“Yes, I’m enjoying myself. This is a beautiful casino.”
“I think so, too.”
“And please, call me Brooke.”
“Okay, and I’m Vance.”
Brooke nodded. She was very much aware of who he was. He was the man who had taken her to Ian’s office that first day. She had a feeling that had she refused he would have found a way to get her up there anyway with minimum fuss. He had that air about him, a no-nonsense, get-the-job-done sort of guy, and she wondered if he’d had a history at some point with the Bureau.
“Would you like to join me for coffee, Vance?” she asked, nodding to the huge coffeepot sitting in the middle of the table.
He surprised her when he said, “Don’t mind if I do.” And then he took the seat across from her. She leaned back in her chair. He had asked his question and now it was time to ask hers. He was former military; that was a given from his demeanor. But she needed to know something else about him.
“What Special Forces or federal agency were you affiliated with, Vance?”
His blue eyes, sharp and clear, riveted to hers as he poured a cup of coffee. “What makes you think I was part of the military or an agency?”
She shrugged. “Your mannerisms.”
He chuckled. “I guess it takes one to know one.”
She raised her brow, and before she could say anything, he said, “Don’t bother denying it. Ian told me. Only because he knew he could trust me. So your secret’s safe.”
She took a sip of her own coffee and then said, “It’s not a secret. It’s just that my profession isn’t anybody’s business.”
He moved his massive shoulders in a shrug. “Like I said, Ian mentioned it. As head of security here he felt I should know.”
She nodded and wondered what else Ian might have told him. “You still haven’t answered my question,” she decided to remind him.
“I didn’t, did I,” he said, smiling coyly. “I was in the Corp and then I worked for the Bureau awhile before taking a position in the Secret Service.”
The executive branch, Brooke mused. “I take it you know Quade,” she said of Ian’s twin brother.
Vance grinned fondly. “Yes, I know Quade. In fact I’m the one who trained him for his first assignment. Quade and I worked together for years and that’s how I met Ian. When I decided to retire after twenty-five years in the service, Quade knew I wasn’t one to sit idle and twiddle my thumbs. He mentioned Ian had a position here that I might be interested in. The rest, as they say, is history.”
Brooke smiled. “And from what I can see, the way you run things indicates you’re the right man for the job,” she said honestly.
“Thanks.”
She seriously meant the compliment. Her eyes and ears had been open and she’d seen how he had expertly and professionally, with the authority that could only come from someone with his years of experience, handled several potentially troublesome incidents.
“If I didn’t know better I’d think you were a member of my staff, Brooke.”
Brooke met his gaze over the rim of her cup after catching his meaning. He was no rookie and although she had tried to be discreet in her inquiries, he had been alert and had picked up on her interests. “Part of the job.”
“Yes, but you’re not working, are you? At least, that’s what Ian told me. He said you were here for rest and relaxation.”
She placed her cup down and straightened in her seat, deciding this wily old fox missed nothing. “Ian was right. What I meant when I said part of the job was that after a while, once you’ve been an agent, certain things become second nature.”
“Oh, like being observant and noticing every little thing?”
“Yes, like being observant and noticing every little thing.” She couldn’t help but wonder if he believed her.
She watched as he leaned forward and then he said, “I guess a second pair of eyes never hurt. But I think we need to clear the air about something. Ian is a good man. Although he’s a lot younger than most casino owners, he has a good sense for business. Somehow with that kind of mind he has the ability to play the odds and come up a winner. This place is a testimony to that. Investors trust him with their money because he has a proven track record of running a clean, profitable operation. My job is to be his eyes and ears as well as to protect his back. And, more important, Ian is not just my boss, I consider him a good friend.”
Brooke picked up her coffee cup and stared down into the dark liquid a moment before meeting Vance’s gaze and asking, “Is there a reason you’re telling me this?”
He chuckled softly. “Only you can answer that, Brooke.”
She held Vance’s gaze. “No matter what you or anyone else might think, I trust Ian implicitly.”
“But…”
“But I think we should end this conversation,” Brooke said frowning, thinking she might have said too much already. Vance was no fool. He was as sharp as they came, and with his history he probably knew she had lied through her teeth when she claimed she was at the casino for rest and relaxation.
Vance laughed, breaking into her thoughts. “You’re good, Brooke, and because I like you, I’m going to show you just how good an operation Ian runs,” he said as he stood. “How about coming with me.”
* * *
Two hours later Brooke had returned to her room to rest up a bit before changing for dinner. Vance had given her a tour of the casino’s security surveillance center upstairs, and she’d had to agree with him that not too much went on in the casino that he wasn’t aware of, including the lovers tryst between those electricians. Although there weren’t any video cameras in individual rooms, they were installed in the elevators, hallways, lobby and every other inch of the casino. Security had noticed the excessive amount of time the two men had been visiting each other’s rooms during the late-night hours.
Vance had also told her that being the born diplomat Ian was, he had brought a semblance of order to the situation last night, although there was only so much one could do after a woman discovered her husband had been unfaithful, and with someone of the same sex.
