Witness Pursuit

by Wadsworth, Joanne

  “I didn’t mean it like that. At least the killer hasn’t returned. Jay and I should be safe.” She smoothed her hand over his.

  “Lydia?”

  Tyler clicked his fingers. “Did you hear me? I asked if you’d like me to pour.”

  She shook her head, clearing it from the past. “Sorry, just daydreaming. Go for it. Are you having some?”

  “No. I can’t stand how sweet it tastes.”

  “Ahh, you haven’t changed.”

  “What do you mean by that?” He frowned as he passed her a frosty glass of lemonade, a sprig of mint floating on the top.

  She swallowed, and the cool liquid slid down her throat. Delicious. “Just that it’s perfect for boys of all ages. I’ve heard it grows strong muscles.”

  “Hmm, that sounds like something I would say.”

  “Really?” She tipped her glass toward him. “Is now the day you’ll try?”

  He leaned in, his voice husky as he said, “You’ll never get me to drink it, but by all means, keep trying.”

  She licked her lips then took another sip. “You mean like this?”

  With a groan, he eased one leg over the other. “Damn, I shouldn’t have said that.”

  Oh yeah, he certainly shouldn’t have. She extended her hand to shake his. “Tyler Whitehall, the name’s Lydia Sands. Today you’ve met your match.”

  His fingers closed around hers and he swooped in and kissed her cheek. “Trust me, today you’ve met yours.”

  4

  If Lydia didn’t allow him into her room this second, Tyler would go insane. He thumped her door again, the wood-framed print on the wall to the left rattling under his demands.

  Yes. Her door opened and he was rewarded with her fired gaze and magnificent dark hair tumbling in disarray over her shoulders. Her lustrous locks touched her waist, and he wanted all those silky strands sliding over him.

  “What took you so long, Tyler?” Her smile was seductive as she sashayed closer. “I’ve been waiting a year for you to knock on this door.”

  He leaned in and touched a finger to her hot little mouth. “My memory lapse has a lot to answer for.” He covered her mouth with his, drawing the prized flesh of her lips straight to his. Heat exploded and poured through his veins.

  To kiss her…To want her…This should be–

  “Sir.”

  A brisk knock dragged him away from her.

  “Sir? Are you there?” Another knock, and this time much louder.

  Damn it. Why couldn’t he ignore the blasted man at the door?

  “It’s midday, sir. Your eldest brother sent me to check on you.”

  Those words wrenched him into the present, and it was not to find Lydia’s lips locked on his.

  Was he still in bed?

  Reaching behind him, he bumped his headboard. Damn, a dream. He snatched his pillow and threw it at the door. It hit with a thump and slithered to the floor.

  “Tell Liam I’ll be out shortly, and when you do, remind him we’re on holiday.” Argh, yesterday afternoon Lydia had teased him on the deck with a glass of iced lemonade. And from his dreams, she continued to stir him.

  He heaved to his feet and marched to his bathroom then snatched his razor and shaved. Midday, the ship would be halfway to the outer islands of Fiji, the temperature of the topside pool perfect for a swim. Some exercise would be good. He tied his red swim shorts at the waist then dragged on a swim shirt to protect his scarred back from the sun. On his way out, he slung a towel over his shoulder.

  As he neared the top deck, Nico’s laughter floated to him from the pool. Ahh, hearing his nephew having fun eased the frustration inside him.

  Perfect.

  No. Not perfect. Blast it.

  Facing Nico, her back to him, Lydia wore the skimpiest red and white striped bikini top and peekaboo bottoms.

  Whoa. He yanked his tongue back into his mouth. His dream had nothing on this.

  * * * *

  While keeping an eye on Nico, Lydia bent and gripped the container of plastic floating balls. She tipped them into the pool where he scrambled after them.

  It was a glorious day. The sun shone high, the sky a soft blue bearing only a wisp of white cloud on the horizon. The ocean breeze cooled her skin and Nico’s laughter soothed her soul. Sublime, until a loud moan made her jump.

  Spinning around, she came face to face with Tyler and one eat ’em up stare. He appeared ready to both devour and tell her off. “Ah, hey. What’s up?”

