Chapter Twenty

The first thought in Liz’s mind when she woke this morning had been Where am I? A quick glance at the bird-of-paradise arrangement had brought her back to reality. Then she’d looked at the clock—almost eleven.

Skipping breakfast, she opted for an early lunch on the deck, which surprisingly, Mitch had even joined. Like her, he’d dressed as if they were on vacation.

He’d seemed more relaxed. Willing to talk about places he’d been. There’d been nothing specific about the assignments, but enough bits and pieces that she had gradually found herself amazed at all he’d willingly done to save his clients.

Even though she’d heard a lot of the same things the day they’d holed up at the wildlife preserve, somehow this time she felt them in a different way. One thing new he’d shared was that he had a cancelled plane ticket to Tahiti in his go-bag.

“I’m sorry I ruined your vacation,” she said.

“Trust me. Tahiti isn’t going anywhere.” He carried their empty plates to the kitchen.

And, in that moment, she realized how much she did trust him. She might have doubts at times, but that was only because she valued her freedom. Valued being able to do what she wanted, when she wanted.

At work, she’d always gotten her articles in by the contract commitment date, but she also made time to enjoy wherever she happened to be, and not only the landmarks. She liked to find where the locals ate, enjoy the people in the community, and drive around looking at Open Houses. Someday, she’d find where she was meant to live. She glanced out at the Gulf. Maybe the beach.

“Besides, if I hadn’t taken the assignment, we’d have never met,” Mitch said as he returned to the deck and opened the connecting door to the pool area. “And, I’d never have gotten the chance to teach you to swim.”

“Swim?” This did not sound like how she’d hoped today would go. “I was thinking more along the lines of a walk on the beach. Maybe lie in the sand for a while.”

He shook his head, motioning her to follow him into the pool atrium. “Not today. I need a little more intel before we venture outside.”

“Will you at least think about it?”

“I will. After the updated intel meets my requirements. Now, take off that little cover-up thing you’ve got on and let’s see what you can do in the pool.” He stripped off his shirt and tossed it on the nearest chaise lounge, leaving only his swim trunks.

Tanned. Tempting. Testosterone. Way too much testosterone. Her insides flashed with heat all the way from her eyes to her lady parts. He. Was. Gorgeous.

She realized she was staring, but she didn’t care. She all out didn’t care.

Somewhere between his chiseled chest, with the dusting of dark hair, and his muscular thighs, her imagination took control of her mind. Slowly she closed her eyes, moistened her lips, bit her lower lip and let the imaginary vision take hold. Blowing out a sigh, she couldn’t stop an all-out blush hot enough to melt hard-packed ice cream.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

Opening her eyes, she gazed into his and tried to pull back the embarrassed smile filling her face. “I…uh…”—she licked her lower lip once again—”I was just thinking. Can’t a girl think?”

He quirked the side of his mouth then reached for his shirt. “If you’d rather, I can always put this back on.”

“No!” That response sounded a little too eager, even to her. “I mean this is your house, so you should do whatever you want.” She shook her head. “No—no—no… That is not what I meant.”

“What? It’s not my house? Or, I can’t do everything I want?” The tilt of his head and the clear focus of his clear blue eyes conveyed a message more potent than any words. “You need to be more explicit.”

She raised her palms outward in front of her as she struggled to regain the serious, self-controlled person she knew herself to be most times. “I…I really…you…me…I really don’t know what’s going on here. But you should know that I’m not used to flirting. I don’t know how and—”

“You’re okay, Liz. I just like teasing you.”

“All right then, that was just teasing. Not flirting. Right?” Just like back at the Mariner’s, part of her felt better. But part felt like she’d lost something.

“Whatever makes you feel better.” Grinning, he motioned her to follow him. “Besides, it’s only a swim lesson. That’s all you wanted. Right?”

“Right. Absolutely right.” She really didn’t want a swim lesson, but if it meant getting close to him, she could try. Maybe. Maybe not. “But if we’re in the pool atrium, you won’t be available if Reese or Josh need to get in touch with you.”

“Sure, I will. The entire house is hooked into the OPAQUE system I set up last night. And, before you ask, there’s a computer screen or panel in each area.”

“Even the atrium?” Her hopes for avoiding the pool were fading fast.

