Chapter Ten
Jeremy forced himself upright, bewildered by what had just happened. There was Eli, as big and strong and imposing as ever. But he hadn’t tackled the ape. No, the woman had done that. She’d taken on two men—three, if you counted the one bellowing from the shed, though he’d barely noticed her then, assuming she was with the whores who came to visit on occasion.
But this one hadn’t had sex on her mind. No, she’d played with them, grinning with evilness, and then, with a hit or a kick, she’d laid each of them out. It defied reason and didn’t make a bit of sense. Only in movies had he ever seen anyone fight like that. And all the actors were male.
His stomach cramped and he curled in on himself, fighting the nausea, but not for long. The woman ignored Eli and his awesome anger, and eyed him with pity.
That burned Jeremy’s pride.
“Save your gripes for later, Eli. Let’s move.”
“Jeremy.” Eli put his arm around Jeremy’s shoulders, offering support while moving him away from the compound. “You okay?”
God, to be found this way, dirty and sick and weak. And to have her witness it, especially after she’d done things he couldn’t. Things he wouldn’t have dared try. Even now, she strode beside them, her gaze watchful, her manner arrogant. “If you don’t count the stomach cramps.” Jeremy glared at her. “Was she right? The food was poisoned on purpose?”
“Not poisoned. You’ll be okay in a few hours. But yeah, it was deliberate.”
Jeremy stopped, fighting off a wave of churning sickness. “I should have known better than to eat that slop they serve.”
“That slop is what they live on,” the woman pointed out.
“You should try eating it,” Jeremy shot back.
“I have. Plenty of times.” A movement drew her attention to his feet, and she said, “Watch yourself.”
Jeremy glanced down and saw he’d almost stepped on that damned furry, creeping tarantula.
He couldn’t help it. He stumbled back so fast he fell on his ass. But it didn’t seem far enough away, so he continued to scurry back. “Son of a bitch.”
The woman actually laughed. “For a sick kid, your speed’s pretty good.” Then she stepped forward. “I’ll get it.”
“No!” Dear God, if she touched it, he’d die. Eyes wide, he said, “Let’s just go around it.”
Eli scowled, used the side of his boot to shove the spider out of their way, and then helped Jeremy back to his feet. “Did you hurt yourself?”
Now seemed like a good time to disappear into the jungle. Jeremy gave it serious thought before remembering the jaguars and boas and other deadly creatures that prowled around. “No, but that damn bug has followed me everywhere.”
The woman chuckled again. “It doesn’t have a personal vendetta against you. It’s probably not even the same one. Tarantulas are common around here.”
Jeremy hated her.
Not only did she take care of his captors with no effort, she would have touched that damned spider that was almost as hairy as the head guerilla, Miguel. He shuddered.
Eli hauled him forward. “We need to get moving.”
The woman started to put her arm around him, too, but Jeremy rudely shrugged her off, giving her a look filled with contempt. “I don’t need your help.”
“Coulda fooled me.”
“I’m fine,” he gritted out.
Laughing, she said, “Well, that’s the sickliest shade of fine I’ve ever seen. And whew, you do smell ripe. They wouldn’t let you bathe?”
Her continued good humor in the face of his misery raked along his nerves. Where were they going, anyway? It seemed Eli led them into the jungle. “Only in the dirty river.”
“The river’s not so bad.”
He shuddered and explained, “It’s loaded with leeches.”
Her mouth twitched, as if she wanted to laugh at him. “Gotcha.” And then with a glance at Eli, she teased, “There’re piranha in there, too.”
Piranha? God, he’d rather be dirty.
All around them, men were starting to collect themselves. Their severe cramps were abating enough to make them aware of intruders, but not enough that they wanted to do anything about it.
Suddenly the woman said, “Unless you want me to do a little more hand-to-hand, you’d better carry him, Eli.”
Strangely enough, Eli didn’t take her to task for her commanding tone. No, he just obeyed. Ignoring Jeremy’s protests, he hauled him into his arms, carrying him like a damned baby. It was a humiliation he’d never forget.
Jeremy thought he even heard one of the men say “Good riddance” in faint, tainted English.
The woman led the way toward one of the guerilla’s jeeps. His eyes widened when Eli plopped him into the backseat. There in the front floor was an odd-looking gun, far more modern than those the guerillas carried. “What the hell is that?”
