Tears stung the back of her eyes.
Finally, she slept.
When she woke up again, the bus had stopped. “Rest stop,” Eric said, brushing her hair away from her face with his fingers. “Might as well get out and stretch your legs.”
Yawning, she pushed to her feet. Holding Eric’s hand, she exited the bus and headed for the giant convenience store/gas station. After freshening up in the ladies’ room, she browsed the store, amazed at the variety of junk and junk food.
“Are you hungry?” Eric spoke from behind her. She turned and once again let her gaze drink her fill of him. Devilishly handsome, he carried himself with an air of self-confidence that made him even more attractive. He was everything she could want in a man, would ever want.
He bought them coffee and submarine sandwiches. They sat at one of the little tables in the restaurant area and ate.
When they’d finished, Eric reached across the table and took her hand. “Are you ever going to tell me what message Ryan passed on from Gray?”
She shrugged, aware she wasn’t fooling him. “Threats,” she said. “You’ll discount them as empty threats.”
His gaze searched her face. “Do you?”
“I might have, except for one thing. I know I won’t be able to live with myself if anything happens to your family.” The family of the man who’d been kind enough to help out a stranger. The man she’d come to love more than life itself.
He could never know how she felt. Though she might long to tell him how much he meant to her, she knew she couldn’t. The inevitable break would have to be clean and devoid of sentiment.
She’d need every bit of her inner strength to do this right. But when? This tormented her. How would she know the right time? The only thing she knew for certain was that it needed to be soon.
“My family will be fine,” he said. “We Coltons can protect ourselves. Tell me what threats he made.”
Taking a deep breath, she nodded. Just the thought of the threats made her feel queasy. “Gray was at your ranch, remember? He knows how to get there and he passed the info on to whoever he works for in the mob. That means Samboliono’s thugs know where the Lucky C is located. Even worse, according to Gray, somehow they know where Greta lives in Oklahoma City.”
Eric swore under his breath.
“That’s not all,” she told him. “They want me to turn myself in to them, or Samboliono will give the order to have your family killed, one by one. Execution style.”
She could barely make herself look at him now, aware if she did, he’d read the emotion in her eyes. “The last thing he said was when he got to Dr. Eric Colton—you—Samboliono sends word from prison. He swears he’ll have you killed slowly, and order his men to make sure you suffer.”
Finishing, Kara felt as if she might become ill. She swallowed hard, taking shallow breaths, staring outside at the scenery through the window.
“Ryan told you this?” Eric swore, hitting the top of the table with the palm of his hand, sending their trash scattering. “What purpose did he think that would serve?”
Not understanding, she eyed him.
“We can protect the ranch, no problem,” Eric continued. “But what exactly is Ryan going to do to keep Greta safe?”
He got up from his seat and picked up their trash, carrying it to the waste receptacle. When he returned, the anger simmering in his eyes spoke louder than his otherwise calm demeanor. “Did my brother happen to tell you how he planned to safeguard Greta?”
“No, he didn’t.” Taking a deep breath, Kara stood, too, touched his too-tense arm, unable to keep from noticing the way her hand trembled. “It doesn’t matter. I’m going to do as Samboliono asks and turn myself in.”
“No.” The word exploded from Eric, garnering curious looks from a few of the other customers. “Walk outside with me.”
Once they’d left the gas-station restaurant, he stopped. He reached for her and took her in his arms. “You are not going to turn yourself in. Absolutely not. That would not only be suicide, but you’d be allowing a killer to go free.”
“I know.” Smiling sadly, she held on to him, too, breathing in his beloved scent. “But it would be a good trade. My life for the lives of many. Everyone who’s important to you.”
“You’re important to me,” he told her, his fierce voice matching his expression. “So get that thought right out of your head. It’s all a bluff, a last-ditch attempt to get you out of the picture. His guys won’t get near the Lucky C. Ryan will make sure of that.”
She wanted to believe him. Oh, how much she wanted to believe him. But she had to make him see how real the danger was. “What about Greta?”
Eric kissed the top of her head. “I’m sure Ryan will have her go home. He can protect everyone better if they’re all in one place.”
“You don’t know Samboliono.” She let her resignation and determination show in her voice.
“To be honest, I’ve never heard of him. I told the US Marshals that, too.”
“That’s because you’re not from New York. He’s well known in the Tri-State area. Anyone who gets in his way, Samboliono has killed. He’s even taken out the chief of police and a district attorney. Plus probably hundreds of less prominent people, whose deaths went unreported. It’s rumored he even has a United States senator or two on his payroll. He is one evil guy.”
“I don’t care.” Eric sounded equally resolute. “He’ll have to get through me to get to you.”
Which was exactly what worried her.
Something in her face must have told him her thoughts.
“Kara, you can’t turn yourself in. Not for me or my family or anyone else. We Coltons take care of our own. And you’re one of us now. An honorary Colton.”
Emotion clogged her throat at his words. “I’m honored,” she said, managing to force the words out. “But don’t you see? If I’m an honorary Colton, then I have an obligation to make sure no one else gets hurt.”
