Beach Reads Boxed Set

by Marie Force

  “Because they invited us there.”

  “But Liana, the media . . .”

  “The media is not going to run my life.”

  “I’m afraid you’re not taking this seriously enough, sweetheart.”

  She got up, grabbed the files she needed for her meeting, and walked around the desk. “Guess what, Travis? I’m a full-grown adult, and I’ve handled my life pretty well up to this point. I don’t need you or anyone else telling me what to do.”

  “Excuse me for being worried about your safety. By all means, do whatever you want.”

  “Thank you. I will.”

  “Great.”

  “You’re welcome to come with me to my aunt and uncle’s tonight,” she said on her way out the door. “If you don’t wish to, let me know, and I’ll have my mother and David pick me up.”

  “I’ll go,” he grumbled.

  “Great,” she said, mimicking his tone.

  Jessie found Liana working alone in Travis’s office and knocked on the door.

  “Oh hey,” Liana said. “Come in.”

  “I’m sorry to disturb your work.”

  “I could use a break. How’s everything going?”

  With a glance over her shoulder at the door, Jessie slid into a chair in front of the desk. “He’s driving me crazy,” she whispered. “He won’t let me out of his sight.”

  “He’s worried. We all are.”

  “And I appreciate that. Y’all have been so nice to me, but I can’t stand the tension. I feel like I’m going to snap. And Peter. . . Between the vandals and the stalker, he’s not sleeping or eating. He’s a wreck.”

  “I wish there was something we could do,” Liana said, nibbling on her pen cap as she thought it over.

  “There is something. . . I’ve been thinking about it, but I’d need your help.”

  “Whatever I can do, Jessie. I’m happy to help.”

  Jessie got up to shut the door. “Here’s my idea.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Armed with a stack of photocopies that she held behind her back, Jessie told Beck she was taking a walk with Liana.

  “A walk to where?” he asked, his eyebrows narrowing with suspicion.

  Jessie swallowed. “Just on the boardwalk.”

  “Give me a minute, and I’ll go with you.”

  “No,” she said emphatically—more emphatically than she’d intended. “I need some girl time, Peter.”

  He sat back in his chair, and she could tell by the set of his shoulders that he was resisting the urge to insist on accompanying her. “Are you going to talk about me?”

  Jessie smiled. “Maybe.”

  “Keep it clean and hurry back. I’ll be worried.”

  “I’ll be fine. Why don’t you go over to my place and take a nap? You look ragged.”

  “I don’t need a nap,” he said, appearing offended by the suggestion. “Go have your girl time, but stay within sight of the club, do you hear me?”

  “Yes, dear.” She blew him a kiss and skipped out the door, knowing she didn’t have much time because she was certain he would follow her.

  “Coast clear?” Liana asked in the hallway.

  “Temporarily. Let’s go.”

  Moving quickly, they went outside and headed for the main gate. Just as Jessie had hoped they would, the reporters gathered there snapped to attention when they saw Liana coming toward them.

  “Thanks again for doing this,” Jessie said. “I know how much you hate them.”

  “If we can use them to do some good, it’ll be worth it.”

  Shouted questions greeted them at the gate.

  Several of Beck’s men jumped between the two women and the mob.

  Liana held up a hand to quiet the throngs as camera flashes exploded.

  Blinded and sick with fear, Jessie scanned the sea of faces but all she saw was the residual blue light from the flashes.

  “I’ll answer a few questions,” Liana said, “but first I need to ask a favor. My friend, Jessica Stone, is being stalked by this man.” Liana took a copy of the mug shot Jessie handed her and held it up. “He’s been spotted in this neighborhood. His name is Thomas Spector. He’s a level-three sex offender and parole violator from New York.”

  Jessie handed the stack of flyers to the closest reporter. He took one and passed the pile on. She relaxed ever so slightly when it appeared they’d have their cooperation.

