Vanished Final 7.2019: An ALIAS, Enemies to Lovers Romantic Suspense

by Lisa Hughey

  “I’d say that makes him yours.”

  But he hadn’t talked to her in weeks. And he was nowhere to be seen tonight. So she guessed that was her answer to the question she’d been too afraid to ask.

  He wasn’t interested. She’d been convenient. And maybe he’d only really been following her because he knew she had information about Beatrice.

  The Balvenie soured in her stomach.

  Jill sighed.

  Viktor stared off into space, looking as if he were searching for the meaning of the universe. “Excuse me.”

  She walked over to the end of the bar and sat next to him. “You want to talk?”

  Please say yes.

  She could feel the despair rolling off him in waves, and she hated to see him in pain.

  He took a sip of his ginger ale. The guy could drink everyone in here under the table, and he was abstaining. At a party.

  “Honestly?”

  “Yes.” Jill rested her palm on Viktor’s forearm and squeezed, marveling at the fact that she wanted him to share with her.

  “I feel like…my judgement is so off I may never be effective again.”

  Her heart ached for them both. But if the last few months had taught her anything it was that sometimes life delivered unexpected blessings. “No one can predict the future.”

  “Yeah, well, my track record sucks. I failed twice.”

  “First of all, you didn’t fail. Your boyfriend didn’t appreciate what was in front of him, that’s his loss.”

  “I guess.” He said glumly, “I let Matt Walsh, a criminal, seduce me.”

  Matt Walsh had actually seemed sorry about misleading Viktor. “Did you give him confidential information?”

  He bristled, straightening in his barstool. “Of course not.”

  She’d had a very interesting proposal earlier today for a fieldwork job. Not ALIAS’s or his usual type of assignment but Viktor would be perfect. However tonight was not the time to be discussing business. “Then we’re good. Learn from it. Channel your pain into something productive.”

  She was a total fraud on that point. She’d been doing the same thing as Viktor, only moping at home where no one could witness her lack of confidence.

  He shot her a look. “You should take your own advice.”

  Busted.

  “You’re right.” As soon as she got over this constant heartache that never seemed to abate.

  “Or, maybe you won’t have to.” Viktor stood and gave her a quick hug. “You got this.”

  In that moment the bar fell silent as if waiting in anticipation. Hamish walked in looking tired but somehow more at peace.

  He walked up to her, ignoring the other occupants, and sat down on the stool Viktor had just vacated. As if planned, everyone just melted away, leaving them alone.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “You’re welcome.” He didn’t even pretend not to know what she was talking about.

  “You look…good. I’m guessing your boss was happy with you.” She tried to smile but it was hard.

  “Actually, I was sacked.”

  “Why would they fire you?”

  “I knew it was a possibility when I came here.”

  But he had done it anyway. To avenge his brother.

  “In order to keep my job. I would have had to keep the NCA out of the official report.” He shrugged and looked away. “I refused.”

  Was he saying that if ALIAS had been named they would have taken out the NCA?

  “You helped me catch her. I wasn’t about to let you take the blowback because I executed an illegal op.”

  He had saved ALIAS—and Jill—a lot of heartache. He’d also given up the chance to nail Beatrice when he’d come after her and traded the evidence for her life.

  “What were you thinking?” she blurted out.

  “When?”

  “I gave you the recording.” That had haunted her. “All you had to do was walk away.”

  It was what everyone did.

  “The only thing I couldn’t do was walk away.”

  No one had ever considered staying. Not her mother. Not her father. Not Dominic. “Why?” she asked, desperate to understand.

  “You are worth the sacrifice.”

  Me? Jill’s heart thudded. Hard. “Why?”

  “Giving up my career to be heroic for the only woman who matters? How could I hope to earn your love if I did anything less?”

  Earn her love? “But—”

  “I’m here. Asking.”

  She began to shake. Their conversation in the bed was still a vivid memory. “Asking what?”

