hungry?
“I could Mac broke of at the sound of footsteps on the front porch, and
both he and Paula automatical y stepped between Blair and the door,
their shoulders touching, shielding her.
“Its Tanner, a voice cal ed as a knock
sounded.
Paula opened the door just enough to check outside, blocking the view
into the room. After a second, she swung the door open and Tanner
Whitley strode in with her characteristic saunter, a strikingly beautiful
blonde in a naval uniform by her side.
“Mac, Tanner said. “I trust the trip went al right? Without waiting
for an answer, she kissed Blair soundly on the mouth. “You look
terrific.
“You dont look too shabby either, Blair said, thinking that with her
windblown dark hair, piercing dark eyes, and muscular build Tanner
looked every inch the playgirl she had once been, rather than the
head of a huge corporate conglomerate and the owner of Whitley
Island. As usual, she was dressed in casual pants, an open col ar shirt,
and wel -worn black boots. Blair smiled at the blonde who held Tanners
hand. Adrienne was more than a decade older than Tanner, and Blair
had only to see Tanner with Adrienne to know that the new peace in
Tanners eyes was entirely due to Adriennes presence in her life. The
gold wedding bands they wore only af irmed what was obvious from
seeing them together.
“Hel o, Adrienne. How are you? The last time Blair had seen
Adrienne had been immediately after 9/11. Adrienne had been spending
almost al of her time at the nearby naval base where she was
stationed.
“Slightly less crazy than last time we
met.
“I wish we werent always dropping in on you quite so
unexpectedly.
Adriennes calm blue eyes held Blairs. “Were happy to have
you, anytime, under any circumstances.
Blair was certain that Cam would not have confided any of
the details surrounding their precipitous return to Whitley
Point to Tanner, and she knew that Tanner would not have asked,
but she understood Adriennes message. Without even
knowing the circumstances, Adrienne and Tanner would be
there for them, whenever they were needed. To her horror,
Blair felt her eyes sting with tears. “Thank you.
“Tanner, darling, Diane said, kissing Tanners cheek. “Thank
you for the wine and other essentials in the guest house. She
extended her hand to Adrienne. “Thanks for taking such good care
of us.
“If you need anything else that our security people cant get
for you, just let us know. Well see to it.
“How are you at pinochle? Blair asked.
Stark groaned. Adrienne smiled.
* * * * *
Just after midnight, the door to Blairs bedroom opened slowly
and
a thin shaft of pale yel ow light slashed across the
room. “Cam?
“Hi baby, Cam said. “Did I wake you?
Blair rol ed onto her side and turned on the bedside lamp.
She canted the shade so that most of the light angled away
from the bed and then sat up. “No. I wasnt sleeping. Are you all
right?
“Beat, but okay. Cam sighed as she crossed to the bed. “Im
going to take a shower and talk to Stark for a while, then Ill
“You dont have to shower and you can wait until tomorrow to
talk to Stark. I want you to just come to bed.
Cam hesitated. “Okay. Ill wait until the morning briefing to
check in with Stark. But the shower isnt optional.
“I like the way you smell, Blair said, folding back the covers
and patting the bed beside her. “If you dont get in here soon, Im
going to think youre avoiding me.
“The only thing Ive been thinking about for the last twelve hours
is you. Cam kissed Blair, put her weapon in the top drawer of
the bedside table, and undressed rapidly. “But Im still going to
shower. Ill be back in a few minutes.
Blair waited until she heard the shower running and then fol owed Cam
into the bathroom. When Cam stepped out of the enclosure and reached
for the towel that Blair held, Blair shook her head. “You just stand stil .
Il do this.
“You know what Id real y like? Cam said as Blair toweled her hair and
then wiped her face and neck.
“No, darling, what? Blair bit back a murmur of concern when she saw
that the bruises on Cams shoulder and hip had spread, darkening in
the centers to almost black.
“Id like that massage. Im too damn tal to sleep in the back of an
SUV.
Blair knew that if Cam was asking, she was more than stif from sleeping
in the car. She was hurting. “I think that can be arranged. She dried
Cams chest and stomach, then her back. Kneeling, she gently smoothed
the towel over Cams but ocks, down the outside of her legs, over her
calves, and up her inner thighs. “Turn around, darling.
Slowly, Cam turned. She skimmed her fingers through Blairs hair and
then over her cheek. “Feels good.
Tenderly, Blair dried Cams thighs and hips, taking care with the bruise
