by Lori Foster
As they hurried away, Celia thought she might faint from residual fear. She watched Hannah blink, saw her acceptance replaced with pure hatred and disgust.
Celia had to get her away from here, as soon as humanly possible. And if that meant facing Blair and probable degradation, she could do it.
More than ever, she was determined to save Hannah Barrington.
WAITING WASN’T EASY for Alec; he was more a man of action. His tendency was always direct confrontation. Defeat and remove threats. But that wasn’t always legal, and he doubted Celia, or Dane for that matter, would tolerate him taking the law into his own hands right now.
The cell phone sat on the truck seat beside him, and he stared at it, daring it to ring, torn between wanting it to so he could rush in and remove Celia from the brownstone, and hoping she was okay and didn’t need him at all.
Memories of long ago flooded in on him, making the air inside the truck too thick and hot to breathe. He didn’t want to remember that night, or how badly it had ended. Time had proven him to be a better man, more mentally and physically equipped to handle anything that might come along. He wouldn’t make the same mistakes—any of them—again.
Harm wouldn’t come to Celia, because he wouldn’t let it.
Muscles tight despite the pep talk he’d just given himself, Alec rolled down the window and stared through the darkness with his field glasses, forcefully pushing the oppressing memory away. A guard stood by the gate where Celia had been dropped off in that killer outfit that had almost caused his heart to stop. Another guard waited at the front door.
He had no doubt more loomed around every corner. They were all wired, meaning they could communicate easily with each other.
He had not a single doubt he could get past them all if Celia needed him. But if that situation arose, it didn’t bode well for the guards, because he’d protect her at any cost and to hell with what was legal.
A sudden yellow glow flared out over the west side of the lawn from a large window, drawing his attention. Someone had turned on a light. With the glasses, Alec could see shadows of people moving about in the room, through the open draperies. But the angle wasn’t right for him to see much more.
Silently, driven by instincts, he left the truck and went to crouch in a scraggly stand of trees on the side of the road. Given the distance from the house, his all-black attire, and his undetectable movements, the guards would never notice him. Again he put the glasses to his eyes and surveyed the house.
He saw Jacobs first, leaning against a desk and sipping a drink. He was smiling, his expression lurid. A lump formed in Alec’s throat and even before he saw her, he knew Celia was in that room, that she was the object of Jacobs’s interest. He adjusted his position, his body going taut.
Laughing and holding her arms in the air to do another graceful, dancing turn, Celia passed through his line of vision. Another man followed. Heavyset, like a bulldog, and with a crooked smile and avid stare, he watched Celia as she performed. Something happened that made the man laugh. He reached out, cuddled Celia close to his thick side, and kissed her.
Alec dropped the glasses. His heart raced so fast he almost blacked out, rapidly sucking in lungfuls of heavy, humid air. Leaning against a tree, he squeezed his eyes shut and concentrated on breathing, on regaining control so he didn’t rush in and start murdering people. But his time would come. Before this was over, he’d meet that man—Jacobs, too—face-to-face. Then the law be damned because he would have his retribution.
Knowing she’d been with Raymond was always hard enough. But at least that was a man Celia had chosen for herself, a man she’d gone to willingly. He could deal with that—barely. The savage, nearly overwhelming possession he felt for her tended to shake him up. It wasn’t something he was used to, yet the feelings grew stronger every day. He was almost tired of fighting it, but that insidious remorse from long ago lingered in his guts, reminding him to be cautious.
Forcing himself into an almost impossible calm, blanking out the turmoil he suffered over Celia and doing his best to regard her as any other woman, he wiped the sweat from his brow and again picked up the glasses to watch. She giggled and flirted, but somehow she managed to stay out of reach for the next twenty minutes. When she finally tipped her head and made an apologetic face, Alec could read her mind as clearly as if the words were written before him.
Poor thing, she had no reserve left. The game had completely done her in and she looked weary from her soul out. He wanted to remove her from that place, coddle her, protect her. He’d hoped to make love to her tonight, but now he reconsidered. She needed some peace and quiet to recoup. He knew only too well the emotional toll of mingling with the very devils that visited your nightmares.