  “If you see him anywhere near North Point, we ask you to please call 911 and notify North Point security. This man is considered dangerous, so don’t attempt to capture him.”

  “Liana, are you and Travis North engaged?”

  Liana’s entire body went rigid with tension. “We are not.”

  “Any plans for a wedding?”

  “Just the one we’re holding here this weekend,” she said lightly.

  “Did you arrange for Jessica to hide out here?”

  “I did a favor for a friend who was being pursued by a dangerous stalker.”

  “Jessica, how did Spector find out you were here?”

  “That’s a good question. We don’t know.”

  “How long do you both plan to be here?”

  “I’m going back to work on Sunday,” Liana said.

  “I’m not sure how long I’ll be here,” Jessie said.

  “Will you see Travis again after you leave, Liana?”

  “I sure hope so,” Liana said with a wistful smile. “That’s all for now. We appreciate any help you can provide in locating Thomas Spector. Thank you.” She slipped an arm around Jessie’s shoulders, and they turned away from the reporters to find two angry men waiting for them.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Peter grabbed Jessie’s arm and steered her toward The Tower.

  The rapid-speed click of cameras followed the foursome across the parking lot. No doubt they’d be all over the tabloids by morning.

  “That was a damned stupid thing to do,” Travis added. “What if they had rushed and trampled you?”

  “They were very nice,” Liana said, tugging her arm out of Travis’s grasp.

  “You wouldn’t consider using me as bait,” Jessie told Peter.

  “So you pull a foolish stunt like that instead?”

  “It won’t be foolish if they help us find him.”

  “Let’s go to my place,” Travis said when they reached the lobby.

  They rode the elevator in stony silence, emerging into Travis’s penthouse.

  Jessie watched Peter stalk across the living room to the patio. Fury rolled off him in great waves, sending a bolt of fear through her as she followed him. “I’m sorry you’re mad,” she said, “but I’m not sorry I did it. I had to do something.”

  He spun around to face her. “Why? Because I wasn’t?”

  Startled by his venomous tone, she took a step back from him. “I know you’re doing all you can. This was something I could do.”

  “I might be doing all I can but it isn’t enough, is it? I can’t catch your stalker. I can’t catch the vandals. What the hell am I good for anyway?”

  Travis joined them. “Beck. . .”

  “What, Travis? Are you going to say it, too? That I’m doing all I can? Do you think the guy lying in the hospital with second-degree burns is grateful for all I’m doing?”

  Jessie had never seen him like this before and was frightened to realize her plan had sent him over some sort of edge.

  “Peter, honey, listen to me.”

  He shook her off.

  Jessie stared at his exhausted face as it sunk in that she had managed to wound his pride by taking matters into her own hands.

  “You should find someone else for this job,” Peter said to Travis.

  Jessie gasped.

  “I don’t want anyone else,” Travis said. “I already have the best there is.”

  Peter shook his head. “I’m not the best. Nothing I’ve done has worked. Maybe if you bring in someone else—”

  “That’s not
going to happen,” Travis said. “It’s you or no one.”

  “I’m sorry, Travis, but I’m resigning.”

  “Peter!” Jessie cried. “You can’t quit! You love this job.”

  He looked down at her with broken eyes. “You’re right. I do love it, but he needs something I can’t give him and so do you.” Glancing at Travis, he added, “I’ll stay through the wedding.”

  “Beck—”

  Peter turned away from his friend and went inside. A minute later, they heard the ding of the elevator as he left.

  Her eyes swimming with tears, Jessie turned to Travis. “What do we do? We have to do something.”

  “We need to give him some space,” Travis said. “He’s frustrated and he’s tired. He’ll come around.”

  Jessie wished she could be so certain.

  Liana put her arm around Jessie. “Travis is right. Give him some time to settle down. We upset him with what we did, and he’s acting out.”

  “You upset both of us,” Travis added with a pointed look for Liana.

