by Tess Summers
He bit back a groan.
Goddamn, did she feel good.
Really good.
So good he was afraid to move for fear of lasting all of thirty-six more seconds.
He thought of every baseball and football statistic he could as he slowly began thrusting in and out of her.
I wonder if that longer lasting spray I’ve seen advertised really works?
“Fuuuuck,” he growled, burying his face in her neck. He loved how her neck smelled when she was just a little sweaty. It was one of his favorite scents.
Her skin is so damn soft.
I wish I could fuck her forever.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to be the case tonight.
He started thrusting with a steady pace, then she lifted her legs, changing the angle ever-so-slightly and caused him to lose control.
Jacob didn’t fight it, instead began to fuck her rapidly as he felt his balls tighten, then held her hips tight and roared when he began to spurt rope after rope of cum inside her walls.
She was smiling seductively up at him when he finally opened his eyes.
“Damn, you’re beautiful,” he panted, trying to catch his breath and slow his heart rate before pulling out. He dropped down on his elbows and enveloped her body with his. She fit perfectly against him, and he knew she was the missing piece in his life.
“I love you, Tink,” he whispered against her hair, then lifted his head to look into her eyes.
“I love you, too,” she uttered softly then kissed his neck.
He closed his eyes and smiled, offering up a prayer of thanks to the powers that be for this perfect moment.
****
Taren
She knew she loved Jake and would be miserable without him, but continued trying to reconcile how different her life was going to be with him in it.
Today had been an interesting example.
“So, am I going to be able to have friends if I move to New Orleans? Will we have parties and invite other couples over?” she asked with her head on his chest as they lie in bed before going down to a late dinner.
“Of course you’ll have friends. Everyone loves you, Tink. Unfortunately, you’re going to be married to a salty old bastard who tolerates people, at best. But I promise if you want to have a party, or other couples over, I will show up and behave myself—after properly vetting everyone, of course. I’ll even make small talk. I know how to be social, I just don’t like being social, unless I’m with you.”
“You’ll have to vet our friends?”
“Yeah, baby. I will. That’s part of my world.”
“What will we say you do for a living?”
She felt him shrug. “Same thing I’ve always said. I’m a security consultant.”
Taren lifted her head and looked at him sharply.
“You never said you were a security consultant.”
“Yes, I did.”
“No, you didn’t,” Taren insisted. “I would have remembered that.”
“So what kind of consultant did you think I was?”
Looking back, she realized how naïve she had really been. Dumb and in love.
She laid her head back down on him, slightly embarrassed.
“I don’t know. I thought like marketing or something.”
His chuckle rumbled in her ear through his chest. “Why would you have thought that?”
“I honestly have no idea, other than the only consultant I’ve ever known was when I worked in retail in high school, and the store hired a marketing specialist and our sales doubled. I figured you were like that—going in and saving the day.”
“You’re not wrong. Most of the time, that’s exactly what I do—save the day. Which is why I get paid so much money. I’m making a million dollars when I’m gone on Thursday.”
She practically choked on air when she picked her head back up.
“A million dollars? Are you serious? Is that normal?”
“In the past, no. My rate wasn’t that high, but it’s going to be from here on out. I really don’t want to work as much as I used to.”
She couldn’t help but smile when she sat up and straddled him.
“You don’t? Why not? What do you want to do?” she teased.
He positioned her hips over his cock.
“I want to spend my time naked with you.”
She began to rock gently on his hardening dick.
“I don’t know… I might develop an expensive shopping habit knowing you’re making a million dollars a day.”
“First of all, it’s not a million dollars a day, every day. But regardless, you can shop all you want, baby. I’ve got plenty of money for you to buy whatever your little heart desires.”
“How about a normal life?”
“Normal is relative, Tink.”
With a sigh of, “I know,” she collapsed back onto his chest where his arms promptly came around her.
“We’re going to have great adventures, baby.”
“No, you’re going to have great adventures while I wait at home for you to finish then come back.”
“Stop pouting about Thursday. I’ll be back Friday, and we’ll enjoy the rest of the cruise together.”
“You’re right. I just hate not knowing where you’re going or why.”
He didn’t take the bait and cave, much to her chagrin. Instead, he held firm, telling her, “I’m sorry. It’s better for everyone that you don’t know.”
The truth was, she did know he was going to Miami. She just wanted him to be the one to tell her instead of overhearing it. She still didn’t know why and wasn’t exactly sure she wanted to know. It was more the idea that he’d be willing to tell her if she wanted him to.
“If you’re hungry, you better get up. Otherwise, I’m going to fuck you again.”
She sat up straight, her hips still straddling his.
“You’re so crass,” she teasingly admonished, all the while moving her center gently over his cock.
He playfully swatted her ass. “Last chance for food,” he warned as he gripped her hips.
Now that she thought about it, she was hungry…
“Okay, okay! I’m going to get ready!” she giggled as she scampered off him and headed toward her cabin.
