Dance Away, Danger (17 page)

Yes, she would surrender to him. Body and soul, with absolutely no reservations.

The light behind him swirled into crazy patterns, and Tessa quaked as her release flooded every inch of her body.

And all the while, Matt held onto her, until, exhausted, she nuzzled his neck.

“How are you doing?” he asked.

Naked and at her most vulnerable, she smiled up at him. “I’m perfect.”

His chuckle rumbled up through his chest. “In some ways, yes. In other ways, you’re maddening.” He shifted his hold on her and carried her to the bed.

“Like when I tease you?” She rocked over his pelvis and relished how he hardened under her caress.

“Yes.” He set her in the center of the bed. “But tonight is supposed to be about you.”

She caressed his cheek. “Why can’t it be about us?”

Then it was, over and over again, all through the night. They explored each other’s bodies, shared memories. And then made love again until they fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

****

A few hours later, Matt cradled a cup of coffee in his palms outside their motel room door and tried to figure out how one woman could interfere with his thoughts so easily. With each passing moment, his desire for her grew stronger.

Steam from the liquid curled under his nose. Faint clouds muted the orange and red streaks of the weak sunshine. From the street, he could hear car engines whining due to the frigid temperature. Cold, crisp air stirred his goose bumps to life as he surveyed the almost empty parking lot and replayed his every decision in the last twenty-four hours where Tessa was concerned. He’d screwed up, and he damn well better figure out how to fix this before he faced her this morning. His mission was to keep her safe, not hop into bed with her. Didn’t he have any restraint?

Car doors slammed below and drew Matt’s gaze. A well-dressed middle-aged couple disappeared under the stairs. He leaned his forearms on the metal railing and listened to their excited whispers. Paxton wasn’t known for family vacations. Couples met for clandestine affairs, for wild, hot sex.

Like he’d had with Tessa.

He shouldn’t care that her toned legs could wrap around his waist and her body welcome his unlike any other woman he’d known. He didn’t need to dwell on her luscious breasts and how they felt, how his own body reacted to the scent of her, the feel of her. He shouldn’t have an aching need to fill her completely and make her his own again.

Damn. He had to keep his hands to himself and erase the memories of Tessa coming apart in his arms.

The truth he feared burned in his chest, though, as much as the cold air traveling through his lungs. He’d thought he could comfort her, offer her the connection she craved through the night, with no strings attached. But he couldn’t forget the connection crackling between them. And it wasn’t just sex. For many unexplainable reasons, Tessa Gage wouldn’t be so easy to walk away from. Once he and Jason were cleared, Tessa would move on to dating some guy willing and able to give her the picket fence and two-point-five kids.

The thought of Tess in some other man’s arms, some other man’s bed, stirred the knots in his gut. It didn’t matter he really had no desire to be her one and only.

Damn. He rubbed the corners of his eyes. She’d claimed she could handle their temporary relationship. He only hoped it was true.

A white-and-blue city trash truck beeped as it came to a stop on a nearby street. Dark clouds in the distance alerted him of an impending snowstorm. According to the forecasts, a bad one, too. Another wrench he didn’t need. Rhode Island was well known for vicious winters, but fall hadn’t even ended yet. The weather had to be an omen of some kind for the outcome of his involvement with the Gage siblings.

Matt took a glance at his watch and stood up straight. He’d given her enough time to get out of the shower and put on some clothes. Enough images of her naked and writhing beneath him were already planted in his brain.

Maybe another couple of minutes. He lifted his coffee cup to his lips and drained it.

Something crashed inside the room.

He rushed through the door. “Tess?” She sat beside the bed, on the floor. A male voice babbled from the TV. A ceramic mug, broken into several pieces, lay beside her. Coffee stains spotted her jeans, the carpet. ”Did you burn yourself?”

In her wide eyes and her dropped jaw, he found a fear that called to every protective instinct in his body. What the hell had changed the courageous woman into the victim he’d expected?

