“How did his private investigators get a flight in? It’s got to be two a.m.”
“Knox had his pilot fly Ema, Shelby, Aunt Genny, and Nellie, their cook, and two of my men to his sister’s house in Montana. His P.I.’s are in California so the pilot went that direction after he dropped all of the family off.”
Brig finished up his text and put the vehicle in gear. Instead of driving to the front gate, which was about a quarter of a mile down a tree-lined driveway, he headed to the rear of the property. The road was well-maintained, but Claire was exhausted. The headache that she’d lied about having earlier now felt like it could be a migraine. Did she get migraines? Would she even know what that felt like? She’d probably just done too much after being injured this morning.
Brig looked over at her, and his jaw tightened with concern. “Just a little bit longer. Then we’ll go through a back gate. I had to make sure Gage didn’t see where we were going if he’s really watching.”
If it was even Gage who was sending the notes. The not knowing was awful. “Who’s following us?” She pointed at the lights bouncing behind them.
“A couple of my security guys.”
“Is Knox going to have enough to help him?” Claire leaned against the headrest and studied Brig’s handsome face in the dim interior light.
Brig smirked. “Knox has a huge security team. He takes his daughter and fiancée’s safety very seriously.”
“For good reason?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“How many security guys?”
“I’m in charge of eighteen men, and the police force will help out too. John is great, and he owes me a favor.”
“Why?”
“One of those Army deals.”
“You saved his life?” She guessed.
He wouldn’t meet her gaze, but he finally shrugged and nodded at the same time.
“You’re impressive, Brig. I really can’t wrap my mind around why we didn’t date.”
Brig clenched his hands around the steering wheel. “When your memory comes back, maybe you’ll remember.”
Claire drew in a breath and pushed it out slowly. “What if it doesn’t come back?”
Brig looked longingly at her. “Then I’ll help you remember, and we’ll create new memories.”
Butterflies erupted in Claire’s abdomen. New memories. With Brig. She liked the sound of that, but she really wanted her memories back before she committed to anything or anyone. The thought of never remembering, of losing three years of her life, made her throat dry.
Brig turned off the road, and half a minute later, he pulled the Hummer to a stop. Jumping out, he went and punched in some numbers on a box next to the gate. The gate in front of them swung outward automatically. Brig climbed back in and pulled forward. He waited until the other vehicle pulled through and the gate slowly slid shut behind them.
They continued on another well-maintained dirt road for about half an hour. Claire’s head hurt, and she just wanted to sleep. Not think about a vicious stalker who was coming after her, the fact she couldn’t remember three years of her life, or that she was head over heels for her volunteer bodyguard when she should’ve been mourning Peyton.
They finally turned onto a paved road, and Brig said, “You’re probably exhausted. Sorry. Traveling like this can’t be good for someone who has a brain injury.”
“You shouldn’t apologize. You’re the only reason I’m not freaking out and probably in a coma or something.”
Brig reached over and wrapped his hand around hers. The warm pressure of his large hand gave her tingles. “Why don’t you lean your seat back and try to sleep? We’ll be there soon.”
Claire pushed the button to recline her seat, but she held on to his fingers. “Where are we going again?” All the details were getting fuzzy.
“My cabin. It’s on a private lake.”
“Oh?” Thrills pulsed through her. Alone with Brig in a remote cabin in the woods. The headlights behind her reminded her they wouldn’t actually be alone. “Is it rustic and remote?”
Brig smiled, and she studied the contours of his smooth jaw and brow outlined by the dash lights. “Not really. But you’ll be safe there. I promise.”
Claire leaned her head against the headrest. “How could I not be safe with you around? Mr. Taekwondo.”
Brig squeezed her hand and leaned toward her. He looked at her briefly before focusing on the road again. “Claire, did you just remember?”
“What?”
“How did you know I was a Taekwondo instructor?”
Claire felt like his excitement was a bit overboard. “I was teasing.”
“Oh.” He nodded and relaxed his grip. “This morning, before your accident, I saw you coming out of a yoga studio where I teach Taekwondo on Mondays.”
