by Mari Carr
“He enjoyed it?”
Travis nodded. “You have no idea how much.”
“He told you that?”
“That wasn’t something I needed to be told, Emma. It was written all over his face. He was in his element.”
She rested her elbow on the arm of the couch, propping her cheek in her hand. “That’s not Jack’s element. He’s never been a glory hound, never tried to stand out in a crowd.”
“A lot of that has to do with the business he’s in, don’t you think? He works security. It’s his job to blend into the background. That doesn’t mean he always wants to stay there.”
“Maybe,” she said, not completely convinced by that argument.
“Or maybe he’s always been content to let you shine.”
Her heart stuttered. “Me?”
“Jack and I have spent a lifetime following in your wake, Em.”
She leaned forward, rested her elbows on her knees. “You’re right. You have. I’m sorry.”
Travis’ eyes widened. “Sorry? What the hell for? God knows I didn’t want to be out in front, all eyes on me.” He looked down at this lap and Emma sensed he was uncomfortable. They’d never spoken so frankly about themselves. While they’d debated and disagreed on everything from politics to religion, personal feelings typically got pushed to the background, Travis opened up only on very rare occasions. “You gave me a life I couldn’t have for myself. If anyone should apologize, it’s me. I’ve been living my life vicariously through you…and Jack.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond to Travis’ confession. She could see it brought him no joy to make it. For a moment, she was reminded of the boy she’d known in elementary school. He’d been so much like her, they were often mistaken for siblings—both outgoing, flamboyant, dramatic and loud. Travis’ love of life had been so bright, it had hurt her eyes at times. When did that light disappear? She tried to put her finger on the exact moment, but the passage of time was a tricky thing. Sometimes it seemed to move like the Earth rotating on its axis, so slow she couldn’t see it. Other times it raced by at the speed of light and she was hard-pressed to keep up.
“Why do you do that?” The question fell from her lips before she could call it back. She knew it was wasted breath. This was the furthest Travis had let her into his head in a very long time.
He shrugged and the mask fell into place once more. “Beats the hell out of having to deal with idiots and losers myself.”
She let the moment pass.
“Do the show again,” he prompted.
She shook her head. “No. Regardless of your opinion, I’m sure Jack’s not interested in an encore.”
“Do the show with someone else.”
“Good God, no. Are you crazy?”
He laughed. “Are things that serious between you two already?”
Emma looked at Travis and the truth came spilling out. “I’m in love with him.”
Travis grinned. “That’s pretty fast.”
“Or pretty freaking slow if you consider that I’m thirty-five years old and I’ve been friends with the guy since first grade.”
“Good point. Maybe instead of congratulations, I should say it’s about damn time.”
She brushed her hair over her shoulder and released a long, tired breath. It felt good to confide in Travis, to have someone she could talk to about her concerns. “You think we can make a go of it?”
He was quiet for several tense moments and Emma worried she might not like his answer. However, Travis didn’t lie and he didn’t hedge. She could trust his opinion to be sincere. “I think you have the best chance of any couple on the planet. What’s that old saying? Friends first? You and Jack have proven you care about each other enough to overlook the bad stuff.”
“Well,” she teased. “I manage to overlook his issues. I, of course, don’t have any.”
Travis laughed. “I stand corrected.”
She sighed and spoke the secret fear that wouldn’t leave her alone. “You don’t think we’re a mismatch? I mean he’s pretty arrogant and controlling and, well, so am I. They say opposites attract, but I’m afraid Jack and I are too much alike.”
“Birds of a feather,” Travis said. “I think you’re different where it counts.”
Heat crept to her cheeks as she considered where their differences were most apparent. “Yeah. Maybe you’re right.”
Travis noticed her blush. “Man, I think I would have paid serious money to be a fly on the wall in Jack’s bedroom last night.”
She shook her head. “You’re going to have to give up your role as spectator one of these days, Trav. Step out of this office and into the world.”
He shrugged. “I’m happy in my gilded birdcage.”
She glanced around the room and realized how accurate his description was. He’d surrounded himself with every comfort, all the latest technology. The problem was, all he had when the day was over was a room full of stuff and no one to share it with. “Don’t you ever wish for more?”
He shook his head. “This is more than I deserve. I’m satisfied.”
She was perplexed by his comment, but as she watched his face close down, she knew he wouldn’t offer any further explanation.
“You look tired,” he said.
“I am. Late night.” She gave him a wicked grin and raised her eyebrows.
Travis rose and glanced down toward the stage. “It looks like the construction crew has things well in hand. I don’t mind keeping an eye on them. Why don’t you head out now?”
She rose slowly, grateful for Travis’ offer. “I think I’ll take you up on that. I’m beat.” She’d gotten very little sleep last night. Though she and Jack hadn’t made plans to spend this evening together, she was fairly certain he was expecting her to return to his place. Before she did that, she wanted some alone time—in her bathtub with a glass of wine. She needed to unwind.
