by Tawny Weber
She scowled. “Why aren’t you tired? You’re like a machine. We haven’t slept at all since this whole thing started. I’m exhausted.”
Jack brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. “I didn’t expect you to swim the entire mile without stopping.”
“Mile? We have to swim a mile?” she all but shrieked. “How far have we gone?”
“About an eighth of the way.”
She groaned. “Oh, man, I’m such a wuss. Well, break’s over. Let’s swim, tough guy.”
Jack grinned and let her set the pace. He helped her perfect her stroke, taking her mind off her exhaustion, and soon she swam alongside him with more speed and agility than before. He made her forget they’d just escaped bad guys with guns and jumped off a sinking boat and they were swimming a whole mile to his boat.
It didn’t take her mind off how close Jack had come to kissing her. Her toes curled at the mere thought of it. Heck, if he promised to kiss her senseless when he got her to the boat she’d win the world record in swimming. She knew this attraction was crazy. He lived on the west coast and she on the east. Once this ended they would go their separate ways, but that didn’t stop her from wanting him.
“There she is. The sailboat on the last dock with the white sails and American flag,” Jack said after they had swam for what seemed an eternity. Darci wanted to drop. Her arms ached when she tried to lift them. She looked up and saw a long, narrow boat with billowing white sails anchored in the semi-busy marina, bobbing gently on the water. Mostly there were yachts and speedboats, so the sails stood out.
To Darci it looked to be miles away. “I don’t think I can make it,” she said, slowing to a dog paddle. “My body isn’t conditioned to this kind of work out.”
“Turn on your back and let me help you,” Jack said, slipping an arm around her chest. She did as he asked and allowed him to tow her the rest of the way. He had the strength of ten men and didn’t seem bothered by her added weight. She, on the other hand, appreciated the rest. Jack managed to swim with only one arm and she drifted, kicking the best she could to help out. She marveled at the smooth, sleek muscle moving against her. Definitely the most erotic thing she’d ever experienced. Sweet mercy, she must really be tired. Jack was doing all the work battered and wounded, and all her thoughts were on how good it felt to have him rubbing against her.
“This is it.” Jack floated alongside the boat. “How about a shower, meal and a soft bed? Not necessarily in that order.”
Darci almost drooled. That sounded better than sex. Well, almost. But since sex wasn’t on the list she figured she better take him up on the rest.
“That sounds perfect, but shouldn’t we head back to the wedding party? Let them know we’re alive?”
Jack shook his head. “Too dangerous. I don’t want to bring any more threat to Renee and Paul’s family or guests. Or attention. This team missed their score because of my interference. I can’t risk them trying again.”
“So you think the twins will come after us?”
“Yes. You have something they want. Besides, we can identify them by name and face. That’s reason to—” He must have noticed the blood leach from her face because he cut off mid-sentence. “Let me worry about the authorities and the danger. You just shower and relax. I’ll take care of the rest.”
How could she not love this man? “Point me in the right direction.”
“Up the ladder, babe, and it’s all yours.”
Darci grinned and reached for the ladder with renewed energy. Jack gave her a boost and she climbed onto the shiny wooden deck of the sailboat.
“Follow me,” Jack said and led her across the deck to a set of stairs that led below.
Darci let out a gasp when she stepped into a spacious room that looked like home. The wood flooring and walls were gorgeous. An L-shaped booth with a table and lots of modern day appliances sat in a small kitchen. All in all it had a cozy atmosphere that made her want to settle in, and oddly enough, sail the high seas. It had everything she needed and she didn’t even like boats.
“This is all yours?” Awe crept into her voice. “It’s great. I never knew boats could be so…wow, it’s like home.”
“You haven’t even seen the best part yet. What would you like first? Shower or meal?”
Darci smiled at him. “Are you cooking?”
“You bet.”
“Then I’ll take a shower while you cook. Which way do I go?”
“Head is the door to your right.”
“Head?”
Jack grinned. “Bathroom.”
