When he lunged a second time, she was prepared. She dodged, kicked, and shoved her foot into his stomach sending him back a few feet. Ha! Take that, she thought, mentally raising her fist in triumph.
Before she knew what was happening, she went sailing over his shoulder. He flipped her, but she was agile and landed on her feet. Yea me!
Charley heard a curse and before she could jump, strong hands grasped her ankles. With one tug, her feet were yanked out from underneath her. Landing with a thud, the breath was knocked out of her lungs as she slammed against the mat covered floor.
Dazed, she saw stars. Arms flung out to her sides in defeat and exhaustion, she sucked in air. Eyelids fluttering open, she regarded glittering green eyes staring down at her. A shit-eating grin graced his handsome face. So much for triumph. The rat bastard.
Offering a large hand to help her up, Jake told her, “Not too shabby for a citified sissy girl.”
Oh, but she was not done yet. She took the hand, tugged, and swept a foot out around his ankle, sending him toppling over her and flat on his back. Before he even had time to think, Charley straddled him.
Yes! This was what she wanted. Needed.
Grinning ear-to-ear, she quickly removed the boxer wraps from around her hands. Hands pressed against his chest, she reminded him of his own words. “I believe you said something like, take me, come and get me.”
Without any reluctance whatsoever, she wiggled against him. “I believe I will.”
FIFTEEN
When Charley straddled him, his body went instantly still and hard. The only thing that moved was his heart and it was bouncing off his chest pumping blood to all the right places. Oh! She wiggled against him. His eyes widened and his nostrils flared as she sent him skidding to the edge of control. Closing his hands into fists, he held on.
Then she smiled and her eyes heated. They went from the brilliant blue of a topaz to deep sapphire. He watched, unable to move, as she leaned closer, her lips parting. When those pink lips brushed his, he fell, lost the last thread of control and jumped in headfirst.
He reached up, wrapped one hand around the base of her neck, and pulled her closer, deepened the kiss, took her tongue and tangled with it. It was warm, wet, and soft. A small moan came from her throat and he shifted the kiss, lightened it, teased her, and nipped at her lower lip.
Charley pulled back, sitting astride him, smiling, trying to catch her breath. He was doing the same. When she reached and removed the ponytail, her hair spun around her shoulders like golden sunshine. Between two fingers, he touched it. Silky. Before he could blink, her top was gone and he gazed at the most beautiful breasts he had ever seen.
“Beautiful.” He ran his palms across the rose-colored nipples and smiled as they puckered. He cupped each one in his hands, gently squeezed them, fondled them.
Charley, whose head had been thrown back in pleasure, came forward. She gazed down at him and a sly smile crossed her face. Then she wiggled and slid down his legs, her mouth leaving a trail of kisses down his chest to his stomach, pausing at his navel where he watched as her tongue flicked out and teased. He groaned and threw an arm over his eyes. The feel of her slender fingers sliding beneath his waistband had him drawing in a breath. When he heard the metallic rasp of his zipper, he flung his arm back and gazed at the blond crown of Charley’s head, watched her struggle, and chuckled.
Her head popped up and the smile she wore with the glazed blue eyes was pure heat and passion. She lowered her head again and her hair spilled out over his stomach in a sensual stroke, and—Oh! Oh! His eyes rolled into the back of his head. He reached out and grabbed her silky hair. She had him in her mouth. Soft lips wrapped around his hard—Oh!
Jake sat up, grabbed Charley’s bare shoulders, and flipped their positions. Breathing rapidly, he spoke. “You’re going to end it too soon,” he whispered in a husky voice.
Charley giggled. “I want it fast.”
His eyes went wide. “Not that fast, Shugar.”
* * * *
Shugar? “Mmm.” She liked the sound of that. Wow! The tug of her nipple between his teeth sent shivers and heat through her. When he suckled one breast and squeezed the other, she arched up wanting more, raked her fingers into his short chestnut hair, and moaned.
