Thomas

Book #2 in The MacKenzie Brothers Quartet Cat Randolph is the best cat burglar in the world. But when a job goes wrong ...

Author: Hart Liliana

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Book #2 in The MacKenzie Brothers Quartet Cat Randolph is the best cat burglar in the world. But when a job goes wrong and she’s shot, it’s Doctor Thomas MacKenzie that comes to her rescue. Unfortunately, it’s a lot harder to keep secrets when you’re risking the life of someone you love. Thomas MacKenzie knows Cat is keeping secrets, but getting her to trust him with them is a slow and steady process. But time isn’t on his side. Convincing Cat to stay in Surrender, Montana is harder than he could have imagined. He just has to make sure that their lovemaking is more addictive than the adrenaline rush she craves.

THOMAS The MacKenzie Brothers Quartet 2 By Liliana Hart

Copyright 2011 by Liliana Hart

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Mackenzie Quartet 02 – Thomas – Liliana Hart

Chapter One Cat Randolph was a thief. A damned good one. Her marks—a Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Bixby—were out for the evening, which was why she’d picked tonight to divest them of an artifact worth several million dollars. The Mayan mask was made of solid gold, and the percentage she got from this acquisition would add a very nice chunk of change to her retirement nest egg. The darkness surrounded her as she used the shadows to reach the Bixby’s Hollywood Hills mansion. The pack on her back was light and unobtrusive, and the black spandex jumpsuit she wore clung to her body and allowed her movements to be fluid. A stocking cap covered her flame colored hair and thin black gloves protected her hands. One of the streetlights in front of the palm-treelined, stone fence that enclosed the mansion had mysteriously gone out—careless of the security team if you asked her—and she counted the seconds off in her head as she made one last scan 5


of the street. She was all alone. Perfect. She climbed up a fat tree with the skill of a monkey and crawled out to the end of a sturdy branch. Timing was everything. If she landed on the other side of the massive stone fence at the wrong moment, she’d trip the infrared sensors and set off the alarms. She looked at her watch and set her timer. She knew every quirk of the Bixby’s alarm system. She’d made it her business to know. The seconds ticked off in her head, and with a quick prayer, she leaped soundlessly to the ground below, landing in a crouch. She didn’t have time to waste. The sensors that scanned the ground never came close to the trees. It was a weakness she’d noticed immediately when she’d studied the schematics of the system. She sprinted from one tree to the next, keeping to the shadows, until she was pressed against the side of the house. Her breathing was steady and her pulse was only slightly elevated because of the adrenaline rush breaking and entering gave her. The large, stained glass window the Bixby’s had installed in their bathroom was the only one in the house that wasn’t wired for security. Mrs. Bixby 6


hadn’t wanted to ruin the design. Cat took duct tape out of her bag and taped a square large enough for her body to squeeze through in the middle of the window. She grabbed the glass cutter and had the piece removed and set aside in less than two minutes. The bathroom was dark, but her eyes adjusted quickly. She peaked into the empty hallway, listening for the creaks of floorboards or the tap of shoes. The house was silent as she followed the blueprints in her mind and crept down a long corridor toward the art gallery. She had seven minutes until the guards on duty made their rotation. Seven minutes to get in and get out. The small electronic device in her pocket would take care of the cameras and put them on a constant loop. Getting past the infrared beams sweeping the floor would be the tricky part. Her thumb rested on the timer of her watch and she counted the seconds in her head. She started her watch, cut off the cameras, and began the dance and sway across the floor of the gallery, avoiding the sweeping beams of red. She didn’t stop to admire the mask when she had it in her hands, 7


but instead tucked it into her bag and made her way back out the way she’d come. She didn’t hit the stop button on her watch until she was safely back outside the bathroom window. 4:58. She’d heard the heavy footsteps of one of the guards just as she’d closed herself back in the bathroom. He was two minutes early. Shit. Cat sprinted towards the copse of trees at the perimeter of the property just as the alarms sounded. Floodlights blinded her, and masculine shouts to stop drowned out the blood rushing in her ears. Gunshots had her ducking instinctively as she found the darkened street light. She scrambled up a tree and over the fence the same way she’d entered, and she was just about to drop to the ground below when another shot rang out. Pain tore through her thigh, and she lost her balance, toppling the twelve feet to the street below. Cat ignored the twisted ankle caused from her fall and the blood soaking her clothes. Adrenaline surged through her veins, and she knew if she didn’t start moving then she was as good as dead. She pushed herself up and forced one foot in front of the other, keeping to the shadows until she 8


reached the car she’d stashed two streets away. Her body was slicked with sweat and her hands trembled with exhaustion as she slipped behind the driver’s seat. She pulled the cap from her head, letting her hair tumble free around her shoulders, and she grabbed a light jacket from the backseat of the black Audi and used her knife to slit it down the middle. The wound bled freely, and she tied the jacket around it tightly, hoping it would slow the bleeding. Cat forced her hands to steady and turned the key in the ignition, making her way to a more populated area of town at a sedate pace and merging with the traffic. She had to get to the Montana-Canada border in the next two days. Her contact would be waiting for her there, and she could get rid of her treasure and collect her paycheck. She just had to make sure she didn’t pass out along the way.

*** Two Days Later… If Thomas MacKenzie hadn’t witnessed the event with his own eyes, he never would have believed it. 9


He and his brothers had been working on the fence at the front of the MacKenzie property all morning long, repairing loose boards and scraping the peeling white paint. It was a hell of a job since the fence covered more than two acres of the land. The October afternoon was nice and cool, but he’d still worked up a generous sweat. He wiped his brow with the shirt he’d discarded hours before and took a slug of water from the bottle at his feet. He shook his head in aggravation as his gaze locked with big brown eyes. The O’Neil’s had the land across the street, and they weren’t nearly so diligent about keeping their fence in good repair. Which was why several of the O’Neil’s cows had found their way into the two-lane road that divided the two families’ properties. Thomas didn’t even have time to curse as he saw the black sedan come over the hill, barreling towards the roving cows. The driver saw them just in time and swerved to avoid a collision. Unfortunately, the twist of the wheel pointed the car at the MacKenzie’s newly repaired fence. The screech of tires and the crash of metal and wood had Thomas running through the gaping hole 10


in the fence after the runaway car. He heard his brother, Riley, shout after him, but he didn’t slow down. He winced when the car hit an old sycamore tree that had held a tire swing when he and his brothers were boys. His legs were long and it didn’t take him long to reach the accident. Steam poured from the engine of the hood, and he could see a woman slumped over the wheel of the car. The crash hadn’t been hard enough for the airbags to deploy, so he wouldn’t have to worry about any of those resulting injuries. The biggest concern would be how hard she’d hit her head. “Grab my bag, would you?” He yelled to Riley. “I’ll take her into the guest bedroom next to my office.” “I’m on it,” Riley said. He and Riley were the only two at the house that day. His brother, Dane, had gotten married the month before to Charlotte Munroe, or Charlie as everyone called her. Dane had been in love with for more than ten years, but circumstances had kept them apart until recently. Dane had left Surrender without knowing that Charlie was pregnant, and Charlie had left town soon after. 11


So needless to say, all the MacKenzies had been excited to welcome Charlie and her son to the family. Dane had moved into Charlie’s house soon after they’d reconnected, but he came by and kept Thomas company every once in a while. Usually when his book was giving him trouble. His oldest brother, Cooper, was the Sheriff of Surrender, Montana, and he was working overtime because one of his deputies had gotten the flu. Cooper didn’t really live at the old farm house the brothers had grown up in anymore. It was easier for Coop to live in the apartment above the Sheriff’s office just in case he got an emergency call in the middle of the night. And it was easier for him to be discreet when he brought a lady home for the evening. All the brothers knew that Cooper’s taste in sex ran to the dark side, so they tried to respect that by staying away from his private quarters in town. Riley was only eleven months older than Thomas, and he spent even less time at the house than Cooper did. Riley taught archaeology classes at the college in the next town over. When he wasn’t in class he was on a dig somewhere. 12


