Chapter 34
Owen wasn’t sure what would happen when Natalie woke. He was loath to leave her, because the woman in his arms was the Natalie of old.
He smiled as he thought of their lovemaking. No way could she deny the passion between them or how much she enjoyed it. But that’s not how he would have to get through to her heart.
His smile dropped. How did he get to her heart? At one time, he knew everything there was to know about her. Now, he couldn’t say that.
A glance at the clock showed it was just after four in the morning. After several bouts of lovemaking, she slept like the dead.
The SEAL in him wanted to get up to see if Callie had worked her magic and gotten him and Natalie an invite to the gala, albeit with a name change for both of them.
Instead, he remained in bed, holding his woman.
He thought of the previous day. As dangerous as that had been, the gala had the potential to be even more so. That’s where Callie and Wyatt would come in with the Ritz Carlton’s floor plans.
It would give him time to look over exits and where to hide guns. Callie was also booking a room at a nearby hotel for them under another name so they couldn’t be easily traced.
Owen wasn’t worried about the ranch. The six men Callie had spoken about would be there long before he and Natalie left. Two were snipers and would set up long distance. The remaining four would be scattered about.
“I swear I can hear you thinking,” Natalie said sleepily. She sighed and lifted her head to look at him.
He gave her a grin. “Habit.”
“I’m starving anyway. Come on,” she said as she threw off the covers and pulled on his t-shirt.
Owen held back a groan as she walked in front of him with her breasts swinging and the barest glimpse of her ass peeking out. He rose and yanked on his pants, not bothering to button them as he followed her.
While she went to the kitchen for food, he checked email. The invitation for the gala would be delivered by courier to their hotel. Though Owen wasn’t surprised. Callie was a true genius when it came to working computers.
“Anything new?”
He glanced at Natalie as she walked in with a large glass of milk and a bag of Oreo minis. She held the bag out to him, and he took a handful.
“Our way into the gala is confirmed, as is our hotel room.” He checked another email to find that Callie had sent over the hotel floor plans.
Natalie leaned over and saw them. She sat back with a laugh. “This should keep you entertained for hours.”
“I can’t help it. I love figuring this stuff out.” Not to mention, it was keeping Natalie safe.
Six hours later, they were headed back to Dallas. Though it was hastily planned, everything was in order. But he knew better than most that things could go sideways at any second.
He and Natalie kept an easy conversation on the ride to the city while occasionally going over details of the night. The closer they got to Dallas, the more nervous she appeared. And she had every right to be.
When they pulled up at the Hilton, he walked her to their room and then left her to get ready. Since the Russians were everywhere, and Natalie couldn’t leave to shop, he had the shopping come to her.
All the while, Owen was going to scope out the Ritz for himself. Besides, he needed to see what security was like before they arrived.
There was no time to think over her emotions about Owen now that she was in Dallas. And a part of Natalie was thankful for that. It was too much to take in when she’d fought so hard to keep him away.
He’d been gone hours, but she’d expected that. She stared at herself in the full-length mirror and smoothed her hands down the black dress that fit to perfection.
The sleeveless gown hit her mid-thigh with a small two-inch slit showing more of her left leg. The dress plunged low, but delicate black lace covered her chest and rose up to her neck.
Her long hair was pulled back an array of twists with just enough wisps of hair about her neck to look messy. She was finishing off her look with a pair of diamond stud earrings when the hotel door opened and Owen strode in.
He came to an immediate halt, his gaze traveling up and down her twice. “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.”
“Thank you.” She couldn’t have been more pleased by his reaction. She may have had to dress for the gala, but she wanted to impress him.
“The security is as tight as expected. It’s going to be dangerous,” he warned.
“You’ll be beside me this time, right? Not just in my ear?”
He came to stand before her and pulled her against him. “Beside you.”
“Then we can do this. You’d better get dressed,” she said and nodded to where his tux hung, waiting.
With a wink, he walked away. She followed him to the bedroom and stood in the doorway.
“I found a place we can stash Dvorak as we have our little chat,” Owen said.
She raised her brows. “Really? That’s good. Have you figured out how we’ll get him there?”
He paused, looking up at her from buttoning his shirt. “I’m loath to say it, but you.”
“He does want me dead. But why wouldn’t he just send his men?”
“You’ll promise to give him something he wants.”
She chuckled as she realized the plan. “The bioweapon.”
“Exactly. Once we’re alone with him, we’ll do what we must to get information.”
She grabbed his tux jacket and held it out for him to slip his arms into the sleeves. Then she smoothed her hands along his shoulders once the jacket was in place. “Ready?”
“Are you?”
“I wish I had a weapon.”
He nodded in understanding. “They’ll be checking.”
She glanced at the clock. It was time. Owen thought it wise for them to arrive well before Dvorak to get the lay of the land—and hope no one spotted either of them.
Owen threaded his fingers with hers. Then they walked from the room. In two blocks, they arrived at the Ritz. Owen handed the security guards their invitations.
With a nod, another guard motioned them through metal detectors. And then they were inside the gala with the upper crust of Dallas society in attendance.
She grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter while they walked the perimeter, pretending to look at the exhibits for the next twenty minutes.
“I’ve counted six guards in tuxes while the others are in the customary black suits,” Owen said.
She nodded to passing couples. “I spotted one holding some kind of device in his hand.”
“A jammer. There won’t be any cell phones working.”
Which meant there was no calling for help. She and Owen really were on their own. She searched for anyone she might know from the embassy. So far, luck was on her side.
Owen led her up the stairs. She was grateful to have a hold of his arm, because with every Russian guard they passed, she expected one to reach out and grab her. It was Owen’s reassuring strength beneath her hand that kept her steady.
They halted near the railing at a semi-secluded spot overlooking the floor below. She leaned close to Owen, a smile in place.
“So far, so good,” he murmured.
“Have you been in situations like this?”
He glanced at her, a wealth of meaning in his chocolate gaze. “Something similar, but I didn’t have such precious cargo to look after.”
Two days ago, she would’ve waved away his words. Now, she couldn’t. She ran her fingers through his deep brown locks at his temple. Just as she started to speak, there was a murmur that went through the continually growing crowd.
“I think Dvorak has arrived,” Owen said.
She briefly closed her eyes. This was it. The time of no return had arrived. This was for Owen, Orrin, and the others.
Not just because they’d saved her from the killers. But because they were family.
People milled around them, wanting to get a look at Dvorak as he strolled into the gala with a gorgeous woman on each arm. He smiled and waved, enjoying the attention.
Someone bumped into Natalie in an attempt to get to the railing. Instantly, Owen navigated them out of the crowd. She drained the champagne to help steady her nerves.
Owen took the empty glass without a word and handed it to a waiter. His hand remained on her back, comforting and warm. He leaned in close, his mouth near her ear. “Dance with me.”
His words were so unexpected that she swung her head to him. It was that crooked smile of his, the one that always made her heart skip a beat that said her reaction was just what he wanted.
“Yes,” she replied breathlessly.
The lights were dimmed except for the spotlights on the exhibits, as the music grew louder. Together, they strolled down the stairs to where other couples already danced.
Owen led her to the floor. And then she was in his arms, moving slowly with the music.
“My God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered.
He gave James Bond a run for his money in a tux. And out of it. She had never felt so special as she did in that moment, in his arms. “I’ve never seen you look more handsome.”
“I want you.”
She let her lids fall shut as her blood heated. “Don’t tempt me.”
He leaned close so his lips brushed her ear. “Why not? There are plenty of dark corners.”
It was difficult for her to remember where they were as she imagined what he would do to her in those dark corners.
“I can hear your breathing,” he said huskily. “My God, what you do to me.”
She gasped when he brought her close and she could feel his arousal.
“Yes,” he said. “I’m hard for you.”
How was she supposed to think with him saying such things? He was seducing her. She’d known it last night. And she hadn’t fought it. Perhaps she was tired of fighting it. Why not give in? Why not allow herself to let someone close again?
He pulled her closer so that their cheeks were pressed together. He then whispered, “You sparkle even in the dark.”
She savored the moment. The seductive music, their bodies swaying, Owen’s arms holding her firmly, and his nearness. It was enchanting, entrancing.
It was perfection.
“In my worst moments,” he said, “when I was pinned down in some Godforsaken country with all the odds stacked against me coming out alive, I always thought of you. No matter what you might believe, know that you were always on my mind.”
Her heart warmed at his words. It gave her the courage to do the same. “I compared every man to you. Even in my marriage. No one has ever come close to rivaling you. Ever.”
He pulled back so she had no choice but to meet his dark gaze. The dimmed room made it difficult for her to see him clearly. He moved their joined hands between them and touched her cheek with a finger.
“I haven’t had a relationship since you.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “Why?”
“Because no one was you.”
The song came to an end, but they didn’t stop moving. Soon another song began to play.
“I want you. Not just tonight or while I’m here. I want you forever.”
Forever. How long had she dreamed of hearing those words from him? At one time, she would’ve moved Heaven and Earth to hear them.
And now? She wasn’t sure what to think or feel. She wasn’t nearly as confused about Owen as she had been before.
“Don’t say anything,” Owen urged. “I want you to be happy. But know this. I don’t give up when I want something.”
And he wanted her. A thrill went through her.
She looked down at his lips, a mouth that she wanted to lean up and kiss. Everything she ever wanted was being offered.
His hand splayed on her back, pulling her hips against him. “You were made for me,” he said. “You were always meant to be mine.”
Second chances. People rarely got them, and it had practically fallen in her lap. Ignoring it would be foolish, but she was scared. Her heart had been trampled enough.
“You said you didn’t want me in the military life,” she said.
Owen gave a shake of his. “I said a lot of stupid things in an effort to keep you out of this very situation. It’s made me realize what an idiot I’ve been. I want to spend my days with you.”
“Why are you telling me this now?”
“Because you can’t run away.”
Did he really think she would? She placed a soft kiss on his lips. “We need to talk about this—”
“But not here,” Owen finished, his voice shifting deeper. “We’ve been spotted.”