“Even the atrium. In case you forgot, I’ve already told you there are no full-time security cameras set up inside this house. Only the outside perimeter. So your dignity has nothing to worry about.” He grinned. “Now, stop stalling and come on in.”

Stepping inside the pool’s full glass atrium, sides and top, she couldn’t believe how soothingly the blue of the pool water mixed with the cool whites of the chaise lounges against the terracotta tiles. A table and chairs sat near the bar, with another set at the opposite end of the pool.

Off to the side, a round chaise at least seven feet wide was covered in turquoise and green cushions. A partial, fold-down canopy completed the decadent look of the round chaise. Not only was it beautiful, it was also sexy as all get-out.

“Push the button by the door,” he said.

She pushed, and the glass walls facing the Gulf opened, allowing the sea breeze and sound to come through the screen sections. Her hair blew back from her face, and the glass roof panels angled open to let in the sun.

“See? It’s almost as good as being outside.” He bent and splashed his hands through the water. Then smoothed the sides of his hair back, leaving a sheen to the dark brown hair and droplets of glimmering water.

He looked in her direction, and she had to admit he was nine kinds of sexy. Nine kinds of hot. Nine kinds of— She held her breath, then felt the flutter of air against her lips as she exhaled. He kept right on staring at her eyes, then her lips. Feeling the heat of a blush on her cheeks, she swallowed the tickle in her throat and glanced away. Oh, for all that’s holy.

“Almost.” She had to admit this atrium and pool were spectacular.

There was no need to fight this, because there was no way to deter Mitch’s determination to teach her how to swim. And, who knew? Maybe he’d have a new technique that would keep her afloat instead of sinking, butt first, to the bottom.

“All right, I’ll try. What’s first?” She slid into the pool from the side on the shallow end as he unhooked the buoys dividing off the deep end.

“Lesson one, kicking the length of the pool. Lesson two, learning a basic stroke. And, lesson three is floating on your back.”

Sounded like a lot of lessons. “So, how many are we doing today?”

“Three.”

He dove beneath the water and popped up beside her, water cascading, like a satin sheet, off his body. More glistening drops of water found their way down his chest, following the contours of his abs, stopping at the top of his swim trunks. Trunks sitting a couple inches south of his waist. Her insides twitched. This was going to be one distracting swim lesson.

For the next couple of hours, he worked with her on all types of water techniques that could keep her alive. Different strokes for staying afloat. Along with breathing methods, so she wouldn’t panic if she started to sink…or fell off a Q40.

Time and again, his arm brushed hers. His chest slid along her back as he reached around to correct her stroke. And she made sure she needed a lot of help. She continually found moments to touch him, to feel his energy, to imagine his body pressed against hers, drawing her in and wrapping her in need. Sexy, powerful need.

Floating on her back, with the feel of his body gliding beneath her—touching—teasing—asking with his fingers, then skirting away while he sliced bubbles the length of her body—felt like a dolphin making first contact. Sleek and wet and strong, his touch felt like a fine silk against her body. Fine…fine silk.

Whatever was happening between them made her feel as warm as sipping hot chocolate in front of a gentle fire, tucked nicely inside a cozy cabin. Just Mitch and her cuddled beneath a blanket while big fluffy snowflakes coated the ground outside. Sucking in a deep, much-needed breath, she smiled and let her thoughts return to the water rippling against her sides in the pool. She’d never forget this moment. Never.

From the inviting expression on his face when he slipped alongside and kissed her shoulder, he knew exactly what he was doing to her. And that she was letting him.

She strolled up the concrete steps at the end of the pool and looked back over her shoulder at him. Yep, he’d been watching. That’s all she wanted to know. She also liked the fact he hadn’t turned away when she looked.

Diving under the water once again, he came up at the side of the pool. As she walked past, he brushed his hand against her ankle then hoisted himself onto the edge.

She stopped. Trailed the tips of her fingers across his shoulders. Lightly nudged her knee against his bicep. “That was quite a water tango, Dance Man. Thanks for the swim lessons. I may need a follow-up tomorrow.”

“Any time you want.” Slowly nodding, he caressed the back of her calf, letting his hand come to rest on the arch of her foot. “For now, we’ll call it a day if you can float the entire length of the pool. Deal?”

