Love Knows No Bounds (17 page)

He inspected her, his head cocked to one side. “I know you were injured recently. I was just asking if you were okay. You looked…unwell.”

Had he hesitated before that word? Could he see into her mind? She hoped not. “No, I’m fine.”

“Can I get you anything to drink? Coffee, tea, champagne…”

“Perhaps we should just get on with the interview.”

“There’s something I’d like to talk to you about first.”

She frowned. “It’s quite simple. I ask you questions. You answer.”

“Actually, I have a…proposition for you.”

“You do?”

At her tone, a slight smile curved his lips. “I do. And we might as well be comfortable while I put it to you.”

Without waiting for her to answer, he shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it on the seat beside him. He reached up and loosened the maroon tie, and she stared, fascinated at the triangle of pale skin revealed below the strong column of his throat.

The air seemed to be sucked from the room, and she swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. She bit down on her lip hard, the pain bringing her back to herself.

Did he know what he was doing? With his looks and money, he must be used to women drooling all over him. He could hardly be unaware of it. Though strangely, while she had an extensive file on him, there was very little information about his private life.

She cleared her throat. “So, this proposition…?”

“Why don’t we sit down?” he said, gesturing to the cream leather sofa behind him. She looked at it dubiously but followed him. He sank onto the leather and patted the cushion beside him. Phoebe took a seat in the far corner, perched on the edge, and looked at him with what she hoped was an expectant expression.

What proposition could he possibly have?

Was he aware she was out to expose him and his company?

“First, let me say, I’ve read your work and I’m quite aware of the stories you usually write. You don’t like big organizations. Hardly surprising considering what happened to your father.”

She started, shocked at his words. Her father had worked for a large multinational corporation. He had been injured in an incident at work when Phoebe was ten. He’d never recovered fully, and he had never received any compensation. It had devastated her family. But how the hell did Caden Wolfe know that?

“Have you had me investigated?” she asked.

“Of course.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but he held up one beautifully manicured hand and she closed it again.

“I’m presuming it’s going to do me no good to tell you that Stormlord Securities has never been involved in any illegal or underhand practices.”

Did he think she was a naïve idiot? She didn’t bother to answer. “The proposition?”

He relaxed in his seat, long legs stretched out, arms resting along the back of the sofa, regarding her out of half-closed eyes. “I want you to spend the next five days here, with me.”

Astonishment held her speechless for a minute. She swallowed, clearing the lump in her throat. “Why would I want to do that?”

He shrugged one elegant shoulder. “You can shadow me, ask me any questions you want, see for yourself how the company really works.”

“It won’t take me five days to do that.”

“We’re in the middle of negotiating a new set of government contracts. Isn’t that what you’re interested in? I seem to remember you asked about ‘allegations of corruption’ at our last meeting.”

“You remember? I wasn’t sure…” She hesitated; she hadn’t been certain until that point that he’d been aware of their prior meeting. But it seemed he knew it had been her in Afghanistan. Whatever she thought of him, she owed him for that. “You saved my life. I never got the chance to thank you.”

“And would you like to now?” He considered her for a moment. “Do you know that in some cultures, if you save a person’s life, then that person belongs to you?”

His voice had lowered to a husky drawl that seemed to promise all sorts of carnal delights. She fisted her hands, her nails digging into her palms. “Luckily, we don’t live in one of those cultures. But you do have my thanks.”

“No need. It was an instinctive response.”

She shook her head, her brain working furiously. Something about Caden Wolfe set her on edge, tipped her off balance. The idea of spending more time with him made her stomach churn. On the other hand, she wanted this story. Her gut instinct told her there was something not right about Stormlord Securities, and he was giving her the perfect opportunity to investigate. But why would he do that? It didn’t make sense, unless he believed he had everything buried so deep she would never dig it up. If so, he was underestimating her, and she’d get her story. But five days? She glanced across at where he lounged watching her, and her tummy did a little flip. “I could sit in on some meetings, I suppose.”

“This is an all or nothing offer. Twenty-four-seven. Starting now.”

“You’ve got to be kidding—you expect me to stay with you twenty-four hours a day?”

“And night.” His voice dropped again to that husky drawl, and she shivered. Then he smiled, a slow curl of his lips. “But don’t worry. I’m not suggesting you sleep with me.”

