A SEAL to Save Her (15 page)

He shrugged. “They looked like cops to me.”

“They were the joggers who were chasing after us in the mall.”

“Could still be cops. Maybe detectives. Wouldn't be a surprise if they were. DC would have dispatched homicide detectives over to Utley's place. Now they know it wasn't some carjacking.”

“Maybe. This is just one jumbled-up mess. Sit down,” she said, and he went to one of the stools and slid onto the seat.

“Let's get something to eat,” he suggested, “and talk about this a bit.”

“I'll cook. It'll keep my hands and mind busy. I don't know what there is to talk about.”

“Piper, I don't want to cause you any more worry and pain than you're already experiencing, but you're right. I can't twist the truth to save my life or help the fact that I think through every scenario.”

“What do you mean?”

“It occured to me that DC is a place where there is a tremendous amount of temptation to stray, to go down the wrong path for whatever purpose, be it money, power, recognition.”

She frowned, not quite sure where he was going with this. “Yes, there is a lot of corruption and greed. What is your point?”

Piper stared at him, her heart suddenly hammering, a sense of foreboding settling heavily in her. And she knew—just knew by the tightness in his voice, by the rigidity of his body—that what he had to say was going to change her world, rob whatever peace she might have eked out in the last eighteen months. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear it. She wrapped her arms around herself, her voice wobbling. “What is it?”

He straightened and his eyes reached out to her. Unnerved by the silence, she pressed her back into the counter, instinctively feeling the need for support, suddenly cold.

Bracing his hand on the countertop, he leaned forward and Piper experienced a disquieting chill. “Maybe Brad was dirty,” he said quietly.

His words seemed to echo in her head for a moment. Then they cut through her with slicing strokes of pain. It was as if someone threw ice-cold water in her face. She was speechless, iced to the bone. She had never for one second thought that Brad was the corrupt one. Dear God. If he had done something illegal and then it had caught up to him, he was responsible for his own death and the death of their child. She clutched her middle and doubled over.

Dex was there, but she could only feel a horrifying agony as if her insides had been ripped out of her, feeling so empty.

He made a helpless gesture with his hand, and for the first time it looked like he didn't know what to do. “Jesus. I'm sorry, Piper. I shouldn't have said anything.”

She couldn't draw breath to even speak. The man she had loved, had given her heart to, had supported and protected and cherished, had conceived a child with...no, it was too much.

When she didn't say anything, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the sofa. She shivered and shook and clutched at him as if he was the only solid, sure thing she had in her life.

He watched her as if she had gone somewhere he couldn't follow, unease and apology in his eyes.

His warm voice caressed her and she remembered that he had been the man to stand by her. The heaviness in Piper's chest increased as dread settled in and she felt as if she was at the edge of a dark, deep hole.

“Talk to me, babe,” he said, his voice strained with guilt.

She tucked her arms closer around her waist. What if Brad was dirty? She didn't want to even contemplate that, but now that he'd said it, she couldn't seem to dismiss it. Her gut said no. Every fiber of her being said no.

“I could be wrong. It was just a thought. A possibility.”

She made a soft sound.

“I'm an idiot. I'm going to stop talking now.” He groaned.

She really hadn't known him that long. They'd been going on fast-forward since he put his life on the line for her, leaving her little time to think things through. She was overwhelmed by him on a sensual level that was off the charts. Had she been a complete fool? Anger blasted through her at him. “You didn't know him. How do I know I can trust anyone? Even myself.”

“You can trust me, Piper. I won't let you down. It's just nothing makes sense, except that Brad was involved somehow. This all revolves around the accident and he was the target, the catalyst.”

She dropped her face into her hand and took a breath. She thought about that, the scope and depth of what he had already done for her, their bond. This was a man she could trust. She should be thanking her lucky stars he'd come into her life, not doubting him.

“You're right. I know you are. You shouldn't spare my feelings. If it's the truth, then it needs to be...acknowledged and accepted.”

He sent his hand through his hair, his face contorted with remorse. “I'm so sorry about all this.”

“So am I. This is all my fault. I should go to my brother, get you out of this.”

He dragged her against him, held on to her, not letting her go, turning her face to his. “No, I'm not going anywhere.”

“Dex...”

“Hell, no.”

“But...”

“Piper,” he said, the gentle tone of his voice at complete odds with the riveting intensity of his eyes. “We're in this together. We're going to figure it out. Whatever it takes. I'm not abandoning you, so you can get that notion out of your head, right now.”

“I couldn't bear it if something happened to you.”

“No, not part of my game plan. I have the skills for this, to protect you and figure this out.” He cupped her chin, capturing her gaze.

“Dex...”

