For Passion

by Jeannette Winters

  “Yeah, you have to ease into those things. I add fiber to offset the calories. You really should only eat one.”

  He didn’t want to discuss his bodily functions, especially with her. But he needed to reply. “I’ll keep that in mind next time.”

  The sounds of gunfire echoed in his ear, and it sounded as though there was more than one. Shit! Ellie was his first priority, but the sounds of automatic weapons going off heightened the seriousness of the situation. It was a damn good thing they’d noticed the van. Otherwise, he and Ellie could’ve been caught in the middle.

  He could hear Rafe barking orders, while the team provided status updates. There was no way the cops weren’t showing up for this. Probably the FBI too. That was a game changer. There were going to be questions that he hoped Rafe was ready to address. And he needed to make sure Ellie’s name wasn’t linked to anything going on.

  Everything became quiet. All Josh could do was wait to hear that his team was okay. Finally, Chris, a member of the team, voiced his update, “There were three in the vehicle. Two have been detained, the other, permanently. No injuries on our side.”

  That was a relief. He knew by the amount of gunfire that the men in the van were hired for one thing: to take Ellie out. Thankfully the team intervened, and they all made it out in one piece.

  “Roger that. I want you guys to get the hell out of there. Chris, you stay behind with the two in question,” Rafe order.

  “Roger,” Chris replied.

  “And the shop?” Rafe asked.

  “Secure.”

  “You’re clear, Josh. Don’t let her out of your sight.”

  Wasn’t planning on it, Rafe.

  The immediate threat was over, but Josh didn’t know how long that was going to last. If they were watching Frank’s, there was a strong possibility they knew Ellie had been there. That meant they, too, were looking for whatever Frank had hidden away. It was a race as to who would figure it out first. Hopefully, we have it and just need to decipher the meaning.

  Rafe said, “We might need to pull her out of there. It depends on whether the local law enforcement pushes or not. I’ll keep you posted.”

  “Sounds good.” Hopefully, that answered both Rafe and Ellie’s comments that he’d missed along the way.

  When they pulled up to the shop, Josh quickly scanned the area and saw the flash from the team revealing their locations.

  “Ready to head in?” Josh asked.

  “Yeah, it feels good to be home,” Ellie said, still ignorant of the lurking danger.

  Once inside Josh went from room to room making sure the place was locked up tight. He even checked the windows. Although the shop had still been under surveillance, he needed to confirm for himself. The only place he didn’t enter was her bedroom.

  “What are you doing?” Ellie asked.

  “I heard there was a break-in a few miles away. Just thought it better to be safe than sorry.”

  “Really? I didn’t hear about it. Then again, I’ve been a bit distracted lately. And you seemed to be too. I thought you had to use my facilities,” Ellie questioned while she followed him to each room. “Because you’ve passed the bathroom twice already.”

  “I’m feeling better, thanks,” Josh said. “How about I order dinner?”

  Ellie asked in a tone filled with concern, “Are you sure you’re up to it? I don’t want you feeling ill.”

  Damn. Are you always this nice? Will you still be when you find out what a lying asshole I am? I doubt it.

  Turning toward her, he tried to ease her mind. “I’m fine.” Now since you’re safe.

  Finally, she smiled. “Good. Then I’ll have one roast beef with mushrooms and Swiss. And I’ll have French fries with malt vinegar on the side.”

  “Vinegar on fries?”

  “Oh yeah. I even put it on my fried fish. I can’t believe you’re from Rhode Island and have never tried it.”

  “I didn’t realize it was a Rhode Island thing.” Josh lived there, but most of his adult life had been in the Marines. Only when he left did he return home. Even then, Turchetta’s Promise still had him going from one country to the next.

  He wanted Ellie to remain in her light, playful mood even if he wasn’t. Teasingly he said, “Guess you’re going to need to show me tomorrow night when we’re in Newport.”

  The timing was good because his gut said they’d need to leave Yonkers very soon anyway.

