Whistleblower (11 page)

“I’ll hide them back in the bushes.” He pulled out his wallet and handed her some money. “You head over to the store. It’s just around the corner on your left. I’ll wait five minutes and cross to the store over there. We’ll meet here in a half-hour. Leave on the clothes you have on now until you get back here.”

“Okay.”

“Wait a minute.” He reached out and pulled the ponytail holder from her hair, fluffing it out around her shoulders.

“Now that’s a mess.”

“Just adding to the wild image.”

She shook her head. “I’ll never get a brush through it.” She drew in a deep breath.

“Just relax and act natural. You’re just going shopping.”

“I’m not a great shopper.”

“That’s nice to know.” He tilted his head in the direction of the store.

***

Marley felt strange walking into the store. Though she’d never been there before, it was one of the chains she most often shopped at. The familiarity of it was shocking after the events of the last few days. She was tempted to look back and see if she could catch a glimpse of Zan but held in the impulse. Grabbing a cart, she made her way to the jeans section.

Zan hadn’t said anything about being cautious with money, but she knew what he had on him was all they had, and they couldn’t risk using credit cards or ATMs to get cash. She thumbed through the jeans quickly, avoiding the more expensive ones. She selected seven pair to try on.

Conscious of the fact that she wanted to look good for Zan, she paused, her hand hovering above the shirt she was about to pick up. Funny, she’d never bought clothes with a man in mind before. She ended up grabbing up nine tops before heading for the dressing room.

Marley flinched at the sight of herself in the mirror. Her clothes were wrinkled and had patches of dirt. She definitely looked wild with her mass of hair in such disarray. But, there was also a different change in her, a spark she’d never seen before. She wondered if love really did show on someone. Pushing the thought away, she hurried to try on the clothes.

Quickly she went through the jeans until she had it narrowed down to just two pair. She shifted to the shirts, ending up with a three-quarter-length sleeve, mid-weight sweater, and a scoop-neck t-shirt. Her attention went back to the pants, trying them each on again, checking the fit. Marley decided on the one that hugged her nicely but wasn’t too tight that it would be uncomfortable sitting on the motorcycle. She took her selections, stopping to add underwear, and a dark blue T-shirt for Zan on the way to the check out.

She walked out of the store twenty-six minutes after she entered it. Zan wasn’t at the bike when she got there. She’d just retrieved the pack when he showed up.

“I thought we could use some food.” He held up a sack from the fast food place on the corner.

“Oh, yes.” She groaned with anticipation.

“A weakness Doc?”

“If you have French fries in there, yes.”

“Why Doc, they aren’t good for you,” he mocked her lightly.

“But they are so good.”

He reached into the bag and held up a French fry. She snatched the bag instead.

“Hey.” He stuffed the fry in his mouth then took the hamburger she held out for him and settled down on the grass next to her.

“Were you able to get a phone?” she asked after taking several bites to satisfy her hunger.

“Yes, I tried to get through to General Gallup but I’m afraid it’s too late. I stressed it was an emergency, but he’s off base and cannot be contacted. We’ll have to wait until morning and try back.”

As if not giving her time for disappointment to set in, he continued. “I also got some snacks and something for you.” He reached in the shopping bag and pulled out a brush.

Marley couldn’t keep back the smile, touched at the thought. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. As soon as you finish eating, why don’t you slip behind that shed and change clothes. Nobody will be able to see you, and I’ll stand watch.”

Marley wanted to protest. She’d never done anything like changing outside where people were around before, but Zan was right, it was private. Still, she made it through in record time.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, she came out brushing her hair. It took her a second to realize Zan was staring at her. She froze.

“Is something wrong? Did I miss a tag?” She looked down then shifted to look behind her.

He groaned. “I swear your legs look a mile long. You do great things for jeans.”

Shocked, Marley jerked her head up to find herself wrapped in the heat of his appraisal. “Y-you like?”

