“No.” Wallace leaned closer, so she also moved closer. “I think he was shooting at you.”
Her blood turned ice-cold and she jerked back. Fear took on a different meaning, and bile rose to her throat. “Me?”
Wallace nodded. “I never wanted to say anything before,” his voice lowered, “but he felt threatened when you were around. Joe adored his new stepdaughter, and because you got all of the attention, Jim Bob was ignored.”
She scowled. “That’s just ridiculous. Joe was married to my mother. Of course, he’s going to treat me with more love and attention.”
“Yeah, but Jim Bob...” He glanced around them again. When he met Whitney’s stare, he tugged on her hand, making her lean closer. “There was a rumor going around that Jim Bob was Joe’s illegitimate son.”
This time when she gasped it was much louder. She snapped up straight and slapped a hand over her mouth. Slowly, shaking her head, she tried not to think of the shocking news, but everything made sense. Jim Bob had always treated her badly right after they first met. He was always glaring at her, and giving her mean looks. He’d accused her of being spoiled, like her mother. Whitney could never understand his resentment, but with this news... Yes, it made perfect sense.
“Oh, Wall,” she grasped his hand again. “How are we going to prove it?”
“I don’t know.” He released a sad sigh. “I’d said something to Joe earlier today about seeing Jim Bob going toward the woods, but when Joe asked him, he had an alibi.”
“Alibi or not, at least we have a suspect.” Whitney nodded sharply. “And believe me, I’m not going to take my eyes off that man until I’ve cleared him of the crime.”
“I’ll keep a close watch on him, too. I’ve never liked that guy.”
“Thanks, Wall. You’re a good friend.”
She gave him a light hug, and as she pulled away, Wallace jumped to his feet with his face aflame a fire red.
“I... um, I guess I should get the horse back to the stable.” He hurried to the horse and gathered the reins. “Please don’t tell Joe about the rumor I’d heard. I know Joe hates gossip.”
“He sure does.” She nodded. “I won’t say anything.”
As she watched Wallace leave, her thought shifted to a different direction. Starting first thing in the morning, she was going to spy on Jim Bob Craig. One way or another, she was going to arrest someone before nightfall tomorrow.
She left the veranda and hurried up to her room. She suspected Zack and her dad were still planning Zack’s fake death. She shivered. That plan really did not sit well with her. Something would go wrong. It always did in her life.
She entered her room, and immediately, she felt another presence in the room. The person’s deep breaths were a dead giveaway that she was not alone. Her heart pounded irregular, and a sickening chill rushed through her. Slowly, she reached for her Glock and pulled it out of the shoulder holster, preparing for anything.
Silently, she prayed that she’d remember her FBI training and the self-defense classes she took. She really didn’t want to have to kill anyone in her bedroom.
SIXTEEN
Slowly turning, Whitney’s sharp eyes scanned the darkened room. A small light shone through the window’s curtains from the full moon’s glare, causing many shadows to dance around her. Her ears tuned in to the heavy breaths coming from the corner toward her bed.
Focusing on all of the training she’d been put through to be an FBI agent, she stepped carefully and cautiously, keeping her gun in front of her as if it led the way toward the sound.
It only took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, although it seemed like several minutes has passed. But soon, the furniture in the room took shape. She saw the bed, the nightstand, the dresser drawers, and the large cushioned chair in the corner. Someone sat in the chair, facing her. She couldn’t see a face, but the man’s hands were on the arm rests. The slight tilt of the man’s head made her curious, and she paused, studying the outline closer.
She dared take another step toward the person in the chair, and then another, until she was two feet away. The person in the chair didn’t move except for the man’s chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm and he continued to take deep breaths.
A different feeling washed over her now. Someone was asleep in her chair? Suddenly the familiar scent in the air tickled her senses. Zack! She had memorized his smell.
Sighing with relief, she holstered her gun and finished walking toward him. She clicked on the lamp sitting next to the small table between the chair and the dresser drawers. Zack’s eyes were closed, and his head cocked to the side as he slept peacefully.
Once she was able to get her heartbeat to regulate properly, she removed the lap blanket on the end of the bed and gently placed it over his body. He didn’t stir or even jerk. He was certainly sleeping deeply. Which was what she hoped to be doing soon.
Knowing that he’d fallen asleep while waiting for her, made her smile. He really did care about her. He must have known she’d wanted to be by herself, which was why he didn’t come and search for her.
She leaned closer to him with her arms bracing the back of the cushioned chair. “Zack,” she said in a soft voice. He didn’t flinch at all.
Satisfied that he wasn’t going to wake up, she moved away from him and gathered her pajamas before turning off the light. She stepped softly into the adjoining bathroom to undress. Keeping as quiet as she could, she took off her FBI clothes... Zack was right. They were very plain and ugly. She’d never wanted to stand out, which was why she wore them. She’d wanted to be treated like everyone, not someone special, because that was what she’d been used to.
She took a quick shower, praying that Zack wouldn’t be able to hear the spray from the showerhead hitting against the walls. But she couldn’t get a good night’s sleep without taking a shower first. For some reason, the hot water beating upon her seemed to relax her.
