Chapter Eleven
Gabby slipped down Annalisa’s plane’s steps into the night and walked toward her father’s aircraft. She didn’t have much time, but she didn’t want to draw any unwanted attention to herself by running, which was her first instinct.
She needed to do enough damage so the sensors wouldn’t let them go anywhere. She didn’t want to cause anyone harm, just delay them a bit. If her father would’ve listened to her request to call off her guards, she wouldn’t have to do what she was about to do. Or so she kept telling herself. She needed to stay focused on the greater goal. Saving international treasures.
Watching her feet the whole time, she slipped under the wing of her father’s plane. The side farthest from the cameras that were perched on the nearby hangar. She pulled the knife from her pocket, debating how many tires she’d damage. She didn’t want to make her dad furious, just mildly annoyed.
Holding the knife in her fist, she jabbed the point through the tough rubber. Luckily, Jake’s knife was super sharp. But she had to stab the rubber multiple times before it started to shred.
She had to hurry. Couldn’t get caught.
Her heart still pounded with fear as she went to work on the fourth tire, stabbing and ripping it with all her might. The adrenaline pumping overtime through her veins and the lack of oxygen to her lungs forced her to stop for a moment to catch her breath. Should she pierce the front landing gear, too? She glanced in that direction and spotted suit-clad legs and a pair of loafers standing just in front of the wing.
All the air whooshed from her lungs. Had the man seen her?
A familiar deep voice softly whispered, “I knew that wasn’t Annalisa.”
She needed to run. Make a break for it.
Tucking the knife into her jacket’s pocket, she slowly crawled away from the tires and out from under the wing.
Just as she stood to run, her father said, “I don’t know whether I should be proud of you or lock you up forever. Get your ass on my plane right now!”
She stopped in her tracks, then spun and faced him as a new round of panic hit. Only the wing separated them in the dark. Soft moonlight illuminated his frowning face.
Her father was risking his freedom by standing in the open. Because of her.
She walked slowly backward. “If I don’t get on that plane behind me in two minutes, a cop is going to be out here asking questions. Please. Go back inside. I’ll be fine. Jake will keep me safe.”
“Jake, the cop? Whose last name you haven’t shared with me?” Her father’s jaw clenched.
She stopped her retreat at the vile tone of his words. “He’s a good guy. I honestly like him.”
“Like him? He’s a man, Gabby. He knows just what a nice girl wants to hear. He’ll pretend to fall in love with someone like you, get what he wants, and leave.” He crossed his big arms.
Ouch.
“Because no one would ever legitimately want to fall in love with someone like me, right?”
He shook his head. “You’re a beautiful woman. I didn’t mean it that way. But you haven’t had much experience. He’s going to break your heart, and then I’m going to . . .” He stopped himself. “Let me take you home before you get hurt. It can’t end well with this person. You know that. How could it?”
“It’ll end well when I have the statues back. I’m not looking for anything more than that from Jake.” She took a few steps closer. “He’s kind, didn’t turn me in for nearly killing him when he could have, and has been a perfect gentleman. Let me have the chance to gain that experience you think I lack. Please?”
Don’t make me go back. Please let me do this one thing for myself.
She sucked in a deep breath and held it as she waited for the ax to fall.
“You are as stubborn as your mother. Too sweet and trusting for your own good, like her.” His eyes narrowed. “We’ll be watching you. And your cop, too. If you’re in trouble, you know what to do to alert us. We’ll take care of the cameras out here. Hurry back to Jake.” He turned to leave.
She called out, “Do you know where Dean is staying in London?”
“I’ll e-mail what I know. And ditch the plane tomorrow. See you over there.” He disappeared around the front of the plane.
She let out the breath she’d been holding. He actually let her go? He could’ve dragged her inside if he’d really wanted to—he was a huge, muscular man who stayed in shape—although he’d never laid a hand on her before. What made him change his mind?
Was he waiting for her to find the artifacts? Then demand she hand them over? Like the second thief in the movies? One thing was certain. Her father wasn’t going to let her get too far out of his sight.
