“I think we need to check out the possibility.” Akeem could think of a whole list of Rasnovian politicians and businessmen who might resent their interference in the country. There were a couple of budding capitalists who were keen on gaining financial advantage, and didn’t much care about the means.
“Sounds like a place to start.” Flint sounded bone tired after working twenty-four/seven to get around the police in the past two days, and get into Hell’s Porch. He hadn’t been able to get the chopper in the air until today, but he’d been out there in his truck, every day, searching. He looked bone tired.
And so was Akeem. “I should get going, too.” He glanced toward the stairs one last time before he stood.
Flint got to his feet as well, emotions filling those famously hard eyes all of a sudden as he drew a deep breath. “I never said thanks.”
“You don’t have to.” He hesitated. “You mind if I check in on Taylor and Christopher?” He found it hard to leave without seeing them safe one last time.
Once they’d returned to the ranch in the chopper, the police and Dr. Hardin had separated them quickly enough, then Christopher had been packed off to bed and Taylor had gone up with him, stayed up with him. She probably wouldn’t let her son out of her sight for a long time to come. He couldn’t blame her.
“You should stay the night,” Flint said. “Look at yourself. You’re not fit to drive.”
Which was bogus, and they both knew it. Flint had seen him drive and do more than that in worse shape before. They’d gotten into a few scrapes during their college years.
“I should—”
“It’s been a long time, Akeem. Don’t wait so long again.”
The air seemed stuck in his throat. Did Flint know he lusted after his little sister? And he didn’t mind? “You think—”
“She’s my sister. You’re my best friend.” Flint shook his head with a grin. “Guest bedroom is up the stairs, to the left.” And walked away toward his wing of the house where Lora Leigh no doubt waited for him in bed.
He stopped before he would have turned the corner. “If you leave, do me a favor and set the alarm on your way out. Well, set the alarm either way, once you’re done thinking. But if you do go up those stairs—” he flashed a meaningful look “—I do expect there to be a wedding.”
Akeem was too stunned to say anything back.
He stood on the spot for minutes after Flint was gone. He wanted Taylor, had always wanted her, wanted her forever. There had never been a doubt in his mind about that. In the past couple of days, he had realized that she was different now than she’d been before. And if possible, he loved her even more.
But would she have him?
Only one way to find out.
He walked outside to his pickup that one of Flint’s men had found the day before and had fixed and driven back to the ranch. He retrieved something from the locked glove box, then something else on second thought, broke the prettiest rose off the bush by the door and strode back inside. He set the alarm that he’d never seen Flint use for as long as he’d owned the ranch. The events of the past couple of days had changed all of them, he supposed.
He sped his steps as he moved up the stairs, passing straight by the guest bedroom and going for Taylor’s.
Her door was open. She sat cross-legged in an armchair, watching Christopher, who was sleeping spread-eagle in the middle of her bed in Spiderman pajamas, atop the quilt.
Her gaze lifted to him. “Are you okay? You should have gone to the hospital so they could have given you some serious drugs.”
He took in the beautiful sight she presented, her blond hair freshly combed and falling over her shoulders, and emotions welled in his chest. “Not to worry. Dr. Hardin gave me something that just about knocked me out. I think it was horse medicine.” He was only joking. Flint kept the doctor on staff at the ranch for employees. Horse medicine was Lora Leigh’s territory, actually.
Taylor grinned and stood, her wispy cotton nightgown falling just above her knees, moving gently around her body as she came to him.
His heart picked up rhythm.
“Are you staying the night?” She stopped when only a foot separated them.
Now that she was here, within arm’s reach, a team of the finest Arabian horses couldn’t have dragged him away. He handed her the rose. “Help me get settled in?”
She smiled and walked with him across the hall. “There are toothbrushes and whatnot in the bathroom cabinet.”
He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her trim waist. “I’m going to ask for more than a spare toothbrush tonight, Taylor. I want you to know that I—”
She swayed toward him slightly. His brain shut down. He kissed her.
His head spun, and he didn’t think it was from Dr. Hardin’s potion. Taylor was soft, warm and willing in his arms. He’d waited nearly ten years for this, but it had been worth every second. And he was never going to let her go again. Which he would tell her as soon as they were done kissing. Which might take a while yet.
He took his time tasting her lips, no reason to rush now. For the night, she was his to savor, and he would make sure she stayed his for the rest of their lives.
He nibbled her bottom lip, then kissed the corners, licked the seam of her mouth. And she opened on a sigh.
His hands explored her body while his tongue explored hers. There were no more reservations between them. The emotions swirling around them were too great to ignore or
