“Someone told me you have a death wish,” she teased. “I’m expecting you to ride a motorcycle and jump over a building or something.”
Travis’s grin widened showing off perfectly even white teeth. “I wouldn’t mind trying but my reconstructed hip is reminding me that I’m over forty and should know better.”
That explained the slight limp he walked with.
“Do you? Know better, I mean.”
“Not really. I love the feeling of adrenaline I get when I jump from a plane or race a cycle. It’s a rush you can’t get just anywhere. Once you’re addicted, I’m not sure you ever really get over it.” He patted her shoulder. “But don’t you worry about West. He’s about as level-headed as they come. You won’t find him bungee jumping off a mountain or fighting a bull in Spain.”
No, she wouldn’t have to worry about West. He’d be fine. He was that kind of guy.
“Are you flirting with my woman?” West’s playful growl had Travis throwing back his head and laughing.
“I wasn’t but it’s not a bad idea. You shouldn’t leave her all alone.” Travis shook his finger at his younger brother. “It would serve you right if she left with me.”
West reached down and wound his arm around her waist lifting her to her feet before pressing a long hot kiss to her lips. By the time he was done, her cheeks were flushed and her stomach all fluttery with butterflies. His potent brand of sex appeal was hell on her equilibrium.
“Ready? Sam packed us some barbecue to go. I say we go back to my place, turn on the game, and relax.”
Relax was West Anderson-speak for have sex which was fine by her. One more night with him and she’d make sure it was a good one. Something to remember during the long, lonely evenings to come.
“I’m ready.” Gigi linked her arm with West’s, his body warm and strong next to her own. When she was with him she forgot to be scared. He had that alpha male vibe that made her feel protected and cared for. It was probably why she’d ended up being attracted to him when she’d turned down other guys who were just as good looking.
Okay…almost as good looking.
Waving goodbye to Travis, she and West strolled down the mostly deserted sidewalk, the weather mild. Winter was around the corner and the flowers that had dotted the scenery had gone to sleep for their cold weather nap. She wouldn’t be here in Tremont to see them wake up. Someday she wanted a home of her own with flowers in the front yard and a white picket fence. Maybe even a swing on the front porch where she and her husband could sit while their kids played in the front yard.
Gigi, you are dreaming. Why not imagine a puppy too while you’re at it.
“You’ve been quiet tonight? Is anything wrong?” West asked as he unlocked the passenger side of his truck. “Are you tired of all this campaign stuff? I am too but it won’t be much longer.”
“It’s fine,” she assured him as he helped her climb into the truck and then handed her the yummy smelling bag of food. “I like going actually. I get to hear what’s on people’s minds and your ideas for making Tremont better. You’re going to make a good mayor.”
West swung into the driver’s side and started the engine. “Now don’t get too far ahead. I haven’t won this thing yet. We still have three long weeks to go and a lot can happen in that amount of time. But thank you for saying that. I want to do a good job for this town. They deserve more than they’ve been getting.”
“I like your idea about a teen center so kids have a place to go after school.”
“That idea is going to be expensive, I’m afraid. I’m not sure how we’re going to get it funded. I’m hoping for businesses to help out.”
She rested her hand on his muscled thigh and could feel the heat from his skin even through the heavy material of his trousers. “You’re a very convincing guy. I’m sure you can get it done.”
He glanced at her quickly before returning his gaze to the road. “If I’m so convincing how come I can’t get you to admit you don’t want to leave Tremont? I can see that you want to stay, babe.”
That might have been true twenty-four hours ago but now she was anxious to get on the road and look into the lead she’d found. It would hurt to leave West, she could admit that to herself, but she wouldn’t let that get in the way of locating and reconnecting with Zach.
She opened her mouth to tell West she was leaving in the morning but quickly changed her mind. This night was all she had left and she didn’t want to spend it arguing and debating issues she’d already decided. She’d write him a long letter and explain…well, almost everything. Some things were better left unsaid.
“Can we leave that subject alone tonight? I just want to enjoy the evening.”
“Sure we can let it drop. For now. But we’re going to have to talk about this eventually. But I think spending the evening pursuing much more pleasurable activities does sound like more fun.”
They didn’t speak the rest of the drive to West’s house. As they unpacked and ate their dinner, they kept the topics deliberately neutral neither one wanting to ruin the tenuous peace between them. When the meal was over, Gigi stood to clear the dishes but West also stood and reached, winding his arm around her waist and pulling her close.
“We can clear the table later.”
His voice was husky and full of promises. Her body responded instantly knowing true pleasure was only moments away. No one made her feel like West did. He was a maestro in the bedroom knowing exactly how to play her erogenous zones for maximum effect, leaving her weak but sublimely happy.
Her nipples peaked under the cotton of her bra and a shiver ran up her spine as he slid his hand under her sweater to caress her midriff. A moan escaped from her lips as he nipped at the base of her throat while his fingers traveled upwards, unclipping her bra before cupping a straining breast in his rough palms.
He thrummed the hard point with his thumb until the ache ran straight to her slit and a bar of arousal had built in her abdomen. Gigi needed West. Desperately. Now. Knowing tonight was the last time made her voracious and needy, wanting him and only him. She might never feel this way again for the rest of her life.
