Lethal Pursuit (24 page)

She gathered her courage. She didn’t want to have this conversation out on the front porch where anyone might overhear it, but too bad. “I wanted to come see you before, but I couldn’t until I was strong again.”

He tilted his head to study her. “I don’t like it, but I guess I can understand. Sort of.”

The lump was all but choking her now. “I missed you every day.” It came out a rough whisper.

“Ah, baby, I know. C’mere.” He tipped her face up to his. After searching her eyes for a moment, Jackson lowered his head and kissed her. A tiny sound escaped her, half gasp, half whimper. She threaded her hands into his silky soft hair and drank him in, reveling in every single sensation. He tasted like sweet tea and smelled of warm, clean man. And she’d missed him every single minute they’d been apart.

He kissed her deep and hard, one arm wrapped around her back and the other holding her head still. When his tongue slid into her mouth, she was ready to climb him like a tree just to get closer, frantic to feel more of him. Before the kiss could get completely out of hand, he pressed his mouth to hers one last time, firmly, like a stamp of ownership, and eased back. His eyes smoldered with the promise of more to come later. “Come on inside with me.”

Maya hesitated. His eldest sister was in there, and her children. This was their home. She didn’t feel right barging back into Jackson’s life and meeting his family yet. It was too much pressure for everyone. “I don’t—”

“No way, baby. You found the guts to drive that bike all the way from California to see me, you can see the rest of it through. Come inside.” He took her hand and tugged her toward the door.

Since he wasn’t taking no for an answer, she followed grudgingly into the foyer and up a short staircase to the main living area. In the bright cozy kitchen, the boy who’d been on Jackson’s shoulders was seated at the granite island and a striking woman with long, dark hair and bronze-toned skin stood at the stove. She could easily see the family resemblance between her and Jackson.

The woman stopped stirring something on the stove that smelled like spicy heaven and blinked at them. “This is my sister, Angela,” Jackson said. “Ang, this is Maya.”

Angela set down her spatula and smiled at her. She didn’t hold out her hand as Maya expected. No, she wrapped her arms around her and pulled her in close for a hug instead. “Hi. It’s so great to finally meet you. Jackson’s told us all so much about you.”

Maya awkwardly returned the embrace. “Hi. Thanks. Great to meet you too.”

Angela pulled back, still smiling, eyes a little misty. “Are you hungry? We’re just about to eat. My husband’s flight got delayed so we’re eating without him.”

She glanced at Jackson. “I...”

“She’d love to stay. Right, buddy?” He ruffled his nephew’s hair. “This is Eli, by the way. Lucas is upstairs, perfecting his latest Jedi training.”

“Hi, Eli.”

“Hi.” The boy regarded her seriously for a moment. “I thought you’d be taller.”

Maya didn’t know how to respond, but Jackson grinned and said, “Gotta love kids. Guess I made you sound ten feet tall when I told them about you.”

He ushered her to the table in the eating nook and handed her a glass of white wine, refusing her help in the kitchen. She made small talk with them while he helped fix everything with Angela. Not only was the man sweet and heroic and beautiful, but he obviously knew how to cook. Her head was spinning. How did things stand between them? That wasn’t something she was going to ask him in front of his family members.

Dinner was delicious and enjoyable, despite her nerves. She hadn’t eaten very well over the past few weeks. It was clear how much the family loved each other. Watching them together filled Maya with a wistfulness that made her heart ache. This was how she’d always imagined her and Pili would wind up, hanging out at each other’s house with their kids.

They kept the conversation light through dinner, focusing mainly on Eli, who seemed a lot older than he was, and his five-year-old brother, Lucas. When the meal ended, Angela shared a secret look with her brother then scooped up Eli and Lucas. “Bath time for my guys.” She shot Maya another smile. “It was really nice meeting you, Maya. I hope we’ll get to see you again soon.”

Maya didn’t know what to say, so she nodded and returned the smile. “Thank you for having me, especially without any notice.”

Angela waved her thanks away. “You’re welcome anytime.”

As his sister carried the boys upstairs, Jackson took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s go out back and sit on the porch. I’ll get you another glass of wine.”

