Night Driving (14 page)

She let out a gasp when his fingers dipped into her damp flesh and he kissed the inside of her thigh. She tasted as good as she smelled—all warm and feminine. She gave as good as she got, though, making love to him with her mouth, caressing him with her tongue, coaxing him to the edge, then easing off.

Teasing. Taunting. Driving him crazy.

Fighting back, he flicked his tongue across the most sensitive part of her and she made a high, needy sound that cut him in two. He clutched both of her cheeks in his palms. The sound deepened and she wriggled her fanny closer to his mouth.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been dreaming of doing this,” he murmured and ran his lips over her lovely folds, stroking her with his tongue, eagerly exploring everything she had to offer.

“Boone.” She exhaled on a reedy sigh and proceeded to do exactly the same thing to him until they were both quivering and their breathing was raspy. “Yes. Oh, yes.”

He loved the noises she was making, made a few of his own. He loved the way she looked in the moonlight that now spilled in through the open curtains. Gorgeous. She was absolutely beautiful in every way.

They toyed with each other, using their mouths and their fingers to coax the tension higher, hotter. He felt the pressure climbing, pushing up through him, rushing to be released.

“That feels so good,” she exclaimed. “Oh, Boone, what are you doing to me?”

“I’m on the same train, sweetheart.”

“We’re gonna crash hard.”

“I know. I know!” Things were a crazy blur now—fast and hard and hot. They moaned and whimpered and writhed together. Boone surrendered everything to her. Right then. Right there. Handed his heart to her on a platter. He held nothing back.

When she swirled her tongue around him one final time, he knew he was going to lose everything. He felt the tragic, bittersweet melancholy of his loss at the same moment he reached the pinnacle of pure physical joy. He felt as if he’d just summited Everest in the clear, cold light of dawn, sun glimmering off the clouds, his spirit triumphant even as a part of him realized it was a long way back down that icy slope.

He wasn’t the only one lost in the glory. Her body stiffened. “You... This... Great...” She gasped. “No other.”

No other person had ever made him feel like this, either. Which was the bad part. She’d moved the bricks in front of his heart. Broken through his crusty exterior with her sweet sunshine. She’d laid him bare until he was utterly defenseless, and now she was just going to walk away, leaving him in a hundred little pieces. Leaving him raw and achy and bereft of her.

A hitching sigh explored from her lips at the same time he whispered her name. “Tara. Tara.”

He was with her in every sense of the word—at least for this one splendid second. They burst together. It all felt so right, and then an ache like a fist punched his chest.

Because just as he found her, Boone knew he’d lost her.

By the end of the day, she’d be out of his life for good and he’d be alone again. The way he thought he’d wanted it. Now he knew he’d never wanted that at all.

* * *

T
HE
CHUFFING
Jake brakes
of an eighteen-wheeler coming off the highway pulled Tara awake at dawn.

Opening her eyes, she sat up and looked over at Boone, the memory of what they’d shared the night before imprinted in her body, memory and soul. There was no escaping what they’d done. It could never be erased.

Not that she wanted to erase it. She would remember her time with him as the most special encounter of her life. Too bad things would never work out between them.

She cast a gaze over him.

He looked so handsome stretched out on the mattress, his shorter hair sexily tousled, fresh stubble sprouting at his jawline, the white sheet contrasting so sexily with his tanned skin. She licked her lips and longed for another kiss.

A flicker of hope flamed up inside her.
What if?
she started to wonder. But before her mind could start spinning impossible scenarios, she quickly doused the thought. They were worlds apart. He had his life in Montana. She was starting over again in Miami. Too bad they hadn’t gotten together while she was in Bozeman. She might have considered staying. But it was too late for that. She had a job waiting. Her family was expecting her.

Most importantly—for all she knew Boone did not feel the same way about her. She might want him more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life, but she had her pride. She wouldn’t throw herself at him. She couldn’t make the man love her if he didn’t and she wasn’t about to say it first. Being the first to say “I love you” put you behind the eight ball. She simply didn’t have that kind of courage. She was going to make leaving easy for him. She would never let him know that she’d fallen in love.

Coward.

Maybe so, but it was the only way she’d survive.

He opened one eye, caught her staring at him. “C’mere, you,” he said and pulled her to him.

Her eyes closed as he planted his mouth against her throat. She should resist. Say no. Put a stop to it. They needed to get on the road. They needed—

But then he did this amazing thing with his tongue and every thought flew right out of her brain. He kissed her and kissed her and kissed her some more until she didn’t know which way was up. He might not be in love with her, but he had a way of making her feel so protected, so cherished, so cared for. That was part of the problem. She couldn’t rely on those feelings. They were just feelings. They would pass.

“Tara,” he whispered, his voice incredibly husky.

