The South Beach Search Read online

  When he slanted his head and moved close, she raised her face, longing for his mouth to claim hers. Sweet, desperate yearning engulfed her. Swallowed by a wave of pure desire, she closed her eyes—but he pulled back, just out of reach.

  “Stay awhile,” he said, his voice intense, demanding, his breath moving a lock of hair against her ear.

  She placed her hands around his neck. “You, too,” she whispered.

  As she pulled him toward her, Taki wondered at her recklessness, why she now needed Reese to touch her more than she needed to breathe. She’d known this would happen. Her attraction to him was too intense, too dangerous, too—everything. A mistake from the beginning.

  But it didn’t matter, she decided as his lips captured hers. She wanted him. He wanted her. Nothing could stop the inevitable.

  When his hands cupped her buttocks, she rotated her hips against his erection, thinking she and Reese had danced this erotic, frustrating tango through countless lifetimes together.

  As she half pulled him, and he half carried her toward the bedroom, Taki yanked his turtleneck out of his khakis. She smoothed her hands up the bare skin of his chest, delighting in the way his muscles tensed beneath her touch. God, he was gorgeous. She found his nipple and teased it with her thumb, causing him to issue a throaty moan and drop her to her feet.

  They stood at her bed. She looked up at him and smiled into those dark eyes she loved so much. Stepping back, she pulled her sweater overhead and flung it aside. Reese’s gaze dropped to her bare breasts. She sucked in a breath, her nipples already taut in response to an ache only he could alleviate.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said. His long fingers caressed the flesh of her right breast, tenderly circling her nipple. She closed her eyes and reveled in the soft brush of his touch. She wanted to be beautiful for him. Only him.

  Never feeling more centered, so absolutely grounded in the present, she unzipped her jeans and slipped them off her hips. Next came bikini panties, and she stood naked before him. No matter what secrets she’d been forced to protect, this night she would give herself to him totally. And she would take whatever he offered. There would be no barriers between them. Tonight they would add another memorable chapter to their dance through time, one she would never forget.

  She raised her eyes and met his hot stare as he began to loosen his buckle.

  * * *

  REESE ADMIRED TAKI’S slim body standing proudly before him, knowing this moment would burn in his memory forever. He’d never received a more honest gift nor seen a female form that excited him more.

  Her full breasts rose and fell sharply with each breath, her hands clenching and unclenching by her sides. His arousal jerked as he imagined her hands on him, warm and supple.

  Her lips parted. She released a slow, shaky breath when he dropped the last of his clothing to the floor.

  He stepped forward to embrace her, eager for the feel of her, the heat of her flesh. She melted into his arms, soft and strong, full of contradictions that made her fascinating and frustrating. Husky sounds vibrated from her graceful throat. The uninhibited way she responded to him deepened his desire, hardened him to the point of pain. Her breasts molded to him perfectly, as did her belly, her hips. He needed her.

  Kissing her, loving her, stroking her, Reese pulled Taki onto the bed, pressed his body against her warmth. She met him hungrily, eagerly. Her mouth, her hands, her hips, even her feet caressed him, moved against him with an urgent, sensual message that took him beyond reason, beyond remembering who he was and what he wanted.

  He wanted only Taki. Nothing could ever be more important. Nothing would stop him from having her. Keeping her.

  Her eyes appeared bottomless in the dark as he smoothed his hand down her velvet skin to explore the moisture between her legs. She purred an encouraging moan, and he rolled her under him. As he entered her, she arched beneath him. Staring wonderingly into her face, he acknowledged a fleeting remembrance of a similar moment from another time. Then any memory was lost to a passion that threatened to tear him apart.

  * * *

  “WHY DID YOU come back?”

  Taki’s soft words barely penetrated the cocoon of contentment that enveloped Reese. He didn’t open his eyes. They were in her bed, somehow sprawled over the sheets, her cheek resting on his bare chest, his arm around her. Beyond that, the boundaries were blurred. He wasn’t sure where he began and she left off.

  He’d never felt this close to another being in his life.

  He’d always believed when people spoke of becoming “one” with someone else, it was in the more, well, graphic sense. Before tonight, he would never have believed he could truly get lost in another person. Or that after having achieved such a unique bond, he would never want it to end.

  He felt stronger because of their closeness, maybe even a better person. Certainly he’d never enjoyed this inner wellspring of happiness, a feeling of almost weightlessness.

  Taki’s breath feathered across his damp skin, creating a pleasurable shiver. Maybe he should turn on a heater for them, but he didn’t want to move. Everything was perfect right now.

  “Reese?”

  “Mmm?” he said, lightly stroking her shoulder, trying to figure out why he felt so complete. He’d had great sex plenty of times before.

  “Are you having an MCR?”

  Thinking, yes, in a way he was, Reese chuckled and opened his eyes. Then blinked and opened them wider. Dangling from the ceiling were countless dolls—no. As his eyes adjusted to the faint light, he recognized winged angels of every description and size staring down at them in the bed. For an instant, he wanted to cover Taki’s naked body from their prying eyes.

  “Reese?” she said again.

