World's Most Eligible Texan (16 page)

“Oh, Aaron!” she exclaimed, remembering the last shower with him and the lovemaking they had shared. He carried her the short distance to her tiny bathroom and in minutes they were in her shower over the bathtub, Aaron slowly soaping her up, sliding his hands over her wet skin. She took the soap from him to do the same, running her hands over his broad, muscled back, down to his smooth backside and then along his thighs. He turned to face her and as she moved up, she saw he was ready to love again, fully aroused. She looked up at him and met a smoldering gaze that heated her to her core.

He took the soap from her hands and let the spray wash
over them as he lifted her up. She locked her long legs around him and he eased her down, sliding into her and then she was spun away, the dance of ecstasy starting as she clung to him and kissed him.

While he braced his feet apart and held her, he pumped and ground his hips and knew he couldn't get enough of her in a lifetime. With the slightest touch or look from her, he was aroused. Being with her naked and knowing she would yield had him tied in knots. He knew he should be sated, worn and satisfied from their last session of lovemaking, but he wasn't. He wanted her more than ever. She couldn't get it through her head how much and how deeply he loved her, but she would. She had to. If it took him the rest of the year, he wasn't giving up because he wanted her with his whole being.

She was kissing him, hot kisses that felt as if they would melt his teeth and his tonsils. She was fiery, passionate, totally giving when aroused and that excited him even more.

Thought ceased and he loved her blindly, mindlessly, this time hard and fast and reaching a roaring climax. Dimly he heard her cries of passion, felt her fingers dig into his back and her legs tighten around him.

His heart pounded as if it would explode in his chest and even under a stream of water, he was sweating.

Gradually she slid down, standing on her feet while they kissed. He couldn't stop kissing her or holding her. She was slender and soft in his arms, her skin smoother than satin. He framed her face with his hands. “You're beautiful.”

“You're blind, Aaron, but I'm glad you think so. I'm glad you're holding me. Otherwise I think I'd just slide down and go into the drain with the water.”

“Let's see if I've still got legs I can walk on.” He shut off the water and opened the shower door, grabbing a towel to dry her. She took the towel from him.

“Maybe I should do this, and you should dry yourself off.”

He looked at her, seeing fires still burning in her blue eyes. “You really think so?”

She studied him, her gaze drifting down over him and back
up and she shook her head, beginning to dry him with the towel. She slanted him a mischievous look.

“Let's see what happens.”

“Insatiable minx,” he whispered, bending down to kiss her. He grabbed another towel and slowly drew it across her shoulders, then leaned back to look at her as he ran it so lightly across her breasts, just touching her nipples and seeing them become taut. He drew the towel down across her stomach and then over her bottom.

“Aaron,” she whispered, winding her arms around his neck and pulling his head down to kiss him. They attempted to dry each other until he picked her up to carry her back to her bed where he lay down and pulled her into his arms, and they kissed slowly, leisurely, stroking each other. Within minutes fires built and urgency drove them.

Finally she sat astride him, lowering herself while he caressed her breasts, and then she leaned down to kiss him, moving with him. After they had reached another rapturous climax, he pulled her beside him, cradling her in his arms, talking softly until they fell asleep.

In the gray light of dawn Aaron came awake, staring at the pink rosebuds in her wallpaper, remembering clearly where he was and what had happened between them. He looked down at her, still asleep in the crook of his arm.

“This time you won't disappear, darlin',” he said softly. She lay with one arm thrown across his chest and her leg across him. He gently brushed her hair away from her face, and, with just the sight of her and his memories, he was aroused, wanting her as badly as he had yesterday.

He stroked her breast so lightly, caressing her soft nipple until it became taut. She moaned and stirred and opened her eyes to look up at him. He saw she was completely awake, a lazy sensuality radiating from her like heat from a stove. She wrapped one arm around his neck and raised to kiss him while her hand played over his stomach, caressing his thighs and then touching his manhood.

In minutes they were loving with all the urgency of the
night before. Aaron knew the day would intrude and end their intimacy, and he slowed, trying to prolong the moment, wanting to savor every inch of her and every moment with her.

Finally he moved between her legs, wrapping her in his arms as he entered her and her legs locked around him. While they loved passionately, he heard her crying his name. He climaxed and slowly settled, showering her with kisses, amazed how the more he made love with her, the more he wanted her.

“You're easy to wake.”

She trailed kisses along his throat. “That's the best way to wake, Aaron.”