The woman glanced into the jeep and shrugged. “An Uzi SMG. Your brother stored it for me.” She slid behind the wheel, then had to keep sliding when Eli pressed into the jeep, moving her over into the passenger side.
“Hey. You’re forgetting who’s in charge here, Eli.”
“Sorry, babe, no time to argue now.” He gunned the jeep just as the man locked inside the ammo shed broke through the rotting wooden door. He had his gun drawn and was racing toward them.
“Hold on.” Eli slammed the jeep into gear and hit the gas pedal, spraying mud everywhere, throwing Jeremy onto the floor and causing his stomach to pitch.
The woman watched out the back, that awesome, shiny silver weapon in her hand. She looked entirely comfortable with it, too. Seconds before Jeremy crawled back into his seat, she said, “You might want to duck,” and then she took aim.
The gun made an awful noise, scaring the bejesus out of him and forcing him to cover his head while cowering flat in the seat. His brother, however, was calm personified.
“Shoot anyone?”
She snorted. “ ’Course not. I hit the ground just to make him run for cover.”
Jeremy stared between them. He knew his brother could be ruthless on occasion, but shooting at people? “Just who the hell are you, lady? One of their whores?”
Now that got a reaction out of Eli. “She’s Ray Vereker and she just saved your sorry ass. You might try thanking her instead of insulting her.”
Thank her? For poisoning him? Eli had to be kidding.
Ray smirked. “Forget it, Eli. He can think whatever he wants. I already got my pay. That’s thanks enough.”
Jeremy raised his head in incredulous disbelief. “You paid her to come here?”
Eli steered sharply to the left, causing Jeremy to topple in his seat again. “The only reason I managed to get to you was because of Ray’s experience.”
Jeremy struggled to crawl back into the seat. The woman helped by grabbing the back of his shirt and hauling him up. She damn near strangled him in the bargain. “I’ll just bet she’s real experienced.”
Ray laughed, looked at his face, and laughed some more. “Way to lighten the mood, kid.” She reached back and punched him in the shoulder. He knew she meant it as a joke, but she hit hard for a girl. After that, she twisted back in her seat, facing forward. Jeremy took that to mean the immediate threat was over and he sat back up.
Eli drove the jeep like a pro, but at each fast turn, Jeremy tightened his mouth. At the moment, he just wanted someplace to curl up with his misery.
“I’m sorry, Jeremy.” Eli’s tone was calm and comforting. “I know it’s rough.”
“Where are we going?”
“To a private plane, then home.” Eli cursed as he maneuvered around a fallen log. “The road isn’t much better than the footpath.”
“But it’s faster,” Ray said, leaving Jeremy to wonder how they had gotten to him. At the moment, he felt too lousy to ask more questions. The woman, Ray, chattered on, giving Eli directions while keeping a vigilant eye on the surroundings. The gun stayed in her hand, and after her performance at the compound, he’d bet she hit anything she shot at. Jeremy couldn’t figure her out. Just who the hell was she?
By the time they reached the plane, he was slumped in his seat, his face clammy, ready to die and get it over with. Never in his life would he eat beans or rice again.
To make matters worse, that damn Ray was full of energy and orders, and Eli just let her do it. It pissed Jeremy off and made him doubly cranky.
Eli parked, and then suddenly she was beside him, leaning in close, her velvet eyes black with concern. “You okay, kid? You look like hell.” She stuck the back of her hand to his forehead—as if she had any motherly instincts! “You’re not feverish, thank God.”
“I’m sick because you messed with the food.”
“Yeah. I sympathize with you. Personally, I’d rather be flogged than puke.” She straightened away. “I’ve been nauseous twice in my life, and that was enough for me.”
Jeremy stared at her. “Go away.”
She shook her head at him and wandered off.
Another man, big and blond with a surly expression, appeared from the side of the road. He took one look at Ray’s disheveled appearance and exposed chest and raised his brows. “This ought to be interesting.”
“It’s not.”
Eli’s tone shut down any further questions on Ray’s appearance, though Jeremy suddenly realized that she might not always look that way.
Did she always kick ass?
