Return to Me (36 page)
Authors: Christy Reece
Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Suspense, #Contemporary, #General
“Well, I guess that doesn’t leave us much choice, does it?”
“No. Are you ready to go?”
“To my house?”
“The airport. I’ve got a plane waiting to take us to the island.”
“What about my clothes … and don’t we have to get married before we get there?”
“I’ve got clothes for you already and we’ll get married on the plane.”
“On the plane?”
“Yes.” His eyes gleamed. “Every second counts.”
Samara grabbed her purse and held out her hand. “Then what are we waiting for?”
Things had gone better than he could have expected. The smile playing around Samara’s beautiful mouth and the brightness and joy in her eyes told him more than any words. Though spontaneity hadn’t been part of his life since he was a kid, he had to admit he was enjoying it, too. Was it the most romantic way to get a woman to marry him? No, but romance would have to wait. The most important thing was to get them married, then he’d work on the other. A desperate man often resorted to desperate measures and Noah had realized that when it came to Samara, he had passed the desperation point.
The moment they stepped onto the plane and the door slammed shut, Noah let go of the massive tension he’d been holding inside. At any moment on the drive over, he’d expected her to tell him to stop and demand an explanation. He wasn’t prepared for that yet. At some point, he would explain his actions. After they exchanged vows and he knew she was his, then they’d talk.
He held her hand tight as he pulled her down the narrow aisleway of the plane. “Come with me. I have something for you.”
Twisting and turning to check out the jet, she followed him into the small bedroom. “Uh, don’t you think we should get married first?”
Noah swallowed a laugh. “As cute as you look in your jeans and T-shirt, I thought you might want to wear something else.” He opened a closet and withdrew a sequined white satin dress. The moment he had seen it, he knew it was made for Samara.
“Oh, Noah.”
Her sighing words told him she agreed.
“There are things in the bathroom you might need … girlie things Eden said a bride would want.”
She peeked inside and gave an excited laugh. A smiling Eden stood in the small room, dressed in a short silver dress, holding a bouquet of flowers for the bride. Turning, her face beaming with delight, Samara whispered, “Give me half an hour and I’ll be beautiful for you.”
Pulling her to him, he growled against her mouth, “You’re beautiful just the way you are.” He kissed her hard and then pulled away. “Eden said you’d want this …”
Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him softly. “She was right.”
Forty-five minutes later, Noah, dressed in a black tuxedo, stood beside the most breathtaking woman in the world. The dress fit perfectly, molding and caressing every curve. She’d left her hair down, and the contrast between her midnight fall of hair and the stark white brilliance of her dress stunned him into speechlessness.
Thankfully the minister he’d brought with him spoke English. Having to translate, when he could barely remember his name, would have been impossible.
Jordan stood beside Noah, beaming at them both as if he were a proud parent. Eden stood beside Samara and surreptitiously dabbed at her wet eyes.
Reverend Jerome Gardner stood before them. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered in the sight of God to join this man and woman in holy—”
Samara raised her hand to stop him. Noah’s heart stuttered.
“You know we’re going to have to do this again in front of my family, don’t you?”
Noah sighed. “Yeah, I know.”
She smiled and then nodded to the minister to continue.
Looking a little bemused, he began again. He’d gotten to the point of “Do you, Samara Lyons” when she raised her hand again. This time a frown furrowed her brow as though she was uncomfortable.
“What’s wrong?”
She leaned forward and whispered, “I want babies … your babies.”
It was all he could do not to grab her and run straight to the bedroom. Instead he whispered, “Okay.”
She still didn’t look satisfied.
“What’s wrong?”
“You’re going to have to do something about fixing that.”
“I’ve already made arrangements, sweetheart.”
She straightened. “Really?” She looked down at his crotch. “Will it hurt?”
Reverend Gardner sputtered and blushed a purple red. Both Eden and Jordan choked back laughter.
Swallowing his own laughter, Noah said, “We’ll talk about it tonight.”
“Okay.” She turned back to the minister and said, “Sorry … you were saying?”
“Yes, uh …” The poor man swallowed and began again, “Do you, Samara Lyons, take Noah McCall to be your—”
“You’ve already said that.” She blew out a sigh and looked at Noah. “I take this man, the most amazing, stubborn, and wonderful man in the world to be my husband forever and ever.”
Noah kissed her hand. “And I take this beautiful, exasperating, and incredibly brave woman to be my wife, forever and ever.”
Reverend Gardner spit out the remaining words, most likely in an effort to get them said before he was interrupted again. “I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Noah leaned down and covered Samara’s mouth with his, stifling her laughter. The good reverend, flanked by Eden and Jordan, disappeared to a corner of the plane, leaving the newlyweds to continue their passionate kiss in private.
Breathless, Samara pulled away. “I love you, Noah.” Noah smiled down at his new wife. “I know.”
