Alexandra didn’t budge, her soft, steady breathing an indication she’d fallen back to sleep.
Last night, after she’d calmed down, she’d asked a lot of questions about Kimberly’s cancer. He’d told her everything he knew, which wasn’t much. When she’d asked how long her mother had, he’d answered honestly. “Colton told me three-to-six months, but the oncologist said everyone is different.”
Her sadness had turned to anger. She’d threatened to give her brother a piece of her mind. He’d let her rant. When the anger had burned off, soft, quiet tears of acceptance and understanding had begun to flow. In the end, she’d thanked him for doing what her family could not.
When he’d tucked her into his bed, she’d asked him to stay. So he did. She’d snuggled into him and conked out. He’d laid awake for a while, holding her in his arms and listening to her breathe. This was the first time they’d spent the night in the same bed. Damned if he didn’t want it to be for a different reason.
Her beautiful essence surrounded him. He didn’t want to leave her, but he had a full day ahead of him and a major work crisis to deal with. Moving slowly, so as not to disturb her, he rolled away, then slunk out of bed. Before walking into his bathroom, he turned back. Peaceful and so beautiful.
After brushing his teeth, he turned on the shower faucet and stepped into the glass-enclosed marble stall.
Inasmuch as he wanted her in his bed every night, he was a realist. Sex happened at the club. But even if they did start sleeping together at his place, she would return to California once Kimberly had passed. Her move back east had always been temporary. He’d anticipated seeing her, but he’d never envisioned she’d be the one woman he’d hook up with at Incognito. And he’d certainly never expected she’d be living with him.
What didn’t surprise him was the way he felt whenever she was near and every time their eyes met. Or how she belonged in his arms. Or that he’d do whatever it took to help her and keep her safe.
He turned off the water and dried himself. The body shop had repaired Alexandra’s car and his mechanic had run diagnostics to ensure the vehicle was road-ready. Crockett had arranged for his cousin, Danny, to meet them at her home that evening. Unbeknownst to her, he was moving her out.
Even though she’d probably contacted the housing agency and requested a different place to live, he didn’t want her moving in with another stranger. Too risky. Since she’d walled herself in emotionally, he’d create a no-pressure living arrangement. The lengths he would go were over the top, but he’d waited a long, long time for a second chance. No way in hell would he let her slip through his fingers.
After raking his hands through his damp hair, he stepped into his bedroom. Bedroom lights on, Alexandra bent over, making his bed. Ah, hell. Though she’d slept in his gym shorts and a T-shirt, her long legs hijacked his attention. A rush of heat swept through him.
She turned. Her gaze roamed down his naked body—pausing at his junk—then back up. “Good morning. Thanks for last night.”
Ignoring his thickening shaft, he stepped close. She, however, glanced down.
“If you’re comfortable driving, I’ll drop you at my mechanic’s,” he said. “Your car is ready.”
Her breath hitched. “I’ll be okay.”
He braced his spine against the need to haul her into his arms, throw her on his just-made bed and love her for hours. “Most of the roads are drivable. Be careful on the side streets.”
As she peered at his chest, she shuddered in a breath. She lifted her arm and, for a second, her delicate fingers hovered inches from his skin. A groan shot out of him. Hell, he wanted her so fucking badly.
Without shifting her gaze, she ran her long, elegant fingers through her hair. And his jutting cock banged against her T-shirt. This living arrangement was proving to be one hell of a challenge. He wasn’t embarrassed he had a boner. He was agitated he couldn’t start his day by sinking inside her and finding pleasure in all things Alex.
Grunting out his frustration, he walked to his dresser, pulled on black boxer briefs and a white undershirt. He had to get out of his bedroom in the next five minutes or all bets were off. Sitting on his bed, he tugged on black dress socks, then retreated into his closet to dress.
“I’m going to get ready for work,” she called.
We need different sleeping arrangements. Or I’m going to have a permanent case of blue balls.
On the way to his mechanic’s, he told her he’d be at the Eastern Shore all afternoon, but would meet her at her home after work. “My cousin, Danny, will be joining us. We’re moving you out.”
