by Carrie Kelly
“Do you believe me now, love?” he panted.
His heart -- beat – ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum -- in tune with mine.
“Yes,” I breathed.
“You’d better. I didn’t want to ship you home without telling you the truth.”
My stomach clenched.
The consulate. I was supposed to go to the consulate tomorrow and get a new passport! Then I’d be out of Jack’s hands and back in the U.S. Back to safety while he took on a group a dangerous men all on his own.
I gripped onto him, as if my grasp would keep him safe.
We’d traveled so far and now I wanted nothing more but to stay by his side forever. Dammit!
“Do you promise you’ll come back to New York when you’re done? You’ll come home?”
His smile melted my heart. “Of course, love. I’ll always return to you. I promise.”
Jack kept all his other promises. He’d better keep this one too.
8
Golden light spilled in the crack between the shutters, the thin ray of sun landing right on Jack’s cheek and igniting it with a glorious luster. I ran my hand down his unshaven skin, the prickly hair tickling my palm. My heart soared when I thought of the night before. Jack’s confession and how amazing the evening had been – especially after such a miserable day.
After years of longing and lusting after the hot Aussie, I finally knew the beautiful truth. I pictured Cheryl and her ‘I told you so’ grin and my stomach clenched. She knew all this time, and she didn’t tell me! It wasn’t really her fault; I wouldn’t have believed it anyway.
Jack wanted me. Jack loved me.
Then it hit me. All that loveliness would fade away as soon as we left the safe house. Sure, I’d get a passport and be out of danger, but Jack would still be right in the thick of it. His skills as a spy didn’t ease my unrest. But most of all, I wanted to hold onto the moment just a bit longer.
His chest rose and fell with each breath, and I climbed out of bed slowly. Tip-toeing across the bare wooden floors, I pushed the shutter closed an inch or so. As long as it was still dark we’d stay put.
“Up already, love?” he grumbled from the bed.
“No! I was just coming back,” I said and turned to face him. Even if he loved me the way I was, it took every ounce of self-control not to shield my size sixteen body from his hungry blue eyes.
A slow smile spread across his lips, and he held out a hand. “After waking to such a wonderful sight, I hope you will.”
Heat spread over my cheeks and chest as I sat back in the bed. If my full bottom and thighs were wonderful to Jack, I shouldn’t complain.
“If you say so.”
A chuckled rumbled from his chest. “I most certainly do, Mattie. Sorry, Matilda.”
“You can call me Mattie. I actually like it when you do.”
He grinned and threw back the sheet. His muscular frame, a deep golden tan, pulsed with desire. The sculpted hardness of his chest and stomach gave way to his glorious length, already awakening. Jack’s eyes sparkled and his newly dark hair stood on end. With one strong arm, he pulled me toward him. Our naked bodies sizzled as they touched in the balmy heat of the Thailand morning.
“Mm, I dreamed of kissing you and couldn’t wait to wake up.”
My heart thudded. “Is the reality better than the dream?”
“Always, love.”
Slowly, his lips pressed into mine. The seductive softness urged a whimper from my throat, and I gripped his bulging biceps with my small hands. He tensed under my touch and leaned over me.
Trapped between his powerful arms, I gave into the kiss. Together, our mouths opened and our tongues flicked out to say hello. Heat pooled between my thighs, and I spread them as his body slid over mine. His solid heat hovered above me. Lips nipped, and the rough edge of his tongue tasted my mouth with gentle laps.
Lust pumped through my veins. Each caress elicited anticipatory need.
“Ah -- Jack.”
Strong hands gripped my hips, fingers digging into the soft flesh as his thick cock rubbed along my clit.
He got hard just kissing me? That never happened with my ex-fiancé!
“Yes, Mattie?”
His lips curved into a smile against my neck as they suckled the delicate flesh. Electric shocks shot down my spin, my hips buckling into his turgid shaft. The throbbing heat slipped over my greedy lips and clit – shocks of pleasure shooting over my flesh.
Moaning, I dug my nails into his back. Passion clouded my brain, and I no longer needed words to communicate. He knew what to do.
Jack’s cheek tickled my chest as he lowered those delectably full lips over my breasts. Taking my nipple between his teeth, he pulled just enough to make me gasp. God! How did he know my body better than I did?
As he suckled at one breast, his hands gripped my thighs. Then the thick head of his cock pressed into my waiting pussy.
“Are you ready?” he breathed. His eyes met mine – eager and yearning.
I never noticed that look before.
I nodded, biting my lip as he eased the pounding length inside. With every slow thrust, my needy walls tightened. I wrapped my thighs around his waist, my heels resting on his solid ass as desire consumed my body and soul.
Jack took his time. Drew out every slick entrance into my weeping sex as long as he could. I whimpered and gasped. The air suddenly too thick to breathe. Powerful hands scooped my body into his. Our chests pressed flush against each other, as close as we could possibly be. Lips slipped against mine – passion radiating between us.
