Rum Runner

by Tricia Leedom

  When Jimmy hesitated, she stopped fighting with the cap that refused to twist off and looked at him.

  He traced his finger along the side of the frosty beer in front of him. “Covert stuff. Black Ops. He started out as Army, but he could be working for just about any of the alphabet agencies these days. I know he can’t tell me who he works for so I don’t even ask.”

  “Wow,” she said.

  His gaze lifted to hers. “It goes without saying you shouldn’t repeat what I’ve told you. He’s established this cover as a dangerous ex-con and he’d really like to keep it going. Only three people know the truth about him. You, me, and Captain Tom.” Jimmy reached across the table and took the Corona away from her. He twisted the cap off with a flick of his wrist and handed the bottle back to her.

  “Thank you.” She took a sip. It was colder than the last one and better tasting. Perhaps she did like beer after all. “What about your other brother Anders?”

  Jimmy shook his head. “He doesn’t know.”

  “Why would you tell me the truth about Jonas?”

  “I didn’t want you to be frightened of him. You’ve got enough to worry about.”

  His thoughtfulness warmed her heart, but having his trust meant everything to her. “Thank you,” she said.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Sophie carried a bowl of stew to Jonas and received a muttered, “thank you, ma’am,” before she rejoined Jimmy in the galley to finish their drinks. Jimmy was on beer number three when she got back.

  It was a cozy affair, just the two of them talking about their lives. Sophie told him about her interest in Greek mythology and her work as an associate development director at her stepfather’s charitable organization. She basically hosted parties for a living and solicited donations from wealthy benefactors. Jimmy talked about his childhood, growing up on the Gulf Coast. He brought her to tears recounting some of his boyhood exploits with his older brother Anders. A year apart in age, the mischievous pair had once set a drove of piglets loose in a supermarket. Another time, they papier-mâchéd the school principal’s car. Jimmy had a lot of fond memories of summers spent working on a shrimp boat out of Gulf Shores, Alabama, during his high school years. That was where he’d first met Captain Tom. He was the person who’d encouraged a young, restless Jimmy to join the Navy.

  When they finally made their way up the stairs, it was well into the evening. A full moon hung in a clear, starry sky. It was a beautiful night, but Sophie sensed something was wrong. The sails were eerily still and the boat wasn’t moving.

  “Dead calm,” Jimmy murmured. He let go of her hand and went to stand over Jonas. Jimmy’s brother snoozed on the bench seat, reclining with his legs crossed at the ankles.

  Jimmy slapped his boot.

  Jonas opened his eyes.

  “Why didn’t you tell me we were adrift?”

  “Just happened.”

  Moonlight danced across a sea that was as smooth as a ballroom floor. A million stars filled the night sky, reflecting off the water so Sophie couldn’t tell where heaven stopped and the earth began.

  “How far are we out of Tortola?” Jimmy said.

  “Too far to use the motor without running out of gas.” Jonas sat up.

  “Take the bunk. We’ll sleep up here.”

  Jonas nodded, grabbed his empty bowl, and disappeared through the companionway.

  When he was gone, Jimmy dug some blankets out of the storage compartment and then made a nest on the floor between the two bench seats in the rear of the boat.

  Sophie stood watching him. “Should we be concerned about the lack of wind?”

  “Nah. It’ll come back sooner or later. If not, we’re in a busy shipping lane with plenty of supplies. We’ll survive.”

  His confidence was reassuring.

  He stretched out on the makeshift bed and motioned for her to join him. She settled down beside him, resting her head against his chest.

  “Adrift in the Caribbean like the pirates of yore,” she murmured.

  “Would you like me to plunder you, milady?”

  “Yes, but your brother is only a few feet away.”

  “I can plunder quietly.” Turning, he nibbled on her throat.

  She raised her hand to his shoulder to stop him even as she shifted to give him better access. He tugged on the neckline of her sundress and dipped his hand beneath the cotton fabric to stroke her breast.

  “You might be able to do it quietly,” she said, already a bit breathless, “but I’m not certain I can.”