“Uh-huh?” she managed in a dreamy whisper.

“Do you have any more of those condoms?”

* * *

“I
WISH
WE
COULD
stay here forever,” Boone said a half hour later. “But we need to get on the road.”

“Sure thing.” Tara sprang from the bed as if relieved to have a reason to get away from him. She bustled around the room, packing up her belongings.

Slowly, Boone swung his legs to the floor, trying to ignore the heaviness settling in the bottom of his stomach.

Remember why you’re here. You’ve got to get to Key West before Jackie makes the biggest mistake of her life.

It sounded good, but in reality, who was he to tell Jackie how to live her life? It wasn’t as if he’d had the best success with his. Maybe Jackie had met the love of her life. Well, if that was the case, he wanted to be there to walk her down the aisle.

Fat chance with this bum knee.

He stared glumly at his leg.

“Do you need help putting this on?” Tara asked, holding out his leg brace.

“I’ve got it,” he said gruffly.

“Okay.” She held up both palms. “I’ll go load our things in the car.” Tara scooped up her overnight bag and his knapsack, shouldered them both and headed for the door. It was a humbling experience, letting her take care of things.

She paused at the door. “Boone?”

He met her eyes.

Then, as if reading his mind, she said, “Everyone needs help now and again. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

With a quick smile, she disappeared out the door.

Boone had just secured the straps of the brace around his leg when he heard a small, strangled cry of alarm. Instantly, he went on full alert.
Tara!

Moving as fast as he could, he limped to the door and peered out.

What he saw dropped his heart into his shoes.

Tara was in the parking lot, both hands threaded through her hair as she stared in dismay at the U-Haul. The back door of the moving van trailer stood open. Inside, it was totally empty.

Guilt ground Boone into broken glass. While he’d talked himself out of investigating the noises he’d heard, while they’d been in the motel room making love, someone had been robbing her blind.

And he’d allowed it to happen.

13

Saturday, July 4, 6:45 a.m.

“E
VERYTHING
’
S
GONE
,”
Tara murmured, trying to steel her chin so it didn’t quiver. She didn’t want to cry in front of Boone. She had a philosophy to uphold. Material things weren’t important, right? They were just possessions, nothing that couldn’t be replaced. Her clothes, her computer and television, her furniture and household items were gone, but no one had been hurt or maimed or killed.

Boone’s hand settled on her shoulder, strong and reassuring. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

The term of endearment sent her stomach flip-flopping. Did he really mean it? Or was he just trying to be sympathetic? It wasn’t the first time he’d called her that and he wasn’t the kind of guy to throw the word around lightly, but she refused to read anything into it. He hadn’t said a word about the future and she certainly wasn’t going to bring it up and be the one to look pathetic if it turned out they weren’t on the same page. Been there, done that, had the scorch marks to prove it. When it came to love, she assumed nothing.

Love.

There it was. Her stomach took another dip and whirl on the emotional trampoline. Good, bad or indifferent, she loved Boone Toliver. It had been coming for several weeks, but the road trip had cinched her feelings.

She loved his steadfastness. The way he had her back. She loved the way she felt around him, as if she had nothing to fear. She loved the way she lit up inside whenever he smiled at her. She craved his nearness, was addicted to his kisses and longed for his embrace.

Tara turned her head, met his gaze, saw the tenderness in the big alpha man’s eyes. Saw the chinks in his armor and loved him anyway. Saw past the barriers he’d erected to the huge-hearted guy who was so afraid of love, but so lonely in his isolation. Loved him because of his vulnerabilities.

She also knew that love wasn’t enough. She could love him all she wanted, but she could not cure him. He had to do that on his own. The only thing she could do was give him the opportunity to heal himself and that started with making sure he got to his sister’s wedding in time. She could not hold him back. He had his own life, his own path, his own agenda. The sound of footsteps slapping against the damp pavement drew Tara’s gaze from Boone as she shifted her attention to Raj, the desk clerk who’d checked them in the night before.

“When I arrived at work this morning I saw what had happened to your valuables and I immediately called law enforcement. They are delayed because of problems created by last night’s storm,” Raj said, an apologetic expression on his face. “But they are on the way.”

“Thank you.” Tara gave him a faint smile.

“We assume no responsibility for theft,” he added quickly.

“I’m not blaming anyone.” Tara struggled to keep the smile on her face. “These things happen.”

“We want to see the footage of your surveillance camera.” Boone nodded at the setup mounted on the building overlooking the parking lot.

Raj shifted, dropped his gaze. “I’m not authorized—”

“Show it to us,” Boone commanded in such a take-charge voice Tara’s heart strummed. She loved it when he got all protective.

