“Did he talk?” Josh asked Rafe.

“Barry Night clammed up tight. But Gabe has been doing some digging into the guy’s background. He’s definitely guilty and won’t see the light of day.”

“But . . .” Josh knew there was one; lately there always seemed to be a but.

“His request to be put in a high security cell is a flag.”

“You think he’s worried someone wants revenge on him?”

Rafe said, “It could be that, or like Parker, he is yet another boss in what seems to be an endless chain.”

That wasn’t what Josh wanted to hear, but he’d always known it was a possibility. There was always someone else. They’d learned that lesson years ago when fighting overseas. It never seemed to end, yet that didn’t mean you gave up the fight, and you sure as hell don’t just give up.

“Do you think there is still a viable threat?” Josh asked.

“Not for us. At least not any more than usual. Everything has been turned over to the FBI; I see no reason he would go for Ellie or Vanessa at this point.”

Good. “Keep your ears to the ground on this. Let me know if anything changes.”

Josh and Rafe had Gabe pull more information on Vino. Find out why a guy who had such a nice family turned into such a piece of shit, a murderer. It didn’t take long to find out. He’d been picked up on a “possession of marijuana with the intent to sell” charge. But before he saw any prison time, an agent from the FBI had intervened. Carlos Mabe. Mabe got the charge dropped by holding a deal over Vino’s head. Vino probably had no idea what price he would pay by accepting it. Probably everything you love. The pieces were coming together, but still more left unanswered.

“Will do. Have you made it back to Newport yet?” Rafe asked.

“The lighthouse is in view.”

Rafe asked, “What are you going to tell her?”

That was very simple to answer. “The truth.”

“Good luck.”

Sadly, he knew he needed it. Josh hadn’t spoken to Ellie since he’d abruptly left her after asking her to come away with him. He was a total ass. He knew that even before laying eyes on her. Apologizing for such behavior wasn’t his MO. At least not usually. But Ellie deserved more than that. He would do his best to explain, then answer any and all of her questions. With any luck, she’ll be receptive to what he had to say.

Josh had given Melissa the heads-up that he was arriving. She’d told him exactly where to find Ellie. He’d been glad to hear she was out enjoying the beach. The woman worked non-stop. He was impressed by her drive, but everyone needed to take a break now and then. Especially after all she’s been through.

As the chopper passed the lighthouse, he saw people, as usual, walking along the breakers. Melissa had told him Ellie was soaking in the sun almost directly in front of the beach house. That was good. Even though the danger no longer existed, Ellie hadn’t been informed of that.

“Renzo, you’re clear. Thanks for keeping an eye on her,” Josh said as the chopper landed in a vacant parking lot not far from the house.

“You got it. Wish I could’ve been there when you interrogated Vino. I hear you were a badass.”

“No. Just an ass. Give me a gun, or hand-to-hand combat, but that psychological shit isn’t for me.”

“Not so sure about that. Chris said you played Vino until he crumbled.”

He had, but he wasn’t proud of how he’d done it. Even now it bothered him using Vino’s daughter like that. Even though he knew he’d never endanger Amber or anyone else, Vino hadn’t known it. “One time deal. It’s not happening again.”

“Yeah, we’ve been watching over your motivation,” Renzo said.

Josh wasn’t sure where the hell that comment had come from. “We’re talking about Vino.”

“I know. Or haven’t you noticed the connection between you meeting her and your sudden. . .change?” Josh didn’t respond so Renzo added, “Ellie seems really nice.”

“She is.” Probably way too nice for the likes of me. He was never going to be the sit home type of guy. Like the Marine’s, Turchetta’s Promise was his calling. Ellie deserved someone who could be home with her every night.

Josh ended the call as he turned the bend and went around the beach house. He saw her right away, lounging on a blanket. She looked comfortable so he hated to disturb her, but he missed her. Hopefully she missed me a bit too.

When he got closer, he could hear her speaking. There wasn’t anyone around so he stopped and listened.

“Three cups of all-purpose flour. Two cups of sugar. Four eggs.”

“I think it works better if you’re actually in a kitchen.”

Ellie sat up and looked at him. “How? When?”

“Just now. I wanted . . . was hoping you wanted to see me.” Josh wasn’t one who stammered, but he knew he needed to choose his words wisely. This couldn’t be about what he wanted. If it was, she’d already be in his arms and he’d be carrying her to the house to make hot love to her.

Still on the blanket, Ellie asked, “Why wouldn’t I want to see you? You were out there doing something very dangerous. I’m glad to see you’re unharmed.”

