She recalled how sexy he looked in the bedroom shadows, with his muscular build and sensual eyes. The attraction was powerful, and her will to forgo the pleasure had been nil. It wasn’t her personality to deny such strong temptation.
Beth didn’t regret it for a second. Quite the opposite: she wanted more. Being in Wyatt’s arms, giving herself to him, had been an experience not soon forgotten. She’d treasure the intimacy, no matter what her future held.
In the dark room, Beth was safe, as she had Wyatt next to her. He was there to guard her, but also, he cared for her. He hadn’t spoken of it, but she had been able to tell. No man could be as tender and giving, unless he felt more than attraction.
Yet Beth wasn’t counting on anything permanent, as it was unfamiliar. She’d learned to rely on herself, and although it was a comfort to have Wyatt to protect her, that wouldn’t last indefinitely. Thoughts of the next few days stirred butterflies in her stomach.
Trepidation about what was ahead made her want to bury her head in the pillow and stay in bed. For a few hours, she didn’t have to fight her enemies, or struggle just to stay alive. The threats were distanced, ineffectual as long as she stayed hidden.
But that wasn’t realistic. Beth had to face her attackers and win. For at least that long, Wyatt would be by her side. When that was over, even if she did survive, there was no guarantee her sexy bodyguard would be part of her life. Did she even want him to be?
Beth hadn’t fallen in love before, and wasn’t sure if she dared admit she had. Yet if there was any man who could steal her heart, it was Wyatt—and he had done so. Her eyes were misty over the thought of losing him. She loved him, whether he felt the same or not.
Having embraced heart-stealing intimacy with Wyatt, he was the only man for her. But he hadn’t spoken of falling in love, and there was every chance that he wouldn’t. He was his own man, a Navy SEAL and protector, beholden to no one. He’d made that clear, even with his own family. So why would he hook up with her, other than for a heated interlude?
Beth must have drifted off, because when she opened her eyes, Wyatt was looking at her. With his head propped on one arm, he smiled. His hair was a mess, dark stubble shadowed his jaw, and he hadn’t looked more attractive. He touched her cheek. “Did you sleep well?”
“Better than I had a right to.”
“Let’s get cleaned up and have some breakfast.” Wyatt leaned over to kiss her, tempting her to skip both.
This time they showered together, and the hot water revived her. Wyatt took the liberty of washing her, leisurely running his hands over her figure, lingering at her breasts. She wrapped her hand over his thick cock, and he groaned in the back of his throat.
Washing was cast aside, and Wyatt made love to her instead. Wet and soapy, Beth was lured into the sensuality. He aroused her, taking charge, until she spiraled into a delectable orgasm. She dropped to her knees and stroked him until he exploded, feeding her pleasure as well as his.
Beth wondered that they were able to keep their hands off each other long enough to get dressed. They wore the same clothes they’d had on the day before, reminding her that she needed to go home sometime. But as long as they were locked away in the room, the romance continued to blossom.
Wyatt was hot, tender, and loving, through actions but not words. Surely, Beth couldn’t expect him to make a vow of love after one night in bed. Yet she hoped for it, despite all the reasons it wasn’t going to happen. Still, there was no good reason not to enjoy the closeness while it lasted.
The hotel bathroom was stocked with necessities, so Beth and Wyatt were able to get presentable. He kissed her before disappearing to the living room, giving her some privacy. She dried her hair and fussed a bit with it. Styling was hopeless, and she didn’t have all her makeup with her.
Looking the best she could manage, Beth joined Wyatt by the windows to look out on the sunlit city. It was another day, another opportunity. She was more hopeful about her prospects; Wyatt had a way of inspiring her. Yet she dragged her feet about leaving the hotel, and was glad when Wyatt suggested room service.
“We’re safe in here.” Wyatt perused the menu. “What will it be?”
Beth made her selection then sipped coffee while she waited. She checked her phone, but there were no messages. All seemed a bit too quiet, but holed up at the hotel she was oblivious to whatever transpired outside its walls.