Sleep hadn’t actually entered her thoughts. It had been five years since her last relationship imploded, since Josh had given her the ultimatum to make some sort of commitment or it was over between them.

So it had been over between them, and she hadn’t slept with anyone since. And strangely, she hadn’t missed the sex.

Until now.

Only force of will kept her from squirming in her seat. Her breasts ached and heat was pooling low in her belly. She looked away, out the window where snow was swirling down, willing the coldness into her blood.

“So what are you suggesting?”

“We have an apartment for visitors. You can stay there. That’s the offer—take it or leave it.”

“Why? Why make the offer at all?”

“Because we have nothing to hide. But bad publicity can seriously damage a company, especially one in as sensitive a business as ours. Tell me—what happened to the last company you ‘investigated’?”

“They went out of business. Look, I’m not even sure I’d get the go-ahead for this. You’re not the only story I’m working on.”

“I’ve already discussed it with your editor. He’s quite willing to lend you to me for as long as it takes.”

“What? When? He never mentioned it to me.”

“We spoke just before you arrived.”

She nibbled on her lip; it looked like she didn’t have any choice in this. If Patrick had already agreed, she was stuck with it. Especially when she had insisted she wanted to stay on the story.

“Okay, it looks like I’m your shadow for the next five days.” Her brows drew together, and she regarded him suspiciously. “But don’t let this life-saving thing go to your head. I don’t belong to you, and I’m not your property, Mr. Wolfe.”

He smiled. “The thought never entered my mind.”

…

Mine.

The word screamed through his brain. Cade kept the smile firmly fixed on his face while he struggled with the overwhelming urge to drag her into his arms and show her just how much she belonged to him.

Now and forever.

“Of course you’re not my property,” he lied. “And please, call me Cade. And I’ll call you Phoebe.”

“You will?”

She definitely sounded suspicious. Unlike his Eleni, who had trusted everyone.

Did she feel anything for him?

He desperately needed some sign that there was hope.

He studied her, the black pants that hugged the curve of her hips, her slender thighs, calves tucked into boots, a jade green sweater, and black leather jacket. Her blond hair was cut off blunt at the shoulder, framing a heart-shaped face, pointed chin with a deep dimple, dark brown eyes flecked with gold, and a small full mouth reddened where she had worried it with her teeth.

She was so close. Breathing in deeply, he filled his lungs with the sweet, intoxicating scent of her. He caught a trace of something else, the musky scent of her arousal, and his gums ached with the need to taste her. His cock stiffened in his pants, his balls aching viciously, and he dropped his hands to his lap to hide the evidence while he fought for control.

She wanted him. He could sense it. Excitement warred with fear. He could give in to neither. If he allowed her to glimpse even a fraction of what he was feeling, he had an idea she would bolt. The thought doused the fire burning in his belly.

When he was sure he could do so without embarrassing himself, he stood up. “So we have a deal then?” He held out a hand to her.

“It appears so.” She looked at his outstretched hand but didn’t make a move. “I’m going to have to head back to my apartment first, pick up some stuff, and make a stop at the office to clear my desk.”

“I have a car and driver waiting downstairs for you.” He wanted to go with her, but he thought it might appear odd. And besides, he was sure that Lilith would be watching him, and he didn’t want to draw attention to Phoebe. So he’d satisfied himself by appointing Finn as her bodyguard and chauffeur. Finn would take care of her.

Her brows drew together. “A car? You were so certain I’d agree?”

“I did my research. I was told you were fair but would do anything for a good story.”

Her frown deepened. “Not quite anything.”

He smiled at the suspicion in her voice. “Don’t worry—I’ll not ask you for anything you’re unwilling to give.”

“Why doesn’t that make me feel any better,” she muttered. But she pushed herself up and held out a hand to him.

He took it in his own, tightened his fingers around her, and a jolt of shock ran through him. Her eyes widened—she must have felt it as well. She tugged at her hand, but he held on for a moment longer, willing her to remember.

In the end, he had to let her go. She flexed her fingers, wiped her hand surreptitiously down the leg of her pants, and gave a little shake of her head.

“Right, I’ll be leaving then.”

He nodded, then turned and stood staring out the windows, hands clenched at his sides while he listened to her walk away.

The door clicked shut, and he whirled around and stared hungrily after her. She felt something. He knew she did.

But would it be enough to break through the barriers of time and death?