At some point he’d backed her against the kitchen wall, her body smashed up against his, flattening her breasts. His lips had captured hers in a kiss that sent frissons of pleasure careening all the way to the tips of her fingers and toes before settling in her clit. Grinding her pelvis to his, she tangled her fingers in his dark, silky hair as he shoved up her sweater and bra before leaning down to lap at an already hard pink bud.
Gasping for air, she arched her back to give him more access. “Need you now. Don’t make me wait.”
Her own voice sounded tortured and gravelly but he understood the words perfectly. Tearing at the snap of her jeans, he pushed them down her legs until she was able to kick them away. His own breathing was labored and ragged, red streaks painting his cheekbones as he nipped and licked at a nipple. Her heart pounded out of control as she heard the sound of a zipper.
West lifted her until her legs were off the ground and her back was pressed firmly against the wall. “Are you ready for me, babe? Tell me you want it.”
Gigi gritted her teeth and dug her nails into his scalp. “Give it to me, you asshole. Fuck me hard if you can.”
Taunting an alpha male sexually was never a good idea but she loved it when Wes fucked her with a good head of steam going. Soft and gentle had its place but her favorite was when he completely dominated all her senses until her world narrowed to only the two of them.
West chuckled, his breath warm on her skin. “I’ll give you exactly what you need.”
In one swift stroke he drove in to the hilt, making her cry out with its beauty. So good. The sensation of being so completely filled was one she’d never get used to even if he fucked her every day for the next fifty years.
Her body pinned to the wall and her thighs spread wide, he initiated a fast, bruising rhythm that left her breathless and dizzy. The fire within built until she
was being consumed in a white-hot inferno. Out of control, she clung to him her fingers digging into the muscles of his shoulders. Gasps, moans, and furtive whispers punctuated their frenzied coupling.
“Now, babe,” he urged hoarsely, driving his length deep and hard until she tumbled over the precipice screaming his name as she fell. His came right after, his jaw snapped tight and a vein pulsing at his temple. They both drifted slowly back to earth still clinging to one another, a safe port in the storm.
Carefully he lowered her feet to the floor holding her until she could stand on shaky legs. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips so tender in comparison to their violent joining minutes before but then this man was a walking contradiction.
Swaggering alpha male one minute and gentle suitor the next. Was it any wonder she’d stayed so long?
Reaching down to the floor, he scooped up her discarded clothing in his hands and then gave her a wicked grin. “You are something else, babe. One of a kind.”
She poked him in his chest with a finger. “I’m not done with you so don’t rest on your laurels or start strutting around like the proverbial rooster. Meet me in the bedroom. It’s going to be a bumpy night, officer.”
West threw back his head and laughed, holding out her clothes. “Then I better get to it. How’d I get so lucky anyway?”
A swift pain ran through her heart like a sword slicing it in half. West was a lucky man. Loving family. Good job. Respect from friends and the town. He was the kind that would find someone else to love before too long.
It shouldn’t have made her want to cry but for some reason it did.
Chapter Five
‡
Whistling a happy tune, West pushed open the door of the Tremont diner bringing a mountainous appetite with him. He and Gigi had made love into the wee hours of the morning and he definitely needed a hefty dose of protein, carbohydrates, and coffee.
Sliding into his usual booth only ten minutes later than normal, he waved to a few of the regular customers. The place was hopping but everyone knew the Head of Detectives ate in this booth at seven-thirty in the morning.
Karla, the owner, came over with a full coffee pot and began pouring him a cup. “Morning, West. The usual?”
Frowning, his gaze darted around the restaurant. “Where’s Gigi? I thought she had a shift this morning?”
At least that’s what she’d said when she’d crawled out of their warm bed at two this morning despite his protests.
“She did but she hasn’t showed up. I tried calling her place but no answer. It’s not like her. She’s never even been late let alone taken a sick day or something. I hope she’s okay.”
Considering West had fucked Gigi’s brains out for the better part of the night it was safe to say she was probably fine. Exhausted? Worn out? Sore, even? Yep. Sick? Not unless it had come on suddenly.
“I think I’ll go check on her, Karla. Better make the coffee to go.”
“That’s a good idea. Let me get a cup for you.” Karla bustled behind the counter and came back with a styrofoam cup and lid. “Let her know we can cover for her until she’s feeling better. She’s such a hard worker that I’m not surprised it all caught up to her eventually. She’s managed to duck every germ around until now, poor thing.”
“I’m supposed to meet Travis this morning. Let him know I’m checking on Gigi?”
“Sure will.”
Bidding Karla a swift goodbye, West took his coffee and climbed into his truck, fear clawing at his empty stomach. Had Gigi come down with a cold or had she done what she’d been threatening since their first date?
Leave Tremont.
The thought that she could simply pack up without a word pissed him the hell off and his anger only grew as he drove the short distance to her apartment.
