Every Step She Takes (Who's Watching Now Book 2) (17 page)

Something buzzed by his left ear. An insect? He jerked his head. Another puff of air and a tinny whine. Dropping to the ground, he rolled beneath the rhododendron, heart pounding.

Two shots spent, and he had no reason to believe there wouldn’t be a third. He was an idiot, thinking about Grace, not paying attention to his surroundings. Dirt spurted up a foot away. Travis crawled through the bush and out the other side, dragging Wylie with him. Rising to his feet, he sprinted into a thick grove of oaks.

From the angle of the shot, he judged the shooter’s location to be somewhere to the northwest. Out of the line of fire, he ran easily with the dog beside him, circled around and exited the park above Grace’s block. Cutting through side streets, he approached her building from the rear. Once he’d punched in the combination and was safely in the small lobby, he paused by the stairs to pull his phone from his pocket.

Fritz answered on the third ring. “It’s barely six o’clock there. What’s wrong?”

“Nielsen took a couple of shots at me this morning. Are you making any progress identifying him?”

“Are you hurt?”

“If I was, would I be asking about your progress on the case?”

“Grumpy.” Fritz cleared his throat. “Our facial recognition database came up with a couple of possibilities. We’re checking them against UCLA enrollment from three years ago. I should have a name later this morning.”

“Which will give you family members and known residences to investigate. With any luck, you might find a contact in San Francisco.”

“Since nothing about this case has been easy, I doubt it.”

Fritz’s dour tone didn’t do anything to improve Travis’s similar mood.

“Grace and I are leaving for Vine Haven in a few hours. Right now, I don’t want her anywhere near her apartment.”

“I don’t suppose you can give me a location for the shooter?”

“Only a general direction. I can’t narrow it down enough to be useful. Nielsen hasn’t made another attempt on Casey?”

Fritz snorted. “Not yet. The guards are all on high alert. I almost hope he does make a move because we’ll take down the bastard the second he shows his face.”

“I’ll be in contact if anything else happens on this end.”

“When I have a name for you, I’ll call.”

After tucking his phone in his pocket, Travis mounted the stairs with Wylie leading the way. He wouldn’t tell Grace about this morning’s incident. No reason to upset her. If she thought he was in danger because he’d come to keep an eye on her, she’d probably insist he go home. Frankly, he wasn’t in the mood to argue.

He let himself into the apartment with the key then flipped the deadbolt. After removing Wylie’s leash, he headed down the hall to the bedroom.

Grace was still asleep. Sprawled across the bed on her stomach, the covers rode low across her waist exposing the smooth skin of her back. Silky hair spilled over her pillow.

His response was instantaneous, an aching throb that grew stronger the longer he looked at her. It wasn’t just that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever been with. Her wit and humor kept him entertained. Stimulated might be a better word. Even at the best of times with Val, he hadn’t felt so connected, so completely in tune the way he did with Grace. A hint of doubt surfaced. His ex-wife had lied, then betrayed him before she walked away.
It took him a long time to get over what she did. A very long time.

He shook off a touch of uneasiness. Grace might have her reservations about pursuing a relationship, but she wasn’t secretive about them. Her upfront attitude was hard to take at times, but at least he knew where he stood. Right now
standing
wasn’t what he wanted. He dropped his shirt on the floor and kicked off his shoes. His jeans followed after he set his weapon on the nightstand. When he crawled into the bed, she rolled over and blinked in the dim light.

“Travis?”

“I took the dog out. He was whining.”

“Thank you. What time is it?”

“Early. Sixish.” He touched the curve of her neck then trailed his fingers over the slope of her breast.

Her nipple pearled. Gritting his teeth, he counted to ten in French—then in Italian and German—trying to get a grip on his out of control need.

She wiggled closer, her fingers gliding through the hair on his chest then descending across his abdomen. His muscles quivered. When her hand closed over him, he let out a low groan.

“You’re going to kill me.”

“No, I’m not.” She nibbled along his collarbone.

Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her tight, bodies aligned everywhere that mattered. Her hand dropped away, and he pushed inside her warmth. Then lay perfectly still.

“Condom.”

