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“You could have died during that gutsy stunt,” he drawled.
“Rats.” She wrapped her arms around herself and scowled at him to disguise her apprehension. He’d told her to stay put. Would he punish her for trying to flee? “You locked me in there with giant killer rats.”
His lips twitched. “I didn’t know about the mutant rats. Sorry.” He thrust her clothes at her. “Get dressed.”
She snatched the bundle from him, and Gabe turned to give her some privacy, chuckling to himself. He wouldn’t have missed that for a million bucks. Dressed in purple skivvies, with a halo of chestnut curls rioting over her shoulders, clutching the drainpipe for dear life and humming “Be My Teddy Bear” at the top of her lungs, Kitten should have looked ridiculous.
But she hadn’t. She’d looked sexy as hell. Desire snaked through him, heating his blood. He wanted to run his fingers through her thick, shiny curls. Kiss those luscious pink lips. Cup her generous breasts in his palms—
Whoa! Where did that come from? She’s your prisoner, Colton, and under your protection. You might have taken her hostage, but that’s all you’re taking.
“I’m dressed.” Her indignant voice broke into his thoughts, again only a slight tremor revealing her distress. In spite of the fact that she had to be terrified, she was a pretty cool customer. Not to mention her ingenious jail break. If he’d arrived two minutes later, she’d be nothing but a memory. His admiration grew, encompassing not only her physical attributes, but her mental ones as well. He must be losing his mind.
With confusion throbbing in his temples, he gripped her arm. “Come on, Houdini.” He hustled her down the alley to a gray Jag and helped her inside before climbing in himself.
“You changed vehicles.”
The engine roared to life and Gabe maneuvered out of the alley. “Very observant. Yes, this is a Jaguar XK8, and you’ll never find a sweeter ride. Except…” He grinned at her. “One other.” She scowled at him again and Gabe chuckled. Damn, she was cute when she scrunched up her nose like that. He fished a bottle of motion sickness pills out of his pocket and tossed the vial to her. “Take a couple of these. I don’t have any more ski masks, and we’re in for a long drive. There’s soda in the cooler behind your seat and some sandwiches if you’re hungry.”
“Look, you seem reasonably intelligent.” She’d regained control over her voice, but a lingering edge of apprehension clouded her lovely eyes. “Be sensible and let me go. You can move faster, and the police won’t hunt you as intensely without a hostage.”
“What’s your name?”
She eyed him warily. “Tessa.”
Gabe shifted gears and the car roared past an oil truck. “For your own protection, I can’t turn you loose. Unfortunately, you’ve stumbled into a bad situation, which I can’t explain.” He wished he could. But if he could find out how much she knew and still keep her in the dark, he might be able to safely release her. For her sake, he hoped so. The scum he’d just thwarted with his rip-off played for keeps, and they’d already left too many bodies in their wake. Whether either of them liked it or not, Gabe had been thrust into the role of guardian angel. He covered her hand with his. “I’m Gabriel. Call me Gabe.”
She slapped his hand away. “Keep your hands to yourself. So, who are you, really? Bank robbers are edgy and taciturn, they don’t make jokes. They don’t take hostages on the spur of the moment unless they’re trapped. And they’re certainly not considerate of their captives. You’re having way too much fun.” Her remarkable eyes narrowed. “I suspect you’ve got an agenda. The misplaced payroll checks in the bags you asked about, maybe?”
He bit back a grin. The lady was way too smart for her own good. His impulsive decision to grab her had netted him a lot more than he’d bargained for. “Relax. You’re safe with me. But the less you know, the better.”
“Let me guess. You could tell me, but then you’d have to kill me.” She glanced out the window, her conflicted body language telling him she wanted to believe him, but didn’t quite dare. “Where are we going?”
“A place where I can protect you until I sort this mess out.”
“And how long will that be?”
“Ah, yes. You mentioned an important appointment?”
“I’m getting married in two weeks and I have a million details and an overbearing future mother-in-law to deal with.”
“Why do you want to do an idiotic thing like get married?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“A rolling stone gathers no chains.” Gabe shuddered. “I can’t imagine anything worse. Except being locked in prison.”
“Try being kidnapped, taken on a roller-coaster car ride by a lunatic and jailed with giant rats. Not to mention having your promotion blown to kingdom come.” She frowned. “You are disturbed. But I suppose your attitude shouldn’t be surprising for someone who robs banks for enjoyment.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “You’ve got a point. Now swallow a couple of those pills. I don’t want to have to run the inside of the Jag through a car wash, it’s a loaner.”
“Or stolen. A thrill a minute.”
“Why, Tessa, I’m hurt.” Gabe fluttered one hand over his heart. “You have such a low opinion of me.”
“If the ski mask fits…”
He grinned. “Hand me a couple sandwiches, would you? I’m starving.”
