Savor the Danger (10 page)

“I suppose you can't help it.”

His attention lifted to her cold shoulder, and he asked with false sweetness, “You talking to me?”

“Yes.” She spared him a look. “I'm being unfair and I know it.” And then even more grudgingly, “Sorry.”

“'S okay.” Actually, it was kind of nice to see her jealous. After all her indifference, this felt like a balm to his pride.

A hand to her forehead, she muttered, “You can't help it that you're so good-looking.” She glanced at him again. “And tall.”

Jackson shrugged.

“And…sexy.”

The smile came slow and easy, but his mind remained in turmoil. “Since you're talking to me again, can I ask for clarification?”

“On what?”

“This whole conundrum thing you mentioned.” To keep making headway with her, he needed to understand. “Are you saying that when it's better for you not to know something, I should tell you that there's something I'm not telling you?” He shook his head. Damn it, that even confused him.

But she nodded. “If I know you're being evasive to guard the end goal—protection-wise—then I won't think you're just shutting me out.”

“Wouldn't do that anyway.” Hell, he wanted to be closer to her. At least for now.

Until he shed the sharp need for her. And that should take…oh, a couple dozen sexual encounters at the very least.

“Oh, please.” They sidled up in line behind an older couple. Lowering her voice, Alani asked, “So you're willing to open up and tell me anything I want to know?”

Cautious now, afraid of a trap, Jackson said, “Yes?”

“You don't know if it's yes or no?”

“Actually, I don't know what type of corner you're backing me into.”

“No corner. I'm just trying to establish the parameters of our…association.”

“Relationship, damn it.”

The fiftysomething lady in line ahead of Alani glanced back, then did a double take, and this time she didn't look away.

Jackson lowered his voice more. “We've slept together, and we'll sleep together again—” at least he hoped so “—so we're in a
relationship.
” How far things would go…he didn't know yet. But he wouldn't let her deny what they had, just because he didn't remember it. Shit.

Alani smiled. “Let's test this theory.”

Even more cautious, Jackson braced himself. “Okay.” And then, “How?”

“I have so many questions about you.”

God, he hated the old introspection stuff. If she was any other woman, he'd just tease her, bed her again and then put a whole lot of space between himself and her curiosity.

But he couldn't do that now. Not only did he need to stay close to Alani to keep her safe, but he wanted her. Again and again.

“Maybe we could put that off for a bit?”

Demure, Alani said, “Sure, Jackson. There's nothing I really need to know.”

“Damn it, I didn't say that.”

“Yet you're dodging me already.”

He gave a pointed look at the older woman, whose husband more or less dragged her off, and the young cashier who kept sneaking peeks at him. “Dodging eavesdroppers, actually.”

She followed his gaze and scowled. “Unbelievable.”

It was their turn at the register, and while Alani
alternately slapped their purchases onto the belt and mean-mugged onlookers, he scanned the parking lot through the massive front windows of the store. Cars rearranged themselves in a continually shifting tide, some leaving, some parking, with pedestrians milling about.

He didn't see the silver sedan, but then, someone would have to be either a special kind of stupid, or incredibly arrogant, to continue using the same car, especially with it being so identifiable. Not many could afford a hundred-thousand-dollar vehicle.

Ostentatious. Whoever dogged them had a need to flaunt their wealth.

Or else the car was stolen and would be abandoned soon in favor of a different vehicle.

When Alani started to open her purse to pay the clerk, he caught her wrist and frowned at her. “Don't even think it.” While the young cashier popped gum and looked between them, Jackson pulled a credit card from his own wallet.

Alani leaned over his hands to read the name on the card, and her right eyebrow lifted.

Trusting her not to question the alias listed on all his IDs, he ran the card, got the receipt and lifted the bags into the cart. Voice low, he said, “Stay to my left and slightly behind me.”

“You're expecting trouble?”

“Nah. But I always prepare for it anyway.” Luckily, they got to her car without a glitch and with no sense of being watched. Hazy waves of heat emanated from the blacktop lot. He felt his T-shirt stick to his spine and noticed that enticing glow on Alani's face again.