“Ah, sailor code. Got it. Anything else I should know?”
“The kitchen is called a galley and the bedrooms are staterooms. Now you can be my first mate.”
Darci smiled. “I’d like that. Give me ten minutes.”
“Take your time, there’s plenty of water.”
She did just that. The head held a shower, sink and toilet. Sparse but efficient. She found a towel and stepped into the stall, then let out a groan when the hot water hit her. Had a shower ever felt this good? She would never take life’s pleasures for granted again.
She used Jack’s shampoo to wash her hair and scrubbed her body with his soap until she glowed. Then she quickly washed her dress and undergarments and wrung them out. With reluctance, she turned off the water and climbed out, but she wanted to save enough hot water for Jack.
Leaving her gown drying on the towel rack, she saw Jack had hung a t-shirt on the hook on back of the door. She hadn’t even heard him come in. Then again, she’d been in total bliss in the shower. He could have fired off a grenade and she wouldn’t have heard it.
Taking it off the hook, she slipped it over her head. Oh, boy, it smelled like Jack. Unable to resist, she inhaled deeply and sighed. He had taken good care of her on that island. Before bitter memories could rush in, she opened the door and walked out. Delicious scents came from the ki-galley so she followed her nose.
Jack stood in front of a stove, stirring something in a pot. He still wore his wet clothes.
As if sensing her gaze on him, he turned and glanced over his shoulder. For a moment his hand stilled and he stopped stirring, his eyes traveling slowly over her from head to toe. Darci swallowed, feeling it like a caress.
When his eyes met hers, they were dark with hunger. Darci responded, her nipples tightening beneath the t-shirt and her knees going weak. She considered skipping dinner and asking him to take her to bed.
“I see the shirt fits,” he said, looking away. “Soup’s almost ready.”
Disappointed that he was also a man with morals who wouldn’t take advantage of a woman who needed food, water and rest, she slid into the L-shaped booth and tucked a leg beneath her.
“Thanks for loaning it to me. That smells wonderful. I can finish heating it if you want to go shower.”
He set the spoon down on top of the stove. “Deal. I won’t be long.”
He disappeared into the head and a few seconds later she heard the shower turn on. She let her mind wander and imagined a naked Jack in the shower, hands braced against the wall as water sluiced down his muscle-packed body, leaving little trails over his tanned skin. She imagined herself in there with him following those trails with her tongue. What would he do if she joined him?
Shifting in her seat, Darci pushed the thoughts out of her mind. When that didn’t work, she got up and walked over to the stove. Tomato soup. Yummy. She stirred it and laid the spoon back down, wishing she could forget about Jack in the shower.
On the counter next to the stove sat a plate covered with a towel. She lifted the corner and found a pile of grilled cheese sandwiches. A classic mix that sounded delicious right now. Going to the small fridge, she opened it and grabbed a bottle of water. She had it half gone by time Jack walked out of the head, wearing nothing but a towel.
Darci dropped the bottle, spilling water all over the floor.
“Oh, sorry.” She tore her eyes off him. No woman should have to withstand Jac
k in nothing but a towel.
“Don’t worry about it, this is a boat, remember? I’ll be right back.”
He disappeared down a hallway in the back of the boat and Darci berated herself for being so clumsy. She’d seen Jack half-naked when she treated his wound. Why should the sight of him in nothing but a towel shake her up? Because she was a woman and the man was sexy as sin.
Finding a kitchen rag, she cleaned up the mess. Then poured the soup into the two bowls she found in the overhead cupboards. Her stomach rallied now, ready for food.
The boat rocked gently beneath her, but it didn’t worry her, knowing they were in a marina and not in the middle of the ocean.
“You found the bowls.” Jack walked into the galley.
Darci glanced over to see he had changed into a pair of cargo shorts and tan colored t-shirt that reminded her of the camouflage soldiers wore in the desert. It hugged his chest and biceps and made her mouth water for a whole other reason.