“I shouldn’t. Have to drive back to the hotel later.”

“I’ll drive you there on your bike.” He leaned in to kiss her temple, his warm breath making her shiver. “I think I want you a little tipsy.”

Her belly fluttered but she raised her eyebrows. “You think I trust you with my Ducati?” she said to cover her nerves.

“Yeah, I think you do.”

He was right. She did.

Once he had her settled on the white wooden porch swing, he brought her that next glass of wine and sat beside her to pull her tight against him. Her whole body sighed at the contact. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, relaxing into him. If she died right now, she’d die happy.

Jackson stroked his fingers through her jaw-length hair. “When did you cut it?”

“As soon as I got home. Couldn’t stand all the snarls and knots in it.”

“I like it, it’s sassy. Suits you.”

She blushed at the compliment. Looking out over the tidy backyard with its green swing set, she didn’t know what else to say.
I
love you.
I
love you with everything in me.
It was almost impossible to hold the words back. “You told me you were all healed up, but I wasn’t sure if you were lying.” Unable to resist, she slid a hand to his belly, pulling up his shirt so she could see the scar. It was about five inches long, the angry red incision fading to purple.

Jackson covered her hand with his, rubbed it slowly over his skin, all warm and silky under her palm. He let her pet him like a cat, stroking him while his muscles twitched against her hand. Instant arousal pulsed through her body.

“Recovery was pretty easy,” he said at last. “I had Ang and the boys to look after me when I got discharged from the hospital. I can’t stand knowing you went home alone.” He shook his head in annoyance.

She tipped her head back to meet his eyes. “I managed fine.” Well, okay, not
fine
, but she’d made it through. “My therapist says I’m doing great, all things considered. Panic attacks are few and far between now and I’m sleeping better at night. Hardly any nightmares now.” Down to a few a week, rather than a few every night.

“Then you’ll sleep even better with me beside you,” he said in a smoky voice that made her toes curl. “And I’ll sleep better knowing you’re next to me tonight. Right after I wear you out so much you won’t have enough energy to dream later.” The look in his eyes told her he wasn’t just teasing. Then he grinned and gave the swing a push with one foot, setting them in gentle motion as he bent and nuzzled the side of her neck. Goose bumps rippled across her skin. “Now hurry up and finish your wine.”

Like she was interested in wine after that comment? She reacted to his nearness on a chemical level. The anticipation of what might happen tonight was the most exquisite and frustrating torture. She sipped her wine while they talked about a lot of different things. The Air Force agreeing to grant her an honorable discharge. His plans to write the MCAT in the fall once he finished his enlistment. Haversham putting in a good word for her when she decided to apply to the FBI in a few months.

“You want kids someday?” he asked suddenly.

Startled, she set her glass down before answering. “Yeah, maybe someday.” A wistful smile broke over her face. “I guess I’ve always dreamed about having a family of my own. A real one, like you’ve got.”

His expression thoughtful, he nodded and kissed the top of her head. She didn’t know what to make of that and didn’t want to press. All she wanted at the moment was to find a private place where she could peel those clothes off him and kiss and lick every inch of his body.

As she swallowed the last sip of wine, he took the glass from her, eyes dark with hunger. “So. Ready to take that ride with me?”

She almost swallowed her tongue at the heavy throb that set off in her body. “Yeah.”

“One thing.” His tone held a warning note and she stared at him expectantly, wondering what he was going to say. “When we get to your room, this time you’re letting me run things.”

Instant desire and nervousness exploded in her belly. She had promised that, hadn’t she? Back when they’d been locked up in those cages. Many a night she’d lain awake, imagining what it would be like to give him control in bed. The idea turned her on more than anything ever had. But could she actually let herself go like that? She’d never let herself be vulnerable to a lover before.

She stalled. “I only have one helmet—”

“I’ve got one. Meet you out front.”

She stood by her bike as he came out of the side of the garage with a helmet in his hand, battling the lingering nerves eating at her. “I’ve never ridden on the back of a bike before,” she admitted, feeling off balance.

