Rendezvous with Danger (Reunited Series) (16 page)

She sat up, but gasped when the sheet fell to her waist, revealing her skimpy black laced bra.

Quinn grinned. “Relax. I’ve already seen what you have.”

Heat rose to her cheeks and she adjusted the sheet around her before accepting the coffee mug. What was wrong with her? She’d never been shy about her body, especially not with Quinn.

He sat next to her on the edge of the bed. “Did you sleep okay?”

“Yeah, like a rock.” She inhaled the rich coffee aroma and took a timid sip of the steaming liquid.

“I don’t remember you being such a sound sleeper. You didn’t even stir when I carried you up the stairs.”

“I wasn’t always.” She blew on her coffee. “I think my body is trying to catch up on sleep. For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working double shifts and when I do finally close my eyes I suffer from nightmares.”

“About that night?”

She nodded.

****

Quinn lowered his gaze to the scar on her chest. Alandra didn’t miss the shadow that clouded his features. He placed his coffee mug on the side table and took hers from her hand, sitting it next to his. He didn’t speak; but the softness she saw in his eyes when he moved closer to her was almost her undoing. Tears glistened on her eyelashes. She knew he blamed himself for what happened to her, and for a while, she blamed him too.

He traced a feathery path from her cheek down to the hollow of her neck with the back of his fingers. A shiver shook her body when they glided over her scar, the touch of his hand almost unbearable in tenderness. She loved this side of him, a side he kept hidden from most, but a side that she witnessed more often than not while they were dating. She couldn’t count the number of times she had to remind him that she wasn’t fragile, that she didn’t break easily. That didn’t stop him from treating her like a porcelain doll, fearing that if he handled her too roughly she’d crumble.

“I have nightmares about that night too,” he said as he continued to caress her scar, sending electric jolts of pleasure to every nerve ending in her body. “I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive myself for not protecting you that night.”

She cupped her hand against his cheek, his facial stubble scratching the inside of her palm. Pain and guilt surfaced in her chest making it hard to look at him. How could she have thought he was capable of causing her harm? If she hadn’t allowed Harry to plant doubt about Quinn’s character into her head, she and Quinn would have reunited years ago. And if ever Quinn found out she stayed away from him because of fearing he had something to do with the ambush in Tzbekystan, he would never forgive her.

“I don’t blame you,” she finally said. “Considering the circumstances, I know you did what you could to protect me, and I love you for that. I’m so sorry for making you vulnerable out there. Had I not showed up the way I did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

He covered her hand that was on his face with his larger one and stared into her eyes. He looked as if he were going to say something, but didn’t. Instead he turned his face slightly and placed a light kiss on the inside of her hand. He slowly pulled away from her and cleared his throat before standing. With his shoulders slumped, he moved away from the bed to the window as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

 She sighed, missing his nearness, but wanting to break some of the tension in the room. “Sorry I fell asleep on you guys last night. What did I miss?”

Quinn turned away from the window. He lifted his long arms above his head, stretched and then yawned.

“Ah, man, excuse me,” he said and shook off the yawn before reclaiming his seat next to her. “I guess I could’ve used a few more hours of sleep myself.”

“Did you get any sleep?”

“A little. As far as what you missed. Wiz is digging deeper into Sarah and the Congressman’s background, as well as their relationship. And I’m planning a trip to the east coast, specifically Virginia and Washington to visit a few people and see what I can find.”

“You mean you’re going to see Harry.”

“I mean I’m going to see a few people, ask a few questions and get some answers.”

“I hope you’re not thinking about leaving me out of this.” She grabbed her coffee mug from the side table. “Remember, this is my fight. I was the one who almost died at the hand of some vigilante and I plan to be the one to hunt them down.”

Irritation brewed in his eyes, but Alandra didn’t care. No way was she going to let him and his SEAL buds wedge her out of this mission.

“First of all, this is
our
fight. And second, I lost a lot that night too, including you.” His voice rose with every word. “It took me months to recover from my injuries and I
never
got over losing you. So don’t think this is only about you.”

