by Karen Anders
“He doesn’t hate me, Jammer. Maybe I can work with him.”
“No! Out of the question. We’ll find another way.”
She came around the conference room table to where Jammer was sitting. He’d worn a gorgeous gray Armani silk wool suit that darkened the shade of his eyes and easily cost ten thou if she was any judge. The silver-gray, unembellished tie made him look sleek and sophisticated. She settled her hands on his shoulders and kneaded the knotted muscles through the jacket and white silk shirt. “Okay, okay, I’m on your side. I’ll keep checking with everyone I know. Jeez, don’t shoot the messenger.”
Jammer nodded, his features tight. “Sorry, but that man is bad, bad news.”
“I’ve only heard rumors. I haven’t had much of an opportunity to deal with him.”
“Good. Steer clear. That guy’s going to come to a violent end, Gina. Mark my words.”
“So, I guess our trip to Italy is over. I didn’t even get a chance to go to Tuscany.”
Jammer swiveled the chair, cutting her legs out from under her so that she landed in his lap with an “oomph” and a giggle.
“Well, why not? When do we meet lover boy?”
Callie straightened his tie and smiled wryly, “Jammer, he’s not my lover boy, and we’re not supposed to see him until Friday.”
“That leaves us two days. Plenty of time.”
“You’re serious? You want to frolic around in Florence for two days?”
“Why not? It doesn’t make sense to head back to the U.S. when we’d just have to turn around and go to London. Might as well take advantage of the time we have together.”
True to his word, they flew into Florence. It wasn’t until they landed and got to the hotel that he told her he’d booked a bike tour around the city. Callie loved the idea.
They spent their first day doing that, then it was off to San Gimignano to a farmhouse for the night, to experience the Tuscany region and the vineyards of the area. The day was filled with nothing but wine sipping and pool lounging, until Callie felt so relaxed and refreshed she never wanted to leave.
Jammer bought a bottle of wine and a meal from the generous owners and they took it out to the terrace.
She was tipsy from the wine and warmed by the sun when she sat down to the simple but delicious fare the couple had prepared.
Jammer filled her glass and said, “This variety of wine dates back hundreds of years to Greek sailors.”
“I feel as drunk as a sailor,” she said softly, and they both thought that was completely hilarious.
“You know the last time I had wine with you, mister, I ended up very wet and very satisfied.”
Jammer’s eyes glowed, and an infectious grin split his lips. “As I recall, you didn’t protest too vigorously.”
“As I recall, I was shackled and a victim to your debauchery.”
“Debauchery?”
They broke into gales of laughter over that, too.
After dinner, Callie stepped up to the railing of the terrace and appreciated the view. The panorama of the Tuscan countryside spread out before them-undulating hills topped with little terra-cotta-roofed farmhouses.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Jammer suggested as they left the terrace. It was getting dark, but there was a full moon and plenty of light to see where they were walking.
They soon came to a field full of red poppies gently blowing in the breeze, which carried the smell of earth and grass. Callie leaned her forearms on a fence and took in the countryside.
Jammer came up behind her, his hands encircling her waist. He kissed the back of her neck, sending spikes of pleasure down her spine. Her head reeling from the wine, she relaxed into him, breathing in his clean, sharp male scent and sighing.
“What a beautiful night and a beautiful place.”
“You’re beautiful, Gina. So damned beautiful.”
“Is that the wine talking?” She giggled.
He chuckled and said, “No, you crazy woman, it’s not. You’re beautiful from the top of your silky cap of hair down to your breasts, to your long, killer legs.”
“I can kill a man with my legs, you know.”
He laughed softly into her neck. “I can attest to that fact.”
She laughed with him, and said, “I can.”
“Yeah, you’re lethal, I have no doubt.”
“I know moves that would shock and awe you, Jammer.”
“I’ve already been shocked and awed by many of your moves.” He kissed her ear, the laughter thick in his voice.
“Oh, you’re not being serious,” she said, but couldn’t keep a straight face.
“As serious as I can be with a beautiful woman in my arms and several glasses of very good wine in my system.”
“Well, if we’re talking about moves, Jammer, you’ve got some amazing ones of your own.”
“Do I? Elaborate.”
“Well, your mouth should be registered as a lethal weapon. It can make a woman so weak she simply can’t fight back.”
“What else?”
“Oh, your hands definitely need to be considered armed and dangerous, because you certainly know how to use them on defenseless victims.”
“Do you mean, like this?” He cupped her breasts, gently catching her nipples between his fingers as he squeezed. A moan slipped out as she arched into his hands.
Very gently, he pushed her forward until her hands were on the fence. Huskily, he said, “Spread your legs.”
Callie obeyed as he skimmed his hand from her calf up to her thigh and then under the short sundress she wore. The contact made her shudder. He planted open-mouthed kisses on her nape as his hand slid down between her legs and he curled his fingers into the sheer, lacy material of her panties. He tugged hard, ripping the insubstantial scrap of material right off her.
She gasped in shock when his seeking hand returned to her skin and the other cupped her breast. He groaned when he discovered her braless. He stroked between her legs as he continued to pull and rub her nipple.
With a low growl, Jammer thrust two fingers into her slick core and kept on going until they were filling her up as his thumb strummed across her pulsing clit.
He pinched her nipple with just enough pressure to create a tugging, rippling sensation that spiraled down to where his other fingers were at play within her. His thumb increased its pressure, so knowing and skillful, and so intent on pushing her to dizzying heights of pleasure.
Needing an anchor from the storm about to break, she grasped the rough, slender slats of the fence. Callie threw her head back and cried out as her orgasm crested and a blissful warmth shimmied through her in waves.
