“Why,” he said, kissing the fragile shell of her ear that was mere inches from his mouth, “haven’t we ever done this before?”
He felt her shoulder slide against his chest as she shrugged. “I always wanted you to notice me.”
“I did notice you. I’ve spent countless hours over the past seven years wondering exactly what was under those huge shirts of yours.” He cupped a breast in one big palm, gently brushing his thumb back and forth across the nipple. “Now I know,” he said with deep satisfaction.
“You noticed me? Why didn’t you ever do anything about it, then?” She ran her fingers through the hair across his breastbone.
He shrugged. “I’m shy?”
When she hooted with laughter, he tickled her until she screamed for mercy. Then she found the single tiny ticklish spot along the left side of his ribs and he was the one begging her to stop.
“I can think of some s words that describe you, but shy isn’t one of them,” she gasped, wiping tears of merriment from her face.
“Such as?” He smoothed her hair and settled her along his side again. He sandwiched one smooth thigh between his as she turned into his arms and nestled her head on his shoulder.
“Surly,” she said.
“Me?” He was too preoccupied with his body’s response to her to be offended. He was already half aroused again from their tussling and teasing, and her knee was lightly brushing some very sensitive territory. Having her sweet warmth so close and so very available was a form of the most pleasurable torture, because he knew she would be too tender, too sore, to accept him again that night.
“Everyone in the office trembles when you pass,” she said.
“What happened to s words?”
“Scary,” she said promptly, and laughed when he growled. “Sexy, of course.”
“Of course.”
“Smart, seductive, surprising depths—”
“That’s two, but I like it.”
He felt her smile against his skin. Then she gave a mighty yawn. “I’m sleepy.”
“Go to sleep, then.”
“Will you stay?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I’ll stay.” Just try getting rid of me, baby. For some reason, he thought of her earlier question again. Why didn’t you ever do anything about it, then? Why hadn’t he ever thought about asking Del out? And then he knew. “You want to know why I never asked you out, Del?”
“Um-hmm.” She sounded slightly more alert.
“Because I was afraid of what would happen when it ended. You’d have left and I couldn’t have stood that. I need you, Del.”
She stretched up and pressed a kiss against his chin. “I need you, too.”
But she didn’t. She had a life that could move on quite smoothly without him in it. But if she quit and he never saw her again… “I can’t imagine running the business without you.” It was inadequate, but he couldn’t really express what he wanted to say.
Was it his imagination or did she shrink slightly away? He didn’t move, but he pondered his last words. Did she think he hadn’t paid her fairly for all the work she’d done through the years? He’d tried, but perhaps they should discuss it. Or maybe it was more than that—he’d wondered, on occasion, if he should make her a partner. He had no idea if she’d ever thought about it, had no idea if she had any capital to invest, but she deserved it. PSI wouldn’t exist today if it weren’t for Del, he was sure.
Then she said, “Lucky for you, you don’t have to. ’Night.”
He knew enough about women to know a dismissal when he heard one, so he shut up. Instead, he kissed her. To his immense relief, she lifted her face to his and responded, and he gathered her closer.
“Umm,” she said. “What’s that I feel?”
“Me appreciating you.”
She laughed, and to his delighted surprise, slipped one small hand down between their bodies, exploring him with her fingers. “I didn’t think men could, ah—”
“Some men can.” He moved his hips, thrusting himself a little more firmly against her hand, groaning in pleasure when she gripped him firmly. “And would love to.” He rolled to his back, spreading his legs slightly and giving her complete access to his body. “Wanna explore?”
She lifted her head and smiled at him, her eyes slitted with pleasure. “I’d love to.”
The next morning, he awoke to an empty bed. The clock said it was after nine, and warm sunlight streamed into Del’s tidy blue-and-white bedroom. He tossed back the covers and rose, stretching, then snagged his pants from the floor and headed for the bathroom.
Afterward, he followed the smell of coffee and bacon down to her kitchen.
She was sitting at the table, nursing a cup of coffee while she read the morning paper. Her hair was down, curling around her shoulders like a living curtain, and she wore only pajama bottoms and a brief camisole top that revealed the rounded shape of her breasts in a manner none of her daily work clothes ever had.
When their eyes met, heat flared and sizzled. But all she said was, “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
Her tone was neutral. For a second he was puzzled—and then it hit him. She probably was embarrassed about last night—about the frank things she’d said and done—and she was expecting him to make quick excuses and leave this morning, having completed his duties last night. He sure as hell hoped that wasn’t what she wanted, because he had no intention of going back to the unsatisfying way things had been before.