He’d been there too many times himself not to know.
Celia was making her excuses now, planning her departure. She had to be careful not to give herself away, and she was. Like a pro, she handled herself beautifully and he nearly burst with pride, at the same time swearing to himself that once this was over, he’d never let her get this embroiled in danger again.
He watched the room until everyone had walked out and the light was turned off. Then he crept back to the truck and slid behind the wheel. He wouldn’t leave until she did, and it was less than a half hour, that felt like a week, before a cab pulled up to the gate. The guard, using a built-in intercom, made a call to the house and minutes later Jacobs escorted Celia down the walk.
He opened the door of the cab for her, then touched her cheek in a gesture that should have seemed tender but instead seemed predatory. Celia, smiling up at him, said something Alec couldn’t hear and climbed into the back of the cab.
Both Alec and Jacobs watched the cab pull away until it was out of sight. With a lift of his hand, Jacobs signalled another man who hurried to a car and immediately tailed her. Alec worked his jaw. Jacobs wasn’t taking any chances with his new recruit, which left Alec with two options.
He could either avoid detection by staying away from Celia tonight. Or he could reach her motel room first and already be inside when she got there, so that no one would see him enter.
To him, there was really no choice at all.
CELIA KNEW SHE WAS being followed and she prayed for Alec to be discreet. Would he know about the other car? She had to think he would, considering Dane claimed him to be the very best agent in the business.
Of all the things she’d been through, she couldn’t bear it if Alec got hurt. She needed him, but with the tail Jacobs had called on her, it wasn’t likely he could get anywhere near her tonight. Her head pounded from stress and too much alcohol, and she felt utterly drained. The cabbie, thankfully, was silent.
Since Jacobs had prepaid, the moment the cab stopped she jumped out and hurried to the stairs leading to her motel room. She didn’t want to wait and have a possible confrontation with the thug following her. Her hand shook terribly as she tried to get her key to work, and when the door finally swung open she practically leaped inside and then slammed it behind her. With numb, shaking fingers, she turned all the locks on the door.
“Celia.”
She screamed, he startled her so badly. But in the next instant she realized it was Alec. She didn’t need the light to recognize his voice, his scent, his nearness. Blindly, a sob catching in her throat, she reached out for him. Alec gathered her close, crooning, holding her so tight it should have hurt but instead offered all the comfort she craved. “It’s all right now, babe.”
She sniffled and tried to collect herself. With a choked laugh, she said, “You’re going to think I’m a weenie, carrying on like this.”
“No.” He chuckled and kissed her forehead. “You’ve impressed the hell out of me. How did you get out of there so early?”
She tucked her face under his chin and her shoulders shook with nearly hysterical giggles. “I told Jacobs I had my period.”
Alec smiled against her cheek. “Smart.”
Pushing back, she cradled his face in her hands. �
�How did you get here before me?”
“Drove like hell, ran red lights, ignored sirens.” He squeezed her. “It was either that or wait till morning because Jacobs had you followed.”
“I know. I was afraid you’d…wait.”
With each beat of silence that passed, a throbbing thickness filled the air. She could feel Alec’s gaze, as tangible as his heat and scent. Then he whispered, “Not a chance.”
“Alec…” Suddenly her legs wanted to crumble and Alec lifted her, holding her close while he seated himself on the edge of the bed, holding her in his lap. But she pushed against him, trying to get loose, sudden disgust filling her. “I have to shower. I have to get these awful clothes off, I have to—”
“Shhh…”
“You don’t understand.” Struggling for breath, pushing as hard as she could against his unbreakable hold, she said, “I…I do feel dirty now.”
Another beat of silence. “Then we’ll both shower.” Alec lifted her and carried her into the bathroom.
Celia wondered how he could see so well without a single light on. He must have cat eyes, she thought, then blinked against the harsh fluorescent glare when he turned on the light over the sink.
