Chapter One

by Judith Rochelle

  All the media was full of the story, and she couldn’t turn on the television without seeing it on one channel or another. Jake came by with the latest newspapers for her to read.

  “They’re calling it the biggest cartel takedown in ten years,” he told her.

  “Is...Is everyone still in jail?” She was almost afraid to ask.

  “You betcha. The judge denied bail, and they’re still screaming. They’ve got enough lawyers to fill the entire courtroom.”

  “At least they can’t get to me.”

  “Oh, honey.” Jake dropped onto the couch next to her. “They’ll never get to you. They’ll be lucky if they ever smell fresh air again.”

  Kate’s eyes dropped to her hands that were fiddling with the bed covers. “You know, when Quinn taught me to use that gun, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle it if I actually had to shoot someone.”

  “Most people have a hard time dealing with it,” Jake told her. “It’s not unusual. Even cops sometimes need counseling to get past it.” He paused. “I could ask DeWitt to recommend someone for you to talk to, if you like.”

  She sighed. “No, not really. Sometimes I have flashbacks and I feel physically ill, but I seem to be dealing with it a lot better than I expected. Am I terrible if I say shooting Peter gave me great satisfaction?”

  Jake shook his head and smiled. “I’d say he deserved it. Sometimes ordinary people are forced to do extraordinary things way out of their comfort zone. Let it rest, Kate. You did the right thing.”

  He continued to stop by every two or three days, but it was hard to make conversation. They were both aware of the elephant in the room crowding them.

  For the most part, she avoided the subject of Quinn but finally asked, “How’s he doing?”

  Jake sighed. “Okay, I guess. No one’s seen or heard from him. I’m hoping he was smart enough to make his follow-up appointment for his shoulder wound.”

  Kate felt tears dripping down her face again. “I just don’t understand. If he’d at least come to see me, talk to me. We have to hash this out.” She plucked a tissue from her pocket and wiped her nose. “Maybe he decided he doesn’t love me after all.”

  “That’s a bunch of bull. I’ve never seen him this wild about anyone. Not even Lisa, God forgive me for saying that.”

  “Then he has to talk to me,” she protested. “At least give me a chance to have my say. If he blames me I can certainly understand. But none of this was his fault. None of it.”

  “I’ll do my best, sweetheart. But you know what a stubborn man he is. He’ll just hide up there killing himself with guilt.”

  “Thanks, Jake. And thanks for coming by.”

  She got up and walked him to the door, but as he was about to open it, she put a hand on his arm. It was time to play her trump card. She’d wanted Quinn to come to her without it, but he hadn’t left her any choice.

  “When you talk to him, tell him something for me, will you?”

  “Anything, if you think it will help.”

  She wet her lips. “Tell him I’m pregnant.”

  Jake was frozen in shock. “Pregnant?”

  “Almost two months now.” She shredded the tissue in her hand. “I wanted to tell him myself, but it doesn’t look like I’m going to get the chance. I don’t know if he wants to be involved with the baby or not, but at least he should have the chance to make that decision.”

  Jake visibly pulled himself together. “I’ll make sure he knows.”

  “One more thing, Jake.”

  His mouth curved in a lopsided grin. “I hope it’s a little less shocking than the last one.”

  “I’ll be leaving soon.”

  Jake stared at her. “Leaving? Leaving for where?”

  “I don’t really know yet. I have business still to wrap up in Tampa. My father’s will was never probated. The remnants of the house are still sitting on the property, so I’ve got to get it cleaned up and see about selling the lot.”

  “Don’t try to do too much,” he warned.

  “I’ll be fine. I plan to take good care of myself. But I also have to see what’s what with my condo and decide what to do with my things.” She drew in a long breath and let it out slowly. “And then I have to decide where I’m going to live.”

  “But not here.”

  She shook her head, feeling sadder than she’d ever been. “It would be too difficult for me.” Then she brightened. “But I’m a damned good researcher. I thought I’d start my own business, advertise on the Internet. I’ve got more than enough money as a cushion until I generate some income.”