Grabbing his head, she tugged him to her face so she could kiss him, thoroughly. As their tongues danced, Charley wrapped her legs around Jake in a plea for more. She wanted him. Now!
Jake chuckled then purred in her ear. “What’s your favorite lollipop?”
She blinked in surprise, trying to figure out if Jake just asked what she thought. “Lollipop?” She rasped out the word because his hand had just slid into her shorts and her mind swirled.
“Mm. My favorite is a Tootsie Pop.”
He was sliding down her body, taking her shorts with him. When he spoke again, his breath was hot against the tiny patch of hair between her legs. “Know why?”
Charley didn’t know, didn’t care. She just did not want him to stop stroking her.
“Go ahead, Charley, ask me why.”
“Wh–why?” She managed to ask on a breath of air as he sent one finger inside her. She thought she had been wet before.
“Because I like to see how many licks it takes to get to the…”
She covered her eyes with her hands as Jake’s tongue slid inside her then found her button, and oh—my—freaking— She came! Waves and waves of ecstasy racked her body and she bowed up off the mat, reached for something to grab onto but there was nothing within reach. Except Jake.
Charley clutched at his hair until the tide started to ebb. Then Jake moved, pressed her knees forward and rested them against his thighs. He leaned down to kiss her and as his tongue slid in, he slid into her, filled her. She tightened around him and when he moved inside her, the ride started all over again.
Breaking the kiss, he spoke. “You’re sure fast is okay?”
She wanted to scream, yes! Yes! Yes! All she managed was a fast nod.
“Good.”
He must have taken her at her word because his strokes came faster, harder, and the swell of those waves were so close, she tensed, her legs quivering. Jake clasped his hands to hers and her eyes flew open and gazed into his at the intense shock and heat that jolted them. It catapulted them over the edge.
As the tiny ripples of aftershock tingled through her, Charley realized that the fall back to earth was just as pleasant with Jake wrapped around her. For long moments, they lay there with Jake slung across her body, her legs hanging loosely around his hips. Then he rolled off and curled her into his side, her head resting on his shoulder.
“Two.”
Charley peered up at him in confusion. “Two?”
He beamed. “Two licks to get to the center of…”
She slapped a hand over his grinning mouth and he started to laugh, his chest and stomach rumbling.
“I will never look at a Tootsie Pop the same ever again,” she vowed. Then Jake let out an uproarious laugh and Charley couldn’t help but follow.
Turning his head, he winked at her. “Every time I see one I will think of you.” He laughed some more.
Charley gave him a light tap on the stomach, a stomach of solid muscle, and the epitome of the term six-pack abs. She ran the tip of a finger down the center ridge but Jake halted her movement when he placed a large hand on top of hers.
“Only if you want round two.”
She jerked her head and gazed at him. He was serious. Gnawing her bottom lip, she contemplated it then smiled. “After we eat.” She got to her feet and started putting on clothes.
“I’ll make us some dinner.”
Charley busied herself with the skillet, cooking the chicken breasts in a small amount of water and seasoning. What the heck had she been thinking? She just did her neighbor on her basement floor. A neighbor she met only a few days ago, who she barely knew. Pressing the palm of her hand to her head, she questioned her sanity.
When sh
e heard Jake enter the kitchen, she turned and saw that he was fully dressed except his shoes. For some reason that made her smile. She guessed that meant he was comfortable in her home. With her. A shiver ran up her spine.
“Are you cold?”
“No. I’m good.”
Jake cleared his throat. “Me too.” He grinned ear to ear.
Charley opened up her mouth then shut it. She felt her face flush. She turned back to the chicken. “You want to get us something to drink while I take care of this?”
“Sure.” She heard the refrigerator open. “Can I do anything else to help?”
No. I think you have done quite enough. “Uh, you want to grab the lettuce and tomatoes for me?”
Jake set the vegetables on the counter next to the stove, found her wooden cutting board and a knife and started chopping. Charley couldn’t remember ever cooking with another man except her father and that had been a lot of years since his death.
