Twelve Days of Pleasure (7 page)

Kendrick grunted in exasperation. “Well, you and I both know nothing can happen between us. Vanessa Harrison is off-limits.” He changed the subject. “So, how are things on your end?”

“The little girl was delivered safely. I also made sure everything else was put into place.”

“So now we wait. And if I'm right, we won't have to wait too long.”

“Are you sure there aren't any loose ends we need to worry about?”

Kendrick shook his head. “No, everything's good. You go enjoy your honeymoon. To hear Vanessa tell it,
you'll
get to have a
really
good time.”

Zak laughed. “Life's short, my friend. Don't let it pass you by.”

“And your point?”

“Don't do anything I wouldn't do.”

“This coming from the man who seduced my sister while he was on a mission?”

“This coming from the man who fell in love with the woman of his dreams while he was on a mission.”

Kendrick nodded into the receiver. “Tell that woman she doesn't play fair. She could have packed the girl some real clothes!”

His brother-in-law laughed. “I will. You stay safe,” Zak said as he disconnected the line.

Kendrick held the receiver for a moment as he reflected on his friend's words. Despite his sister's wishful thinking he wasn't willing to ignore his responsibilities or jeopardize Vanessa's safety. Maybe the woman did excite him. And maybe if things were different he might be willing to see what could develop between them. But there was nothing he could even think about doing until they apprehended Marcus Bennett and she was able to testify. He turned as Liam moved back to his side.

“How come you always get the cushy assignments?” Liam asked as he took the radio back from his associate.

“It really isn't all it's cracked up to be,” Kendrick said.

Liam smirked. “Yeah, right! You get to babysit a beautiful, half-naked woman while I serve chips and dip. I'll trade places with you any day of the week.”

Kendrick laughed. “Good night, Liam.”

“Right back atcha, boss!”

Kendrick eased back inside the bungalow. It was eerily quiet and then he heard Vanessa snore, and knew sleep still claimed her. Moving stealth-like down the hall to the bedroom, he eased open the door and peeked inside. The young woman lay facedown against the still-made bed, a white towel wrapped around her body. Her bare legs peeked out from beneath the square of fabric, the fabric barely covering her assets. She looked almost angelic lying there and Kendrick had to force himself to step back out of the room, thinking he could easily spend hours watching her as she slept.

Easing the door closed he moved back to the living room and stretched his body across the sofa. He knew that it wouldn't be long before he would be sound asleep himself. But as he lay there he found himself actually missing Vanessa, wishing they were still side by side laughing about something silly. He enjoyed those moments when everything around them was forgotten and it was just the two of them focused intently on each other. He had never known that kind of connection with a woman before. He had never before been in a position where he had the time or the ability to get to know any woman that well. But he was getting to know much about the beautiful woman in the other room. And everything he was discovering he liked very much.

Tossing a hand over his eyes he knew there were questions he still needed to ask. He still needed to know more about her and her boyfriend. He needed to know if Vanessa was missing the man. If her loyalty to Marcus Bennett was greater than the interest she might have in him. If the level of comfort between them was what it seemed or if he was just wishing it into being. And even more than the questions he had for her, Kendrick realized there were things he needed to be asking himself.

They were only days away from the holiday season and he'd been thinking about his family. He marveled at the relationship between Zak and his sister; how easily they found balance with each other. He had never seen either of them happier until they'd met and he often wondered if he would ever find that kind of love for himself, if he even wanted it; a thought Vanessa suddenly had him reconsidering. He had become comfortable with the uncertainty in his life. Never knowing from day to day where God would lead him. Grateful that in those moments when there was a challenge tossed his way that his decisions affected only him. But he couldn't help speculating if there was something else waiting for him. Was there someone meant to share his destiny?

His parents and siblings would all be together for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He had nieces and nephews who barely knew him and that disturbed him. His brief time with little Gabi had him rethinking his own feelings about having children, had him wondering if he could be half the parent his own father had been. He also couldn't help but ponder about the woman who might bear his child. What about her would let him know that she was the one?

For the first time in a long time Kendrick found himself unable to focus, too much running through his mind. The situation he was suddenly thrust into had him wanting things he had never considered before. The holiday season made him sentimental and like too many years before, he didn't know if he would be there to celebrate with his family. Or if he would still be lost in paradise with Vanessa.

 

Chapter 7

T
he sun was just beginning to rise when Vanessa opened her eyes. She stretched her body outward, extending her arms over her head and her legs off the bed. Sitting upright she realized she was still wrapped in the white towel from her late-evening shower. And she was hungry, having missed the previous night's dinner.

