eyond Desire Collection

by JS Scott, M Malone, Marie Hall, et al

  “As you wish, love.” It was hard to ignore that the humor had faded from Thorsen’s voice and the light had gone from his eyes. He looked and sounded weary, and it left her wondering if she was being too hard on him.

  She knew he’d been trying his damnedest to fix things. Or maybe the last few days had finally caught up to him. It’s not that he hadn’t seemed affected by everything that’d happened, but up until now, he’d been hopeful—especially when dealing with her. Suddenly, it felt like he’d given up.

  He placed their order, and it didn’t take long before the publican had a pint of dark oatmeal stout in front of Thorsen and had gotten her a glass of mead. She took a long sip, trying to ignore the new undercurrent of emotions bubbling inside her.

  “How is it?” No smile. Flat tone, though it was still kind. Hell, he’d barely looked away from his pint. And it was killing her.

  “It’s really good. Not as sweet as you’d think, and you can really taste the raspberries. Gives it a bit of tartness that balances out the honey.” She gave him a smile, hoping he’d oblige her and smile back. Seeing him like this was really throwing her for a loop, when it was so unlike the man she’d gotten used to.

  “Glad to hear it.” No love, no darling, and no sweet Summer.

  “Hey, are you all right? I know we’ve got a lot going on, but…” She shook her head, now thinking she should have left it alone. Obviously, he was upset and she was probably the reason for it. It felt like she’d just poked him with a big stick. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “No…don’t be sorry, Riley.” He tilted his head so he could look at her, his eyes so intense—so filled with emotion—that she could barely hold his gaze. “I guess I’m starting to realize that I screwed things up between us—irreparably so.”

  Irreparably so. Hearing him speak those words had her heart breaking all over again. “What will you do once this is all over?”

  “I guess part of that depends on how things turn out with the inn, but…I don’t know. My plans all involved having you in my life and if that’s not an option, then I’m not sure I’ll be able to deal with staying on the island. It’ll just be too hard, love.”

  “Yeah…it would be.” Not wanting him to see the tears that threatened, she looked away and took a long swig of her drink, the glass cold and wet in her hand. She wished she could press it to her eyes to try to get them to stop burning.

  “We’re a miserable pair, aren’t we?” Some of the humor had returned to Thorsen’s voice.

  She let out a sigh, her voice cracking as she spoke. “Miserable indeed.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Thorsen hesitated for a moment, and then refusing to second-guess himself, ran his hand down Riley’s back. She’d asked him not to touch her, yet how could he not comfort her when she was so upset?

  When she buried her face against her arm and turned away from him, it left him wondering if he’d done the right thing or made things worse. And it also left him wondering how the hell things had gone so wrong between them and in so little time.

  “Riley…look at me.” He gently turned her towards him and cupped her face in his hand, not surprised to see the tears there. He brushed them away, knowing he was the source of her problems, and yet unable to ease her pain. “Och, love…don’t cry.”

  He thought she might pull away—hell, he thought she might even walk out of the pub and leave him sitting there. What he hadn’t expected was for her to slip her arms around his waist and bury her head in the crook of his shoulder. The pain around his heart eased a little as he held her tightly.

  “I’m sorry. I hate being such an emotional mess. And in the middle of a crowded pub, no less.” She shook her head, but still didn’t pull away or loosen her hold, and though Thorsen knew he was grasping at straws, it gave him a bit of hope that they might still get through this, even if it ended up being a long and rocky road.

  “Don’t apologize, Riley. It’s been a rough few days, yeah?” He kissed the top of her head, and took a deep breath to slow his racing emotions. Minutes earlier, he was thinking there was little hope for them ever getting back together. And now? She was in his arms. Though they might be a long way off from where they were, it felt like a start. “We’ll get through this.”

  She pulled away just enough to look up at him, her green eyes still looking worried, though he was relieved to see her tears had stopped. “I just don’t know what to think or feel anymore, but…fuck, Thorsen. I still love you, even if logic says I should hate you.”

  His pulse kicked up with hope even as his head told him to slow the hell down before he scared her off. And yet… “I never stopped loving you, Riley. My heart’s never belonged to anyone but you.”

  “Maybe once this is all over…maybe then we can see where we stand.” When she shook her head and started to pull away, he held on, not ready to let her go.

  “I’ll do whatever it takes to get you back, darling.” She was so close, and with her still in his arms, he could resist her no longer.

  Desperate to remind her of what they had, he kissed her, even as she tried to pull away. Kissed her as if his life depended on it.

  She softened in his arms and deepened their kiss, flooding his head with memories of their nights together. And then she brought their kiss to an end, though she didn’t pull away, but rather stayed there nestled against him.

  “Why do you do this to me, Thorsen?” Her words were but a whisper against his skin, making him want to drag her back to the hotel and right his wrongs.

  “Because we were meant to be together, and you know no one else will do—not for me, and I’d suspect not for you. I know you’re still upset with me, and I don’t blame you.” He tightened his hold, as if she might try to walk away from what they had. “But don’t give up on us, darling. You’re my everything.”

  She slipped out of his arms and settled back in her seat, taking a sip of her drink, before looking back over at him. “I can’t promise you anything, Thorsen.”