“What? Where will I live?”
“With me.” She opened her mouth to protest. “Meet me at your house at five. Don’t go in without me.”
After making sure her car checked out, Crockett thanked his mechanic and left. He thought twice about paying her bill, but decided against it. Her auto insurance company covered the majority of the cost. And he didn’t want his good intentions to be misconstrued. She was an independent woman who could take care of her financial obligations.
On the way to his off-site meeting in DC, he called his assistant. “Ellen, I’m sorry for the early call.”
“One second, Crockett.” He listened while she said goodbye to her high school-aged son. “I’m back. What can I help with?”
“After my off-site meeting, I’m heading to Maverick’s airpark on the Eastern Shore so I won’t be in all day.”
“You have three afternoon meetings. I’ll reschedule.”
“Thanks. I need your help with something. Please order a bedroom suite and have it rush delivered. Use my personal credit card. You know the store I like. Henredon furniture or the equivalent. A display model would work.”
“For the master bedroom?”
“No, guest room. Room size is fourteen by sixteen. Something tasteful and neutral.”
“I’ve got to jot this down.” After a pause, she said, “Go on.”
“Queen bed, bureau, and two night tables.”
“I’ll purchase a wall mirror for over the bureau. You’ll need lamps and bed linens. I’ll handle everything.”
“I’ll be at my karate competition all day Saturday, but the concierge can let the deliverymen in.”
“This Saturday?” Ellen asked. “That’s gonna cost you.”
“Whatever it takes.”
“Got it.”
“Thanks, you’re an angel.” He ended the call.
Since his parents were planning a spring visit, he needed furniture, but he wanted this expedited for Alexandra.
After his client meeting, he texted Maverick. “On my way.” He headed east, eventually jumping on Route 50 toward Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
His phone rang and he hit the speaker button. “Hey, Decker. Tell me you’ve isolated the reason for the random device failures.”
“Sure did,” Decker replied. “And since that only took me ten minutes, I used the extra time to solve global warming and I’ve devised a plan to end world hunger and—”
“You pulled another all-nighter, didn’t you?”
“No, but I’m holding it together with caffeine. I’ve got the QA team teed up and I’m overseeing the project going forward. Charlie’s downed craft will arrive in the next day or two. I need to go over a few things with you. You got time now?”
An hour and a half later, Crockett pulled into Ashton Hott’s airpark. He and Decker had outlined a plan for analyzing the problem and a different one for freezing the sale of further UAVs until the issue had been sufficiently resolved. That major setback had knotted his guts.
Exiting his truck, he slid on his shades, pulled on his parka and headed toward the lone hangar on Maverick’s private property. The front door flew open and Maverick stepped outside. Though the temperature hovered at forty-three degrees, the bright sun and lack of wind were the perfect weather conditions to test his crafts.
“You made great time.” He shook Crockett’s hand. “Who’s
the chick?”
Crockett laughed. “Couldn’t wait, could you?”
“Hell, no. You’re a total workaholic.”
“With good reason.”
“I know that.” Maverick’s expression softened. “So, who is she?”
“An old friend.”
Grinning, Maverick added, “With benefits.”
“It’s complicated.” Crockett pulled on his leather gloves.
“Aren’t all women? So, does your gal have a name?”
“Alexandra Reed.”
“Why does that name sound familiar?” Maverick asked, knotting his brow.
“Alexandra Reed Mitus. Colton’s sister.”
“Ah, hell. She left la-la land?”
“Temporarily.”
Maverick slapped Crockett’s back. “I hope it works out. You’ve had a thing for that woman for—”
“For fucking ever.”
The two men laughed.
“C’mon in,” said Maverick. “I’ll grab my team.”
The metal structure resembled a Quonset hut. Maverick opened the front door and they walked inside. The open space housed one large conference table with several chairs, and enough vacant floor space to line up the crafts on the cement flooring.
Crockett admired the Eagle, three Falcons, and six Spy Flies like a proud papa. After introductions, Maverick’s eight-person team collected their assigned aircraft and set off for the landing strip three hundred feet from the building.