Tessa woke disoriented on a double bed in a paneled room. She remembered trees streaming past the car window and then fading to a blur. The pills must have knocked her out, a normal side effect. But everything was swaying, not a normal side effect. She blinked, but the room continued to roll. High-pitched squawking scraped across her eardrums. The rhythmic slap of water caught her attention, and terror clawed up her spine.
She tore open the door and raced upstairs, then skidded to a horrified stop. Endless blue-green waves crashed across the horizon of the Pacific Ocean. A scream ripped out of her and she collapsed, shaking. Her chest heaved in labored breaths.
Pounding footsteps vibrated the boards, and then Gabe’s strong hands gripped her shoulders. “Tessa, what’s the matter?”
She tried to speak, but couldn’t. Head spinning, her vision darkened. Her lungs convulsed and her heart galloped.
“Listen to me,” Gabe’s deep voice commanded. “You’re hyperventilating. Take slow breaths, in through your nose and out your mouth.” He pulled her into his embrace and his warm hand rubbed her back. “Easy does it. Slow your breaths down, honey.”
She obeyed, and as her breathing slowed, her vision cleared.
“That’s it.” His arms tightened. “Now tell me what’s wrong.”
Trembling violently, she clung to him. “Off the ocean,” she gasped. “Get me away from the ocean—off this boat.”
“What the—? This is my yacht, Serendipity, and she’s entirely seaworthy. Nothing’s going to happen to you here.”
Tessa burst into tears, involuntarily digging her nails through the nubby white cotton of his sweater, into his arms. “I want off,” she begged. “Now!”
“All right.” He stroked her hair. “Let go of me so I can get the launch.”
She managed to unclamp her fingers, and he rose. Arms wrapped around herself, she huddled on the deck, trapped in the nightmare that had haunted her since age six. She squeezed her eyes shut, struggling to breathe.
“Hang tight, sweetheart.” His footsteps faded. Thumps, a metallic clang and a dull bang sounded. Minutes later, he returned. “I take it you don’t swim.”
She shuddered.
“Yeah, big surprise. Put this on.” He helped her into a neon orange lifejacket. “All set, let’s go.”
“Aren’t you going to wear one?” she gasped.
“I’m more at home in the water than in my own bedroom.” He chuckled. “And I’ve got the big ol’ frog’s feet to prove it.”
With his hands supporting her, she pushed upright on wobbly legs. He urged her toward the rail. She caught sight of the dark, churning water and jerked to a stop, digging in her heels.
“Tessa,” Gabe spoke with quiet patience. “The only way to get to dry land is to climb into the launch.”
“I can’t.” Caught between two agonizing, impossible choices and crazed with terror, she whimpered. “Hit me.”
“What?”
“Hit me; knock me out. I’ll never make it to shore.”
He sighed. “Close your eyes.”
Desperate, she obeyed. But instead of the blow she expected, he swept her up into his arms.
“I’ve never hit a woman in my life, and I’m not about to start with you,” his satin voice murmured into her ear. “Even we bank robbers have our principles. Hang on.”
Eyelids squeezed tight, she clung to him. His rock-hard biceps bunched, a door creaked, and then holding her with one arm, he stepped downward. The splashing grew louder. He lowered her to a cold metal bench that rocked wildly. She gripped the edge so hard her fingers ached.
“Keep those eyes shut,” he commanded before moving away.
Ragged breaths raced in and out of her dry throat, but she obeyed, even as a new round of sobs shook her.
The motor chugged on. Gabe’s warm, solid body pressed against her side. She eased her eyes open and he slid one arm around her. As the boat leapt forward, the sharp sea breeze slapped her face. Shaking, she flung her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder, clinging to him.
“It’s all right,” he murmured. He stroked her back in a soothing caress. “When I was a little boy and I would wake up scared in the night, you know what my foster mom did?”
She gulped down her sobs and pulled away to gaze up at him.
“She used to give me kisses to hold in my hand. That way, I always had her love with me.” He touched his soft lips to her forehead in a sweet, comforting kiss.
Her fear receded, replaced by a shocking awareness of the man holding her so protectively.
The boat leapt upward, then plunged sickeningly down. The bow crashed through a huge swell and icy spray stung her skin. She lurched sideways, an involuntary scream bursting out.
Gabe’s arm tightened around her. “Whoa, it’s okay.”
She huddled in his encircling arms as he whispered words of comfort, until the boat finally slowed and he moored alongside a weathered wooden dock. He jumped to the pier and lifted her out beside him, but her trembling legs collapsed. Holding her, he sank to the dock and pulled her into his lap. “You’re safe, sweetheart,” he murmured, tugging the lifejacket off.
She let him hold her until the tight bands around her chest eased and the sick, shaky feeling faded. “Now, what was that all about?”
“I’m afraid of the water.”
“No kidding.” He brushed her damp hair away from her face, the clasp that had held her curls in order long gone. “Why?”
