Secret Seduction (13 page)

“What’s wrong?” he repeated, taking her by the elbow and drawing her into his arms. “Did someone hurt you?”

“No,” she said. “Not yet.”

“You’ve been threatened.”

She nodded. Even in her moment of vulnerability she managed to look cool and controlled. Her hair was twisted up in a sleek hairstyle. Her sweater clung to her, molding her breasts. But for all her sophistication, she was disconcerted. He could feel it running through her body like discharged lightning. She was trembling and that scared him more than anything.

“Who? When?” Tanner gritted his teeth. “I’ll kill the bastard.”

She drew in a shaky breath and looked at him with a worried gaze that made him want to punch someone hard. “You’ll have to figure out who he or she is first.”

“What do you mean?”

“I got an e-mail.”

“Let me see.”

She pulled away from him, sat down in her chair and clicked her computer mouse. Tanner moved to stand behind her.

She called up the e-mail from the trash bin. He noticed the address was a bogus one favored by spammers that made it difficult to trace the source of the e-mail. The subject header read: Dr. Rodriquez, your life is in danger.

Tanner’s stomach churned.

Exhaling, Vanessa opened the mail and slumped back in her chair. Instinctively, Tanner’s hands massaged her shoulders gently, as he leaned over to read the note.

You think you’re so high and mighty. You think you’re so untouchable. Well I know the truth. I know who you really are. Watch out, bitch. Your next step could be your last.

Vanessa’s shoulders tensed beneath his hands.

“You have no idea who wrote this?”

She hesitated just long enough for Tanner to know she was lying when she said, “No.”

He knew she suspected it was Carlo Vega. He suspected it was Vega, but he couldn’t tell her any of this—Garcia had sworn him to secrecy. “A disgruntled patient? Jilted ex-boyfriend? Someone from your past?”

She shook her head. “I’ve never been sued. There’s no jilted ex-boyfriend and as far as my past is concerned…”

Was she going to tell him about Vega? Tanner held his breath waiting.

Vanessa didn’t finish the sentence. “I don’t know who sent it.”

“Forward it to my e-mail address,” he said. “I’ll run a trace and see if I can find the original Internet provider where the e-mail originated.”

“You know how to do that?”

“I’m in security.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” She gave him a weak smile, punched the keyboard and forwarded the e-mail to his address.

“It’s probably just some random hoax,” he said trying to make her feel better.

“Hopefully,” she murmured, but clearly she didn’t buy it.

“Or some kid messing around. The new millennium equivalent of a prank phone call.”

“It was addressed to me,” she said. “That doesn’t feel random.”

“Think about it for a moment. There’s no one you suspect that could have sent you the e-mail?” He paused, giving her time, hoping she’d tell him about Vega. Wishing she trusted him enough to confide in him.

“No one.”

Disappointment curled up tight in his chest. She valued her secrets more than her own life. But what did he expect from her? She didn’t trust him. That much was clear.

“Don’t rush it. Take your time.”

“Do you think this could be related to the other weird things that have been happening at Confidential Rejuvenations?” she asked.

“As far as I’m aware, no one else has gotten a threatening e-mail, but maybe they’re not taking it seriously, or have deleted it as spam or are simply too afraid to talk about it.”

“But it could be connected to whomever is trying to sabotage the hospital’s reputation?”

“Anything is possible. I’ll check into it.”

“Tanner?” Her voice was stronger, clearer.

His eyes met her direct gaze. “Yes?”

“Why did you come to my office?”

His body tensed. Something about the way she was looking at him put him on alert. “To talk to you.”

She gripped the armrests of her chair. “What about?”

“Is something else bothering you?”

“You always seem to turn up at just the right time.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were at Emilio’s when I was looking for someone to kick up my heels with. You appeared at Confidential Rejuvenations and in the condo across from me. Then, immediately after I receive a threatening e-mail, you’re here.”

