Michael (Connelly Cousins #3) Page 14

  Her jaw dropped. “What then?” She realized she had absolutely no idea what he did for a living.

  “I enlisted in the Army. Became a Ranger.” He spoke casually, as if it was no big deal. At least it explained the whole lethal aura thing he had going. And how he had been able to handle those bikers – and her stalker – so easily.

  “But you’re not anymore?”

  “Once a Ranger, always a Ranger,” he said with a tight smile. “But not an active one. When my last tour ended, I didn’t re-up.”

  “What happened?”

  Michael’s face darkened. “It was getting too easy to kill. Sometimes I couldn’t tell who the good guys were anymore. So I finished my tour and wandered around for a while, figuring out what I wanted to do. Eventually, I went back to Birch Falls. Reconnected with the family. Plus I wanted to open up a premiere fitness center in the area.”

  Michael’s hands moved up to her calves, then her thighs as he spoke. They felt so wonderful. With every place he touched, she melted a little more. He gently coaxed her onto her stomach, pulling the covers up just over her behind. Then he put those magical fingers to work on her back.

  Her words were slightly muffled against the pillow. “You could patent those hands,” she told him.

  He chuckled softly. “I’m afraid my services are rather exclusive.”

  “Are they now?”

  “Yes, there is only one client that I will attend to personally these days.”

  Her heart stuttered again. “Oh? And who might that be?”

  “I’m afraid that’s confidential. I take the privacy of my clients very seriously.”

  “Hmmph.”

  He had worked his way up to her shoulders. Bailey tried to turn over but he held her firmly in place.

  “I’m not finished yet.”

  She had no choice but to surrender. By the time he’d reached her neck, her entire body felt like a soft, gooey mass.

  “Feeling better?” he asked finally, pulling the covers up to her neck and stretching out beside her.

  “So much better.”

  “Good. Take a nap. I’m going to make you something to eat.”

  Even the thought of food had her stomach roiling again. “No, no food, please. I don’t think I can hold anything down just yet.”

  “Trust me,” he said, tucking the covers in closer and kissing her forehead.

  Cruel. Why did he have to be so damn gentle and caring?

  “Michael, you don’t have to do this.”

  She saw the briefest flash of anger in his green eyes, but his expression stayed controlled. “Sleep now, Bailey. Pick a fight with me later.” An instant later he was gone and she found herself alone.

  She hated how cold she felt without him. How was she ever going to find the strength to walk away again?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Despite her protests, Michael insisted she sip the broth he’d prepared in the small kitchenette, as well as nibble a few crackers. Surprisingly, the light meal stayed down and she felt better afterward. She didn’t share that with him though. The sexy bastard was already looking quite pleased with himself without her help.

  After removing the tray he joined her in bed, fully clothed, and on top of the covers. He snatched up the remote and began flipping through the channels.

  “What are you doing?”

  “It’s been a long day. Thought I’d lay in bed with my wife and watch some TV.”

  She huffed, a soft feminine sound that caused the left corner of his mouth to quirk slightly. “I’m not your wife. And I don’t watch television.”

  “You will be,” he said confidently. So confidently that her heart skipped a beat. “And why don’t you watch TV?”

  She shrugged. It was difficult to explain to someone why each added utility was another breadcrumb she didn’t need. Besides, given the bits and pieces she had seen, she wasn’t missing much. But he was looking at her, expecting an answer, so she said, “I’d rather read a book.”

  She could have sworn she saw a smirk ghosting over his lips, as if he somehow knew about her closet obsession with steamy romance novels. Then again, if his methods of tracking her down involved a stop at her Birch Falls apartment, he would have seen the stack of second-hand paperbacks that she’d acquired. Thankfully, though, he said nothing.

  Apparently Michael didn’t find television any more interesting than she did. He clicked through about a hundred channels (at least it seemed that way) until he paused at a chopper show. Bailey did a double-take when she saw the familiar face filling the screen.

