Hero for Hire

by Jill Shalvis

  At the feel of his erection, she sucked in a breath. “Is that the danger making you excited? Or me?”

  “You!” he shouted.

  She sagged against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Oh, Rick. Do not let anyone kill you. I like you alive.” She nuzzled her face against his neck and breathed him in, making his knees weak. “I like it a lot.”

  Sighing, he hugged her close, marveling at the fact he didn’t want to let her go.

  Ever.

  “Nina...” Ah, what the hell. “I like you alive, too.” He closed his eyes and held on, having no idea how he was going to let her go when this was over.

  He opened his mouth to tell her so, his heart pounding with nerves, when suddenly Nina gasped and pulled away. “We have to hurry!”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Someone went to a lot of trouble to kill us. And whoever that someone is knows where we were headed, right? They must know about what we were going to do.” Her fingers dug into his shoulders, her eyes filled with terror. “My God, we have led them right to her.”

  “Jolene Daniels.”

  “Yes! We have to get to her first! Then we have to find Terry and warn her, too! Before it is too late.”

  He looked into her angst-ridden face, the face he’d come to dream about day and night, and let out his pent-up breath.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “DID YOU KNOW forests cover half of Brazil?” Nina asked. Nightfall was only moments away now. Hot, sticky and thirsty, she tried to distract herself from this impossible situation.

  Rick walked in front of her, clearing the way when he had to, grabbing any large heavy branches, holding them back for her to walk through unscathed.

  She’d rather he turn and grab her, but how unrealistic. She’d committed the ultimate mistake, she’d fallen in love. And she’d done it with a single-mindedness that shouldn’t have surprised her.

  The problem wasn’t whether Rick could feel that way in return. He had a heart, a big one. She’d seen him panic over her well-being. She’d seen him deep in the throes of passion. She’d seen him every which way. He cared, she had no doubt.

  But he didn’t want to.

  And ultimately that was what would keep them apart, because when she loved, she loved forever, and she wanted it to go both ways.

  They’d reached the river an hour ago, and were currently making their slow, painstaking way downstream through the bush, hoping to come across a clearing in which to be safe through the night.

  Rick hadn’t spoken in hours.

  She wished he would say something, anything. “In these forests, it rains something like two inches a day,” she said. “It all eventually flows into the Amazon.”

  He grunted and swung the knife. His shirt clung to the muscles of his shoulders and back as he worked with a strength and determination she knew to be an innate part of him.

  “Not that you would want to be right on the banks of the Amazon,” she said, turning a wary eye on the water. “The piranhas come out this time of day. They are nothing but teeth and bad attitude. Oh, and then there are the giant, bloodsucking leeches that latch on to a human host at any available opportunity.”

  He didn’t break stride.

  “They love human blood.”

  “Nina?”

  Finally! “Yes?”

  “Are you going to talk all the way there?”

  “Probably.”

  She got another grunt.

  Frisky monkeys and brilliantly colored birds darted in the overhead canopy, while millions of insects droned all around, heard but not seen thanks to their effective camouflage.

  Rick kept slapping at his neck, making her worry. She didn’t often get stung by anything—she didn’t have sweet blood, Terry used to say—but if Rick was getting stung, and if he developed a reaction, it could be bad. “You getting bit?”

  “Only everywhere.”

  “Pull up your collar a bit.”

  His disbelieving laugh vented the air. “We lived through a crash landing. You probably have two cracked ribs and a damn near cracked cheekbone. I have a slice out of my head and a concussion to boot, and oh yeah, we’re racing against the clock and a cold-blooded murderer, and you’re worried about a mosquito bite?”

  “Take more of those malaria pills.”

  “I did.”

  “Maybe we should stop so you can eat something.”

  “You’re talking to me as if I were a cranky child.”

  “Well, if the shoe fits...”

  “So you are going to talk all the way there.”

