“Shit, the poor woman. It’s a lot worse than her file says. And no one has any idea where her daughter is?’ Jack was straight to the point.
“No, and she looked sick when I said Randall might still be alive, which leads me to our biggest problem. Someone knows more than they’re telling.”
“What do you mean?’
“Randall knew everything. He as much said that he had an informer who told him Talia was on the island. He knew where we were staying, and he was so sure he could contain us, he allowed the deal to go down. We found a tunnel leading to a hidden underground boat ramp. Someone had to have helped him getaway, and someone fed him the information. I know it wasn’t Talia, and I know it wasn’t us, so it must be an inside job. Any suggestions?’
Emma looked pale. “I’ll hunt around see what I can dig up.”
“Me, too,” Jack added, looking equally upset.
Nick got to his feet. “This is such a stuff-up, and I know you two will be feeling as bad as I do about a leak. Let’s go talk to Talia.”
Despite her frustration and sadness, Talia slept soundly for the first time in months, undoubtedly due to the drugs they’d pumped into her the last few days. The doctor had been in already, and as soon as he checked her new blood results, she’d be able to leave. Hounding the poor man had helped and the fact that she was healing well.
She’d be glad to get out of here, but where should she go? Living at Kirk’s place since the beating, Talia had no idea how she’d get her clothes back from there or the island. Rifling in the bedside cabinet for tissues, she didn’t hear the door open.
“Here, let me get them for you.” Nick pulled out the box off the trolley and put them in her hands.
Through misty eyes, she took them gratefully. “Sorry, I can’t seem to stop the waterworks,” she sniffed.
“I’d be surprised if you weren’t upset. After what you’ve been through, it would be natural if you were throwing things and cursing me.”
His kindness made her cry harder, especially when he took her hand, patting it awkwardly.
“Since we met, your life hasn’t been too easy. You’re stuck in a hospital bed with only me for company after I promised to get Chloe back. I’m the guy that ruined all your plans.”
“I don’t want you to blame yourself, Nick. You saved my life, and because of my stubbornness and mistrust, I put you and your partners in danger. It could have turned out so much worse. I’m very grateful to you and, of course, Jack and Emma. How are they, by the way?’
“How about you ask them yourself?”
On cue, they walked in.
“Hi, Talia.” Jack bent to kiss her cheek. “You look much better than the last time I saw you. When can you leave?”
“As soon as the doctor checks my latest blood works. Hi, Emma.”
“Hi, Talia. You look a bit worse for wear.”
“I guess we all have our war wounds.” Talia nodded at the sling.
Emma shrugged and sat on the end of the bed. “All part of the job. So, what are you going to do now?”
“I’m not sure where to go from the hospital, but as soon as I can, I’ll be looking for my daughter.”
“Why can’t you use the flat that’s listed as your last known address?”
Talia was a little surprised that Emma knew about it since the flat was purchased in her maiden name. Still, as a detective, Emma probably knew everything about her by now and there was no point in keeping the last of her secrets.
“When the mortgage wasn’t paid, I believe the bank foreclosed on it. It wasn’t much of a home. I just needed a place to take Chloe that Randall didn’t know about.” Her eyes misted at the thought of not having or needing that option. It must be the drugs making her so pathetic, and she didn’t like it.
Nick moved closer. “You need a safe place where you can heal, as the doctor said.”
“I could stay at my parents’ house. It’s been empty for quite a while. Randall told me he hated the place, and we never went there after our marriage. Which was okay by me–there too many memories.” She sniffed. “What happens next from your end about Randall and Chloe?”
“We’ll keep looking for both of them, and you’ll have surveillance on you for some time in case Randall comes looking for you,” Nick assured her.
“He’ll come, all right,” Emma said matter-of-factly.
“We don’t know for certain that he’s alive,” Jack interjected, giving Emma a hard look.
Emma made a rude noise. “Talia needs to be prepared.”