“I’ll talk to you in the morning,” Travis said as she used the back door to his office, which led to stairs that took her directly to the parking lot. Once she hit the bottom, she cursed. Streetlight was still out. She’d called twice about getting it repaired. The lack of lighting cast the lot in eerie shadows. She’d asked one of the bouncers to walk her to her car the past few nights, but she’d forgotten tonight.
There were only three cars in the lot and no people, unlike nights when the club was open. She shrugged off her fear, digging for her car keys. She was fine. The lot was quiet.
She clicked the unlock button a few feet away from her car and was about to open the door when someone grabbed her from behind. A hand covered her mouth, halting her scream, and she was pushed against the side of her vehicle. She struggled hard, trying to break the man’s powerful grip.
“It’s me,” Jack’s gruff voice said in her ear.
She ceased fighting and closed her eyes, trying to batten down the terror he’d provoked. She reached up to pull his hand away from her mouth, but he wouldn’t release her.
“It’s dark as shit out here,” he said, his tone alerting her to his anger. “Do you know how dangerous it is for a woman to walk through a parking lot alone at night?”
She tugged at his hand again and this time he uncovered her mouth. Unfortunately, he kept her pressed firmly against her car.
“Yes, I know, but I looked around. I didn’t see anyone.”
“I think I just proved you didn’t look very well. It was too fucking easy for me to sneak up on you.”
She huffed out an annoyed breath. “Yeah, about that, Smacker. You scared the fucking shit out of me. Now do you mind backing up a step? You’re crowding me.”
Jack didn’t move, nor did he relax his tight grip. “No. I’m not letting you go until we come to an understanding.”
She wished she weren’t getting turned on by his physically aggressive treatment, but she couldn’t deny the sudden wetness flooding her panties. Jesus. “What kind of understanding?”
“We agreed that inside the bedroom, you’d
submit your body to me. We also know that there’s no way in hell you’ll submit anything to me outside the bedroom, right?”
She nodded. She was far too independent to take orders from any man. Jack understood that. It was probably the only reason their newfound relationship had a chance at success. “Sex is one thing, but my life, my decisions are my own.”
“And I respect that. Hell, that’s one of the things I love most about you.”
She smiled, wondering if the pleasure that simple admission evoked in her would ever pass.
He continued speaking. “However, that also means I trust you to take care of yourself when I’m not with you.”
She sighed. He had a point. “I get it, Jack. Honestly, I do. Every night I’ve had one of the bouncers walk me to my car. Tonight, I just got distracted.”
“By what?”
She leaned forward, placing her head on her car. There was no way she could tell him what had been hovering at the back of her mind all day. She still couldn’t believe she’d told Travis.
“I—” She hesitated, searching for some reasonable excuse. “You. Okay? I was freaking thinking about you.”
Jack pressed his hard cock against her ass and she groaned. “Me? Or this?” He pushed harder and the naughty girl inside came out to play, returning the pressure, wiggling a bit.
“Both,” she whispered when he reached around and grasped her breasts in his large palms, squeezing her sensitive flesh and driving her arousal higher.
“I want you,” he admitted.
“Take me.”
Keeping her back to his chest, he propelled her several steps to the left, toward the hood of the car. “Unless you tell me no, I’m going to fuck you right here, Em. Right now.”
Her body shifted into overdrive and she knew there was nothing she wanted more. “Do it.”
Jack’s grip tightened on her waist and she sensed her answer pleased him. She wanted him, wanted the world to see this incredible man staking his claim and taking her.
He pulled up her skirt, his fingers delving beneath her panties. He shoved two inside to the hilt as she leaned over, her elbows landing on the hood. “God, yes,” she hissed.
Jack finger-fucked her faster as she pushed against each thrust, trying to drive him deeper. He bent over her back, reaching around with his free hand to grasp her breast. He pinched her nipple and she spun into orbit, her orgasm hitting her like a runaway train.
For several moments, Jack held her, both of them remaining motionless as she tried to calm her ragged breath. His fingers were still lodged inside her as his hand cupped the sensitive flesh of her breast, only her thin T-shirt and bra serving as a barrier.
“Please,” she said at last. “I need you, Jack. Inside me.”
“Here?”
She tried to understand if his question was based on amazement or horror or some combination of the two.
“Here.” She’d passed the point of no return, not caring where he took her and who saw. From their current position, she suspected Travis could see them through the back window of his office if he was looking. Anyone could walk behind the bar from one of the side streets and catch them.
She heard the rasping sound of Jack’s zipper being lowered. She looked over her shoulder and saw him reach for his back pocket.
“No condom. I’m on the Pill,” she said.
He looked at her for just a moment before nodding. “I love you.”
She smiled, unable to hold in the happiness threatening to shatter her into a million tiny pieces. “I love you too.”
He moved forward, tugging her panties to the side and placing his cock at the entrance to her body. She shivered in anticipation, the slight chill of the evening adding to her arousal. The hood of the car was cool, the sensation seeping through her T-shirt, causing her nipples to tighten. It reminded her of the ice Jack had rubbed on them to remove the wax.
