Promises (20 page)

“Travis?”

He nibbled her earlobe, enjoying the rush of air from her lungs.
 
“Hmm?”
 

“Do you think we could move this to the bedroom?”

“We will, bright eyes.
 
We will.”

Bobbi had no idea her ears were so sensitive.
 
He continued nibbling and teasing her until she felt lightheaded.
 
She kept forgetting to breathe and the tingles dancing across her skin were heavenly.
 

As his hands slipped beneath her floppy tee shirt and glided up her back, she decided to explore the exquisite textures of his body, taking the time to fully admire the taut sinewy lines.
 

Her fingers lighted on the long jagged scar across his left shoulder.
 
A startling reminder of his profession and the danger he put his life in time and time again.
 
She hadn’t realized she’d stopped moving until his husky voice broke through her musings.
 

“Second thoughts?”

She peered into the deep, rich color of his eyes.
 
Was it wise to make love to him when she knew they had no future together?
 
When their lives were so vastly different?
 
But to regret for the rest of her life not sharing this moment, not loving him...
 

“No,” she replied with a strangled whisper, afraid she’d start crying if she let her mind dwell on tomorrow.
 
“Kiss me.”

His mouth turned up in a quirky grin.
 
“Who’s in charge of this seduction?”

The dread of the future lifted from her heart at his teasing.
 
“I thought we’d take turns.”

“I like the sound of that.”
 
He pressed a soft, promising kiss to her lips.

Tracing the rough edges of his scar up to the strong tendon at the base of his neck, she sank her fingers into his damp curls.
 
A deep moan of satisfaction rumbled in his throat as he laid his head against her shoulder.
 
While she ran her fingers through his hair and gave his ear the same attention he’d given hers, his hands moved slowly in a circular motion across her thighs, massaging down to her calves and feet.

He toyed with the bracelet around her ankle.
 
“What’s this?”

“A gift.”
 
She continued nuzzling his neck.

Pulling his head away, he examined the bracelet more closely.
 
“Very nice.
 
Would this be a present from the real Mark Schuster or perhaps your admiring doctor?”

“Neither.”
 
She hadn’t expected this delightful show of jealousy.

He tilted his head up slightly, peering at her through devilish eyes.

“I’m not sure I like that look,” she said.
 
The rogue was up to something.
 

“And well you shouldn’t.”
 
He quickly shackled her feet with his powerful hands and started tickling her.

“Oh, no!
 
Travis, stop!”
 
She laughed trying to pull her feet from his grasp.

“Not until you tell me who gave you this lover’s token.”

“All right, all right!”
 
Still holding her feet, he ceased his playful torture.
 

“It’s someone very special to me.”
 
She noted the sudden stormy look in his eyes and decided to stop their game.
 
His jealousy was very satisfying, but she didn’t want him to think there was someone else.
 
That would interfere with the fragile thread forming between them.
 

“Jason gave me the bracelet.”

He closed his eyes with a heavy sigh and rested his forehead against hers.

She could feel the grief weighing him down.
 
If only he would believe as she did, that Jason was alive and out there somewhere.
 
She needed to alter the maudlin mood rapidly settling around them.
 

Taking his face in her hands, she asked, “Is the tickle technique a FBI standard for interrogating prisoners or do you have a foot fetish?”
 
She nipped playfully at his lips.

“Are you my prisoner?”

“For the moment,” she lied.
 
She would be his prisoner in more ways than one and for much longer than she cared to admit.
 

With a soft laugh, he ran his hands up her legs to her waist.
 
“Then for the moment, your feet belong to me.
 
And everything that’s attached to them.”
 
He punctuated his declaration with a searing kiss that ended on a moan.
 
Whose, she wasn’t sure.

He lifted her from the vanity and led her to the ocean-side room.
 
The bedside lamp cast the room in a soft, warm glow.
 
She watched him try to hide his limp as he moved to the window to pull the curtains closed.
 

While his back was turned to her, she cringed slightly at the flexing muscles in his thighs.
 
How much did his leg really hurt?
 
She’d have to make sure he didn’t do any further damage to it while they made love.
 

“Come here, bright eyes,” he said softly, sitting on the edge of the bed.
 

The small white towel fell open at his hip, exposing his muscular thigh.
 
Her heart beat faster as she moved toward him.
 