Her hands gripped his hips and tugged him deeper still. “Don’t need one.”

His breath came in panting gasps. “We used one before.”

“It was a mental thing. One last barrier, but I’m on the pill.” She smiled, her eyes full of warmth and need. “I don’t want anything between us this time. I trust you.”

The simple words started an ache in his chest. She was a woman who had been hurt in the past, who had more than a few issues. He wanted to solve every one of her problems. He wanted to heal every pain. He
needed
to be her everything.

Right now all he could do was give her as much pleasure as she gave him, make her cry out and tremble in his arms. Looking into her eyes, he’d see a satisfied glow, a look of pure wonder. Or die trying.

He kissed her, mouths seeking and finding, tongues mating. The taste and texture of her ramped up his need. His hands smoothed along her skin then burrowed into her hair. All the while he held still inside her, pulsing with a desire so strong perspiration dotted his brow.

Grace moved restlessly, her eyes unfocused. Her hands clenched and unclenched on the hard muscles of his back.

“You’re making me crazy.”

He pressed his forehead to hers. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.”

She laughed. Wrapping her legs tight, she rolled hard, flipping him onto his back.

“Now, who’s in charge?”

He couldn’t answer, couldn’t breathe. She rose over him then pressed down. With smooth, gliding strokes she brought him to the edge. Her face changed, tightened and went slack as the world exploded around him.

When she dropped onto his chest, he cradled her in his arms and kissed her hair. The pounding rhythm of his heart matched hers as they pressed together. After an eternity, his pulse slowed.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get complacent about making love to you. It’s new and different each time.”

Satisfaction filled him. “So, you’ll only compare me to me?”

Her lips moved against his chest in a smile. “I’ll have to. No one else even comes close.” Her hand stilled on his shoulder. “That’s a little scary.”

“Doesn’t have to be. Not if it keeps us needing only each other.”

He couldn’t imagine wanting any woman but Grace. Ever again. She filled his mind and soul. She made him think about happily ever after instead of satisfied for now.
That
was scary.

“I suppose we should get up and take a shower.” She raised her head and grinned. “Then I’ll let you cook me breakfast.”

“Can we take a shower together?”

Her eyes darkened, and she drew in a breath. “An excellent idea.”

“I have my moments.”

She stroked a thumb across his cheek. “You certainly do.”

* * * *

Grace forked a bite of French toast dripping with syrup into her mouth and sighed. “This is the best I’ve ever tasted, but don’t tell my mom I said so.” She ate another bite and licked syrup off her finger. “It’s a good thing I don’t have a weight issue.”

He turned his back to the stove. “Your mom likes to cook?”

“Yep. She thinks all her kids are too skinny.”

“I don’t know about that. Seems to me you have curves in all the right places.”

She glanced up from her plate and smiled. “Speaking of my curves, you’ll have to keep your hands off them this weekend. My mother likes to pretend I’m still a virgin since I’m not married.”

He choked on his coffee. “You’re how old?”

“Thirty-four.”

“Got you beat by two years. I thought you were planning to stay with your sister?”

“I was, but her spare bed is a sleeper couch in the living room. Rachel knows I’m not a virgin, but she has three daughters. So, no sleeping together there, either. Mom and Dad have way more room, so we’ll stay with them. They’ll be thrilled.”

“They will?”

“They will. Just as soon as I tell them, which will be after I finish my breakfast.”

“Want another piece of French toast?”

“I think three is enough.”

His grin melted her heart.

“You burned a lot of calories in the shower.”

She’d burned calories, all right—twice. Her stomach fluttered—and it had nothing to do with too much syrup. Not sleeping together in Vine Haven was probably for the best. She needed to take a step back. If she didn’t, she’d fall completely in love with this man. She was halfway there already. Her hand shook as she set down her fork.

“I’ll go make that call.”

He slid onto the stool next to her, his plate loaded with French toast. “Are you planning to tell them about the shooter?”

“God, no. Two years ago, this weird freak stalked my sister and kidnapped my niece. They weren’t hurt physically, though Rachel has nightmares once in a while. Still, I don’t think my mom could live through having another daughter in danger.”

