NINE

By the following morning all of D&A International’s guests had arrived on the island. They’d arrived in a parade of black sedans, the front drive of the hotel taking on the appearance of a parking lot for a good portion of the day. Grace had confirmed that everyone was checked in, no questions about accommodations. And Peter had assured her that every watch and every necklace was exactly where it was supposed to be. Especially Jacklyn Simmons’s.

Capturing the hair that had come loose in the breeze, Sadie felt the familiar pang of relief knowing that everything was underway and that all of the advance planning had been time well spent. She was taking a sip of her cucumber water – the only thing she’d allowed herself to drink since the night before – when she heard someone behind her.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Carter.”

Sadie tried to keep her hands from shaking as Jack’s deep, melodic voice washed over her. She even turned her head away, just for a second, so she could inhale a breath of air that wasn’t saturated with his clean, crisp scent. Steeling herself, Sadie turned to meet his eyes. Shit. They were even more mesmerizing than she remembered.

“Mr. Avery. Welcome to Nevis. How was your flight yesterday?”

“Uneventful. Exactly the way I like them.”

“Happy to hear it.” Sadie forced herself to keep her eyes on his, to not drop them to his mouth. And to not allow herself to remember what it felt like to have his lips on hers. A task that became much harder when he took another step towards her, their shoulders almost touching as he turned to face the beach with her.

“You don’t exactly look dressed for the beach.” Sadie glanced at him with a questioning look and saw his eyes run down her body, the green flashing in the depths of his hazel.

You don’t want to know what he is thinking, you don’t want to know what he is thinking. Sadie let her mind chant the words as she returned her focus to the beach.

“Sunbathing is hardly on my agenda for today.” Sadie thought she heard him mutter something, but ignored him as she continued, “Just walking through the plan for tomorrow evening. Where the grills will be. The seating, fire pits. Getting all of the details sorted out in here.” Sadie tapped a finger to her forehead.

“Ah, I’ve become quite a fan of fire pits. I had an experience, a few months back, involving one. Solidified my love of them. Wholeheartedly.” Sadie felt the touch of his fingers on her hand like a triple shot of espresso to her bloodstream, the nerves in her skin jumping chaotically to attention.  “The atmosphere there,” Jack continued, ignoring how still she’d become, “was beautiful. But here,” he gestured to the beach and ocean spreading out before them, “god, it will be stunning. Don’t you agree.” Those last words, he whispered them just above her ear, his head tilted so close to hers.

Sadie took a rapid step to the side, wrapping her arms around her torso. “I do, yes. Which is exactly why I picked this spot for the dinner. It will be a lovely evening. For everyone.”

Jack’s lips curved up on one side. He was amused by her. By her attempt to ignore him. Sadie wanted to give his shoulder a shove, to rebuke him for teasing her. To remind him that, no matter how many cities and hotels they’d happened to be in together, they were practically strangers. Their knowledge of each other was limited to the few hours they had spent together in Colorado. And a letter that he couldn’t even be certain she’d read. And then there was that kiss, her brain helpfully reminded her. A kiss that she had replayed over and over as she’d come under her own hand less than twenty-four hours before. Stop it, stop it, stop it. You are standing only inches away. You are blushing. And he isn’t blind!

Too late. Sadie knew he saw it, the rush of heat that spread across her cheeks. Because now both sides of his mouth were tilted up and the smile that stretched across his face could be considered nothing less than predatory.

Damn it, Sadie. Stop looking at him, stop standing here. Remember, you do NOT want to know what he is thinking.

“Is there anything else you need, Mr. Avery? Anything I can help you with?” Sadie was trying to find a way to dismiss him, falling back on standard service industry lines. But she realized a second too late that it was definitely the wrong thing to say. Jack’s eyes darkened rapidly, all humor replaced by a desire so explicit Sadie wondered how she kept her answering flare of longing in check.

His eyes locked on hers, Jack closed the small distance between them quickly, his large form throwing her into the shade as the sun disappeared behind his bent head.