“Huh?” Tanner grunted and narrowed his eyes. “You want to do this all over again? Should I get you a scalpel so we can recreate last night?”

Her gasp was audible in the silent room and he knew she was remembering their red-hot tussle on her kitchen floor. Suddenly he felt as breathless as she looked.

“Do you think I sent you that e-mail?” he asked.

She pursed her lips, looked guilty. “No. Not really. But I’m having a hard time understanding how you’re always turning up right when I need you most.”

“I’m the one who needed you last night when I ripped open my arm,” he said. “And I’m not accusing you of anything.”

That changed the look on her face. Her eyes softened. “How is the arm?”

“All right. Sore. Nothing a couple of painkillers won’t cure. Doesn’t hurt nearly as much as your lack of trust in me,” he said.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I do sound paranoid.”

“The e-mail rattled you,” he said, letting her off the hook.

“It did.”

Tanner sat down on the corner of her desk, his thigh near the arm of her chair. “Have you ever thought there might be another reason I show up right when you need me.”

She tilted her head and smiled. “Other than you being some kind of obsessed stalker?”

He laughed. “Yeah, other than that.”

“I’m listening.”

“It’s a cosmic thing. We’re connected and somehow I’m tuned in to your distress,” he said.

She paused. “Oh, don’t tell me you’re one of those.”

He leaned in closer. “You’re a doctor and you’re telling me you don’t have faith in a power that’s greater than us?”

She blinked. “I don’t have much faith in anything except science.”

“You’re right,” he said lightly as if his insides didn’t feel as though they’d been run through a trash compactor. “So much for my theory that we’re linked on some cosmic level.”

Vanessa dropped her gaze, toyed with the handmade beaded necklace on her desk. “So why did you come over here?”

Honestly he didn’t even remember, but standing there watching her avoid his eyes reminded him. “I wanted to apologize for this morning.”

“Forgotten.” She raised her palms. “Seriously, water under the bridge.”

“I came to tell you I thought you were right and I was wrong.”

“You want to continue our affair?”

“Yeah,” he said. “If you’re still up for it.”

Slowly Vanessa shook her head. “Really, Tanner, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

She was right. Why then did it feel as if she’d ripped out his heart?

VANESSA WONDERED who the e-mail was from. Not Carlo Vega. He wouldn’t bother with taunting e-mails if he was planning on making good on his fourteen-year-old threat. He’d just send someone to dispatch her, tidy as that.

But what if it wasn’t Carlo. Who then?

She nibbled her bottom lip and paced her office, hands clasped behind her back. She was acutely aware of her own breathing, of the catch in her throat. Facing the idea that it was someone else was a scary proposition. For fourteen years she’d safely sidestepped it. But it appeared the past wasn’t going to stay buried.

Maybe the e-mail did have something to do with what had been happening at Confidential Rejuvenations. Maybe it wasn’t personal at all, just some strange prank. No demands had been made of her, only a veiled threat. The intent seemed to be more to unsettle her than anything else. She hoped that was the case since the possibility appealed to her more than reopening the can of worms from her childhood.

A knock at the door made her jump.

Was it Tanner again? Hope clung to her. “Come in.”

The door opened to reveal the front desk receptionist, Hailey. She was a pretty young woman with blond hair and a lively disposition. “Hey, Dr. R.”

Vanessa forced a smile. “How may I help you, Hailey?”

“Dr. Butler wanted me to give these to you,” she said, stepping into the room to hand Vanessa a brightly colored packet with photographs of smiling executives on the front cover. “It’s your travel details for the weekend retreat.”

Vanessa groaned. She’d forgotten all about the damned corporate retreat. Every year Confidential Rejuvenations selected two-dozen employees to attend the annual symposium that was supposed to engender trust and cooperation among coworkers. So far she’d managed to avoid being selected.

“Maybe it won’t be so bad.” Hailey winked conspiratorially. “I’ve heard a lot of interesting hookups happen at these places, if you know what I mean. Last year, my friend Gina went to one and—”

“Thank you, Hailey.” Vanessa cut her off before she heard more than she wanted to know about the love life of the adventuresome Gina.

