Casting the Dice Page 12

  “That’s not important.” Her beautiful eyes widened, and he started again. “It is, but it’s not the problem I want to discuss.”

  She gave him a side-eye. “Please tell me this is not about the kisses, because—”

  “Why?”

  Her face reddened. “You think they were a mistake, too?”

  “They’re already forgotten.” Blood revved his pulse every time he remembered the feel of her lips under his, but those kisses couldn’t lead anywhere. Annie was a freaking librarian. No way could he ever be her equal.

  “O-kay.” Her throat moved as if in a swallow, and she frowned. “What is the problem you want to discuss?”

  “Considering what happened in the park, we need a better way to communicate. Talking isn’t enough.” He sucked in a breath, bracing for what would be an ordeal. “Will you teach me to finger spell?”

  She straightened and held a fist up facing out. “This is how you form the letter A. Come on, imitate me.”

  He mimicked her, and she made the letter B then C. She continued to demonstrate the alphabet, and he copied her. So far this seemed easy.

  “Oops, not that way.” She showed him the letter G again.

  He tried to mimic the position of his fingers. She laid the flat of her hand on his curled fingers, and every nerve there went on alert. Her eyes widened. They stared at each other, until she broke the contact and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Let’s keep going. We still have the rest to learn.”

  The room phone rang the minute he executed the letter Z. He answered, said a few words, and slipped his key card into a pocket. “I’ll get the food.”

  The elevators favored him, and he made quick work of retrieving supper. Annie had cleared space and sat with her expense notebook open to a new page. “Let me see how much you tipped so I can figure my share.”

  “I took care of it, don’t worry.” He set the food bag on the desk and grabbed the ice bucket. “You want anything from the drinks machine or is ice water okay?”

  “Water’s better for you.”

  He returned from the machine and filled two of the room’s plastic cups. The spicy ginger and soy scent rising from his General Tso’s chicken made his mouth water. He popped open his bamboo chopsticks and sat. “How do you want to share this?”

  “I ordered the moo goo gai pan.” She speared a pea pod. “I assume you ordered what you wanted.”

  “The whole purpose in ordering Chinese is to be able to share dishes.”

  “Here.” She scraped some of her chicken into a new cup. “Is that enough?”

  “Thanks. You want some of mine?”

  “No, I don’t like that.”

  Whatever. He dug in with his chopsticks and ate a few mouthfuls before he caught her staring. Had she changed her mind?

  She tapped her chin. “You’ve got something there.”

  He grabbed some napkins. “Better?”

  She nodded and tapped her chin again. “How’d you get that scar?”

  He rubbed a finger over the welt. “In high school. A friend of mine was being bullied, but I convinced the other kid he didn’t want to behave that way.”

  She gave him two thumbs up and a smile that lighted those beautiful tropical blues.

  “That was great.” She closed the lid on her container. “Do you want to practice spelling some words?”

  A vise slowly squeezed his chest, but he’d asked for this. He looked at his hand. “That’s a D?”

  She nodded, but he stumbled over the next three letters of danger and shook his head. “This is taking too long. In scuba diving we have shorthand. Hand signals.”

  “I can teach you some signs, if you want.”

  They practiced yes and no and danger. They had scarcely finished with the sign for what? when her cell vibrated across the desk. She looked at the display, and her chest rose and fell. “I better take this. He knows I hate having to listen over a wireless phone, but I’m tired of getting his messages.”

  Hal tensed. “Do you know who this is?”

  She grimaced. “Just an old friend.”

  He stood. “Should I leave?”

  “I don’t care.” She reached behind one ear then tapped her phone and sat on the side of her bed. “I’ve been busy. Are you calling from where was it? Morocco? Borneo?”

  She glanced at Hal and rolled her eyes, phone to her ear.

  “Oh, no. That’s rough. You never fall.” She switched the bedside light on and off. “I know…Why are you calling?”