“Maybe. Maybe there's some way even better. I'll show you in the morning.”

“No, you won't either,” she said, her fingers playing in the hair on his chest.

“Mellie, I'm going to shrivel up and blow away. You've demolished me.”

“Are you complaining about what I'm doing?” she asked, raising up to look at him with wide blue eyes. A dimple showed, and she lowered her head. “Just lie back and enjoy the morning. Go back to sleep,” she whispered, trailing kisses along his stomach, laughing seductively when he became aroused again.

“Wench,” he growled, rolling her over on her back and moving over her with his legs on either side of her. “Two can play that game.” He leaned down to kiss her, his hand moving between her legs. She gasped and opened her legs for him and in minutes they were loving again.

Wrapped in each other's arms, they fell asleep. Aaron came awake instantly at the ring of his cell phone. It was a faint sound and he slid out of bed and hurried to the front room where he had left the phone on a table. He picked it up.

“Aaron? Sheriff Escobar. You wanted me to call you when we got a report in on the Asterland plane. The feds finished their investigation.”

T
wo hours later on Thursday morning, Aaron sat in the Texas Cattleman's Club in the private room he and his friends used. Coffee had been served and a silver urn sat on a table on a silver tray. Bone china cups and saucers with the club's gold crest sat beside the urn.

Matt Walker was the last to arrive, and, as he sat down facing them, Aaron leaned forward. “Before we get down to business—I think we should congratulate the new bridegroom,” he said, looking at Justin, who grinned and accepted congratulations and a few teasing remarks.

“Winona and I just wanted a quiet wedding,” he said. “We didn't want to be away from Angel,” he added, fishing a picture from his wallet. When the others crowded around to look at the picture of the tiny blue-eyed baby girl, Aaron's insides knotted. He ached for his own baby, thinking that falling in love and having a baby with Pamela were the most awesome events in his life.
He couldn't lose her and his baby.
He re
fused to accept that she would do what she threatened and walk out of his life. It was unthinkable.

“She's beautiful,” he said hoarsely, touching the corner of Angel's picture. He looked up. “You're a lucky man,” he said solemnly, and Justin grinned.

“I know I am.”

Aaron turned away, but he saw Matt give him a searching look.

“You went from a bachelor to a husband and father in a hurry,” Ben Rassad said.

“Yes, and it's great.”

Aaron thought of Pamela and their baby and could understand the sparkle in Justin's eyes. He looked happier than Aaron could recall ever seeing him, and Aaron was glad for him.

After getting refills of coffee and hearing a little about Angel, they sat down again, except for Dakota who stood beside a bookcase. “What's up, Aaron?” he asked.

“I had a call from Sheriff Escobar. The investigation about the cause of the crash is over. It was a malfunction in one of the twin jet engines.”

“No sabotage?” Justin asked with disbelief in his voice.

“Nope.” Aaron shook his head. “The engine fire caused some of the systems to lock up, including the landing gear, which caused the crash landing. When they landed, the electrical systems inside the plane shorted out. Liquor bottles from the bar broke and spilled—”

“And Lady Helena was unfortunate enough to be sitting closest to the bar,” Matt interrupted grimly.

“Right,” Aaron replied. “They think sparks from the rough landing ignited the liquor, and that's how she got burned.”

“Damn,” Matt muttered, rubbing the knee of his jeans idly as he stared into space with troubled eyes, and Aaron knew he was concerned about Lady Helena.

“At least now we have one bit of the puzzle solved,” Dakota said, moving restlessly at one end of the room.

“If the plane hadn't had trouble, we wouldn't have found the stones,” Justin added.

“We can stop worrying about who might have sabotaged the plane and why,” Aaron summed up. “It's one little question answered. The other questions are still puzzling, and I think the women are still in danger. With the murder of Riley Monroe, we know someone is in deadly earnest about the jewels.”

“A man tried to get into Lady Helena's room,” Matt said. “I had to leave for just a few minutes, and the guy I got to stand watch was called away. He was only gone minutes. While he was gone, I came back, and another man was starting into her room. He ran when he saw me.”

“Damn. Sounds like the one trailing after Pamela. Did you get a good look at him?” Aaron asked, and Matt shook his head.

“No. It was late and the lights were down in the hall so the patients could sleep. He was gone in a flash, and it was more important to check on her and stay with her than to go after him. She was asleep and didn't know anything happened. She didn't know I checked to see if she was all right. I couldn't leave her unguarded to chase him.”

