A Kiss in the Dark (12 page)

At first he thought he had imagined it. He looked back at the bed. Lacey had raised herself up on one elbow. Now she pushed her hair back from her face and peered sleepily at him.

“Cole?” Her voice was husky.

“Yeah, it’s me. I didn’t mean to wake you. Go back to sleep.”

“I was dreaming. Cole…” She sank back down against the pillows and extended a hand to him. “Come here.”

There was no mistaking her meaning, and Cole made a swift rationalization. He was, after all, just a man. No one could blame him for succumbing to such a sweet invitation. And it didn’t have to be about sex. He would just hold her. He could do that. Couldn’t he?

With a soft groan, he swiftly crossed the room, setting his empty glass down on the bedside table. He stood beside her, suddenly hesitant. She was all smooth, bare skin and tempting softness.

“Lacey…”

“Come here.”

He gave a soft, self-deprecating laugh. “I am so toast.” He wore a pair of loose pajama bottoms and nothing else, and the thin material tented over his arousal. He slid in beside her, gratified when she wrapped her arms around him and entwined her legs with his own. Her skin was warm and silky against his.

“I’m just going to hold you, okay?” His voice sounded gravelly with the effort it took to keep his rampant desire under control.

“Okay,” she agreed breathlessly, skating her lips along his collarbone, “just so long as you’re inside me while you’re doing that.”

“Lacey…” Her name came out on an agonized groan. “I’m trying to do the right thing here, and you’re killing me.”

She pulled back enough to search his face in the darkness. “Then do the right thing and make love to me.” She traced a finger around the whorl of his ear. “I wanted you to earlier. Why did you leave?”

Cole blew out his breath. “Trust me, it wasn’t easy. But you need to get some sleep, and I don’t want you to think that I’m only interested in sex.” Unable to help himself, he splayed his fingers against her back, feeling the thrust of her shoulder blades and the smooth bumps of her spine. She was both supple and soft, her skin like satin beneath his questing hand.

She made a soft murmuring sound of pleasure and arched against him, rubbing herself sensuously against his bare chest. “Mmm. You feel so good.” Her hands roamed across his back and traced a random path over bone and muscle until they encountered the fabric of his pants. The elastic waistband stretched easily beneath her questing fingers, and then her hands were inside, smoothing over his buttocks and grasping them, urging him closer. “You feel
really
good.”

Cole gave a laugh that sounded more like a groan. “Lacey, sweetheart, I’m not sure—”

“I am.” The words were whispered on a husky note, even as she slid one hand over his hip and around to the front, where his erection strained upward. She grasped him lightly, her fingers exploring the thick rise of his flesh. “Please, Cole…”

With a soft groan of defeat, he bent his head and pressed his lips to the tender skin beneath her ear. He slid his hand down her back to the sweet curve of her bottom, and cupped one cheek, kneading gently. “Okay,” he whispered, “but only because you insist and it would be rude for me to refuse.”

“Spoken like a true Southern gentleman.”

“I aim to please.”

“Then prove it.” Her voice was warm with laughter.

“With pleasure.” It became harder to speak as her hand began to stroke him, and his breathing grew more rapid. “Easy, baby. I’ve got something to prove, remember?”

She gave a soft laugh, and then her hands were pushing his pants down over his hips, freeing his arousal to bump enticingly against her stomach. She gasped when he kicked the fabric free of his legs and rose over her, pushing her gently back against the mattress.

“God, I want you,” he rasped. He searched her face, seeing desire and something else reflected in her eyes. Something he didn’t dare to identify. Hope flared inside him once more. He hesitated, wondering if he dared risk another rejection. He’d already told her he wanted more than just a temporary relationship. Maybe he’d do better to just take what she was willing to give him and bide his time.

She parted her legs beneath him and arched her hips, rubbing herself against him. He groaned and lowered his head to press searing kisses along her jaw and down the slender length of her throat. “It was all I could do not to come up here after you’d gone to bed. I want you so much, Lacey.”

Her arms drew him down closer and she rained soft, moist kisses over his face. “I want you, too.”