  “Okay, but we should hold off on dessert. At least for tonight. You said you wanted to come with me to deliver the wedding cake, and you won’t be able to do that if you’re looking green.”

  Josh forced a laugh. “Trust me, my stomach can handle anything. And I hear they have a great peanut butter pie there.”

  Ellie rolled her eyes. “Josh, I can’t figure you out. Are you sick or not?”

  “Never too sick for dessert.” Josh gave her a wink and hoped she would drop it. He already felt like shit for lying.

  Throwing her hands up in the air, Ellie gave up and said, “I swear all you think about is food.”

  And you just keep believing that. They were locked in safe, and neither of them were going anywhere tonight. Whether she liked it or not, he was spending the night. Even if I have to pretend to be sick again.

  * * *

  Dinner was simple and really good. For a man who hadn’t been in Yonkers all that long, he seemed to have found every little food gem hidden there. She’d been to the Beef Barn a few times, but she wasn’t one to eat out much. Her days started early, and she usually nibbled throughout. By evening, the last thing she’d think about was food.

  But Josh was right, again. Although she’d offered to make him dinner as a sweet thank you, she’d been too tired to cook. Not saying that she wouldn’t have attempted it, but it might not have been edible. It was bad enough that her cupcakes had played havoc on his system already, she didn’t need to finish off the job with a crappy meal.

  But it had worked out. The time Ellie would’ve spent at the stove was spent relaxing. It was a rarity for her.

  Her apartment was small, but it served its purpose. Normally she was alone. She didn’t have a full-size couch, only a loveseat. Her television was equally tiny, not that she had much time to even watch the thing. Her nights alone were spent paying bills, reconciling the cash drawer, or working on recipes.

  However, tonight nothing was her usual. Josh had a way of bringing her out of her comfort zone and getting her to agree to things she might normally decline. A prime example was watching some late night B-rated horror film. Usually, she would’ve flipped the channel as soon the first scream sounded. Instead, it provided the perfect excuse to snuggle up closer to Josh. With Josh always being the perfect gentleman, he pulled her close. She might not be a fan of blood and gore movies, but if it meant more of his strong arms around her, she would suffer through watching them with him any time.

  When the movie ended, she knew the dreaded time had come. She needed to send Josh on his way and crawl into bed by herself. A lot was riding on that cake. Since she was doing it pro bono, it wasn’t about money. She needed to prove hers was a bakery worth visiting. And she also needed to prove to herself that she could actually pull it off.

  If she started worrying about that now, she never would get to sleep. Another day of puffy red eyes wasn’t good for her business or for keeping this handsome man beside her interested.

  Another show was about to start, and she realized Josh hadn’t made a sound, not even during the commercials. When she turned to ask him what he thought about the movie, she noticed his eyes were closed. Waiting for a moment, she thought for sure he was only resting his eyes, but when he didn’t even blink, she knew Josh had fallen asleep. Waking him to send him home at this hour didn’t make sense.

  During the scary scenes when her eyes were closed tight, she’d forced herself to think of more pleasant things, like what it was going to be like kissing Josh and thanking him for another lovely evening. That’s not going to
happen. But those sweet lips of his were begging to be kissed.

  It would be wrong to steal one, and no matter what her body was telling her, that would only start something she wasn’t ready to finish. They were growing and learning more and more about each other, but she wasn’t ready for him to join her in her bed.

  She could only imagine what it would be like, him holding her, touching her, kissing her from head to toe. The fire she’d been trying to ignore was beginning to smolder. Ellie needed to keep her desire under control. She didn’t want this to be a casual sexual affair. They connected on so many different levels and were hopefully building something long-lasting.

  It wasn’t something either had mentioned, and it was too soon to do so. Ellie might not be a big dater, but she knew it was the fastest way to scare a guy off. They would take things slow, one day at a time, and she wouldn’t allow herself to assume anything.

