Cowboy In The Crossfire(46)

"We're on the same page there," Blake said, toying with the neckline of her sweatshirt, baring her collarbone, running his fingers along the fragile bone. She shivered as the awareness between them built.

"Amanda discovered a link that Vince sent via email. It's password-protected. We don't know how to access it. You got a guy?"

"The best. Give me the email info."

Amanda bent over and provided the account information. "Is that enough?"

"Should be plenty," Logan said.

"Could be how they tracked us to Maddox's," Blake warned. "A helicopter's burning up on the west side. The pilot veered just as I tried to bring them down with a shot. It's a mess."

"Fire department's already out there." Logan paused. "Have you heard from your mother?"

Blake stilled his caresses, his forehead creased in concern. "No. I had to ditch your phone. Are you telling me you don't have her location?"

"I haven't found them. Yet. I will. But I've got to keep the Austin PD busy. I don't want to provide anyone else too much information if possible. Too many opportunities for leaks with all these unknown players."

Blake rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm cornered, Logan. I need intel."

"I'll do what I can. By the way, we tracked the boots to a small shop in Dallas. Paid with cash. The guy used an alias. We're working on it."

"Get pictures of all the cops in the Austin PD. See if the owner recognizes any of them. I'll check back in an hour. And Logan, make sure Mom's okay. These guys are escalating. Taking too many chances."

"You got it."

Blake ended the call and met her gaze. She could see the worry in his eyes.

"Parris is a good cop. You told me so yourself."

"He's a great deputy, but these guys have firepower he's never faced."

She rested a hand against his chest and leaned into him. "He's probably doing exactly what you are. Hiding in the most unlikely place." She glanced at the cracked tub and the faded linoleum floor. "Someday maybe we'll laugh about this."

She bowed her head and he pulled her to him. She sank into his warmth and just rested there, letting him hold her and stroke her back. "I'm so sorry I brought you this trouble. You and Logan. But I thank God you're here."

"This isn't your fault." He hugged her closer. "The criminals in the Austin PD did that. When they decided the law didn't mean anything."

"Until I came to Carder with that ice storm, your life was fine."

His caress stopped. He set her back, and the gold in his eyes sparked with intensity. "My life was on autopilot," he said harshly. "I didn't know the truth about Joey and Kathy. I was dead inside. Going through the motions but not living."

He stroked her cheek and twirled her curls around his finger. "You helped me feel again. You brought me back to life, Amanda."

"And ruined it in the process. Your house is shot up. Your mother is missing. Your best friend is in trouble."

"Once we catch Vince's killer, everything will work out."

She caressed the stubble on his cheek. "How can you believe that with everything going on?" She sagged against him. "I want to just run away and leave this all behind." The overwhelming weight of what they faced crushed her. "I can barely breathe. I can't see a way out."

Blake hugged her tightly to him. "Shh. I know you're scared, but you're not alone. You have me, and I won't let you go until you're safe."

"Why?"

He clasped her hand and turned her palm to his lips. "Because I have something I want when this is over." Blake's eyes sparked with awareness. He pulled her hips to him, setting her against his hard body. The bathroom closed in, the sparks between them caught fire.

Her breath caught. He stroked at the pulse point of her neck with his callused finger. Her heart jumped and he smiled.

"So responsive," he whispered.

"Ethan," she said softly.

"He's busy with Leo. Besides, I only want a taste."

Amanda sighed as he lowered his mouth, ever so slowly. Too slowly. She wanted to tug him to her, but he'd pinned her arms to her side.

Then, just as his lips touched hers, he let out a primal groan and crushed her mouth under his. He didn't hesitate, but plundered and explored. He pressed her closer and his leg parted her thighs, creating a friction that made her shudder.

"That's more than a taste," she panted, her voice husky.

The wicked gleam in his eyes told her he didn't care. He pressed her back against the wall. "Maybe more like an appetizer."

He lowered his mouth to her neck, then pushed aside the sweatshirt and bared her shoulder. With one hand he cupped her breast and she moaned, her body trembling beneath his caress.

Her response amazed Blake. He flicked her nipple and it hardened beneath his hand. She was a woman he could lose himself in. It didn't matter what was going on around them.

He wanted to forget for a moment the large battle facing them. If they couldn't get Vince's password, it would take much longer to uncover the identity of the traitor cops. He'd have to send Amanda and Ethan away.

She clutched his arms and nipped at his neck. His heart thudded against her. He didn't want to give her up.