Electrified(114)

It was easy to lose herself in the tranquility and easiness of being Carson and Lila in the most stunning place ever, forgetting where they came from, and what was waiting for her at home. She had a life to get back to, even though her identity had been destroyed. There were people she cared about waiting for her, depending on her for help and success.

She owed those people, and she had to get back to them. But she also owed Carson and wanted to stay with him. Did he want to stay with her? How would that work?

Their last evening in the Bahamas, while dining under the stars at a private table set for two outside their little bungalow, she asked Carson, “So, will we visit each other, see each other. How will this work?”

He set his fork down, sat up straight, and smoothed his hand across his face. “Li, baby, there will be no visiting.”

Lila couldn’t stop herself from frowning, her eyes immediately welling up with tears. She couldn’t control her face and emotions betraying her, showing every bit of her sadness and remorse.

“Lila, I’m kidding. Kidding. There will be no visiting because I’m moving to Vegas with you. That is, if you’ll have me.” He laughed loudly, bared his big beautiful smile, leaned over and planted a big kiss on her lips.

She brought her fingers up to her mouth, tracing where he just left, and tilted her head to the side. “What? How? You have a life, a job, a condo.”

“Is that an excuse? Are you looking for a way out? We never discussed your religion, is that it? The one you were raised in, it’s obviously not the same as mine, which is nonexistent. Is that a problem? I don’t know what to suggest. I only want to be with you, for always.”

She shifted in her seat. “It’s not an excuse! I don’t care what religion you are. I’m not the same person I was back in Brooklyn. I don’t believe in many of the old customs anymore. They didn’t help me when I needed them the most. I do believe someone was looking out for me, though, because I met you. And now you want to be with me? It’s just, I can’t believe this is happening. All my dreams are coming true. That’s not supposed to happen.”

Carson nodded and snared her gaze with his. “It’s true and should be for you of all people, you deserve it and more. Listen, I work for myself, and I want to be with you. Period. I can live anywhere, but I want to be with you. Does that work for you?” He got out of his chair, picked her up by her hips, and lifted her so they were eye to eye.

With her legs now wrapped around his waist and the biggest smile ever, Lila only said, “Absolutely!”

Sporting a tiny glint in his eyes and his dimple peeking out, Carson ended the conversation with, “I’m bringing my bike. No doubt about that.”

He kissed her before she could reply.





Two years later



CARSON LANDED at the private airstrip, practically jumped out of the plane, hopped on his bike, and headed toward home. Screw debriefing his client. He solved the case, found the person of interest, delivered them, and wanted to get the fuck home. As soon as he had deposited the individual in question with the authorities, he’d demanded the plane get right back up in the air. He mostly flew private these days.

The flying, an added perk to his elevated career status, was only superseded by being able to charge exorbitant rates after he had handed the FBI such a big tip-off and case with Elon Finder and Mystique. He would have done it no matter what for Lila.

His private work was steady as usual, but now he could be even more particular in choosing jobs, since the FBI now called him to consult on certain cases they couldn’t get a solid lead on, or to pass along cases the government didn’t want to be involved with. He was in high demand, and he liked it that way.

Hence, his current client could wait. Their software programming was safe now. Carson found and apprehended the idiot who had tried to run away with the code for himself. Some people got so greedy, thinking they could have it all.

Like him. He did. He had it all. Yeah, he was a smug shit, but considering he came from not much, Carson was proud of where life had landed him.

Lila wouldn’t be happy he was on his bike. He hoped the fact he was home a day early would make up for it. She hated his fast driving, whether it was his sports car or his treasured bike.

It was who he was. He drove fast when they met. What did she expect?

With the wind buffeting his back as Carson pushed his speed a little faster, his thoughts drifted back to when he first picked Lila up in the rental car in Vegas. She’d gripped the side bar back then as though her life depended on it. To think of it, she still did as he continued to speed around town whenever they were out.