Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
V ander gunned the Ducati Super Sport east toward Lake Tahoe.
Brynn was tucked tight behind him, and he was excruciatingly conscious of every inch of her against him.
The perfect fit.
He had decided on a different bike, rather than taking a car. It gave them more options if they needed to go off-road. It was also bright red, so no one would mistake it for his black BMW. They both also wore leather jackets and black helmets.
He’d been on edge the entire time they’d traveled through the city, knowing people were searching for them. He’d relaxed a fraction the minute they were clear of the city sprawl. All he was focused on now was getting Brynn safe. Get to his cabin, and then he could fully relax.
They continued on smaller, quieter roads, and surprisingly, he found himself enjoying the ride.
She kept a firm grip on him, and leaned easily into the corners with him.
Riding like she’d been on a bike all her life.
She matched his moves, fully in sync. He’d never felt that way about anyone before.
He shook his head. He wasn’t going there.
They passed through the small town of West Grove. It was the one closest to his place. Once they were settled, he’d come back and grab some food and supplies.
Finally, he slowed and turned off onto a smaller road. He rode deeper into the forest.
Vander thought of Nomad and the Wanderers. He ground his teeth together. Nomad had picked the wrong city to infiltrate. Vander was going to make him regret it.
He’d either send the biker back to Arizona, or kill him. Thinking about Brynn’s face, the latter seemed much more appealing.
Vander turned again and rode through some stone gates. The gravel road was rough, and he slowed down before finally pulling to a stop outside his cabin.
Brynn slid off the bike and pulled her helmet off. Her hair spilled over her shoulders.
She made a choked sound. “Vander, this is not a cabin.”
“It’s a wooden house in the forest.”
She snorted. “It’s an architecturally designed piece of gorgeousness. Look at it.”
The building was long and sleek, with a vaguely Scandinavian feel to it. Lots of wood, glass and natural stone. The windows were floor-to-ceiling panels of solid glass. There was a detached garage off to the side, where he kept his Mercedes G-class SUV.
He used his phone to turn off his security system, then unlocked the front door and let her in.
There was lots of natural wood, and everything was sleek and minimalist. He didn’t get here often, and he wasn’t one for decorating.
“It’s essentially off-grid. The place has solar panels and a small wind turbine. It’s owned through a series of companies, so it can’t be traced back to me. I have a caretaker who lives down the road and keeps it clean.”
Brynn wandered around. “Vander, this place is amazing.”
Large, sliding doors led onto a wide, back deck. There was a sunken fire pit off to one side, and the deck led straight to the pond. The still surface of a decent-sized pond gleamed, surrounded by trees.
“Can you swim in there?” she asked.
He nodded. “And fish.” He had fishing gear in a small, wooden storage box. Outdoor furniture was dotted around the deck—a wooden table and chairs, and wide loungers topped with cream cushions.
“It’s truly gorgeous. Peaceful.”
He shrugged. “I don’t get here often. My family uses it sometimes, but Easton has a big place on Lake Tahoe. We usually go there for family events.”
So, this was his place. His family understood his need for solitude.
“There are three guest bedrooms, so take your pick. And everyone’s left a few things here over time, so you should be able to find some clothes that fit in the closets.”
She nodded and wrapped her arms around herself.
“All right?” he asked.
“I guess the reality of what happened is sinking in.” Her chin lifted. “I’ll be fine.”
Of course, she would. Brynn Sullivan was made of tough stuff.
“Let me check your face.” He led her to the kitchen and she sat on a stool. “Do you need more painkillers?”
She nodded. “That’s probably best.”
The bruising was going to be bad. He gently stroked her cheekbone, and then got her some pills.
“I can’t wait to get rid of my fake tattoos,” she said.
“Not into tattoos?”
She swallowed the pills and smiled. “I have one real one.”
“Where?” He hadn’t spotted any.
She shot him a feminine smile that he felt in his cock. “It’s a secret. I’ve never even told my mom.”
