Only Her (A K2 Team Novel) (25 page)

Her biggest relief was learning that one injection of heroin wasn’t likely to make her addicted to the stuff. She was tired, though, and she leaned her head onto Cody’s shoulder, wondering when Logan would leave.

Logan stood. “He’ll get over it, not to mention we handed him Decker on a silver platter, giving him the credit for tracking her down.”

The details were fuzzy in her mind, but after the team had secured Mrs. Decker, Cody had called Mike. Thirty minutes later he’d shown up at the house with Detective Margolis in tow. A heated conversation had ensued between Logan and the detective, and from what Riley could tell, the detective had come out on the losing end. No surprise there. Logan Kincaid made a formidable opponent. Everyone but Cody and Detective Margolis had left, and shortly after, two ambulances had arrived, one for her and one for Mrs. Decker.

“Let me get this straight. On the arrest report, Detective Margolis gets the credit for finding me?”

Logan nodded. “Officially, yes, but the police commissioner is aware of the circumstances.”

“Doesn’t seem fair. The police would probably still be looking for me, and I shudder to think of the condition I would have been in by the time they did find me. You guys are heroes.”

He smiled. “We’re just men doing what we do best. I expect to see you at Ryan and Charlie’s wedding, Dr. Austin.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Come here, darlin’,” Cody said, wrapping his arms around her after Logan left. “I need to hold you. Reassure myself you’re here and safe.”

She set Pelli next to Arthur and scooted onto Cody’s lap. “I know my mind’s still a little fuzzy, but I don’t think I ever got that kiss you promised me.”

“We’ll just have to correct that, won’t we?” His eyes locked on hers with an intensity she’d never seen in them before. “Do you remember what you said when you managed to call me?”

“I called you? When?” At the expression that flashed across his face, she knew her answer had disappointed him. “What did I say?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Before she could protest that it must matter if he’d brought it up, his mouth covered hers, stealing any other thoughts in her head but how his lips felt pressed against hers. “Cody,” she whispered.

He slid a hand under her sweater. “I’m here, darlin’, for as long as you want me.” His fingers danced up her spine, raising goose bumps on her skin.

She rested her forehead against his. “I think that’s going to be a long, long time.” Hopefully for the rest of her life, but she wasn’t that sure of him yet. The most he’d ever said was that he was falling for her, but
falling
wasn’t exactly a love declaration. She wasn’t going to worry about that now, though. Only hours ago, she had been in fear of her life, and for tonight at least, all she wanted was to lose herself in Cody’s arms.

“About that kiss I promised you . . .”

“Still waiting.” Her body was sizzling from the lazy caress of his hand over her spine.

One side of his mouth curved as he put his hands on her hips and pulled her closer, so that they were touching, groin to groin, his erection pressing into her. When she rocked against him, he groaned and attacked her mouth, giving her the most erotic kiss she’d ever had. From there, his lips trailed a damp path to her neck. She leaned her head to the side, giving him better access, and his gentle bites and nips made her achy and wanting.

Her breath hitched when he slid his hand inside her panties, burying a finger inside her and stroking her. She watched for a moment, then lifted her gaze to his. “Take me to bed, Cody.”

Faster than she could blink, he was standing with her legs straddled around his waist. “Are you sure you’re up for this?” he asked, stopping at the edge of her bed.

“Oh, yeah.” With a gentleness she found amusing, he lowered her onto the mattress. “I’m not going to break, you know.”

“Indulge me, darlin’. I’ve had a very trying day, and I have this need to take care of you.”

“Well, put that way . . .” She lifted up, resting on her elbow. “You could start by taking your clothes off.”

He grinned, showing his sexy dimple. “And that’s taking care of you how? Not that I’m objecting.”

“Not sure, but I’ll come up with an answer. In the meantime, clothes off.”

The sweatshirt he wore came off, exposing a white T-shirt that did nothing to hide the stretch of muscles across his shoulders and chest. When that was removed, she licked her lips in appreciation.