He dove back into the pool and within seconds, he leaned against the far side. Gorgeous and sexy and tempting.

“Deal.” She had no idea where this swim lesson was going, but she sure liked the little hot-spot stops along the way.

She moved to the deep end and, awkwardly, started down the aluminum ladder into the pool. Her hold on the ladder and feet on the steps suddenly slipped, causing her backside to stick out…a lot. Not the most ladylike stance, to say the least.

He whistled.

She pulled herself tight against the ladder.

“Could I see a replay of that last move?” he asked.

For all that was holy, she’d looked like she was putting everything out there for consumption. “No. And stop looking at my butt!”

“But it’s such a nice change from the woman flapping around in the pool five minutes ago.” He laughed. “You reminded me of a baby bird that fell out of its nest and landed in a tiny puddle. Flapping and squawking, when all it needed to do was stand up.”

She eased into the water, grabbing the pool’s ledge below the water line. “Well, I’m not a bird.”

“True. Birds don’t wear swimsuits.” Raising his eyebrows, he bit his lower lip.

Aiming her palm in his direction, she swiped her hand across the water, spraying him. He shook his finger at her, and she drenched him again.

He kicked a spray of water in return. “You keep that up, you’re gonna be in trouble, little bird.”

She couldn’t keep from smiling—not just any old smile, but the playful kind she used back in college. At least she thought that’s what she was doing, had been a long time since she teased a man. Might not work. But anything was worth a try, if it meant she might end up tangled in the sheets with him. Her pulse quickened with the thought of skin on skin, and she pushed away from the side of the pool while the adrenaline rush raced through her body. Slow and steady, she floated and kicked all the way to the other end of the pool

He applauded. “You did great. I knew you could do that.”

She had to admit she felt vindicated for all the time she’d sputtered in the pool while others called her lead bottom. Stoked, she raced back to the other end and did the whole process once again.

As she got out of the pool, Mitch’s gaze skimmed over her like the water sliding off her body. If she had more nerve, she’d undo her top and go straight back into the pool. See if he followed. See if… She blew out a long sigh—she didn’t have that much courage.

“I’m going to try to swim the length,” she said as she returned to the other end.

He shook his head. “Wait till you’re fresh. You just went two lengths of the pool. That’s enough for now.”

“I know I can do this. Watch.” Defiantly, she climbed back down the ladder and pushed off from the end of the pool. Kick, stroke, breath…kick, stroke, breath… After a few strokes, she realized he’d been right—she was tired. And realized she was sinking.

Off to the side, a splash of water shook her out of the panic she was spiraling toward, and before she knew what had happened, Mitch’s arms were wrapped around her. He held her close against him, treading water to keep them both above the water line.

Unthinking, she wrapped her arms around his neck, shook her hair back, and smiled amid the spray of the droplets of water. “I knew you’d save me.”

Her gaze couldn’t seem to leave his lips, especially his full lower lip. The one inching closer and closer and closer…

“Maybe we should”—his lips brushed against her neck—”call it a day before we…”

Beneath the surface, his hands stroked down her sides, igniting her body with his touch. His palms tight enough to feel his heat. His thumbs circling lightly on her top, circling till she ached deep within her core. Ached to have more of him. Ached…

Suddenly he kissed her, long and deep, then stood, pulling her up with him. Only a foot of water lapped against their legs as they clung to each other. Staring into each other’s eyes, neither seemed to know quite what to do next.

“How did I get to the shallow water?” she asked breathlessly.

…

Better question. How had he gotten himself in such deep water?

“You held on to me, Elizabeth.” He loosened his hold around her waist. “And I pulled you along.”

Suddenly, she dipped straight down in the water then bounced up, wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. He fought the instinct to cradle her bottom in his hands, because Mitch knew, without a doubt, he was in over his head with Liz. And the protection aspect had nothing to do with his feelings.

The faster he pulled himself back, the better for both of them. “I think we better take a break. Don’t you?”

She looked quizzically into his eyes then sighed as she slid down the front of his chest, landing on her feet. “That’s a shame. But I guess you know best. After all, you’re my protector.”