“No problem.” Hailey left the room.

Vanessa opened the packet to find her plane ticket to the Bahamas and room reservations, along with a detailed brochure describing the retreat. There were pictures of sandy beaches, palm tress, cloudless skies and interesting looking drinks in coconuts. From the brochure the place looked relaxing.

Hmm, maybe this retreat was just the ticket to get her mind off both Tanner and the disturbing e-mail.

Idly she picked up the beaded necklace, fingered it and then, without knowing why she did it, dropped the talisman into her purse.

Considering how her head was at war with her heart, she could use all the good luck charms she could get.

The oversight scared the hell out of him. If he’s missed this, what else was he overlooking?

Fifteen minutes later, after a talk with Vega’s parole officer, who vouched that the man was in El Paso and in complete compliance with his parole agreement, Tanner allowed himself a deep breath. The fact that the officer had seen Vega that very morning eased Tanner’s conscience a little, but he was still worried. Vega could have easily sent the e-mail. Worse, he could hire someone to harm Vanessa. Just because the thug was in El Paso didn’t meant she was safe.

He then called Phil, a private investigator friend of his who was also trained in computer forensics, and forwarded him the e-mail Vanessa had received, asking him to see if he could trace where the missive had originated. Tanner also asked his contact to run a detailed background check on Vanessa. He was determined to find out everything he could about her. He would leave no rock unturned. He suspected someone from her past was behind the e-mail, whether it was Vega or someone else.

His protective instincts skyrocketed. He hated not having complete access to Vanessa at all times. Yes, he worked with her and yes, he lived next door to her, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted—needed—to be in the same room with her. He was a bodyguard and the only way he could truly keep her safe was to be at her side. That intention in his mind, Tanner picked up the telephone and called Senator Garcia.

It took several minutes for him to get patched through, but at last, Robert came on the line. “What’s up, Tanner?”

He told the senator about the ominous e-mail Vanessa had received and finished with, “Robert, I think it’s time I told her who I am.”

“No, I forbid you to do that.”

“Why? What aren’t you telling me?”

“It’s not something I’m free to discuss with you,” Robert said.

“I don’t get it. Why hire me if I can’t do my job the way it’s supposed to be done?”

“I don’t want Vanessa knowing she’s being guarded, but I do need you to keep an eye on her.”

“I checked up on Vega. He’s toeing the line.”

“Do you think he sent her the e-mail?”

“He could have, but it could be connected with the occurrences going on at Confidential Rejuvenations. That’s why I’m so uneasy. That’s why I think you should reconsider and let me tell her who I am and why you hired me.”

“No!” The senator was so adamant it Tanner was now sure the man was hiding something.

“Then if you won’t let me do my job, I want off the case.”

“I’m not buying that.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I know you. If you’re this concerned about her, you’re not just going to walk away from her. You’re not built like that, Tanner. How about this,” Robert said. “She’s going to a corporate retreat in the Bahamas this weekend. What if I send you with her and make sure you’re teamed with her during all the training exercises? There are two bedrooms to the bungalows at the resort. I could put you in the same bungalow. How’s that?”

“It’ll do for the weekend. What about until then?”

“You’ll have to be extra vigilant. I’ll call Butler and tell him you’ll be installing more security cameras in the doctors’ offices. That’ll give you an excuse to be in the doctors’ building more often.”

“What about when she’s in surgery?”

“You think Vega is going to try to get at her while she’s operating?” Robert asked.

“It’s where she’s most vulnerable,” Tanner said. “It’s the only place where I can’t protect her.”

“If you can’t get to her in the OR, neither can Vega. No one goes in or out of there if they don’t belong.”

Robert was right, but Tanner couldn’t quell his gut feeling that Vanessa was in imminent danger. He would have his P.I. friend, Phil, do more research on Vega, as well.

