by Taylor Lee
Gone was the ACU camouflage. In its place he wore tight black jeans and a grey t-shirt. His tan combat boots with the rubber soles had been replaced by black ankle boots with enough chains and metal studs to put hers to shame. She couldn’t contain her gasp. She’d known he was an impressive man, handsome, overwhelming. But the casual jeans and t shirt showed off a body she’d only guessed at in his regulation dress. His t-shirt revealed impossibly broad shoulders and bulging biceps. Tucked in his belted jeans the shirt emphasized his tapered waistline and hard abs. His muscular thighs tightened as he took the steps three at a time.
When he turned the corner at the second landing, she managed to speak.
“No, wait. You don’t have to come up. I…I’m ready.”
He stopped at the landing and leaned back against the railing.
Grinning that disarming grin that made her stomach clench, he whistled again.
“Yeah, darlin’, you sure as hell are.”
She refused his hand and walked by him with her head in the air. His low chuckle raised the hairs on the back of her neck and she clutched the railing for support. In seconds, he was beside her, his big hand circling her arm. The skin on the place he stroked flamed at his touch.
His voice was a low rumble.
“Steady, now, darlin’. We don’t want you to break your neck or your ankles in those shoes.” He huffed. “I never have figured out how women wear those high heels.” He added with a chuckle, “I’m just glad they do.”
Lexie forced herself to take a deep breath and then another, but it didn’t do any good. She was a bundle of shrieking nerves. Furious at herself for agreeing to go out with this man, she whirled to face him. The tirade bubbling up in her chest hovered in her throat at the look in his eyes. His stormy blue eyes were dark with concern.
He reached out and stroked her cheek, the way you would an overwrought child poised on the edge of a tantrum. She was horrified that he read her so easily.
“Alexis, relax.”
His voice was quiet, authoritative. He squinted down at her. His expression was almost stern.
“Listen up. You and I are going to go out and have a nice dinner. You’re going to tell me all about that beast of a car you drive. I’m going to smother you with my southern charm. And if that was a tell-tale growl that I just heard from your stomach, you’re going to eat the first food you’ve had today or maybe in a couple of days. You got that?”
She hesitated, then mumbled, “I had a banana this morning.”
He shook his head with a dismissive nod.
“Good, then you’ll have lots of room for the food I intend to tempt you with. Hell, I might even force you to drink one of the best margaritas you’ve ever tasted just to see if I can loosen you up a bit.”
She tipped up her chin. “I…I don’t drink much.”
His eyes twinkled. “Good. A girl after my own heart.” He added, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Just what I like, a cheap drunk.”
Ignoring her startled frown, he smiled at her and bowed low. He swept his arm toward the dusty gravel parking lot.
“My lady, your chariot awaits.”
Lexie looked up in surprise at the gleaming black and silver motorcycle discreetly parked under the only tree in the pock-marked lot. She didn’t know much about motorcycles, but given what she did know, this was one impressive bike. It screamed power and money. Damn, she wouldn’t be surprised if Jake had dropped as much on this baby as she had in three years restoring her Camaro.
He laughed. “My one indulgence.”
She sniffed. “I’ll bet. But just so you know, I’m not much of a motorcycle person. How about we take my car instead?”
Jake stumbled back in mock horror. “And not travel down the open road with the wind in your hair and the sun in your eyes, driving every guy in his Buick sedan green with envy?”
Lexie hesitated, then blurted out. “They scare me. And…and I’ve never ridden on the back of one before. I don’t know how.”
Jake regarded her solemnly for a moment, then took hold of her arm and inched toward the machine glinting in the dappled sunlight shining through the palo verde branches.
“Somehow I find that hard to believe from a girl whose car is every guy’s wet dream. But I’ll take you at your word. That’s why your first ride needs to be with a guy who knows how to handle a girl on the back of a bike.”
Lexie felt her cheeks heat at the double entendre, but shook off her embarrassment, determined not to let him see that she was afraid.
He reached for the helmet strapped to the back of the bike and put it on her head, twisting her soft curls in his hand when he snapped the strap.
“Up you go,” He said lifting her up and over the padded seat.
Lexie was shocked at how easily he lifted her. Before she could stop him, he hiked her dress above her knees and with a wink tucked it up against the seat.
“These aren’t the most modest rides you’ll ever take but I promise you it will be one of the most exciting.” Seeming to see her fear, he added, “Alexis, all you have to do is hang on tight. I’ve been riding these crotch rockets since I was fourteen years old and have never had so much as a scrape on me or on the bike.’
With that, he swung his leg up over the seat and parked his tight ass about four inches in front of her. She mentally groaned as he unhooked his helmet and strapped it on his head. He hitched up in his seat and twisted toward her. With a quick snap, he lowered the protective visor over her eyes, then glanced at her fingers clutching the leather armrests.
He studied her for a moment, then gave one of those knowing nods that she knew would be followed by some down home wisdom. He didn’t disappoint.
