His Captivating Confidante (Secret Sentinels) (7 page)

“Hop on, Kitten.”

The Ducati barely dipped as she settled her slight weight behind him. Turning the key, he revved the throttle, giving her a moment to adjust to the thrum of the powerful engine beneath her.

“Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” she affirmed, wrapping her slender arms tightly around his waist.

Though she hadn’t let on that she was nervous, her death grip indicated otherwise. Easing her anxiety became his top priority.

“This will go better for both of us if I don’t pass out from lack of oxygen,” he teased.

The injection of humor worked its magic, and he smiled as she loosened the stranglehold she’d wrapped him in, letting go of the tension that had stiffened her muscles.

“That’s it,” he encouraged. “Now we’re ready to have some fun.”

He felt the shift in her the moment she became drawn into the magic of the ride. Cycling afforded an up-close-and-personal view of the road and the surrounding terrain that was unmatched. It was exhilarating and freeing. As ways to destress went, it was unrivaled.

Well, almost unrivaled. There was one other pursuit he could think of that surpassed the thrill of being on the bike, but sharing that particular form of recreation with Stephanie was
not
on the table.

She bent her head to his, squeezing him a bit tighter. “This is so much fun,” she enthused. “I can’t believe I waited this long to try it. Can this thing go any faster?”

“Yeah,” he chuckled, delighted with her moxie in wanting to push the limits. He supposed he should be affronted that she’d referred to his precious motorcycle as a “thing,” but he was too busy enjoying the soft, heated press of her curves against him to take offense at the insult.

She wanted to go faster? He could make that happen.

He gunned the throttle and the bike instantly responded, shooting forward with a surge of power. She laughed in delight, and the sound warmed his heart.

“Wow!” she breathed in his ear.

Yeah. Wow
.

Because with her plastered to his back like a sexy little sea urchin, his body was no longer registering that she was off-limits. It was responding in ways it shouldn’t be. He knew if it was anyone other than Stephanie sharing the saddle with him, the trip would end in another, far more pleasurable sort of ride.

He edged the needle a bit further up the speedometer. The twinge in his shoulder told him he’d pay the price for it tomorrow, but at least the adrenaline rush that accompanied the move succeeded in pushing the illicit thoughts he was currently having aside.

He dipped the bike as they rounded a curve in the road and she laughed again, squeezing him just a little tighter. He was glad she was enjoying herself; glad he could grant her a temporary escape from the pressures of the life they’d chosen. He had a feeling she didn’t make a whole lot of time for fun in her busy schedule. Like him, she pushed herself too hard.

Despite their passion for their chosen careers, their work could still extract a toll. It was an all-consuming lifestyle choice—one that demanded everything and gave back very little.

But like anyone committed to serving and protecting, they understood the sacrifices that went along with the mantle they’d assumed. And there was gratification in knowing that the long hours, the danger, the lack of companionship and normalcy meant that others would be safe.

That Stephanie had chosen to walk the same path as he had filled him with pride. He was thankful to count her as a friend, and he would not screw that friendship up because a sudden spike in testosterone had him thinking about what it would be like to take their relationship to the next level.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

For at least the hundredth time since she’d joined Frank on the bike, Stephanie asked herself what she’d been thinking when she’d agreed to the idea. What on earth had possessed her to tell him it would be fun to ride with him tonight?

Worst. Idea. Ever.

Not only was she pressed up against him in ways that had liquid heat pooling between her thighs, but the intoxicating scent of his cologne—a lust-inducing blend of woodsy pine forests, fresh ocean surf, and hot-blooded male—was doing dangerous things to her libido. Breathing in the familiar scent that was 100 percent Frank, she barely resisted the urge to press closer to his lean hardness.

Yup. Agreeing to this ride was a bad idea.
Very
bad. Whenever she was near him, every traitorous neuron in her body misfired, leaving her incapable of focusing on anything other than Frank.

On the other hand, she had to admit being this close to him was as thrilling as the ride itself. It was as wondrous as being wrapped in his arms when they’d danced together last night.