Brooke was just about to walk into the bathroom to run her shower when the phone rang. She quickly crossed the room to pick it up. “Hello.”
“Miss me yet?”
Although Ian’s voice sounded cool and in control, Brooke felt shivers tingle up her spine, anyway. His call had definitely caught her off guard. He had to have been thinking about her to have called. The mere fact that he had brought a smile to her lips. “No, I’ve been too busy to miss you,” she said teasingly.
“Oh, and what have you been doing?”
Brooke glanced out of the window. The view of the mountains was breathtaking, but the mountains weren’t the main thing on her mind now. The man she was talking to was.
She thought back to his question, doubting he would appreciate knowing Vance had given her a tour of his security setup. “I’ve been doing a lot of things but mostly perfecting my blackjack skills.”
His laugh sent a warm feeling all through her stomach. “I hope you won’t be breaking the casino before I return.”
“I’ll try not to, but I have been lucky a few times.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it. Like I’ve told you, it’s merely a matter of calculating the odds.”
“If you say so. Will you still be returning tomorrow night?”
“Those are my plans and so far things are on schedule. I should be able to wrap up the deal in the morning and arrive there by late afternoon.”
Brooke nodded. She didn’t want to admit it but she had missed him. The mere fact that until this week she hadn’t seen him in four years meant nothing. Once she’d seen him her heart had remembered; unfortunately, so had her body.
“What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
His question pulled in her thoughts. “To shop until I drop.” She then decided to mention something that had been bothering her all day. “I got a call from Tara this morn
ing inviting me to Delaney’s surprise birthday party. Why didn’t you mention it?”
“I really didn’t think about it much. Besides, I figured sooner or later you would hear from some member of my family.”
“And how do you feel about me being there?” she questioned.
“Why are you asking me that? Is there a certain way I should feel, Brooke?”
“I don’t know,” she replied quietly. “I know how tense I made you feel being at Dare’s wedding.”
“At the time, considering everything, I think a certain degree of discomfort for both of us was understandable.”
“And now?”
“Now I think we’re a lot more at ease with each other, don’t you?”
Considering how they’d been spending a lot of their time while they’d been together she would definitely say yes. “I just don’t want you to get bent all out of shape if your family starts assuming things about us.”
“I’m used to my family, Brooke. Maybe the real question is whether or not you’ll get bent out of shape. My mom refuses to believe that you and I won’t ever work out our problems and get back together, no matter what I’ve told her to the contrary. She likes you. Always has.”
Brooke smiled. She’d always liked his mom, as well.
“So are you thinking about going?”
“Probably,” she replied, hoping that making an appearance wouldn’t cause a big commotion. Unfortunately, there didn’t seem to be any way to avoid it. Everyone had known how serious her and Ian’s relationship was at one time, and she was sure some of them didn’t know the reason for their breakup. Although he was close to his family, Ian was a private person when it came to his personal life.
“And you’re sure you won’t have a problem if I decide to go?” she asked again.
“Yes, I’m sure I won’t have a problem with it.” He chuckled. “Besides, it’s about time I give the family something to talk about. Things have been pretty quiet since Durango got married a few months ago, and I’ll be the first to admit that we Westmorelands need a little craziness every once in a while.”
* * *
A half hour later Ian sat and reflected on his conversation with Brooke. He’d asked her if she’d missed him and before they’d hung up he’d gotten her to admit she had. That meant he was making progress. But the truth was that he wasn’t faring much better. He missed her, too.
He should never have let her back into his life, but now that she was, he was in a bad way. It was crazy what mere kisses could do to a man.
It had been more than just the kisses, though. It had been her presence and the heated attraction that enveloped them each and every time they were together.
“Would you like anything else to drink, sir?”
Ian glanced up at the waiter. He had dined alone at a restaurant known for its sizzling and delicious steaks. The food had been excellent, but the only sizzling and delicious thing on his mind during the entire meal had been Brooke.
“No, that will be all for now.”
What Ian wanted was a quiet moment to just sit, sip his wine and pine for the woman he desired more than anything else. He longed to see her again, take her into his arms, make love to her on his bed or hers—which technically was also his because he owned the casino—and take her to a place he hadn’t been since they’d separated. A place that had his insides coiling just thinking about it. It had been a place they’d discovered years ago; it had been their own universe, their own solar system, a personal space only the two of them occupied.
The hand holding his wineglass tightened as he felt that same squeeze in his groin. How could one woman stir up his passion, his desire and his lust to such unprecedented proportions?
“Ian?”
Snatched from his heated musings, Ian glanced up at the very attractive woman standing beside his table. He smiled at her. “Casey, what are you doing here in Memphis?” he asked his cousin as he came to his feet. The last time he’d seen her was at his brother Durango’s wedding reception in Atlanta.
“I’m on a buying trip for my store,” she said smiling back at him. “I’ll be here for a couple of days. What about you?”
“I’m here on business and I’ll be flying out in the morning.” Ian knew she owned a fashion boutique back in Beaumont, Texas. “Come join me,” he invited, pulling out a chair for her. “Would you like to order something?” he asked, not sure if she’d eaten yet.