  “Don’t try to tackle too much at once.”

  “I won’t. But I’ve got my life back and I don’t intend to waste it by sitting around wringing my hands.”

  “Just don’t leave too soon.” He kissed Kate on the cheek and left.

  ****

  “Pregnant?”

  Quinn felt all the blood drain from his face. Jake guided him to a chair and helped him sit down. “But how?”

  His friend chuckled. “I’m assuming the usual way.”

  “But she said she was on birth control pills.” He rubbed his forehead.

  “Well, Ace, nothing is foolproof. And I’m guessing all the stress she was under probably worked to weaken their effect. Not to mention she may have missed a few.” He watched Quinn. “So what are you going to do about it?”

  “Nothing. All the more reason for me to stay away from her.” But the pain in his voice was unmistakable.

  “Quinn, I don’t usually get this angry with you, but if you don’t pull your head out of your ass, you’re going to miss out on another chance at life. Use your brain. She’s safe. The danger is over. Bring her up here and the two of you can live happily ever after.”

  Jake snagged a beer from the fridge and sat at one of the bar stools. “One more thing. She’s planning to leave San Antonio for good as soon as she gets the okay. I’m not leaving here until you agree to see her.”

  ****

  Kate found she could handle a lot of things by telephone...set up appointments with people she needed to see. Both Sharon and the doctor had told her she was doing great and travel shouldn’t be a problem.

  “Just don’t exhaust yourself,” they both warned.

  They figured two more weeks and she’d be good to go.

  Jake had sent someone to pick up the laptop she wanted, along with a list of software, and deliver it to her. She was at the dining room table setting up the computer when the doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it,” she called to Sharon. “It’s probably Jake, anyway. He said he was coming by with lunch.”

  But when she opened the door and found Quinn on the porch she almost passed out.

  Of all days for me to look like a slob.

  She’d been anxious to get the laptop set up and had just dragged on a pair of sweat pants and a T-shirt. Her hair was gathered in a messy ponytail and she hadn’t worried about makeup in a while.

  For a long moment she just stared at him. He looked thinner, his hair was longer, and lines of pain were etched on his face.

  He broke the silence. “Hello, Kate.”

  She nodded. “Quinn.”

  “May I come in?” He held up a large brown paper bag. “I’m the lunch boy today.”

  “Oh, of course.” She stepped aside to let him enter. “Thank you for bringing the food.”

  He put the sack on the kitchen counter and began searching for plates in the cupboards.

  Kate’s body was so taut with nerves she was sure it would snap and pieces would fly across the room like a broken rubber band.

  “Jake said you wanted a pressed Cuban from the Central Market,” Quinn said over his shoulder. “I got some potato salad and drinks, too.”

  He unpacked the grocery bag and arranged the food on the plates with deliberate movements, all the while keeping his back to her.

  “Here. Let me get the glasses out,” she told him.

  She had to stan
d next to him to open the cupboard. When their bodies touched, she was vibrating with such tension the glass slipped from her hand and shattered in the sink.

  Quinn took her hand and turned it over. “You cut yourself.”

  “It’s nothing. Really.” She felt herself unraveling. Just being close to him, knowing he didn’t want her, was almost more than she could bear.

  “It’s bleeding,” he pointed out, and grabbed some paper towels from the roller.

  “Everything okay?” Sharon Langford had come into the room. She couldn’t quite hide her surprise at seeing Quinn. “I heard a crash.”

  “I’ve got it under control,” Quinn told her, blotting Kate’s hand.

  “Let me get the first aid kit.” She was back with it in seconds. “I can take care of that, Quinn.”

  “I’ll handle it.” He grabbed the kit from her, cleaned the cut, and applied cream and a bandage.

  “It’s really nothing,” Kate argued.

  “Can’t take the chance of an infection.” Quinn said.

  Sharon waited a moment before she turned to leave. “Okay. Call me if you need me.”