Her father had been the one who taught her how to do repairs around the house. He showed her how to put up drywall, install outlets, lay tile and grout it, everything a girl should know when she owned her own place he told her. That was before he died. She shook her head. Do not go there.
Jake laid a hand on her shoulder, stroked it with a thumb. “You okay?”
Charley gazed up at him. How could he read her so well? No one had ever been able to. She made sure of that. In her line of work, it was considered counterintelligence. Never let them see what you don’t want them to.
“Yes, fine. Chicken is ready.” Taking two bowls from the cupboard, she mixed up the salad then laid the seasoned chicken slices on top. She set them on the table along with utensils then grabbed her special Greek dressing and Feta cheese from the refrigerator.
She took a seat and Jake brought over their beers and sat in a chair across from her. “I hope this is good enough.”
“Are you kidding me? This is great.” He dug in. “It’s good. What did you add to the chicken?”
Charley took a bite then answered. “Season All.”
They finished their meal in silence then she took the dishes to the sink and started to wash them. Jake came up behind her and pinned her in, with his arms on either side of her resting against the counter. He kissed the nape of her neck.
“You’ll feel better if you share what’s going on?”
His warm breath and low resonating voice was so seductive, coaxing, but she shook her head. She wanted to tell him, but she couldn’t. It was too unsafe to share that part of her life. It wasn’t even safe to be doing what they did and were going to do again. His hand slid up under her top, cupped a breast, and rolled one already taut nipple between his thumb and finger. Liquid heat pooled between her legs and she burned to have Jake inside her.
Wanting more of his mouth on her neck, she tilted her head back, rested it against his shoulder. He took the invitation and bit the pulse that throbbed for him. Reaching behind her, Charley cupped Jake in her hand, felt him throbbing. He moaned and pressed himself into her. The hand that was tweaking her nipple moved, and trailed down her stomach, slid into her shorts. He touched her! Her heart tripped into double-time as his finger circled her center then slipped inside.
* * * *
“Jake.” She whispered his name and it was all he could do not to shove her against the counter, strip her naked, and slam into her. Charley needed comfort and if this were the only way she would take it from him then he would give it. For now, physical comfort was enough.
She reached up and grabbed him at the back of the neck, pulled his face to hers, and she kissed him. His finger was wet and she tightened around him. He felt himself get even harder. She turned in his arms, pushed at the hem of his shirt, and the next thing he knew her tongue flicked out at his nipple. His eyes widened and his stomach tightened at the new and quivering sensation.
When she moved to his other nipple, her hands went to his zipper. Okay! He undid his own pants, letting them drop to the floor still wrapped around his ankles, and in the next instant, he had Charley stripped and sitting on the counter. He feasted on her breasts, capturing one nipple in between his lips, his tongue teasing it to an excited little nub. His fingers tweaked the other nipple caused it to rise and beg for his mouth.
Her head flung back and hit the cupboard.
“Oops.” Not good. He needed more of her. Wrapping her legs around his waist, he pulled her from the counter, and spun around forgetting that his pants were still around his ankles. Not wanting to fight to get them off, he splayed Charley across the table.
Sliding his arms up under her back so she didn’t bruise, Jake slammed into her. Charley fisted around him, and she ignited. She moaned and writhed, tightened her wrapped legs around him. She pulled him in and under her spell. His head swam as he felt her climax build. The muscles in her legs started to quiver. He thrust into her hard then withdrew slow, feeling the tug of her as he retreated, then she opened and welcomed as he thrust again. It was like coming home.
Then he did. He came into Charley one last time, arched back and cried out her name as he felt her tense and release.
Once he caught his breath, Jake stepped out of his pants, picked Charley up, and carried her upstairs.
“Next time will be in a bed,” he said as he found the door to the bedroom, walked through it, and dropped with her onto the king size mattress.
“Next time?”
