Past Will Haunt (15 page)

The words rocked through his body, destroying his control. He wanted to believe her, but in the end, he knew the truth. Someone was going to get hurt. He only prayed it was him and not her.

He didn't want to break this woman. He cared far too much about her.

Livy waited for him to take the plunge.

Gabe didn't hold back. She’d kissed him in the restaurant, and now he was going to return the favor. Yanking her forward, her body pressed to his, he took control. This time, he did hold onto her. One of his hands found the back of her head, and the other the small of her back.

She was trapped and Livy loved every second of it.

His mouth took.

Nothing was off limits. As his lips, tongue, and even teeth plundered, Livy felt like she was tumbling down into the darkness. She didn't expect this from him. No matter what she believed was coming, this wasn’t it.

The man was filled with fire.

On the outside, he seemed cold and empty, but on the inside, the opposite was true.

The flames of need licked at her, catching her ablaze. There was no way she was going to survive this. It was like Gabe had let go of everything he’d kept dammed up for all these years. He was out of control and taking her with him.

Livy moaned.

It incited something so powerful in him.

Gabe let everything go.

She told him to jump in and not look back, and he didn't. For the first time, in a long time, he didn't hold back. This woman had been baiting him, and he was man enough to control it until they kissed. That had set something free in him, and he was helpless to keep it reined in. She unlocked this in him, and now they’d both have to suffer the consequences.

He’d asked her if she wanted a quick lay, and she said no. It was probably a damn good thing. If he was going to lose his job, risk his future, and ruin both of their careers, it was going to be epic.

There’d be no prize for second place.

He was going to win this battle between them. Then she’d run, because she’d see what a disaster he was.

She’d been warned.

As his mouth tore down her resistance, his own was crumbling. Her one hand was wrapped in his tie, and the other was on his neck. Surely, she could feel his pulse throbbing in his throat.

A moan broke free, and he was pretty sure it was from him this time. She rubbed against him, offering herself up.

Well, he would take a raincheck.

He had to.

Gabe wasn’t in control.

“Livy,” he whispered. “I have to stop.”

She couldn’t think. The man had tied her in knots and she was trapped in that moment. Her brain was a puddle of mush.

She’d been wrong.

Gabriel, the Dragon Slayer, had slayed her too. She was lost. Her whole being was on fire, there was a wetness forming between her legs, and she wanted to climb up his body to find that release.

“Gabriel,” she muttered with his lower lip between her teeth. She didn't want to let it go. The fullness only made her want to taste him even more.

Holy shit!

This man kissed like there was no tomorrow.

Slowly, he freed himself from her. “I have to go.”

“But…”

He shook his head. “What you just saw was only part of me, Livy. That’s what lives in me for you. If you still want to get entangled in this, think about it. Think about the consequences, because there will be ones that will change us forever. There always is when you begin something so dangerous.”

She stared at him.

“I’ll be honest. I’m not looking for a one night stand. I don’t do them. If we go to bed, it’s going to matter. It’s going to be about a future. If you lied about wanting a quick roll in bed, you need to make the choice to walk away. If you’re serious about me, then I’m ready.”

He couldn’t believe he was saying it, but he was. The ugly truth was out of the bag. His past had created this in him, and if they came together, she deserved to know what was coming.

He deserved it too.

She heard his words but couldn’t speak.

“Can I see you tomorrow night?” he asked.

She nearly fell over. “What?”

“I want to take you out on a date. Tonight was something you and Elizabeth fabricated to trap me. I want to be in charge of my fate, not a pawn. That’s something else about me. If you fall into this with me, you’ll have to know that I’m the boss. It’s who I am.”

She opened her mouth but her brain was so melted that she couldn’t even come up with a single solitary objection. In fact, she got warmer.

Him.

Dominant.

Sexy.

In charge.

Yeah, she got it, and she loved every second of it.

“Tomorrow, Olivia?” he asked, using her full name on purpose. She needed to know that he was going to run her over, breaking her in the end. Despite him knowing that, he wanted her to realize that no one told him what to do.

She nodded.

“I’ll pick you up here.”

Livy finally got the words to form in her head. “How about I make you dinner?” she offered. “I love to cook.”