Not the warm welcome he’d hoped for, but at least she wasn’t yelling and screaming at him for dumping her there. Most people dream of having a private oceanfront beach house, but Josh wasn’t sure what Ellie’s dreams encompassed outside of the shop. There was still so much to learn about each other. Was she going to like the real him?

Being around her felt like the real Josh Turchetta. But normally he wasn’t so calm and laid back. Was it possible that she’d brought out a side of himself he’d kept buried? It hadn’t felt like acting. If anything, he’d been happy when he was with her.

Josh said seriously, “I promised you answers. I’m here to give them.” She still didn’t ask. Instead she turned her head back to the ocean in front of her. “You’re angry. And you have every right to be. I should’ve told you from the beginning what was going on. But we, I, hoped we could contain the danger and you’d never be the wiser to it.”

That got a response, but not what he’d been looking for. Within seconds she was standing, hands on her hips, snapping at him.

“Is that what you were doing all that time? Containing me?”

Raising his hands, he tried to backpedal. “That’s not what I meant.”

“It’s not what you meant to say but definitely what you meant. I get it; you hated being stuck in my shop and playing nicey-nicey with my customers. And that night you fell asleep on my couch . . . was that intentional or—”

“I wasn’t sleeping.” He’d promised himself he wouldn’t lie to her, but damn, the truth made him out to be a fucking asshole. He’d pound a guy for treating his sister like that. “Sorry, this is coming out all wrong.”

“It sounds like it.” In a softer tone Ellie offered, “Would you like to try again?”

Josh couldn’t rattle off facts like this was a debriefing after a mission. She needed a lot more from him, and he wasn’t sure he could give it. It required emotions he never visited. He was about to make a complete fool of himself. At least he didn’t have anyone listening in on their conversation this time.

“Let me start from the beginning.”

Ellie nodded. “Usually a good place to start. And be sure not to leave anything out.”

No matter how much she begged, there were things he wasn’t about to divulge or admit. Like what I did to Vino.

“We had been working with Frank regarding a man the FBI was very interested in. Certain information was brought to our attention, which led to the arrest of a man called Anthony Parker.”

“I remember seeing that on the news. He was wanted in conjunction with dozens of murders and was missing.”

Josh figured she’d have followed it since Parker lived in New York City, not far from Yonkers.

“We turned over the evidence the FBI needed and Frank made the arrest. He and the others were in the process of transporting Parker when their convoy was ambushed.”

He saw Ellie close her eyes and said, “And Frank was killed.”

“Yes.”

Eyes staring into his, she was struggling to understand. “But I don’t understand why I was in danger. If Anthony Parker was dead, shouldn’t it have been over?”

This was one of those times he wasn’t sure how much to tell her. “At first, we had all believed it was a rescue attempt. We quickly realized we were wrong.” He wasn’t going to tell her Gabe and Rafe had not just witnessed it, but recorded the incident via hacking into traffic cameras as well as security footage from local shops. “Parker hadn’t been accidentally hit in the crossfire. When they ambushed the convoy, it was to take him out.”

“A hired hit,” Ellie said, eyes wide open. “And Frank was—”

“Standing in the way of shutting Parker up for good. That’s when Rafe realized Parker was only another piece of one ugly puzzle.”

“But that doesn’t answer why they would come after me.”

“These bastards are sick. They don’t only hurt the one they were after, they go for the jugular and hurt the ones they loved too. It’s how they control the people who work for them.”

“My brother never would’ve worked for them. He despised people like that.”

“I know, but his old partner didn’t have the same morals Frank did. He sold Frank out. That’s how they got to Parker.”

He could see the wheels turning as she tried to piece it all together. “How did you find that out when the FBI couldn’t?”

Josh knew how much that list meant to Ellie. It was something she treasured as a last note from her brother. No way in hell was he going to tell her it never was meant for her. It had been meant for the Turchettas. Somehow they had missed it.

“My brother Gabe is a computer genius. He was able to track things others had missed. That led us to the leak in the FBI and then to the man who was behind all this.” Not everything, but enough that you don’t have to worry any more.

“That doesn’t explain why you . . . you pretended to be . . . Heck I don’t even know what you pretended to be. You never said what you did.”

“I was sent to Yonkers to watch over you, make sure no harm came to you.”

“You could’ve just told me that instead of . . . all this other crap.”

“Let me address one thing first. I had been monitoring things in Yonkers shortly after Frank had been killed. The only reason you ever knew I was there was because they tried to run you over.”

“You mean that wasn’t an accident?”

“No, Ellie. You had gone back to Frank’s, and they wanted to make sure you didn’t find anything they may have missed.”

“Oh my God. They really meant to kill me?”

“Yes. They would do anything to keep from getting caught.”

