Under Pressure (Body Armor #1)(62)

At least twice a day, Leese cooked while she sat at the bar and talked with him about anything and everything. She ate each meal with appreciation, then helped with cleanup.

While he did research online or spoke privately with Sahara, she sketched.

And each night he held her close.

When it all ended, she’d miss that the most, the warmth and comfort of sleeping in his arms, knowing she was safe, feeling his heartbeat against her cheek.

Somehow she had to convince him that they could continue a relationship outside this tragic circumstance.

It was late afternoon when they returned from a workout, and Cat was thinking of how to broach the topic. It was never easy to think after an hour or more of seeing Leese in only shorts.

If he didn’t give in to her soon, she was likely to go nuts.

“Leese...”

He paused on his way to the kitchen with their refillable water bottles. His gaze moved over her and he asked, “You okay? Muscles sore again?”

Ever since she’d overdone it, he checked on her often. She regretted that he felt the need. “No, I’m fine.” She’d be better if he gave up abstinence, but still... “I was just thinking, maybe we could—”

The intercom buzzed, interrupting her.

“Hold that thought.” With his T-shirt sticking to his back, the ends of his hair damp with sweat, Leese went to the door and pushed the button.

Sahara came through loud and clear, saying, “I’m heading up to see you in five minutes. I didn’t want to take you by surprise.”

“Anything wrong?” he immediately asked.

“Not at all. I have a few party dresses I want Cat to take a look at...and a few other things to discuss.”

It was the last part that had Leese going into bodyguard mode. “Make it ten.” He locked his gaze on Cat. “We just left the gym and we both need to shower.”

“I’ll see you in ten.”

The second he disconnected, Cat squawked. “I can’t be ready in ten minutes!” She forgot all about her proposed conversation, and so did Leese.

He strode past her. “I can. Go ahead and take whatever time you need. I’ll let Sahara in.”

Suspicious, Cat wondered if he’d done that on purpose, ensuring he’d have time to talk privately with Sahara. It appeared so. Well, she’d thwart that plan. Whatever news Sahara had, Cat deserved to hear it too.

She all but raced into the guest bedroom, grabbed clothes to wear and ran into the bathroom. Unfortunately, sweat left her hair lank so she had to wash it, and that took more precious minutes.

After wrapping a towel around her head, she dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, pulled socks onto her feet and rushed back down the hall to the living room.

Sahara was already there, seated on the sofa with Leese in a chair pulled close across from her. Their knees almost touched.

Before they noticed her, Cat picked up on the conversation.

“My PI has men who’ve been watching her stepfather’s house. Discreetly, of course. He’s already had a few rendezvous with this Tesh Coleman character.” Sahara gave a delicate shiver. “That one is like a badly drawn cartoon villain, he’s so clichéd.”

Cat agreed. There was something very wrong with Tesh and the way he’d always focused on her.

“However, as far as my man can tell, Webb Nicholson has never visited Désir Island. In fact, for the past two years, each of his trips is well documented, and he has a rigorous business and social schedule that occupies his time at home.”

Leese braced his hands on his thighs. “Time that can be confirmed with alibis?”

“Many alibis,” Sahara confirmed. “Her stepfather is a very busy man. Interestingly enough, he’s also very generous.”

“Generous how?”

“He supports several charities, and it doesn’t appear that he’s motivated simply by the tax write-offs. He gets personally involved.”

“How?”

She shrugged. “Visiting a boys’ home, purchasing and dropping off books to hospice patients, helping to build an on-site clinic at the local animal shelter.”

So Webb had continued with her mother’s work? Out of love, Cat wondered, or a sense of duty?

Or did he actually care as much about those in need as her mother always had?

Leese wasn’t impressed. “So maybe we should saint him.”

Laughing at the sarcasm, Sahara said, “Let’s not go that far. After all, he is associated with Tesh Coleman. There’s no denying that.”

“I did some research on Coleman.” Leese pitched his voice low. “His profile is genuine, but his reputation doesn’t mesh with any real business. Word is, he’s more of a cleanup man.”

Cat barely stifled a gasp. Leese had been poking into Tesh’s history? Dear God. She hadn’t known that, and now that she did, icy apprehension rolled down her spine, making her tremble all over.

She had to trust that Leese knew how to cover his tracks, because if not, Tesh would be coming for her; she knew that deep down in her soul. And since Leese stood in his way...

No! She wouldn’t let him be hurt because of her. If it came to that, somehow she’d figure out another way.

“A lot of powerful men have hired Tesh,” Leese continued. “Some straight up, some more quietly. He’s known as a problem-solver, the guy you bring onboard when you want to make something go away.”