Chapter 2

Laurie

I keep my eyes off him, still pissed off he’s here, and that after only two months out here, I’m being forced to leave.

Worse than that, there’s something incredibly attractive about the man Carlos sent here.

As he takes a seat at the desk and starts reading the notes I’ve made while here, I take the opportunity to look him over.

His shoulders are broad, his hair cut close, and his movements are measured and precise.

When he catches me looking at him, heat makes my cheeks flush and I nearly drop the coffee pot.

Shit. If I squint at him, he could almost pass for Carlos. I stare at him, noting the similarities between them.

They could almost be brothers.

But he doesn’t seem bothered by my scrutiny, he just leans back and gives me a smile that sends a pleasant shiver traveling down my body.

I pour my second cup of coffee and keep my eyes on what I’m doing as I make myself some toast.

I don’t offer him anything, just take my breakfast and sit on the edge of the unmade bed, and peer out the window as I eat.

Rain is falling heavily, landing on the roof, making the atmosphere even cozier.

Parker doesn’t say anything, but I can feel his eyes on me as I eat.

Sure enough, when I look in his direction, I find him gazing at me with way too much interest considering who he’s working for.

To make it worse, my body is having a completely undesirable reaction to his appraisal.

But while my brain is telling me Parker isn’t someone I want; my body is picturing him naked and on top of me.

Maybe it’s because he reminds me of Carlos, or maybe it’s something else.

I give myself a mental head slap and try to figure out how to make him seem less attractive.

I make a mental list as I eat my toast.

He works for Carlos. Strike one.

He’s here to take me back. Strike two.

He’s incredibly rude to stare at me like that. Strike three.

He’s actually trying to sleep in my bed with me. Strike four.

My mouth twists as I think of other reasons to remind my body it’s wrong.

I sneak a look at him, trying to find fault with his appearance, sure I’m thinking he’s way better looking than he is, but again he meets my gaze.

He actually has the audacity to laugh this time when he catches me. I frown at him as he pulls himself off the chair and crosses the room.

I stare incredulously as he takes a seat on the bed beside me and snags a piece of my toast.

When I make an indignant sound, he gives me a lazy smile. “You’ll need to make extra since I’m staying.”

I’m beyond irritated even if I know what he’s trying to do, so I just smile as pleasantly as I can. “You’re going to be a complete asshole, aren’t you?”

He keeps chewing and looks completely unbothered by my insult. “Yup,” he says between bites.

I edge away from him, so I can send him one of my darkest looks. “You’re going to get in my way.”

He shrugs and takes the last piece of toast. “Probably.”

I frown harder. “Prick.”

He shoves the toast into his mouth and reaches for my half-drunk coffee. He tugs it out of my hands.

“You can call me what you like, but I’m not leaving until you do.”

He swallows a mouthful and grimaces and gives me back the mug back. “I take it black. Remember that for tomorrow morning.”

My jaw slackens as he gets off the bed and heads into the tiny kitchen.

His eyes land on me and a smirk grows on his face.

At the reminder he intends to share my bed, I shoot to my feet.

I stalk across the room and slam my mug down on the counter so it splashes over the sides. “New rule. You didn’t bring it; you can’t have it.”

I point to the backpack he dumped on the floor. “So, whatever you brought, you eat. Anything else is off-limits.”

He shifts closer and there’s a warning in his voice. “You don’t make the rules. I make them.”

I narrow my eyes and slide my hands to my hips. I never would have dared defy Carlos so openly, but Parker is making me both bold and indignant.

“And if I don’t obey what? You make me?”

His posture stiffens and he shakes his head so quickly I know that’s never going to happen.

“I don’t hit women. Never have. Never will. But I can make things difficult for you if you fight me on this.”

I pause, unsure if I’m relieved or excited he’s so unlike the man he works for.

My body can’t seem to agree with my brain. I’m torn between wanting to believe he’s as genuine as he seems, and doubt Carlos would hire someone like him.

I shrug my shoulders, heat spreading through my body as I raise my eyebrows. “I don’t see how this could get any more difficult.”

He steps closer, too close. Close enough for me to catch the subtle scent he’s wearing.

