Chapter Nine
“I have to go pee,” Becca said.
“Ah.” Becoming increasingly certain that she would allow him inside her sexy body, Rio decided a small delay wouldn’t matter. He straightened. “Put on your sweatshirt and cap. I’ll take you out.”
With the mood broken, if only for a short time, Rio shrugged into his coat, and when she was ready, he took her hand.
She let him.
First, he insisted on scouting the area for the mountain lion. Only when he found no sign of it did he allow Becca outside.
In the snow, they walked together to the now familiar underbrush. “I’ll get the scooter back over here and cover it with the tarp. Call me when you’re ready.”
“I can go back to the cabin myself,” she said. “It’s only right there.” She pointed at it, not many yards away.
“Sure,” he said. Maybe by the time he got back she’d be waiting for him in all her nude splendor. He touched her nose with his index finger and was rewarded by a shy smile.
With the scooter down in the tree line, it took him several moments to reach where he’d stashed it. Behind him, he heard the cabin door open and close. He smiled.
He dug the scooter out and walked it back to its original place by the shack, then hauled out the tarp. Getting ready to spread the heavy and concealing fabric over the Vespa, he hesitated.
A distant thumping sound quickly became loud.
A helo!
Diving under the tarp, Rio jammed himself up against the tree trunk. Had Becca heard the rotors?
He dared not check. If the men in the helicopter above were watching, any moving figure would be spotted.
He couldn’t afford to be found. Not only would they kill him, but worse, they’d take Becca. With all the trouble she’d caused them by escaping their grasp, they might not be kind to her once she was back in their control.
No matter what, he did not want that to happen. As he’d told her, Becca deserved her freedom, deserved to be restored to her family. She’d done nothing wrong. He couldn’t stand by and see her hurt.
And he must complete his mission.
When he judged the helicopter to have finished its pass, and listening while it continued on its straight line trajectory, he threw off the tarp and raced to the cabin. In the snow his boots gouged great chunks that flew yards in each direction. If they’d been spotted, the bird above would make a sharp banking turn.
While he listened hard, the helo kept going.
Yanking open the door, he slammed it behind him and found Becca huddled on the floor at the foot of the bed.
Under the sleeping bag.
Lifting the corner, he sank to the floorboards and climbed under with her. Pulling her into his arms, he held her close for a moment and shut his eyes. Not only was she beautiful, she was smart. She’d done the right thing. Becca wasn’t just attractive, she had a brain in that pretty head.
“Are they c-coming back?” she asked, clinging to him.
“Not sure,” he said. “Since they haven’t found us, apparently they’re going over the same ground again. It’s what I’d do.” But he was sure. They’d been flying arrow-straight. They wouldn’t be back soon.
Beneath the sleeping bag, he again tilted her chin. “Remember. No matter what, I’ll take care of you, Becca. I’ll keep you safe.”
She nodded.
This time he would not be denied. With a relief that surprised him, he let his mouth close over hers.
She accepted him as he’d suspected she would and her capitulation was sweet. Tenderly he thrust his tongue past her lips and explored the inside of her mouth. To cradle her, he placed his arm behind her neck and her head fell back. She moaned. Dragging his lips down her throat, he placed little kisses along her neck. With his free hand he cupped her cheek.
“Want me?” he asked, giving her a little nod. He needed her permission. He needed to know he’d been right about the coincidence .
With her tongue, she wet her lips. “I’m not sure. I’m overwhelmed. Scared. My leg does still hurt.”
He clicked his tongue. “Excuses, excuses.”
She searched his gaze. “Give me some time. I need to think about it.”
Time? Within hours, he’d have to pack her up on the Vespa and leave. No way would he tell her that. If he pressed her now, and if she knew, she’d surely deny him. Let her think she had much more time in which to decide. Too bad that time was the one thing that had run out.
With a reluctance far greater than he could have imagined, he eased away. Why the fuck had he even asked her?
“Can we have the food now?” she asked.
“Sure.”
Together they sat, companionably eating the apple and granola bars. Offering her a sip of water, he asked, “Are you thinking about it? You know ... us? Over there?” He pointed at the bed.
She pursed her lips, appearing to hide a smile. “Yes, I’m thinking.”
“Are you thinking ... about me making you happy? Have you considered what I can do for you with these?” He held up his hands and waggled his fingers.
Her mouth twisting, she tried harder to suppress her smile.
“How about my mouth?” he asked. “Have you thought about that? Or my tongue?”
In a brief flash, her eyes glowed and he saw it, dammit. He saw the telltale spark of sensual interest. But then, they glinted in renewed humor.
“Or this?” Dropping his hand to his pants, he cupped his sex. “Come on, Becca. A woman doesn’t come by opportunities like this often. I’ve got mad skills. Come and get it.”
Becca burst out laughing.
Not the reaction he’d been hoping for, but not bad. He could be charming if the situation warranted. He shook his head in pretended regret. “Your loss.”
To Rio’s everlasting regret, Becca spent the entire day thinking .
When the shadows lengthened, he knew it was time to leave. He wasn’t going to bed Rebecca De Monte after all. The idea soured his mood and he became curt with her.
“Get ready and put on your hat,” he said gruffly.
She didn’t seem to notice. “We’re leaving? Now?”
He nodded once. “I’ll get the scooter. We’ll be at the rendezvous in about an hour.”
“Great!” she said. “Do you want me to turn out the lamp?”
“Yeah.” He banged out the door and stamped towards the Vespa. Damn women! Once he made the delivery, he’d never see her again. He really hated lost sexual opportunities.
Maybe he’d even miss her a little.