Page 62 of Love Me Carefully
Chapter Thirteen
As the ship docked, Terrell stood at the railing, marveling at the clear blue waters and brilliant sunlight and thinking about all the time he and Leah had spent getting to know each other. At this point he felt as if they’d always been together. But the real purpose of this trip had never been far from his mind.
Somewhere on this island was his mother with a man she considered her fiancé, but Terrell considered him—at this point he didn’t know what he considered Donald. Was he really dangerous? If so, why hadn’t he killed him and Leah when he’d had the chance? Even if he was simply a drug dealer, he had to get his mother away from him. That was the bottom line. Fear and distress sat on his shoulders like dead weights. He prayed for the strength to do what had to be done.
“Hey, you okay?” Leah came up behind him quietly. His long, lean legs were clad in khaki shorts and he wore leather sandals. A black shirt hung loosely over his muscled shoulders, exposing the light skin of his arms. From his posture she could almost tell what he was thinking, as she’d spent some time harboring those same thoughts herself.
While the last couple of hours had passed almost blissfully, danger beckoned to them the moment they set foot on the island.
“Yeah, I’m cool. Just thinking about how things are going to turn out.” He didn’t turn toward her, not yet ready for her to see him this vulnerable.
She’d placed her hand lightly on his back when she spoke to him, and now he relished her touch. She was there, quietly offering her support. Wasn’t that what a wife did? She’d made herself at home in his heart, and the thought of her not being there permanently was too painful to conceive.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” A light breeze ruffled her shirt as she inhaled the fresh tropical air. When she caught the scent of his cologne, she resisted the urge to nuzzle closer.
“It is. I was thinking.” He let his voice trail off, wondering if now was a good time.
“You were thinking what?”
He took a deep breath. “If when this mess is all behind us we could come back. I mean, would you like to come back here with me?” He turned toward her then, his eyes searching her face earnestly.
“I think that would be really nice,” she answered.
He smiled, happy with her response. Circling her waist, he pulled her closer, loving the feel of her soft curves against him, remembering the things they’d done to each other the night before. “I’m really happy you changed your mind.”
“So am I.” He was going to kiss her, she knew it the way she knew her name. And she wanted it, needed it, needed it like a desert needed water. So instead of waiting for him, she brought her arms up behind his head and pulled his lips down on hers.
The contact was soft and enticingly sweet at first. Then urgent need struggled to break free. Their tongues delved and clashed, stroked and massaged until moans of pure pleasure echoed in the air surrounding them.
“Alright, I see my instincts about you two were correct. But since I didn’t approve of a couple tagging along on this operation, can you two try to remember you’re here on official business and this kind of behavior can get you both killed?” Jeff approached, annoyance clear in his voice.
“Yes, sir.” Leah smiled when she finally tore herself away from Terrell. Jeff wore dark glasses and a baseball cap, she suspected in an effort to appear inconspicuous. In his hand was a travel guide.
Terrell was too pleased with Leah’s response to give the arrival of the FBI agent much attention. But as he looked beyond the boat, caught a glimpse of the tropical island, he remembered what his true mission was. “Where to now?” he asked Jeff as the ramp was being assembled for persons to leave the ship.
“My man said they rented a car and drove to Negril. They’re staying in a hotel down there, so we’ll charter a plane and go down. I’ve booked you two at a hotel a few miles from the one your mother is staying in, and I want you to stay out of sight tonight. I’ll meet with you first thing in the morning to go over what our first step is going to be.”
“That sounds like a plan. Where will you be staying?” Leah asked.
“Some of us are going to stay in the same hotel with your mother, and the others are going to spread out across the island, try to get a feel for what’s going on down here before we set up the operation.” He turned to walk toward the ramp. “Wait a few minutes after I get off, then meet me at the location on this paper and we’ll fly down.”
“Aye aye, captain!” Leah made a mock salute and Jeff frowned before smiling. “You two are really something else.” He shook his head and walked away.
* * *
The Rockhouse Hotel stretched across the cliffs of what the natives called Pristine Cove in Negril. It was a sturdy three-story structure nestled amongst lush trees and bordered by white sand beach and crystalline blue water.
Jeff had booked them connecting rooms. “Good ’ol Jeff.” Terrell smiled when the room clerk gave them their keys.
Both rooms had a private sun deck, four-poster queen-sized bed, mini bar and a connecting door that Leah chose to unlock.
She put her bags down and walked out onto the sun deck. The sun was setting over the beautiful island of Negril—brilliant hues of purple, orange and gold streaked the sky above the turquoise water. Finding a wicker chair on the deck, she sat down, relaxing, and inhaled the tropical scent. A sound at the door jolted her, and her eyes flew to the spot where Terrell stood on her deck.
He watched her, silently wondering if and when he’d finally have her. She looked at peace, as if she hadn’t had a care in the world. With his hands stuffed in his pockets, he walked over to the railing of the deck. The water smelled fresh and beckoned to him. The hidden cove the hotel was situated in gave a secluded feeling, a romantic atmosphere no doubt a hit with tourists.
But they weren’t here for romance.
He reminded himself of that fact and let his mind drift back to their main purpose. “You should really keep that door locked. You never know who might walk in.” He turned to look at her with a grin.