Dammit. She couldn’t let her feelings for him cloud her vision. She had to plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Seeing her father again evoked feelings of love for him, as opposed to her overwhelming need to escape the bubble he’d created for her to live in. She appreciated how much he tried to protect her but hated the bubble.
She jogged back to Annalisa’s plane and up the steps. Once inside she yanked off her cap, shook out her hair, and flopped beside Jake in the main cabin, suddenly exhausted. “Done. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
She wished she could tell Jake to change the flight plan back to London, because it made no difference now. Her father knew exactly where she was going. Mostly, she wanted to ask what Jake thought about her father letting her go. It could make for an important development in their strategy. Jake was good at working things out and having plan Bs. She needed to work on her own skills in that department.
Now she was the one withholding the truth from Jake. She had no choice. Jake would arrest her dad if he knew he was thirty yards away.
He’d kept his identity from her until he knew what her motives were. Maybe she’d let her irritation with that go since she was no better by keeping her father’s location hidden. She’d forgive him. Hopefully, he’d do the same when he found out her secret.
After slipping the knife out of her pocket, she discreetly passed it back to Jake. He’d been sitting in the leather chair next to hers, studying her closely with those all-seeing cop eyes of his. “Thanks for the borrow.”
He accepted the knife and then handed her a glass of champagne. “You okay? Your freckles are even pale.”
Before she could answer, the woman who’d flirted with Jake earlier, Cindy, finally closed the front hatch. Then another pretty, blonde flight attendant appeared from the galley, whose name tag read “Monica.” The woman held out the usual gear for the lecture about safety no one ever listened to and began her spiel as Gabby downed her whole glass of champagne. She’d never needed a drink so badly.
Her father’s words spun around in her head so fast that she slowed them down so she could analyze their meaning. He’d be watching Jake, too. Was she endangering Jake’s life by dragging him into her problem? Or was her dad being a typical father worried about a man hurting his daughter? Her dad was wrong about that. Jake wouldn’t hurt her.
Light pressure at her waist made her look down. Jake buckled up her seat belt for her and then took the empty glass from her hand. “They’re just tires, Gabby. It’s not like you killed anyone.”
She met his gaze, and her stomach sank. Jake’s safety suddenly meant as much to her as her dad’s freedom. She’d never want to have to choose between him and her father. Jake’s well-being had to come first because he hadn’t chosen the life her father had. Jake was protecting her when he didn’t have to. She’d do anything to guarantee Jake’s safety. And that was a bit of a surprise.
Sure, she’d been attracted to Jake pretty much from hello, but was she developing real feelings for him?
Feelings for a man she could never have?
After the seat belt sign had gone off, Jake jumped up and into the aisle of the main cabin. He paced back and forth to stave off his anxiety at being trapped in a tin can hurtling through space. He glanced Gabby’s way again.
She chewed on her thumbnail and frowned.
Where had the fierce woman ready to slash any tires that crossed her path disappeared to? Maybe her conscience was still bothering her. She had an unusual gentleness about her for someone who’d been forced to live with thugs most of her adult life. He admired that. And while her tongue could be a little sharp, that contrast between naughty and nice was what he liked the most about her.
Forcing his unease aside and focusing on Gabby instead of himself, he sat beside her again. He didn’t like to see her upset. Maybe if he teased her a little, she’d stop worrying. “Hey. I need a distraction. Want to play some cards? Or watch a movie? Maybe we could check out the thread count on the sheets?”
She stopped chewing her thumbnail, then looked up and blinked at him. Like he’d disturbed some complex situation she’d been pondering. After a moment she said, “If you’re just looking for a distraction, I’m certain Cindy would be happy to join you in counting threads. She flirts as much as you do.”
He grinned at the tiny spark of fire in her eyes. The bold Gabby was back.
“I’m more attracted to bad-girl tire slashers like you.”
When she smiled, all was right again.
She said, “You’re just a riot when you’re all tense, aren’t you?”
He shrugged. “I’m fine.”
