“Of course, bro.” River turned the lights on in her suite and then hurried around, checking everywhere.
Alice almost contradicted that the windows and patios were a designer’s joy. But she didn’t want to say anything, and she didn’t dare move and displace Robbie’s hands from her shoulders. She craved his touch. She’d had little comfort or warm touches recently. At Natalie’s funeral, Natalie’s family members and Alice’s church and work friends had given her hugs, which she had appreciated. She hadn’t realized how starved for human touch she’d been since then. Even more significant that it was Robbie’s touch.
She let her gaze trail over his upper body instead of watching River check nooks and crannies for an intruder they all knew wasn’t there. Only in her mind. She’d never seen the man, only imagined him.
Big Buddha had taken everything from her, including her joy in life and her peace of mind. Nobody had any idea what he looked like. The few glimpses from security cameras close to the scenes of death didn’t correlate—different heights, builds, hair color, etc. Some of the FBI agents wondered if there was more than one killer using the Big Buddha moniker or if Big Buddha only orchestrated the murders.
Robbie was big. The man was built like a tank, but he wasn’t scary like Big Buddha. With his muscles bulging, he represented a safety she’d longed for. She noticed tattoos she’d never seen on his chest and bicep. The bicep one looked like the Army Ranger symbol. Engraved on his right pec muscle were entwined dog tags.
“All clear, sir,” River stated.
“Appreciate it,” Robbie said.
River nodded to them and walked out the door, closing it gently behind him but leaving the lights on.
Alice felt Robbie’s gaze on her face. She met his blue eyes, drawn in by their brightness and intensity.
“Are you all right?” he asked, his warm palms still on her shoulders. It should have been awkward, but no touch was ever awkward with Robbie. Quite the opposite. Every touch was thrilling, and she never wanted it to end.
“The nightmares began after he killed Natalie.”
“I’m so sorry, Alice. I always liked Natalie. And Ruby.”
He didn’t offer any reassurances that he’d hunt the guy down and rip him apart or he’d never leave her side until he was caught, and she really could’ve used that. But that wouldn’t be Robbie. He was good and honest to the core, but he’d never offer empty comfort. If the police and FBI couldn’t find the murderer, she doubted even the relentless Robbie Perrine and his illustrious boss Aiden Porter could crack the case.
His large palms ran across her shoulders and down her back. She trembled from his touch. Every part of her wanted to sink into the muscles of his chest, cling to the muscles of his back, and never let him go.
But she was angry with him. And she wouldn’t put him at risk. Thestrong emotions of fear and anger helped her stay strong and not lean in.
“Tattoos and scars,” she murmured, touching the symbol on his left bicep.
He smiled at that, looking a little sheepish, which didn’t fit his tough security operative image. “Everybody says I look like Jason Momoa.”
“Hmm.” She could see the resemblance, but her Robbie was much more handsome. At least to her.
Her Robbie?
She was letting her defenses down, and she wasn’t ready to do that. She doubted she’d ever be ready. It was terrifying to risk her heart again and horrifying to think of this strong man laid out in a casket.
Alice yanked away from his touch and scuttled off the bed, standing. Robbie gazed up at her, his blue eyes stunned by her sudden movement and possibly hurt that she’d moved away from his touch.
But he said nothing. He simply stood and let her appreciate all his manly glory. Even with that bush on his face and his too long curly hair, he looked enticing. “You’ll be able to sleep now?”
“Yes, thank you,” she lied. She rarely fell back asleep after the nightmare. She’d be exhausted tomorrow between that and the jet lag.
He nodded to her. “Goodnight.”
Then he turned and strode out of the room, shutting the door behind him. He had a tattoo on his right shoulder blade as well. A flag with some words written on it she couldn’t decipher.
Alice wanted to run after him, beg him to hold her close. She could sleep in Robbie’s strong arms, after she kissed him thoroughly, examined each tattoo, and learned the significance of each one.
“Ugh.” She groaned and shut off the lights.
A matter of hours in and already Robbie was making her long for him.
She’d longed for him for fifteen years, but with him right here, the emotions were bubbling to the surface. She had to pray and stay stronger than ever.
Robbie couldn’t be Big Buddha’s next victim, and her heart couldn’t be Robbie’s.
