Ride A Falling Star (The Callahans) Read online

  When he began dating Tiffany, also a blonde, Ava had breathed a sigh of relief. Hopefully he’d found someone else and they could both move on. In fact, she hadn’t seen Dario around the casino in a month or more. Until she ran into him last night, with his gun in the face of the dead man.

  She shuddered.

  Turning on her side, she spotted Levi’s silhouette in the other bed. Was she misjudging him, too? He’d put himself out for her to the point of putting his own life in danger. But would he turn into a stalker? A killer? If she rebuffed him, would he get ugly? He’d made no secret of wanting her. His kiss had been filled with longing.

  No. Levi was nothing like Dario. They were as different as motor oil and seawater. If they made love he wouldn’t turn her into a possession, or arm candy.

  The thought of being with him sent hot shivers through her. She curled her toes into the covers and muffled her moan.

  “You okay?” Levi asked, his voice sleepy.

  “Just can’t relax.”

  “Come here.” He tossed the blankets aside. “Get in with me.”

  “I’m okay.”

  “Come on. I won’t bite and we need to get some rest.”

  Guilt filled her. He had to be beyond exhaustion. All because of her. Maybe she could sleep and let him relax, too, in his arms. She kicked the twisted covers off her legs and stood. Crossing the two feet to Levi’s bed, she crawled in between the sheets.

  They lay facing each other for a few minutes until he reached out and removed a strand of hair from her mouth. His fingers barely brushed her lips. A tingle raced from the tips of her hair the soles of her feet. Sleep suddenly became the last thing on her mind as her stomach tightened. “Levi—”

  “Levi, what?” His voice was deep, husky.

  “Don’t.”

  He sighed. “I haven’t forgotten your rule, Ava. Get some shut-eye, because I’m going to.”

  Turning her back to him, she plumped her pillow and closed her eyes, willing her body to relax, which seemed next to impossible with his warm, musky scent enveloping her. Worse, he draped a heavy, muscular arm over waist and tugged her close.

  She lay rigid, afraid to breathe.

  But as his soft breathing turned deep and regular, she began to unwind. His thighs and groin pressed against her legs and bottom should have made her uncomfortable, but instead made her feel safe. Protected. Secure.

  Almost loved.

  Her eyes shot open in the dark.

  Loved?

  She barely knew this man, she couldn’t love him. Like him. Respect him. Owe him a lot; even credit him with saving her life. But love? Not happening. She was confusing gratitude with a deeper emotion. The shock of seeing Dario blowing Lenny Force’s brains out was getting to her. Shock was settling in, muddling her mind.

  Satisfied she’d figured it out, she closed her eyes again.

  Instead of sleep, images of the last twenty-four hours played in her head: leaving her dressing room, the murder, the car chase through Vegas and the run across the desert. Levi’s presence flashed in almost every frame. Steady. Calm. Dependable.

  With those comforting thoughts, she wrapped her fingers around his arm and finally slept.

  Chapter Six

  Ava woke with a start.

  For a minute she was disoriented, unsure of where she was. Then everything came rushing back and she sat upright and looked around in terror. Where was Levi? Had he left her to fend for herself?

  Water running in the bathroom calmed her racing heart. He hadn’t abandoned her, he was only showering. With a sigh of relief, she fell back against the pillows. Levi’s scent enveloped her and she breathed deeply of his unique leather and blue spruce cologne.

  The bathroom door opened and Levi stepped into the bedroom, wearing only a towel wrapped around his slim hips. Ava feigned sleep, but watched through her eyelashes as he bent over his suitcase and dug out his clothes. Long, muscular legs, firm butt, broad, taut shoulders… A soft sigh slid out of her.

  “You going to keep gawking at my backside, or you going to get up?” he asked without turning around.

  Ava giggled. “I’m getting up.”

  “The shower’s all yours.” He turned to face her and pulled a blue t-shirt over his head. His hands went to the towel at his waist.

  She bolted for the shower, grabbing her borrowed clothes as she went.

