Chapter Fourteen
Diesel loved the way Reese leaned her head on his shoulder and felt safe enough to fall asleep against him. He wished he could have slept as she did. Instead, his entire body was tense with thoughts of having to leave Reese soon.
At most, he’d be in Kinshasa long enough to see Reese and Klein on to the first airplane out of the country, which could be as soon as the next day. That gave him only one more night with Reese. One night to cram a lifetime of memories.
He couldn’t believe he’d known her for just a few days. But those few days might as well have been a lifetime. Deep in his heart, he knew she was the woman for him. But did they have a chance in hell of making a relationship work? Hell, did she even feel as strongly as he did about her? Yes, he could bring her body to life, but body and heart were two different things.
Lawrence Sabando assured the president he’d released the dignitaries he’d herded into the van back in Kinshasa, shortly after they’d been taken away. None of them were harmed. His actions and those of his supporting fighters had been designed to frighten more than harm the people of the conference. He’d only wanted to make a statement that would be heard around the world and draw attention to the plight of the people of the DRC.
Lawrence couldn’t promise his brother he’d go free after what he’d done, but he would work to insure his brother’s safety.
Diesel had listened to the brothers speaking in English. The president had news that the rebellion in the city had been brought to order. By the time they landed on the grounds of the Palais de la Nation, where the president of the DRC lived, the city was calm, and people were back to their normal work and routines.
“You are welcome to stay here for the night,” President Sabando offered. “But my driver is on standby and can take you wherever you would like to go.”
For once, Ferrence looked to Reese first.
“I’d like to go back to the hotel. My luggage is there,” Reese said.
Ferrence’s brows dipped. “I too would like to go back to the hotel, as long as it’s safe.”
The president nodded. “My people assure me the uprising has been dealt with and the city center is back to normal. I will order the car around.”
“Thank you.”
The president’s brows rose. “Mr. Klein, do you still wish to have the meeting with me?”
Ferrence’s lips pressed into a thin line. He glanced from Jean-Paul to his brother, Lawrence. “Mr. President, I would love to, but I believe you have your hands full with the needs of your country. I won’t deter you from taking care of your people first.”
Diesel could have been gobsmacked. After all of Klein’s determination to get a meeting with the president of the DRC, it shocked Diesel that the man declined—and politely, too.
Both the president and his brother nodded.
“Thank you for understanding,” Lawrence said.
“I will put in a good word for you with my successor,” the president offered.
“Thank you.” Ferrence drew in a deep breath. “Please, don’t let us keep you.”
One of the president’s assistants hurried out onto the lawn. Moments later, Reese, Diesel and Klein were ushered to the drive, where a long white limousine awaited them.
Shortly after, they were deposited at the entrance to the hotel.
“Allow me.” Diesel scooped Reese up into his arms and carried her into the hotel. They stopped at the desk for key cards to their rooms. The hotel staff was apologetic about the events of the day before and offered to send a bottle of wine to their rooms, which they gladly accepted.
“If it’s all the same to you, I’ll call down for room service rather than go to dinner,” Ferrence said, as they rode the elevator up to their floor.
“Good, because I don’t think I can go another step,” Reese said, her arm looped around Diesel’s neck. She gave him a pointed glance. “However, I can stand on my own two feet.”
“I know,” he said with a smile. “But there might be broken glass or something sharp in the carpets.”
“We’re standing on tile,” she pointed out with a smile.
“Humor me, will ya? I’m trying to be a gentleman. I don’t get much practice.”
Klein shook his head. “I’ll arrange for our flights to leave tomorrow, and then I think I’ll call my wife.”
Reese’s smile faded. “If we aren’t meeting with the president, we really have no reason to stay.” Her voice trailed off. Though she had answered Klein, her gaze met Diesel’s.
Diesel’s heart sank to the pit of his belly. Tomorrow was finally coming, the day he’d have to say goodbye to Reese. His arms tightened around her. If he could make the night last forever, he would.
The elevator arrived at their floor. Klein waved Diesel through first. The walk down the hallway to their rooms was accomplished in silence. At their doors, Diesel final set Reese on her feet.
Diesel held out his hand for Klein’s key card.
For once, the man didn’t argue. He handed over the card and waited in the hallway, while Diesel made a quick perusal of his suite.
Nothing seemed out of place or disturbed. In fact, the hotel staff had cleaned and made the bed. Everything was as it should be. When Diesel came out, he handed over the card. “You’re still a target. If you need to leave your room for any reason, let me know. I’ll go with you.”
Klein nodded. “Thank you. You and your team have been invaluable to this event. I’ll be sure to put in a good word for you.”
Diesel’s lips twisted. “We were never here.”
Klein’s mouth turned up on the corners, and he nodded. “Right. Then, I’ll see you two in the morning, for the ride to the airport.”