She shivered in his arms and he pulled her close, managing to tug the covers up around them. “Definitely. After we rest.”
SIXTEEN
Jake jerked awake at the sound of someone trying to pound down Charley’s door. “What the hell?” Out of habit, he reached for his weapon but came up empty. Shit! His shoes that hid his pistol were downstairs, along with his clothes.
He gently shook Charley by the shoulder. “Shugar.” He tried again. “Charley. Someone is here.”
Who the hell showed up at a person’s house before the sun had even come up? He shook Charley again. “Come on, hun, wake up.”
She finally stirred. “What?” Her eyes blinked the remainder of sleep away.
“There—”
Charley screamed and held the sheet up around her.
“What the hell?” Jake demanded as he threw himself in front of Charley, shielding her from the two gun-wielding men. Dressed in suits?
“Charley Duston?” The tallest intruder spoke.
“Y–yes.”
“You need to get dressed and come with us.”
“Us, who?” Jake asked. “Who the hell are you? What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He started to get to his feet then remembering he was naked, he tugged the bedspread around his waist and stood. “You can’t break into a residence and point a pistol at the occupants.”
The taller one nodded to the smaller one who aimed his weapon at Jake’s chest. “The Agency.”
Agency? “What agency?”
Why were two armed ‘Agency’ men in Charley’s house? What could she have done? Even if she had been a lady of the night, which he no longer believed, what would some unknown agency want with her?
Charley yelled. “Cut it out! Put your damn guns away! I’ll get dressed and be right with you.”
Jake gaped at her. What the hell?
“Do it now and get out!”
The big guy checked his watch. “Ten minutes.” They holstered their weapons and walked out not bothering to shut the door as one stood guard in the hallway and the other went downstairs.
Seemingly not worried about being seen, Charley got to her feet and went to her closet. Calm, too calm.
With the comforter trailing behind him, Jake walked around the bed and stood in front of her. When she ignored him, he snatched her arm and held her still. “What the hell?”
“It will be alright, but I only have ten minutes to get dressed.” She turned to finish picking out clothes, but he pulled her back.
“Charley, what is happening? What agency are they with and
why are they here?”
When she looked up at him, her brilliant blue eyes glazed over. Her mask was falling into place. The woman he made love with three times in the last few hours disappeared. In her place was the sophisticated, cool woman he first met. Letting her go, he rubbed his hand down his face and stared at her, fury building inside him.
“I hope to be back in a day, two at the most,” she said as she slipped into her undergarments.
“Where are you going?”
She shrugged and stepped into a navy blue skirt, tugging it up and hooking it at her waist. “I’m not certain. Either Boston or DC.”
He wanted to take her in his arms and shake her, yell at her, but he was certain that if he did, the two goons in the hall would not be as polite with their weapons as they had been the first time. Shit! Helpless, he sat on the bed, hung his head, and sighed.
Completely dressed, Charley sat next to him, laid a hand on his thigh. “I’m sorry, Jake. It was a mistake. We shouldn’t have gotten involved.”
Gut punched, his head snapped up. Whether she wanted him to see it or not, he saw the corners of her mouth turn down. She was frowning. Her face belied her words.
Before he could respond, she stood and started past him. His hand touched hers and held. The spark that ignited at the contact, flared low in his belly. She glanced down at him.
“Charley, I’ll be here when you get back.”
“Don’t. It isn’t safe.” She gave his hand a squeeze and walked away.
Two minutes later, he heard the front door close and he bolted down the stairs, tugged his pants on, pulled his weapon out of his shoes and ran out the door. Damn! He grabbed his hair and yelled his frustration at no one but the critters that shared his sanctuary.
Defeated, Jake slammed the door as he went back inside. In the kitchen, he located his cell phone, opened it, hit a number and waited.
“What’s wrong?” Just like Mickey, his boss. No preamble, get to the point.
“I need you to find out everything you can on Charley Duston. Charley is spelled with an e–y at the end.”
Connect the Dots Page 8