  “I have no prospects,” he began. “I only have a few months in the country legally.”

  “So what’s your plan?”

  He pulled out a ball of cotton yarn in a bright lime green. “My future plans right now are in flux, but I’ve a mind to knit some caps.”

  “That’s lovely.” Her heart wanted to burst. “Anything else you have in mind?”

  “Honestly, I pretty much want to spend the next few weeks in bed with you. Learning all your secrets. All your special quirks.”

  “Weeks,” she said faintly.

  “Aye.”

  “You want to spend a few weeks with me?” Jillian asked. “Just want to make sure I have it right.”

  “No.”

  Her heart literally fell. Like an ice cream splat on the hard cement.

  “I want years.” He grasped her frigid hands in his. “But I reckon we could start with a few weeks. So you could get used to me. I’ve some faults.”

  Joy bubbled up inside her. She couldn’t help but tease. “Hard to believe.”

  “I’m clumsy. I’m stubborn. But I’m desperately, unconditionally in love with you.”

  In love with her? Her heart was in her throat.

  He’d just said he was in love with her. Words were easy. But he had shown her. When he gave away the evidence and when he protected ALIAS. He really was in love with her.

  “No one ever put me first,” Jill said. No one had ever done that for her. Before.

  “That’s what I was trying to do.”

  When he first came to her office, she’d thought he was a zealot. He would have done anything to find Brianna Walsh. “You wanted Brianna.”

  “Until I met you.” Hamish squeezed her hands. “My priorities changed. Saving you was more important.”

  Her heart melted. She was the one who saved people. She tumbled all the way in love with him. He was her one.

  Phase three of a relocation was reformation. Leaving the old behind and starting new. Starting with her. “You want a commitment.”

  “Yes.” No hesitation.

  “Me too.” On more than one front. ALIAS could use another computer specialist. Marsh’s absence had highlighted some of their vulnerabilities. Even being on opposite sides of Beatrice’s recovery, she and Hamish had worked well together, their skills completing each other. Their chemistry was undeniable. Together they could do anything. “But—”

  “But nothing.”

  There were lots of hurdles to get over: work visas, carry permits, living arrangements, and she would be his boss. “You haven’t even heard my proposal.”

  “I told you before. I will always say yes.”

  Jillian threw her arms around him.

  The tension that he hadn’t even wanted to acknowledge finally loosened its grip on his heart. Her hands threaded through his hair, and she pressed against him. His body responded accordingly, telling her without words how much he wanted her. He wasn’t exaggerating about wanting weeks to explore. He would be content to hole up in his hotel room only coming up for food when necessary.

  “Me too.”

  He wrapped his arms around her waist, savoring the feel of her in his arms once again. He’d gone through the gamut of emotions not sure if he’d ever have her trust again. “You too…what?”

  “Yes.”

  Suddenly he was desperate for her. His Jillian. “You want to
get out of here?”

  “We’re in the middle of a party.” Jill chastised.

  Kita butted in between them. “Party’s mostly over. You crazy kids can leave.”

  “Really, Kita?” Jillian snorted. “Who’s in charge here?”

  “You right, you right.” Kita laughed. Then she jumped away from them, clapped her hands, and yelled. “Okay everyone. Buh-bye. See you on Monday. Let’s go.”

  She tugged her boyfriend Alex towards the exit.

  Who would’ve thought that he’d find an ally in the formerly suspicious computer expert?

  Jillian flushed and ducked her head. He leaned in, nuzzling her neck in a completely blatant public display of affection, and whispered in her ear, “I’d prefer a private celebration.”

  But he’d do whatever she wanted, whatever would make her happy.

  Jillian lifted her head and stared into his eyes as if she could bore into his soul. The rest of the bar inhabitants fell away and they were the only two people in the world. The smile on her face was nearly incandescent, encompassing him in her light. “Me too.”

  Hamish grinned, sharing an intimate look with her. “I’ve got a room next door.”