She could tell her logic, no matter how faulty, frustrated him. “All right, what about your duty to law enforcement? To the family of the man who was killed? If you don’t testify, then Samboliono will go free. Think about that, if nothing else. The prosecution needs you to be there in court for the trial. It’s a little over one week away. You have to show up. If you don’t, he can simply continue killing innocent people.”
Humbled by his words, Kara realized Eric was right. She couldn’t bail on her promise to appear in court. What she could do was stay hidden somewhere else. Somewhere that didn’t involve the Coltons—or anyone else. She couldn’t take the chance that any of Eric’s family could be endangered because of her. Surely she could keep herself alive for one more week and a couple of days.
“You’re right,” she said, letting him think he’d convinced her of everything. “I’ve got to appear in court. Let’s get back on the bus. I don’t want to be left behind.”
If he noticed she didn’t agree to anything else, he didn’t comment.
When they finally reached Dallas proper, the bus driver took I-20 east, heading toward Louisiana. “I think you’ll like Shreveport and Bossier City,” Eric said, his tender gaze making her chest hurt. “We’ll have a nice dinner, maybe even gamble a bit on the boats. I’m pretty good at blackjack and I think I can increase our stash of cash.”
Normally, his self-confidence would have made her smile. Now it did nothing but reinforce how much she loved him.
Her nod might have been perfunctory, but the smile he gave her in return made her soul ache. Again she tried to reason with herself. While she had no intention of turning herself in to the Samboliono goons, if she disappeared from Eric’s life, he and the rest of the Coltons should be safe. The mob would have nothing to gain by hurting them once she was gone.
Though leaving Eric would feel like ripping
out her heart, she knew she had no choice. Her lids were so heavy she could barely keep them open.
Eric noticed. “Go ahead and take a nap,” he told her, kissing the top of her head. “I’ll stay awake and watch after you.”
So she did.
When she woke again, they were still driving. The sun had set, and though it wasn’t yet full dark, most of the other vehicles had their headlights on.
“How much farther?” she asked Eric.
He shrugged. “No idea. Now, if you don’t mind, let me take a quick nap, too. I’m going to need all my energy for tonight.”
What could have been a loaded statement was ruined when he closed his eyes and almost instantly dropped into sleep.
She gazed at him, her heart both full and breaking, until she could take no more. Then, she watched the flash of traffic going in the opposite direction.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the bus pulled up to the Greyhound bus station on Fannin Street.
“We’re there,” she whispered, gently shaking Eric’s shoulder. “Wake up.”
Just as quickly as he’d fallen asleep, Eric snapped into wakefulness. “It’s a skill I learned in residency,” he said, correctly guessing her thoughts. He consulted his phone. “At least we don’t have to walk too far. The Horseshoe Casino is about four blocks that way.”
Luck must have been smiling on them. Despite having no reservations, they were able to get a room.
“The last one available,” the smiling desk clerk said, handing over the keys.
Kara took one look at the single queen-size bed and knew how she wanted to spend the rest of her time with Eric. If she was going to have to give him up, she planned to spend every last minute she could scrape together loving him. And allowing herself to be loved in return.
“I’m starving,” Eric declared, apparently oblivious.
“Me, too,” she replied, drifting into his arms and gazing up at him. “I want you.”
At her words, his amazing green eyes widened. A split second later, his mouth covered hers hungrily, passion flaring instantly between them.
How could she bear to leave this man?
Tugging at his shirt, she helped him out of it, feasting her gaze on the bare expanse of his muscular chest. Slowly, she got rid of her own shirt and jeans, standing in front of him clad only in her lacy bra and matching panties. Mentally, she sent a thank-you to Greta for talking her into buying them. Her own taste usually ran to less frilly underwear.
His swift intake of breath told her he liked what he saw. “Come here,” he rasped, holding out his hand.
Gladly she went, gasping as he pulled her up against his hard body, letting her feel the strength of his arousal. She couldn’t hide her body’s reaction, nor did she want to. Every molecule, every cell, became electrified at the contact. With him, she felt more alive than she ever had in all her thirty-one years.
He slipped his fingers around her back and divested her of her bra. Her breasts tingled as he caressed them, and she fumbled with his belt, wanting no cloth between them. He helped her, his manhood pushing against the edge of his underwear, thrilling her.
“Wait,” he rasped, hauling her up against him for a long, deep kiss. The heat emanating from his body set her on fire.
Impatient, she moved against him, the thin material of her panties making her realize she had one more article of clothing to remove. Somehow, she managed to tug them off without breaking the passionate kiss. She tried to touch him, to urge him to move faster, but he captured her wrists with his hands and held her still. Even this she found erotic, and shudders of delight inside her made her realize she stood very close to the edge.
When she thought she could take no more of the sweet torture, she moaned in protest. “Now,” she urged against his lips. “Take me now.”
Raising his mouth from hers, he looked deeply into her eyes. “Kara, I... You’re very special to me, you know that, right?”
