Undercover Texas (13 page)

Somewhere inside her, she hadn’t given up on that dream. But each time hope reignited in her heart, something beyond her control doused it.

She’d learned the day her parents died that life wasn’t fair. Why did she keep trying? Even her research attempted to circumvent Mother Nature. Was she a fool for trying to change anything?

“Have you turned into a prune yet?” Hunter called out.

A delighted giggle made her smile. Brandon was up. At least for the moment. As quick as she could, Erin dressed and exited the bathroom.

“Was it as good as you hoped?” he asked, setting a casserole dish on the table.

“Better.”

Hunter doled out a plate and handed Erin a serving. Then he put a smaller amount in a small plastic bowl. Amanda had even brought a baby spoon.

“Do you think half got into his stomach?” Hunter laughed after he’d tried to feed Brandon. “Because the other half is definitely either on his face or the floor.”

“I said mac and cheese was his favorite. Not that he necessarily ate it all.” Erin took another bite. She didn’t know what kind of cheese Amanda had used, but whatever it was made Erin’s mouth water. “I have to get this recipe,” she said.

“Well, I have to admit, Amanda Redmond makes my mom’s mac and cheese look pedestrian.” Hunter pushed his chair back from the table to keep Brandon from further wreaking havoc on their dinner.

“What kind did your mom make?”

“From a box. If we had the money to buy it.”

“What about your dad?”

Hunter looked down at Brandon with a heartbreaking expression. “I never knew him. Some guy my mom dated in high school. He left when she found out she was pregnant.” He looked up and met Erin’s gaze. “I promised myself I’d never do something like that. My own choices kept me from keeping that vow. I’m sorry.”

“Does your mom know about your job?” Erin asked.

“She died when I was sixteen. Too much work, not enough food or health care.”

“What did you do?”

Hunter shrugged. “Hung out on the streets until I turned eighteen. There was an army recruiting office across from one of the shelters. I got my G.E.D. and signed up. At least it was a steady paycheck. I found out I was good at it. The guys became my family. They had my back.”

“Like Logan. And Doc.”

“And General Miller. He hand-selected me. No one made me feel like I was really worth something until he did. He taught me I could do anything.”

“My parents gave me that gift before they died.”

With a look that bored into her soul, Hunter captured her gaze. “We’ve both lost. We’ve both overcome. I hadn’t realized.” Hunter rose and Brandon snuggled into his chest. “I assumed we were so different. From the moment we met on Santorini I wanted you, but I also recognized you were from a different stratosphere than me.”

Openmouthed, Erin couldn’t comprehend his words. “When you walked up to me, I thought
you’d
made the mistake.”

Hunter stepped toward her and cupped her cheek. “I didn’t make a mistake, Erin. You brought light into my life like I’d never known.”

Brandon’s heavy eyelids blinked again and again, then closed, despite just waking up. Her son was clearly exhausted.

“Let me get him ready for bed.”

While Hunter washed the dishes, she slipped Brandon into his pajamas and settled him into the playpen that Amanda had brought. Soon enough, their son was snoring away.

She bent over the side and pushed a lock of black hair from his forehead. “Good night, cutie. Mommy loves you.”

She stood, and a warm heat caressed her back. Hunter’s hands rested on her shoulders. He turned her into his arms and stared down at her.

“I probably shouldn’t kiss you,” he said. “We both know nothing can come of it.”

His eyes seduced her like molten chocolate, and she was so very tempted. She lifted her fingers to his lips. They parted under her touch. “You hurt me,” she said. “You shredded my heart when you left me alone. If I give in to these feelings, what will be left of me?”

He clasped her hand in his. “I can’t answer that. All I can tell you is I’ve been wanting to hold you since I left you in Santorini. Will you let me, Erin? Will you let me love you even though you know we’ll have to say goodbye?”

His hands rubbed her shoulders, and all of the scientific logic Erin had counted on all her life left her. For the first time since that island paradise, she let her heart rule her head.

She wrapped her arms around Hunter’s neck and pulled him down to her. “Love me, Hunter. I’m tired of denying what I feel. Until we have to say goodbye, love me.”

* * *

L
EONA
WALKED
INTO
T
RACE
Padgett’s office and threw down the latest watch list on his desk. “What’s the meaning of this?” She stabbed her finger at Hunter’s name. “A risk to national security? Suspect mental state. Who ordered this?”

“Ma’am—”

The patronization in his voice annoyed her to no end. “Don’t
ma’am
me, Trace. Explain yourself.”