More often than not, it was Thomas left by himself to ramble around the big old house. Since he’d taken over Doc Shepherd’s position as Surrender’s only doctor two years before, he’d been all but married to the job. Because of his patient load, he’d finally decided to build a clinic and office onto the house, so there would be more time to see to the upkeep of the place. The woman was stone still, and Thomas eased the car door open. The coppery tang of blood immediately overwhelmed his senses. “Shit,” he murmured under his breath. “Miss? Can you hear me?” He felt for a pulse and noticed it was fast but strong. He ran his hands across the back of her neck and spine, checking for injuries, before gently lifting her head off the steering wheel. A nice sized lump was already forming on her forehead, and he frowned when he didn’t find a gash. He knew he smelled blood. She moaned low and her eyelashes fluttered, but she didn’t come to. It wasn’t until he had one arm around her back and was slipping the other beneath her legs that he felt the syrupy wetness that coated his fingers. Her legs were covered in blood. Panic 13


consumed him. What if she’d been pregnant? He hurried his steps so he was practically running. “Hold on, baby, I’ve got you.” He held her close as he made his way into the house. “What the hell?” Riley asked when he saw Thomas coming down the hall toward the guest room with his burden. “I don’t know,” Thomas answered. “Put a quilt on top of the bed for me. I don’t want to ruin the mattress.” He waited until Riley had the quilt spread out before laying the woman down. It wasn’t until he laid her out flat that he saw the jagged tear in her thigh. He breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn’t lost a baby. “Damn,” Riley whispered, eyeing the woman in a way that immediately had Thomas’s protective instincts rising. He looked at his charge and felt something shift inside of him. Her hair was spread across the pillow and glowed like fire. She had a peaches and cream complexion that was flawless and way too pale. Small breasts and hips were outlined in the formfitting clothes she wore and emphasized legs 14


that seemed to go for miles. He couldn’t remember ever seeing anyone so beautiful in his life. “What can I do to help?” Riley asked. “You can get out,” Thomas demanded, deciding he didn’t want his brother anywhere near her. “Make yourself useful and let Dane know that we need Charlie to tow her car to the shop.” Charlie owned the only automotive repair shop in town. “I don’t know, Thomas. It doesn’t seem right to leave you alone with her.?” “I’ve managed to see patients without your supervision for two years. I think I can manage.” Jealousy crept its way along Thomas’s spine as he saw the way Riley kept ogling the woman. Riley raised a brow at the growl Thomas let loose. “So that’s how it’s going to be, is it? It’s a good thing I’ve got a date tonight or I might fight you for her.” “You’d lose,” Thomas promised. “I believe I was the one who broke your nose the last time.” “Yeah, I owe you for that. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, Doc.” Riley left the bedroom and shut the door behind him. A small moan left the woman’s mouth, and 15


Thomas got to work. He ran his hands up and down her body clinically. Other than the bump on the head, a minor ankle sprain and the cut in her thigh, she seemed to be okay. He wanted to get a look at the thigh wound before he gathered his supplies. Stopping the bleeding was his first priority. He examined the ragged edges of flesh and cloth and knew what it was at first glance. There were too many hunting accidents in this part of the country for him not to know what a gunshot wound looked like. But she didn’t look like any hunter he’d ever seen, so the question was, how had she gotten shot? His first instinct was to call Cooper and have him start running a check on her, but something kept him from picking up the phone. He wanted to hear the reason out of her own mouth. He wanted her to be his. He couldn’t explain the possessive reaction. He just knew he’d never felt anything like it before in his life. Thomas went through the connecting door to his office and prepared a tray with everything he’d need to treat her. She was thrashing around on the bed when he came back in, her eyes open but cloudy with fear and fever. 16


“Shh, sweetheart. It’s okay. Just lay back and relax.” It hardly took any effort at all to push her back to a horizontal position. She was weak as a kitten. “I n…need to leave,” she said, her teeth chattering. “My phone…” “I’ll have someone get your stuff for you and bring it here. All you need to worry about is getting better. Can you tell me your name?” She jerked out of his grasp and tried to get off the bed. Her attempts to push him away were feeble at best. “L…let me go. You c…can’t keep me here.” “Watch me, sweetheart. You’re in Surrender, Montana. My name is Thomas, and I’m a doctor. The sooner you let me fix your leg, the sooner you can leave.” Pain-filled laughter, verging toward hysteria, escaped from her white lips. “You’re a doctor?” she asked. “Am I dead? Is this heaven?” “No, sweetheart. It’s Surrender.” He smiled into her delirious eyes, though his brow creased with worry. Her fever was high and her teeth chattered violently. She caught him by 17


surprise when she brought her hand up and rested it on his cheek. Thomas froze. Her skin felt like satin, and he had the most insane urge to nuzzle against her hand and kiss her palm. She smiled sweetly and stared at him with a depth that made him yearn. “My fallen angel,” she said, and passed out into a quiet sleep. Thomas released the pent up breath he’d been holding and brushed her hair back from her face. “And you’re mine, sweetheart. You just don’t know it yet.” He pulled his tray close and gave her a shot to counteract the fever. Her clothes were ruined and bloody, and he tried not to notice how perfectly she was formed as he stripped her naked. He threw a sheet over her body and exposed only the upper flesh of her thigh, trying like hell to keep a sense of propriety. The sight of her pale flesh marred with bruises and the jagged wound was enough to have his fists clenching in fury.

What the hell had happened to her? He washed away the blood on her leg and gave her a local anesthetic before checking to see if the bullet was still lodged inside. It wasn’t, so he began 18


work on extracting the fibers from her clothes and then pulled the flesh together with small, neat stitches. When he was finished, he wrapped it in gauze. Her ankle was almost healed and didn’t need a brace, and her head could probably use an ice pack. A good night’s sleep is what she needed most. That and a good meal to replenish her strength. Thomas held her hand loosely in his own, finding comfort in the simple touch. “I came as soon as I heard,” Cooper said from the doorway. He’d been so lost in thought he hadn’t heard his brother open the door. The late afternoon sun shone through the French doors that led to the deck outside, and he looked down at his watch. No wonder his neck was sore. He’d spent more time watching his unknown guest sleep than it had taken to tend her wounds. “Did you get the car towed?” Thomas asked. “Yeah, and I started a trace on the plates so I could get you a name.” Thomas froze. He knew that specific tone of voice his brother rarely used. Bad news. “The plates traced to a woman named Lucy 19


Rowe. A little digging into her background showed her deceased as of two years ago. Miss Rowe had no living relatives and no record of ever owning a black Audi. When I looked a little further I noticed Miss Rowe had only acquired a social security number four years ago. The whole setup is bogus. I’m going to have some questions for your patient when she wakes up.” Thomas kept his back to Cooper as he adjusted the woman’s sheet so it covered the bandage on her thigh completely. Cooper was much too good at reading facial expressions, especially his brothers’ facial expressions. “Riley said she was covered in blood.” Thomas cursed his older brother and his big mouth. “I stitched her up,” he said, omitting what had caused the wound. “The bump on her head and the fever is my biggest concern now.” “Thomas,” Cooper said. “I want to know the minute she wakes up. Do you understand? She could be dangerous.” He didn’t want to believe it. There was no way the woman who had looked at him with such trusting innocence could be a criminal. But he knew 20


