About that time, they heard a page for a Richard Riley to come to the lobby for an emergency phone call.
“Wonder who that poor guy is,” Jim said.
“It’s me. But I don’t want to go. I might lose my place.”
“But they said it was an emergency,” Jim pointed out.
Riley grumbled, then gathered up his chips and reluctantly left the table. Walking.
Jim waited a couple of minutes before he followed him. When he reached the lobby, Carrie was putting away her camera and Riley was hurrying to her, anger on his face. Jim ran, but he still had some distance to make up. Before he could reach them, Riley grabbed Carrie’s purse. Carrie immediately leaped from her chair and jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow. Then she landed a karate chop on his neck, knocking Riley to the floor, where he lay in a heap.
Several hotel personnel rushed to Carrie.
“What’s going on?” one of them who’d identified himself as the manager asked.
“This man tried to get my purse,” Carrie said in angry tones. “He thought he’d just pull it out of my hands and run.”
“Security is on its way,” the manager said just as Jim reached the group surrounding Carrie.
“What happened, honey?” Jim asked.
Carrie broke through the group and hugged Jim’s neck, repeating what she’d already told the others.
“This is the man who sat with me in the casino. I guess he thought you took my winnings when you left,” Jim said. “Are you all right?”
“I feel a little weak. Can we go to our room?” Carrie asked.
The manager took down their room number and agreed to send them a complimentary fruit basket to make her feel better.
When they reached their hotel room, Carrie immediately called Will and sent the pictures to their office via Jim’s laptop so Will could forward the pictures on to the insurance company.
“I feel a little guilty about causing Riley so much trouble, but he has no right to bilk the insurance company,” Carrie said.
“You handled everything beautifully. I was following, afraid you’d need some protection. Instead, you had the man on the floor in no time.”
“I told you I could take care of myself, Jim. I don’t need your protection like Vanessa does.” She sat down on the sofa, now that she’d sent the pictures. “What do we do now?”
“I need to talk to the limo driver. Why don’t you start packing? Oh, and you could call and switch our tickets to an evening flight.”
She agreed to his requests. After he left, she picked up the phone to call the airline, but five minutes later she hung up the phone, frustrated. They couldn’t fly out tonight. In fact, she got the last two tickets for an early-morning flight. So they had no choice but to stay in Vegas for one more night.
She immediately called Will to tell him they’d be back in the morning. He seemed cheerful enough, not worrying about the expense of another night in the hotel. “You and Jim have a good time, honey. You deserve it with those pictures you got. The insurance company was ecstatic.”
After hanging up the phone, she bowed her head and prayed for strength to resist Jim’s charms just another twelve or fifteen hours. At least until she was back at home. Then she could judge her abilities to resist him in normal circumstances.
A knock on the door brought her to her feet. Through the peephole, she saw one of the security guards standing there alone. She swung open the door. “Yes?”
“Ma’am, we’ve escorted Mr. Riley to his room and requested that he leave.”
“Good. Thank you,” she said, and began to close the door.
The guard reached out and stopped her, and she gave him a curious look.
He coughed and then said, “I think everything would be fine if you erased the pictures in your camera. That seems to be the problem with Mr. Riley. Seems as you were snapping your photos in the lobby, you got him.” He shrugged. “Some people are funny about their privacy. Anyway, he was just trying to get your camera away from you, not steal your purse.”
“I see,” she said calmly. “I could do that,” she added after a moment.
“It might be better if you let me do it. Then I can assure Mr. Riley he has nothing to worry about.”
“No, I’ll erase them, but you can watch,” she said with an innocent smile.
Jim arrived at the door. “What’s going on?”
Carrie explained the situation to him as she got the camera.
“And you’re willing to do that?” Jim asked cautiously.
“Of course, dear. Pictures of an unknown man aren’t that exciting,” she assured him with a smile. Then she turned to the security guard. “See? Here is my delete button. I just push it and…you can see the pictures are gone.”
“Thanks, ma’am.”
“No problem…” She read the name on his badge. “Mr. Boswell” Then she closed the door after him, a smile on her lips.
“I assume you’re not upset?” Jim asked.
“No. I sent the pictures to Will, remember?”
“Yes, but what if the transmission didn’t go through? It could be—”
“I talked to Will. He’s already spoken to someone at the insurance company who received the pictures and was ecstatic about them.”
“So I guess the only thing left to do is to get the hell out of Dodge.”
“Not if you intend to fly,” she said softly. “The airlines are booked. I couldn’t get us any tickets until tomorrow morning. The flight leaves at eight.” She turned away when she saw the disappointment on his face.
With what sounded like forced cheerfulness to Carrie, Jim said, “Well, I guess we’ll just have to enjoy ourselves for a few more hours.”
“Yes,” she said, and sat down on the sofa. “Did you talk to the limo driver?”
“Yeah. Riley paid him an extra hundred to keep his wheelchair ready for the return ride and not to talk to anyone about it.”
“How much did it cost you?”
Jim grinned. “Just a threat or two. You know, accessory to a felony. He already has a record. He didn’t want to be sent back to jail.”
“How fortunate,” she said with a smile.
