Hailey's Truth (19 page)

She shook her head, confused. They’d spent the entire day together. She’d never enjoyed anything more, but his sudden mood had come out of nowhere. “What are you talking about?”

“Look.” He turned her to the window, toward the massive boat on the water. “Why can’t you
see
it?”

Baffled, she stared at him instead. “See what? What are you
talking
about?” She repeated, growing more frustrated.

“The truth, for God’s sake.” His voice rang sharp, and she broke free of his hold.

“Austin, I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but I’m leaving.” She never did well with angry men. Hard eyes and harsh male voices left her uneasy. She made her way to the door.

“No, you’re not. It’s dark, and despite what you think, it’s far from safe to be alone out there.”

Exasperated, she whirled as her own temper began to heat. “Did you get too much sun today? What the freak is wrong with you? You clearly have something to say, so say it. Drop the cryptic crap and get on with it, or get out. Better yet, I will. I’m going to Jeremy’s.”

Austin let loose a humorless laugh as he sat in the whicker chair, scrubbing his hands over his face.

Bubbling with confusion and a healthy dose of anger, Hailey turned the knob. “I’ve had it. I’m outta here.” She stepped into the night, taking the steps in a hurry, stopping when she spotted the huge man leaning against a palm tree in the shadows. His cigarette smoke stung the air, curling until the wisps vanished.

Why was he so close to her room? Goosebumps prickled her skin as he gave her a small nod. She didn’t know him, but she didn’t like him.

Hailey backed up, rammed into a solid wall of man and whirled, stifling a scream as Austin’s arms came around her, steadying her. Her breath shuddered in and out as she glanced behind her.

The guy was gone.

Did she imagine him? With her next breath, she smelled smoke still lingering. Hailey looked to the beach, the water, the docks. Where did he go? He had all but vanished. She tried to break free of Austin’s grip. “Let me go.”

He held firm. “Not until I know you’re coming back in the room.”

She didn’t feel safe in the dark, not like she had just minutes before. “I’m going back.” She stormed up the steps, tried to slam the door closed, but Austin caught it. She pivoted before he turned the lock. “You knew that man was out there. You knew he was watching me, and you still said nothing.”

“I saw him at dinner last night.”

“And?”

He shrugged. “And that’s it.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe you.”

He shrugged again. “I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Oh, there’s plenty to tell me, but you won’t. I’m starting to recognize the machismo crap you, Hunter, and Ethan pull when you think the ‘little women’ can’t handle something.”

Sighing, Austin moved to the whicker couch.

“What are you doing?” Hailey rushed to him. Dark night stared through the big window, making her shudder. She yanked the curtains closed. Is this how Sarah felt during her ordeal? Violated? Disgusted that someone scrutinized her every move?

“Sitting down.”

“Huh?” Hailey rubbed her hands over the goose bumps on her arms, fighting to find the thread of their argument. “Go sit in your own room. I don’t want you here tonight.” That wasn’t exactly true, but she had her pride, didn’t she?

He closed his eyes and blew out another long, steaming breath. “Hailey.”

“Don’t ‘Hailey’ me in that placating tone. I said, get out. If you aren’t willing to explain the completely bizarre-o, one-eighty turn this evening just took, I won’t have you here.”

Austin rubbed at his jaw. “I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.”

“Once again, I have no idea what you’re talking about, but it sounds like you have a personal problem.” She wasn’t going to bend, even if the thought of being here without him creeped her out.

“You say you want the truth, but you don’t. Not really.”

“Don’t tell me what I want.”

He stared at her for a long time. “Some men are watching us. I think they’re locals that know we’re connected with Project Mexico.”

“How would they know that?”

He shrugged. “Information was sent down to Dr. Lopez, the Site Director, from the University last week. The files were hacked into. Everything short of your social security number was up for grabs: GPAs, financial aid status, home addresses, telephone numbers, work history, etcetera, etcetera. Whoever accessed the data would know we aren’t flying into Cozumel with the rest of the group on Saturday. It’s documented that one of the guards is already here, as is one of Project Mexico’s participants. If they have our names, it wouldn’t be hard to track us down. The island’s tiny.”

She shook her head, unable to find the connection. “Why would anyone be threatened by Project Mexico? We’re here to help.”

