Magnificent Folly - Iris Johansen [21]
Andrew’s gaze flew to Gunner’s face. “You’ve heard something?”
“Nothing conclusive. One of the men in Security called and said the theft of the records from Henry’s office had been traced to Said Ababa.”
“The institute?”
Gunner nodded. “It will take time for them to decode Henry’s records, then track down Lily and Cassie. But they’ll do it. I know those bastards.” He smiled bitterly. “They never give up until they find what they want. I remember when they had us penned up like animals waiting for slaughter and—” He shook his head to clear it of the corrosive memories. “But that was a long time ago.”
“Still, they haven’t given up trying to get the Clanad back.”
“Never. They’ve known where we were ever since we were given sanctuary in Sedikhan, but they can’t touch any of us there.”
“So they decided to go a different route to get what they want.”
Gunner nodded. “I’m putting a watch on Lily’s cottage and the road to the highway. We may have plenty of time, but then again …”
Andrew felt the muscles of his stomach tighten. “Lily’s not ready to come with me yet. She’d fight me.”
Gunner gazed at him with silent sympathy.
Andrew’s hands clenched at his sides. “I can’t blow this, Gunner. It means too much to me.”
“I know.”
Andrew turned away, the movement heavy with weariness. “Tell Quenby that I want you both to come to the beach tomorrow to meet Lily and Cassie.”
FOUR
IT WAS A boldly whimsical thing to do, and not in the least like Lily. She should have had more sense than to give in to the impulse, she told herself as she hurried down the incline toward the beach. She wasn’t one of the flip, aggressive college girls Andrew was surely accustomed to dealing with, and there was no way she could pull this off with panache.
Then, as Lily caught sight of Andrew standing on the moonlit beach a few yards away, she almost turned around and ran back to the cottage, like a frightened child.
“You did wear it for me.” A delighted smile lit Andrew’s face as his gaze ran over her. She was garbed only in his sweatshirt, which came to her upper thighs and left her long legs bare. “Lord, you look gorgeous.”
“It was an impulse,” she said quickly. “I didn’t exactly wear it for you. I just thought I’d—”
“Don’t spoil it.”
The smile was fading from his face, and she suddenly couldn’t bear it. “You said you wanted to see me in it.” She tried to shrug casually. “No big deal.”
“I think it’s a very big deal. It’s the first time you’ve done something just because you knew it would make me happy.”
She strolled toward him. “I don’t know why it should please you so much. It’s certainly not the most flattering garment I’ve ever worn. I feel all legs.”
“You are all legs. Glorious legs. Magnificent legs. Didn’t I ever mention I was a leg man?” His admiring gaze lifted to her face. “I wasn’t sure you’d come tonight.”
“I wasn’t sure either.” She stopped in front of him. “I feel shy. That’s probably why I wore the sweatshirt. A touch of bravado.”
He held out his hand to her. “Let’s see if you’re capable of more than a touch, Lily.”
She hesitated, and then slowly placed her hand in his and let him lead her across the beach toward the cliff. “That sounds ominous. What are you planning on doing to me?”
“Enjoying you.” His clasp tightened. “Are you wearing anything beneath that sweatshirt?”
“No.” They had reached the rocky overhang, and she turned to face him. “It seemed unnecessary at the time.”
“Oh, it would have been.” He drew her into the hollow of his hips, his palms cupping her buttocks, and he undulated against her, his bold arousal making heat tingle through her. She clutched at his shoulders as he said, “This is much more convenient.” He pushed the shirt up to her waist, his hands kneading the flesh of her bottom. “Isn’t it, love?”
The rough denim of his jeans felt coarse against the softness of her belly, and the studs pressed into her hips. As his long, hard fingers dug into her buttocks with just enough force to titillate but not hurt, she found herself uttering frantic