…

Phoebe pressed the button for the elevator then held out her hand in front of her. It still tingled where he had clasped it and a fine tremor was visible. She made an effort to pull herself together. What was it about the man that set her so off balance?

He was gorgeous, but she’d interviewed gorgeous men before and not been affected in the least.

She glanced over her shoulder, half expecting him to come after her, but the double doors remained closed. She couldn’t let him affect her—she had to stay objective if she wanted to do this story.

The elevator doors slid open. A man stood, obviously waiting for her. He wore faded jeans, boots, and a long black leather trench coat. Tall, with overlong blond hair, and gray eyes. Despite the differences in coloring, he reminded her of Cade. She’d seen him somewhere before, and it came to her—he was the same bodyguard who had helped her after the explosion in Afghanistan.

He held out a hand. “I’m Finn.”

She took it cautiously, anticipating that same jolt of shock she had experienced with Cade, but she felt nothing except the warmth of his palm against hers. Relief washed through her.

Finn grinned. “Cade asked me to look after you.”

“I don’t need looking after.” She pulled her hand free and stalked into the elevator.

Chapter Four

Day 2

He hadn’t been lying. He expected her to shadow him.

The first day was—thankfully—nearly over. Phoebe felt the tug of exhaustion. Cade never stopped. She’d sat in on all his meetings, but so far, she had nothing. Everything was above board and on the level. But then he was hardly likely to do anything underhanded right in front of her. In which case, how was she supposed to get her story?

He glanced up and raised an eyebrow when he caught her staring. “Disappointed?” he asked.

She frowned. “In what?”

“That I haven’t lied, bribed, or otherwise behaved in despicable manner.”

“Yes.”

He gave a short burst of laughter at her answer. Then he peered at her closely. “You look tired.”

“I’m fine.”

“Did you sleep okay? I was going to check up on you last night, but thought you might construe it the wrong way, and I wanted you to relax.”

Relax?

Was he crazy?

She wasn’t going to admit that she’d been on edge all evening waiting for him to show up.

Finn had driven her back. He’d been a good companion, though he’d refused to open up about Cade—except to say that they had known each other a long time—and she’d relaxed in his presence, as she suspected she never would around Cade.

She hadn’t seen Cade again, but Finn had showed her to the apartment she was to stay in and left her there. The place was luxurious, and the fridge well stocked, but she’d put off eating anything, expecting Cade to, if not turn up, then call her, and suggest they eat together.

When she’d finally accepted that it wasn’t going to happen, she’d had to contend with an extremely unwelcome dose of disappointment. She’d told herself she was an idiot, taken a long hot bath in an attempt to soothe herself, and gone to bed.

After hours of tossing and turning, she’d managed to sleep, only to have her old nightmare return to haunt her. Now, she glanced from Cade to her laptop, trying to avoid remembering what had come next. But the dream was still imprinted indelibly on her mind.

She was tied to a stake, and all around her, a mob was jeering, calling for her death.

Why did they hate her so?

One man approached, triumph in his dark eyes, a burning torch in his hand. He touched the flame to the branches piled around her. The crackle of the fire sounded in her ears as the flames caught the pitch-soaked wood. The stink of roasting flesh filled her nostrils as the fire licked at her limbs and her skin turned black and peeled from her bones. But the physical agony faded, insignificant compared to what she was feeling inside. Her heart was breaking. Her soul was being ripped from her body.

They’d dragged him away, but beneath the roar of the mob, she heard him calling. “Eleni—”

She opened her mouth to scream his name…and awoke, her skin clammy, nausea roiling in her gut. She’d rushed to the bathroom and been violently sick, heaving until there was nothing left in her stomach.

The dream had lingered in her mind as it always did, but this time something was different.

Eleni?

She’d never heard the name before, had she? Not in her dreams, but something hovered at the edge of her mind.

Afterward, she hadn’t tried to go back to sleep, knowing from experience that it would be impossible. Instead she’d put on a pot of coffee, got out her laptop, and gone over her extensive notes on Stormlord Securities.

Now, nearly twenty-four hours later, she couldn’t suppress a yawn as the sleepless night and the busy day caught up with her. A dull ache throbbed at her temple, and she rubbed her forehead to ease the pain. Glancing up, she found Cade still watching her. He rose to his feet, and came around to stand in front of her.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You need to take things slowly.” He reached out a hand, and she took it without thinking, allowing him to tug her to her feet. “Let me look,” Cade said. “Please,” he added when she remained unmoving.

