The Reunion Mission: The Reunion MissionTall Dark Defender

by Beth Cornelison

  He’d done the one thing that scared him most, the one thing he’d sworn not to do with Annie. He’d become involved with her family, grown attached to her kids, developed deep, complicated feelings for her. How did he extricate himself from the relationship without hurting her and her family? Without losing a piece of his own heart and soul?

  Bad enough Haley had begun thinking in terms of him marrying Annie, but if Annie interpreted his recent actions as a promise of a future, an expression of feelings deeper than friendship, he was bound to let her down. Considering the cold shoulder she’d given him this morning, he guessed his withdrawal last night had already hurt her.

  He gave the bag an especially forceful punch. Damn it! Hurting Annie was the last thing he’d wanted.

  But had that stopped him from kissing her senseless at the Lagniappe P.D. gym? Had he considered the repercussions when he’d engaged her daughter in a cozy, fatherly chat at bedtime? Watching her home from his truck would have been safer for his own sanity and not created the intimate connection he now felt for Annie and her kids.

  But had he weighed the risks when he’d slept on her couch?

  Apparently not. Because in unguarded moments, even he conjured fanciful ideas of what it would be like to help Annie raise her children, or wake in the morning beside Annie rather than on her lumpy sofa.

  Heat coursed through his veins as he imagined himself wrapped around Annie’s naked body, making love to her night after night. Perhaps creating a child of their own. His heart fisted. He couldn’t deny how much he wanted Annie, how sweet the promise of joining her family was.

  But too many unknowns cast a specter over that homey ideal. How did he build a loving family with Annie when his own family had been so screwed up? Sure, he could try to make Annie happy, try to give her kids the kind of fatherly role model they needed, but trying wasn’t good enough. A wife and family wasn’t something he could attempt and risk failure. Annie had already had one husband fail her. She deserved more than his bumbling attempt to fill a role he knew nothing about.

  He refused to add to her pain. He simply couldn’t commit to Annie without assurances that he could make family life a success. But with a lack of experience to draw from and with innumerable cases of marital hell etched in his memory thanks to domestic disturbance calls while on the job in Little Rock, he knew far more about what not to do than how to get family relationships right.

  Gritting his teeth, he pounded the speed bag until sweat blinded him and his arms ached.

  “Hell, man! What’s gotten into you?”

  Catching the swinging bag with one hand, Jonah turned to Frank and swiped stinging perspiration from his eyes with his forearm. “I’m sorry. What’d you say?”

  “I asked what got into you. You were beating that poor bag like a man possessed. What gives?”

  After shucking his gloves, Jonah picked up his towel and wiped his face and arms. “Just have a lot on my mind. I needed to let off a little stress, clear my head.”

  Frank chuckled. “Did it work?”

  Jonah scowled. “Not as much as I’d hoped. I’m still not sure what I’m going to do.”

  “A woman or money?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Well, a man’s problems usually boil down to either his lady or his finances. So which one’s got you all in a twist?”

  Jonah hesitated. Did he really want relationship advice from the stodgy owner of the gym? He scoffed as he tossed his towel back on his gym bag. The advice and guidance

  Michael had given him had saved his life, and Michael had run the gym in Little Rock. He glanced up at Frank. “A woman.”

  “Marry her.”

  Jonah arched an eyebrow and cocked his head. “What?”

  “Between my wife and daughter, I’ve lived with women for more than thirty years. I know how they think. If your woman’s got you this tied up in knots, she’s gotta mean more to you than a casual roll in the sack. I say, man up. Marry her and quit waffling.”

  “But I’m not—”

  “On the other hand, if you’re already married, and she’s giving you this much grief—”

  Jonah folded his arms over his chest, curious where the older man’s generalities about female relationships would go.

  “—chances are she’s probably at least partly right about whatever she’s steamed over, so suck it up, buy her some flowers and tell her you’re sorry. You may have to eat some crow, but at least it will get you off the couch and back in the bedroom.”

