"Don’t stop," she hissed, when he paused and gazed at her in concern. “It feels wonderful.” She’d never felt anything like the pleasure of being wanted this much…and of wanting to return that pleasure tenfold.
His eyes blazed with erotic intent as he began slow, deliberate thrusts, rocking her world with kisses and rough whispers of endearments. Her hands clutched his taut buttocks, her body quivering uncontrollably beneath his massive form as he plunged and withdrew. Pure fire shot through her as his mouth and tongue emulated his driving thrusts.
A low, guttural wail rose from deep in her throat and tiny stars exploded inside her as she sobbed his name. Everything in the room disappeared and all she could see was Linc’s dark, passion ravaged face. He threw back his head, his eyes burning fiercely as he emptied into her, his release violent and magnificent. She felt the powerful shudder that wracked his big body as he groaned her name in a reverent, hoarse rasp.
“You’re mine, sweet baby.”
“Yes,” she agreed huskily.
Deeply embedded in her, he stroked her hair back from her damp temple and kissed it. "You’re everything I ever dreamed of. I need you more than I've ever needed anyone."
"I need you too," Isabel said, loving the weight of his big body on her smaller one. When he moved to ease off her, she protested the abandonment. "Stay there. Please," she entreated. “I want you on top of me. It makes me feel safe and sheltered.”
"I'll squash you, honey." He braced his upper body on his forearms and gazed at her with bemused eyes.
Isabel hugged him tighter, her heart overflowing with a need to stay connected. "Hold me and don’t let go,” she whispered, kissing his stubble covered jaw. He turned her and spooned her body, his solid chest and hard thighs glued to her back and buttocks as he stroked her hair from her face and murmured sexy endearments against her damp temple.
Later that evening, Isabel awoke feeling disoriented. When her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she realized Linc was gone. She grabbed his discarded shirt on the floor beside the bed and pulled it over her naked body. Rising from the bed, the shirt covered her from shoulders to knees as she walked toward the bathroom where she heard the shower running. She felt a wet trickle slide down from between her legs. Her eyes shot open when she checked and realized it was Linc’s semen. The condom must have broken or slipped during their lovemaking.
Panic knotted her stomach as she squeezed her eyes shut and considered the consequences. Since separating from Frank, she had lived cautiously, almost obsessively so, for Suzie's sake, and now she had done something utterly reckless and completely irresistible. In her moment of weakness, her love for Linc had trumped everything. She’d been a wild woman in his arms and she already craved him again.
Yet with all the exquisite, almost unbearable, pleasure his lovemaking had given them, she blanched thinking of the consequences if she got pregnant. She loved Linc, but starting a marriage because of pregnancy wasn’t a good idea. And there was still the issue of the constant violence in his life, the pervading danger that he couldn’t deny. The demons of fear were hard to defeat as they invaded her mind, causing her sleepless nights of late.
Linc had sought to ease her anxiety with assurances that he was always careful. But what about the perpetrators? Were they careful?
Chapter 13
Linc strolled into the room with a towel wrapped snugly around his lean hips. Droplets of water clung to the ends of his rumpled, damp hair. "What's wrong?" he asked, when he saw Isabel’s face.
She swallowed hard, her mind whirling with how he’d react when she told him. Her face was feverish and her limbs lethargic as she stood before him feeling defenseless. "Did you notice the condom broke?"
"Yeah, I noticed." He looked surprisingly unruffled. “It doesn’t matter.”
Isabel’s jaw dropped. “You don't care if I get pregnant? Really?" she asked, searching his face.
"Of course I care. I'd be thrilled if we conceived a baby."
"Out of wedlock," she said slowly, trying to wrap her head around his unexpected reaction.
"No, in holy matrimony," he corrected, a warm smile spreading over his ruggedly handsome features.
She clutched her head and stared at him. He was uttering one startling response after another, playing havoc on her heart and head, making her yearn for something irresistible and risky. "What are you saying?”
