An Extraordinary Match (The Match Series Book 3) (18 page)

“They are.”

“What do I do? I mean, is there anything I can do? Not that I’m suggesting you have to help me. It’s just—”

“Jade.” He put his hand over hers.

“I’m starting to get scared.”

“Don’t be scared. I’ve put together a plan.”

She was surprised and touched. “You have?”

“Yes. I have a job offer for you.”

She drew back in confusion. She thought he’d meant a plan to get her out of town. “I’m not looking to change jobs.”

Seaboard Development was the only thing in her life that felt stable at the moment. And she couldn’t take Sam’s charity. She didn’t see how working for him would change anything.

“The job offer is from the United States government.”

“You mean NASA?” She was frankly stunned that he’d pulled off something like that so fast.

“Not NASA. The military, a civilian post. They have a joint operation base in cybersecurity.”

“You went so far as to get me a job.” She couldn’t wrap her head around what he seemed to be saying.

“And it’s the perfect job. Because if you’re employed by the military, WNT won’t bother you.”

She had to ask. “Why not?”

Sam gave her a conspiratorial smile. “Because the US military is bigger and badder than WNT.”

Again, she paused to let the information sink in.

“A friend put your résumé in front of the right people,” Sam continued. “Some other friends collected samples of your work. Ironically, the fact that WNT is so hot on your heels is one of the things that made the military sit up and take notice. WNT may be a lot of disreputable things, but they only recruit top talent.”

Jade’s mind was whirling. “This borders on the ridiculous.”

“I know. But let me be blunt. This is the solution. It’s the only solution. You need to leave Mirror Falls and get officially employed with the US government. You need to shake Ewan and John, and before they can make another move against you.”

She understood the wisdom in Sam’s advice, but she couldn’t help thinking about Logan. Her glance flicked to where he sat in the lounge. He was watching them while they talked, and she met his gaze for a long moment.

She returned her attention to Sam. She understood there was only one reasonable choice. “I guess I’ll go back to Seaboard and give notice.”

Sam shook his head. “Other people will take care of all that. You’re going directly to a facility near Jacksonville.”

“Florida?”

“There’s an office there with your name on it, a good salary, great benefits, and the working conditions are, well, Florida. It’s warm and sunny, and you can probably get an apartment with a view of the ocean.”

“You don’t have to sell me on it. If it gets me out from under WNT, I’m in. I’ve got a flight to Denver on Thursday. I’ll try to find a connection to Jacksonville.”

“No, you’ve got a flight out of Mirror Falls at six a.m. tomorrow.”

She drew back. “How does
that
work?”

“Easy. One of your employers is now the United States Air Force. It’s no problem getting a ride to Florida.”

“You’re serious.”

“Completely.”

She looked over at Logan once more, and emptiness threatened to overwhelm her. She told herself one day wasn’t going to make any difference. She would have left him far too soon anyway.

“Will you be on the plane?” she asked Sam.

“Yes.”

She realized just how fully she was putting herself into Sam’s hands. “Who exactly are you?”

He gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s nothing sinister or secret, but we don’t need to talk about it now.”

Then he rose from his chair, and she stood with him. As Sam crossed to the door, Jade went to Logan. They had tonight, she told herself. It was simply going to have to be enough.

“Everything okay?” he asked, taking her hands into his.

She leaned in close to his ear. “I’m going back to the hotel suite now. Is there a discreet way for you to meet me up there?”

He squeezed, tone husky. “Absolutely.”

“Good. Bring a box of chocolates. I feel like something sweet.”

There was a smile in his voice. “You bet.”

“See you in a few minutes.”

“I can walk you across the street.”

“Meet me there. It’ll be better that way.”

*

Logan held Jade
snuggled up against his chest on the big sofa in her hotel suite. Her body was warm and soft against his. The scent of her shampoo was familiar, and the rhythm of her breathing somehow seemed perfect. An action movie played out on screen in front of them.

She reached into the chocolate box on his lap, choosing one by feel as she watched the hero rappel down an elevator shaft while a bomb ticked in the basement of the skyscraper.

“It’s a maple cream,” he whispered in her ear.

“Thanks.” She bit down.

He helped himself to a nut cluster. “So, is the tall guy going to help him or turn on him?”

“He’s in love with the blond woman, so he’ll try to kill the hero.”

“That sucks.”

“It does. But he’ll have to let the hero diffuse the bomb, or she’s going sky-high as well.”

“Did he pick up the gun after the shootout?”

Jade nodded.

Lights flashed and sirens screamed on screen as the police finally arrived on the scene. The film cuts were chaotic, and there were too many characters to effectively follow the plot, especially when a guy was distracted by the feel of a real-life, gorgeous woman in his arms. Logan placed a soft kiss on the top of her head, since it was the closest available spot.

“Tell me again why we’re watching a detective thriller?”

“I want to remind myself there are good guys and bad guys in the world. Oh, look. That’s the cop who was on the phone. He lied to the commissioner in the first scene. He might be up to no good.”

“There are also middle-of-the-road guys,” said Logan.

“I suppose.” She helped herself to another chocolate.

“You really were in the mood for something sweet.”

“I’m combating sexual frustration. Ouch.” She reacted to a crack on the hero’s head. “Oh, man, that had to hurt.”

“Excuse me?” Logan asked, leaning forward and turning his head to look at her.

“Get out of the way. I can’t see.”

“
You’re
battling sexual frustration?”

She snickered. “You warned me not to beg.”

“You want to beg?”

She stretched up and planted a lingering kiss on his lips. “I want to finish the movie.”

“You play dirty, woman.”

“You only just figured that out?”

Logan smiled as he sat back, loving that she was so straightforward. “I’ve never met anyone remotely like you.”