Turning away, she skimmed her fingers across the surface of the water as she walked out of the pool, and his insides hungered to reach out for her. She dripped a trail of water while strolling to one of the chaise lounges. Nice…and easy…and sexy as hell in that little bikini.

All he could do was stare at the way her ass swayed from side to side with each step she took. Could be the person she should fear most was him. He was, for sure, scared of her.

Once he’d gotten his body under control, he hoisted himself up on the side of the pool and sat for a while. His escapade with the flirting while she floated had pushed them both to the edge. Didn’t take a genius to know the heat between them was simmering. There was no way to stop the simmer, unless he took himself off the case. Or if Drake found out and pulled him.

Even the fact that Reese had seen them together back on the boat meant there was always the chance Drake would keep an extra sharp eye on the way Liz’s protection was being handled. If Reese saw something that seemed off on the security, he might talk to Josh. Mitch wouldn’t fault him for that—he’d do the same thing if positions were switched.

That’s why he needed to keep his wits about him. Keep his distance from her, for sure. Keep focused on anything but the way her every move worked his core.

He jumped to his feet, toweled off, and headed to the poolside fridge. Was she watching? He couldn’t tell, because she’d put on her sunglasses, but the slight movement of her lips, along with the tilt of her head, gave him reason to guess the answer was yes.

“You want something to drink?” he asked.

“Thank you. That would be nice. Bring me whatever you’re having.” She picked up the book she’d brought down with her from her room.

After setting their two glasses of lemonade on the small table separating her chaise from the one he planned to use, he pointed to her book. “Isn’t it kind of hard to read when the print’s upside down?”

She gave a quick little turn-away smile, not looking at him in the slightest. “I wasn’t actually reading yet. I was thinking.”

“Thinking again, huh?” He sat down, positioning the back of the chase to a backward lean, making sure to stay even with her. “What were you thinking about this time?”

As she took off her sunglasses, her smug expression wavered, and she fought to hold her lips in a straight line. She dipped her fingers in the lemonade and flicked him with the droplets then plopped the sunglasses back on. “Think you’re pretty smart, don’t you?”

“Sometimes.”

So, she had been watching. Something about that made him feel good.

He leaned back, placing his hands behind his head, relaxing in the sun beaming through the open roof panels. Felt peaceful. Trying to remember the last time he’d taken time to just be, he realized how fast-paced his life had become. Maybe his brother was right. Maybe he needed a life.

The last few days, all he’d allowed himself were a few solid hours of sleep at night, and only light on-guard naps during the day. Feeling content just to lie there, he knew better than to stay still very long or he might doze off.

She also seemed content to sit there crunching on ice from the lemonade, letting the book lay where she’d left it on her belly. Suddenly, she sat up on the chaise cushion and folded into a cross-legged sitting position. “True, I wasn’t thinking a while ago, but there’s been something nagging at me all morning.”

“If it’s about last night, forget it.”

“It’s not about last night. I let that go before I went to sleep.” She lifted the corners of her mouth a bit before the serious expression returned. “No, it’s about my dad.”

“Go on.”

“You asked me to make a list of things about his life for the past four or five years. Where he’d been, what he’d been doing, medical problems, and anything else I could think of.”

Mitch nodded. “Did you come up with something out of the ordinary?”

“No….yes…I don’t know.” She leaned back on the chaise once again. “I haven’t been around during the past four to five years. Because of my job, most of our communication was by Skype or text. Research for magazine articles has kept me on the move. There were times I asked him to meet someplace for a mini vacation, but he’d say he was busy…or it wasn’t a good time…or he really wanted to stay close to home.”

Mitch closed his eyes. How many years had it been since he left home? Not the house, rather the rest of his family. They’d all be grown by now. Even the youngest of his five brothers and sisters would be out on their own by now. “What would happen when you got time off to go home?

“He was always glad to see me. Of course, I stayed away during the tax season,” she said. “He worked full time at a local library, but he made extra money doing bookkeeping. Every January, he hired on part time at the local tax place.”

“Any visitors during that time?”

She shrugged. “A few. But I met only one man. He was new in the neighborhood. Seemed like he and my dad were buddies.”

“What about the others who came by?”

“They came late at night or early, early morning when I was asleep.”

Mitch hated to ask, but without questions he might miss out on the answers to save their lives. “Any sign of the safe room?”

