Summer Fire
Page 3
None came out of his mouth. His planned speech was distilled into one frustrated sentence.
“I don’t want another man touching the girl I’m about to marry,” he blurted out.
Well, hell, fuck and hell again, Jake, my man. You’re one fucking fine smooth talker there.
“Was that a proposal?” Lola asked.
Jake heard Andre’s snicker. This wasn’t what he’d planned but it’d have to do.
“I wanted to ask nicely later,” he said.
Her smile always made his gut clench up. It lit up those dark eyes that peered up from under thick eyelashes. Did she know what power she had in that smile?
“Ask again later, then,” she told him, then sat back with a sigh. “Now tell me who these people are and what we’ll be doing the next few hours besides pretending to be having a ménage trios with Andre?”
Andre snickered again. “We don’t have to pretend, if you like,” he came back, then lifted both hands up in surrender at Jake’s growl. “Of course, I prefer two women naked with me instead of his asshole in my way.”
Lola laughed. “I like him,” she told him, with a wink. Then, studying him for a moment, she leaned forward, lightly scratched his fake beard, and whispered, “I like you much, much more, even with a beard and ugly hat. Stop being a grouch.”
And just like that, the tight fist around his heart loosened a little. Only she could do that to him.
“Here, amigos, maybe a shot of Vodka will calm you down some,” Andre offered, tossing a bottle in his direction.
Jake caught it and popped the top open with his thumb. He took a generous swig, feeling the fiery liquid slide down his throat into his belly.
“All right now?” Andre asked.
“Everything’s under control,” Jake lied. He was fine, as long as he didn’t let himself think about Lola almost being with another man.
“Let’s fill the lady in, then. My name is Andre, as you know. I’d be what Americans call an independent contractor.”
“You speak English with an American accent,” Lola noted.
“That’s because I’m American. Second generation, or 1.5, if you want to be technical about it.”
“What do you mean?” Lola asked.
“Don’t let him get started about his background and familial roots or we’ll be getting a history lesson,” Jake warned. “Let’s just leave it at independent contractor, working for my side.”
“Okay,” Lola said. “Is he the one whose identity I’m going to release?”
Jake nodded. “If the timing is right, the Russian military will go in search of the location I gave you.”
It was a stop-gap measure, a gamble to delay another attack while the international principals negotiated a form of peace treaty. As long as the ceasefire held, there was hope.
They couldn’t stop the delivery of weapons without violence, so the international agencies had decided the best course of action was to delay the fake Russian “aid” convoy somehow. However, they must first remove the military element, which tended to be more aggressive in their reactions. If they were out of the area and unable to get back in time, Mariupol and thus, Ukraine, might be spared another battle.
Everything rested on Lola. They knew she was going to meet with a Russian militia agent. She would be telling the truth, so she wouldn’t be betraying her country. The subterfuge lay in the delay and this piece of information was kept from her. The less she knew, the safer she would be.
“Show me the maps again. I’ll memorize it,” Lola said. She looked around. “I really hope there’s a party we’re going to because you realize we’re being followed, right?”
Andre smiled. “There’s a party. You two will have some privacy to…discuss…your plans.” His smile dimmed. “Pray too, that everything will work out.”
They were both balancing of a very tightrope of their own, trusting each other not to betray their sides. No one, except Andre—damn his wily mind for guessing the truth—knew their biggest secret here, that at the end of this operation, they’d be gone.
He glanced at Lola and discovered she was studying him too, gauging his reaction. He leaned in to give her a quick, reassuring kiss. Her head tilted back, welcoming him.
“You’re the answer to my prayers,” he murmured against her lips.
Chapter Three
Finally, they were alone. The muted sound of party music echoed outside the room. Andre and his people were making sure anyone watching outside get the impression that, like some houses and apartments here and there down the street tonight, people were having a good time, celebrating the ceasefire. There were fireworks and Lola and her two beaus kissed on the balcony, even though, her real one had pulled her back to him quite quickly. Jake made it look like he was eager to go in, but she knew better. Andre only grinned and led them down the hallway and gave them a key before leaving them, whistling loudly.
Alone.
Lola looked around the room with its dark furniture. A man’s place.
“I’m sorry it isn’t very romantic,” Jacob said, standing behind her.
“There are flowers and candles on the dresser,” she said, turning to him and smiling. “I know that’s from you because I told you I like orchids.”
“Yes.”
Such small gestures, but it made her heart unfurl with pleasure. “It’s enough,” she assured him. “I’m just happy to be with you.”
He stepped closer. “It’s not nearly enough,” he said, “but it’s the beginning.”
She put her hands against his broad chest, smoothing upward, tentatively enjoying the hard strength against her palms. She’d never seen him without his shirt.
“I’d like to make love first before we talk,” she finally said, meeting his gaze. His eyes were very blue in the dim lighting. “But first, you must take off that…ridiculous beard.”
For the first time that evening, he looked genuinely amused. “It’s a good disguise. You didn’t even recognize me when I walked past you.”