“Look, there’s a second bomb. Now that’s going to be tricky.”

There could be fifty bombs for all he cared. He was far more interested in gazing at Jade, the snug, silver tank top that outlined her breasts, the way her stomach indented, dipping into the waistband of her black jeans, her golden, smooth shoulders, soft neck, flowing auburn hair. He wanted to kiss every single inch of her, and he wanted to keep doing it for a very long time.

“You should stay in Mirror Falls,” he told her.

She stiffened, and he was afraid he’d made that sound wrong.

“Extend your vacation,” he amended. Which was what he meant, wasn’t it?

She didn’t look at him. “I wish I could. But I can’t.”

His disappointment was acute. “You couldn’t get any extra time off? You could stay at my place. It wouldn’t cost you anything.”

“I’ve got someplace I have to be.”

“Okay.” He tried to curb his regret. She had a life. He understood that.

The movie rolled on, the hero going one-on-one with the villain, the sweet, blond girl showing bravery and ingenuity in helping him. The bomb blew up as the pair dove out the service entrance door, splashing into a lake.

“You ever think about going someplace else?” Jade unexpectedly asked him, as the onscreen couple surfaced and embraced.

“You mean on vacation?”

Was she asking him to come to New York City?

“I mean to live.” She paused and seemed to gather her thoughts. “When Amy told me you’d asked Sasha to stay—”

“Whoa.” He sat up straight, suddenly realizing his mistake. “Me asking
you
to stay and me asking
Sasha
to stay are two completely different things.”

Sasha was the past, over, finished. What he’d felt for her was a fleeting affection and interest. What he felt for Jade was becoming all consuming.

“So, you wanted her, but only here, only on your terms.”

“Jade, I never—”

“It didn’t seem like you even thought about following her.”

“I didn’t,” he stated with conviction.

“So, you never considered leaving Mirror Falls.”

“Not at all.” He knew now, and he’d probably known then, that Sasha wasn’t the one.

“I understand,” said Jade.

“You do?”

She smiled and framed his face with her hands. “I truly do see the appeal of the twenty-two cousins, the barbecues, the huge holiday parties. You belong in Mirror Falls. It’s an amazing place. You know, as long as you’re not stuck in jail or being ostracized by the entire community.”

“You should stay longer,” he repeated. “We’ll have a barbecue. I’ll introduce you around. They’ll all love you.”

She touched her forehead to his. “I really wish I could.”

“But you have somewhere you have to be.” He knew he had no choice but to accept that. He smoothed her hair, cursing himself for having vowed to keep his hands off her tonight.

“I do,” she said. “So, you want to stay over?”

“Yes.” With or without sex, he longed to hold her in his arms for the rest of the night.

“I’ll go put on something hideous. That’ll help you keep your hands to yourself.” She grinned as she sashayed away.

Logan couldn’t help his own smile as he turned off the television and pulled the curtains. He put out the Do Not Disturb sign, shut down the gas fireplace, and switched off the living room lights.

By the time he entered the bedroom, she was under the white comforter, her auburn hair splayed across the pillowcase. He shut off the lights and opened the window to let in some fresh air. By moonlight, he stripped down to his boxers. Then he climbed in beside her and gathered her supple body against him, spooning her back.

He smoothed his hands over a short, silken nightgown. “This doesn’t feel hideous.”

“It’s not,” she whispered. “It’s French silk, low cut, delicate lace, translucent ice pink. And I’m naked underneath.”

“You’re cruel.” He gathered her closer still, battling the passion roiling in his belly. “But I’m made of steel.”

“Is that your steel digging into my back?”

“You’re outrageous.”

“I’ve got you right where I want you.”

“Frustrated and uncomfortable?”

She rolled onto her back and traced his lips with her index finger. “It’s after midnight, Logan. I figure it’s not tonight anymore. It’s tomorrow.”

Relief washed through him. “I like the way you figure.”

“My years of college did not go to waste.”

“They did not.”

He gazed down at her in the dim light, anticipation building in his veins. She was his. She was about to be his, and she had to stay his. He had no idea how he was going to make that work, but he knew he couldn’t possibly give her up.

I
t was four
a.m. when Logan drifted off to asleep. Jade desperately wished she could join him, but she was out of time. She shifted up on her elbow to watch him sleep. His jaw was strong with a whiskered shadow. His eyes were wide set, his features symmetrical, and his mouth kissable soft.

She gazed at him as long as she dared, dreading the passing of each minute. Finally, she had to move. She slipped out of bed and padded quietly from the bedroom, showering in the guest bathroom across the suite to keep from disturbing him. Then she dressed and packed her suitcase. Too soon, the moment came when it was truly over. Sam was meeting her in front of the hotel, and they couldn’t delay the military aircrew.

She carefully set a note on her pillow, swallowing her guilt. It was on hotel stationery, which somehow made it worse. But she couldn’t bear to wake him and say goodbye. She didn’t have time to explain, and she didn’t know how much she was allowed to tell him anyway. She couldn’t bring herself to make up a lie.

Her chest ached, and her throat was closing over. But she gripped the handle of her suitcase and moved silently into the hallway.

Sam was already waiting outside. It was full dark, and rain drizzled down on them. It was only a few blocks to the airport, and the dozen taxis in town wouldn’t be on duty yet. Since they were trying to be as discreet as possible, they simply walked their way down Main Street.

Sam dialed a combination into a locked, chain-link gate at the airport. There was no check-in, no security as they crossed the slick tarmac to the metal staircase that led them into a small, unmarked plane.

An older man met them on board the utilitarian, low-ceilinged aircraft. He was accompanied by a young soldier who took her suitcase.

“Good morning, Jade,” said the older man. “I’m JW Sterling, Army retired. “I’m a friend of Sam’s.”