Wyatt answered the door for room service and the attendant delivered the trays. He’d ordered the works, including pancakes, sausage, eggs, toast, and fruit. “All I asked for was yogurt,” Beth said.
“You need to eat more than that. You’ll need your strength.”
Unsure what he meant by that exactly, Beth didn’t argue. Either he had a morning in bed planned—in which case she would need plenty of energy—or he anticipated new challenges from her uncle’s quarter. She suspected the latter.
Beth messed about with her scrambled eggs, nibbled at the toast, and ate most of her yogurt. Her appetite wasn’t what it should have been. She fought back anxiety, well aware that her life was as much in danger now as it had been the day before.
It was best not to dwell on it, so she focused on Wyatt instead. There was nothing wrong with his appetite, and he ate his own breakfast, then any food that she’d left. Once he was out of food, maybe even satisfied, he leaned back to finish the rest of his coffee.
Beth’s view of Wyatt had shifted; she no longer saw him as only a friend. She was curious about what made him tick. Not every man opted to join the service, much less the SEALs. Yet he had, and now continued to lead a dangerous life. “Aren’t you afraid?”
Wyatt raised his brows. “Of what?”
“Danger, the enemy…dying?”
“Fear is a natural reaction; it’s what you do with it that matters. I don’t let it slow me down or interfere with my decisions.”
Beth supposed that said it all. Looking at Wyatt, she sensed his calm, composed demeanor. Even under attack, she’d witnessed his unflappable attitude. He approached any situation with confidence, and expected to win. She wished she was like that.
Only his family had seemed to unnerve him, but she guessed it had been his father mostly. “It’s good that you and Jessica are in touch again.”
In a rare unguarded moment, Wyatt confided in her. “What happened between my father and me wasn’t her fault. She’s my younger sister, and I shouldn’t have shut her out.” He crossed his arms. “I’m her brother, and she counted on me. I went off to join the service and didn’t bother to see that she was okay.”
Beth noticed the pain in his expression.
“I feel bad about that. Jessica has done well, and I couldn’t be more pleased. But no thanks to me,” Wyatt said. “My father had been running things when I left, and she could have fallen victim to his dishonest ways.”
A narrow smile crossed Wyatt’s lips. “Maybe that’s why she chose to practice law.”
“Her way of fighting for the right thing?”
“Something like that.” Wyatt stood up and paced a few steps. “I also doubted Jeremy. I can’t say for sure, but if my sister is correct and he’s supporting the right causes…then I have to hand it to him. It wouldn’t have been easy to undo my father’s debacle.”
“Not everyone with money and power abuses it.” Beth couldn’t believe that she of all people would say that.
“That’s true; but the abuses are rampant.”
Beth looked up at him. “My father ran the company honestly. I looked hard…and I didn’t find any reason to doubt that.”
“Your father was the exception,” Wyatt said. “He’s quite a man, one I admire.”
A bit choked up, Beth began clearing the table and discarding garbage. Mention of her father had stirred sadness that she usually held in check. She loved her father so much. The thought of Martin taking over, and of the dark depths he’d sunk to, was disheartening.
Since breakfast was finished, Beth went down to check out, with
Wyatt by her side. Melancholy took hold, as she didn’t want to leave. As long as she was alone with Wyatt, she could pretend. But such pretense would soon be exposed; he’d go back to being her bodyguard, and any other status would slip from her grasp.
Once in the back seat of a cab, Beth fully expected to be taken home.
“Coney Island,” Wyatt said to the driver, his words a surprise but also a relief.
“We’re not going home?”
“I’m inclined to stay under the radar a bit longer. I haven’t heard anything from Coop yet. He has to be doing some digging, based on the new info you sent,” Wyatt said. “I’m tired of being at the mercy of your uncle and his minions. Whatever we face next, I don’t want to go in blind. While we’re waiting on Stealth, I figured you’d be up for a rollercoaster ride.” He grinned. “It will take your mind off your worries.”
*****
Beth strolled the boardwalk, which stretched along miles of sand and sea. The beach was packed. The visitors and festivities quickly pulled her into life’s frivolities. Wyatt took her on the Cyclone, and managed to get the last seat.
