Authors: Mitzi Pool Bridges
For the next hour they sat on the couch while the movie played out on TV.
When it was over, she took his face between her hands and kissed him goodnight. “Just practicing,” she teased.
What a wonderful man
, she thought after she’d settled into bed. Darin Callahan had awakened something wonderful inside her. She had a feeling this man could show her what she’d missed all these years.
Not yet, though.
But soon.
Chapter Eighteen
The next morning, Gina felt revitalized—a different person. She looked forward to the time when she could kiss Darin and he could kiss her without the fear that had plagued her for so long. She couldn’t believe this was really happening. After all these years had she found the one man who understood what she’d gone through? With everything in her she hoped so.
The end of this operation couldn’t come soon enough.
Darin knocked on the door and came in.
She smiled at him, at his mussed hair, his green eyes as they watched her every move. “What are you looking at?”
“You. You’re beautiful.”
She ran a hand through her hair. It was a tangled mess. “I must look terrible.”
He took her hand, brought it to his mouth, kissed it. “I’ll never lie to you. Believe me when I say you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
She wanted to lean over and kiss that beautiful mouth. His kisses had the same effect as a drug must have. They left her exhilarated, filled with passion, and wanting more.
He looked at his Rolex. “It’s time to get up.”
She jumped out of bed.
His chuckle was a rumble deep in his chest. “You know, honey, nothing you ever do will change the past. If you accept what happened to you and your sister it will make it easier to go to the next level in the healing process.”
Besides being smart, he was way too handsome this morning. How could that be? “You’ve helped me more than you’ll ever know, Darin. My feelings about Elton will never change. Thanks to you though, I don’t think I’ll be so afraid again.”
She prayed that time and circumstance would prove her right.
“I hope not,” he teased.
“I’m going to take a shower and get dressed,” she said. “Then we’ll figure out what to do until we get a call from Chavizi.”
“We shouldn’t hear from him until late this evening or tomorrow.”
Despite her near breakdown last night, she felt good. Being with Darin felt right.
Darin watched her walk to the bathroom.
The most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. We’re alone in a luxurious room and we can’t kiss, definitely can’t make love.
Jeez! No way could they continue as partners, which meant she would be given someone else to partner with. He didn’t like that idea any better. He wanted her all to himself.
He heard the shower running, imagined her soaping herself. He couldn’t stop his erotic thoughts. He could see her naked and gorgeous—could see himself kissing every inch of her, could see her responding.
Would it ever happen? Even if they weren’t partners would she be able to make love without cringing? He couldn’t bear it if she did. He wanted to love her as a woman should be loved without her flinching in fear.
Would it ever be possible?
Her childhood had been so traumatic he wondered.
Sure, she liked to kiss. But could she go further? She said yes, but did she really know?
He was dizzy just thinking about it.
****
When Gina came out of the bathroom dressed as Meg, Darin was gone. She looked around the room with a frown. She hadn’t turned her nightlights on last night. Her gun was still in its holster. That was new.
A knock at the door had her breath hitch in her throat. Could Chavizi have sent one of his thugs here for some reason or other? She grabbed her gun and cracked the door enough to see who was there. Darin, or rather Dutch Farley, blocked her view.
He shifted to one side enough for her to see a breakfast cart. She dropped the gun, but couldn’t stop her stomach from clenching.
After the door shut she stepped into the living area.
Dutch Farley grinned at her. She grinned back. Darin as Dutch was formidable. If anything, he looked bigger and definitely badder.
Underneath, he was Darin. Kind, wonderful, sexy Darin. He leaned over as if to kiss her, then pulled back. “How are you, today, lovely lady?”
“I’m good. No. I’m great.”
“I’m glad.” He turned to wave at the table laden with a pot of coffee and lots of covered dishes that exuded wonderful aromas. “I hope you’re hungry. I didn’t know if you would want breakfast or lunch so I ordered both.”
She lifted a cover. A plate of perfectly cooked eggs and crispy bacon stared at her. “Looks good.” She lifted another. A tray of tiny sandwiches surrounded by parsley made her grab one and pop it into her mouth. “Ummm.”