He’d work himself up into a righteous fury by the time he pulled into the parking lot and saw her standing by her sad little economy car. She was stuffing a battered suitcase into the hatchback and he didn’t stop to think about the wisdom of his actions. He threw the truck into park and hopped out, stomping up so he was inches from her and looking down into her stricken gaze.
“West,” she said faintly, as if she was shocked to see him here and didn’t know what to say.
He pointed to her suitcase, his hand shaking slightly, struggling to keep a cap on his emotions. “Going somewhere? Karla said you didn’t show up and didn’t call. She thinks you’re so sick you can’t make it to a goddamn telephone.”
Gigi’s skin went pink and then turned pale, her throat bobbing as she swallowed hard. “I feel badly that I didn’t call her. I hope you’ll tell her I’m okay.”
West wasn’t going to tell Karla a thing. “If you want Karla to know something you’ll need to tell her yourself. I’m not about to make this easier for you, babe. I just want to ask you one thing. One question. Did you ever give a single fuck about me or was this all just a game to you?”
Her lips trembled and her eyes were bright with tears, but her obvious remorse did nothing to assuage his anger. She’d been planning to leave without a damn word.
“Don’t make this harder than it is–”
“Fuck that,” West scoffed. “It doesn’t look like very hard to me. You screw me all night long then grab a quick nap before packing your shit and hitting the road. Easy as pie from where I’m standing.”
A tear rolled down her cheek and she brushed it away with the back of her hand. “I don’t expect you to believe me but none of this has been easy least of all leaving today. But I have to go. I don’t have any choice.” She looked up at him and placed her hands on his chest. “And none of this was a game. I do…care about you, West. More than anyone in a very long time. But that doesn’t change why I have to go. I’m so sorry.”
West jerked away from her touch. “Bullshit. No one is running you out of town. You’re leaving of your own free will and by God I want to know why. What’s so scary that you have to run from town to town?”
He paced a few steps and then turned back so they were practically nose to nose, more tears dampening her cheeks now.
“Goddammit I’ve been patient, waiting for you to let me in but my patience has come to its end. I’m tired of the secrets, the subterfuge, and the avoidance of anything personal. I’m tired of playing the sweet, understanding suitor. You’ve pushed me too far, babe, and the bill has come due. You’re going to march your sweet little ass back up those stairs and we’re going to sit down. Then you’re going to tell me what…in…the…hell…is…going…on. Are you dying? Are you a CIA spy? Are you on the run from the law? What the fuck?”
Gigi buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking as more tears fell. This time West couldn’t remain unaffected by the anguish pouring off of the woman he cared so deeply about. With a muttered oath, he hauled her into his arms and stroked her hair, speaking in soothing tones that everything was going to be alright.
Of course he had no idea if that was true but it sounded good right now. He let her cry it out for several minutes, his shirt front sodden. She hiccupped a few times and then pulled away slightly so she was looking up into his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I don’t cry very often.”
West hadn’t known Gigi long but he had a feeling truer words were never spoken. “I think maybe those tears have been building for awhile, babe. Can we go upstairs now so you can tell me what’s going on here and why you were leaving in secret?”
She hesitated for a moment and then nodded wearily. “Okay, but you won’t change my mind. I really am going. I have to.”
West slammed the hatchback on her vehicle closed. “Fine. Let’s go upstairs. I haven’t had near enough coffee for this.”
They walked slowly back to Gigi’s apartment and he settled her on the couch. There were a few boxes stacked up by the door that she hadn’t had a chance to load into the car and he was once again slapped in the face by how few possessions she owned. He should have known she’d try something like this. Anger at hims
elf clenched in his gut and he had to swallow against the acid that had crawled up into his throat.
“I’m going to make us some coffee and then you’re going to tell me the truth. Finally.”
She pointed to a box on the floor. “All the non-perishable food is packed up. I was going to drop it at my neighbor’s door on the way out. The coffeemaker is in the other box.”
Muttering under his breath, he retrieved the coffee and started a pot. The aroma of French roast beginning to fill the air in the small apartment. Leaving it to finish, he sat down across from her on the faded ottoman, his elbows on his knees, marshaling every ounce of patience he had. If he pushed too hard, she’d stubbornly clam up and that would just piss him off even more. They didn’t need this conversation to go down that death spiral.
“So why were you leaving?”
Gigi’s teeth sunk deeply into her bottom lip and her hands visibly shook. With fear? What did she have to be afraid of? Not him, surely?
“I–I can’t stay. I’m looking for my brother and sister. I think I have a lead on Zach. He might be in Las Vegas so I’m going there.”
It was the first personal thing she’d ever told him and he breathed easier that she hadn’t tried to tell him a big fat lie. From her stormy expression it was clear she was being truthful, and it hurt.
“How did you come to be separated from your siblings?” He hoped asking a small question might prod more personal revelations but it also might backfire spectacularly.
“I don’t want to talk about that.”
West’s gripped the edge of the ottoman careful to keep his tone even and controlled. “I understand that it might be painful to talk about. How about I ask another question? Is that why you’ve moved around so often? To find your siblings?”
More tears filled her eyes and she shook her head. “No…well…part of it. It’s hard to explain.”
Hiding From Danger (Danger Incorporated Book 2) Page 3