He cut her off. “What kind of SEAL...what kind of man would I be if I left you?” His voice ragged, he said, “You matter to me.”

She couldn't look away from the fire in his eyes. He was a man of honor, the kind of man who put his life on the line for strangers, to keep Americans safe, to protect and serve his country.

“I'm sorry I insulted you. You matter to me, too.”

He took her mouth then, silencing the rest of her protests with a kiss that left her breathless.

She was so scared to death something might happen to him she could barely think straight. Something shifted inside her as she ravaged his mouth. It was no surprise she reacted to him on such an intense physical level, but what terrified her and made her want to run in the other direction was the understanding of the depth of the connection she was forming with him. He was like that with everything, so focused and intent, whether it be her body or just what they were discussing. He was alert, always, to every nuance, every word, every sound, breath, scent and texture of the world around him. No wonder he scared the living hell out of her. It was intimidating to be on the receiving end of all that power.

She was in jeopardy, all right, but it had nothing to do with this dangerous situation and everything to do with Dex.

He lifted his head, but before he could move away, on instinct she framed his face in her hands, needing to feel him, needing to look into his eyes, needing to tell him what was going through her mind. “You matter. It scares me how much. I'm going to trust you... I do trust you. But if I'm going to care, then you can't let anything happen to you. Ever.”

He smiled. “Ever, huh? That's a tall order. I'll do my damnedest. I have a vested interest in keeping us both safe and sound.”

He gathered her into his arms.

“Dex, your wound.”

“We're going to get something in our systems, then we need some sleep. We'll tackle this again tomorrow.”

He tucked her into the curve of his strong, warm body, and with each second she was near him she started to relax.

But her mind wouldn't shut down.

“Dex...”

He tightened his hold on her. “In the morning, babe. Shut down that beautiful mind and just let it go until you've gotten some rest. You know, I could be wrong. Totally off base.”

She nodded, but as she let herself drift, she thought,
What if he wasn't? What if Brad betrayed me and everything he said had been a lie?

Chapter 14

Suburbs of Washington, DC

S
ince the accident happened, Piper had usually woken up out of a nightmare, but this morning it was different. She woke to the heated strength of Dex's body and the knowledge that she might never get enough of him.

Something had shifted in her. Something had changed. Dex had shattered that glass wall she had between the Brad she had immortalized and the real Brad, making her examine not only her perceptions and beliefs of and about her deceased husband, but making her take stock of who she was now.

She realized that she had made herself an extension of him, thanks to pressures from her family; the mingling of two powerful families into one had put enormous pressure on Piper back then. She'd given up everything to be his political spouse, dedicated to making him the best senator possible, to forge their own political empire. Even now, today, she was still an extension of him. Still carrying out his wishes.

She hadn't even considered what she would do when his term was up and she didn't have all the responsibility of his political legacy to uphold any longer. Brad was gone and so were her parents, and Piper realized all of a sudden she had no goals beyond Brad's term.

Dex shifted in his sleep, and the darkness in the room told her it was the middle of the night. The warmth of him felt so right against her, even in this bed that wasn't hers and wasn't his. In this safe place he had provided for them in his quick-thinking and competent manner.

Dex made her feel safe in a way no man ever had. Even Brad. With him, she had the constant fear she would let him down in some fundamental way. But with Dex, truly she could be herself. She wasn't the woman who had married Brad any longer. She was Piper—not Brad Jones's wife, his office manager or his sounding board. A woman who was competent in her own right, not just a Keighley, which made her realize that she was also not just an extension of her powerful political family name.

You look good in everything and nothing.

He was right. She was the one who defined herself. It made her sad that she had diminished herself. It wasn't really Brad's fault. He had been happy to accept her sacrifice because he'd wanted to build a legacy, as well. Had he wanted that so badly he'd compromised his principles?

She reached out and smoothed her hand down Dex's side, her fingers catching on the stitches, and her heart turned over. Her battered, bruised and battle-hardened navy SEAL. He was inseparable from his profession, a career man. She knew it and it both made her want him and scared all at the same time. Jumbled-up emotions—moving on, falling in love again, letting go, guilt and hunger. All of those needed to be sorted out before she could come to any conclusions.

She hiked herself closer to him, her world filled with the scent of citrus, cinnamon and sleepy, sexy man.

She sank her fingers into his hair, threading the silky strands through a couple of times before finding his mouth, loving the way his lips went pliant beneath hers, were so soft against hers as she took him slowly, sweetly.

He moaned softly. “Piper.”

“You were expecting someone else?” she whispered against his lips. Her fingers tightened in his hair, keeping his mouth warm and wet where she wanted it.