She bit her lip, but nodded and turned around.

His warm palm rested for a moment on her neck, then he tipped her head forward and ran his fingers through her hair, slowing as he felt the raised scar where she’d slammed into a rock that day in the compound. She closed her eyes at his touch.

“I should have been more careful,” he said.

“You saved my life.”

His fingers shifted to stroke down the line of her throat and little ripples of awareness shivered through her. For a moment, they rested on the spot where her neck met her shoulder, his thumb rubbing over the pulse point. Phoebe raised her head and opened her eyes. She stood, facing the floor-to-ceiling windows. The sun had set hours ago, and in the darkened glass, she saw their reflection.

Cade’s tall figure towered a good foot above her. His gaze caught hers in the glass, his eyes glowing, then he slowly lowered his head and kissed the side of her neck. His lips were soft, and she felt the tip of his tongue, hot and moist, as it tasted her, tracing lazy patterns on her skin. The air was dragged from her lungs, and the strength seeped out of her limbs. His hands tightened on her shoulders as she swayed back against him.

What had happened to keeping everything on a professional level? She knew she needed to move, but stayed rooted to the spot while his mouth hardened against her. She could sense the tension radiating from him.

He drew back, and a small mewl of protest emerged from her lips. Then he turned her in his arms.

Now
.

Now was the time to move. It wasn’t too late. She could just pick up her laptop and say goodnight. And tomorrow she could pretend this had never happened.

But she didn’t move. Instead, she stood impassive in his arms, her whole body yearning for him, her eyes roaming over his fierce beauty.

In her mind, she had a sudden image of that long, hard body on her, in her. The thought tightened her nipples, drenched her sex. She wanted to feel that more than anything in her life. She swayed toward him, saw the savage satisfaction in his face as his fingers tightened on her upper arms, and he dragged her to him.

Her hands splayed on his chest, and beneath the silk she felt hard muscle, the rapid thud of his heart. All thoughts left her head as he leaned down and took her mouth with his.

She lost herself in his kiss. His palms glided down over the length of her back to cup her ass and pull her harder into him so she could feel his arousal pressing against her belly. It wasn’t enough, and his hands tightened on her. He lifted her slightly, backed her up against the wall, and held her there with the strength of his rock hard body. His hands slid from her ass to her thighs, shifting her so his erection pushed at the core of her body. Her insides melted, and she rubbed herself against him, wrapping her legs around him, while her hands tangled in his hair, holding him. She was close—so close—the pleasure building inside her.

Cade kissed her mouth, her cheek, her eyes…small biting kisses, as though he wanted to devour her.

“Eleni…”

He whispered the name through the kisses. Phoebe went instantly still as the word broke through the fog of desire engulfing her, dousing her in a deluge of icy cold. Her hands moved to his shoulders, and she pushed him away. For a moment, his grip tightened, then he loosened his hold, lowered her so she stood on her own feet again. Pulling free of him, she took a shaky step forward, then another. She came up against the desk and put out a hand to the cool steel to steady herself, trying to clear her brain of the haze of lust and desire.

Eleni
.

The name from her dream. And now, as her brain slowly began to function again, she remembered where she had heard it before. Cade had spoken it in the compound in Afghanistan, just before the world had exploded.

She glanced at him. He was watching her, his expression wary, though his dark eyes still glowed with residual desire. Regret nudged at her mind, but she forced it down. She needed to understand what was happening here. “Who’s Eleni?”

He didn’t answer the question. Instead, he crossed the room and poured them both a whisky, placing the glasses on the coffee table before sinking onto the sofa.

“Sit down,” he said.

She gritted her teeth. “I don’t want to sit down. I want to know who Eleni is.”

“Sit down, and I’ll tell you.” When she didn’t move he continued, a faint thread of impatience lacing his voice. “Sit down, Phoebe. I won’t touch you again…unless you want me to.”

The strange thing was she believed him. Trouble was, while she might trust Cade, she wasn’t so sure she trusted herself. She could still feel the burn of desire in her blood, and it scared her. She’d never responded to anyone so hard and so fast. Always in the past, she had kept a small part of herself aloof.

She inched around and perched on the edge of the sofa as far from him as she could and clasped her hands on her lap.

“So…” she said when he didn’t speak.

“Eleni was my wife.”