“Oh yeah.” He walked toward her, his eyes never leaving her. “But, I like what’s inside more,” he growled the words out right before his head swooped down to capture her lips with his. His arms locked around her, hauling her up tight against him. The kiss continued until the blast of a horn pulled them apart.

Marley steadied herself with a hand on his chest. “Oh.” She looked up to find him watching her. The planes of his face were harsh, but she felt no fear. “You know, I’ve been kissed more in two days than I have my entire life. I like it.”

“We’ll have to see we continue that.” There was no teasing smile, just the gleam of promise.

For two hours Zan had been aware of every inch of Marley lined along his body. Her delicate hands pressed to his stomach. Even when she leaned back to look around, he was aware of her there. It was just as it had been with his shirt all morning as they hiked, her scent lingered on it, drifting up to fill his senses.

It still almost surprised him how easily Marley had taken to riding. She had given her trust over to him as she had done on everything else, following his instructions and lead. He wanted to pass it off that Marley was the most trusting person ever, but he knew that wasn’t true.

Marley had thick walls around her heart. She’d had to over the years to withstand the pressures she’d been put under and survive as emotionally intact as she was. Marley guarded her inner self well. But for some reason, she had opened up, letting him in.

Zan vowed to cherish the gift as he would always cherish her. Fire from the declaration burned within him. He tried to tell himself that it was too soon to be having thoughts like that, but he couldn’t stop them anymore than he could stop the feelings Marley evoked.

He’d lived through too many revolting things, seen the worst that one human could do to another. Images, he wished he could forget but knew he never would. It took a lot out of him, but he’d learn to handle the memories and live on his own terms, finding happiness and joy in simple things and seeing beauty again.

He knew for certain the greatest pleasure he would ever find was in the woman leaning against him. It was as if his soul called to her and hers answered. Zan wasn’t sure when he’d turned so poetic but knew with every fiber of his body it was true.

He took the next curve and the view of the ocean opened up before them. The sun was beginning to touch the water. It wouldn’t take long to set, not like in the mountains where the sunset lingered on.

He signaled and pulled off into a roadside viewpoint. Lowering his feet to the ground, he balanced the bike then placed his hands over Marley’s, holding her tight to him as she leaned against him. In silence, they watched the sun dip and settle into the ocean. Its final rays spearing light, tinged with orange, across the sky. When it disappeared completely, he restarted the motorcycle and headed for the small town nestled on the coast just a couple miles away.

The steakhouse sign caught his attention, and he pulled off again. “What do you think? I bet they have steak fries,” he said over his shoulder.

“Sounds good to me,” she answered with a light laugh that turned into a groan when she tried to stand.

“You okay?” Zan asked in alarm.

She stretched and groaned again. “I’m stiff.” She reached for him, laying her hand on his bicep. “How’s your shoulder?”

Its ache was closer to a throb, and as soon as they sat down to eat, he planned to take some more Ibuprofen, but he could handle it. What he needed was sleep, but first he had to have food. “It’s okay. But I’m starving.”

“That’s always a good sign. I take it you’re in the mood for a real big steak?”

“Yes, ma’am. Medium rare.”

***

Dinner passed quickly. Marley couldn’t believe how hungry she was, cleaning every bite off her plate. What surprised her more was the quaint little inn Zan stopped at instead of one of the big national chains.

She didn’t comment when he slid his arm around her, walking her in like they were a loving couple. She wasn’t even surprised when Zan asked for a suite, though she figured the man at the desk thought they were having an affair when Zan paid in cash. Still, nothing mattered when they walked into the cozy room with a view out toward the ocean.

“Oh, this is beautiful.” She let her gaze drift over the room done in warm earth tones mixed with light blue, which during the day probably seemed to carry the beach and sky right inside.

Sheer white curtains billowed at the windows caught by the slight ocean breeze, framing the view of moonlight on the surf. Marley let her gaze drift over the room once more then stepped into the bathroom to take in the large tiled bath with two showerheads.

