by Desiree Holt
Mia swiveled her head back and forth. “What if someone’s already here? Hiding someplace?”
“We’ve got it covered. Just hurry, if you can.”
Mia stood in her bedroom, adrenaline draining from her system, suddenly unable to do anything. She was so dazed by the sequence of events and the situation she had trouble collecting her thoughts. Having so little control over her life at the moment made her very uncomfortable. Thank God she had Faith with her, gently prodding, asking did she need this or that.
“I don’t even know how long this will last,” she said in a plaintive tone, holding her hands out in a helpless gesture. “This is so not like me.”
“Don’t worry about it. I had the same problem when Mark was captured. It’s the shock that does it and you’ve had more than your share today. Look.” Faith sat her down on the edge of the bed. “Chase’s big deal is this Friday. Win, lose or draw, whatever happens will be over by then. Let’s just make sure you’re safe from here on out.”
“I only hope your aunt can help me get a handle on what I’m seeing. It’s been such a struggle all my life and I was afraid to seek out strangers for help. I just don’t want anyone else to get hurt or Chase Carpenter’s project to get stolen.” She let out a slow breath and gave Faith a shaky smile, feeling her nerves settling. “I’m better now. Thanks.”
Focused on what she needed to do, Mia stuffed a suitcase with everything she expected to need for the rest of the week. Apparently she’d be away from home until this whole thing was over. In the den she collected her laptop and its case, with her working flash drives zipped into a pocket. As an afterthought, she added two books sitting on a side table. Not that she expected to have the time or inclination to do much reading.
When she opened her front door, Dan was outside in the driveway talking to Drew. Even though he adopted a casual pose, hands shoved in his pockets, there was an air of alertness about him. Both men turned at the sound of the door opening and Dan came forward to take her suitcase and laptop.
“All set?” he asked.
“As much as I can be.” She gave him a weak smile. “I thought you were going to meet me at the hotel.”
“I handed everything at the parking garage over to Mark.” He smiled at Faith. Sorry. He’ll be a little late tonight.”
“No problem. I’m used to it.”
“Thanks for doing this, Faith. I really appreciate it.”
“Any time. You know that.”
“Drew’s going to follow you home,” he told her, “just to be on the safe side. Right now I don’t know who’s in danger and who isn’t. I’d rather you not be alone while Mark’s off meeting with Chase. I’ll call you in the morning and we can make arrangements for you to collect Mia and take her to your aunt’s.”
In what seemed like seconds, Mia was belted into Dan’s SUV and they were speeding away from her house. Inside she felt shaky and she was sure it had nothing to do with the day’s events. Being this close to Dan Romeo, in a confined space, could be dangerous to her hormones. She felt her body responding to their proximity in a way it hadn’t with any other man and the most intimate gesture he’d made so far was to squeeze her hand.
Except in my vision. If a man in the flesh has never caused me to do what I did in my office, how is it that this man was able to in my…whatever it was.
Then she mentally smacked herself.
Quit daydreaming, you idiot. He’s just doing a job. Taking care of, what was it he’d called her? An asset. Yes, that was it. I’m nothing more than an asset. After Friday he’ll be gone and that will be that. Probably off to someone as gorgeous as Faith Halloran.
She straightened her spine. At least she’d held up under all the pressures of the day and hadn’t lost her cool. She’d certainly given as good as she got in the conference room. Being an art historian didn’t put her in a lot of challenging situations but she wasn’t a pushover, either. Once she got a handle on these visions, she’d feel more in control of the situation. And not a liability to Dan or the other men from Phoenix.
“Where are we going?” she asked finally, just to break the silence.
He named a new luxury hotel on the city’s northwest side. “I chose it because it’s quiet and away from the noise of the city. I try to do that whenever possible. Staying downtown doesn’t always work for me.”
“I’m putting you to a lot of trouble.” She felt the need to apologize.
“Not at all. A room’s a room. Besides.” He slid a half-smile at her. “This will go on Chase’s expense account and he can afford it.”
“Can you tell me what happened at the garage after I left? Everyone looked so angry.”
Dan grunted. “There was a lot of testosterone flying around, for sure. But Chase has a hair trigger reaction to everything, no matter what it is. I don’t think Joy settles him down either but that’s just an off-the-cuff impression. Mark will calm him down. And I think tomorrow we’ll have a better report so let’s wait until then to go over the details.”
“And Dr. Hunter?”
“Mark actually managed to make him think all this excitement would be good publicity for the museum. Plus, he intimated that Phoenix would be making a contribution to the acquisitions fund.” He chuckled. “Anyway, Hunter thinks it’s also good PR for you to be involved in a high profile case as long as you’re safe.” He slid a narrow glance at her. “The guy was really concerned about you.”
“He’s very good to work for but that’s all there is between us, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He was silent for a moment. “I didn’t think to ask before but is there someone you’re…ah…in a relationship with? Someone we should notify?”
Mia gave an unladylike snort. “First of all, if there was someone, what kind of person wouldn’t have shown up to see if I’m dead or alive? But to answer your question, no. My ‘peculiarities’ don’t make me particularly attractive date material. I get the curiosity seekers mostly. You know, the ones who want to know what it’s like to have sex with a freak.”
