Codename: Romeo (21 page)

She raised a sad smile. “That’s true.”

Erik gingerly slid her coat off and tossed it onto the reclining chair. “When do you go back to teaching?”

“Wednesday.” Sadness filled her eyes. She took a deep breath, paused, and then got to her point. “When are you heading back to Boston?”

“Tomorrow. Unless you want me to leave now.”

“You know I don’t.”

“Will you be all right?”

“Sure.” She laced her fingers through his.

He hadn’t thought himself capable of love. And if he didn’t call this twisted jumble of confusion love, he could walk away and let her have the future she deserved.

She leaned closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I wanted to say something. I promised I wouldn’t try to hold you once the case ended and I won’t break my word. But my door will always be open to you. Whenever you want to come and for however long you can stay. No questions. No explanations.”

He raked his fingers through her silky hair. “Be careful, or I might take you up on that.”

“No, you won’t.” Her voice cracked with emotion. “I just want you to know the offer is there.”

What was he supposed to say? Thank you seemed inadequate.

She raised a brave smile that didn’t fool either of them. “Are you hungry? I could fix a turkey sandwich, turkey pot pie, turkey soup, or turkey salad.”

“I see a theme developing here.” She tried to wriggle loose, but he tightened his grip. “I’m not hungry.”

She twisted against him, gaining an instant reaction. “That’s not what your body is saying.”

“A turkey sandwich won’t help me with that hunger.” She could arouse him faster and with less effort than any woman on earth. But they shared more than sex. Everything about her touched him. Victoria was not the fragile introvert he once thought, but a strong woman, at peace with herself. A peace he’d only found with her.

“I suppose I could find a way to fill your hunger.”

“I’m sure you could. But after your day today, you should relax. Maybe watch the game.”

She unfastened the buttons of his shirt. “I have about twelve hours left with you and I don’t intend to pass it watching spectator sports. I plan to run a few experiments so that I will have sufficient data to fulfill my naturally curious streak for years to come.” She spun gracefully around and strolled across the carpet, adding a sassy little wiggle to her step.

“If you keep that up, you’ll be asking for trouble,” he warned.

“Gee, you’re quick today.” She turned back. “I know I’m asking for it. Am I going to get it?”

“You’ll get what you deserve.”

She pressed one hand to her heart and batted her lashes flirtatiously. “If it isn’t the last boy scout. Always prepared, always ready to come to the aid of a lady in distress. Since you’re responsible for my distress, you damn well better come to my aid.”

“Have I ever let you down?”

“Not yet, but there’s always a first time. And nobody’s perfect. Not even you.”

“I resent that.”

“So prove my theory wrong.” She scooted down the hall towards the bedroom, leaving a trail of clothes. Outside the door, she paused. “Come on, Sanders. Put up or shut up.”

She deliberately baited him, knowing he wouldn’t refuse. Erik would have his revenge. And his vengeance would be her pleasure.

Before she made it across the room, he caught up to her and playfully pushed her onto the bed. He made fast work of his own clothes and then joined her. A devilish grin spread across his face.

“Now you pay.” He snaked his arm around her waist and kept her firmly anchored next to him.

“I’m ready, willing and able.”

* * * *

“Don’t play so hard to get,” he joked.

“Why would I waste time on games?” For the precious little time they had left, Victoria planned to make a lifetime of memories.

He slid his hand along her stomach and down to her thigh. “Would you like to take a shower first? I know how the water gets you excited.”

Her reaction was rapid and acute, and she arched against his open palm. She moaned from the exquisite delight his touch inspired.

His fingers found the sensitive bud in the dampness between her legs. A tingling wave of pleasure rippled through her. She sighed.

“Imagine that hot water pulsing over your body,” he whispered against her ear.

“Umm.”

He leaned over to lift her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged him down on top of her. His body pressed to hers, searing her with the pure strength and silky smoothness of hot, hard flesh.

“Later. I can’t wait that long.” Her anticipation rose along with her level of frustration. Erik seemed determined to keep an excruciatingly slow pace to torment her.