  “Quinn, I’m okay, really,” Kate protested, then proceeded to embarrass herself by bursting into tears.

  “Oh, Jesus,” Quinn breathed, and wrapped his arms around her. “Oh, God. Kate, I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

  He rocked her, holding her tightly against him, as huge sobs wracked her body. She held his shirt with both hands, her face tucked into the hollow of his throat. She couldn’t seem to stop crying. And all the while Quinn rubbed her back, soothed her, murmured in her ear.

  “Please don’t cry, darlin’. It’s not good for you or the baby. God, I am so damn sorry.”

  It seemed forever before the tears dried up and she could catch her breath. She waited for Quinn to drop his arms, but he never moved, still kept her close to him. She tilted her face up to look at him, struck dumb by the pain in his eyes.

  “Isn’t this where you came in?” she asked with a watery smile.

  He nodded. “I seem to have that effect on you.”

  “You didn’t come to see me.” She was trying to speak calmly and it wasn’t working. “I needed you so badly. Why did you stay away?”

  “Didn’t Jake or Nick talk to you?”

  “I didn’t want Jake or Nick. I wanted you.”

  “Kate, how could you even want anything to do with me after what happened? How could you ever feel safe with me again?”

  She sniffled. “Listen to me. Nothing that happened was your fault. Nothing. And I don’t want to hear any more of that. I was the one who dragged the cartel into your life, not the other way around. I’m the guilty party here.” She tipped her face up to him. “Oh, Quinn. I want—”

  Anything else she might have said was cut off by the crush of his mouth on hers. The kiss ravaged her, his tongue pressing against her lips to force them open, then pulling at her tongue with his own. The fingers of one hand threaded through her hair, holding her head while he drank from her with intense hunger. All the while she felt her breasts pressed against the hard wall of his chest, his heart thudding against her body, and the thick length of his erection hard against her mound.

  She had no idea how long the kiss went on before he finally lifted his head.

  “I shouldn’t—”

  “I’m glad—”

  They laughed shakily as they stepped on each other’s words.

  “Me first,” she said. She clutched at his shoulders as if he might move away. “I have no pride left, Quinn. Whatever it is, we’ll work it out, but please don’t walk away from me.”

  “Oh, God, Kate. You have no idea how hard these past weeks have been.” He rested his chin on her head. “It killed me to stay away from you.”

  “Aren’t you the one who said we had something special between us? Do you want to throw it all away before we know what it even is, just because you’re having a little pity party?”

  He tightened his hold on her. “God, no,” he said fervently. “But I just—”

  “Just what? Are afraid? Don’t you think it’s time to get on with life again?” She bit her lip. “I was the one who brought the trouble here. I was the one who dragged you into this. So if you think any of this was your fault, just get that out of your head.”

  “Listen.”

  “No, you listen. I’m sorry you got shot. I’m sorry I messed up your life. And I guess if you don’t want to take a chance on me, I can’t blame you. But don’t walk out on me because of some misguided notion that you caused all this. That’s just plain stupid.” Tears were threatening to spill down her cheeks again and she swiped at her face. “I seem to have perpetual waterworks these days.” She gave him a shaky smile. “Hormones, I guess.”

  “Kate, you don’t understand.”

  “What? What is it I don’t understand?”

  “I made a promise to you.” He moved her back from him just enough so he could look at her face. “To protect you, keep you safe, and instead I almost got you killed. If I hadn’t convinced you to go into San Antonio you wouldn’t have been shot in that garage. By a bullet meant for me, by the way.”

  She smacked his chest. “That is such nonsense. Life is all about chances, Quinn. There are no guarantees in life, but I’d rather take chances with you than anyone else. If you can forgive me for dragging you into this mess, can’t I forgive you for my getting shot?”

  He studied her face, her eyes, trying to read every nuance. “What about Nolan? I left you alone with him.”

  She smacked his arm with her fist again. “Damn it. Nolan Hanks wasn’t your fault, and you almost got killed rescuing me.” She pressed against him. “You told me we had a future. Was that some big fat lie?”