She didn’t want him to see her and she would have turned her back except he didn’t let her. “Don’t hide from me, honey. Ever.”
“But I feel—”
“I know. I understand.”
“You can’t.”
“I do.” He bent and pulled her sandals off her feet, tossing them aside. “You feel foul from being near them, letting them think you’re like them when you never could be.”
Her heart raced, her blood pumped fiercely. “Yes.”
After sliding down the side zipper, he skimmed her pants down her legs. “And you want to somehow wash it all away. Believe me, I’ve done the same too many times to count.” Celia knew he spoke to her only as a distraction, but she gratefully accepted it anyway.
She nodded, and Alec’s smile was tender.
“Did you find Hannah?” he asked as he slipped her panties down her legs. But Celia was so caught up in the question, she couldn’t react to her undressing.
“Oh Alec. It was so awful. If you’d seen her yourself, you wouldn’t have a single doubt that she’s there against her will. She just doesn’t know what to do or where to go.”
Alec stood, this time paying no mind to her nudity. He pulled the miniscule crop top over her head and Celia, muffled under the silky material, gasped. She wasn’t wearing a bra. Good grief. Alec now had her skinned down to her earrings, and the gold chain around her waist.
He smoothed her tousled hair back into place. “I believe you, sweetheart. And you’ll help Hannah. Everything will work out.” He pecked her on the nose before dropping the crop top with the pants.
“Alec…”
He gripped the gold belt and effortlessly snapped the links apart, letting the broken chain join the pile of her clothes. Celia stared at him, gold earrings dangling onto her naked shoulders. Being with Alec this way didn’t feel wrong. In fact, it felt incredibly right, the first right thing all evening.
Holding his gaze and her breath, she swallowed hard, then reached up and unhooked each earring. Alec took them from her to add to the pile.
“They touched me.” The words, so loud in her head, emerged as a faint whisper.
Starting at her ribs, Alec smoothed his hands over her skin, down her belly and back up again, then around and under her arms to coast over her spine. His large hands spanned so much of her on each wide sweep, up and down from shoulders to hips. He tipped up her chin to gaze into her eyes. “Now I’ve touched you.”
Her lip quivered. He was the most miraculous man she’d ever met. “Oh, Alec…”
“Don’t you see, honey?” His touch was so gentle, his words more so. “If you weren’t discriminating, if you were as easy as you say, their attentions would have turned you on. I know every man in there had to enjoy the sight of you, because you’re beautiful and sexy and sweet. But that didn’t happen, did it? You weren’t at all flattered.”
Very quietly, she said, “No.”
He wasn’t through making his point. “You thought you loved Raymond, so he was safe.”
She wanted to ask, What do you think I feel for you? but she held the words back.
As if he’d read her mind, he said, “You trust me, and you know I respect you, so feeling desire for me isn’t something that should shame you. And Celia?” He smoothed back her hair, cupped her face in his palms. “You feel something for me, don’t you.”
It wasn’t a question, but rather a statement of fact, something he seemed supremely sure of. “If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be so sexually comfortable with me. And I’ve proven that you are comfortable, haven’t I, sweetheart?”
She nodded, still very confused, but also overwhelmed.
Alec sucked in a triumphant breath, his dark eyes glittering. He whispered, “I’ll make it better, babe. I promise.”
And she knew he could. His touch, burning hot, seemed to penetrate beneath her skin, chasing away all the bad feelings. She shuddered and closed her eyes. “I feel a bit tipsy.”
He smiled. “I know. I think you’re drunk.”
Celia shook her head. “No, not drunk. I know exactly what I’m doing, Alec.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.”
Her eyes opened. “Will you? Or do you plan to leave me again?”
“Celia—”
Knowing it was a combination of drink, upset nerves, and relief that for now it was over, she started to hum. Alec’s gaze snapped to hers and he stared.
Celia smiled. “I think I have a lot in common with Thelma Houston.”
