Take Me If You Dare (12 page)

“Whew. I didn’t think so. I mean I may not be that great a detective but I hadn’t noticed a ring. Though a
lot of guys don’t wear them. But I wasn’t super excited about being the other woman.”

Jackson moved her hair behind her ear. “You are the only woman.” Then he kissed her, tasting her as if it were the first time.

Mar’s arms curled around his neck, her tongue slipped around his and he knew she wanted him as much as he did her. Then he remembered. Jackson drew back. “Honey, we can’t. The coffee is on the way.”

Her face scrunched and he could see the wheels turning. She wasn’t one to give up easily when she wanted something. He needed a diversion.

Jackson gave her a quick smile. “Dance with me, Mar. Please.”

They moved in each other’s arms as if they’d been doing it for years. Holding her in that moment would be burned into his brain for eternity. Hell, the last few days really would be ones he would never forget.

He might have been conflicted about what was best for her, but he’d do anything to protect her. Even though he knew that meant leaving her as soon as possible. “No matter what the future holds,” he whispered against her hair, “you know I only want what is best for you.”

“I know.” She gave him the most alluring smile he’d ever seen. “You’re my white knight in board shorts.” She winked at him, and solidified her place in his heart.

T
HE DAY HAD TAKEN A
toll on Mar, and Jackson watched as she slept, waiting until she was deep under before slipping out of the bed. A strange noise in the armoire had him wandering toward it. He discovered the culprit in Mar’s purse. Her phone’s battery had died. She’d probably forgotten all about it. He found her charger and plugged it in, noticing as he did she had twenty new text messages.

He shouldn’t have, but he pushed the buttons so he could read them. Most of the urgent missives were from her friends Chi and another investigator, Katie, at the agency, telling Mar that Jackson Thomas did not exist. Mr. Thomas, the man who was supposed to help her in Bangkok, was an elderly Asian man with six children.

That she had asked them to check him out didn’t surprise Jackson. She would have been an idiot not to tell her friends she was going off with a stranger. He was grateful that they cared enough about her to make sure she was safe.

He’d tossed the messages from the front desk in the
trash, but Jackson knew they would continue to worry if she didn’t answer. He also didn’t have any desire to deal with the truth right then. They’d already tried sending messages through the hotel, next they’d be sending the authorities if they hadn’t already.

He couldn’t let that happen.

He texted them both back pretending to be Mar.

Having the time of my life. I know all about Jackson, he came clean. Only checking the phone every few days. Don’t worry. See you soon.

He wasn’t sure it was possible for him to feel guiltier, but he did.

He only had one more day with her. Then he’d leave and she’d never have to know the truth about him. Oh, she would be upset, even more so when she found out that he’d tricked her. But no one would be able to take this time they had away from either of them.

He couldn’t risk her finding the messages so he turned the phone off and hid it in his things. Before he left, he’d make sure it was in place where she could find it.

Taking her computer from his bag, he put it down on the table by the windows.

Opening the laptop, he checked for messages from Dawson or Pete. His jaw tightened as he thought about what Dawson had done to him. He wondered if maybe he should go to London. Now that he knew about the other man’s deception, he could set a trap of his own and settle this once and for all.

Hell, he’d been accused of treason thanks to the ass.
The anger boiled inside of him, and Jackson had to force himself to calm down. While his hands around Dawson’s neck seemed the most logical solution, there were too many variables. Unfortunately, he couldn’t know for sure how much Pete really understood about what had happened. There was a slight chance Dawson’s actions had been misinterpreted, but Jackson doubted it.

London, hell, Europe in general wasn’t a safe place for someone in his predicament. He had a kill order hanging over his head, and operatives from agencies all over the world would take advantage of it.

There wasn’t a person in the world he could trust.

Jackson was more determined than ever to find a way back to Langley. It seemed his only option. Funny how a few days could change everything.

Hell, funny how Mar had changed everything. She gave him the will to live. To fight for whatever life he could possibly have. If he could make it to Virginia, that
if
being a big one, he’d at least find out the truth about why they burned him.

Well, Dawson had something to do with it, but he still didn’t understand how he’d been set up, or even what the Company knew. Pete might have discovered Dawson was crooked, but that didn’t mean anyone else had the information. Pete liked to play things close to the vest, and he wouldn’t go to his superiors until he had proof.

Jackson’s biggest worry was that someone would kill him before he had the chance to explain to the bosses what had happened, or at least his version of it.

The wind picked up outside, but nothing matched the
fury Jackson felt. His stomach roiled as his mind raced to find an answer. If he desired any kind of future with her, there was only one thing he could do.

