In the Crossfire

by L. P. Dover

  It was his turn to sigh, but those lips of his pulled back in a smile. “Once we get your new ID, I’ll let you drive.”

  Excitement bubbled through my veins. “Sounds good to me.” We stared at each other for a few seconds, and then my gaze shifted over to the bed. “So what room are you going to take?”

  “The loft.” He looked up at the ceiling. “It’ll be easier for me to hear if anyone tries to break in.”

  The thought sent chills down my spine. “Sharing a room would be safer,” I replied in all seriousness.

  His eyes flashed with need, and they raked down my body. “That’s not gonna happen.”

  “Why not? Afraid something might happen?” I stepped closer to him and looked into his eyes. “Is that so bad?”

  He stared right back, and closed the distance between us. “You’re not ready for someone like me.” I was more than ready, and I was going to show him.

  Stepping back, I moved out of his way. I wanted him to think he’d won … for now. “That’s fine if that’s what you think.” His gaze narrowed as if I’d caught him off guard. I waved a hand toward the bedroom door, trying my hardest not to smile. “We should probably get the rest of the groceries out of the car. And once we’re done with that, I’m going to eat a giant piece of cake.” Then, who knew what else.

  *

  Once all of the groceries were put away, I did as I said and cut myself a piece of red velvet cake. Bryce took his things to the loft, and it just so happened that I could see him from the kitchen. I might’ve snuck a peek at him when he changed into his swim shorts, but I had a feeling he did it on purpose. Two could play that game, though.

  As soon as Bryce disappeared out the door the back deck, I hurried into the bedroom to find my bikini. It just so happened that I packed anything and everything when I threw my clothes into my luggage, including my light blue bikini with hot pink straps. Once I had it on, I slipped my bathrobe on over it and walked out the patio door.

  The hot tub was at the far corner of the deck, and I could see Bryce leaning his head back as if he was asleep. I tiptoed across the patio, hoping to scare him, but…

  “I know you’re there,” he called out.

  His head turned my way, and I smiled. “Thought I could sneak up on you.”

  He snorted. “I’m a trained killer, Layla. I heard you coming before you even stepped out the door.”

  I walked up to the hot tub and took off my bathrobe. Bryce shifted in the water, but kept his eyes on mine. “I’ll have to remember to be more quiet next time,” I said, grinning triumphantly. I climbed into the steaming water and goosebumps trailed up my body, both from the heat and from Bryce’s eyes on my body.

  I sunk down until the water reached up to my neck. The heat felt amazing on my already sensitive skin. I didn’t realize how sore my muscles were from the long drive.

  “So tell me,” I began, “what do you normally like to do when you’re not killing people?” The thought of his job should bother me, but it didn’t. In a way, it brought relief to know that justice had been served. There was no telling how many people Bryce had saved by getting rid of the vile miscreants he had.

  Bryce’s lips pulled back in a small smile. “You say that so flippantly.”

  I shrugged. “It’s what you do. However, I hope it’s not all that you do. Please tell me you’re into other things.” Before he could speak, I held up a hand. “And don’t tell me you like long walks on the beach or some corny bullshit like that. We both know it’s not true.”

  I didn’t know if that was true or not, but Bryce didn’t exactly seem like that kind of guy. He was more rugged and unpredictable—someone who was the complete opposite from the past men I’d been with.

  Bryce chuckled. “You’re catching on quick. I prefer the mountains over the beach. Believe it or not, I like to ride horses, hike, and build things. For a long time, I lived on a ranch in Wyoming.”

  Mouth gaping, I stared at him in awe. “I bet Wyoming’s gorgeous. I always thought there was a rugged side to you underneath the suit.”

  “You have no idea.” His eyes met mine, and something flashed in them, almost like a hint of sadness or longing.

  A vision of him riding a horse and wearing cowboy boots and hat came to my mind. I’d love to see him like that. “Did you wear cowboy hats and boots while you were there?” I asked.