“Since you ask, Sadie. Yes, there is something you can help me with….” Jack’s voice became softer the closer his mouth got to hers. And even though Sadie’s mind was screaming at her to step back and her chest was squeezed tightly in panic, she didn’t move. She stood, stunned, completely captured by his eyes, as Jack brought his lips within a breath of her own.

“Ms. Carter!” Sadie jumped, her forehead almost cracking into Jack’s as someone called her from down the beach. They hadn’t touched each other yet. Jack’s hands were hovering just above her hips and Sadie’s arms were still wrapped tightly around her stomach, the condensation of the cucumber water seeping into her dress where the cup was pressed to her side.  It was a good thing they weren’t touching. Because if they had been, Sadie wasn’t sure she’d have been able to step away. And she was certain Jack wouldn’t have let her go. As it was, it took all of her considerable focus to drag herself away from him and turn to face Marisol, one of the hotel’s banquet team, as she approached them on the beach.

Sadie gave the woman a small wave and waited for Marisol to reach them. She felt Jack step back from her slightly. And she was about to sigh in relief when she heard him say, his lips grazing the sensitive rim of her ear, “Have no doubt, Sadie, that there is something I still need from you. Very much.”

***

As soon as she and Marisol sorted out the final details for the following night, Sadie locked herself away in the safety of her hotel room. She hadn’t thought this through. Not well enough, at all. With the exception of the time she’d spend sleeping, almost every hour of Sadie’s day was committed to D&A International. And Jack would be participating in every minute of it. She’d see him constantly.

She’d only lucked out that morning because the guests had been on their own while the rest of their colleagues arrived on the island. She’d tried not to think about what Jack had been up to that morning. Work, she’d guessed. Maybe a visit to the gym, or a trip to the pool. God knew he invested time in staying fit.

But from this point on, she’d be on the periphery of every scheduled activity he had on the island. Even now Sadie knew she had only a few minutes to herself before she needed to meet Mr. Donovan and make sure he and his team had everything they needed for their afternoon work sessions. Mr. Donovan hadn’t brought his admin, Conner, with him to the island so Sadie was going to fill in where she could. Which meant she would have to keep careful tabs on him. And once the program started, wherever he was, Jack would be as well. Sadie wanted to smack herself for being so naïve. So much for all of her carefully constructed plans. Staying away from Jack was going to be impossible.     

***

Procurement, professionalism, sabotage, termination. For the rest of the afternoon, Sadie kept reminding herself of all the reasons she couldn’t get involved with Jack. She’d be putting her job, her career at risk. If anyone found out – Mr. Donovan, Trina, even Lizzie – her position at the firm would be damaged, her integrity questioned. But, for all that her mind was explicitly clear on why she had to stay away, Sadie’s body was threatening treason. And, if her reaction to Jack’s appearance that night was anything to go by, the impending battle would be vicious.

“It looks like they are having fun, sweetheart. A grand time, all around.” Jasper’s voice dragged Sadie’s attention away from how well Jack’s shirt stretched across his broad, muscular back and how his light dress pants clung to his tight ass before dropping down long, lean legs.

“It does, yes.” Sadie gave Jasper a small smile from where she was seated on a chaise, but kept her gaze fixed on the group gathered by the pool bar. The evening’s reception was underway, waiters in crisp yet casual white polo shirts carrying trays full of tuile cones of tuna tartare and oysters on the half shell. Between the delicate flutes of champagne and crystal rocks glasses that guests were holding, Sadie was relieved to see that there wasn’t a single cocktail umbrella in sight. And from the hum of conversation that reached her over the tinkle of the steel drum and the ever-present ocean waves, Sadie agreed with Jasper. It looked like everyone was having a lovely time. Everyone except her.

“You’re empty-handed. That’s no way to spend a night like this. Something I can get you?” Jasper moved further under the cover of the cabana where Sadie had hidden herself away. From between the heavy white drapes she had a clear view of the event, but the cabana prevented D&A’s guests from feeling like she was hovering. Which is exactly what she was doing, hovering on the edge of their evening, always on standby in case something went wrong. A cross between a work-sanctioned stalker and a reluctant party crasher.