  She listened a long time, her mouth tightening. If that jerk had upset her, he’d—

  “That’s too bad. But I’m busy. Please don’t call me again.” She disconnected and swiped at her eyes. “We should get back to the signing lesson.”

  “My brain is stuffed enough for one night.” He propped his hands on his belt. “Tell me about the call.”

  She stared at him. “It was personal.”

  “You didn’t care if I heard your end. Why are you crying?”

  “Darryl claims he got hurt on a climbing trip. Of course, it wasn’t his fault because as everyone knows, he’s the best. He broke some bones and wants me to rush home so I can wait on him hand and foot.” She shook her head. “Once upon a time I would have, but we split when he left for a climbing trip.”

  A boyfriend. Hal ground his teeth.

  “I thought we were serious about getting married, but he was stunned. He asked how I could even think he’d want to get hitched to someone who would always need coddling.”

  Hal flexed his fists. “You don’t need coddling.”

  “I hope not.” She expelled a breath. “I don’t know where he got that idea.”

  “He might have been thinking about your hearing loss.”

  “He also said I didn’t have any fire, whatever that means.”

  “He knows nothing.” Hal stepped closer. “You’ve got plenty.”

  “You think?”

  How could she doubt it? “Today you kissed me.”

  “You didn’t mind?”

  “I kissed you back.” He’d promised himself not to talk about the kiss, but there it was.

  “I do remember.” She swatted him playfully. “I’ve known Darryl since high school, but at the moment I don’t know what I ever saw in him.”

  Hal took one of her hands and folded his on top. Annie needed to know how a real man would treat her. She needed to be treated like the priceless jewel she was. She needed to find a guy who could spark her passion.

  Annie couldn’t decipher Hal’s expression. She got busy bagging the garbage before moving to the coffee machine area. Darryl had talked the talk about exotic locations, but he’d hurt himself less than two hundred miles from home. Tension knotted her shoulders, and she rubbed her neck.

  “Are you okay?” Hal asked.

  He really was a nice guy, better than nice, especially compared to Darryl. Her old boyfriend always knew best and got upset if she questioned him. Hal listened even when she could tell he’d rather not, and he didn’t manipulate. Big difference.

  “I’m fine.” She sat next to him on the bed, covered his hand and leaned against his shoulder. He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She leaned into him a moment before standing again. “I can’t believe I wanted to marry Darryl.”

  Hal propped the pillows on the headboard and leaned against them. “You’ll get married one of these days.”

  “Right now, all I want is to live long enough to get out of here.”

  He startled. “We’ve only got the room until tomorrow.”

  She laughed. “I mean New Orleans.”

  “But don’t you need to sell the bookshop?”

  “I do. My mom may be gone now, but the medical bills still need to be paid.” A heavy cloud rolled over her. Change the subject.

  She tossed a used cup into the trash. “Have you ever dived abroad?”

  “Tahiti, Cayman Islands. Belize.”

  Wow. “I used to think I’d travel
to exotic climbing locales, but I’d rather get out of debt first.” She rubbed the back of her neck again. “My shoulders are still stiff from all the climbing on that dang brick wall.”

  He shifted over. “Sit and turn around.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ll work out those kinks.” He patted the mattress beside him.

  “You really want to?”

  His smile warmed her. “You helped me out with the burns last night, and they’re better now. Your turn tonight.”

  She turned her back. He massaged her shoulders, rubbing his thumbs up her spine. She melted into his touch and leaned forward to give him better access. He made a satisfied sound and stroked his hands down her arms, one after the other.

  “This feels wonderful.” She sank into the soothing massage, almost not noticing when his fingers slipped under the hem and brushed across her hips. Almost.

  Heat bloomed in her private places, burning away everything but the need for Hal’s touch.

  “I can do a better job if you lie on your stomach.”

  She stretched out on the bed. He peeled down her waistband and trailed his fingers across her skin. She pressed her cheek into the mattress. This was wonderful. This was madness.