  Ava stayed under the hot water longer than necessary, making sure she gave Levi plenty of time to get dressed. After she dried, she opened the door a crack. “Are we leaving soon?”

  “As soon as you’re ready,” he replied over the sound of the TV.

  “Okay.” She closed the door and eyed the Ace bandage. “I’ve never tried to be a guy before.”

  After several attempts, she realized she couldn’t get the wrap tight enough to do her any good. She tossed it aside and pulled on Levi’s jeans. They were a little snug, but fit better than she would have ever guessed. His boots were another matter—they were two sizes too big. “I can’t wear these,” she muttered. “I’ll be stumbling around like a drunk.”

  Picking up the wrap, she cracked the door. “Levi? Can you help me?”

  “What do you need?” He came to the door.

  She held out the bind. “I can’t get this right. Can you do it?”

  “Yeah.”

  She turned her back to him and crossed her arms over her breasts. “Come in.”

  He entered the bathroom and took the bandage from her. “What’s wrong?”

  Heat splashed up her face. “I can’t get it tight enough to do any good.”

  His eyes met hers in the mirror. “Got it.”

  She wasn’t modest; she’d dressed and undressed in front of twenty other girls, the stagehands, managers and agents a million times. Not to mention the paying customers who’d watched her dance at the Blue Valentine. But in the tiny confines of the hotel bathroom she had covered her breasts. Unsure why, she lifted her chin and stared into his intense gaze, reflected in the mirror.

  “Hold your arms out.” His voice was husky.

  She slowly lifted her arms and held them at shoulder level. Keeping his gaze on hers, Levi reached around her and began taping down her breasts. Like a lady’s maid in some Victorian novel, he cinched her up as if he did this sort of thing every day. With clinical efficiency, he cinched. He didn’t seem to notice his hands passing over her breasts, his knuckles brushing her bare back.

  Every single time he touched her, she shivered.

  Did he notice?

  He appeared not to, going about it as if she were just another cowboy. But she knew better by his breathing. Fast, a little harsh.

  She licked her dry lips.

  When he had the bandage wrapped around her so tight she thought she might die for a deep breath, he stepped back and asked, “Can you draw air?”

  “Barely.” She dropped her hands to her sides and turned to face him. “But I’ll manage. I’ve worn costumes that were far more uncomfortable.”

  “It won’t be for long. We’re going to meet my brother and get the ranch truck from him.”

  “Let me finish dressing and we can go,” she said. “Wait out there, and in five minutes you won’t even recognize me. I’ll be just another guy.”

  For the first time, his gaze dipped to her flattened chest, then rose to meet her eyes. “Uh, okay…buddy.”

  She made a fist and shook it at him. “You’ll think ‘buddy.’”

  He backed out of the bathroom, laughing.

  Ava combed her hair into a tight ponytail, then twisted it into a sleek knot and pinned it on top of her head. Maybe it would keep Levi’s hat from slipping into her eyes. Finally, she slipped into his blue and green striped shirt and tucked it in the way she’d seen him do.

  She looked at her image in the mirror. With no makeup, her hair practically glued to her head and her chest taped down, she thought she made a decent-looking man. With a deep breath, she opened the door. “Eat your words, Callahan. If
I’m not a man, I don’t know who is.”

  His face said it all. Surprise. Wonder. And disbelief. “I’ll be damned. You’re almost pulling it off.”

  She arched a brow. “Almost?”

  He shook his head. “It’s obvious to me you’re not a guy. You’re too pretty.”

  “Oh, yeah? Watch this.” She crossed the room, adopting the rolling walk she’d seen him and his friends do. Stopping, she hooked her thumbs her front pockets. “Now, am I manly enough?”

  “To most people, yeah.” His gaze heated. “To me, no.”

  Unsure where to look to avoid the appreciation in his eyes, she spotted his Stetson. She grabbed it and put it on her head. Her topknot held the black hat up better than the night before, when it had fallen into her eyes. “How’s that?”

  He tipped his head and studied her. “Not quite right.”

  She adjusted it to sit on the back of her head. “Like that?”

  “No.” He crossed the room and lifted the hat, replacing it gently on her head. “Like this.”