  Of course, she hadn’t forgotten about tomorrow night. He had somehow gotten her to agree to go away with him to Newport. So it wasn’t as though all they had was tonight. No need to rush things. And the drive to Newport would give them more time alone to get to know each other better. Besides, right now they were running low on energy, and if things became hot between them, the last thing she wanted was either of them to be too tired to enjoy it. Like that was even possible. She giggled softly to herself.

  Slipping out from beneath the blanket, she got off the loveseat and tucked the blanket back around Josh. She stood for a moment watching him while he slept. It was odd because he didn’t look all that relaxed. He seemed tense.

  Josh was tall, and the loveseat wasn’t made for large people. Maybe he was uncomfortable. She decided to call his name, and if he woke he could at least go to his place and get some sleep for what remained of the night.

  “Josh.” He didn’t budge. She tried again. “Josh.” Still nothing. Looking at him again, her eyes roamed over his strong features and chiseled jaw. “God, you’re beautiful to look at.” He stirred slightly. You hear that but not your name? Really? But he still didn’t wake.

  She wasn’t going to stand there any longer, pressing her luck. She tiptoed out of the living room and into her bedroom. Shutting the door, she grabbed a clean nightshirt and slipped it on. He was a fan of the cat one, so tonight she wore the one with the dog. Beware. I bite.

  As she climbed between the cool sheets, she missed the warmth of Josh beside her. Yes, the bed was so much more comfortable, but now it lacked the one thing she wanted. To be with Josh.

  Her body was exhausted, her mind racing, and her heart torn. But she knew no matter what, tonight wasn’t the right time. The last few days had been a rollercoaster of mixed emotions. Even going to Frank’s was draining and heart wrenching. She didn’t want all the emotions from today pouring out and blending with what she was beginning to feel for Josh. She’d seen enough talk shows where the therapist explains to the couple that they didn’t work out because they met under the wrong circumstances and came together under duress.

  Even though he hadn’t said anything to her, Ellie could tell that something was bothering Josh as well. A few times she’d been talking to him and his answer didn’t match up with what she’d been talking about. But the fact he accompanied her today and then stayed, said he wanted to be here. She just wished she knew where his mind kept wandering off to. Maybe we can discuss it on our drive to Newport.

  Chapter Ten

  Josh didn’t move from her loveseat until he was positive she was sound asleep. It was killing him knowing she was there watching him and not being able to do a damn thing about it. It felt as though she was eating him up with her eyes. I wanted to do a lot more than that to her.

  What Ellie didn’t know was she didn’t need Josh the man, she needed Josh the soldier, and that’s who she was going to get. Of course, his acting skills were really being pushed to the limit. Though it didn’t help any that he really wanted her. Last night it had been almost unbearable as his jeans got so tight they were uncomfortable. But his role didn’t include bedding her. If he did without her knowing why they truthfully met, that’d be fucked up even by his standards. Ellie’s feelings were as important to him as her life was. He would do everything in his power not to hurt her.

  He needed today to go smoother than yesterday. She liked to throw curve balls at him, first with having him watch the shop, then the little trip to Frank’s. Today supposedly was all planned out. That didn’t mean it was going to go that way.

  Ellie came into the shop and said, “Okay, the cake is boxed and ready to go into the car. Do you think you can carry it for me? I don’t think I’d forgive myself if I dropped it.”

  “Nothing like making a person nervous to say yes,” Josh teased. “You get the doors, and I’ll carry.” She didn’t move so he said, “And I promise not to drop it.”

  Ellie smiled. “Music to my ears.”

  The cake was in a large rectangular box, but the top was clear, and he could see the cake. If he didn’t know better, he’d actually think it was a pizza. “Ellie, this looks amazing. I can’t believe you pulled it off.”

  “Wait, you’re the one who said I could do it, remember? I was the one who thought you were crazy.”

  Josh laughed. “I’m glad you listened to me because this is talent.”

  “I just hope Coralee is as thrilled as you seem to be.”

  “She will be.” Lifting the box carefully, Josh said, “Now get those doors before I decide to eat it instead.”