“Oh, yes,” she exclaimed as a feeling of utter bliss filled her.

“Can I guess you want a shower?” Zan stood just behind her, looking over her shoulder.

“Want is not even close. And there’s a toilet.”

“Aren’t you easy to please. I will even throw in a toothbrush.”

“My hero.” She smiled up at him. “Do you mind if I take the first shower?”

“Not at all. I’ll just stretch out on the bed while you do. Then after, you can take the bed, and I’ll shift over to the couch.”

Marley figured she’d wait and fight him over that arrangement when she got out of the shower, because there was no way the couch would be comfortable for him. During her shower she decided it would be easiest to be already asleep in the hide-a-bed when he got out of the shower. As tired as she felt, it shouldn’t be any problem and Zan wouldn’t have the heart to shift her if she was asleep.

Marley washed her hair three times with the herbal shampoo provided by the inn, then basked a couple minutes longer under the warm water before she guiltily decided she’d better get out and give Zan a turn.

She paused in the motion of drying off, amazed at how comfortable it was having him out there. A week ago, it would have been way out of her comfort zone to be in a hotel room with a man.

Marley looked at herself in the mirror. She had changed so much in the last couple days, and Zan wasn’t just any man. She felt a tug on her heart. Steadying herself, she pulled on the luxurious, white spa robe supplied by the inn. Picking up the brush, she started to work it through her hair as she stepped from the bathroom.

The sight of Zan stretched across the bed stopped her in her tracks. Even in sleep there was fierceness in his countenance but it didn’t detract from his chiseled good-looks that caught her breath. Unable to stop herself, Marley settled on the edge of the bed.

Her fingers hover over his face a full minute before she got enough nerve to brush them over his cheek. The stubble on his chin was abrasive but intriguing at the same time. She stroked it, mesmerized by the feel.

Marley jerked back her hand realizing what she was doing. Her eyes went to his, expecting them to be watching her with either an accusing or amused expression. Fortunately, instead of finding him staring back at her, he remained asleep, his breathing coming deep and regular.

Marley smiled. The debate over the bed no longer a moot point when she tried to wake him so he could take his shower. Exhaustion had claimed his body in much needed rest. Marley smiled again as she removed his boots and socks before covering him up and going to bed herself.

***

Sunlight filled the room, easing Marley from sleep. She shifted in bed and froze at the sight of Zan standing at the window, brooding at the bright, sunny morning, all remnants of the storms gone except for the one brewing inside him.

Marley pulled the robe on over the T-shirt she’d slept in before she stood. “Zan?” She moved around the end of the hide-a-bed to stand behind him.

He was dressed. His hair was wet from the shower. He looked like a stone centurion staring out at sea.

“Is something wrong?”

“No.” The answered was clipped.

“Is your shoulder bothering you?”

He glanced down at it as if just noticing that it was to be of concern then looked back out the window. “No.”

“Zan, what’s wrong?”

She braved his stern demeanor to lay a hand on his shoulder. The muscles felt like iron − strong, unyielding. Marley found she couldn’t stand to see him like that anymore than she could stand to see him in pain.

“Zan?” She let her hand slide down to the center of his back and raised her other hand next to it.

She could swear he stiffened more, but she didn’t know how that could be possible. Leaning forward, she rested her cheek in the middle of his back. He started to move away, but she gripped the material, clamping down. “No, just stop it.”

“What do you want from me?” he demanded sharply.

“I want to know what’s bothering you,” Marley answered just as crisply.

He shot a look over his shoulder, then turned back to the window. The answer came in a deep low rumble. “I fell asleep.”

Marley felt even more confused. “So, it was night. We were supposed to sleep.”

“You took off my boots.”

Marley still knew she was missing something but couldn’t figure out what. “I figured you’d be more comfortable.”

“I didn’t even notice.” The words burst from him. “I’m usually a light sleeper in combat situations.”

“I wouldn’t quite call this combat.”