He was glad last night had happened. He was tired of being alone. It had been more than eight years since he’d been with a woman who meant anything more than simple relief, and he didn’t realize how much he’d missed intimacy. Hadn’t allowed himself to realize it, he supposed.
Crossing the kitchen, he scooped her out of her chair and sat down with her in his lap, settling her against his chest. He picked up her coffee cup and took a sip, then set it down and took a length of her unbound hair in his hand, gently stroking through it. “Good morning,” he said. “I slept fine until I woke up alone.”
“Sorry,” she said, “I thought maybe you liked to sleep in on the weekends and I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Not particularly. I’d rather spend time with you.” Immediately he felt her body subtly relax, and triumph surged through him. He’d been right. “What do you want to do today?” he asked.
She shrugged, her camisole slipping lightly up and down against his bare chest. “I don’t know.”
“Well, what do you usually do on the weekends?”
Puffs of air blasted his chest as she chuckled. “Laundry.”
He grimaced. “Me, too.” Slowly, he slipped his hands beneath the hem of the little top she wore and ran his palms lightly up and down her back. She made a sound almost like a purr and relaxed even further in his embrace, and he gently cupped one of her pretty breasts, slowly rubbing his thumb back and forth over the sensitive tip that rose to meet him. He cleared his throat, but his voice was husky and deep when he spoke. “I’ve got some ideas on how we can spend the day.”
Immediately, the tension returned to her body. “I don’t think I can, at least until tonight,” she said, regret in her tone. She pushed against his hold and rose from his lap, picking up her coffee cup and carrying it to the sink. “I’m sure you have things to do today and I actually do have a number of errands to run—”
“Whoa.” He held up a hand, unable to believe his ears. Was she really giving him the brush-off because she thought all he wanted from her was sex? He rose and caught her hand, tugging her against him. “Del, I’d still like to be with you, even if we can’t make love.”
Doubt shone loud and clear in her skeptical gaze. “You would?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
How in the world could a woman this appealing not have any idea of her own charm? He intended to find out more about her life until he figured it out. “As great as it was,” he said gently, “I don’t just want to jump your gorgeous bones. I want to spend time with you. Talking. Hanging out together.”
She looked completely befuddled. “But if we can’t—”
Sam put a hand over her mouth. Clearly, he wasn’t getting through with words. He’d just have to show her. “After breakfast,” he told her, “we’ll go over to my place and grab my laundry. We can do it together and then maybe catch a movie or something later. Okay?”
She nodded solemnly behind his hand. “Okay.”
He took a deep breath. “Would it be okay if I kept some clothes and things here?”
She looked at him as if he’d grown two heads. “What for?”
“So I can spend my free time with you,” he said patiently, although her suspicious reaction put him on guard. He’d thought she would welcome the question.
She actually thought about it for a minute and he found himself actually breaking into a light sweat. Was she seriously thinking of refusing? “All right,” she said at last. “I’ll clear out a drawer for you if you like.”
“I like.” He tried to be as casual as she, although his brain was working overtime, picking apart the mystery that was Del. He’d expected his intent would signal his interest in establishing a more permanent relationship, that she would understand now that he meant her to be more than a handy bed partner. Instead, she’d nearly shot him down. He mentally added her reaction to the list of other questions he had in his head. Why would she be so skittish about letting him share her space?
And then he realized what he’d just been thinking. A permanent relationship. Holy hell, where had that come from? Yesterday he’d been happily single, today he was pondering the best way to get Del to let him move in. It was a pretty major shift of viewpoint, but he knew what had happened. For seven years he’d been watching Del without any real expectation of getting closer. But his subconscious knew what a prize she was, and the first moment that she gave him an opportunity, he’d recognized it.
And now that he’d gotten close, he had no intention of letting her push him away again.
Monday morning came too fast, in his opinion. The weekend had been unbelievable. Del was the most responsive woman he’d ever dreamed of, as she got past her initial inhibitions. He’d have been happy to spend another week making love to her. And he would, once her newly initiated body healed enough for more frequent lovemaking. Maybe, he thought wryly, if he kept her in bed that long he’d learn a little more about her. She’d said very little more about herself since the summary of her less-than-ideal childhood on Friday night.
“What’s Del short for?” he asked as they were dressing for work.
“Nothing,” she said.
“Just Del?” He was openly skeptical, although he knew from her personnel report that was the only name she’d used on any documents.