“Go ahead and get settled while I load the bags into the back.”

She went one further and opened the driver's door to let out some of the accumulated heat.

“Thanks.” After kicking up the air-conditioning, he put the car in Drive and continued to scan the area even as he drove from the lot.

Alani watched him. “Do you need me to be quiet so you can concentrate?”

Cute. And thoughtful. “Nah, it's fine, but thanks.” He looked over at her just long enough to smile at the sincerity on her face.

“You're sure? I don't want to be the cause of distracting you.”

“I can multitask.” And good thing, since she'd been distracting him from the day he met her. There were times when he
almost
couldn't think of anything else. “Luckily, my instincts take over when necessary.”

“So can I ask you something?”

Too late, Jackson realized that he might have avoided the inquisition if he'd let her believe he had to concentrate. Warily, he said, “Uh…sure,” as he pulled back onto the main road.

Passing back the same way they'd come, he noted the recent tire burns where, thanks to the silver BMW, others had been forced to brake hard to avoid colliding. He saw the gouge in the grassy area, left by his tires when he'd gone off the road. He saw gravel spit everywhere across the roadway.

At no point had he felt out of control with the car, but it pissed him off that anyone had put Alani in harm's way. When he found the one responsible, there'd be hell to pay.

“How did you hook up with Dare and Trace?”

Uh-oh. Not exactly the type of question he'd been
expecting. To buy himself a moment to think, Jackson pulled up behind a red light and said, “What's that?”

Her look said she recognized his ploy. “I know Trace doesn't recruit. That'd require advertising, and naturally, as a very private mercenary for hire, he can't do that. You guys had to meet somehow, but I've never heard how it came about. So tell me—”

“Did you swallow?”

They stared at each other, Jackson with an inner wince, Alani with incomprehension at that dropped-in, out-of-the-blue question.

Jesus. He'd been desperate to derail her line of questioning, but he hadn't meant to toss that out there like that. Course, it was something uppermost on his mind, eating at him, making it difficult to keep desire stomped down.

Only problem, she didn't seem to understand. She shook her head in confusion. “Swallow what?”

So he had to spell it out? Well, at least he'd gotten her on another topic. He cleared his throat. “You know…me.”

Her brows rose, her lips parted.

The traffic light turned green. Jackson divided his attention between driving, surveying the area and studying Alani's dawning awareness.

His breathing deepened. His voice thickened. “Did you?”

She licked her lips. “You didn't give me a chance.”

He reached for her hand and brought it to his thigh, holding it there with his own. The contrast maddened him, how small and delicate her hand felt under his, how it affected him for her to touch him at all, even on top of his thigh through his jeans. “Tell me how that all came about, will ya?”

Her fingers curled, biting into his muscle. “I was…kissing you. There.” She nodded at his lap.

And damned but he felt it. “With you so far.”

“You…you had a hand on my…” To show him, she reached up with her free hand to the back of her neck. “You were sort of guiding me, I guess.”

“Yeah?” His dick twitched with the visual. “Like this?” He reached out for her nape, closing his big hand around her, kneading her, his fingers tangled in her silky hair.

“Yes.”

“We were in the bed?”

“No. That is, you were. You sat on the side of the mattress, but I was…on the floor. In front of you.”

Hell, yeah. Semi-erect now, he couldn't stop tormenting himself. “On your knees?”

Nodding, she licked her lips again. “You were making these rough, sexy sounds, like… I don't know. Low groans. Almost like you were in pain, but liked it.”

“Yeah.” A delicious pain. He was back there again, hurting for her.

Her hand on his thigh slid higher, the edge of her fingers nudging against his testicles. He hadn't come in his pants since middle school, but if he didn't cool things down, it could be a possibility.

Releasing her neck, Jackson closed her slender fingers in his and moved her hand to safer ground—on the seat between them.

One-handed, he turned a corner, not directly toward Alani's house, but rather to where he'd left his car in a private garage.

She didn't notice.

He knew she'd wanted to go by her workplace, too, but
he didn't think he could handle it. Not now. Not with the way she twisted him inside out.