Talia appreciated the woman’s honesty but not the way she seemed to take pleasure in Talia’s situation. By letting Talia be so involved in the case and not having her arrested as an accessory, Nick had overstepped, and Emma didn’t like it one bit. The way she looked at Nick made it clear that she was still in love with him, so it must be hard for her to see him breaking the rules for another woman.
Nick gave Emma a cold glance. “I think Talia’s had enough of us for now. Let’s let her get some rest.” Nick turned back to her, and his face softened. “A policeman will be outside your door until you leave. I’ll be back soon.”
Glad that Emma was gone, she missed Nick and wanted to know details about what they were doing to find Chloe.
She’d been over everything so many times; all she wanted was to get out of here and start her search. Sleep was over-rated.
When the doctor came back, she was relieved to get the all-clear from him, albeit reluctantly, and Nick arrived to hear the prognosis.
As soon as the doctor left, Nick went to the door.
“Okay. You get dressed, and I’ll take you home.”
“There’s no need for you to do that. I can get a taxi,” Talia protested.
He shook his head firmly. “No way. I want to know you’re settled, and that’s final.”
Talia smiled as he closed the door. “Eventually, he’d leave her, and she’d miss him and his bossy ways: his thoughtfulness and a lot more, besides.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Instead of dropping Talia off and disappearing from her life, Nick was a constant presence for the next week. At first, he came to give her updates on the search for Chloe, not that there was much to report, and gradually, his visits grew longer. They did not discuss Randall.
Talia wondered if he was with her out of pity and remorse. But after many hours in his company, she'd accepted that he wanted to be with her.
They spent hours talking about nothing and everything. Nick never appeared bored, nor did he seem to want Talia for anything other than friendship. At first, she'd been happy about that, but now her body yearned for him to kiss her again, to touch her, to make love to her. Could it be that she was falling in love with him?
Tonight he was coming by for dinner after work. She'd already prepared a pot roast, and the table was set. Giving it a last appraisal, she tweaked a couple of flowers. Talia had been a darn good hostess for Randall, but this evening was as far removed from that as night from day.
She'd never felt this way about any man. Tonight, as much as it scared her, Talia planned to seduce Nick. She wasn't confident in her ability, but she was going to give it her all. First, a nice bubble bath, then she'd put on the cute little dress she'd found in the back of her old wardrobe.
The phone rang as she was getting out of the bath. Wrapped in a towel, she ran to pick it up.
"Hello. Hello. Is there anyone there?"
Silence greeted her. She knew someone was on the line, but he or she refused to speak, and Talia dropped the phone back in the cradle. These calls had happened repeatedly over the last few days, and it was creepy. She had a feeling that it was the same person and she'd tell Nick about it tonight.
Spending more time on her appearance than ever before, it was disconcerting when she finally opened the door to Nick, and his mouth dropped open. Eventually, he handed over a bottle of wine but continued to stare.
Unsure of herself, Talia stood back. "Is there something wr
ong? Aren't you coming in?" An overwhelming urge came over her to find a mirror and check if she had something stuck to her face. She rubbed her suddenly, sweaty palms over her hips.
He snapped out of it and grinned as he came inside. "Sorry. You look fabulous. What's the occasion? Did I miss something? Hey, it's not your birthday, is it?"
Blushing furiously, Talia walked into the kitchen. "Don't be silly. Can't a girl dress up now and again?"
Nick followed, scratching his head, probably wondering why she sounded so out of sorts. "Sure, I just feel like a slob next to you."
He reached up to get wine glasses from her cupboard, and she couldn't help but notice the way his jeans and polo shirt pulled across his muscles. His thighs strained the seams, and his butt was firm. She gulped as she imagined him naked, in a statue-of-David pose.
"Are you all right, Talia? You look flushed. Maybe you have a fever."
Yes, she sure did, but he might run a mile if he knew why. "It's probably from the cooking. The oven's been on for a few hours."