Claire forced a laugh. “Oh, gotcha.” She closed her eyes and tried not to think about everything she’d lost, but it made her really sad that she couldn’t remember him. What woman could lose memories of someone like Brig?
Chapter Seven
Brig pulled into the graveled driveway of his cabin. Glancing over at Claire, he smiled as she shifted and murmured “So tired” but didn’t even prop her eyes open. He climbed out of the Hummer as she slept on and instructed Beau and Rudy to take any bedrooms they wanted in the basement and to take turns patrolling tonight. They were both great about it. These two were true warriors, and Brig was happy to have them with him.
He opened the passenger side door of his Hummer and chuckled as Claire mumbled another apology about being too tired. He swept her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs onto the wrap-around porch where Beau held the door open for him. Brig walked with her snuggled against his chest through the huge great room area and up the wide staircase. She only stirred for a moment to smile up at him and murmur, “Thank you.”
The main floor of the cabin was one huge room including a kitchen, dining area, and living area. Upstairs, there were two bedrooms each with its own bath off the open loft. Downstairs, there were four more bedrooms, two baths, and a game room with a pool table, ping-pong table, foosball table, and theater system for movies. Brig loved his cabin on the large, private lake. He had a Super Air Nautique boat that he took his nephews out on. They complained because he didn’t have tubes for them to do tube wars, but they always had a great time skiing and wakeboarding. Could he take Claire out on the lake tomorrow? Would that be irresponsible with what was going on?
He reached the loft and took her into his favorite bedroom on the right. The maid service had cleaned everything, and as he held Claire against his chest with one hand and pulled the covers down with the other, he could smell the freshness of dryer sheets. Good. He wanted everything nice for Claire.
He gently pulled off her shoes and debated taking off her tight skirt, but that would be pushing it for him. He’d never seen her in anything but her pretty blouses and tight skirts and heels. She looked unreal in her work clothes, but he’d love to see her in a pair of sweats sometime. His face heated up, and he thought he’d better get out of here.
Bending down, he pulled the covers over her. Claire stirred and opened her eyes, staring up at him. Their faces were close, and he could smell her soft, floral perfume. He rested his hands on each side of her abdomen.
“Ah, Brig,” she whispered. “You’re too good to me.”
Brig smiled. “You’re easy to be good to.”
Claire suddenly grabbed on to his shirt, pulled herself up, and kissed him. The warmth that had been in Brig’s face traveled through his body. Her lips were irresistible and sparked more than desire and passion in him. They made him want to kiss her for the rest of his life.
As quickly as she’d grabbed him, Claire released him and sank back into the pillows. She stared up at him with half-closed eyes. “That was for thank you,” she said sleepily.
“I like the way you say thank you,” he said.
Claire’s eyes opened a bit wider, and she smiled. “Yo
u want to extend that thank you?”
Brig’s breath caught in his throat. He held himself in tight control. He absolutely wanted to extend that thank you. He wanted to lower himself onto the mattress next to her and hold her all night long.
Straightening up, he backed a step away, ignoring the disappointment that flashed in her eyes. She was half-asleep, suffering a brain injury, and being chased by a demented stalker. Now was not the time for extending passionate kisses. “You’d better get some rest.”
“Yeah.” She stretched lazily on the bed, and Brig’s heart pumped faster and faster. He backed away two more steps, forcing himself to go that direction instead of toward her. Claire Tucker was his dream girl, and he would not push the advantage he had because she’d lost her memory. He wanted her to want to kiss him all night long, but not under the influence of a brain injury.
* * *
Claire awoke to the sun streaming through the window and only a dull ache in her head. She climbed out of the soft bed and stretched, searching her memory but still not finding any details of the last few years, besides what others had told her. It was like having memories of childhood that someone else remembered and shared with you, but you couldn’t quite form them into solid images.
She had a brief remembrance of Brig carrying her up here and then her kissing him. Had she really asked if he wanted to extend the thank you? He probably thought she’d meant more than kissing. Goodness! She had no self-control around that man. Thank heavens he’d walked away. Maybe that was why she’d never let herself date him. She’d known instinctively that he was irresistible, and she didn’t want to let go of all inhibitions and humiliate herself.