“Wh-when I was six, my brother pulled me into the ocean and I went under. I almost drowned. The lifeguard rescued me. Sh-she had to perform AR and I spent the night in the hospital.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “Your fear is a normal response to trauma. But,” he hesitated, “I’m trying to help, not put you down, okay? You shouldn’t have to feel that the fear overpowers and controls you. Being terrified is no way to live.”
“I’ve tried to conquer it. Intellectually, I understand. But forcing my emotions to obey is another story.”
“This sounds simplistic, but concentrate on something else. Stay focused, so you don’t have time to panic.”
Maybe he was onto something. For a few minutes in the launch, she had forgotten her terror. That had never happened before. But she’d been focused on him. Bewildered, she shook her head. “Is that what you do?”
He was silent for almost a full minute. “Yeah.”
“You don’t seem like you’re afraid of anything. What scares you, Gabe?”
A dark shadow clouded his eyes for a second. Then the mischievous sparkle returned and he gave her a dazzling smile, deepening the cleft in his chin. “Martha Stewart’s ‘to do’ list—now that’s scary.” He stood and helped her to her feet. “Nightfall will hit soon. C’mon.”
She recognized a distraction when she saw one. “Where?”
“I always have a Plan B.”
He supported her while they navigated the dock and toiled up a rocky path bordered by pines. But instead of his touch making her his captive, she felt protected. Her bewildered gaze scanned the thick Oregon forest. A scarlet maple leaf drifted down to land on her shoulder. Inhaling a breath of crisp fall air sharpened with tangy wood smoke, she brushed it off. From the shadows, crickets chirped a singsong chorus.
The setting sun stretched long gold fingers of warm light across the path by the time they finally reached a log cabin at the top of the bluff. Below, hungry white-capped waves hammered the shore. With a shudder, she jerked her gaze away. “Where are we?”
He unlocked the door. Instead of answering, he waved at a green-and-navy plaid sofa. “Have a seat. I’ll start a fire.”
Perfect. While he was busy, she’d summon help. She didn’t give a rip who he was, or what he was mixed up in, she wanted out. “I’ll make a pot of coffee.”
“Sure. But don’t go climbing out the window. The kitchen overlooks the bluff.” He grinned. “There’s canned soup in the cupboard and bread in the freezer. You didn’t eat in the car. You should get some chow in your stomach.”
Tessa strode into the cozy, spotless kitchen. Red-checked curtains framed the window, accenting the wooden walls and navy-tiled countertops. Her gaze darted around the room, looking for the phone. Oh, no. No phone. Her hopes flatlined. She squared her shoulders. Fine, she’d devise another plan.
She made the coffee and then opened a cupboard. The sight of Road Runner mugs inspired a reluctant smile. The cartoon cups fit Gabe’s mischievous, faster-than-a-speeding-bullet personality to a T.
As she filled his mug, a daring idea hit. Her hand slid inside her pocket and gripped the bottle of anti-nausea pills. Two had knocked her out for several hours. If he ingested enough…
She stood there, the plastic lid cutting an imprint into her clenched palm. What if she accidentally killed him? Drugging him felt like a sneaky, dirty trick. He’d treated her very decently. Get real, woman, the guy kidnapped you. She quickly smashed six tablets and stirred them into his coffee.
In the living room, a cozy fire crackled in the hearth. She couldn’t meet Gabe’s eyes as she handed him the mug. Perching stiffly on a navy chair near the fire, she cradled her own warm drink.
With a contented sigh, he propped his stocking feet on the coffee table. Dressed in a fisherman’s sweater and snug, faded jeans, he looked relaxed and comfortable. And not at all like a bank robber. As he took a sip, guilt pierced her heart and she steeled herself not to flinch. She felt like she’d given him a cup of hemlock. He grimaced. “I wonder how old this coffee is?”
Her gaze jerked sideways to the flickering flames. Would he realize what she’d done?
“You’re still jumpy. You’re not afraid I’ll hurt you?”
“The ocean scares me. You don’t.” In spite of a lingering edge of doubt, some primal instinct deep inside insisted he wouldn’t harm her. After his gallant response to her irrational terror on his boat, she was almost sure of it. Wanted to believe it. However, she had a life to get back to.
Gabe shook his head. “You did go pretty ballistic on me there for a while.” He took several more swigs. “I’m sorry about having to detain you.”
“You don’t have to detain me. I don’t have any interest in whatever skullduggery you’re involved in.”
“Skullduggery? Now there’s a word.” He chuckled before drinking again, then rested his head against the back of the sofa. “Unfortunately, you’re already involved.” He yawned. “I’m starting to fade. I’d better make us some sandwiches.”
No! She had to keep him quiet in order for the medication to kick in. She jumped up. “I’ll do it.”
His dark brows lowered and he flashed her a puzzled look.
“I was going to fix myself something to eat anyway.”
“Go ahead then. And thanks for being such a good sport.” He flashed her one of his heart-stopping smiles. “You’ve held up damn well considering what I’ve put you through.”