  “I know, love.” He couldn’t ask for anything more, and all things considered, she’d been more than understanding. “Even that’s more generous than I deserve.”

  Needing the fortification, he took a long pull from his pint, knowing now more than ever that he had to make sure his cousin didn’t get the land or control of the inn. Even if he had to sacrifice it all, he was now determined to buy the inn from Holt, knowing it’d be the only way to keep it safe.

  Yet it still hinged on him getting the land rather than Mark, since the board would never agree to sell the inn if the deal with Durham could turn them a healthy profit.

  And then he noticed something in the mirror behind the bar. Distracted as he’d been with Riley, he hadn’t noticed the three men sitting at a table not too far from the door.

  Something felt off about them. If Thorsen had to guess, he’d say they weren’t local. It’s not that Montpelier didn’t get their share of tourists or businessmen, but something about them had his back going up. Given his line of work, his instincts with this sort of thing had served him well in the past, and he’d rather be paranoid but safe, especially when Riley was with him.

  “Take your time finishing your drink, love, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to get going when you’re ready. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow.” He gave her a casual smile so as not to make her worry, though he was already scanning the room discreetly, looking for an alternative exit. And until she was ready to leave, he’d continue watching the men on the off chance he was mistaken.

  “Sure, whenever you’re ready. I’m nearly done.” She took a long pull from her glass and gave him a hint of a smile, though her gaze was taking him in as if she suspected something might not be right. “If you’re thinking we can head back early on the off chance I’ll fall into your bed, you’ll be sorely disappointed, Thorsen.”

  “When you come to my bed, love, I don’t want it to be because you happened to fall into it.” A smile pulled at his lips. �
��Not that I’d kick you out of my bed under any circumstance. But that’s neither here nor there—no man in their right mind would show you the door.”

  “Is that so?” Her eyebrows perked in question, and he loved that they could once again joke around and even flirt a little.

  “You know it is, darling.” A new group of people squeezed into the pub, blocking the men’s view. Thorsen grabbed Riley’s hand, knowing this was their best chance of sneaking out. “Come on. We need to go, love.”

  He started dragging her towards the back of the pub, when she tugged on his hand and slowed her pace. “Where are we going? The door’s that way.”

  “We’re going out the back. I’ll explain later.” The pub didn’t have a back exit for patrons, but it did have a kitchen and nearly all kitchens had back doors for bringing in stock. A good thing, too, since they’d saved his pickle on more than one occasion.

  He pushed the swinging door open, and ignored the protests and wide eyes on the cooks. “Sorry.” A quick apology was all he had time for as he dragged Riley through to the rear of the kitchen and out into the night.

  “Come on.” They walked into the back alley that ran behind the restaurant, and Thorsen quickly maneuvered them towards the end that would dump them closest to their car.

  He still didn’t know if he was being paranoid, but he’d feel better once they were back at the hotel. Thorsen peeked out at the main road but didn’t spot the men and, luckily, Riley’s car was only half a block away.

  Riley pulled on his hand, slowing him down enough that he looked over his shoulder at her. “Could you at least slow down a smidge? Your legs are a foot longer than mine.”

  “Sorry, love.” He slowed his pace—and then he saw the three men, though they’d yet to spot him and Riley. “This way.”

  Thorsen yanked her behind a van, knowing it’d provide cover until they could make a run for her car. As long as he got her out of here safely, he’d manage to fend for himself. “Take the keys, and when I tell you to go, you’re to make a run for the car and get out of here.”

  “Thorsen, what the hell’s going on?”

  “Just do it, Riley. Do you hear me? And don’t go to our rooms. Ethan’s staying at the hotel just over the river on the outskirt of town. I’ll be there as soon as I’m able.” He peeked around the corner of the vehicle and knew it was now or never if he had any hope of getting Riley out of there. “Now, love. Quick as you can without drawing attention to yourself, and try your best to skirt the buildings and the shadows.”

  Her eyes were wide with panic. “I can’t just leave you here, Thorsen.”

  “I’ll be fine.” He gave her a quick kiss and then walked into the road, hoping to hell she’d just do as he asked.

  Knowing they’d easily spot him, he slowly crossed the street so Riley would have enough time to get to her car without being noticed. Just as he’d suspected, they started to approach him, the three men fanning out so they could attack on all sides. Thorsen did a quick assessment as his mind instantly played out various scenarios and maneuvers, attacks and counter-attacks. He didn’t have any weapons on him, but this wasn’t his first fight and he’d been well trained.

  “Can I help you with something?” They were big, but there was also a stiffness to their movements. It made Thorsen think they were thugs rather than anyone with actual training. That meant this likely had nothing to do with any of his previous dealings with Interpol, and instead was about the inn and the land. He didn’t know if his cousin would go to these sorts of measures, but thought Durham might. And that meant Mark knew he was trying to buy the land out from under them.

  “Yeah…you can leave town, and rethink the real estate market. I hear it’s not such a good investment. Downright dangerous.” The man gave him a cocky grin, and that was all the time Thorsen had for thinking, as the first guy made his move and the others started to close in.