Cooper could be a bulldog about such things, so he nodded his head in agreement. “I expect she’ll be out through the night and morning. You might come by after dinnertime tomorrow and see if she’s up to answering your questions.” “Fine. I brought the bag I found in the backseat of her car.” Coop put it on top of the dresser. “There was no ID. Just a cell phone. It’s a disposable, so it’s not registered to anyone. I can bunk here tonight if you’d feel more comfortable.” Thomas gave Coop a look of pure injured male pride. “You think I’m scared of a woman? You’re overreacting. I’m sure she has a reasonable explanation for everything. Stop being so suspicious.” “That’s why they pay me the big bucks.” “Besides, if she knocks me unconscious and robs us blind, Riley will be here to call you to the rescue.” “Negative to that. Susie Mobley invited him to her house for dinner. You’ll be lucky to see him till after lunch tomorrow.” “She does make a damned good peach pie,” Thomas said with a laugh. “Maybe he’ll bring us 21


back a slice.” “I’ve had a slice of that pie, thanks. It has a tendency to be too clingy and demand marriage. I think I’ll pass on any more pie from Susie. Someday, Riley will learn that some pies aren’t worth eating.” Thomas couldn’t help but snort out a laugh. “Get out of here and go give someone a parking ticket.” Cooper closed the door behind him and Thomas moved to get up and stretch, but some sixth sense had him looking into the face of his patient. Dark blue eyes stared at him through a fringe of russet lashes. Her lips were pressed into a thin line of pain, and her face was flushed with fever. But she was awake. That was a start. “How much of that conversation did you hear?” Thomas asked, automatically touching the back of his hand against her forehead. “Hold that thought.” He went to the kitchen and brought her back a glass of orange juice and then tapped three Tylenol into his hand. “I don’t want anything to drink,” she rasped out as he folded her fingers around the glass. “I’m not thirsty.” 22


“Drink it anyway. You need to replenish your fluids, and I imagine you’ve got a hell of a headache to go with the bump and the fever.” He almost laughed at the mutinous look in her eyes as he forced her to take the pills and drink the juice. A redhead’s temper to go along with the soft hands and peaches n’ cream complexion. She was a fighter. And that turned him on like crazy. He felt the slow burn of desire start low in his stomach, and he sat down in the chair by the side of the bed to keep her from noticing his erection. It was a hell of time to for his libido to wake up. He’d been too busy with his newfound position to do much dating lately. And he’d had no desire to mess around with the women who were desperate enough to fake a sickness just so they could try and molest him in his office. He crossed his leg over his knee and cleared his throat. “So are you going to answer my question? How much of the conversation did you hear between me and my brother?” “Enough to know that he thinks I’m a criminal, and he has rather loose morals. I don’t think I like your brother. Do you share all your women?” 23


“Cooper has his moments. And no, we don’t share our women. But this is a small town and there’s not a huge dating pool. That’s part of the reason I haven’t dated anyone since I opened my practice here. I’m Thomas, by the way. Thomas MacKenzie.” “Yeah, I remember you telling me that before.” “Now it’s your turn to tell me your name. That’s how introductions work.” “I couldn’t tell you my name even if I wanted to?” “And why’s that?” “Because I can’t remember it.”

24


Chapter Two Cat saw the disbelief and disappointment in her rescuer’s eyes just before he carefully blanked his expression. She found it strange that she instinctively wanted to reassure him. She didn’t want to disappoint him. But common sense kicked in and she pressed her mouth shut before she could spill out her life story. It didn’t matter if Thomas MacKenzie believed her. It’s not like she’d ever see him again. All that mattered was no one found out who she was before she’d healed enough to make an escape and deliver the item she’d been contracted for. The mask was hidden under the wheel well of the car, wrapped in protective plastic. If the sheriff became too suspicious, she wouldn’t put it past him to do a complete search of the car. She had to move the mask before he found out she was claiming a lost memory. As soon as she had a minute alone she’d call her contact and let him know things had gotten complicated and the shipment would be delayed. The buyers wouldn’t be 25


happy, but there was nothing they could do about it. Cat had a feeling the sheriff was going to be a problem. He was a big bruiser of a man. He was similar in looks to Thomas—black hair and a rugged athleticism that spoke of plenty of time spent outdoors. They were both tall men, but the older brother was huge. She’d never want to cross him in an alley. His eyes had been like chips of blue ice, where as Thomas’s reminder her of melted chocolate. Speaking of her doctor…he was going to be an even bigger problem than his older brother. His face was one of pure beauty—the kind of man who’d hit the genetic lottery and knew it. Those melted chocolate eyes were framed by a long sweep of lashes she’d kill for. His lips were full and sensual and made her lower body throb with need. His cheeks were stubbled with a day’s growth of beard, and from what she’d seen of his body when he’d been standing, there wasn’t a soft spot on him. Anywhere. “Hmm, well, you hit your head pretty hard,” Thomas said. “Maybe I should just make up a name 26


for you until you can remember your own, hmm?” His eyes were teasing and she had the sudden urge to roll her eyes. “You’re a pretty nosy doctor.” “In a town this size, everyone’s middle name is nosy. I think I’ll call you Matilda. How does that sound?” “Horrid.” “Yeah. I think it’s perfect.” “You’re a lunatic.” His fingers touched the ends of her hair, and she wanted to beg him for something more, but she wasn’t sure what. His smile dimmed and he looked at her with a sincerity that frightened her. “I think it’d be pretty hard to forget if someone was shooting at me, but I’m sure things will come back to you in no time once you get a little rest.” He cleared his throat and seemed a little embarrassed. “I know you don’t know me, but I want you to know you can trust me. Anything you want to tell me will stay between the two of us. Doctor-patient privilege and all that.” Cat felt tears prick at her eyes and broke the gaze. She hadn’t had anyone to lean on since her father’s death when she was eighteen. He hadn’t 27


been much of a father even before then, considering he’d been in prison for grand larceny. But this man…there was something about him that made her want to trust him. She just wanted him period. And the thought scared the hell out of her. “All right, Matilda. Keep your secrets. I like a challenge. I hope you realize the can of worms you’ve opened. I won’t rest until I know everything about you.” His gaze raked down her body in a slow, sinuous gaze that had her nipples puckering to tight buds beneath the sheet. He noticed immediately, of course. The rat. Cat inhaled a quick breath as he leaned closer— close enough so she could feel the warmth of his breath against her lips. He traced the pad of his thumb across her bottom lip, and her eyes fluttered closed in surrender. “I didn’t realize you’d hurt your lip,” he said. Her eyes snapped open in surprise, and she stared straight into his satisfied expression. He knew exactly what kind of effect he had on her. “You must have bitten it when the car hit the tree. I know just the thing to make it feel better.” He moved closer and rubbed his lips against 28


hers—a soft touch that captured her heart even as it aroused. She would have pressed him for more. In fact, she wanted more—the harder press of mouth against mouth, the swirl of tongue and the bite of teeth. But he backed away, the flame of desire hot in his eyes and his control rigid. He was compelling her to confide in him, to trust him, without the use of words Cat stared at him with defiant determination. She wouldn’t be intimidated by Thomas MacKenzie. Nothing could intimidate her. She’d been raised with felons. His lips quirked in an amused smile at her stubbornness and his gaze lowered to her mouth once more. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks in embarrassment of how readily she would have accepted him again, and she made herself turn away and close her eyes. “I think I’d like to sleep now, if you don’t mind. I’m really tired.” “Sure, sweetheart.” He ran his fingers along her hair once more. “If you need anything there’s an intercom on the wall over there. Try not to walk on that leg just yet. It’s just a flesh wound and there wasn’t any serious muscle or nerve damage, but it’s 29


going to be sore for a couple of days. I wouldn’t want you to pull open the stitches.” “Sure, Doc. And thanks. That cow scared the hell out of me. Driving on the 101 in LA is nothing compared to the streets of Nowhere, Montana.” “It’s Surrender, honey. And it takes some getting used to. Especially for a stubborn red-head like yourself.” Cat narrowed her eyes as he left the room and wondered what she’d just missed. Thomas MacKenzie was going to have to be watched if she was going to make an escape. She tried to tamp down the emptiness that filled her soul at the thought of leaving him. She closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep. She had a big night ahead of her.