Jack slowly pushed forward, entering her not with the same roughness she’d come to expect—and love—from him, but with a patient pace that was as torturous as it was beautiful.
Once he was lodged fully, he froze for a moment. “Hold on.”
She pressed her palms flat against the hood, using them to anchor her as Jack fucked her in earnest—his blows coming rapidly, stroking every needy inch of her cunt. She came twice before he joined her in ecstasy.
The night was silent, the distant sound of traffic from the main street mingling with their labored breaths as they tried to recover.
Jack stood, refastening his pants. Emma was too overwhelmed—physically and emotionally—to move. She startled slightly when his hand lightly brushed her ass as he lowered her skirt. Strong hands wrapped around her upper arms as Jack pulled her upright. She turned and he tucked her closely against his chest, holding her securely.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
Her mind whirled over the apology, trying to think of a single thing he had to be sorry for.
Finally, her mind landed on something. “You didn’t scare me that bad.”
He shook his head. “I mean for taking you like that—here in public. Anyone could have walked by and seen us, Emma. I didn’t mean to put you in a position like that.”
Her heart fell. He was ashamed of what they’d done. While they were in the act, she could have sworn he was as turned-on as she was. Had he simply gotten carried away by the moment? Was he truly appalled by their actions?
She swallowed heavily, trying to dislodge the lump in her throat. “It’s okay,” she said softly, pushing away the crushing disappointment she felt.
Had she been right? The other night onstage, tonight—both times, had Jack been forced out of his comfort zone while she’d found her personal Eden?
She tried to tell herself it didn’t matter one way or the other. Her feelings for Jack certainly outweighed some unexpected, unwelcome fetish. If he wasn’t interested, she’d simply find a way to suppress the desire. Hide the truth.
She could do that.
Right?
Chapter 7
Jack looked out at the horizon and acknowledged that time was not on his side. Soon they would land ashore and Emma, along with the other hostages, would be ransomed and returned to their homes. He’d spent a majority of the past few days losing himself in her sweet body, enraptured by her spirit, her intelligence, her beauty. Letting her go would be the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he knew there was no help for it. He was a pirate, a wanted man. He had nothing to offer a woman of her ilk. This morning, the realization sunk it. Emma had to return to her father, to her home.
“There you are.” She walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. His attempts to keep her below deck had failed miserably. Emma had managed to charm his entire crew, the men treating her as a little sister, caring for and spoiling her. He’d begun to suspect if it came down to taking orders from Emma or him, three-fourths of his men would follow her.
He swallowed heavily, resigned that the next few moments were bound to be some of the most difficult of his life. “I was simply admiring the view.”
He felt her slight jolt of surprise when she spotted the land in the distance. “We’re almost home.”
He shook his head. “No, madam. You are almost home. I live on the sea.”
She fell silent for several moments and he prayed she wouldn’t ask the next question. As always, heaven wasn’t on his side.
“What are we going to do about us?” she asked.
“Us?” he asked gruffly. “There is no us.”
He continued to stare hard at the sea. He feared one look at her face and he’d fall apart, beg for forgiveness. Terror gripped him as he realized exactly how close he was to pleading with her to run away with him.
“I don’t understand.”
He swallowed heavily and took a deep breath. Painting on an expressionless face, he turned to look at her. “What exactly don’t you understand?” His tone was deliberately hostile. Perhaps if he could rouse her temper, he
’d manage to match the emotion.
She narrowed her gaze and he was grateful for her dry eyes. She was strong and proud. She wouldn’t cry. That thought only made him love her more. “Forgive me, but I thought…” She paused. Her words weren’t coming easily. “I believed that you loved me.”
He watched the effect his harsh bark of laughter had on her. He knew the exact moment her heart broke. Knew it because his shattered as well.
She blinked rapidly. She wouldn’t let him see her beaten. She was too confident for that. “I see.” Her voice was soft, but the anger behind her words was unmistakable. “So, it would seem you really are as black-hearted and cold as they claim.”
He bowed slightly, acknowledging her insult with feigned pleasure. “I didn’t get the name Black Jack by accident.”
She surprised him then, her lips turning up slightly in a smile. He narrowed his gaze, wondering what she was thinking.
Why wasn’t she shedding any tears? He felt as if he could dissolve into a pool of agony. Had he been alone in his feelings of fondness?
“Well, then it would seem I owe you another one of these.”
Before he could reply, she struck him. Hard. She put so much strength into her blow that he fell back a pace before he could steady himself. Again, Jack heard the gasps of his men.
As he’d hoped, his fury broke. He was losing the most important person in his life. Suddenly, irrationally, he wanted her to share his pain.
“You’ll pay for that, madam.” Bending forward, he threw her over his shoulder, the motion reminding him of her first day on the ship. The day he’d conquered her, claimed her maidenhead and made her his woman.
Emma fought him, beating at his back with hard, pummeling fists. He ignored the pain as he descended the ladder, carrying her to his bedroom. They hadn’t landed ashore yet. There was still one more night to be shared. Be it with loving touches or fists and rope, he didn’t care. He would have her one last time.
