The beach was packed. There had to be hundreds of women laid out on the sand and not one of them drew him in like Riley did. And damn if her secretive life, which had thrown his into such turmoil, didn’t draw him in even more.
He skimmed over the crowd of people. His gaze stopped on a slim woman in a teeny, black bikini—
That body. She waded in ankle deep water, her fingers threaded through her blond strands and fastened her hair in a knot on top of her head. His senses stirred. A smile split his face. He shook his head and got to his feet. His skin burned with the interested gazes women cast him as he breezed past. Not one of them could drag his eye from the blonde in front of him.
She stood up to her knees in the waves, her hands outstretched to skim her fingertips over the water. His feet sunk into the thick wet sand, then into the waves. Soft blond tendrils curled over her neck, her slim, tanned back arched before gently curving over her backside. The dainty black bottoms revealed her lush and full cheeks. Desire ripped through him.
“Riley,” he called. She spun around in the water to face him. Her eyes crinkled with pleasure. She pursed her lips together, but the effort didn’t take the first sign of delight away from her eyes.
“Hey,” she said softly as he closed the distance between them. Her body moved in line with his and together they moved deeper into the sea. “I didn’t know you were coming here today.”
His knuckles grazed against hers as the uneven sand beneath the water swayed their steps. The water creeped higher on his legs, and with a glance down he saw it reached her hips.
“It’s hot as hell out. I don’t think there’s a better place to be.”
“You can say that again. I haven’t made it to the water since I’ve been back, but I couldn’t spend my day off in the house today.” Her voice trailed off. He lowered his gaze to watch her lips roll in as if she regretted the words.
She hadn’t enjoyed the beach because she’d been too busy endangering herself. He held back the remark that would only spark her anger and took in the crowd of people lingering in the water and edged out further. Riley kept pace, and when the water reached his abdomen and her chest, the mill of people had thinned.
He turned in the water so his back faced the waves. Riley bounced toward him, the water lapped around her throat. He stopped swimming backward.
“Too deep?”
She shook her head. “No, it’s fine.”
“Can you touch the bottom?”
She chuckled. “Not really.”
He extended his hand beneath the water and she curled her arm around his shoulder. Her toes brushed his shins and she wiped a droplet of water from her cheek.
“Thanks.”
Her slim body touched his stomach and his arms ached to draw her closer to him. Her knee brushed against his thigh. Even though her hand settled loosely on his shoulder, she was still treading water and not placing her weight on him. Slowly, he drew his arm around her waist, pulling her closer so she didn’t have to fight to stay afloat. The muscles in his arm twitched, as if anticipating her recoil.
She didn’t pull away but her clear, green eyes, which rivaled the Atlantic waters, landed on his face. Her chest rose and fell next to his in a slow, steady rhythm. The ends of the tendrils that had escaped restriction from the knot atop her head dangled in the water. Her body relaxed in his hold and her legs moved around his waist so he cradled her in his arms.
“Are you all right here or do you want to move closer to shore?”
“This is okay.” Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper. “But I don’t like being out too far. I’m not a strong swimmer and I’d rather not be shark food.”
Slowly, he inched toward shore, and then stopped after a few feet. “Ah, so she finally lets her guard down.”
Her eyebrows snapped down. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re showing me something that scares you, that’s all. It’s a good thing.”
Her face relaxed. Under the water, his fingers flexed on the naked skin at her back. The warmth between her legs pressed tightly against his abdomen. For him, the water reached his shoulders. For her, it would be over her head.
“I like it,” he added.
Her eyes darkened. Her tongue swept across her bottom teeth. “Don’t get used to it.”
He laughed. “I’ll try not to. But I’d like to talk about some things.”
Her eyebrow arched. “As if we don’t talk enough?”
Not nearly as much as he’d like. But he swallowed the words.
“Every time I try to talk to you about anything serious you change the subject. This is the first time you haven’t put a wall up and I like seeing a glimmer of your personality, other than the rock-hard exterior you showcase.” His voice dipped, “You can trust me.”
She tensed in his hold. He braced for her to swim away but instead she leaned lazily back into the support of his hands.
“All right, you have my attention. Let’s talk.”
His thumbs met above her tailbone and they itched to caress her lush cheeks only inches away. He tapped them against her back to prevent them from wandering. Man, it was so easy to get lost in her wide, thickly lashed eyes. He cleared his throat. They had bigger fish to fry right now.
“Do you have any idea who’s behind the threats?”
She squinted at him. “The police already asked me that. No, I don’t.”
“And the person who broke into your house didn’t take anything?”
Her jaw firmed. “No. He didn’t.”
“And there was no sign of forced entry. So whoever it was went to great lengths so you wouldn’t know he was there.”
She wiggled in his arms. “That’s a big stretch. Look, if that’s all you wanted to talk about–”
“That’s not all,” he pressed.
“Then what?”
“It’s about Hanna,” he said evenly. A dark shadow crossed over her face. Her eyes grew stormy. She unlocked her ankles from the small of his back and pushed away from him.