“There’s only one way you can make me feel much better about this,” Tanner said.

“How’s that?”

“Put surveillance on Vega.”

“Tanner, don’t you think I’ve already done that?”

Relief coursed through his veins. Whatever Robert’s real reasons were for protecting Vanessa, the senator had apparently covered all the bases. “I still wish you’d let me tell her you’ve hired me.”

“I can’t.” Robert sounded resigned.

“When will it be over? How long is this assignment going to last?” Tanner asked, not sure if he could take much more of this.

“As long as it takes,” Robert said, and then hung up the phone.

TO VANESSA’S SURPRISE, by Friday morning, she was looking forward to the Caribbean retreat. She had visions of lounging in a macramé hammock strung between two palm trees on the beach, drinking piña coladas, and thinking about anything but work. Julie was taking care of Fantasia, and Vanessa drove to the airport with visions of warm tropical nights dancing in her head.

Her mind stayed mellow until she got in line to board the plane with her fellow workers and spied Tanner in the crowd. The minute she laid eyes on him her body reacted on pure instinct. He was going to the Bahamas with the group? Her palms perspired and her heart thundered. What were the chances that he would have been picked to attend the retreat at the same time as she?

Unnerved she avoided his eye and hurried down the Jet way. Once on the plane, she stowed her carry-on and plopped into her window seat by the window. Two minutes later, Tanner was coming down the aisle toward her.

Please have a seating assignment ahead of me, she prayed. Fishing the in-flight magazine from the seat pocket in front of her, she pretended to be absorbed in an article on the airline’s new route to China.

Luck was against her. Tanner dropped into the seat beside her.

“Hey Doc.” He smiled. “I tried waving you down in the terminal, but I guess you didn’t see me.”

“Must not have.”

He buckled his seat belt and leaned over to whisper, “Just to put your mind at ease, it’s no coincidence that I’m sitting beside you.”

She pulled back and looked at him. “No?”

“When I saw we were on the same flight, I asked the gate agent if we could sit together.”

“You did?” In spite of herself Vanessa couldn’t help feeling pleased that he’d gone to all that trouble.

“That’s not all,” he continued. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin.

“No?”

“I also called the hotel and asked if we could be in the same bungalow. It’s got two bedrooms, but we don’t have to use both of them.”

“You didn’t.”

“You mad?” His hair fell boyishly over his forehead, doing her in.

She should have been outraged by his high-handed behavior. Two weeks ago she would have been. Now all she could think about was getting to the beach and getting him out of his clothes.

Pathetic.

“You want to watch a movie?” he asked.

“Movie?”

“I brought my DVD player and a selection of DVDs.”

Vanessa’s breath caught in her throat. “Don’t tell me you brought Dark Victory.”

“I did,” he admitted.

She felt a strange tug inside her. A sensation she couldn’t name.

When they were at cruising altitude and the pilot gave the go-ahead to turn on all electronic devices, Tanner got his DVD player from his carry-on and rested it on his thigh between them so they both could see it and handed her a pair of earphones that matched the ones he had.

“All we need is popcorn,” she said.

From his luggage, Tanner pulled out a bag of popcorn and grinned at her. “Your wish is my command.”

Feeling quite pampered, she dipped her fingers into the popcorn as the movie started.

“So,” he whispered, lowering his head so she could hear him. “What do you like so much about this movie?”

Vanessa sighed dreamily. “Bette Davis is so brave. She has it all—wealth, glamour, horses, but she loses it.”

“But she’s still willing to take a chance on love,” Tanner pointed out. “Even knowing she’s going to die.”

“Yes,” she admitted. She glanced over, saw he was watching her and not the movie. The expression on his face was tender, wistful. The odd feeling tugged harder at her stomach, reached higher to squeeze her heart.

“Is it going to bother you watching this?” she asked.

“You mean because of Maria?”

She swallowed. “Yes.”