  “No.” His voice was soft. “But I just...”

  “Just what? Was it easier for you to go back into your hole and hide than try to live life again?”

  “I thought I’d disappointed you,” he said miserably.

  “Oh, Quinn.” She hugged him as hard as she could.

  A discreet cough sounded behind them and they both looked up. Sharon was standing in the living room with her purse.

  “I need to run some errands. I, um, expect to be gone a long time. Quinn, will you be staying?”

  He studied the expression on Kate’s face. “Yes, I expect I will.”

  “Fine, then. See you later.”

  “Now where were we?” Kate put her hands on either side of his face, pulling his head down to hers. “Oh, yes. I think we were here.”

  “No, I think we need to be someplace else.”

  He lifted her in his arms and strode into the short hallway. “Which room is yours?”

  She pointed and he carried her into it, placing her gently on the bed. Then he smacked himself on the head with the palm of his hand.

  “I should be shot. You’re still healing and here I am ready to ravish you. What an ass I am.”

  One corner of her mouth turned up in a grin. “I’m fine. Really. Feel free to ravish away.”

  But still he hesitated. “What about...”

  “The baby?” She placed her hand over her stomach. “The baby’s doing just fine.” She wet her lips. “I have two questions to ask you before this goes any further.”

  “Okay. You’re certainly entitled.”

  A thread of anxiety wiggled through her. “Are you okay with the baby? And did you come here today out of some sense of obligation?”

  He smoothed her hair away from her face. “I’m ecstatic about the baby and I came here today because I love you. I just thought...”

  “Stop thinking. You can’t know how much I’ve missed you.”

  She wanted to yank her clothing off but she was shaking so badly she couldn’t make her fingers work. Quinn sat her on the side of the bed and gently lifted her T-shirt over her head. When he saw the scars from the incisions, pain lanced across his face.

  “Jesus, Kate.”

  She saw the sheen of tea
rs in his eyes.

  “Please. It’s all right. I know they’re hideous, but—”

  He pressed his fingers against her lips. “You know that’s not it. I just feel so...responsible. Look what I put you through.”

  She pushed his fingers aside. “Stop thinking about the fact I could be dead and think about me being alive. Which I am, thanks to you. So let’s let that be the end of it, Please?”

  He swallowed, hard. “I’ll try. Oh, God, darlin’.”

  He dropped to his knees and buried his face in her lap, his shoulders shaking. Kate smoothed the silk of his hair and the taut muscles of his back, crooning softly to him until the storm of emotion passed. At last he lifted his head and rubbed his hands over his face.

  “Now,” she said, before he could utter another word. “Where were we?”

  He loosened the drawstring on her sweat pants, leaned her back on the bed and slowly drew the sweats and her panties down her legs. The heated look in his eyes more than made up for a lot of things.

  He moved her so her head rested on the pillows, then knelt between her thighs and began to kiss every inch of her skin. The tip of his tongue pressed at the hollow of her throat where her pulse was beating hard enough to burst through the skin. His rough silk lips traced every scar on her body, trailing kisses over them as if he could magically heal them.

  When he reached the lower part of her abdomen, the place where their baby was growing, he placed a large, warm, open-mouthed kiss on her skin and she was sure she felt the wetness of tears falling on her.

  Nothing escaped his attention—her thighs, the backs of her knees, her ankles, even her toes. She never knew what erogenous zones toes could be. By the time he’d covered most of her body, she was shaking with need.

  “I want you naked, too,” she whispered.

  He moved off the bed, making short work of his jeans and shirt, then loomed over her again.

  “Oh, my God.” Her voice shook as the puckered scar came into view and she reached her fingers up to trace its outline. “Your shoulder.”

  “It’s fine, darlin’. All healed. Forget about it.”

  “How can I possibly? If it weren’t for me you’d never have been shot.”

  “Kate.” He loomed over her. “We already decided that conversation’s a done deal. Right?” His eyes flashed with need. “I have something else in mind completely.”