"I’m saying I love you. From the moment I met you, I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Now I know you’re equally beautiful inside.” He stood perfectly still, gazing deeply into her eyes with his hands resting on her shoulders.
Isabel’s heart expanded with such a surge of emotion, she had to clutch his biceps to keep from losing her balance.
“I want to take care of you and Suzie, if you’ll have me." He gave her a crooked smile. “No one will ever love you as much as I do.”
Isabel’s eyes welled up. "I love you too," she said, blinking back the hot tears stinging her eyes. Her mouth trembled as she tried to smile.
His hand cupped her jaw as he drew back, his eyes vulnerable as they regarded her. “I hope those are happy tears.”
“They are, but…” She glanced down and swallowed a helpless sigh. She wished she could say yes with no reservations, but how could she when so much was at stake? “We’re not the only ones involved here. What about Suzie?"
Linc smiled. “Don’t worry about Suzie. She spent most of the field trip suggesting we get married. She said she wants me to be her daddy," he said proudly. "It would be an honor to help you raise her."
Isabel's eyes prickled with fresh tears. His amazing generosity made her heart hurt. In Linc’s crime-fighting world, Frank had represented everything he wanted to vanquish, yet he was willing to raise Frank’s daughter as his own. It moved Isabel deeply.
“Hey. I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Linc chided. He wound his arms around her tighter. "Let me love you, sweet baby. I'll be a good father to Suzie. And as far as you’re concerned…you will never sleep alone," he said huskily.
“I want to believe you, but I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you."
Linc leaned his forehead against hers and spoke in a resolute tone. "I’m a patient man, especially when it comes to you. I’ll give you the time you need, but I want you to stop worrying about my job."
“I’ll try,” she said in all honesty.
"Good." He kissed the tip of her upturned nose. "Are you still up for going out to dinner?"
She shrugged, half hoping he’d want to stay in. “Would you mind if we ordered take-out and ate in? It’s so nice here…with you,” she added, loving the way his face lit up.
“Sounds good to me. Do you like Thai food?”
“Love it.”
While Linc was out picking up dinner, Isabel showered and wrapped herself in his bathrobe, inhaling his clean, male scent and loving the way the robe engulfed her. Seated on his bed, she thought about the lock box she’d seen in his closet, certain it held Linc's ammunition. The mere presence of loaded guns in his apartment made her uneasy. There had to be a way to get around her qualms.
When Linc returned, Isabel waited until he set the food on the counter before she slid her arms around his waist. "I have something important to say to you," she said, looking up at him.
Linc kissed her cheek and arched a brow. "Yes?"
Isabel swallowed against the knot in her throat and the leaden dread in her heart that he’d balk. "I want to be with you with all my heart, but I have to be honest. Unless you consider taking a less dangerous position on the force in the future, I’m not sure if I can marry you."
A shadow dimmed the happiness in his eyes. "Isabel, honey.” His voice held mild reproach. “I need to know you love me unconditionally because that’s how much I love you.” He pulled her into his embrace, crushing her against his solid chest. “I grew up with parents stuck in a loveless marriage. Unless we both have unconditional love, it won’t work,” he
said, his voice resolute.
Unconditional love. Isabel wished with all her heart she could give it to him now, but she was too messed up inside from Frank. The infatuation she had initially felt for Frank was nothing like the heart-squeezing love she felt for Linc, and she was scared of letting go. He’d said he wanted to marry her. Loving Linc meant allowing him into Suzie’s life as her stepfather. The prospect was incredibly tempting…but equally daunting.
Her heart thumping, she whispered, "Thank you for loving me and Suzie…and for wanting us in your life. I want it so much it hurts, but I can’t say yes… not yet." She winced at the deep disappointment in his eyes. “Couldn't you request something less risky than the narcotics division?” she asked, putting it out there again for negotiation.
He scrubbed a hand over his face before his dark brows drew together. "Do you know what you're asking of me?"