  Work associates shouldn’t be indulging like this, but those shared kisses might mean they’d moved from colleagues to friends.

  She shuddered. “That tickles.”

  “Sorry.” He instantly dropped his hands.

  “It’s okay.” She propped her head on an elbow and looked around at him.

  His jaw tightened, and a slow fire built in his brown eyes. “I want to kiss you again.”

  A charge of energy jolted her. “You haven’t had enough?”

  “You have to be joking.” He bent forward and pressed his mouth to her shoulders, nudged her braid aside and planted his lips on the nape of her neck. Then her forehead and her cheek, before teasing the corner of her mouth.

  She rolled onto her back and pulled his head down. “Want to try that again?”

  His laugh exploded against her mouth then he licked at the seam until she gave him entrance. He dived deep, tasting of soy sauce and ginger. The rub of his tongue sent flames roaring through her like wildfire in dry sagebrush. She arched into the kiss and tightened her arms around his neck.

  He broke off and stroked his tongue up her neck. She tugged a strap off her shoulder, and he kissed the exposed skin before peeling off more and mouthing her nipple. She gasped, shivering when his breath skated over damp skin. He read her mind and pushed away the second strap.

  “Your turn.” She tunneled fingers under his tee, pushing the garment high enough to brush fingers over his abs. Muscles clenched under her touch. He stiffened, his gaze intent on hers as he reached behind his head to yank off the shirt.

  He leaned over her, his chest hair tickling, his dark gaze smoldering. What kind of lover would he be? Would she survive or completely combust?

  At the park, she’d intended her kiss to be a brief thanks for his amazing driving talents. She’d seen this from the beginning, the fierceness he tried to keep under wraps. And now, wonder of wonders, he was releasing it for her.

  She ran her hands over his flat abs. He sucked in a breath and threw himself to one side, dropping an arm over his eyes. After a minute, he looked at her. “You know where this will lead.”

  “We’re going to be here only one night.” Then they could go back to the way they were before the first kiss. She’d have a hearing loss for the rest of her life, and Hal didn’t deserve to be burdened with protecting her forever. “Why can’t this be for only one night, too?”

  A grin spread across his face. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  She moved to the top of the bed. “Come here.”

  He braced his arms on either side of her and bumped his nose against her. “Close enough?”

  “Not quite.” She smoothed a fingertip along the length of one dark eyebrow. “Are you going to say anything else?”

  “In my life?” He chuckled. “Probably.”

  “I mean right this minute.” She reached behind one ear. “I want to take off my aids.”

  He grinned. “I know how to sign.”

  “Only four words.”

  The man put every other male chest she’d seen to shame. She looked her fill before taking his hand and letting him pull her to her feet.

  On the way to the dresser, her top fell to her hips. She looped a strap over one shoulder, but Hal had other ideas, pushing the material aside and kissing her shoulder.

  “Will you wait a minute?” She found the zippered pouch in her yarn bag and stowed the aids.

  He tugged her top over her head and reached for the snap of her pants. His fingers brushed across her navel, and she shivered. “You’re driving me crazy.”

  He flashed that dangerous dimple.

  She reached for the buckle on his military web belt. “Don’t you want to get naked, too?”

  “Yes,” he signed.

  He untied his boots and kicked them away. She tugged down his pants and ran her knuckles along the silky arrow of hair to his groin. He urged her to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Between the two of them they got rid of the rest of her clothes.

  Steam rose around them as they explored each other’s bodies. Her breath stuttered when his fingers brushed her core, and a spike of pleasure jolted her. “Hal.”

  With this man, everything felt newer, deeper, more urgent. Hal knew exactly how to touch her, how to make her gasp. How to free her. Together they rinsed off in the shower spray. Without even drying, they stepped into the room and fell onto the bed.

  He found his wallet and made quick work of sheathing himself. His thrusts started slowly and gradually intensified, but she tensed.

  Hal rested on his elbows, holding her gaze. “Let go. I’ll—” He formed the letter C.