  “Jonas is a big boy. It’s nothing he hasn’t heard before.” Jimmy rolled on top of her and settled between her legs. His hardness pressed against her lower belly through her cotton dress.

  “You make a compelling argument.”

  Jimmy’s mobile buzzed in his shirt pocket. She thought he was reaching for it, but he pulled a condom packet out of the pocket instead. He placed it between his teeth before he reached down to raise her skirt. The cool night air kissed her thighs just before he removed her panties with a swift tug.

  The buzzing persisted until the call went to voicemail.

  He unfastened his shorts and spread her legs wide. Her body quaked with anticipation as he tore the packet open with his teeth and paused to roll the condom on. When he bumped against her entrance, she raised her knees to give him better access. Then they both groaned softly as he eased inside, stretching and filling her to capacity.

  As he began to move inside of her, the phone buzzed again.

  “Must be important,” she said in a breathy whisper against his neck.

  Jimmy cursed and pinned her to the floor with his hips as he paused to dig the mobile out of his pocket. “What is it?” he growled into the receiver. “Yeah. Uh-huh. Yep.”

  Sophie slid her hands under Jimmy’s T-shirt and stroked his muscular back. Skimming downward, she slipped her fingers beneath the loosened waistband of his shorts and cupped his high, tight bum. Eager for friction, she spread her legs wider and undulated against him.

  He let out a whoosh of air.

  Pleased with the reaction she’d elicited, she bit her bottom lip and wrapped her legs around his waist to take him deeper.

  “No shit.” His voice sounded strained.

  She nibbled at his throat.

  “Yeah. She’s right here.”

  Sophie grew very still.

  Jimmy’s expression was impassive as he put the phone to her ear and instructed her to say hello.

  “Hello?”

  “Hiya, Ladybug,” said an unfamiliar masculine voice. “I hear you’ve been looking for me.”

  Sophie shoved Jimmy off of her so fast he bounced off the side of the bench seat. The mobile tumbled into the blankets. She scrambled for it and put it to her ear again. “Hello? Are you there?”

  “God, it’s great to hear your voice, Ladybug,” Mitch Thompson said. “The word on the street is Panama’s gotten in deep this time and taken you along for the ride.”

  Her gaze widened and shot to Jimmy’s glistening erection. He hadn’t bothered to cover up. She tossed a blanket across his lap. “I—I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I hear he’s taken you on a wild ride.”

  A torrid image of her riding Jimmy the night before flashed through her mind. She shook it away and blurted, “Bautista is looking for you!”

  “I know he is, and so is a man called Albatross. They’re both bad news, baby girl. I have something Bautista wants, and I understand Albatross is looking for it now, too. That means, if they get a hold of you, they’re going to use you to get to me.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “What you should have done in the first place. Get as far away from this part of the world as possible. They won’t be able to get to you so easily when you’re locked up in your stepfather’s fortress.”

  “But I want to help.”

  “You can help me by making sure you’re safe.”

  “I am safe.” Her gaze dart
ed to Jimmy. He was lying on his back with his forearm flung across his eyes. “I’m not going home. Not until I see you.”

  “Listen up. This might be the end for me and I—”

  “Don’t say that, Daddy.” She gripped the phone tighter and curled her knees into her chest.

  “I don’t want you to hate me.”

  “I don’t hate you! I could never hate you.”

  “I have enemies. I started treasure hunting with my old man when I was barely old enough to walk. Over the years, we pissed a lot of people off. My enemies tried to use your mother to get to me one time. One day they came and, thank the Lord, you were at a neighbor’s house. They didn’t hurt her, but she was scared. She begged me to give up my treasure hunting and my life as a SEAL and come away with her to England.”

  “And you didn’t.”

  “I was willing to, but I couldn’t promise her what she really wanted to hear. I knew my enemies wouldn’t stop coming. I couldn’t guarantee your safety or hers. She had no choice but to take you away.”

  “She had a choice. Everyone has choices. She didn’t stand by you. She didn’t trust you to keep her safe.”

