Hazard Play (8 page)

She reached up and rested her hand against his face. “I’m glad you told me.”

Bailey covered her hand with his. “Look, let’s go out and look around. We’re in Tahoe and it’s a great day. Do you really want to be in here all afternoon?”

Tess had to admit he was right. “No, Seymour Durwood, I don’t. Let’s go, but I do want to talk about this police-dodging thing later, okay?”

“Cross my heart and hope to die.” He drew an ex over his chest, flashed a smile and said, “After you.”

Bailey had to figure out a way to soothe Tess’s ruffled feathers about the cops. Telling her about his knee hadn’t been his plan, but he wanted her to know. She was the first person he’d talked to about it since it happened.

The extent of the injury finally convinced him to quit bounty hunting. When he’d finished college, he’d planned to teach. He’d had no idea that the opportunity to help out a friend would turn into a full-time profession.

For his last assignment, he wanted to concentrate on the job. His contact had told him that Lucius Monroe took an afternoon stroll every day. He always walked around the same three blocks at precisely the same time. Lucius was meticulously predictable.

“Let’s walk around for a while, Contessa. Lucius takes a stroll during the afternoon and we might see him.”

“Right to work, huh. I don’t think I'd like you after me.” Tess looked sideways at him as they started down the street where an outdoor marketplace was located.

“Well, if I were after you, it wouldn’t be for the same reason. Maybe you’d let me catch you.” His eyes narrowed as his thoughts traveled down that path.
Keep your mind on business.
He couldn’t afford to be distracted; especially since Rand could already be in Tahoe and plotting how to grab Monroe first.

It wouldn’t be easy to ignore his growing attraction to Tess. He stole a look at her as she walked at his side. The peach-colored sundress she wore skimmed the top of her knees. She was covered more than three-fourths of the women he saw, but the way it swirled around her legs offered enticing glimpses of flesh, and that was more exciting to him than the tight shorts that many women wore in the summer.

He wondered if her tanned arms were as soft as they looked. He wanted to run his hands down them and feel how the sun had warmed her—

“Very funny. I'd run like the devil was after me and I’m not really sure you’re not.” She grinned at him and he laughed. 

There was no harm in enjoying the afternoon as long as they could. He’d go into bounty hunter-mode when he had to.  “Do you like ice cream? I know a place.” He grabbed her hand before she could object and pulled her down the street to a sidewalk cart. After they got their cones, they continued their walk, stopping to look in windows whenever Tess saw a souvenir she liked.

Even when she pulled him into a pet store and bought a toy for the demon spawn from hell she called Pyewacket, he felt a contentment he barely recognized. So far, he felt like he was on a vacation weekend with a beautiful woman. He was in no hurry to see Monroe, even though he knew he should be anxious to get the drop on Rand.
Damn
.

Tess slipped her hand through his arm to guide him toward a path she spotted. They were out of the sight line of Harrah’s. As long as the hotel staff that checked them in as brother and sister didn’t see them, they’d be fine. They looked like an average tourist couple strolling aimlessly and he told himself it was good for the cover.  Bailey didn’t want to think about how he liked her touching him. They chatted about the weather and people-watched as they wound their way nearer to the lake.

They slowed to a stop and Tess pointed to a little girl with her puppy. “It’s funny. I wasn’t thrilled to get Pyewacket, but I kind of miss him.”

“Oh yeah, me too. I haven’t gotten any three-inch long scratches for at least a week. Kind of brings tears to my eyes.” 

“Stop it. Just because Pyewacket is defending his turf is no reason to dislike him.” She squeezed his arm.

He pulled her behind a stand of trees hiding them from view. “Does he have a reason to worry, Contessa?” Bailey turned to face her and put his other hand on her shoulder. He’d been right. It was silky smooth and warm from the sun. He skimmed his hand down her arm, never taking his eyes off of hers.

She took a deep breath. “Well...”

He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it.

“I...” She closed her eyes and leaned in slightly. Bailey breathed in her signature scent and drew her into his arms. She was warm and soft. She fit perfectly. 