“Nice,” she purred.

“Just nice? I’m wounded.”

Her gaze fell to the bulge straining at the zipper of his jeans. “Very, very nice.”

“That’s better, but not quite there.” He toed off his shoes and socks, pushed his jeans down over his hips, and kicked them away. “Now?” He held out his hands and lifted a brow.

She burst out laughing.

He fell on top of her, catching his weight with his arms. “Not at all the reaction I was going for, Dr. Austin.” He grabbed her hands and held them captive above her head. “Hurts a man’s pride when his woman laughs at the sight of him naked, you know.”

She hadn’t meant to laugh, wasn’t even sure why she had. Only knew that she was alive, no more pets would be poisoned, and the man she loved was staring down at her, trying hard not to laugh, too, but his twitching lips gave him away. She was just so damn happy.

“I love you, Cody Roberts.” She hadn’t planned to blurt that out, but her love for him was no longer possible to keep to herself. Her heart was bursting with it, her mind was overflowing with it, and her mouth wanted to shout it to the world.

His eyes turned the color of molten chocolate, and still keeping her hands prisoner with one of his, he cupped her face with the other. “I don’t know if I deserve you, Riley, but damn if you didn’t just make me a deliriously happy man.”

His mouth covered hers then, and he kissed her with a possessive fierceness that stole her breath. He let go of her hands, and before she knew what was happening, he had her clothes off. “Sneaky,” she said, when they came up for air.

“One of my many talents, darlin’. Wanna see another one?”

“Yes, please,” she said, secretly thrilled with his playfulness. The man whose eyes were alight with happiness and an inner peace had come far from the tortured soul she’d first met.

He chuckled. “So polite, but that won’t do. I want you wild and begging.”

With the sneaky stealth she was coming to learn he excelled at, he had his face buried between her legs and his mouth on her, and true to his word, had her wild and begging. She fisted the sheet as a tidal wave roared through her.

“Oh God, Cody.” She gripped the top of his head.

Her body trembled from the force of her orgasm and the wet trail of his tongue as he licked a path up her stomach to her breasts, sucking a nipple into his mouth. As his tongue toyed with her, he clasped their hands together, lacing his fingers with hers, and the intimacy of their palms pressed together brought tears to her eyes. She had once thought she would never love again the way she had loved Reed, but that had been puppy love compared to the soul-deep feelings she had for Cody.

“Ahh.” She tightened her fingers on his when he moved to her other breast. He grunted what sounded like male satisfaction. He should be satisfied, considering he was playing her body with the finesse of a maestro. His strong body covered hers, and he nudged her thighs apart, settling himself between her legs.

She rocked her hips, straining for the touch of his arousal. “Make love to me, Cody. Please.” The last word came out sounding like a whine, and she felt his lips curve against her skin.

“Told you I could make you beg, darlin’.”

“That wasn’t begging. It was a polite inquiry.”

He lifted his head and grinned at her. “Sure, keep telling yourself that.” He let go of her hand and reached into the nightstand drawer, pulling out a condom, tearing it open with his teeth before dangling it in front of her. “Want to put it on me?”

“I do.” She’d never put one on a man before, and as he lifted onto his knees, she took the condom from him. “How do I do this? Roll it on?”

“Exactly.” He covered her hands with his and guided her in sheathing him. When he was covered, he reached down and palmed her, then slipped a finger into her. “Christ, baby, you’re so damn wet for me.”

“Always for you,” she said, falling back onto the mattress.

He stared hard at her for a moment, then took himself in hand and slid into her. When he was buried to the hilt, he stilled, caught her gaze, and held it. “The first time we met, I was in a bad place.” He kissed her. “Even though I didn’t know you, I wanted you. Crazy wanted you.” He kissed her again. “But I didn’t want to bring my crap into your life. Yet, here we are.” Another kiss. “You and me, darlin’. I want you to know that what I’m about to say, I’ve never said to another woman.” He kissed her hard and long. “I love you, Riley. Fucking love you.”