“Wear the green dress!” he called after her.
She poked her head back around the corner. “We’ll see.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Guess what’s going to happen if you don’t?”
Taren couldn’t help but smile as she stood in front of her armoire, deciding whether or not she was going to be a brat and wear the red and navy dress. She eventually pulled the green one from its hanger, reasoning there’d be plenty of other ways she could be put over his knee if she changed her mind.
Chapter Twenty-One
Jacob
He was the first one off the ship Thursday morning, with a driver waiting to take him to the airport where his plane was ready to fly him the four hours to Miami. If there wasn’t the three-hour time difference, he’d be getting there in plenty of time; but with not being able to disembark the ship until 7:00 a.m., he was going to be cutting it close.
It’d been harder than he thought to leave Tink sleeping in bed. After staring at her delicate features for a long time, it was all he could to keep from scooping her up in his arms and holding her. But, he didn’t want to be selfish and wake her, so he left her asleep with a rose and sappy as fuck love note on his pillow.
She’d turned his world upside down again, just like she had when he first met her. And he loved it.
Jacob boarded the plane, and they were in the air moments later. He was on a video conference call with Dante, Ramon, John, and Edward almost the entire flight, more to offer reassurances than to strategize. He’d had a plan developed before he’d even left Dante’s on Tuesday.
“I still wish you would have been here Tuesday night to go over things again,” Dante grumbled after everyone else had disconnected.
“We’re going over them now,�
�� Jacob replied, unfazed at Dante’s displeasure.
“Bella seems to really like your girl.”
“Me, too.”
“Well, when you retire from the mercenary profession, I’m always in need of help with the dispensary business.”
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. Although, I’d probably be more apt to become your competition.”
“Why do you think I’m making the offer? Maybe we could look at a partnership.”
“I think you’d better clear that with your other partners first.”
“Bella, John, and I already talked about it after you left the other night. Bella was the one who brought it up, actually. She said she wouldn’t be surprised if this was your last mission.”
She wasn’t far off. The more time he spent with Taren, the more he thought about retiring—but it was going to be hard to do, especially without a partner.
“I’m keeping my options open,” Jacob replied noncommittally.
“Well, keep us in mind.”
“Will do.”
Scotty’s voice came from overhead, telling him they were about to start their descent into Miami.
Dante must have heard him, because he said, “I’ll talk to you later. Let me know how it goes today.”
“I’ll call you when I’m back on the jet,” Jacob responded before hanging up.
He wasn’t especially worried about the meeting. Jacob had already been talking with the Columbians’ go-between, so he knew they didn’t want to be at war with the Sinaloans; they couldn’t afford it. They’d retaliated to save face over Dante being involved when their human trafficking victims were freed, along with the CIA agent they had been holding for ransom. Now, they were getting a sit-down truce negotiation; another pride-saving gesture.
The reality was if Ramon wanted to, he could wipe out the Cartagenans in less than a month. But Ramon wasn’t interested in exerting the time, manpower, or money it would take, so he was willing to negotiate an end to the little skirmish before it became an outright war. Ramon had bigger fish to fry—Los Zetas had been encroaching on his territory to the west, and he was gearing up for that fight.
Jacob anticipated today was going to be nothing more than formalities.
Three hours later, he was on the plane back to Mexico with an agreed upon truce with terms even better than Ramon had wanted. He was going to just miss the ship leaving port in Puerto Vallarta, so he had Scotty take him into Acapulco, where he’d board first thing in the morning, have breakfast with Tink, then spend the day sightseeing and shopping in the city with her, watching her joy at negotiating for two dollar trinkets. That idea made him infinitely happier than the multi-million dollar deal he just brokered.
****
Taren
She woke up by herself, feeling lonely until she read Jacob’s love letter, softly tracing the rose he’d left over her face and lips as she did.
Tinkerbell,
When you threw your arms around me on the lido deck on Sunday afternoon, it felt like my dead heart started beating again. It died seven long years ago; that day on your doorstep when I made the biggest mistake of my life and broke both our hearts. I know it will take time to earn your trust again, but I’m prepared to wait as long as you need to believe in me once more.
I have no other choice, Tink. I need you like I need air.
I promise I’ll be back first thing tomorrow morning, and I’ll try to text you later this afternoon on the phone I gave you.
Until then, know you’re always in my thoughts.
I love you.
J.
She reread the letter at least fifty times before breakfast and didn’t even get off the ship in Puerto Vallarta, instead spent the day poolside finishing Misty Malloy’s trilogy, in between rereading the letter, dozing in the sun, and having lunch. Oh, and meeting a crazy bachelorette party that she was going to dinner with.
She went back to her cabin before dinner and checked the phone Jacob had given her in Ensenada. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the notification bar alerting her to a waiting message.
Unfortunately, going to just miss getting on board before you leave Puerto Vallarta.
She returned an emoji with a face crying tears.