He knelt beside her on the floor and cradled one side of her face in his palm. “What happened?”

Unshed tears crowded her usually vibrant green-and-gold eyes. Her face had lost all its color. One tear fell in a zigzag pattern down her cheek.

Matt was thoroughly trained in field dressings. Dealing with emotional crap, though, threw him into a tailspin and left him with a helplessness that ran bone deep. He swiped his thumb across her cheek. Her creased brow and haggard features, quite frankly, scared the hell out of him. Was he ready to stand by her, to support her, however long it took?

No way in hell could he promise forever, but at that second she needed him. Nothing would push him away. “Tessa, talk to me.”

“They found Jason. He’s in the hospital. If he survives, he’ll be arrested.”

Chapter Ten

Tessa inched backward and stood. “I’ve got to go. I need to be with him.” She started for the door.

Dammit, she wasn’t thinking clearly. Matt jumped up and caught her hand. “Whoa, slow down.” Yeah, he had the same initial instinct to rush to his friend’s side, but someone had to be the voice of reason.

She tried to pull away. “No, I need to take care of my family.”

He circled her wrist and held her fast. “You need to calm down.”

She looked up at him with those emerald eyes, but no longer did they hold tenderness for him.

Damn.
What was with the ache in the center of his chest?

“Jason needs me.” Another yank of her arm.

“He needs you to be safe.”

“You don’t understand.” More pulling. More anguish across her face. “I can’t let him down. Someone has to protect him.” She slammed her free fist against his chest. “Let go of me!”

The pressure of her punch barely registered, but the agony it came from nearly tore him to pieces. Why wouldn’t she lean on him?

He released her wrist, positioned himself between her and her escape, and set his palms on her shoulders. “Tessa, slow down and talk to me.”

She took a deep breath and wrung her fingers. “I’ve got to get to the hospital.”

“Going there is not a good idea.” Jason wouldn’t die. He was too stubborn. Matt was sure of it.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to take me. I’ll get there on my own.”

Huh?
“I didn’t say that and, no, you’re not going.”

She withdrew from his touch.

Uh-oh.

“Just because you slept with me doesn’t mean you can tell me what to do.”

Her over-the-top reaction could be from hearing about Jason in the hospital. It could be guilt rearing its ugly head over spending the night with him while her brother fought for his life. He’d known from the start she wasn’t a friends-with-benefits kind of woman. He had to tread very carefully. “It has nothing to do with us
sleeping
together.” Yeah. Remind her she was a willing participant in their bed. “It’s about you being safe.”

“I will be. The hospital will have security, and I can put up a stink until someone from Internal Affairs comes down.”

“Tess….”

“Don’t you see? My plan is good for both of us.” She pressed her palms against his chest. Then she retreated, closing herself off from him even more.

Dammit.

“Think about it. You have your own life, and so do I. The sooner we can get Jason and ourselves out of trouble, the sooner we can get back to our own worlds.”

Son-of-a-bitch.
She was talking herself out of needing him. But he wasn’t ready to give her up. He might not like being accountable, but he was damn good at it.

****

A thousand thoughts scattered through Tessa’s head. Jason hurt and in danger. And where had she been? With a guy. “I can’t believe I let it happen again,” she mumbled as she paced. Memories of her misplaced trust, of her overwhelming emotions, rushed to the forefront of her mind. She’d promised herself no handsome man would ever own her soul again. Until Matt, there’d been no danger of that happening. But he, with his support, his encouragement, his gentle touch, had managed to slide under her defenses and make her feel things she’d vowed never to waste time experiencing. She’d thought herself immune to his charms, thought she could enjoy the physical connection they shared without losing herself in the process, and what happened? The same horrible outcome as when she was horny at sixteen. What was wrong with her?

She stopped by the bathroom door and peered across the room. Matt watched her. Worry crossed his rugged face. He curled and uncurled his fingers at his sides.