“Go on,” he prompted.

“Suddenly, you sort of…broke.” She rushed her words between hastened breaths, as if the retelling affected her as much as it did him. “You pulled me away and came down on the floor with me and then…”

“Then?”

“You were inside me and it was hard and wild and…” She let out a sigh. “Pretty wonderful.”

O
KAY, TIME TO REFOCUS
.

Jackson adjusted his jeans and shifted in his seat. Knowing Alani watched his every move, her expression anxious, he again reached for her hand and brought it to his mouth.

Against her soft skin, he growled, “I'm going to love getting inside you again.” God willing, that'd be tonight. Or better yet, before dinner. “But to keep from embarrassing myself, we gotta change the subject, pronto.”

She clutched at his hand—until he pulled into the private garage. “What are you doing?”

“Fetching other transportation.” He rolled down the window and pushed in a code on the security entrance. A gate rolled up, and he drove into the darkened garage.

Looking around in surprise, Alani realized they weren't exactly “down around the corner,” as he'd claimed.

Her accusing gaze swung back to his. “Okay, Jackson
Davidson,
so now would be a good time for you to start explaining.”

She deliberately stressed his fictitious name, so he addressed that first. “Settle down, woman. You knew I used an alias.”

All her soft, heated sensuality of a minute before coalesced into temper. “Jackson Davidson,” she repeated with derision. “How did you come up with that?”

“What does it matter?”

“It matters because now I'm wondering if I even know your real name.” She sat back in her seat, arms crossed, expression stark. “Now I'm wondering if I know anything about you that's real.”

His own black mood crowded in. “You know I want you.” He leaned into her anger. “And you know I'll protect you. Doesn't that count for something?”

“Is there a woman you
don't
want?” She poked at his chest. “And as to protection, Dare or my own brother could see to that.”

She just had to keep pushing him, infuriating him with unfamiliar feelings—like possessiveness. His voice lowered to match his frustration. “Damn it, woman, I haven't wanted anyone else since meeting you.”

The harsh words echoed in the cavernous garage.

Alani blinked big eyes at him. “Really?”

God help him, she made him nuts. “Dare and Trace don't need to hover over you, because I'm on it. Me and only me. Get used to it.” And with that forceful command, he kissed her harder than he meant to—and was surprised when she kissed him back.

Nothing could have gentled him quicker, smothered him with more emotion, than a reminder of how much she wanted him, too.

With a soft sound of acceptance, she gave in to him, and Jackson again had to fight himself to regroup. “Easy, love.” He kissed her bottom lip, the corner of her mouth. “Let's get to your place and then we can pick up from here.”

 

C
AUGHT BETWEEN
relief that Jackson hadn't noted the lack of a condom in her retelling of their lovemaking, and annoyance that he'd outright lied to her over where
he'd parked, Alani hadn't been prepared for the impact of his kiss.

But he had an astounding effect on her. Like it or not, she had to accept that where Jackson Savor was concerned, she had no willpower.

He said that he hadn't wanted anyone else since meeting her.
She pushed her hair from her face and dragged in a deep breath.

“Is your last name really Savor? Or is that a deception, too?”

Taken aback, he gazed at her, irate, turned on, maybe even a little lost.

No, what was she thinking? A man of Jackson's caliber, a mercenary with his skill set, did not feel lost over romantic conflicts.

“Yeah, that's my name. Don't spread it around, okay?” On a wave of irritability, he snatched his hat from the backseat, opened the car door and got out. After slamming the hat onto his head, he did more adjusting to his jeans, making it impossible for her not to notice his erection.

He leaned back into the car.

Dark green eyes direct, voice sharp, he said, “For your information, this was one of those precautionary measures that, at the time, I figured you didn't need to know.”

“And now?”

“Hell, woman, the way you've kept me twisted, the location of my car was not uppermost in my mind.”

Alani considered that and understood. “Okay.”

He started to relax.

“You'll tell me how you and Trace met?”

He didn't even try to hide his groan. He even managed to look long-suffering.