He reached out and pulled the drawstring of her borrowed jersey shorts, letting them fall to the floor around her ankles.
 

Although her shirt stopped barely below her bottom, hiding her nakedness from his perusal, she felt a rush of embarrassment.
 
The newness of being with him caused her skin to flush pink from tip to toe.
 
She lifted her trembling hands to his shoulders, steadying herself as she stepped out of her shorts and kicked them aside.
 

He slid his hands up the sides of her legs, across her hips and up her torso, carrying her shirt with him, slowly lifting the loose jersey up and over her head.
 
She closed her eyes and took a deep, quivering breath.
 
Would he be pleased?
 
Would he find her as exquisite as she found him?

Gripping her waist, he pulled her trembling body to his.

“You’re so beautiful.”
 
His hair brushed her breasts as he kissed her stomach, changing the surge of relief coursing through her veins into intense arousal.
 
This was what she wanted, what she needed.
 
All of it, all of him, no matter what tomorrow brought.
 

He nipped and licked at the edges of her breasts, drawing out his delicious torture, never touching the tips that craved his attentions.
 
She thought she’d go mad with need until finally, he pulled the taught peaks into his mouth.
 

Sinking her fingers into his hair, she held him fast to her breast as his tongue laved her nipples and his hands slid over her body, touching her everywhere.
 
Her legs quivered and threatened to give out beneath her, but before she could utter a word of warning, he lay back on the bed, pulling her atop him as he kissed his way up her throat.

Nestled against one another, their kisses grew more feverish as their hands explored and enticed.
 
Grasping the towel still wrapped around his waist, she jerked it loose, unable to wait for him any longer.
 
His hands and mouth, the sinful words he whispered in her ear, had driven her to the brink.

“Hold that thought.”
 
He kissed the tip of her nose and slowly rose from the bed.

She watched through passion-laden eyes as he crossed the room and retrieved his wallet.
 
She marveled at the beauty of the man’s body, and wondered for a moment if it was the love she felt for him that made him so handsome or the mind numbing ecstasy of his touch.

He tossed the empty cellophane packet on to the nightstand and caressed her body with his gaze as he sheathed his himself.
 
She didn’t feel shy or nervous any more.
 
The passion and desire burning so fiercely in his eyes made her feel beautiful.
 
She even imagined she saw love there, but didn’t dare dwell on that possibility.
 
This may be their only time together, and she refused to burden her heart with hope.

Easing onto the bed, he ran his hands over her skin, fueling the fire he’d left burning out of control.
 
Within minutes her mind and body whirled with sensations she had never experienced with anyone else.
     

As she quaked from their lovemaking, she held back the words that desperately wanted to be said.
 
The words that now burned in her heart and in her soul.
 

I’ll love you forever
.

Travis buried his face in the crook of her neck, their bodies spent.
 
The merciless hammering of his heart eased.
 
As wrong as it was to be with her this way, he couldn’t deny the total peace he found in her arms.
 
He shifted to the side taking her with him, not wanting to break the connection.
 
As though a lifeline would be severed should he slip from her warmth.
 

Her breathing slowed, and he knew she slept.
 
He brushed a bright blonde curl from her forehead and tried to imagine her vibrant red hair splayed out on the pillow.
 
Maybe, when they got out of the mess they were in, she’d let it grow out.
 
That is, if he ever saw her again.
 

He could kick his sorry ass for making love to her.
 
How could she even look at him after the way he let her brother down?
 
After nearly getting her killed?

Slowly, he eased out of bed, taking great care not to wake her.
 
He slipped into his jeans then stole one last glance at her.
 
Making love to Bobbi may have been the greatest experience of his life, but it was wrong.
 
She deserved someone she could count on, someone who didn’t break his promises, someone who would always be there for her.

Disgusted with himself, he went into the living room and stared out the window at the waves glistening in the moonlight.
 
He was making the same mistakes again and again.
 
He was letting his emotions interfere with his work.
 
Just like before with Sylvia.
 
If he’d just been paying better attention, if he hadn’t gotten involved.
 

He sniffed softly.
 
How many times had he told himself that?
 

He could still see Sylvia’s face as her life
 
faded away.
 
“Couldn’t let
—
them kill you.
 
Forgive
—
me,” she’d said, struggling for another breath that never came.

Travis didn’t want to believe it, but knew it was true.
 
He’d suspected all along, but refused to admit it to himself. Sylvia was a plant meant to throw him off the track.
 