I know, baby. I feel the same way. I’ll be waiting at the gangway when the ship arrives in the morning. We’ll have breakfast on board?
Smiling, she typed her response. I’d like that.
How was your day today? Did you like Puerto Vallarta?
I didn’t go on shore.
Why not?
Giving his question some thought, she finally responded. I don’t know. I was nervous to go without you.
That might be for the best, baby. I like that you’re thinking about your safety. So what did you do today?
I miss you. Was today successful?
I miss you, too. Today was good. Why aren’t you answering me about what you did today?
Unable to keep a straight face, she smiled as her fingers flew over the keypad. I wish you were here.
She was purposefully being a brat, knowing that it would drive him crazy not being here to do anything about it.
Tinkerbell, were you naughty today? Is that why you’re not answering me?
Her smile growing, she answered that question. No, I laid by the pool and read.
Were you alone the whole time?
Well, no.
She wasn’t technically. The wait staff who kept her hydrated, and the loud bachelorette party next to her at the pool who adopted her into their group, kept her company all day. But it was fun being vague and making him think there was more to the story.
Maybe it would make him think twice about leaving her next time.
What do you mean no?
Was he scowling when he typed that question? Perhaps his hand was twitching? With a final flurry of her fingers, she sent her last text. My dinner companions are here; I’ll text you later when I get back from dinner.
She shut the phone off before he replied, and threw it back in her colorful bag like it was hot: in part because she was afraid to see his response, but also to keep from caving and telling him the truth too soon. He needed to stew on it for a little while before she came clean, which she was planning on doing as soon as she got back from dinner with the bachelorettes.
She had a feeling her ass was going to be red tomorrow once he got back on board. The thought made her clench her thighs together in anticipation.
****
Jacob
She thought she was so clever. She must have forgotten when he’d told her that he’d planted cameras not only in his room for security, but also throughout her room. He saw the group of rowdy women arrive at her door and come inside the suite as she finished getting ready.
They looked like they were having fun—one girl had a sash across her body and a crown on her head, so he assumed this was a bachelorette party that Tink had probably started talking to, and they realized she was alone and absorbed her into their group. Two of the girls were carrying champagne bottles and passing them around like they were a group of winos sharing hooch. He was happy to see Taren shake her head when the bottle was offered to her.
His girl was too cute for words in her lavender sundress with matching cardigan, white sandals, and her hair pulled back in a wide dark purple headband. She looked like a kindergarten teacher or PTA president—vastly different from the other women in her group who were in sequined mini-dresses and four inch heels.
“I feel like I should change,” he heard her say to a tall brunette who had carried in a bottle.
“Why? You look cute—very preppy.”
“Well, yeah, but I’m not exactly matching what you guys are wearing.”
The brunette cocked her head. “Didn’t you say you have a boyfriend? Honey, we’re all trying to get laid—except for the bride of course, but this is kind of her last hurrah, so I think she’s hoping to at least get felt up.”
Jacob felt his grip tighten on the phon
e where he was watching the events taking place. Nobody better feel his Tinkerbell up. Visions of Peter and Jeff trying flashed into his mind.
Fuck, this was going to be a long night.
****
Just two hours later, his phone alerted there was movement in her cabin, and Jacob picked up to watch her come in alone and change out of her clothes into a baby pink pajama set, then fish through her bag and pull out the burner phone he’d given her.
She shut the lights off in her room, but instead of going to bed, the motion sensors in his room went off and his bedside lamp switched on. With a knowing smile, he waited for her to go through his things. He felt his chest tighten when instead of snooping through his belongings, she simply pulled one of his dirty shirts out of his suitcase and put it on, then got under the covers in his bed and held his pillow tight against her. She lay like that for a few moments before rolling onto her back and turning on the phone.
He could tell when she was reading his last text message to her, because her fingertips went to her lips as a small smile crept across her face. It turned him on how much she loved submitting to him. The newly added spanking dynamic was a definite bonus—one she seemed to enjoy as much as he did.
His other phone pinged with an incoming message from her. He couldn’t help but smile reading her text.
I’m sorry. I know I’ve got a punishment coming for being a brat. Just so you know, I went to dinner with ladies I met at the pool. Not a single male joined us, and I came back to my cabin while they headed to the nightclub. You’re the only man for me—you know that.
He didn’t respond right away, contemplating his best course of action, when another text came in.
I miss you so much. I’m sleeping in your shirt because it smells like you. I’m sorry I teased you. I loved your letter.
I miss you, too, baby. I’ll see you before you know it. Get some sleep—you’re going to need your energy tomorrow. You’re right; you’ve got a punishment coming.
He added one of those winking emojis for emphasis then watched her smile broadly as she read it.
Jacob was going to try to get some work done tonight, but knew it was going to be hard. The temptation to watch her all night was great. She stacked the pillows behind her back and began reading her Kindle, so fortunately, every time he checked on her, not much had changed until she dozed off.
