The Twisted Road to You (Perfect, Indiana Book 4)

by Barbara Longley

  “Later,” Ken called as he too walked off toward his car.

  Wes leashed Rex and called Tyler to him. “Your mom is going to be looking for us. We don’t want to keep her waiting.”

  “OK.” Tyler waved at the children he’d been playing with. He slipped his hand into Wes’s and danced along beside him. Tyler never just walked. He bounced, hopped and skipped everywhere he went. He squeezed Ty’s hand, and the boy looked up at him, his eyes full of trust. Wes’s heart did its own hop, skip and bounce.

  The longing for a family of his own slammed into him, blindsiding him. His eyes stung and he had trouble drawing breath. And here he thought he’d buried that dream deep enough that it couldn’t resurface. He’d never questioned his choices before, but now he did. If he’d gone to college right out of high school instead of enlisting, he wouldn’t be having nightmares. He’d sleep at night like everybody else, and he wouldn’t need to sit with his back to the wall or constantly do surveillance checks wherever he went. He’d be whole.

  The little boy holding his hand, causing his heart to stutter, would be his. There would be one or two other children besides, and trust wouldn’t be an issue. He glanced down at Tyler, who still wore the cap he’d given him. Swamped with regret, tears blurred Wes’s vision.

  Tyler deserved a father who would love and protect him, and instead, he got the dad who beat his mom and terrorized them both. Not right. Not right at all. Wes’s jaw clenched so tight it hurt.

  They reached the diner, and Wes tied Rex’s leash to a meter. He struggled to bring his emotions under control. Regret didn’t do him any good. He couldn’t change the past, and he couldn’t deny that his years as a Marine filled him with a sense of accomplishment. He’d served his country as he was meant to do, and that was that. Tamping down on his roiling emotions, he opened the door. “Let’s go get your mom, partner.”

  “What are we gonna do tonight, Wes?”

  “I hadn’t thought about it. Is there something you want to do?”

  “Can we go see a movie?”

  A darkened theater full of people Jared could easily blend in with, being exposed and vulnerable. Not a good idea. “Hmm. How about we make popcorn and hot chocolate and watch a movie at home? Your choice.”

  “Yeah.” Tyler jumped over the threshold into the diner.

  Carlie was waiting for them, and Wes’s insides did that quivering thing they always did at the sight of her. Would he ever get over the impact she had on him? Probably not.

  She already had on her coat, and she sat at the counter talking to an elderly man who had a newspaper laid out before him. Only a few customers remained in the diner, all of them regulars he recognized.

  “I’m leaving, Jenny,” Carlie called toward the back.

  “Hey, you two. I like your new haircut, Ty.” Jenny waved at Wes and Tyler through the opening to the kitchen. “See you on Tuesday, Carlie. Enjoy your days off.”

  “Wow,” Carlie said, running her hand over Ty’s newly shorn scalp. “Looks great, kiddo.”

  “Where’s Harlen?” Wes looked around the small diner.

  “He’s helping the cooks take the garbage to the dumpster,” Jenny said. “Do you need to talk to him?”

  “No, I just wondered. Thanks.” Thinking the retired sheriff might not be there to look after things bothered him. “Tell him I said hello.”

  “I will, Wes. Take care.” She disappeared from the window.

  Wes brought Carlie up-to-date on her car as they left. “They towed it away already.”

  “What’s wrong with our car, Mommy?” Tyler walked along between them.

  “It’s broken, and Mr. Lovejoy and Mr. Reeves are going to fix it for us.”

  Tyler nodded. “I went to the park today, and Rex came with us. Jonathan and Brian from my school were there, and we played.”

  Carlie’s eyes met Wes’s, and the warmth and tenderness her expression held sent his pulse racing.

  “Sounds like you had a good time.” She smiled at Wes and mouthed, “Thank you.”

  “I did, and do you know what?” Ty chattered on. “Wes says we can make popcorn and hot chocolate and have a movie night. Can we, Mommy?”

  “Sure. After supper.”

  “What are we having tonight?” Wes asked. How easily the three of them had fallen into a routine, and he was the beneficiary in every way. Look at how he already took her for granted and assumed she’d cook. “I mean . . .”

