Iris Johansen - Final Target

"I aim to please. You said every carnal act." "I think we've reached that boundary." "Nah, we haven't even started." He took her hand and sucked on her index finger. "Have we?"

She felt a surge of heat move through her. Jesus, he was good. Sex with him had been like nothing she had ever experienced. A closeness that was fever hot and more than sensual. "Maybe we haven't." She drew closer. "Show me…"

The sun was high in the sky when they walked out on the porch.

"There's Galen, sitting on that dune." Melissa returned his lazy wave and watched him as he stretched, yawned, and then lay back on the sand. "He looks so relaxed, just zoning out, looking at the boats. It's the first time I've seen him lazing around since we got here. He's always bustling, cooking, or on the phone, managing the world."

Travis followed her gaze to Galen and then to the two boats anchored up the coast. "The universe. But maybe he's more tactful than you think. He wouldn't want to disturb us. He understands things."

"What things?" She glanced at him. His hair was tousled, his shirt mussed, and his expression…She looked away. She'd thought she'd had enough, but maybe…"What do you think Galen understands about us?" She smiled. "Do you believe he thinks I seduced you to get my way?"

"He's no fool." He looked straight ahead. "But would you care to confide in me why I got lucky?"

"I wanted to do it," she said simply.

"It's not that easy."

"Yes, it is. I was the one who was making it difficult, which isn't like me. Every moment of life should be lived to the max. I wanted you but I wouldn't take you. But I was scared to death last night. I thought I was going to die and then I was afraid you were. It jarred some sense back into me. I feel…something for you."

"What?"

"I don't know. Sometimes I feel so close to you, and that…intimidated me."

"You could have fooled me."

"What's wrong? Are you insulted? I wanted to be honest with you."

"Oh, you were. I can understand why you fought against feeling anything for me. We're at opposite ends of the universe."

"And you don't want to make any commitment to anyone."

He was silent.

She smiled. "But you're going to have to make a commitment to me. Because I can't turn my back on the people I become close to. So like it or not, I'm in your life."

"You are?"

"Don't panic. There are all kinds of commitment. Friendship is one. You should feel safe with that."

"I believe I'm becoming a little annoyed with your analysis of my character."

"Sorry," she said wearily. "I suppose I'm just trying to work my way through this. It came as a shock to me that I'd feel this strongly about you. I don't want anything to happen to you. It would make me-"

"Sad?"

Lord, she wished it were only sad. She was so near a great abyss that she had to move very carefully. "I suppose you could use that word." She changed the subject. "What's next? We've lost the only lead we had. Do you think Deschamps-"

He exploded. "Christ, you almost got killed last night chasing after Deschamps. Why can't you leave it alone? And dammit, don't close up." He took her shoulders and shook her. "You listen to me."

"I am listening."

"But you're not hearing. You're running away from me."

"I'm not running away." She met his gaze. "Do you want to go back to the bedroom and make love again?"

"No, I do not. Oh, shit, of course I do. But I'm not going to let you use me to-What the hell am I saying?"

"I didn't use you. I only shared joy. Didn't I?"

He stared at her and then he slowly nodded. "Jesus, what kind of woman are you, Melissa?"

A woman who might love you.

Oh, God, she wished that answer hadn't popped into her head. But there were all kinds of love just as there were all kinds of commitment. She could deal with this. She forced a smile. "You should know by now. I'm pretty transparent."

"The hell you are."

She turned to go back in the house. "Compared to you, I'm clear as glass. I'm hungry. Do you want breakfast?"

"No, I'm going for a walk. I'll see you later."

She watched him walk toward Galen. He was upset. Well, she couldn't do anything about that. She'd been as honest with him as she could. She couldn't forget about Deschamps, and she wasn't going to lie to Travis.

Galen and Travis were talking. Fast. Intensely.

About Deschamps? Probably. If they were making plans, they were leaving her out again. She couldn't allow that to happen. Dammit, Travis was even more protective than before. Last night could have been a mistake.

No, joy was never a mistake. She'd just have to work out the problems.

Galen was coming back to the cottage. He smiled as he walked up the porch steps. "Travis says you're hungry. What do you want for breakfast?"

"I can fix it."

"Nah, it's all in the package." He opened the screen door. "And I imagine you could use an easy time after last night."

She blinked.

He laughed. "Oops. No, I meant the knock on the head."

She looked at Travis, who was still on the beach. "Is he coming?"

"Not right now. He said he needed some time to himself Pancakes? Ham and eggs?"

She watched Travis start off down the beach. She could tell by the wary, contained way he was moving how tense he was. Maybe she could talk to him when he came back. Or maybe it was better to let him cool down.

She turned back to Galen. "Pancakes. I'll set the table."

Travis glanced back at the porch and watched Melissa go inside. Christ, she was stubborn.

And strong and bold and giving. And so bright and beautiful that she made him feel…

Scared to death.

She wouldn't stop. If last night hadn't discouraged her, nothing would. It was only a matter of time until she found out that Deschamps might be in that boat in the cove. If she hadn't been so upset last night, she would have probably already figured out Deschamps would follow them. There was no doubt in his mind that Deschamps would target her again. She had interfered and she was now a witness.

It made him sick to his stomach.

He couldn't let it happen.

"Want to play poker?" Galen asked. "I'm getting tired of solitaire."

Melissa turned away from the window where she'd been watching Travis on the beach. "No, thanks."

"Your loss." He played a queen on a king. "I'm known as the worst player on the Continent. It could be a great ego boost for you."

Maybe she could use an ego boost. Travis had been avoiding her all day. Except for dinner, he'd stayed out on the beach. She supposed it was natural. Besides her refusal to back off on Deschamps, she'd been frank with him about her intention to stay in his life. Travis was probably feeling uneasy.

Well, let him get used to it. He could stay on that beach all night. She wasn't going to wait around for him. "I'm going to bed. Good night, Galen."

He didn't look up. "Good night."

Cassie was asleep and Melissa moved quietly into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. But the little girl woke when she slipped into bed next to her.

"Melissa?"

"Shh. Go back to sleep."

"Iwill. So sleepy…Why is Michael here?"

"He's not here."

"Yes, he is. I can feel it. Almost always with you now…"

She was asleep again.

Almost always with you now.

Melissa stared into the darkness. Was Cassie sensing the new bond that had formed between them? Or was Melissa just thinking more about Travis and the child had picked up on it?

But Cassie was wrong. Michael wasn't with her tonight. He was somewhere outside on that damned beach.

And she was lonely. Funny that she could be lonely after only one night with him. Was he lonely too?

She hoped to hell he was. She didn't want to be this miserable all by herself. But he was probably as happy as a clam. Men weren't as introspective as women, which was entirely unfair.