  She reached to take off the hat and his hand caught hers. “Leave it. It looks good.”

  He stood so close she could smell his aftershave and see the green specks in his hazel eyes. “Levi, I—”

  His lips captured hers, silencing her.

  His hat fell to the floor, unnoticed.

  He kissed like he did everything else—with finesse. His lips moved over hers, determined to make them acquiesce. Her lips parted and his tongue sought entrance. His tongue roved over hers, sucking, seeking, seducing. He tasted like minty toothpaste and desire.

  Any thought of being a man—or even impersonating one—fled. She was a woman, and he made every inch of her tingle with awareness of it. Her smashed breasts ached for freedom…and his touch. She melted into him, her body seeming to need his.

  A loud pounding on the door jolted them apart.

  With a rueful smile, Levi replaced his hat on her head and went to the door. He looked through the peephole, then glanced over his shoulder. “It’s Pake and Tessa.”

  She resisted the urge to wipe her hand over her lips. Would his friends be able to tell they’d been kissing? What had she been thinking? He opened the door before she had more time to mull it over. One thing she knew for sure—she had to get away from Levi before she did something stupid. Like fall for him.

  Tessa entered first and did a double-take when she saw Ava. “Wow. Put you in the middle of a group of men and you’d never spot the difference. Not until you got up close, anyway. Nobody will pick you out today.”

  “I’m not going with you. I’m going by myself.” Ava didn’t miss the confused looks Levi’s friends exchanged. She took a deep breath. “I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me, but it’s time I quit hiding behind you and face the music. You’ve got lives to lead, and I’m keeping you from them.”

  “We don’t mind helping,” Tessa said.

  “I know,” Ava said, “but it’s time to let you have your lives back.”

  “You’re not quite on your own,” Levi said. “You’ve still got me.”

  His words sent a little tingle down her spine. But she ignored it. “Only until I can get to the police station.”

  He didn’t look happy about the prospect. “I guess.”

  Tessa frowned, too. “I was supposed to take you shopping today.”

  Ava hugged her new friend. “Next time you come to Vegas we’ll shop ’til we drop.”

  “Count on it.” Tessa glanced at Pake. “I guess that’s it, then.”

  “Thanks for everything,” Ava told them. “If there’s ever anything I can do…”

  “Front row seats at your next show?” Pake asked hopefully, and Tessa punched him in the arm.

  Ava crossed her heart. “Absolutely. I promise.”

  Pake and Tessa trailed out, leaving her with a fuming Levi. He spoke first. “What the hell was that all about?”

  “I can’t stay.” She motioned toward her borrowed shirt and jeans. “Look at me. This isn’t my life.”

  “This isn’t about the damn clothes, Ava.” He moved in front of her. “It’s about that kiss a few minutes ago. It freaked you out.”

  She didn’t deny it. “We can’t get involved—”

  “It was a mistake that won’t happen again.” He picked up his suitcase and saddle. “If you can carry the duffle we’ll go meet my brother.”

  Ava picked up his duffle bag and groaned. “What do you have in here anyway? Rocks?”

  “Just my gear.”

  Slinging it over her shoulder, Ava mimicked his pose. “Ready, cowboy?”

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.” He opened the door and stepped into the hallway.

  “Me too.” Ava held her breath as she followed him. No one was in sight, but her heart pounded wildly as they walked the empty corridor. She concentrated on moving like a man, with the slightly rolling gait of a cowboy, making sure to keep a couple of feet of distance between her and Levi. To an observer, it might look funny to see her leaning on him.

  As they entered the lobby, Ava scanned faces for any sign of Dario or Tiffany. She didn’t see them, but her pulse still raced.

  Drew stood by the front desk and he waved as they exited. Ava felt a little better. Levi’s friends were all around, still watching over them.

  “There’s Paco,” Levi told her. “Come on.”

  “Who’s Paco?”

  “The ranch foreman. He’s going to take us to Travis.” Levi shouldered his way through the glass doors. For a minute, Ava was offended he hadn’t let her go first. Then she remembered she was pretending to be his buddy and followed him with a nonchalant air.