  She gifted him with another sweet smile. “I’m baking chicken tonight.”

  “Sounds good.” She deserved to be taken out for dinner, somewhere fancy, expensive. It wouldn’t be easy to pass it off as anything but a date, though, and he wasn’t there yet. Social gatherings with people they knew in common were safer. “Are you going to self-defense class this coming Wednesday?”

  “Yep. It’s the last freebie. Cory and I have signed up to take kickboxing. The class starts the second week of December on Tuesday evenings.”

  Would she be back in her own house by then? Part of him, most of him, hoped not. How long could he and the guys put off their plans to capture Jared? “My offer to go with you and watch Tyler still stands.”

  “Thanks, Wes. I’d like that.”

  Movement caught his eye, and the prickly sensation of being watched set his fine hairs on end. A man wearing a hooded sweatshirt walked along the opposite side of the street with his hands jammed into the pockets and his head down. Wes studied him. He was built like Jared, but . . .

  Just then, the man lifted his head and stared. Baumann wore a full beard now, but there was no mistaking the look of hatred and rage coming at Wes. Pure malice pulsed off the guy. Shit. Had Jared been lurking around at the park, watching Ty, staying just out of sight?

  Wesley’s heart hammered against his ribs, and his hands curled into fists—every muscle tensed for a fight. He wanted at the guy, but not with Carlie and Tyler beside him. Not now. Plus, he wasn’t armed, and Baumann might be. Memories of the combat knife the guy had used to threaten Carlie flashed through his mind.

  Carlie hadn’t noticed Baumann’s presence, or his reaction. Tyler was jabbering away to her about his day, and her attention hadn’t strayed from her son. Wes kept them blocked, out of Baumann’s line of vision. He pulled his phone from his pocket and texted the marshals with a description and a location. By the time he was done and looked up again, Baumann was gone. His phone pinged, and he read the text from Bruce, letting Wes know he would search the area.

  Carlie’s ex was either becoming careless—making him even more dangerous—or more bold. Wes hustled Carlie and Ty into the safety of L&L, his blood still rushing through his veins. Things were about to escalate. They were running out of time to catch Baumann before he did something really stupid.

  The marshals had gotten his message, and Bruce was after Jared by now, but would he get him? Doubtful. Baumann had a knack for disappearing like smoke into the shadows.

  Carlie returned from putting Tyler to bed and plopped down on the couch beside Wes. “Ty is worn out. His eyes closed the minute his head hit the pillow.”

  Wes leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees. He’d been waiting all night for the chance to tell her about the plan, and now that Tyler was in bed, he didn’t intend to wait another minute. “We need to talk.”

  “What is it?” Carlie’s face went from happy to fearful. “What’s wrong?”

  “When we were walking home from the diner this afternoon, Baumann was across the street, watching.” He glanced at her. “I suspect he may have been at the park while we were there as well.”

  She sucked in a breath. “Are you sure it was him?”

  He nodded. “We made eye contact.”

  She groaned and covered her face with her hands. “Where were Andrew and Bruce? Aren’t they supposed to be following us everywhere?”

  “Andrew was sleeping. They’re taking shifts now. Bruce was at the edge of town gassing up their car when I texted him. He did a search and got
back to me while you and Ty were choosing a movie.” He straightened and put an arm around her shoulders. “Jared managed to slip through our fingers. Again.”

  Carlie laid her head on his shoulder and let out a shaky breath. “I’m so tired of this. I’m sick to death of feeling afraid and angry all the time. Teach me how to shoot a gun, because I’m about ready to take matters into my own hands.”

  He chuckled at the steely tone in her voice and tightened his hold around her shoulders. “The guys and I were talking today, and we’ve come up with a plan. I wanted to run it by you before I discuss it with the sheriff and the marshals.”

  She studied his face. “Tell me.”

  He went through the plan with her in as much detail as they had at this point. “If you don’t want to do this, just say the word. It’s entirely up to you.”