He was more than fine with that. He wanted a date, and he could handle trapping her inside. “I think I’d like that. I’ll bring the wine. Now, head in. I want to make sure you’re safe.”

She did what he asked.

He wanted to laugh. She didn't even fight him. This had to be a first. Livy and Lyzee were trouble, and he couldn’t control them. Had he known kissing the one woman would work, he would have done it weeks ago.

“Good night, Olivia. I’ll see you in the morning for work. Don’t be late.”

She opened and closed her mouth. Yeah, he wasn’t kidding. He was definitely going to be the boss. Still, that excited her. He was sexy and strong, and that appealed to her.

“Do you really mind if I call you Olivia?” he asked, testing the water.

“I don’t mind.”

He smiled at her.

Livy’s heart skipped. She wanted to kiss him again. It was eating away at her like some vicious disease. If she didn't get her hands all over him, she was going to suffer.

“I’m glad, because I like it. Despite what you think, it suits you.”

She opened her mouth, but Gabe cut her off.

“I told you. I’m stubborn. You were warned about me, and you still accepted my offer of a date. You can cancel tomorrow if you come to your senses. I’ll understand. Now, head in.”

She opened her door and did what he asked.

He waited.

She stood there inside the door, still not closing it.

It was like a battle of wills, their gaze never breaking. Finally, she obeyed and locked the door.

Gabe smiled.

It appeared that he’d won that round. Tomorrow, he was going to show her the real him. Then he’d see if Olivia Spencer was going to stick…

Or get some sense and run for her life….

       
         
* * *
  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

He was watching her.

He was hidden in the shadows across the street. He’d been following the one Fed around. Since seeing her at the crime scene, he knew that she’d be perfect.

He would make her into one of his greatest works of art before it was all done.

When his time in DC was over, she’d be his grand finale. There was no doubt in his mind it had to be her. The woman’s partner was beautiful too, but she didn't quite fit. Even with her pale skin and blue eyes, she didn't match the picture in his head.

If she was Irish, it was back alley, and that made her unworthy.

Yet, the other one…

She was perfect.

Oh, he’d have to add her to his plan. An artist had to be flexible, and he would switch it up a bit to make it work. He couldn’t pass this up. She was too perfect.

Their crossing of paths was meant to be, and he could see the outcome now.

But…

Until then, the game had to continue.

He had a date with his next victim, and he didn't want to be late. His work was important.

His plans were vital.

The next woman…

In his mind, she was already dead.

CHAPTER FOUR

The Bog

When they arrived at the pub, Chris Leonard was practically on top of her. Elizabeth wasn’t quite sure if it was because he was freaked out or if he wanted in her pants.

It was a tossup.

He was crowding her to the point that they were going to be sharing personal space at any second.

Maybe this had been a horrible idea.

When she told him to sit and went to the bar to grab them some beers, he was staring around the room with one hell of a look on his face.

When Elizabeth returned, she wanted to laugh. The man looked lost.

Sitting, she handed him the pint of thick heady ale.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“I bought you a beer.”

“Should we be drinking?” he asked, taking the glass and staring at it like it was something so foreign to him.

“We’ll stand out like sore thumbs if we don’t drink, Christopher. The whole point is to look like we’re here to have fun. You look like you’re ready to bolt.”

In a way, he was.

“Can I ask a favor?” he said, tentatively tasting the beer before glancing over at her.

“Sure you can. What do you need?” Elizabeth hoped she didn't regret saying that.

“Do you think there’s any way you can call me Chris instead? When you call me Christopher, I sound like a child.”

She smiled into her beer. He was a child. This man was super green, and super sheltered. She could tell.

“Well, I can do that, but honestly, Chris, I like your name. It sounds dignified and important, like the job you hold. Chris is great, but Christopher makes me think of some suave and smart man who works hard.”

He stared at her. “You can call me Christopher.”

Elizabeth grinned at him. He was a great guy. She could tell. He just needed to have someone get him through the awkward newbie years. He wasn’t going to ever be tough and hardcore. He was simply a good man to his core.

“Drink up, Christopher.”

He started chugging like there was a race. When he stopped, she’d realized what the hell she’d just done. Elizabeth let the kid into the candy shop.

