Tears stung the back of her eyes and she had to blink several times to keep them from sliding down her cheeks. She was tired of fucking crying.
“Love,” she agreed. “I didn’t think I had any left inside of me. I thought fear had taken up all the space in my heart. But you simply wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“You love me.”
It wasn’t a question and she didn’t argue the validity of the statement. Its truth was so deep she couldn’t deny it. She owed him that and more. From now on no more half-truths or evasions. Honesty was the only path she’d follow. She loved him.
There, she’d said it. Or at least thought it. Saying the words out loud was terrifying.
“I do. I think I have for a while now.” She held up her hand when he would have moved toward her. “But it doesn’t solve anything. I’m still kind of messed up from my childhood and Alan is still hanging over our heads.”
“He won’t be for long.” West looked every inch the confident lawman that he was. “We’ll get him. You need to start thinking about the kind of future you want. And who you want to be part of it.”
Until the last few days she’d never allowed herself to think about the future but the possibility of being truly free seemed finally within her grasp. Having West there would be sheer heaven.
“I’m not trying to evade the question. I’m honestly having trouble realizing that this entire nightmare might be over soon. I’ve never been that lucky in my life.”
“Your luck is about to change, babe. If I have anything to say about it, anyway. Are you open to having me in your life? Do you love me enough to give us a shot?”
She hadn’t wanted to but she did. Exhausted from fighting her growing feelings for this man, she didn’t play games or pretend. The time for that had past. “Yes. But I’m scared to death. I don’t know that I know how to do this.”
West reached down and popped the button on his jeans, a wicked grin crossing his face. “You know, I’ve never been in a serious relationship either so we’ll have to learn together. But I do know one thing we’re damn good at.”
Finally. She’d been worried her horndog man didn’t find her attractive anymore.
Those sinfully well-fitting blue jeans slid down his muscled thighs before he kicked them aside. His hard length sprung free, slapping his flat abdomen and she simply couldn’t keep her hands to herself. She reached out and wrapped her fingers around the thick shaft, exploring every ridge and curve. West hissed his approval and closed his eyes to savor every sensation and caress.
His unbridled response made her bold and she leaned forward to give his cock a lick, her tongue running around the head before sliding up and down the shaft until his breathing was ragged and his fingers were tangled in her hair.
“Easy, babe. I’ve got much more in mind.”
She had a few rather dirty thoughts as well.
Gigi pressed a kiss to his hip bone and then traced circles around his belly button with her tongue.
“Then what are you waiting for, handsome? I’m all yours.”
Man, was she ever. No one had ever made her feel all quivery the way West did. He had her panting his name with just a few flicks of that talented tongue.
“You’re wearing too many clothes.” His hands tugged at the skimpy tank top she’d paired with a pair of striped cotton sleep shorts. “Get naked, woman.”
She loved hearing the note of impatience in his voice, especially since she felt exactly the same. West tossed her top away as she slipped out of her shorts, kicking them across the room to land on her suitcase.
Giggling, she ran her fingers up his chest, exploring all the dips and planes of his body and drawing a ragged groan from his lips. She couldn’t get enough of touching him, his body endlessly fascinating. Finding new spots that brought him pleasure was a wonderful way to pass the time.
“You’re a naughty woman,” West growled but a smile played on his well-shaped lips. “I think you need a spanking.”
It was a running joke between them. He threatened to spank her and she threatened to kick him in the balls if he did. Although the longer they kept laughing about it, the more Gigi kind of wanted him to do it. Maybe. It sounded hot and sexy.
She blew a raspberry and rolled her eyes. “Conan the Barbarian speaks. I doubt you’ve got the stones, honestly.”
West’s eyes lit up at the challenge as she’d known they would. She knew how to get his motor running and a little friendly competition would send his libido into orbit.
“You’re playing with fire, little girl. Are you sure you want to do that?”