He chuckled, the amused sound a soft rumble in his chest. She pressed her body against his side, her leg going over his, the inside of her knee rubbing over his hard-on.

“You prepared for an early-morning assault, Lieutenant?”

“Babe, I'm always ready, anytime, anywhere.” Her hand replaced her knee as she stroked the length of him and he gasped. “The enemy never looked or felt this freaking...ahh...good.”

“Locked, loaded and
cocked
,” she murmured, and he lifted her and pulled her across his body with one powerful move.

She straddled his hips and he groaned again, the heat and length of him nestled between her legs. It seemed like a lifetime ago that she'd first met him, wrung out, losing it over the loss of his men. Then the first time he'd touched her with intent when he'd been out of his mind with fever, but even then he knew what he wanted. Her.

Her thoughts drifted there and clung to those moments like a lifeline, helping her to block out the present reality and spend some time in this sensual place. A reprieve. As he'd said, she'd leave it for the morning.

Right now she had a bare chest to explore. To do with what she wanted.

And beyond the bone-deep fatigue, beyond the sheer terror and almost debilitating fear...there was a wealth of longing.

Her entire world narrowed down to the smooth expanse of his honeyed skin wrapped oh-so-tautly across his chest. She dipped her head and drew her tongue slowly from his collarbone down to the valley between his pecs, and then teased her way over to his nipple.

He drew in a sharp breath when she flicked her tongue across the sensitive tip. His hands came up to her hair.

“Babe,” he said, his voice barely more than a rough whisper.

“Dex,” she said, making his name a vow.

He cupped her head and slowly drew her mouth down to his, his eyes on hers as their lips met.

She took his kiss, letting her eyes drift shut as waves of sensation poured through her. He was heat and muscle and smooth skin. She opened her eyes and he gave her that slow, sensual smile that turned her insides to honey, an unmistakable gleam in his blue eyes.

She loved his smile and at that thought her breath caught in her throat. No, she couldn't go there and let herself get carried away by his hands sliding up her back and down again.

A violent shudder coursed through him, his breathing harsh and labored in the silent room. “You feel good all over me, Piper,” he said, his hand moving up her stomach, over her breasts, until his hand wrapped around her neck.

That move made her feel claimed, his, and she couldn't stop the thrill that gave her. She slid on him; his breath caught and she moved again so she could hear the sound again. Then she took him inside her, thrust down on him, teasing him, holding herself so still, second after endless second, until even the slightest movement made him groan.

“Piper...please.”

She pulled out and pushed back on him so slowly she thought she might lose her mind.

His hands went to her hips. She clasped his wrists and pulled his arms over his head, then smoothed her palms over him, then back up, holding him loosely. His eyes were closed, his head thrown back. She leaned into him, pressing her breasts against his chest. He was lost in the pleasure and she watched his face, his open mouth, the way a man looked when he was aroused. Beautiful. She licked his neck, her tongue gliding over his stubble, rasping against her tongue. Then she licked his upper lip, then bit his lower.

He arched his back and with a cascade of groans pushed up inside her as she let go of his wrists. He reared up, bracing his arm across the small of her back. Panting, he dragged them both backward until his back was against the headboard.

He held her and thrust harder, then even faster. She clung to him, riding his hips, the pleasure immeasurable. He dragged her higher, crushing her against him, and Piper sobbed out his name; he was so hard, so full. Dex shuddered, his arms convulsing around her. Roughly angling her hips, he took her on another wild ride. She clasped the back of his neck and sealed her mouth over his, surrendering everything to his hot, searching lips.

Stroking her tongue against his, she moved against him, desperate for the feel of him, silently begging for more, and it was too much as sensation after sensation pulled into one hot, pulsating rush of pleasure that burst inside her.

Before the next contraction started, he clutched at her, a low, tormented groan ripping from him as he jerked against her.

Even as fierce pleasure scored her, she clung to him, incoherent and shredded. She wrapped her arms around his neck, tears mingling in with the sweat and the pleasure as she lost it. This moment, this golden moment, was what she'd been searching for, for a long, long time, but had completely eluded her.

Dex was a sanctuary, so much more than her protector and so much more than her rescuer. He was safe, a place where she could rest.

And it wasn't that she hadn't loved Brad, because she had. So, so much. But she hadn't known this...oh, God...this was possible.

With her breath slowing, reality punched a hole in her heart. He was a warrior and what he did for a living was make war. He was damn good at it.

She wasn't sure she could live with that, survive losing a man like him, waiting and watching every day, so many days of being without him like this. The magical as well as the mundane.

Even as he uplifted her, her heart lay heavy, feeling the thudding of his.