  “What the hell are you wearing?” Okay, telling off.

  “Would you believe, swimwear?”

  “I don’t call that swimwear. Those scraps of material barely cover you.” He crossed his arms with a slap. “I have three brothers and this ship has a full crew of men and your bottom is on gorgeous display.”

  “I’ve worn bikinis since I was thirteen.”

  “They should be outlawed.” He caught her chin in his hand. “You’re lucky it’s only us up top.”

  “Oh, really?” She cupped one hip. “Why do you call that lucky?”

  “Because no one sees you, but me.” His gaze shot to Nico, immersed in his play. “You’ll need a t-shirt or cover up. Go and get one.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “I’ll watch him.”

  “That’s my job.” She turned side-on, keeping one eye on Nico as he tossed the last ball into the container. “Great stuff. You collected them all.”

  “Yep.” Nico jumped up and down, splashing around. “Can I tip them out again?”

  “Go for it.”

  Tyler gripped her shoulders. “I said I’ll watch him.”

  “Tyler, really. It’s just a bikini.”

  “I don’t want my brothers seeing you like this. Luke’s got a one-track mind, and Dylan’s a close second.” He dragged in a deep breath. “Yesterday you left me wanting more. Now it’s worse. We need to talk, but not with you wearing that.”

  He pulled his towel free and wrapped it around her. “Right, that’s better.”

  “Sure it is.” Men. Still, she tucked it securely to keep it from slipping off.

  “We’ll be on board this ship together for weeks, and I’m not sure I can keep my hands off you. In fact, I’d say that’s a given. I want to take this further.”

  So did she, but she couldn’t. Only her mind buzzed with Ben’s last words. You’re not a victim. You’re a survivor. You must live, even under confinement. Could she take Ben’s advice and live in this moment? Perhaps.

  Tyler smoothed a hand over her hip. “Let’s talk, in a neutral, private place.”

  She darted a look at his hand. “Okay, I agree we need to talk. You certainly like to touch, and I certainly like it when you do.”

  “That’s a good start.” He leaned in and his warm breath touched her cheek. “Why don’t you go and change while I wait for Liam. No doubt he won’t be far away.” He turned her toward the stairs and gave her a gentle push. “The movie room. Just the two of us.”

  She walked away without argument, because deep within her, she needed this conversation as much as he did.

  In her cabin, she changed into a pair of yellow patterned shorts and a white tank top, left her feet bare and her hair loose. Then she hurried to the movie room, a darkened entertainment area painted midnight blue with a slim-line screen dominating one wall. Tiny star lights recessed into the ceiling set to low, gave it a nighttime feel.

  She wrung her hands together. He might be a while. With a sigh, she crossed to the DVD selection housed within a cabinet near the screen.

  “You want to watch a movie?”

  She spun around. “You’re here already? Was Liam okay I left?”

  “It wasn’t a problem.” He closed the door then strode in wearing a black muscle-tee which clung to his wide chest, and tan cargo shorts which looked criminal with how low they sat on his hips. “Find anything appealing?”

  “What? Oh no.” She cleared her throat. “I mean, unless I count you.”

&
nbsp; “Now, that’s sounds promising.” He prowled toward her. “You want to get to our discussion now?”

  “If we don’t, I might chicken out, and I don’t want to.”

  “Come and sit.” He motioned for her to go first.

  “Thanks.” She settled on the couch of rich blue velvet, plucked the plump pillow at her back and shoved it into her lap. “You start since this was your idea.”

  He sat and stretched his arm along the backrest and slid his fingers into her hair. “Having you here feels right. Don’t be nervous.”

  “I can’t help it. This discussion feels like a long time in coming.”

  “How’s that?” He set his other hand over hers.

  Her heart heaved. Okay, she had to be careful. She couldn’t say that kind of thing and raise his suspicions. “Sorry, can we slow this down?”

  “Sure, if that’ll help you relax. Why don’t you tell me more about you?”

