Authors: Kris Norris
Sam opened his mouth, but closed it, as the tension in the room seemed to escalate. Instead, he simply nodded, gulping down another swig of coffee. Brooklyn resisted the temptation to glance over at Gage. She didn’t want to see his reaction.
“Does your cheek hurt?” asked Gage.
Brooklyn
raised her eyes to his, before skirting a gaze at Sam. “Not as much as my pride.”
“This isn’t the time to worry about your pride,” said Sam. “Besides, the bastard had us all fooled.”
Right.
Everyone, but Gage.
She sighed at the thought, wishing she had the tea to stare at instead of Gage’s body. He’d turned back towards the counter, and she couldn’t help but watch the play of his muscles as he prepared her drink. His movements were smooth and fluid, and just seeing the way his back rippled from the activity sent her heart racing. She’d felt those same muscles flex and bunch as he’d pummelled into her, filling her until she’d felt ready to burst. She smiled at the memory, hoping the heat fusing her face wasn’t as obvious as it felt.
“So, are you guys going to tell me the plan, or do I have to call the psychic hotline and talk to Yolanda?”
Sam laughed, moving back as Gage reached across the table and set the mug beside her hands. Then he handed her a plate with two muffins.
“You’ll eat both of those if you know what’s best for you,” said Gage, returning to his chair.
Brooklyn
held back the sarcastic reply poised on her tongue and merely smiled her thanks. “Well?” she repeated around a mouthful of food.
Gage watched her eat, his eyes still brooding. “There’s not much to tell. We’re simply going to take a short vacation.”
“Vacation?” she questioned.
“Where to?”
“Reno.”
Brooklyn
nearly choked on the piece of muffin she’d just stuffed in her mouth and stared at him wide-eyed. “Reno?
But why?”
Gage
shrugged,
his expression still calm. “I hear it’s nice this time of year.”
“Since when are you into snow and casinos?”
“Just think of it as research for a future book.”
“I didn’t realise you were so concerned about my career all of a sudden.”
He averted his eyes before staring at her again. It’d been over a year since he’d taken any interest in her manuscripts, or attended one of her signings, and she knew her comment had hit too close to home. She looked down at the tea, watching a small bubble float around the mug.
“I guess it’s a safe move. I can’t see Drake following me to
“On the contrary,” said Gage. “I’m counting on his devotion.”
“But why would you want…” She stopped, mulling over his words in her head. “Jurisdiction,” she finally whispered.
Gage smiled. “We need him to cross the state line to justify our involvement. After that, any attempt on your life is federal business.”
Brooklyn
nodded. She should’ve guessed Gage and Sam would find a way around the legal issues. She fingered the mug, wondering how the hell her life had fallen apart so easily. “So why did you choose Reno?” she asked, still staring into the mug. “Isn’t it enough just to go to Portland?”
“I want this guy to make his intentions crystal clear. Following you over more than one state line will confirm his obsession. Besides, we’ve already got a contact in Reno.”
“Who?”
“Nick O’Brian’s brother. The good doctor was kind enough to contact him and he’s more than willing to come on board. If the man’s anything like Nick, he’ll be an asset.”
“When do we leave?”
“We’ve already obtained the necessary clearance, and Sue’s packing some things now,” said Sam. “We were supposed to be heading off to
“I’m sorry, Sam.”
He stopped and moved in behind her, kneeling down until his breath caressed the back of her neck. “Sorry for what?”
“For dragging you into this nightmare.
You shouldn’t have to rearrange you life just to help me out.”
Sam sighed, stirring the hairs on her nape. “You know I love you like a sister. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to help you.” He leant forward and kissed her cheek. “Nice love bite,” he teased, brushing his fingers across a red blotch on the back of her neck. “Curious how Gage has a matching one on his shoulder.”
Brooklyn
swatted at his hand, but he’d already made for the door. “That man’s dangerous,” she teased, sipping more of her tea.
“No more than you,” said Gage.
Brooklyn
looked over at him, instantly pinned by the erotic gleam in his eyes. He looked like he had last night when he’d decided to take control. Her stomach fluttered, releasing a wave of heat that infused her body. Damn, she responded too easily to him. One look and she could feel her body preparing to take him inside. She shifted her legs, hoping the slight rubbing would ease the sudden ache between her legs. “I didn’t thank you for the clothes,” she offered, tugging at one sleeve. “I wasn’t too fond of Sue’s sweater.”
“They’re even bigger on you,” he noted, his gaze still intense. “But I know how much you hate having people fuss over you.”
She nodded and glanced at his clothes. He was wearing the same faded jeans, but with a dark blue fleece sweater, the same shade as his eyes. She could see the strength of his chest and arms bunching beneath the fabric, and it took more concentration than she would have thought to keep talking. “I see you managed to change.”
Gage smiled at her comment, reading her question without missing a beat. “I always keep a bag in the truck, even before we separated. I haven’t been staying at Sam’s.”
Separated.
His other words were lost, jumbled in with the voices in her head. He’d admitted they were separated. She’d never heard him refer to it in those terms before. She lowered her gaze, not wanting him to see the slight quiver in her chin.
“I don’t suppose we can stop by the house? Grab some of my stuff before we leave?”
Gage took a long, deep breath. “I’d rather not. As much as we want Drake to follow us, I’d prefer it to be on our terms.”
“You still think he knows where I live?”
“Darling.
I’m certain he knows more about you than I do.”
That wouldn’t be too hard,
she thought.
Especially since she’d barely seen him over the last several months.