“Don’t Ethan. Just don’t, okay?” She kicked, but he grabbed her ankle and pulled her back.
“Riley, you have to talk about it.”
She spun around violently. “No, I don’t.” A large wave smashed into his shoulders. It washed over Riley, pushing her under. He grabbed her under the arms and pulled her to him. She coughed and sputtered on a mouthful of seawater.
He smoothed her hair out of her face. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m going back to shore though.” She wiped a stream of water from her eyes and sniffed.
“I’ll bring us in more, okay? But please talk to me.”
Her eyes locked with his, but she didn’t resist when he repositioned her legs around his waist. He moved through the water toward shore. Her shoulders relaxed.
“Fine, talk.”
“It’s not a secret, okay? I heard about what happened to her…she was your friend?”
Her jaw worked, and she gave one sharp nod.
“I’m sorry this happened. It must have been terrible for you.” He spoke softly and carefully as he would to a spooked horse. Tears shone in the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away. Her teeth dug into her bottom lip. “I’m going out on a limb, but I get the feeling you’re trying to find her. What I don’t understand is why you’re going to the bar and parties.”
Her gaze shifted over his shoulder, then came back to his. Green fire bore into him. “I have Hanna’s journal. In one of her entries, she talks about a man that came on to her at the bar. He was really aggressive and creepy and he fit Ryan’s description and behavior… at least based on what she wrote.”
He let out a curse. “Jesus, Riley. You can’t endanger yourself to find him.”
“What else am I supposed to do? The police are useless. They haven’t—”
Everything clicked into place. The irresponsible behavior, the parties, the switchblade… the roofies. “That’s why you’re carrying the roofies. You plan to find the perp and drug him?”
Her eyes rounded.
“I found them in your shorts after the Beach Bash,” he said. Her gaze drifted over the water that settled between their chests. He shook his head, still trying to wrap it around her thought process. “Unbelievable.” His voice raised an octave and her cheeks lifted in a wince. He laughed and it came out as a scoff. Never in a million years would he have guessed anyone would try something so reckless.
“Go ahead and laugh.” The glint in her eyes turned hard. “I have an idea of what the guy looks like and where he goes to lure women. I’m targeting that description and there can’t be that many in the area that would do such a thing.” She lifted her shoulder.
He rubbed his hand over his jaw, wetting his whiskers. “Yeah, there’s only been two incidents so far of men trying to get you wasted and bring you home.”
Her lips worked and irritation rippled through the water around them. “I’m doing the only thing I can, Ethan.” Her voice pitched on the last part and guilt gnawed through him. He sighed and smoothed his fingers over her skin.
“You can’t be bait. You’re going to get yourself killed. Whoever took Hanna is the one who’s threatening you and we need to take that very seriously.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “I gathered that much. She’s not dead, Ethan.” One tear escaped her lashes and rolled down her cheek.
His insides twisted. He brought his hand out of the water to smooth the tear away with his thumb. All he did was make her cheek even wetter.
“Guess that didn’t work.” Her eyes never left his face and she didn’t smile. The urge to tell her that Hanna would be fine burned his tongue. He couldn’t say it. False hope could destroy her. He knew all too well how these cases ended up. Aside from the obvious, it could be downright horrific. He wanted to protect her and stop her from playing this stupid, deadly game.
“I hope she isn’t—”
Her chin lifted. “He left me a voicemail a few days ago.” Some of the defiance left her eyes but she tensed her mouth. “It was Hanna. She screamed.”
He straightened his shoulders. “You’re sure it was her? Did you take it to the police?”
“I’m positive. Joe wasn’t as convinced, and he told me the night I was attacked that they hadn’t been able to trace the call.”
Ethan nodded. “The guy would have used an encrypted phone. I know this is pretty damning to you that it’s evidence she’s alive… But you need to be prepared for any possibility. I’m going to help you, but you have to promise me you won’t endanger yourself again. Please,” he added.
She lifted one delicate shoulder. Her eyes grew small, holding him at a distance with that simple glare. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t see any way you can help. Thank you for your concern—”
“Tsk-tsk. You’re so quick to underestimate me, when you know nothing about me or my background.”
Her eyes sparked. She shifted in his arms, his body tightened in response to the little shimmy her ass did beneath his palm. Her eyes grazed over him as if she were seeing him for the first time.
“What do you do?”
“Oh now you’re interested?” Still holding Riley, Ethan turned in the water, his feet moved over the rough sand beneath his toes. Swimmers lapped around them now and the water reached just above his waist. She could touch the bottom here, yet she remained in his arms.
“Tell me, what is it you thought I did? I’d like to know before I divulge any information.”
Her eyes narrowed and her lips twitched with the hint of a smile. He moved his fingers along the base of her spine, urging her on.
She sighed, her eyes lifted to the bright sky, then back down to him. “I didn’t give it much thought.” Her green eyes flared with amusement.
“Liar.” He dropped them both into the water, soaking their upper bodies. Riley strained her neck to keep her head above the waves. She laughed and struggled against him. “Tell me the truth or you’re going under.” He poised to repeat the motion.