*** The night was completely black. Clouds lay like thick quilts across the sky, snuffing out the stars and sliver of moon. Cat lay in bed, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness, before throwing her legs over the edge. She bit back an oath as her feet hit the cold wood floors. The stitches in her leg pulled with every move she made and the painkiller 30


Thomas had given her had worn off. The muscle throbbed, and she breathed deeply and blinked tears out of her eyes as she put her full weight on it. She went to the bathroom and took care of necessities and then washed her face in the sink. She needed clothes and shoes, and she needed to know where the hell she was. She remembered passing an auto shop on her way into town—before the cows ruined her life. If the Charlie that owned the shop was the same person Thomas had mentioned earlier, then she knew where to find her car. But first she had to steal one. The clothes came first, though. Fortunately, her host had taken care of that for her. A pair of men’s dark grey sweats and white socks sat folded on the dresser. She sat down to dress, afraid to put weight on just one leg, and then covered her hair with a black bandana she found after rummaging through all of the dresser drawers. The house was completely still. The clock on her bedside table said it was just after three AM. She slipped down the long hall that led to the family quarters. The part of the house that held Thomas’s 31


office and exam rooms were contained to one side of the farm style building. The main family rooms were open and airy. Comfortable was the first word that came to mind. It was a house for a family, with overstuffed furniture and a big kitchen. The shelves were cluttered with family photos and a smattering of random sports paraphernalia that looked well used. It was the kitchen where she found exactly what she was looking for. A set of keys sat in an oversized ceramic bowl on the blue tiled countertop, and she found paperclips and a screwdriver in a drawer. Cat stuffed them in her pockets and slipped out the kitchen door into the darkness, doing what she did best. Blending with the shadows. A black Jeep was parked at the side of the house. She recognized the French Doors that led into her room, and noticed there was another set of doors leading into the room next door. A sign hung on the door that said Call if There’s an Emergency, and a number was printed below in a messy scrawl. Obviously the doctor’s office entrance. Cat slid into the Jeep, ignoring the blood that was beginning to seep through the bandage at her 32


thigh and her sweats, and started the engine. She didn’t turn the headlights on until she was a good ways down the road. If all went well, she’d be back in bed in a half hour. The entire town was dead to the world. There wasn’t even a 24-hour gas station. She didn’t know how people lived like this. Cut off from civilization. On second thought, the people of Surrender probably weren’t that much different than she was. Except for the whole thief thing. In her line of work, it wasn’t like she could have any close friends or a relationship. It didn’t take her long to find Charlie’s Automotive. It was the first building on the way into town—a neat, white metal building with a blue awning over the garage bays. Two planter boxes flanked the front door and spilled over with green ivy and yellow flowers. If she hadn’t known going in that Charlie was a woman, she would have guessed just by looking at the place. Despite the masculinity of auto repair, the garage had a decidedly feminine touch. It was nice. In fact, the whole town was nice. The businesses were neat and in good repair—old two 33


story brick and mortar buildings connected to one another like town homes. Old fashioned streetlights flickered along the sidewalks and carnations were planted in wooden barrels in front of all the stores. It was really nice, and greedy fingers of envy wound through her. Cat saw the wrecked Audi through the window of one of the big garage doors, so she drove the Jeep around to the back of the building, where she spied another entrance. It only took her a few seconds to pick the lock on the door with the paperclip and slip inside. Motor oil and grease assaulted her senses as she crept between the cars. The Audi’s front end was in pretty sad condition, but there was no damage to the rear. She stuck her hand under the back wheel well and felt the bag taped there. Cat ripped it free and left as quietly as she’d come. She found her way back to the MacKenzie house with little trouble and deposited the Jeep back where she found it. The locks on the French door to her room were no challenge at all, so she let herself in and dropped down on the bed. Her body was covered in sweat from exertion and the blood was 34


flowing a little freer at her thigh. She pulled the bandana from her head and tossed it aside. She might have overdone it a little. Cat stripped the sweatpants from her body and was hobbling to the bathroom to try and repair the damage when the lights flipped on. “I was wondering if you’d be back,” Thomas said. “You don’t seem like a complete idiot at first glance, but then again, what do I know? I’m just a doctor. Most people listen when I tell them to take it easy or they might make things worse. I guess you’re the exception to the rule.” “I’m always the exception to the rule.” She threw a smile at him over her shoulder and froze. His shoulder was propped against the door that led to his office. His chest was bare, and she almost swallowed her tongue at the sight of tanned skin and a rippling six pack. His jeans were unbuttoned and sat low on his hips and his feet were bare. She had to force herself to act as if the sight of his didn’t make her lose her wits. “Don’t be so uptight, Doc. I just stepped out on the deck for a few minutes for some fresh air. I’m on my way to the bathroom and then back to bed. I 35


promise. Thanks for checking on me, but as you can see, I’m perfectly fine.” Cat didn’t look to see if he’d left, but kept going towards her destination. She heard him mutter something that sounded something perilously close to bullshit, and all of a sudden his arm around her waist, supporting her weight. “Dammit, I don’t need any help. Why can’t you leave me alone?” “Sweetheart, leaving you alone has been the farthest thing from my mind since I saw your unconscious body in the front seat of your car. I think you’d better resign yourself to getting used to me.” Cat gave him an aggravated look and wrapped her arm around him. They hobbled together into the spacious bathroom and he picked her up and sat her on the edge of the sink. “Stay,” he ordered. “I’ll be right back.” She leaned her head back against the mirror and closed her eyes. She was in a whole heap of trouble, and she had no idea had to get out of it. This wasn’t a situation she’d ever found herself in before. She’d been a professional thief for six years, 36


ever since she’d gotten word her father was out of the picture for good, and until now she’d never been hurt or even close to being caught while on a job. And now all that had happened and more, and she was at the mercy of a small town doctor who made her want to molest every delectable inch of him. But worst of all, she needed his help. And she didn’t like being at anyone’s mercy. The touch of gentle hands against her skin had her eyes snapping open. His head was even with her thighs and he raised the oversized sweatshirt above the bandage. The feel of his fingers against her bare flesh had her nipples tightening to peaks and her loins quickening with desire. The sting in her leg was overshadowed by the throbbing pulse of desire in her clit. “The damage isn’t too bad,” he said. “I just need to clean it off and rebandage it.” “I told you it wasn’t a big deal. Do you overreact with all your patients?” “Just you, sweetheart.” He cleaned the blood away and spread a topical pain killer along the stitches. After it was wrapped in fresh bandages Cat moved to get down off the 37


counter. Having his face between her thighs was driving her crazy. She was soaking wet with desire, and since she wasn’t wearing panties all he’d have to do is look at the inside of her thighs to see the moisture there. It was beyond mortifying. “Getting up so soon?” he asked. His gaze was exactly where she’d been afraid it would be. His nostrils flared as he breathed her in and he touched his lips with the edge of his tongue. Cat moaned and her head dropped back against the mirror as he moved his fingers further up her thighs. “Thomas…” “Shh, sweetheart. I’m going to have to taste you. Those red curls, dewy with your need for me, are driving me insane. Just a little taste.” He kissed the inside of her thigh, first one, then the other, lapping at the juices that had escaped from her weeping pussy. And then his mouth was there, exactly where she wanted it. His breath feathered along her curls just before he flicked his tongue across the taut bud of her clit. “Mmm, so sweet. Just as I thought. Scoot down some.” He opened her thighs wider, careful not to 38


bump the bandage, and pulled her closer to the edge of the vanity. “Perfect.” His mouth returned with renewed hunger, and she couldn’t help but thrust her hips against him. She cried out as his fingers joined his mouth, sliding the long length inside with a smooth push. He worked his finger back and forth before adding a second, his tongue keeping up the relentless pressure. She couldn’t hold back from the dual assaults. Heat gathered low in her womb and spiraled out through her limbs in a violent burst of pleasure. Spasms wracked her body, and she cried out for mercy, but he didn’t stop. He was ruthless in his pursuit, alternating between slow thrusts of his fingers and long licks with his tongue that touched every pleasure point she had. “Thomas, please. I want…” “I know, sweetheart. But tonight is for you.” He moved away and picked her up in his arms, cradling her against his chest as he carried her to the bed. She nuzzled against him, drawing in the clean scent of soap from his shower and something more. Something male and primal. 39