  No guns—yet. Thorsen deflected the punch that came at him, using the guy’s momentum to throw him off balance and toss him at the guy behind him. The next guy was bigger but was more agile than his friends and already closing in.

  Thorsen blocked one punch, and took a glancing blow from another as he swiped the legs out from under the guy he was facing. Pain erupted across his back as he took a fist to the kidneys. He spun, grabbing the next punch as he stepped out of its path, and with a quick move and strike of his other hand, took out the man’s elbow and then kicked out his knee. The most formidable of his three opponents was now a screaming heap in the middle of the road.

  The remaining two men attacked at once, but they were angry rather than clear-headed, and though Thorsen took another fist or two, he made quick work of one and had the remaining man rethinking his situation.

  Riley pulled up. “Get in.”

  Thorsen hopped into the car and she sped off like there was a demon on her tail. “You were supposed to get out of here, Riley, and keep yourself safe.”

  “Well, I couldn’t just leave you here. They could have pulled out a knife or a gun.” Her voice was pitched with panic, and her driving was crazy enough to have pedestrians jumping out of the road.

  “That’s exactly why I didn’t want you hanging around.” He’d never forgive himself if something happened to her—or anyone else. He glanced behind them to make sure they weren’t being followed. Nothing yet. “And please slow down before you kill someone.”

  She nodded and let up on the gas, though she was still white-knuckling the steering wheel. “Are you badly hurt?”

  He heard her voice crack and tremble, and knew she was barely holding it together. It could have been a lot worse if the men had been better trained or had pulled out weapons, but as it stood, he’d managed with little difficulty. He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, wishing she wouldn’t worry. “I’m fine—just a few bruises.”

  “I saw you…what you did to them.” She threw him a quick glance and then shook her head as she maneuvered the car out of town. “I knew you worked for Interpol, and knew it must be dangerous, but…shit. Those guys were big—and mean. And you took them out like you were in some goddamn movie. Is this just another day at the office for you?”

  The last thing he wanted was to give her another excuse to avoid being with him, and he knew that his line of work would have most women throwing up their hands and walking away. “That’s not my life anymore, Riley. I won’t deny getting in some fairly tricky situations, but that’s behind me now.”

  “Clearly.” The breath she let out sounded shallow and strained, making him regret that he’d brought her with him to Vermont. “I swear, I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my entire life. Stuff like that just doesn’t happen to me.”

  And yet his life was drastically different from hers. What just happened with those guys had him barely batting an eye—except for the fact that Riley had been with him and she could have gotten hurt. That was something new, and it shook him to his core.

  “I’m sorry I’ve gotten you mixed up in this mess. I’ll grab our things from the hotel and then I’ll need to talk to Ethan.” If this thing escalated, he didn’t want Riley—or Ethan—around. “Do you have any friends you can stay with who aren’t on Mermaid Isle? Not family…they’d be too easy to track.”

  She looked at him, eyes narrowed and slack-jawed, as if he’d lost his mind. “If you think I’m leaving, you can guess again. There’s no way in hell I’m going to let you deal with this on your own.”

  “You are leaving, and it’s not up for debate.” He didn’t care if she got angry with him, as long as he kept her safe. “If you don’t want to stay with friends, pick any place you’d like to go, and I’ll make the appropriate arrangements. You mentioned Norway…you can go there if you’d like.”

  “I’m. Not. Going. To. Norway.” The words were forced through her clenched jaw, and then, as if she’d had enough, she pulled the car over to the side of the road and screeched to a stop. “I swear, Thorsen, you’d drive any sane person mad.�
�

  “Me?” He let out a sigh to calm himself and tried to take a step back, knowing he wouldn’t get anywhere if she fought him each step of the way. “I’m trying to keep you safe, Riley, but the only way I can do that is if you let me. I don’t know who sent those guys, and I don’t want you getting hurt.”

  “Then the safest place for me is with you.” She shifted in her seat and grabbed his hand. “I don’t want to be alone… and I don’t want to be miles away wondering if you’re safe or if someone’s gotten to you.”

  “All right, then. Let’s get Ethan, find a safe place to stay and then we’ll see where we stand.” That was fine—because if things took a turn for the worse, he wasn’t above knocking her unconscious and shipping her off to some safe house overseas. There’d be hell to pay when he saw her again, but she’d be safe and that’s all that mattered.

  Thorsen quickly grabbed their things at the hotel while Riley circled the block, and then they were off to meet up with Ethan at a new hotel an hour away, making sure to register under one of his aliases. They took the elevator to the second floor, and found their rooms.

  “Ethan, you’re right next door to us and there should be an adjoining door if you need it.” Thorsen handed him his key card and then turned to Riley, who had hands on her hips and an eyebrow perked in question. “Before you say anything, yes, we’re in the same room, but I’ll be staying on the sofa. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

  “So, why does Ethan get his own room?” She tilted her head in Ethan’s direction as he raised his hands in surrender.

  “This is between the two of you, and I still have work to do, especially with these latest developments. I’ll call the Teagues and warn them on the off chance they become a target. If you need anything else, you know where I’ll be.” And with that, Ethan escaped into his room.