Dan cleared his throat, “Listen, Mia, I—”
“It’s okay. I’ve lived with it for so long it doesn’t even bother me anymore.”
Except I wouldn’t mind finding out what’s behind your tough exterior, Dan Romeo.
“Tell me a little more about the visions you get,” Dan prodded, maneuvering through the dark streets.
“They come to me in bits and pieces. Sometimes I get a clear image but mostly it’s just fragments. Like a puzzle that I can’t quite put together.”
“That must be very frustrating for you.”
She sighed and pushed her hair away from her face. “You have no idea. You know, I’ve had people write me nasty letters before. Sometimes even gather in front of my house and taunt me when my name’s been in the paper. Although they really must have to search to find those articles. But until this afternoon no one’s ever tried to kill me.”
“That means someone’s scared you’ll turn us onto something. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be anyone who believes in your visions. Just someone who thinks we will.” He reached over and squeezed her arm. “There’s always a positive side to things. This is a good sign that your visions are being taken seriously by whoever’s conjuring something up.”
“If only people didn’t have to get hurt or killed to accomplish that,” she said, her voice sad.
“We’re going to do our best to make sure it doesn’t happen again. You have my word on that.”
She recognized the hotel Dan had chosen as soon as they turned onto the street. A few months ago a museum patron had thrown a cocktail party there which required her attendance. The décor reminded her of European hotels she’d seen on research trips—understated elegance, guaranteed privacy, every convenience possible for the comfort of the guests. Exactly the kind of place she’d have picked for Dan Romeo to stay in.
Dan parked in the three-story garage rather than turning the car over to the valet. In what seem
ed like seconds they were in the lobby, he’d picked up the new key cards from the front desk and had them both up in his new quarters.
Mia looked at the three rooms in the suite and thought them big enough to serve as a small apartment. Yet knowing she’d be sleeping within its confines with Dan, its dimensions suddenly shrank.
“How’s the hand?” he asked.
“Not too bad.” And surprisingly, she was telling the truth. “I took some aspirin at the Hallorans’ when we got there, so I’m good to go for the moment.”
“Then I think it wouldn’t hurt for you to have a drink before you go to bed,” he told her. “Let’s see what the minibar has to offer.”
“I don’t usually drink,” she protested. “I mean, I mostly stick to wine.” She forced a chuckle. “I’m a cheap drunk and I don’t like to lose control.”
He smiled at her. “Let’s call this one for medicinal purposes, okay? You’ve had a lot of shocks today. Your system needs to settle down. And I promise not to let you get out of control.”
“Mr. Romeo,” she began. God, that sounded so formal, especially after…
He turned toward her, holding two tiny liquor bottles. “Since we’ll be virtually sleeping together, I think Dan and Mia would do a lot better, don’t you?”
Mia could feel the blush creeping all the way up from her toes. “I don’t think…”
He winked at her, an unusually informal type of gesture from him. “A joke, Mia. I think you could use a little levity right now. Anyway, I think this is the smartest thing to do. Once all this hits the newspapers tomorrow, it will be the best way to protect you. I don’t want anyone else taking a shot at you.”
“Oh, my God. The newspapers. The television.” She dropped into an armchair. “Oh, hell. The circus is about to come to town. Dr. Hunter will have a fit.”
“Not at all. I told you, Mark’s got it handled. And if there is a problem, we’ll take care of it. After all, we got you into this.”
She shook her head. “No, I got myself into it with my aggravating conscience and that stupid email.”
“Not to worry, anyway. I have a team coming from my office that’s second to none in handling this type of thing. We have clients who don’t even want people to know their names, so we’ve got a lot of experience. Leave it to us.” He handed her the tumbler with brandy in it.
Their fingers grazed against each other and a spike of heat so intense it felt like fire scorching her skin shot up her arm and into her body. Stunned, she nearly dropped the glass.
Dan’s forehead creased in a worried frown. “Another image?”
She shook her head and took a larger swallow of the brandy than she intended. The sharp bite of the alcohol made her throat burn and her eyes water.
“Easy.” He put his hand over hers, moving the glass away from her mouth. “This is supposed to be sipped. Are you all right?”
No, I’m not. How can I tell you what I felt was the most intense sexual charge you can imagine?
* * * * *
Dan studied the young woman across from him. When he’d first discovered the warning email had come from the DeWitt Art Museum, he’d expected to meet a person he’d already stereotyped in his mind—tall, thin, sallow complexion, hostile attitude. Mia Fleming was none of these and her appearance had been a great shock to his system.
More than that was the unexpected effect she had on him. Dan didn’t lead the kind of life conducive to lasting relationships. He’d tried it once when he was still a Force Recon Marine and disaster was too mild a word for what resulted. Since then his relationships had been sexually fulfilling but transient. And emotionally bare. He never made promises because he had no plans to keep them. And the women he spent time with accepted him for what he was.
