An Amorous Ambush

A Wings ePress, Inc.

Contemporary Romance Novel

Wings ePress, Inc.

Edited by: Jeanne R. Smith

Copy Edited by: Gina Marie Cadorette

Senior Editor: Anita York

Executive Editor: Lorraine Stephens

Cover Artist: Andrew Turmon

All rights reserved

NAMES, CHARACTERS AND incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Wings ePress Books

http://www.wings-press.com

Copyright © 2008 by Patricia C. Hernandez

ISBN  918-1-59705-359-4

Published by Wings ePress, Inc. at Smashwords

Published In the United States Of America

October 2008

Wings ePress Inc.

403 Wallace Court

Richmond, KY 40475

Dedication

For B.N., M.N., M.A ., E&E. Acknowledgments: Thanks to Cindy S. for her help and to Kathryn B. for listening.

Prelude

W hat a ridiculous plot ! exclaimed Nichole Morgan, shaking her long, dark pony tail in disbelief, as she and her friend Mitzi Landers walked out of the movie theater complex in the shopping mall near Mitzi’s home. No one could pull a stunt like that in real life and get away with it, she added in a skeptical tone.

Which stunt do you mean? The heroine had no end of creative endeavors, said Mitzi, a perky strawberry blonde.

The very first one, at the beginning of the movie where she conned the poor sucker with her sob story at the train station. Really, Mitzi, would a man, any man, especially one who is young, handsome and successful, allow himself to be taken in that way?

Hmmm, pondered Mitzi. There’s only one way to find out.

What are you suggesting? asked Nichole, as her dark brown eyes glanced with suspicion at Mitzi who had a fondness for mischief. Nichole was never sure when her friend was serious.

How about you approaching a stranger, a handsome one of course, and throwing yourself on his mercy? It would be fun to see what would happen.

Me? squealed Nichole. Why me? You’re the one with the guts and the spunk. Noticing the twinkle in her friend’s green eyes, she said with relief, Okay, you had me going there for a minute. One of these days I’ll finally catch on to your little jokes.

I’m not joking, Nic, Mitzi replied somberly as the twinkle left her eyes. Look at you. You’re twenty-five years old and pretty as a picture or could be if you tried harder. You have a promising career, which is well and good, but there’s no man in your life despite all the opportunities you’ve had to meet young executives at work. Uh-uh, let’s forget Scott ever existed, she said as she shushed Nichole who was trying to interrupt. Besides, why would I want to play out a part to meet a handsome stranger? I’m happily married with baby, remember?

Yeah, but it’s your idea so you should be the one to see if it would really work.

Oh no, Nic, don’t be that way. I’m trying to help you. First of all, you need a makeover. You should stop pulling your hair back away from your face with those silly teenage barrettes. Flounce up that beautiful dark mane of yours. Add more makeup, especially accent those almond-shaped eyes. Buy a sexy dress. Loosen up!

I couldn’t dress like that at work. It’s not professional.

Forget work, although I think a little bit of sexiness wouldn’t hurt anything.

Nichole laughed in spite of herself. You’re forgetting who my boss is.

Well, I didn’t mean flirt with him, for goodness sake. There are other places besides the workplace, you know. Anyway, this movie gambit just might pan out. Besides, why not try something different? All the guy could do is brush you off.

Uh-huh, like a mosquito.

So, you try again. Try until you find a guy who’ll fall for the routine. These men will be strangers. You’ll never see them again, except for the one who falls for you. Can’t you see how much fun this could be? In this case, life imitating art.

Some art. A movie plot is one thing, real life another. The actors have their lines all written out for them.

So, we write our lines or rather, yours.

And what about the man’s? How can we guarantee that he’ll follow this script?

Improvise. Ad-libbing is supposed to be fun.

Oh, Mitzi, you silly goose. Fun, fun, fun. That’s how you describe everything for me that turns out to be no such thing.

Now you’re the one who is being silly, Nic. It would be fun to see a handsome stranger react to something like that train scene.

Oh, Mitzi, what am I going to do with you? There is no way that I would ever attempt such a stunt.

Mitzi was silent for a few moments. This is for your own good, Nic, but I dare you to do it. I double dare you.

Nichole looked at her longtime friend and said with some amusement, I can’t believe you’re serious, but let me explain this in simple words so that you'll understand. No way, my friend, no way.

RODERICK CAHILL PUSHED his seat as far back as it would go. He had spent most of the flight going over projected figures for his auditing assignment in Dallas. He closed his eyes and began to relax. Texas. What would it be like? Ranches and oil wells? Tycoons like J.R. Ewing on that old TV show, Dallas? Well, he wasn’t in the oil business but business was business. What would dealing with Texans be like? Not that it really mattered, of course. As the visiting auditor to the Dallas branch of an international retail empire, he would have the upper hand. Still, he wondered if they would be big and blustery.