  “Catch me?” She guessed. “I trust you.”

  He formed the G this time.

  Good. Yes, very good.

  14

  The fingerprints smudging the face of the digital clock made his blood boil. Randolph Lemoyne stalked into the adjoining bath and ripped a tissue from the holder. He hated disorder and loose ends.

  His driving had been masterful today except for one thing—the end result. His quarry hadn’t crashed. A swipe cleared away the prints, and he flung the paper rag into the trash can.

  His cell buzzed, and he read the caller number. Bruce again, but he had nothing better at the moment and answered. “What do you want now?”

  “You didn’t come to the meet spot.”

  He’d never planned to go. Since he was the brains behind their scheme, he should be paid accordingly.

  “I got delayed.” Sort of. There hadn’t been any point in meeting.

  “Stop wasting time. Get rid of her already.”

  The blonde.

  “Don’t worry. I have things under control.” Thanks to his stupid sister, he’d only had to dangle the full deed of the family home in front of her eyes to get her assistance.

  “I have a lot more on the line than you. My wife likes to spend money, and I got two kids in private school.” Bruce’s voice rose. “She has to go. Nick is worried she’ll talk to casino security. I’m worried she’ll talk to casino security. You should be, too.”

  He could hand over the job because he didn’t need to be exposing himself now. “I’m keeping track of her.”

  “Yeah? Tell me where she is.”

  Hal woke instantly. The voices came from the hotel hallway, and he checked his watch. Still nighttime. He slipped his arm from around Annie, careful not to wake her, and crept to the door. The locks slid open soundlessly, and he cracked the heavy panel.

  A couple shuffled past, intoxicated and laughing. They’d probably been to Bourbon Street drinking and listening to jazz. The woman giggled. The guy fumbled with the room key card. Hal listened until their door thumped closed. Now only the shush of cold air from the air conditioner broke th
e quiet.

  Annie didn’t stir, even as he slipped in beside her and stared at the ceiling. He breathed in the scent of Annie’s hair, her body, her very essence and smiled. He’d accomplished what he’d set out to do, evidenced by her smiles and sighs before she fell sleep. He’d shown her she was a passionate woman, and right on cue, certain of his own body parts woke.

  Now you’ll never get to sleep.

  He needed to stop dwelling on how perfectly their bodies fit together and think about something else. She still waited for her aunt’s contractor to return her call; another thing Hal didn’t understand. And what about that driver who’d chased them today?

  Hell. His body refused to relax. He eased off the bed, pulled on his pants, tied his boots and collected his wallet and key card.

  The scone lights illuminated an empty hallway. The ice machine alcove beckoned some thirty or forty feet away on the way to the lobby elevators. He fed the soft drink dispenser and a can rattled down. He pocketed his wallet and was about open the can when the swish of the elevator doors came from around the bend in the hall. His senses stretched to catch the next sound.

  More intoxicated tourists. Or a salesperson returning after a late client meeting. Neither would be a threat, and he could not explain why he squeezed between the wall and the ice machine to avoid an encounter.

  Heavy footsteps shuffled closer. “What’s the room number?” a harsh baritone whispered.

  Hal stiffened. He’d heard that voice before.

  “Hold on a sec.” Hands slapped clothes. “I dropped it somewhere.” Whispered curses. “It’s probably in the elevator.”

  Hal recognized the local accent and froze. The goosebumps spread.

  “If it’s not there and we have to go back to the desk you’re going to explain.” The first man whined, both voices fading.

  He peered from the alcove. Two men strode toward the elevator alcove. The shorter one wore a red baseball cap. He recognized his taller companion, even though he wore a T-shirt instead of a three-piece suit.

  They disappeared around the corner, but they would be back. Hal surged down the hall and swiped his room card. The indicator light glowed red. He looked over his shoulder and tried again, and again getting the red light. His chest tightened, and he looked toward the elevator hall.