  “You wouldn’t allow the sheriff to use me as bait before, and now you’re suggesting that I become the lure to flush Jared out of hiding?” She canted her head, her expression pensive. “What if he approaches the house from the back just as I’m slipping outside? There’s a good possibility that’s what will happen, since he’s been camping out in the fields.”

  “We’ll have men hiding there, Carlie. If Jared does appear, they’ll be ready. They’ll get him. Since he won’t expect anyone else to be there, I’m hoping he won’t have the rifle with him.”

  “You’re hoping?” Her voice shook. “What if he does have the rifle with him?”

  The last thing he wanted was to put Carlie into a hostage situation. Unacceptable. “Forget it. We’ll do the whole thing without you. All Jared needs to see is your car there with the lights on inside the house. Hopefully, that will be enough to draw him out.”

  Carlie reached for the hand he had gripping his knee. She laced her fingers through his. “No. It’s me he’s watching. He’ll know whether or not I’m driving my car.” She bit her lip. “I’ll do it on one condition. If a few less L&L staff, and a few more law enforcement personnel are there, I’ll be the bait. If things don’t go according to plan, I don’t believe Jared will kill me. At least not until he has Tyler in his grasp. He won’t know where Tyler is, and I’ll be his only link to his son. It’s his son he wants.” She swallowed. “Not me.”

  “I want you, Carlie.” The words came out of his mouth before he even knew he was going to say them. He just couldn’t stand what her ex had done to her, the way he’d made her feel so worthless and fearful.

  “Speaking of wanting,” she whispered, keeping her eyes on their twined fingers. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, and—”

  He grunted, and one side of his mouth quirked up. “You certainly have been doing a lot of thinking lately. This is the second time you’ve opened with that sentence.”

  She flashed him a disgruntled look. “I’ve had more on my mind in this one month than I have in the entire past year. OK?”

  “OK.” He chuckled. “So, what have you been thinking about now?”

  “I”—she bit her lip for a second—“I don’t want to wait until we’ve made up our minds about getting involved, becoming a couple or any of that stuff. I want you, Wes. Can we agree to let the future take care of itself? We have all night, and neither of us work tomorrow. I just feel so safe in your arms, and . . . and it’s been so long since I’ve wanted anybody.” She glanced at him, her face flushed. “I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. There. I’ve said it.”

  The words I feel safe in your arms got stuck in his head and stayed there. His insides lit up like a bonfire, every inch of him on full alert and heating up fast. “Are you sure this is a good idea? Sleeping together is going to complicate things.”

  What the hell was he saying? How was it ever a good idea to talk a gorgeous woman out of going to bed with him? And this wasn’t just any woman, this was Carlie—the woman he’d lusted after since the first day he’d watched her bustle around the Perfect Diner.

  He held his breath and prayed, grateful as hell he’d had the foresight to pick up a box of condoms after that night on the couch when they’d come so close.

  “Are you really going to force me to talk you into having sex with me?” She started to rise. “Because if that’s the case, you can just—”

  “Oh, no.” He tugged her back down. “No convincing necessary.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  CARLIE SNUGGLED CLOSER TO WES on the couch and placed her palm on his cheek. Was she crazy? Maybe, but ever since the words I love you had popped into her head, Carlie had done a 180-degree turn in her thinking. She wanted Wesley Holt—on any terms. If he couldn’t offer more than what they had right now, then so be it. As long as he remained in her life, she’d take as much as he could give. “I want you, Wes.”

  He stood, reached for her hand and brought her up into his arms. “Carlie,” he whispered, trailing kisses down her cheek to her neck. “This isn’t just . . .” He cradled her face between his palms and stared into her eyes. “You and Ty . . . you two mean a lot to me. You know that, right? Things could never be just casual between you and me.”

  Placing her hands on his wrists, she nodded, too breathless to speak. His heated gaze roamed over her face, stopping at her mouth and then coming back to her eyes. The desire she glimpsed, coupled with tenderness, brought a sting to hers.

  Without a word he led her to his room. The moment the door closed behind them, he drew her into his arms and kissed her deeply, sweeping his tongue into her mouth to dance with hers. He held her so tight she was completely enveloped in his strength. Never before had she felt so protected or safe. For most of her life, she’d felt as if she was an outsider, looking in, never fitting in anywhere. With Wes she experienced a sense of belonging she’d never had before. With Wes, her past didn’t matter. The kiss consumed her, and the sounds of his labored breathing sent waves of need cascading to the very center of her being.