I lost track of time as my entire being succumbed to the pleasure surrounding it. Every nerve in my body danced with delight. Jolts of glee careened through my veins like liquid lightening. The only sound in the world was the steady heave of our breath – the only smell Jack’s manly scent mingling with our sex. His muscles shifted under my grasp. Our hips worked in a perfectly timed rhythm.
I wanted it to last forever.
But the building pool of my lust filled with every thrust, kiss and touch. His body urged me closer and closer to the height of passion. His cock throbbed, slipping in and out of the grasping walls of my pussy.
Unlike the times before, this orgasm washed over me in a slow wave. Easing up my stomach and down my thighs with rippling indulgence. I gasped and held him close, my body writhing and my hips buckling under the pressure.
A moment later, his seed burst inside – filling me up.
I stared into his luscious eyes. His lips hovered over mine as we breathed the same sweet air.
“I love you, Mattie.”
Smiling like an idiot, I kissed him wearily. “I love you too, Jack.”
I wanted to stay in bed like that all day, but Jack slipped off me and stood up after we caught our breath.
Right. We had things to do.
“We need to go, love. I have to keep you safe.”
Chewing my bottom lip, I rolled on my stomach. “We could wait until tomorrow,” I ventured. “They don’t seem to know we’re in town yet.”
Jack squeezed my hand and looked down at me. His strong six feet two build towered over me. “They will. And I can’t have anything happen to you – I’ve put you in too much danger as it is.”
He was right, of course, but I didn’t have to like it. “Fine.”
Jack ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. “What’s wrong, Mattie?”
I rolled out of bed and glanced around the room for my clothes. “I—Nothing. It’s stupid.”
Hands wound around my stomach and the edge of his cheek tickled the side of my forehead. “Tell me.”
“It’ll sound silly but fine. I’ve been a wreck since Steven left, you know. I never thought anyone would love me again – especially not you. And this is my trip and just when things started looking up--”
Tears filled my eyes and I fought to hold them back. Crying at a time like this? Now Jack will think I’m unstable!
“Shh. Come on. I know i
t’s been stressful. But when you get back--”
I pulled away and turned toward him, my face burning and wet. “No! That’s not it! I don’t care about those men chasing us. Well, I do care, but I also want this to last. This feeling – this moment! I dreamed about it my whole life, and now I have to go home while you’re getting shot at, and we only just started!”
A smile slid up the corner of his mouth.
“It’s not funny, Jack! I’m serious.”
He cupped my face in his large hands and rubbed away my tears with calloused thumbs. “I’m not laughing at you, Mattie. I just remember you having a hard time riding in a tuk-tuk and now you’d rather stick by me even in the midst of all this mayhem. I think you took me too seriously when I told you to live a little.”
His smile was contagious. Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “Fine. I understand that I have to go home. But what if--”
A finger slid over my lips, silencing me. “I’m coming back to you. I already promised, and I’ll keep that promise no matter what. Got it?”
A million things ran through my head, my stomach turning into knots. He can’t keep the promise if he’s dead. Pushing them aside, I set my shoulders.
“Yes.”
He’d better be right.
9
Jack took me down the street to a little café for breakfast. Not since our first full day in Thailand did our vacation seem so normal. I smiled at the menu and chose a dish I hadn’t tried yet.
Jack scanned the late morning crowd, his blue eyes sharp.
“See anyone suspicious?” I asked as I took a sip of orange juice and fingered the orchid arrangement at the center of our table.
He smoothed his hand over his shirt. While no one else could see it a gun was tucked into the holster in his pants, and it was loaded.
“No, not presently. We may have thrown them off for the time.”
I sighed. “So what other plans did you have for this vacation? I mean, obviously we can’t do them now, but you can tell me what they were.”
He cracked a smile. “Who says I can’t show you around like this again?”
My heart fluttered, but the knots in my stomach twisted tighter. “Who says I want to come back to Thailand after this fiasco? Plus, when will I get another month off work?”
Jack shrugged. “For your next honeymoon – you’re real one.”
Brushing the bangs over my forehead wouldn’t hide the blush that crept up my cheeks. “I’d have to find a husband first.”
“That might be easier than you think.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but the waitress approached right on time.
My old engagement ring sparkled on my finger, and I frowned at the golden band and the little diamond centered in the middle. Jack loved me and I loved him, but if we didn’t survive this I never would get married. Plus, he never said he wanted to marry anyone.
Way to cheer yourself up, Tilda!
“What are you thinking about?” he asked and took my hand in his. His large palm engulfed mine.
I shook my head and forced myself to smile. “Nothing important. But I want this to last, Jack. Let’s stay here as long as we can. And you have to tell me what you had in store for me. I doubt I’d agree to most of it.”
He flashed white teeth. “You didn’t want to swim naked on the coast?”
Fire seared over my cheeks. “What? No! Even if you like me naked, I don’t think the other people on the beach would.”
“Nonsense. Plus, it’s a private beach. Oh, and we were going to ride an elephant through the jungle. You’d have liked that.”
I laughed. “An elephant? I can’t even ride a horse!”
“Bigger animal—bigger saddle. It’s easy, love. Oh, and then there was the boat ride.”
Shaking my head, I smiled. “I’ve had enough boats to last me a lifetime.”