He set her down by the edge of the bed and stripped the sweatshirt over her head. His eyes darkened with pleasure, and his hands came up to cup her breasts. “Your injuries are the only thing keeping me from losing control.” “What injuries?” Cat asked. “Don’t tempt me, sweetheart. We’ll get to everything. Eventually.” “I want to see you, too.” She ran her fingers along the edge of his jeans and felt the swell of sexual power take her as he sucked in a breath. The enormous bulge behind his zipper was straining the seams of the denim. She lowered the zipper slowly and gasped as he was freed into her hand. “Christ,” he said. His fingers wrapped around her hand and he showed her how he liked to be stroked. “Are you sure you can’t be tempted for something a little more? I promise I’m not feeling any pain right now.” “Oh, I can be tempted. But fortunately my brain is in working order when it comes to hurting my partners during sex. I’d feel like a bastard if your 40


stitches came loose because of me.” “Maybe you can be tempted in other ways then.” Cat licked her lips and moved so she sat on the edge of the bed. “Maybe I can.” She positioned Thomas so he stood directly in front of her and pushed his jeans around his ankles. Her nails raked over his stomach and down his thighs, and she smiled as his cock bobbed in front of her face. He was thick and long, with veins ridged along his shaft and a plump head that would play hell with her G-spot once she got him inside her. Cat licked him from shaft to tip, stopping to nibble at the sensitive spot beneath his cock head. He sucked in a harsh breath and she took him in completely. Swallowing him down until he touched the back of her throat. He wound his fingers through her hair and held tight as she fucked him with her mouth. “Yesss…” he hissed. “Your mouth feels so fucking good.” She moaned around him and he twitched against her tongue. She cupped his balls with her hand and 41


felt them draw tight against his body. She worked up and down him faster, opening her throat to take his as deep as possible while massaging him with the flat of her tongue. “Shit, I’m going to come. Let me taste you too.” He didn’t give her any choice in the matter. He pulled out of her and lifted her to her feet, switching their positions so he laid flat on the bed. “Watch your leg,” he said, pulling her on top of him so her legs straddled his face. Her leg was the last thing she was thinking about. She wasn’t feeling anything but anticipation and pleasure as his tongue found her clit again. She bent forward and took him back in her mouth, her actions frenzied as he brought her close alarmingly quick. The moans and sounds of sucking flesh echoed in the room. Salty moisture seeped from the tip of his cock and she knew he was close. His tongue flicked rapidly against her and she lost control. Her body shook and she moved harder against his face. Sensations rioted through her until she was nothing more than an exposed nerve ending. The cock in her mouth was just an extension of her own body. 42


“Fuck,” Thomas yelled. She swallowed his seed like a starving woman as he drank in her own essence. She collapsed on top of him, tiny shivers coursing through her body. Thomas MacKenzie could become addictive. And that didn’t bode well for her master plan at all.

43


Chapter Three Thomas was done for. He was ruined for any other woman. He faced the revelation like he did most things in life: with a shrug of the shoulders and good humor. As far as he was concerned, his destiny was already determined. There was no point fighting against it. He lifted her in his arms with what little strength he had left and tucked her under the covers. He settled in beside her and pulled her close. “I think we need to try something again,” he said. “If we try anything else, I don’t think I’ll survive.” “No,” he said, laughing. “Get your mind out of the gutter. I think we need to try the introduction portion of the day again, Matilda. What do you say?” She stiffened in his arms, but he pressed on. “I want to be able to call out your name when I finally get inside of you. Let me in. Please.” She was silent for a long time, and he was afraid 44


she’d dropped off to sleep. “Cat,” she finally whispered. “Or Catherine. Catherine Randolph.” “Cat suits you.” He pressed a kiss against her temple. “It’s nice to meet you, Cat. I’m Thomas.” She erupted in a fit of giggles and buried her face in his neck. Her naked body was pressed flush against him, her breasts ripe and soft. Even after an orgasm like he’d never experienced, he wanted her again. Her fingers trailed over him, discovering his body just as he was discovering hers. He was already hard, wanting nothing more than to slip inside her and make their mating complete. Thomas tilted her head up and looked into her eyes. They were shadowed with fatigue, and he could tell by her trembling body that the day was beginning to catch up with her. “Sleep, sweetheart. I promise I’m not going anywhere.” “Just one kiss,” she said. “I’ve wanted you to kiss me since I first saw you staring down at me. Fallen angel.” He smiled and caressed her cheek with his 45


thumb. “You remember that?” “I have a perfect memory. A photographic memory.” “Is that so?” he asked, curious to know as much about her as possible. “I’ll want to hear more about that later. But for now…” He tilted her face up to his and took her lips with a thoroughness that had them both shaking with desire by the time it was finished. Tongues met and tangled and he explored every inch of her mouth. Her moan and cry of discomfort had him pulling back in alarm. She’d tried to lift her thigh over his, searching for completion with his body. “Stay still, sweetheart. Let me get you something for the pain, and then we’ll go to sleep. I think you’ve had enough for the day.” “No shots,” she called out as he walked naked into his office. He chuckled at her demand, and came back with a glass of water and a couple of pills. “You’re going to feel like hell tomorrow, but by the next day the worst of the pain should be gone. How’s your head?” “Now that you mention it, it kind of hurts.” 46


“Take the pills and sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.” “Thomas?” she said, snuggling into him as he got back into bed. “What, sweetheart.” “When the pain is bearable in two days time, I’m not going to care about tempting your self control. I just wanted to give you fair warning.” His body stiffened and his cock throbbed at her threat. The next two days were going to be pure hell. But it wouldn’t go wasted. He still had a lot to learn about Cat Randolph. And she was going to tell him everything. Because there wasn’t a chance he was ever letting her go. He felt her even breathing against his chest and finally gave in to his own need for sleep.

*** “Son of a bitch!” Thomas shot straight up in bed. Sunlight streamed though the French doors and glared into his eyes. He threw a hand up to shield them and looked at the offending presence of his brother in the doorway. Correction: the offending presence of all three of his brothers. 47


Cooper headed the pack, and Thomas assumed it was his booming voice that had woken him out of a sound sleep. He looked down at Cat, but she was still dead to the world. The pain meds he’d given her would make her sleep. She’d probably be out awhile still. “Get the hell out of here,” Thomas said. “Aren’t you the one who’s so damned picky about his privacy? Maybe you should think of returning the favor.” “I came to question your mystery patient. Not find you fucking her. What the hell is wrong with you, Thomas?” “Well, I personally don’t think anything is wrong with Thomas,” Riley said. His grin said he was enjoying his brother’s predicament immensely. “Just look at her, Coop. You can’t ask him to pass something that sexy up just because of some stupid doctor to patient ethics.” Thomas got out of bed, making sure that every inch of Cat stayed completely covered, and grabbed his jeans from the floor. He pulled them on and then started for his brother, blood in his eye and his fists clinched. 48


“Layoff, Riley,” Dane said. “I swear to God you have no protective instincts at all. Can’t you see he’s all but gone over her? You don’t insult the woman a man loves and not have to pay the consequences.” Dane’s own smile grated on Thomas’s nerves. His older brother hadn’t been able to stop smiling ever since he found himself happily married. It was sickening. “That’s my fucking point,” Cooper said, pushing Dane aside so he could glare at Thomas. “He’s known her a day. He knows nothing about her. She could be anyone—a murderer, a kidnapper, a drug addict. You never stop to fucking think when your dick is involved, Thomas.” “Out. Everybody get the fuck out of this room. I’ll not have you waking her up. And as far as I’m concerned you can stay out of the house until you can butt out of my life. You’re not my father or a priest. My choices don’t concern you.” “This house belongs to all of us,” Cooper said. “And I’ll be damned if I just sit by and watch you make stupid choices without trying to warn you of what could happen.” Thomas was so angry that tremors shook his 49


body. He wanted to pound something. Mostly Cooper, but at this point he’d take on a fight with any of his brothers. He closed the door of the bedroom behind him and led the way to the kitchen. He started preparing coffee and glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. A grimace crossed his face when he realized how late it was. He had patients coming in less than an hour, and his receptionist would arrive even sooner. He waited until he had a cup of coffee in his hands and the first sip swallowed before he addressed his brothers. “Fine,” he said. “If you can’t respect my wishes or my choices and stop treating me like a child then you can have the damned house. I can live anywhere.” His brothers all went completely still, varying emotions crossing their faces. Riley was shocked. Dane looked thoughtful. And Cooper looked like a thunder cloud. His oldest brother had taken on the roll of parent after their dad had died. Cooper had only been fifteen at the time, but he’d taken the roll seriously. Cooper was a natural caretaker, but what he needed was his own family to ride herd over. 50