So did her mouth. He’d remembered the feel of her mouth, but that other kiss had happened unexpectedly and he hadn’t had the foresight to memorize her taste. He intended to now, just as he intended to take his time.

Bailey explored her lower lip, concentrating on its soft fullness before he moved to the corner of it. She gasped and slanted her lips toward him to bring him back to her mouth. 

He teased her by moving to the other side of her mouth. She drew back to glare at him, her breath escalating. He grinned an apology and pulled gently until she came freely to him, lacing one hand through his hair to guide him to her lips.

This time when he took her mouth, she opened to him and he tasted her. The sweetness of Maple Nut ice cream lingered. Their tongues met and played together. She molded her body to his as the kiss deepened. 

He wanted her more than he’d thought possible. Bailey wasn’t used to the feeling. He usually had more control, even when making love. But he didn’t even care whether he saw Monroe or not. They would have more than one opportunity to catch him.

Then her tongue slid into the recesses of his mouth again and he lost his train of thought. They broke apart for air and stared at each other. She put her hand on his cheek and he turned his head to press a kiss to it. She gasped and turned from him. 

Bailey put his hands on her shoulders and drew her against his chest until he could circle her waist. “Contessa, come here.”

“Bailey?”

He pressed a kiss on her shoulder, feeling her tremble under his lips. She leaned her head back and offered him the smooth column of her neck. He tasted her there and her breath caught again.  He moved his hands from her waist down her flat stomach. “Please...”

“Please yes, or please no?” His voice was almost a growl.

A shaky laugh. “What do you think?”

“I think yes.” His hands continued down her body and she shuddered. He caressed her through the thin cotton dress and she moved restlessly.

“Contessa, let me—”

The squeal of laughter and a little girl’s voice calling “Pepper” broke them apart as a small black Labrador came running toward them. Bailey knelt down and corralled the bundle of wriggling black dog as the little girl appeared.

“Here you are.” The puppy had been far enough ahead of the girl to give Tess and him a chance to get presentable.

“Thanks, mister. Pepper, bad girl! Come on.” 

Bailey waved to the little girl’s father who had stopped a few yards behind her. Tess hadn’t said a word during the interruption, and he didn’t know how she’d react when they were alone. As sorry as he was about breaking the mood, maybe it was for the best.

Maybe.

“What was that all about?” She sounded puzzled.

Bailey was at a loss. “About? Two adults kissing, I guess.”

“Hmm. Right. Just kissing.” 

“What’s wrong?” He could almost see the wheels turning.

“No offense, but both you and I have been around the block a few times, don’t you agree?” She dared him to deny it.

“Agreed. What’s your point?”

“If I have to spell it out, then you’re not as smart as you look. Never mind. It may come to you. We’d better get back.” She turned and started up the path, leaving him standing there.

What the hell was that supposed to mean? Bailey followed her back to the hotel. Tess was pleasant, talkative, and altogether too serene for his liking. She acted like some mystery had been solved and he wasn’t in on it. She wasn’t mad at him; he was sure of that. The Contessa made it very clear when she was angry.
Women
. They returned to the hotel and Bailey arranged to pick her up in her room for dinner in Harrah’s dining room.

* * *

Tess stood looking out of the window in her room. The interlude on their walk replayed in her mind over and over. His kisses. His touch. The force of her feelings stunned her. She believed he felt the same way, although she suspected that he didn’t realize it. It suited him to think it was a casual seduction, but she’d experienced her share of those affairs when she was young and foolish. She’d learned early that casual wasn’t at all satisfying. This was definitely not like that. She didn’t know if she was ready for more of this
non-casual
casual game.

The knock on her door was early. They weren’t going to dinner for another hour. Tess hadn’t even showered and changed. She opened the door and Bailey strode into her room, still dressed in the clothes he’d worn on their walk. “What is it? Is there a problem?”

“No. I, uh, wanted to know how you liked the room.” 