His random thoughts jumped back home to Hartford, Connecticut, where he had lived all of his life. He had never had a yearning for travel, but his recent promotion had placed him in a position where he would have to travel all over the country. The money was excellent and he was flattered by the new responsibility although he wondered whether the promotion was due to his serious business acumen or the fact that, at 29, he was still single. He imagined that it was much easier and more productive for the company to plan trips for a bachelor rather than a married, family man.

Well, maybe he just might enjoy this traveling life. He had worked hard since his partying days in college and his ill-fated engagement to Chloe, which had left a bitter taste in his mouth, as well as another unrelated memory of a heartbreaking tragedy. He had ignored many opportunities for socializing by dedicating himself to his career. That career had taken an unexpected turn with all kinds of possibilities leaping at him, not to mention the one in front of him now... the beautiful, blue-eyed blonde flight attendant with the honey-dripping, Texas accent. She had been quite attentive throughout the flight. He bet she knew how to give a big, Texas welcome to a newcomer. He shook the thought away. He needed to concentrate on business, not on careless romantic flings, at least not until he met the people with whom he would work. Ethaniel Evans Enterprises was not one of those companies that provided extra-curricular activities for visiting dignitaries but the Dallas branch might be different. For the time being, he would be careful, very careful.

One

Although the DFW Airport was a sprawling, massive complex, the handsome, sandy-haired young executive saw very little of it that Saturday night. As soon as he disembarked from the plane, he and the other passengers were herded with quick efficiency toward the baggage pick-up area. There he had no trouble retrieving his two bags, containing, he hoped, all that he would need for a one-week stay in Dallas. He hesitated for a moment as he surveyed the various exits, wondering through which one he could find the shuttle van that would take him to his hotel.

All of a sudden he felt someone clutching his arm. Startled, he peered down into the most beautiful, enormous brown eyes that he had ever seen. Beautiful and terrified. The eyes were framed in a lovely face by a halo of luxuriantly billowing dark brown hair. As his glance roamed downwards, he took in the curves of a deliciously shaped body, which was encased in a form-fitting, low-cut blue silk sheath. Of course she had made a mistake.

He jumped back trying to release his arm but she clutched even harder and cried in a whispery voice, Please, sir, help me. I’m being followed. I mean, they’re looking for a single woman. I mean, they won’t pay attention to a woman who is accompanied by a man. Please.

What the...? Look, this is a mistake. He couldn’t pry her hand and arm away from him. She was literally shaking with fear. The last thing he needed was to become embroiled in a dangerous situation, although whoever she was, she was the most gorgeous damsel-in-distress that he ever could have imagined. Nevertheless...

No, no, she cried as she pressed her entire delectable, warm body against his arm. You’re in no danger, she whispered as if reading his thoughts. They’re not looking for a man or a couple. They’re looking for me. Alone. Please, I beg you. Let me walk outside with you as if we were really leaving together.

Who is this, this ‘they’? Who’s following you? he demanded.

Please, I don’t have time to explain. Just pick up your bags and we’ll walk out nonchalantly. Please.

Her last word conveyed such a cry for help, a desperate cry of hopelessness that he knew he couldn’t refuse this vision of terrified loveliness. Surely nothing could happen to him in a well-lit, crowded airport and once they were outside all he had to do was find his shuttle, jump in and he would be rid of her. But walk out nonchalantly? Could this frightened young woman compose herself enough to appear as if she were simply greeting an acquaintance or a loved one?

In an instant, against his better judgment, he made his decision. All right, but do you have to clutch so hard? Relax. I’ll walk out with you.

An expression of relief mixed with astonishment swept across her face, an expression that passed so quickly that he thought he might have misinterpreted it. But if she had been momentarily astonished, it was nothing to what he felt at her next surprise move. She released his arm and threw her arms around his neck, standing on her toes to do so, and pulled his face down to meet hers. Then she kissed him with the passion of a long-lost lover. He found himself momentarily paralyzed as her soft lips hungrily explored his. But just as abruptly, she jumped back, grabbed his arm again and began to pull him toward the door.

With his heart pounding, blood pressure rising and adrenaline flowing, he told himself to regain his self-composure. He knew that once he was outside he would have to get rid of her but he surprised himself by realizing that he didn’t want to do so. He wanted to know what was going on, what her mystery was, and yes, he wanted to taste those lips again and feel the curves of her body pressing against him.

As they stepped outside into the humid June heat, she glanced around and asked, Where are you going? To a hotel? Do you have transportation?

Without thinking, he replied, I’m supposed to take a shuttle to my hotel, The Cactus Inn.