  He shifted again, almost as if he was uncomfortable talking about his life. I was pretty good at reading people, especially since I not only had a law degree, but one in sociology as well.

  “I did,” he admitted. Before I could speak again, he beat me to it. “What about you? What do you like to do?”

  I wanted to ask why he was deflecting, but thought better of it. We had plenty of time to get to know everything about each other. “Let’s see,” I said, looking up at the stars, “what do I like do?” So many things came to mind, but then reality hit. My eyes burned just thinking about it. Taking a deep breath, I let it out slow and met Bryce’s gaze. “When my mother was still alive, we used to do everything together; she was my best friend, other than Faith. Watching Broadway plays was what I did with Faith, but my mother and I were more adventurous. We used to travel together and just do random, crazy things.” Just thinking about it all made me smile.

  “Like what?” Bryce asked.

  My smile grew wider. “We went parasailing in Key West. I was terrified, and my mom just laughed the entire time, even when they dropped us in the ocean. All I could think about was Jaws.”

  Bryce laughed and shook his head. “And here I thought you were fearless.”

  “Depends,” I said. “I love the ocean, and I’ve swam in it a gazillion times, but I don’t like being in it when I can’t see what’s below me. If danger’s coming for me, I want to see it head on.” Bryce agreed with a nod, and I continued, knowing I was going to surprise the hell out of him. “My mother and I cliff-jumped a couple of times.” His mouth gaped, and I laughed. “We did, and it was fun, too. We also walked across the Trift Bridge in Switzerland. As far as our thrill-seeking adventures, those were at the top of the list. But other than that, we did normal things like play tennis and ice skate together. We used to stay at this amazing bed and breakfast in Maine during the winter and skate on their pond. Nothing ever compared to our time there.” Tears sprung to my eyes, and I turned my face away. “I’ve wanted to go back, but I don’t think I can without my mom.”

  Bryce sighed. “I’m sorry, Layla. Trust me, I understand. My mother’s gone, too, so I know what it feels like. My father was wrecked after she died. Sometimes I think it’s best not to get close to people.”

  Wiping the tears off my cheeks, I turned back to him. “Kind of a lonely existence, don’t you think? Surely you’ve been involved with a fair share of women? Maybe even fallen in love a time or two?”

  “Yeah, I’ve been with a lot of women, but I never had time for love. It’s hard when you’re constantly on the move.”

  I nodded in agreement. “And it’s also hard when you have no privacy. Everything was fine when I was in college, but once my mother died, my father grew overprotective. Not to mention, Julian didn’t make it any easier by threatening every guy I tried to date.”

  “What a fucking douche,” Bryce growled. “I would’ve killed the son of a bitch myself if he tried to threaten me.”

  “It’s a good thing I don’t have to worry about him ever again.”

  Silence filled the air, except for the gentle humming of the hot tub jets. I closed my eyes to relax, but then Bryce stood and reached for his towel. I looked up at him, and he glanced down at me. “I think it’s time to call it a night. I’m heading to the shower.”

  I nodded, trying my best to hide my disappointment. I wanted to talk to him more, to find out who he really was. It was obvious he didn’t want me to dig too deep, but I knew there was more to him than he let on. “Okay. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be inside in a few minutes.”

  “I’ll check on you
when I’m done.” He stepped out of the hot tub and disappeared inside. I’d been guarded by numerous men over the years, and I hated it, but there was something sexy about Bryce being my protector.

  Stretching out my body, I looked up at the stars and breathed in the fresh, mountain air. It was crazy to think that just last night we were being chased by the two men who killed my uncle. There were so many unanswered questions. With Bryce not knowing who they were, I was on edge. I just had to hope they never found us. It was pretty evident they were after me because of my father, but I didn’t want him to know, at least not yet. He’d search even harder for me, and I refused to go back to New York.

  “Layla?” Bryce called out.

  I grabbed my chest and sucked in a breath. “Sorry. You scared me.”

  He had a towel around his waist, but it didn’t look like he’d taken a shower. “The hot water wouldn’t work in my shower. Do you mind if I try yours?