In the distance she could hear Kendrick having a conversation with someone and she couldn't begin to imagine who he could be talking to. She reached for her wristwatch, which rested on the nightstand. It was well after eight o'clock in the morning. She shook her head, surprised that she had slept so intensely and for so long. She moved to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. Easing back into the bedroom she stepped into a slinky red bathing suit, pulled the length of her hair back into a ponytail and sat down to do her makeup. Minutes later she found Kendrick out on the patio, in deep conversation with Liam. The butler stiffened ever so slightly as she slid the glass doors open and stepped outside, his demeanor suddenly reserved.

* * *

Kendrick shifted his gaze in her direction. His breath caught in his chest as he struggled not to react. She was stunning, the scant red fabric complementing every dip and curve. He tried to appear nonchalant, fighting to maintain a poker face. Tossing her an easy smile he crossed one leg over the other as she approached the table, fullness suddenly pressing at the front of his shorts. “Good morning,” he said, his voice cracking ever so slightly.

Vanessa smiled brightly. “Good morning. Why didn't you wake me?”

“You looked comfortable,” he answered.

“Good morning, Liam.”

“Good morning, madam. What might I get for you this morning?”

Vanessa sat down in the chair Liam had pulled out for her. “I'm famished.”

“You missed dinner last night. I got to eat the cheesecake all by my lonesome,” Kendrick teased.

Vanessa giggled. “I just bet you did,” she said, sarcasm tinging her words. She turned her attention back to Liam. “I'd really like pancakes and bacon. Lots of bacon!” she said.

Kendrick cringed. “A heart attack on a plate!” he said teasingly.

Vanessa rolled her eyes. “I can do the health food thing when the honeymoon is over, thank you very much!”

“Coming right up, madam,” Liam said as he made his exit.

“I don't like him,” Vanessa said, her voice dropping to a whisper when Liam was out of sight.

Kendrick took a sip of his morning beverage, the bright green juice shimmering in the glass. “Why? He seems like a nice guy.”

“He reminds me of the guys Marcus used to have around all the time. They all looked sneaky and every one of them had a gun under his jacket.”

Kendrick shook his head. “I haven't seen any gun.”

“He just looks shady. Maybe you should have your agency run a check on him just to be safe.”

Kendrick tried not to laugh aloud, a smirk pulling at his mouth. “I'll do that,” he said. He changed the subject. “What would you like to do today?”

“Absolutely nothing. I'm still sore from yesterday.”

“You're the one who wanted to be entertained.”

“Well, today I just want to lounge around and not do one darn thing.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.”

There was a brief lull in their conversation as Liam suddenly reappeared with Vanessa's breakfast. The bacon was crisp and the pancakes were light and fluffy, served with freshly whipped butter and warm maple syrup. The food brought a smile back to her face as she dived in with her knife and fork.

Kendrick couldn't keep a straight face as he watched her eat. She was thoroughly enjoying her meal, consuming it with gusto. It was on the tip of his tongue to comment but he didn't. She suddenly lifted her eyes to his and his smile widened, a low chuckle easing past his lips. She rolled her eyes as she swallowed a forkful of pancake.

“I can't believe you're laughing at me,” she said as she swiped a cloth napkin across her mouth.

“I'm not laughing at you.”

“Yes, you are. You're making fun of the fact I have a healthy appetite.”

“I'm not. I'm just trying to figure out where such a tiny woman can put all that food.”

“I have a high metabolism.”

“Which is going to slow down in about ten years and then you're going to get that middle-aged spread.”

“I'm sure if that happens I'll spread in all the right places and still look good,” she said as she took another bite. “I imagine your spread will be beer-gut wide and not one bit pretty.”

“I'll take that bet,” Kendrick said.

She shook her head. “You still owe me from the last bet.”

“You haven't told me what you want yet. You were supposed to tell me last night at dinner.”

Vanessa shrugged, a wry smile pulling at her lips. “I'm still thinking about it.”

“That sounds like I should be scared.”

“Maybe.”

Kendrick chuckled again. He shifted in his seat as she finished the last bites of her meal. A comfortable silence wafted between them, only the lull of the ocean sounding through the air. The temperatures were slowly rising and the bright blue sky indicated that it was going to be another beautiful day. He suddenly found himself wishing for rain and a day or two of cold. Anything that might put more clothes on the woman. The moment she'd stepped out the door his body had reacted, desire raging with a vengeance. Every muscle in his body had hardened and he knew that if he stood up anytime soon it would be extremely embarrassing.

She interrupted his thoughts. “Why do you look so uncomfortable?”

He shrugged. “Do I?”

“You look like you could use a good meal. Maybe you should order some bacon,” she said.

