Page 19 of Nicole's Shelter

“You don’t use Facebook?”

“What can I say? I’m a throwback.” He winked at her as they made their way toward the long term parking garage. “In my line of work it’s not the smartest thing to broadcast every little life detail.”

“That’s fair.” Her palms went damp. They were headed toward the same area where she’d dumped her car earlier.

“Rick?”

“Almost there.”

His persistent calm steadied her.

“Are you active on Facebook?”

She did a double take. “No. I just IM or text with a few close friends if I need instant interaction.”

“Media packaging maintains a high security standard these days?”

She gave him a light elbow jab. “Well, marketing does get a little edgy about new names and ideas but we haven’t had a leak yet.”

Just as she relaxed a fraction, thought they might get away, his whole body tensed. He pulled her to a stop behind a large support pillar in the parking garage.

“Wait here for me. I’m going to pull my car around.”

“No. I can’t.” She clutched at his arms much as the desperation clutched a cold fist around her heart. What if he didn’t come back? Sure, she’d wanted him to leave back when she had a plan. Now that they were moving on his terms, she felt like a yo-yo as her confidence ebbed and flowed. “You can’t leave me.”

“I’m not leaving you.” His eyes were kind and sincere. “Thirty seconds, tops. But there’s a team snooping around your car. If we go together they might see you—”

“You said they won’t expect me to be traveling with someone.”

“True.”

“You said together.” The operative word. She would have offered better arguments if she’d been thinking clearly. As it was, she knew if he walked away, she’d lose it. Right now, as her heart hammered in her chest, she’d likely turn herself in rather than go forward with the original plan he’d interrupted in the cab just hours ago. Courage gone, the only thing holding her together was him. If he stepped away, she would shatter.

“Please.”

“Fine. But don’t blame me if we wind up in a car chase. And play along.”

“I promise.”

“Ready?”

She nodded.

He kissed her. Not like he’d done for the store cameras. This time his lips locked with hers, full of heat and promise. His fingers speared into her hair, holding her face at the perfect angle, taking her deeper. She melted under his sensual advance, her lips parted and desire rocketed through her. His tongue stroked hers and she tasted mint and man. Sliding her hands into his open jacket and cruising her fingers over his sculpted chest, she moaned. Her enemies might well be closing in, but she didn’t care. The world itself could be ending and she would happily ride it out if he’d just keep kissing her.

“Hang on,” he said, breaking the kiss.

Before she could adjust to what felt like another unfair loss, he pulled her away from the pillar and into a quick swing dance move. Breathless, she smiled at him, her hair flying wild as she spun back into his arm. He wrapped her in a hug and suddenly boosted her up and over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

She barely hung on to her purse and her laughter bounced like a rubber ball off the concrete structure as he turned another circle, making her dizzy.

Parking lights flashed, and she was on her feet for just a moment before he tucked her safely into the passenger seat.

When he was behind the wheel he beamed at her. “Well done! They blew us off.”

The rush of happiness fizzled and she felt like she was riding a hellish roller coaster designed just to torture her. One moment she was terrified, the next exhilarated, only to be dumped into a spiral of disappointment. She wasn’t sure how a man kissed like that when it was all business.

“Now we just have to hope they aren’t watching the exits.”

---