Unfortunately it meant there were a lot of damn people around and he needed to get onto Lynch’s boat unseen.

“No, but I don’t think anyone’s on the boat. All the blinds were open and I couldn’t see anyone moving around inside. There were too many people around though. Some kind of open house type thing on the boat next door.” He was pretty sure they were trying to sell the neighboring boat. Next time he was going to approach as a salesman of sorts. Just act confident and enter the boat. If Lynch was inside, he’d just disarm the fucker and call the cops. If he wasn’t, Roman would play stupid and get the hell out of there, hopefully without being shot by the owner.

“So what are you doing back here?” She was practically jumping out of her seat as she squirmed there, wanting immediate results.

He shot her a look. “You do investigative work, Taylor. I need to wait before heading back over there.”

She let out a frustrated sigh. “I know, I know. I’m just being impatient. I get that you can’t just loiter around his boat without being suspicious.”

“His?”

“I’m calling it that until I know otherwise. I have a good feeling about this.” She reached up and fingered the blonde wig they’d gotten for her, the new weight of it probably bothering her.

It was likely unnecessary considering she wasn’t getting out of the SUV, but he wanted her in disguise. She also had on a small white fedora-style hat with a blue ribbon around it. Combined with the blue and white striped shirt with three-quarter length sleeves—she’d informed him the shirt was something called a French sailor style. Whatever it was, she looked casual and the style was perfect for hanging around the marina. She looked like she was ready to head out for a day of sailing. So if anyone saw her—and they wouldn’t since she wasn’t leaving the damn vehicle—she’d blend in.

He slipped off his own ball cap and sunglasses as she asked, “So, how long are you going to wait to try again?”

Roman scrubbed a hand over his face. “Half an hour to an hour.”

Sighing, she scooted closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder. “Thanks for doing this.”

He didn’t want her thanks. Shifting slightly, he tightened his arm around her shoulders, loving the feel of her up against him. She was a perfect fit. When she turned to look up at him, he was once again captured by her bright blue eyes. Every time he looked at her he was struck by how much he just plain liked this woman. No doubt the attraction was incendiary but what he felt for her was different than anything he’d experienced before.

“What’s that look?” she asked.

“Nothing.” Leaning down, he nipped her bottom lip between his teeth, unable to resist a quick taste.

When her cheeks flushed and she let out a moan, leaning into him, he pulled back, breathing hard from a simple kiss.

“We can’t do anything,” he murmured, unwilling to risk her safety.

“Tease,” she muttered.

He snorted. “A tease? Last night there was follow-through.”

When she just looked at him, that simmering hunger right beneath the surface, he glanced around, looking at his surroundings. He wanted to get inside her so badly his dick was already hard and aching. Nothing was out of the ordinary but… “Fuck, you’re trying to kill me. We can’t do anything here.”

“Not even fool around a little?” she whispered, the atmosphere of the SUV subtly changing.

There was no way in hell because he knew he’d never stop at just kissing her. And the truth was, it would be beyond irresponsible. He glanced around again, his erection almost painful by now. He desperately wanted to take her here, right where they were close enough to people to see them but not be seen. The thought of it was hot. But it would be a huge security lapse, because the moment she touched his cock, there was no way in hell he’d be able to concentrate on anything but that. “I can’t risk your safety like that,” he finally said, turning back to her.

Her smile fell but she didn’t seem angered, just disappointed. “You realize you’re making me want you even more.” She let out an overdramatic sigh. “And you’re right but no more teasing. Last night was amazing but I want everything from you soon.”

“Everything? Does that include…” He trailed off as he reached out for her. He slid his hand down her side, over her hip and around to her backside. He cupped her hard enough that she understood his intent. “Here too?” Normally he had a filter but apparently he’d lost it. Being with Taylor did that to him because he wanted to claim every inch of her. She wasn’t like any other woman he’d been with. Everything about her was so open and honest.

Her eyes went wide, as if she’d never considered the possibility. Her pretty mouth opened once, then snapped shut. She stared at him for a long moment, clearly thinking. When she spoke next, her voice was raspy, uneven. “It’s something we can discuss at a later date.”

He grinned then, unable to help himself. “At least it’s not off the table.”

Just like that her gaze went heavy-lidded as it dropped to focus on his mouth. “I swear if you smile at me like that again, all bets are off and I’m jumping you.”

Almost against his will, he did smile, full-on. Something he rarely did.

To his surprise she covered her face with her hands and shook her head. “You’re a menace,” she said, groaning.

For the first time in…hell if he could remember, Roman felt lighter, more at peace. The situation notwithstanding, being around Taylor was a breath of fresh air. He was insanely attracted to her, but he genuinely liked her. Way more than was good for his sanity.

After another forty-five minutes of waiting—and flirting—he changed shirts. She stared at him hungrily when he’d stripped, her clear lust setting him on fire and making him think of nothing but what it would be like once they were finally alone and able to act on their need. After he was dressed he put on a fedora-style hat himself, then headed out. But not before checking the small caliber weapon he’d left for Taylor. Because even if the threat level was low, he sure as hell wasn’t leaving her unarmed. She knew a little about weapons thanks to her former boss, Hugh. He’d still watched her handle it and made sure she knew how to use it.

He returned from his scouting mission less than ten minutes later and found the weapon he’d given her on the backseat. The magazine was empty and loose bullets lay scattered on the floorboards. Roman’s heart lurched as the bottom of his world fell out.

She’d been taken.

Chapter 13

On the other side of the marina, Taylor folded her arms over her chest as she watched the man sitting on a white bench across from her. After basically kidnapping her—at gunpoint—he’d told her they were taking a stroll so they could chat.

He’d been incredibly polite about it, but that didn’t matter. Maybe it even made it worse. The man had somehow opened the locks on the SUV she’d been in with a keyfob. He clearly had some sort of master electronic key. Which wasn’t unheard of. But it was impressive—and scary. Terror streaked through her, the jagged edges piercing all her nerve endings as she tried to keep her cool. More than anything she was a little numb, which was the only thing keeping her from hyperventilating.

He’d grabbed the gun Roman had left for her and within seconds the man had taken it apart, emptying the bullets. Then he’d ordered her to come with him so they could chat for a few minutes. When a mother with a double stroller had paused by the SUV to tie her shoe he’d given Taylor a deadly, speculative look. As if to say he didn’t care who got hurt if she didn’t cooperate.

So Taylor had gone with him. But only because they were still in a public place, and she didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. If he’d tried to get her into a vehicle she’d have screamed and fought for all she was worth. She’d rather get shot than be kidnapped. People walked by every few minutes and cars drove past on a consistent basis. None of that would help her if he decided to pump her full of bullets though. A shiver rolled down her spine as she imagined it happening.