That was the best declaration of love she’d ever received. She kissed him then because it was only fair that she got to initiate at least one kiss.

Much later, both of them sated, he spooned against her back as his hand made lazy explorations over her body. “When do you want to get married, darlin’?”

His question made her smile with pure joy, but her man needed to be taught a lesson. That wasn’t a proper proposal. “When you figure out how to ask that question, I’ll say yes.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHRISTMAS EVE

A
fter eating a delicious dinner of prime rib, mashed potatoes, and green beans that he and Riley had cooked together, they had moved to the sofa, enjoying their spiked mocha lattes topped with whipped cream while transfixed by the Christmas tree lights.

“Okay, I admit I was wrong,” Cody said, tucking her closer to his side.

She tilted her head and peered at him as if she’d never seen him before. “Yeah? About what?”

“Two things, actually. First, this latte. It’s better than I expected, but it’s still a girly drink.”

“We’ll just keep it our secret. Wouldn’t want your friends making fun of you.”

Damn, he loved her laugh. “
Our
friends, and I’m man enough to take whatever they throw my way.”

“You sure are. What else were you wrong about?”

“The Christmas tree lights. I’m liking all the colors.”

She gave a soft sigh. “Thank you.”

He knew why she was thanking him. When they’d gone tree shopping she’d been as excited as a girl getting her first pony. He had even gotten teary eyed when she’d said it would be her first real Christmas since her parents had died. Although his parents had always put white lights on their trees, claiming they were classy and not gaudy like the colored ones, he’d given in to Riley’s every wish—the tallest, fattest tree they could fit in his house, boxes and boxes of colored lights, and more ornaments than he’d ever seen on any Christmas tree, topped off by a pure white angel.

The monstrosity tucked into the corner of his living room was god-awful, and he loved it because she did. Another thing she’d asked for was to start a tradition, and she’d asked what his family’s was. “Wait for my parents to get up on Christmas morning so they could watch me open presents,” he’d said.

She had scowled at that. “That’s it? Nothing special on Christmas Eve? No Christmas breakfast? Nothing else?”

“We would go out for a turkey dinner. Does that count?”

Turned out that it didn’t. Later that day, she’d handed him a piece of paper that he’d now memorized.

Cody and Riley’s Christmas Traditions

Put up a tree the week before Christmas.

Lots of presents for Riley under the tree. Cody gets lots, too. Presents for our dogs and cats.

Christmas Eve is just for the two of us, a romantic, candlelight dinner that we make together.

We get to open one present Christmas Eve.

Make love on a blanket next to the tree. All lights out except for tree lights.

He was particularly fond of number five.

Pancakes, strawberries, and mimosas for breakfast Christmas Day.

Open presents after breakfast. (Riley gets to open one first and last.)

Christmas night, drive around and look at lights.

Strangely touched by her list, he was determined to make their first Christmas together one she’d never forget. He wasn’t taking for granted that she’d be with him next year because he’d caught her looking at apartments for rent in the classifieds. If tonight went as planned, she wouldn’t be going anywhere.

“Time to open our Christmas Eve presents.” He took her empty cup and set it along with his on the coffee table. “Which one should I open?”

She clapped her hands, scrambled off the sofa, and hurried to the tree. As he watched her search through the pile of presents, it occurred to him that his life was near about perfect. His head was almost back to where it should be, although he continued to see Tom once a week, and would for a while. He’d also convinced Riley to see Tom even though she had claimed she was perfectly fine. Cody hadn’t agreed. She needed to come to terms with her childhood and Reed’s death.

Then there was Mrs. Decker. Fortunately, she had accepted a plea bargain at the urging of the attorney Riley had insisted on retaining. That was good because it meant one of Kincaid’s men wouldn’t be involved in a trial, which the boss was definitely happy about. Cody was positively relieved that he wouldn’t be testifying.

That Riley had sympathy for the woman had at first made him angry, but as his temper cooled and he could think rationally again, he understood why it was important to her to do that. Riley had heart, and he could only respect that.

