice casual. If this was some sort of closure sex, if she didn't want him soul deep the way he wanted her...

  "Now?" She tiptoed her fingers down his torso, around his navel and lower. "Now, I'm thinking a few other tasks take priority."

  "Good to know." He caught her hand and raised it to his lips. He hoped the sexy smile on her face right now would stay there forever.

  "So what do you think happened?"

  "Aside from the earth moving and fireworks display?"

  She gave him a light punch to the gut, but he snuggled her closer. "Oh, you must be talking about the lost letters."

  "My, my, Ross. You are so perceptive."

  "I do try." He kissed that sensitive place on her wrist and enjoyed the resulting goose bumps racing over her skin. "As for the letters, I have someone looking into that."

  "Hmm."

  "What?"

  "There are a lot of 'someones' in your life."

  "But none of them are you." He shifted, pushing up on one elbow to brush her nose with his. The happiness and contentment he saw in her eyes mirrored his own. Or should have, if he didn't have the 'being hired by Roberts' gaffe hanging between them. "Promise me, however this goes down, you'll trust me."

  Her brow puckered for a moment as she studied him. "I'm not entirely innocent in all this Ross and you've gone above and beyond for me."

  "Promise me. Roberts is a nasty piece of work. I need to hear you say you'll trust what we have over anything he says."

  "Don't worry. I've seen through his act and he won't fool me again." She toyed with his hair, but her eyes were on his mouth. "I promise. Do we need to pinky swear?"

  "Nah." He had a better idea of how to seal the deal. And it started with a kiss.

  * * *

  Allie woke to a dark room and a delicious, satisfied feeling from head to toe. She stretched and reached out, but Ross was gone.

  His absence muted her enthusiasm a fraction, but the rightness of their connection felt stronger than ever.

  Who knew reconciling could be this much fun? Lying here alone in the quiet, she actually felt comfortable with the glaring reality that her heart forever belonged to him.

  Being reunited with Ross was almost worth the danger and shame of her boss' deplorable behavior. Almost. It would have been nice to have avoided the flying bullet part of the equation.

  As much as she wanted to linger in the afterglow, the gravity of her situation returned, seeping into her thoughts. Full of renewed urgency to resolve the situation, she pulled on Ross' discarded t-shirt and went to find him.

  Hearing voices in the office, she stopped short in the hallway, unwilling to interrupt. Ross was talking with Eva and though she couldn't make out the words, it was clear they were in the middle of a hushed a
rgument.

  About her? Or the case? She couldn't go down that path, couldn't afford to let doubt creep into her mind. From the little she'd seen, Eva and Ross could argue about the weather on a perfect day.

  Allie hurried back to the bedroom. With nervous energy prickling along her skin, she made the bed and picked up the room, ignoring the way her body rejoiced in the mess they'd made. Just as she was ready to venture back out, she heard the door chime and Ross' heavy footsteps coming down the hallway.

  His warm, contented smile went a long way to soothing her nerves. "You're awake."

  "Is everything okay?"

  "Will be soon." His hands were warm and strong on her hips and his grin was wicked when he bent his head to steal a kiss. "Eva had an update on some of those faces you recognized."

  "And she drove straight out here? Must have been important. What time is it?"

  "It is important."

  The look in his eyes was absolutely predatory and she trembled in eager anticipation. "Right." She backed away, hoping to maintain the ability to think clearly. "So tell me already."

  "Your corporate laptop turned up at a pawn shop. A crime team picked it up and the fingerprints match the guy from Aunt Ruth's house."

  Allie's knees went weak and she sank onto the bed. "How -" she had to clear her throat. "How do we stop Bradley?"

  "First, we keep going. The girl who came at you with the Taser?"

  "Yeah?"

  "My FBI contact says she's cooperating."

  "Why?" She couldn't fathom a woman with such a derogatory sneer cooperating with anyone.

  "Who knows? She probably wants immunity or a maybe a fresh start. The real issue is how badly does the FBI want Bradley Roberts?"

  "What are you implying?"

  "From all of Eva's hack – well, let's call it research – I think it's a safe bet that a team of forensic accountants have been looking at your boss for a long time. Factor in the other crimes and I think we should offer to tell them what you know."

  "Can they stop the drug's release?"

  Ross sighed. "That probably isn't the priority for them, but they can do more than you and I can do alone."

  She understood his logic, appreciated his common sense. "So you'll contact the FBI and set a time to hand over the information I stole?"

  "No. As much as I'm all for respect and cooperation, I'm not about to hand over that kind of evidence without guarantees for your immunity. If they want it, we'll make them work for it.

  "Eva found out a life insurance claim has been filed."

  "Who would do that? Who could do that? He wasn't married, didn't have kids."

  "That you know about."

  She crossed her arms and stared at him. "Did Eva uncover a long lost family?"

  "Not yet. It was a standard policy paid for by the company. You're listed as the beneficiary."

  "No way! That's impossible."

  "It makes you look guilty as hell," Ross said. "The contact address listed is in the Caymans."

  Allie stared up at him, wishing he'd touch her and simultaneously grateful he didn't. "Ross, I don't know anything –"

  "Never crossed my mind. This guy's a sick piece of work and been setting up his safety net for a long time."

  "I bet whoever he convinced to set up the offshore account in my name will cash the check."

  "That's a safe bet. The FBI can add insurance fraud to the growing list of offenses. But first we have to prove Bradley is alive."

  "The bank video doesn't do that?"

  Ross shook his head. "I've sent it to Cochran to clear up any of his suspicions, but even if I can get the FBI to look at it...well, it's the FBI. They'll have to request it through the proper channels. I'd like to get them something more immediate. Something incontrovertible."