She didn't need to be hit over the head. “Forget I asked.
God forbid I dig out a state secret, or push you past your comfort zone over something so—”

“Fine.”
One hand on the car roof, one on the open door, he dropped his head forward in a hangdog pose. “I'll tell you when we get to your place, okay?”

He made her feel guilty, and she didn't like it. “Not necessary.”

“Yeah, I think it is.” His gaze sought hers. “I won't apologize for being set in my ways. I've always been private, and working with your brother has made me more so.”

“I didn't ask you to apologize.” She wanted honesty, not contrition.

“Thing is, the how and why of the way we met isn't something I like to talk about. But you might as well hear it from me, instead of your brother. He'd probably distort it just to make me look bad.”

Back to square one. “If you really don't want—”

“Doesn't matter.” He shook his head. “It was bound to come up sooner or later.”

Sooner or later, meaning he intended to be involved with her beyond the immediate future? She just didn't know. “Okay.”

“Good. Then scuttle your sexy little ass over here behind the steering wheel so we can get a move on.”

Grabbing up her purse, Alani chose not to scuttle in favor of getting out and walking around the car. The garage wasn't that big, and she counted twelve cars inside. “What is this place?”

“Private parking garage. We make use of them in areas we visit often. Soon as you set up house, Trace secured this place.”

She slid in behind the wheel. “Who parks here?”

“We do.” He went about fastening her seat belt for her.

She was intrigued enough that she let him. “But who do the cars belong to?”

“Why?” He surveyed the colorful array of vehicles in various price ranges, from brand-new to barely road-worthy. “One of them appeals to you?”

“It's not that.” She'd never been car-crazy. She wanted reliable transportation, period.

“Long as you don't have a preference, I think I'll grab that black SUV. It looks like it has some muscle.”

Knowing she was about to learn yet another secret, Alani asked, “What do you mean, you're going to grab it? Surely you don't steal cars as a regular habit.”

“Course not. These are all ours, here in a pinch in case we have to lose a tail.” He closed her door and then rapped on the roof of the car. “Head straight home. I'm not expecting any trouble, but know that I'll be right behind you.”

In openmouthed surprise, Alani watched him go to a truck and open the passenger door. He lifted out two duffel bags, then got something from the glove box. He closed and locked the truck and went to the shiny new SUV, opened it and got inside. Through the door window, he waved her around him.

Amazing.

Apparently there was a lot more to her brother's enterprise than she'd ever imagined.

She had a feeling there was more to Jackson Savor, too. Everything about him enthralled her.

She couldn't wait to learn even more.

 

W
HILE
J
ACKSON PREPPED
the steaks, Alani put potatoes in the microwave and got the salad together. By silent
agreement, they chose to get the food ready before weighing in on what was sure to be a lengthy conversation.

Jackson had left his duffel bags just inside the front door. Alani figured he didn't yet want to store them in the guest room, in hopes that he could share her room.

She sort of hoped that, too.

On her patio, the grill heated. They planned to eat outside, so she'd already loaded a tray with place settings and napkins. Though they were both busy, she couldn't stop stealing glances at Jackson. Even watching him wash his hands in the sink, the slide of his long fingers, now soap slick, left her fascinated.

She loved his hands. They were big and capable, twice the size of hers. They'd touched her gently, and when she wanted it most, not so gently. Somehow he'd known how to touch her, where, when, to get the most effect.

The cowboy hat, now gone, had further rumpled his hair. Alani had a vivid recollection of his head between her legs, her hand in his sun-streaked hair as his beard-rough jaw teased her tender inner thighs in direct contrast to the soft play of his tongue on her, in her.

Letting out a shuddering breath, she drew his attention. Keeping his back to her as he stood at the counter with the steaks, he glanced at her, then came back for a longer, knowing perusal.

His gaze roamed over her—her breasts, her belly. “You okay, sugar?”

“Yes.” Here in the kitchen, alone with Jackson while preparing dinner together, she felt better than she had since her kidnapping.

The corner of his mouth lifted. He turned with the steaks on a platter. “Penny for your thoughts.”