They’d already had this conversation, but she was willing to play. “It’s great. Huge, in fact. The bed’s bigger than my whole room at home.” The minute the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. 

She instantly thought about how he would look sprawled out on the California king size, his hair tousled from sleep, the longer strands touching his shoulders. She’d also bet money he wouldn’t be wearing pajamas in her fantasy. She flushed and hoped he wouldn’t notice.

Bailey approached the bed and sat. Shooting a glance her direction, he said, “Well, they’re made for two in a town like this. Fast cars, gambling, liquor; things can get intense real fast. Who knows what will happen?”

Damn it, he’d noticed, all right. She walked to the window facing the courtyard and stared out at the passers-by. “What’s next?” She felt rather than heard him behind her. She was getting better with her self-control, even when she could feel the heat of his body next to hers. 

Well, she’d promised herself an adventure and S.D. Bailey certainly qualified in her book. She turned to find him inches from her. He took her breath away.

He inhaled deeply. “Promise me. Don’t ever stop wearing that perfume.” She saw him staring at the little pulse at the base of her throat. She swallowed and drew in her own breath.

“All right. Um...” She stopped when he put his finger to her lips.

“Close your eyes.” He whispered. 

Tess closed her eyes, her only movement the telltale beat in that little vein.

He moved his finger over the pulse and she swallowed again. He leisurely traced his way back up as she ever so slightly arched her neck. “I hope you know you give me no choice.”

He tasted her as if he couldn’t—wouldn’t—deny himself the pleasure. As if he had no intention of stopping. Their earlier passion had been all she had thought about, that and the fact that it hadn’t lasted long enough to satisfy her. Or him, it seemed.

Tess took a shaky breath, but did not withdraw when he kissed her throat. He kissed her jawline and moved to the corner of her mouth for a feather-light caress. Then, a faint exhalation of breath against her lips rather than a kiss. She trembled. Both their arms were ramrod straight at their sides, as if that would stop them from the inevitable. He pulled her into his embrace as he took her mouth, as if silently asking her to open to him.  And she answered with her lips and body. Her hands caressed their way up his back and into his hair while she deepened the kiss, her tongue seeking the recesses of his mouth.

They stood in the afternoon sunlight. The heat warmed them, but not as much as their passion.  Their bodies fit together, seeking the closeness, the feeling that they belonged.

He’d kissed his fair share of women.

But…
this
.

This
was unlike any kiss he’d experienced. Jolted by the force of his growing need, the only thing he could think about was making love with Tess Hazard.

“You have too many clothes on.” Her throaty murmur tickled against his mouth.

He opened his eyes and she smiled, her eyes drowsy with desire. “But—” He stopped when he couldn’t think of anything to say.

Tess stepped back just enough to draw him in the direction of her bed. She pulled the bottom of his T-shirt over his head and let it drop to the floor. He groaned when she spread her hands over his chest and pressed a kiss over his heart. He cupped her face and kissed her temples before settling on her mouth once more. 

She arched against his bare chest and he could feel her nipples through the thin cotton. It wasn’t enough and, apparently, Tess felt the same way. Still kissing him, she unbuttoned her dress and shrugged out of it. 

He reached around her back and unclasped her bra. She melted against him and the feel of her breasts against him made his mind go blank. He felt like an exposed mass of nerve endings, each one hotter than the next. He ended their kiss only to pull her down onto the bed and cover her with his body. They stared into one another’s eyes. 

Bailey dipped his head and kissed one breast before taking her hardened nipple in his mouth. She tasted like sunshine and he transferred his attentions to her other breast. She raised her hands over her head as he drew her nipple into the heat of his mouth, tugging and sucking on it. She wasn’t content to remain passive. Not for long.

“You do have this thing with clothes, don’t you?” Tess struggled for air as if she’d been running. 

Bailey paused and looked into her face. Holding his gaze, Tess propped herself on one elbow and drew her hand down his chest, stopping at the dark hair that narrowed to a vee above the zippered fly. He sucked in his breath as she cupped his arousal.