Eli helped him out of the jeep. “We’ll have you more comfortable in a few minutes.” Supporting him with one arm, Eli steered him toward a Skylane resting in the river.
Before they could board the plane, Jeremy fell to his knees to be sick again.
Over his head, Ray said, “It was probably the bumpy ride that set him off again. I can give him a shot of Phenergan to settle his stomach once we’re on the plane.”
Eli laid a heavy hand on Jeremy’s shoulder. “I’d appreciate that.”
“Well, I wouldn’t,” Jeremy choked out while struggling to his feet. “She’s not a doctor and she’s already poisoned me once—”
“No one asked you.” Eli shoved a canteen at him, then took his elbow and hauled him aboard the plane.
The pilot stayed up front preparing to take off, and Eli stored the gear so it wouldn’t roll around on the flight. Jeremy curled on a blanket on the floor, and seconds later Ray carried him a plastic basin.
Just watching her walk got on his nerves. She had a cocky gait, and even dressed in the ridiculous ruined clothing, she somehow looked commanding and completely in charge.
“Here you go, in case you puke again.” She squatted next to him. “We won’t be in the air long. Before you know it, you’ll be in the States in a comfortable bed after a nice long bath. But for now, you need to scoot your pants down so I can give you a shot in your hip.”
His bloodshot eyes widened. Drop his pants for her? “Hell, no.”
“The Phenergan will kill the nausea and make you a little sleepy. You’ll be able to rest.”
No way would he rest with her around. “Get lost. I don’t need your help.”
Ray made a sound of impatience and those mysterious dark eyes narrowed. In a thousand different ways, she seemed far more imposing and dangerous than the guerillas had. “What’s your problem, anyway?”
She managed to put so much silky menace in her tone, Jeremy hesitated before grumbling, “You.”
“So you’d rather I left you in the camp?”
He forced himself up on an elbow, scowling ferociously. “Eli would have gotten me out, with or without you.”
“But he didn’t,” she reminded him, all smug and mean. “He hired me to do it.”
Jeremy stared at her torn shirt and curled his lip. She didn’t have enough to flaunt, in his opinion. “Is that all he hired you to do?”
Eli suddenly appeared. “Jeremy, I swear, if you weren’t so puny at the moment, I’d turn Ray loose on you.” He put his arm around her and half smiled as he made that absurd threat.
Ray didn’t think it was funny. “I wouldn’t waste my time.”
Jeremy watched her as she prepared the shot. With Eli looming over him, he had no choice but to take it. “I saw you throw those guys around like beanbags.”
“Yeah, so?”
“I’ve never seen a lady fight like that.”
Even to Jeremy’s own ears, it sounded like an accusation. She jerked the top of his loose trousers down a good five inches. “Yeah, well, I’m not exactly a lady, so that explains it, doesn’t it?” She stuck in the needle with a little more force than Jeremy thought necessary.
He sucked in a painful breath and cursed.
“Quit being a baby,” she said. “You should feel more human in just a few minutes.”
To hide his discomfort, Jeremy asked, “Where did you learn to fight like that, anyway?”
Ray smirked. “I was raised with two long-haired, vain cousins. They constantly primped in front of the mirror. I grew up having to fight my way into the bathroom every single day.”
Jeremy stared at her incredulously, but Eli laughed. “Lighten up, Jeremy. And show some respect.”
“Respect?” The woman looked to be a cross between a whore and a soldier. “You have to be kidding me.”
“That’s enough.” No longer laughing, Eli pinned him with that penetrating gaze of his, then took Ray’s hand, holding tight when she would have pulled away. He looked stern, but Jeremy could see the smile in his eyes. “I’ll admit Ray may be just a bit unique. But you’ll get used to her.”
Both Ray and Jeremy blinked at his statement. “Get used to her?” Jeremy asked, appalled. Just what the hell did that mean?
At the same time, Ray shook her head. “That’s not going to happen, Eli. We’re parting company tomorrow.”
Eli tugged her closer. “You’re not going anywhere, Ray.”
No one really noticed the lurch of the plane as Buddy took them airborne.
Ray growled, “The hell I’m not. I have to get back home.”
“And where is home?”
“None of your damn business.”
“I’m making it my business.”
