Undercover Virgin (22 page)

"Yeah, but it's not pretty."

The deputy director shifted out of sight again. Kyle reluctantly rolled off Rianna,
then
helped her crawl from beneath the table and stand. As soon as he saw what was left of Haroldson, he took her in his arms and pressed her face to his chest.

"What the hell happened?" he asked Sullivan.

"Apparently it was a hired hit man, and a damn good one. I don't know how the hell he got a gun in here, but I plan to get some answers if I have to personally beat 'em out of that lowlife."

"I saw the Frenchman pull out a camera. The gun must have been modified to fit in the casing."

"Well, it didn't impair the accuracy. If Haroldson hadn't lunged to his feet, the first bullet would have taken out Mary. Your warning and her quick reflexes saved her from the second one."

Rianna made a soft sound, and Kyle tightened his arms around her, folding her closer.

"Did you get the shooter?"

"Yeah, I just got word that he's in custody. He ditched the camera, but we'll find it."

"You need help?"

"We'll be fine. Why don't you two head to my apartment? I'll be there as soon as I have some answers."

Chapter 15

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^

A
s soon as Kyle and Rianna closed the apartment door behind them, he ordered her to stay put and began a thorough check of the premises.

By the time he returned to the dimly lit foyer, she'd kicked off her shoes and tossed aside the blond wig. Her own hair felt limp. She fluffed it with her fingers, and then reached for the buttons of her dress.

Kyle approached slowly, his gaze raking her from head to toe, his expression going so dark and hungry that it made her heart pound. She loved him so much that she ached with it.

"Oh, no you don't, beautiful," he scolded, grabbing her hands to halt her stripping. He brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed them gently. "We're not rushing. As bad as I need you, we're not making love here. I want you naked in bed, where I can feel every inch of you against every inch of me."

Rianna had her own ideas about which of them should be in control. The look in his eyes made her shiver with excitement. The touch of his lips spread warmth throughout her body. She wanted him, here and now.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she drew him close. Then she looped a nylon-clad leg around his thigh and pulled him even closer. Their bodies pressed together in one slow, fluid move, every male angle burrowing into every feminine curve. Her blood heated at the feel of his hard, hot body.

Kyle slapped his hands against the door on either side of her head and leaned down to steal a kiss. But one was never enough between them. Each long, searching kiss slipped into another, and another, until they were moaning and writhing against each other.

"Bed," he insisted, dragging his mouth from hers. He crushed her against the door while his hands cupped her face. His eyes were turbulent with emotion—love, desire, and a need so fierce that it wiped all thought of resistance from Rianna's mind.

"My room's the one on the other side of the kitchen," she whispered, nibbling on the strong line of his jaw.

He swept her into his arms. "I know," he admitted gruffly. "I smelled you there."

Rianna trembled and held him tighter. She could never get enough of him. She loved his sensitivity, the sound of his voice, the strength and feel of his body, even his macho protectiveness. She loved the intensity of his desire for her. In that, they were well matched. She needed him just as desperately.

Kyle laid her on the bed and followed her down, pressing his body against hers while he cradled her head in his palms. His kiss was slow and deep and sweet. Rianna understood his need for reassurance. As badly as they wanted to make love, they didn't want to be parted long enough to rid themselves of clothes. They'd already spent too much time in forced separation.

When he finally ended the kiss, he leaned back far enough for their gazes to meet. The naked vulnerability in his eyes made her muscles turn to mush.

"Say the words again," he coaxed gruffly.

She knew what he wanted to hear. "I love you," she whispered, her throat going tight as she saw the way her admission affected him. He closed his eyes, but not before she saw the depth of his response.

"I love you," she repeated, feathering kisses over his face. "Now and forever. More than I ever thought it was possible to love anyone. More than I thought I had the courage to give."

"I love you that way, too," he declared in a voice rough with emotion. "I want you to be my wife. I want a lifetime to explore this love. What do you think?"

"Marriage—" Rianna faltered over the word. As much as she loved him, she hadn't dared to dream about marriage. He'd never so much as hinted at that type of permanency.

"When? Where? How? What about the case? Even though Gregory is dead, Donald will still need me to testify against the others."

"We can be married whenever and wherever you want. I'd rather it
be
soon, but we can work around the trials. Your life shouldn't be in jeopardy, so you don't have to be a slave to the system. Marry me," he reiterated.

Rianna badly wanted to believe. "You're sure? I don't know anything about sustaining long-term relationships. What if I'm a terrible failure at it?"

Kyle's slow smile helped to ease her small spurt of panic. The confidence in his expression boosted hers.