“Alexis, riding on the back of a motorcycle is a lesson in cooperation. Now, yes, you can sit back in this comfortable seat stiff as a board and let the wind and the dirt pummel you as we tear down the road at sixty miles an hour. Or you can lean forward and hang on to me. Hell, you can even rest against me and let me take the worst of the wind. And then… then if you are as daring as I think you are, you’ll give into the joy of the ride.”
He chucked her under her chin. “Cooperate with me, sugar, or go it alone. It’s your choice, darlin’.”
Not waiting for her answer, he snapped down his visor and kicked the bike into gear. Turning in a tight circle, he headed out of the lot to the open road ahead. At the break in the traffic, he throttled down and with an impressive roar they sped onto the highway.
Sheer terror forced Lexie to throw her arms around Jake’s waist and hang on tight. It took her a full moment clinging to him to begin to let the roar of the bike enter her bloodstream. A thrilling flash of power inundated her. She’d come close to this feeling speeding down the highway in her Camaro, but this was different, raw, explosive. The wind whipping her hair in shiny streaks of gold against her visor and the sun beating down on her bare legs were exhilarating. She clung to Jake’s muscled back and breathed in the subtle mix of expensive cologne and strong man. It was a heady combination. The hum of the engine throbbed between her legs. A potent rush of sensation flooded her. She gathered her strength and squashed down the torrent of doubts and ugly visions from the past. With a supreme effort, she let go of her fears and took Jake’s advice. She gave in to the joy of the ride.
Chapter 6
Jake took one look at her face and breathed a sigh of relief. It could have gone either way. He took a chance and it paid off. Her shining eyes and flushed cheeks were all the evidence he needed that she was as stoked by the ride as he was. Hell, how could he not be? Having the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen wrapped around his back riding an Electra Glide down the highway on a gorgeous evening came as close to perfect as he could imagine. The only thing that made it better was that he‘d have dinner with her – and more, if he could wrangle it. Just the thought made the bulge in his jeans swell. Not much he could do about it. He’d struggled to contain his reaction to her from the first time he saw her.
For the moment, the excitement in her eyes replaced the anger and fear he’d seen since he met her. He realized this must be the way she’d looked before Anthony’s death stole her joy. He prayed that he could keep the agony of the present at bay for at least a couple of hours. He’d give anything to erase the pain haunting her beautiful face. He pushed her in front of him and tossed Pedro the keys to the bike. The boy’s face lit with pleasure.
“Don’t say it, Mr. Jake. I know. I get one scratch on it and I am your slave for life.”
Jake laughed and tossed him a folded bill. “You know it, Pedro. And not more than four blocks either way, you hear? Your mama’s gonna kill me, as it is.”’
Putting his arm around Alexis’s shoulder, he led her into the noisy cantina. The raucous shouts of the waiters and patrons greeted them along with the spicy smells of chilies and roasted meats. A huge woman with a smile as big as her ample chest bustled toward them.
“Ah, Mr. Jake. Too long, too long since we see you.” Peering around him, she gave Lexie a critical once over. Seeming to see the light in Jake’s eyes, a broad grin broke across her face. “Ah, now I see what has kept you busy, kept you away from us. Una mujer muy hermosa!”
Jake grinned and gave her a big hug. “Mama Rosita, you know I can’t stay away from you or Carlos. I languish in countries all over the world dreaming about your flan. Mama, this is Alexis, and Alexis, this is Mama Rosita, who makes the best pork taquitas in the world and tops it off with flan as close to heaven as I’m likely to get.”
At that moment, a wiry Hispanic man with dark hair and flashing black eyes came around the corner. His face lit up when he saw Jake. At the most, he came to Jake’s shoulder and Jake had to bend down to give him a hug.
“Mi buen amigo. Too long between visits.”
Looking over at Alexis, his face cracked in a smile as wide as his wife’s. He winked at Jake and gave a low whistle. “Mmm, muy hermosa, Mr. Jake!”
Alexis smiled a shy smile and Jake pulled her closer to him. After he had finished making introductions to the wait staff who crowded around them, Jake put a protective arm around Alexis’ shoulders, who was looking overwhelmed and a little pale. He’d arranged ahead of time for a private table in the back corner of the patio and guided her through the noisy restaurant to the quiet table he’d commandeered. The subtle smell of desert sage mingled with the fragrance of the citrus trees banking the patio, flavoring the cooling night air with a mix of spicy fragrances. The sky was beginning to darken. A crescent moon hung over the patio, heralding the coming of a thousand stars.
Jake knew the chances that Alexis had eaten today were slim, but didn’t want to pressure her. He knew by now she was fiercely independent.
“Can I start plying you with alcohol?” he asked, winking at the waiter who stood expectantly to the side.
Alexis managed a shy smile that made Jake’s heart trip. He thought again how damned vulnerable she was. He could almost see the tight nerves she was working hard to control.
“I think I’ll try one of the margarita’s you told me about, but no salt please.”
Jake nodded. “Good choice. And Manuel, bring us one of those seafood platters Mama rustles up for me. And don’t forget the hot sauce.”
Turning to Alexis, Jake asked, “I don’t want to be overbearing, but you look as though you haven’t eaten in a while, am I right?’
She shook her head and looked down, then said softly, “I haven’t been hungry.”