Darin laughed as he poured them each a cup of coffee. “Sit. Enjoy the meal.”
“I hope we don’t have repercussions from our spending habits.”
“If we’re successful, we won’t hear a word.”
“If we’re not?”
“Watch out.”
But Darin didn’t seem worried. If anything he seemed cautious. Why not? She’d all but scared him to death twice yesterday. First with a gun then with her screams.
He should run for the hills. Probably would when the sting was over.
An hour later, they had eaten all they could hold and were lingering over coffee. She lifted her cup. “This has to be the best coffee I’ve ever tasted.”
“Should be. It cost enough.”
“Now what?” she asked. “We have the rest of the day.”
“What would you like to do?”
“If we’re from Dallas, we should do some sight-seeing.”
“Great idea,” Darin said with a grin that made her heart turn over.
“If you’re ready I’ll call for our car.”
“Have you talked to the FBI today?”
“They’re working on getting Chavizi’s cell phone cloned. And they’re on standby. We’re covered. We may not get the call until tomorrow. Which might be better. It gives Peavy and his team enough time to get everything lined up.”
“I’m betting on earlier,” she told him.
“I’ve thought of that. I have the text to Peavy ready to go. All I have to do is punch the send button and he gets it. Let’s pray he’s ready on his end.”
“And if he’s not?”
“We’ll find Hunter’s killer another way.”
“Someone will talk,” Gina said.
“Right.”
“Will the message just confuse the team?”
“Peavy knows what we’re doing. If there are any responses, he’ll monitor them. It’s possible he’ll know who the mole is before we do.”
“We can’t afford any screw-ups.”
“There won’t be any.”
His confidence lifted her spirits. The sting would go down soon. Though the thought made her stomach clench, she was confident the two of them were ready. Her biggest fear was the mole. If they were recognized everything was blown. Everything. Maybe even their lives.
She had to change the subject. Not think about how close they were to the end.
“Do you think you could ever get used to this?”
“What?” He waved her arm to encompass the luxury suite. “Do you mean all this?”
“This and the money. It’s not us.”
“I could never get used to the luxury. On the other hand, I could get used to being with you,” he teased.
“Really?” Her stomach fluttered at the thought. If she were honest with herself she would admit how much she liked having him close. Living in the same place. Eating together. Her thoughts scattered.
“Oh, yeah! Really. Especially when you look Meg Farley hot.”
She smiled and mentally brought herself back to earth.
****
As Dutch and Meg Farley the driver took them first to visit the Space Center at NASA, then drove them through Herman Park where they took a ride on the train. While they were there they viewed the art at the Menil Collection.
“My feet hurt,” Gina complained when they were back in the Mercedes.
“Do you have to wear those stilts?”
“No. But Meg Farley does.”
“Where to now?” the FBI guy assigned as their driver asked.
Darin looked at his watch. “We don’t want to be too late. Let’s find something to eat then go back to the hotel. There may be word from Chavizi.”
“What do you feel like eating?” Darin asked.
She shrugged. “Anything. I’m not hard to please.”
“Okay. How about Italian? We could go to Tony’s.”
“Sounds high class. And expensive.”
“The Farleys can afford it.”
“Then go for it.”
Darin leaned over the front seat. “Do you know where it is?”
“Sure.”
“Ever been there?”
“Are you kidding?”
Darin peeled off a hundred-dollar-bill. “Enjoy yourself when this is over.”
“Is it okay?”
“We’re the Farleys. We can do what we want with our money.”
“Then you’d better call and make a reservation. I’m not sure even Dutch Farley can get in without one.”
It would be an hour before they could be seated.
“If we’re being followed we’d better do some more touristy stuff,” Darin suggested. “Have you seen the Williams Waterwall?”
Gina shook her head and hated the lie. She had to tell Darin the truth about why she had been sent here. Soon. Their relationship had taken a turn. She didn’t know where it would end, but he had to know the truth. Now wasn’t the time.
The Waterwall was spectacular. Near the Galleria, it was a soothing oasis among the chaotic Houston traffic. “It’s sixty-four feet tall and drops thousands of gallons of water every minute,” Darin told her.