Clearly, he was able to steal her thoughts with his touch, the way he looked at her, the way his body moved. She loved everything about him. With his attention, he made her weak.

She needed to get away from him as soon as possible. She began moving again. “So we’re agreed then? I get IA involved?”

He just gawked at her. No movement, no words.

She pivoted away from him. If he said no, she’d find a way. No longer would she be controlled by silly emotions. Or by him. Another pivot by the sink.

Matt pointed to her.

She stilled.

“You call Internal Affairs to get your brother protected. Tell them our theory about Walgren and the others, but you don’t mention where we are or what we’ve found out.”

“Why can’t we trust them with everything? Then you could get home.” And her emotions would subside. And she could start repairing the damage caused by caring for a man she didn’t need to care for, a man who would never stick around to be her partner in life.

He strode over to her, took her hands in his, and kissed her knuckles. “No matter how much you try to get rid of me, I’m not going anywhere until I’m sure you’re safe.”

A shiver ran down her spine.

“Don’t, Matt.” Remember, he’d be leaving. He didn’t
do
relationships, and she didn’t
want
one. Not unless she got the whole package. She pulled free and stepped around him. Another round of pacing. “We’ve got to stay sharp.”

“What’s going on, Tessa?” With each word, he lost another layer of patience.

“My brother’s in the hospital. His partner is trying to kill him and us. We should be thinking of those things instead of us,” she waved her arm over the bed, “in here. When Jason needs me, I have to be there. I can’t let him down again.”

His gaze narrowed. “That’s the second time you’ve said
again
.”

Crap. She’d spoken out loud? She waved him off and kept her feet moving.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“It’s nothing. It doesn’t concern you.” Her sneakers scuffed on the carpet.

“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”

She started toward the phone. “I’m going to make the call to IA.” She reached out for it.

He came up behind her. “You can trust me with it, whatever it is.”

Tessa closed her eyes. The solidness of his chest at her back, the warmth of his body surrounding her threatened to melt her resolve. “I told you about when Jason almost died saving me in the pond.” He’d banged his head and sliced it open. She could almost smell the blood. “He’d told me to come right home after school, but Gavin was gorgeous and hard to resist. I let my attraction to him cloud my judgment. I knew what I was supposed to be doing, but I ignored Jason, and he got hurt because of me. Afterward, I promised myself I’d always keep my emotions contained.”

His fingers danced along her arms. His breath tickled her ear. “But if you don’t let yourself feel anything, then you’re not really living.”

Tessa steeled herself against the terror of the emotional free fall Matt could easily push her into. “I live a fine life. It was fantastic until you showed up. While I was busy acting like a self-absorbed, lovesick teenager with you, my brother got caught by the people trying to kill him, and he could die. You’re a bad influence, Matt, and I’m a fool.”

“Tessa, your brother didn’t get hurt because we slept together.” Strained patience laced his words. And maybe a little hurt was thrown in there too.

Their pre-paid cell rang.

She opened her eyes.

“Don’t think we’re done,” he snapped as he walked to the table and picked up the phone.

She slumped onto the bed and sat next to the pillow. Just what she needed: space.

He studied the screen and then answered it.
Lola
, he mouthed.

Dare she think the woman had more information for them?

Matt spoke to the hooker in cryptic phrases for several minutes.

By the time he ended the call, she was tapping her toes on the carpet. “What’s going on?”

“Lola’s changed her mind.”

Her eyes widened. “Really?”

He shoved their weapons and evidence into his duffel bag. “Yeah. I think she’s got something to help clear your brother.” He grabbed one of his weapons and made sure it was loaded. “She wants to meet with us ASAP at St. Anthony’s Bazaar.”

“Are we sure it’s not a trap?”

A broad smile tugged at Matt’s lips. “Good. You’re thinking on your feet.