  Oh, that was it. Moving toward him, she jabbed a finger in his chest. “At least I am trying to get along! You just bully and boss your way through life or jungle, never worrying or wondering what other people think, and—”

  “I don’t give a damn what other people think, that’s true.” Snaring her finger in his hand, he tugged, and when she fell against him, he grabbed her and held on. His eyes were hot and fierce and so was his voice. “But I give a damn what you think. Did you know that? I give lots of damns, and I tried to tell you, and all you wanted to talk about was this stupid case that I’m wishing I never took on!”

  Her heart had taken off, slamming against her ribs. Or maybe that was his. “Is that right?”

  “Yeah.” He grimaced and slid his jaw to hers. “You’re killing me, Nina.” His arms tightened around her. “I want you to forgive me for not telling you about the baby, for—”

  “For not trusting me?”

  Slowly he pulled back. “Yes.”

  “I told you I understood, and I meant it. After all, trust has to go both ways, right?”

  “Uh...yeah.”

  “Yeah.” She started walking again, this time leading the way.

  * * *

  FOR A MOMENT Rick just stared at her. Then he realized she was disappearing into the thick growth and he stumbled after her, swearing when a branch slapped him right in the face. “Nina, wait!”

  Naturally, she didn’t.

  “Damn it, wait!” he yelled. “I want to talk to you.”

  “You mean you want to yell at me.”

  “No, I don’t. And about that untrusting thing—” Another branch slapped him in the face, and yet another moment was taken to swear colorfully. “Would you stop!”

  Amazingly, she did, but kept her back to him. Coming up behind her, he stared down at her bowed head and the exposed sweet spot on the back of her neck. “Okay, maybe I have a few issues. Being stubborn and untrusting among them.”

  She snorted, and he slowly shook his head. “But you have the same issues, sweetheart.”

  She let out a long breath. “Did,” she agreed. “But not so much anymore.”

  “Really? You completely trust me?”

  “With my life,” she said simply, making him feel weak and strong and humbled and terrified all at the same time.

  “I’m working on doing the same,” he said very quietly.

  She didn’t move, which he took as a good sign. The way his blood roared in his ears was a sign, too—a sign to get on with this and get it over so he could breathe again. “Remember what you said on the plane about you wanting there to be something between us? You said that you wished that more than anything.” He reached out and stroked that spot on her neck, the spot he wanted to nibble. “I want that, too.”

  “Wanting is easy.” She was walking again, at such a fast clip, he was left dodging flailing branches.

  “I more than want,” he called after her.

  “Uh-huh.” She ducked beneath one branch, then stepped over another.

  “Look, I’m trying here!” He struggled to keep up with her brutal pace while jackhammers were going off in his head. “You think it’s easy running and talking and spilling my guts all at the same time?”

  She slowed slightly.

  Taking heart in that, he gulped in some badly needed hot air. “I’m tired of living with regrets and hollow emotions.”

  Though she
kept moving, and didn’t look at him, he could tell she was straining to catch every word.

  Love swamped him. “And as for the trust issues thing,” he said, “if I didn’t trust you, would I be chasing your pretty butt through this mess?”

  She slowed even more, then came to a halt, and he had to smile.

  She was waiting for more, and he knew he had to give it to her. For the first time he could. “And since I now so completely trust you, I’d sure as hell like to accept your trust as well.”

  Slowly she turned to him, her face carefully blank.

  “With anything. Everything,” he said.

  Her gaze searched his. “You are sure about that?”

  “I’m very sure.”

  “Well then, you should know, I really do trust you. I think I always have, I was just afraid.”

  “Afraid of me?” The thought made him sick. “I never meant to scare you.” He thought of the handcuffs and grimaced. “I mean, I—”

  She laughed. “Oh, you meant to scare me, but that is just it. I always felt safe with you, even then, odd as that is. I was just afraid of what you make me feel. Kiss me, Rick.”

  Yeah, that would work, and he eagerly stepped close to do just that. Cupping her face, he tilted it up and first looked into her brown, melting eyes. “I want to tell you, Nina, you’re it for me. Heart and soul. Now that you’ve taught me to live again—”

  Her eyes shimmered. “I taught you that?”