“How did you know about me? That I would need your help?”

“Frank used to talk about you to Rafe. I guess they promised to look after each other’s family if anything ever happened. Unfortunately, something did.”

“Yes it did. So you were in Yonkers because Rafe sent you.”

“I was. And then I could’ve left, should’ve left, once you saw who I was.”

“Why didn’t you?” Ellie asked, meeting him straight in the eyes.

That was the get-real moment he’d been dreading. He wasn’t sure what to say. Those type of words didn’t flow easily for him. Reaching out, he took her hand in his and tried not to think, just feel. Fuck, I have no idea what to say.

“I couldn’t leave you. You might not have realized you needed me, but you did. What I wasn’t expecting was to find out I needed you too.”

“You stayed because?”

“Any one of the team could’ve done it, but I didn’t want anyone there but me. The time we spent together . . . that wasn’t part of the job. I was there because there wasn’t any place I’d rather be.” Just like now.

“You are a . . . complex man. I can’t seem to figure you out.”

Josh smiled down at her. “Consider me one of your toughest ingredients to work with.”

Ellie stepped closer. Her honey-brown eyes and long lashes melted him. “No work required. You’re already the perfect combination of spice and sweet just as you are.”

“No one’s ever accused me of being sweet.”

“Good. I don’t mind if you save that side of you just for me.”

“Ellie, I don’t know where this is going, but I hope you know . . . everything I did . . . it was because I . . . care very deeply about you.” Care was only a piece of what he felt for her. Love? Yes. He loved her. Those words had never entered his mind, let alone crossed his lips before. They would come when the time was right.

“I know that. And I don’t want to live in yesterday. You’re here with me now, and I believe you invited me to Rhode Island so we could spend some alone time together, to get to know each other better.”

“I did. So what would you like to do first? See the mansions? Take in a play? Go see the breakers?” Josh hadn’t planned anything. He hadn’t been sure how their conversation would go.

Ellie reached out, wrapped her hands around Josh’s neck and said, “I have a strange feeling your sister isn’t returning. What do you say we just stay in today? Just you, me, and . . . this.”

Even on her tippy toes, Ellie couldn’t reach his lips. So he bent and claimed her. His body tensed with the contact. The taste of her lips made him hungry for much more. When she moaned against his lips, he knew he needed to stop this.

With her still held close to him, he broke the kiss and said, “Ellie, I thought you wanted to talk, to get the answers you were looking for? If you kiss me like that, I’m not sure I’ll remember my name.”

“Josh, I did have a lot of questions, and you answered most of them. I guess there’s only one left to answer.”

“What is that, honey?”

“Is this real? What is happening between us, I mean. Because I couldn’t—”

“Ellie, this is the most real thing I’ve felt in a long time. I can’t put it in words. What I feel for you, I’ve never experienced before.”

“I feel the same way, Josh. But I’m not looking for a casual affair. That’s not the woman I am.”

“That’s not the woman I want either.” Not any more, at least. Something in him had changed. “It’s as though you’re the secret ingredient I’ve been missing. I know it sounds corny, but that’s how you make me feel.”

Ellie’s eyes glistened and she said, “Not corny at all. Very romantic. And exactly how I feel too.”

Josh didn’t want to finish this conversation on the beach where there was a risk of someone passing by. As he bent and scooped her into his arms, a chopper flew overhead, most likely with Renzo and the others. Josh didn’t need them or the chopper. Not for what he wanted to do right now.

While he carried her back to the beach house, Josh teased, asking, “You don’t happen to have any of those Broccolicous cupcakes do you?”

“I thought you didn’t like broccoli,” Ellie responded.

“I don’t, but I thoroughly enjoyed licking it off you.” Ellie’s cheeks turned beet red.

“I would offer to whip up a batch, but I’m sure there are other things we can do to occupy our time alone.”

Oh yes there are. And they are all so tasty.

---

She’d been lying on the blanket, dreaming of Josh. How the chopper would hover high in the sky above her as Josh rappelled down the rope into her waiting arms. He’d tell her she was the moon and the stars and how he couldn’t stand being away from her another moment. Then he’d pull her into a never-ending embrace.

It had sounded like the perfect scenario, until he’d snuck up from behind. There wasn’t any cheesy professing of undying love. Instead he did what he’d promised and told her what had happened. Once he started explaining, all the things she thought she wanted to know didn’t matter so much. Ellie was only glad he had come back safely.

He’d been sent to protect her, yet she was worried more about him than herself. The voice in the back of her head told her she was falling in love.