After finding the Web site he needed, he did something so desperate he had to push Send before he thought about it too much. He posted an ad, one the Company could decipher.

W
RAPPED IN A ROBE FROM
the hotel, Mar watched as the sun rose over the horizon. Jackson sat beside her. Both of them held steaming cups of coffee. Everything smelled fresh this morning, as if the ocean tide had wiped away any trace of the day before.

It was a new beginning.

Unfortunately for Mar, it felt like the end. Jackson had been so attentive, waking her so they could see the sunrise. That didn’t seem so strange, but when he asked if she had an interest in snorkeling or checking out the village nearby, she knew something was up. Jackson was not the sightseeing type.

“We can do whatever you want,” he told her. “The pond where we can snorkel is on the other side of the resort. We can take a small golf cart, and I’m told the fish are amazing. Oh, and I have it on good authority that there are absolutely no sharks.” He’d prattled on planning out their adventures and that’s how she knew.

It’s our last day together.

As she sipped the coffee, she tried not to contemplate what that meant. Oh, he cared about her, but he’d said his life was complicated. If he was in trouble she might
be able to help. It wasn’t as if she didn’t have some incredible resources.

Mar drew her knees up to her chin, and covered them with the robe. Blinking back tears, she was grateful she’d pulled on her sunglasses to hide some of her pain.

She wouldn’t dwell on the end. The time she had was precious and she wouldn’t waste it on could-haves or would-haves.

“I wouldn’t mind snorkeling in the lagoon. But if it’s okay with you, I’d kind of like to lay around and work on my tan.” She tried desperately to sound nonchalant. She didn’t want him to know that she’d realized what was going on. In a weird way, it was her gift to him, an amazing last day together without weepy goodbyes.

He grinned at her and her heart nearly fell out of her chest. “I told you, this is your day. You deserve whatever your gorgeous heart desires.”

God, I wish that was the real reason, Jackson. You beautiful liar, you.

Mar chewed on the inside of her lip to keep from crying, and looked back toward the sunrise so he wouldn’t see the stupid tears that threatened to slide down her face. She wasn’t normally one who shed them easily.

Once the enormous orange orb made its entrance, Mar stood up and kissed the top of his head. “Thank you for that. It’s such a peaceful and beautiful way to start the morning. I’m in serious need of a shower. I don’t suppose I could talk you into joining me?” Hey, if it were the last day, she would absolutely make the best of it. “I mean, I might need help soaping up my back or something.”

He glanced at her, a certain gleam in his eyes, and she knew that he’d taken the bait. Thank Gawd. Her body had been screaming for him since he’d kissed her awake this morning.

“Are you sure?” he asked her carefully.

“I don’t know, Jackson. If you can’t handle it, I totally understand. Maybe you’re tired. We’ve had a lot of sex. Hmm. I thought you would have recovered by now, but I understand if you don’t feel like you can perform.” She blew him a kiss. “I’m a big girl, I can shower alone if I have to.”

Reaching up, he captured her arm. “Have I mentioned you’re a wicked woman?”

She leaned over, sliding her hands down his chest and all the way to his cock. “I think you might have said something about that.” She ran her palm down the hard length of him. “But I need a little TLC, the kind only you can provide.” After nibbling his ear, she gave the tip of his cock a soft pinch.

Jackson jumped up, and followed her into the villa.

There were ten different spray heads and water splashed from every direction. He helped her out of the robe. When he slipped the T-shirt over her head, her nipples perked to attention. He laved each one with his tongue and then kissed them.

Mar had no desire to wait a minute longer. She untied his board shorts and slid them down his hips.

Jackson picked her up and put her under the sprays. The warm water instantly relaxed her muscles.

“I’ll be right back, don’t start without me,” he said as he left the bathroom. He returned with a foil package.

As soon as he stepped in she grabbed for his cock,
but he moved his hips away from her. “We’re doing this my way. Turn around.” Taking her soap, he began with her neck. Each time he soaped and then rinsed her, he would land tiny kisses in the area. He worked his way down her neck and back. Then he turned her to face him and began the same process on her front.

He reached her nipples, and suckled each one and then soaped her stomach and pussy. When he bent down and stuck his tongue into her heat and nibbled her clit, Mar wasn’t sure she could stand much longer.

The warm water beat against her front and back in rhythm with Jackson’s tongue and teeth. Jackson moved her again so that she was braced on the wall. Reaching up, she grabbed the ledge from the window to keep herself steady as he continued to use his teeth. When he slid two fingers into her and began pumping in and out, she bucked against him.