He looked as good in clothes as he did out, and she was falling for him. Hard. And right now she didn’t care that it didn’t fit into her life; she lived in the moment.
“Jack, what did you do with my necklace?”
“It’s in my safe. Trust me, no one will find it.”
She nodded. Always protecting her. “Thank you. Well, I’m starved. Let’s eat.”
Jack took the bowls while she grabbed the plates and two bottles of water and led her to the table. They sat down and ate in silence, both too hungry for conversation. Darci finished her soup and ate one and a half sandwiches; Jack polished off the rest. When she finished, she sat back and sighed with content.
“Well, there’s two of three,” she said.
Jack smiled. “Your bed is ready whenever you are. Fresh sheets and everything.”
“You changed the sheets for me?”
Jack grinned. “Impressed?”
She returned the grin. “I think I am. You sure know how to pamper a girl.”
He laughed at that. “Honey, if grilled cheese and tomato soup is pampering, then you’re in for a real treat when I take you to Demarco’s.”
The thought of going anywhere with Jack sounded like a good time. But for now she was content to be here, off that island and away from the evil twins.
“Come on, let’s get you to bed before you fall over,” Jack said, rising to his feet and holding out a hand to her.
“Sounds good to me. Let me get the dishes first.”
“Nope, off to bed. I’ll clean this up.”
Letting him pull her to her feet, she followed him down the hall. “You’re a good man, Jack Taggart.”
“Yeah, well, don’t tell anybody. Might ruin my reputation.”
She laughed as he led her down a hallway and opened one of the doors to a magnificent room with a full-size bed that looked soft and enticing. The forest green blanket called her name.
Jack barely had time to pull back the covers before she fell face first into the bed and let out a groan.
“Oh, this feels so good. Good night, Jack.”
She barely felt the blankets being pulled over her or Jack’s whispered reply as she dropped off to sleep.
Chapter 7
Jack stared at the nine-inch television screen on the counter. Absently he beat six eggs in a bowl. He set the bowl down, picked up a knife and chopped onion and pepper, his eyes the screen. Not good.
“You’re going to cut yourself doing that,” a sleepy voice said from behind him.
Jack turned to see Darci standing a few feet away. She looked pleasantly rumpled, as if she’d just woken up from a long night of mind-blowing sex. Her dark hair hung in tousled curls over her shoulders, sexy as hell. Her color looked better, not as pale as yesterday. The morning-after look she had going on made her look more beautiful than any woman he’d ever laid eyes on.
His gaze caught on her long, shapely legs stretching for miles beneath the t-shirt that looked better on her than it did him. Why did a woman in a man’s shirt stir up all kinds of primal instincts in a man? Those instincts reared their stubborn heads right now and it took all his effort to tramp them down. If he didn’t exercise control he’d be stripping that t-shirt off and having his way with her. On the table, floor, counter, wherever.
Looking away, he said, “Nah, I could do this in my sleep. Sleep well?”
She let out a long, contented sigh and Jack couldn’t stop himself from glancing over his shoulder at her again. Big mistake. She stretched like a satisfied feline, arms over her head and a smile playing on her lips. His t-shirt rode up higher, revealing the soft flesh of her inner thighs and Jack sliced through his finger instead of the pepper.
He didn’t feel the pain past the ache burning in his groin, but Darci noticed. She rushed to his side and clasped his hand. Too distracted by the smell of his soap on her skin, he didn’t notice.
“Here, run water on it. I told you you’d cut yourself by not paying attention,” she scolded as she turned on the faucet and pulled his hand underneath the running water.
Jack glanced down at the tiny cut on his forefinger, wondering why she was making a big deal out of it. Nothing more than a scratch. She should be more concerned with where his thoughts were headed. Her skin felt like silk where it touched his, her hair brushed his arm, her scent wrapped around him.
The cold shower he’d taken this morning hadn’t done a thing for his libido.
“Do you have any Band-Aids?” she asked, sounding weak.