“I do, and I’m sorry if it seems selfish, but I have to do it before…” She paused and drew in a deep breath. “Before you hypnotize me. When I’m with you all rational thoughts vanish, and all I want to do is please you,” she said, heat blooming in her cheeks. “But when Frank died, I made a vow to protect Suzie from further hurt. I am burdened with guilt over not realizing Frank was dealing drugs.”
“Oh, honey, don’t go there,” Linc muttered, stroking her cheek.
“Let me finish. I’m sick about it. I should have left Frank years before I did, but I wanted to hold our marriage together so Suzie would have a father. I was also hectic with helping my mother run our business. I never thought to question Frank’s activities.” Her hands knotted at her sides to stop them from trembling. "But I should have,” she said fervently.
"I understand. But stop blaming yourself, Isabel. You’ve done an admirable job of raising Suzie and running your business with your mother. I want to shoulder it for you and help you.” He watched her with concerned eyes. “I love you, honey, but I can’t change my life completely for you."
She nodded in dismay. Their love was new and fragile, and it was premature for either of them to be making promises. "Fair enough. I’ll try not to worry about your safety." She clutched the front of his shirt with both hands and pulled him toward her until her face was mere inches from his. "But you better promise you'll always be extra careful."
"I promise," he said with a wry shake of his head. "Anyway, I might be promoted to captain soon and that’s more of an office job."
Isabel blanched. Promoted to captain?
Linc frowned. "Now what's wrong? Your face is as white as a sheet."
Isabel cringed as deep-rooted shame at having been a criminal’s wife reared up. "You want to be promoted to captain, but wouldn't it jeopardize your chances if they knew you are involved with Frank's ex-wife? I could ruin your—”
Before she could say another word, Linc lifted her clear off the ground and kissed her long and hard. Holding her dangling before him, his eyes bored into hers. "Shut up and quit worrying." Giving her a resounding kiss, he set her back on her feet. "No more self-defeating talk now. Let’s eat."
They fed each other out of the cartons, sipping cold beer to wash down the spicy curry flavors. Afterward, Linc held Isabel folded in his arms and tucked close to his heart. His heart was tangled with hers as their bodies had been when they’d made love earlier, yet he was worried about losing her. For the first time in his life he felt insecure with a woman. Why did everything have to be so complicated?
Isabel’s face rested in the crook of his neck, her steady breaths warm and wonderful against his skin. He usually felt strong and invincible, especially with women, but with her he didn’t. She kept resisting him when all he wanted to do was love her, protect her and help raise her daughter. He wanted to marry her, but she wasn’t ready for that type of commitment, especially when her image of him was marred by the violent circumstances of his job.
"Are you awake?" she whispered, her silken breasts brushing against his chest as she lifted her head to gaze at him.
“I am,” he confirmed, thrilled she was awake. His body stirred with desire. She was warm, soft and naked in his arms—his constant dream come true. He turned on his side and gave her a long, hot kiss, his hand sliding between her thighs. She was wet and ready for him, moaning as she arched against his strumming fingers.
Passion exploded between them, urgent and steamy hot. Isabel twisted in his arms, her nipples firm and pointy as she strained against his chest. He wanted to take them in his mouth, to kiss and taste every delectable inch of her beautiful body, but the savoring of such a lush treat would have to wait.
She was addictive—sultry and honey-sweet—and she was his. His body burned with such intense craving, all he could think of was sinking into her tight, velvety sheath and giving her mindless pleasure. He’d do the kissing and exploring later when their pressing needs were satiated.
Rising on his knees, he mounted her and she urged him with a hot whimper of pleasure, her grasping hands on his taut buttocks. His pelvis rocked against her as he made love to her, searing her willing flesh with his passion until she cried out in ecstasy. His release followed right after, brutally satisfying and shaking him from head to toe as he emptied into her.
Much later, Linc lay in bed holding Isabel close as she slept. Moonlight filtered in from the bedroom window and drenched their bodies in a luminescent sheen. He wished the night would never end, that he could keep her in his bed—and in his life—forever, but near dawn she awoke and asked him to take her home.
