“You’re impossible.” She shook her head.
“Quit fighting it, love. I know you really like me.”
She stared at him for several seconds before she released a defeated sigh. “I’ll admit, I like you more now than I did when we first met.”
“And I feel the same about you.”
“But that doesn’t mean I’m going to fall head-over-heels in love with you.” She arched an eyebrow. “And I know that once this is all over with and the senator’s trial has ended, you’ll go your merry way and I’ll go mine. So let’s not make this more complicated than two friends hiding out at a ranch.”
“But what if,” he said seductively as he rubbed beneath her lower lip with his thumb, “there is more between us? Don’t you think we should try to find out exactly what is between us?”
Her breathing turned ragged. His heartbeat was already knocking in an unsteady rhythm because of her nearness.
“Let me guess,” Whitney ran her fingers through his hair, being careful not to touch his sunburned ear, “the billionaire playboy is lonely for a woman’s touch?”
He loved how gentle she was with him, and he closed his eyes and smiled. “I’m lonely for your touch.”
For the next few moments, the only sound he heard was her ragged breaths, and her occasional hard swallow. Soon her hand moved from his hair and dropped to his shoulder before it slowly slid down his chest. He released a light groan and looked at her. No longer was she staring at his face, but at his chest. Her eyes followed the path her hand was taking. At least she appeared more relaxed than she’d been earlier when he first pulled her to his lap.
“Whitney,” he sighed, making her gaze jump up and meet his. “Kiss me.”
Her breath caught in her throat and her lips parted. Passion lit her eyes, making them greener.
She licked her lips. “If I kiss you, will you let this matter drop?”
“It’ll depend on the kiss.” His heartbeat kicked up a notch.
He waited for her to make the first move. He prayed she’d have the courage to go with her feelings this time and listen to her heart.
Slowly, her face moved closer, and just as she neared his mouth, she closed her eyes. He cupped her head, holding her in place as their lips moved together. At first, she was hesitant in the way she kissed, but he allowed her to take charge. After all, this experiment was to prove to Whitney that she enjoyed kissing him.
The kiss was simple – and almost too sweet. But he didn’t want to push her against her will. But when she started to pull away, disappointment filled him. He met her wondering gaze as she hesitated, shifting her focus between his eyes and his mouth. He stroked her silky hair, silently encouraging her to continue.
“Zack,” she whispered, “I’m not as experienced at this as you are.”
“You’re doing just fine.” He offered her a smile as he silently pleaded with her to continue.
Her eyes twinkled, and she lowered her head again. This time when her mouth met his, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her fully against him. She tilted her head and her lips parted. This was all the invitation he needed to take over.
As he deepened the kiss, his heart soared with excitement. She may not be as experienced, but her kisses were making his head swim with pleasure. And when she stroked his beard, he nearly lost his breath. Instead, he groaned passionately.
“Now, now, you two.” A female voice broke the silence in the room. “You’re starting to fog up the windows in here.”
Whitney jerked away. Zack panicked, not wanting her to feel ashamed of their kiss, so he quickly cupped her face which made her look at him again. He smiled, pulled her face back to his mouth for a brief kiss before finally ending it. This time when she met his gaze, she smiled and sighed.
Knowing that she was happy with their kiss, he dragged his attention to the housekeeper who was opening up the window shades. “Sorry for fogging up the windows.”
Gladys’ round body jiggled as she moved from window to window. “It’s just nice to see love in the air again, especially in this house.”
Whitney chuckled and moved off his lap. Once she was on her feet, she rubbed her butt and then looked at his lap. “No wonder I felt cold. I was sitting on your ice-pack.”
He laughed and lifted the ice-pack up to show Gladys. “I think I need to replace this now. The heated kiss Whitney and I just shared melted the ice.”
Whitney quickly snatched the pack from him. Her cheeks were darkened with a blush.
“You’re just awful, do you know that?” she told him before going into the kitchen.
Satisfaction filled him and he sighed. Love was definitely in the air.
ELEVEN
Humming, Whitney walked on clouds the rest of the day. She hadn’t had a chance to talk to Zack alone since their steamy kiss, but she needed that time to think about how that kiss made her feel.
Taking a deep breath, she placed her hand on her chest. The fluttering in her heart hadn’t stopped since this morning. Actually, she didn’t want it to stop. She enjoyed the power it gave her. Never in her life had she finished kissing a man and known that he’d liked it just as much as she had. After seeing the passion on Zack’s face and the tender way he gazed into her eyes, it was hard not to know his feelings.
But why had he enjoyed it so much? She wanted to blame the pain pills, but she knew they hadn’t taken effect when they’d kissed. Was he really just lonely for a woman’s affection? It was difficult for her to believe that he actually wanted her. Zack Greyson had so much money, he could get any woman. So why her?
Joe was taking up much of Zack’s time after supper, so Whitney wandered back up to the attic. Since the kiss, she’d wanted to paint her feelings on the canvas. By painting her thoughts, she’d be able to refer back to the picture and remember this moment in her life. A moment she never wanted to forget.