“Yeah,” Aaron replied, thinking about seeing someone following Pamela outside the obstetrician's office and making the same decision to stay with her.

“If someone is getting more desperate about the missing diamond,” Ben observed, “the risk for these women may be increasing.”

“And we don't have any leads on the missing diamond,” Dakota said quietly.

“You were going to keep an eye on the Asterland investigators. What about them, Dakota?” Aaron asked.

Dakota shook his head. “They've split up, so I have to choose which one I follow. So far nothing has come of it. One was behind you when you and Pamela were going to dinner, but I don't know whether he was actually following you or
just driving down Main. Before you turned into Claire's lot, he drove into the gas station.”

“If you can, keep watching them,” Justin urged. “We need to find out who's after the women.”

“We need to find out a lot of things,” Aaron said.

“Robert Klimt is still in a coma. If he ever comes out of the coma, I hope we can question him,” Matt said. “And there's always the possibility that one of the women might have the diamond and not know it.”

“I don't think it's Pamela. They shredded everything she owned and didn't find what they were searching for,” Aaron stated, remembering her apartment and clothing.

“Think that might have been Johannes and Yungst?” Dakota asked.

“Could be. Although anyone would want the jewels,” Aaron said.

“I still wonder if whoever is after them intends to sell them and use the money for something else,” Dakota remarked curtly.

“That's what I'm thinking,” Aaron agreed.

“Perhaps in your diplomatic job you have dealt with espionage and terrorism too much,” Ben said. “We know Dakota has.”

“My mind may run that way because of all I've seen. The possibility exists that it's more than just the fortune from the jewels that someone is after. They may have a use for the fortune and it may be tied to Asterland. I wonder if we shouldn't call in a foreign affairs specialist,” Aaron suggested quietly. Dakota's head whipped around, and he stared at Aaron who gazed back steadily.

Aaron had been overseas when Dakota's breakup came from his wife, Kathy Lewis, and he knew they both still hurt over it. A former Foreign Service Officer, Kathy was an expert foreign affairs specialist and Aaron knew she was well acquainted with Asterland royalty. She might be able to help them with their questions. Yet he could see the pain in Dakota's eyes over his suggestion.

“No need to rush into that yet,” Justin said, and Aaron nodded. He didn't want to hurt Dakota, yet he didn't think Dakota had ever lost his love for Kathy, and he hadn't heard of Kathy being involved with anyone else since she'd left Dakota. He hoped they could get back together because both seemed to still be hurting, and he understood that kind of pain. He thought of Pamela and glanced at his watch, calculating the time until he would be with her again.

Dakota said, “We'll all keep searching and looking and seeing what we can learn.”

“I want to talk to the Asterland investigators,” Aaron said. “I think it's time we asked them some direct questions.”

“If that's it, I need to get back to the hospital,” Matt said, standing. The others came to their feet, murmuring reasons they had to go.

Aaron met Matt's gaze and could see the worry in his eyes. He could understand Matt's feelings because he was concerned about Pamela any time he was away from her. He had been much less worried when she had been at his house where there was a guard at the gate, a high wall, an alarm and seclusion. Her apartment complex had almost as many people coming and going as a shopping mall, and there was no security, but he knew he wasn't going to get her back to his place easily.

In spite of feeling a sense of urgency to get back to Pamela, he stopped at a jewelry store to look at diamond rings. He wanted something special for Pamela, knowing she seldom wore jewelry, and that what she wore was simple. He settled on a design of smaller diamonds flanking a three-carat diamond and on impulse bought her as well a simple gold link bracelet.

He drove home to take care of some family business and to make an appointment to talk to the Asterland investigators. When he stepped into his empty house, he suffered a pang. It was the first time he'd come home since Pamela had moved out and he missed her. He looked at flowers she had left behind because there wasn't room for all the bouquets at her place. He missed her with a hungry longing that made him
want to toss aside all he needed to do and go find her. He picked up the phone to call her, and the moment he heard her voice, he felt better.

“I miss you.”

She laughed softly. “It's only been a few hours, but that's nice and I miss you, too.”

“Can I pick you up for lunch? Say yes.”

“Yes, but I have to get a haircut at three o'clock. I need to run some errands, too, so either I meet you for lunch or you bring me home afterwards to get my car.”