Jeremy had never heard anyone argue with his brother. Employees at the malls rushed to please him, ranch hands treated him with due respect. And women . . . well, they sure as hell didn’t go nose to nose with him.
But then, Ray wasn’t an ordinary woman, and she was definitely nose to nose, and furious, too.
“Why?” she demanded, succinct to the point of being rude.
Eli gave a negligent shrug. “I’m not letting you go.”
She fell back a step, no longer so confident. “You’re not?”
“No.” Eli turned his hand to entwine her fingers tightly in his own. “You’ll have to accept me, little soldier.” Then he grinned. “Whether you like it or not.”
Judging by the sound she made, she didn’t like it one little bit.
Neither did Jeremy.
The plane ride hadn’t lasted long enough to suit Ray, but at least Jeremy stayed groggy from the shot, which spared her from his insults and occupied Eli’s attention. Buddy had tried to tease her into a better mood, but she wanted only to escape.
Was Eli out of his mind? Buddy didn’t think so. The way he carried on, Eli was his new best friend, practically a hero, and already a member of the family.
Ray ignored most of the absurd conversation until after Buddy landed his plane near the rented truck. He helped Eli get Jeremy off the plane, then stood beside Ray while she watched the two brothers head slowly for the truck. Thanks to the drug, Jeremy was practically asleep on his feet, with Eli guiding him.
“Promise you’ll invite me to the wedding.”
Wide-eyed, Ray jerked her head toward Buddy to stare. Weddings were formal affairs with fancy white dresses and hordes of people and lots of pageantry. They were between two people in love, not in lust, and they meant . . . a lifetime. “There won’t be a wedding.” She could barely get the word out without choking.
“That’s not the impression I got from Eli.”
“Eli’s got jungle fever or something. Ignore him.” She shaded her eyes, saw that Eli was about ready, and headed toward the truck. Buddy kept pace at her side. “He’ll forget about wanting to see me two hours after he’s home.”
Buddy put his arm around her, drawing her to a halt. “I don’t think so, hon, but I’m more curious about how you’ll feel.”
“Richer. We’re getting well paid for this little caper. And you know, Buddy? I think he could have managed on his own.”
“So he didn’t need you after all?”
She shook her head, saddened with the awful truth. As Jeremy had said, Eli would have gotten him, with or without her. “Not for this—and probably not for anything else.”
“No? Why don’t I ask him . . . ?”
Before he’d taken two steps toward Eli, she jerked him back around—then threw herself against him in a tight bear hug. “I’d like to just leave with you.”
Buddy’s arms tightened until he lifted her right off her feet. “If you really feel that way . . .”
She shook her head and forced herself to step back. God, now she was even being clingy. Eli had changed her, and not for the better. She rubbed her face. “Ignore me. I’m just tired.” And in love and heartsick and . . .“I’ll have your cut wired into your account tomorrow.”
Buddy nodded. “Promise me you’ll think about things, Ray. Don’t just write Eli off, okay?”
All she did was think about him. “Quit worrying, Mom.” Buddy laughed at that and pulled her into another hug before turning her toward the truck and swatting her posterior.
“Be good. And give the man a chance!”
With a wave, Ray jogged toward Eli. She deliberately smothered those weak, tender emotions that made her question herself. She’d face this—him—just as she’d faced the rest of her life: with logic and determination.
“Ready to go?” Eli asked.
Ray nodded and got into the truck without a word. She started the engine and made a slow, bumpy path back to the road. In her rearview mirror, she caught Buddy’s plane lifting into the sky. It was almost over. She’d done what she set out to do. She’d gotten Eli’s brother, no one had gotten seriously hurt, and she’d get paid. Like she’d told Eli, it was a breeze.
Except for the fact that she’d fallen for him.
They rode to the hotel in complete suffocating silence. Ray now wished she hadn’t planned to spend the night again, but her flight didn’t take off till the next morning. Then she and Eli would head their separate ways. Could she get an earlier flight? It might be worth checking into once she reached the hotel.
She was just pulling into the lot, Jeremy slumped against her shoulder, when Eli said, “Ray?”
After that long silence, the sound of his voice almost made her jump. “Hmmm?”
“Don’t you dare try to sneak out on me.”
Had he read her mind? Just in case, she dredged up her most caustic look. “You still have to pay me, so I’m not going anywhere. But,” she added with emphasis, “if I did, I wouldn’t sneak.”