His head dipped down and captured a nipple in his mouth, sucking and licking until she was writhing underneath his massive frame.
“Just fuck me,” she breathed. “Give it to me, you asshole.”
“Tsk, tsk, such language for a lady. I think you definitely need to be taught a lesson.”
Gigi saw him move a second before he did. She lunged for the other side of the bed but his fingers landed around her ankle, dragging her back across the mattress. How she could be this turned on and still laughing her ass off she didn’t know, but her giggles completely ceased when his palm came smartly down on her bottom.
Yelping at the indignity, she clawed at the sheets to get away but his hand came down on her ass cheek once again, leaving a searing heat in its wake. She twisted around to tell him off but the fire from her ass was already traveling straight to her slit. Arousal coiled tightly in her belly and she opened her mouth to protest but his kiss obliterated any coherent thoughts she might have left.
His warm lips traveled down her neck between her breasts and over her belly, nipping and licking at the wet trail he’d created. His tongue snaked out and traced a line along her inner thigh and she moaned when he hit a most sensitive spot behind her knee.
“I see you’ve stopped calling me names,” West teased as he blew on her clit, sending frissons of pleasure zipping through her veins. “That’s progress. But now I think we need to get serious about this. You need to come for me, babe.”
Flames licked at her flesh as he did wonderfully evil things with his tongue. Her entire being was consumed with white hot heat as he closed his lips over her clit, his teeth lightly scraping the sensitive bud.
“Now.”
Her body never failed to respond to that deep, dark, I am God tone. Her orgasm exploded like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Multi-colored lights danced behind her lids and her toes curled, leaving her struggling for breath. Breathless and deliriously happy. At that moment she wasn’t sure why they didn’t do this every single day at least three or four times.
His hard body covered hers and he nudged at her entrance. Clinging to him like a boat in a storm, she panted as he pressed forward, so wet he easily slid into the hilt.
“Open your eyes. I want you to see me.”
Forcing her eyes open she drank in the man before her looking down at her with so much love and lust, more than she’d ever dreamed. Their gazes locked as he began to move slowly at first and then faster, harder. Each thrust rubbed sensitive spots inside her that only he had ever found. She dug her nails into his shoulders as her arousal moved higher, teetering on the precipice of another climax.
West grunted, sweat forming on his forehead. His jaw clenched tightly with the effort of holding back his own completion. Always the gentleman, he was waiting for her.
Grinding against him with each stroke she fell over the cliff, his name on her lips. She hovered in the shimmering sky far above the earth, floating and flying until she finally came down from her perch in heaven, still smiling with perfect contentment.
West had also reached the pinnacle and was now lying heavily on top of her, his breathing labored and his skin damp from exertion. She ran her hands down his spine delighting in the shiver of response she felt under her fingers. His lips found the sensitive spot where her neck and shoulder met before rolling over onto his back. Taking her with him West tucked her into hi
s side, his face covered in a grin of pure male satisfaction.
“Get some rest because I’m going to want to do that again in a few hours.”
His tone was teasing but his sexual appetite was no joke. He was totally serious.
“You’re the horniest man I’ve ever met, West Anderson.”
Not that she’d known that many but he didn’t need every single detail of her sexual history. His ego was already two sizes too big most days. He didn’t lack self-esteem.
Lying on his chest she felt his chuckle under her ear, a low rumble in his chest. “If I thought you meant that as anything but a compliment I’d be worried but you love it. Admit it, Gigi. You love that I chase you around the bedroom panting after you. You love that I can’t get enough.”
She’d promised herself not to keep secrets from him anymore.
Dammit.
“It’s not your worst trait,” she finally conceded, smiling up at him. “But if you’re thinking round two we really do need to get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow.”
For the first time in two years she was going back to Chicago. She would probably see Alan at some point. It shouldn’t scare her…but it did.
Somehow West must have sensed her thoughts.
“Then close your eyes and sleep. I’ll be right here by your side all night.”