A disgruntled drug lord wasn’t happy with the Bureau’s investigation.
 
He’d planned on distracting Travis with Sylvia, but when it didn’t go as he planned, a sniper tried to take him out.
 
If she hadn’t stepped in front of him at the last second he’d be dead, instead of just winged in the shoulder.

Her betrayal hurt, but her sacrifice hurt more.
 
He never wanted to feel that way again.
 
He never wanted to love that way again, so he erected a hard shell around his heart, swearing he’d never get seriously involved with a woman.
 
Not that deep, and definitely not with someone under his protection.

He had already let Jase down by not watching his back, although he had been ordered to cease all communication with him.
 
But things were different in Bobbi’s case.
 
Regardless of what his heart thought, he wouldn’t put her life in danger because he was too stupid to keep his hands off.
 
He owed it to Jase, and nothing was going to stop him from keeping his promise to protect her.

“Are you okay?”
 

Her soft, sweet voice washed over him, a soothing balm for his aching soul and a fateful blow to his conscience.
 

“Just thinking.”
 
He continued studying the waves, rolling and undulating like his feelings, existing in a constant state of flux.

“About Jason?” she asked.

“And other things.”
 
He turned to face her and a kick of desire slammed into his chest so hard he took a staggering step back at the sight of her tousled hair and kiss-swollen lips.
 
The T-shirt covered her, but he knew what lay beneath.
 
How could he want her again already?
 

With a shake of his head, he forced his thoughts back to their situation.
 
The Steele situation.
 
“I need to know why Steele’s men are after you.
 
It’s just us now, Bobbi.
 
You’re going to have to trust me.”

“I trust you.”
 
She paused and wrapped her arms tightly around her waist.
 
“But I’ll have to show you.”

Why was it always a battle with her?
 
“You can’t take this on by yourself.
 
You were nearly killed today.”
 
He raked his fingers through his hair.
 
“I nearly got you killed today, and after swearing to Jase I’d keep you safe.”

Her eyes narrowed as she took the stance he’d seen so many times, her hands splayed on her shapely hips, her chin tilted up defiantly.
 
“Is that all I am to you?
 
A debt you owe my brother?”

“Damn it, Bobbi!”
 
He crossed the room, stopping short of pulling her into his arms.
 
“You know that’s not what I meant.
 
I should have been paying better attention.
 
I shouldn’t have let it happen.”

Her face flushed red.
 
“It?
 
Let
it
happen?
 
What are we talking about, Travis?
 
Nearly getting killed or making love?”

He sighed heavily.
 
“Both.”

She clenched her jaw.
 
“I see.
 
Well, I’ll be happy to ease the burden for you,
Agent Reid
.”
 
Spinning on her heels, she started down the hall.
 
“You needn’t concern yourself with me any longer.”

He charged after her and snagged her arm.
 
“You’re not going anywhere.
 
I said I’d protect you and I will.”
 
Even if it killed him.

Her eyes pierced him to the bone.
 
“I don’t want your protection.
 
I don’t want anything from you.”

His heart fell like a rock.
 
He deserved that, but he still had a promise to keep.
 
He wasn’t going to screw this up.
 
He refused to let the past repeat itself.
 

“That’s too bad, cause you’re stuck with me.
 
I’m all you’ve got, sweetheart, so you’d better get used to the idea.”
 
He dropped his hand from her arm.
 
“Now tell me why Steele wants you.”

She coolly stared into his eyes.
 
“All right.”

He breathed a silent sigh of relief that she understood.
 
They couldn’t trust anyone else.
 

“Jason was using my knowledge of art to pick original works from the forgeries Steele’s been creating and selling to the highest bidder.
 
Before Jason disappeared he told me where he hid a computer disk containing information about the location of several forgeries and details regarding the art thefts.
 
It should be enough to put Steele away for a long time.”

“Tell me where it is.”

“Sorry,” she said with a smirk, crossing her arms firmly.
 
“I was in this from the beginning and I plan on seeing it to the end.
 
And nothing you can do or say is going to change my mind.
  
I suggest you find a way to acquire a couple of tickets to Nice since you’re so determined to
protect
me.”

“Nice, France?”

“Nice, France,” she said, and stomped off.

Turning with a curse, he gazed back out at the sea.
 
He was a rat of the worst caliber.
 