“Please tell me that’s not your first beer,” Elizabeth stated, suspecting the worst.

“Yes, it actually is. We didn't have alcohol in my house growing up, and I didn't drink in school.”

She stared at him. “Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“How the hell did you get through college without drinking? Shit! You went to med school. There had to be parties, drinking, and babes.”

His look said it all.

Oh boy.

This was bad.

“Actually, I graduated at the top of my class. I didn't have time to drink and party. I wanted to be an ME and work for the FBI. You don’t get to do that by screwing around.”

“I partied and had fun. I’m in the FBI.”

“Maybe you went to a party school. I went to Harvard, and they were dead serious about the competition.”

Elizabeth smiled. No one knew she went to Cornell. No one had a clue she graduated with two majors, top of her class, and was practically begged to join the FBI. What they didn't know would work to her advantage.

“Well, we all got here anyway, so why stress it.”

He drank more of his beer.

The man was going to be sick if he kept drinking it like it was water. Maybe this was a horrible idea.

“You should slow down.”

“You told me to drink up.”

She laughed, blue eyes sparkling. “I said drink. This isn’t a naked kegger.”

He stared at her like he didn't know what the hell she was talking about.

How was that possible?

“That’s when you go to a frat… Never mind, Christopher. It’s best we learn one new thing at a time because I don’t want to fry your circuits.”

He went back to his beer.

Elizabeth scanned the room. Everything there looked normal. There were people drinking at the bar, the tables around them, and while playing darts. This was nothing more than people decompressing after a long day at work.

She did it all the time.

“Thank you for bringing me,” he said, his tongue loosening up from the beer. “I don’t know how to repay you.”

Elizabeth glanced over. He was done with his beer.

Oh boy.

She was going to be babysitting someone later.

“You’re welcome, but you don’t have to thank me, Chris. I’m having fun with you.”

“Can I ask you something?”

She began praying that it wasn’t something personal that was going to embarrass them both.

Chris signaled for two more beers.

“What?”

“Do you do this often?” he asked, pointing to the beers and room around them.

“It depends. Livy and I get a drink on Fridays when we’re not out in the field. It’s good to de-stress after what we do.”

He didn't say anything.

“How about you? What do you do to forget the horrors of our jobs?”

“Nothing, really. I’ve never done this before. This is my first beer and my first happy hour.”

Yeah, she could tell.

“Why not?”

He shrugged. “No one asks the ME if he wants to join them. I’m the freak at work. I stick my hands in dead bodies for a living. A lot of Feds, and women, think I carry some horrible disease and that if they touch me, I’m going to give them something.”

“Stupidity is contagious, Christopher. I wouldn’t worry about what they think. I’m not afraid to touch you.” She knew she needed to prove a point, so she leaned over and left a kiss on his cheek. “See? I didn't catch anything.”

He smiled at her, and then it disappeared just as quickly. Elizabeth knew she was going to be the mother duck in this relationship. He was sweet, so she didn't really mind.

“Why do you look so upset, Christopher?”

“Before I didn't know what it was like to go out and have fun with someone. I guess my life is really lonely.”

She glanced over as he started drinking his second pint. She gave him twenty minutes until he was sick as a dog.

“So you never go out?”

He shook his head.

“Ever?”

“No. So thank you for bringing me. I couldn’t do this alone. I’m not good in social circles.”

She patted his hand on the table. “Next time, when I go out with Livy, you’re coming.”

Chris stared at her in surprise. “Really? You weren’t bullshitting me about doing this again? I figured you were going to blow me off later.”

“It won’t happen.”

“Why not?”

Elizabeth sipped her beer. “I don’t blow people off. When I make a promise, I keep it. My daddy taught me that. So, I live that rule.”

“I think I like that rule. I’m going to live it too. If I make a promise, I’ll keep it.”

Elizabeth grinned.

“I’m still shocked you’re really going to go out with me again. Guys like me don’t get drinks with women like you.”

She stared at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Elizabeth asked, truly confused.

“You’re beautiful and hot. I’m the ME. Think about it, Elizabeth.”

She laughed. “Have you met me? I grew up in a town so small that Podunk looks like a metropolis. My daddy is the sheriff, and I did whatever the hell I wanted, which included raising all kinds of hell. Girls like me, we got you arrested. Don’t go putting me up on that kind of pedestal.”