He lowered his head and nibbled gently at the corner of her mouth, then traced his tongue lightly along its contours. When she murmured her assent, he dipped his head lower and blazed a trail of molten kisses along the column of her neck and lower still to the fragile line of her collarbone.

He slid a finger beneath the slender strap of her bra and drew it down over her shoulder, pulling the lacy cup with it. He lifted his head and watched in utter fascination as her nipple contracted into a tight bud.

Glancing up at her face, he saw she was watching him through heavy-lidded eyes. Her lips were parted and her breath came unevenly. He smiled and then dipped his head, swirling his tongue around the hard nub, reveling in its texture. She gasped when he drew it into his mouth and suckled her. He cupped her other breast through the thin fabric of her bra, pinching the nipple until it stood tightly erect.

She was rolling her hips now, arching restlessly against him, and it was all he could do not to tear her panties from her and claim her; to plunge himself into her slick heat and make her his own. He slid a hand beneath the silky fabric. She was wet. He inserted first one finger into her tight depths, and then another, gratified when she moaned and thrust her hips against his palm.

“Oh, man,” he breathed against her breast, “I don’t think I can wait…” He reared back and dragged her panties down the length of her legs. “Here, roll over.”

“What?” Her voice was thick with pleasure.

“Roll over.”

“Okay.” She turned onto her stomach and gave him a seductive look. “Like this?”

“Well, actually more like this…” He raised her hips upward and shoved the pillows beneath her. “Yeah, just like that.”

He leaned back on his heels to admire her perfect rear in the moonlight, unable to resist smoothing his hands over her buttocks. She lay with her face against the mattress, and her hands curled into the sheets. He loved the way her slender back flared into the womanly curves of her hips, loved the way she responded when he nudged her thighs apart, affording him a clear view of her feminine center.

He stroked her from behind, first with his hand and then with the tip of his engorged shaft, while she clutched at the sheets and writhed against him. When she rose up on her elbows and looked back at him, he thought he’d never seen anything as erotic or beautiful.

“Cole, please…you’re making me crazy…”

He grasped her hips and positioned himself, then in one fluid movement, thrust himself home. She cried out in pleasure and pushed herself back against him. Cole bent forward, covering her with his body. He swept her hair away from her neck and caught an earlobe gently between his teeth before he teased the delicate whorl of her ear with his tongue.

She was moaning now, making sexy sounds deep in her throat as she rocked back against him, her body fisted around him. Cole thrust deeply, and reached around to cup her breast and toy with her nipple.

“Oh, God,” she gasped. “you feel so good…”

Cole felt himself swell even more at her husky words, and knew he wasn’t going to last. Reaching down, he slid his fingers through her damp curls until he found the slick nub of her clitoris. He swirled his finger over it, trying to give her the friction that their position wouldn’t allow, gratified when he felt her stiffen beneath him. Her breath came in short, shallow pants. When she cried out and convulsed around him, he gritted his teeth, willing himself not to lose control.

Grasping her hips with both hands, he raised himself up and slowly withdrew before thrusting himself back into her, his eyes fastened on the point where her body gripped him. But the combination of her flesh squeezing him and the erotic sight of himself sliding into her was too much, and with a strangled cry he climaxed, the force causing his back to arch before he collapsed, completely drained.

He rolled onto his side, pulling her with him, until she lay with her back against his chest. She was still breathing unevenly. He smoothed her hair back from her face and planted a warm, lingering kiss against her jaw.

“That was amazing,” she breathed. “The sensations…”

“Yeah,” Cole admitted huskily, “pretty incredible.” And he wasn’t just referring to the sex, although it was without doubt the most amazing he’d ever had in his life. He would never tire of coaxing those sweet sounds of pleasure from her.

He pulled her closer against his chest and tucked his knees behind hers so that he was spooning her. She yawned convulsively and then sighed in contentment. He could hear her breathing gradually become deeper and more even as sleep claimed her. He tightened his arms around her, knowing he had to say it.

“I’m falling in love with you, Lacey Delaney.” His voice was no more than a whisper.

Beside him, she gave a soft snore.