Over the next three hours, Maverick’s ground pilots put each of the devices through a series of rigorous tests. The aircraft soared, hovered, dove, glided and landed without a glitch. This group of aircraft had responded with the precision expected from a Wilde Innovations’s product. Even so, the angst surrounding the failed aircraft still hung over his head like a threatening storm cloud.
After each drone passed its final test, Maverick paired his pilots to fly the crafts in tandem. The majority of his personnel used military-grade tablets, two directed the crafts via cell phones, and one used a hand-held transmitter base.
When the rigorous flights had been completed, Maverick signed off on each one and shot Crockett a grin. “You’ve got some damned good products, brother. I’d be a paper-pusher dreaming of this life if it wasn’t for you.”
“Thanks. You were born for the thrill of action. Hell, you live for danger. You would have found your adventure without me. But I am relieved they flew as directed.”
As the team headed back toward the building to ready the craft for shipment, Maverick pulled Crockett aside. “Relax. These babies performed flawlessly. My rogue Eagle was a one-off. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
But Crockett knew differently. “Thanks for including me today,” he said and extended his hand. Per usual, Maverick bear-hugged him instead. “You’re like a damned teddy bear.”
“Aw, shucks, that’s what all the girls say,” said Maverick.
“I’ve got to get back.”
“Meeting your girl?”
Crockett smiled. “Yeah and I’m running late.”
Alexandra parallel parked in the only available spot on her block. Glancing down the street at the darkened house, relief washed over her. She’d been worried the partygoers would still be there, but the streets had been plowed and the mild temperatures had turned the remaining snow into a slushy mess.
Ten minutes after five. Crockett’s late. She shoved her hand into her bag to fish out her cell, but it wasn’t in its usual spot. After digging through the contents, she confirmed the phone was missing. And it wasn’t in her coat pockets either. “Dammit. I left it at work or at the mechanic.”
Since the house was dark, she let herself in and flipped on the living room light. The room was neat; the drunken fools long gone. Eager to get packed, she trotted upstairs and into her bedroom. Though anxious about moving in with Crockett, she would not miss this place.
Tossing her coat and handbag on the bed, she pulled her suitcase and carry-on bag out from beneath her bed. To save time, she’d leave everything from her closet on hangers. Working quickly, she opened bureau drawers, grabbed her undergarments and loaded up the suitcase. The last drawer was filled with several masks. As she set those in the bag, the stairs creaked. Her blood ran cold.
“Crockett?” She stilled. “Is that you?”
A shadow darkened the staircase wall and her heart rate skyrocketed. Ben appeared, beer bottle in hand. His lascivious grin sent adrenaline spiking through her. Standing in the doorway, he blocked her only escape route. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Though she tasted the panic, she hitched her hands on her hips. He glanced at her chest. “Get lost, Ben.”
“Relax, baby.” He stepped into the room and set the bottle on the bureau. When she tried to run past him, he grabbed her and shoved her against the wall. “You’re not going anywhere.” He pressed his palms to the wall, sandwiching her in.
She gagged from the stench of stale beer mixed with his pungent body odor. “My boyfr—fiancé—will be here any minute. You’d better let me go.”
“Let’s get to know each other.” His eyes turned dark and he licked his lips. “I’ll bet you taste good.”
When Crockett turned down Alexandra’s residential street, he sensed something was wrong. Besides the fact that Alex hadn’t responded to his calls or texts, the lights were on in her home. Just because he’d told her to wait, didn’t mean she’d listened. He slammed on the brakes, double-parked out front, grabbed the duffel bags and jumped out of the truck. As he strode toward the front door, Danny jogged down the sidewalk.
“She went in without us,” Crockett said.
Though Crockett wanted to believe Ben wouldn’t be there, he anticipated the worst-case scenario, hence his armed cousin. It wasn’t like he couldn’t take on the thug himself, but he knew his limits. Firearms being at the top of the list.