"Oh, right. Shall I carry the dish?" He tried to take it from her.
"No, that's fine. I've got it. You could take the wine, though," she added nervously.
He followed her through to the small dining room and watched with amusement as she fussed with serving the meal, making sure he had enough of everything. He couldn't stop looking at her. She was stunning. Her eyes sparkled, reflecting the shade of her turquoise dress. The way she looked at him over the rim of her wineglass sent flickers of lust into his groin. Her skin had a peachy glow, the result of time spent in her garden, and now enhanced by the candlelight. She looked wonderfully alive, and that made him happy.
Talia was such a conundrum. Self-assured in so many ways, her nervousness around him like now bothered him. Nick had wanted her desperately for the longest time, but after all that had happened, he'd forced himself to take things slowly. He'd let her down, and upsetting her was not an option.
The familiar ache began as soon as she'd opened the door, and he saw her in that dress. With her hair still a little damp, she looked like a sea sprite. Since there'd been no reason to keep up the disguise, the blonde had gone to be replaced by her original color. No matter if Randall was alive or dead, her cover was well and truly blown. So now the rich auburn was a mass of curls. The natural and unaffected look only fanned the flame of his desire for her. Her breasts rose and fell in the low-cut dress, and with each breath, he could feel his self-control weakening.
Their food was pushed around on their plates, and for the most part, uneaten. The conversation had become a bit stilted when Talia sighed heavily. She got up and came to his end of the table.
"I guess you aren't that fond of pot roast. How about some dessert?"
Her eyes glittered as she gave him a suggestive look, and Nick was astounded. Was she flirting with him? That line was as old as the hills.
Taking his plate, she disappeared for a few moments and returned with a dish of strawberries and a pot of melted chocolate.
"Tell me what you think of this." She dipped her finger in the chocolate and wiped it across his mouth. He licked his lip, and the warm liquid tasted great, but her next move was better than chocolate. Talia bit into a strawberry offered him a bite, then bent down and licked his bottom lip.
He'd never been more turned on as he pulled her onto his lap, and his mouth captured hers.
The kiss was unimaginably erotic and became more and more abandoned. Nick's hands were in her hair, tangled in the curls, and she clung to him. It was some time before they came up for air.
Nick stared into dazed eyes, his hands framing her face. He wanted her so bad, but if the plans he was making without her knowledge didn't get Chloe back, then she would regret tonight, and that he couldn't bear.
"Talia, honey, we can't do this."
Her eyes, so recently filled with desire, cleared, and the sudden pain in them sent a knife through his heart. She got up and stiffly turned away.
"I didn't mean to force myself on you. I'm not used to making the first step, and I apologize for making you uncomfortable. I guess I misread the signs. Perhaps you should go."
He jumped up. "Go? I don't want to go."
"But you don't want me, so why are you here?"
He pulled her to face him. "You're crazy if you think I don't want to throw you across this table right now—but I can't. It won't be okay until I have Randall where he can't harm you, and you have Chloe safe. Deep down, you know I'm right."
"Don't tell me what I think or feel. I wasn't asking for a commitment—just sex."
Her anger was contagious.
"So we're just going to have sex? That's all us being together means to you? Well, that's just fine with me."
Chapter Thirty-Five
Pulling his shirt over his head, Nick stood there looking hot and dangerous. His well-defined six-pack beckoned her touch, but his mood was angry rather than desiring as she’d hoped.
Talia was shocked. This wasn’t what she wanted. She loved him but had no idea how to show it. Living with Randall, her one relationship had warped her sense of what was normal. Everything she did and said came out wrong, and she was confused. Taking a step towards him, she was thinking of something to make things clearer. Instead, he pulled her close and ground his lips against hers.
The roughness brought up Randall’s image, and suddenly she couldn’t separate the two. Frightened, Talia fought him. “No! Please, let me go.”