Sadie gestured to the pitcher of water on the table next to her. “Thanks, Jasper. But I’m all set.”

“I know, for a fact, that I can get you something more delicious than that.” Jasper’s smile was easy while he gave the pitcher the evil eye.

“Sonya was kind enough to make me an entire batch of her cucumber-mint water. I’m not going to waste it. Besides,” Sadie looked back out to the party now in full swing, “I’m on the clock. So don’t even bother trying to tempt me.”

“Ok, no cocktails. Understood. But how about some food.” Jasper came closer, peering over her shoulder into the water he found so offensive. “I know you aren’t eating from the party. And chewing on cucumber doesn’t count. I’m happy to run up to the bar, bring you back a burger.”

Sadie patted his arm, “That’s a very nice offer, Jasper. But, really, I’m fine.” She didn’t want to explain that she had no interest in food. That her appetite had disappeared on the beach earlier that afternoon and was still in hiding. Her appetite for food, at least.

Jasper looked at her closer, his eyes narrowing as he glanced over her face, before he clasped her hand in his fingers, squeezing her palm to his. “Just trying to take care of you, Sadie. Looking out for my favorite guest.” Jasper’s smile had returned, but he didn’t let go, his eyes holding a glint of willfulness.

Sadie tried to tug her hand away, but Jasper held firm for another minute, only releasing it reluctantly when she finally smiled back at him. Tucking her hand into the safety of her lap, Sadie kept her voice light. “Thanks, Jasper. I know, you’re just doing your job. But I don’t need a thing right now. And if I change my mind I’ll be sure to come up to the bar. No reason for you to check on me. I don’t want to be responsible for depriving your fan club of their favorite bartender.” Sadie grinned, trying to ease some of the unexpected tension that had blossomed between them, “If I do I’m afraid I’ll never be allowed back.”

Jasper chuckled at that, pushing his fists into his pockets. “You give them too much credit, sweetheart. And yourself not enough. I’d happily throw over my entire fan club for you. Any day.” Jasper’s voice returned to its normal teasing note and his eyes were sparkling again, his every day jovial attitude on full display. “But, no worries. Just wanted to check on you. And if you change your mind give me a holler. You know where I’ll be.”

“Annoying Grace until she is on the verge of losing her sanity?”

Jasper’s face split into a wide, attractive smile. “Exactly.” Jasper nodded a quick goodbye before ducking out from under the cabana’s canopy.

Sadie tilted her head back and closed her eyes, wondering whether the headache forming behind her temples was from too little food or too much spa water. Considering dashing back to her room to grab some ibuprofen, she turned away from the cabana’s opening, feeling around the table for her phone so she could see how much longer she had before her night was over.

“Is this little party invite-only? Or is anyone welcome to join you?”

“Shit!” Sadie swiveled around at Jack’s voice, jumping up from the chaise as he joined her in her hiding place. “You have to stop doing that,” Sadie hissed at him, her hand pressed to her chest where her heart was racing.

“Stop doing what?” Jack took another step towards her, the stunning lines of his face becoming clearer as he approached. His tone wasn’t teasing, his voice forming a genuine question.

“Sneaking up on me. Startling me.”

“Ah.” He punctuated that one word with a smile. “Are you sure that I’m the one at fault? Perhaps it’s you we need to work on.” There. There was the teasing.

“Me?” Sadie tried to infuse her voice with some haughtiness. “How am I to blame for you always appearing out of nowhere, scaring the life out of me.”

“It’s obvious.” Jack took one last step towards her, erasing the space between their bodies. “We need to get you more acclimated to me. More used to my presence.”

“Mr. Avery.” Sadie said his name sharply, unwilling to concede her ground, however tenuous her hold.