  I waved him on. “Of course. Go ahead.”

  His gaze lingered on mine a few seconds longer before going back inside. I stared at the patio door, wondering what the fluttery feeling in my stomach meant. An idea popped in my head, and I really wanted to just go for it, but it was extremely bold. Taking a deep breath, I stood and stepped out of the hot tub.

  “Might as well do it, Layla. If anything, it’ll get a good rise out of him.” Literally, I hoped. I walked through the patio door, and I could hear the shower running from my bedroom. When I got inside, the bathroom door was slightly open, and steam billowed through the crack. At least the hot water was working in mine.

  The bathroom was so thick with steam that Bryce didn’t even notice I was in there. He had his arms against the shower wall with his head down as the water poured down on him. I slid out of my bikini and grabbed my shampoo and conditioner out of my toiletry bag. I couldn’t wait to see his face when I opened the shower door.

  As soon as I did, his head snapped up and his body tensed. I held up my hands and smiled. “Whoa, it’s just me.”

  He huffed and stepped back. “What the hell are you doing?”

  Stepping inside, I stopped under the water and let it cascade down my body. “Taking a shower before you use up all the hot water.” My goal wasn’t to seduce him. Okay, maybe it was, but I really wanted to test him. It was up to me to break down the walls he had against me.

  Keeping my back to him, I washed my hair and used his soap to clean my body, as if nothing was amiss. I glanced at him over my shoulder and raked my eyes down his chest to the hardness between his legs. Everything inside of me tightened. All I wanted was to feel his hands on my body, to feel him inside me. I came into this wanting to test him, but now I was the one being tested.

  “I’m almost done,” I said, averting my gaze away from him.

  “Why are you doing this to me, Layla?” he growled, his voice low and dark. “It’s hard enough being around you without wanting to rip your clothes off.”

  My whole body trembled. This time, I turned around and faced him, fully exposed. “Why do you fight it then? You know I want you too.”

  Jaw clenched, he stepped closer. “It’ll never work.”

  “I think it will.” I moved closer, until my body rubbed up against his. He stared down at my lips, his eyes dark with need. I waited for him to kiss me, but then he stepped back. I didn’t know what else to do, especially with him shutting me out at every turn. Swallowing my pride, I backed up, and reached for the shower door. “I don’t know why you keep pushing me away, but I want you to know you can trust me.” With those final words, I pushed the door open, but then Bryce’s arms pulled me back in.

  He pressed me against the shower wall, and I gasped. It all happened so fast. His lips closed over mine, and I opened myself up to him, loving the way his body felt against me, slippery and wet.

  “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked, kissing me again. “You can’t take it back.”

  It felt good to touch him, to feel him so close to me. Placing my hands on his face, I looked right into his eyes. “I want this, Bryce. And all I want is for you to want this too.”

  He pressed his forehead to mine. “You have no idea how bad I fucking want you.”

  My breaths came out in rapid pants. “That’s all I wanted to hear.” Circling around him, I grabbed his soapy washcloth off the rack and rubbed it over his back, and then around to his stomach. He placed his hands on the shower wall, and hung his head with a satisfied sigh. His sighs turned to a low growl when I cupped his balls with one hand, and wrapped the other around his cock.

  He growled again. “Holy fuck.”

  Pressing my breasts to his back, I stroked him hard, loving the feel of him in my hands. I ached to feel him inside me. He slammed one of his hands against the shower wall. “I’m going to come if you don’t stop.”

  “I don’t want to stop,” I said, working him faster. “I want you to come.”

  His cock pulsated, and I knew he was coming fast. “Ah, fuck!” he shouted.

  Once he came, I slowed my rhythm, grinning triumphantly behind him. I ducked under his arm so I could be under the hot water, and face him. “How did that feel?”