She easily could’ve walked up the beach on her own, but being in Josh’s arms wasn’t something she wanted to end. Heck, if he wouldn’t have broken that kiss when he did, she would have been tempted to try to pull him down on the blanket. Not that she could budge him, but coax maybe.

Once inside the house, Josh stopped dead in his tracks as though he wasn’t sure where to go. It was kind of sweet that this giant tough guy still was unsure if he should make a move. You damn well better or I will. Her body was aching for his touch.

Not saying a word, she ran her hands through the back of his hair and nipped his earlobe. That was all the encouragement Josh needed. He headed right to the bedroom, but not the one she had used last night. When he kicked the door open she realized this was definitely a man’s room.

“Is this—?”

“My room?” Josh answered. She nodded. “Yes. This is my house. One of them. I also have an apartment in Newport.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Josh grinned. “If you’ve forgotten, sharing information is not my strong point, but I promise, I’ll do better.”

If she’d known all this time that she wasn’t in some stranger’s home, she may have felt entirely different. Or maybe not sleep at all.

“Maybe you can start by telling me again what you’d do with that frosting.” Ellie didn’t want to think or talk about anything that couldn’t be changed. She was happy and wanted to remain that way.

Josh put her down, but her legs were weak with desire, and she missed the warmth of his arms.

“Honey, I want you, but I don’t want you to feel rushed, pressured.”

She needed Josh to focus only on her as well. Ellie looked up to meet his eyes. All it took was one glance to see his hunger reflected her own. She was lost. The kiss they had shared on the beach had only been a flicker of the flame beginning to burn. She yearned for his kisses, his touch. Josh was so concerned about not hurting her that she needed to show him she wasn’t the delicate flower he thought she was. Boldly, she took his hand and led him to the foot of his bed. Then leaning into him, her breasts pressed against his blue dress shirt, she whispered breathlessly, “You’re bed looks . . . inviting. May I try it?”

“Honey, I want to make sweet love to you, but I’ve been indisposed for a while. I should hit the shower first. Would you care to join me?”

Ellie nodded and he reached out, took her hand in his, and led her to the shower. It was much larger than hers back home, which was good, because Josh wasn’t tiny. He turned on the water and tested it. Then she watched as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it to the floor. Then he did the same to his jeans.

Ellie reached behind her and unzipped the white dress. It slipped to the floor. She hadn’t been wearing a bra, and her bare breasts ached to be fondled. She slipped out of her silk panties as Josh removed his boxers. She was bold, but staring at his manhood was a bit more than she was comfortable with. At least right now. So she opened the shower door and tested the water. It was nice and hot, just as she liked it. Stepping inside, she wondered if they would both fit. When he stepped in beside her, she found they did, but there was not enough room to . . . go wild. But this was supposed to be a shower before making love. If I can keep my hands off him that long.

Once the door closed behind Josh, she leaned her back against him. The water might be steamy hot, but all she could feel was his hard erection pressed firmly against her skin. She nestled closer.

“You’re going to make it difficult to actually shower,” Josh half groaned in her ear. Ellie giggled and stepped away slightly.

Turning, she grabbed the loofah and squeezed some liquid soap on it. The familiar scent Josh wore filled her nostrils. She slowly took the soapy loofah over her hand, up her arm, down her shoulder over her breast, then down her abdomen and up to her breast again. Josh’s eyes followed every movement. While she washed one breast, Josh reached out and played with the nipple of the other. Her nipples were taut and an ache between her legs grew stronger.

While Josh’s hands roamed over her body, she took the loofah and started to wash him. Following the same path she’d taken on herself, she approached his abdomen and her fingers trembled. Not with fear, but desire. Her hand moved lower, until his manhood was thoroughly washed.

He pushed her gently away so the hot water washed the soap from both their bodies. Letting the loofah fall to the floor, her eyes glued to his. Dropping to her knees, she reached out and touched him. First slowly, but then she began to stroke him. Ellie wanted to taste him and as her lips wrapped around him, a deep moan echoed in the shower. Yes. Let me make you feel good. He moaned again as she cupped him with her other hand. Breaking his gaze, she blew gently before she licked the tip. A deep husky groan rumbled through him. She felt his body tense. Her tongue continued to lick him from the base, up his length, to the tip.

“Ellie,” his voice growled, filled with need. His breath was ragged. “If you don’t stop, I won’t be able to hold back.”

She removed her mouth from his cock only long enough to say, “I don’t want you to. I want to taste you.”

Pulling back from her, he said, “Honey, I want you so much, but not here.” Josh turned off the water and helped her back to her feet. He stepped out of the shower, grabbed a towel, and began drying her. She didn’t care about being wet. She had plans on getting a lot wetter. But she didn’t stop him. Instead she enjoyed the gentle care he gave to dry her thoroughly. Then she took another towel and repeated the favor. Once they were both dry, Josh took her by the hand and led her back to the bedroom.