“Really?” Jack chided her. Despite her determination, Sadie couldn’t repress the shiver that ran down her arm as he brushed the back of her hand with his warm fingers. His persistence, his proximity; Sadie knew she was close to her breaking point, her body leaning into his touch, ignoring the warning signs flashing in her brain. “Sadie,” Jack raised his other hand to lightly trace her bottom lip, “my tongue has tasted these lips. That puts us on a first-name basis now, surely.”

“Jack….” Sadie couldn’t hold back the whisper, unsure if she was conceding his point or giving voice to one last desperate attempt to resist him. Even in the poorly lit cabana, Sadie could see the heat in Jack’s eyes coalesce into a heavy determination when she said his name. Sadie couldn’t focus, his body pulling her in too many directions at once. He wrapped one hand around hers, gently tugging her into him, while the fingers of his other hand pressed on her lower lip, exerting just enough pressure that her mouth fell open, an offering he coaxed from her so easily.

“Say it again,” he murmured, his lips brushing hers. “Say my name. Again.”

Sadie closed her eyes, all of her protests dissolving under the simple, explicit desire in his voice. Oh, how easy he made it, his languid lust causing her own to flare wildly to life. This time, when she said it, she knew exactly what it was. An invitation.

One Jack accepted without question or hesitation. He captured her mouth in one swift motion, his hand curling around her face to hold her in place as he kissed her fervently.

Relief. That is what Sadie felt for those first few seconds. Relief that she didn’t have to worry about it anymore, that she didn’t have to spend any more energy trying to stay away from Jack. Relief, most of all, that he was touching her again. That the thrill she’d felt in Colorado hadn’t been imagined or exaggerated over the past four months. That the heat was all-consuming, just as she’d remembered.

Sadie tugged her hand free of his and pushed her arms over his shoulders, pulling herself tight against his body, her fingers threading through his thick hair. Jack groaned under her touch, his grip sliding to her nape as he banded his other arm around her waist. Their lips moved in tandem, Sadie opening fully under his pressure, Jack’s parting so that she could trace her tongue along his. Any noise from outside the cabana fell away beneath the sound of their rapid breaths and urgent murmurs.

Sadie heard a small gasp escape her when Jack laced his fingers into her hair and tugged it slightly, angling her neck so that he could run his lips down the slope of it. She felt a wave of heat crash through her at the intimate caress, her fingers dropping to his shoulders, squeezing, trying desperately to keep her balance.

“Christ, Sadie.” Jack’s words reached her through a haze of desire. “I’ve missed you.” He reached the dip at the base of her throat, his tongue darting out to tease her sensitive skin.

“How…” Sadie’s voice fell away as he nipped her there, his teeth sending a jolt of lust to her core. She gripped his shoulders tighter, her fingers digging into his thick muscle. “How could you miss me, you barely even know me?”

She regretted the question the second she asked it; Jack removed his mouth from her skin and she immediately missed it. But he didn’t let her go. If anything, she felt his arm tighten. His eyes searched hers, but she didn’t know what he was looking for, what he could possibly see in the shadows of the cabana. Without releasing her, Jack stepped forward and Sadie felt herself backing up, moving with him, until the backs of her legs collided with the chaise. Before she knew what was happening, Sadie found herself laying on the chaise, Jack’s body pressed against her side, his weight propped on one bent arm as he cradled her face with his other hand, forcing her eyes to meet his.

“You know everyone’s names.” Jack brushed the ridge of his nose against hers, as if he was unwilling to separate from her, even as he spoke. “It doesn’t matter where you are, which hotel. Whether you’ve worked with them a million times or just once, you know their names. You drink a latte every morning. At events, at least. But you get it yourself instead of asking your assistant. Who I’m sure would be happy to get it for you, based on how much she seems to look up to you.” Sadie tried to focus, his words sinking into her muddled brain as he traced the line of her cheekbone, over, and over, and over again. “And you like your assistant. When you are tense at an event, your brow pinches together, here,” Jack rubbed the pad of his thumb over the soft skin at the bridge of her nose. “But she can make you laugh, even then.”