Alandra lowered her eyes, and sipped from her cup. He was right. This was their fight and she had to stop making it just about her. Something else clicked in her mind.
I never got over losing you
. Did that mean he was still in love with her?

Quinn released a long sigh. “Listen, I don’t want to argue with you. I just want you to understand you’re not in this alone.” He moved closer. With a finger lifting her chin he forced their gazes to meet. “And for the record, not once during the conversation last night did I think about leaving you behind. I want you wherever I am.”

“Oh, Quinn,” she said on a sigh just as he brushed a gentle kiss over her lips. “I’m sorry.”

He pulled back and frowned. “About what?”

“About everything.” She set the coffee mug back on the table and laid her head against the headboard. “I hate we’re having to deal with this, but on the other hand, I want my life back. I want our life back.”

Quinn turned his body and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his thighs, his fingers interlocked. “I’m glad you feel that way.” He glanced at her sideways. “Malik suggested something last night and at first I shot the idea down, but this morning I’ve been reconsidering it.”

“What is it?”

“I think we should live as husband and wife.”

Alandra’s eyebrows shot up. That wasn’t what she expected him to say, yet, a cautious delight danced in her heart. “Uh, why?” she asked tentatively. “What does us living as husband and wife matter in all of this?”

“We want whoever tried to kill you to see that you’re alive, and married to me.”

“But Harry thinks…” She shook her head. “I mean, whoever tried to kill me might go after you, and I’ll never be able to forgive myself if something happened to you.”

“Lan,” he gripped her shoulders, frustration written across his face. “I’m not sure why Harry put that mess into your head, but I plan to find out. In the meantime, all I want you to remember is that my only concern is you. I can take care of myself, but if something were to happen to you….”

Alandra saw the torment in his eyes and reached for his hand. “Why can’t we just operate under the radar and get this person or these people? Why do we have to flaunt ourselves out there?”

“I understand how you feel. Since I don’t know what we’re up against, I’m hesitant to move forward. When these people find out you’re alive they won’t stop at anything to get to you.”

“Or you,” she said softly.

He kissed the palm of her hand and stood. He strolled to the armoire and Alandra wondered if something else was on his mind. Had they discussed something last night that he wasn’t telling her?

 “I want you to get rid of your apartment and move in with me.” He turned to her, his eyes sharp and assessing.

Surprised again she asked, “Why do you want me to move in?” She had to know if this was his way of making the first step to get them back together.

“If we’re going to play this out, we need to be living under the same roof to make it believable.”

“Oh.” Her heart plummeted like a brick. She wanted to hear those three magical words - I love you.

****

Quinn pulled a navy blue T-shirt from the top shelf of the armoire, not missing the fact that she hadn’t responded to his request. They were married, why wouldn’t she want to live under the same roof? He thought she would jump at the idea, especially considering where she lived. He didn’t know what the hesitation was about, but he wanted his wife back and would stop at nothing to have her.

He changed into a clean T-shirt and turned from the armoire in time to see Alandra climb out of bed. His body reacted immediately when his gaze traveled the length of her body as she walked across the room teasing him with a view of her plump backside encased in a black thong. He studied her while she dug through her overnight bag. The woman had a body meant for loving, and that was exactly what he planned to do now that they were going to give their marriage a try. When undressing her last night it had taken every ounce of will power he possessed, not to wake her and make love to her right then and there.

“Okay, I’ll move in,” she said pulling a robe from her bag.

Quinn’s head snapped up when her words penetrated his thoughts. “I’m glad to hear that.” He stuck his hand in his pocket and adjusted his pants, putting the lustful thoughts out of his mind for now. “We can pick up the rest of your things later today or tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.”

He moved toward the bedroom door and stopped. “I would offer to cook you breakfast, but I still haven’t mastered the cooking thing yet.”