“No.” Only a tiny tremble gave any clue he’d hit a chord. That and the way she suddenly looked at the floor then gulped down a couple swallows of lemonade. “In fact, he’d turned it into a wine room.”

“Wine?”

“Yeah. He had a lot of bottles with fancy foreign labels. Said he’d gotten a deal on TV. In fact, I got the impression he’d been watching a lot of television. Plus, spent a lot of time online.”

Mitch thought about a few of the things she’d said. How they might tie together. By themselves, there was nothing overly odd. People changed as they aged. Did different things. For now, he’d store the highlights in his brain and work a connection template later. The most unusual item was the fact he’d turned the safe room into a wine room. Of course, he might figure anyone he needed to protect from CT was gone.

“What was he doing online?” Mitch asked.

She laughed. “He’d been shopping.”

“For what?”

“Like a fake gold and diamond bracelet I saw when he asked me to grab him a clean shirt from his room. A gigantic television. Knockoff sculptures and paintings.”

“How’d you know the stuff was fake?”

She laughed again. “Had to be. There’s no way my dad could afford something like that. I’d say he bought it to impress the ladies on the singles trips he said he’d been taking.” She raised her eyebrows. “He’d even gone to Europe. And China.”

“Without you knowing?”

She nodded, a little sad. “Guess he didn’t want to travel with me to any of those places.”

And there it was. If you listened long enough, there was usually something that could be of benefit in tracking down a person’s profile. If her dad had gone on singles trips, then there had to be a trail of his passport and credit cards. Seemed a little strange to risk being seen by CT, but maybe he changed his appearance when he traveled. Could be he got some tips from Drake.

Mitch planned to speak with Josh tonight, and he’d have him do a check on her father’s travels and online shopping. Like the cost of the so-called fake gold and diamond bracelet.

He could tell Liz loved her dad, and he’d do whatever he could to find him for her. Losing your parents could leave a scar, a huge honking scar that didn’t heal.

Maybe he should share his past with her. She’d understand…maybe. Then again, that wasn’t something he needed to burden her with—she had enough to worry about already.

The longer they sat there, the hotter it got. Even with the cooling misting fans positioned around the atrium, the glare of the sun, along with the heat, became more than uncomfortable. Felt like his past assignment in the jungles of South America. He walked over to the control panel and closed the overhead louvers. The moment they blocked the sun, the temperature felt more bearable.

“I think I’ll see about making us something for dinner.” She removed her sunglasses and sat back up into her cross-legged position. “Would you like to help me?”

“Later.”

An overpowering urge dug into his chest as he went back to the chaise and sat down. He couldn’t let this afternoon end this way. Dinner wasn’t what he wanted. Dinner wasn’t what he needed.

“I own this place free and clear,” he blurted out. “There’s no way to track me, except through my corporation. Which, from what I’ve heard, would be a damn hard thing to find.” Mitch hated talking about his personal business. Especially when he didn’t quite understand how this house fit into his good luck quotient in life. “It’s important to me that you understand I didn’t do anything illegal.”

“I believe you,” she said. “There’s no need to explain.”

Now or never. Yes or no. His whole future depended on the next words that came out of his mouth. This decision was huge, but now or never came around very few times in a man’s life.

“A few years back, I had an unusual OPAQUE assignment.” Mitch pulled up his knees and braced his forearms on top, his fingers clasped together, all the time keeping eye contact with her. He wanted her to know this was the truth. “One I can’t talk about. One I can’t even explain to myself. But I got the job done. A few days after I got back, Drake called me into his office. Gave me an envelope that contained a short note and a key to this house. Said it was a bonus.”

“A bonus?” She smiled as she shook her head. “I never got a bonus like this.”

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, he gave me only the GPS coordinates. Made me find the place by myself.”

“Sounds like something he’d do.” She sipped the lemonade. “What did the note say?”

“Thank you.”

“That’s all?”

“Yeah…’thank you’.” Mitch figured he’d said more than enough. At least more than he’d ever told anyone before. Hopefully, the explanation had satisfied her doubt.

The two of them leaned back against their chaise lounges and sat in silence. She seemed okay with what he’d said. That was good. He wished he could say the same for himself, because that assignment, that day, that note, dug a hole in his gut.