“Terence Mahew remembered something else, ma’am. He said the man who contacted him said something about knowing Erin Jamison. I discovered Clay Griffin and Erin Jamison had an affair more than a year ago. Someone within this office tried to cover up the relationship.”

Leona closed her eyes. The jig was up. She’d hoped she’d plugged all the holes. Clearly she’d failed.

“So he slept with her. So what?”

She had to find out how much Padgett knew. And how much Kent knew.

“Hunter Graham has a lot of contacts. Erin Jamison began development of her prototype several years ago.” Trace pulled out his notebook. “Graham has made several trips to Florida over the past fourteen months. I think he’s been working on a payoff since he met her. If we don’t find him, Erin Jamison could end up dead, and her prototype in terrorists’ hands.”

Leona stood and tapped her finger to her forehead. Trace Padgett was very, very good. Too good.

“Where do you think Graham has gone?”

“The chatter is quiet. If I were Hunter, I wouldn’t stay in Florida. If I were going to do a meet, I’d go to Mexico. On the border of New Mexico or Arizona probably.”

“See what you can find out from border patrol. See if there’s any unusual activity.

Not bad, Trace. Not bad at all.

Leona left the room, her hands quivering.

This was not good.

Hunter was ignoring her calls. She had no idea where he was. The plans had gone to hell.

She picked up her secure phone and dialed a number. “We have a problem. Are the offshore accounts secure?”

“Of course,” her husband said. “I’m ready when you’re ready, my love.”

“If Hunter doesn’t call soon, we may be screwed.”

“He’ll call, Leona. He trusts you.”

“I hope so. Once he calls, we have to move fast. We have to end Hunter Graham once and for all.”

Chapter Nine

Hunter couldn’t believe the words coming from Erin’s lips.

“Love me,” she whispered.

How could he resist?

He folded his arms around her and took possession of her mouth in a way that had haunted his dreams for far too long.

She whimpered against his lips and he pulled back. “Did I hurt you?”

Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “Don’t stop. I’ve waited forever to feel this way again.”

“So have I, sweetheart, so have I.”

Unwilling to release her, Hunter walked her into the small bedroom. He closed them in and flipped on a small bedside lamp. The log walls were enveloped in a soft light, bathing her hair so it glimmered like strands of sunlight.

He thrust his fingers into the softness and captured her gaze. “Last chance, but please don’t ask me not to make love to you.”

“Make me forget, Hunter. Make me forget everything but you. At least for tonight.”

Hunter backed them against the edge of the bed and fell back, Erin sprawled on top of him. “Take what you want,” he murmured. “I’m all yours.”

She grinned and straddled his hips. He could feel her heat beneath the thin nightshirt. She squirmed on top of him, and his body surged into hardness.

“You want me,” Erin said. She bent over him, and the soft curves of her breasts pressed into his chest.

Hunter couldn’t wait to see her any longer. He lifted the long T-shirt over her head. He cupped her weight in his hand and kissed the soft arc, working his way down. His tongue flicked her hardened nipple, and Erin let out a small gasp.

Her hips ground against him. “Don’t make me wait. Not this time.”

He flipped her beneath him and nuzzled her neck. His jeans-covered leg slid between hers and he pressed against her.

She let out a soft groan and arched up. He’d forgotten how giving, how passionate, how open she was to his touch. “You are truly beautiful.”

“And you are too dressed,” Erin said softly. She flicked open one button, then the next and the next, easing his shirt off his shoulders. Hunter shrugged out of the garment. Erin’s fingers went to the button of his jeans. She scraped a knuckle down his zipper.

He couldn’t stop the low groan. “Don’t, or this will be over before we start.”

She stilled and within seconds, Hunter had shucked his pants. He settled between her thighs, his entire body hard; then he groaned.

“Condom,” he moaned.

“Please, tell me you have one.”

He shook his head. “I haven’t been with anyone since...” He glanced away. He hadn’t wanted anyone, not after Erin. He’d gone out with a couple of women, trying to forget, but those emerald eyes would not leave his memory.

Her eyes widened and she let her head fall back. “Me, either.”

Hunter moved to the side. “I won’t be careless with you again, Erin. If things were different...”

He didn’t finish the words. He’d love to have a family with Erin, to be with her always. He breathed in deeply, trying desperately to calm himself.

“What about the nightstand?” she whispered.

“You don’t think...”

He reached for the drawer and pulled out a brand-new box. The sight brought his body back to life. He grabbed a packet and rolled onto his back. “Will you?”

“My pleasure.”