  Well, any talk about her was a touchy subject, although she could speak of her family. She hadn’t seen them in ages, but back when she’d been with Tyler, she’d told him of them. “Okay, my parents own a small rural property on the hills outside of Tauranga. My father’s in the business of architecture and construction. I have three older brothers, but I haven’t seen a lot of them lately. My sister, Saria, lives in Auckland with me.”

  “Hey, slow down. Where in Auckland do you live? It’s a big city.”

  Couldn’t he have asked a vague question? “Um, in the suburbs.”

  “That’s hardly an answer.” He squeezed her hands.

  “In the southern quarter.”

  “Well, that narrows it down to a quarter of Auckland’s population, what three-hundred thousand?” He frowned. “Why so secretive?”

  “Sorry.” She’d try harder, and keep to the subjects she could. “Of all my siblings, I’m the youngest, and my birthday’s tomorrow. I turn twenty-one.” A burn of need raced through her to tell him more, but she shoved it down. “To be honest, I’m not after anything long term.”

  “What do you want?”

  “However long we’re on board this ship, but no more.”

  “You’re saying what happens here, stays here?”

  “Yep.”

  “What if I want more?” He leaned in, his gaze dropping to her lips. “That is, after I kiss you.”

  “Kiss me, and you just agreed to my offer. It’ll seal the deal. Otherwise don’t.”

  “And I thought you were nervous.” He grinned and kissed her, long and slow, with stealthy precision. Oh, she was in trouble. Then he continued to deal, deepening their kiss and turning the heat in her blood to fire. Every inch of her sizzled, burned, and throbbed to get closer.

  She pushed him back and slid over him. “I liked the look of your bed earlier.”

  “I saw, and I wanted you in it.” He tightened his hold on her, and kissed her, until her heartbeat thumped like thunder in her ears.

  “I like how you kiss,” she whispered against his lips.

  “Closer, Lee.” He pushed one of his legs between hers, locking their bodies tight. “Ahh, much better. What?” His head jerked up. “No way.”

  She stiffened. Was that footsteps? “Is someone coming?”

  “Yeah, we’re about to have company.” He fixed her top, which had ridden up with his explorations, then eased out from under her. “Sorry, let me sort this.”

  He headed for the door as it opened and Liam strolled in. “There you two are. Look, Nico, I found Uncle Tyler and Lydia.”

  Nico chased through under his father’s arm.

  “Found, but now you need to get lost. We’re busy.” Arms crossed, Tyler tapped one foot. “Like very busy.”

  “This is a public room.” Liam glanced at the screen. “Nico’s after a movie, and to watch one with Lydia.”

  “Right now?” Tyler narrowed his gaze. “What don’t you understand about busy?”

  “Daddy, what about the smurf movie?” Nico already had it off the shelf.

  “Check with Lydia if she’s seen the smurfs.”

  Her body hummed with want, but Nico’s face glowed with childlike delight, and she couldn’t turn him down if he wanted to watch a movie with her. “If it’s the latest one, I haven’t. Put it on, Nico.”

  Tyler held up a waylaying hand. “Hey, hey. I’m sure I said we were busy.” He frowned at her. “And stop encouraging these two.”

  Liam slapped his shoulder as he passed him then dropped onto the other couch and kicked up his legs. “No encouragement needed. We’ll happily stay.”

  Oooh, if looks could kill. She was glad she wasn’t on the receiving end of Tyler’s glare.

  “I swear, thirty-two years as your brother has been plenty.” Still he helped Nico load the new DVD.

  Nico bounced off toward Liam and snuggled up in front of him.

  Tyler returned to her and plopped down. “This is ridiculous.”

  She nestled into his side. “But it’s family time. That’s more important than anything else in the world. And look, there’s Smurfette. She’s cool.”

  “Cool? How’s that?” he grumbled.

  “Smurfette has ninety-nine brothers.” She chuckled. “That’s how it works. All the other smurfs in the village are her brothers. Don’t you love that?”

  “I have three and that’s plenty.” Pointedly said. “But I do like the concept of having the only girl in the village all to myself.”

  She slid her hand over his thigh. “Later. I promise.”