An awkward silence fell. Finally Jim said, “How about dinner? It’s a little early, but we’ll avoid the crowds. Then we can go to another show tonight. Maybe the Celine Dion show.”
“That’s a strange choice for a guy,” Carrie said, distracted by his choice.
“Would you rather I suggest a burlesque show?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows. “Actually, I was just trying to think of a show that you would enjoy.”
“I think I know one that we’d both enjoy if we can get tickets.”
“What’s that?”
“George Strait. He’s performing at one of the hotels.”
“Perfect, Carrie. Good thinking. I’ll go see if I can get tickets.”
“All right.”
Half an hour later, Jim returned with two tickets. Their excitement carried them through dinner, and the show was as terrific as they’d anticipated. When Jim caught Carrie’s hand as they walked back to the Bellagio, she didn’t even protest.
She tensed up when they entered their suite, however.
Jim could see the difference. He’d enjoyed their evening together, sharing an interest, going on an actual date for the first time. “What’s wrong?”
She tugged her hand from his and turned away. “Nothing. I guess I’m tired.”
Since they had gone to the early show and it was now only a little after ten, he didn’t really believe that. “Want me to take the sofa tonight?”
“No. I like to watch late-night television.”
“Because you’re so tired? Be honest with me, Carrie.”
“Fine! I don’t like sharing a room with you. It—it makes me nervous!”
“You don’t trust me?” he asked softly.
“Of course I do!”
“Now that doesn’t make sense, either. If you trust me not to do anyt
hing you don’t want me to do, then what’s the problem?”
Carrie backed toward the wall, as if she was being cornered. After licking her lips, which got Jim’s attention, she said quietly, “I don’t trust myself.”
Jim took a step closer. “What are you talking about?”
“Just go in the other room and leave me alone,” she insisted.
“I don’t think so,” he said, moving closer. “I think I might like what you might like. I’ve been struggling to hold back all the time we’ve been here. Tonight…well, it was our first date. Did you realize that?”
“No, we had dinner together several times.”
“Those were pity dates,” Jim said ruefully.
She jerked her head up, anger in her eyes. “I don’t need any pity dates!”
“Not you, sweetheart. Me. Those were pity dates for me. You felt sorry for me being so lonely, so you agreed to go out with me. I knew what they were, but I wanted to spend time with you. So I took what you offered.”
“You—you wanted to spend time with me?” Carrie asked, her voice wavering.
“Yeah. I thought you’d figured that out.”
“No. When you winked for me to rescue you, you…you didn’t really need rescuing?”
Jim grinned. “Now that encouraged me. You thought you had to protect me. I figured I was giving the marines a bad name.”
“I know you could handle yourself in a fight, but you certainly couldn’t go one on one with Stella like you did with Trevor.”
“Stella wouldn’t have objected,” he teased.
Carrie reached out and slapped his arm. “You’re being very bad.”
“Naw, honey, I’ve been very, very good. But I’d like to be better…with you. I’m going out of my mind wondering if you want a friend…or a lover.”
When she kept her gaze down and didn’t answer, he hurriedly said, “It’s all right, Carrie. I know it’s too soon for you to have figured that out. But when you’re ready, just let me know,” he said, his voice taut with frustration.
Carrie lifted her blue gaze to his face and said softly, “I’m ready.”
“You’re ready to let me know?” he asked, frowning.
“No, I’m ready to be your lover,” she said firmly, leaving no doubt.
He stared at her. “Are you sure?”
“What’s the matter? Do you think the marines are the only ones who can make up their minds?” she teased. “I fell for you long before I met you.”
“Because of my picture?” he asked.
“You know about that?” She looked horrified.
“I saw it on your desk the first time I came to the office. It’s all right, I understand that’s how you work.” His words seemed to soothe her because her expression relaxed.
“The more I learned about you, though,” she admitted, “the more I fell for you. You’re a complicated man. Able to do the hard things that most people can’t do. Yet you have such love and caring in you, beyond anyone’s definition of love, I would be honored to be your friend.” She paused. “But I would prefer to love you in every way possible.”
Carrie knew marines were men of action. Jim proved it by scooping her up in his arms and carrying her to bed. Every step of the way he kissed her, the deep kisses she’d dreamed about for so long. The kisses she’d thought would never happen in real life.
By the time he slid her down his body in the bedroom, she’d begun to undo the buttons on his shirt. She wanted to see that massive chest she’d only glimpsed earlier. As the shirt came off, she stroked him, feeling his muscles, hard and firm, knowing he had the strength to protect her if she needed it.
Jim had been doing his own exploration, releasing her bra with an expertise that had her wondering about his past.
Then they separated to remove the rest of the bothersome clothes before they fell to the mattress, reaching for each other. After several minutes of touching, kissing, stroking, Carrie pulled back. “Jim, I should—”
“Don’t worry, honey. A good marine is always prepared.” He found his pants and pulled out a condom. Then he rejoined Carrie, pulling her back into his arms.
She’d intended to warn him, but that warning was unnecessary a few minutes later when he tried to enter her. She tensed, but her words and body urged him to make them one. As he did, he looked at her. “You were a virgin?” he demanded, surprise and concern mingling in his voice.