“Glad to hear it.” She drove up to the front door where they were met by the valet. “I’ll take care of the money in the morning.”
They each climbed out. Over the roof, Ray said, “I thought you could do it tonight.”
Eli reached inside for his dozing brother. “Nope. I’m thinking of that money as insurance.” He winked at her. “I need to talk to you, and this way I know I’ll get my chance.”
Or she could say to hell with the money, and leave while she still could. She already knew if a flight was available, she’d take it. She didn’t want Eli’s money—she disliked herself enough at the moment without taking pay.
Jeremy came awake with a start, staring around himself blankly before giving in to a wide yawn. Thanks to Buddy, he wore clean clothes and shoes, but he still looked like hell. And given the way his gaze sought her out, he still disliked her. But then what brother wouldn’t react that way to the likes of her?
With a hefty tip and a brief explanation that his brother was ill, Eli got VIP treatment. He was shuffled to the front of the registration desk, their bags carried in, and before Ray knew it, she was again in a hotel room. This time she had her privacy and she wasted no time in calling the airlines.
There were no earlier flights. She hated to admit it, but she wasn’t really disappointed. Regardless of what she knew to be right, her heart hurt when she thought of leaving Eli.
She lingered in the shower, changed into clean clothes, and then for almost an hour stood in front of a window that overlooked the parking lot, her emotions turbulent, waiting. Finally Eli knocked on her door. She knew it was him without looking. “Go away.”
“Open the door, Ray.”
She gave a short laugh. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Suit yourself, honey. But it’s going to draw a hell of a lot attention when I knock the damn thing down.”
She didn’t think he could do that, but he would cause a ruckus trying. Feeling her heart pound heavily in a mix of excitement and foreboding, Ray gave in and turned the lock.
Eli stepped inside, closing and locking the door behind him. Leaning back, his arms crossed at his chest, he said, “You look like a frightened rabbit.”
That was all it took to clear Ray’s mind. She drew her brows down and glared. “What do you want?”
“You.”
She had to close her eyes against the husky timbre in his tone. She felt it all the way to her toes, invading her soul, her heart.
Eli moved while she stood there silently before him. Ray opened her eyes when she felt his hand touch her face. “You want me, too, Ray. Admit it.”
She swallowed hard. “Don’t you see, it doesn’t matter what I want. I’m realistic, Eli. And you should be, too.”
Eli didn’t argue with her. Rubbing his thumb over her bottom lip, he whispered, “You are so beautiful.”
Frantic, Ray shook her head. “I knew you would come. I kept waiting. All through my shower, I was listening for the door.”
“I had to get Jeremy settled first or I’d have been here sooner. He’s feeling much better now that he’s showered and changed. He was actually starving.”
Ray laced her fingers together. “A good sign, right?”
“Yes. He no sooner finished eating than he fell asleep again.”
“That’s the medicine and the adrenaline rush, and probably a lot of relief, too. He’ll be groggy for a while I bet.”
Eli caught her arms and drew her closer. “You did good today, Ray.” He hesitated, then said, “I’m sorry I yelled at you. It scared the hell of me when Miguel grabbed you and that other guy joined in.”
“They underestimated me.”
Eli nodded. “I can sympathize. I made that same mistake at first, too. But”—Eli bent to kiss her gently—“I can’t make that mistake again.”
Warning bells went off in her head. “What do you mean?”
Eli straightened, a little regretful, a lot determined. “I’m spending the night here.”
Ray’s mouth fell open. How the hell could she leave if he stayed by her side? Duh. That was probably his intent. “Your brother . . .”
He shook his head. “Jeremy is going to be fine once he gets rested up and has a chance to eat his fill.”
“He doesn’t like me, Eli.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Of course it does,” she almost wailed. “He’s your brother. How do you think the rest of your family will react if you drag home a hired soldier?”
Eli chuckled. “You make yourself sound like a hardened criminal. I’m proud of your abilities, Ray. That’s all that’s important.”
Ray lifted her chin. “What about Jane?”
As if soothing a fractious child, his voice gentled. “I already told you I wasn’t marrying her.”
“No, you told me your grandfather was counting on you to unite the families. He’d be damned disappointed with the likes of me.”
