Striking Distance

Laura went on. “As much as I wish we could go back to how things were in Dubai, I just can’t. You’d only end up getting hurt. I couldn’t bear it if I did something to destroy our memories or our friendship.”

He dropped his feet to the floor and moved to sit beside her, taking her hand in his, caressing her fingers. “That is

not

going to happen. Do you hear me,

bella

? No matter what he did to you, no matter how you’ve changed, nothing—and I mean

nada

—can change the way I feel about you.”

And how do you feel about her?

He wasn’t sure. He only knew he couldn’t leave her alone with this.

“Thank you.” She gave him a wobbly smile, squeezed his hand. “I should go.”

And in a heartbeat she was gone, leaving Javier alone in the heat.

* * *

LAURA LAY IN the dark, her tears spent, an ache in her chest. She’d pleaded a headache and had gone to bed early, certain that Nate and his family would enjoy some time alone with Javier. Besides, she needed to think, to make sense of what had happened in the sauna, of what she had

allowed

to happen.

She ran her finger over her lips, conjured up the memory of Javier’s taste, his scent, the sweet heat of his tongue teasing hers. Her pulse spiked, warmth sliding through her. But the rush of pleasure was short-lived, only to be followed by an overwhelming sense of emptiness.

She’d always been afraid that having sexual contact with a man would make her think of Al-Nassar and leave her feeling revulsion. She’d avoided men for that reason alone. But that hadn’t happened today. She hadn’t thought of that bastard once while Javier had been kissing her. Maybe the fact that she and Javier had been lovers before her abduction somehow made a difference. Or maybe Javier was such a fantastic kisser that it was impossible to think of anything else once his mouth touched hers.

Kissing him had felt like coming home, everything about it precious, familiar—his scent, his taste, his ability to make her lips burn. Yes, she had enjoyed it. She’d enjoyed it so much she’d forgotten about everything else, an almost desperate need overtaking her. Not lust. It had been far more than lust. A need to touch and be touched. A need for intimacy. A need to reclaim her sexuality, to put bad memories to rest, to feel like a woman again.

She’d sat through di

But Megan deserved her happiness. She’d fought like hell for Emily. She hadn’t turned her back and walked away from her.

Nothing—and I mean

nada

—can change the way I feel about you.

Javier believed that, but if he knew . . .

God, how she wished she could go to him right now. She’d walk to his room, take off her nightgown, and show him the faint silver lines on her belly. She could tell him how she’d turned her back and left her two-month-old baby girl in the hands of terrorists to flee with the SEALs.

He would stare at her, a horrified look on his face, and he’d ask questions.

Yes, of course, she’d known the baby girl was hers. How could she not? What woman could carry a baby for nine months and not realize she was pregnant? Or give birth on a dirty floor and not understand that she’d just had a baby? She would have to be crazy, wouldn’t she?

Wouldn’t she?

Laura rolled onto her side, a bitter torrent of regret surging through her, followed by an overwhelming sense of loathing for the weak, broken woman she’d been. If only she’d taken time to think before she’d run. If only she’d grabbed Klara from Safiya’s arms. If only she’d told the SEALs.

If only . . .

Whatever mistreatment Klara suffered, she suffered because of Laura.

Oh, Klara, I’m so sorry! I am so sorry!

Laura’s cell phone rang, startling her, making her gasp.

She sat and reached for it. “This is Laura.”

“Hi, Laura.”

Her heart gave a thud.

Derek Tower.

“What—”

“Here’s what’s going to happen. Tomorrow, you’re going to find out that the U.S. Marshal Service has taken me off its list of fugitives and issued an apology. You’ll read in the paper how I offered to consult with federal authorities on the car bombing in an effort to help them find whoever it is who wants to kill you, and you’ll issue a statement thanking me for my help.” He paused for a moment. “Okay, maybe not that last bit, but the rest of it

will

happen. Then you and I are going to meet face-to-face and have a nice, long conversation about the good old days in Pakistan.”

Her temper kicked in. “So you’re psychic now as well as psycho?”

“You disappoint me, Ms. Nilsson. I had you figured for a smart chick, but maybe what they say about blondes is true. Or maybe it’s that bump you took on the head. Do you really believe I’m mixed up with terrorists and trying to kill you?”

If he’d wanted to kill her, he could have done it that night in her car. Then again, he’d gone away angry that night.

“Are you?”

“I want the truth about why my men are dead. Since you’re the key to my getting that info, terminating you wouldn’t make much sense, would it?”

Laura started to answer, only to realize Tower had already ended the call.

CHAPTER

11

THEY STAYED UP at the Cimarron for the rest of the week. Surrounded by the stillness of the mountains and the hospitality of the West family, Laura felt herself begin to relax. She slept away hours of each day, likely a result of the concussion, spending the rest of her time getting to know her hosts, savoring Jack’s amazing home-cooked meals, and enjoying the fresh mountain air.

While Javier helped Nate tend the ranch’s horses and its herd of Angus, Laura spent time with Megan and Emily. She found herself fascinated by Emily’s su

That was how it would be for her and Klara one day.

Laura and Megan had lots of time to talk. Laura found that despite the dramatic differences in their upbringings, she felt a deep co

Time seemed to stand still up at the Cimarron. After reporting Derek Tower’s call to Zach, she’d turned off her cell phone and wasn’t even checking messages. Apart from checking in with her mother via e-mail a couple of times, she ignored the Internet, too. She didn’t want to know what was going on in the world. Monday would come soon enough and with it a return to so many things she didn’t want to think about. Besides, there were too many fun distractions here.