Thomas could admit he’d gotten in his share of trouble, and it had usually been worthy of Cooper’s anger. But he wasn’t a child any longer. He knew his own mind and his own heart. It was time his brother did too. He watched Cooped physically get control of his temper. Coop closed his eyes and breathed in deeply several times before staring at him out of glacial eyes. “Do what you want to, Thomas. But I won’t stop investigating her. And I’m still going to question her. If I find one ounce of information that leads me to think she’s someone who could be a danger to this town, then I will make it my life’s work to make sure she’s gone.” Cooper turned on his heel and left out the kitchen door. He shut it softly behind him, which was even more damning than if he’d slammed it. “Well, that was interesting?” Dane said. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen Coop’s temper in full force.” “I’m just glad it wasn’t directed at me this time,” Riley piped in. “It’s a nice change.” “I’ve got patients coming soon,” Thomas said. 51


“I’ve got to get in the shower.” Riley put his hand on his arm as if to stop him as he passed by, but he dropped it quickly when he saw the look in Thomas’s eye. “Do you love her, Thomas? Is that something you can really know for sure after a day?” He gave his brother a level look. “Yes.” “Then it doesn’t matter what Cooper thinks. If you love her he’ll come around. But he has a point too. You’ll end up with nothing but a broken heart if she turns out to be something you’re not quite expecting.” Thomas nodded and headed to his own bedroom to get dressed. The hell of it was, he knew his brothers were right. Which made it even more important for him to find out about Cat, so he could prove she was a woman he could be proud to call MacKenzie.”

52


Chapter Four Cat stretched luxuriously against the soft sheets and opened her eyes to a misty morning fogged in shades of grey. Rain fell softly on the deck and splattered against the windows. It took her a minute to orient herself and remember where she was. And who’s bed she was in. The pounding in her head had disappeared and her thigh was only a little sore. It looked to be early dawn, but she felt refreshed as if she hadn’t only had a few hours of sleep. “I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to wake up. Maybe Sleeping Beauty is a more appropriate name than Matilda.” Cat turned her head and couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction at the sight Thomas made. He was lounged back in the bedside chair, his t-shirt taut over his muscles and his jeans worn and comfortable looking. His hair was still mussed from sleep and his chocolate eyes weren’t giving any of his thoughts away. Insecurity began to eat away at the edges of her 53


confidence. She wasn’t used to the relationship dance. She’d never actually had a relationship before. Her only experience with sex had been when she was eighteen, but that was before her life changed completely. The FBI had put a damper on that relationship real fast. So she did what she always did when faced with an uncomfortable situation. She pasted a smile on her face and brazened her way through. “How long have you been up? You should have woken me.” “I’ve been trying to since yesterday morning. Your body obviously needed the sleep.” Now that he mentioned it, she did have a pressing urge to make her way to the bathroom. She threw her legs over the edge of the bed and realized she still didn’t have clothes on. She glanced at Thomas beneath her lashes and saw he wasn’t unaffected by the sight of her body. His eyes darkened and his gaze was intense before he shook his head as if to wake himself from a trance. Something was definitely going on. “Take it easy,” he said. “You’re libel to be stiff after being still so long.” “I’ve got it. The pain’s not nearly as bad as it 54


was. I’ll be out of your hair before you know it.” His lips tightened and she made her way to the bathroom, her muscles loosening a little with every step. “Do you care if I take a shower?” “No. Go ahead. Try not to get your stitches too wet. I’ll take another look at them once you get out and get you a fresh bandage. One of my brothers brought by the duffle bag of clothes you had in the trunk. I’ll set it inside the door for you.” “Thanks.” The shower went a long way towards improving her mood. Her muscles relaxed under the hot spray, and it felt good to wash her hair and get clean. When she stepped out of the shower, the duffle bag that held her clothes was just inside the door. She pulled out a pair of loose boxer shorts and a grey tshirt, deciding to forego a bra for now. She brushed out her hair and rubbed cream into her skin. The sight that greeted her in the mirror didn’t exactly shout seduction. She still looked like a kid, though she’d turned twenty-four the month before. Thomas was waiting for her when she came out of the bathroom. A tray of toast and eggs sat on the 55


nightstand, and he hand fresh bandages laid out on the bed. “Go ahead and get comfortable. You can eat while I check your stitches.” “You got it, Doc. So…did I miss anything important yesterday?” “Well, Cooper was pretty upset you weren’t available to talk to him. And I had plenty of patients curious to know about the woman who tried to run over the O’Neil’s cow. But other than that it was a pretty uneventful day.” Cat sputtered around her toast. “I did not try to run over that cow. It just walked right into the middle of the street. If I ever see the O’Neil’s they’re going to get a piece of my mind. They can’t have their livestock roaming all over town.” Thomas grinned as he put a small bandage over her stitches. She sighed in disgust. There would be a hell of a scar once the stitches came out. “Can I ask you a question?” Thomas said, throwing away the old bandages and pulling his chair closer to the bed. He didn’t meet her eyes when he asked, and the food in her stomach was beginning to feel like lead. 56


“I guess.” She wiped her nervous hands on a napkin and pushed the tray away. “What’s this?” The bottom dropped out of her stomach as he held up the gold Mayan mask. “Do you make it a point of going through all of your guests things?” “Dammit, Cat. What do I have to do to prove that I want to help you? That you can trust me?” “I just met you. And while you seem like a nice guy and I’ll admit to a definite attraction, I’m not in the habit of unloading my life story on strangers. No matter how trustworthy.” “Do you understand that my brother is digging into your background? He’s been determined to peel back the layers ever since he found out that the identity belonging to your car was a fake. And I promise you, Cooper is a tenacious son of a bitch. If there’s something to be found, he’ll find it.” Cat blew out a long breath, knowing the truth was bound to come out eventually. “I told them that identity wouldn’t hold up well enough. But it’s not like they ever listen to me. As long as I do what I’m told they don’t really pay me any attention.” Thomas set the mask aside and took her hand. 57


“We’ll deal with this. The both of us. I can hold my brother off as long as I need to. And if you’re in trouble I can help you. Just as long as you promise to stay out of trouble in the future.” “It’s not like that Thomas. I can’t just quit.” “So are you telling me you actually stole this? You’re a thief? And you have no intention of quitting?” “Yeah, I stole it. But it’s not what you think.” His expression was hard as granite, but he stared at her with determination. He wasn’t going to give up on her, and that gave her the courage she needed to tell him the ugly truth. “I was raised to be a thief. My dad and uncle trained me from when I was a little girl. I didn’t have a normal childhood—regular school hours or close friends. They trained me for the big jobs because they were getting older and slower. Museums mostly. And a few private estates with extensive collections.” Cat stopped and took a drink of her juice, her throat as dry as dust. “And then my dad and uncle got caught and were sent to prison when I was eighteen. My dad 58


was killed within weeks by a fence he’d cheated out of a hundred grand. As far as I know my uncle is still behind bars. I don’t think he’ll see daylight for a long time.” “If they’re no longer in your life, why do you feel you have to keep up their work? You could start fresh. Leave that life behind you. No one here but me knows your real name. And I’d never tell anyone. You could have a life here.” “You’d want me to stay here, even after everything I’ve just told you?” Cat asked, disbelievingly. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed each of her fingers. “I knew I wanted you forever the first moment I laid eyes on you. I wasn’t planning on telling you that right away, but it seemed like a good time. I know we don’t know a lot about each other, but I very much believe in fate. And even though our minds don’t know each other, I think our bodies recognize each other very well.” He skimmed his gaze down her body and her nipples puckered, remember the pleasure he’d given her before. He looked back into her eyes, and she made a decision she knew would change her life 59


forever. “I think our hearts recognize each other as well,” she said softly. “And if you’re willing to take a chance on someone like me, then I have no choice but to trust you with everything I am.” A visible weight seemed to lift from Thomas’s shoulders and his smile was encouraging. “It’s not my father or his legacy that keeps me in this game,” Cat said. “It’s the FBI.” “What?” The look of surprise on his face was almost comical. “The FBI never had enough evidence to prosecute me when my dad and uncle were arrested, and dad and Uncle Jimmy didn’t roll on me when they were questioned. I’d just turned eighteen, and I knew I was looking at a stiff penalty if I was caught, so I kept my nose clean after they went to prison. But then a couple of FBI agents came to my door one day. And they gave me an offer that was hard to refuse. It’s not a crime if I’m stealing for the good guys. All I have to do is steal back items that have already been stolen. I’m a very hot commodity among museums. And I make a nice cut of the profit.” 60


“So you can’t quit because the FBI won’t let you?” “That’s one of the reasons.” “What’s the other?” “I just don’t want to.”