After a brief landing to refuel and drop off their wedding guests and minister, they took off immediately. Two hours later, the plane landed on the island of Sulan. Within twenty minutes of arriving, Samara and Noah had located their client’s mother and had a brief but informative conversation. They learned that she was not only now married to a younger man, but very much in love. And by all accounts, her new husband felt the same way.
As LCR cases went, it was probably the shortest on record and that was fine with Samara. She and Noah had other things on their minds.
While Samara went to their bungalow to shower, Noah stayed behind for a few minutes to chat with the newlyweds and to call their client to reassure him that his mother was fine.
Samara slid naked between the sheets just as the door clicked open and Noah stood at the entrance of their room. The naked desire in his eyes stunned her. At last he was allowing her to see everything of him. The love she felt for this man almost overwhelmed her.
“Everything okay?”
“Yep. Finally convinced David Mallory that his mother is indeed a woman in love.”
“She’s not the only one.”
Noah leaned over her. “Give me five minutes.” Trailing a finger down the side of his face, she whispered, “I’ll give you forever.”
Desire flared, dark and sensuous, in his black eyes. “I’ll hold you to that promise.
“Good.”
Kissing her tenderly, he turned away and began to strip on his way to the bathroom. “Make that three minutes.”
Exactly three minutes later, Noah returned, naked and aroused, and slid into bed. Taking her in his arms, he said softly, “Hello, wife.”
“Hello, husband.”
A tight, almost nervous smile played around his mouth. “This is new territory for me.”
She could feel the tension in his body. “Why?”
“I have no problem talking to presidents, political leaders … the most powerful people in the world. With you …” His finger tenderly traced her brow, the bridge of her nose … her bottom lip. His voice thickened. “Ah Mara, with you, I’m speechless.”
Tears welled in her eyes and she blinked them away, determined to help him understand that his love was safe with her. Her hand rested on his chest, right above his heart. “This was all I ever wanted from you.”
“Funny … until you, I didn’t even know I had one.”
“Make love to me, Noah. Show me what you feel.”
Lowering his head, his mouth trailed over her face, barely touching as he whispered, “I can express myself better in French.”
Gasping at the fire igniting her blood, she arched her body toward him. “I don’t know how to speak French.”
His mouth grazed over hers. “I’ll translate.”
“Okay …”
With a solemnity she’d never seen in him before, he gravely gave her the words in French and then the English translation. With each phrase, her heart pounded faster.
“You are the most beautiful creature in the universe.”
He punctuated each translation with a kiss.
“You returned joy to my life.”
“Humanity to my soul.”
“Your courage amazes me.”
“Your love humbles me.”
Pulling her under him, he locked his gaze with hers as he pushed inside her. “With my body, I thee worship.”
Her legs wrapped around his waist, she took him inside her body, glorying in the rightness and sheer beauty of the moment. With a fierce tenderness, Noah made love to her as if this were the first time he’d touched her. His hands glided over her body, tenderly caressing, trailing fire wherever he touched.
Arching to meet every thrust, her groans of desire and need turned to gasping cries of fulfillment.
As he gazed down at his exhausted but smiling wife, Noah knew he’d never been given a greater gift. Samara was more than he ever could have asked for, could ever deserve. Cradling her to his newly discovered heart, for the first time in his life, he knew true peace.
Closing his eyes, he drew in a breath. There was one last issue he faced. He’d made a promise to himself and he intended to keep it. He, who’d risked his life on almost a daily basis for years, was suddenly terrified. But she’d given him so much and he had to give her this. She deserved to live as she wanted. She’d earned the opportunity and he loved her enough to make the offer. No matter what, if Samara was happy, he would be happy. And no matter what, he would keep her safe. He would never fail her again.
“Mara”—he winced at how his voice shook—“if you’d like to be an LCR operative, I think you’d make a damn good one.”
When her eyes brightened, the knots in his stomach twisted harder. He’d made the offer, fully intended to keep his word. That didn’t mean he had to like it.
Pulling his head down, she kissed him softly on the lips. “Thank you for that, darling, but putting myself in danger was never a turn-on for me. What I wanted more than anything was the ability to see that I made a difference.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that I’m glad you realize I could be a ‘damn good’ operative, and I would have considered it at one time … but that’s not really something I want anymore.”
Profound relief didn’t come close to the emotion zooming through him. “Would you consider working for LCR in a different capacity?”
“Like what?”
“As a counselor? I usually bring in outside people but having an in-house counselor would make more sense.”
“I would love to do counseling work for LCR.”
Noah gazed down at the beautiful, courageous woman in his arms. Samara had not only returned his humanity to him, she’d returned his heart. He blew out a harsh breath and offered one more phrase in French. One that he’d never offered to anyone, in any language. “
Je t’aime
.” And then the English translation. “I love you.”
Offering a smile, bright enough to lighten the darkest of hearts, she whispered, “I know.”
I would like to thank the following people:
The Romance Writers of America’s Kiss of Death chapter, who were so generous in answering numerous email questions on the Clues-and-News loop, and Southern Magic, my home chapter, for their friendship and continued support.
