Nothing but Trouble (18 page)

“I’ve got you. I won’t let you go, I promise.” His arms closed tightly around her, crushing her against the length of him.

She released a weak, nervous laugh. “You’ve got me this far but how are you going to get me off this pier and to the truck?”

“Got it covered,” he said confidently, scanning the area. Other than an old man standing in the threshold of the bait shop watching them, all was quiet.

Before she realized what he was thinking, she was caught up in his strong arms, and he was striding down the unsteady wharf as if she weighed no more than a child. Keeping her eyes tightly shut, she turned her face against his chest, holding her breath until she heard the sound of gravel crunching beneath his feet. She peered up at him with gratitude, glancing at his strong jawbone, mesmerized by his strength, and caring.

He glanced down, catching her looking at him. “You can put me down now.”

Without comment he released her, allowing her to glide down the front of him, the tips of her breasts grazing his hard chest until her feet were planted firmly on the ground. She gasped when his hands settled on her hips, holding her against him. What did he think he was doing? She raised her face to his, blinking back the falling rain; her tongue darted out to catch the warm moisture. The way he was watching her caused her breath to catch. She was woman enough to recognize the brief flare of desire in his eyes before he banked the fire.

“Thank you,” she murmured, feeling unaccustomedly shy.

“Any time, princess. Now we need to get out of here.” Just as he opened the truck door, his cell phone began to ring. “What the hell is it now?” He mumbled beneath his breath. He snatched it from his pocket and flipped it open.

“Yeah?” His expression tightened and a hand fell upon Sophie’s shoulder, keeping her close to him. “Hello, Lord.”

Jonathan!
Sophie’s heart sank when she realized he was on the phone. Her gaze searched the area with worry, expecting to see him materialize from a location nearby.

“How did you track us down? I’m usually pretty good about covering my trail.”

Sophie was close enough to hear Jonathan’s end of the conversation.

“That’s not important. It’s just a matter of time before we catch up with you. I suggest you release my fiancée and disappear, because your life’s over.”

Sophie’s gaze met Brent’s. The threat in Jonathan’s tone caused a ripple of fear to travel down her spine. He winked at her, but it did nothing to dissolve the alarm churning in her belly.

“What, no trial by my peers?”

Jonathan snorted disdainfully. “You won’t live long enough for the cops, or anyone else to bring you in,” he threatened in a deadly tone. “I’ll become a hero overnight, killing you and rescuing Sophie. I imagine after that the senator will grant me whatever I want.”

“I’ve noticed you haven’t asked how Sophie is holding up. You certainly have your priorities straight.”

“Don’t let my lack of concern disturb you, Howard. If you’ve touched her, I’ll take great pleasure in seeing you suffer before my men finish with you.”

“Really? I’m surprised you’re threatening me while I still have Sophie as my guest.”

Sophie wondered if Brent realized his hand had smoothed down her back, as though to comfort her. It came to rest on the curve of her bottom, caressing her lightly. She couldn’t help it. His touch made her yearn for more.

“You’re not going to kill her,” Jonathan said confidently.

“You’re right, killing women is for cowards.” Sophie stepped closer to Brent’s hard length, seeking the protection she sensed she’d find in his arms. “Your beautiful lady is worth the forfeit of ten million dollars,” he continued, surprising Sophie. Her gaze sought his, only he was scanning the area again. Didn’t he realize he was taunting Jonathan? “Of course, she might be a little used up by the time I get around to releasing her.” He seemed to take perverse pleasure in baiting Jonathan.

Her mind drifted back to the bed. It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why it was rumpled and torn apart.

“You’re a dead man,” Sophie heard Jonathan grate in a low, savage tone. She shivered wildly at his tone, fully believing he meant what he said.

Brent snorted, obviously not worried. “So you’ve said.” He snapped the phone shut without another word.

“Jonathan knows who you are, now. You can expect your picture and name to be plastered on the evening news,” Sophie commented, blinking against the rain, which had turned into a light drizzle.

“You don’t know your fiancé, if you think he’s interested in letting the police do their job. A man like him takes it very personal when someone kidnaps his woman. Sleeping with you signed my death warrant.”

“You don’t look very concerned, and why did you insinuate something like that?”

His sharp laughter caught her by surprise. “You don’t understand how a man’s mind works. Once he’s on the boat, lover boy will know soon enough that I’ve had you. A blind man would be able to pick up the scent of the sexual encounter we shared on that bed.”

Sophie knew the heat crawling up her neck was a sign of embarrassment. She started to pull away to slide into the truck. “I’m glad you’re not worried about it, but have you thought what it could mean for me?”

“What do you mean?” Brent’s hand prevented her from getting into the truck. “Lord won’t hurt you.” His eyes bore deeply into hers, as though searching for reassurance.

“Jonathan doesn’t have to touch me to hurt me,” she confessed softly, before realizing her mistake. She lowered her gaze.

I can’t hide the truth from Brent much longer. He’s too smart for that. Sooner or later he’s going to figure out how much I hate Jonathan.

And how much I love him.

Brent was gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were white. For the hundredth time he glanced at Sophie, as she sat staring out the window. She looked soft, defenseless, and he wanted to pull over to the side of the road and take her into his arms.

How am I going to find the strength to let her go when the time comes? I want her and not just her body. Only thirty-one isn’t a time to start thinking about changing my life. I like my freedom. Without responsibilities I can pick up and go when I want, and not worry about messy things like a wife and kids. Besides, we’re worlds apart.