  He caged me against the wall and stared ravenously up and down my body. “Fucking amazing.” I’d never seen him look so hard and raw at the same time. It was exhilarating. He took my mouth in a ravenous kiss and lifted me in his arms. His fingers dug into the back of my thighs as I wrapped my legs around his waist. With my back against the wall, there was nowhere to go. I was at his mercy, and I loved every minute of it. Bryce bit down on my lip, and spread me wider, grazing his cock along my opening. “Are you ready for this?”

  I moaned breathlessly. “Oh, yes.”

  As soon as he bent down to suck my nipple, it was my undoing. He pushed into me hard, and I screamed out my pleasure. It’d been so long since I’d been intimate with anyone. The harder he bit down on my breasts, the tighter I clenched around him. I clenched my legs around his waist, and it only spurred him to thrust deeper.

  “I want to feel you come, Layla,” he murmured as he worked my body up and down his cock.

  I was so close. I moved with him, until the tingling between my legs grew more intense. Bryce picked up his speed, and I screamed out my orgasm just as he came inside me. My heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest.

  Bryce held me against the wall, his chest rising and falling with rapid breaths. “I needed that.”

  He set me down, and I swayed on my feet a moment until I regained my equilibrium. “So did I. I’ve never had shower sex before. I’m giving it five stars.”

  Bryce smiled, and kissed me. “Don’t worry. We have plenty of time to do it again.”

  That was what I was hoping for.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Bryce

  I gave in. I couldn’t fucking believe it. Layla was not supposed to happen. My job was to infiltrate the Corsino family and kill her father. That was it. How the hell could I do that now?

  After our shower, we both collapsed on her bed and fell asleep. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d actually slept in the same bed with a woman. It was always get what I want and get out. I didn’t have time for anything else.

  Layla was still asleep when I woke, so I snuck out onto the back deck to make some phone calls. The sun had just started to rise, and there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky. I’d already called Micah to have him bring some surveillance cameras and an untraceable phone like mine so that Layla could keep in touch with people. Even though I knew nobody followed us, I had to make sure the cabin was secure while we were there.

  I peeked into the bedroom window to make sure Layla was still asleep before I made my last two phone calls. I searched through my cell and pressed my father’s number. It’d been months since I’d talked to him.

  “Bryce?” he answered. “Is that you?”

  “It’s me,” I replied.

  He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God, son. Are you okay?
Peter called me last night and said you went missing.” Now that my father had retired from the Circle of Justice, Peter Johnson was the new leader—had been for a couple years now.

  “I didn’t realize he was keeping tabs on me,” I said.

  My father huffed. “Someone had to. I didn’t want you to take that assignment in the first place. It’s too dangerous.” That it was, but someone had to do it. “Where are you?” he demanded.

  “The less you know, the better. I’m with Layla Corsino. She was in danger, and I had to get her out.”

  “Why don’t you forget all of that and go back to Wyoming? Corsino’s going to fall, one way or another. It doesn’t have to be by your hand.”

  With everything that had happened, it appeared that he was right. Unfortunately, I couldn’t abandon Layla. I didn’t want to. “Sorry, but I can’t right now, not with Layla needing my protection. One day I will, but now’s not the time.”

  “What’s going on, Bryce? This isn’t like you.”

  I stared back through the window at Layla. My father was right, this wasn’t like me, but then again, what was? I’d changed over the past few months, and sometimes I didn’t even recognize myself.

  “I know, Dad, but this is who I need to be. If I get a chance to call again, I will. But until then, I’m off the grid.” Before he could say anything else, I hung up. It was a good thing he couldn’t trace my call, or he’d probably be on our doorstep in a few hours, especially if he realized we were only three hours away from him.

  Layla started to shift around in the bed so I walked over to the double rocking chair on the deck and sat down. Last night with Layla had changed things. It actually felt pretty damn good, giving in to her. But then again, I wasn’t myself. She didn’t even know the real me. If she did, she’d want nothing to do with me.

  The patio door opened, and Layla stuck her head out. Her bright blonde hair was a tangled mess, but she was still sexy as fuck. When she spotted me, she breathed a sigh of relief. “There you are.”