by Nora Roberts
“Oh, yeah?” Because the dangerous moment seemed to have passed, her lips curved and she kissed him again. “Gimme.”
He reached behind himself for his coat, dug into the pocket. Taking out a small paper bag, he tossed it into her lap.
“Aw, and you wrapped it so nice.” Chuckling, she dipped into the bag. And pulled out a lacy bra and panties, in sheer midnight blue. Her chuckle turned into a rich appreciative laugh.
“I pay my debts,” he informed her. “Since I figured you probably had a supply of the white kind, I picked out something a little different.” He reached over to feel the silk and lace. “Maybe you’ll try them on.”
“Eventually.” But she knew what she wanted now. What she needed now. And she rose to take it. She combed her fingers through his hair, tugging so that his face lifted and his mouth met hers. “Maybe you’ll come to bed with me.”
“Absolutely.” He skimmed his hands up her hips, keeping his mouth joined to hers as he stood to gather her close. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“I didn’t want the pizza to get cold.”
He slipped a finger down the center of her body to toy with the belt of her robe. “Still hungry?”
She tugged his shirt out of his jeans. “Now that you mention it.” Then she laughed as he swung her up into his arms. “What’s this for?”
“I decided to sweep you off your feet. For now.” He started toward the bedroom, deciding she was in for another surprise.
The spread was turned back, but the plain white sheets were barely disturbed from her nap. Colt laid her down, following her onto the bed as he skimmed light, teasing kisses over her face.
Her fingers were busy undoing his buttons. She knew what it would be like, and was prepared—eager—for the storm and the fire and the fast flood of sensations. When her hands pushed away cotton and encountered warm, firm flesh, she gave a low, satisfied moan.
He continued to kiss her, nibbling, nuzzling, as she hastily stripped off his clothes. There was a frantic energy burning in her that promised the wild, the frenzied. Each time desire stabbed through him, he absorbed the shock and kept his pace easy.
Eager, edgy, Althea turned her mouth to his and arched against him. “I want you.”
He hadn’t realized that three breathy words could make the blood swim in his head. But it would be too easy to take what she offered, too easy to lose what she held back. “I know. I can taste it.”
He dipped his mouth to hers again, drawing out the kiss with such trembling tenderness that she groaned again. The hand that had been fisted tight against his bare shoulder went lax.
“And I want you,” he murmured, levering back to stare down at her. “All of you.” Fascinated, he drew his fingers through her hair, spreading it out until it lay flaming against the white sheet. Then he lowered his head again, gently, so gently, to kiss the bandage at her temple.
Emotion curled inside her like a spiked fist. “Colt—”
“Shh … I just want to look.”
And look he did, while he traced her face with a fingertip, rubbed her lower lip with his thumb, then trailed it down to her jawline, skimmed over the pulse that fluttered in her throat.
“The sun’s going down,” he said quietly. “The light does incredible things to your face, your eyes. Just now they’re gold, with darker, brandy-colored specks sprinkled through them. I’ve never seen eyes like yours. You look like a painting.” He brushed his thumb over her collarbone. “But I can touch you, feel you tremble, know you’re real.”
She lifted a hand, wanting to drag him back to her, to make the ache go away. “I don’t need words.”
“Sure you do.” He smiled a little, turning his face into her palm. “Maybe I haven’t found the right ones, but you need them.” He started to press his lips to her wrist, and then he noticed the faint smudge of bruises. And remembered.
His brows drew together when he straddled her and took both of her hands. He examined her wrists carefully before looking down at her again. “I did this.”
Sweet God, she thought, there had to be a way to stop this terrible trembling. “It doesn’t matter. You were upset. Make love with me.”
“I don’t like knowing I hurt you in anger, or that I’m liable to do it again eventually.” Very carefully, he touched his lips to each of her wrists, and felt her pulse scramble. “You make it too easy to forget how soft you are, Althea.” The sleeves of her robe slithered down her arms as he skimmed his lips to her elbow. “How small. How incredibly perfect you are. I’ll have to show you.”
He cupped a hand under her head, lifting her so that her hair tumbled back, her face tilted up. Then his mouth was on hers again, savoring a deep, dreamy kiss that left her weak. He felt her give, felt yet another layer dissolve. Her arms linked around his neck; her muscles quivered.
What was he doing to her? She only knew she couldn’t think, couldn’t resist. She’d been prepared for need, and he’d given her tenderness. What defense could there be against passion wrapped so softly in sweetness? His mouth was gentle, enchanting her even as it seduced.