  Finding his voice, he said, “I...I think I’m having a vision.”

  “What kind of vision?”

  “Taki, what’s that?” He pointed up.

  She raised her head, then lowered it with a giggle and kissed his chest. “My guardian angels.”

  “Do you need so...many of them?”

  “Yes, actually I do. They protect me from negative energy, and as you know there’s a lot of that in the universe.”

  “I see,” Reese said, swallowing hard. Would Taki ever stop surprising him? Smoothing her long hair, tangled from their lovemaking, he hoped he would eventually become accustomed to how differently she approached the world. Life with Taki would certainly keep him on his toes. Or, as she’d likely put it, in the present moment.

  “They’ll protect you, too,” she said. “In fact, I think I’ll give you one.”

  “This isn’t some sort of Santeria or voodoo, is it?”

  “Worried you’ll find a dead chicken on your doorstep? You really do need an angel to ward off your negative thoughts.”

  “No,” he said, turning to plant a kiss on the top of her head. “Not when I have you.”

  She snuggled closer and murmured, “Thank you. That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

  They lay quietly for a few moments while Reese examined the suspended angels, wondering where they’d all come from. Some were intricately designed with wings of white lace or satin and brightly painted faces. Others were only vague characterizations of a plump cherub. One looked more threatening than protective to him, but she did feature a lovely golden halo.

  “Why did you come back?” Taki asked again. “What did you forget?”

  “To ask you not to go.”

  “Oh.”

  “I had this overpowering feeling, a certainty, really, that I would never see you again, that you were going to start packing tonight and disappear from my life.” He stroked her hair, waiting for her to tease him for relying upon feelings.

  But she just nodded, and that slight motion caused her hair to tickle his chest. He kissed he
r head again, but froze when she spoke.

  “That proves we’re soul mates,” she said. “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “DON’T GO.”

  Taki closed her eyes as Reese’s soft request rumbled against her cheek. What could she tell him that made sense, that didn’t make her sound like a lunatic? After the bond they’d just forged, she wanted him to know everything.

  She placed her palm across his navel. According to Plato, the navel was the only remnant of humans’ original form after Apollo sewed them back together. She let the heat from Reese’s center flow into her hand, knowing she would forever long for this man, her other half.

  “I have to,” she said. “My father is getting close.” More half-truths.

  “If you stay, I can help you.”

  “But you’re part of the problem.”

  “I am? How so?”

  “I can’t explain why, but if I remain I’ll only hurt you.”

  “Why can’t you explain it to me?”

  She released a sigh. Reese wasn’t going to give up. “You’ll only laugh.”

  “I promise not to laugh.”

  She squeezed her eyes tighter, willing the hot tears that pricked her lids to evaporate. How could she leave him now? Do I have the strength to do what I should?

  He turned, placing her beneath him on the bed. His cool fingers smoothed hair away from her face. “You told me once that you met me for a purpose. Do you remember that?”

  She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

  His dark eyes searched hers as he spoke. “Well, maybe I’m supposed to help you. Stick around and let me do that.”

  “Reese, I...”

  “Why are you crying?” he asked as he brushed away a tear that spilled down her cheek. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “I can’t,” she whispered again.

  “After the honesty we just shared, you still don’t trust me?”

  She caught her breath at the yearning in his words. “It’s not you.”

  “Don’t you know that the way we are together is a rare, beautiful thing?” When Reese’s lips turned up in a half smile, the ache in her heart intensified. “I think I would trust you with my life.”

  Blinking back tears, she reached up and touched the space between his eyebrows. “No one has ever said such sweet things to me.”

  “Can you read my mind by doing that?” he asked, his smile turning into a teasing grin.

  “No.” She dropped her hand.

  “Too bad. I’m willing to give anything a try.” Placing his thumb in the center of her forehead he murmured, “Nope. Not a thing.”

  She giggled, twined her fingers into his and pulled their joined hands to her heart center.

  “I’d give a lot to understand you, moonbeam,” he said.

  “Moonbeam?” she asked.

  “That’s how I think of you sometimes,” he said. “Mysterious and mystical, soft and beautiful.”

  “Oh, Reese,” she murmured, squeezing his hands.

  After a moment he said, “Let me help you with your father.”

  “No.” Taki placed all ten fingers over his lips to stop his words. “No. But thank you for offering.”

  He kissed her palm and slid his lips to her wrist, pausing to exhale warm breath on her raging pulse. “If you’re in some kind of danger, I can arrange for protection.”

  Touched by his offer, she cupped his cheek with her hand. “Why do you think I’m in danger?”

  His dark eyes continued to search hers. “Something your psychic friend said, some business about a flaming tower. Plus, don’t forget Izzo and Romero.”

  Taki smiled tenderly at him as pleasured warmth surged through her. He had paid attention to Robin’s reading after all. Reese was growing, changing. If only they could have more than this one night together. She was changing, too, had even managed to open up to him.

  “You worry too much,” she said, moving her finger to the line that always creased his strong brow. As she gently massaged, he closed his lids. If only, if only...

  But at least the generous universe had given them this one night.