“Not everyone wants help, Hailey. Some people are happy with who they are, happy with the choices they’ve made in life.”

She couldn’t help but find a parallel between his statement and Jeremy. She wasn’t ready to give up on him, so she immediately dismissed it. “Are you saying I’m in danger?”

“I’m saying I want you to stop digging for the good in everyone, because sometimes, there’s just more bad, even after you’ve scraped away a few layers.”

“That doesn’t answer my question. Am I in danger?”

“Possibly.”

She tried to ignore the stirrings of fear. No international mission was without risks. The cause was more important. “What should I do?”

“Stay close to me.”

She crossed her arms. “I can’t stay glued to your hip for the next three months.”

“No, but you can stay cautious—keep your eyes open.” He blew out another long breath and glanced down at the floor before he met her gaze. “I don’t want anything happening to you. I care about you, Hailey.”

That took the wind out of her self-righteous sails. She opened her mouth to speak, snapped her jaw closed, surprised. How could she stay mad after that? Hailey rested her hand over Austin’s balled fist on the arm of the couch. “I—I care about you too.”

He played his thumb over her knuckles, leaving a trail of heat. “I don’t want to go back to my room.” He stood. “Let me stay with you, Hailey.”

She licked her lips as nerves fluttered to life. Uncertainty twisted her stomach into a thousand knots. She didn’t want to make a fool of herself again. Did Austin want another movie marathon or something more? “I’m not sure…What are you…” she closed her eyes, her heart slamming in her chest as he skimmed his knuckle along her cheek. “Austin, I…”

He lifted her chin with the touch of his finger, taking her mouth before she could finish. Sighing, she absorbed the hungry pressure of his lips and brought her arms around his neck.

Austin’s tongue sought hers as his fingers glided along her shoulders and down her back, leaving her shivering in their wake.

He deepened the kiss, drugging her with need, as his hands lingered at her waist, brushing, tickling, before he pulled her fully against him. Breasts pressed to firm chest as she rested her hands on his solid shoulders.

Austin’s mouth left hers to wander to her jaw. “I want you, Hailey,” he murmured, as his lips skimmed her neck, teeth nipping at her shoulder, making her suck in a sharp breath. “I want you like crazy.”

Everywhere he touched, tingled. “I—I…mmm,” was the best she could do when his tongue left a steaming trail along the flaming skin of her collarbone. Her head fell back with the anticipation of his next touch.

Austin’s hands wandered into her hair, combing through her light brown tresses, wrapping his fingers around the ends, tugging gently as he nibbled her top lip.

Hailey opened her eyes, staring into his, completely absorbed in the dark green intensity. She took his mouth this time, wanting him as much as he wanted her.

Spurned by need, she unbuttoned his navy blue shirt as fast as her unsteady fingers could manage, eager to feel his skin against hers. She peeled the fabric away, only to come to another layer.

Biting her lip, Hailey stifled a groan of frustrated pleasure as she looked her fill. Austin’s powerful build filled out his white t-shirt and cargo shorts gloriously. He was magnificent, and hers for tonight.

His eyes never left hers as he removed his holster, setting it over the back of the whicker chair, then pulled the crewneck over his head, letting it fall.

She took a step forward, played her fingers over his powerfully muscled chest, down his firm stomach, watching his jaw clench. Growing bold, she snuck a finger into the waist of his jeans. A grumble erupted in Austin’s throat.

Out of nowhere, a twist of nerves slammed into Hailey. Her belly roiled with the familiar sensation that threatened to ruin everything, as it had the two other times she’d been with a man.

Fighting her anxiety, struggling to dismiss the urge to step back, Hailey moved her fingers up, pressing her palms to Austin’s hot skin. His muscles quivered as he drew in a deep breath through his nose then tugged her closer, his mouth seeking hers again.

Hailey battled her doubts, attempting desperately to lose herself in the mind-numbing sensations she’d all but drowned in moments before.

She fought not to stiffen as Austin pulled at the strings knotted at the base of her neck, loosening her halter dress. She clutched her fingers at the waist of his shorts, on the verge of frustrated tears.

He tugged at the thin fabric covering her breasts, cupped them. His thumb found her sensitive nipples and traced slow circles over them, making her moan with the delicious thrill.

