LITMIR.BIZ

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out of this mess, he might have to. A suffocating fist gripped his lungs. He might be forced to include her—to a minimum—on a professional level, but he’d make damn sure it didn’t get personal.

      “Obviously if they’re after you, you’re not in on it. And you saw the checks, which puts you in jeopardy.” Quashing his inner turmoil, he grinned at her. “I need your cooperation, and I can’t be afraid to eat or drink when you’re around. Very clever, by the way. I couldn’t see straight for twelve hours. Which made surveilling you since you left the hospital a little difficult. Luckily, I managed, or Gregson’s abduction attempt would have succeeded.”

      Her cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry. I felt badly about drugging you, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. I wanted to go home. But even after I escaped, nobody would let me.”

      He frowned. “Why not?”

      “The doctor made me stay in the hospital overnight and then I had to wait for Mel to get me some new clothes.”

      “What happened to your clothes?”

      “They were ruined and someone threw them away.” Her voice dropped to a murmur. “Then the doctor wanted to do an exam and lab tests. He wouldn’t believe you didn’t rape me.”

      Nausea slammed into him at the thought of anyone violating her that way. His jaw felt too tight to get the words out. “I would never force myself on a woman.”

      “I know,” she replied softly. “I know you wouldn’t.”

      He squeezed the stick to keep from ramming his fist into the door. She’d been hurt and humiliated because of his actions. Her head injury was also on his account. In spite of his devil-may-care attitude, he went out of his way to make sure no innocent bystanders took any flak. This time he’d failed. And Tessa had suffered the consequences. It ate at him like acid. “I’m sorry you had to go through that because of me.”

      “Everybody kept patting me until I wanted to scream. I told them you were nice, and they stuck an IV in my arm,” she huffed. “Mel was the only one who believed me.”

      His stomach rolled again, for an entirely different reason. He didn’t want to analyze why he suddenly felt proprietary and protective toward this woman, when he’d never before felt that way about anyone. Step back, Colton. “Is Mel your boyfriend?”

      “My best friend since first grade, we’re like sisters.”

      “Funny name for a girl.”

      “Her name is Melody. Mel’s a nickname. You should talk…Valentine.” A grin sneaked out before remorse erased it. “I’m sorry, teasing you is mean.”

      An answering smile curled Gabe’s mouth. “You’re not the first. How do you think I learned to fight? I was battle-hardened long before Navy martial arts training, believe me. Anybody who called me Valentine got clobbered.”

      “Why did your parents choose something so unusual? Is Valentine a family name?”

      Gabe’s face shut down, his eyes darkening, his expression shifting into neutral. “I have no idea.”

      Tessa frowned. Obviously, she’d hit a nerve. Too late, she remembered he’d mentioned a foster mom. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”

      “Look, there’s our destination ahead.”

      Her gaze followed his pointing finger out the windshield. She gulped. “That microscopic patch of grass between the trees?”

      His grin reappeared, banishing his wariness. She studied his deliberately casual profile. This complex man wasn’t what he appeared, in more ways than one. The grin that sprang so easily to his lips covered a shadow inside. Compassion flooded her. No stranger to pain herself, she recognized the deep hurt he so determinedly held at bay. In spite of herself, she was drawn to him, to the impudent courage that shielded his heart.

      “No problem. Your pilot knows how to hit the sweet spot every time.”

      True to his word, the helicopter floated gracefully between the colorful oaks and maples, and then kissed the ground with a slight bump. “Cape Hope. I believe you’ll recognize the cabin.”

      He placed his hand on the small of her back as they walked through the forest. Heat radiated from his hand, through her. Though the path wasn’t steep, her breathing accelerated. Baffled, she gulped in the cool, autumn air.

      Gabe unlocked the door, and they entered the familiar log cabin. He grasped her upper arms and pulled her toward him. “I want your word you won’t run off. These scum are dead serious, and Gregson got too damn close.”

      “I realize that now. I won’t, I promise.”

      “If I hadn’t made it there in time—” He shuddered, swallowed hard. His darkened emerald gaze ensnared hers. As if he couldn’t help himself, he fingered a curl that had fallen over her shoulder. “You have hair like a Caribbean sunset. Copper and red and gold. Bewitching. Beautiful.”

      Nobody had ever called her beautiful. Warmth curled through her, settling around her heart. “I, um, thank you,” she whispered.

      His callused fingertips traced the shell of her ear, and delicious sensations rained down her spine. His gaze caressed her face, lingered on her mouth, then slipped upward to hold her captive again. “So tempting.” He lowered his head, moving closer. “You smell so sweet, Tessie. Makes a man want to eat you up,” he murmured, his breath feathering across her temple.

      Her heart shimmered. The wonderful things he was saying, the enraptured expression on his face filled her with wonder, held her spellbound.

      His fingers slid into her hair, urging her nearer. Resisting didn’t occur to her. His warm lips touched hers, and the bright, sizzling jolt of pleasure made her gasp, startled her pulse into a gallop. Shocked by her intense response, she shoved at his chest.

      He instantly released her.

      She jumped away, pressed quivering fingers to her lips. “Wh-what do you think you’re doing?”

      A “hell-if-I-know” stunned expression glazed his eyes for several long, trembling heartbeats. Then he shook his head, and the familiar naughty twinkle appeared. “If you don’t know, I must not have been doing it right.” His shaky chuckle vibrated through her. “That was a kiss.”

      It certainly was. A startling, amazing, set-me-on-fire kiss. She’d enjoyed the brief pressure of his mouth on hers far too much. “I am not that kind of a woman.”

      He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Maybe you are and just don’t know it.”

      Fury burned away the sweet ache inside her. Because maybe, just maybe, he was right. And that would make her the kind of woman she’d vowed not to become. “You…oh! You’re a…a…an oversexed gorilla!”

      His grin flashed. “I thought you said I was nice.”

      “I’ve changed my opinion.” She stormed into the kitchen. Trembling, she stood in front of the sink, her hands gripping the cold edge of the tile counter. What was the matter with her? She’d basked in his kiss with the greedy thirst of a desert wanderer at an oasis.

      Gabe poked his head in the doorway. “Is it safe to come in?”

      She whirled. “What do you want?”

      He held up both hands. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

      “I happen to be engaged.”

      “Yes, you are.” His impudent grin flashed. “Engaging.”

      “Get serious. If you can. We’ve got to plan what to do.”

      “I’m sorry. You’re right. Truce?”

      “Well…I suppose. But keep your distance.”

      “Yes, ma’am. I’m going to grab a shower and change out of this monkey suit. You will be here when I get

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