Frank steered the Ducati off the main road and onto a narrower lane that looped down toward the ocean. A few miles in, he signaled another turn and pulled into the parking lot of a seafood restaurant tucked at the end of a cove.

Frank’s billionaire status afforded him the luxury of dining at the most exclusive of haute-cuisine establishments. But while he could—and often did—rub shoulders with the wealthiest of the wealthy, he was happiest when hosting an impromptu picnic in his living room or indulging in seafood from a beachside restaurant.

It was one of the many things she loved about him. He might have been born to affluence, but he didn’t let his wealth define him. He remained down to earth, caring, compassionate, and unentitled.

Their hostess seated them at a quiet corner table with a breathtaking view of the water. After perusing the menu they both decided on the house specialty, a mixed seafood platter featuring sweet, succulent shrimp and chunks of tender haddock tossed in the chef’s special batter and fried to a golden brown—accompanied by French fries and onion rings.

Between the amazing food, the beautiful backdrop of the sun setting over the ocean, and his company, the evening was Stephanie’s idea of pure bliss.

She was utterly relaxed until he reached for an onion ring at the same time she did and their hands brushed. The tingle of awareness that zipped down her arm at the contact was a jarring reminder that she couldn’t let herself lose sight of why she was with him. She needed to stay focused on the reason she was here, instead of letting herself get sucked into the depths of those gorgeous blue eyes of his.

Protecting Frank was as much a part of her mission as extracting information regarding Lawrence Mendacci from Damon Landers was. Now was not the time to indulge her infatuated hormones.

Mentally ordering those aforementioned marauding hormones to step back in line, she turned her focus back to keeping an eye out for potential threats, where it belonged. Daydreaming about how those gorgeous lips of his might feel pressed up against hers could get them both killed.

“Would you like to walk for a while?” he asked after they’d finished their meals.

“Sure,” she readily agreed, eager for the distraction.

There was a boardwalk just a short distance from the restaurant, and they strolled over to it, enjoying the view and the fresh sea breeze.

There was something spellbinding about the play of the sunset’s crimson and mauve colors on the dark and restless ocean waters. The panorama before them had no doubt inspired many an artist to put brush to canvas.

“Not to drag our evening down with shop talk,” Frank interjected, effectively breaking the spell, “but have you given any more thought to my offer?”

She and Frank had always shared everything. She didn’t want to keep him in the dark about what Liz had asked her to do. But if Liz was right and Frank was determined to hide the fact that he was in danger, he would never agree to let her watch his back. His pride would stand in the way. Nope, in this case she had no option but to follow the plan Liz had outlined.

A little shiver of trepidation tiptoed down her back at the thought of lying to him. Seeing her tremble, Frank mistook the reason and slipped out of his jacket.

“Here you are,” he told her, draping the jacket over her shoulders. “The breeze off the ocean is cool tonight.”

The heat from his body still clung to the leather, as did the luscious scent of his cologne. She snuggled into his coat, breathing in the essence of him.

“Thanks. But won’t you be cold?”

“Nah. I’m used to far worse temperature extremes than this. So . . . what do you think?” he prodded, reminding her she hadn’t answered his question. “Have you made a decision about the mission?”

“Yes,” she affirmed. “What you’re willing to do is very generous. I can’t refuse. You’re in.”

He inclined his head, regarding her contemplatively. “That’s great! I’m curious, though. You were so vehemently opposed to the idea of my accompanying you that I wasn’t sure the donation would sway your decision. Is there something else that drove your change of heart?”

“Actually, it
was
more than your generous offer that made me change my mind. When I got home from work today, there were a dozen roses waiting for me. They were from Damon.”

She’d found the gift to be thoughtful and sweet, and there hadn’t been any romantic undertones in the note that had accompanied the flowers. Damon’s handwritten message had simply relayed his appreciation for her agreeing to catalog his book collection.

But Frank didn’t need to know that.

His concerned blue gaze met hers, his brow furrowing. “I wasn’t exaggerating when I told you he could be persistent when he decides he wants something. The man is a barracuda.”