  Frank hadn’t missed the mark by much. Jonah had to admit thoughts of moving off Annie’s couch and holding her in her bed had been part of what wound him so tight. He could have made love to Annie last night, if his conscience hadn’t been gnawing at him. Her kiss outside Haley’s bedroom had been full of unspoken promises. The air around them had crackled with desire and expectation.

  A sultry fantasy of Annie peering up at him through her sexy curtain of hair while she reclined on starched white sheets taunted him. Jonah’s libido kicked him where it counted, and he muffled a groan.

  Frank shrugged. “I’m just telling you what I’ve learned—both in marriage and as a business owner. Sometimes you have to sacrifice to get what ya really want.”

  The gym owner gave a satisfied nod as if he’d just solved world hunger and the energy crisis. “Right now, what I really

  want is a cold beer and a wide-screen TV to watch the basketball championship. Wanna join me?”

  Jonah perked up. He’d almost forgotten the final round of the college tournament he’d bet on with Farrout. He should watch the game, so he’d be able to talk about it with some authority when he met up with Farrout later.

  Frank stared at him, waiting for an answer.

  If he could get the television away from Haley, perhaps he could watch the game at Annie’s. He didn’t want her unprotected tonight, and she’d promised to listen tonight to his explanation of why he’d balked last night. Anticipating that conversation raised a sweat on Jonah’s forehead unrelated to his workout.

  He shook his head. “Thanks, Frank, but I’ll watch it at home.”

  “With your lady friend? Ha. Good luck with that.” Frank waved a dismissive hand, then jerked his chin. “Who ya pulling for?”

  “UNC.”

  Frank scoffed. “They don’t have a chance.”

  Shrugging, Jonah tossed his towel on his gym bag. “My gut tells me they’ll pull it out, no matter what the oddsmakers are saying.”

  With a tip of his head, Frank gave him a measuring glance. “You sound pretty sure of your team. Wanna put a little money on that?”

  Jonah sighed and scooped up the straps of his gym bag. “Already did.”

  Frank’s eyes widened, and he folded his arms over his chest. “Ya know...if you’re interested in making some serious coin on the game, I might know someone who could hook you up.”

  A chill skimmed down Jonah’s back. Was Frank the one who’d sent Michael to Farrout? Could Frank have information about the gambling ring Jonah needed?

  The gym owner smoothed a hand over his silver hair and lifted a shoulder. “Think about it and let me know. Stanley Cup is coming up, the Masters Tournament, NBA finals. Plenty of opportunities to make a little on the side if you’re interested.”

  Frank strolled into his office, waving good-night to another boxer.

  As Jonah headed into the locker room to shower, he made a mental note to quiz Frank further on his connections to sports betting. For now, he had more immediate concerns—like ten thousand dollars riding on a college basketball game and a single mother of two who made him want things that were out of his reach.

  Chapter 17

  When Jonah rapped on her door that evening, Annie’s heart gave an answering knock. She smoothed her hands down the slim skirt she’d changed into after work, denying to herself that she’d dressed to impress Jonah. But in truth, she felt frumpy in her waitress uniform. If she wanted to convince him to take a chance on a relationship
with her, she needed every scrap of confidence and all the positive vibes she could scrounge.

  “Hi,” she said, standing back to let him in. Her voice sounded breathy and seductive even to her own ears. But just the sight of him, his hair damp from a recent shower, the evening sun casting shadows across his face that highlighted the masculine cut of his jaw and cheekbones, sucked all the oxygen from her lungs.

  The lopsided grin he gave her coiled around her heart and filled her with a longing so powerful she ached.

  “Trust your heart,” Ginny had said.

  Right now her heart was telling her to grab hold of Jonah with both hands and never let go. This man, with his dark gaze that could see through to her soul and a tender touch that never failed to turn her bones to mush, had snuck past her defenses and stolen her heart.

  His gaze slid over her, drinking in the narrow blue jean skirt that emphasized her hips and the white cotton T-shirt that made the most of her unimpressive cleavage. His pupils rounded as his perusal lingered at her lips before drifting to her scarred cheek.