  “You did.” He slid his thumb over her scrumptious lower lip, already anticipating their next kiss. “I love you.”

  She dragged her teeth over that lower lip, her eyes full and so bright he could see himself reflected back. “No one has ever said that to me before,” she whispered. Letting out a little laugh, she spun around, then went rock still, her back to him.

  “What?” he asked hoarsely, feeling as if he were hanging from a cliff with a rope about to give. “What is it?” Damn it, he wanted to hear those three magic words echoed back to him.

  “We’re here.” Clapping her hands, she whirled around to face him. “Look, a malocas, a communal house.” She pointed it out just ahead. “A farm, Rick! And they have a dock and a boat! We’re saved! We can get to a town and call Jolene. We can find Terry!”

  But where was her declaration of love? Couldn’t she see he was dying here? “Nina—”

  “And food.” She rubbed her belly. “I bet they have food!”

  “Nina.”

  “Hurry!”

  He caught her just as she would have danced away. Hauling her close, he gripped her hips, being careful with her ribs, but he really wanted to finish here. He wanted her to look him in the eyes.

  Then she did. And went utterly still. Slowly she reached up and touched his jaw. “Rick? Why are you not happy?”

  “You have to ask?” He let out a hollow laugh. “I’ve just dumped my heart at your feet, along with my pride, and you say nothing in return except ‘let’s go eat’?”

  Her fingers slid over his jaw into his hair, carefully avoiding his injury. “Are you saying I did not answer you?”

  “That is what I’m saying.”

  Her lips touched his, softly, sweetly, and when he would have deepened the kiss, she pulled back. “Such an oversight,” she said, eyes brilliant.

  “Was it?”

  Her smile came fast. “Oh, enough. I cannot tease you, I love you too much.”

  He stared at her. She loved him too much.

  She loved him period!

  “Rick?” Her finger rimmed his ear, and his body went immediately hard.

  “Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “You...love me too much.”

  “Well, of course.”

  “Damn it, say it right,” he demanded.

  She laughed again and hugged him tight. “I love you, Rick Singleton. I love you with everything I am and everything I will be. Now tell me again.”

  “I love you. Don’t ever forget it.”

  “You could tell me often. That would help.”

  He smiled. “How about every day for the rest of your life?” He hadn’t known that was sitting on his chest, waiting to be said. But instead of terrifying him, it felt right. So right he said it again. “Every single day. With me. Can you handle that?”

  A tear spilled. Her smile dazzled. “I can handle that. I want it, too, Rick. So very much.”

  He kissed her mouth, and would have added his body into the mix, but the lure of the farm proved too much for both of them.

  Together, their arms around each other so that neither knew who supported whom, they tramped forward, knowing that whatever lay ahead, they would face. Together.

  Forever.

  * * *

  RICK KNEW THEY needed to get to Jolene Daniels. Knew they had to still find Terry, and reunite her with her baby and Mitch Barnes. That had been his promise to Finders Keepers, and he always kept his promises.

  But he wanted Nina safe. It was all he could think about.

  It took two days.

  The farm they’d found had provided shelter, but frustrating little else in the form of modern technology. They ate and slept there that night, then the next morning paid one of the men to take them down the river in his boat.

  Which turned out to be little more than a raft.

  Finding anything other than crocs and insects took another long day and night, and the entire time Rick’s neck itched.

  Someone was following them.

  Impossible, he knew, but he wouldn’t feel good until he had Nina on a plane headed toward the States. As a result, maybe he was a tad overprotective, keeping her by his side at every moment. Even up until the time they arrived at a small airport, paying for a commute to Texas.

  “I feel so special,” Nina teased as Rick held her hand tight while they boarded.

  He loaded their backpacks—all they had after their far too close brush with death—and looked down at her. She was sunburned, weary and bruised, and she’d never looked more beautiful. His heart squeezed. “I love you, Nina.”