  Her agreement had him leaning in, his voice a rough whisper in her ear as he said, “No interfering brother of mine will keep me from you, or at least not for long.”

  She popped a kiss on his cheek. “To being on board.”

  He shifted restlessly. “And to deals being sealed.”

  Oh boy, she couldn’t wait to live.

  4

  “It’s such a warm night.” Lydia brushed the sides of her summery yellow dress. Knotted lightly around her neck, cotton ties tickled her back from the breeze coming through the dining room windows behind where she sat.

  “We’re only a half day out from the islands. Did you enjoy the meal?” Tyler, like his brothers, had dressed formally for dinner in dark pants and a tie. Opposite her at the table, he grinned.

  “The fish melted in my mouth, and I’ll stake the chef if he doesn’t give me the recipe for the white sauce. Not that I can cook, but Saria can.” So delicious, and he still had a spoonful of the raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake left on his plate from desert. “You want to share that?”

  “You already had double servings.”

  “You’re keeping count?”

  “I keep count of everything.”

  “I’m full.” Nico yawned and slid sideways in his chair.

  Tyler caught him and scooped him up. “And you’re almost out for the count. Bedtime for you. I’ve got this, Liam.”

  “Thanks.” Liam kissed Nico’s cheek as Tyler tipped him toward him. Nico was one lucky boy with a family who adored him.

  Tyler slanted his head toward her as he left the room, his look one of bedtime promises to come for her too. Oh yeah, she would live, even under confinement. Thank you, Ben.

  “Let’s play snooker.” Luke thumped the tabletop and stood. “Liam, you want a game first?”

  “Sure. That’s if you want to lose first.” The two sauntered away as Dylan came in behind her and pulled out her chair.

  “I’ll look after you while Tyler’s gone. Would you like to take a walk?” He offered her his arm, which she took.

  “That’d be great. My stomach thanks you.” She patted her full belly.

  Outside, the moonlight reflected off the churning waters as they strolled toward the stern. The ship’s wake spread out in a white-capped vee, adding to the serenity.

  Dylan undid the buttons of his crisp white cuffs and rolled his sleeves to his elbow. “I’m very protective of all my brothers, particularly Tyler.”

  “You mean since th
e shooting?” Her heart ached that they’d almost lost him.

  “It was a close call. We weren’t sure he’d make it.”

  “I’m sorry.” She held her breath, its weight heavy in her lungs. No. Sorry wasn’t nearly enough, because if his brothers ever discovered it was her Tyler had protected and taken those shots for, they’d hate her.

  Dylan propped a hip against the railing. “Tyler’s been more energized since you arrived, like I haven’t seen in a long time. He lost a part of himself a year ago, and none of us could quite figure out what it was.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Between you and me, when he finally awoke after the shooting, he reached for someone. He uttered a name, but I’m not sure what it was, only the pain in his voice was very clear.” He stared at her. “Was it you?”

  “We only went out once. This thing between us is just a fling.” She stepped back and shoved her hands behind her. Whatever was between Tyler and her would never go beyond this trip. Tyler had agreed to her deal, and for her, Johnny Taita’s killer had to be found before she ever truly lived her life. “I need to go.”

  “Go where?”

  “Um, to ring Ben. He asked me to check in with him and I haven’t had a chance. There’s a sat phone, right? In the control room?”

  “I’m sorry. I’ve made you uncomfortable, and that wasn’t my intention.” Dylan motioned toward the stairwell. “Ask the captain for the phone. I’ll let Tyler know where you’ve gone.”

  “Thanks.” She scampered off. Boy, she’d have to watch Dylan. He was incredibly perceptive.

  After collecting the sat phone, she found a private area in the walkway outside the bridge. She punched in Ben’s number.

  “Ben Hammers.”

  “It’s me.” She sank against the panels at her back.

  “I expected a call from you before now.”

  “You didn’t tell me exactly when to call.”

  “I thought that would have been obvious. I need to hear from you daily.” He groaned, rather loudly. “I also need to talk about Saria. Without you, she’s on edge. She’s even reorganized my closet to keep her hands busy. I can’t find my damn black shirts.”

  “You only wear black shirts.”