"I don't have any experience, either," he confessed, sliding his hands down her throat to the open neck of her dress. He caressed the tender flesh, but his gaze stayed riveted to hers. "My folks were far from role models when it came to marriage, and I never put much effort into other relationships. But if you love me half as much as I love you, we can make it work. Nothing is impossible if we're together."

Rianna went limp under his caressing hands. "We're a helluva team, aren't we?" she whispered, her eyes filling with tears of joy.

"Perfect partners," he murmured as he slid down her body and began to re-acquaint himself with much-adored territory. "How about it? Willing to trust me with your future?"

"With my life," she returned softly. "My life, my heart, my soul."

"Your body?" Kyle teased, nuzzling her breasts.

Rianna laughed, tugged at his hair, and then set about convincing him just how much she trusted him.

* * *

Six hours and a lot of loving later, they were cuddled on the
Sullivans
' living room sofa. Donald had just stunned them with the news that the state had accepted Rudy's plea bargain. Tabone had been arrested and was expected to plea, as well.

The hit man refused to say anything, but the evidence against him was damning.

"You took a huge risk with that accusation you hurled at Haroldson," chided Donald.

"I know, but he made me furious. I would have kept his dirty little secret if he hadn't tried to save himself by tarnishing my dad's name."

"Apparently, Haroldson didn't care that the world might think him a murderer and a thief, but he couldn't bear the thought of being considered a sexual pervert," said Kyle.

"In his twisted mind, murder and fraud were all a part of a successful man's rise to power," said Donald. "Anything was acceptable when it came to prestige, but he knew that a child molester is considered the lowest form of life, even in prison. Whatever his psychological hang-ups, I'm glad the man's gone. All his army of thugs will run like rats."

"It's finally over," whispered Rianna. A chill raced down her spine, but the warmth of Kyle's embrace swiftly comforted her.

"For the most part," Donald agreed. "You may still be called to testify, but your safety shouldn't be an issue."

"It's time to put it behind me and get on with my life."

"Amen," said Donald. "Have any idea what that means in terms of your job?"

"She'll be moving to
Texas
," said Kyle.

Donald frowned. "What do you mean, moving?"

Rianna laughed softly. "He's not suggesting anything immoral," she teased. "He's asked me to be his wife, and I've agreed. I'll need someone to give me away and some help organizing a small wedding."

"A small wedding that can be organized in a couple of weeks," added Kyle.

"
Sophie'll
have heart failure," said Donald, grinning widely. "She'll want the whole shebang with bridesmaids and tuxedos and towering wedding cakes. I think she's already made some plans."

Rianna and Kyle both shook their heads,
then
looked into each other's eyes for a minute that stretched into two and then longer.

Donald finally cleared his throat to regain their attention. "I'll let you work out the details. If you want to get married right away, we can pull it off somehow."

"Do you think you could check about getting me a position in the
El Paso
field office?"

"I think that can probably he arranged, but it might take some time."

"Good," said Kyle. "We're thinking about a very long honeymoon."

Donald chuckled and bade them a good night.

Rianna turned into Kyle's arms and snuggled closer. She loved the warm, solid feel of him. She couldn't get enough of him. He seemed to feel the same way, and she couldn't remember ever being happier.

It had taken her more than a decade, but she'd finally accomplished two very important objectives in life. She'd revealed Gregory Haroldson for the murderous criminal she knew him to be, finishing the job her dad had started. And as a bonus, she'd found Kyle, her protector, lover and soul mate.

"What's on your mind?" asked Kyle. "You've gotten awful quiet."

He used his nose to stroke the sensitive underside of her chin, and Rianna arched her neck, granting him better access.

"I was just thinking about how lucky I am," she said. Then she murmured her approval of his caresses. Goose bumps shivered down her back as he nibbled at her throat. All he had to do was touch her, and she quivered with need.

"Luck had nothing to do with it," he argued. "Years of hard work and dedication are what got the job done."

Rianna smiled and slid her mouth over his jaw. "I wasn't talking about Gregory. He's out of my life forever. He's part of my past, and I refuse to allow him to clutter my thoughts anymore."

"Sounds good to me," he agreed, his tongue flicking out to bathe her lips. "I wouldn't care if I never heard his name again, either. He's history."

"Right," she mumbled, all thoughts of anyone but Kyle sliding from her mind.

She wanted more kisses. He tasted so good, and felt so hot. Her endless need for him would have been worrisome if it weren't being totally reciprocated. She no longer harbored any doubts about that fact. What Kyle couldn't put into words, he'd expressed with his touch. She'd never felt so loved.

He shifted until he lay flat on the sofa with her on top of him. His hands roamed slowly along her back and thighs. Their bodies were perfectly aligned, perfectly attuned.

"So why are you feeling lucky?" he asked.

"You," she murmured against his mouth. "Just you."

* * * *