“Who?” Then he shook his head, his gaze suspicious. “Wait, this isn’t another muscle-bound wonderwoman you intend to emulate by lifting weights, is it? Because honey, I have to tell you, I like your body exactly as it is.”
“You don’t know Thelma Houston? Really?” At his blank stare, she said, “No, she’s not a wonderwoman. But I do use her music when I exercise. I have all her old disco songs on CD. She keeps me motivated.” Celia could hardly believe she was standing naked with Alec Sharpe and explaining such a thing. She grinned.
“You’re kidding, right?” His lip curled. “Disco?”
Again she started humming, ignoring his rude attitude, building up, and her body swayed just a bit. Then, out of the blue, she sang softly, “Ahhhhh, baby!”
Alec jumped, then took a step back, hands propped on his hips, a bemused expression on his face.
Celia, not about to let him get away this time, swayed a little closer. She felt giddy and daring and horribly in love, though she wouldn’t admit that to Alec. He didn’t want her love, but he did want her, and she was more than ready for him. She needed him, so his teasing was at an end, whether he liked it or not.
Very low, she sang, “You started this fire down in my soul—”
“Celia…”
She kept singing.
“Celia!” Laughing, Alec picked her up and swung her in a circle. “You can stop serenading me.”
She cupped his cheeks, so pleased to see his rare laughter, so stunned by his masculine beauty. Loving him so much hurt, but it also made her feel whole and safe. And special.
“The song is called, ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way.’” She kissed him softly. “You’re ready to succumb to my feminine wiles now? Because I want you, Alec Sharpe. I really do.” She touched his mouth. “Please, don’t leave me this way.”
Very gently, he stood her back on her feet and his hands left her. Still with a crooked, immeasurably appealing grin, he began stripping away his own clothes.
Alec was totally unselfconscious in his nudity, kicking off his boots, pushing his jeans down without haste or hesitation. Just looking at him, solid and strong and real, made her feel better. When he was completely naked, he turned to the tub and started the shower. Steam billowed out.
He reached a
hand toward her and Celia took it. They stepped into the shower together.
CHAPTER NINE
ALEC COULDN’T RECALL ever being so charmed, or so turned on, in his life. No woman had ever sung to him—if you could call Celia’s slightly off-key, tipsy crooning a song. He wasn’t familiar with the singer or the lyrics, but then music had never played a big part in his life, and he couldn’t recall ever singing a note. Especially not disco.
On rare occasions he’d listened to a little jazz. On very rare occasions. Fifteen years ago, he could remember coming home to the swelling sounds of a jazz band while Marissa danced around the floor, entertaining herself. He’d be dog-tired, sweaty from a long day of working in the sun, and she’d greet him with a swirl of her skirts and a huge smile, ready to take him to bed and ease his aches and pains. It had taken little more to make him content back then.
But the smiles and the greetings hadn’t lasted for long.
Alec realized later that it hadn’t been the music, so much as her happiness, that he had been drawn to. He’d fed off it like a starving man. Since then, he hadn’t had much reason, or any burning inclination, to listen to music.
Music sort of went hand in hand with partying and a carefree attitude, and he’d sure as hell never been the type to enjoy crowds, raucous laughter, or frivolity.
But Celia obviously was. And he had a feeling his recent show of sexual restraint had something to do with her dredging up that specific tune. Don’t leave me this way? He smiled. It wasn’t exactly a subtle hint, but then Celia wasn’t exactly a subtle woman, not where he was concerned.
But none of that mattered now. He had Celia naked, all soft and warm and ready, and his waiting was at an end. He hurt with wanting her from the top of his head down to his big feet with highly concentrated places in-between, and now the only thing holding him back was a desire to make it last a nice long time, the whole damn night if possible.
She tried to face him, but he turned her so her back nestled his chest and the spray from the shower could wash over her breasts. Her nipples peaked and her thighs tightened. She was so hot she made him feel like a horny kid again, ready to explode over just a look. “Let me take care of you first, honey, okay?”