  “Would you like to know what I’m thinking right now?” she asked.

  He murmured, “Sure,” but sounded a little doubtful, perhaps undecided about hearing her thoughts.

  “If you really want to know, I’ll tell you.” She trailed her fingers lightly across his cheek, his chest, his abdomen, moving toward his groin.

  He sucked in a quick breath. “I really want to know.”

  “I’m thinking,” she said, “that I want you to stay with me the rest of the night.”

  Reese widened his eyes. “You do, huh?”

  “Oh, yes,” she said, her hand continuing south. “I really do.”

  “I like those particular thoughts,” he said, staring into her face.

  “Good.”

  “At least tell me where you’re going,” he said, his voice husky.

  “I’m not going anywhere tonight,” she whispered, pulling him close.

  * * *

  THOROUGHLY CHILLED, REESE woke the next morning to the smug smiles of hovering cherubs. On his left, Taki still slumbered, snugly cocooned in the covers. Now, here’s a real angel, he thought as he traced his thumb across her smooth, cool cheek. Her face glowed in the soft morning light.

  But he was late, and Monday morning wouldn’t wait. Deciding to let her sleep a while longer, Reese swung his legs out of bed and pulled on his briefs and khakis. Shrugging on his shirt, he picked up his shoes and eased Taki’s bedroom door shut behind him.

  When he turned, the sight of the cardboard box in the center of her living room floor hit his gut like a sledgehammer, a harsh reminder that she was leaving.

  Damn, but he didn’t want her to go. She was good for him, and he was good for her. He helped ground her. Despite the crazy differences between them, he believed that what they’d started had a chance to grow, could morph into something real and permanent. But for that opportunity, she had to remain in Miami.

  How could he convince her to stay? Rubbing his chin, Reese considered who might have influence over Taki. Victoria, the landlady? Ah. Where did the great guru weigh in on her change of address? Could he enlist the swami’s help to convince her to stay? Reese decided to ask Taki to speak to her teacher before she left. That ought to buy him a day, at least.

  Why wouldn’t she tell him where she was going? Was it possible she didn’t know? He shook his head. The woman was full of mysteries, puzzles impossible to unravel. She was scared of her father, but he’d make certain the man couldn’t harm her.

  Reese stepped into the kitchenette and lit the gas stove. What the hell if he was fifteen minutes late for a staff meeting. Would it really matter? When he was with Taki his constant sense of urgency, the need to work harder, faster, to cram every minute full of something productive, seemed to evaporate.

  He’d boil water for herb tea and wake Taki when it was ready. The more he thought about it, easing Taki’s life appealed to him a great deal. For that, he needed to keep her in his zip code.

  In search of the space heater, Reese stepped back into her living room and glanced down at the cardboard box. As he rubbed his hands together for warmth, he wondered what she had decided to pack first. Probably angels or candles or a yoga mat. A manila file caught his eye.

  Legal pleadings and documents had spilled all over a faded blue Oriental rug. He squatted before the box and picked up a letter addressed to one Kimberly Howell Spencer. He nodded, recognizing her previous name. These were documents from the past Taki hated. Kim was a nice name, but he liked Taki better.

  As he thumbed through a stack of unopened envelopes from law firms in New York City and Newport, Rho
de Island, Reese recognized the names of heavyweight legal talent.

  Then he saw the elegant, embossed gold logo of the Spencer Trust and felt himself go cold. The Spencer Trust, an entity able to send the Dow Jones plummeting with the slightest sell-off, was frequently in the financial news. And the news wasn’t always pleasant.

  It had never once occurred to him she could be connected to those particular Spencers.

  Her father wasn’t just wealthy; he was one powerful man.

  * * *

  WHEN TAKI WOKE in bed alone, she thought Reese had already left. Of course he had to go to work. She’d wanted one last goodbye, one last kiss to hold in her heart forever, but maybe it was better this way. Then she heard a noise in the outer room and grabbed a robe.

  She found him reading her grandmother’s will, the worry line between his eyes edged deep with concentration as he examined the hated document.

  A shrill whistle from the kitchen shattered the morning quiet. Reese glanced up and smiled at her.

  She smiled back. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning.”

  She tightened the robe around her waist. Keenly aware of his scrutiny, she crossed the room to the kitchen.

  She removed the kettle from the fire and shut off the flame. Reese entered the room behind her. He stood close, and she could smell her perfume on his shirt. She couldn’t look at him, afraid of what she’d find in his eyes now that he truly understood what a monster her father was.

  “You weren’t kidding about your father’s wealth.”

  Taki scanned the kitchen, looking for a way out. Reese had thoughtfully placed tea bags in two mugs ready for boiling water. He’d meant to surprise her.

  “Did you think I was?” she asked.

  “I don’t think you made it quite clear.”

  “It’s hard to talk about.”

  “What’s wrong? Why won’t you look at me?”

  Her heart twisted when she heard the hurt in his husky voice. So it had already started. She never wanted to hurt anyone. She’d been hurt too much herself.

  Raising her gaze to his, she said, “Has your opinion of me changed now that you know who my father is?”