“Found it!” She held up a beautifully wrapped box. She brought it with her, sitting back on the sofa with her legs curled under her and her eyes bright with excitement. “Where’s mine?”

“You want to go first?”

“Yes! Where is it?”

She was going to bounce right off the sofa in a minute. He stifled a grin. “Don’t move.” Before dinner, he’d closed their animals up in his bedroom, using the excuse that he didn’t want their noses in everything. That wasn’t the real reason, though, and he hoped Pelli would go straight to Riley the way he usually did. He slipped the ribbon with the diamond ring on it around the kitten’s neck.

“Go do your thing, Pelli.” He opened the bedroom door and a scramble of four-footed creatures made a mad dash down the hallway. Following them, he grinned at seeing Pelli climb onto the sofa.

“Hello, sweet boy,” Riley said, picking him up. “What’s this?” She lifted Pelli into the air, her gaze on the ring dangling from his neck.

Cody dropped to one knee. “Will you marry me, Riley Austin?” Tears welled in her eyes, and he put his hand on her knee. “You said when I asked the question right that you’d say yes. Did I get it right this time, darlin’?” His damn heart was going to need a hit from defibrillators.

She slipped the ribbon over Pelli’s head. “It’s beautiful, Cody. Yes! Yes, you got it right, and yes, I’ll marry you.”

In her excitement, she jumped on him, and they both landed on the floor with a gaggle of animals wanting to join in this new game. He tried to kiss her, but they ended up laughing at all the tongues licking their faces.

“I love you, Cody.”

He rolled them so that she was on top of him and pulled the band out of her ponytail, letting her hair fall down around them. “The first time I saw you, when you marched over to give me hell, I knew you were trouble, darlin’.” When she opened her mouth, likely to protest, he put a finger on her lips. “Trouble to me. I wasn’t looking to fall in love, thought it was the last thing I needed. I’ve never been so glad to be wrong. I love you with all that I am, and I pray that I’ll always deserve you. Now kiss me.”

“That was beautiful.” She lowered her mouth to his, and he poured his heart into the kiss, wanting her to know that he belonged to her, heart, body, and soul. When she lifted her head and smiled down at him, her beautiful eyes shimmering with tears, he knew he’d love her to his dying day.

“Is it time for number five on your list?” At her blank look, he said, “Make love under the Christmas tree. I’ve been waiting for that one all night.”

She laughed as she sat up, straddled his hips, and held out her hand. “I’m sure you have, but not yet. You still have to get your present, but first, I want you to put my engagement ring on my finger.”

He took it from her and removed the ring from the ribbon. With her hand in his, he slipped it on. “With this ring I pledge my love, my loyalty, and my protection.”

“I swear you’re going to make me cry yet.” She held out her hand and admired the white gold two-carat emerald-cut diamond ring. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Yes,” he said, looking at her. “Beautiful.”

“My pledge to you is to always love you, to always be your friend, and to always stand by your side no matter what.”

“Now you’re going to make me cry,” he teased.

“That might happen before the night ends,” she mysteriously said, pushing off him. “Time for your present.” She showed each of the animals her new ring. “What do you think, guys? We’re going to be a family.” She did a little dance, twirling around the room, waving her hand in the air.

He could have eaten her up right then, she was so damn cute. On one of her spins, she scooped up the present she’d taken from under the tree earlier and handed it to him. He took it and moved to the sofa. It hardly weighed anything, and he shook it as a delaying tactic simply because he knew it would drive her crazy.

“Is it an empty box?” Did she just growl?

“You’ll never know if you don’t open it, will you? And stop laughing.”

“Can’t help it. Your happy is contagious.” Before she climbed out of her skin, he unwrapped the present and opened the lid. Sitting on silver tissue paper were three brown-leather dog collars with ID tags, and he picked one up. Tooled on the collar was the name “Pretty Girl.”