“Really? Let’s see just how relaxed you are. Cindy gave me a good idea.” She unbuckled herself and then grabbed his hand and pulled him to the couch farther back in the cabin. She sat down and then pointed to the carpeted floor. “Sit. And take off your shoes.”
Touching was going to be involved, but if anyone was going to do it, he was glad it was Gabby. He untied his shoes and tugged off his socks. “For a treat, I can roll over, too.” He sat with his back to the couch, between her knees. “Or all sorts of other fun things from down here.”
“Behave.” She tugged on a lock of his hair. “Okay if I touch your neck and shoulders?”
Yep. Touching. Hooray.
“I’m all yours.” When her warm hands landed on his tight shoulders, he tried not to cringe.
While she kneaded, she whispered, “I’ve been thinking about how you kept that you were a cop from me, and I get it now. You were just doing your job, and I’m sorry I got angry with you, Jake. You’ve been nothing but kind to me, and I appreciate that.”
Music to his ears. “It’s not just kindness, Gabby. I like being with you. And I’m hoping to be more than just your friend. If that’s something you’d like, too.”
Digging her fingers into his neck muscles, she said, “I’ve been thinking about that, too. You have definite boyfriend potential despite that smart mouth.”
He leaned his head back onto her lap. “I bet you can think of a good way to shut me up.”
She smiled and slipped her soft hands under his chin, tilting his face sideways, and laid her sweet lips on his. She nibbled on his bottom lip, then went for the top, driving him nuts. When her tongue joined the party, he nearly sighed. He’d wanted to feel her mouth on his since their last kiss. Her skills belied her lack of experience with men. No one had kissed him better.
When she slowly leaned away, he slipped his hand around the back of her neck and stopped her. Running his thumb over her bottom lip, he whispered, “I love the way you kiss me, Gabby.”
Her dimples appeared again. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
She started rubbing his shoulders again while he analyzed her comment. Not so bad? Maybe I’ll have to step up my game next time.
After a few more minutes of deep-tissue torture, she’d taken him somewhere between extreme pleasure and pure pain. But the hurt was all worth it when the muscles finally relaxed under her strong hands. She was pretty damn good at giving massages. Not that he’d ever had one before.
Her warm breath tickled his ear again when she whispered, “Picture a lovely beach in your head. We’re lying in the warm sand, watching the waves roll onto the shore. Can you smell the salty ocean in the breeze? Hear the birds calling?”
“Nope. Because your bikini looks just like the bra and panties you’re wearing. It’s very distracting. You’re a beautiful woman, Gabby.” He untied her shoes.
“You’re just saying that to get me into bed. Try harder. Visualize.”
Her hands were magical. Long fingers that turned his muscles into putty. With her so close, touching him like that, he couldn’t think about anything other than having Gabby in bed. “When you see what you want, it’s hard to unsee it.” He pulled off her shoes and socks.
Cindy appeared. “How about a snack before bedtime? We have ice-cream sundae makings in the galley, Jake. I remembered how much you like those. Or another beer maybe?” Her eyes landed on Gabby’s hands still busy on his shoulders. “I see you got that massage already.”
Couldn’t she see that he and Gabby were together? Well, he hoped they’d be. He still wanted the rest of the month with her if he could get it.
He pulled out his phone. It was almost ten o’clock. “I’d love a sundae before we turn in.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Want to share some ice cream with me, Gabby? Or do you want your own?”
Gabby gave his shoulder an extra hard squeeze. “Two spoons would be great. Thanks, Cindy.”
After she had left, Gabby whispered, “I still haven’t decided if I want to sleep with you, Jake. But you like plan Bs, so good thing Cindy’s here. She seems willing and able to accommodate you.” She started in on his neck with her thumbs again, and he nearly groaned.
“It’s been all you in my head since you bashed me with that pan. Maybe cavewomen had it right. Bonk the one you want on the head and make him yours.”
Gabby laughed. “Or too scared if he leaves her for a pretty flight attendant he’ll get clobbered again?”