When he looks like he’s about to move even closer, I place a hand on his chest and instantly regret it.

My fingers freeze against the solid muscle of his chest. I smother a groan at the way my feet are inching closer rather than heeding my brain warning this is dangerous.

Heart rate increasing, I try to remove my hand, but his fingers curl around my wrist.

Unlike Carlos, his touch doesn’t make me squirm. If anything, the pressure on my skin reassures me he’s as strong as I think he is.

I need someone strong right now.

His voice lowers to a growl as he squeezes gently. “From now on. We’re chained to the hip. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

My voice comes out way too breathless. “The bathroom is outside. So is the shower.”

Something flashes over his face. Something that turns my insides to liquid and makes me question my sanity. “I’ve spent six months at sea with two hundred men, you think I’m going to have a problem with you using a long drop and taking a shower in front of me?”

When I can’t answer, he chuckles. “Fuck, woman. You’ve got no chance.”

Since his hand is still locking me in place, I square my shoulders and shift closer so my breast is brushing against his forearm.

I know I have his attention when his eyes shift downward, and I can feel his heart start to thump under my fingers.

I manage a smile. “You don’t scare me.”

His eyebrow rises but he doesn’t release his grip as he leans closer. “I wasn’t trying to scare you. I was warning you that things are about to get intimate between us.”

He wasn’t trying to intimidate me. And I believe him. My pulse speeds at the confirmation he’s nothing like Carlos. But I can’t trust him. Not yet.

I hold his gaze, unblinking until my eyes are burning and I blink before he does.

I growl in frustration and jerk my hand from his. “I have work to do.”

He holds my gaze so intently, my skin rises. “No, you don’t. I’m relieving you of your duties,” he says.

I grind my back teeth together as he moves to walk past me. Without a backward glance he picks up the radio, and like he’s done it a hundred times before he contacts dispatch.

“Base, this is Tower Two Niner Zero reporting in. You’re speaking to Parker, Laurie’s replacement.”

I’m more than put out when the cheery voice I’ve been in contact with for two months barely pauses. “Morning, Parker. Go ahead.”

“We’re got heavy rain, and almost zero visibility here.”

“Roger that Two Niner. Looks like you can sit back and relax till the weather changes. Tell Laurie thanks. Over and out.”

I’m still bristling when he signs off, then turns and looks at me with so much heat my breath seizes in my chest. “I think that’s your cue to leave.”

I can’t speak past the irritation surging through me, so I just stay silent.

He doesn’t even bother to hide his smirk as he covers the distance between us. “You’re the one trespassing now.”

Damn it. He’s right. And I wouldn’t put it past Carlos to send the cops here to forcibly remove me.

Which means my only way of staying here while I figure out what to do next is standing two feet away from me.

My emotions a tangled mess of fear, anger and frustration, I look around the lookout that’s served as a bomb shelter for the last two months of my life.

When I speak my voice comes out in a ragged whisper. “I’m still not leaving.”

He frowns hard but he just shakes his head. “You will. You won’t last till morning.”

If it weren’t for the way his gaze occasionally drifts south, I’d think he was completely invested in getting me to leave.

But the small space, the shower outside, and the narrow bed can work to my advantage.

Carlos may know where I am, but he doesn’t know where I’m going next.

If I can get Parker to come around to my side, I’ll have a chance to disappear for good this time.

It’s a flimsy plan at best.

But with one of Carlos’ lackeys waiting, flimsy is all I have to cling to right now.

***

Parker

Her eyes lock on to mine. And I see nothing but determination swimming in the brown.

When her lip catches her teeth and she adjusts her posture so her chest is sticking out a fraction more, I know in a heartbeat, this woman is not someone to mess around with.

I should have asked more questions about her. Other than the fact she’s a knockout, I know next to nothing about her.

Given that we’re out here alone together, I should have anticipated this situation better than I have.

Carlos said she wouldn’t roll over, but that’s not my biggest worry. I’m not worried about her digging her heels in and staying put like Carlos said she would.

I worried she’ll take my vehicle and I’ll lose her, and Carlos’ respect in the process.