12

C
OLE
WAS
GONE
when Lacey woke up the following morning, but she could hear him moving around on the first floor, and smelled fresh coffee brewing. Glancing at the bedside clock, she saw it was already eight o’clock. Throwing back the sheets, she crossed the room to the adjoining bathroom and turned the shower as hot as she could stand it. She stood under the pulsing water, her thoughts going back to the previous night.

He was falling in love with her.

His words had caused her chest to constrict in a way she was unfamiliar with, and a suspicious lump had formed in her throat. She’d wanted to turn in his arms and see the truth of his words in his eyes, but had been immobilized by sudden panic. Instead, she’d closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

She couldn’t let him know she’d heard him. What would she say? That she was falling in love with him, too? That despite their differences and despite the fact they’d only known each other a short time, she was already coming to depend on his strength and support?

She didn’t want to depend on him; didn’t want to entrust her heart to someone when they might break it, even if they didn’t mean to. There was no way she could let herself fall for someone who worked in the coal mines, no matter how perfect he might be. She’d never stop worrying, and eventually she would come to resent his job. But she knew Cole well enough to realize that he wouldn’t give up his job as a mining engineer, not even for her. Buck may fire him, but he’d find another position in another mine. Nope, better to pretend she hadn’t heard those softly impassioned words and save what was left of her heart.

She turned her face into the spray of water and let it sluice down her body, recalling the tender passion of their lovemaking. The truth of his words had been there in his touch. In his kiss. In the reverent way in which he’d held her afterward.

The knowledge both thrilled her and terrified her.

Oh, God, what was she going to do? As she turned the shower faucet off and reached for a towel, she realized it was already too late. Because she was falling for him, too.

Downstairs, she expected to find Cole in the kitchen, but he was nowhere in sight. She was pouring herself a mug of coffee when she heard his voice from outside. Moving to a window, she saw him standing on the porch, talking on his cell phone. His voice drifted toward her.

“Give me another week and I can prove he’s operating in the closed section of the mines.” He paused, listening. “Lacey? I’ve told her what I suspect is happening, but that’s it. She doesn’t know my real purpose for being in Black Stone Gap. Don’t worry—she won’t be a problem. She’s on our side. In fact, she’s the one who gave me the blueprint.” Another long pause. “I said not to worry. I’ll take care of her.”

Lacey backed away from the window. Who was he talking to? And what did he mean
she doesn’t know my real purpose?

She watched as he shut off his phone and turned to enter the kitchen. His expression registered warm pleasure when he spotted her, but then he frowned when he saw her expression. “What’s wrong?”

“Who were you talking to?” she asked.

“A former professor of mine from grad school. Why?”

Lacey swallowed hard. “Because I heard you. What did you mean when you said I was on your side, or that I won’t be a problem? What’s going on, Cole?”

He smiled at her, but Lacey thought it looked a little strained. “Nothing. At least, nothing you need to worry about. Are you hungry? I thought I’d make breakfast.”

Lacey waved a dismissive hand. “I’m not hungry. Tell me what you meant when you said I don’t know your real purpose for being here. What does that mean? I thought you were an engineer.”

“I am,” he said simply.

“Then why—?”

He took a deep breath and braced his hands on the counter, before angling his head to look at her. “I’m working undercover for the Department of Labor.”

Lacey frowned. “What?”

“They asked me to help,” he explained. “And I agreed.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, looking frustrated and tired.

Realization dawned. “You’re investigating Buck Rogan. You want to shut him down.”

Cole raised his hands in self-defense. “That’s up to the Bureau of Mine Safety, and only if I find evidence that he’s operating in violation of safety laws. Buck Rogan runs a mining operation that borders on illegal. In fact, I’m pretty sure it is illegal.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked. “All this time, I’ve been thinking you were a mining engineer and you’re actually some kind of undercover agent?”

Cole’s voice grew terse. “I
am
an engineer. I just also happen to be working this investigation. I couldn’t tell you the truth without jeopardizing the entire operation. What difference would it have made, anyway?”