“My mother despairs about her sons all having ink. Doesn’t change how she feels about us, but she isn’t a big fan. Rhys has the most, and even Easton has some.”
She tilted her head. “And you? I haven’t noticed any.”
He smiled. “It’s a secret.”
Their gazes stayed locked, and he was suddenly intensely curious to know where her tattoo was.
Fuck . He looked away. “I’m going to head into town and stock up on food. Maybe find some more clothes.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “On the bike?”
He smiled. “No, I have an SUV here.”
“Okay, well I’m totally going to snoop around while you’re gone.”
“I didn’t expect anything less, Detective.”
“Get some chocolate, please. I think I’ve earned it.”
“Roger that.”
He headed out, but paused at the front door and looked back. She was standing by one of the large windows looking out at the pond, and he felt a punch to his gut. She looked so right there.
Vander shut that thought down fast. This would all be over soon, and she’d go back to her cop life, and he’d go back to his world among the shadows.
He pulled out his phone and texted Saxon and Hunt to let the men know that they were safe.
His phone vibrated.
Take care of my cousin, Vander, or you’ll regret it.
As always, Hunt never minced his words.
Saxon messaged to say that Ace and Rhys were pulling every shred of intel they could find on the Wanderers and Tony “Nomad” Garcia.
Will email it through tonight. You and your detective get some rest today. We’ll make battle plans tomorrow.
Thanks, Saxon.
Vander opened the garage, unveiling his rugged, decked-out G-class in matte black. He got in and reversed out, then headed into town.
There was a surprising and unfamiliar ache in his chest. He realized that he didn’t like leaving Brynn alone. He shook his head. “She’s a cop. She’d kick your ass if she knew you were thinking that.”
His hands tightened on the wheel. He had to stop thinking about her.
All he was going to do for the next few days was feed her, tend her injuries, and keep her safe.
That was it.
Nothing else.
He turned onto the highway and headed for West Grove.
* * *
Brynn totally snooped.
She found the master bedroom at the end of the hall. There was more gorgeous, warm wood, and a sleek bed made up with gray bedding. The windows offered a perfect view of the water and trees.
She could practically feel her blood pressure lowering, standing there.
She didn’t get a personal sense of Vander from the room, but she knew he was a man who didn’t give much away, even when it came to his personal space.
There was an awesome bathroom, with a huge, open shower, and a long, wooden vanity.
The pièce de résistance was a large, freestanding stone tub that would be perfect for bubble baths.
Back in the bedroom, she spotted a small frame on a floating shelf. She picked it up, and her chest tightened.
It was Vander with a group of men. They weren’t in uniform, but she knew this must’ve been his Ghost Ops team.
He stood in the center, with his arm around Rhys, who had much shorter hair.
They were all wearing cargo shorts and T-shirts.
All of them were muscular and tough-looking.
Vander had a faint half smile on his face, and one guy was on his knee at the front, mugging for the camera.
These men were like his brothers. Men he’d depended on in the middle of hell. Although Vander was their commander, so she knew he would have held himself a little apart. He would have felt responsible for them.
Had they all made it back? If they had, were they guarded too? Keeping themselves from truly living?
She headed back to the living area. The pain pills had kicked in, and she didn’t feel any aches. She opened the sliding door and stepped onto the deck.
Nice . She breathed deep. She felt all the stress leak away…except the driving need she felt for the man she wanted more than anything.
It was just the two of them now, and for the moment, they were safe.
Brynn knew Vander’s warning was real. If she went further with him, if she let herself tumble all the way in love with him, he’d be overprotective, bossy, and overbearing.
But she also knew, deep in her gut, that he’d love so fiercely. Like nothing she’d ever felt before.
How would it feel to be the very center of Vander Norcross’ universe?
Delicious heat coiled inside her. She realized she didn’t have a choice. She wanted him and she was going to make him realize that what they had was too powerful to ignore.
She wanted to love him. He deserved it so much.