“Fair enough.” He brought my hand to his lips, kissing it. Then the cheerful smile slipped away.
My heart pounded. Just when everything felt normal for once life had to mess it up again.
I glanced behind me. Did the bad guys find us? “What?”
“You can’t tell them the truth at the consulate, Mattie. At least not the whole truth.”
Yanking my hand from his grip, I frowned. “You want me to lie to the U.S. government?”
The lines around his eyes pinched, and he ran his hand through his hair. “A little, yes. They can’t know I’m here – just trust me on this. You can tell them the men were human traffickers but not about me. All right?”
No. It wasn’t all right, but I couldn’t say that. His mission was more important that a little lie. “What should I tell them?”
We spent the rest of breakfast discussing a good cover story and working out the details. So much for our perfect last meal in Thailand together.
With that settled we took a tuk-tuk to the consulate. The squat building sat at the corner of a busy road surrounded by larger, more impressive neighbors. An armed guard stood at the entrance, leaning against the wall and smoking a cigarette.
I frowned from across the street. “That’s it?”
“What did you expect?” Jack asked and raised an eyebrow.
“Something bigger. How are they supposed to protect me? What if those bad guys see me go inside?” I didn’t know why I kept arguing. I’d have to leave him eventually, but my stomach clenched every time I thought about it.
“They won’t. We haven’t been followed, as far as I can tell. You just have to tell them the story we worked out. They’ll take care of you.”
Shielding my eyes from the sun, I glanced at his handsome face. “You won’t even walk me to the door?”
Frowning, he shook his head. “This is as far as I go, Mattie.”
He couldn’t tell me anyway so I didn’t ask why. “What if they don’t believe me? I don’t have any ID and my phone’s almost dead.”
Tears threatened my eyes again, but I held them back.
“They’ll believe you. You’re a wonderful actress. And you’ll be safe in their hands – I wouldn’t release you to them otherwise.”
His words didn’t make me feel better, but what more could I do? I gripped his biceps and stood on my toes, leaning into him for one last kiss. Our lips sizzled as they met, my heart aching when I realized it could be our last.
“I’ll see you soon,” I said and turned onto the crosswalk.
“See you, love.”
When I reached the consulate and glanced behind me, Jack was gone. For the first time in Thailand – I was truly alone.
Taking a deep breath, I approached the guard.
10
I explained my story so many times I was almost hoarse by that afternoon.
Mr. White, the consulate staff member left to deal with me, smiled and pushed a bottle of water across the table. His receding hairline and blandly handsome face reminded me of Steven, but for once the memory didn’t hurt. If he hadn’t broken up with me, we’d be married now and I never would’ve learned Jack’s true feelings.
Funny how things work out.
“Let’s go over this one more time, and I’ll give you the proper paperwork for your replacement passport. Tell me about those men with guns?”
I took a sip and frowned. They already knew the story, and telling them again wouldn’t change it. Unless they thought I was lying. Could I go to jail for lying to the consulate? Shit!
“I was headed to my hotel--”
“Where?”
“The Four Seasons in Bangkok. I had reservations – you can check.”
“We’re on it, Ms. Tucker. Go on.”
I twisted the engagement band around my finger and sighed. “I was headed there when a group of armed men attacked me.”
“Attacked how? Were you injured?”
I wished I could tell them the truth, but Jack’s stupid mission was at stake! “No, but they took my suitcases and shot at me. I ran and got away.”
He raised an eyebrow and jotted
it down on his notebook. “And you have reason to believe they followed you all the way to Chiang Mai from Bangkok?”
“Yes! I ran into a woman who spoke English and she said they were probably trying to steal me. She said they steal women and children then she told me to go get help at the consulate or embassy and tell them my story.”
No wonder they didn’t believe it, far-fetched at it was. But the truth wasn’t much better.
“Why not go to the embassy in Bangkok?”
Jack prepped me for this question too. “I was scared and didn’t know where the embassy was. Bangkok is a big city and since I was there all alone I didn’t know what to do. I hopped on a bus to get out of the city and made my way here.”
“Lucky running into this woman. Did she have a name?”
“After being shot at I didn’t ask,” I said through gritted teeth.
Mr. White nodded. “And you don’t have any money left?”
Frowning, I showed him what little baht I had. “This is all. Everything was stolen. I told this to the other man—“
He put up a hand. “I know. We just want to make sure we have your story correct. Do you have a photocopy of your passport?”
I frowned. “Yes, but it was in my suitcase. Which is gone!”
“Did you have travel insurance?”
I took a long sip of water to calm my nerves before I answered. No wonder Jack didn’t want to come in here – these bureaucrats would drive anyone crazy!
“Yes, but that paperwork was all in my suitcase too. I already said this is all I have left,” I said and shook my purse at him.
“Very well. If you’ll fill out this paperwork we can work on finding you a place to stay for the night and get you a replacement passport.”
My heart stood still. “What about protection?”
“Protection?” he asked and stood up.
“From the men who tried to kill me?” I said, my hands shaking. What happened to protecting me? I didn’t travel halfway across Thailand just to get killed by human traffickers!