If he told Gabby how centered and content he felt with her around, it’d probably scare her away. Something about being with Gabby made him forget how tired and cynical he’d become lately.
Maybe his LT had been right to put him on leave.
But they’d agreed it’d be her decision if they slept together, and he’d respect that. She wasn’t likely to stick around. Just like all the other women who he’d cared about, so he’d take whatever time he could have with her. “Cindy’s not my type, by the way.”
Gabby asked, “What’s your type?”
“I like my women sweet, sassy, and sincere. Like you.”
“My father pointed out that whatever happens between us can’t end well.”
“Because he doesn’t want it to. Did his e-mail also tell you to ditch me and disappear as soon as you find those statues?” He needed to find a way to help get Gabby out from under her father’s thumb. She deserved a normal life.
“I was joking about ditching you in London. So serious all of a sudden.” Her hands stopped performing their magic. “I think you should take those sleeping pills now.”
“I’d rather you helped me sleep.” He stood and sat beside her on the couch. Taking her soft hand in his, he said, “I wasn’t only talking about sex. You’ve already made this trip easier for me.”
“Annalisa thought sleeping with you was better than the pills, too. Maybe we should try that.”
Yes! Thank you, Annalisa.
She laid her hand on his cheek. “But if I have to disappear in London, it wouldn’t be because of y—”
Monica appeared this time. “Here you go. One sundae, two spoons. Need anything else? Want me to go turn down the bed in the master?”
“Nope. We’re good, thanks. Night.” After Monica left, he grabbed Gabby’s hand and tugged her toward the bedroom. “I have all I need right here.”
Gabby yelped in surprise, then dug her feet in. “Wait a second. I want the ice cream, too.” She grabbed the sundae and the spoons.
His heartbeat revved up to overdrive. If he had only a short time with her, he’d make every minute count.
After Jake had shut the bedroom door behind them, Gabby found it hard to draw a deep breath. She wanted to make love to Jake, but her father’s words kept spinning around in her head.
It can’t end well with this person.
Jake pulled her toward the bed with eager enthusiasm. But when they got to the edge, he turned to her and said, “Are we really eating that sundae first?”
She nodded. “I need to . . . um.” What? She wasn’t sure what she wanted other than to know he wasn’t just bored on a flight and using her to pass the time. Especially because she was developing feelings for him.
“You’re in charge, Gabby. So, let’s eat the sundae.” He scooped up a spoonful. “Open.”
She complied and let the cool, chocolate, nutty, creamy delight slide down her throat.
He took off his T-shirt. “How about we lose an article of clothing with every bite? Your turn to feed me.”
Leave it to Jake to make a fun sex game out of eating a sundae. One she was eager to play.
She scooped up a bite, and then Jake slowly sucked the ice cream into his mouth. He laid his hand over hers and held the spoon in place as he licked it clean. Then he kissed her—long, slow, and deep—sending a swirl of desire low in her belly. When he leaned away, he whispered, “Your top please, ma’am.”
She handed him the parfait glass. As slowly as he’d licked the spoon, she crossed her arms and grabbed the hem of her sweater, lifting it over her head.
“Mmmmm.” Jake’s gaze raked over her exposed skin. The desire in his eyes sent a quick spark of thrill up her spine. “You’re so beautiful, Gabby.”
She took in his hard chest, scarred but strong, with defined muscles. Her hand reached out, of its own accord. She ran her fingers over a puckered scar on his side, making him flinch slightly. “Gunshot wound?”
“Yeah. I’m pretty beat up.” He filled up the spoon again. “But your skin is so smooth and soft and perfect. I can’t wait to touch it. And taste it.”
She accepted the bite he held out, and then the sundae so that Jake could slip out of his sweats. She’d never wanted to be with any man as much as she wanted to be with Jake. But she should be practical about their situation.
“This is just physical relief for us, right? Or maybe like that syndrome where two people thrown together in a tense situation bond quickly? Then when it’s over, they go their separate ways?” But they’d have to go their separate ways anyway, so what did she want him to say? Not the words all women want to hear just to get them in bed, like her dad said. She wanted real words from Jake.
