Suspicion At Sea (10 page)

I try to avert my eyes from her creamy, soft, perky breasts because goddamn if my dick isn't twitching again.

Not appropriate right now, Justin!

I help her to stand and unbutton her jean skirt. Pulling it down, I place her hand on my shoulder so she doesn't lose her balance as I bend to remove her skirt. Tapping one foot, she lifts it just enough to free it from the denim. Then lifting the other I have her skirt free. I look up and notice the red tattoo peeking out the top of her bikini panties. Pulling them down next, I look everywhere but the place I really want to look. The place I just was and am dying to go again. She doesn't seem to mind me undressing her, and I guess after what we just did I don't know why I’d think she would.

I help her walk to the tub and she steps in on her own. Holding her under her arms, I help her lower herself in the water.

“Ow,” she hisses between her gritted teeth as her back hits the water. That's when I see the abrasion that takes up most of her lower back. She must have scraped against a rock. It's not serious, but I'm sure it stings.

“It will get better, just give it a second.” Slowly, I lower her in all the way as she sucks air between her teeth from the pain, but relaxes into the warm water after a second. Kneeling by the tub, I put my hand on the nape of her neck and lower her head so that it is submerged but making sure no water splashes her face.

I hold her like this for a few minutes and I see her lips starting to turn rosy. Her shivering has stopped and she looks like she is asleep. With my free hand I run my fingers through her hair to wash out the sand. She opens her eyes halfway, and I get a small smile.

“Thank you,” her voice is soft and sweet. I did this to her and she is thanking me. What's worse is I can't stop thinking about her naked body right here all exposed to me. Thank God I am wearing a long shirt, because as the life returns to her body the harder it is not to get aroused. Fuck, she is gorgeous. Every inch of her body is perfect. The tattoo that says LDR and the scar has me upset, like I want to find whoever did this to her and kill them. I've never felt this protective of anyone, with the exception of my sister. This is so different in so many ways and I don't know how to explain it.

“Shh, just relax.” I lean over, placing my arms under her to lift her out of the water. I get even wetter than I was and I couldn't care less.

I set her on her feet for a moment while I reach out and grab a large towel, holding on to her hip to keep her steady. Wrapping it around her shoulders, I grab another one to wrap her hair in. I rub her dry as she stands on wobbly feet. Almost dying and she is still standing, she should be limp and lifeless. What she went through is physically and emotionally exhausting. Every muscle in her body should be rock hard with tension.

I pick her up again and carry her to my bed. Setting her down on the edge, I leave her to grab a sweatshirt from my closet and some sweat pants. I kneel in front of her and feed one leg at a time into the soft cotton material. She places her hands on my shoulders and stands on her own as I pull them the rest of the way up and remove the towel from her shoulders. She is definitely more with it now. Her hand goes to cover the scar between her breasts. I move my head to catch her eyes even though she is trying to avoid mine. Once I get them in my sights I gaze at her until her hand drops. Maybe it is instinct, or maybe it is something else, but I place my hands on her knees and lean in, kissing the scar lightly. I feel her tense, but she doesn't pull away. I bring my eyes back to hers and smile.

I want her to know it is all right, no matter what she is hiding from me. I grab the sweatshirt and she helps me as I pull it over her head, her arms going in the sleeves. She is swimming in my clothes, but at least she will be warm. I pull back the covers, helping her to get under them and she lies back, wincing when the bed puts pressure against her abrasion. It will be sore until it scabs over. Once she is settled, it takes her no time to be fast asleep.

I fall in the chair next to the bed taking a deep breath. Fuck, that was intense. I watch her for a moment, sleeping in my bed. Just where I've wanted her since I laid eyes on her, in my bed. I can feel a tear prick my eye, as the intensity of what just happened starts to sink in.

I wipe it away and breathe a sigh of relief that she is okay.

Chapter 20

Ellie

I wake, not knowing where I am at first. I try to turn onto my side and feel like I've been hit by a Mack truck and that's when it all comes back to me. I bury the side of my face into the soft pillow and smell him. His smell is all around me and it comforts me, makes me feel warm and safe.

I hear muffled voices and can't make out what they are saying, but it is two men talking. Sounds like arguing. It takes everything I have to sit up and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. The alarm clock on the bedside table says four p.m. As I stand, the sweat pants I'm wearing fall down my butt. I grab them as quick as my sore arms will let me and tighten the draw string. I go to the door, and on the other side of the bedroom is a living room. At least, there's a leather sofa and a TV. Then there is a hallway leading to the bridge of the boat, that's where I find a door to get to the deck. I see the back of Justin's head through the front end window.

Walking out, I cross my arms in front of me. It's a cool day with no sun. He hears me and turns around.

“Hey, you.” He comes to me and wraps one arm around my shoulders, the other around my waist. It feels good, it feels too good. He kisses the top of my head so lovingly.

“Hey.” My throat feels like sandpaper as I speak for the first time. I notice an older man who is a little overweight and wearing a brown official Sheriff's uniform walking down the dock. “Your dad?” I rasp. He nods, and I can tell whatever words were exchanged must not have been good. “Everything okay?” I see the Sheriff coming back down the dock, now holding a clipboard.

“Yes, nothing you need to worry about right now.” He moves so he is beside me with his arm still around my waist and leans down to kiss my temple.

“Oh, hello,” Sheriff Bennett greets as he boards the deck, just noticing me. I realize then what I must look like, my hand going up to my hair. It is all knots and tangles, and is probably sticking up everywhere.

“You're beautiful,” Justin whispers, reading my mind once again. “Ellie, this is my father, Ben Bennett.” The Sheriff doesn't offer to shake my hand, but nods politely.

“I hear you had quite the day, young lady,” he says, telling me that Justin has told him what happened. “I'm glad you're all right.” He smiles and I can see the same warmth in his smile as I do in Justin's.