“Just Del,” she said firmly. “Do you prefer Sam to Samuel?”
“Yeah.” No point in explaining that Samuel wasn’t the name he’d been given at birth. He’d been Sam for a lot of years and he liked it just fine. It still amazed him that no reporter had uncovered his legal name after the incident.
The Incident. That’s how he’d come to think of it in the years since, that stupid little label the media often used to describe horrific events.
“Are you ready?” Her question jarred him from his unwelcome introspection as she picked up her briefcase and headed for the door.
“Right behind you.”
They’d picked up her car from O’Flaherty’s on Saturday, but he saw no sense in them driving separately to work now. He had every intention of coming home with her again tonight. Still, once they reached the office, Del insisted on entering individually.
“Why?” The way she kept trying to keep him an arm’s length away was beginning to rankle.
She shrugged. “I’d rather the entire company didn’t know we have a personal relationship now.”
He hooted at her prim tone. “You mean you don’t want them to know we’re sleeping together.”
She glared at him. “Well, yes. Hasn’t it occurred to you, in this age of sexual-harassment suits, that it might not be such a great thing to broadcast?”
He sighed. “Del. We both know there’s no harassment involved—unless the fingernail marks you left on my behind last night count—and we’re the only ones who matter.”
She blushed to the roots of her hair. Finally, she smiled and a wash of relief rolled through him. “Okay. But would you just humor me? I already feel like I’m wearing a sign that says, ‘Sam and I…’”
“Are doing the mattress dance?” he suggested, laughing.
“Ick!” She punched his shoulder, then reached for her door handle. “Just like a man. If you’re going to be crude, I’m outta here.”
“Hey.” He caught her hand as she began to slide out of the car.”
“Hmm?” She turned to face him.
He leaned across the seat and claimed her mouth in a brief, stirring kiss. Her lips softened and warmed beneath his before he drew away. “Thanks for this weekend.”
She smiled softly, touching his cheek with a gentle finger. “I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
He gave her a head start, then casually entered behind her. He paused in the outer office where Peggy reigned. She and Del already were bent over some forms on Peg’s desk. “’Morning, Peg. ’Morning, Del.”
“Hey, boss.” Peggy glanced up at him and her eyes widened. She immediately fastened her gaze on Del. “Yee-haw!” she hooted.
“What?” Del jumped and lifted her head.
“It’s about time you two got together,” Peggy said.
“What makes you think we did?” Del asked.
Peggy grinned. “You’re glowing and he smiled at me.”
He raised his eyebrows and tried to look fierce. “And that’s a sign of…?”
“Sam,” said Peggy. “You never smile before you’ve had your coffee. Besides, Del’s blushing.”
Oh, hell. Now they were going to be the water-cooler topic of the week. He quickly escaped to his inner sanctum, leaving Del to fend off Peggy. Women were better at that kind of thing, anyway. As he closed the door, though, he heard Peggy say, “The air around you two has been sizzlin’ for years. If I’d have wet my finger and stuck it between you I’d have gotten electrocuted.”
Had he been that obvious? Interesting that Peggy had recognized it before he had.
At nine, Karen Munson came in to fill out more paperwork and meet the people with whom she’d be working. Since the undercover-division leader was on vacation until Friday, Del had arranged to have Walker show her the ropes and bring her up to speed on current contracts. Walker was the head of the abductions division, but he often worked closely with undercover so it wouldn’t be much of a stretch.
That was fine with Sam, since he needed Del to help him work up an estimate for a new job they’d just gotten. Karen was in Del’s office so when he heard Del page Walker, he got up and went to the door that led from his office to Del’s.
He walked across the room with his hand extended. “Good to have you on board,” he told Karen.
“Thank you.” She didn’t quite smile, but the serious expression that seemed to be her norm lightened a little. “I’m looking forward to getting started.”
A knock on the door preceded Walker’s entry.
“Come on in,” Sam called. To Karen, he said, “The head of our abductions team is going to explain our procedures to you and bring you up to speed on our current contracts. Undercover employees often work closely with abductions and surveillance.”
As Walker entered the room, Sam turned to him, indicating the new hire. “Walker, I’d like you to meet—”
“Karen!” Walker’s shocked exclamation echoed through the room. “What the hell are you doing here?” He made the question an insult.
“I’m working here now,” she said coolly, although she looked nearly as shaken as Walker was, “as you apparently do.”
“No way.” Walker’s eyes narrowed. “This work isn’t going to suit you.”