“So you’re a bad girl. Right…like that’s going to deter me from thinking about you.”

Chris laughed.

Elizabeth needed to get this one under control and fast. She didn't need to know what he was thinking about her. It would make them do stupid shit, and she knew it.

She genuinely liked him, and Elizabeth couldn’t say that about many people.

“Anyway, Christopher, the issue is you just need to get your feet wet. Once you do, you’ll find it easier to make friends. You’ll have many happy hour dates, and you won’t even have time to go with me.”

He laughed. “It’ll never happen for a couple reasons, but mainly because I have a horrible secret.”

Elizabeth’s glass paused halfway to her lips. “You don’t have sex with the bodies, do you?”

He stared at her with his eyes wide.

“NO! Ewwww! I hope that’s not a rumor going around. I’ll never live that one down.”

She started laughing. “I was busting your ass, Christopher.”

He calmed down. “Don’t tell anyone what I’m going to tell you, okay?”

“Sure, I’m all ears.”

“They’re pretty ones too, and I know my body parts.”

She laughed. “That is NOT a pick up line, Christopher. In fact, I hope you’ve never said it before to the opposite sex. If you did, it’s not going to get you laid.”

He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “I have and you’re right. It didn't get me laid.”

Elizabeth genuinely laughed. “Please stop using it.”

Chris grinned.

Elizabeth noticed he was handsome—in that geekified way. She was a good judge of character, and she knew he was going to survive this clusterfuck they called the FBI. Her gut told her so.

“Okay, so what’s your secret?”

“I’m rich.”

She didn't even bat an eyelash. “Okay, and what’s the secret?”

Chris waited for her to treat him differently. He waited for Elizabeth to start to fawn over him. When she didn't, he was confused. “Well?” he asked.

“Well what? If you think I care that you have money, I don’t. I judge a person by them, not their wallet.”

“Wow.”

“Wow what?” she asked.

“You’re one of the few women I’ve met that didn't care. I never know who to trust. Some women hear rich doctor, and they think easy street.”

“Well, they’re not going to try and jump you, money or not, if you drop that lame ass line on them. I’d run the other way.”

He laughed. “I like you.”

“I like you too, Christopher, and I won’t tell anyone you’re rich.”

“Filthy rich.”

She laughed more.

“Like more money than God.”

“Well, if he asks for a loan, let me know. I’m beginning to question his existence. We have shitty jobs, and there can’t be a higher power. If there is, he screwed up.”

Chris agreed.

When he ordered another beer, she put her hand on his wrist. “This is your one warning. If I have to carry you out of here, I’m going to kick your ass when you wake up.”

He grinned. “I feel good.”

She sighed. Elizabeth didn't doubt it. He was drinking like there was no tomorrow. Then again, he had to dig in bodies. He probably needed that beer more than she did.

“Give me your keys.”

“What?”

“You can drink all you want, and I’ll get you home safe, but you’re not driving there. Got it?”

He grinned and then pulled the keys out. “You should be named Saint Elizabeth.”

“Lyzee.”

“What?” he asked.

“My closest friends call me that. I don’t let just anyone use it, so don’t pass it around.” Why she did it, she’d never know. It was so much easier not having people rely on you, but this man tripped her up—and not in a sexual way. She wanted to watch over him, making sure he was okay.

It looked like she found a new buddy for her circle. It looked like she’d just adopted an ME. What the hell was she thinking?

He grinned. “Thank you for that, Lyzee.”

With that, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Do you want to play darts with me?”

Why the hell not? She certainly couldn’t leave him alone. He’d be talking about body parts and likely hitting people with the darts.

This was going to be a disaster.

Friends were messy.

Livy and Gabe were the only two people she trusted in their world, and now she had Christopher to worry about too.

And worry she would.

“Sure thing, but we’ll play for pretzels. There’s no way I’m taking money for this mess.”

He got up, held out his hand and waited. For a second, he didn't think she’d take it.

But she did.

Chris dropped his arm over her shoulder as they crossed the pub.

Elizabeth laughed.

She was so screwed.

       
         
* * *
  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

When she began walking down the street, he followed. He was watching her all night and she was the one.