“No surprise there.” Alandra laughed and tugged her robe closed. “I remember when you almost burned your house down trying to make me a grill cheese sandwich.” She walked toward him, her red polished toes peaking from beneath her robe. When she ran her hands through her mass of curls, causing her robe to ease open, his body reacted immediately. He needed to get a grip. Instead, he was acting like a sex-starved teen panting after the prettiest girl in school.

“Why don’t you get dressed and I’ll take you out to eat. Then we can run a few errands.”

“I would love to go to breakfast, but I have plans with Natasha today. We’re going shopping.”

Quinn shook his head. “Lan, I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go out by yourself.”

“I won’t be by myself.”

She saddle up to him, removing lint from his shirt and his pulse quickened. If he didn’t know any better, he would think she was intentionally trying to turn him on.

He covered her small hands with his hand against his chest, halting her from continuing her torture. “I’ll tell you what. Since I have some business to take care of anyway, why don’t I arrange for you to have a car and a driver, who will take you anywhere you want to go? That way you can hang out with Natasha without me worrying about you. And when you’re done, you can come back here so I can show you how much I’ve missed my wife.”

Pleasure brimmed in her eyes, and a sensual smile graced her lips. “I’d like that. And I’m sure Tasha won’t mind being chauffeured around.”

He kissed her forehead, not trusting himself to taste her lips, which is what he really wanted to do.

“Since you’ve planned an outing, does this mean you’re no longer concerned about being watched or followed?”

She shook her head and pulled away from him. “I think with the lack of sleep and all that’s been going on I was just being paranoid.”

“Lan, don’t discount any of those feelings.” He followed her back to her bag, where she pulled out a pair of dark pants and a long sleeve shirt. “Right now, we can’t be too careful. If you sense any danger I want you to call me.” As independent as she was, he knew calling him wouldn’t be her first thought. That’s why one of Malik’s guys would drive her around and keep an eye on her.

“Do you mind if I use your shower?”

Quinn frowned. “Of course not. My home is your home. Make yourself comfortable and let me know if you need anything.”

She looked at him, a thoughtful expression crossed her face. “I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”

“I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this for us.” He pulled out his wallet. “Here, I want you to have this.”

Alandra’s brows drew together. “A credit card?”

“Yeah. Since my wife wants to do some shopping, the least I can do is fund it. Besides, it might come in handy since you’re going to need at least one evening gown.”

“For what?”

“Our first official outing as husband and wife might be the President’s campaign fundraiser dinner.” Quinn was warming up to the idea of showing off his wife. Now that he wasn’t an operative and lived a different lifestyle, he wasn’t as concerned about keeping his and Alandra’s marriage a secret.

 “Do you really think it’s a good idea for me to announce my reincarnation by showing up at that type of event?”

“I do. The people who we want to know that you’re alive will be at that type of event.” He ran his hand up and down her spine. “So yes, I think this is the best way for us to announce your reappearance.”

She didn’t say anything, and he continued.

“If you’re worried about this trip being dangerous, just know I’ll be by your side at all times. And as far as the fundraiser, you know security is going to be tight, so you have nothing to worry about.”

“I’m all for a little rendezvous with danger, it’s after the event that I’m worried about. This will be like dangling a T-bone steak in front of a Rottweiler. Someone wanted me dead, Quinn, and that someone might either be at the dinner, or word will get out that I was there.”

“If this is the only way to get our life back, we don’t have a choice.”

Alandra looked down at the credit card in her hand and then back at him.

“You know, you don’t have to—”

“Yes, I do.” He pushed curls away from her face and kissed her lips. ”I have a lot of years to make up for and I plan to take care of
all
your needs.”

She raised a finely arched eyebrow. “Hmm, then I’m going to have to make sure I’m clear about my needs.”

Chapter Twelve

“Okay, so let me get this right,” Natasha said in a conspiring whisper from the backseat of the town car they were riding in. Despite the glass partition separating them from the driver, they kept their voices low. “That hot hunk of chocolate I met yesterday, your husband, wants to live like man and wife though you two have been apart for three years, and you’re having mixed feelings because he hasn’t said he loves you?”