“I’m sure I can keep Damon in line, but it will be easier to carry out this assignment if I don’t have to spend time fending off his advances.”

“Agreed,” he told her with a satisfied smile.

“Fine. So now that we’ve established you’re going to be my plus one, you should know I expect you to follow my ground rules. I’ll conduct this assignment on
my
terms, which means you’ll do your thing and I’ll do mine. And we will not be carrying out the little lover’s charade you seem to think is the best way to gain access to Damon’s domain. We’ll vacation together as friends; nothing more. There’s no reason we have to lead Damon to believe we’re lovers to make this work.”

For a moment it appeared he was prepared to argue with her, but he apparently thought better of it. “Deal.”

“Good. I think we’re going to make a great team.”

“So do I. You’ve grown so much in the time I was away. Not that you weren’t amazing before, but there’s this inner strength about you, now. You’re more confident. I’m having a hard time reconciling the softer side of you I still want to protect with the warrior side of you that’s every bit my match. Knowing you don’t need me anymore has left me at a bit of a loss.”

“I’ll always need you, Frank, and we’ll always be there for each other.”

“So partners, then?” he asked.

“Partners,” she agreed.

They’d almost reached the end of the boardwalk. Beyond it lay a less frequented part of the beach, where the terrain was rockier. She expected him to suggest they turn around and head back, but instead he did something entirely out of character, knocking her for a loop.

Threading his fingers through hers, he took her hand, pulling her close to his side. A set of stairs provided access to the rocky shore, and he led her down them. When they reached the bottom, he steered her toward the shadowy underside of the boardwalk. Pausing by one of the support pillars, he gently pulled her into his arms.

Her heart leapt in ecstatic response to his nearness, even as her brain tried to process what was happening. She hadn’t a clue what had prompted his sudden and unexpected interest in her, but she wasn’t going to question it. Nestling up against him like this was sheer and utter bliss.

The common sense side of her psyche chose that moment to crash the party, reminding her that whatever had prompted Frank’s sudden compulsion to explore the chemistry brewing between them, it didn’t change the fact that taking their friendship to the next level was a horrendously bad idea.

She ignored her psyche’s unwanted input, refusing to dwell on
‘why nots’
right now. She was too busy rejoicing in the perfection of the moment.

Frank smelled amazing, like a pine forest after a summer rain. Her fingers itched to explore the muscled wall of his chest. As she tentatively reached out a hand to touch him, his hands framed her face. Her pulse hit warp speed when he dipped his head close to her mouth, his lips hovering a mere hairbreadth away from hers.

And the way he was looking at her?

Oh my.

She ached to feel the press of his mouth against hers, and yet his lips remained frustratingly far away. Mere centimeters, but the distance felt like miles.

He was taking too long! What was he waiting for?

Impatient, she took matters into her own hands. Closing the tiny, yet seemingly cavernous, gap between them, she pressed up against his solid warmth, melting into him. Rising on tiptoes, she settled her lips on his.

She felt the soft whisper of his surprised exhale and the tightening of his hands around her waist. Unmoving, he stiffened in shock.

Her stomach plummeted in dismay at the realization she might have misread his intentions. Yet the racing of his stampeding heartbeat under her palm and the desire darkening his eyes told her he was just as affected by the sensual undercurrents bouncing between them as she was.

Her heart told her she hadn’t misinterpreted his signals. Determined, she held her ground. She desperately needed him to return the kiss, but she wouldn’t beg.

Well, maybe just a little, she amended as a whimper of need escaped her lips.

Like a dam crumbling under the force of a flood, he gave in, reverently brushing his lips against hers before coaxing them to part. Frantic to taste and be tasted, she eagerly complied.

With a groan that was part defeat and part exultation, he took command of the kiss, devouring her lips with a hunger that matched her own.

She’d dreamed of this moment forever, but her imaginings paled compared to the reality of the magic he was spinning with his magnificent mouth and magical hands. The kiss was all she’d dreamed of—and more. It was the sweetness of cotton candy, the brilliant lightshow of fireworks, and the roaring dynamism of crashing ocean waves all rolled into one.