“Could be, I guess. But I’m hoping when we’re done with the statues that you’ll come back to the cabin with me, Gabby. Your jeans now, please.”
“Why?” She slipped out of her pants.
He laid the sundae on the nightstand and pulled her close. “You promised to help me learn to be alone, remember? And because you’d never judge me for my past. You’re still saying yes to sex, right?” He kissed her, slowly, thoroughly, not like a man only looking for a good time. His hands moved gently, up and down her body, exploring each curve with such tenderness it drove her crazy with desire.
When his lips left hers, she stared into his eyes. The sincerity in them made it easier for her to breathe again. He wasn’t using her like her dad thought.
She whispered, “Yes, I want to have sex with you, Jake. And you’re the only one still judging yourself for your past. But I need to tell you something before we do this.”
“What?” His hands snaked around her back and unfastened her bra.
“Well, it’s something . . .” It was hard to concentrate when he pushed her panties aside and parted her, rubbing his finger in a circle on the place that ached most for his touch.
God, she wanted him. “I can’t tell you some things I found out earlier today until after we land. To protect my father. Okay?”
His mouth moved to her chest, his lips teasing and laving, making her back arch. She closed her eyes and reveled in all the delicious sensations brewing low in her belly. He must not have heard her. Or maybe he didn’t care?
Jake abruptly stopped, whipped the covers on the bed back, and then lifted her onto it like she was five foot two and 110 pounds, not the six-foot-tall woman she was. He yanked his boxers off and then crawled on top of her.
“I can live with that.” After his heavy body had settled on top of hers, pinning her to the mattress, he lifted her arms above her head and clasped her wrists in one of his hands. “Do we need a safe word?”
“What?” Alarm skidded up her spine. “I don’t do that—”
“I was kidding.” He laughed. “God, you’re so adorable.” He released her hands and then leaned down and nibbled on her neck.
“See?” She poked him in the ribs. “You can’t be serious more than nineteen minutes in a row.”
“Good thing my time starts right now.” His mouth moved to her collarbone, nipping and teasing until she shivered. Then his lips moved lower, and she hoped he’d do—
Yes. That. Her breasts were so heavy with need. His lips and tongue teased and aroused until she nearly cried out, but then he’d back off and lay gentle kisses on her sensitive skin, before he’d start all over again. Driving her nuts, but in such a good way. Her hands fisted in the sheets to avoid running her palms over his scarred back or through his thick hair.
When his rough hand covered a breast, and he gently kneaded, she writhed underneath his heavy weight.
She whispered, “Can I touch you? Please?”
His mouth moved lower, to her belly, and he mumbled, “You’re in charge, Gabby.”
In charge of what? Lying underneath him and letting him please her beyond reason? Not that she had any complaints so far.
But he kept heading south, farther out of her reach. He hooked his arms under her knees, lifting them up.
Gently, he nudged her knees aside, exposing her fully to him. Rather than dive right in as she’d hoped, he softly kissed her inner thighs, taking his time to get to the good stuff. Jeez. At this rate, nineteen minutes of serious Jake might not be enough. She wanted to tell him to hurry and put her out of her misery, when something dawned on her. Was going downtown his way of avoiding her touch?
When he finally hit the bull’s-eye, her hips bucked, and all thoughts about touching Jake were replaced with the intense focus of the methodical, lovely torture of his tongue. Then he curled his thick fingers inside her and made her whimper for mercy. His steamy breath along with the flicks of his tongue drove the warm simmer in her belly into a hot roar.
His fingers began to move slowly in and out in long strokes while his tongue stoked the fire inside.
She was almost there. The pressure inside maddening, the primitive need for release overwhelming. He laid a hand on her stomach to hold her jerking hips in place before his tongue and busy fingers intensified their assault, taking her to a whole new level. She wasn’t sure she could’ve stood all the sensations building between her legs another minute. On the brink, she’d wanted to beg him to make it stop. Or start. She hadn’t been sure. “Jake.”