A cold hard lump settled in her stomach. “You’re married?”

“I said ‘was.’ Eleni is dead. She died a long time ago.”

Phoebe scanned her brain for all that she had learned of Cade during her research. She had never once come across any reference to a wife. And why the hell would he call her by his wife’s name? She forced down her irritation; the poor woman was dead.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were ever married.”

He shrugged. “I’m a private person, and I like to keep my personal life out of the media. And as I said—it was a long time ago.” He picked up his drink, swallowed the amber liquid in one gulp, and set the glass back down. “You remind me of her, but I’m sorry, it was insensitive of me. I just sometimes forget.”

“I look like her?”

For a minute, she thought he wouldn’t answer. He glanced away as if undecided as to what to tell her. “Not really. It’s more a matter of mannerisms.”

Phoebe stared at the carpet while she sipped her own drink. She sensed that Cade was hiding something but had no clue what. The lump still lodged in her stomach, and the hand holding her glass had a fine tremor.

The pull of desire still lingered, her skin tingling where he had touched her, and she was uncomfortably aware that between her thighs her sex was swollen and wet with need. Despite what had happened, she still wanted him, and the thought scared her, as though she sensed that he had the power to overwhelm her. If she gave in to him, she would lose some part of herself. She had a flashback to her nightmare, the feeling of loss. If that happened in reality, she doubted she would ever recover.

Raising her gaze, she looked into his face. “I don’t want you to touch me again.”

Shock flared in his eyes. “Eleni is gone.”

Phoebe bit her lip. “It’s nothing to do with that.” She wasn’t certain she was telling the complete truth. The thought of Cade loving another woman left her with a bitter taste in her mouth.

Mine.

The word echoed through her mind, shocking her to the core. Where had that thought come from? She pushed it aside. “I’m a journalist, and I have a story to write. I don’t want any feelings for you compromising my ability to be objective.”

“You still believe there’s a story to tell?”

“I don’t know. But I’m paid to do a job, and I’m going to carry on looking. I want you to promise you won’t touch me again, or I’m walking.”

He stared at her for several long moments. Finally, his lips pursed and he nodded. “I promise, I won’t touch you again…unless you ask.”

Phoebe opened her mouth to say it was never going to happen, but he rose to his feet and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Well then, I will see you tomorrow. Good night.”

And he turned and walked away from her. She somehow hadn’t expected that. She’d thought that he would stay, argue with her. Instead, the door closed behind him, leaving her alone.

…

Cade shut the door gently, then slammed his fist into the concrete wall.

He could still feel the softness of her beneath his hands; taste the sweetness of her on his tongue. He was burning up with need, and he cursed his lack of control. He’d scared her with the intensity of his emotion, and then alienated her completely by calling her another woman’s name.

Or what she thought was another woman’s name.

He glanced back at the door, wondering whether to go back to her. But the way he was feeling right now, he didn’t trust himself.

She wanted him, he could sense it, but she had a strong willpower. He needed to get through that. He’d told her he wouldn’t touch her unless she asked. Well, he would just have to make sure she did.

But right now, he needed to get away from her, before he did something stupid. He made his way up to the roof of the building, stripped off his clothes, and a moment later, a huge red-winged creature soared into the night sky.

…

Phoebe had been worried that the nightmare would come again that night. But when she finally managed to get to sleep, it was to dream of Cade kissing her, touching her. His hands on her breasts. His mouth between her thighs. In the dream she had wanted him, had pulled him onto her, into her.

She’d woken shuddering, her hand between her legs, trying to get some relief from the cravings he stirred inside her. Lying alone in the darkness, she let her mind wander back to the feel of his mouth on her skin, his hardness pressing against her.

Without conscious thought, her other hand drifted across her breasts, her fingers grazing the nipples, imagining his mouth kissing her, licking the tight little buds, perhaps nipping them between his teeth.

In her mind, his mouth moved lower. Her belly cramped and her sex ached as her fingers glided between the slippery folds. She slid one finger inside, found the swollen nub, touched herself lightly, then harder as she imagined he would.

What would his mouth feel like? Just there. His tongue?

She rubbed again, arching up of the sheets, pure ecstasy exploding through her, as she pressed her palm against her sex to prolong the pleasure.

With her orgasm still rippling through her, she drifted into sleep, Cade still beside her. He stayed with her in her dreams murmuring her name against her skin.