As they reached the front door, Danny said, “I’ve got a second weapon—”
“NO!” Alexandra shouted. “Let me go!”
Her scream sent Crockett throwing open the door and bolting up the stairs.
“Wait!” Danny yelled, but Crockett was already at the top.
“Well, lookie who’s here,” Ben said as Crockett sprang into the room. “Now it’s my turn to kick your ass.” Charging Crockett, he took a swing.
While ducking Ben’s right hook, Crockett thrust his head into Ben’s torso, yanked Ben’s feet up, sending them both crashing to the floor. Crockett wrapped his hands around Ben’s throat and pressed his thumbs against his Adam’s apple.
“Crockett!” yelled Danny. “Stop.” Crockett tightened his hold. Ben’s face turned tomato red. “Let him go!” Danny exclaimed.
Releasing his grip, Crockett pushed off Ben and rose. “Lucky for you, I brought back up. If I hadn’t, I would have fucking killed you.”
Danny aimed his Glock at Ben. “Roll over, face down. Clasp your hands behind your head.”
Ben flattened on the hardwood and did as he was told. “Jesus, don’t shoot me.”
After holstering his weapon, Danny cuffed Ben’s wrists behind his back and frisked him. In addition to a wallet, Danny pulled out a vial of crack and a baggie of marijuana.
“Get on your knees, then sit with your back against the wall,” Danny commanded.
As Ben got into place, Crockett knelt next to Alexandra who’d scampered into the corner, her eyes big as full moons, her mouth agape. She threw her arms around him. Though she was safe, his heart beat a frenetic rhythm while she trembled in his grip. “I’ve got you.”
“Hey, man,” said Ben. “This is my girlfriend’s roommate. We were just catching up.”
Alexandra scrambled to her feet. “Catching up?” Her eyes narrowed. “You held me against my will, for starters.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, we was just talkin’,” Ben said.
“You want to press charges?” Danny asked her.
“You bet I do.”
“Press char
ges?” Ben asked. “For what?”
“Ms. Mitus said you held her against her will,” Danny said. “That’s a federal charge of kidnapping.”
“Fuck me,” Ben said, his shoulders sagging.
As Danny phoned for back up, he flipped open Ben’s wallet. “Run a check on a Benjamin Jenkins.” He read the driver’s license number to the FBI analyst. “And send a cage car.”
Crockett needed to put his fist through a fucking wall. “You got this?” he asked his cousin.
“Yeah, time to get Alexandra out,” Danny replied.
Without making eye contact, she entered her closet. He followed. They worked in a chilling silence, focused on the task at hand. He’d deal with her reckless behavior later. For now, he needed to get her the hell out before he killed that motherfucker.
After filling the duffel bags with shoeboxes, he flung them over his shoulder. Then he grabbed handfuls of hangers and draped the clothing over his arm. Loaded up like a pack mule, Crockett exited her closet.
He and Alexandra went downstairs and outside to Crockett’s truck. Using his key fob, he retracted the cover, then laid her clothing in the bed. Rarely overcome by emotion, Crockett was still too angry to speak.
“I’m sorry,” she said, breaking the silence. “I made a terrible mistake based on an incorrect assumption.” She placed her duffel bag next to the clothes. “The house was dark. Ben must’ve been in the basement. I put you and Danny at risk.” Rubbing her arms over her wool coat, she tilted her face to his. “I fucked up, Crockett.”
He stroked her arms. Had to confirm she’d stopped trembling. “You placed yourself in a dangerous situation and scared the hell out of me. I am damn furious with you, Alex.”
With a sweet smile, she leaned up and kissed his cheek.
“It’s going to take a helluva lot more than a peck to get back on my good side.” Grasping her hand, he headed toward the front door.
“Alexandra! Hey!” Mandy bustled down the sidewalk. “Ben’s here. You guys wanna grab some dinner?”
“I’m moving out,” Alexandra said.
“What? Now?”
“Your boyfriend is being arrested for kidnapping. Fortunately, Crockett and—”
THE WILDE TOUCH: Book Two of The Touch Series Page 17