“Um...” A chagrined expression crossed the desk clerk’s face. “The cameras don’t work. Vandals.” He shrugged.

“Listen here.” Boone took a step toward the man, who cringed.

“It’s all right.” Tara rested a hand on Boone’s arm. “Truly. What’s important now is for you to find another way to Key West. Clearly, I’m going to be tied up here for a long while.”

Boone glanced at his watch and then met her gaze. “There’s no way I can make it.”

“You are in luck! There’s a bus stop across the street,” Raj said.

“What are the chances there will be one headed to Key West in time?”

“There is an express bus that comes through here at 7:30 a.m. headed for Miami. I know this because I have worked here for three years and every morning the bus drives by with the sign ‘Miami’ lit up,” Raj said eagerly, as if he couldn’t wait to get Boone on any bus to anywhere as long as it wasn’t here.

“It’s seven-twenty,” Tara said “It’s fated. You can catch a cab to Key West from Miami.”

“I thought you said when Mercury was in retrograde that it affected travel plans.”

“Even more evidence this is fated. Go,” she insisted.

“It will take too long. I’ll never make it. I’ll try to call Jackie.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Maybe she’s over being mad at me and will answer this time.”

“She hasn’t answered once this entire trip. I’ll be fine. The cops will show up, I’ll file a report and be back on the road in a few hours. It’s your only chance. Go.”

At that moment, a big silver bus came off the highway exit ramp.

“Fate,” she said. “You better hurry.”

“But I can’t leave you alone, not when you’re in trouble,” he protested.

“Seriously, go. I’ll be fine.”

“She’ll be fine,” Raj echoed.

Boone glowered at Raj who cowered, and then he glanced over at the bus coming to a gradual stop.

“Go,” Tara said firmly, even though she wanted him to stay. She felt lost and lonely, but fate had spoken. Boone was supposed to be in Key West. Honestly, it was better this way. No long goodbye. Then she added, just to make sure he went, “Hey, you’re getting on my last nerve. I don’t need you. Hit the road, Jack.”

* * *

B
OONE
BOARDED
the bus with a guilty conscience. He hated going off and leaving Tara alone. She hadn’t fooled him with her bluster. He knew she was just trying to make him catch the bus. If Jackie weren’t getting married today, nothing else on earth would have made him leave Tara, but, well, his baby sister was getting married, and if he couldn’t talk her out of it, he at least wanted to be there for her. As self-absorbed as Jackie’s father was, Boone might be the only relative she had at the nuptials.

His time with Tara had taught him a few things. Lessons he was surprised to learn. Like maybe he didn’t have all the answers. When had he become such a know-it-all? What surprised him most was that Tara didn’t judge him for his tendency to assume his way was the right way, she just showed him how he was putting up barriers between himself and his sister.

Her wisdom shook him. In spite of her frivolous appearance and Pollyanna attitude, she was far wiser than he. She’d shown him that he didn’t have to shoulder every burden and that if he let others help him, life could be so much easier. What he’d mistaken as a weakness in her—depending on friends and family—was, in fact, strength. He was the weak one, isolating himself from those who cared about him.

He wished now that he’d told her this, paid her the compliments she so richly deserved, but it was too late.

You could always write to her. Call her. Text her.

Yeah, but he knew he wouldn’t. Why keep up the torture? It was better to let her go than cling to the ridiculous hope that he was anything more to her than a temporary adventure.

Boone stared out the window as the bus pulled away and scanned the motel parking lot, eager for one last glimpse of Tara, but she was nowhere in sight. He let out a disappointed sigh, leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes.

“Muffin?”

He opened one eye and peered at the elderly woman sitting beside him. She smiled and held up a cellophane package with two banana-nut muffins. “I won’t eat them both, and I do so hate to waste food. You look so exhausted I thought you could use a pick-me-up.”

It wasn’t health-food fare. Boone was about to say “No, thank you,” but then he thought of what Tara had said.
People love to help. It makes them feel good about themselves. Why do you cheat people out of the opportunity to feel good about themselves?

“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded. “That’s very kind of you.”

She beamed and passed him a muffin. “Where you headed?”

“Key West.”

Her eyes twinkled. “To see a girlfriend?”

“No, ma’am. My sister’s getting married.”

“That’s so nice. Weddings are so lovely.” She sighed dreamily. “You don’t have a girlfriend?”

He thought of Tara, shrugged.

“Ah, you’ve just broken up. I’m sorry.” She patted his arm.

“It’s for the best,” he was surprised to hear himself say. He and Tara hadn’t broken up. They’d never been together.

What do you call last night?

Red-hot sex. That’s all it had been.

Yeah, right. If you keep lying long enough, you’ll start believing your own fairy tales.

“Why did you break up? Did she cheat on you?”