He glared back over his shoulder at her. “I can go days without sleep.”

Getting frustrated Marley moved around to stand in front of him. “You were shot, and you did go days without sleep.”

He still refused to look down at her. “I wasn’t alert enough to protect you.”

As the words cut from him in sharp, pained syllables, Marley finally understood. Slowly, as if handling a wild animal, she eased her hand to his cheek. “I didn’t need protection last night. I was safe. Because of what you did. And, I have no doubt, if danger had come, you would’ve awakened to protect me.”

He might have been like a statue, but the stone was warm under her touch. When he slowly tilted his head down to look at her, the fire that she’d come to recognize was back in his eyes.

“You are too trusting.”

“No,” she answered truthfully.

But he continued his thought. “Beautiful, sweet, innocent, good. A world away from the life I’ve led.” Pain slashed through the depth of his eyes.

She cradled his cheek in her palm. “Don’t go there. You’re a good man, Zan Masters.”

He raised his hand up to cover hers. “You don’t know the kind of man I am.”

“Yes, I do.” She held his gaze. “You’re a man of honor, with a code embedded so deep it’s in every breath you take.”

“I want a relationship with you. But, when this is over, you’re not going to want anything to do with all that’s happened and the memories of it, which means me.”

“You’re wrong. You’re the only man I’ve ever wanted a relationship with. And that is not going to change. You’re my hero, not my nemesis.”

“Is that why you want me, because I’ve become your personal hero?” He pulled away slightly.

“No. I don’t want you because you saved me, because you’ve become ‘my personal hero’. I want you,” she paused. “I’m not even sure how to explain. I usually stutter horribly around dominant, powerful people. Good looking men make it worse. With you, I don’t.”

His lips quirked a little. “So you like me because you can talk to me?” One eyebrow arched up.

“Yes, but its more. I feel … whole with you. Does that make me sound pathetic? It’s not, I’m not. I’m quite content in my life. I’ve just never fallen in love be−”

“Doc, you talk too much.” He cut her off, his mouth covering hers. His fingers speared through her hair to cradle the back of her head.

Her arms slid up around his neck. Her world tilted and realigned with pleasure as the kiss continued on. Marley had no idea how much time passed when his mouth tore from hers. By the time she steadied herself, he stood several feet away. It took her still another minute to get his name out. “Zan?”

He shook his head. “No, Marley.”

“I don’t understand. What’s wrong with kissing me?”

He glanced across the room to where it opened to the bedroom. He looked back at her. “I want you too much. But there are a lot of things you don’t understand. I’m not very good at relationships.”

He shifted his stance, as if standing at attention. His hands clasped behind his back. He drew in a deep breath.

“I’ve been married twice. My first wife was what you could call a military junkie. Hung out at the places the guys hung out on their down times. We met, dated a couple months. I was young, head over heels, thought all was good. We got married then I got deployed for about six months, came back to find her four months pregnant. We got divorced, and she married the other guy.”

“With my next wife,” he went on without breaking. “I went to the other extreme. She was a secretary I met on a blind date. I figured I’d hurried things too fast before, so I dated her for two years. We got married, and things seemed okay. I got transferred overseas. I learned from my mistakes and took her with me. She handled it for about three months and wanted to come back. She made it two more months before she left. I finished the time there, but there was nothing for us when I got home. We divorced, and she remarried six months later to a nice guy who sold insurance.”

He shrugged. “After that, I tried the happy bachelor life, but it isn’t for me.” He looked over her shoulder, out the window. “I guess you could say I’m not the girl in every port type. There is only one port in the storm for me.” He shifted his gaze back to her. “I think I have finally found it.”

Marley could hardly take in what he was saying. “You can’t mean … you can’t be serious, about me.” She didn’t dare believe. “We just barely met.”

“Yes. But that doesn’t seem to change what is. In my other marriages, there was something missing. I should have seen it but didn’t.” His eyes smoldered with blue fire.