You’re
a
whore
,
Hailey
Roberts
.
Nothing
but
trash
like
the
slut
who
bred
you
. Tensing, Hailey fought Mother Frazier’s words running shrilly through her mind
,
words that had poisoned every intimate moment she’d ever tried to have.

A body like yours was built for sinning. A man will never see anything more. Just like your mother, little tramp.
Hailey shook her head, clutching her fingers against his belt loops.

He pulled her top down to her waist and stared at her small breasts filling her sheer black bra. Groaning, Austin’s mouth moved to suckle. Wet heat laved across her skin and her breath caught, then came out with a shuddering whoosh.

This is where she wanted to be, this is what she wanted to
feel
—Austin touching, tasting. She caressed her hands up his back, triumphant in the moment sensation finally overruled Mother Frazier.

Austin pulled at the front clasp of her bra, catching sensitized skin with his callused palms, pressing gently, rubbing circles that barely made contact, teasing. Her breast ached with pleasure as a dull throb started low in her stomach. She strained, trembling against Austin’s hands, wanting more as she moaned.

As if he’d read her mind, he took the lobe of her ear in his mouth, sending scatterings of goose bumps along her spine. “Yes, Austin,” she whispered.

He smiled slowly, and her rapid pulse accelerated. She wanted this, wanted him. It was going to be different this time. With a snap of Austin’s wrist, he sent her dress to the floor. “Hailey, my God.” He stared, taking her in, devouring her.

A body like yours was built for sinning.
The phrase she heard every day for three years echoed like a nightmare. Nerves flooded back and she covered herself.

Austin frowned. “What are you doing? What’s wrong?”

She tried to relax her arms. “Nothing.”

He caressed her shoulders. “You sure?”

Why did this always happen? Why couldn’t she be normal? She sunk into despair as hopelessness took over. Here Austin stood, the man she’d wanted for three years, and she was ruining everything. “Yes. Just kiss me, Austin. Please.”

Still frowning, he stared into her eyes.

“Please.” She moved forward, capturing his mouth.

He gripped her arms before his hands settled against her hips.

Hailey struggled not to push him away, but it felt as though the room were closing in on her. The pleasure of the evening vanished as seething frustration replaced her embers of passion. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Her tongue met his mechanically as she readied herself to fail sexually in Austin Casey’s arms.

Austin eased back and brushed his finger over her cheek. “Hailey, what is it? I lost you somewhere along the way.”

“No, you didn’t. I’m right here.” She wanted nothing more than to be right here, in this moment with him. She moved to kiss him again but he evaded her.

“Hey.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “If you don’t want to do this…”

She closed her eyes as tears came back. “I
do
want to do this. I’ve wanted you for so long and you’re
here
.” She opened her eyes, moved her head so Austin no longer touched her. She fiddled with her fingers, staring hard at the floor. “I’m not very good at this.” Taking a step back, she waited for him to leave. “I’m sorry, Austin, I’m really just not very good at this,” she repeated.

He took her hand, pulled her against him. He lifted her face to his, his thumb under her chin. “You’re doing fine.”

“I can’t relax.”

He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed each one, knotting her stomach with yearning.

“Austin, I—”

“Come with me.” He walked with her to the bed. “Will you lay with me for awhile?”

She nodded, pathetically grateful he hadn’t rushed out the door.

Austin kneeled on the mattress, then lay down. Hailey lay next to him, fighting the urge to cover herself.

He turned on the TV, flipping through channels until he found a music channel. Sarah McLachlan’s easy crooning poured from the speakers. Austin set the remote down and pulled her close. He combed his fingers through her hair. “I want to kiss you, Hailey. I want to be with you.” He met her lips, gently, tenderly. “Let me touch you. Relax. Think of the way you feel when I put my hands on you.” He hypnotized her with his eyes, with his deep voice, as he skimmed her breasts again.

He traced her nipples with the pads of his fingers, making her shudder as he brought his mouth back to hers, drawing the kiss out until she gasped from the heat.

His lips left hers, trailed over her chin, her neck, her chest, her breasts once more. His tongue flittered over aroused skin, his eyes never leaving hers as he applied more pressure and gently suckled.