She used Hunter’s body as her own personal playground, exploring each and every inch of skin. Nipping him with her teeth, letting her fingernails drag down his chest until he groaned with anticipation, she teased him more and more.

By the time she’d prepared him, Hunter writhed with want.

“That’s it. I have to have you,” he growled. In one fluid motion he sank inside her, and she gripped him, holding him close.

How long had he waited to feel this way again?

She wrapped her legs around him. Hunter’s heart thudded against his chest. She moved with him as if they’d never been apart.

The world fell away. There was only her, only him, only them.

Faster, harder, stronger, longer.

His body stretched tight, he plunged in one last time and shuddered. Her body quivered in response and she let out a long, slow sigh.

“Better than I remember,” she whispered. “Perfect.”

He tossed the condom in the trash and spooned her against his body, wrapping her safe and warm. She leaned her head back against him. “Thank you.”

He threaded their fingers together and held her close, his eyelids growing heavy. Her breathing evened out, but she didn’t move, didn’t pull away from him, she simply buried her hips closer and settled into a sound sleep.

Hunter sighed with contentment. He never wanted to move again. For tonight, for this moment, Erin belonged to him. They belonged together.

* * *

T
ERENCE
COULDN
’
T
FEEL
HIS
FACE
.
He rested his hand on the bandage. Perhaps that was for the best. He’d tried calling his mother. She hadn’t answered.

He had to get out of this place.

The weakness had dissipated, though he hadn’t let his jailers know. He’d had the training, he knew their games, their strategies. He just didn’t know what they really wanted. He’d received mixed signals.

The guy who’d brought him here would have been happy to kill him at any moment. The woman, too.

And yet they hadn’t.

If they’d wanted to get rid of him, all they’d have to do was hand him over to his clients. Terence had no doubt his mother wouldn’t have enough parts left to cremate.

Heavy footsteps sounded down the hall and headed his way. The steel door opened. The man entering held power. He was confident. Terence scooted up in bed. He had a bad feeling.

“Mr. Mahew, the worst our military has to offer.”

Terence scowled.

“Oh, you take offense? Too damn bad.” The man leaned over his bed. “I want to know everything you know, and I want to know now. This is your last chance.”

Terence shivered slightly. Something in the man’s cadence, something in his words didn’t sit right. He shifted away from the narrowed stare.

“Who hired you, Terence?”

“I told you, I don’t know. It was a cash job. Should have been easy money.”

“You knew Graham’s name.”

“I’d never seen him before that day. Some idiot let his name slip on the phone afterward. That’s all, I swear it.”

“That’s what I expected you’d say.”

The man tugged out a syringe. “This will stop your heart. The doctors will think the injuries were just too much for you. Your mother will have a body to bury, and, Terence...perhaps this deal that you agreed to wasn’t the most profitable.” The man’s voice had dropped into a very familiar accent.

“Oh, my God. It’s you? What are you doing here?”

“Haven’t figured it out yet? No one from overseas hired you, fool. You were chosen for a reason, Terence. You are expendable.”

The needle plunged into Terence’s arm. He looked down to see the syringe sticking out. Liquid heat burned under his skin.

He hadn’t expected this. He could usually smell a setup before the guy opened his mouth. He’d gotten greedy.

“You’ve figured it out, haven’t you, Terence? You were never going to get out of this job alive. I needed a fall guy. You’re that man.”

A strange heat pulsed under Terence’s skin. He blinked. His pulse raced. His throat closed off.

Terence clawed at his throat. “Please...won’t...tell.”

A door slammed open.

“No one has authority to be in...here.”

Terence turned to the woman. He reached out a hand. “Help...me.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, no. It can’t be you. Tell me this isn’t true.”

“Damn it, Leona. Why did you have to be so damned efficient?”

Terence blinked again. His vision blurred. The man covered the woman’s mouth with his hand and plunged something into her arm.

He’s killed you, too.

Terence heard the words in his head, but nothing escaped his lips.

His breathing turned shallow. Darkness faded in.

Mama. I wanted you to have a nice house. I tried, Mama. I really tried.

* * *

T
HE
TURQUOISE
SEA
LAPPED
against the vacation bungalow. Hunter lay in bed, Erin cuddled against him, and he watched her sleep.

He toyed with the silky blond tresses, letting them slip through his fingers. He couldn’t get over how beautiful she was.

They’d had six days together. Six passionate, unbelievable days, and he knew it was only a matter of time until he had to leave.

“You’re watching me again, Clay,” she whispered, her eyes still closed.

He winced. Just once, he wanted her to use his real name, but like so many wishes in his life, he couldn’t hope that his dreams would come true.