Once again she was lost in a haze of pleasure, every nerve in her body begging for release. “Jackson, please. I need you inside me. Now.” She growled out the words.

Jackson stood and kissed her hard. Reaching behind her, he opened the foil package and slid the condom on. “Wrap your legs around me, baby.” Helping her, he positioned her so that his cock slid easily into her folds, filling her so completely. He didn’t tease her this time. Thrusting in and out, he began pounding her harder and harder.

“Yes.” The warm water came from the sides, hitting her nipples in the right spot as he rammed his cock into her. “I want you so bad,” she cried. “So bad.”

“Not half as bad as I do you.” He thrust in hard,
showing her. He kissed her, his tongue following the same movements of his cock, and Mariska rode higher and higher.

“Jackson, ohhh. Yes. I’m—” Words left her as her body shattered into an orgasm so intense she had to let go of the ledge and wrap her arms around his neck to keep from falling.

Jackson came in the same instant and turned so that now his back was against the wall, as if he needed to support them both. If his knees felt anything like the rest of her body, she understood.

“Oh, Mar,” he said before he kissed her again.

They stood like that for a few minutes, letting the water run down their bodies.

After turning off the water, he toweled off her body. He tried to give her back her T-shirt, but she tossed it onto the towel rack.

Mar moved toward the bed naked and slipped into the sheets. “Jackson?”

He stood at the doorway watching her.

“What is it?”

Mar smiled at him and reached out. “I really don’t want to go snorkeling today.”

A grin slid across his face. Drying himself off as he walked toward her, he threw the towel on the chair and climbed in beside her. “Me, either.”

A
MAZING HOW FAST ONE
could develop a habit. Jackson loved watching Mar sleep. With her hair splayed out against the pillow he thought again how she looked like a peaceful angel.

Hell, maybe
angel
wasn’t the right word for her.
Wicked she-devil
might be more appropriate. They’d spent the entire day in bed, napping and pleasuring one another. They’d made love two more times after the shower, and he still couldn’t get enough of her. She’d protested this evening when he insisted she eat something and rest.

When he promised strawberry pie for dessert she finally acquiesced. He’d eaten every last bite off her and then she finally went to sleep.

Slipping his arm from around her waist, he paused when she stirred. The last thing he wanted to do was wake her.

Sliding out of bed, he quickly packed his bag.

You’re a damn coward.

The idea of saying goodbye to her face-to-face was too painful. She’d try to be brave and the moment would
break both of their hearts. He convinced himself this was the best way to do it.

Once she’d fallen asleep, he knew what he had to do. No longer would he give up and let Vlad or some operative working for the Company kill him. His new priority was to stay alive, if at all possible, for Mar.

If he had any chance to be with her again, he had to get ready for a war. If things didn’t go his way, then at least he’d know he’d gone down fighting.

And he did care about her. He hadn’t lied when he told her he’d leave with a heavy heart. His felt like someone had tied a six-hundred-pound anvil to it, and ripped it out of his chest.

All those songs on the radio hadn’t lied. Love hurt like hell.

Taking one last look at her, he closed the door silently behind him.

You have to move on.

The walk up the hill wasn’t so easy this time. The farther he was away from her, the more his chest tightened. His feet were leaden, and at every step his heart warned him to turn and run back to her.

Come on man, pull it together. You’re doing this so that if there is such a thing as miracles, maybe you can be together.
He also had the idea that maybe he could draw Vlad’s men in a new direction as far away from Mar as possible. He’d felt so bad about deceiving her, but at least he could give her some peace. A chance to live a happy life, without worries about some goon going after her.

It wasn’t easy, but he used his mental training to focus on his next moves. First thing he had to do was
find a passport guy in Bangkok. The one he’d heard about before he’d run into Mar was dead. But there had to be someone else who could do it for a price. There always was.

As he rounded the back side of the main entrance, he ducked behind a wall. Two of the thugs who’d chased them in Bangkok were checking out his bike.

His body tensed, ready to fight.

Jackson listened as they argued back and forth. One of them instructed the other to check at the desk to see what room Jackson and Mar were in.

The other one called him stupid and said this was a rich hotel. They didn’t give away room numbers. Eventually the two decided to sit in their car and wait to see if they could spot their prey.

Jackson needed a new plan.

M
AR KNEW AS SOON AS
Jackson shut the door that he was gone for good. She’d only pretended to be asleep, knowing that their last lovemaking session was the end. Though she had no plans to stop him, she wanted to know when he left.

Sitting up in bed, she turned on the low lamp. On his pillow Jackson had left her phone and a note.