She wriggled beneath him, urging him to join with her.

“Patience, Victoria.”

“I don’t want to be patient,” she muttered breathlessly. She arched to him, welcoming him deep inside her.

Unlike her, Erik remained in complete control. Until she began to move beneath him and his steely resolve crumbled. He grabbed hold of her wrists and pinned her arms above her head. He fought to maintain his iron-fisted control.

She wouldn’t give him the chance. If only for this short time they had together, she wanted to have all of Erik, with nothing held back. This was the only gift she could give. The only gift he would accept for all he had given her. She wanted to make sure her would never forget it.

She matched his steady rhythm and then escalated the pace. The lovemaking became a tug of war, a battle of wills that Victoria refused to lose. In the end, sheer feminine tenacity won out over macho stubbornness. Release came quickly and with violent intensity.

“You’ll pay for that,” he whispered against her ear in a voice still husky with passion.

“Only if I’m lucky.”

She was so in love with him, it hurt. She wanted to tell him, but the words died on her lips. A confession now would only make both of them uncomfortable.

* * * *

Victoria curled around Erik with a sigh. Night moved towards dawn. Not much time. She inhaled deeply, trying to make a memory of his masculine scent. The feel of his warm flesh pressed against hers was already branded in her mind.

The clock on the bedside table ticked off the seconds, mocking her. A lump caught in her throat. She wanted more time.

She stroked her fingers along the fine hair on his chest.

“Are you tired?” he asked.

Despite exhaustion, she fought to stay awake. A battle she was slowly, but certainly, losing. “Erik. Do me one favor, please.”

“Anything.”

“Don’t wake me up when you leave.”

He tensed and for a long moment didn’t answer. “If that’s what you want.”

What she wanted, she couldn’t have. Good-byes weren’t easy in the best of circumstances. If she watched him go, she might break down and beg him to stay. That would only make the inevitable that much harder for both of them.

She could talk herself blue, but it wouldn’t accomplish anything except prove to Erik that she couldn’t handle separation. Perhaps if she let him go without making a scene, without making him feel guilty, he would see that she was strong enough to deal with the demands of his work—the long absences, the lack of communication while he worked undercover.

He held her close, stroking her back in slow, rhythmic circles. She felt herself drifting off. He pressed his lips against her cheek.

“I love you,” she thought she heard him say. When she woke up alone the next morning, she wondered if the whispered words had been a dream.

Chapter Fifteen

Erik removed his gun and put it in his desk drawer. Once he finished the paperwork, he faced a long weekend alone over Christmas. Music from the office party next door ruined his concentration. He wanted out before the festive atmosphere choked him. He hadn’t heard from Victoria since he left. Many times in the past month he’d picked up the phone to call her only to hang up before it connected.

Daniels popped his head inside the door. “The boss wants to see you.”

“I don’t suppose he’s handing out Christmas bonuses?”

“Yeah, right.”

More likely, the captain decided to take Erik up on his offer to work straight through New Year’s Day. He didn’t feel much like celebrating this year, so he offered to trade with someone who had a reason for going home.

“You gonna join the party after your meeting?” Daniels asked.

Erik rose from his seat. “No, I think I’ll head out.”

“You know, you’ve been a miserable SOB this past month. Why don’t you go see her?”

His partner’s words halted him. Daniels hadn’t mentioned Victoria since the end of the case. “She’s better off without me.”

“Well, you won’t get an argument from me. But it’s really her choice. And look at it this way. You certainly ate a lot better when you were with her.”

His stomach wasn’t the only organ in his body more satisfied when he was around Tori. “Weren’t you the one who told me to keep it professional? Something about a domestic noose or some such shit?”

“You didn’t listen. And hell, if I’d taken my own advice, I wouldn’t have two ex-wives.”

Erik strode away, shaking his head. Daniels pointed out the reason Erik should stay away. Love wasn’t enough. He couldn’t discuss his work. He didn’t understand her work. That didn’t leave them much in the way of conversation. Not that Victoria seemed to mind silence. Often, she seemed to prefer it.