  “Don’t be mad at your momma, baby girl. She could have cut me off completely, but she let me write to you, and she sent me photographs and updates in letters of her own.”

  “But you weren’t there when I nearly drowned and was taken to the hospital. I needed you and you didn’t come.”

  “The hell I didn’t. I brought you a pink teddy bear and sat beside your bed for three days praying to God you’d wake up. I was there when you opened your eyes. You knew who I was. You called me Daddy.”

  “I thought I was dreaming.”

  “I promised your mother I’d go as soon as you were out of the woods. She swore to me she would take you for swimming lessons. Later, she told me you were as stubborn as I was and refused to go near the water again.”

  Sophie ran her fingers through her hair and leaned back against the bench seat. “She’s been talking to you all of these years. Does her husband know?”

  “No. And for your mother’s sake, it’s best you don’t tell him.”

  “I still have the bear. I didn’t know it was from you, but I still have it.”

  “That makes my heart happy, Ladybug. It’s my fault you’re in this trouble. I trusted Panama to get you out of this time zone safely and he failed me. Is he there?”

  “Yes.”

  “Listen to me, but don’t react. He’s using you, sweetheart.”

  Sophie shook her head. “No—”

  “He’s working for Bautista. Florez kidnapped Jimmy’s godson. He’s using you to find me. Then he’s going to trade us both for the boy.”

  “No, that can’t be,” she said, even though her heart began to pound in a heavy, sluggish rhythm.

  “He isn’t right in the head. He hasn’t been in years, not since he killed his best friend in a friendly fire incident. I sent him to Miami to pick up the package not knowing you were going to be there. When I found out you were at the hotel, I had no choice but to ask for his help. Now I’m sorry that I did.”

  “He saved my life,” she insisted, her gaze meeting Jimmy’s as he sat up.

  “I know I have no right to ask,” Mitch said, “but please trust me on this. My sources tell me you’re heading for Tortola. Is that true?”

  “Yes.”

  “When you get to Road Town, give Jimmy the slip and head for the Trellis Bay Market. There’s a little coffee shop on Beef Island Road called Java Jean’s. I’ll meet you there. This is almost over, Ladybug. I promise you’ll be home safe and sound before you know it. I’ll see you soon, baby girl.”

  “Bye, Daddy.” She hit the End button and lowered the phone to her lap.

  Jimmy was watching her carefully. “You all right, darlin’?”

  Was she? What if her instincts had been wrong about Jimmy? What if she was one of those fools who were easily blinded by love?

  Her heart slammed against her rib cage, screaming in denial. It couldn’t be true. Jimmy wouldn’t betray her like that. And yet, Jonas’ words from the night before came back to her. “The boy will be safe as long as you get to Thompson first.” She hadn’t bought Jimmy’s weak explanation about “the boy” being a reference to Mitch, but she’d let it slide at first. Later, after they’d made love, she had asked Jimmy who Tulio Garcia was because she’d heard Jonas mention the name. Jimmy never directly answered her question. He explained who the boy was but not what Jonas had meant about his safety. Was her father right? Was Jimmy using her to get to Mitch so he could rescue the boy? The pieces of the puzzle were fitting together too tidily to disregard.

  Jimmy had lied to her. He’d used her. All along, he’d just been romancing her to get what he wanted. Access to her father.

  “Duchess, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”

  She looked at him and doubt stabbed her heart, twisting like a serrated knife. The pain was so sharp she couldn’t catch her breath for a moment.

  When her face crumpled, Jimmy pulled her into his lap. She didn’t resist. She burrowed into his warmth, finding comfort in his familiar, masculine scent. His heavy, muscled arms settled around her back, holding her close. She felt safe and, if not loved, deeply cared for. How could what was between them be a lie?

  Whom should she believe: an enigma she’d been taught to distrust her entire life or the man who had proven himself to her by repeatedly saving her life—the man who made love to her with such passion and held her with such tenderness?