  “Hey, look, it’s Kyle,” she said, sitting up. “Wow. He looks... wow.” With his long black hair tied back, ever-present shades, and black leather, he looked seriously deadly.

  “Bailey,” Michael warned. “Don’t talk about another man when you’re in bed with me. And I don’t think my sister would appreciate you perving on her husband.”

  “I was not perving on him,” she protested. “I was thinking how different he looks on TV compared to the last time I saw him. On this show he seems like a real ... I don’t know ... badass, I guess.”

  Michael snorted. “I’ve got news for you, sweetheart. Kyle is a badass.”

  “Funny, I didn’t get that at all when I saw him at the ER that night. He was so gentle with Lina, and the look on his face – like she was his whole world.”

  “Yeah,” Michael said softly. “That’s what happens when a man finds the right woman, Bailey. She becomes his whole world, and he’ll do anything for her.”

  Bailey had the distinct impression they weren’t talking about Kyle anymore. She dropped her gaze and picked up another cracker to nibble on.

  After surfing through at least a dozen more channels and not finding anything they could agree upon, Michael snapped off the TV and began undressing, tossing his clothes over the back of a chair as he did.

  “What are you doing now?” she asked as her eyes followed every ripple on each expanse of skin he revealed.

  “I’m tired, and I’m going to bed.”

  “You’re taking off all of your clothes.”

  “Yeah. I sleep naked.”

  He slid under the covers, careful to keep a little space between them and gave her a pointed, challenging, panty-wetting look. “Is that a problem?”

  Problem? No, there was no problem. Unless of course, she didn’t want to have a gorgeous, sexy, tender, caring, confident man fully nude in bed with her and less than a foot away. She didn’t want that, did she? Because if she did, she might just be tempted to move her hand a few inches, and then it would land right on his...

  “You’re ... aroused,” she said, blinking rapidly as all of the air in her immediate space just seemed to vanish.

  Michael glanced down, and gave her a sexy grin and a wink. “I’m always hard around you, sweetheart. Better get used to it.”

  Then the shameless rogue turned his back to her, punched his pillow once, and went to sleep, leaving her to stare at the back of those bare, broad shoulders and the sheeted contours of his fabulous ass. He must have known she was staring, too, because she distinctly heard him chuckle.

  She grunted, then leaned over and sprinkled a few cracker crumbs on his side of the bed for good measure.

  More than an hour later, Michael was breathing the deep, even breathing of slumber, but Bailey was still wide awake. How was she supposed to get any rest with him laying all gorgeous and naked next to her like that? Granted, according to him, she’d slept in that bed with him last night, but that was different, because she hadn’t known. Being wide-awake and completely aware was a whole new ballgame entirely.

  He’d turned again. Now on his back, the sheets had somehow shifted lower and barely covered his hips (her restless shifting had nothing to do with that; it had just happened, somehow). To further exacerbate the situation, he was still very much aroused, judging by the nifty tent just over his groin. His arms were folded back under his head, as if he were contemplating the ceiling from b
eneath closed lids while showcasing that magnificent chest and exquisitely shaped biceps. Delicious heat radiated from him, too. Fragrant heat. Clean and spicy and male. She leaned over and inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with it.

  Trying to maintain a safe distance between them was impossible. There was no such thing as a safe distance, not from him. If he was anywhere near her, her body behaved like a divining rod, bending in his general direction.

  Little by little she inched toward him until the length of her body ran against his. He felt good – so warm and solid. Surely a little snuggle wouldn’t hurt, right? Michael was out; he hadn’t moved in ages. He’d never know.

  With a deep sigh, Bailey finally relaxed. Within minutes, she was sound asleep.

  Michael wrapped his arms around her and smiled into the darkness.

  * * *

  “Michael, we’ve got to talk about this.”

  He’d been waiting for it. Bailey picked at the toast and scrambled eggs he’d made for her, her brow creased with serious thoughts. He’d already eaten, having risen at the crack of dawn to shower and take care of some business. He was handling everything over the phone or via his laptop, which he had set up on the desk in the living area of the suite.