Riley grabbed the box out of his hands, eyed the remaining two, and picked one up, handing it to him. That one said “Sally.” His heart ached, knowing what the third one said. It was thoughtful of her to include a collar for Layla, but he wished she hadn’t. This wasn’t a night for a reminder of the dog he’d lost.

“I don’t . . .” He cleared his throat. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

Her eyes softened as if she understood his pain, and she picked up her phone, turned the screen away so that he couldn’t see it, and texted someone. He waited for her to explain, but she only held out her hand, palm out as if telling him to stay. Confused, he watched her walk to the door.

“Be right back,” she said.

“What’s going on?” he asked his dogs, not bothering to include the cats as all three were batting ornaments under the tree.

Five minutes passed, but he stayed where he was as he held the collar for Layla in his hand, staring at it. It wasn’t possible, was it? Yet, he couldn’t imagine that Riley would be so cruel—even unintentionally—by giving him such a gift. Hope tried to blossom, but he crushed it. He would know if Layla had been found because Wizard would have e-mailed him.

Another thought occurred to him, and he hoped to God he was wrong. Had she gotten him a new dog, thinking to replace Layla? Would she believe that would make him happy? Sally tilted her head, her gaze focused on the door, and then Pretty Girl did the same, giving a whine.

Cody’s fingers tightened on the collar. What he did know based on their reactions was that there was definitely a dog on the other side of that closed door. His heart thumped a stomach-lurching beat as he waited for it to open. It finally did, and Sally and Pretty Girl went wild at seeing Layla pressed against Riley’s leg. They ran to their long-lost friend, barking wild greetings. Layla left Riley’s side, meeting them halfway across the room, and the three dogs yelped and jumped around each other, tails wagging like crazy.

Blood rushed to Cody’s head as he stood. There had never been a time in his life when he thought he might faint, but he supposed there was a first for everything. “H-how?” He swallowed the lump in his throat. At hearing his voice, Layla’s ears perked up, and her eyes zeroed onto him.

“Layla,” he managed to say past the lump in his throat. He knelt and about sixty pounds of dog landed on him. Laughing at the furious licks to his face, he wrapped his arms around her, and looked up to see Riley watching with tears running down her cheeks.

“Merry Christmas,” she said.

“How?”

She sat on the sofa, pulling a handful of tissues out of her pocket. “I knew I’d need these.”

“I don’t even know what to say. You have . . . you have no idea what this means to me.” He stood with Layla in his arms and sat next to Riley. “How did you do it?” His other two dogs, knowing they weren’t allowed on the furniture, crowded against his legs. As for the cats, Pelli had gone to the top of the tree when the strange dog had entered, Merlin had perched himself on a bookshelf, and Arthur was cat-creeping toward the newcomer.

“It’s Logan and your team you really need to thank. From what I understand, Jake was talking to someone named Wizard, or maybe Lizard . . . you people and your names.”

“Wizard.” He buried his nose in Layla’s fur, breathing her in. She’d obviously been bathed and groomed since leaving Afghanistan, because she hadn’t smelled this good even when he’d been there with her.

“Right, Wizard. So, Wizard happened to mention during the conversation with Jake that he was as certain as he could be that he’d found Layla. Coincidentally, Logan was in Jake’s office at the time, and it was Logan’s idea to bring her here without telling you. According to Maria, who I got the story from, Logan wanted to be certain it really was Layla before getting your hopes up. Since the team knew Layla while you were in Afghanistan with them, they figured they’d be able to recognize her.”

“Why didn’t any of them tell me after she’d arrived?”

Riley shrugged one shoulder. “Because I asked them not to, thinking she would be the best possible Christmas present ever for you. Also, I wanted a few days with her at the clinic to check for the kind of problems a dog coming from a third-world country might have. She’s been wormed, had her shots, and been defleaed. She’s underweight, which isn’t surprising, but she’s in good health considering.” Riley scratched Layla’s chin. “Remarkably, she seemed to love getting bathed, like she knew she had to get all pretty for you.”

And dammit, he fucking cried.