  She threaded her fingers through his. “You hack my computer again to find out where I am?”

  He laughed. “Not this time.”

  He’d been badgering Marsh Adams daily asking for updates on how she was doing. Marsh had taken pity on Hamish and told him about today’s party. “I waited until the party was winding down so you would have time to be the boss.” And take care of her employees.

  He didn’t ever again want to be responsible for her breaking her code for him.

  She pressed against him, ignoring her employees and partner as they left the bar with knowing looks. “I’ve got a perfectly good house twenty minutes away.”

  And he couldn’t wait to see it. “My hotel room is closer.”

  “True,” she said breathlessly.

  He couldn’t wait any longer and kissed her, the scent of woman and whisky hitting him in the solar plexus. Hamish groaned and cupped her face in his palms.

  Her skin was smooth as he rubbed his thumbs over her cheekbones and then pressed his mouth to hers, softly, reverently.

  The journey through the hotel was a blur of kisses and soft moans. Finally, they stumbled inside his room. He pressed her against the wall and devoured her.

  “You taste like home,” he murmured against her lips.

  “I’m not sure I know what that’s like,” she said, breaking his heart in two.

  “Then let me show you.” Hamish led her to the king size bed, trailing his fingers over her shoulders, tracing her body as if he was learning her for the first time. He slowly lifted the tactile cashmere up and over her head and she shivered in the cool air. He bent his head and kissed a line down her neck, tracing his tongue along her white lace bra strap and over the mound of her breast. He cupped her in his palms and worshipped her, sucking her hard nipple into his mouth. The scent of her musky perfume wafted from the valley between her perfect breasts.

  Jillian clutched his head to her with one hand and worked at the button on his pants with the other, her movements frantic, jerky.

  Hamish took his time, undressing her, kissing each bit of skin he exposed. He plucked at her nipples, caressed her sex, slid his fingers inside her, and loved on her clit with tender touches.

  Jillian removed his clothes and tossed his button down and pants in a heap on the floor before skimming her hands beneath his briefs until they fell down his legs.

  Finally they were both naked and she wrapped her hand around his cock, rubbing the thumb over the tip. She kissed him like she was drowning and he was her air. Necessary. Vital.

  “Slow down,” he groaned against her mouth.

  “Missed you.”

  It had been a long two weeks. But he’d wanted to make sure that he protected her and ALIAS from any repercussions before he came to her. “Missed you too.”

  “We can do slow later,” she said.

  What the lady wanted the lady got. Hamish lifted her into his arms.

  “What are you doing?” she smiled. “Put me down.”

  He lay her on the bed and sat back on his heels studying her naked body. Her skin was flushed and her eyes bright. His cock pointed toward her like she was his true north.

  “I want you on top of me.” She reached for him.

  “Bossy, aren’t you?” He rolled on a condom, crawled over her, and slid inside with one smooth stroke. She welcomed him as he entered her with ease.

  Jillian inhaled sharply, held her breath, as he seated himself.

  “You’re everything I never knew I wanted. Or needed.” Hamish perched above her, their bodies joined in the most physical expression of intimacy.

  Jillian exhaled as he began to move. Slow. Deliberate. Intense. He loved her, rocking in and out of her, savoring every tight clasp of her sex.

  She wrapped her legs around his waist and brought him home. They began an effortless rhythm, every thrust pushed Hamish closer to the edge but he didn’t want to blast over that cliff without her.

  Hamish slid his palms beneath her ass and lifted her into his strokes. The deeper penetration was insane. Her sex squeezed his cock with every thrust, and his pubic bone bumped her clit. She came with a keening cry.

  Hamish followed her into the abyss, his cock pumping his come into the condom as he strained above her.

  His body was slick with sweat as he came down from the high of being inside her again. He tried to roll off her but she squeezed him with her legs and pulled him against her naked skin. “Stay.”

  “But—”

  “I don’t want to let you go yet,” she confessed.