  He slid his hands under her shirt to caress the bare skin at her waist, and shivers of pleasure surged from her head to her toes. She wanted more and pressed herself closer, letting him know what she needed. He groaned and moved his hands down over her bottom. Suddenly, she found herself lifted into his arms. With a gasp, she wrapped her legs around his waist, and he strode over to his bed.

  Wesley sank down to the edge of the mattress with her straddling his lap. He tugged at her shirt at the same time she tugged at his, their hands getting in each other’s way. She stifled her nervous laughter at their clumsy efforts and stilled his hands.

  She was over thirty, and she’d nursed her son. A jolt of insecurity hit her. She had stretch marks and certainly couldn’t claim to be as perky as she had been a decade ago. And what about the poochiness from pregnancy that never seemed to go away completely? Plus, she hadn’t planned this. If she had, she might have chosen a sexier bra, something lacy and revealing in red or black—with matching panties.

  Carlie kept her eyes on his and pulled her T-shirt over her head. Embarrassed by her standard issue, no-lace-not-sexy plain white bra, she gauged his reaction, glancing at him through her lashes. The sudden intake of his breath, the slight tremor in his hands as he reached for her, made her feel like the sexiest woman in the world. She unhooked her bra and took it off slowly.

  “You’re so beautiful, Carlie.” Wes’s voice came out a hoarse rasp. He ran his hands over her shoulders, down her arms and back up to cup her breasts in both hands. “So damned perfect.”

  I’m perfect? Insecurity…gone. Electric heat shot straight to her sex as he rubbed his thumbs over her hardened nipples. Carlie worked his shirt off and did a little heavy breathing of her own. She ran her hands over his well-defined torso, broad muscled shoulders and biceps. A dusting of hair covered his chest, forming a path that led down into his jeans. She traced that path with her knuckles, barely skimming over his bare skin. His stomach muscles twitched and jumped under her touch.

  His erection pressed into her where she straddled him, and she rocked against the hard length. There was nothi
ng small about Wesley Holt. He was all male, muscled and magnificent. His skin was smooth and hot to the touch, his hooded gaze even hotter. She stared, feasting on the sight of his bare torso.

  Could a woman have an orgasm just by looking at the man she loved? Because she was close—damn close.

  Carlie wrapped her arms around his neck, reveling at the feel of his bare skin against hers, at the way his chest hair tickled. She kissed him, and he fell back, taking her with him. In a matter of seconds, they both managed to tear off the rest of their clothing. Wes moved her to the center of his bed. Lying beside her, he slid a hand over her, his eyes traveling along the path of his palm. He leaned in and thoroughly ravished her mouth. She was lost to everything but sensation, to everything but Wesley.

  His hands were everywhere, leaving heat waves and arcs of pleasure in their wake. Aching with her need for release, Carlie pressed against his erection and explored his body as he did hers. She was on a journey of discovery, encompassing hard planes and smooth skin over firm muscle. His breaths against her skin, the thickness of his arousal, brought her to a fever pitch. She reached for him, running her hand over his hard length.

  He went still for a second, sucked in an audible breath and held it. Then he thrust against her, and she tightened her hold. His hand came to her center, and his marvelous fingers delved and toyed with her most sensitive places.

  Groaning, he dropped his forehead to hers. “I’m not going to last long at this rate,” he choked out. “You’re so . . . I haven’t . . . it’s been—”

  “Me, either,” she said on a sigh. Lifting her hips, she urged him to increase the pressure of his strokes. “I don’t care how long it lasts, Wes. All I know is that I want you. Now.”

  His chuckle reverberated through her. “Yes, ma’am.” He rolled over to the edge of the bed and opened the drawer to his nightstand. He pulled out a condom and sheathed himself. She watched, and an answering throb and a surge of wetness had her pressing her thighs together. Wes came back to her side and kissed her deeply, his hands taking up right where he’d left off.