In a heart-beat, her desperate plea stopped him. “Talia, please don’t cry. I’m sorry I got carried away, but I couldn’t hurt you. What you do to me with one look is unbearable when all I want is for what we have to be perfect. I love you so much.”
He kissed her eyes and cheeks and then her lips so softly that she slowly relaxed in his arms. He didn’t know how long he held and gently kissed her, but at some stage, she began to return those kisses, and soon they weren’t enough. At least this time, the feeling was mutual.
Nick picked her up and carried her to the one room he’d deliberately not entered before. Inside, it was a reflection of her: warm, soft, and captivating. Beautiful paintings of her family adorned every surface. The family she’d lost. He lay her on the bed and touched the portrait hanging behind it.
Talia looked almost the same, standing in the sun with a carefree smile on her face, showing that the picture could not be that old. An older version of her, clearly her mother, sat in front of her on an old church pew. He had seen that seat in her garden out the back, amongst the purple wisteria. A cheerful, contented looking man sat next to the woman, and behind his shoulder was a young man whose smile was also familiar.
“I finished that a couple of years back, about this time,” she whispered.
“You painted this?” He’d known of her love for painting but not how talented she was. “It’s wonderful, Talia. This is what you should be doing.”
She ran a finger down his cheek. “I couldn’t paint anymore after they died. I tried, but I felt nothing. You need passion to do anything well, and when it’s stifled, there is no creativity.”
Her comment brought him back to where they were and what they had been about to do. “You’re right, Talia, but you also need love.” He sat beside her and kissed her some more. And he didn’t stop at her lips. Trailing kisses down her neck, he felt shudders through her body. Encouraged, Nick moved slowly down to her breasts, pushing the thin straps off her shoulders, and with no bra, he found her already peaked nipples with his tongue. They hardened further, and her back arched.
Nick sucked in his breath as he felt her hands pressing on his hips. They raced up his sides and tugged at his belt. Impatiently, he pulled it undone, and the next moment, she had one hand inside his jeans and was kissing his chest in a replica of his earlier move. He lifted her off the bed and pushed the dress to the floor. Now, all that covered her was a scrap of sheer fabric, which he dispensed with as he knelt, kissing her ribs and the pink scar on her stomach. He moved
to her navel and beyond, breathing in her sweet scent.
Nick’s hand gently pried her legs apart so his tongue could find the access he desired. The first lick had her knees buckling, and he held her small buttocks in his hands to steady her. His tongue found her sweet spot, and she gasped. His movements became more and more insistent, and her moans were so much louder that it took a sheer force of will to stop himself from throwing her onto the bed and burying himself inside her.
She stood before him, eyes closed, shaking, and trying to catch her breath. Nick reveled in the fact that he could make her feel like this, and when she pulled on his shoulders, he rose to his feet to kiss her.
She tugged at his loosened waistband then pushed his jeans down to his ankles. He flicked off his shoes, and the offending clothes and Talia sat on the bed. She grabbed his hips and pulled him to her. His eyes closed in ecstasy as her mouth took in the tip of him. One of her hands cupped him while her tongue began to flick its way up and down. Her other hand followed its movements, and when she started to draw him in further, he knew he couldn’t take much more.
Nick placed his hand under her chin and gently pulled her head away. “Just one moment, darling.” His voice was husky with desire. Nick found his trousers and retrieved a condom from his wallet. Placing it on himself as she watched, he had to reassure himself that she wanted this as much as he did. “Are you still okay with this, Talia?”
A smile flickered on her swollen lips. “I’m very okay with this.”
That was all he needed. If she could attempt a joke at this stage, he knew it was going to be okay. That was an understatement. From the moment he entered her, he was lost. She mirrored his movements until they synchronized and became one.
Waves of heat and passion crashed over them, and when Talia began to cry out, Nick allowed his own release. Calling her name over and over, he drowned in the sensation of the beauty and rightness of this moment he didn’t want to end.
When We Break Page 15