The phone was dead and she found her charger in her purse and plugged it in. Dreading it, she opened the folded piece of paper he’d left.

Mar,

I care about you, more than I have about anyone else—ever. Sneaking out is a cowardly way to go, but I couldn’t stand to see that look in your eyes.
Our last moments together should be happy ones we shared over strawberry pie.

My life is complicated and I didn’t lie. While I can’t give you details, I can tell you I’m not Mr. Thomas the detective. I sort of walked in on your case accidentally, and decided to help you out. You’re going to find all this out as soon as you turn on your phone.

I’m going to do my best to make sure you are safe by creating a diversion. Give me twenty-four hours and then head straight to the airport. Those goons can’t get through security so move fast.

Please, understand that I only did what was necessary to survive. I feel guilty as hell keeping things from you, but that’s how dire things are for me right now.

That said, I will cherish our time together. You may not believe me, but you stole my heart. I only wish I’d had the courage to tell you to your face.

Jackson

 

Mar folded the letter back the way it had been.

Tears stung her eyes, then the anger took over.

“Stupid man. I could have helped. Whatever trouble it is.” She ranted as she went to the bathroom and washed her face. She’d already decided she couldn’t stay here one more minute. This place reeked of Jackson and the longer she stayed the more her heart would break.

“His friggin’ life was in danger, and he couldn’t tell me.” Fists tightening by her sides she resisted the urge to smash them into the mirror.

“I’m mad at myself for falling for a guy I didn’t even know.” And she had jumped off that cliff and dived in headfirst. “Damn you, Jackson. You made me care again. Then I find out the entire time you were with me was a lie.”

Her head ached and her jaw tightened.

Picking up her phone, she saw there were so many messages in her voice mail it could no longer accept more. Rubbing her temples, she sat down on the side of the bed and listened to the first few.

“Mar. Dammit. I’ve called you five times in the last two hours. Answer your phone,” Chi demanded in frustration. “When you get this, you need to get away from that guy you’re with because he isn’t who he says he is. In fact, he told Mr. Thomas that he was your assistant, so God only knows. He could be an axe murderer. If you don’t call me back I’m calling the authorities.”

Hitting the button, she skipped through to the end of the messages. It was Chi again. “Thanks for sending the text message. We’re glad to know you’re alive. I honestly almost called the police and you’re going to have several messages at the hotel desk. Can’t wait to hear what the deal is with your vacation mate. Call me soon.”

Mariska hadn’t sent a text message. She scrolled through her outgoing texts. “Oh, my God. The man knows no bounds. How could he do that?” And where were the messages from the front desk? Had he taken care of those, too?

She resisted the urge to toss the phone across the room. Chewing on her lip, she refused to cry.

“Okay. Breathe. You had a fling with a stranger. You
knew that going in. A hot guy with a complicated life, and he was evidently being honest about that part.”

Mar thought back to their initial meeting, to what he’d actually said. He’d said he worked all over the world, and that he’d been here researching a few cases. The man had a gift for languages, and he certainly knew how to evade those mob guys in Bangkok.

And he’d solved her case. The anger dissipated a little. He didn’t have to help her, but he did. Even put his life in danger to keep her safe.

There was no way she could have found Gladstone on her own. She hadn’t even known where to begin searching.

“He knew what he was doing every step of the way. And he helped me. Honestly, he helped me. It’s really hard to hate you when I know you’re a decent person. Jerk.”

And I’m sitting on the bed talking to myself out loud and trying not to cry.

She needed to make sense of it all. If she took her feelings out of it—they’d both been in it for the pleasure. At least that’s why she had originally run off with a man she didn’t know.

“But why would he come with me?” That was a question she wasn’t sure she could answer. He found her attractive. Though he had called her beautiful several times, it went beyond words. She’d seen it in his eyes. There were moments during their time together that she also saw vulnerability in his face, especially when they delved too close to the past.

Whoever Jackson was, he was a good man. She knew that at least.

Mar stared up at the ceiling. As much as she wanted to hate him, she couldn’t. Jackson, if that was his name, had given her some of the best days of her life. She’d had fun, and she’d found an intimacy with him that she’d never experienced before.

The phone rang and she nearly fell off the bed, she was so jumpy. “Hello?”

“Mar, what’s going on?”

“Hey, Chi, what are you talking about?”

“It’s not only me, Makala and Katie are here, too. You’re on speaker.”

Mar sighed. Katie was a former NYPD detective and had a B.S. detector like no other, and Makala was an FBI profiler and their resident shrink.