Once Whitney was out and dried off, she slipped on her silky nightgown before taking the brush and running it through her wet hair. She had to admit, she thought she was prettier with her hair long, too. But keeping it back in a ponytail was less hassle in the morning, plus she didn’t want any extra attention on her while she was at work.
She brushed her teeth before leaving the bathroom and clicking off the light. As she tip-toed toward the bed, she kept watch on Zack who hadn’t appeared to have moved from his sleeping position. But she had to scoot around him in order to get to her bed.
Carefully, she stepped past him, but her foot knocked against his outstretched leg. Before she had time to wonder why she hadn’t seen that limb earlier, she stumbled awkwardly as not to fall on him. Unfortunately, she was unable to stop herself in time, and she landed on Zack’s lap. His body jerked, and immediately, his arms slid around her, imprisoning her.
It was her first reaction to stiffen, but when he dropped his face into her neck where his hot breath caressed her, her body melted like chocolate in the middle of the summer.
“Mmmm...” He nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck. “You smell so good.” He grasped a lock of her damp hair. “And you took a shower.”
Inwardly, she groaned. This wasn’t the way she wanted to end her night. She didn’t want him on her mind, and especially in her heart. Not until after the trial.
“Now this is how a man likes to get awakened.” He kissed her throat.
“Zack...” She’d meant for her voice to be stern, but instead, it came out a passionate sigh. Good grief! Being like this with him had affected the way she talked, too.
She tried to get out of his hold... Well, okay, maybe she didn’t try that hard, but every time she turned, he used his arms to move her toward him a little further. “I... I thought you were asleep.”
“Mmmm,” he moaned again as he continued to kiss her neck. “I still am, and I’m having the best dream ever.”
The words please stop was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t say the words
. The decent thing would be to tell him to stop, because she knew he would, but deep inside her heart, this was exactly what she wanted. This was what she needed.
Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to relax... And enjoy. She tilted her head back to give him better access. She stroked his smooth beard that rubbed across her collarbone as his mouth trailed kisses all over.
Her mouth dried, and although the pleasure was almost too much to stand, she wanted his mouth fused to hers. She wanted to shower him with love as she kissed him mindlessly. She wanted him to feel – even if it was a little bit – what electric current zipped through her body every time they kissed.
“Oh, Zack,” she sighed as she withdrew enough to find his mouth with hers. The moment their lips met, fireworks burst inside her. She tightened her arms around his neck and held on tightly to him. He cradled her in his arms as his mouth passionately slid across hers, reminding her how glorious it felt to be kissed thoroughly by this incredible man.
His hand traveled all over her back, then around her waist before moving up her arm to cup her face. Warning bells chimed through her head, but she pushed them aside. She knew how far she wanted to take this intimate moment, and she knew she wouldn’t go that far. But the more they kissed urgently, the hotter the temperature inside her body climbed, nearing the point of no return.
Zack was the first to break the kiss. He buried his face in her neck as his heavy breaths turned up the heat that much more.
“Whitney,” he said raggedly, “I need to know something.”
“What,” she whispered huskily.
“How do you feel about me?”
His odd question brought her mind jerking to a halt and she opened her eyes to look at his face. That’s when she realized they hadn’t turned on the light.
“What do you mean?”
He rubbed her back. “Do you believe in love at first sight?”
She shook her head. “No, because when I first met you I wasn’t even attracted to you and I knew you weren’t attracted to me.”
“Then tell me why I feel this way now? Why does my heart feel like it’s going to jump right out of my chest whenever you kiss me? Why do I feel like I don’t ever want you to leave me? Do people really have these feelings when they’ve only known each other for a few days?”
Sighing, she caressed his beard, letting her thumb trail to his swollen lips. “Then how about love at second-sight?”
Chuckling, he pulled her tighter in his arms. “Whitney, do you love me?”
She hesitated before answering, not wanting to lie to him. But she really didn’t need to think this over. She’d never felt this way about any guy before and yet, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she was madly in love with Zack Greyson. “Yes.”
His shoulders relaxed, and his mouth stretched into a grin. “No other woman has brought out these feelings in me before. The way I feel around you makes me want to be your protector, your friend – your lover – but most importantly, your companion.”
Tears of happiness spiked her eyes, and she tried to hold them back, even though he probably couldn’t see her. “Zack, I need to know something, too.”
“What?”
“Do you love me for me even when I wear ugly, plain FBI clothes?”
“Oh, my precious love.” He brushed his mouth across hers briefly. “I’ll admit that I don’t like seeing you in those clothes, but it’s only because it changes your personality. When you’re in agent mode, it’s like you don’t have a heart. I love you the best when I can see your heart in your beautiful hazel eyes, and I can see the love by the way you speak to others and treat them with kindness and respect.”
“Really? I’m a different person?”
He nodded. “Joe has even noticed the difference.”
“Oh, Zack.” She dropped her face to his shoulder as tears fell from her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” He kissed the side of her head. “Because I love you no matter what, but I want a relationship with the kind and giving woman that you are; the woman that makes me feel more like a man and a protector.”