She wanted to tell him that seduction was unnecessary, but, oh, it felt glorious to surrender to the secrets he unearthed with that quietly devastating mouth and those slow, easy hands.
The last rays of the sun slanted across her eyes as he eased her back so that he could trail his lips down her throat. She heard the whisper of her robe as he slipped it down to bare her shoulder, to free it for lazy, openmouthed kisses and the moist trail of his tongue.
He could feel it the instant she let herself go. The warmth of triumph surged through him as her hands, as gentle as his, began to caress. He resisted the urge to quicken his pace, and let his hands explore her, over the robe, under it, then over again, as her body melted like warm wax.
All the while, he watched her face, aroused by each flicker of emotion, lured by the way her breath would catch, then rush through her lips at his touch. He could have sworn he felt her float as he slipped the robe away.
Then her eyes opened, dark and heavy. He understood that, though she had surrendered, she would not be passive. Her hands were as thorough as his, seeking, touching, possessing, with that unbearable tenderness.
Until he was as seduced as she.
Soft, breathy moans. Quiet secrets told in murmurs. Long, lingering caresses. The sunlight faded to dusk, and dusk to that deepening of night. There was need, but no frantic rush to sate it. There was pleasure, and the dreamy desire to prolong it.
Indulgence. Tonight there was only indulgence.
He touched, she trembled. She tasted, he shuddered.
When at last he slipped into her, she smiled and gathered him close. The rhythm they set was patient, loving, and as true as music. They climbed together, steadily, beautifully, until his gasp echoed hers. And then they floated back to earth.
* * *
She lay a long time in silence, dazed by what had happened. He had given her something, and she had given freely in return. It couldn’t be taken back. She wondered what steps could be taken to protect herself now that she had fallen in love.
For the first time. For the only time.
Perhaps it would pass. A part of her cringed at the thought of losing what she’d just found. No matter how firmly she reminded herself that her life was precisely the way she wanted it, she couldn’t bring herself to think too deeply about what it would be like without him.
And yet she had no choice. He would leave. And she would survive.
“You’re thinking again.” He rolled onto his back, hooking an arm around her to gather her close. “I can almost hear your brain humming.” Outrageously content, he kissed her hair, closed his eyes. “Tell me the first thing that pops into your mind.”
“What? I don’t—”
“No, no, don’t analyze. This is a test. The first thing, Thea. Now.”
“I was wondering when you were going back,” she heard herself say. “To Wyoming.”
“Ah.”
He smiled—smugly. “I like knowing I’m the first thing on your mind.”
“Don’t get cocky, Nightshade.”
“Okay. I haven’t made any firm plans. I have some loose ends to tie up first.”
“Such as?”
“You, for starters. We haven’t set the date.”
“Colt …”
He grinned again. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but he thought he’d heard exasperation in her tone instead of annoyance. “I’m still shooting for New Year’s Eve—I guess I’ve gotten sentimental—but we’ve got time to hash that out. Then there’s the fact that I haven’t finished what I came here to do.”
That brought her head up. “What do you mean? You found Liz.”
“It’s not enough.” His eyes glowed in the shadows. “We don’t have the head man. It’s not finished until we do.”
“That’s for me and the department to worry about. Personal vendettas have no place here.”
“I didn’t say it was a vendetta.” Though it was. “I intend to finish this, Althea. I’d like to keep working with you on this.”
“And if I say no?”
He twirled her hair around his finger. “I’ll do my best to change your mind. Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I can be tenacious.”
“I’ve noticed,” she muttered. But there was a part of her that glowed at the idea that their partnership wasn’t at an end. “I suppose I can give you a few more days.”
“Good.” He shifted her so that he could run a hand down her side to her hips. “Does the deal include a few more nights?”
“I suppose it could.” Her smile flashed wickedly. “If you make it worth my while.”
“Oh, I will.” He lowered his head. “That’s a promise.”
Chapter 11
With the scream still tearing at her throat, Althea shot up in bed. Blind with terror and rage, she fought the arms that wound around her, struggling wildly against the hold while she sucked in the air to scream again. She could feel his hands on her, feel them groping at her, hot, hurtful. But this time … God, please, this time …
“Althea.” Colt shook her, hard, forcing his voice to remain calm and firm, though his heart was hammering against his ribs in fast, hard blows. “Althea, wake up. You’re dreaming. Pull out of it.”