“I'll take you home after lunch. I'll be at your house at—” he paused to glance at his watch “—at twelve.”

“Sure, Aaron. I'll be ready.”

“I'll be ready, too,” he said in a husky voice, wanting to take her to bed again.

“Ready for lunch,” she said emphatically.

“We'll see, darlin',” he challenged. “'Til then I'll think about last night.”

“And this morning,” she added softly. “Hurry home, Aaron,” she said in a sultry voice, and heat flashed in his body.

“I'll be there in twenty minutes,” he said, deciding to make some of his phone calls later.

“See you,” she said softly and broke the connection.

He replaced the receiver. “I wish you could see what's in your heart, darlin',” he said to the empty room. He thought about the night and her complete abandon, her loving him as if her love for him was total. “You have to see what you mean to me,” he said softly. “You have to.” He thought about Justin's glow and could understand how Justin felt. To be married to the woman you love and adore and to have a precious baby would be the kind of happiness to make a man glow. And it would be a glow that would go deep, clear to the heart. “You just have to see I mean what I say, lady,” he repeated to the empty room, thinking of Pamela.

“Patience, patience,” he reminded himself as he went upstairs to his desk to make his calls.

 

Pamela had a long lunch with Aaron in which he flirted constantly and kept touching her instead of eating. He left his lunch almost untouched, just as she did, and she was giddy from his attention. She drifted through the afternoon in a daze, and as she stepped out of the shop after getting her hair cut, she saw Winona Raye only a few feet away on the sidewalk. In Winona's arms was a baby carrier, and Pamela's heart beat faster.

“Congratulations on your marriage, Winona.”

“Thanks,” Winona said, and Pamela saw the sparkle in her eyes and had a pang of longing that stabbed into her heart like a knife for what could never be.

She moved closer to Winona to peer into the carrier. “May I see Angel?”

As she turned so Pamela could look into the carrier, Winona smiled. “How are you doing? Did you get over your injuries from the landing?”

“Yes. I wasn't seriously hurt.” Pamela looked at the baby who gazed back with wide blue eyes. “She's so beautiful!”

“I think so,” Winona said softly with a laugh. “Angel is a joy.”

“I know she's in her carrier, but can I hold her?” Pamela said, unable to keep the longing out of her voice.

“Of course,” Winona said, setting the carrier down and bending down to unfasten the straps. She handed Angel to Pamela, who took the warm, soft baby and held her close.

“She's wonderful,” Pamela said, her imagination racing away with her as she thought of her own baby.
Hers and Aaron's.
“I know you're so happy.”

Winona laughed. “Here, let me give you a blanket to put on your shoulder. Just in case—”

“She's fine,” Pamela said, turning the baby to cradle her in her arms and look down at her. Angel cooed and waved her fists, and Pamela knew she was keeping them out in the wind and she needed to hand Angel back. Reluctantly, she passed the baby back to Winona.

“Thanks for letting me hold her,” she said as Winona quickly fastened Angel back into her carrier and picked it up.

“Anytime. Come see us and you can hold her all you want.”

Pamela wanted to offer to babysit, but she knew right now was not the time to do so.

“See you,” Winona said, moving on and Pamela turned away, thinking about Angel and how precious a baby was. She'd walked a few yards, starting to go to the driver's side of her car, when she saw a man leaning against the door of her car. As she approached him, he straightened up. Aversion filled her when she recognized Garth Johannes. A fedora was jammed on his head, the spiky ends of his greasy hair sticking out beneath his hat, and in a topcoat he looked square. His thick neck bulged over the collar of his shirt.

“Miss Miles. I haven't seen you in town very often in the past few weeks. Shut away with your lover?”

The question was personal, and the man was obnoxious, and she suspected if Aaron were present, Johannes would never have been so bold. His gaze raked insolently over her. He blocked her from getting into her car, but she didn't feel any fear, standing on Main Street in Royal. Anger was her only reaction.

“You're in my way.”

“I just wanted to ask you a few more questions.”

“I've answered all I intend to,” she replied curtly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a red pickup sweep into a parking space a few cars beyond hers. Johannes turned to look at it.

“Then I'll ask you another time,” he said abruptly, and turned to hurry across the street, almost stepping in front of traffic in his haste to move away from her car. She glanced back at the pickup as a door slammed and a tall, black-haired man emerged. She didn't know Dakota Lewis very well, but they had met, and she recognized him. She guessed he had stopped because of Johannes.