“Am I not doing it right?” she cried out, eager to have him continue.
He attempted to pull out, but she pleaded with him not to go. With a sigh, he pushed farther and began a rocking movement, his arms around her, his kisses making her more eager than ever. They both experienced completion at the same time.
Carrie clung to Jim, wanting to say so many things, but she couldn’t get anything out. A boneless lassitude came over her and she curled up against him. As she drifted off to sleep, she held on to him, thanking her stars that the real thing was better than any fantasy.
JIM WATCHED the woman asleep in his arms. He couldn’t believe this was her first time with a man. Nor could he help rejoicing that he was her first. And he had every intention of being her last. In the morning they’d talk and maybe make love again.
The thought of always having Carrie beside him was wonderful.
Tomorrow he’d buy her a ring, he told himself as he fell asleep. Everything would work out tomorrow.
But tomorrow dawned quite differently than what he’d expected.
He woke slowly and kissed the top of Carrie’s head, which was once again resting on his shoulder, thinking that he’d slept better than he could ever remember. But then his eyes lit on the clock on the nightstand—7:15 a.m. The time pierced his brain like a sharp sword. Their flight left in forty-five minutes.
“Carrie!” His cry roused her immediately. “We’ve got to get to the airport. Hurry.”
He jumped out of bed and began searching the floor for the clothing he’d haphazardly discarded the night before. As he did, he glanced up at Carrie, who sat there with the sheet up to her neck. “We’ve got to hurry. Just slip into your clothes from last night. I’ll help you pack.”
His sense of urgency penetrated her head and she did as he said, even though she longed for a shower. They were dressed in five minutes, took another five to pack, then they hurried to the lobby to pay their bill.
“The airport is only ten minutes away, sir,” the clerk said as she waved to one of the bellboys. “Go get a cab ready for Mr. and Mrs. Barlow, please.”
They got to the airport fifteen minutes before their flight was to leave. Sympathetic passengers let them go ahead of them in the security line. Then they ran down the hallway to the gate.
“You just barely made it,” the attendant said in a sharp voice. “We’re ready to push away from the gate.”
“We overslept,” Jim said with a smile that eased the severity of her frown.
Once they were on the plane, Carrie snapped on her seat belt and then thought about what had happened. They’d made love last night. At least it had been love on her part. She couldn’t remember Jim saying that he loved her. Or talking about the future.
Maybe he’d been so horrified to find out she was inexperienced, he had no interest in the future. Should she promise to get better? No, that would sound too much like begging. Besides, she refused to discuss her private life on an airplane. She immediately closed her eyes, determined to pretend to sleep all the way back to Dallas.
Somewhere within two minutes she stopped pretending and actually fell asleep.
Jim got a pillow from the stewardess and propped it behind Carrie’s head against the window. Then he spent a lot of time just staring at her. He’d promised himself they’d talk this morning, but oversleeping had ruined his plans.
Once they were home they’d talk.
A little over two hours later, the plane landed in Dallas. Carrie still slept. After the passengers around them had filed out, he woke her. “Carrie, we’re in Dallas. Come o
n, honey, let’s go home.”
She opened her eyes and began to gather her purse, then her overhead luggage, to exit the plane. Jim followed her, eager to get her home, where they could be alone.
As they came out of the airport, Will called to them.
“What are you doing here, Will?” Jim asked, frowning.
“We’re having a Sunday family luncheon to celebrate your success. We can’t wait to tomorrow to hear the details. Carrie, come ride with me so you can tell me all about it.”
Carrie agreed, without looking at Jim.
The two of them walked off, leaving Jim standing there alone.
He drove as fast as he could and it looked like he got there first, because Will’s car wasn’t there. Rushing into the house, he said, “I got here before Will and Carrie, I guess. I’m sure they’ll be here any minute,” he said to Vanessa, who’d let him in.
“Actually, no. He took Carrie to her apartment so she could take a shower and change clothes. They’ll be here in about half an hour.”
Jim stared at her, a crazed look in his eyes.
“Is something wrong?” Vanessa asked.
“Yes! No! I don’t know!”
“Jim, what’s wrong?”
He stared at her blankly. Then he suddenly said, “I need to talk to you.”
“Well, of course. Rebecca and Jeff and the kids are here. We’re visiting in the—”
“No! I mean, maybe Rebecca, but I can’t— This is private!”
“Go to the library and I’ll go get Rebecca. We’ll both come help you.”
After asking Rebecca to come with her to the kitchen, she redirected her older sister into the library. “Jim is behaving very strangely.”
The two young women came in to the library to find their brother pacing back and forth.
“Jim, what’s wrong?” Rebecca asked.
“I—I think I did something wrong.”
“What?” Vanessa demanded. She was becoming a little impatient with her brother.
“Carrie and I made love last night.”
Vanessa squealed and clapped her hands together. “How wonderful.”
Jim glared at her. “Is it?”
“Isn’t it?” Rebecca asked.
“I don’t know. We talked about being lovers but—but I don’t think I told her I love her. Do you think she understood?”
A Soldier's Return Page 17