She looked down at her wrinkled floral shirt and blue skirt. She must’ve been really tired to sleep all night in this. Her suitcase was sitting next to the open bathroom door. Searching through the clothes her sister had thoughtfully packed for her, she found a pair of casual floral shorts and a white v-neck t-shirt. The main window of her room just showed trees and more trees, but a side window gave her a glimpse of the water. Trees circled the lake, and a few other cabins with docks and boathouses were in view. Did Brig have a boat? She’d love to get out on the water. She looked back in her suitcase and found a two-piece floral swimsuit. Yes! Hurrying into the bathroom, she took a quick shower, put on minimal makeup, slipped into the swimsuit, and put the shorts and t-shirt on top.
Hurrying out of the bathroom, she walked out of her bedroom and took in the details of the beautiful cabin. She was on a loft with log railings that overlooked a massive living area below. The entire wall she faced was windows that showcased the lovely lake. She placed all worries over her amnesia and a dangerous stalker to the back of her mind and skipped down the wide staircase, trailing her fingers along the smooth log rail. Brig was in the kitchen, scrambling eggs. He looked up and caught her gaze. Then a whistle left his lips.
“Wow, Claire. You’re beautiful.”
Claire tucked some hair behind her ear. She knew she didn’t do casual clothes or her hair long and flowing very often. She was glad he liked it.
“Can we go wakeboarding?” The words practically burst out. “Do you have a boat?”
Brig chuckled. “Yes, I have a boat.”
Claire hurried around the bar and wrapped her arms around his trim waist. “Yes!” He smelled so delectable. She wanted to keep holding him close, but she backed away and forced herself to ask, “Is it really okay if we go out on the lake? With Gage coming after me and all of that?”
Brig’s smile dropped, but he nodded. “All we’re doing is waiting for more information or Gage to make a move. We might as well get out on the boat to pass the time. We’ll leave Rudy here to watch over things. He doesn’t mind.”
“Hey.” Rudy stomped up the remaining stairs from the basement. “Make Beau stay. I’m an expert wakeboarder.”
The mood changed as it was no longer just the two of them, but they all teased and laughed together. It was agreed they’d all go boating. The beautiful cabin had security cameras that they could watch while on the boat. Claire wondered even more about Brig. Was this cabin all his? Did Knox pay him that well?
They ate a simple breakfast of eggs and toast then headed for the boathouse. When Brig opened the door revealing a shiny blue boat that she knew was probably worth close to two-hundred grand, Claire’s jaw dropped.
“Is this all yours?” She demanded.
Brig’s face darkened.
Rudy chuckled. “Guess she doesn’t understand the money in security, boss.” He climbed into the boat behind Beau and left Brig and Claire sort-of alone.
“Sorry, that was rude,” she said.
“No. You’re fine.” Brig gestured up to the two-story cabin on the hill above them. “I don’t have a house payment living in Knox’s guesthouse, so I invested in this cabin, and yes, this is all mine.” He tilted his head toward the boat.
“Impressive, Mr. Hunsaker. Very impressive.”
Brig froze and stared at her. “Did someone tell you my last name yesterday?”
Claire blinked up at him. “I don’t remember.” She searched her brain. “No, I don’t think so.”
“You’re remembering, Claire.” He rewarded her with a large grin.
She smiled back, feeling light and airy. Maybe Brig was right and she was remembering. The best part was she felt great and she got to spend the day on this beautiful boat and this beautiful lake with this even more beautiful man. Worries of the stalker were not even on her radar.
Chapter Eight
Brig loved being out on the lake, and especially having Claire here with him. Rudy and Beau were great guys, but he wished it was just him and Claire. The weather was perfect, mid-70s, and the water temp was still nice from the summer. Everybody took a turn wakeboarding, except for Claire. She wasn’t thrilled but finally agreed with him that the possibility of crashing on a wakeboard with a head injury was too much of a risk.