“I’ll have whiplash if you put me at the end of this thing,” Beth said, laughing.
“What a baby.” Wyatt seated her on the right side, in order to buffer her during the ride.
“Maybe riding this rickety wooden rollercoaster will kill me before my enemies nab me,” Beth said. The ride packed some serious punch with its drops and turns. Beth looked out over the coastline, just before she plummeted, screaming her lungs out on the way down. It was a bone-rattling thrill ride that clattered around bends, before plunging into heart-stopping swoops.
It got Beth’s blood pumping, that was for sure. Wyatt purchased the ride photo showing her expression in the crucial moment before the car let loose into the first drop.
“That was a nice rush,” Wyatt said, and Beth punched his arm.
“I got whipped around so much, I nearly cracked a rib.”
Wyatt tickled her until she begged for mercy. “I thought you were made of tougher stuff.”
“You wish.” Despite Beth’s whining, she agreed to ride a second time. It was a bit freaky, hearing the car squeak as it made the first hill.
Once it got to the top, she remembered why she’d wanted to ride again. On the descent her stomach did a freefall, and Beth yelled. The jarring ride was scary as hell—then it was over. Returning to the start, with the sound of the old cars clanking on the wooden tracks, was part of the whole experience. Although she wouldn’t admit it to Wyatt, she’d loved the ride.
On wobbly legs, Beth took Wyatt’s hand and strolled along the planked boardwalk. “I thought I was going to fly right out of the car.”
“No chance,” Wyatt said. “I was holding on to you.”
“Oh, well, that’s a relief. Are you going to buy me a Coke, or what?”
*****
Beth hadn’t fooled him for a minute; Wyatt knew she’d enjoyed the thrill as much as he had. Flying along the rails had been fun. One drop after the other had his adrenaline pumping. The ancient, rickety look of the cars had added to the thrill.
While Beth had screamed in his arms, Wyatt just laughed. It had been a while since he’d really laughed like that. Holding hands with her now, it seemed like she belonged with him. He had more fun with her than he could recall. Whether some idiot was shooting at them or they were flying over the top of a carnival ride, Wyatt found special joy in being with Beth.
If only the relationship could work out. But the business of living wasn’t a never-ending party, and he had to face how different her life was from his. Beth was an heiress, due to come into a fortune—barring her uncle cheating her out of it. Yet money came with strings attached; he knew that better than most.
Wyatt preferred a simple life, and couldn’t envision being swallowed up by money and power. He’d vowed to defend and protect, and so he would for the rest of his life. It would be so much better to share his days with Beth; it would be an infinitely richer existence, filled with love.
When had he become a romantic?
Beth hadn’t spoken of love. She’d responded to him with passion, and denied him nothing during one evening. That didn’t mean she would make a commitment, even if he asked her to. And he shouldn’t be considering such a harebrained move. He had no right to ruin her life. He’d handle the hell out of her current situation, then she’d be free. Beth would be the woman she was born to be, wealthy and pampered. Who was he to interfere?
Wyatt squeezed her hand and headed toward a drink stand. “Your uncle won’t get away with it, you know. Legally, he’s started a battle he can’t win. There’s no way he’s going to ace you out of your inheritance. Once you’re safe again, your fortune will be restored.”
Beth glanced over, but didn’t say a word. Didn’t she believe him? “No response?”
“What do you want me to say?”
Wyatt bought the Cokes, and they sat at a wooden table to stare at the ocean for a while. Beth fingered her napkin, then pulled a tiny pencil from her pocket and began to sketch. Watching in silence, Wyatt admired her skill.
She deftly outlined a couple of figures and filled in some shapes. The cartoon came to life. It was Beth screaming her head off at the top of the rollercoaster, with Wyatt laughing at her. It was sweet, and he was touched.
Wyatt grinned. “That’s us, I take it. Can I keep it?”
Beth handed the napkin over, with a sparkle in her eyes. “If you wish.”
“You are very talented. I know you get ticked off when I say that, but it’s true. You are the sharpest woman I’ve met, and your skill with computers is amazing. Plus, you are a cartoonist, a witty one.”