He titled his head, eyes twinkling. “No? Well, just think of it as foreplay.”

What?
He leaned in for a hot, deep kiss before she could say anything. She moaned low in her throat and reached for him, but he pulled away to throw one long denim-encased leg over the bike and straddled it. My God, he was sexy like that. All-American hero meets badass biker. Her heart fluttered and her knees went a little weak.

He tossed a grin at her before putting on his helmet. “Climb on.” He fired up the engine.

Maya strapped on her own helmet and settled on the seat behind him. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him, immediately struck by the intimacy of it. Her breasts, stomach, hips and inner thighs were all pressed against him. Jackson set a hand on hers where they were clasped against his belly and squeezed once before putting the bike in gear and pulling away from the curb.

The drive to her motel only took about fifteen minutes, but it felt like an eternity. Her body was already gearing up for what was coming and reminded her of it every time either one of them shifted or leaned into a turn. Her open thighs hugged his hips, pressing the hot glow between her legs against him. Tiny shocks of sensation traveled through her, turning her nipples into tight points that pressed against her T-shirt inside her leather jacket. By the time Jackson pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine, she felt dizzy with arousal, a little breathless.

Inside her helmet, her breathing sounded overly loud. Her heart drummed in her ears. Between her thighs, she was wet and aching for him. The intense need kept growing, heightening until she could barely contain it.

He pulled off his helmet, stood and quickly restraddled the seat to face her. Maya tugged her helmet off and swallowed at the flare of heat in his dark eyes. Reaching up to tuck a lock of hair back behind her ear, his fingers trailed down her jaw, triggering a shower of sparks in their wake.

“You’re nervous,” he said, sounding surprised.

There was no way she could deny it. “A little.” She wanted this to be perfect and was worried she wouldn’t meet his expectations when she was the one on the receiving end of things. It was a role she was completely unfamiliar with.

An adoring smile formed on his lips. “No need to be. C’mere.”

Those strong hands closed around her hips to tug her forward, lifting her to practically straddle his lap. Catching her breath at the show of easy strength, Maya set her hands on his broad shoulders and tilted her head back as he leaned in, one hand on her ass and one sliding into her hair. She shivered at the controlled hunger so evident in him. He kissed her slow and deep and she let him, mentally testing the idea of handing him the reins during sex. It was tempting. It was terrifying. Her heart knocked against her ribs.

Her hands crept into his hair as the kiss grew hotter, more demanding, their tongues caressing. She broke away to catch her breath, gauging the look in his eye. They were almost black with desire.

“I can’t wait to be inside you,” he said in a low voice. “Show me where your room is.”

The words made her breath catch. Gathering her rattled composure, she got off the bike, her legs surprisingly shaky. Up at her room, she unlocked the door and stepped inside. He followed, sliding past her as she closed the door and turned the dead bolt. She reached for the sliding chain with unsteady hands, dropping it twice with a metallic rattle against the door before she finally got it in place. Jesus, she’d never been more turned on in her life, yet it felt like she was on the verge of another panic attack.

She sensed him approach from behind, then the heat of him licked along her spine. She had only a second to tense before his hand closed over hers where the chain attached to the door. His long fingers wrapped around hers, trapping them against the wood. He pressed his chest against her back, the hard ridge of his erection nudging the top of her buttocks. She drew in a startled breath when he bent to nuzzle the delicate spot where her neck met her shoulder, sending a cascade of shivers through her. His warm breath brushed over her bare skin in an intimate caress, and her knees wobbled.

“Just turn around and give yourself to me,” he murmured against the top of her shoulder. “That’s all you need to do.”

Maya closed her eyes. He made it sound so easy and it wasn’t. It
wasn’t
. She was caught between an intense yearning that made her want to whip around and devour him, and a terrible, cringing fear of being rendered emotionally bare. Her heart was pounding and her breathing was erratic. The ravenous sexual need amplified every tiny piece of sensory input. She was acutely aware of the feel of him pressed against her, waiting, all that coiled strength begging to be turned loose, the quiet hum of the air-conditioning unit beneath the windowsill.