Page 236 of Tell Me Lies

Cecily gazed at him. “Let me guess. You’re going to leave me here, with no money, no transportation, or something.”

Javier caressed her cheek. “No, that’s the thing. I don’t want to leave you at all.”

She put her hand over his. “What are you talking about?”

Now that he’d decided to share his emotions, he didn’t know what to say and felt like an idiot. “I didn’t mean this to happen. I just didn’t want you to call law enforcement, so I made you come with me.”

Cecily yawned. “I know. Why are you telling me this? It’s late and we’re both tired.”

Aware he was making a mess of this, Javier pressed forward. “I thought you were sexy from the first moment I saw you, and I wanted to fuck you.”

“You did. Do you want to fuck me now? Is that what this is about?”

His dick hardened. “There’s never a time I don’t want to make love but right now, I’m trying to say something important.”

She pulled a pillow over her head. “Then tell me or shut up, Javier.”

Nothing scared him but fear curled in his belly. “I think I love you.”

The words hung in the air and when she said nothing, he thought he’d cut his losses, go back to the other bed, try to forget he’d ever spoken. Those moments when he’d thought he saw something to make him believe she had some feelings too, they must have been wrong.

“Javier.”

Her voice became soft as cashmere, low-pitched and with a tone he’d never heard from her mouth before. “Yeah?”

“Even though you’re a hit man and a killer, you’re more than that and I wasn’t going to say anything, but I passed liking you already. I might be falling in love but I’m not sure.”

His heart shuddered within his chest and a burst of happiness exploded. “I didn’t think it was only me, Querida.”

“Okay, it’s not. What will we do with it? I don’t see any way we can change who we are and be a couple.”

If he was honest, he didn’t either, but damn, he ached to try. “Maybe we can find one, together.”

“Maybe. Let’s go back to sleep. Will you hold me?”

Javier spooned his body behind hers and cradled her close. “Yes, always.”

Right now, he didn’t want to examine their relationship any farther. He needed time to think.

On the second day, Javier drove from Ohio to St. Louis, Missouri, on the Mississippi River. It wasn’t as far but the grueling traffic required Javier’s constant attention. For the first time, their conversations weren’t just an ongoing exchange of cheap shots and insults. They were both being civil, and he savored that.

“Look!” Cecily squealed as they came into St. Louis. She’d gone from captive to tourist, he thought. “That’s the Gateway Arch. I’ve seen pictures and read about it, but I hadn’t seen it. Can we go to it?”

If he didn’t have the absolute worst headache of his life, Javier might have indulged her, but his head felt like he’d caught it in a vise. Pain radiated from the center of his forehead and pounded harder than a bass drum at a rock concert. His neck and shoulders ached. He hadn’t felt this bad since he came down with malaria.

“Not today.” He bit off the words with a sharp tone, but he hoped she understood he didn’t intend to be rude.

Must be from driving and fatigue, had to be, Javier reassured himself. Rest in a hotel room, some over-the-counter meds, and some caffeine, he’d be fine for the last leg of the trip. A niggling worry, though, lingered. His malaria had begun with a headache this severe.

He took the first exit near downtown and fetched them up at a posh hotel near the Arch. Using one of his many credit cards, Javier booked an executive suite. It boasted every amenity, a spacious living area with comfortable furniture, awesome views of both the Arch and Downtown St. Louis, and a bedroom that opened off the living space with a king-sized bed.

“How many nights, sir?” the desk clerk asked as they checked in.

If he didn’t feel any better come morning, they would stay another day. “Two for now,” Javier told him.

Once in the room, he sank down into a chair, pulled off his boots, and groaned. Javier rubbed his forehead with one hand.

Cecily frowned at him. “What’s the matter, Javier? You look sick.”

---