Exposing the Heiress Read online

  “I can multitask.” Gripping his hand in both of hers, she curled up next to him, laying her head against his shoulder. “Unless you really want to be alone?”

  He should. Jesus, he should send her back to her room. Did she know what a temptation she was to him with her full mouth, sleepy eyes and too-generous heart? How goddamned sexy she looked, or the way her hair sliding over his arm sent wake-up messages to his cock?

  It’d be so much easier if their attraction was only physical. That he knew how to deal with. He’d give them both what they wanted until they were satisfied. But this? Fuck. Lyssie had come to him, turned to him when she’d been scared and desperate. That’s who he wanted to be. Sex would destroy that and them, because eventually, she’d learn who and what he really was. Then she’d look at him with horror and turn away.

  “Hunt?”

  Do it. Tell her to go back to bed. Or get up and walk away from her. But he wasn’t that strong. Instead, he pulled her into his arms, settling her against his chest. He grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch and covered her. “Stay.”

  An hour later, Hunt laid her in her bed. Lyssie was sound asleep and so damned beautiful, she took his breath away. Every cell in his body cried out to slide into that bed with her, kiss her awake. His heart pounded and stomach muscles contracted sharply. Need clawed him.

  But he walked out and quietly closed her door.

  …

  “Hey, there you are.”

  Alyssa jerked, almost falling off the barstool.

  Hunt caught her arm. “Whoa, didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “Dang.” Slapping a hand against her chest, she sucked in air. He was fresh from his shower after his morning run and workout. They both loved running, but she kept to her isolated runs, and Hunt never pushed to join her.

  This morning, she’d run twice her normal miles, trying to beat her growing desire into submission, the ache that woke her in the nights and stole her thoughts in the day. Hunt set the ground rules: friends only. She had to respect that, but then she’d come out here early this morning and found him sitting on the couch, so alone her heart cracked. She’d needed to touch him, and he’d let her by pulling her into his arms, wrapping the throw blanket around her and stroking her hair. She’d fallen asleep like that, with his heart beating against her skin.

  Now she was awake. Every nerve ending lighting up, her mouth drying as Hunt’s soap and clay scent filled her lungs. The memory of his arms around her ignited her longing, her lips tingled with the echoes of that kiss four days ago. In less than a week with Hunt, she felt more alive and real than she had in the last seven years.

  Say something! She lifted her gaze to his blue eyes and her chest pinged like she was fourteen years old again. He hadn’t let go of her upper arm, just loosened his hold, and rubbed his thumb over her skin. Tingles spread from that tiny touch. “Why were you looking for me?”

  He finally released her arm and leaned against the counter. “I have some updates.”

  Anxiety chased out her desire. “What?”

  Hunt’s eyes flattened. “Cooper Sims said your house is clean of bugs and cameras and he even had a mechanic go over your car. He’s changed all the locks and upgraded your security system.”

  Wow, that was thorough. “So you don’t think anyone was in my house?”

  Hunt’s jaw bulged. “Depends. What did you do with your engagement ring when you broke up with Madden?”

  “Gave it back.” She mentally retraced her steps. “I set it on the desk outside Nate’s office. He saw me. Why?”

  Hunt pulled out his phone and held it up.

  As soon as she saw the picture, shock twanged in her head. Her huge single-cut diamond ring in the platinum setting sat on a black cloth spread on her gold bedspread. “He had someone get into my house and leave the ring on my bed.”

  Hunt rubbed her arm. “That’s a stalker move, Lyssie. He’s showing you he can get into your bedroom anytime he wants, even when he’s out of the country. It’s not Parker doing it for him. We’re having him watched. Besides, the guards at the entrance would recognize him.”

  “Probably.” She looked up. “Nate’s having me watched, isn’t he?”

  “I believe so, and for a long time.” He put his phone away. “Nate appeared obsessed with you when he worked at Clout Law Group.”

  She tried to process it. “I hadn’t even met him then. Parker introduced Nate to me after he hired him.” It felt like she was spinning in a whirlpool.