Gage stood up and walked over to her chair. “We’ll be in Reno by tomorrow night. Once we get there, you can buy out a store if you’d like. Just try to make do ‘til then.”
Brooklyn
looked up at him. “Tomorrow night? I’ve only got one set of underwear. If I wait that long, I’ll be going commando until I can wash it.”
Gage’s eyes darkened. He gave her body a long, slow sweep, causing her to shift in her seat again. “Guess that’s a chance we’ll have to take,” he said. “I’ve got a few calls to make. Finish eating and we’ll head out.”
Brooklyn
waited until Gage was at the door before calling out to him. “You never asked if I was willing to go.”
“No. I didn’t.”
nd
—9:00 pm
Brooklyn
trailed into the motel behind Sam, her restlessness marked in the shuffle of her feet. She’d spent most of the day trapped in the back seat of Sam’s Forester, listening to what seemed like the same four songs over and over. She’d tried distracting herself with the passing scenery, but the heavy clouds and sporadic showers had reduced the countryside to dense pockets of grey mist. Even talking with Sue hadn’t been enough to take her mind off of Drake. Or Gage.
He’d sat like a statute in the front passenger seat, nodding his head and offering pointed answers to Sam’s questions. The few times their eyes had met in the visor mirror, he’d stared at her with a hooded gaze. He was angry, but at what, she didn’t know.
Everything,
she supposed.
Their marriage, the mind-blowing sex, the increasing patch of purple on her cheek.
It was as if the bruise was Drake’s claim over her, and she knew the mere sight of it irritated the hell out of Gage.
“Nothing like stepping back into the seventies,” said Sam, glancing around the room.
Brooklyn
followed his gaze. The floors were a mixture of brown tiles and burgundy shag carpet. There was a small, cloth couch along one wall and a single, velvet chair in the corner. “At least it doesn’t smell,” she said, easing into a vinyl chair angled beside a square table.
“We came here because it’s secluded,” said Gage. “And so damn ugly it’s the last place anyone would look.” He ran his fingers along the cloth, shaking them out as if wanting to shed the feel the place gave him. “We’ll only be here for a night. I’m sure we’ll survive.”
“Speak for
yourself
, Gage,” teased Sue, wrinkling her nose. She turned to Brooklyn. “Not quite the standards you get when you do book tours, I bet.”
Brooklyn
shrugged, wrapping her arms around her waist. The room made her uncomfortable, but not because of its décor. “You’d be surprised at some of the places I’ve stayed. This isn’t so bad.”
“Always the diplomat,” said Sue. She turned to Sam. “So where’s our room?”
Sam pointed to a small door centred on the wall. “Your palace awaits you through there.”
“You’re not staying in here?” asked Brooklyn. She’d assumed they’d all be holed up together, hopefully meaning Gage would have to sleep with her.
“This room comes as a set,” said Gage. “It’s got a small bedroom at the far end and a separate suite next door. I’m not taking any chances on what might end up on the other side of that wall.”
Brooklyn
cursed under her breath. What if Gage insisted on sleeping apart? What if she had to face her demons alone? She choked back the whimper stirring in her chest as she stood up and paced across the floor.
Gage turned to Sam. “I’ll keep this side locked, but I want you to leave yours open.”
“Just make sure you knock before you barge in,” said Sam, moving towards the door.
“Don’t tempt me,” joked Gage, turning to face her.
Brooklyn
watched as he skimmed his gaze over her. He looked unsure of himself, as if he couldn’t decide on his next move. Her heart rose to her throat. She didn’t know if she could walk into the other bedroom alone. Not without thinking about Drake. Despite the air of confidence she tried to shield around her, she was terrified of him, and his promises.
Gage furrowed his brow, his expression still hesitant. “You can take the bedroom. I’ll stay out here on the couch.”
His words hit her in the stomach, nearly doubling her over. Oh God, he wanted her to stay alone. Sleep in the darkness wondering if she’d wake up to find Drake standing over her. A rush of panic swelled inside her, as a cold sweat dampened her skin. She forced herself to swallow, wondering if Gage could see how hard she’d clenched her fingers at her side, as she fought for something to say.
“I appreciate your gallantry. But…uh…why don’t you take the bedroom? That way I can watch some t—t—television after you’ve gone to sleep without waking you.”
She wanted to cringe at the shakiness of her voice. How she’d paused in the wrong places, stuttered to find the right word. God, she might as well have come out and admitted she was terrified to sleep alone.
Gage’s furrow deepened, and his eyes narrowed. He wasn’t buying her story. “You look exhausted. Television is the last thing you need right now. Besides, there’s only one window in the bedroom. This area has too many entry points to secure. You’re safer in the other room.”
Brooklyn
chewed on her bottom lip. She should’ve known he’d have a rebuttal. She looked back at the handle. Its tarnished finish wavered in the yellow light, so much like the others she felt the world start to spin. She closed her eyes, resorting to the only weapon left in her arsenal—the truth.
“All right,” she whispered, hating each word as it slipped from her lips. “If you want me to admit I’m nervous about staying in the room alone...” She took a deep breath. “I’ll admit it.” She raised her face until she was staring into his eyes. Damn, they were so calm and confident she wanted to run into his arms. Instead, she held her ground, thrusting her chin out with as much dignity as she could muster. “Couldn’t we just share the bed? Just sleep?”
Gage ran his fingers through his hair. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“Please.” She took a step closer. “We’ll only sleep.”
Gage huffed, and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Let’s at least be honest with ourselves. We both know damn well what will happen if we get within ten feet of that bed together. I think last night proved that. The last thing we need is to complicate the situation further.”