Talk about stabbing her in the heart and twisting the knife. Mutely, she nodded, the contrast between her fiery arousal and her sorrow a sweet and sad agony. The emotion filling her made it impossible to speak. Which was for the best anyway, she thought. Though she longed to tell him her own feelings, she saw no reason to cause him any more pain.
Nonetheless, she saw her silence had hurt him. To make up for it, she curled into the curve of his body and pressed her open mouth to his corded stomach. His swift intake of breath made her smile.
“I want you,” she whispered, meaning every word. Heart bursting with anguish and love, she grazed her lips down lower, close to where his engorged body jutted proudly, ready for her.
“No.” He stopped her, leading her to the bed and pulling back the bedspread. “I want to go slow. We have all the time in the world to explore each other.”
Though she wanted fast, hard and furious, she sensed this was important to him, so she nodded. Slow, sensual lovemaking might be a better way to hold him forever in her memories.
Because no matter what happened, she knew she’d never forget him.
Easing her back onto the bed, he smiled. “Let me go first,” he said, gliding his hands up the curve of her hip. “I want to feel every inch of your skin.”
A shudder of desire shook her, though she tried to hold herself still. His touch, confident and sure, sent a jolt of pure lust coursing through her veins. He caressed her, stoking the fire of need into an inferno, until she couldn’t take any more.
“Enough,” she cried, her movements frantic. Arching her back, she writhed beneath him, needing him inside her, right that instant.
Pupils dark and engorged, he finally complied, slipping deep into her, filling her until she thought she would explode.
And then he moved, taking her with him, over the edge, into the abyss, where nothing else existed but the two of them.
Afterward, he held her as if he found her infinitely precious. She let herself hold him back, aware there might never be a forever, no matter how this felt. Maybe after the trial, if Eric could forgive her for what she was about to do. But for now, she had to believe their romance was over, or else she’d never find the strength to slip away later.
Later, after they’d showered and dressed, he took her to dinner. “I want something romantic,” he said, grinning. “We’ve gone about this all backwards. You need to be properly courted.”
Her stomach tied in knots, she managed to smile back.
“There.” He pointed. “Jack Binion’s Steakhouse. Right here inside the casino.”
Again, despite not having reservations, they were seated. “I’m thinking today might be our lucky day,” he told her, grinning.
The restaurant was elegant and intimate.
She let him order for her, not sure how she’d manage to choke anything down, but aware she’d need to eat to keep up her strength. When the food arrived—a petite sirloin for her, a rib-eye steak for him—she managed to perform a reasonable facsimile of enjoying her meal, even though in her current emotional state everything tasted like sawdust.
“You’re quiet tonight,” he remarked, after the waiter had cleared their plates and gone to fetch the dessert menu. “I know everything that happened has to be a bit of a shock.”
“It was.” She hoped her sleepy smile looked convincing. “Just a bit tired,” she said. “Even though I slept on the bus, it’s been a long, rough day. I’m still trying to process the fact that both of us are lucky to be alive.”
Immediately, he nodded. “Then we’ll skip dessert. I’m planning to make a quick stop at one of the casinos. Would you rather I walk you back to our room so you can rest?”
Straightening her shoulders, she shook her head. “I want to go with you.” Every second they could spend together would soon be only a precious memory. She wasn’t about to waste even one by sleep
ing.
His pleased grin told her he wanted her to come, too.
Once he’d settled the check, he took her hand and together they walked out into the large gaming area. The sounds of slot machines and chatter, plus the constant smell of cigarette smoke, made a headache start behind her eyes.
“All the casinos here are on boats,” he told her. “Though you can barely tell.”
He held her hand as they walked deep into the casino, and she let herself enjoy the warm fuzzy feeling his touch caused. When he found a blackjack table, she stood behind him to watch.
In less than an hour, he’d tripled their stash of money.
“Fifteen hundred dollars?” she said, unable to believe it as he cashed in his chips.
“Yeah.” His confident grin made her toes curl. “I always try to stop playing while I’m ahead.”
On the way back to the room, they stopped at one of the bars for a drink. Sitting in the small booth next to him, she allowed herself the luxury of pretending they were really a couple. Together and in love.
If only things were different, if she didn’t have a ruthless mob kingpin out to eliminate her...
But then, she’d still be in New York and would never have met Dr. Eric Colton.
“We need to buy some more clothes,” she told him. But the gift shop had already closed, so Eric said they’d take care of that in the morning.
By the time they got back to the room, Kara realized she could no longer fight her exhaustion.
“You’re right, it’s been a long, rough day,” Eric said, yawning. “Car crash, capture by a bad guy, you escape, I find you— By the way, did I ever tell you how amazing it is that you managed to take that guy out all by yourself?”
“Yes, you did.” She smiled and stood on tiptoe to press a kiss to his mouth. “And if you’re not too tired, maybe you can show me.”
He wasn’t. This time their lovemaking was fast and furious, exactly what they both needed. After, she fell into an exhausted sleep, still cradled in his arms.
The Temptation of Dr. Colton Page 21