Lacey stared at him in disbelief. “You could have told me. I wouldn’t have said anything to anyone.”

He made a sound of exasperation. “I told you as much as I was able, except for the part about working undercover. That’s why they call it undercover work, Lacey, because nobody is supposed to know about it.”

“Buck said that you blame him for your friend’s death. Is that why you’re so determined to expose him? As revenge?”

Cole stared at her for a moment, and a dark flush shadowed his lean jaw. “If you believe that, then you don’t know me at all. But for the record, I do blame Buck for Drake’s death. But not as much as I blame myself.”

Lacey considered everything he had told her. She was shocked to find out that he was working undercover, and although there was a part of her that resented the fact he hadn’t told her, she also understood why he hadn’t. What he’d said was true; they were on the same side. He wanted to save lives as much as she did.

“Okay,” she finally said. “So what’s your plan? How are we going to prove he’s operating in the closed sections of the mine? Is there any access to those tunnels?”

Cole looked at her in disbelief. “First of all, there is no
we
in this operation. I won’t have you involved. It’s enough that you took that blueprint. No, you just spend the day with Carr and the boys, and let me figure this out.”

“But I can help you,” she insisted. “I could tell Buck that I need access to the mines right away, and that I need an engineer to come with me. He’s seen the test parameters, and he knows that would be the truth. Once we’re in the mine, we can work our way over to where you think the access to the closed section is.”

“Absolutely not. Out of the question, so you can just forget it.”

“Why? I can help you with this.”

“I won’t risk you getting hurt,” he clipped. “And that’s the end of it, Lacey. If you’re not hungry, then I’ll drive you over to the Rod and Gun Club.”

Lacey compressed her lips and nodded. She knew he was right, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.

“Lacey—” His cell phone rang, interrupting his sentence. He glanced at it, his face reflecting sudden tension. “I need to take this call, and then we’ll talk, okay?”

She watched as he stepped outside, keeping his voice low enough that she couldn’t make out his conversation. He returned less than two minutes later, his expression grim.

“That was Buck,” he said. “He wants to see me in his office right away.”

A frisson of alarm shot through Lacey. Had he discovered the missing blueprint? Or had he discovered that Cole was working with the federal agents?

“I’ll come with you,” she said quickly. “I’ll explain about the blueprint.”

To her surprise, Cole stepped forward and caught her face between his hands. “No, I want you to stay here. It may very well be nothing, but whatever it is, I can handle it.”

“But Cole—”

“I’m serious.” As if to punctuate his words, he pressed a warm, firm kiss against her mouth. “Stay here, fix yourself something to eat, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

* * *

T
HIRTY
MINUTES
LATER
, Lacey was pacing the kitchen when the sound of a car engine in the driveway alerted her. Peeking out the window, she spotted a taxi, and frowned. Then she saw Sam Caldwell, her boss, climb out of the back and speak to the driver.

Alarm shot through her. What in the world was her boss doing here? She strode through the house and pulled open the front door. Sam was just climbing the steps and his face was set in grim lines. When she opened the door, he looked up and his features sagged in relief.

Sam was in his early forties and had started StarPoint Technologies right out of grad school. Lacey had worked for him while she was in college, and had been thrilled when he’d hired her as a full-time member of his development team. He treated her like a favorite kid sister, and now she felt a pang of guilt that she hadn’t called him since she’d arrived in Black Stone Gap.

“Sam, what are you doing here?”

“Jesus, Lacey, thank Christ you’re okay.”

Stepping back, she opened the door wider and gestured for him to come in. “Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Sam stepped into the living room, his gaze sweeping around the spacious living room in appreciation. But when he turned to Lacey, she could see he was annoyed. With her.

“You’ve been down here for five days, and I haven’t heard from you once.
Not once,
Lacey. You literally vanished into the wilds of Kentucky with a piece of equipment valued at more than two million dollars, and you ask me why I look upset?
Jesus!
”

Lacey’s mouth fell open. Had she really not contacted him since she’d arrived in Kentucky? Her mind flew back over the past several days, and she realized he was right. She’d turned her phone off in order to avoid having to talk with her mother. “I spoke with Julia,” she said lamely.