“Once he meets you, he’ll be pleased. My grandmother, too.”
His grandmother? Ray groaned and covered her face with both hands. This was a nightmare.
Eli pulled her hands down, then laid his finger across her lips. “Hush, now.” Both hands cupped her face, leaving her to stare into his mesmerizing eyes. “God, I missed you, Ray. You’ve been so silent the past few hours, and I was too busy trying to get things settled to see to you. But I want you to know, I meant what I said. I’m determined to make you mine. Completely. And I don’t give up easily once I set my mind on something, so you may as well save your arguments and agree.”
“I won’t be forced into anything.”
“Of course not.” He drew her closer and nibbled on her lips. “I just want a chance to convince you, that’s all.”
More like coerce her, she thought, as her thighs trembled and her belly curled. “Eli . . . you refuse to see what’s right.”
He smiled at her disheartened expression. “What I see, honey, is that you haven’t once told me you don’t want me.”
Ray blanched over that. Blast it, she hadn’t.
“You only claim it won’t work. But I can make it work. You wanted me to trust you, right? Well, how about giving a little trust, too?”
This wasn’t about trust, damn it. Why wouldn’t he see that? Meaning to push him away, Ray put a hand to his chest, and saw that she was shaking. With need? It infuriated her.
But she couldn’t bear to turn him away. Not tonight. She did need him. That should have made it easier for her to walk away. She’d been needy as a young child, and again when she was with Kevin. Both times had been miserable disappointments. Needing was bad—but with Eli, it seemed strangely exciting, like a dark lure.
She’d make him need her, too. For tonight, for right now. And then she’d leave.
She stopped trying to push him away and instead ran one hand over his shoulder. “You enjoyed using your teeth the other night, remember? I think you have a thing about biting.”
At her obvious capitulation, Eli’s eyes were suddenly blazing. “I wanted to eat you alive. I still do.” His voice dropped even more. “You taste so damned good, sweetheart.”
Stepping closer, Ray whispered, “I love the way you look at me, Eli. You have the most compelling stare. You’re doing it now, aren’t you? Trying to read me, trying to figure out how to get what you want.”
One corner of his mouth tipped in a crooked smile. “You don’t seem particularly concerned about it.”
“I’m not.” She leaned up and gently nipped the warm skin of his throat. He’d shaved and showered and he smelled deliciously of cologne and soap and warm masculinity. “Right now, we want the same thing.”
He tilted her face up with the edge of his fist. His gaze was darkly sensual, hot. “I want to see you. All of you.”
Ray toyed with the neckline of his T-shirt, sliding her fingertips beneath to touch warm skin. “And you, Eli? Will I see you, too?”
For an answer, Eli caught the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head. Tossing it aside, he dragged Ray up close to his bare chest and bent to take her mouth.
Ray groaned at the tender assault. Her fingers immediately tangled in his body hair, then moved up and over his shoulders. Before Eli could become the aggressor, Ray licked her tongue over his lips, then thrust hotly into his mouth. Eli’s arms tightened on her back.
Dragging her mouth away, Ray said, “I’ve been thinking about being with you all day.”
Ray wasn’t shy, had never been shy a day in her entire life. And right now, she felt especially bold. Eli watched her with a kind of predatory awareness, his erection obvious beneath the material of his jeans. Ray lightly dragged her nails down the length of him, then back up again. He shuddered and his hands fisted.
Going to her knees, she whispered, “I like to bite, too, Eli. But like you, I’m very careful, and very gentle.” That was all the warning he got before she caught his muscled hips between her hands, leaned forward and opened her mouth on the front of his jeans.
Eli tightened, his breath coming out in a low rush. His palms settled on either side of her head, his fingers curling around her nape. Cautiously, Ray scraped him with her teeth and he groaned aloud. The sound was one of incredible pleasure and encouragement.
Ray smiled up at Eli. His cheeks were dark with aroused color, his eyes glazed and hot. With his bare chest swelling, he looked incredibly sexy and all too appealing.
Ray pulled the snap free on his jeans. For a brief moment, Eli closed his eyes then quickly opened them again. Ray slowly slid the zipper down, teasing him as he’d often teased her, then slipped her hand inside.