“Thank you,” I speak as loud as I can, which comes out as a raspy whisper.

“I was just having the Sheriff run the license plates on that sedan we saw this morning.” I stare up at him. He beat me to it. Oh well, one less thing I have to have Tommy do.

“Oh, the movie star,” I try to joke. This gets me a warm smile and a kiss on the forehead.

“Yeah, the movie star,” he chuckles.

“It is a rental car, the renter is Reed Smith,” Sheriff Bennett says, announcing Cody's cover name. “I ran the name. Nothing suspicious, son, you can relax,” he says, although now I'm anything but relaxed. Why is someone using Cody's cover to spy on me? It can't be a coincidence, can it? I need to talk to Cody, now.

“Yeah, I guess,” he says to his dad.

“I got to get going. Nice to meet you, Ellie, and I hope you feel better soon,” he says, nodding politely.

“That is Cody's cover,” I say as soon as Sheriff Bennett is out of earshot.

“What? Cody, your partner, Cody? Why would he be watching you on vacation?” Justin asks me the same questions I am asking myself.

“Where's my purse?” I had it this morning and left it in the Jeep when we got to the cave.

“Inside, I put all your stuff in the living room.” He points in the boat.

Still a little unsteady on my wobbly legs, Justin keeps his arm around my waist as we go inside. I find my cell and call Cody straight away.

“Where are you?” is the first question I ask.

“Relax, I'm in D.C.,” he says instantly. “Is this about the tail?” I feel instant relief knowing that it is Cody's doing and not someone else's. Not sure who that someone else would be, but either way I feel relief.

“Yes, why are you having me—”

“I was worried after we talked last night, so I had an agent in Augusta come to check things out. I had him use my cover so you would know it was me,” he explains, like it makes perfect sense. "Are you okay? You sound like you have a cold," he comments at the sound of my voice.

“I'm fine, just a sore throat. Why were you worried?” Justin is sitting beside me and I can see he is chomping at the bit wanting to know what is being said.

“I think, and I'm not sure yet so don't panic, but the McGill brothers might have had some dealings with LDR,” he says, making my heart start to race.

“Is this recent activity?” I try to steady my breathing. As Justin senses my reaction, he stands and starts pacing in front of me.

“I'm still checking. There was a transmission intercepted two years ago. It wasn't much, but it was enough to put The Sweet Suzy on a watch list. The thing is, it only stayed on that list for four days. There's nothing as to why it was on or why it was off so fast,” he says, puzzling me more.

“So what now?” I don't know if I'm in danger. If anyone is still left of LDR, it could be very bad. Another reason I've not returned to Chicago, was just in case there were still some of them around. As far as they all know, Ellie Michaels, Chico's girlfriend, died the day of the bust.

“It's your call. I checked into your boyfriend a bit.” He sounds condescending when he says boyfriend. “Navy SEAL, impressive,” he chuckles, “but everything seems like it's on the up and up with him. Discharged with honors and a medal. There is a mission that he was on just before he was discharged that is totally redacted, but it was top secret so that could explain that. I would say you are safe with him. I'm sure the two of you could kick some major ass. Other than The Sweet Suzy, everything about Bailey Island seems safe. There is no movement on Juan, or Fausto, so no worries there. I'm still working on it though and will keep you informed,” he says. I guess it makes me feel better. “I'll keep in touch,” Cody adds before hanging up.

“Well?” Justin asks the moment my phone leaves my ear.

“He was just checking on me, he's a worry wart.” I decide fast that I'm not going to divulge the LDR information to him yet. It's not for sure and he doesn't need anything else adding to his hatred of his brother-in-law.

“He had you tailed because he was worried?” he barks, not buying it at all. “There was anxiousness in your voice, was there more than that?” he adds quickly.

“That's it, call him yourself.” I hold my phone out to him. He gives me a look of disdain as if he doesn't believe me at all. He stares at me for a moment, and I try to act as normal as I can.

“Mmmm...okay,” he shrugs, “If you say so, that's all it was.” I don't know why he gives up so quickly, but I'm glad he does.

“I have slept more in the past two days than I usually sleep in a week,” I change the subject immediately.

“How are you feeling?” It's obvious the conversation is not over, but rather because of what I've been through today or because he knows I'm not going to talk, he plays along.

“Tired.” I laugh, making every muscle hurt as I stand so I'm in front of him.

“Then we should get you something to eat and back to bed.” He laughs with me, hugging me tight and resting his chin on top of my head. “What do you remember?” He pushes me to arm's length, holding on to my shoulders.

“I remember the cave,” I whisper first, and he gives me an expressive smile. I'm not sure what it was like for him, but for me it was mind blowing. The way he acted I would be surprised if he didn't feel similar. “I remember falling in the water then the next thing is lying on the beach. Your words; they comforted me, they soothed me.” I stare into his eyes.

“Do you remember what happened after that?” he ducks his head a little to make better eye contact. I think, it is somewhat fuzzy, but then I remember him dressing me in the clothes I have on now and...my hand goes up to where my scar is between my breasts. I remember him kissing it and the feeling it gave me. It made the pain go away, all of it. Not just the pain from almost drowning, but the pain that I've been feeling for so long. I see his eyes soften. It hasn't escaped me that he has now seen me buck naked. I'm jealous I have not had the same opportunity. Basically just a small glimpse of him after.

“I had to get you out of those wet clothes and warm you up,” he defends his actions with a wicked smile.

“You did save my life and all,” I smile back weakly. I'm not upset, just not the way I would have chosen for him to see me naked for the first time.

“The next time you are naked I will be too,” he says with a wink, hugging me close.

“Next time, huh?” I raise one eyebrow. “You are assuming I want another go at you.” I laugh.