They jumped in and swam for a while, and though Brig stayed close to Claire, he didn’t stop her from swimming. Brig tried not to stare with an open mouth at Claire in her two-piece floral suit. The yoga classes she went to must be challenging to develop sleek muscles like she had.
After they climbed out of the water from swimming, Rudy drove the boat while Brig slalomed. The warm air against his skin and the cool water hitting his face as he pulled hard against the boat to lean deep into a turn on his single ski and send a wall of water into the air, were exhilarating. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t showing off for Claire.
He skied hard and was out of breath by the time he called it quits and dropped the rope. His speed reduced, and he sank into the water. The boat swung back to pick him up, and he extended his ski. Beau grabbed it. “Great job, man. I wish I would’ve learned to ski at some point. Wakeboarding’s a lot easier to pick up.”
Brig grabbed the platform and pulled himself up. “For sure. I think waterskiing might be a dying sport.”
He unzipped his vest and caught Claire checking out his chest then looking away quickly when he caught her gaze. Brig hid a smile and resisted the urge to flex. He’d worked hard to maintain his build and was glad she’d noticed.
“Nobody water skis anymore?” Claire asked.
“Not much.”
She’d wanted to wakeboard, and Brig was sure she would accomplish anything she set her mind to after her brain was completely healed. She looked adorable with her hair all mussed and no makeup on from swimming. Brig was so used to seeing Claire as this perfectly poised professional who flirted with him then shot him down. It was a dream come true for him to see her cute and carefree. Well, as carefree as someone could be with amnesia and a stalker after them.
She grabbed the smaller vest, that was still too big on her, and stood. “Well, you’d better teach me then.”
Brig grinned. Even though he couldn’t teach her today, he loved her fire. He walked toward her in the open space of the boat. Claire was so petite her head was at about his
chest level. Her eyes grew wider as he came closer. Brig ignored Beau and Rudy. They were both good at security which meant not speaking up, blending in. Rudy usually had a quip ready, but he knew when to keep quiet.
Claire’s eyes focused on his chest. “That is, if you’re willing to teach me.”
“I’d willingly do anything you asked.” Brig’s voice got low and husky, which he hoped Beau and Rudy didn’t notice. He was going to have to tell her no, but it was too fun to flirt with her first.
Claire’s gaze rose to meet his gaze. She studied him for a few seconds, as if testing his sincerity. “I might call you out on that,” she finally said.
Brig smiled. “I hope you do.”
Claire pulled the vest on and zipped it up. “All right. Let’s do this water skiing stuff.” She flashed him a brilliant grin that made him happier than being out on the lake.
“One problem. You can’t ski with a recent brain injury.”
“Why’s that a problem? I’m much too coordinated to fall.” She tilted her head to the side and gave him a sassy look.
Rudy laughed. “Whoa, the big-name sports agent is fiery!”
Brig shot Rudy a look. Claire was big-time and sassy, and she could hold her own in any situation, but Brig had to protect her even if she thought she could ski today. Waterskiing wouldn’t be quite as dangerous as wakeboarding for potential hits to the head, but she could still fall wrong and injure herself further. “I can’t risk injuring that beautiful head.”
Claire glared up at him, not seeming to even register his compliment. “What’s it going to hurt me to try? I’ll go slow and I won’t cut hard like you did … this time.”
Brig glanced at Rudy and Beau for help. Beau grinned and Rudy raised up both hands. “Come on, boss. Let her try.”
Brig knew Claire was tough and athletic enough that she might be able to get up easily. Maybe all the yoga gave her impeccable balance. If she didn’t try to cross the wake, she wouldn’t be in danger of hurting her head. Yet she would be in for swallowing a lot of lake water and frustration. It had taken him weeks to learn how to slip one ski off and drop it behind him into the water while skiing and figure out how to balance on the remaining ski. Then it was a few more weeks before he mastered getting up on a slalom. His brothers and sisters were all the same. It wasn’t an easy feat.
The Irresistible Groom: Texas Titan Romances Page 6