This time he wasn’t holding back. He claimed her lips, his tongue hungrily exploring her mouth. Their bodies were on fire, but Josh was not missing any part of her. His hands roamed over her body, massaging and rubbing.

“Please, Josh, I want . . .” With her hand, she tried to guide his, but he was so much taller than she was that the angle wasn’t going to work.

“Tell me. What do you want, Ellie?” His voice was husky with need.

Trying once again to move his hand between her legs, she failed. The built up desire was too much. Her voice cracked as she pleaded. “I want, need you to . . . touch me.”

“I am touching you, honey,” Josh teased. “I promise you, I’ll get there, but I want to touch every inch of you first.” Bending, he took her nipple into his mouth.

A moan escaped her lips. She was enjoying everything, but that was only making the ache between her legs stronger.

She wiggled, “Are you really going to make me say it?” Ellie asked.

Josh grinned, then lifted her and placed her in the center of the king size bed. He arched over her, resting his weight on one elbow. The other hand traced up the outside of her thigh as he said, “You wanted me to touch you here?” She shook her head, and he continued moving up. Stopping just below her belly button he asked, “Here?” Again she shook her head.

A moan escaped her as he slid his hand between her legs and his fingers parted her wet folds. “Here?” His thumb pushed them apart until he found her swollen clit. He circled it while staring into her eyes.

“Yes.” Her voice shook as she replied.

Josh continue rubbing her clit as her body began to tremble with need. She gripped his shoulders as she opened her legs farther to give him more access to her hot center. She quivered as Josh slipped one finger deep inside her then stroked her G-spot before pulling it back out. Yes. Don’t stop.

Breathlessly, she begged, “I can’t take much more. I want to feel you inside me, and I don’t want to wait any longer, Josh. Please.”

He entered her again but with two fingers. She cried out with pleasure as he continued circling her clit, arching her hips closer to him. Ellie loved the feel of his fingers, but she needed it harder, faster, and deeper.

When she thought she’d die from the sweet torture, Josh adjusted himself lower, so his mouth replaced his hand. At first she missed the fingers inside of her, until his tongue darted out and licked her. First he circled her clit, teasing her beyond belief, her legs trembling as she gripped the cool sheets of his bed. As he continued to suck her, he entered her with one finger, penetrating her deeply, fingering her G-spot.

The waves of passion turned into fire as her body began to shake wildly. She couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Josh,” she screamed as she clenched around his fingers. She moaned and moved against him until she was spent.

As she tried to catch her breath, Josh removed his hand, and she heard foil tearing open so he could sheath himself. Instantly he was settled between her legs again, his hard cock finally at her entrance. As he took the head of his cock and rubbed her clit, she trembled again. Then he continued to move it through her wet folds and back to her clit. Her body was on fire, and she felt another wave building, stronger than the first.

Josh dipped the head of his cock inside her then rubbed her clit. She couldn’t hold back, and she felt her body shudder again and again until she finally went still.

His cock was at her opening, and he said, “Ellie, look at me.”

She did as he asked. His eyes were dark with desire, but there was something about his expression she couldn’t read.

“I’ve never wanted anyone like I do you. This isn’t . . . it’s more than . . . sex. I love you, Ellie.”

Though she was dizzy from the pleasure of her release, she didn’t need ears to hear those words; she heard them with her racing heart.

“I love you too, Josh.”

He bent and claimed her lips as he buried himself deep inside her. Her body had waited for what seemed a lifetime, and she cried out in euphoria.

He slowly moved inside her, each stroke sweeter than the last. Never had she experienced such passion. The giving and taking as one.

She didn’t want this feeling to end, arching to him, gripping him, bringing him to her again and again.

His moans of pleasure were drowned out by her own. Her body tensed and rocked with release, clenching around him. As the waves continued, Josh plunged deeper into her and shuddered with his release.

He collapsed beside her, each trying to catch their breath. Wrapping an arm around her, he pulled her to rest on top of him.

“Hmm. You make a wonderful blanket,” Josh said, still huffing.

Ellie laid her head on his chest, too spent to think of a witty response. I could sleep like this every night.

She was about to close her eyes when she heard the words again.

“I love you, Ellie.”

She lifted her head to look into his eyes. There was no doubt in her mind. This was the real Josh Turchetta, and he meant what he was saying.

“I love you too, Josh.”

He kissed her forehead before she snuggled back against his chest. Who wants to think about tomorrow when today is so perfect?