  He tossed his suitcase in the bed of a blue pickup and she did the same with his duffle bag. She groaned, but managed to throw it like he had. Again, without waiting for her, he opened the front door and leaped in the front seat.

  She imitated him, but got in the backseat of the big truck. As soon as she landed, the vehicle began moving. A handsome Mexican man glanced into the rearview mirror. “Hello, miss.” “Hi, I’m Ava. You must be Paco.”

  “I am. Good to meet you.” He turned off the frontage road, onto the freeway and into fast-moving morning commuters. The sky was leaden, heavy with snow clouds. The Rockies invisible behind their lacy shroud.

  In the front seat, Levi and Paco made conversation about the ranch. Ava tuned them out and watched the cars around them for any sign of Dario’s black beast. All makes and models of cars passed by, but she didn’t see his Town Car among them.

  The miles flew by and Paco flipped on his signal light. He took several turns before driving into a large equestrian facility. The big sign said “Arapahoe Race Track.” Ava had been to Santa Anita with Dario. He loved betting on the horses, but she just liked looking at the beautiful animals. This facility seemed mostly deserted in the gloomy December weather. She didn’t see a single horse and only a couple of people.

  They passed several barns before Paco parked between two of them. A blue pickup sat there waiting. A man sitting in the driver’s seat waved.

  “There’s Travis,” Levi said. “Thanks, buddy.” He and Paco shook hands before Levi exited the pickup. This time he opened the back door for Ava and helped her out.

  She looked in the open front door. “Thank you, Paco.”

  He touched the brim of his hat. “My pleasure, Miss Ava.”

  Levi took her elbow and guided her the few feet to the other truck. A version of Levi jumped out. Taller, heavier, older. But definitely related, with the same hazel eyes and full lips. A Stetson, brown Carhartt jacket, jeans and boots completed his look. He held out his hand and she took it. “I already know who you are, Ava. I’m Travis. Levi’s brother. The handsome one.”

  His hand about crushed hers in its grip and she winced. “Nice to meet you, Travis.”

  He instantly released her. “Sorry about that. I forget my own strength sometimes.”

  “If you’re done breaking Ava’s h
and, can we get out of here?” Levi’s grin took the sting out of his words.

  “Little brother.” Travis enveloped him in a bear hug and they pounded each other on the back. Finally they released each other, and Travis turned serious. “You okay? Not running from the law, are you?”

  “Not the law. The mob.”

  Travis’ grin faded like a bunch of showgirls after the curtain came down. “You bettin’ on rodeo? Trying to get banned like the old man?”

  “Hell no!” Levi looked deeply affronted by the suggestion.

  Ava stepped forward. “It’s not your brother. I’m the one who’s running from the mob. Or, at least, one mobster.” She took a deep breath and shuddered. “I saw a man I dated a few times kill another man and he’s after me. Levi has nothing to do with any of this; he’s only a good Samaritan who saved me.”

  Travis lifted his Stetson and scratched his head. “Damn.”

  “Yeah,” Levi agreed. “It’s the shits.”

  “And you can’t go to the cops here?” Travis asked.

  “No,” Levi said.

  “Never mind. Scratch that.” Travis took in her clothes, including Levi’s Carhartt jacket with a rodeo logo on the back. “Is that why you’re dressed like a clown, wearing boots two sizes too big?”

  “Yes.”

  Travis shucked his coat and began unbuttoning his shirt. “Go in that stall over there and take off your clothes.”

  Ava gaped at him. What did he mean? Did he have some weird scenario in mind? Had she made it this far, only to have something horrible happen now? She looked around for an escape route.

  Levi said, “What the hell, Trav?”

  Travis’ big hands stilled on his middle button. “Send Ava to Mom. I’ll go with you to the rodeo tonight, wearing what she has on now. That way, if this jerk’s seen her and tries to muscle her, he’ll come up against me and not a little girl.”

  Ava bit her bottom lip. “I shouldn’t involve any more of your family.”

  “We’re involved,” Travis said. “Levi’s in, we’re in.”