Liz moved to the side of her seat then stood. Before she could walk away, he grabbed her hand as he sat up, placing his legs on opposite sides of the chaise. Maybe she was right after all—what if tomorrow never came?

He lifted his eyes to hers and slowly tugged her hand toward his chest. Her gaze brightened, and she eased in his direction.

Would she stay? Did she understand his move? Being with a woman wasn’t new to him. But being with Liz was like a new chapter. He’d come this far, and now, all he wanted was for her to understand. To know he wanted her to stay.

Releasing his hand, she slowly lowered herself to his chaise, turning her back toward him then leaning against his chest. Her hair smelled like apricots, soft against his skin. She felt warm and luxurious. He brushed his hands down her arms as he kissed the silky curve between her shoulder and neck. She made a tiny sound of approval as she arched her neck, giving him a better angle, then rested her palms on his thighs, her fingers stroking his skin.

There was no way they could have a forever future, but he’d never felt so close to anyone in his life as he did to her.

“The note was printed in crayon,” he said, his voice husky with remembrance.

She stilled but didn’t tense.

“Some of the letters were backward. All different sizes.” He sucked in a breath, trying to shove his emotions back in their safe. “And there were two stick figures drawn on the page. One tall. One short. Holding hands. Each with a little heart drawn inside their body.”

His chest felt like it was on fire, like it might explode, but he’d gotten the story out. That alone had been the hardest thing he’d ever done in his life.

She turned and knelt on the cushion, her knees brushing against his inner thighs as she slid forward. Then, as she leaned toward his mouth, she slipped her legs over his until she rested against his body the same as when they’d been on the Q40 out in the Gulf. Her tongue slipped around his lips, moist and gentle. He might not deserve her, but then again, maybe he did. At least for a little while.

“You know I can’t stay when this is over.” He tugged her against his groin. “There’s no forever here for either one of us.”

“You think too much.” She stroked his jawline with the edge of her fingernails.

“Listen to me, Liz.” He grabbed her hand, letting it rest against his cheek. “There’s no forever here for either of us. Tell me you understand what I’m saying.”

Slipping her fingers to the edge of his mouth, her pinkie caressed the corner of his lips. He sucked her finger in, his tongue moistening the tip before pushing it out. She tasted so good. So damn good.

“Tell me you’re okay with this. That you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, get up and go in the other room…now.” His heart was racing, his breathing coming in gasps, and his core had long passed control.

“Do you want me to go?” The movement of her throat as she swallowed belied her calm.

“No. I want you to stay.” He’d never wanted anything so much in all his life. “But if you do…I can’t guarantee I’ll stop.”

“I know the rules. When this assignment’s done, you’ll go your way. I’ll go mine.” Leaning forward, her breasts brushed his chest as she nipped his ear with her teeth. “No promises. No commitment. No obligations.”

Damn, when had her voice become so sultry? And when she moved back, her eyes had taken on a half-sleepy look, her lips open and pouty. He had his answer.

As he stood, he slipped his hands beneath her bottom and lifted her then headed for the pool. “Maybe it’s time for a follow-up swim lesson.”

She tensed, jerking her head to the side as she glanced at the water with apprehension. There was no sign of half-sleepy eyes anymore. “That’s not exactly what I had in mind.”

“Really? And here I thought you’d mastered all the strokes.”

She blinked rapidly, and a flash of nerves skittered across her expression. She glanced at his lips then back into his eyes, her expression softening. “I may not be all that good with the strokes.”

He reached with his lips, and she found them in return, and when he pushed for entry with his tongue, she opened. Not soft, not fierce, not playful, their kiss just happened. He pulled back, yet something inside him tried to hold on to the peacefulness he’d felt. Another part threw up a shield. If he wasn’t careful, she could be the toughest enemy he’d ever faced.

“Relax, honey. You’ll be fine.” He carried her past the pool and headed to a stone partition at the side. “How about we get the rest of that camo out of your hair?”

“How?”

“There’s a shower right around the corner.”

She smiled. “With a rainfall showerhead?”

“Yeah. And, a lot of other body sprays, too.” He jostled her in his arms. “There’s also some fancy lighting.” He jostled her again, and she held on tighter. “And a nice, oversized bench.”