All night. Maybe forever. If she wanted a life with West it all started with her. Burying the past and getting over her love and family issues. If she wasn’t careful she’d lose the best thing that had ever happened to her.
Chapter Twenty
‡
West checked the hotel room for anything they might have forgotten to pack. Still dark outside, it was time to go to the airport. Wyatt and Zach were in the next room, the countdown begun. Dressed but still sleepy, Gigi yawned widely, taking another sip of her coffee. West had woken her at two in the morning and she’d kicked up quite the fuss. He hadn’t told her how early they were leaving on purpose. He hadn’t wanted her to be nervous and then not be able to sleep. As it was he hadn’t slept much, his mind on the plan that he, Zach, and Wyatt had put together. He needed to get Gigi safely to the airport despite the fact that Morton’s henchmen were breathing down their neck.
The next ten minutes would make or break the entire trip to Chicago. Plan B sucked so this had to be right. No second chances.
“How are we going to get out of here without Alan’s men seeing us?”
West hadn’t told her much up to now but the time had come. The adrenaline pumped through his veins and he tugged at the suddenly too tight collar of his button-down shirt. Out of all the missions he’d been on in the Middle East and then on the Tremont police force this one meant the most.
“I want his men to see us. I need for them to believe we’re leaving the hotel and getting on the road.”
“We are leaving the hotel and getting on the road. Or haven’t I had enough of this yet?” Gigi held up her coffee cup. “Your plan is to let them follow us?”
West knocked twice on the connecting door and then slid it open. “No, the plan is to let Morton’s men follow them.”
Zach, Wyatt, and a young blonde woman walked into the room. West held out his hand to the female who had agreed to help them. “I’m West Anderson and this is Gigi Sidney. I want to thank you for helping us this morning. We couldn’t do this without you.”
She shook his hand and smiled. “I’m Shiloh Harper, a friend of Zach’s and I’m glad I could help.” Gigi had stood and the two women also shook hands. “Looks like we’re about the same size. This might just work.”
Zach gave his sister a hug and a smile. “You look confused, Sis. You and Shiloh are going to switch places. She and Wyatt are going to pretend to be you and West. They’ll get in Wyatt’s truck and head toward the highway. In the meantime you, me, and West will hightail it to the airport to catch a flight to Chicago. Hopefully leaving in the dark will help with our little sleight of hand. Now you need to switch jackets with Shiloh.”
Gigi looked confused at first but then realization dawned and she quickly shrugged out of her red hoodie, exchanging it for Shiloh’s blue windbreaker. Morton’s men would expect West and Gigi to try and disguise themselves to sneak out of the hotel so Zach had purchased hats and sunglasses that were as conspicuous as Gigi’s scarlet jacket. Hopefully Wyatt and Shiloh would garner all of the attention leaving Zach, West, and Gigi to zip to the airport under the radar.
“You two will also be switching luggage and purses. Basically anything that is distinctive about you.”
Gigi pointed down to her pink Converse tennis shoes, a glum expression on her face. They were worn and ought to be tossed in the trash but he knew how much she loved them. “These too?”
“I’ll buy you another pair, I promise, but yes, those too.”
The women made quick work of exchanging shoes and bags. Shiloh’s feet were slightly larger than Gigi’s and she winced a little as she shoved her feet into the sneaker. Gigi, on the other hand, had to lace her shoes tightly to keep them from falling off. Gigi’s clothes moved from her own suitcase to an empty one Zach had brought with him, and then purse contents made the journey from one bag to the other. Gigi’s handbag was weighed down with miscellaneous items that West had no idea why she carried. Maybe years of being on the run gave her the habit of toting around a good portion of her worldly possessions.
West shook hands with Wyatt, giving him thanks for all he’d done. As was his habit he’d gone above and beyond anything West could have expected.
“I owe you.”