  “So talk.”

  When it appeared she wasn’t going to eat anymore he removed her tray, then put his fingers against her inner wrist, taking her pulse. He counted silently, then nodded, pleased with the strong, steady rhythm.

  He wiped her thigh with an alcohol wipe and gave her an insulin injection. At least she was no longer fighting him on that front; she’d even admitted that he was quite good with a needle.

  That completed, he looked up to find her watching him intently. He was mesmerized by the natural color of her eyes. One was incredibly blue, the other a clear emerald green, like his. Sometimes they were wary, sometimes bemused. But this morning, they also held sadness.

  He sensed it, too, like an approaching storm. She was gearing up for some bullshit about why she was fighting this thing between them. Since bringing her here, neither one of them had brought up why she’d left Birch Falls so suddenly, or her change in appearance, or any other aspect of the massive elephant in the room.

  He wasn’t going to let her go so easily, especially now that he knew she was carrying their child. If she didn’t know that about him by now, she would soon.

  When she opened her mouth several times but failed to speak, he took the lead. As she was his croie, so he was hers, and he was going to be there for her, no matter what. She wasn’t alone anymore. Perhaps a gentle reminder/assurance was in order.

  “Are you sleeping better?” he asked. Every night after she thought he was asleep she snuggled up to him and fell into a deep, sound slumber. It was the only time she allowed herself to get close to him. Her subconscious had accepted what her conscious self hadn’t yet.

  “Yes,” she admitted with a sigh. “Michael, I don’t know how to say this.”

  Here it comes. He mentally girded himself for what was sure to be a laundry list of excuses. “Just say it.”

  She took a deep breath, gathering her courage. “I appreciate everything you’ve done, but I don’t need you hovering over me like this. I’m fine now, and perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

  A pretty speech. And complete bullshit. “I disagree.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I disagree, Bailey. You’re not fine. And as for taking care of yourself, you weren’t eating properly, you weren’t sleeping enough, and you weren’t even taking your insulin regularly. Oh, and let’s not forget that you were working your ass off in a smoke-filled bar catering to horny, drunken bikers. You’re pregnant, Bailey. What the hell were you thinking?”

  Bailey flinched back as if he’d slapped her. He’d intended to remain calm and rational, but once he got going, he found it hard to stop. The worry that had plagued him from the moment she took off until he saw her in the club finally overflowed in a torrent of angry words.

  “Were you even going to tell me? It’s one thing for you to turn tail and run away with no regard for me or anyone else who cares about you, but this is a baby we’re talking about. Our baby, Bailey. And I’ll be damned if you think you’re going to keep me away from my child, no matter how much you despise me.”

  He clamped his jaw shut, got up and paced across the room, running his hand through his hair. Way to stay in control, he seethed. As if she needs a reminder of what an asshole you can be. But goddamn it, she had to know, because he wasn’t walking away. Not from her, not from their child.

  Seconds ticked by, turning into minutes.

  “I didn’t begin to suspect I was pregnant until a few days before you found me,” she finally said, her voice quiet. “So I went out and bought one of those tests at the drugstore. When it came out positive, I -—I admit, I got scared. But I wouldn’t do anything to hurt the baby, Michael. Not ever. The only reason I was even at the bar that night was to quit. They couldn’t find a replacement that quick so I agreed to stay one last night, but that was it.”

  Her lip started to tremble. Her voice grew louder. “I can’t help it if I haven’t been able to keep food down. You think I like puking my guts out every time I try to eat something? It’s awful!”

  The tears began to flow in earnest, rolling unchecked down her face as her emotions rose to the forefront. “And I can’t believe you think I despise you, you stupid bastard! I couldn’t sleep because every time I close my eyes all I see is you. And I want you so much it hurts.”

