A Hero In Uniform - The Complete Series (23 page)

No more, Rebekah thought to herself as they continued to walk. 

Edwards wouldn't win this.

When everything came to a head, he'd be leaving Cairns in a body-bag.

Eight

Bone-soaking rain began to fall later in the day, but they both agreed they needed to keep going. Rebekah was confident that Michael would start looking for her when she didn't show up in Mission Beach, but she also wanted to be on the move in case he didn't.

Steven wasn't afraid to admit he was a little worried about her.

She kept pressing her hand to her head and reaching out to brace a hand on his arm to steady herself, which could only mean one thing; she had a concussion, too.

But what was more worrying was that she wasn't worried about herself.

Rebekah was more worried about her sister.

She was worried that Stan Edwards had already arrived in Cairns, putting her pregnant sister, brother-in-law and nephews in terrible danger.

Her concern was natural – even for an armed federal agent – but Steven was more worried her concern was going to make her healing process slower.

His concussion was already starting to go; hers was still in full swing.

Thankfully, as the sun began to sink and they came across a sign that told them Mission Beach was fifteen k's away, two black Mitsubishi Pajero's came down the highway. They pulled over and a tall man in a black sports jacket and jeans got out.

“
Agent Westmore.”

Rebekah smiled and replied, “Hi, Michael.”

Michael smiled and embraced her as he said, “You had us worried, kid.”

She pulled back and introduced him to her boss before adding, “Edwards is the reason we're out here. He ran us off the road late last night and we've been walking ever since.”

“
Why didn't you get in contact with us?” Michael asked.

“
Both of our phones were destroyed in the crash.” She replied.

“
Edwards could already be in Cairns.”

“
I know. I need you to get in contact with local LEO's and have them head to Benjamin Hawkins address.”

“
Who is he?”

“
My brother-in-law.”

Michael instructed an agent to make the call before saying, “Let's get you two back so you can get cleaned up. Then we'll end this.”

Michael dropped them off at Northern Sunrise and Steven jumped straight into a hot shower while Rebekah contacted her sister.

“
Becky! Oh, thank God.” Claire breathed. “I was so worried about you!”

“
I'm alright, sis.” Rebekah said. “Calm down.”

She didn't need her sister upsetting her baby.

Claire blew out a breath on the other end of the phone and said, “I'm calm. Where are you?”

“
Northern Sunrise.”

“
So you're still with Steven?”

“
Yes.”

“
How is he?”

“
You're bodyguard is fine.”

Telling Claire about the accident would only freak her out, and she wouldn't put her sister through that.

“
Good to know.” Claire said. “Now what's the real reason you're calling?”

Rebekah smiled. She never could keep anything from her sister. “I'm worried about you and Ben and the boys.”

“
The trouble you're hunting is close, isn't it?”

She sighed and nodded. “Yes.”

“
Well, we're fine at the moment.”

“
That's good to know.” Rebekah said. “I've had local cops sent to your place to keep an eye on all of you, so, please, just do what they say.”

“
Of course.” Claire agreed. “I don't want to do anything to add to what you're dealing with.”

Rebekah sighed in relief and said, “Thank you.”

“
Just focus on what you have to do so I can get my sister back.”

“
Count on it, sis.”

At the same time Rebekah was on the phone to her sister, Stan Edwards arrived in Cairns.

And he was very confident he was going to find Agent Bitch before the day ended.

After all, he did have an AFP badge and ID card.

Nine

While Rebekah showered and changed into clean, dry clothes, Steven went outside to check on his jack-a-roo's and the horses. He wasn't really worried about them; he knew his men would keep them safe because they did that every time he went away on patrol.

He just didn't want to be in the house with nothing to do while Rebekah was in his bathroom, naked and wet.

The images in his head were doing enough, and remembering the kiss they'd shared at the B&B wasn't helping.

He stayed outside for two hours, giving her plenty of time to shower and dress, before he headed back inside to see what was happening with their hunt for Edwards.

When he entered his home, he found Rebekah in the kitchen, her head braced in her hands and her slender body trembling. Without thinking about what he was doing, Steven pulled her into his arms, holding her close and offering silent support.

Rebekah slipped her arms around his waist and just held on.

Since that kiss at the B&B, his lust for her had been growing, but he'd just gritted his teeth and bared it. He'd been raised a gentleman and he wasn't about to disgrace himself or the uniform by forcing himself onto a woman who hadn't shown any interest in him since that night.

Even if it was damn difficult.

But when Rebekah asked him to kiss her, he couldn't have resisted for anything.

Cupping her beautiful face in his hands, he lowered his head and hungrily claimed her mouth, groaning when she responded with the same intensity. She opened her mouth for him and he eagerly tasted her honeyed sweetness.

His lust for her grew and grew and he slid his hands down her slender body to cup her behind, boosting her up and allowing her to wrap her legs around his waist as her arms went around his neck.

Somehow – Steven wasn't exactly sure of how – they made it to his bedroom before the clothes started to fly off each. 

Knowing his hunger, his need for her would make things end too quickly, Steven left his jeans on and focused on kissing every inch of skin on Rebekah's naked body. She moaned and buried her fingers in his hair, holding him close as he loved her.

He didn't remove his clothes until she was panting and begging him.

Their coupling was hard and fast and they were both on the brink within seconds.

But as they both climaxed together, Steven realised that this – a one-time, one-night thing – wouldn't be enough.

He was going to need more.

Much, much more.

Heavy breathing and the ticking clock were the only sound in Steven's room for a few minutes as they lay spoon-style, coming down from the high of the best orgasm either of them had ever had.

Normally, Rebekah trusted her instincts and never doubted any actions she made.

Now, she wasn't so sure.

She couldn't blame her emotional state for what had just happened because she wasn't that emotional; she was just tired and wanted this to end.

She had nothing to blame this on but the truth.

And the truth is she had feelings for Steven Leigh.

Most people would probably think it was just lust, but they went deeper then that. She actually cared if he got hurt. She actually worried what might happen when this was all over and it was time for them to go their separate ways.

She was willing to explore where things went between them, but would he just go back to the ship and his patrols?

Her phone chose that moment to ring, ending her thoughts and causing her to dig around in her discarded clothes. Steven found it for her and handed it over before stretching out next to her as she took the call.

“
Agent Westmore.”

A deep cackle sounded on the other end before a very familiar voice said, “I know who you are.”

“
Edwards.”

“
Agent Bitch.”

Grabbing a pad and pen from the cupboard next to her, Rebekah wrote a note for Steven as she asked, “Why are you calling me, Edwards?”

“
I don't want to inflate your ego or nothing,” He replied, “But I want you.”

She handed the pad to Steven, who read it and nodded.

“
Just how do you want me, Edwards?” She asked as he called the number she'd written down.

“
I want you to come face me and apologise for putting me in jail before I put a bullet in your thick skull.”

Steven was in the middle of getting Michael to trace the call coming into her phone, but it wasn't necessary. Stan gave his location when she asked where the met was going to take place.

“
Be at Northern Sunrise by nightfall.”

She was okay with that; they'd be in a place she knew that was a long way away from Claire and her family.

“
I'm waiting, Agent Bitch!”