“No. Tara is the most loyal person I’ve ever met.”

“The sex was no good?” she asked impishly. “What? Don’t look shocked. I know how important sex is to a man. My Henry, God rest his soul, was dynamite in the sack.”

Boone’s cheeks heated, couldn’t believe what he was admitting to this stranger. “The sex
was
phenomenal.”

“Was she a spendthrift? Blew all your money?”

He shook his head. “In fact, she’s pretty frugal, just like I am.”

“Hmm.” A speculative expression crossed the woman’s face.

“‘Hmm’ what?”

“Sounds to me like you’re still in love with her. You couldn’t work out your differences? True love is more precious than gold.”

“It’s a long-distance relationship.”

“So move.”

“It’s not that simple.”

The woman snorted.

“She believes planetary alignment affects travel plans.”

“And you’re pragmatic.”

He nodded. “She’s so cheerful, it’s irritating.”

“And you’re a bit of a grouch.”

“She’s outgoing.”

“And you’re an introvert.”

“Yeah. Total opposites.”

The woman’s smile turned coy. “Opposites attract for a reason. People mistakenly think relationships should be smooth sailing, but our true soul mates challenge us to be our best selves. When we’re challenged there’s always rough seas, but without challenge, we don’t learn and grow.”

“I suppose,” he said and purposefully focused on the muffin. He’d just finished it off—and damn but the muffin was tasty and he was hungry—when they heard a loud bang and the bus jolted to a sudden, shuddering halt, gears screaming and grinding.

Acting on pure instinct, Boone threw himself over the elderly woman to protect her from whatever was happening in the front of the bus as people gasped and hollered and jumped from their seats. One terrifying scenario after another surged through his head. Bomb. Gunman. Terrorists.

“My goodness!” the woman exclaimed. “What’s going on?”

“Are you all right?” he asked her.

“I’m fine, but my muffin got smashed.” She held up the flattened snack.

“Stay put,” he told the muffin woman and dragged himself around her and out into the aisle. Boone scanned the bus, alert for enemies. He wished he had a gun.

Alarmed passengers were hugging each other, grabbing for their belongings, most of them talking at once. Some people had their cell phones out and were videotaping the chaos.

“What’s happening?”

“Did we crash?”

“Is anyone hurt?”

The bus driver got to his feet. “Settle down, folks, just a little mechanical glitch, nothing to get alarmed about. Please stay seated. I’ll be right back.”

No one sat back down.

The driver got off the bus. A few male passengers got off behind him. Boone would have gotten off, too, if he hadn’t been so far in the back and it was so difficult getting down the crowded aisle with his bum leg.

A few minutes later the driver returned. “We’ve lost the drive shaft,” he said.

A chorus of groans and boos went up from the passengers.

“Calm down. I’ve radioed in and they’ll have another bus here within the hour. Please just sit back down.”

“Maybe there’s something to your girlfriend’s planetary alignment theory,” the muffin lady said.

Mercury in retrograde. Fate. Whatever you wanted to call it, Boone didn’t care. This was his opportunity to go back and see this through with Tara. He had no hope of getting to Key West before four o’clock anyway.

Urgency pushed at him and Boone retrieved his knapsack from the overhead bin and started toward the door.

“Sir, sir, where are you going?” the driver asked.

“Nowhere,” he said. “I’m staying right here. Please open the door.”

“Sir—”

“The door,” Boone commanded.

Reluctantly, the driver opened the door.

Boone stepped off the bus, the oppressive feeling that had been pressing down on him ever since he climbed on the bus dissipating the minute his feet hit the ground. He was going back to Tara.

That was when he realized the error of his ways. The motel was a good five miles away and he had a bad leg. By the time he walked back, she might very well be gone.

* * *

T
ARA
SAT
ON
the curb at the motel trying not to feel sorry for herself. She hummed a tune and forced herself to smile. How long was it going to take the cops to show up?

Boone was gone, on the highway headed for his destiny. She could be happy about that. At least he wasn’t stuck here with her. That was a good thing. He’d get to Key West and find his sister. They would talk things out. Repair their relationship. She’d done a good thing.

Why, then, did she feel so crappy?

Because she missed Boone something terrible.

Sadness swept over her. It was all she could do not to cry. She blinked and pressed her palm to the back of her mouth. Her nose grew stuffy with unshed tears.
Stop it, stop it, stop it.

A police car turned into the motel parking lot.

At last!

Tara got to her feet, dusting her fanny.

The cruiser stopped. The back door opened and out stepped Boone.

Joy flooded over her. It was all she could do to keep from running across the pavement and flinging herself into his arms. Restraining herself, she sauntered casually over.

“Hi,” she said breathlessly.

“Hi.” He grinned.

“You came back.”