Whitney put the paints and brushes together, found a smock, and began. Time seemed to stand still as she painted. Yet her mind spun with emotions from her past. She’d been so happy at the ranch before the divorce. But once she and her mother had returned to city life, everything changed. Mother wouldn’t allow her to paint. Whitney received the impression that her mother thought she wasn’t any good even though other people had praised her paintings.
Mother hadn’t approved of anything Whitney tried to accomplish throughout the years. When she finally entered college, she was relieved to be away from her over-critical parent. However, Whitney tried hard to please everyone in her life no matter if they trampled her heart.
Zack had wondered why she didn’t believe in herself. It was because she’d never thought she was any good. It seemed that everything she tried to do had failed. Relationships with men were a joke. And now that she was an FBI agent, even that was a ridiculous farce. Zack had mentioned once how terrible she was at her job. He was right. She was the worst agent in the unit.
Was there anything she could do well?
She paused in her painting and studied the way the colors blended so well together, and the way the landscape of the ranch nearly jumped off the canvas. Nodding, she concluded that she was pretty darn good at painting, even if her mother thought differently.
How was it that being with Zack lately made her feel good about herself? True, that feeling hadn’t come to her until they’d left his mother’s house in Manhattan, but being with him on the ranch was just magical. Heaven. Dare she say... paradise? No, she wouldn’t use that term just yet.
“I’m glad you’re painting again.”
The man’s voice startled Whitney out of her thoughts and she jumped. Joe leaned against a wall as he stared at her painting. The smile on his face told her everything and her heart melted.
“I didn’t even hear you come in,” she said.
“I didn’t want to disturb you. I could tell you were really enjoying your painting.”
“I am.” She sighed and put down the brush. “What time is it?”
“
It’s about eleven o’clock.”
“What?” She jumped to her feet. “It’s that late? I need to help Zack to bed.”
Waving his hands, Joe moved away from the wall. “It’s already been done. Gladys was only too happy to help Zack.”
Whitney chuckled. “Yeah, I bet she was.”
Joe pulled a stool over next to her and sat. He took hold of her hand as a worried frown touched his face.
“Whit, I need to talk to you about Zack.”
“Okay.”
“How well do you really know him?”
When Captain Bott had given her the assignment to watch over the billionaire, she’d read Zack’s file over twice, along with studying his movements as she spied on him. “I think I know him pretty well. Why?”
Joe’s gaze dropped to his lap as he twisted his fingers. She held her breath, wondering what he knew that she didn’t. She prayed it wasn’t something terrible, especially now when she allowed her heart to be opened.
“Todd, one of my ranch hands, thinks Zack looks like the missing billionaire that’s been in the tabloids lately.” He raised his head and looked at her. “But you told me Zack’s last name was Tucker, right?” He shrugged. “I have to admit, your Zack and the billionaire Zack do resemble each other. I just didn’t want you to get hurt.”
She breathed a relieved sigh. “Joe,” she reached over and grasped one of his hands, “I haven’t been completely honest with you, and I’m sorry. I suppose it’s part of the job. But my Zack is the missing billionaire. I made him cut his hair and grow a beard, so he wouldn’t be easily recognized. The reason we are here is because I was assigned to watch him until the senator’s trial. But well, I goofed up the other day and now the senator’s hitman knows I’m with Zack. So, we’re now both in hiding.”
“Oh...” Joe’s shoulders sagged. “Well, now I don’t know which is worse – both of you lying to me or both of you in danger.”
She squeezed her stepfather’s hand. “If we can stay here, we’ll be all right. Just as long as you don’t tell anyone – not even Gladys. We really need to keep this secret for both of our safety.”
“Of course, Whit. You know I’ll do anything to protect you. And I’m glad Zack’s better than those other men you’ve been with.” He paused and worried lines creased his forehead and around his mouth. “But are you two just acting like you’re in love, or are you really in love?”
Whitney let out an uncomfortable laugh and straightened. “I wish I knew the answer to that.”
He grinned. “So you think you’re falling in love with him?”
“I don’t know about love, but I’m definitely attracted to him. And lately, he’s made me feel so special. I can’t describe it. I feel as though he’s given me a boost of confidence that I’ve lacked for years.”
“I like Zack. He does seem like a genuine guy. And hey, he’s rich.”
“I don’t care about his money.” She shook her head. “I just want someone who will love me for me and not what they want me to be.”
“I think Zack might just be the one who can do that.”
“Well, I’m taking things slowly. I don’t want my heart broken again.”
“Zack will understand that.” Joe stood and leaned down to kiss her on the forehead. “I want you to continue painting. Don’t worry about sleep right now.”
“Thanks, Joe.”
He took a few steps away before turning to look at her again. “You know, I really want you to call me Dad, if that’s okay.”
Love burst in her chest and she jumped up and threw her arms around him. Tears filled her eyes and her throat tightened with emotion.
“I’ve wanted to call you that for so long. You were the only father I had.”
“Then why haven’t you called me that before?” Joe withdrew slightly, looking into her eyes.
“Mother told me not to.”
He nodded and frowned. “I should have guessed.”
“I’m sorry for the wasted years.”
“As long as you start doing it now, you’ll make me very happy.”
“Thanks... Dad.”