But here he was, confoundedly attracted to a woman whose safety was now in his care. Of course, he could have assigned anyone to watch her. He had perfect confidence in all of his men. Yet like a man who keeps hitting his sore thumb with a hammer, he maneuvered to keep her by his side.
Watch it, Dan. Trouble’s stalking you.
This arrangement in the hotel, his own stupid idea, was fraught with danger. He thought about handcuffing himself to his bed so he’d behave himself, then swallowed a laugh. What a sight that would be. Besides, wasn’t he famous for his self-control?
He watched her as they discussed the plans for the following day, intelligent eyes absorbing everything he said. Hope flashing at the prospect of meeting Faith’s aunt. Resigned dread at the media madness. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and keep her safe from everything.
And if that ungodly flash of heat between them before was any indication, she wouldn’t offer any resistance.
Sighing, he finished the last of his drink and stood up. “Let’s take a look at that hand before you go to bed and make sure it’s doing all right. I’ve got a first-aid kit in my bathroom.”
He sat her on the edge of the tub, carefully unwrapped the gauze bandage and checked for swelling or blood seepage. To his experienced eye the wound looked to be doing all right.
“I know the doctor gave you pain pills,” he told her, “but after the brandy you drank I wouldn’t recommend taking anything stronger than aspirin.” He shook two into his palm and handed them to her with a glass of water.
They both stood up at the same time and suddenly their bodies were touching, crowded into the narrow space between the counter and the tub. Later he might try to recall who made the first move but now all that mattered was the look in her eyes, the fresh scent of her skin and the warmth of her soft body pressed close to his. In seconds his lips were on hers, his hands gripping her shoulders, his tongue sweeping into the dark, wet cavern of her mouth.
Mia, shocked by the contact, was held in place by the electricity of it and the feel of his warm, hard body against hers. Unfamiliar surges of heat flooded her, arousing a body that had relegated sex to an unused corner of her life. His big yet gentle hands caressed her back, kneading her muscles, while his head slanted this way and that to give him better access to her mouth.
Mia clung to him as if she’d disappear in the air without the anchor of his body. Experimentally she slipped her small tongue into his mouth and his grip on her tightened. She wanted to melt into him, wrap him around her small self and block out the rest of the world.
She had no idea how much time passed. It could have been minutes or even hours, when Dan finally lifted his head. Her lips suddenly felt bereft with the absence of his mouth on hers. She was dazed, her eyes unfocused, her breath escaping her in a ragged pattern. She was sure she’d never get her heart rate under control again.
He studied her face with an unreadable expression in his eyes.
“Mia,” he began.
“If you apologize I will kick you in a place that will hurt very much,” she threatened, striving for some kind of control herself.
He actually smiled. “I won’t apologize because I’m not sorry. But this is a strange situation.”
“No kidding.” She realized he still held her in his grip, albeit a more relaxed one. She had no intention of moving.
“What I mean is…” He stopped. “Shit. You’re part of a case I’m in charge of. A vital part.”
“And you never become involved with people who are part of a case or mission,” she finished for him.
“It’s more than that. Forget for a moment that Romeo’s Rule is never to mix business with pleasure.” He brushed her hair back from her forehead. “You’ve become a target in a cat and mouse game. You’re probably the only person who can give us any kind of indication as to what might happen to Oscar—if, in fact, something does happen. Someone is certainly taking you seriously. Your car’s been blown up, you’ve been yanked from the comfort of your home and you’re still in danger. Any one of these reasons would be good enough to say this should not happen.”
Mia sighed and forced herself to step away from him. “Yes, I can see where that would create a lot of problems. I gue
ss I’m the one who should apologize.”
“No.” He snapped out the word, then took her by her uninjured hand. “Come here. The bathroom is no place for a rational discussion.”
He led her back into the suite’s living room and sat her down in one of the chairs. When she looked up he was standing in front of her with his arms folded across his chest. She could easily see the Force Recon Marine in every line of his body and the steely look in his eyes.
“No lectures, please. Okay? I’m just too weary for it.”
He softened his stance then knelt in front of her. “No lectures,” he agreed. “But help me out a little here, Mia. Something clicked between us the minute I walked into your office. Don’t try to lie about it, because I know we both felt it. To tell the truth, I don’t know which one of us was more shocked. Maybe still is.”
She nodded, waiting for the rest. Wondering if he’d had a vision, too. Vibrating with a combination of anticipation and anxiety.
“I haven’t… I don’t…”
She almost laughed to see this tough warrior fumbling for words.
“Okay, I’ll say it for you. You don’t have relationships because it distracts you from your work. You take your sex where you find it and you don’t find it on your cases. So it would be best for both of us if we forget what just happened.”
He burst out laughing, the sound breaking the tension. Then he sat down cross-legged at her feet. “You are definitely something. And a lot more than I would have taken you for.” He took her hands gently in his. “You’re right on the money in everything you said except for one thing.”
“And that is?”
“This isn’t casual and I don’t want to forget what just happened. But I don’t want to put you in a position where your credentials are compromised because we’re…” He fumbled for the right word.
“Sleeping together?”
“Having a relationship.”