She laughed and lifted her face to look at him. “I promise to let you be my protector.” She paused before adding, “But not until after the trial. I’m still an agent, and so—”
“Whitney.” He placed his fingers to her mouth, stopping her. “You might still be an agent, but I’m not a weakling. If you must, just think of me as your partner, or one of your co-workers.”
She expelled a difficult breath and nodded. “I’ll try. I do have a lot of changes to make if I want to keep a man in my life. And... you will still be in my life even after the trial, right?”
He cupped her head as his mouth covered hers once more. The kiss was packed with tenderness and so much emotion it brought more tears to her eyes. Amazingly enough, she felt his love, and it matched the love she had for him.
It didn’t take long before he pulled away. His fingers tenderly stroked down her face.
“What do you think?” he whispered deeply.
“I think we’ll be planning to spend Christmas together this year.”
His body shook with silent laughs and he nodded. “You got that right, love.”
She laid her head on his chest and cuddled against him. He kept her on his lap as his hands rubbed up and down her arms, and even her legs. But he wasn’t doing anything inappropriate yet.
“Zack? Why are you in my room?”
“I was waiting for you to come inside so that I could tell you what plans Joe and I made.”
“But... you were asleep, and the light was off.”
“I know. When I came into your room it was still light. I made myself comfortable and fell asleep.”
“You’re cute when you’re asleep, you know.”
“No, I didn’t know that. But I happen to think you’re adorable when you’re asleep, too.”
Curiosity had her straightening and looking his way again. “How do you know what I look like asleep?”
“Did you forget that I drove from New York and let you sleep?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“And last night, I snuck in your room and watched you.”
She sucked in a breath and playfully slapped his shoulder. “No, you didn’t.”
He cocked his head. “I didn’t? Lately, I have realized how hard it is to stay away from you. Forgive me, but I can’t stop this overpowering feeling of wanting to protect you.”
“You’re so sweet.”
“I can’t help it. Being with you makes me this way.”
Her heartbeat was tripping over itself and melting continuously. But she loved the uneven rhythm of her heart. She loved being in love. She loved the fact that she could trust Zack with anything, especially her life. Although he wanted to be the man – the protector – she would still do all she can to make sure an assassin’s bullet didn’t find Zack’s heart.
SEVENTEEN
Bright and early in the morning, Zack rode his horse alongside Joe. The sun was just barely making its way up in the sky. The clouds were tinted pink and blue. The scene was surreal. He wished Whitney could share it with him.
Today Joe didn’t bring the other ranchers, and he didn’t intend to bring in the cattle either, so Zack wondered why Joe had invited him on this early morning ride. As they made their way through the woods, he became uncomfortable. Joe had brought his rifle, but Zack felt helpless without a weapon. Of course, it had been years since he took a hunter’s safety course, so he might not be the best person to carry around a loaded weapon.
Joe was silent for the first little while as they galloped their horses along a path in the woods. Zack was alert to everything around him, and he prayed the shooter hadn’t been watching him when he left the house this morning.
When Joe slowed his horse, Zack hoped the other man would want to talk now. If not, Zack would come up with a topic. Something needed to be done to break up the silence.
Joe glanced over his should
er at Zack. “You’re probably wondering why I wanted you to come riding with me.”
“Actually, yes.” Zack slowed his horse to a stop and waited for Joe to do the same. “Especially, when nobody else came with us.”
Sighing, Joe’s gaze moved around them slowly as a soft smile bracketed his mouth. “I’ve always loved the outdoors. It’s so calming out here.”
“I have to agree with you. In fact,” Zack chuckled softly, “I’m thinking of buying my own ranch.”
Joe’s eyes widened. “You are? Right here in Maine?”
Zack shrugged. “I was thinking more like Montana.”
“Well, with your money, I’m sure you’ll find a nice place and hire the best people to run it for you.”
“Unless I want to run it myself.”
Joe adjusted his hat. “Are you a hands-on kind of guy?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good to know, especially since I’ve read about you in the tabloids.”
Zack snorted a laugh and rolled his eyes. “Don’t believe everything you read in those magazines.”
“I’m glad to know that.” He leaned forward. “One more question.”
“Okay.”
“Are you going to take care of my daughter?”
Love swelled in Zack’s chest. “As much as she’ll let me. But yes, I plan on doing all I can to take care of Whitney. I’m in love with her, sir. I told her last night.”
The older man smiled widely. “That’s music to my ears. I don’t want to see her hurt.”
“Neither do I.”
“So what if,” Joe shifted in his saddle, “I offer to sell my ranch to you and Whitney?”
A thick board across his head wouldn’t have shocked him any more than what Joe had said. “You want to sell your ranch?”
“Yes.” He scratched his neck. “I’ve been doing this for years and I think I’m ready to retire. I want to do the things I’ve only dreamed about doing before I get too old to do them. Whitney loves it here, and well... if you two want it, then I want to sell it to you.”
The Missing Billionaire (The Tycoons #2) Page 11
