Page 12

Chapter

Eleven

Robbie and Alice had a nice sunset dinner on the beach and then their boat driver took them back to the closest dock on the Grand Canal in proximity to their condo.

It was only a five-minute walk, but it was after ten when they got back to the condo.

He was disappointed when Alice went to shower and never came back out.

He’d showered, brushed his teeth, put on his favorite Swiss Army Cologne, and waited and waited.

He should’ve just kissed her in the ocean when they’d been flirting and laughing. Now she was shutting him out again.

Ignoring the compassionate glances from Price and River, and the fact that Curtis and Merrick couldn’t even meet his gaze, he finally went to his room. He left the door cracked in case she walked out of hers. Finally, he said his prayers and slid into bed.

He’d barely drifted off when he heard Alice’s voice.

“Help … help … help!”

Robbie darted out of the sheets and rushed out of his room and into hers. Price was right there in the hallway. Robbie held up a hand. “Last time it was a nightmare.”

Price nodded. “I’ll wait out here.”

Robbie hurried through the door and into her room. She was tangled in the sheets and tossing her head back and forth. “Help! ”

He glanced around, but there was no sign of anyone. Rushing to the bed, he dropped next to Alice and lifted her off the pillow and against his chest.

“Alice.” He gently shook her. “Wake up, Alice. It’s me.”

Her eyes fluttered open. “Robbie?”

“I’ve got you. Bad dream?”

“Yes.” She shuddered and buried her head in his chest, her silky hair brushing his skin. His heart took off at a gallop as her berries and cream scent infused his senses. “I hate that dream. This grotesque buddha man keeps coming after me.”

“Sorry. I’m here.”

“You are.” She glanced up and their gazes entangled. “Thank you for being here for me.”

He nodded, and then the moment went slow as her dark eyes filled with warmth. This was his moment. Finally. He bent his head to hers, heart racing. Anticipation swirled through his veins.

A soft rap came on the door, pulling him away from Alice’s lips. Again.

“Yeah?” he called.

“Pardon me.” Price opened the door a crack. “Is all well?”

“Yeah. We’re good.” Robbie couldn’t even get the words out to tell Price he appreciated him as he usually would.

Alice pulled back and slid away from him. She focused on the door.

“All right. Take care.” The door shut softly.

He stared at Alice and willed her to look at him. “Alice?”

“Yes.” She moistened her lips and looked at him.

He smiled, hoping she would melt into his arms as she had in the ocean earlier today.

“Thank you for waking me up from the dream,” she said, her voice stiff and her dark eyes closed off.

Robbie was being dismissed, but he didn’t want to walk away.

He stood and glanced down at her.

“What?” she asked.

“I … thought you might need, or want, a goodnight kiss. For comfort or distraction from the nightmare?” It was not a smooth or confident line by any means, but Alice had never cared if he was sm ooth and polished.

She’d always claimed she loved that he was genuine and trustworthy.

She probably didn’t know how to trust him after fifteen years of separation.

Alice looked him over. Her cheeks darkened and hope blossomed in his chest.

She resolutely shook her head. “I’m not kissing you with that bush growing on your face.”

Robbie’s eyes widened. Did that mean she’d kiss him if he shaved? Did he dare ask?

“Goodnight, Robbie.”

Robbie nodded, turned, and strode to the door, pushing through it. If only he could shave and get his hair trimmed.

He shook his head. He couldn’t shave or get a haircut. For the undercover jobs he excelled at, it was important that his hair obscured his face. His wild, unkempt look helped him fit in with the rough traffickers and foul drug runners.

Aiden probably had other ops Robbie could do that didn’t require a hairy bush on his face, like when he’d helped Tess Gem in Jade Valley, Arizona, find a counterfeit smuggler using her bike shop as a delivery spot.

Yet he felt like he made a bigger difference fighting against human trafficking or taking down drug rings or crime lords from the inside out. That was why he hadn’t shaved or trimmed his hair.

Yet if Alice would kiss him … his insides warmed, and he selfishly wanted to shave right this moment.