  On an impulse, she had pinned her hair back from her face with a cloisonne clip, leaving the harsh jagged marks exposed. Her scars were a part of who she was now, and tonight she wanted no secrets or barriers between her and Jonah.

  She held her breath, anxiously waiting for his reaction to the prominence of her scars, until his mouth curled in a warm grin. “Hi yourself. You look...beautiful.”

  Her pulse pattered, and her cheeks heated with pleasure. The way he looked at her, like a cat ready to pounce, made her feel pretty for the first time in years.

  She cleared the nervous tightening from her throat. “Have you eaten?”

  “I—”

  “Jonah!” Haley squealed as she bounded in from the living room wearing her plastic tiara. Ben toddled in behind his sister, and a drooly grin lit his face when he saw their guest. Her daughter hugged Jonah’s legs, and he stooped to lift her into a bear hug.

  “Hi, princess. How are things at the castle?” he said, tweaking her nose, then tousling Ben’s curls. “Hey, slick. How’s the block business?”

  Haley giggled, and Annie’s heart somersaulted. Jonah had a natural rapport with her kids and showed none of the stiff reluctance she’d seen when other men got around children. His ease with her kids went a long way toward assuring her she’d made the right decision, allowing him into their lives.

  For dinner, they shared a delivered pizza, Jonah’s treat and an indulgence the kids reveled in. With their stomachs full of pepperoni pizza, Haley and Ben were in a better mood when time came for their baths and bedtime. Jonah read Skippyjon Jones to Haley again, then disappeared to the living room to watch a basketball game while Annie settled Ben into his crib for the night.

  Once both children were soundly sleeping, Annie sat next to Jonah on the couch and tucked her feet under her. “Who’s playing?”

  “UNC and Kansas.” He sent her a side glance, then turned back to the television. “This is the final round of the NCAA championship.”

  “Mmm.” An uneasy prickle nipped her spine. Walt had been especially grouchy and sensitive to interruption when he’d been watching sports. She’d quickly learned to make herself scarce on nights when her ex watched a game.

  Disappointment knotted her stomach. She’d hoped to have time tonight to talk openly with Jonah about her feelings. The game on TV didn’t bode well for a discussion or any intimacies.

  When a commercial came on, Jonah turned to face her and swiped a hand down his face. “So...kids asleep?”

  She nodded. “Will this be on much longer? I’d hoped we could talk.”

  His eyes softened, and he stroked her chin. “I’d like that, too.” He hitched his head toward the TV screen. “This is the tournament I bet on with Farrout. I need to see how it shakes out, but I want to talk once it’s over. There’s only about ten minutes left in the game.”

  His explanation both lifted her spirits and twisted new strands of dread inside her. Even if she settled things with Jonah, nothing was settled with the gambling and money-laundering operation.

  Working to tamp the apprehension the problems at the diner knotted inside her, she covered his hand with hers and nodded. “I can wait ten minutes.”

  He winced. “It could go into overtime.”

  His boyishly apologetic expression was so far from the irritated glower Walt used to give her, she had to smile. “Okay, but no shouting at the TV. You’ll wake the kids.” Pulling her lips in a flirtatious grin, she snuggled closer to him and threaded her fingers through his hair. “And I’d really like them to stay asleep.”

  The lift of his eyebrow and darkening of his gaze spoke of his intrigue with her intimation. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Jonah slid an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “Help me pull for my team. I’ve got ten grand riding on this game.”

  Annie jerked away from him. “Ten grand? Where did you get that kind of money?” Immediately, she shook her head and held up a hand. “I’m sorry. That’s not my business. It’s just...that much money is—”

  Jonah laced his fingers with hers and kissed her palm. The soft brush of his lips on her sensitive skin sent a delicious thrill spiraling through her.

  “You have a right to know. The money is from an insurance settlement. My dad was killed in a car accident a couple years ago.”