Oh, I’ve been there. It’s rather new and quite luxurious. There comes your shuttle van now. The names of the hotels that it services are printed on the door. She hesitated and then whispered, I think I’ve escaped them. They don’t seem to have followed us outside. Thank you so much for helping me.

She reached up and gave him another kiss, but this one was short and friendly, with none of the previous intensity and passion. She was smiling now, a radiant smile of captivating enchantment. So this was it. He would get into the van, ride away into the night and never learn who she was or who was pursuing her. An acute stab of disappointment assailed his common sense, which dictated that he get away from her as quickly as he could. Beautiful she was, yes, but possibly and most probably, any further involvement with her would prove to be quite dangerous.

Nonetheless, he had to ask, Are you sure you’re safe now?

She glanced around again. Oh, yes. You helped me immensely. I think they’re still inside. I’ll just hop into a cab and get away. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

With reluctance, he handed his bags over to the shuttle driver and entered the air-conditioned van regretting this small episode in his life that would never have a satisfactory ending. He settled back onto his seat as the driver began to close the door. Suddenly, she slipped inside and huddled next to him.

Oh, please, let me stay until we get to your hotel. They just stepped outside and are looking around for me.

He turned his head to study the crowd of people who were milling about waiting for various rides.

No, no! Don’t look! Don’t do anything that might make them suspicious and focus on me. You see, I had to jump in with you. I couldn’t chance taking a cab by myself and having them follow me. Oh, please, let me stay just for the ride. Please, please, she cried pitifully.

A torrent of emotions flooded through him... relief that he wasn’t going to lose her immediately... fear that he might be getting himself into something from which he couldn’t extricate himself... curiosity as to just what and from whom she was running and anger that someone would terrorize such a lovely young woman. But overwhelmingly, it was a physical desire to envelop her in his arms and selfishly, slowly and carefully explore her lips, her body, her needs...  on his own terms, giving his senses time to relish the full extent of her beauty.

Another couple, a middle-aged man and wife, entered the van and sat in the front seat. The driver slammed the doors shut and locked them, then walked around to his door, got in, started the van, and peeled away. The older couple chattered away, oblivious to the drama that was unfolding behind them.

His quivering companion clung to him with an appealing necessity. He wondered how this could be happening to him. As the van sped away, she released him and leaned back in her seat, sighing with her eyes closed. She was still trembling. An overpowering urge to comfort her swept through him.

Are you sure you’re going to be all right? he whispered, not wanting the driver or the other couple to suspect that not all was right with them. On one hand, he was glad that the van had other passengers. They brought an element of sanity and security to this irrational night. On the other hand, he longed to be alone with her to interrogate her but she looked so vulnerable, so helpless, that if he did get the chance, how would he begin?

She opened her eyes and gave him a funny little smile, a smile that he couldn’t quite interpret.

I... I know you must be bewildered by all this. I... I think I am, too. I hope you will believe me when I tell you that I’ve never done anything like this before, she said in a small, timid voice.

As they left the airport lights behind, silence descended upon the occupants while a dark, Texas night enveloped the speeding van. He suddenly felt as if they were all entombed in a coffin that was whirling toward an unknown destination of doom. He inhaled deeply then exhaled and the feeling of suffocation evaporated into a black vacuum.

Expelling thoughts of claustrophobia, which he knew had been brought on more by the unfathomable behavior of his uninvited guest than by the night’s atmosphere, he turned to study her face but could barely see her in the darkness. If there had not been other passengers, would he have been able to get her to open up and confide in him, the total stranger to whom she had pleaded for help? He reached over and grasped her hand and discovered that she was still trembling. This was a woman in fear, without doubt.

He felt common sense finally taking over. This woman was dangerous. If something or someone could scare her this much, surely anyone with her would be endangered also. He made a firm decision, a self-promise actually, that once he arrived at the hotel, he would tell her to stay in the van and he would pay the driver to take her anywhere she wanted to go.

He looked out the back window. There were no lights of any vehicles behind them. The van was cruising alone on a dark, seemingly deserted highway amidst a vast, flat nothingness. No one could be following them. As soon as they arrived at The Cactus Inn, he would send her on her way and they would both be safe.

Safe, yes, but the mystery of this beguiling young woman would always be with him. But he knew he had no other choice. He couldn’t afford to be caught up in some surrealist nightmare where some shadowy, cryptic, mystifying they would chase him. He had arrived in Dallas looking forward to the real world of finances and business. Exciting? Not exactly. But safe? Most definitely.

Finally he saw lights ahead, the welcome vestiges of civilization: streetlights, neon lights advertising restaurants, hotels and gas stations. The van pulled into a well-lit adobe edifice with cactus plants highlighted by hidden spotlights. A discreet neon sign proclaimed that they had indeed arrived at The Cactus Inn. As the van came to a stop, he noticed that the couple in front was also preparing to disembark.

He turned to his companion and