Yet he couldn’t help wondering what it would be like spending his life with her, loving her every day, and every night. It dawned on him that he’d let his guard down, allowing her to crawl under his skin and dig her way to his heart. He was getting tired of all the lies. His friendship and loyalty to the senator prevented him from breaking a confidence. He hoped in another day or two he could release her and get on with his life, but for now they had to remain one step ahead of Lord.

The wind was picking up; he could feel it against his truck. He checked out the rain clouds building in the sky again. Why hadn’t he noticed how much darker it had turned? The answer came all too easily, because he was enamored with a bewitching redhead with blue eyes. In spite of her disheveled appearance and the trouble she caused, he found Sophie refreshing. She was a strange mix; her haughty sometimes innocent demeanor amused and challenged him, while the she-cat in her during their heated confrontations satisfied the male animal in him.

Including satisfying me in bed.

His thoughts drifted back to the boat, and their intense lovemaking. He’d taken her twice, in rapid succession, after the first time. And Sophie had matched him every step of the way. In fact, she’d initiated the third time, nearly driving him mad with her skillful hands and mouth. He’ll never forget the shock of her mouth on him, loving him to completion. She’d proven that even a sophisticated lady could let down her hair in the bedroom.

And enjoy it.

He gave his head a vigorous shake. He could daydream about her all he wanted, but some other time. Right now they needed to get as far away from there as possible.

* * * *

“What makes a man like you turn to kidnapping?” Sophie asked out of the blue about an hour after they’d left the marina. “You appear to be well-educated and intelligent; you carry yourself as though you’re used to the good things in life.”

“What makes a beautiful, well-educated woman like you turn to the likes of Jonathan Lord?” he tossed right back, watching her eyes flare with surprise. Before giving her the chance, he answered for both of them. “Money, princess. Plain and simple.”

She didn’t bother denying it. “What will you do after you get it? Where will you go?”

“I have plans,” he replied, thinking about taking his boat to the other side of the world. Will that be far enough away to forget her? “A criminal on the run can’t afford to divulge his escape plans. What about you?”

She sighed heavily, as though resigned to circumstances beyond her control. “I suppose we’ll marry as soon as possible.”

“And live happily ever after?” She hesitated for so long he demanded, “Tell me the truth, Sophie, it’s plain to see you’re not exactly thrilled over marrying him. Whatever it is, get it off your chest. Talking helps and might make you feel a hell of a lot better.” For a moment she looked startled, like wondering why he was saying such things.

“The truth? So, you’re a counselor now?” The vulnerability in her eyes tore at Brent’s heart. “A jack-of-all-trades?” she continued softly.

He couldn’t control the smile in his voice, doing everything in his power to keep his gaze on the road and not look into her beguiling eyes again. “When I need to be. My sister has given me plenty of practice over the years.”

“Your sister lives here?” she questioned with genuine interest.

“Yes, and don’t change the subject,” he growled, angry with himself for telling her the truth.

He glanced at her long enough to see the timid smile brush across her mouth. “Why does it matter so much to you why I’m marrying Jonathan? I should think the only thing on your mind would be getting the ransom and rid of me.”

“It just does,” he returned without thinking. He could hardly tell her the truth. That he’d broken a hard fast rule about getting involved and had fallen for her. “Tell me,” he insisted, sensing she was close to opening up.

“Sacrifices.” She sighed finally, so softly that Brent thought he might have imagined it. “Have you ever loved someone so much that you’d do absolutely anything to protect them?”

Brent knew his answer would matter. “Yes.”

“My father is the only family I have left, Brent.”

Straightening his back against the seat, he was careful not to show too much eagerness. The last thing he wanted was to frighten her off. “Are you saying you’re marrying

Lord because your father wants you to?”

A sarcastic sound escaped her. “Not at all, my father hates Jonathan.”

“I don’t understand, what does he have to do with you marrying Lord? Has Lord got something on him?” He sensed he was close to finding something out. “Or has he got something on you? Is he blackmailing you with something?” He knew there was more to it than that, unless the senator had lied to him, which he seriously doubted.

“Or is it all about money?”

Sophie shook her head, turning her gaze back to the passing scenery. “I don’t need Jonathan’s money,” she stated softly. “My grandmother left me a trust fund when she died six years ago.”

Brent looked at her long and hard before a bump in the road pulled his attention back to the slick pavement. “In that case I guess we’re even, princess. Because I don’t need you for the money, either.”

His statement obviously caught her off-guard. “Then why?” she gasped. “Do you have a personal vendetta against Jonathan?”

“Never met the man, but I know of him. And let’s just say I don’t like what I know.” His gaze bore into her until she glanced away. Her reaction and the soft color flooding her cheeks caused his mouth to turn up in a grin. Is she thinking about us naked and entwined? Because, I am. “If it’s not his money, then what?”

Sophie lowered her face. Brent couldn’t help wondering if it was done in an effort to conceal the truth from him. “Why does it matter what my reasons are? I’m just a means to an end, aren’t I?”

He shrugged. “Let’s just say I’m curious.”

She lifted her shoulders in return. “Let’s just say it’s a good business arrangement, then.”

Brent’s gut told him he was getting close to the truth. Her admittance revealed she wasn’t in love with Lord, which gave him immense pleasure. It also proved there might be some validity to the senator’s fears.

He snorted. “A business arrangement? That won’t satisfy you in bed, princess. You’re too passionate for a cold union.”
She makes me think of a little tornado, twisting and hungry.

“I’m not going to dignify that with a response,” she said. She laid her head back and closed her eyes.

“Why? Because you know I’m right?” Brent slowed the truck down to pull into a convenience store. They needed gas. “Or, are you going to be one of those rich, society types who have the rich husband and a lover on the side?”