“Great. What time is it there? Because you know it’s like four in the morning here, right?”

“It’s the only time we figured we could reach you. We’ll let you get back to bed as soon as you tell us about this new man of yours,” Katie insisted. “We demand details. In fact, what kind of guy lies about who he is to get in your pants, and still gets to hang around?”

Blowing out a breath, she thought carefully about what she was about to say. While she doubted she’d ever see him again, she couldn’t bring herself to bitch about him. Even though she had every right after what he’d pulled.

“Is he there?” Chi asked. “Go in the bathroom so you can talk to us.”

Mar gave a forced chuckle. “No, he’s not here. We’ve parted ways. So he’s no longer
my
man.” She sniffled.
Damn, I won’t cry.

“Oh, Mar, tell us, hon. What’s wrong?” The concern
in Makala’s voice was almost her undoing. A tear slid down her cheek, but Mar held it together.

“I’m tired. You know. I had some fun with a mysterious guy. It was the best sex of my life, but he had to leave. End of story.”

There was silence on the other end of the phone.

“So you had sex with a guy you’d only known a couple of days?” Chi’s statement was one more of admiration than admonishment. “I have to say, I’m kind of proud of you right now. I mean, when you decide to let go, you do it in a big way. But I’m super glad he didn’t turn out to be an axe murderer.”

Me, too.
“I may not be the best detective in the world, you guys, but I do have good sense when it comes to judging people. I still don’t know a damn thing about the guy, but my heart tells me he was a good man. Even though he left in the middle of the night and didn’t say goodbye.”

Again there was silence.

“What? No lectures?” The words came out snappish, but she couldn’t help feeling defensive. “You guys are the ones who find fault with every man I meet.”

“Did you have a good time?” That was Makala again, but there was no judgment in her voice.

“Uh, you know I did. I can honestly say it was the time of my life. I was happier than I’ve ever been.”

“Well, good for you,” Makala said. “There’s nothing wrong with stepping out of your comfort zone. You’ve been through hell this last year and a half. It’s okay that you acted out and did something a little wild. We’ve all been so worried about you.”

Mar started giggling. “So you’re saying it’s a good
thing I had sex with a stranger at a remote island resort, even though I’m not sure I know his name? Have you guys been replaced by pod people?”

They laughed, too.

“Yes, that’s what we’re saying,” Katie teased. “Makala’s right. You’ve been so tied up in knots trying to learn the business, and doing a damn fine job I might add, and you haven’t even taken the time to process what happened with your mom.

“You took care of your dad and set up his house so that it runs like clockwork. You arranged it so that someone was there to make sure he ate, and that he had clean shirts. By the way, Mrs. Hopkins has been calling with daily updates, and your dad’s doing fine. I went over there to make sure, and she made chocolate chip pancakes. The best ones I’ve ever had. That woman should have a show on the Food Network.”

Mrs. Hopkins had been a godsend. Mar’s dad was a successful businessman, but he’d taken her mother’s death hard. Since Mar was busy trying to keep SIA afloat, she’d hired Mrs. H. to help with the domestic side of things.

Thinking about her dad brought another tear to her eye.
What’s with all the crying?
It was like she’d been saving up or something. She reached for a tissue. “Thanks for checking on him. I appreciate it.”

“No worries,” Katie said. “And Mar, we don’t say it enough, but you’ve kept this place running, too. You’re here eighteen hours a day handling research and coordinating who does what. We’ve all had front row seats to the awesomeness that is you.”

This time Mar snorted. “I think I need that T-shirt.”

“I’ll get you one made,” Chi said. And she probably would. “So since your dream man is gone, are you coming home?”

Mar chewed on her lip again. “I’m thinking about it. I have to leave here. It feels weird now, but I’m not ready to come home yet. I promise wherever I go, I’ll let you know. And from now on I’ll keep my phone close by.”

“Good girl,” Chi said. “Take your time. You don’t need to be back until the end of the month.”

She was really lucky to have such amazing friends. “Thanks. I heart you guys, you know that, right?”

“Right back at you, chickie,” Chi said. “Don’t forget to call and let us know where you land.”

“I won’t,” Mar promised.

They said their goodbyes.

“They’re right. I needed this. I had a good time, and I met a terrific guy. He lied. A lot. But was fun. So definitely no regrets.”

Determined to be strong, she called to arrange for a car to take her back to Bangkok. There was still the danger of the mob guys, so she’d have the driver take her straight to the airport. The shopping would have to wait for another time. The hotel in Bangkok would ship her clothing back to Austin. That way she could travel light, and pick things up as she went.