She passed out at the sight of blood; how could he have forgotten that? Even though the water washed away the blood, he noticed the gray pallor to her skin and the way she gripped his hand tightly.
“Ah, honey, you know you faint at the sight of blood. What’re you doing?” He turned off the water and led her away from the sink to the table.
“I don’t faint at the sight of blood,” she muttered, allowing him to push her into the booth.
Jack smiled. She did have that little stubborn streak. “Lean back and close your eyes while I get you a glass of water.”
“Okay, but only for a minute. Then we need to get you a Band-Aid.” She scooted backward on the bench and leaned against the wall.
He was pretty sure he didn’t have any Band-Aids on board. By time he got her a bottle of water, the bleeding had stopped. She sipped the water, not looking at his finger, and within minutes looked better. Jack sat on the other side of her, waiting for her color to return.
A few minutes later she returned to normal. “So what were you making?”
“Omelet, without peppers. How about cheese instead?”
She perked up. “Omelets? Really? That sounds delicious. Lots of cheese in mine. Is that coffee I smell?”
“Freshly brewed.”
“Oh, my hero.” She smiled and slid out of the booth. Jack stayed still and enjoyed the view for a moment while Darci poured herself a cup of steaming hot coffee. He watched her take a sip, close her eyes and moan. He almost groaned at the sheer pleasure of watching her.
“This is really good.” She took another sip. “Hey, what’s that?”
He turned his attention to the television where a weatherman illustrated an area of storms on a map. Jack rose and moved to her side.
Damn. He’d hoped the storm would turn south, but it looked to be heading due west. Not good.
“That,” he said, not bothering to turn up the volume, “is a tropical storm.” Just an hour ago it had been a tropical depression but they’d upgraded it, which meant wind speeds were between 39-73mph. Not so good.
“A tropical storm?” she repeated, staring at the screen. “Will it reach us?”
He didn’t want to scare her, but he also wouldn’t lie. “It’s headed right for us.”
As he said it, a warning popped up on the screen that told viewers a tropical storm watch had been issued for their area.
“A watch? What exactly does that mean?” Darci asked, setting her cup down on the counter.
“It means high
winds and rain are possible within the next thirty-six hours, but not guaranteed. Right now they’re tracking the storm and alerting us to the possibility.”
“Oh, that’s not so bad. It could miss us entirely, then?”
Jack nodded, though something told him they weren’t going to be that lucky. They were smack dab in the middle of hurricane season in the tropics.
“Possibly,” Jack agreed. “Why don’t you sit and enjoy your coffee while I finish breakfast.”
Darci refilled her cup and carried it to the booth. He got to work on the omelets, not wanting to waste any time.
“Jack? What’s going to happen?”
He didn’t pretend not to understand. What would happen to them?
Dumping the eggs into a skillet, he said, “We’re going to hole up in one of the local hotels until the storm passes. It isn’t safe here. I’m going to get your things from your villa after we finish breakfast.”
“What do you mean you’re going to get my things? What about me?”
Adding onion and cheese to the skillet, Jack said, “You’re going to stay on the boat while I’m gone so I know you’re safe.”
“Is that necessary? They couldn’t possibly know where to find me.”
“Trust me, Darci, if they want to find you, they will, and I won’t risk it.”
He didn’t miss the shudder his words evoked. He knew how hard it was for civilians to understand. He understood it very well and would do his best to make sure she never had to deal with it again.
After a moment of silence as she digested what he’d said, she spoke softly. “Have you always been this vigilant?”
Jack grinned and grabbed two plates out of the cupboard above his head. “It’s been suggested a time or two.” He flipped the omelet onto a plate, cut it in half and carried both plates to the table. He slid in next to her.
“I don’t know what to say, Jack. I never thought this would go so far. You really believe they won’t give up?” She swallowed hard.
“Let’s take it one step at a time.”
To his relief, she picked up her fork and cut into her omelet. But she didn’t take a bite. Instead, she looked up at him, her eyes bright against her pale skin.