  “You’re a powerful woman who’s on TV all the time. Cooper, Sienna, and I think he targeted you and worked through Parker to get to you. That he’s been watching you for a while, and had people inside Dragon Wing that were gathering information for him. That’s how he figured out how to approach and win you over.” He took a breath. “Do you trust your assistant, Maxine?”

  “Yes. 100 percent.”

  Leaning an arm on the counter, he studied her. “Why?”

  “I fired two assistants, Noreen Atkins for taking pictures of me and posting them on social media, and then Shea Foley for going through my things. That’s when I offered Maxine the job. She and Nate hate each other. Seriously hate each other.”

  “Could be an act.”

  “Maxine befriended me in college. She’s the one who forced me to start driving again.”

  Surprise flashed over his face. “You stopped driving?”

  “After the accident I was scared, terrified. I relied on drivers, but Maxine was having none of that and made me do it. She pushed me to be independent. She knows who I am, but she’s never asked me for anything. She’s my friend.” Alyssa held up a hand. “Before you ask, I never told her about Eli. I met her after I gave him up.”

  “Okay.” Hunt met her stare. “There’s more.”

  Her heart ballooned in her chest at the seriousness of his tone. “What happened?”

  “About four a.m. this morning, Griff caught a guy tampering with Eli’s family SUV in the driveway. Griff detained him, the police were called.” Hunt reached for her hand. “The brake lines were cut.”

  The horror of it gripped her throat as memories of the car sliding out of control, spinning wildly, slamming into the tree and the crunching metal all came back to her.

  “Lyssie.” Hunt wrapped his hands around hers. “Look at me.”

  His command gave her a focus, a way out of her memories. His face, cut harder from years of living a life she couldn’t even fathom, eased her sick fear. “Nate did it. He somehow did this.”

  “Did he know you didn’t drive for a while after the accident?”

  She nodded. Alyssa had told Nate, tried to make him understand how good a friend Maxine was to her. “He would hurt them. Eli and his family have done nothing to him, yet he’d hurt them. What kind of monster does something like that?” And she’d been engaged to him. “Wait, Griff caught the guy?”

  “Yes. Police came, he was arrested, but it’s going to take time to see if we can connect him to Madden, although I doubt it’s going to be easy. Madden clearly isn’t stupid, so I’m sure he’s covered his tracks.” He squeezed her fingers. “The good news is Madden will know that we have Eli protected and he can’t get to him. Griff has an entire team watching the family, including while they sleep.”

  She had to know. “Was Eli scared?”

  “He never woke up and doesn’t know what happened. His parents have told him the guys are following the family around for a special work project his father is working on. According to Griff, Eli accepts that and thinks it’s cool.”

  A painful mix of relief, happiness, and pain so deep it scared her, twisted in her chest. Everything in her wished she could have been strong enough to be the parent Eli had needed, but she hadn’t been, not then. The old grief, the pain she’d refused to let out rose up to choke her. She had the urge to throw herself into Hunt’s arms now, and beg him to hold her. But then she’d break. Not happening. Instead she slipped her hands from his and pulled herself toge
ther. “So what do we do now?”

  He eyed her. “Are you okay?”

  “Pissed. Furious. But I’ll be fine.” She would be, she just had to pull herself together. Shutting her laptop, she grabbed her coffee cup and headed around the island to the coffeemaker. There she stared at the carafe. “What do we do next?”

  “Let us investigate. Sienna’s requested the reports on Madden’s mom’s death. She should have those soon. We’ll work to find out who hired the guy arrested this morning.”

  Alyssa nodded, staring at the coffeemaker.

  “But right now—”

  She jumped, the coffee cup clanking on the countertop. He was right behind her. So close, his breath stirred her hair. How did he move so quietly?

  Reaching around her, he shut off the coffeemaker.

  His arm brushed hers, his chest pressing against her back. Solid warmth. She desperately wanted to lean back against him.