He hurt her, knowing all along he would, but that hadn’t stopped him.
 

Without thinking it through, he went down the hall, stopped at the back bedroom and raised his hand to knock.
 
Slowly, he lowered it back to his side and rested his forehead against the door.
 

He sighed at the sound of muffled tears permeating the wood.
 
If only Jase were alive so he could beat the crap out of him for getting her involved in this mess.
 
And then Jase could beat the crap out of him for hurting Bobbi.
 

Dragging his weary body to the phone, he made arrangements to leave the next day.
 
The sooner he got out of her life the better off she would be.
 

“So much for recuperating,” he mumbled as he limped back to bed.
 
His cold, empty bed.

Bobbi woke to the smell of one of Travis’ delicious breakfasts.
 
She was starving after skipping dinner the night before, being somewhat occupied with other things.
 
Things she would like to forget but couldn’t.

More than once during the night, she got out of bed and started toward his room, to the comfort of his arms, but stopped before crossing the hall.
 
They’d had their one night together, and that would have to be enough.
 
She would have to hide the love she felt for him, the need to feel his caress, his kiss, his warm strong body entangled with hers, but she wouldn’t forget.
 
She couldn’t forget.

Knowing she would have to face him sooner or later, she threw on some clothes and headed for the kitchen.
 

“Good morning.”
 
She surprised herself with her calm tone considering how good he looked.
 
She really wished he would wear his shirt.

“Morning.”
 

His terse reply pierced her heart, but she couldn’t afford to dwell on the pain.
 
It was over and that was all there was to it.
 

He turned to reach for the plates in the cabinet, and she gasped.
 
The bright red stripes left on his back from her fingernails brought back every moment they’d shared the night before in vivid detail.
 
The passion, the perfection, the love.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

“No, nothing.”
 
She quickly took a seat at the table.
 
How was she ever going to look him in the eye again without wanting to cry?
 
What had made her think that one night together was enough?
 
He thought making love had been a mistake.
 
Maybe he was right.
 

He placed their breakfast on the table and sat down.
 
“We need to leave in an hour to make the airport on time.
 
We’ll stop and get you some more clothes on the way.”
 
He scooped a fork full of eggs into his mouth without lifting his head.

She nodded and concentrated on eating, but the future continued to niggle at her brain.
 
They would get the stupid disk then everything would be over, they’d go their separate ways, and he would go back to what’s-her-name.
 
Then she would die inside.
 
Somehow she forced the food down her throat without choking.

“Bobbi, we need to talk about last night.”

She gulped down her coffee, scalding her tongue and throat, but barely paid it any attention.
 
“There’s nothing left to discuss.
 
You made yourself perfectly clear.”
 

“No, I didn’t.
 
That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”

“Well, I don’t care to hear it.” She took another swallow, bigger than the before.
 
The last thing she wanted to hear was more pathetic excuses about protecting her, about owing Jason, and she definitely didn’t want to hear about the
other
woman.
 

No, wait.
 
She was the other woman.
 
God, she wanted to scream!

“You are the most stubborn, mule-headed
—
”

She slammed her empty cup onto the table.
 
“Me?
 
Oh!
 
I’ll be so glad when this is over and I can get away from you.”
 
Away from the one man she wanted, the only man she would ever truly love.
 
Her breakfast threatened to come back up.

“I couldn’t agree more.
 
I’ll go back to the simple, quiet life of catching drug runners and you can go back to the woods and your salivating doctor.”

“I might just do that.”

“Fine,” he said, as he scooped up his empty plate from the table.

“Fine,” she parroted.

They each stormed off to their perspective rooms.

Later, as they walked into the airport, he firmly gripped her elbow.
 
“Now, get this straight so I don’t have to repeat myself.
 
We’re George and Maggie Claymore.
 
We’ve been married for a few months and we’re going to Nice for a long overdue honeymoon.”

“Giving orders again?”

“You’re damn right, and if you want to stay alive you’ll do exactly as I say.”

“Whatever you say,
George, dear
.”
 

Although she’d managed to keep up a tough front, deep down she was glad he was with her, and not only because she loved him.
 
She was terrified.
 
A house had blown up with her inside.
 
She didn’t want to think about what else could happen.
 
She only hoped they could get their trip over with before anyone else got hurt.
 
If anything happened to Travis, it would kill her.
 
The guilt would be too much.