61


Chapter Five “Stealing is a hell of a rush, Thomas. I wish you could understand, but I can tell by the look on your face you don’t.” “No, I don’t.” He rubbed his hands over his face and through his hair, tousling it more than it already was. He was having a hard time grasping all this. He’d opened a bigger can of worms than he’d anticipated. “I want you to understand.” She grabbed his hand and waited until he looked at her. “Being a thief is all I’ve ever known. It’s been my entire life. And I can guarantee if the FBI hadn’t knocked on my door that day then I would have been taking jobs on my own. What would I have done if I’d gone straight? I was the daughter of a felon with no real schooling. You think I was going to walk into some place and get a job?” He realized she was right and answered. “No, I can see how that would have been difficult.” “My arrangement with the FBI satisfies us both. I’m putting priceless artifacts back where they 62


belong, and the FBI is making sure one of the best cat burglars in the world isn’t running loose among society.” “That’s all fine and good until you get shot. What happens then?” “I find a sexy doctor to patch me up.” He grunted with annoyance and tried to stand up, but she kept her hand wrapped around his. “Despite what it looks like, this is the first injury I’ve ever gotten on a job. And I still got the mask for the National Museum in Canada. And as soon as I pass it over to them I’ll get a very nice paycheck. Everybody wins.” “This is a lot to take in,” Thomas said. “I never made plans that the woman I loved might be a cat burglar.” Her breath caught in her throat at his declaration. “Thomas…I can’t…” “Don’t say anything yet, Cat. You just need a little time to get used to the idea. And I need a little time to see if we can work out some kind of compromise. In the meantime, where do you want me to hide this?” He picked up the mask gently, examining the 63


fine workmanship of something that had lasted generations. “Wrap it back up and put it back under the bed. It’s as good as anyplace for now. Unless your brother decides to go snooping like you did.” He smiled sheepishly. “I’ll take care of Cooper. Don’t worry. He can be hard-headed, but he’s nothing if not logical.” “If you’ll get my phone, I can call the curator of the museum and have him come here to pick up the mask. We’re not that far from the border.” Thomas looked at his watch and then took off his shirt. “I have exactly two hours until patients are going to start showing up. Why don’t you hold off on making that call for a little while?” “Why don’t I?” Thomas stripped out of his jeans and let her look her fill. She devoured him with her eyes, and her breathing became slow and laborious. The want in her eyes made him feel like Superman, and his cock was as hard as it had ever been. What they’d shared two nights ago had been just the beginning. He’d spent all of the day remembering the taste of her against his lips and 64


thinking how amazing it would feel when he was finally able to get inside of her. She crawled up on her knees and placed her hands against his abs. Her breath feathered against his erection and he knew if she took him in her mouth again then this would be over before it had even begun. “Not this time, sweetheart. I need to be inside of you.” Thomas sat back in the chair beside the bed and watched her out of hooded eyes. “Take your clothes off for me.” Cat grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, and he growled low in his throat when her breasts were exposed. They were firm and full—a perfect handful—and the buds of her nipples were ripe like raspberries. He longed to take them in his mouth, feel her pussy clench around his cock with every suckle he made. “Now the shorts.” His voice was barely a whisper, and he had to clear his throat as her hands went to the elastic waistband. “Patience, Doctor MacKenzie. The best things in life are worth waiting for.” “Just remember that payback’s a bitch, 65


sweetheart.” She discarded the shorts and tossed them to the floor, leaving her only in a pair of black lace boyshort panties. She ran her hands over her hips and toyed with the waistband. “Mmm, I hope you have more of those,” he said. “I might need to buy you some in every color.” “Do you want me to take them off?” “Yeah. But get off the bed and stand in front of me.” She did as he asked, but he stopped her before she could push them down. “Now turn around and bend over as you take them off.” She blushed at his command, but she turned around. He saw her take a deep breath for courage before she bent over in front of him. He couldn’t help but run his hands over the backs of her thighs and toy with the lace edges of the panties. Her hands were propped on the bed, and her hair hung like flaming ribbons over the covers. “You have no idea how fucking sexy you look like this. I can see how much you want me.” His finger touched the dampness between her thighs and she pushed back against him, wanting more. Thomas tugged the panties down slowly, until 66


she stood bared before him. He inhaled her scent, her desire, and couldn’t help but taste the dewy drops that had gathered on her folds. “Ohmigod,” she moaned even as she pushed back against his face for more. His fingers bore into her hips and his tongue devoured her, moving in and out of her just as his cock would be soon. She shuddered against him and he knew she was just on the edge of an orgasm, so he laved his tongue against her pussy one last time before pulling away. “No, don’t stop,” she begged. “Patience, sweetheart. I told you payback was a bitch. Now back up and sit on my cock. And then I want you to ride me.” Thomas pulled her against him and moaned at the sight of her tight ass sinking down on his cock. She was warm and wet and oh so tight. Her breath caught as the head of his cock parted her folds, and then she gave one long moan as she impaled herself on him to the hilt. “Fuck,” he rasped, closing his eyes and concentrating so he didn’t come too soon. He straightened his legs and propped her over his 67


thighs so the penetration was deeper. Both their breaths were labored and sweat dampened his brow. And then she began to move around him and he knew he was lost forever. Nothing had ever felt so exquisite. “Mmm, Thomas.” She rode him with abandon, her hands cupping her breasts as her hips gyrated against his, milking him with every stroke. He brought his hand around and parted her folds, his finger finding her clit with ease. He tapped his finger against it rapidly and her movements became disjointed, too overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through her body. “That’s it, baby. Just a little more.” “Oh, God. Please…” Thomas pressed one hand against her stomach and kept the other slapping against her clit. Her vaginal muscles tightened around him, and it had him gritting his teeth to keep from going over the edge with her. He wasn’t nearly ready to be done with her. Cat’s juices soaked his cock and spasms wracked her body. She slumped forward, boneless, and would have collapsed to the floor if he hadn’t been 68


holding on to her. He kissed the nape of her neck and lifted her from his body. She whimpered as contact was broken. “Easy, sweetheart. Just lie back on the bed.” He turned her around gently and pushed her back on the bed. The disoriented, sleepy, look in her eyes filled him with satisfaction, but this time he wanted to look into their blue depths as she came apart in his arms. “Look at me, Cat.” Her eyes fluttered open and he slid into her with one smooth stroke. He kissed her once, twice, and then began to move. His muscles quivered with restraint and he captured her hands in his, staring deep into her eyes with everything he felt bare for her to see. Her legs hitched around the small of his back, changing the angle so he was able to go deeper, kissing the mouth of her cervix with every thrust. His balls drew tight against his body, and he knew he wouldn’t last much longer. “You’re mine, Cat. All of you. I don’t care about your past. I only care about a future we can both find satisfaction in.” He took her mouth in a savage kiss just as her 69


pussy tightened around him. This time he went over the edge with her.