  “—we need a break.”

  She recoiled slightly. Looking over her shoulder, she asked, “From each other?”

  “From the stress. We’ve been cooped up here for days. Let’s go have some fun. So far, no one knows you’re here, so it should be safe as long as you do as I say.”

  “Really?” Excitement chased out the thick worry and dread. “Where?”

  “It’s a surprise.” Turning her to face him, he glanced down at her dress, his eyes regretful. “You’ll have to put on more clothes. Jeans and either athletic shoes or boots. I have a jacket and helmet you can use. Bring your camera too.”

  Anticipation buzzed her veins. “You still have your motorcycle?” She used to beg him to take her on his motorcycle. Her mother had said no, though, so Hunt refused, although she’d taken a million pictures of him on it.

  Humor glinted in his light eyes. “I have a different bike than you remember, this one is faster.” He flashed her a grin, stripping away the years that had passed between them. She wasn’t the infamous Alyssa Brooks trying to fill her dead mother’s shoes, and Hunt wasn’t a Marine veteran carrying internal wounds he vented in his art. They were Hunt and Lyssie, ready to ride.

  …

  Hunt loved the speed and freedom of riding, the sensation of going fast enough to outrun the consequences of his choices.

  Total illusion. He couldn’t outrun a bullet, not even on a bike this fast. He knew exactly how to calculate the speed of the bike against the distance between him and his target to make the shot. But right now, with Lyssie pressed against his back, her thighs around his hips, and the wind in their faces, he felt boundless as if anything were possible again. Even with her as just a friend felt pretty damn good. He’d known suggesting a bike ride would wipe that tight tension off her face and make her smile. Much better than when she’d pulled her hands from his when she’d been upset.

  He wanted her to walk into his arms, not pull away.

  After an hour of riding, he slowed near the shack surrounded by other bikes and a few cars. This place was way off the beaten path, mostly known to locals. He doubted anyone would recognize Lyssie. She had her hair tightly braided, no makeup on, and wore one of his leather jackets. She looked like his Lyssie, not the glamorous Alyssa Brooks. Since no one knew she was here, she should be safe. He was armed and prepared just in case.

  As he stopped the bike and killed the engine, the scent of tacos filled the air. “Still up for doing this?” Rough wood picnic tables spread out along the sloping dirt at the side of the taco stand.

  “Yes, is this like a biker hangout?” Holding on to his shoulders, she swung her long leg off the bike and peered down at him.

  He missed her against his back and her arms wrapped around him the second she was gone. Putting the bike on the kickstand, he got off, removed his helmet and retrieved her camera bag, throwing the strap over his shoulder. “Locals who know about it, mostly bikers and a few hikers. Some tourists find it too.”

  She studied the flat-roofed shack with the large ordering window below the handwritten menu. A scraggly line of about seven bearded men and one woman all wearing biker gear waited their turn. Out at the tables, a few more attacked their food. “It’s remote. I mean, I hear the ocean hitting the rocks, but can’t see the shoreline from here. This isn’t where you open a taco stand to get rich.”

  He placed their helmets on the bike, then reached for her hand and led her to the line. He couldn’t see her eyes behind her sunglasses, but her face was flooded with color. So damn pretty. He wanted to put that pink glow on her skin with his kiss and—

  Nope, not going there. Instead he focused on her question. “The owner is a veteran, lost his leg to a roadside bomb. Lost a lot of friends that day too. He doesn’t want to be in the middle of town. Here there’s only one road in and out and that gives him a sense of control.”

  She angled her face toward the shack, her lines screaming compassion. “How long have you known him?”

  “Years. Found this place when I was home on leave.” Hunt had become more and more solitary, taking long motorcycle rides.

  “And most of these guys, they’re vets too?”

  Her words pulled him back to the beautiful woman wearing his jacket. It was too big for her but she didn’t seem to care. She was more interested in the people around them than herself. “Most, yeah.”

  “Do you know them all?”

