Cowboy In The Crossfire(40)

"I wondered what had been going on in that head of yours. You were too quiet on the plane." Blake clasped her shoulders and turned her to face him. "Don't run yet. We have another lead."

She couldn't let him convince her to stay. "We thought Vince had the evidence. There are too many uncertainties. I'm sorry. My gut tells me to go. I have to think about Ethan."

"You'll look over your shoulder the rest of your life."

"Not if I'm smart and careful."

His glittering eyes bored into her. "You'll be alone. Unable to trust anyone."

"I've been alone for a long time."

"Not anymore," Blake said.

He leaned closer. She could barely breathe, his big body overwhelmed her so. She didn't want to look at him. He squeezed her shoulders and didn't speak. Finally, she raised her gaze.

"You really want to run?" he asked.

"I don't see a choice."

"Then you'd better get ready for company because I'm going with you. You're stuck with me, Amanda. I'm not letting you out of my sight. Not until these men are caught."

He pulled her close to him and she trembled, shaking her head, her forehead rubbing against his wool sweater. "You can't. You have a life here. A town that needs you. Family."

"I lost my son to these men. I won't let the same happen to you. You don't get to decide this, Amanda. If you leave without me, I'll track you down."

She tried to tug away, but he trapped her against the railing, the scent of his aftershave wafting over her and making her head spin with temptation.

He lowered his head to her ear. "You can't stop me," he whispered, his breath warm against her face. "You need me."

"It's not fair to you," she said, trying to resist the emotions overwhelming her the closer he pressed. "Ethan is my responsibility."

"Joey was mine," Blake said. "And I would have done anything not to lose him. Even take help. Will you?"

She clutched his sweater in her fists, her heart aching. "Why are you doing this? I just don't understand. You could wash your hands of us right now. Go back to your life."

"I knocked out a cop for you, honey. Remember? I was there when Vince's house burst into flames. I'm on the run, too. There's a lot more evidence now than the Austin cops had before. And they almost sent me to jail then."

"Tell them I made you break in. Tell them I threatened you."

He laughed. "You believe they'd accept my being coerced by a little thing like you?"

A frigid gust of wind snaked its way beneath her coat. She shivered. "I'm trying to do the right thing, Blake. I'm afraid," she said. "For Ethan. And for you."

His face softened. "I know, but you can't give up, Amanda. Not yet. We're closer than we've ever been." He pulled her into his arms, holding her against him, warming her from the inside. "Besides," he said, his voice low and husky, "I don't want to say goodbye to you. Not yet."

The growling undertone sent a quiver through Amanda; her nerves exploded to life as his hands rubbed her arms. He enveloped her, and the heat emanating from his body wrapped her in a cocoon.

"You've got me whether you want me or not."

If she ran, he'd keep coming after her. And he'd find her. He was too good at his job.

She sighed. "I'm too tired to fight you anymore. Don't do this."

"What? Warm you?" He bent his head and his lips skirted her cheek. "Touch you?" He hovered over her mouth. "Kiss you?"

She didn't want to resist. For once in her life, why couldn't she have what she wanted? Throwing away caution, she grabbed the back of his head and pulled him to her. His lips took hers with certainty. The taste of him made her quake with longing.

"Help me forget," she whispered.

"Then touch me," he whispered. "Show me you want me."

Amanda's hands trembled as she wrapped her arms around him. She pressed herself against his hardening body, her softness crushing against his, soaking up his warmth. Her mouth parted under his and she ventured a taste of his lips, desperate to lose herself in all of her senses.

He swung her into his arms, holding her close and protected, cradled in his embrace. "This time we won't stop." His pulse raced at the base of his neck.

She grasped his sweater. "I don't want you to."

"So be it."

He carried her into the dark and quiet house, flipping the dead bolt before crossing the living room to the bedroom. She let her head rest against his chest. His heart thudded, the rhythm soothing and terrifying all at the same time. When he nudged the door closed, her body thrummed in readiness.

"Last chance," he said, his voice husky.

She touched his lips and stared into his eyes, flaring with want and passion. When had someone ever wanted her as much as Blake?

"Make love to me. Make everything go away for a while," she whispered. For once in her life she wanted someone who wanted her this much.

His eyes burned hot in response to her words. Slowly, he lowered her feet to the floor, but he didn't let her go. He shifted closer. He reached out a hand and laced his fingers through hers before cupping her cheek with his rough palm. He paused, as if waiting for her to pull away. She couldn't. She'd told him the truth. She was past resisting. His gaze held her captive.