That means watching her very, very closely.

She huffs out a breath. “Fine. You’re obviously not going to leave, and neither am I. Why don’t we call a truce until we figure things out?”

Ah, so that’s her play. Call a timeout until she can figure out how to manipulate me.

“Sure,” I say.

She extends her hand, and without thinking, I wrap my fingers around hers.

Even that amount of contact with her makes my brain start to fizzle and my cock thinks it’s time to party.

I don’t release her hand, and she doesn’t seem bothered as my thumb strokes the top of her soft skin.

She opens her mouth, her breathing starting to get faster along with my heartbeat.

Fuck. Fuck.

She’s not moving.

I know what she’s trying to achieve.

But when her tongue flicks over her lip all the blood rushes from my brain to my cock.

She moves a hair closer to me. Close enough to see she’s prepared to go through with this.

If I was a complete and utter bastard, I’d go with it, push her against the countertop, and see how far she’ll take it.

But there’s something else that makes me hesitate even though I want to strip her naked and test out the bed behind us.

Behind the tough exterior, I’m sure I caught a glimmer of fear I’m going to need explained.

I ignore every primal instinct in my body and back up a step. “You want to tell me why you’ve been living out here for the last two months?”

Her face falls a little, but she takes her hand from my arm. “What did Carlos tell you?”

I shake my head. “He made it sound like you had a mental breakdown.”

She sighs heavily and I’m alarmed to see tears brew in her eyes.

I’m not sure if she’s that good an actress, but when a flash of defiance appears, and she blinks them back, I’m convinced I was right to suspect I’ve been sent here under false pretenses.

I lean against the countertop and fold my arms across my chest. “Laurie. I’m not a bad guy. I’m just trying to get to figure out if I’m involved in something I’d rather not be. I’m trying to figure out if I want to work for Carlos.”

She swallows hard and for half a second I think she’s going to tell me what’s really going on.

But she just turns on her heel, picks up a book, and sits on the bed we’re probably going to have to share.

I release a breath, listen to the rain falling steadily overhead, and start to pray I didn’t just make a huge mistake coming here.

Just when I think she’s not going to say a word, she exhales heavily and throws the book to one side. “Didn’t you think it was odd he didn’t come himself?”

I did think it was odd. But just like all the other doubts I had, I swept them under the carpet and hoped for the best.

“He was busy, I guess.”

She shakes her head and looks at me with something way too close to pity. “Too busy to come save the woman he loves?”

She rises to her feet. “Would you leave a woman here alone for two months if you were worried about her?”

I shake my head. “This isn’t about me.”

Her chin lifts as she looks me dead in the eye. “What if it was?”

I don’t like where this is heading. “But it isn’t.”

But she doesn’t quit. She steps within touching distance. “If you loved a woman and she disappeared, what would you do?”

My pulse starts to increase as she stares at me waiting for the answer to an impossible scenario. “I don’t know,” I say.

But it’s bullshit. I do know. I’d move heaven and earth to find her and bring her home.

I wouldn’t pay some guy I just hired to do my dirty work. I’d drop everything and find her, even if it was just to make sure she was safe.

Her hand is on my arm again, and this time, her touch and the pleading in her eyes makes me flinch.

She wants me to understand something. Something she’s too afraid to talk about.

I shift my weight and try to ignore the way my brain is slowly turning to mush the more she touches me.

“What would you do in Carlos’s place?” she asks.

Her fingers slide up my arm, and she moves closer, her eyes imploring me to be truthful.

With her eyes locked on mine, and the scent of her in my nostrils, I give up fighting and answer truthfully. “If you were mine, you wouldn’t have wanted to leave in the first place.”

Her eyes widen and we stay staring at each other until I can’t stand it anymore.

I’m either going to kiss her or walk out the door and give Carlos his money back and tell him to shove his job.

Something is going on and I’m pretty sure it runs deeper than both Amaya and Carlos led me to believe.

In my haste to get here, I didn’t ask enough questions and just took him at his word.

Now, I’m the only thing standing between him and the woman he wants.

If I wasn’t so insanely attracted to her, that may have worked in my favor.