Fatal Exposure (18 page)

That should get him. If she knew anything, it was that a man’s ego was bigger than any other part of him. Which meant Jax’s had to be huge.

He shook his head at her, shifted his truck into gear, and took off in Moreno’s direction. “I never should’ve picked you up, huh?”

“Too late now.”

****

Ava quickly rinsed the residue off of the mortar and stirred the crushed pills into the chili. Just in time.

From the corner of her eye, she could see him walking over. He nudged up beside her.

“You’ve got a ton of canned food,” she explained, trying to sound casual and relaxed when she was anything but. “I’m making chili.” She gestured toward the empty can and let out a nervous giggle.

“Just added some crushed peppers. I’m not the best cook.”

“It’s perfect.” Kade wrapped his arm around her waist from behind and looked down at the now bubbling chili.

She tensed against him. Did he suspect? What would he do if he found out? She couldn’t imagine he’d hurt her, but what did she really know about him anyway?

Yes, he was gorgeous. He made her toes curl in the bedroom. His kiss blinded her with ecstasy. His deep calming voice could lull her to sleep. He had a

cat. He owned a rustic cabin in the woods. And he smelled like...like fresh mountain air. She inconspicuously leaned in toward his chest and sniffed. Yes. That’s what it was.

That and...burned chili.

“Damn it!” She quickly used the ladle to scoop all that wasn’t stuck to the bottom of the pot into a bowl. “Oh, geez, I ruined it.” She clasped her hand over her mouth and stared down at her escape plan. Kade took the bowl from her. “It’s fine, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart
. The tiny sentiment blared in her ears.“Really. It’s okay.” He looked down at her with what seemed to be adoration. Love. Whatever it was sucked the air out of her lungs.

She watched him take a bite. He chewed, swallowed, and took another mouthful.
Stop!
A muted voice in her wanted to yell.
I need you.
Every cell in her body froze, and as if time had warped, the last bit of chili disappeared. He swiped his hands together and smiled down at her. Warm and tender. “You okay?”

She nodded but her stomach disagreed. It rumbled with nausea. She tried to remind herself drugging him was the only way to survive this mess. Once he passed out, she could take his shoes. She could run far away again and start all over. Without Kade. Without his touch.

“Are you sure? You look a little pale.”

“I...I should sit down.”

“Go ahead. You’re probably starving. You haven’t eaten in a long time.”

“Yeah,” she whispered and dazedly ambled away.

She could feel him behind her, gripping her elbow until she reached the couch and plopped down.

“I’ll make you a fresh bowl in a new pot.”

She nodded again. What could she say? That she was sorry? Sorry for what? She was protecting herself.

Surviving
.

She couldn’t listen to the voice in her head that had gotten her into all this trouble in the first place. The same one that told her Zack was a decent guy. The fatal instinct that shouted for her to fall in love. With the man who found and exposed her. With her own kidnapper.

****

Jax peered at Poppy from the corner of his eye as she breathed onto the truck window and sketched out a dollar sign. The woman was certifiable.

“Not that I care,” she said. “But what is he planning on doing with all that money?”

“Why don’t you ask him when you see him?” Jax said, aggravated he had bothered to pick her up when she would most likely get in his way. There had to be some way he could stop Kade from ruining their family name. Once this was all over, he was sure neither one of them would be employable. She swerved around and faced him. “That’s not funny.”

“I didn’t laugh.” He shot her a warning glare.

“The only reason you’re still here is because I’ve got no idea what else to do with you. And if you think I’m going to help you screw over Moreno, you’re insane.”

“What about half?” she asked. “I’ll do all the dirty work. All you have to do is wait for me. He won’t even know you’re a part of it.”

That got his attention. He gripped the steering wheel and punched on the accelerator. If the crazy woman could pull it off, all Jax had to do was put her back where he found her and take the money. With that amount of dough, he wouldn’t have to work for a long time. “How exactly are you planning on getting it in your possession?”

“I’ll shoot him with your gun.”

“He won’t be the only one there who wants that money. There’s another man and a woman.”

“Kade and Ava?”

Jax smirked. She knew more than he realized.

“Yep.”

“I’ll shoot them, too.” She stuck her chin up at him.Not only was she crazy, she was a horrible liar. But it didn’t matter. If it worked out, this could put him on easy street. “Okay,” he said. “You got a deal.”

****

Mere moments passed until Kade was back with a bowl of chili in one hand and a spoon in the other.

“Here.” He placed them down on the coffee table in front of her.

Ava scooped up the spoon and tasted it. She really was starving, and if she planned on escaping, she needed her energy.

Kade tended to the fire, giving it another log and jabbing it with the poker. He seemed fine. Normal. How long had it taken her to pass out after she had been drugged? She couldn’t remember.

Who knew if the drugs would be effective anyway? Some of the chili had stuck to the bottom of the pot. And she’d only used a few of the pills. He was bigger than her. Much bigger. What if it didn’t have the same effect on him?

“We need to discuss a few things,” he said, snatching her out of her thoughts. He leaned against the mantel and gave her a gentle grin.

Ava dropped her head back down and kept busy chewing and swallowing. What if he started feeling fatigued and dizzy and realized what she’d done?

She was sure she wouldn’t get anymore of those smiles.

“Look at me, sweetheart.”

That word
. She gave him her attention just so he wouldn’t say it again. She was anything but his sweetheart, he’d soon realize.

“I want you to be prepared for when Moreno gets here.” He knocked his knuckles against a log on the opposite wall of the fireplace. “This is where I keep my weapons.” He pushed against the wood, and Ava heard a click.

The panel of wall popped out like a dresser drawer. He pulled out a rifle and a handgun, showed them to her and carefully set them back.