His size thrilled her, so powerful and hard, just like Eli himself. He was warm and velvet smooth, throbbing in her palm.
Rubbing her cheek against him, Ray whispered, “I’ve thought of touching you a hundred times since last night. I kept wishing it had never happened because it was so irresponsible of me. There was so much at risk. But I’m glad we had last night, Eli. And I’m glad we have now.”
“We have a lifetime together, Ray,” he insisted. But she chose that moment to kiss him, her mouth warm and wet and open. Eli tilted his head back and concentrated on breathing deeply. Her tongue stroked down his length, then back up again. When it curled over the tip of him, tasting, teasing, he growled viciously and locked his knees to stay upright. Ray loved his reaction.
She came to her feet. “Take your pants off.”
Eli blinked at the startling command, then narrowed his eyes in sudden comprehension. Shaking his head, he said, “I have a better idea. Let’s put this on even footing.”
“I don’t know—”
Eli reached for the hem of her shirt, then pulled it up and over her head. For several moments, he just looked at her, his gaze as tangible as the heat of his body and his fast shallow breath. He tossed the shirt aside.
His large hands covered her breasts, kneading, making her nipples pucker tight. The moment he felt that, he dragged his thumbs slowly over her nipples. “You’re always trying to maintain control, aren’t you, sweetheart?” He stared into her eyes as he toyed with her, lightly twisting, plucking her nipples, making her gasp.
“Someone has to be in control,” she breathed. “Better me than you.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I like controlling you just a bit. I get the feeling it doesn’t happen too often.”
It didn’t happen at all, and just maybe that was part of Eli’s appeal. Her thoughts scattered, there and gone as Eli continued to arouse her. He kissed her temple, her cheek. His tongue flicked around her ear, then dipped inside, sending delicious chills up her spine. She moaned softly.
Chuckling, the husky sound melting her bones, Eli caught the lobe of her ear between his teeth and plied it with his tongue. Ray fisted her hands in the crisp, curling hair on his chest.
“Hey. Take it easy.”
He was still amused, and Ray decided she didn’t like it one bit. “I don’t like you doing this, Eli.”
“Doing what?” He gave her a look of feigned confusion while gently, insistently tugging on her nipples. Her back arched toward him on a groan.
“You know exactly what I mean,” she insisted, panting now with the incredible sensations.
“Yeah, I know what you mean. You don’t like it that I’m taking charge, that I can control the way you feel. You think you want a man you can lead around by the nose. But you don’t, Ray. Not really.”
Ray knew that wasn’t true, that she didn’t want some spineless mama’s boy, but she couldn’t seem to find the words to tell him so.
Eli gave a small, satisfied smile. “You’re a strong-willed woman, Ray. You would detest a man who was weaker than you.” Eli leaned closer and his breath fanned the sensitive skin below her ear with each whispered word. “I think you like having me take charge, at least like this.”
He didn’t wait for her to answer.
“If I touched you between your thighs right now, you’d be wet for me, wouldn’t you, Ray?”
“Yes.” She saw no reason to deny it. There was an undeniable thrill in being overpowered, in giving herself into Eli’s safekeeping. She was so independent in her thinking and skills, she’d never encountered anyone who threatened her control.
Eli grabbed her by the waist and hefted her over his shoulder. “Just what I wanted to hear.”
She stiffened in surprise and indignation. “This is not how I planned the night, Eli.”
“I know.” He tossed her gently in the center of the bed where she bounced twice before he came down beside her. Eli laughed, enjoying himself as he stretched her arms high above her head and held her wrists in one of his hands. “You thought to give a little payback, right?”
“You would have enjoyed my efforts.” Now she would enjoy his.
“We’ll save that for another day.”
Ray already knew there wouldn’t be another day, and that saddened her so much, she had to look away.
“Tell me you want me,” Eli whispered.
Ray shook her head. “I already told you.”
“Tell me again.”
He wanted to trap her somehow. Even though she realized that, Ray still felt the truth closing in on her, choking her. “Go to hell.”
Eli grinned. “You’re something else, you know that, sweetheart? No, don’t start fighting me. If you’re not careful, I’m going to think you really want me to let you go.”
Ray went still. She drew a deep breath and whispered, “No, don’t do that. Not yet. Not tonight.”