“I want to watch it,” he said. “I want to watch it with you. Now curl up and enjoy the movie.”

So she did. By the time it was over she was sobbing and Tanner was handing her a napkin. She was touched to see his eyes were shiny. The movie had moved him, too.

And the fact that he was moved, moved her.

THE BUNGALOW had room service delivered to the patio on their lanai overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. They were supposed to have gone to orientation in the communal dining room with the other retreat attendees for their evening meal, but Tanner talked Vanessa into playing hooky. She felt very naughty as they watched the room service attendant push his little cart up the walkway to their bungalow.

They sat on the patio, nibbling off each other’s plate like longtime lovers. They had grilled halibut with pineapple-mango chutney, coconut shrimp, jerk chicken and rice pilaf and chocolate-chip cheesecake for dessert. To wash it all down, they shared a bottle of sparkling white wine.

Throughout the meal Vanessa found herself casting sidelong glances at Tanner and reconsidering why she’d avoided romance for so long. Sure she’d been in medical school, but there was something to be said for the therapeutic affect of moonbeams and candlelight and the lulling rhythm of the ocean. This was so nice. Maybe there could be more than just sex between them.

And then what? Willingly lay her heart open to the possibility of rejection? She wasn’t ready to take that risk.

If not now, though, when? She was thirty-one. Time was running out if she ever wanted to get married and have a family. Did she? Honestly she hadn’t had much time to think about it. She bit down on her bottom lip.

“What’s eating you?” Tanner asked.

She glanced up, startled. “What makes you say that?”

“I’m beginning to recognize that you nibble your bottom lip when something’s bothering you. Are you thinking about that e-mail?”

She shook her head. “I wasn’t.”

“Do you want to talk about what put that sad look on your face? Too much Dark Victory?”

She forced a smile. “I’m not sad. See?”

“I get it. You don’t want to talk. Fair enough.” He raised his palms. “I’ll let you off the hook.”

“Thank you.”

“One last bite of dessert?” He held out his fork laden with the chocolate chips, pecans, caramel and cheesecake, tempting her.

She fell for the enticement. God, she was so easy. Vanessa leaned forward and parted her lips.

Tanner slipped the fork between her teeth.

Slowly she closed her mouth around the morsel, all the while holding his sharp-edged gaze. With a calculated, wholly erotic gesture, she eased the cheesecake from the fork and made a soft noise of pleasure. “Mmm.”

His eyes turned murky. With desire? she wondered.

He raised his glass. “Here’s to world-class cheesecake.”

She smiled. “I was thinking more along the lines of beefcake.”

“Why, Dr. Rodriquez, I’m shocked,” he said, looking anything but shocked. “Treating me as a sex object.”

She appreciated the way he was watching her and how his blue eyes communicated more emotion than his words. He was so different from any man she’d ever known.

“Walk on the beach?” He raised his eyebrows.

“I need to.” She moaned and rested a hand on her stomach. “I ate way too much, but what if we run into some of the other conference attendees from Confidential Rejuvenations?”

“We wave and say ‘nice night.’”

“Yeah, and before we even got back to the States, rumors about us would be rampant.”

“And that’s so bad?”

No. Yes. She didn’t know. Tanner and the feelings he stirred confused her. She wasn’t sure what she wanted from him, if anything.

“You’re ashamed to be seen with me in public,” he accused, and she couldn’t tell if he was teasing or not. “I’m just your sex toy.”

“Tanner…”

He stood up and held out his arm to her. “Come on, if we see any of our colleagues we’ll hide in the bushes.”

“We don’t have to do anything that drastic.” She giggled, deciding he’d been teasing her.

“I suppose we could just stay here and take a dip in our own private hot tub.”

“Now you’re talking,” she said. “Skinny-dipping?”

“Is there any other kind?”

Vanessa grinned at him. “I’ll refill our wineglasses if you go get those his and hers bathrobes I spied hanging in the closet. I’ll met you alfresco in the hot tub.”