Sam thrust a hand through his hair, making it stick up wildly. “Once. You talked to her once. How do you think I felt when I called the motel and discovered that you’d checked in, but that you left with a man that first night and hadn’t been seen again since? Hmm?”

Lacey felt her face go hot with embarrassment. “My car broke down, and then I met this guy—”

To her astonishment, he grasped her by the upper arms and shook her lightly. “I was ready to call that search-and-rescue team to go look for you! Your mother is frantic, Lacey. She’s been calling me incessantly and I couldn’t even tell her with any certainty that you were okay. I finally reached Sheriff Hathaway, and he told me he hasn’t even met you yet. Do you know what went through my head?”

Lacey shook him free. “Okay, I get it. I’m sorry if I worried you. I should have called, but everything is fine, Sam. You had nothing to worry about.”

“I realize that now. I tracked down Carr Hamilton this morning, and he told me that you did a fantastic job demonstrating the handheld GPS units.”

Lacey glanced at her watch. It was barely eight-thirty. “You’ve already seen Carr? When did you get here?”

“Last night. I’m actually staying at the Blackwater Inn, probably in the same room you were originally checked into.” Finally, he gave her a crooked smile. “I don’t blame you for leaving—that place is a dump.”

Sensing that forgiveness was within her reach, Lacey stepped toward him and gave him a brief, hard hug. “I’m so sorry, Sam. I should have called. I turned my phone off because my mother wouldn’t stop calling me.”

Sam laughed and stepped back. “Trust me, I understand.” He looked questioningly around the room. “So where is this guy you’ve hooked up with? Carr assured me he’s decent, and that you were never in any danger. I already knew that, but I’d like to meet him for myself.”

“Cole isn’t here. He’s actually over at the Black River Mines, talking with the owner. But he should be back soon.” She paused. “Wait. What do you mean,
you already knew that?
”

Sam sighed. “Cole MacKinnon called me the other day and expressed his concern about testing STAR in the Black River Mines. He thinks they’re dangerous, and after talking with him, I’m inclined to agree. I want you to pack up your gear and come home with me.”

What?
Lacey stared at him, dumbfounded. “Cole actually called you?”

“He did, yesterday. He thought I should know that the Black River Mines are part of a federal investigation, and that he considers those tunnels to be a danger.”

“I don’t believe this,” Lacey murmured in disbelief. It was one thing to ask her to conduct her testing elsewhere, but why did he have to call her boss? “I haven’t even begun to field-test STAR. We can’t leave yet, Sam. Even if the Black River Mines are off-limits, Cole is going to bring me to one of the mines in West Virginia tomorrow.”

Sam shook his head. “That’s not necessary. We’ll do the testing in New Hampshire, in the caves near Plymouth.”

“The Polar Caves?” she asked in disbelief. “Sam, they’re not deep enough. They won’t give you an accurate reading. I thought we agreed that the coal mines would be perfect.”

Sam’s face grew serious. “That was before I knew about the accident rate in these mines. Cole is right—it’s too risky.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ll give you ten minutes to grab your things.”

As Lacey packed her belongings, her mind worked furiously. Because of Cole, her first field test was a failure. More than that, he’d made her look incompetent. As if she couldn’t be trusted to do anything on her own. She still couldn’t believe he’d had the audacity to call her boss!

In the next instant, she sat down on the edge of the bed, acknowledging that Cole hadn’t made her look incompetent; she’d done that all on her own. She should have maintained communication with her office while she’d been here. But she’d been so determined to do this on her own that she hadn’t considered how it would look when she didn’t call in each day. The fact that Sam had flown all the way here to make sure she was okay was mortifying. And now he wanted her to return to New England with him, and she couldn’t very well refuse.

She sat on the bed for several long moments, trying to control the tight, panicky feeling in her chest at the thought of leaving Cole. It was the same way she felt when she found herself alone in the dark. As if she might suffocate. As if she, too, might die alone in the utter blackness. With effort, she picked up her suitcase and her overnight bag and made her way downstairs to where Sam waited.