  "Something like me." He wanted to use her as bait. The idea sparked equal parts trepidation and excitement. Absurd. The biggest rush she went looking for was a runner's high. Or making love to Ross, she amended. She wasn't looking for a new career as an undercover operative. "You think if I'm available he'll come after me."

  "It's asking a lot." Ross dipped his chin, a muscle ticking in his jaw. "Eva doesn't like it. I don't like it."

  "That's why you were arguing." She smiled up at him. "It's okay and it's what needs to be done. Besides, you'll make sure nothing happens to me."

  "Damn straight."

  She sighed. "So you must have a plan already?"

  "Cochran released the crime scene at your aunt's house. I'd like you to move back in there."

  "Alone?"

  "By all appearances, yes."

  "But you'll be there."

  "Yup."

  "She doesn't have the state of the art security system you have," Allie pointed out, going for nonchalant, hoping she pulled it off so he wouldn't guess how much it bothered her. Only a few days ago she'd been in that house, having nightmares and getting shot at.

  Finally, Ross sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Eva will rig some perimeter cameras. I'd like you to go to the Midnight Rooster for breakfast tomorrow and chat it up, hang out all day if possible."

  "Everyone in town knows about the armed intruder by now."

  "And he's dead. It's time to show yourself, Allie. Tell the gory details, you know everyone will eat it up."

  She didn't like the bitter edge in his voice. "And the whole bit about me being wanted as a person of interest in Bradley's death?"

  "Faked death."

  "You know what I mean."

  "That video satisfied Cochran. Rick assures me the detective in Alexandria revoked the BOLO on you. He says Nicole is safe. Apparently your company even dropped the original complaint about the data theft. Nothing on the updates we get at the office says they're looking for you." He grinned at her. "Things are turning our way already."

  She liked his use of 'our' and his confidence was contagious. Still, she didn't like the idea of being in town, even Haleswood, alone. "So the police in Alexandria saw the bank tape?"

  "Yes." He gave her a squeeze. "They aren't happy they've been fooled. Trust me on this, Allie."

  "I do. It's Bradley who worries me."

  "That's understandable, but together we'll get him."

  Allie nodded, unable to quell the dread of a face to face with her devious boss. The man had shattered her professional goals. He'd managed to turn an honorable career into something sleazy. Learning that no one in power at her company objected to trading lives for profit sickened her.

  Logically she knew she was better off knowing it now instead of later, and yet, she still felt sadness for the loss of the ideal. Questions for her future loomed, but first she had to survive Bradley's next attempt on her life. "So now I hide in plain sight again?"

  "Wasn't that your real reason for coming home?"

  She shot him a look. Clearly he knew her too well. "It might have worked."

  "It will definitely work now, because you have my team behind you. I have two rules. First, don't let yourself be alone in town. Second, don't give Bradley what he wants right away. And remember, you won't really be alone at Ruth's house."

  "What about you?" She didn't like the way he hesitated. Haleswood gossip had never been good to him. "Ross?"

  "People saw us together at the motel. Everyone in the sheriff's office knows you left with me. I'll be sticking closer than ever, sweetheart. And while you won't see her, Eva will be out there too."

  "I'll be okay. Roberts is a big city guy. He has no idea how a small town operates." The people she'd grown up with were better than Dobermans when it came to looking out for one of their own. While that had felt oppressive long ago, now she would use it to her advantage.

  "This small town loves you," Ross said.

  She felt her lips curve into a smile. She would have told him the town loved him too, but he kissed her, putting an end to any more conversation and leading to a few hours of satisfied, dreamless sleep.

  Chapter 8

 
Ross commended himself for driving Allie back into town later that morning. Eva had offered to drive, but in a snarky way that made him think she'd make good on her preference to see Allie safe in Canada rather than 'feed her to the wolves' in Haleswood.

  He had to shake that off. Not easy when it came to forgetting Eva's scathing opinions, but he'd had practice. Beside him Allie was doing the nervous hand thing, flexing her laced fingers in her lap while she stared out the window.

  "It will be okay," he said. He was doing the sure and steady routine for her, but the numerous uncertainties were rotting a hole in his gut.

  When they'd reached the end of the drive, where he had the choice, it had taken a significant effort to turn toward Haleswood. Contrary to Eva's belief, he was not immune to the danger closing in on Allie. He'd done everything in his power to guarantee her safety, called in every favor and still the risk felt too big.

  Bradley Roberts was a desperate man about to be backed into a corner unless he could contain a certain public relations manager holding the proof of his crimes. The things Eva had been uncovering in the man's past were beyond worrisome. Amazing what the selfish bastard had managed to cover up. He didn't share his worries with Allie, she had enough to think about, but he'd passed a few pertinent details to Sheriff Cochran as well as his contact at the FBI.

  He'd dropped her off as the first rush of breakfast customers headed off to work. The timing guaranteed the most eyes on her arrival and therefore the best protection.

  He'd told her to pick a spot and hang out, to get reacquainted with Ruth's staff, and the regulars, but he'd bet anything by the time he returned from his run to Columbia, she'd be pitching in one way or another.

  Allie didn't have it in her to sit by and let others do. She'd always been that way. A hands on, get things done sort of person. Not that he wasn't much the same, but growing up, his help had often been undervalued because no one trusted his good for nothing dad. Until Allie had trusted Ross with her unconditional friendship.

  Growing up, the more time they spent together the more respect the town gave him. He might not have liked the status quo and he'd often resented that a lousy address could so severely limit a person's options, but none of that was Allie's fault.