Klein entered his room, closed the door and locked it.
Alone at last, Diesel turned to Reese. “This is it.”
Reese nodded. “Our last night together.” She ran the card over the reader and opened the door. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.” She stepped across the threshold.
Diesel followed and closed the door behind him. Then he took her hand, spun her around and clamped her body to his. “Let’s make this night count.”
She laughed, the sound ending on what could only be a sob. “Damn right, we will.”
“But it won’t be our last,” he said, as he lowered his mouth to hers.”
“No? But, I’m leaving tomorrow,” she whispered against his lips. “I won’t see you again.”
“But that’s only tomorrow.” He touched her lips with his in a feather-soft brush. “We’ll be back in the States soon.”
“And?” Reese reached for the hem of Diesel’s shirt and dragged it up his body and over his head, and then tossed it to the floor.
“And, though I’m stationed out of Mississippi, I have a car. I can hop on a plane.” He ran his fingers through her hair and cupped the back of her head. “I’m coming to see you.” Then he kissed her and slid his hands down her neck and into the lapel of her suit jacket. With little effort, and a little help from her, he had that jacket on the floor in seconds.
Reese laid her hand along the side of his face and sighed. “Long-distance relationships never work.” She reached for the button on his trousers and worked it free, and then dragged the zipper down ever so slowly.
With his body on fire, and his need for her rising with every move she made, Diesel fought back the urge to pound his chest like an eight-hundred-pound gorilla. She was special, and he needed to show her just how special she was. “Then I’ll ask for a transfer to Virginia. It’s closer to DC.” He frowned. “Come to think of it, I don’t even know where you live.”
She shrugged. “I can live practically anywhere they have a need for bodyguards. Do they need them in Mississippi?”
“Only to fight off the alligators.” He tugged the blouse from the waistband of her skirt and pulled it up over her head.
Reese raised her arms. “Alligators?”
“Yes. We train on the river and in the swamps. There are snakes and alligators.”
Reese shivered. “Are they as bad as the crocodiles here in the Congo?”
Diesel shook his head, released the button on the back of her skirt and dragged her skirt down over her hips. “And there are no gorillas in Mississippi.”
Reese’s skirt fell to the floor.
Diesel slid his hands from her waist over her hips to cup the backs of her thighs. Then he lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist. “Unfortunately, there’s probably not much use for bodyguards, unless your client is having a Bubba feud with his neighbor. But Mississippi is probably a lot safer than here.” He kissed her long and hard before he broke it off and sighed. “Please tell me your next assignment isn’t to Africa.”
Reese chuckled and held on as he carried her through the bedroom and into the bathroom. “I don’t even know if I’ll have another assignment. Not after all that’s happened here in the DRC.”
“You’ll be overwhelmed with work.” Diesel set her on her feet beside the shower and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “But do me a favor and save a little time for me.”
“Really?” she asked, her eyes wide, shining with a layer of moisture. “Because I’m willing to give this long-distance thing a go, if you are.” She brushed her thumb across his lips. “You see, I kind of like having a knight in shining armor swoop in to rescue me.”
“Heck, I know you. You’re perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, but please promise me you won’t take on any more assignments in the jungle.”
She shook her head. “I can’t make any promises I can’t keep. What if my next assignment takes me to the wilds of Costa Rica or Honduras?”
Diesel’s fingers tightened on her arms. “I’ll be crazy with worry.”
“What if you are sent back to Afghanistan or Syria? I’ll be nuts with worry.”
“So, you care?”
She frowned. “Damn right, I do.” She clasped his cheeks in both hands. “You don’t get dragged through the jungle by a sexy man and not come out without forming some sort of attachment.”
“Attachment, is it?” He liked the sound of that. “However we make it happen, promise me you’ll see me again when we get back.”
“That I can promise. If you can’t come to me, perhaps we could meet halfway.” She tipped her head. “What’s that, someplace in Georgia?”
Diesel gathered her close, crushing her body to his. “We have the entire night to ourselves. No rebels, no teammates, no bosses. Just you and me, babe. Make love with me.”
“Now you’re talking.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down so that she could meet his kiss with the fierceness that Diesel had learned he loved about this amazingly strong woman.
If they only had the night, he would make it the best night of their lives. But he wasn’t ready to say goodbye. And he wouldn’t. He’d find a way to see her again, stateside.
In the meantime, he had a job to do. He had a woman to please, and he wasn’t going to waste a single minute he had with her.
He scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the shower, where they would begin their long night of forever.
* * * * *
SPECIAL EXCERPT FROM
The twisted machinations of a ruthless cult leader have robbed Lola Dayton of her life—and her baby. Now it’s up to Sheriff Flint Cahill to find the truth buried beneath Lola’s secrets and her family’s lies.
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COWBOY’S REDEMPTION,
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