“Babe. Freaking hell, babe,” he whispered, holding her so that she wouldn't leave him just yet, rubbing his face against her. Without being able to let her go, he slid down the mattress. “Just give me a minute,” he rasped.

He rolled her, his arms still around her, his breathing still fast, then he kissed her, slanting his mouth over hers and sliding his tongue in deep.

It was a real kiss—the kind a man gave a woman he really cared about—deep, warm, communicating what he either couldn't or wouldn't say in words. The kind of kiss that was an exploration, a take-your-time kiss. Kind of perfect because she kissed him back the same way, not just learning all about him, but the taste of him, the feel of his stubbled jaw beneath her fingers, the contours of his hot, muscled body, his weight and height.

God help her...she couldn't stop the flood of sensation, the overwhelming crashing of her emotions.

She was falling for Lieutenant Dexter Kaczewski not because of what he'd done, but because of who he was and who she was with him. If the danger had a hand in throwing them together, it wasn't what had sealed her fate here. That might have been the catalyst, but she felt him in the fiber of her soul.

He was her man, her warrior. She was so his.

She was desperate to have this situation solved, desperate for him to go back to his life and for her to take up her own again.

Except... God help her, she wasn't going back to the Hill the same person. He had changed her, profoundly, and she was grateful, so grateful, for that.

The only thing that hadn't changed was her fear. That remained like barbed wire around her heart, but even as it kept him out, it also made her bleed.

Marriott Hotel, Pentagon City,
Arlington, Virginia

Austin swore for the five millionth time. Okay, he wasn't sure how many times he'd sworn, but his gut was shrieking at him that this was it. Getting into Thelma Kaczewski's social media account was going to net him something big.

Derrick was still asleep, but Austin couldn't stop. He'd gotten through all of the levels of security except for the very last one.

Frustrated he leaned back against the headboard, his eyes gritty, his back sore. Then his cell buzzed and he leaped for it. He said hello as he grabbed his key card and slipped out of the room. He headed downstairs to the bar.

“Hello, is this Austin Beck?”

“Yes, how can I help you?” He lifted one finger, then the bartender poured a beer from the tap and set it down in front of him.

“This is Russell Kaczewski. I'm Dexter's brother and my dad told me you were on the case. I want to know what is going on with my brother.”

“We're following—”

“Don't give me that following leads line. I was a RECON marine. I know the score, so give it to me straight.”

Austin took a cold sip and sighed, but couldn't help a small smile. This was a fellow marine, his brother in arms.

“Okay, he's here in DC and it looks like he's fine.”

There was a release of a deep breath on the other end of the line. “To tell you the truth, I thought you were going to stonewall me.”

“You mean like your dad did to us?”

“My dad knows Dex is in DC?”

“He's a wily one, your dad.”

“He plays his cards close to the vest and always on a need-to-know basis. I guess I can't fault him for that.”

Austin heard sounds of traffic, then a loudspeaker in the background. “Ah, man, don't come here. There's nothing you can do.”

“It's my brother and he's wounded and people are trying to kill him. What would you do?” Damn military types. “I'll be staying with my dad. Could you keep me posted?”

“I can't promise...”

“Beck, c'mon.”

“I'll see what we can do,” Austin said, polishing off his beer. He disconnected the call as he headed back to the room. He was cracking that damn security wall tonight. Inside the room, Derrick turned in his sleep, mumbled something unintelligible. Ha. And he said Austin talked in his sleep, which, of course, he didn't.

He pulled the laptop back onto his lap and typed and swore some more, tried something else and then
bam
, he was in!

“Yes,” he hissed into the darkened room. He ran a search and, bingo, her information popped up and he started to scroll through her posts. About halfway down the page, he struck pay dirt. Gotta love social media. She had posted about house-sitting for some friends. The Kramers in the 'burbs. He chuckled, looking through her friends list until he found Kevin and Mary Kramer. Getting their address was going to be a piece of cake. Once Lara got into the office in four hours, he and Derrick would be heading over there.

His gut was never wrong.

Suburbs of Washington, DC

The world smelled faintly of sex...and sugar. Dex stirred and the silky sheets slid across his skin, nearly as soft and fine as the woman wrapped in his arms. He wasn't sure he was still flesh and blood; surely this girl grenade had blown him to smithereens last night. He got hard just thinking about her moving over him, the sensual tease of her hips and her deliberate movements to drive him insane.

She made him feel like he was drowning and for a SEAL that was kind of scary. In fact, if he was being truthful with himself, and he always tried to be, he knew she would take him under and hold him there, struggling for air. Except it would be a sweet struggle with her melting all over him, ready to take him inside her, and he didn't mean his erection. The most beautiful woman he'd ever seen with hands he wanted on him, and he knew deep in his heart just how good it would be between them.