  “I’m sorry to have caused all this trouble,” Jessie said, her throat thick with tears. “I just needed to do something about this situation with Spector. Waiting for him to strike again was making me nuts.”

  “Hopefully, some good will come of it,” Liana said, walking Jessie to the elevator. “I’ll check on you later.”

  Jessie hugged her. “Thanks again for your help.”

  “I was happy to do it. It sure would be nice if the paparazzi proved useful to me for once.”

  Liana waited until the elevator doors closed before she turned to face Travis. “Don’t say it.”

  “What shouldn’t I say? That your plan was harebrained? That you put yourself in danger? That you put Jessie in danger?”

  Liana pulsed with anger. “Let’s see what you’re saying if our ‘harebrained’ scheme actually works.” She stalked away from him and went into the kitchen, her heart heavy because of the distance between them since they returned from the lake.

  They were preparing for her imminent departure by withdrawing from each other. Liana knew she was doing it, too, which was ridiculous, because all she really wanted was to put her arms around him and hold him close. She also felt bad about snapping at him just now and earlier, too, since she knew he was worried about her safety.

  She filled Dash’s bowl with dry food and refreshed her water. The dog nuzzled Liana’s leg.

  Liana crouched down to pet her. “I’m going to miss you, silly girl, and your daddy, too,” she said, kissing the dog’s face.

  Dash replied with a swift lick across Liana’s cheek.

  Liana laughed and hugged her.

  “You don’t have to miss either of us,” Travis said from the doorway.

  Liana turned to him, and suddenly all she cared about was making it right again. “I didn’t mean to be nasty. I know you’re worried about me.”

  “I’m terrified for you, sweetheart. I’m afraid they’re going to hurt you in their pursuit of the big story. And when I saw you out there at the gate with only a few of my guys standing between you and a mob. . .” He shuddered.

  Her heart softened at his obvious concern for her. “Maybe it was harebrained, but Jessie was desperate, and I wanted to help her.”

  “I shouldn’t have said that. Who knows? It could work. It just pains me to think of you leaving here and being totally vulnerable.”

  “I talked to Beck this afternoon, and he told me who to call about security. In fact, he offered to set it up for me.”

  “Thank you.” Travis crouched down next to her and kissed her forehead. “Now I’ll be able to sleep at night after you leave.” Petting the dog, he added, “I meant what I said, Liana. You wouldn’t have to miss either one of us—or worry about being safe—if you just stay.”

  “I can’t do that. You know I can’t.”

  He reached out to stop her from standing up. “You can do anything if you want it badly enough.”

  “And tie myself up in litigation for the next five years over broken contracts and disputes with disgruntled employees? No, thanks.”

  “Stay,” he said with a pleading edge to his voice. “Stay with me.”

  “I told you from the very beginning that I would go, Travis. Please don’t do this to me.”

  “You also said no strings and no emotions, but we both fell in love. Or at least I did. What do we do about that?”

  “I fell in love, too,” she said sadly. “And I wish I knew what to do about it.”

  “If you wanted me as much as I want you, you’d think of something. You’d find a way.”

  “You’re being kind of unfair, aren’t you? You expect me to turn my back on my career and my life, but would you? Would you sell this place and give up your dream to follow me around the world?”

  His jaw clenched as he studied her. “If that’s what it took to be with you, then yes, I’d do it in a minute.”

  Touched, Liana reached out to caress the tension from his face. “I’d never ask you to make such a sacrifice for me. And I don’t want you to ask it of me, either. If one of us is going to give up everything it has to be done freely, or all that’s good between us will be lost to resentment. I know if we’re going to be together, it has to be me who walks away from the life I had before. All I’m asking for is some time to make sure that’s the best thing for me. Do you understand what I’m trying to say, Travis?”

  “Yes, I think so.”

  “We’ve known each other for less than two weeks, even if they were the two most wonderful weeks of my life.”

  “Mine, too.” He sat on the floor and drew her into his embrace.