“It was dark,” she reminded him, “and…I wasn’t really paying attention.”
His smile turned into a small scowl. “You were busy with Andre.” He finally moved, tugging at her elbow, bringing her even closer. “You would have gone with him.”
She realized that he was still edgy with jealousy. It was a new Jake, not just the flirt or the secret lover, but someone who was showing his deep feelings for her. Life with this man was going to be a journey of discovery, of seeing how human both of them were when they were free. She liked what she saw so far.
“It’s not a part of my job I particularly like,” she admitted, “and it doesn’t always end up in sex. You know it’s meant to distract and divert attention. I’ve told you this before. I know it’s bothering you now.”
“Oh?” He stroked her hair, watching the strands move through his fingers. “Your hair is so soft.”
Lola cocked her head. “Don’t distract and divert.”
A small smile returned to his mouth. “I forgot who I’m talking to.” He released a sigh. “All right, I was jealous and wanted to prove to myself that I could make you excited while you were thinking of sex with someone else.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think much at all. I don’t feel at all.” She tilted her head back as his caressing hand rubbed the back of her neck. “Except with you. It’s always different with you—when we talk or smile at each other or even just a signal, it’s different. And tonight, when you finally touched me for the first time, it was…” she paused, closing her eyes and remembering the feeling. She added, very, very softly: “…as if the world receded and only you existed, Jake.”
His lips met hers. She opened her mouth invitingly. He didn’t hesitate, his tongue took swift possession of hers. It was a lover’s kiss—both tender and demanding, taking time to know her mouth and savoring her response.
She opened her eyes when it was over. There was that hungry look in his eyes again, betraying the need she now re
alized he’d kept so tightly under control.
“Jake, I never would have let anyone touch me in public like that.” She licked her lower lip. “You…wanted me to come on that dance floor. I can’t believe you put…your finger inside me.”
She felt awkward, as if she was a fumbling teenager out on her first date. That provocative intimacy had made her strangely giddy with anticipation, a foreign feeling for her. If he could do that with a touch, what would it feel like when he was finally inside her?
His shoulders shook with silent laughter. “It was just one finger. I wanted your attention on me, only me, and not on your assignment or our observing parties or any other men thinking of how sexy you’d look naked in their arms. No one, Lola, but me. They couldn’t see anyway. If you’d come, though, they might have suspected something else was happening besides some dirty dancing. You liked it. All wet like that. I wanted more. I might have put you on the table and fucked you right there in front of all of them.”
As usual, he seduced her with his words, making her imagine things. No one made her think of sex the way he did. He made it colorful, the stuff of fantasies. Certainly, no one in this world could make her laugh about it. She gave his chest a light smack, then undid a button on his shirt.
“I’d have stopped you if you had used more than one finger,” she scolded. “I’d have made a scene and slapped you or something.”
“Two fingers?” He mocked. “In public? How terribly inappropriate.”
She undid a few more buttons. Then a few more. Oh my. “Umm.”
“What?”
“Your chest is making me think of doing terribly inappropriate things.”
His hands slid down her back, pulling the zipper along. Warm hands teasing her skin.
“Let’s not talk any more, then,” he said, his voice husky. “There is a big mirror and a spacious counter in the bathroom. I have plans for it, terrible plans.”
*
Lola’s dress lay in a pile at her feet, leaving her still in her bra and panties. She stepped out of her clothes and bent to pull the strap off her heels.
“Leave those on for now.”
“Your turn,” she said.
Lola took a step back to admire Jake’s body as he shrugged out of his shirt. She had always like the long and lean look on a man, and she’d always imagined his body as lithe. He’d never dressed well, even when attending expensive functions. It was deliberate, of course. He’d never been a flashy operative because he was so noticeably good-looking already. But only if one looked. Jake Travis always seemed to be able to blend in. With non-descript clothing. With a slouch here. With a beard and cap there.
She stared at the man in front of her now. He was more than lithe and lean. He had the body of a fighter—fit and hard, like a living sculpture. Without his usual disguises, standing here half-naked, casually unbuttoning his pants, he looked nothing like she’d imagined.
If she’d known what his clothes were hiding, she might have seduced him sooner. And no, she didn’t care if she sounded shallow.
He pulled down his pants. She glanced down. Nope. From now on her middle name was Shallow.
The most beautiful erect penis jutted straight up against his flat stomach. It was golden brown, thick and long, and like most American men, circumcised, its velvety head already gleaming with a tinge of red. She wanted to lick it, to taste Jake. He stopped her as she reached for it.
“Not yet,” he said, his voice a little hoarse.
He turned her around to face the mirror. The intense expression on his face made her catch her breath. His blue eyes caught hers in the mirror. Then his hand moved over her stomach and she watched as it slowly slipped inside the waistband of her panties. Lower.
It was all so familiar, yet, totally different. His touch was hotter than she’d imagined. There were other things playing with her imagination. She could now feel his hard arousal pushing into her back as he cupped her. His caress was more intense than her own during their sexy talks. His touch was far more tantalizing than she imagined. She moaned.