  Her smile faded, and her eyes lit with a love that stole his breath. “I know. We are going to make it, Rick. We are.” She buckled herself in, closed her eyes as they took off.

  Still holding her hand, Rick craned his neck and watched the Amazon disappear.

  “Is it gone yet?”

  “Just about.” He brought her palm to his lips.

  Opening her eyes, she gave him a look that told him he was her entire world. Him. Rick Singleton. Amazing, and yet again his heart squeezed. “You will marry me, Nina, won’t you?”

  Her eyes widened. “Are you...asking?”

  “God, yes.”

  Her smile was slow and sweet and full of promise. “Then I will marry you. I want nothing more. Unless of course, you happen to have chocolate on you.”

  “Funny.” Though he’d pay a hundred bucks for a hamburger himself, fully loaded. “Let’s do it now. Today.”

  “What, find food?”

  “Get married. Make you Mrs. Nina Singleton.”

  “Can we land first?” Her eyes shone brilliantly. “I want to marry you in your home country. I want to raise our son in your home country. I want him to be American, like you. Strong of will and with a passionate spirit.”

  “As long as she—” He grinned and kissed her hard when she laughed. “As long as she has your heart of gold.”

  A couple of hours later, the pilot announced they were coming up on the American border.

  Together Rick and Nina looked out the window, catching their first view of the States, their future home. As they flew into Texas, they kissed.

  Sealing the deal. Forever.

  * * * * *

  Books by Jill Shalvis

  Colorado Protector

  Long-Lost Mom

  The Rancher’s Surrender

  The Detective’s Undoing

  Who’s the Boss?

  Roughing with Ryan

  Tangling with Ty

  Messing with Mac
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  The Street Where She Lives

  Out of the Blue

  Hero for Hire

  If you enjoyed reading this story,

  then you will love HER SEXY MARINE VALENTINE by Candace Havens!

  The sight of the gorgeous, ripped military man across the street heats Mari McGuire from head to toe—and a whole lot in between. Yes, sir, she definitely has a case of Hot Marine Syndrome. And when First Lieutenant Brody Williams rescues her from an awkward run-in with her ex by pretending to be her boyfriend, Mari can confirm she’s got it bad...

  Of course, they’re friends first, and friends help each other out. Mari needs a hand renovating the old Victorian house she just bought and Brody needs a girlfriend to secure his promotion. It’s the perfect temporary arrangement—and then there’s the sizzling chemistry. It’s wickedly racy. It’s addictive. But neither of them expects Cupid’s arrow to aim for their hearts!

  Don’t miss HER SEXY MARINE VALENTINE

  by Candace Havens,

  available now wherever

  Harlequin® Blaze® books and ebooks are sold.

  Read on for an excerpt of

  DARING HER SEAL by Anne Marsh

  part of Harlequin Blaze’s Uniformly Hot! miniseries.

  “CAN YOU BE married without having sex?”

  In all fairness, Levi Brandon needed the answer ASAP. His SEAL team leader paused, however, in the act of piling into the C-23 Sherpa transport aircraft as if Levi had farted in front of the President or something equally crass. The pained look on Gray Jackson’s face was the only high point in Levi’s day since he’d rolled out of bed for a dark o’clock training exercise only to discover that the US postal system and karma had caught up with him.

  Gray slapped him on the back, harder than was strictly necessary. “Little personal, don’t you think, Brandon?”

  “I’m talking about myself, here,” he said, humping his gear onboard. The plane was a no-nonsense set of wings and wheels, perfect for the day’s HALO training exercise.

  While Gray mulled over his answer, the rest of SEAL Team Sigma loaded up with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Levi wasn’t the only guy who felt jumping out of a plane at thirty thousand feet wasn’t the best way to pass the time. He preferred keeping his feet on the ground or his fins in the water, thank you very much. On the other hand, at least when he jumped, he felt something. Even fear was marginally better than the emotional desert in which he usually existed.