Danny Agan, who patiently answered my endless questions.
Darah Lace, friend and favorite brainstormer, who asked one critical question that made all the difference.
And thanks to fellow writers and friends Jennifer Echols, Kelly St. John, Carla Swafford, Marie Campbell, and Erin McClune for always being there when I needed them most.
My sister Denise, my first reader for every book, and my sister Debra and my mom, who are always ready to lend a willing ear. And my husband, Jim, for the plotting suggestions that gave me much-needed comic relief.
My fantastic editor, Kate Collins, and the entire Ballantine team, for their excitement and support of this project. And Kimberly Whalen, my incredible agent, who made me cry when she called and told me how much she loved this book.
Last Chance Rescue Headquarters
Paris, France
“You’re sure it’s her?”
“Yeah. She doesn’t even bother to disguise her appearance.”
Noah McCall shot from his chair and faced the window behind his desk. “I can’t believe she’d betray LCR. Nothing in her profile indicated this thread of evil inside her.”
Gabriel Maddox stayed seated as he watched the head of LCR flounder for an answer. Seeing Noah show emotion no longer surprised him, but the changes in his boss were still fascinating. Before McCall met and married his wife, Samara, Gabe would have sworn that nothing other than God himself could have forced an honest emotion from the man. But in the months since he’d been married, Noah had done a complete about-face. Oh, he could still be a coldhearted bastard and no one dared cross him, but Gabe had heard him laugh on more than one occasion, and last month, when he announced that Samara was pregnant, damned if the man hadn’t blushed.
“How many abductions has she been involved in?”
“We’re sure of two,” Gabe said.
“I could have sworn she was about the straightest arrow LCR ever hired.”
Not a patient man by nature, Gabe knew better than to rush his boss in making a decision. Especially as hard as this one would likely be. Didn’t take a genius to know that the former LCR operative known as Shea Monroe would have to be dealt with, possibly taken out.
This decision wouldn’t be easy for McCall. He’d hired and trained every LCR operative since its beginning. Some of the younger ones called him Pop behind his back, though it was always said with an enormous amount of respect and even affection. Noah McCall had saved every one of their worthless hides and turned them into something. They might sometimes resent the tough restrictions he placed on them, but not one of them would speak against him.
Still, when an LCR operative went rogue, it affected everyone. Taking Shea down wouldn’t be enjoyable, but it might well be necessary.
McCall dropped back into his chair. “Anyone talked to Ethan lately?”
It sounded like a casual question. Gabe knew differently. Noah McCall didn’t ask casual questions. Ethan Bishop had left LCR under a dark cloud. Few people knew the full reason for his dismissal, but speculation that he’d become a loose cannon was the number-one theory. Gabe knew this speculation was correct.
“I talked to him a few months back,” Gabe said.
“So he doesn’t know about Shea?”
Gabe felt a slight nudge of guilt. “Didn’t see the need to tell him. When she went missing, we assumed she disappeared on purpose. Since Cole’s death, Shea’s not been at her best. Telling Ethan wouldn’t have accomplished anything other than making him feel more like shit than he already does.”
Noah turned his dark eyes on him and Gabe suddenly felt like an insect about to be skewered.
“And now that we know she’s working for the organization that killed her husband, you don’t think that’s something he’d be interested in learning?”
The answer Gabe gave was so lame, he inwardly winced as he said it. “Ethan doesn’t work for LCR any longer.”
McCall continued that black-eyed stare. “You want me to tell him?” His voice softened, which meant only one thing—he was about to lose his temper.
Drawing a deep breath, Gabe gave the answer he didn’t want to give. “No, I’ll tell him.” He shot his boss a narrow-eyed glare. “You know he’ll go after her, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Then why?”
“Because despite the evidence, I think Shea’s worth saving. There’s no one in the world better able to see Shea for what she is. If she’s turned, Ethan’ll know what he has to do. If she’s in trouble, he’ll bring her home.”
“And if she’s turned, she might just end up killing him.”
An odd light flickered in McCall’s eyes. “Or she might end up saving them both.”
Gabe stood, knowing his boss wouldn’t change his mind, no matter what objections he gave. Noah McCall was of the opinion that almost everyone had something good in them. Since he’d turned around a lot of lives, Gabe wasn’t going to argue with him. But he’d seen what Shea had done to his friend. Loving a woman that much was damned dangerous. Shea had taken advantage of that love, and Ethan would never be the same man again.
Gabe stalked out the door. Bypassing the elevator, he stomped down ten floors. Ethan didn’t even own a phone. The only way to reach him was to fly there. His gut plummeted. Few people knew about his problem with enclosed places … the fewer, the better. By the time he made it to the podunk town in the Tennessee hills where Ethan had buried himself, Gabe would be in a lousy mood. Ethan wouldn’t be happy to see him and would most likely try to throw him off his property.
On the other hand, a good fight never hurt anyone. His mood lightened. Damned if he wasn’t suddenly looking forward to the trip after all.