70


Chapter Six Thomas looked at his watch for the seventh time in the last forty-five minutes. She should have been back by now. He’d wanted nothing more than to stay in bed with her the rest of the day and make love until they were both exhausted with pleasure. But he’d had patients to see—even more than usual because of the curiosity surrounding the mystery woman who was currently residing in the MacKenzie guest room. So he’d reluctantly gotten up and showered and dressed, while she’d made a call to the museum director at the National Gallery in Canada. The man had been relieved at the sound of her voice, and truly glad that she hadn’t been more severely injured. They’d agreed to meet at a diner at one o’clock about twenty miles south of the Canadian Border. They’d make the exchange, her FBI contact would be notified, and then the money would be deposited in her account. She’d told him she would come back. She’d 71


promised. But it was already a quarter till six and there was no sign of her. His gut clenched with fear that she’d changed her mind and decided to keep living the way she had been—an anonymous name with no friends or family—going from place to place at the FBI’s whims and stealing back what had already been stolen. The last of his patients was walking out the door when his brother walked in. Cooper looked tired, and guilt ate away at Thomas. He knew his brother loved him and only wanted what was best for him. They hadn’t spoken since the harsh words they’d shared the morning before. He had no idea how to explain Cat’s predicament. It wasn’t his secret to tell. “You done for the day?” Coop asked. “Yeah, I’m done.” He slipped another glance at his watch and grimace. “You might as well come into the house. I’m going to fix something to eat. I didn’t get a lunch break today.” “You need to hire nurse to help even out the load a little.” Thomas laughed and pulled a casserole out of 72


the fridge one of his patients had given him. He stuck it in the oven and turned to face Cooper, his arms crossed over his chest. “What do you want, Coop?” “Where’s your guest?” “She had to go out and deal with a few things. She’ll be back.” “It’s sounds to me as if you’re trying to convince yourself of that fact.” “Layoff, Coop. She said she’d be back. So she’ll be back.” “Fine, I don’t want to fight about her. I actually came to apologize. I talked to a friend of mine from the FBI.” Thomas stiffened at his words and his gaze narrowed. “I can tell by looking at you that you know more about her past than I do. My buddy was real closed mouth, but he led me to believe that they considered your lady friend to be a valuable consultant. He said if I wanted more information I’d have to get it from her myself.” Thomas relaxed and fought the urge to check his watch again. “I love her, Coop. And don’t tell me I 73


haven’t known her long enough. Sometimes you just know.” “I’m not going to tell you anything. But how does she feel?” That was part of the problem. She’d never come out and directly said she’d like to stay in Surrender. To give them time and a chance at a life together. The biggest hang up with that was she didn’t want to give up thieving. They were going to have to come up with some kind of compromise. Before Thomas could answer Coop’s question, the kitchen door opened and Dane walked through. “Shit, it’s wet out there,” he said. “These nice fall days aren’t going to last too much longer.” Dane walked over to the fridge and helped himself to a beer. He twisted off the cap and took a long swallow, eyeing them both. “So I guess you guys are talking now, huh? Did I interrupt something important?” “No,” Thomas said. He looked at his watch again and checked the casserole in the oven. It still had a while to go, so he grabbed his own beer from the fridge and sat down at a barstool behind the island. “You look like a lovesick puppy,” Dane said. 74


“They’ll be back soon.” “Who will be back?” Thomas asked. “Charlotte and Cat. They decided to do a little shopping this afternoon. I thought you knew.” The pressure eased around Thomas’s heart and he took a swallow of beer to hide his relief. “Cat, huh?” Cooper asked. “I never would have guessed.” “Shut up, Coop,” Thomas said. “Yeah, Charlotte said she really liked her. Said she seems just perfect for you, little brother.” “She is,” Thomas said. “But it’s nice to hear someone else doesn’t think I’m completely insane.” Thomas took another swallow of beer and almost swallowed his tongue when Cat and Charlie walked into the kitchen. He thought Charlie might have said hello to him, but he only had eyes for Cat. Her hair was damp with the rain and drops clung to her russet lashes. She wore a miniscule denim skirt and a fitted flannel shirt over a white tank top. Hiking boots and thick socks were on her feet, and all he could think about was stripping her bare of everything—everything except the boots. “My brothers were just leaving,” Thomas said, 75


ignoring Coop’s eye roll and Dane’s chuckle. “Before he kicks us to the curb,” Cooper said. “I’d like to welcome you to Surrender. I hope you’ll stay here as long as you’d like.” “Thanks, I appreciate it,” Cat said, barely able to tear her eyes away from Thomas. “It’s just pathetic,” Dane said, shaking his head. Charlie punched him in the arm and laughed. “You’re one to talk,” she said. “Thomas, don’t forget we’ll all be here for Sunday dinner. Try to be dressed by then.” Thomas ignored their laughter as they piled out the door and back to their own homes. “I wondered if you were coming back,” he finally said to Cat. “I had a moment or two where I wondered if I should come back. You’ve got a nice life here, Thomas. A nice family. A person who grew up like I did doesn’t deserve things like that. I’m paying my price.” “Bullshit.” He stalked toward her, his gaze hot and his cock already straining behind his jeans. He lifted her in his arms and kissed her, delving into her mouth with 76


all the pent up emotions he carried inside. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and the skirt she wore rose up around her hips. She shrugged off the flannel shirt and yanked at his t-shirt. “Please, Thomas. I need you.” He groaned, desperate to feel flesh against flesh. He carried her to the first available surface, which happened to be the dining table, and set her on the edge. Her legs refused to let him go as he pushed the tank top and bra she wore over her breasts and drank in the sight of her. He took a rigid nipple in his mouth, biting gently at the hard nub as she worked at the button of his jeans. “Jesus,” he said as she accomplished her task and he sprang free into her hot hand. He skimmed his fingers up the inside of her thigh and pushed the panties she wore to the side before plunging his fingers inside. She came around his hand in an instant, drenching his fingers with her desire. “Please, please, please,” she begged. “I want all of you.” Thomas was insane with lust, and he ripped the panties from her body and thrust inside of her. Her heels tightened against the small of his back and 77


her head banged against the table, but she was oblivious to anything but the pleasure. “Harder. Fuck me harder.” He took her at her word and stood up straight, unwrapping her legs and pulling them over his shoulders, deepening the penetration. He couldn’t stop touching her, watching her. She looked amazing, her skirt rucked around her waist and her shirt just above her kiss dampened nipples. Her eyes were closed and her head moved side to side. “Yes, yesss…” she screamed. He felt her tighten around him and let himself go. His cock swelled and he pushed as far inside her as he could go, bottoming out until his balls touched her ass. Spots danced in front of his eyes as spurt after spurt of come went into her waiting body. He picked her up and sat in a dining chair, afraid his legs would give out. “Please tell me we can do this forever,” he whispered against her hair. “We’ll kill each other. But I’m willing to give it a shot if you are.” “Definitely. But there’s the matter of your highly dangerous profession. I know you told me you didn’t want to quit. And I’m okay with that. I think. 78


But I’d like you to be more careful in choosing which jobs you take. And maybe you could cut back a little bit. I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to you.” Cat lifted her head from his shoulder and looked him in the eye. Tears coated her lashes and she kissed him softly. “You’d really let me keep doing it? No ultimatums?” “I love you, Cat. The real you. As long as you’re careful, I’d never keep from doing something you loved to do.” “Then I promise,” she said kissing him again. She bit his bottom lip and then soothed it with her tongue, and he felt his cock begin to harden again. “I promise to take fewer jobs. And I promise to be really careful. I wouldn’t want to ever give this up.” She lifted herself and sat down again, stroking him teasingly before standing up. “Why are you stopping?” Thomas asked, his breathing already strained and his cock throbbing. “Come with me, sweetheart. I’m going to show you how a thief makes love.” She walked toward 79


the bedroom with a twitch of her hips and Thomas had no choice but to follow. He was looking forward to the experience.

80


About the author: Liliana Hart is the pseudonym for an author of more than a dozen books. She lives in Texas with her husband and cats, and loves to be contacted by readers. Connect with me online: http://twitter.com/Liliana_Hart http://facebook.com/LilianaHart My Blog: http://www.lilianahart.com/blog

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