“This,” he whispered into her right ear. “All wet for me.”
She leaned back against him as he started to play with her, watching his hand move inside her panties, wanting him to do more.
“Faster,” she ordered, impatient now.
“No, slower, remember? Just like our phone calls.”
“That’s before I saw your cock,” she told him.
He chuckled. “You’ll have that deep inside you soon enough.”
He continued arousing her, sliding sleek fingers against her clitoris, using her liquid desire to bring her higher.
Lola closed her eyes, feeling her insides clenching. Losing control. This was the difficult part.
“I know. You want to turn around and be the seducer. Not. Gonna. Happen.” He pushed a finger inside her. Two. He nudged her stance wider. Three. “I’ve told you. I’ll seduce you first. Make you come first.”
“Un…” She inhaled sharply as those fingers stroked in and out, over her clit, inside her, over her clit again, round, over, inside, until she felt she couldn’t stand on her feet any more. “Unfair.”
“Totally,” he agreed. “But the look on your face is torturing me, babe.”
She opened her eyes and stared at herself. Who was that woman looking back? Her face was flushed, eyes half-closed, lips parted. There was aching desire and lust as her lower body undulated against his hand. He slid her panties partly off with his other hand and she could see how damp his fingers were. She watched as one disappeared and felt it inside, massaging her public bone as his thumb circled that sensitive spot right over it. Then his other hand reached over and exposed the hood covering her clit. The thumb slid gently over the sensitive bunch of nerves.
The pleasure was tortuous. She let out a small scream, jerking away. He held her tight as he continued his exploration. Gently but insistently. Barely touching, yet, enough pressure. All along the finger inside her massaged intimately, finding that spot that had her clenching inside, needing something elusive.
It was as if he understood she had a problem with letting go. All these months of flirtation and he listened to her confessions—what she liked and how she wanted it. He knew they were just fantasies because she’d never had it done to her; she’d never been the one taken. Now, he was making her fantasies come true.
“Like this. Look how wet you are, my love.”
Her mind dazed by sensation, she gazed into the mirror. He slid her panties down and bent her over slightly. Automatically, she grasped the edge of the counter, still watching, wanting him to hurry. His erection pushed against her soft and eager opening. She couldn’t see him, but it felt huge and hard as he finally entered her ever so slowly. She could feel every inch of him, her muscles resisting and easily giving in as he took possession of her. All the while, his fingers kept stroking her higher, pulling at that tension that needed release. His penis, thick and demanding, pushed harder, urging her legs wider.
One shallow stroke in from behind. Gentle brushes on her clit in front.
He pulled out. Pushed in deeper. Gentle, gentle torture of her exposed clit.
Lola lost it. All she could feel was what he was doing.
She whimpered as he pulled out again. He slid in even deeper, a long smooth glide that drew out the urgent sensation begging to free itself. She heard herself moaning louder as his fingers did that magic stroking again. She felt him rub a little harder, giving her the urgency she needed. His strokes came a little faster too. She flared out her bottom, wanting him deeper. He complied, pushing in deep and hard now. His fingers rubbed her there rhythmically.
Her orgasm came in one long release. There was no control at all as she moaned, her whole ass moving against that masterful hand, spurting wet desire down her trembling thighs.
Lola called his name. She couldn’t hear what he said as he kept taking her over the edge, hard penis pushing and filling her, his talented fingers playing, giving he
r all she wanted and more. In that position, watching his hands, feeling his hot cock slapping against her backside, everything seemed magnified. Her final control cracked and she lost her grip of the marble counter as she came again, gasping his name in one ecstatic sigh.
*
Jake carried her to bed. There was the satiated glow of a satisfied woman in her smile as she clung to him. It wasn’t enough. He wanted to give her so much more, this woman who had haunted him with her sad stories. For years, she’d lost control of her sexuality so she took back power by denying true pleasure in the act. That she’d chosen him to finally be herself humbled him.
He wanted her more than anything in this world. That was why he devised this plan for them. She trusted him, even knowing very well what would happen if they failed. She wanted to be with him that much, too.
Knowing that gave him power and he knew it, and he had the responsibility to make sure Lola was happy. Tonight, their first one together, he planned to make her the happiest she’d ever been, give her pleasure and love, share himself and his body with her.
Setting her on the bed, he took off her high heels, taking time to stop and kiss the arch of one small foot. He nibbled upwards, pausing above her mound, inhaling deeply.
“Lola’s scent,” he said.
Lola’s hands massaged his shoulders sensually. “Come up here and give me some more Jake,” she ordered.
He laughed. “Yes, ma’am.” He climbed over her and kissed the top of her breasts, jutting out from her bra. He bit at the front hook and popped it loose. Her breasts, beautiful small globes, spilled out. “I want to savor every part of you.”
He took one tempting rosy nipple into his mouth, gently suckling her breast. She leaned back into the pillows with a sigh.
“I want to savor you,” she said, “but this feels…ahhh…”