“You have no idea what suits me anymore,” she said sharply.
“Did she tell you she’s my wife?” Walker demanded, wheeling to face Sam. His big hands were actually fisted at his sides.
“Ex-wife.” Karen’s tone was frosty. “And no, amazingly enough, your name never even entered the conversation during my interview. I had no idea you worked here.” Or I’d never have taken the job. The unspoken words hung in the air like glass slivers in a broken window’s frame.
“I can’t work with her.” Walker wheeled and stalked to the window.
Sam looked at Del, silently questioning her with his eyes. What the hell do we do now?
Del’s eyes were the size of saucers, but as always, she rose to the occasion. “Sam, why don’t you and Walker go into your office?” she said. She indicated the door to the hallway as she turned to Karen. “I’ll take Karen down to her desk and get her started.”
As she led Karen from the room, she glanced back at him, and he read her response. Calm him down!
Great. She got the lamb and he got the lion. Pushing a hand through his hair, he said, “Walker. My office.” He turned without waiting for a response and entered his own office again, taking a seat behind his desk. Intuition told him authority was going to be important right now, though he’d always had an easy, friendly relationship with the bigger man in the past.
Walker followed him in, every muscle in his solid frame looking tense and taut. “I mean it, Sam,” he said in a deep, furious tone. “I can’t work with that b—”
“Hey,” Sam said. “Walker. Chill. Take a deep breath.” He took his own advice, watching Walker pace around the perimeter of the room. “I didn’t know.” Honesty compelled him to add, “But I might have hired her anyway. She’s exactly what we’re looking for.”
Walker spun around and glared at him. “She’s not what we’re looking for. We need a dedicated individual who can be as flexible as we need her to be. Karen doesn’t know the meaning of the word.” His tone was bitter. “It’s her way or no way.”
“She says she’ll work as long and as hard as we need her to.” Sam watched his abductions expert closely, wondering what had gone wrong between the couple to make Walker still feel this way after so many years. Karen Munson must have been the woman responsible for the binge Walker had gone on that time he’d come in so hungover, but Walker had indicated then that the marriage had been over some years before he’d come to PSI.
“She’s got a family,” Walker said harshly. The words sounded raw and accusatory. “She’s always going to put her husband and kid above the job.”
Sam cleared his throat. Karen Munson hadn’t stipulated that the information she’d shared with him was private. Quietly, he said, “Her child is…deceased.”
Walker’s angry gaze flew to his, incredulity replacing the rage. “What?” It was an explosion.
Sam just watched him.
“God.” Walker dropped heavily into a chair and buried his head in his hands as his anger visibly drained away. “Is she still married?” he asked in a muffled tone.
Sam could answer that. After the initial interview, he’d checked out Karen’s application. “She listed herself as a widow.”
Walker raised his head and there was more anguish in his gaze than Sam had seen in anyone’s eyes since he’d woken in a hospital bed and his commander on the teams had had the unenviable task of telling Sam he’d probably never walk again. “They’re both dead?” he whispered.
“You knew she was married and had a child?”
The other man nodded. “That’s why she left me. I wasn’t willing to settle down.” Remembered agony twisted his features. “She replaced me faster than you can say ‘I do.’” He heaved a deep sigh. “God, I’ve hated her for years. But I never wished anything like this on her. What happened?”
Sam shrugged. “She didn’t get into it. Just made us aware that she was free to work pretty much anytime we needed her.”
“I don’t think I can work with her.” Walker sounded defeated.
“Why don’t you—”
But the other man shook his head. “She cut out my heart, Sam. I just don’t think I can do it.” Slowly he rose to his feet, walking toward the door like a man much older than forty. “My resignation will be on your desk by the end of the day.”
“I won’t accept it.”
Walker turned, his hand on the doorknob. “You’ll have to.”
But Sam shook his head. “You’re the best at what you do, buddy. I’ll tell Karen we can’t employ her.”
Walker stared at him a moment. “You can’t do that.”
“Wanna bet? I’m not about to lose you.”
There was a taut moment of silence, humming with tension.
“Damn.” Walker’s shoulders slumped. “You know I wouldn’t do that to her. Especially now, after…”
“I was hoping so.” Sam got up from behind his desk and walked across the room to the man who’d been one of his first hires and most faithful employees. “We’ll look at the structure and see if we can’t work something out so you don’t have to work closely together, all right?”
He held out his hand. After a moment, Walker took it and they shook. “I’d appreciate it,” the big man said quietly, and left the room.