“Why are they hidden?” she asked, confused by that and why he was giving away his secret hiding place. “I thought men like you liked to show off their guns.”

He let out a short breath and closed the drawer.

“I guess you don’t know me very well, huh?”

“Not at all,” she lied. She knew him better than she ever wanted to.

Her words seemed to give him pause. He dragged his hand through his hair, and that Adam’s apple bobbed up and down again.

“Are you feeling better?” He sat beside her on the couch and set his hand on her knee. She looked at where their skin connected for a moment and contemplated standing up just to get

away from his touch. “I’m fine. Why are they hidden?” she asked again, suddenly curious to know more about the man she’d never see again after this day. The mere thought of not having him around anymore gave her an unwanted knot in her stomach.

“In all honesty, I don’t like them. I’ve seen enough violence in my life, and I’m not particularly fond of looking at something that reminds me of it.”

He stared into her eyes as he spoke, his light blue gaze drawing her in like a magnet. “But I’ll do anything to protect the people I love.”

She gulped as he leaned toward her. He tilted his head and kissed her lips.

“Who?” She braced her hand against his chest and nudged him back. “Who do you love? Lucy?” God only knew why she asked. Jealousy? Curiosity?

Hope?

It didn’t matter anymore
.

He stood and grabbed her hand, pulling her from the couch and against his body. “No, she’s not who I love,” he said in a low voice as he looked down at her with an expression that gave away so much more than she was asking for.

Reluctantly, she let him guide her to the furry shag rug in front of the fireplace. He dropped to his knees and loosened the flannel shirt still wrapped around her waist. It fell to the floor. Before she could object, he lifted her blouse and ran his tongue from the top of her jeans to her navel. Defiantly, her body ached for more.

He began unfastening her pants, but she clamped her hand over his.

“I can’t do this, Kade. I’m sorry.”
So sorry
.

“You’re going to have to stop rejecting me sooner or later, sweetheart...if we’re going to make this work.”

His words both bewildered and ignited her. And as she stood paralyzed, he tugged down her jeans and panties all at once. He untangled the clothing from one foot and then the other, discarding them to the side.

Ava’s body trembled under his touch as he gripped her hips and stared up at her.

“Kade.” She let her hand run through his hair. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Do I really want to?
Her heart was beating hard as her chest rose and fell with her rapid breaths.

“It’s wishful thinking on my part.” His staid blue eyes seared into her. “I’ve fallen in love with you.”

The shock of his words forced Ava’s knees to buckle. She dropped to the floor and into his arms.

“
What?
” Her throat tightened.

A warm, adoring smile spread across his face as he drew her to him. “Now that I’ve found you, I don’t want to lose you.” He slipped his hands under her top, hoisting it up and over her head.

“But you...I thought you—”

“Only wanted the money? Only cared about myself?”

Ava nodded.

He shook his head, still grinning. “I love you, Ava.” With swiftness, he tore the shirt off his body and began unbuttoning his pants.

“What?” she asked again, unable to believe her own ears.

“Let me show you,” he whispered and took her lips with his. Tender, loving...heart-wrenching.

His tongue slid seductively along hers as he lowered her onto her back.
Oh, my
. Panic and passion battled for the thoughts in her mind, leaving her stunned, putty in his hands. Under his spell. She couldn’t move, couldn’t respond, couldn’t think. He licked and kissed a path down her neck, over her breast, sucking in her nipple as he reached the tip. “Mmm.” His moan rumbled against the aching pebble, and then he gently took it between his teeth. Her belly fluttered as she watched his strong masculine jaw move, his powerful lips score her skin, and his intense blue eyes stare back at her. Too deep. Too sincere. She opened her mouth to speak, to say anything intelligible, but nothing came out. He’d said he loved her. No one had ever said those words to her.

Unaccounted moments passed until he released her breast and moved to dispose of his jeans. He retrieved a condom from his wallet before throwing everything else to the side. He rolled it on his magnificent cock and then returned to her. He stood above her trembling body. His gaze swept over her, locking on her pussy. His foot nudged her legs apart, spreading her for his view. Then he kneeled between her thighs and brushed his lips across her mound. He lingered and inhaled her scent.

“Kade.” Her heart twisted into a tight knot as her pussy wept.

He licked his lips and kissed her once more before standing. “I’ll be right back. Don’t get up.”

Ava squeezed her eyes shut and attempted to steady her breathing, to ease her thumping pulse. One word beat a relentless tempo against her forehead. Love. Love. Love.

Could this moment be more ironic? She only hoped the pills wouldn’t have any effect. Then she could pretend everything was fine. She could love him back without him knowing she’d tried to drug him. Wasn’t that what she wanted? His love?

She wrenched one eye open as he approached, a bottle of lubricant in his hand. Curiosity forced her to give him her full attention. “What are you doing?”

He grinned and spilled a few drops into his big palm. “I never want to lose you, Ava. You make me want to be a better person.”

She sighed. It was all she could do. Her heart was in her throat. Her mind was nowhere to be found.

He cupped her mound, letting the oil trickle down her folds, and massaged her. “I’ll follow you anywhere. Do anything for you.”

Guilt consumed her. She couldn’t face him. Instead, she tilted her head back on the rug and stared at the ceiling. His slippery fingers circled her clit, gently rubbing the lube into her tingly flesh.

“I could spend the rest of my life making love to you.” He paused. “Look at me, Ava. Look what you do to me.”

She dared to glimpse at him as he fisted his hard cock and greased it with the lubricant. God, the man was perfect. She rocked against his hand and whimpered as he slipped a slick finger inside her already wet center.