  Ellie huffed. “Build my business then eat all the profits. I see how this works.”

  He usually wasn’t a sweets eater, but if she baked it, he couldn’t seem to resist. I like it best when I taste it on you.

  “Quit stalling. We need to drop this cake off so we can hit the road.”

  As she held the doors, she asked, “Just don’t—”

  “I know. I won’t drop it.” Josh was supposed to be protecting her life. Instead the only thing he was securing right now was the safety of a cake. He couldn’t believe it. Josh could hear the snickers from the team as they watched through telescopes. And when he thought it couldn’t get worse, it did.

  Shutting the hatchback, he saw Ellie grinning and holding out the keys. “You did so well with the cake that I thought maybe you’d deliver it for me.” She batted her long, beautiful eyelashes at him.

  Oh, no way. “See that thing?” He pointed to her car. “That is you. Not me. I’m here to help only.”

  With a heavy sigh, she handed him her keys. “Fine, but I’m too nervous to drive.” She walked over to the passenger side and got inside.

  Josh stood holding the keys. It was bad enough riding with her in this thing, but driving it was totally different. He even had a hard time getting into the driver’s seat.

  “Sorry. I guess I’m short. The seat goes much farther back.”

  He adjusted it as far back as he could get it. No matter what, he wasn’t going to be comfortable. It wasn’t the car; it was all the decorations on it.

  Chris must’ve returned from giving his report to the police because his sarcastic ass chimed in, “Hold still pretty boy while I take your picture. Gabe will love this.”

  Gabe definitely would have a field day with this. A bit of photoshop work and Josh would be tortured with it for the next fifty years. Turning his head so Ellie couldn’t see, he gave his men a warning glare. It was only met by more laughter. Yeah, not too fierce looking driving a large fucking cupcake.

  As he pulled from the curb, he reminded himself this was for Ellie. That helped ease the humiliation only slightly. He’d rather be in an outnumbered shootout with hostiles coming from all directions than driving in this.

  The wedding hall was only ten miles away. It wasn’t long before they arrived and unloaded the cake. Josh had hoped it was a drop and leave type of thing, but Coralee insisted on coming out and seeing the cake for herself. Josh didn’t care if it was her wedding day or not, he didn’t want anyone saying a negative word
to Ellie about the cake. He knew how long she’d been working on it, most of the day yesterday and all morning today.

  Coralee looked the cake over closely, then her eyes welled up and she began to cry. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Is there something wrong?” Josh asked flatly.

  Ellie turned to him and with just her eyes told him to shush. He did. It wasn’t his place to intrude. This was between the customer and the owner. I’m just the driver.

  “This is not what I expected,” Coralee choked out. Josh bit his tongue. “Do you know what that is?” Coralee pointed to the base the cake was sitting on.

  It looked like frosted bricks. Josh had no idea what Coralee had an issue with.

  “Yes I do,” Ellie said softly as she pulled out some tissues from her pocket.

  “How did . . . you . . .?”

  “I searched for a picture of your father’s restaurant. This one is the best I could come up with.”

  Tears started all over again, and Josh finally figured it out. Happy tears, sad tears, and confused tears, so many tears, but they all looked alike to him. He backed up farther, giving the ladies a few minutes alone to enjoy their bonding moment. Josh was relieved about one thing: the cake was going to be memorable.

  If he could, he would’ve waited at the car, but he needed to remain close to Ellie. She must’ve noticed him still lingering around and gave Coralee a quick hug before heading back toward him.

  When she got closer, he noticed Coralee wasn’t the only one who’d shed a few tears. Josh reached up and wiped a stray tear away with his hand. “Your brother would be damn proud of you.”

  Ellie sniffed. “I . . . know.”

  He pulled her into his arms, and they stood in the parking lot, holding each other. Josh knew this had been a risk for her. But he too was proud of her. She had much more inner strength than she realized. I bet you could even handle the truth if I told you.