He kissed her shoulder, tasting the smooth skin, then nipping her with his teeth. A shiver skittered through her. He loved her responsiveness.

She turned in his arms, and the sheet fell away from her breasts, revealing the soft curves. After their first night together, she didn’t hide herself from him. She trusted him.

She shouldn’t, but how could he warn her and not ruin everything?

He cupped her cheek, and his body hardened as she pressed closer to him. Her husky laughter made him smile. Naked thighs tangled with his; an arching of her hips elicited an unrestrained groan. It started in his belly and rumbled in his chest.

Erin smiled at him, welcoming, passionate, loving.

She leaned over and kissed him, her lips doing things to his mouth that he’d never experienced.

“I’m oh so lucky,” she said. “I came to celebrate being buried in a lab for the past six years, and I found you.” She cuddled into him and nearly purred.

Hunter’s body leaped at her touch, even as his heart twisted in regret.

Maybe, just maybe, he could keep the world away from them for a while longer. He rolled her to her back and settled between her thighs, his body pressing against hers.

“I’m the lucky one,” he said as he buried himself into her.

She closed her eyes and let out a groan of passion. She hid nothing from him. He reveled in her honesty.

“I never thought anyone like you would love me,” he whispered, the truth in those words wrenched from his soul.

He moved against her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and together they escaped the world in each other’s arms. He lost himself, captured by her heart and her love. He wanted her. Always. Forever.

The vibrating phone in his pants filtered across the room.

No. It couldn’t be happening. Not now.

But he knew.

His dream was over.

Reality had come calling.

And he would have to say goodbye.

* * *

M
ORNING
LIGHT
STREAMED
THROUGH
the shutters. Erin stretched, her body sore in unexpected and wonderful places.

Then she remembered.

The past, the present, the unknown future.

She crossed her arms over her bare breasts and searched the edge of the bed for her nightshirt. She slipped into it and peeked out the bedroom door.

Hunter sat in a rocking chair, Brandon in his arms, staring out the front window. A cup of coffee rested on the table at Hunter’s side. He didn’t look happy or satisfied.

She cleared her throat. He turned to her, his gaze warming, but cautious at the same time. Something had happened. “What’s wrong?”

“Logan called. We’re set to meet with the woman who will provide you and Brandon with your new identification papers.”

So it was over already. Erin closed her eyes, the feeling of loss indescribable. When he’d left before, she’d been in shock. This time she’d known it was coming, but it didn’t hurt any less. “When?”

“This afternoon.”

He looked outside. “Do you ride?”

“Not for a long time. Why?”

“Do you want to? Logan has a couple of horses he keeps on hand in a barn not too far from here.”

“It’s safe?” she asked.

“Safer than sitting in one place any longer,” Hunter said.

His words sent a chill through her. She rubbed her hands over her arms, trying to ease the foreboding. It did no good. “Then let’s go. I’m getting claustrophobic anyway.”

It would do them both good to get away from these four cloying walls.

Half an hour later, Hunter drove the SUV over a series of dirt roads to a newly constructed barn.

Erin exited the vehicle and looked at the utter destruction of the surrounding area. The earth had been scorched. Half a dozen buildings had burned to the ground. There was nothing left. “What happened here? It looks like a war zone.”

“This was the Triple C Ranch. Logan’s ancestral home. It used to be a fortress, until he crossed some demented, determined people who liked guerrilla tactics and to play with explosives. This is the result.”

“And we’re safe here?”

“We’re never safe, Erin, but no one lives here. Construction crews are just starting to rebuild the ranch and the main house, and the ranch hands still take care of the horses. Logan is now Prince Consort of Bellevaux, and he and his wife and kids live there.”

Erin’s eyes widened. “Logan’s wife is that queen in Europe they just discovered?”

“The same.”

Hunter entered the barn and saddled a gentle-looking mare. Erin looked down and strapped Brandon more closely in his baby harness. His weight was reassuring on her chest.

“You sure you don’t want me to take him?” Hunter asked. “He’s kind of heavy.”

Erin shook her head. “I need to hold him right now. I’m feeling a little shaky.”

Hunter’s face clouded, but he nodded and saddled a large black stallion. “Let’s head out.”

The mare walked slowly, but it still took a few minutes for Erin to get comfortable. Finally, she relaxed into the horse’s rhythm.

“You’ve got a good seat,” Hunter said.

She glanced at him. “I learned when I was a kid. I guess you don’t forget.”

They rode past the destroyed structures and picked up a faint trail that wound around and led into some rolling hills nearby.