Everything But The Truth by Debby Conrad Page B

of fool. That has to be the oldest trick in the book. And the bed trick here,” he said pointing to the quilts, “that was pretty lame.”
    “It worked. You were stupid enough to fall for it.”
    Eyes narrowed, Jameson said, “I don’t like you, Sinclair.”
    “You’re breakin’ my heart.”
    “You’re trying my patience,” the man countered.
    Reeve looked beyond Jameson’s shoulder again, at the shadow he saw moving along the wall in the hallway, trying to get the man to do the same, but he didn’t budge. Just then, a small creaking sound alerted Jameson and he jerked his head toward the noise.
    It was all the time Reeve needed. He brought the SIG out in front of him, called Jameson’s name and fired several rounds into the man’s chest, all before Jameson had a chance to get a shot off.
    Jameson staggered, hitting the wall behind him, and slid to the floor with a dull thud.
    Hearing Peyton’s screams, Reeve winced, but he refused to move until he knew for sure the man was dead.
    “Peyton, stay there,” he called out to her.
    Blood covered the wall behind Jameson’s head, and he didn’t want her to see it, or the lifeless body lying on the floor. A few seconds later, the gun fell from the man’s hand, and his eyes went blank. It was over.
    After making sure the barrel had cooled off, he tucked the SIG into the belt clip holster on the waistband of his jeans and stepped into the hall and Peyton’s waiting arms. He pulled her roughly, almost violently to him, her soft curves molding to the hard planes of his body, and hugged her. Her trembling limbs clung to him as she buried her face against his throat and cried softly, her tears dampening his T-shirt.
    He kissed the top of her head, feeling the silkiness of her hair against his lips and face. “Dammit, Peyton. I told you stay next door.”
    He’d jimmied the lock on the empty cabin next to theirs and had ordered her to stay there and wait for him. But had she listened? No. When he’d seen the shadow in the hall, he’d almost lost it, knowing it had to be her. It had been too small for a man’s body.
    “I couldn’t. I saw the lights come on over here and I was worried about you.” Her hands clawed at his back and waist. “Oh, Reeve, I was so scared,” she said in a broken whisper.
    A sense of urgency drove him to take her face in his hands. Gently, he wiped her tears away with the pads of his thumbs and, before he could change his mind, claimed her mouth.
    Parting her lips, she returned his kiss with reckless abandon, giving as much as she took. Blood pounded in his brain as his emotions skidded out of control. He knew he should stop, but he’d be damned if he could.
    In a raw act of possession, he pulled her hips against his erection and moved with her, enjoying the sound of the little moans coming from the back of her throat. With one hand he sought her breast, toyed with her nipple, feeling the peak harden from his touch. He was tormented with the need for her. He wanted more, but this time he had to stop. After another drugging kiss, he reluctantly pushed her away from him, staring into her face and questioning eyes. He fought to control his labored breathing and, when he could finally speak, said, “We need to get out of here.”
    Peyton nodded and wrapped her arms around her middle as if to protect herself. Averting his eyes, she backed away, then turned and started down the hall.
    “Peyton,” he said.
    She stopped, but didn’t turn around.
    He wanted to say something, anything, but in the end, nothing came out of his mouth. After a moment, he said, “I just need to grab a few things. I’ll be downstairs in a minute.”
    He heard her breath expel, and watched as she descended the stairs on wobbly legs. Rubbing the knot in the back of his neck, he sighed. Reeve, you just crossed the line.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
    “Where are we going?” Peyton whispered in the darkness.
    “I don’t have any idea,” Reeve said,