Beth laughed.
“I do what I do best,” Wyatt said. “I make the most of my physical ability. But I envy your talent. If I had it, I wouldn’t waste it.”
“I don’t need a lecture.”
“Well, you should make something of your life.” Wyatt regretted blurting that out, but there was no way to take it back. “I don’t mean it that way. I just think you should stop hiding in the shadows. Be proud, and make use of what you’ve got.”
“I’ll come out of the shadows when it’s safe to do so.”
Beth had a point there. As if on cue, Wyatt’s phone vibrated. “It’s Rip,” he said, and took the call. “What’s up, man? I’m doing my best to keep Beth out of sight, but I can’t do that much longer. Tell me you’ve got something for me.”
“I wish it was better news,” Rip said. “I saw the stuff you sent to Coop yesterday, and I tapped into some police connections. Law enforcement out there has their hands full trying to curb the drug trade.”
“No surprise there.”
“Right, but Martin Foster commandeered several speedboats and put them into action. That doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Put it together: the guy needs a ton of money, and drug smuggling pays well.”
“You sound pretty sure about that.”
“It’s not like I got a memo detailing his involvement,” Rip said. “But it gets worse.”
Wyatt couldn’t imagine it getting worse than a potential drug-running conviction.
“The top dog in drug smuggling in the harbor is the Triad.”
“Shit.”
“Exactly…if Martin has gone into selling drugs, he’s tramping on their territory. My guess is that he’s messing with some very bad dudes.”
“Any suggestions?”
“Watch your ass.”
Wyatt ended the call. He didn’t like the situation one bit. It was time to quit fooling around and take down the enemy. He went into battle mode, but there was no clear enemy in his sights. Civilian life called for clever, subtler tactics, as he couldn’t just gun Martin down.
Beth stared at him. “What did he say?”
“Let’s go. I’ll tell you on the way back.”
*****
Wyatt was on high alert. He kept his eyes peeled, but didn’t see anyone alarming. H
e got Beth home safely. While she showered, he reviewed his options. During the ride back, he’d come up with the rudiments of a strategy.
If Martin had embarked on drug smuggling, then Foster International had crossed the line. Yet he couldn’t blow the whistle unless he knew for certain. Wyatt couldn’t just saunter up to the enforcement agency and whisper that one of the largest shipping companies in the state had a scam going.
He needed more than that. But what if the feds were already suspicious, and all Wyatt had to do was help them along? He’d hate to drag the company under. After all, it belonged to Beth’s father and was her family heritage.
But if what he suspected was true, Martin had already dragged the company into the mud. The most important thing was to uncover the truth, and to save Beth from the danger that surrounded her.
There was one option, although Wyatt hesitated to try it. For too many years, he’d hardly spoken to Jeremy. His brother had appeared to be his father’s boy, and followed his motto: anything for a buck. But maybe Wyatt had been wrong about him.
He wasn’t sure he could trust him now, but he might have no choice. Jeremy controlled Mercer Industries, and in his position he had many connections. The oil and gas business was subject to inspection, just like all big companies. The feds had their hands in many pots.
Wyatt couldn’t go to the feds, but possibly Jeremy would scout things out. It was worth a try. Wyatt didn’t relish the idea of asking his brother for anything, but this had to do with Beth. If it saved her life, it would be worth eating crow. He only hoped his brother didn’t hold a grudge.
Jeremy’s voicemail was on, so Wyatt left a message. He got a callback within a few minutes. His brother was surprised to hear from him. “I guess you could say I’ve had a change of heart,” Wyatt said. “We’re family; you’re my brother. And Jessica told me how you’ve whipping things into shape at Mercer.”
“Yes, I know you wondered if I’d turn out like Dad. But you’ve been away too long. I’m not like him, and I didn’t agree with how he managed the company.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Wyatt said. “We should go out for that beer, like you suggested. But I called you because…I need a favor. Beth is in a bind, and she’s your friend as well as mine. And without getting into a long story, I can tell you that her uncle is likely operating on the wrong side of the law.”
Lethal Peril_Military Romantic Suspense Page 17