  The moment the words were out of her mouth, Michael’s anger evaporated. I want you so much it hurts, that’s what she’d said. And that’s what he understood, more than anything else, because that described his situation perfectly. Now that they were both on the same page, they could actually do something about it.

  He couldn’t move fast enough to pull her into his arms. “Christ, Bailey. I’m so sorry, baby. I know I fucked up.”

  She mumbled something into his chest, her words so muffled he couldn’t understand what she was saying.

  “What was that?” He held her away from him just far enough so he could look at her, wiping away the tears with his thumbs.

  She took a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry, too, Michael. I thought I was ready. I know I should have told you but I didn’t because I wanted so much for you to be the one to ... my first. I was afraid you might stop if you knew. But then it really hurt and I panicked. I shouldn’t have taken off like that. I knew it was only a one-time thing going into it, but somewhere along the line I fell in love with you even though I knew better, and I couldn’t bear to see the regret in your eyes. I had to get away before I humiliated myself even more.”

  His heart swelled, though it was clear she hadn’t realized what she’d admitted in her rush of words. “Say that again.”

  Bailey sniffled and blinked, her expression defeated. “I humiliated myself?”

  “No, before that.”

  “I had to get away?”

  “Before that.”

  She blinked again. “I fell in love with you?”

  “That.” Finally.

  * * *

  She hadn’t meant to say those words to him, not now, not ever. But before she could attempt to repair the damage, Michael leaned down and fit his mouth against hers. It started off like the others -—axis-tilting -—but then ratcheted straight up to ‘alternate universe’ level. It was as though she could feel him pouring his heart and soul into her through that kiss. While her head swam, her body re-enacted her fifth grade science ‘states of matter’ experiment, going from solid to liquid to vapor and in less time than that ice cube had above the Bunsen burner.

  By the time he pulled away, she didn’t know what state she was in. Nor did she care.

  “I love you, too, baby.” He brushed her tears away with a feather-light brush of his thumbs. “And once I was inside you, I completely lost my mind. If I’d been remotely sane, I’d have realized it was your fir
st time and I would have done things differently. When I realized what I’d done ... God, Bailey, that wasn’t pity you saw in my eyes, that was disgust with myself for hurting you and being such a selfish bastard.”

  She sniffled. “It was?”

  He nodded. “Being with you was the best thing I ever felt, because you are the one for me, baby. My heart. My croie.”

  “I am?”

  Another nod, a flex of strong fingers at the small of her back. “I think I suspected it from the first time I saw you at the diner, but I didn’t know for sure until you ran into my arms that night at Tommy’s.”

  “You did?”

  Bailey felt a twinge of hope beginning to rise in her heart. He cupped her face with his hands. “And I have been dying to make it up to you, baby. To show you just how good it can be.” Planting tender kisses over her face, he murmured, “I want to make love to you, Bailey. Right here. Right now. Please.”

  She shivered beneath the intensity of that declaration. Her traitorous body tingled, wanted nothing more, but she hesitated. She’d been caught up in the maelstrom of desire for him before, and that hadn’t ended well. But they were being given a second chance. And he knew the truth now, right? It would be better this time.

  “We’ll go slowly? You’ll be patient with me?”

  “Yes, I promise. I need you, Bailey. Being without you is just not an option. I would do anything for you.”

  Michael kissed her, at first a gentle, tender kiss that quickly deepened into something much more. He pulled at her bottom lip lightly until she opened for him and let him in. Between one breath and the next, his tongue swept skillfully across her lips and then dipped into her, tasting her. He groaned, coaxing her into returning his kiss.

  What the man could do to her with a kiss!

  Breaking away from her mouth, Michael lavished hot, wet kisses beneath her jaw, and down her neck, focusing on her pulse points. Everywhere he touched instantly became his; there was no use in fighting it. He had already won.

  She tilted her head back into the pillow to give him better access, running her hands through his thick, silky hair. Before long he was moving south again, licking along her collarbone, then blowing softly over her moistened skin and giving her shivers and concentrated bursts of tingles in her most sensitive areas.