Wyatt shook his head and donned the hat and sunglasses. “This just makes us even. You’ve done the same for me. Just keep Gigi safe and get that asshole, okay? We’ll take care of his evil minions.”
Wyatt’s shoulder holster was hidden by his coat and Shiloh had a handgun tucked in under her hoodie. Zach had assured West that Shiloh was a martial arts expert and could handle herself if things got ugly. They’d be fine but what they were doing was still dangerous.
Hell, taking Gigi to the airport wasn’t the safest thing he’d ever done but he had little choice.
It was time.
* * *
Gigi pulled up the collar of the borrowed windbreaker and shivered, not from a chill but from anticipation mixed with a healthy dose of fear. Wyatt and Shiloh had made their way out of the hotel and were currently standing in front of the entrance, waiting for the valet to bring their vehicle. Meanwhile she, Zach, and West were sitting in the room waiting for Wyatt to call them when they were on the road, hopefully with some company in tow.
Sitting on the bed Gigi tried to wait patiently for the signal that it was safe to leave the hotel. Zach and West were standing near the window, looking down at the street below but not saying a word. The silence in the room collided with the screaming voices inside her head, making her temples ache. The tension in the room was thick and she took a sip from her coffee, her hands shaking.
“Time to go,” West announced, his gaze trained on his phone. “They’re on the road and Wyatt thinks they’ve picked up a tail.”
Not realizing she’d been holding her breath Gigi slowly exhaled, relief flooding her insides that had moments before been twisted into sailing knots. They weren’t in the clear but the first step was in motion.
Gigi pulled up the hood of the windbreaker so that it covered most of her face while Zach and West donned baseball caps. Slinging Shiloh’s purse over her shoulder, Gigi grabbed the suitcase with her belongings but Zach eased it from her tense fingers.
“I got this, Sis. Just stay in between us and keep your head down.”
Heart hammering in her chest, she did just that as they exited the room and walked at a leisurely pace down the hallway to the bank of elevators. Just three people out for a stroll in a twenty-four-seven city filled with gambling, liquor, and other assorted vices.
Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.
At this time of the morning there was no one else waiti
ng for the elevator so they slipped down to the lobby alone, their speed picking up as they approached the front doors.
“Grab the yellow taxi. They all look alike and we’ll get lost in the traffic,” Zach said softly.
He knew the city so neither Gigi nor West argued, simply nodding in agreement. In less than a minute the three of them were sitting in the back of a cab headed straight for the airport. Step two was now also complete. Just a million more to go.
Gigi rubbed her forehead where a tiny hammer was currently pounding up a storm. “Are we being followed? Did they leave someone back in case that wasn’t us earlier?”
West had twisted around in his seat to look out the back window. “If they buy into Shiloh and Wyatt it wouldn’t make any sense to leave someone behind. But if they figured out that it was a diversion then yes, we could be followed.”
He turned forward and rubbed the back of his neck. There were circles under his eyes that clearly illustrated the lack of sleep since she’d shared her tale of woe with him. He’d taken all of her problems onto his own shoulders and the burden was heavy. For him it was life and death. For her it was a spiritual rather than physical demise. She could never allow herself to be Alan’s prisoner again.
The streets were surprisingly busy despite the early hour in the morning but the taxi zipped through the traffic without incident. The vehicle pulled up to the departures entrance at three-fifteen on the dot. They were intentionally cutting it close, not wanting to mill about the airport. The flight was scheduled to leave in forty-five minutes and they still needed to check in. Luckily there were only a few people in line ahead of them.
Gigi tried not to act suspiciously but she couldn’t help the furtive glances over her shoulder, looking for one of Alan’s men out of the corner of her eye. Everyone looked threatening and her nervousness must have shown on her face because West placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze.
“Relax. Zach and I are watching everyone and everything. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“I know,” Gigi murmured, training her gaze forward. “I just wish we were on the airplane. Then I can relax.”
Hiding From Danger (Danger Incorporated Book 2) Page 13