“Oh, honey. When will you understand?” Eli kissed her again. “I’m never letting you go.”
But he would, Ray knew that. Kevin had been her equal in every way, her partner, her life mate. And he’d walked away because she’d failed him, because he couldn’t bear who she was and what she did.
There was no point in debating the issue tonight; it’d only spoil their time together. She watched Eli as his eyes swept over her, lingering on her naked breasts. Then he pressed her hands to the mattress.
“Don’t move,” he warned. “Promise me.”
The man sure demanded a lot of promises. Hesitantly, Ray nodded. Submission wasn’t easy for her, but it was incredibly exciting. Her heart beat a mad, fast rhythm with anticipation. Eli released her, waited a moment to make certain she’d obey him, then slipped his fingers into the waistband of her shorts, sliding them over her hips, down the length of her legs, and off her feet. He propped himself up on one arm beside her.
Ray held her breath as he touched her, his gaze following the movement of his hand. He caressed her breasts, thrilling her with the contrast of gentleness and startling aggression.
His fingertips explored her navel, the softness of her inner thighs, the warm, moist heat he’d already predicted would be there. Eli made a sound of satisfaction and murmured, “So wet.”
One finger slid deeply inside her. Ray’s body clenched, squeezing him until he, too, groaned. When his gaze came back to her face, he was breathing hard. In whispered words, he told her, “I have never seen a woman so devastatingly sexy.”
His finger was still inside her, pressing gently, sliding in and out, and his body heat touched all along her side. Sensations, both physical and emotional, bombarded her in tidal proportions. Ray lowered her lashes, embarrassed at such a ridiculous compliment, knowing there was nothing sexy about her. But Eli wouldn’t let her hide her feelings from him.
“Look at me, Ray.” When she did, he continued as if he knew exactly what she thought, how she felt. “Your body is strong and healthy and silky smooth, just like a woman’s should be. I can’t imagine any woman more beautiful than you.” As he spoke, he removed his finger and began stroking her rhythmically. She tried to counter his movements, tried to alleviate the ache that grew rapidly. Then his thumb came into play, sliding over her *oris, and Ray couldn’t bear the sensual onslaught a moment longer.
She lowered her arms and wrapped them around his neck, pressing her face hard into his shoulder. She shuddered, and the words wouldn’t come easily, but she finally managed to whisper, “I think you’re beautiful, too.” Then she squeezed him tight, her breasts crushed against his chest, and she begged, “Make love to me, Eli. Now. Please.”
In the next instant, he raised his hips, shoved his jeans off, and he was over her, pressing into her, holding her to his heart.
And neither of them once considered control.
Eli knew the moment he opened his eyes that she was gone. He stared at the shadowed ceiling, a little tense, a lot frustrated, but not at all surprised.
Or, for that matter, particularly worried. He would find her. And when he did, he’d hustle her sweet ass to a preacher so fast she wouldn’t have time to come up with new ways to drive him crazy.
She was so damned unsure of her worth, at least where love was concerned. It amazed him, considering her natural arrogance and pride. But her life hadn’t been an easy one. He thought of her parents’ deaths, her aunt’s cruelty, her work and Kevin’s rejection—she couldn’t trust in love. Yet. But somehow he’d reach her. He had to.
He was in love with her, of course. Head-over-heels, dropped-on-his-ass, turned-inside-out in love. He hadn’t told Ray for the simple reason that she was skittish enough. He could just imagine how she would react to such an excess of emotion.
He smiled, remembering the night before. He had to stay on his toes to second-guess her, to keep from letting her categorize him as a rich milksop with nothing more substantial on his mind than his own pleasures. She would gladly take charge, then accuse him of being inept. She would willingly lead, only to claim he was malleable. She would call the shots, then claim their time together was over. It was herself she tried to convince, and he had no intention of allowing her to do so.
When he thought of making love with her last night—and it had been a joint effort, with no one leading or following—he had to smile. She wasn’t selfish. Ray gave as well as took. And she’d been every bit as excited by touching him as she had been by his touches.
His body reacted predictably to those thoughts, and Eli decided it was time to get his plans underway. It probably wouldn’t take him more than a week to find her, two at the most. Then he’d make certain to bind her to him, irrevocably. He could hardly wait to begin.