“That man who wears the headset,” he continued, “he’s always hiding behind the stage curtains. You don’t like him.” Jack ran one finger down the ridge of her nose before bringing it to her top lip, tracing the bow there. “What’s his name?”

Sadie had let her lids fall and her lips parted as his finger lingered at one corner. It took her a moment before she realized he’d asked her a question. “Hmmm?” The sound came from deep within her throat.

“Who is he, the stage manager? What is his name?”

“Paul.” Sadie voice cracked, her brain trying to focus while Jack’s touch did everything possible to distract her. “His name is Paul.”

“Yes, him. You don’t like him. These,” he tapped his fingers against her lips again. “You purse these whenever he talks to you in his fawning tone of voice. But he doesn’t seem to notice.”

Suddenly, Jack’s mouth replaced his fingers, his tongue seeking entry, the smooth thrust and retreat causing Sadie’s spine to tingle. She wrapped her hand around his wrist, feeling the tendons shift under his skin as he stroked her face throughout the kiss. But just as suddenly Jack pulled away. Sadie opened her eyes, wanting to protest, but instead watched Jack as he dragged his gaze from her mouth and fixed his eyes – dark, glowing – on hers.

“But I do, Sadie. I notice. Everything about you.” Jack dropped his hand from her face, slowly caressing the bare skin of her arm before wrapping it tightly around her hip. Sadie felt anchored to him, by his gaze, by his touch. “You are good at your job. But not just that. You like it, thrive in it. You never, ever stop moving. Always on your feet.” Jack dropped another kiss to her lips, a smile in place when he pulled back. “You don’t like mushrooms. You prefer bourbon to scotch. And you love to wear heels. Even when you are standing on a beach in the Caribbean.”

Sadie sniffed at that and managed to mutter, “That doesn’t count. Lots of women love heels.”

Jack captured her lips again, refocusing her attention. “I don’t care about what other women do, or don’t do. We’re talking about you, Sadie. All this,” he rested his forehead against hers, his eyes serious and unwavering, “is to prove a point. That I do know you.”

With his hand on her hip, Jack pulled Sadie as close as possible. She could feel every point where they touched through the thin barrier of their clothes; their chests pressed together, their legs intertwined, their hips flush, his unmistakable arousal a tantalizing throb against the soft swell of her stomach. “And I don’t think I’ve ever missed anyone as much as I’ve missed you.” Jack said those final words on a groan and Sadie could practically taste the conviction in them as his mouth took hers with delicious force.

Sadie felt a wave of lust crash over her. She could barely comprehend everything Jack was saying, let alone the way her body was responding to his skillful commands. She wanted more of him, more from him. So when his hand circled her heavy breast she arched into his palm, seeking more pressure. Jack moaned into her mouth and quickly found her nipple where it was pebbled beneath the thin layers of her dress and bra

“God, Sadie,” Jack muttered against her neck. “I have wanted you, have wanted to touch you like this for so long.” He punctuated his words with a trail of kisses and little nips of his teeth, steadily progressing down to where his fingers were expertly massaging her, plucking and pinching her nipple until Sadie felt like her skin was going to ignite from the intensity of their combined desire.

Her dress dipped in a tasteful V-neck, the neckline revealing only a hint of cleavage. But Jack took advantage of his position above her and angled his head, caressing the valley of sensitive skin with his tongue. Sadie whimpered at the contact, her fingers slipping into the silkiness of his hair, pulling him closer.

“Ahh, Jack.” Her cry was high, thready. “More. Please. It’s not… it’s not enough.” The Jack she knew would have smiled, teased her for begging. But this Jack, this ardent, demanding, mesmerizing man, he brought his mouth to her breast, replacing his fingers with his lips. Sadie almost sobbed when she felt the sharp bite of his teeth through her clothes. If she’d thought this new attention would bring relief, she was wrong – it only stoked the conflagration raging across her, the apex of her thighs alight with liquid fire.