She clawed her way through the slippery edges of the dream, still fighting him, still dragging in air. Reality was a dim light through the murky depths of the nightmare. With a final burst of effort, she grasped at it, and at Colt.
“Okay, okay …” Still shaken by the sound of the scream that had awakened him, he rocked her, holding her close to warm her body, which was chill with clammy sweat. “Okay, baby. Just hold on to me.”
“Oh, God …” Her breath came out in a long, shaky sob as she buried her face against his shoulder. Her hands fisted impotently at his back. “Oh, God … Oh, God …”
“It’s okay now.” He continued to stroke and soothe, growing concerned when her hold on him increased. “I’m right here. You were dreaming, that’s all. You were only dreaming.”
She’d fought her way out of the dream, but the fear had come back with her, and it was too huge to allow for shame. So she clung, shivering, trying to absorb some portion of the strength she felt in him.
“Just give me a minute. I’ll be all right in a minute.” The shaking would stop, she told herself. The tears would dry. The fear would ebb. “I’m sorry.” But it wasn’t stopping. Instinctively she turned her face into his throat for comfort. “God, I’m sorry.”
“Just relax.” She was quivering like a bird, he thought, and she felt as frail as one. “Do you want me to turn on the light?”
“No.” She pressed her lips together, hoping to stop the trembling in her voice. She didn’t want the light. Didn’t want him to see her until she’d managed to compose herself. “No. Let me get some water. I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll get it.” He brushed the hair from her face, and was shaken all over again to find it wet with tears. “I’ll be right back.”
She brought her knees up close to her chest when he left her. Control, she ordered herself, but dropped her head onto her knees. While she listened to water striking glass, watched the splinter of light spill through the crack around the bathroom door, she took long, even breaths.
“Sorry, Nightshade,” she said when he came back with the water. “I guess I woke you up.”
“I guess you did.” Her voice was steadier, he noted. But her hands weren’t. He cupped his around hers and lifted the glass to her lips. “Must have been a bad one.”
The water eased her dry throat. “Must have been. Thanks.” She pushed the glass back into his hands, embarrassed that she couldn’t hold it herself.
Colt set the glass on the night table before easing down on the bed beside her. “Tell me.”
She moved her shoulders dismissively. “Chalk it up to a rough day and pizza.”
Very firmly, very gently, he took her face in his hands. The light he’d left on in the bathroom sent out a dim glow. In it he could see how pale she was.
“No. I’m not going to brush this off, Thea. You’re not going to brush me off. You were screaming.” She tried to turn her head away, but he wouldn’t permit it. “You’re still shaking. I can be every bit as stubborn as you, and right now I think I have the advantage.”
“I had a nightmare.” She wanted to snap at him, but couldn’t find the strength. “People have nightmares.”
“How often do you have this one?”
“Never.” She lifted a weary hand and dragged it through her hair. “Not in years. I don’t know what brought it on.”
He thought he did. And unless he was very much mistaken, he thought she did, as well. “Do you have a shirt, a nightgown or something? You’re cold.”
“I’ll get one.”
“Just tell me where.” Her quick, annoyed sigh did quite a bit toward easing his mind.
“Top drawer of the dresser. Left-hand side.”
He rose, and opening the drawer grabbed the first thing that came to hand. Before he tugged it over her head, he examined the oversize man’s undershirt. “Nice lingerie you have, Lieutenant.”
“It does the job.”
He smoothed it down over her, tucked pillows behind her, as fussy as a mother with a colicky infant. She scowled at him. “I don’t like being pampered.”
“You’ll live through it.”
When he was satisfied he’d made her as comfortable as possible, he tugged on his jeans. They were going to talk, he decided, and sat beside her again. Whether she wanted to or not. He took her hand, waited until they were eye-to-eye.
“The nightmare. It was about when you were raped, wasn’t it?” Her fingers went rigid in his. “I told you I heard you talking to Liz.”
She ordered her fingers to relax, willed them to, but they remained stiff and cold. “It was a long time ago. It doesn’t apply now.”
“It does when it wakes you up screaming. It brought it all back,” he continued quietly. “What happened to Liz, seeing her through it.”
“All right. So what?”
“Trust me, Althea.” He said it quietly, his eyes on hers. “Let me help.”
“It hurts,” she heard herself say. Then she shut her eyes. It was the first time she had admitted that to anyone. “Not all the time. Not even most of the time. It just sneaks up now and then and slices at you.”
“I want to understand.” He brought her hand to his lips. When she didn’t pull away, he left it there. “Talk, talk to me.”