When he lifted his head, then crawled beside her body, the storm inside her lessened a fraction but still raged on. Her chest heaved with all the pent-up desire inside. Desire to find elusive release.
As she lay on her back panting, Jake fumbled for a condom from his sweats. Her eyes tracked the motion of his hands rolling the ribbed latex down his length. The idea that a fancy condom could give her more pleasure than Jake already had seemed impossible.
Then he gently rolled her over and grabbed a pillow to place under her hips. He knelt behind and nudged her legs aside with his knee. He pressed himself inside her, going slowly at first, allowing her to adjust to him, before his rhythmic strokes began.
She absorbed all the fantastic sensations swirling inside, but she was sad that he’d probably picked this position so she wouldn’t touch him again. Not that it didn’t feel incredible. Her body thrummed and pulsed around his.
She had a choice. She could close her eyes and enjoy the steady buildup of desire again, or she could be in charge. Like he said she was.
She wanted to kiss him. Wanted to run her hands all over him. Feel every scar, every dip and valley his lean muscles formed on his chest. And she would. The next time they made love. If there was a next time. For now, she’d let him please her in a way that pleased him.
As Jake increased the pace and intensity, she placed her hands against the soft headboard to steady herself as her body clenched his in time with him, faster and faster, until he groaned, “Gabby.”
The absolute need in his voice only added to the insane power built up inside her, like a rough ocean thrashing her back and forth, teasing, tempting her to let go and let the powerful rush of the waves overcome her.
When she couldn’t take another second, she gave in, let all the sensations waiting to burst wash over her, and let herself go.
Jake followed right behind, moaning with each of his last thrusts, finally stilling inside her.
He didn’t collapse on top of her like other men did but gently pulled away and then crawled beside her on the bed. He laid his head next to hers on her pillow and whispered, “That was amazing, Gabby.”
She nodded, as she slowly reached out and ran her fingers through his hair. “Except I wanted to touch this. And you.”
One eye squinted for a moment, as if he’d bitten into a lemon. He whispered, “Sorry. It takes time for me to . . .” He leaned closer and kissed her. Gently at first and then more urgently, slipping his hand along her face and softly caressing her cheek with his thumb.
While his tongue danced in harmony with hers, she carefully scooted closer and ran her hand up and down his back, his muscles quivering under her light touch, but he didn’t shy away. Her palm gently explored the rough, hard, and occasional smooth parts. Even with all the scars, Jake’s back was incredibly sexy, all tight muscles and damp skin.
When they finally had to stop their kiss for lack of air, he said, “That’s why you can’t ditch me. I need more time. To be able to make love to you the way you’d like me to.”
Her heart melted into a big puddle of goo in her chest. “This time was pretty amazing. But that’s something worth sticking around for.” As her fingers gently caressed the back of his neck, her desire to disappear from her father’s enemies warred with wanting to be with Jake. If even for that month in the cabin. She’d do anything to be able to have at least that, before she had to go back to her normal life full of secrets and hiding.
Jake rolled out of bed and headed toward the bathroom. “But when we run out of these fancy condoms, you have to buy the next round.”
She glanced at the clock beside the bed, then rolled onto her back and smiled. “You’re slipping, Jake. You just went a whole thirty minutes without joking.”
He returned and slid under the covers. “Bet I could go even longer this time.”
“Prove it.”
“Done.” While he kissed her, she couldn’t have cared less about their bet. His mouth and lips did magical things to her, took her to new heights she’d never felt before. He slowly leaned away. “You want to be in charge of the touching this time?”
“I do.” She straddled him and then placed both hands on his chest. “I promise this won’t hurt a bit, Jake.”
He cringed, then nodded. “What’s the record for being serious?”
“Thirty-one long minutes. And I plan to use every bit of it to enjoy your incredible body for my own pleasure.”
“I’ll probably live. Let’s do it.”
Smiling, she leaned closer and kissed his full, soft lips. She’d taken his mind off his claustrophobia. And fallen a little bit more in love in the process.