  “It’s still only two weeks.” She rested her head on his chest. “I need some time to figure things out.”

  “How much time?”

  “I don’t know.”

  He tipped her chin up so he could see her eyes. “I want you to marry me, Liana.”

  She shook her head. “Don’t.”

  “Don’t what?”

  “Don’t say that to get me to stay.”

  “You’ll insult me if you accuse me of that. I do want to marry you, but I wasn’t planning to ask you when we were sitting on the kitchen floor.”

  “Travis . . .”

  “Wait.” He silenced her with a kiss. “Hear me out.” Caressing her face, he said, “I love you, Liana. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone. I want us to have a life together, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. You’re telling me you’re not ready for that just yet, so I’ll wait. A year, two years, however long it takes. But I don’t want you to leave here on Sunday and not know that I want us to have it all.”

  She combed her fingers through his hair. “In a perfect world, I’d love nothing more than to marry you and have children with you—a handsome dark-haired boy with his daddy’s devastating grin—”

  He looped a lock of her hair around his finger. “And a beautiful violet-eyed princess with her mommy’s silky hair.”

  Liana’s eyes filled with tears. “Don’t,” she whispered again. “Please.”

  “We can have it, Liana,” he said urgently. “Anything and everything you want. I’d give you everything, if only you’d let me.”

  She punched his shoulder half-heartedly as tears cascaded down her face. “I knew I couldn’t just have a fling.”

  He laughed softly and brushed away her tears. “I knew you couldn’t, either.”

  “Then why’d you let me try?”

  “Because I wouldn’t have missed this time with you for anything, no matter what’s ahead for us.”

  “I do love you, Travis,” she said, looking up at him. “I know I’ve hurt you by not saying it more often.”

  “You’ve said it.” He pressed his lips to hers. “That’s all that matters.”

  “We’re going to be late for dinner.”

  He stood up and held out his hand to help her up. “Do you think another half hour will matter?”


  “I don’t suppose so. Why?”

  “I want to be with you right now, Liana,” he said, his face serious and sad. “I need you.”

  She took his hand and led him into the bedroom where she undressed him, then shed her own clothes, and followed him into bed.

  He held her tight against him for a long time before he even kissed her. When he pulled back from her, Liana was stunned to see tears in his eyes.

  “Travis.” She cupped his face, and brought his lips to hers for a soulful kiss.

  “Look at me,” he said as he entered her.

  Liana shifted her eyes up to meet his.

  “Tell me again, Liana,” he whispered, holding his body still. “Just once more.”

  Steeped in the sensation of being filled by him in every possible way, she reached up to caress his face. “I love you, Travis. I love you so much.”

  “And I love you. No one else will ever love you the way I do.” He began to move but didn’t let her look away.

  Forty-five minutes later, they sped away from North Point before the reporters could hop into cars that lined the access road and give chase.

  Liana showed him a couple of shortcuts that bettered their lead, and by the time they reached Middletown, they were almost certain they had escaped.

  “That gets the old heart pumping, doesn’t it?” Liana asked, placing her hand on her chest.

  “Sure does,” he agreed. “I wasn’t aware I’d be doing NASCAR driving when I bought this car.”

  Liana laughed and relaxed against the soft leather seat. She directed him to Memorial Boulevard, past First Beach and up the hill to Bellevue Avenue, the same neighborhood as Newport’s famous mansions.

  Travis whistled when they drove through a stone archway. “This is where they live? I knew they were loaded, but I never imagined this.”

  “The house has been in my Uncle Charlie’s family forever.”

  “Was it weird for you growing up knowing she had so much and you had, well—”

  “Less?” Liana asked with a laugh. “Not at all, because as snooty as Enid can be with other people, she’s never pulled that crap with me. I wouldn’t let her get away with it. I have the best memories of this house. We played fabulous games of hide-and-go-seek on the third floor and had tea parties and Christmas parties.”