Never before had she taken part in sexual banter, but if he wanted to play, she'd give it her best shot. “I was
thinking how much I like your body.” But that didn't quite cover it, so she shook her head. “Not just how strong you are, but everything else, too.”

He leaned back on the counter. “Like?”

“Your hands. Your feet. The way your shoulders move under your T-shirt. The slide of your Adam's apple when you swallow. Even your ears are nice.”

He made a sound that was half humor, half chagrin. “I think you and I have unfinished business and it's tainting your brain.” Gesturing with a nod of his head, he said, “Come on. Keep me company outside while I grill these bad boys.”

“Okay.” She stuck the salad in the fridge, pulled the potatoes from the microwave onto a plate, and followed him out. “At least the porch is shadowed this time of day.”

“You have a nice place. I like it.” The sizzle of beef wafted into the air as he put the steaks on the hot grill. After taking the potatoes from her, he said, “Take a seat. Talk to me.”

“About what?” She smoothed the skirt of her sundress and sat on the bench to the picnic table. The flowers planted in and around her landscaping drew bees. Chickadees flitted in and out of the birdbath. A light breeze kept the hot, muggy air moving.

“In the car, when the BMW ran us off the road…” He seasoned the steaks with salt and cracked pepper. “You were shaken up for only a few seconds.”

The evening had turned sultry and ultra comfortable. Alani didn't mind making admissions of her weakness, not to Jackson. She slipped her feet from her sandals and wiggled her toes. “Actually, it almost stopped my heart.”

“No way.” Letting the steaks sizzle, he stepped to the
side and crossed his arms over his chest. “You looked cool as a cucumber.”

The things he said waffled between outrageous and hilarious. “Not me.” Wrinkling her nose, she confessed, “I'm a terrible coward.”

He pointed a big fork at her. “If you'd ever dealt with a real coward, you'd know better.”

“I suppose you have?” She'd envisioned him going up against the cruelest villains, facing off with practiced criminals, trading fists with killers—and walking away triumphant. But she'd never thought about him engaged with a coward.

“Plenty of them. Deep down, most of the people I encounter on jobs are chickenshit. They love to bully and abuse because it makes them feel more powerful. But when they know they're busted, they resort to pleading real quick.”

“That makes them cowards?”

“The worst kind. And I can tell you, you don't fit the bill. You kept your head, and our cover, today. After the crazy way that car came after us, a lot of women would've been rattled and blubbering.” He rolled a shoulder. “Some men, too. But you hid your reaction and smiled at me.”

“I didn't want the others to see me upset.”

He shook his head. “Bet they were as impressed as me.”

When he turned back to the grill to check the steaks, Alani thought about what Dare had told her.

Should she confide in Jackson? She didn't want him to have a false impression of her. She'd done her fair share of blubbering. Sometimes, when the darkness closed in around her, she cried still.

“I…I sometimes go into panic mode.”

Alert to her changed tone and the gravity of what she
said, Jackson set aside the fork and gave her his undivided attention. “You mean, since the kidnapping?”

She nodded. “For the longest time, my life seemed charmed. Nothing bad could happen to me.” She'd been so naive. So
dumb.

“You lost your parents.” Jackson sounded too solemn. “Nothing charmed in that.”

“I know.” Her smile fell flat, but she still mourned the loss of her mother and father, and talking about them always left her wistful at what could never be recovered. “After they died, Trace seemed determined to insulate me from anything negative. Not just sad feelings, but…life in general. He never wanted me to be gloomy or insulted or disappointed about anything.”

“I know he's protective.”

“Somehow, that word doesn't quite cover it.” This smile was more genuine. “Trace has always watched me so closely, probably more so than our parents would have.”

“Because he was afraid of losing you, too.”

Alani nodded.

“That had to be tough on a young woman.” He teased her, saying, “How could you cut loose with Trace's eagle eye on you?”

“Exactly.” For her, there'd been no acting out, no cutting loose. Not until she'd gone to the beach—and then she'd been taken… She squeezed her eyes shut.