“It takes your breath away,” Gina said as they walked around to stand in front of it. “I could stand here and look at this forever.”
Darin put his arm around her. She leaned against him. If anyone were watching, they were in Dutch and Meg Farley mode. It felt right for Gina Carlson, too.
When he leaned over and kissed her, she fell into the kiss without even thinking. His arms tightened around her shoulders. When the kiss deepened she stopped thinking and let that unfamiliar fist of desire take her away.
He pulled back, broke the kiss. “Wow,” he whispered.
“I thought…”
“If anyone’s watching, and I know they are, we have to give them a show.”
“I see.” Was that all the kiss was? A show?
It sure felt like more to her. A lot more. What if Darin was just doing his job? What if all the kisses were just that? A job well done?
For a moment, she was mortified. While Darin was doing a damned good job, she was acting like a woman who’d never been kissed.
A bubble of hysterical laughter caught in her throat.
The chauffer cleared his throat. “It’s time for your reservation.”
Gina barely touched the delicious grilled salmon with vegetables that looked just picked from the garden, They wouldn’t go down.
“You’re not eating.”
“Nervous, I guess.”
He put a hand over hers. “Don’t be. We’re doing fine.”
They were certainly putting on a good show. But her heart felt raw. Darin was doing his job, and she was falling in love.
This was what happened when you didn’t stick to your job.
She was glad when Darin finished and they were on their way back to the hotel.
“I’m here if you need me,” the FBI driver said as he dropped them off.
“We’re hoping for a quiet evening.”
“Good luck,” he said, and drove off.
Dutch and Meg Farley made a grand entrance into the lobby. It was easier now to act the part than to be herself.
“It was a nice day, sugar,” Gina said.
“Glad you enjoyed it, sweet one. Are you tired? Or would you like a nightcap?”
“Let’s go to our room. I’m tired after all the sight-seeing.” Tired. Period.
In the elevator, Darin gave her a long look. “It has been a nice day. Did you enjoy it?”
“Of course.”
He put his arm around her, pulled her close.
“Off-limits,” she reminded him and pulled away.
“You’re my wife, remember?”
The statement made her heart stop, then start again in an erratic rhythm.
What would it be like to be Darin Callahan’s wife? To not pretend? The thought stayed with her until they were in their room.
With barely enough time to note the fresh red rose in the vase and put her purse down there was a knock on the door.
They looked at each other. Was it going down now?
“Go to the door,” he whispered. “Signal if it’s someone from Chavizi.”
She looked through the peephole and gave the signal.
Darin would send the text message that Agent Peavy would then send to every member of the squad.
Were they doing the right thing?
She prayed they were.
If not, they were screwed.
Chapter Nineteen
Gina opened the door. “Now aren’t you the lucky one? We just walked in from the most exciting day. Come in. I need a minute to catch my breath.”
Chavizi’s bodyguard stepped inside. “Sorry to bother you, but the boss said he’d like to see you now. The goods arrived earlier than he expected.”
“How wonderful. Sugar!” she called out. “The best news ever.”
Darin, a scowl on Dutch Farley’s face, walked into the room. He’d turned on the mike in his Rolex to inform Peavy the sting was going down, and made sure the small plastic gun was secure in his boot. It was time to roll. “What’s up?”
“The goods are here,” Kamu said. “I’m to take you to them.”
“We have our own car and driver,” Darin responded, putting a growl in his voice.
Kamu shook his head. “You’ll have to come with me.”
“As long as you get us back here tonight I don’t see a problem. Do you, sugar?”
Darin grumbled his displeasure. He was more than ready to go along with Chavizi’s plan, but didn’t want to let them know by acting too eager.
“It will be fine, sugar. They’re doing us a favor. We don’t know Houston well.”
“No,” he snapped. “But our driver does.” He frowned again, made his eye twitch. “Fine. But it would be nice to have a little notice.”
Kamu frisked Darin, looked at Gina. “Don’t even think about it,” Darin growled.
The man eyed her up and down. Shrugged.