  “That is home.” That feeling of wanting to hold tight and never let go.

  She sighed contentedly.

  “I should get off. I’ll crush you.”

  “You’d never hurt me.”

  “I will certainly try not to.”

  He lay in the cradle of her hips, their hearts slowed together as he rested his head on her breastbone and listened as the frantic thump of her heart abated.

  Jillian lazily stroked her fingers through his shaggy hair.

  Nothing mattered except her and showing her how much she meant to him.

  “Speaking of home,” he began. The words stuck in his throat. “Ah, is your passport up to date?”

  She stiffened in his arms. “Why?”

  “Well the holidays are approaching, and I thought perhaps you’d want to come home with me, if you’re available.”

  A sick worry rolled through him. Maybe it was too soon. After all, he’d said he loved her, but she wasn’t there yet. He knew it but he’d do everything in his power to get her there.

  “You want me to come to Scotland?”

  “Aye.” And meet his parents. He’d already told them about her. “And perhaps visit Charlie’s grave with me.”

  “Oh, of course.” She pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I’d be honored.”

  “Will your family mind?” he asked.

  “Except for ALIAS, I don’t have any family.” The words held a tinge of sadness.

  “You do now.” She was his family. He’d die for her and he’d live for her.

  A huge smile broke over her face lighting her from the inside. “I love you.”

  He wanted to burst with happiness. She loved him. “I love you too.”

  She blinked. “So…how do you feel about coming to work for ALIAS?”

  “Yes.” No hesitation.

  “But what about your home?”

  There were plenty of logistics to deal with but those were minor details as long as they were together.

  However the caution in her voice made him lift his head so he could look into her eyes and so she could see that his conviction came from the bottom of his soul.

  “I am home.”

  Epilogue

  Marsh Adams was a sucker for a damsel in distr
ess. Sucker being the operative word. But that was behind him now.

  After the disastrous relationship that had almost wrecked his life and severely damaged his friendships and work life, he was done with women. At least for the moment. And he was absolutely, positively, unconditionally done with damsels in distress.

  But right now he was on his way to meet with his father, one of his least favorite people because Judge Robert “Call me Bobby” Adams had a job for him. Marsh sauntered into his father's outer chambers, said hello to his administrative assistant.

  “He's waiting for you. Go on in.”

  Marsh nodded and headed into his father's inner sanctum. He opened the door, walked in, then stopped. A young black woman, her Afro a halo around her face and wide tilted hazel eyes, sat defiantly in a chair across from his father's desk. Her sass was on full display and she hadn’t said a word.

  She was gorgeous, slender with small high breasts that plumped out of her scoop-necked top like an offering to the gods. The exact opposite of a damsel, she looked like a super-hero, like she could take on the world with one hand.

  “Marsh.” His father jumped up from his seat and hustled around the large ostentatious desk. Daddy-O went in for a hug which Marsh not so politely backed away from.

  “What can I do for you, Judge?” asked Marsh.

  His father laughed uneasily and shot a look at the woman in the chair. “Ayesha has a problem.”

  “I can handle this on my own.” But her raspy voice held a current of unease, as if unwilling to show vulnerability but knowing she might be in trouble.

  Her voice did strange things to him, causing a rise in his dick—not a surprise, because sexy AF—but also a tremor in the space of his heart. That was unprecedented.

  The judge shook his head. “She needs a bodyguard. And I want you.”

  Damsel 101: Needs a Bodyguard.

  Fuck.

  ***

  Thank you for reading Jillian and Hamish’s story!

  Why does Ayesha need a bodyguard? And is she a damsel in distress or a warrior in disguise? Marsh and Ayesha’s story, DECEIVED, is coming October 2019.

  What happened the last time the judge asked for a favor? Read Stalked (ALIAS #1) Kita and Alex’s story.

  What brought Bliss and Jack back together? Find out in Still the One (Jack, Family Stone #4)