  She placed an openmouthed kiss to his throat. Enjoying the way the sea air intensified the saltiness of his skin, she licked him. His hand cupped her breast and his thumb gently stroked her nipple through the thin cotton fabric of her dress. He must have felt the same sudden sense of urgency that stirred her blood, because he laid her down on the blanket, lifted her skirt, and entered her swiftly. She gasped and clung to him.

  She didn’t care if she was noisy. Didn’t care if Jonas, the bloody birds, or the people on the passing cruise ships heard her cries. She dug her fingernails into Jimmy’s bottom and bucked against him, meeting his thrusts as he rode her hard. A burst of sensation coated her mind and body, sucking her up and away until she was floating on another plane above the tranquil sea. She came back down to earth just as Jimmy thrust deeply one last time, tensed, and shuddered in her arms. His groan of pleasure was muffled in the crook of her neck. She grabbed his straining biceps and clung to him as his jerking hips hurtled her toward another climax. Fresh surges of pleasure rippled through her body like errant waves in the wake of a tropical storm. She gasped and closed her eyes, wringing out every last precious drop of ecstasy until he collapsed heavily on top of her.

  She held him close, trying to memorize the small details that would likely fade from her memory first. His scent, the spent weight of him covering her body, the feel of his heartbeat hammering against her chest. She didn’t want him to move away from her because she knew when he did she’d never hold him like this again.

  When he finally did roll away, the loss was devastating. She shivered but did not cover herself. He came back a moment later and gathered her close, pulling her against his chest. She listened to his breathing until it deepened to a soft hum and she knew he had fallen asleep.

  She turned toward him then to study his features. Some men looked boyish in sleep. Not Jimmy. He looked hard and very masculine. Like a fallen angel, sinfully beautiful in the starlight.

  How could she fall in love with a man who was capable of lying to her and betraying her so callously? She was such a fool. Because, even now, when logic told her running away from Jimmy was the smartest thing to do, her heart was dying.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  The wind returned in the early morning hours, just before dawn. Sophie woke briefly, drifting back to sleep when Jimmy left her side to man the helm. When she opened her eyes again, the sun was shining high in an azure sky dotted with puffs of vertical clouds that flo
ated so close to the water’s surface she fancied she could reach up and touch them.

  She stretched the kinks in her back before she sat up. Vigorous sex on the unforgiving surface of a boat deck wasn’t for amateurs.

  She sensed Jonas watching her and met his dark gaze across the length of the boat. His solemn expression didn’t change, but she knew he’d heard them last night. Heard her. Heat crept up her neck and she turned away, busying herself with folding the blankets.

  Jimmy steered the boat, reclining long ways on the bench seat with his ankles crossed. He wore a vintage Superman tee and a well-worn pair of tan cargo shorts. The color of the shirt matched his eyes.

  “Morning, Duchess.”

  “Good morning.” She avoided his gaze until she was more confident the expression on her face wouldn’t give her away. When she’d tucked the last blanket in the bench seat, she pasted a smile on her face and turned to face him. “How much farther until we reach Tortola?”

  Despite her mistrust. Despite all of the hurt and anger that welled up inside of her every time she thought about what he’d done, his gorgeous grin made her stomach dip.

  “Look off the port bow,” he said and then added before she could ask which way, “Turn around.”

  They were heading toward a cluster of rolling green hills. A hodgepodge of sailboats, speedboats, cruise ships, and cargo ships littered the water surrounding the islands.

  “Tortola,” she whispered.

  “Welcome home, darlin’.”

  Sophie hurried below deck to shower in the dollhouse-sized stall and then changed into fresh clothes. The pink cami top and white jean shorts were a recent addition to her meager wardrobe, as were the white flip-flops she stuffed onto her feet.

  After tucking yesterday’s clothes away in the duffel, she reached into a side pocket that contained Jimmy’s bankroll. Guilt niggled at her, but she peeled off several hundred-dollar bills anyway. It was his fault she was in this mess in the first place, wasn’t it? It was his fault two very dangerous men were hunting her like dogs. She crammed the folded bills into her front pocket before she grabbed a small bagel and a bottle of juice out of the pantry and ate swiftly.