He gave her a sympathetic nod. “Let me recommend the Boquia bass. It’s one of the mildest but tastiest fish you’ll find. Comes from a paradise in Columbia. Carlos ships it in. Don’t know of another place in the southwest that does.”
She asked hesitantly, a clear effort to make conversation, “Have you been there?”
“Lake Boquia? Yeah, I have.” He smiled at her. “I’ve been lucky. There aren’t many places that I haven’t been. Unfortunately, some of the most beautiful ones, like Columbia, for example, are the most troubled.”
He watched her closely throughout the meal. She sipped on her margarita and moved to Dos Equis beer when he did. She picked at her food, but at least she ate. He steered the conversation to safe topics, her car, his bike, and the places he had been.
At a break in the conversation, he said, “I understand you’re a martial artist.”
To Jake’s surprise, she pulled back. He saw her shield go up.
“How do you know that?” Her expression was tight, guarded.
He was surprised at her defensive reaction. He’d thought she’d be pleased to talk about her accomplishments. He gave a nonchalant shrug.
“I’m an inveterate snoop. Guess that’s what makes me a good investigator. And yeah, I like to check out a woman before I introduce her to Mama Rosita,” he added with a slight smile.
She frowned, surprising him more, but he pressed on.
“I’ll admit, I did a little investigation on you, but I didn’t have a week so I only skimmed all the tournaments you’ve won and the honors you’ve received. You are something, a true champion, Miss Alexis Beloi.”
When her frown deepened and she didn’t respond, he reached for humor.
“What’s wrong, Alexis? I can tell you, there’s nothing hotter to an army brat like me than a woman who could whip my ass.”
He thought for a moment he’d succeeded, but her guard went up stronger than ever. Her voice was hard, clipped.
“I don’t like people ‘investigating’ me. If you want to know something about me, ask me.”
He quirked a brow in disbelief.
“Hmm, and if I did. Ask you? Would you answer me?”
She tossed her head, a gesture that was becoming familiar.
“Not likely.”
In the silence that followed, assessing her rigid body language, Jake decided he had nothing to lose. There were questions he needed to ask, things she needed to know about him.
He drawled, “Well, I guess I’ll take a chance and get my head bitten off. I do have questions, I’d like some answers to. I’m curious, Alexis. What do you hope to learn about your brother’s death on the ‘streets’?”
She stared at him, her eyes flashing with anger.
“I’ve already told you, I’m not interested in talking about my brother’s death with you or anyone else who is ‘officially’ investigating his murder.”
“Hmm, but you will talk to the bouncers at Porters? Or the pimps on the corner of Cactus?”
Alexis arched up like an angry cat. Jake was surprised she didn’t hiss.
“What? You followed me? You tracked me last night? How dare you?”
She rose up in her chair reaching for her purse, her hands were visibly shaking. She gnawed at her bottom lip. “So… so this is why you insisted that I have dinner with you? So you could smother me with southern charm, ply me with alcohol, and then get all the information you can from me?”
Jake leaned back in his chair. He sighed and motioned to her.
“Sit down, Alexis.”
When she just glared at him, he nodded to the chair.
“That wasn’t a request, sugar. Sit down. Now.”
~~~
Alexis stared at him. How dare he tell her what to do? As though she was an insubordinate that he could dress down, order about. But something in those flashing blue eyes compelled her to sink down in her chair. Grabbing the edge of the table, she leaned forward, barely able to contain her fury. She started to speak, but Jake put up his hand to stop her.
“Lexie, we need to talk.”
She jumped at the use of her nickname. The name Anthony gave her.
She stammered, angrily stumbling over her words.
“How, how…do you know that? My nickname. Why? What makes you think you can insinuate yourself in my life? Look for secrets, for ways to compromise me, contain me? You’re no… no better than Chief Burton. No, damn you! You are worse! At least he doesn’t lie to me, pretend he wants to have dinner with me when all
he wants is to worm information out of me. You are…despicable!”
Jake responded quietly, ignoring her angry outburst. He nodded as though he had come to a conclusion. “Lexie suits you. It’s softer, not as hard as you pretend to be.”
Chapter 7
“Lexie, Anthony was my friend. He was on my special forces team for eight years. He was one of the finest soldiers I’ve had the privilege to work with and one of the most honorable men I’ve known. We were together in more godforsaken places in the world than should exist. Of all the men I commanded over the years, your brother was the most admirable. If I had to choose anyone to have my back, no matter where or why, it would be Anthony Beloi.”
Lexie was startled. Jake’s expression was intense. He was sincere, clearly moved by his relationship with Anthony. But she felt betrayed, angry that he had kept his relationship with Anthony from her. She was just beginning to trust Jake. Frankly, she liked him. It hurt that he had tricked her into having dinner with him. He hadn’t even told her he knew Anthony. Before she could wrestle with her chaotic emotions, Jake continued.
“When I learned about Anthony’s death, I insisted on leading the investigation. I will not stop until we find his killer.”
His eyes were hard, fierce.
Lexie looked down at her hands, not wanting to meet his eyes. She didn’t want him to see her confusion.