“So, you’ll tell them what? We’re dating?” He raised a brow.

She sighed. “I suppose so.”

“Don’t sound so thrilled about it.”

Grace scowled. “You don’t know my mother. She’ll probably start picking out china patterns and phone all her friends to tell them little Gracie finally caught a man.”

He stopped chewing for a moment then swallowed. “Surely you’ve brought home men before?”

“Nope.”

His eyes widened. “Why not?”

“Because I didn’t want to get my mom’s hopes up when I knew the relationships wouldn’t last. I think the last guy I formally introduced to my parents as my boyfriend was back when I was still in high school.”

“Gee, I feel special. What happened to that one? Did you dump him, too?”

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the counter as she took a moment to steady her voice before answering. “He died.” Pushing back her stool, she stood. “I’ll go call my parents. Thanks for breakfast.”

His eyes held hers, steady and full of concern. “You’re welcome. You know, if you ever want to talk, I’m a good listener.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Walking away from Travis took an effort. She was tempted to throw herself into his arms and hold on tight, but that wasn’t the way she rolled. She didn’t dump her hang-ups on other people. When her therapist had pointed out that fact, it was in a voice laced with frustration. Then the woman suggested she find someone else to work with since she obviously wasn’t helping.

Grace hadn’t bothered.

Retrieving her phone from the nightstand, she sat on the edge of her bed. The covers were a tangled mess. Warmth crept through her. Making love with Travis was—spectacular. He was a giver not a taker. He gave and gave and gave until there was only need burning hot and bright inside her. The emotion came afterward. Lying with her cheek pressed against his chest, she hadn’t wanted to leave him. Ever.

But nothing that good lasted.

Straightening, she punched in her parents’ number and tapped her fingers on the edge of the mattress while it rang.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Mom.”

“Grace! Rachel told me you were in Alaska. Why didn’t you call me back? I left you a message.”

“I’ve been busy, but I miss you guys. How do you feel about house guests for the weekend?”

“We’d
love
it.” She paused. “Did you say guests?”

Grace pressed the heel of her hand against her forehead and took a breath. “Someone I met in Alaska is in town, and he likes wineries. I thought I could show him around ours.”

“
Him
?”

“Mom, don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“Of course not. I’m just pleased to meet one of your friends.”

Grace rolled her eyes. “Oh, I’m bringing a dog, too.”

“He has a dog?”

“
I
have a dog. Wylie. He’ll like you since food seems to be his top priority in life.”

“Your friend’s?”

“My dog’s. Geez, Mom, have you had coffee yet this morning? Wylie is my dog. Travis is my friend. Travis Barnett.”

“I can’t believe you adopted a dog.”

“I didn’t exactly adopt him. He adopted me. Anyway, we’ll be in Vine Haven before noon.”

“That’s wonderful, honey. It’s been way too long since you visited. Does Rachel know you’re coming?”

“She does. I have to go. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“I can’t wait to tell your dad. He’ll be thrilled. Bye, Grace.”

She disconnected and flopped backward onto the bed.

“How’d it go?”

Opening her eyes, she blinked at Travis who leaned against the doorframe. “Not too bad. With so little notice, I’m hoping it’ll just be family for dinner tonight and not the whole town. She seemed nearly as excited about Wylie as she was about you.”

“Good. I don’t want to complicate your life.”

She sat up. “You won’t. I suppose I should pack. I told my mom we’d be there by noon.” Standing, she headed to the dresser and pulled out shorts, tank tops, and T-shirts then tossed underwear on top of the pile. “I don’t suppose you’ll let me walk Wylie before we leave.”

He hesitated long enough to make her wonder what he was thinking.

“Let’s get out of the city first and then walk the dog. Where’s your car parked?”

“It’s in a private garage two blocks north of here. Pink house with roses out front. The older woman who lives there doesn’t have a car, so I talked her into renting the garage to me.”

“Of course you did.”

She frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just that you can be very persuasive. I’ll go get the car while you finish packing. How long do you need?”

“Fifteen minutes. Crap, maybe a few more. I have to clean up the kitchen. I can go with you, though. It’s a short walk, even carrying luggage.”