  She caught her breath, sympathy plucking at her. She knew the mixed feelings he had toward his father and the confused emotions he’d have experienced because of the loss.

  “A guy ran a red light and T-boned him,” he continued. “The other guy’s insurance company offered a healthy settlement if my sister and I signed papers saying we wouldn’t sue. Dad also had a good bit of life insurance listing my sister and me as beneficiaries.” He gave a cursory glance to the television, where the game had resumed. “I hadn’t wanted anything to do with my dad when he was alive, and I sure as hell didn’t want to profit from his death. I took the money and put it in the bank. Left it there. Didn’t want anything to do with it, until—”

  When he paused, ducking his head, Annie slid a hand along his cheek, then lifted his chin to meet his gaze. “Until?”

  “When Michael died and I decided to investigate who was behind the gambling operation, I resigned from my position on the police force in Little Rock and moved down here. I’ve been living off the money from my dad’s death for the past year. Michael was more of a father figure to me than my dad ever was. It seems like poetic justice somehow that the money I inherited be used to catch the people behind Michael’s death.”

  “Poetic justice, indeed.”

  After a drawn-out moment where the world seemed to still around them, his gaze dipped to her mouth.

  Her lips gravitated to his, and a low moan rumbled from his chest. The vibration reverberated through Annie, licking her veins and encouraging her to be bolder, to take what she craved without fear or regret. She sealed her mouth over his and teased the seam of his lips with her tongue.

  Jonah’s arm tightened around her, and he tugged her onto his lap. His fingers burrowed into her hair, and he met her questing tongue with his own. Every velvet stroke spun her senses reeling faster. She clung to Jonah for support and could feel the rapid-fire beat of his heart against her chest. A bulge at his fly ground intimately against her hip. Knowing that she’d roused his body to that state emboldened her, filled her with a sense of power she hadn’t know in years. In Jonah’s arms, she felt feminine. Respected. Cherished.

  Her restless hands skimmed over his wide shoulders, along the muscle and sinew of his arms, then settled on his hard chest. Her fingers curled into his shirt, and she raised her eyes to his, breathless from his kiss. The heat and hunger blazing in his gaze sent shock waves rippling through her, firing every nerve. Her whole body quaked with need and strained closer to him. “Jonah, I want...”

  Her breath hung in her lungs. She should stop now, retreat. Protect herself from inevitable pain. She might not fear
physical abuse from Jonah, but the risk to her heart was too great. If she gave her body to Jonah, she’d lose a piece of her soul to him, too.

  Trepidation dried her throat, and she nervously wet her lips. His gaze tracked the quick swipe of her tongue. His grip tightened, and smoky desire darkened his eyes.

  “What do you want, Annie?” His husky growl stroked her like a physical caress. “Name it, honey. Anything.”

  His warm hands framed her face, and he brushed butterfly kisses to her nose, her cheeks, her closed eyes. His tenderness touched a raw, aching place deep inside her, soothing, calming. His warmth thawed the chill of fear that had frozen her, paralyzed her for too long.

  “Trust your heart.”

  Even if it cost her a piece of her soul, she wanted the respite his arms offered from the turmoil of her life. She ached for the sweet joy and heady bliss of his kiss.

  After years of running, bone-deep pain and endless nights of loneliness, she desperately wanted a few stolen moments of happiness, of escape, of...Jonah.

  “This,” she whispered, her voice catching. “I want this. I...want you.”

  A heartbreaking expression molded his face. Moisture clung to his eyelashes, and a shocking vulnerability shaded the bright yearning in his eyes. “Are you sure?”

  The tremor of wistful longing in his tone shook Annie to the core.

  He could be worried about breaking your heart—or you breaking his.

  Her chest clenched, realizing that Jonah’s need and doubts echoed her own. Her pulse tripped over the idea her warrior protector bore scars from his own past. Was it possible Jonah needed her as much as she needed him? Did her kiss offer him the same balm to old hurts as his did to her? Could two broken spirits, two wounded birds find solace and hope with each other?