She didn’t know where to begin. It seemed safest to start at the beginning. Letting her head rest against the pillows, she closed her eyes again.
“My father drank, and when he drank, he got drunk, and when he got drunk, he got mean. He had big hands.” She curled hers into fists, then relaxed them. “He used them on my mother, on me. My earliest memory is of those hands, the anger in them that I couldn’t understand, and couldn’t fight. I don’t remember
him very well. He tangled with somebody meaner one night and ended up dead. I was six.”
She opened her eyes again, realizing that keeping them closed was just another way of hiding. “Once he was gone, my mother decided to take up where he’d left off—in the bottle. She didn’t hit it as hard as he did, but she was more consistent.”
He could only wonder how the people she’d described could have created anything as beautiful or as true as the woman beside him. “Did you have anyone else?”
“I had grandparents, on my mother’s side. I don’t know where they lived. I never met them. They hadn’t had anything to do with her since she’d run off with my father.”
“But did they know about you?”
“If they did, they didn’t care.”
He said nothing, trying to comprehend it. But he couldn’t, simply couldn’t understand family not caring. “Okay. What did you do?”
“When you’re a child, you do nothing,” she said flatly. “You’re at the mercy of adults, and the reality is, a great many adults have no mercy.” She paused a moment to pick up the threads of the story. “When I was about eight, she went out—she went out a lot—but this time she didn’t come home. A couple of days later, a neighbor called Social Services. They scooped me up into the system.”
She reached for the water again. This time her hands didn’t shake. “It’s a long, typical story.”
“I want to hear it.”
“They placed me in a foster home.” She sipped her water. There wasn’t any point in telling him how frightened, how lost, she’d been. The facts were enough. “It was okay. Decent. Then they found her, slapped her wrists a couple of times, told her to clean up her act, and gave me back.”
“Why in the hell did they do that?”
“Things were different back then. The court believed the best place for a kid was with her mother. Anyway, she didn’t stay dry for long, and the cycle started all over again. I ran away a few times, they dragged me back. More foster homes. They don’t leave you in any one too long, especially when you’re recalcitrant. And I’d developed my own mean streak by that time.”
“Small wonder.”
“I bounced around in the system. Social workers, court hearings, school counselors. All overburdened. My mother hooked up with another guy and finally took off for good. Mexico, I think. In any case, she didn’t come back. I was twelve, thirteen. I hated not being able to say where I wanted to go, where I wanted to be. I took off every chance I got. So they labeled me a JD—juvenile delinquent—and they put me in a girls’ home, which was one step up from reform school.” Her lips twisted into a dry smile. “That put the fear of God into me. It was rough, as close to prison as I ever want to be. So I straightened up, put on my best behavior. Eventually they placed me in foster care again.”
She drained the glass and set it aside. She knew her hands wouldn’t be steady for long. “I was scared that if I didn’t make it work this time, they’d put me back until I was eighteen. So I took a real shot at it. They were a nice couple, naive, maybe, but nice, good intentions. They wanted to do something to right society’s ills. She was PTA president, and they went to protest rallies against nuclear power plants. They talked about adopting a Vietnamese orphan. I guess I smirked at them behind their backs sometimes, but I really liked them. They were kind to me.”
She took a moment, and he said nothing, waiting for her to build to the next stage. “They gave me boundaries, good ones, and they treated me fairly. There was one drawback. They had a son. He was seventeen, captain of the football team, homecoming king, A student. The apple of their eye. A real company man.”
“Company man?”
“You know, the kind who’s all slick and polished on the outside, he’s got a terrific rap, lots of charm, lots of angles. And underneath, he’s slime. You can’t get to the slime because you keep slipping on all that polish, but it’s there.” Her eyes glinted at the memory. “I could see it. I hated the way he looked at me when they weren’t watching.” Her breath was coming quicker now, but her voice was still controlled. “Like I was a piece of meat he was sizing up, getting ready to grill. They couldn’t see it. All they saw was this perfect child who never gave them a moment’s grief. And one night, when they were out, he came home from a date. God.”
When she covered her face with her hands, Colt gathered her close. “It’s all right, Thea. That’s enough.”
“No.” She shook her head violently, pushed back. She’d gone this far. She’d finish it. “He was angry. I suppose his girl hadn’t surrendered to his many charms. He came into my room. When I told him to get out, he just laughed and reminded me it was his house, and that I was only there because his parents felt sorry for me. Of course, he was right.”
“No. No, he wasn’t.”