“Okay, okay.” Her laugh bubbled from her throat. Small, even, white teeth glimmered in the sun. “If I had to guess I’d say you’re an athlete.”
“Because of my hot body?”
She chuckled softly. “There’s that.”
“Ah, you admit you think I’m hot. Now we’re getting somewhere.” He bobbed his eyebrows at her. Her mouth opened to protest. “Save it, honey. There’s no backtracking.”
A blush tinted her golden cheeks. “Believe what you want.” Her hands moved to his neck. “Now are you going to tell me or not? You have about ten seconds before I swim away.”
He had to crouch to keep them both engulfed in water. People frolicked around them, a child squealed in delight as his father threw him into the air to land with a splash, a Frisbee soared over their heads…and Riley didn’t take her eyes off him.
He moved his hands to support her upper thighs, bringing her even closer. Her lips hovered inches away from his. All he had to do was lean in…no. If he tried, she would bolt.
“It’s a long story, so I’ll keep it short. I reside in Seattle, and I came here to get lost for a while. After spending several years in the military and recon, I worked with the FBI. I was with the human trafficking task forces for almost two years.”
Her eyebrows rose and her breath sucked in. A beat passed. “And you’re just telling me this now?”
“When was I supposed to tell you? You’ve never asked me anything about myself.”
“But if I had of known…”
“You didn’t exactly give me the chance to tell you, Riley.”
One blazing green eye narrowed at him. “Fine, I guess I deserve that—”
“No, you don’t. I understand you’ve been going through a lot. I want to be your friend, and I want to do what I can to find Hanna. But we also need to talk more about what’s been going on with you. Have there been any more threats other than the ones I know about?”
Her eyes grew small and shifted to the lapping waves at his side. His radar prickled.
“Riley?” he prompted.
Her hands tightened at the back of his neck. “No. I just can’t shake that voicemail and hearing her scream.” Her voice wavered over the words as if it took great effort to speak them. Her eyes grew small and her body tense.
“I want to hear it.” Sandpaper of tension against the walls of his throat made his voice rough. He twisted his mouth in determination. “From now on, we work together. If anything else happens, I want you to tell me.”
“I will. I promise.” A beat passed and she squinted at him. “Wait, you said you were with the FBI. So you’re not anymore?” Her hands slid from his neck to his shoulders as she eased out of his hold. She dropped to her feet in front of him, her nose barely reached his sternum.
“No. Like I said, it’s a long story. I’m in the middle of changing careers, hence the long vacation. But I have a lot of connections, ones that could really help in this situation. My friend Nathan is a special agent with the FBI. I’ve already requested that Joe send over Hanna’s file. He’s going to get back to me by the end of the week and see what he can piece together.”
Her shoulders stiffened. “Oh my god. Do you think they can find her?” She bounced on her toes.
Shit. He hadn’t meant to get her hopes up. He rested his hands on her shoulders and leaned down. “They’re going to try. No promises or guarantees. But it’s a big help.”
Her hands fell to rest on her hips. “Wait a minute, you went ahead and did all this before talking to me? What if I would have said I didn’t want your help?”
His fingers moved over her skin. “To be honest, I wasn’t asking your permission. If there’s
something I can do to help, I’m going to do it whether you like it or not.”
She moved closer to him. Her teeth pierced her bottom lip before a grin spread across her face, her eyes shone. “This means a lot to me. Thank you, Ethan.”
He shrugged. “Don’t mention it. But no more partying, all right? We have real work to do.”
She laughed and splashed him. Satisfaction rippled through him. He’d cracked the barrier of armor around her even more. It had taken everything he had, and her smile had made it all worth it. He lifted her in his arms, her squeal of laughter echoed around them as he dunked them both under the waves.
Now all he had to do was keep himself in check and his mind off getting her naked.
Chapter 10
Riley rested against the counter. Holy shit, what a busy lunch hour. Only a few customers remained, and it would likely be quiet until dinner. Jenny nudged Riley’s shoulder and poured herself a glass of water.
“Bet you wish you hadn’t switched your weekend shifts.” She eyed Riley, and then sipped her water. Riley hadn’t had a chance to talk to Jenny since she’d come in at eight-thirty. Josh dried his hands on a towel as he left the kitchen and entered the dining area.
“Did you see that fight that broke out at the Beach Bash Saturday night?” he asked. Riley crossed one ankle over the other. She had witnessed a fight all right, but not the one Josh was referring to. And it had been more of a beat down from Ethan than a fair fight from the creep who had tried to take her to the motel.
“No.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I didn’t end up staying that late.”
Jenny’s eyebrows rose. “How come?”
“Jen, can you top me up please?”
Riley narrowed her eyes at her, but Jenny swooped over to Charlie’s table and poured him more coffee before she could question her. “Let me know if you need anything else,” she told him before making her way back behind the counter. Her chilly blue eyes zeroed in on Riley. She was like a dog with a bone.
“As a matter of fact, Ethan showed up.” Riley crossed her arms over her chest. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that would you?”
Bait Page 10