The following Thursday, Linc celebrated Thanksgiving Day, Cuban style, with Isabel and her large family. She had gone all out, setting up several picnic tables on her patio and decorating them with colorful cornucopias of tropical fruits and candles. Her uncle, Tío Pepe, was in charge of basting the turkey in mojo, what Olga had earlier described as a marinade consisting of cumin, garlic and other herbs and spices. By the time the turkey made an appearance, it was golden brown and succulent.
"I'll bet a gringo like you has never had turkey accompanied by black beans and rice," Isabel teased as she served him helpings of each. "We also have yucca and boniato, if you want to try them."
He winked. "Pile it on, honey. I want to try all of it." Following her to the picnic table, he said in a low voice, "I've never been hugged and kissed by so many people in my life. I have to admit I'm enjoying your lively family."
Lively was an understatement. Isabel's family was jovial, warm and well wishing. In contrast to them, she was a bit more reserved. Linc enjoyed watching her interact with them, chuckling softly as they teased her about him. He could tell by the way she blushed whenever his name was mentioned in their rapid-fire Spanish.
When the last guest left, he stayed and helped Isabel clean up, though her family had done the bulk of it before leaving. Suzie was wired and didn’t have school tomorrow. She needed a bath and a bedtime story to make her settle down, so Linc decided he’d leave and give Isabel time with her.
When she heard he was leaving, Suzie tugged on his sleeve cuff until he gave her his undivided attention. "I'm going to be an angel in the Christmas play. Will you come see me?" She peered up at him with big brown eyes, grinning impishly. Every time he looked at Suzie, he was awestruck by the similarity between her and Isabel, even in their mannerisms. "Of course, sweetie. Tell your mommy to let me know when,” he said, smiling at Isabel, “and I’ll do my best to be there."
"Yeah!" Suzie exclaimed, raising her tiny hand in rapid fist pumps. "Mami is making my costume. It’s so pretty. Wait till you see it."
"I'm sure it will be beautiful," Linc said.
Suzie entwined her arms around Linc's waist, and he kissed the top of her head. “Be a good little girl and go to bed when your mommy tells you to. Okay?”
“I will. Good night, Linc.” Suzie hugged him and scampered away, leaving him alone with Isabel.
Linc’s hands settled on Isabel’s hips and pulled her in for a lingering kiss. “Thanks for an amazing day. I loved meeting your family.
I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said and left.
Isabel felt revived and bursting with energy the next morning. She’d been busy all week getting everything ready for the Thanksgiving gathering, eagerly anticipating the moment her family would meet Linc. As she’d hoped, her family had liked him a lot, and she knew they'd accept him wholeheartedly.
Now that the holiday was over it was time to get back to business. She made arrangements for the installation of the new micro sprinkler system and paid the deposit, extracting a promise from the company to start right away.
Her next stop was to purchase fiberglass wraps for her trees. Their high insulating value and durability made them a good choice over other types of tree wraps. When she left a large deposit for them, she received an invoice promising delivery by the end of the following week. It was a huge relief not to have to worry about how she was going to come up with the money, thanks to Linc’s generosity.
She returned home feeling satisfied and optimistic about her accomplishments. She couldn’t wait to share her news with Linc.
Humming happily, she started dinner before she left to fetch Suzie from school. Tonight would be special. As soon as she put Suzie to bed, she and Linc would be alone together and they could discuss their future. She was happier than she’d been in her whole life.
Linc was everything she admired in a man and she was crazy in love with him. He loved her and would be a good father to Suzie. Her heart always swelled with happiness when she caught sight of the tenderness he felt for her little daughter.
Everything was progressing nicely, but she clung to the hope that Linc would be able to transfer to a less dangerous position soon. He had spent fifteen years battling crime, and had managed to remain unharmed. Her constant prayer was he’d remain that way. She was eager for them to be a real family.
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