Jack pushed Sadie back so that that she lay beneath him, his lips moving from one trembling peak to the other, the fabric of her dress, damp from his ministrations, heightening the sensation of his stroking tongue. Sadie tightened her fingers in his hair, waves of pleasure beginning to ripple through her core as Jack tormented her with his exquisite mouth.

Sadie wanted to feel Jack, to run her hands across the sinfully tempting body that he kept relentlessly pressed against her. Sadie dropped one of her hands from his head to seek out the hem of his shirt, to find access to the scorching skin stretched across his abdomen. But the second her fingers grazed his smooth stomach, Jack jerked backwards, securing her hand in his.

“Sadie. God. Stop.” Jack’s face was above hers, his mouth open, his breath tantalizing puffs of heat across her lips.

“I have to touch you.” Sadie brought her lips to his, the kiss quick, urgent. Demanding. “Please,” she whispered against his lips. “I can’t stand not touching you.”

Jack dropped his open mouth to hers, his tongue marauding, stealing away her breath. But his grip on her hand where he pushed it into the chaise didn’t relax.

“Sadie,” he stared into her eyes when he released her lips. “I want you to touch me. I want it so much I can barely say the words without losing my mind. But this,” he cast his glance quickly around the cabana, “this is not the place. Because once you touch me, there will be no going back. No stopping. Do you understand?” His eyes willed her to understand, to comply with his demand. “We cannot do that here. The first time we have each other, it will be in a bed. Where we can spend hours together. No chance of interruption. No chance of someone overhearing you scream my name.”

Jack traced his lower lip with his tongue, leaving a wet trace behind that Sadie wanted to lick away. Or make wetter still. She couldn’t decide.

“Tell me you understand.” If they hadn’t been so close, if she hadn’t seen his mouth move, Sadie wouldn’t have registered his plea. But she could see the tension in his neck, feel how he held himself tightly in check. Even as his erection pressed deliciously between her legs. Sadie nodded her head, gesturing that she’d heard him, that she’d understood. But that did nothing to ease the ache that was pulsing between her thighs. And no amount of rational discussion could prevent her from arching against him lightly, telling him with her body what she couldn’t express with words.

Jack groaned at the friction, mirroring her movement for one delectable moment before pulling back. “Sadie, look at me.” Sadie cracked her eyes and tried to focus on Jack through the blood pulsing in her temples. “Can you keep quiet?”

Sadie didn’t understand at first, her brain unable to make the connection between Jack pushing her away and the question he’d just asked. But then she felt his fingers trace along the inside of her leg, just above her knee. And the ripple of exhilaration that his touch left in its wake had Sadie nodding her head rapidly.

“I didn’t mean for…, I didn’t plan on this…,” Jack shook his head, unable to find the words he was searching for. But his fingers didn’t stop. No. They continued to trail a path up the inside of her thigh, smoothing, stroking as Sadie tensed in anticipation. Just before Jack’s mouth covered hers, he reminded her, “you have to stay quiet.”

Sadie expected a light touch, a tease. A gentle caress across the fabric saturated with her arousal. But Jack was done teasing. Sadie swallowed a groan as he easily pushed beyond the final thin barrier and ran his fingers through her slick heat.

Sadie felt Jack repress his response to her body, words dying on a rumble in his chest. He must have felt his own willpower cracking; he captured her lower lip between his teeth and bit down. Hard. Maybe it was to keep her quiet. But in her lust-addled brain, Sadie thought it was to help Jack do the same.

The sting in her lips did little to distract Sadie from the havoc that Jack was wreaking on her body. His fingers played deftly across her flesh, slipping between her wet folds, pushing lightly into her entrance. Sadie arched against him as he coaxed two fingers fully inside of her.

“Fuuuuuck.” Jack couldn’t help himself. The single word came out as whispered, desperate praise.  And Sadie wanted to cry out his name in response. She wanted him to replace his fingers with something else entirely. As it was, Sadie lifted her hips, granting him deeper access to her body.