He shook his head. “I don't think bacon will help my problem.”

“So what's wrong with you?”

“Nothing.”

She stared at him, her gaze sweeping over his face for a hint of understanding.

He met her stare and shrugged his broad shoulders. “It really isn't anything you need to be concerned with,” he said finally.

“Whatever,” she said as she pursed her lips tightly together.

Kendrick shifted the conversation. “I need to ask you some questions,” he said, refocusing his attention. “I need to know more about your boyfriend, Marcus.”

She bristled. “Marcus wasn't my boyfriend.”

“But you were in a relationship?”

She shook her head. “It's not what you're thinking. I didn't know him that well. We had only met the week before.”

“And you were sleeping with him?”

Her jaw tightened. “I
never
slept with him. We weren't even close to being lovers.”

Kendrick's eyes flitted over her face. Her cheeks were flushed and a hint of anger registered in her eyes. His head bobbed. “What do you know about his business with Pedro Fierro?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. That was the first time I'd ever seen the man. Marcus said they had some business to discuss and he told me to walk away. I did. The next thing I knew all hell broke loose. That man was dead and so were my best friends. I don't know why you people keep insisting I know more than I do.”

“I have it on good authority that he seems to think you know more than you do.”

“Well, he and your good authority are both wrong,” she snapped.

He nodded. “I really need you to tell me everything you can, Vanessa. I need you to trust me. Please.”

Sincerity seeped past his dark lashes. Vanessa nodded her head slowly as she took a deep breath and told Kendrick about her visit to Miami, starting with why she'd left New York in the first place. When every secret had been spilled, all of her hurts exposed for him to see, she lifted her eyes back to his, her bottom lip quivering.

There was a moment of silence, a hint of tension wafting between them. Tears suddenly fell from beneath her lids and she quickly swiped at her eyes with her hands.

“Please, don't,” Kendrick said, shifting forward in his seat. “I didn't mean to make you cry.”

“All I want is for this to be over so that I can have my life back. I just want things to be normal again.”

Kendrick reached for her hands, clasping them both between his own. “I just needed to make sure you had told me everything you could. I'm sorry if I upset you,” he said.

Vanessa's tears continued to fall. “Don't worry about it,” she said. “It's fine.”

He stared at her, as if unable to find the words to take away the pain in her eyes. He reached a hand out and brushed his fingers against her tears. “I really am sorry, Vanessa. But it's my job to know everything I can.”

She suddenly bristled, jumping too quickly to her feet. Her glass of orange juice fell against the table, spilling to the tiled pavers beneath their feet. “Well,” she snapped, “I don't have anything else I can tell you. Consider your
job
done well.”

* * *

Kendrick watched as she stomped off in a huff, disappearing down the sandy trail toward the larger pools on the other side. He tossed a quick look to Liam, who'd appeared out of nowhere, pointing after the woman.

“I'm on it, boss,” his associate said with a soft chuckle. “And I thought you had a way with women,” he added jokingly.

So did I,
Kendrick thought as he tossed up his hands.
So did I.

* * *

She was angry and even as she fought back her tears all she wanted to do was rage.
His job.
She was nothing more than his job. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. Dropping down onto one of the lounge chairs by the large pools she pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs. She didn't have any reason to be angry and she knew it. She knew that Kendrick wasn't there because they were a couple on holiday. He wasn't there because he cared about her and she cared about him. There was only one reason he was there and it had everything to do with his J-O-B.

Kendrick was there to guard her. To keep her safe until she could be the perfect witness. Whether she wanted to be or not. She was his assignment, not his girlfriend. His chore, not his wife. She was even beginning to think that they weren't even friends and she had truly believed there was friendship blooming between them. She swiped at the tears that still misted her eyes.

And then she was angry all over again. He'd been nice to her and she'd believed he liked her. She had let down her guard and had told him about Jarrod and the disaster that had been their relationship. She had revealed her deepest hurt and had allowed herself to be vulnerable just for him to remind her that he was on duty and nothing more.

“Excuse me, madam,” a familiar voice said, interrupting her thoughts.

She threw a quick glance over her shoulder. “What do you want, Liam?”

“I was just checking that you were okay. I wanted to make sure you weren't cut on the broken glass back on the patio.”

She shook her head. “I'm fine, thank you.”

“Is there anything I can get for you, madam?”

“No. I just want to be left alone, please.”

“Yes, madam.”

Vanessa tossed one more look over her shoulder to see him as Liam moved back toward the bungalow she was sharing with Kendrick. There was definitely something about that man that made her uncomfortable. But clearly it wasn't Kendrick's
job
to figure out why.