But first, she wanted him to let go of that strict control he held onto tightly. To feel. To live.
She watched the smooth water of the pond. It reminded her of him—still, cool, and controlled on the surface.
But she really wanted to see what was beneath.
She heard a door open and looked back. She watched as he strode in and dumped some bags on the kitchen island.
“Found everything?” she asked.
He stepped onto the deck. “Yes.”
“I really like it here. It’s so peaceful.”
“When I come here, I sit out here for hours. Drop in a line.”
“You come alone?”
He met her gaze. “That’s how I prefer it.”
She looked back at the pond. “Well, I think I’m going to test the water.”
“There are perfectly good showers inside.”
She smiled at him over her shoulder. “I know, but it’s a beautiful day, and I feel like a swim.”
“You don’t have a swimsuit.”
She grinned. “That doesn’t really matter.” She unbuttoned her jeans and shimmied them off. He cursed and turned away.
“Never pegged you for shy, Norcross.”
She yanked her shirt off and ditched her underwear.
He didn’t say anything. She looked at his broad back, and felt the tension throbbing off him.
But she noted that he didn’t leave.
Brynn stepped into the water. It was nice—not cold, but fresh and cool on her skin. She slipped in and then pushed off. She swam to the center of the pond.
“The water is great.” She looked back and saw him now seated on a wooden, outdoor chair. He leaned forward, his hands steepled between his knees.
Brynn dived under and did a few laps. She liked swimming, and didn’t get to do it often enough. She did a few more laps.
“You like swimming, Norcross?” she called out.
“Yeah.”
She turned to face him. “You should come in.”
No response.
No, he was sitting there watching her. Brooding.
God, she wanted to give him something. Ease the pain, the burden he carried. To let him feel pleasure, feel free.
They’d survived a gun fight with bikers today, and she felt very, very alive.
Brynn swam back toward the deck. She slicked her hair back.
Then she took a deep breath, absorbed her jittering nerves, and pushed out of the pond.
She stood there on the deck, water sluicing off her. For a second, she savored his intense gaze moving over her body.
Then she started toward him.
“What the hell are you doing?” he growled.
“I’m seducing you.” She stopped in front of him.
“I already said that wasn’t happening. I’m not interested, and you’re just embarrassing yourself.”
Ooh, that cold tone was designed to slice and hurt.
But she saw the way he gripped the arms of the chair. Saw his pulse pounding in his throat.
A sense of power filled her. This man wanted her. Badly. He was trying so hard to push her away.
“I’m not embarrassed,” she said.
“I’ve had a lot of women throw themselves at me.”
Brynn smiled. She reached out and pressed a palm to his chest.
He tensed.
“I can feel your heart racing,” she murmured.
He stayed motionless. He was fighting so hard, but she knew it would be so good if he let go.
“God, you’re handsome. Those dark, good looks. You have these sexy lips, so at odds with the rest of you. It gives me all kinds of ideas.”
His gaze raked over her naked body, and she guessed he didn’t know that violent hunger was churning in his eyes. In the end, he had to make the choice. She didn’t want to take, she wanted him to meet her in the middle.
“You make me want, Vander. Everything.”
His control broke.
She practically heard the snap as he surged up out of the chair.
His arm snaked around her and he lifted her off her feet so easily, making her realize just how strong he was.
Gasping, her nerves alive, Brynn wrapped her legs around his lean waist.
“There’s no going back now,” he growled. He slid a hand into her wet hair, tugging her head back.
Her pulse jumped.
“You’re mine now, Brynn. I tried to warn you, but you wouldn’t listen.” His mouth grazed her jaw. “ Mine . I won’t give you up. I won’t let anyone take you from me. And I won’t let you walk away.”
Her belly clenched, heat flooding her at the possession in his voice.
“You’ll give me everything I want. And after that, I’ll take even more.”
She met his turbulent gaze. “I’m yours. It’s not taking, if I give it to you.”
With a savage sound, his mouth crashed down on hers.