  He shrugged. “No, but they won’t bother you. These guys want their space. Stay out of their way, and you’ll be fine.” They were quickly moving up the line. “What do you want to eat?”

  “Two carne asada tacos and extra guacamole. Iced tea.”

  Hunt turned to place their orders, paid, and handed Lyssie her box of tacos and chips with extra guacamole. They found a picnic table and dug in.

  “I didn’t think to bring cash with us. Sorry. I’ll pay you back at the house.”

  Hunt set down his drink and taco and shoved up his shades. “For two tacos and a drink?”

  “Plus yours.” She threw it off, not really paying attention. “These are so good.” Closing her mouth around another bite, her eyelids drifted shut and she let out a tiny sound.

  A moan.

  Damn. That was hot, but wait, she was distracting him. “That what you usually do?”

  She grabbed a paper napkin and wiped her lips. “Eat like this? No, but man I have to find tacos like this back home.”

  “Alyssa.”

  She stopped halfway into another bite.

  He could feel her eyes on his, questioning. “Do you pay for everyone else around you?” Like that bastard she’d been engaged to?

  Her eyebrows drew together over her sunglasses. “Nate liked flashing the company credit card, so not really. Although I usually reimbursed the company if our meals were private, but…” She shook her head, clearing some memory. “Anyway, this is different.”

  “Damn right. You are one of mine and you don’t pay me back for a couple tacos.”

  Her tongue darted out as she licked her lips then said, “One of your what?”

  Hunt finished off his first taco, and eyed her. “Friends. The kind I drop everything to protect.” That clear enough for her?

  Her face broke into a huge smile. “Hmm, so who else is on this list?”

  Hunt rolled his eyes yet his guts twanged at her very real grin. “Well, my boss Adam has a couple dogs. They are both on the list. But you’re right below them.”

  “Ha ha. I’m not sure you’re on any of my lists.”

  The mood from earlier in his kitchen had lightened, and he was glad to see her having fun. “I’m on your Hot Guy Crush list.”

  “You just fell below the dude who made these tacos.” She picked up her second one and bit into it. “Oh yeah.”

  His blood heated and raced south. When the hell had watching a woman eat messy tacos become sexy? She had a tiny spot on her lip and he itched to lick it off.

  She glanced around. “You know what I like?”

  “Me. We’ve established that. And FYI, I can kick taco g
uy’s ass so he drops below me on your Hot Guy Crush list.” He was only half joking. The idea of her crushing on any other man annoyed him.

  Alyssa laughed. “Until you make tacos like this? You’re second. He’s first.”

  “Nope, I’m first. I brought you here. You’d never have known about these tacos if I hadn’t shown you.” He leaned forward. “You’re the only person I’ve ever brought here. Put me back at number one.” He heard himself, felt the dumbass grin tugging his mouth. She brought out a side of him he hadn’t seen in years.

  “That’s a coveted position, Marine. You want it, you’re going to have to earn your way in.”

  This woman had been featured in magazines as one of the most beautiful executives, but those pictures didn’t hold a candle to her now. The wind and helmet had teased pieces of hair from her braid, her skin was slightly wind burned, his black leather jacket had bulked her up, and she was gorgeous. “I’m first, cover girl. We both know it.” He pushed his empty box away and wiped his hands. “Now tell me what you like?”

  After taking a drink of her tea, she said, “I like that no one’s here to be seen. No one cares what everyone else looks like. They really do leave us alone.” She shoved up her sunglasses, her eyes connecting with his. “Is that why you haven’t shown anyone else this place? You like the solitude?”

  Ah, she had been listening. “Come on, I’ll show you. This is where you can take some pictures.”

  …

  Alyssa took his hand and followed Hunt along a rocky, steep trail leading down. The scent of the ocean, foliage, and damp earth surrounded them. When they stopped at the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean, Alyssa caught her breath. Jagged rocks led down to foamy water. In one spot, rocks stretched out into the ocean like a finger. “It’s breathtaking. Untamed and yet peaceful.”