“Sadie,” Jack panted into her cheek, his body suddenly very still, pausing in his delicious torment of her, “as much as I don’t want to stop, we’re out of time.”

Sadie willed her ears to work, to hear beyond the pounding of her own blood. After a few heavy gasps she registered the world beyond their sanctuary. The sound of the party breaking up and guests making their way through the cluster of cabanas on the way to their rooms. While they were relatively hidden by the heavy canvas curtains, they weren’t completely protected from the curious onlooker. Sadie and Jack’s position on the chaise was in shadow, far enough back from the gap in the drapes that they couldn’t be seen by someone strolling by. But if anyone decided to step inside in search of their own bit of privacy, there would be no hiding.

“Jack.” Sadie was astonished at how deep her voice had become. And how full of desperation. “Please.” She tugged at his wrist, just inches away from where his fingers were curled inside of her. “I won’t move. I won’t make a sound. But I can’t,” Sadie shook her head, “You can’t….” She bit her lip on a groan as Jack slipped his fingers from her sheath and pressed them to the bundle of nerves above.

“Shhhh,” was all he said. Sadie’s plea went unfinished as Jack rubbed his fingers across her clit, his touch deft against that most sensitive part. As his exquisite flicks became faster and faster, the friction a divine torture, Sadie gave up trying to stifle her groans behind her own lips. She buried her head into Jack’s shoulder, pressing her mouth against the fabric of his shirt and digging her nails into his skin as he worked her feverishly.

Sadie didn’t think she would survive the tension gripping her. She was almost completely rigid underneath him, fulfilling her promise to stay still while focusing every inward thought on the feel of his fingers playing against her. The heavy length of Jack’s erection pushed into her thigh, mere inches from where his hand worshipped her.

“Come, Sadie,” Jack urged, his voice thick and ragged. “I want to watch you come.”

Sparks flashed through Sadie wherever their bodies connected, his cock rubbing rhythmically against her leg, his fingers coaxing her forward with determined strokes. Sadie knew she was close, so close. But it was Jack’s kiss that did it. Even while her head was pressed into the crease between his neck and shoulder, Jack dropped a fervent kiss on the delicate skin behind her ear. It was a touch of comfort and of longing. And with that simple brush of Jack’s lips against her flesh, Sadie shattered.

***

As promised, Sadie didn’t move. She didn’t even make a sound. But that might have been because her brain stuttered to a complete halt under the euphoria, her tension evaporating into a blissful sense of satisfaction that Sadie wasn’t sure she’d ever felt before. Even so, it took her a moment to unlock her limbs from where they’d seized during her climax, pins and needles prickling as she willed her arms and legs back into movement.

Jack was, for obvious reasons, not as relaxed. His body hummed with an unconsummated desire that nearly had Sadie falling back against the chaise, gladly offering herself up for his use. But Jack would have none of it. He righted himself from the chaise, his body moving more stiffly than she’d ever seen it. But despite the chagrined look in his eyes, Jack held out his hand and helped her up, a small smile tickling his lips before he pressed them against her temple.

“Sadie Carter, I’m starting to get the feeling that you’re going to get me into a world of trouble.”

“Me?” Sadie strummed her fingers across his chest and couldn’t suppress a thrill as Jack tracked every sweep of her hand across his body. “You, Jack Avery, are the one who snuck into my little sanctuary. I was perfectly happy keeping my eye on you guys from a distance. You’re the one who showed up here. And started causing all the trouble.”

Jack laced the fingers of both hands through her hair, smoothing the disheveled strands into a thick twist before pulling it gently across her shoulder. Withdrawing, he allowed one hand to run the length of her hair, grazing over the sensitized tip of her breast before falling away.

“Trouble. Hmmm.” Jack swept his lips over hers in the merest hint of a kiss. When he pulled back Sadie could see that all hints of humor had dropped from his face. “That’s not what this is, Sadie.” Jack’s voice was low and serious. “This,” he stared at her intently as he whispered into the space between them, “is so much more.”