“Thanks,” she said as she sat down. “But, no. I’ve just finished eating and was about to leave. I thought it was you from across the room, but I wasn’t sure, and for a moment I was hesitant about coming over to ask. You seemed deeply absorbed in thought.”
He sat back down and chuckled. “I was,” he said without any further explanation. It was best she didn’t know what he’d been thinking about. “So are you coming to Delaney’s surprise party next week at the casino?”
He saw her grimace slightly and knew she hadn’t yet made up her mind. Whereas her brothers Clint and Cole had quickly meshed into the Westmoreland family fold, Casey was still a little reserved. Evidently after thinking for years that her family consisted of only her and her two brothers, the multitude of Westmorelands overwhelmed her.
“Do you know if my father is coming?” she asked.
“Yes, as far as I know Uncle Corey’s coming,” Ian said, taking another sip of his drink. “I can’t see him missing it.”
He knew Casey was still struggling to develop a relationship with the father she hadn’t known she had. All those years she’d thought he was dead.
“I’m thinking about taking him up on his offer and spending a month in Montana,” Casey said.
Ian raised a brow. He’d heard his uncle extend the invitation, but Ian hadn’t been sure Casey would accept it. For her to consider making a visit was a huge step in building a relationship with her father.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea, Casey,” Ian said. “And I’m sure Uncle Corey and Abby would love having you spend some time with them.”
While kicking back and enjoying the taste of his wine, Ian listened as Casey brought him up to date on her brothers, who were both Texas Rangers. She knew for certain they would be at Delaney’s party, but Ian noticed she still hadn’t answered his question as to whether or not she would make an appearance.
An hour or so later, Ian opened the door to his hotel room. He glanced across the room. His bags were all packed and he was ready to go. Hell, he would leave tonight if he could get a flight out. To say he was eager to return to Lake Tahoe was an understatement.
Even now he wanted to pick up the phone and call Brooke but he kept reminding himself he had spoken to her earlier. He shook his head as he began undressing, wondering what in the hell was happening to him. Brooke walks back into his life and his mind goes bonkers. Okay, she was the sexiest thing he’d ever laid eyes on, both then and now, but still, that wasn’t a good enough reason to get carried away.
But he was getting carried away. He was beginning to feel emotions that he hadn’t felt in years. He raked his hand over his head thinking that wasn’t a good thing, but for now there wasn’t anything he could do about it.
Not a damn thing.
CHAPTER 6
Brooke had spent the past two days shopping and enjoying a lot of the amenities the resort had to offer and, of course, keeping her eyes and ears open while doing so. Now the day Ian was scheduled to return had arrived, and as she lowered her body into the warm water of the Jacuzzi tub in her bathroom, excitement filled her to a degree she hadn’t known in a long time. She submerged her body deep into the tub and let the jets provide a deep massage for the muscles she had overworked during her two-day shopping spree.
She laid her head back and closed her eyes as the jets and the bubbles whisked her away to another place, tantalizing as well as soothing her state of mind, sharpening her focus and her outlook.
Another moan escaped her lips when she shifted her body and doing so shot a jet of water to th
e area between her legs. She smiled thinking that was some kind of massage therapy. But she was realistic enough to know that the only way the deep-rooted tension and urgency that had settled in that part of her body could be removed was by the skill of one man.
Ian Westmoreland.
As her eyes remained closed she contemplated how their dinner that evening would go. She remembered sharing meals with him before and how things ended. The memories sent shivers all through her body. He hadn’t earned the nickname the Perfect End for nothing.
A couple of hours later, after her bath and a short nap, Brooke began getting dressed. Although she didn’t agree that one more time between the sheets would get them out of each other’s systems, she did agree that they needed one last time together to put an ending chapter to what once had been a beautiful relationship.
The thought of finality tightened the muscles surrounding her heart but she knew it had to be. She had to finally move forward in her life. She was young and believed that sooner or later she would get over Ian, no matter how hard such a thing would be. When she returned to D.C. she would ask Malcolm for a couple of weeks off.
She needed time alone to sort things out and to put her life in order. She also needed to make some decisions regarding her future. If she decided to leave fieldwork, she needed to know what other opportunities the Bureau had to offer. When she had mentioned such a possibility to Vance, he had suggested a job at the White House. Apparently, there were always places for capable women on the first lady’s security detail.
A smile touched her lips when she thought of the time she’d spent with Vance. In the end, she’d decided that she liked him because he had Ian’s best interest at heart and he was loyal to those he cared about. Ian was like that, too. Ian’s sense of loyalty was the main reason he couldn’t get past the Boris Knowles case.
She glanced at the underthings she had placed on her bed, items she had purchased that day. Ian always loved black lace on her, and she was going to make sure that tonight he saw a lot of it.
She squared her shoulders after dabbing perfume on her pulse points and between her breasts. The outfit she had bought to wear was an attention getter. It was meant to tease, tantalize, to impress and undress all in one. She intended to make their last time together special.
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