He continued packing their bags. “She sounded scared. I think what you said the other night got to her.” He shrugged. “Walgren might’ve paid her a visit.” He handed her the phone. “Call Internal Affairs on our way to St. Anthony’s. Keep it short, give them just enough information to take care of your brother, and then tell whoever you talk to you’ll call later with more information.”

She’d just accused Matt of stealing her concentration like that loser oh, so many years in the past. Yet, unlike Gavin, Matt was still there. With each hour, the risks had increased. He’d gone from being expected to protect her to being hunted and even shot at. Yet he was still by her side, concentrating on finding a solution to the frightening situation. “Huh.”

“What?” he asked.

“I’m sorry for the way I acted before. I had no right to be cruel—”

Matt closed the distance between them and stole the rest of her apology with his mouth. His tongue demanded a dance with its mate. The kiss was hot, bold, and possessive, and Tessa treasured the shudder coursing through her.

With Matt, maybe emotions weren’t as deadly as she’d thought.

“Apology accepted.” He pinched her chin and gave her a sweet smile. “Let’s go see if we can clear your brother.”

She grabbed the sweatshirt she’d been using as a coat, slipped her arms through the sleeves, and shouldered the backpack. Matt picked up the duffel bag and stepped in front of the closed door. “Okay. Whatever’s going on between us has to take a back seat. Meeting with Lola is as dangerous as being in the train station or at the studio. We’re both still targets, and we need to stay focused.”

“Right. Concentrate on the present.” Don’t think about the way electrical currents continued to scurry through her whenever he touched her. Or on the way her body yearned for his to surround her, to fill her again. “Survival first.”

****

Jason blinked his way awake. Soft light drifted from a lamp across the room and something held his arm down. He scanned his surroundings: rolling table, bars on each side of him, tubes coming out of him, a green curtain by his head, heavy-duty antiseptic smell.

Hospital.

His body felt like he’d been hit by a truck, and his shoulder still burned like fire. Okay, maybe a campfire instead of a bonfire, but still it hurt. His throat was parched and his lips stuck together. He turned his head and caught a sight of the head of light hair by his bedside. Delicate fingers covered his knuckles. A leather coat was draped around the chair the woman sat in.

Not Tessa.

Brenna? His heart squeezed even as a swear word pushed through his mouth. Part of him wanted to shake sense into her. He’d insisted she play along with the idea that he’d kidnapped her. It was the only way to keep her safe. Instead, she’d come in with him and apparently stayed for some reason. If he survived the ordeal, he’d owe her more than he’d ever be able to repay.

He grabbed her hand. She sat up, her eyes.

“Where—oh, you’re awake.” Wonder laced her words.

“Sort of. Where am I?”

“Kentley Hospital.”

“What are you still doing with me, Brenna?”

“I’m not sure. I guess I want the good guys to win for once.”

He shifted to raise a hand to his forehead. Resistance. Metal clanking.

Jason jerked his gaze to his other wrist. They’d cuffed him to the bed? Damn, did they really expect him to escape?

He pinned her with a vicious glare. “Why’d you bring me in?”

“You had a fever, it was like you were speaking in tongues, and I couldn’t do anything more to help you. It was either bring you in where you could get proper care or let you die on my couch.”

She should’ve left him to die. “How long have I been unconscious?” Completely unconscious and no good to anyone.

“Since early yesterday morning.”

“What’s been going on?” Memories of the last few days remained hazy. He knew he’d kidnapped her and told her as little as possible. Matt had reached Tess. Jason had been blamed for a whole lot of crap he couldn’t have done. How much worse was it?

“You’ve technically been arrested. Cops have been coming and going, but none have stayed with you. Your sergeant talked to me, and seems like he really wants to help you. Turns out I’m not the only one who believes you might be innocent.”

“Did Whit actually say that?”

“Yeah.” Jackass. For all the good deeds he’d done for him and Tessa, Jason had learned the hard way what was really important to his mentor. “Any news on my sister?”