HOW WAS IT POSSIBLE that Zack’s legs were more sore today than yesterday? The trip down the stairs early that morning nearly had him screaming in pain. But he was no sissy. Men do not scream. However, men do cuss under their breath to keep from showing their emotions.
It surprised him when Whitney wasn’t at the breakfast table, but he waited patiently as he slowly ate his pancakes, sausage, hash browns, and eggs. By the time he was finished, she had yet to make an appearance.
He left the table and wandered into the kitchen. Gladys and Karen were chatting, but quieted when he walked inside.
“Are you ready for more pancakes,” Gladys asked cheerfully.
“No, I’m fine. Thanks, ma’am. But I’m wondering if you’ve seen Whitney. I thought she’d be down for breakfast by now.”
“No, I haven’t. Did you check in the attic?”
“Why would she be up there?”
Gladys turned to the electric grill and flipped over two pancakes. “Joe mentioned that she was painting again.” She threw him a wide smile over her shoulder. “I’m assuming we have you to thank for that.”
His heart tripped in excitement. “Me?”
“Yes. You’re the first man who has made her want to paint again.” She wobbled over to him and lightly patted his cheek. “You are so wonderful.”
“Thanks, ma’am. I’d love to take the credit for that, but I think it’s because she’s back in this house. She has such great memories of being here.”
“Yes. Those were the good ole days.” Gladys nodded.
“Well, I suppose I’ll go see if she’s up there.” Inwardly, he groaned. He wasn’t looking forward to walking up all those many stairs – walking down them.
“When you see her,” Gladys added, “tell her I’ve made her favorite breakfast.”
“I will.” He gave the ladies a small wave before leaving the kitchen.
As he limped toward the stairs, he passed the large picture window. The blinds were open and he glanced outside at the beautiful red, gold, and brown colors of autumn. But then he saw something else that had his heart skipping faster. It looked as though he didn’t have to climb all those stairs after all. Whitney was outside on a tire-swing hooked to the large oak tree in the front yard.
His heart melted. She looked similar to how she had yesterday. Her hair was long and flowing over her shoulders, she wore a pink flannel with black jeans. She fit in with the ranch scene perfectly. Maybe she’d change her mind about being an FBI agent and work on Joe’s ranch, instead.
Perhaps he needed to help her out by nudging her in the right direction.
TWELVE
Breathing in the fresh scent of autumn, Whitney smiled. It was a refreshing break to be outside with nature. Memories resurfaced – those she couldn’t control. After her mother divorced Joe, Whitney had tried to forget her love for painting and for riding horses. She tried to lock away the past because it hurt too much to remember. But being on the ranch had opened her heart and mind. And now she didn’t want to leave.
The chirping of her cell phone snapped her to reality. Grumbling, she jumped off the tire swing. She fished the phone out of her pocket and glanced at caller ID. Inwardly, she groaned. What was Captain Bott calling to chew her out about this time?
“Agent Lawson,” she replied automatically, and then cringed, remember what he’d said the last time she called herself an agent.
“Can I assume,” he began in a strong voice, “that you and the billionaire are in hiding now?”
“Yes, captain. We are.”
“Good, because the senator is going to be extra upset now.”
She held her breath, wondering what had happened that she didn’t know about.
“We just got word,” her boss continued, “that the senator’s attempt to push the trial back was denied. Trial will be in two weeks.”
Relief swept over
her, knowing that she only had two more weeks to be in hiding, and yet she knew as well as any agent, that the senator’s henchmen would be diligently searching for Zack now.
Not good.
“I’ll be extra cautious, sir,” she said.
“You’d better. I don’t want one of my agents dead. And I definitely don’t want the prosecution’s only witness dead, as well.”
“Agreed, sir.”
“Where did you finally end up hiding?”
“A ranch in Maine. I know the owner.” She didn’t want to give too much information away, only because the captain would find another reason to snap at her. “And I made Greyson change his appearance. Looking at him now, you wouldn’t know immediately that he was the billionaire.”
“Good job, Lawson. Now, as long as the two of you can stay low for two more weeks, we’ll be able to keep him safe from the senator’s long criminal reach. I swear, that crooked politician has spies all over.”
“I’ll do all I can to keep Zack Greyson safe, sir.”
“I’ll call you the closer we get to the trial to give you more details.”
“Thanks. I’ll await your call.”
She hung up and slid the phone back in her pocket. With a prayer in her heart, she hoped the senator’s reach didn’t come all the way to Greenston, Maine.
Leaning against the tree, she closed her eyes and sighed. Mixed emotions rushed through her. Part of her was excited that she only had to wait two more weeks, and the other part of her didn’t want this glorious vacation to end. Zack was a different person out here. Either that, or she was the different person. It didn’t matter because whatever was going on, her heart was light, and she felt happy – an emotion she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Suddenly, an eerie feeling came over her, stirring the hairs on the back of her neck. She reached for her Glock... only to remember she’d left it in her room. Her heartbeat quickened as her mind whirled with how she would be able to handle things without her gun if the situation became dangerous. She focused on the sounds around her. Deep breaths were coming toward her. Quickly.
The Missing Billionaire (The Tycoons #2) Page 8
