Emergency Contact

Tess reached out and stroked the side of his face, her fingers touching the bristle of dark beard, smoothing the lines of fatigue in the corners of his eyes. “Have I mentioned how much I love you?”

He paused, his eyes widening slightly at her confession. “No, you haven’t.”

“Want to hear me say it again?”

He nodded.

“I love you. I love your mind. I love your body. I love the way you look at me. In short, I love everything about you, Ryan Donovan.”

She leaned forward and kissed him and her hunger for him shifted and curled in her belly, allowing her to melt against him. This was where she wanted to be, in his arms.

Ryan pulled back a little and looked down at her. A small smile curled the corner of his mouth. “But the million-dollar question is, do you need me?”

She paused, sucking in air through a throat that felt as though it might close down on her. Damn. The need question. The thing that meant admitting that she depended on him, that she leaned on him and couldn’t get by without him.

A part of her, a part so deep that it seemed almost buried, knew the truth. Knew what she’d already admitted to herself-that she couldn’t get by without him. But to admit it openly? To confess that it was true? How could she? That meant surrender. Loss of herself. And if she surrendered, she’d never get back the person she was.

“Isn’t love enough?” she asked.

A flicker of sadness flashed in the depths of his eyes, and he nodded. “For now it is.”

He bent his head and pressed his lips to hers.

Chapter Fourteen

Ryan lifted his head, his lips leaving hers by degrees, as if even that much separation from her was hard. Tess knew how he felt. She was swimming in the same emotions, feeling as though she needed to stay in contact with him forever.

She touched her tongue to her bottom lip and savored the taste of him. “That was nice.”

That wicked mischievous smile of his, the one that sent her heart south to her knees, appeared. “Now where’s that bedroom?”

But before she could respond, the phone rang. Ryan’s gaze met hers and they stood in silence for a moment. He set her down, and she felt a twinge of true regret.

“Should I answer it?” she asked.

Ryan shrugged. “Might as well. If it’s Flynn, then we know for sure that he is on to us. If it’s anyone else, it might help us figure out what the hell is going on.”

Reluctantly Tess nodded and walked into the huge library to pick up the phone. “Hello?”

“Ms. Tessa Ross please,” a woman said, her voice clipped and businesslike.

“This is she.”

“Please hold for Mrs. Starling.”

Tess covered the receiver and glanced up. Ryan was looking out from between the crack in the drapes. She snapped her fingers. “A Mrs. Starling,” she hissed. “She asked for me by name.”

“Starling?” Ryan frowned. “As in Mrs. Starling the vice president’s wife?”

Tess gave him an exasperated look. “Of course it’s not the vice president’s wife. What would the vice president’s wife want with me?”

Ryan shrugged. “It’s possible. You had a pretty significant reaction to Starling’s appearance on TV the other night.”

Tess’s fingers tightened on the receiver. Was he right? Was this the vice president’s wife calling her? Why couldn’t she remember if she knew her or not? Sweat broke out on the back of her neck and her fingers tingled, threatening to go numb.

Ryan moved to stand beside her, pressing his head next to hers so he could listen. The warmth of his closeness gave her comfort and she took a deep breath. She’d get through this with his help.

“Tess, it’s me, Paige,” a slightly breathless voice gushed over the phone line. “Where have you been, sweetie? Jacob and I have been worried sick about you.”

Tess watched an expression of total surprise cross Ryan’s face at the mention of Jacob Starling. She dropped down onto the hassock next to the telephone table, her knees slightly wobbly. Ryan followed her down, crouching next to her. “Hell-hello, Mrs. Starling,” she managed.

The remarkably clear tones of amused laughter filtered across the phone’s receiver. “Mrs. Starling? Heavens, Tess, you’ve been overseas way too long. When did you ever not call me Paige?”

“I-I’m sorry-Paige. You took me by surprise. How did you know I was home?”

“Don’t ask me to divulge my sources. You should know by now that I have spies all over Washington-a person can’t sneeze without me knowing about it.” Paige Starling laughed again. “Actually, Nancy Taylor saw you walking down the street with an absolutely adorable man. She called to ask me who you’re dating now. Be careful, she’ll try to steal him away. Who is he anyway?”

“Just an old friend.”

“Of course he is. They’re all old friends. But enough about that. Jacob is beside himself with worry. He didn’t think you’d make it home in time to attend the reception tonight. I, on the other hand, have harbored no such fears. I’ve told him repeatedly that you never go back on a promise.”

Tess heard several people speaking softly in the background.

“Hang on a moment, Tess.” The voices were muffled for a moment and then the vice president’s wife returned. “I’m sorry, Tess, it’s crazy here. This evening’s plans have my entire staff spinning. Please put my poor husband out of his misery and reassure me that you’re coming tonight.”

Tess shot a questioning look at Ryan. “What should I say?” she whispered.

“Say yes,” he said. “Whatever she’s talking about might give us more clues as to what we’re searching for.”

Tess nodded. “I’m coming, Paige-wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Good Lord, what was she agreeing to? She looked into Ryan’s eyes and took comfort in the composed, unruffled expression on his face. He flashed her a quick grin, his eyes telling her that he knew what she was feeling.

The single glance was enough to extinguish the squirt of anxiety that threatened to send her over the edge. The man was her rock, her anchor.

“Oh, Tess, that’s wonderful. Jacob is going to be so pleased. This means so much to him. He talks constantly about how he wishes your father could be there, too. But he’ll take comfort in having you there.” She barely took a breath before prattling on. “I’m going to have a courier bring over a set of passes. You are still bringing a date, aren’t you? What was that young man’s name you put down in your e-mail as your escort…” Paige’s voice trailed off and Tess could hear her shuffling through papers. “Oh! Here it is. McCaffrey. Ian McCaffrey, right?”

Tess gave Ryan another panicked look, but he nodded his head and mouthed the words, Say yes.

“Yes-that’s right. Ian McCaffrey.”

“Be sure to get there before eight. In fact, I’m making a note to myself to send a car for you and your date.” Paige laughed softly. “You know how chronically late you are. The car will pick you up at seven-thirty sharp. I’m messaging the invitations over as we speak. Jacob makes his announcement at eight-thirty, so come right up to the dais as soon as you arrive. Okay?”

“I’ll be there on time, Paige.” In the background, Tess could again hear someone whispering to the vice president’s wife.

She came back on, her words rushed and slightly harassed.

“Listen, I’ve got to run. Things are heating up here. We’ll see you tonight. Don’t you dare be late!”

The phone clicked off and Tess dropped the receiver into its cradle. “Well, that was totally bizarre. What do we do now?”