Was it possible she would be happy with an absentee husband?

He shook his head. The holidays must be getting to him. He needed a drink, but Southern Comfort was a sorry substitute for the northern comfort he’d found with Victoria.

He paused outside the captain’s door. “You wanted to see me?”

“Come in.”

When he stepped into the office he noticed another occupant. DeMarco stood in the corner, arms folded across his chest. He didn’t crack a smile. Not a good sign.

“I want to speak to Sanders alone,” he said.

The captain nodded and closed the door on his way out. The bureau chief didn’t frequent the Boston office. Was he about to get a pink slip for his Christmas bonus?

“You’re wondering why I’m here?” DeMarco asked.

“Sightseeing?” Erik guessed.

DeMarco didn’t appear amused. Then again, not much about Erik amused the man, especially when it came to his sister. “No. We need to talk.”

“About what?”

“Tori.”

Erik wouldn’t share his personal life with anyone. Not even her brother. “You should talk to her.”

“I have.”

“And?”

“She told me to mind my own business. In words much less ladylike. Your influence, I presume.”

He could just imagine his feisty Tori telling her brother “bite me”. His Tori. He had no right thinking of her in a possessive nature. When he left her house he gave up any rights concerning her.

“Your sister isn’t easily influenced. She has a very strong will.”

“I know that now. Of course, she wasn’t always like that.” A long, awkward silence followed.

“How is she?” Erik finally asked.

“Ask her yourself. She’s in Boston for an interview.”

She came to Boston and didn’t contact him? He felt as if he’d been sucker punched. Why?

He told Victoria to get on with her life. He wanted that for her, after all. She didn’t need him showing up on her doorstep only to leave again in a few days time. “It’s not a good idea.”

“Your decision. If you change your mind she’ll be at the Sheraton until Saturday.”

What the hell was going on? The man hadn’t wanted Eric playing any part in Tori’s life. “You look confused, Sanders.”

“Surprised. You know what this job is like. You of all people should know she deserves a normal life.”

“The agency life is normal to her. She grew up with it. Unless you’re the one who can’t hack it.”

Erik eyed him coldly. “Meaning?”

“She loves you. She’s sure you feel the same, so she isn’t about to give up on you. If she’s right, then she knows what her life would be like and accepts it.”

“It’s not fair to her.”

“Bullshit! What you mean is that it’s easier for you. It’s a hell of lot harder to make a commitment than to fly solo.”

“And you think it’s right to leave her sitting at home alone waiting for me to show up between cases?”

DeMarco let out a laugh. “You have some ego. What makes you think she’d sit at home waiting for you? She does have a life, Sanders.”

“I know. Which is all the more reason that she doesn’t need me around.”

“Then at least have the guts to tell her that you don’t love her so she can find a man who will give her what you won’t.” DeMarco scratched his head in frustration. “Hell, I never would have figured you for a coward.”

“Me? I didn’t notice that you have a woman of your own waiting for you.”

“You know what? You’re right. I don’t have a wife because I was just like you. In fact, at forty-five years old, the only thing I have is a job. And if you think fieldwork lasts forever, guess again. Another couple of years, and you’re the one doing the backup work like your partner does for you. Then it’s on to a desk job where you deal with a bunch of young, smart-ass agents, who think they know so much more than you.” He reached for the door handle. “Take a good look, Sanders. I’m your future.”

* * * *

Upon his return from Boston, Steven stopped at the Burlington Senior Center. Inside, a local charity hosted a holiday dinner for the residents. He watched the woman behind the counter, dishing up food to the guests with a warm smile. He’d made it his mission to personally check that Elaine McMillan completed the community service she’d agreed to as part of her plea bargain. In keeping with the holiday spirit, she’d dressed in a red mini-dress trimmed in white fur and a bracelet of sleigh bells that jingled every time she served the food.

“Mrs. Watson, do you want the roasted potatoes or the mashed?”

“I better have the mashed. I misplaced my bottom teeth again.” The woman held out her plate with trembling hands. Elaine took it from her.