Her legs turned to jelly, and just when she was certain she was going to collapse to the ground, Jammer slid inside her to the hilt, stealing her breath at the same time.
She shuddered at the feeling of being so completely filled by him, groaned as he forced his way deeper. She closed her eyes, her spine bowing as he began to move in earnest, faster, harder, stronger.
She gloried in the long groan of satisfaction she wrenched from him as she clenched her muscles tightly around him and pushed back with every last spark of need she possessed.
His hands went to her hips as he pumped into her. Her moan as her own climax built again made him growl and buck, and she cried out as he reached a place even farther inside her.
Unexpectedly, he withdrew, then flipped her around and pushed her up against the fence, catching her under the knee and lifting her leg until he could slip back inside her.
His mouth came down on hers, his tongue plunging deep and the thrust of his hips now agonizingly slow. He reached around and cradled the small of her back, grinding into her and making her throw her head from side to side as he touched some spot that sent sparks shooting all over again, and she arched, trying to keep him right there, on that spot.
“Oh, damn,” she rasped, her voice soaked in pleasure. Dazed, she opened her eyes. His face was inches away from hers as he continue
d to thrust into her, his gray eyes so intense they burned straight to her soul, and she knew in that moment that she’d never be the same again.
He reached up and tangled his fingers in her hair, tugging her scalp back so her throat was exposed. He raked his teeth down it, the silk of his hair brushing the underside of her jaw.
Her orgasm slammed into her with the exact force of Jammer’s body. She cried out his name as she convulsed around him. She arched, strung tight on the shattering pleasure, and took him over the edge with his own shout as he pistoned inside her while coming in a shuddering fury.
She held fast to him when it was over, and he held just as solidly to her, clasping her to him, even as she worked to keep her legs under her, her fingers in his hair, her face nestled in the crook of his neck.
She prayed for something that would break up the thick feeling that seemed centered in the middle of her chest.
He was still clutching her, his face buried in her hair, as if he couldn’t, wouldn’t ever let her go.
A huge wave of emotion blindsided her and she brought her hand up and smoothed it over his face, down the back of his shirt and over his solid, bunched shoulder muscles.
She rubbed her face against his hair and when he raised his head, she captured his mouth, his full lips warm and moist and firm against hers.
She moved her mouth over the hard edge of his jaw, peppering his face with kisses until he grasped her chin and fastened his mouth over hers again.
They kissed slowly, savoring each other. Every moment of which quenched her thirst for him in a way the most savage, intense orgasms could never do.
It started to rain lightly and they ran for the cover of the farmhouse.
WITH THEIR GLORIOUS TRIP to Tuscany behind them, Callie found their arrival in London jarring. All the people and activity hurt her eyes. Luckily, it was a quick cab ride from the airport to the Bank of London to pick up the payment.
Callie directed the cab driver to the Crowne Plaza Hotel, where they made their way directly to room 705. They knocked, and when their query was answered, they opened the door to greet Reggie.
He lounged in a chair near the window, one black-leather-clad leg thrown over the side. He was a dead ringer for Billy Idol. From the blond spiked hair to his compact, muscular body to the tats, he was quite gorgeous. He even had that sneer of his full lips down to a T.
He was also one of Interpol’s most competent agents. Even Callie wasn’t sure how many languages he could speak. They called him “the chameleon” because he could change his character to fit into any situation. Callie had to admit that she’d come close to sleeping with him a couple of times, but had thought better of it. Too bad she hadn’t been able to resist Jammer that way.
Reggie rose to his six-two height as they entered. She could feel Jammer at her back and knew that he was already on edge. That in Callie’s book was dangerous. Throw in the fact that Jammer was now armed and it was even more imperative to do this deal and get out.
“Ah, Gina, my love. Is this big man your bodyguard?”
Callie rolled her eyes at him. “Cut it out, Reggie. You don’t want to yank on Jammer’s chain. He can so easily break it.”
Reggie smiled his full dazzling grin and stopped close to her. Too close. Very gently, he ran his hand up her arm.
“Ah ducks, you know I love the adrenaline rush. So don’t tease me.”
She tried not to laugh as she stepped away from his touch, but she couldn’t help it. Reggie was infectious. “Listen. We’ve got the payment, and transportation is set. So let’s get on with it.”
“On a tight schedule, are we?”
“Reggie, stop fooling around. This isn’t a Bond flick.”
“I’m so misunderstood,” he said. “I think of myself as more of a canny entrepreneur than a Bond villain.”
“Reggie,” Callie said, more firmly.
“Well, love, I’d be the last man to disappoint you.” His tone, full of sexual innuendo, only made Jammer tense more behind her. She leaned into him to show him that Reggie had no power over her.
“Then don’t,” she said.
“I’ve hit a bit of a snag. One of the ships carrying your weapons got delayed. Circumstances beyond my control.”
Jammer swore under his breath, and Reggie’s attention went to him. “You have something to say, wanker?”
Before Callie could even breathe, Jammer had his semiautomatic handgun out of his shoulder holster and pointed directly in Reggie’s face. “Don’t jerk us around, Reggie,” he said, in that tone that sent shivers down Callie’s spine.
Very gently, she put her hand on his wrist. His eyes were focused on Reggie with murderous intent. She curled her fingers around him and said softly, “We both know what this is about, and it doesn’t have anything to do with delayed weapons. Maybe you should wait downstairs.”
Reggie never batted an eyelash; in fact he looked bored. “Yeah, run along, bodyguard. I can take care of Gina’s body for you.”
“Reggie, you’re not helping here,” Callie said between clenched teeth.
“Ah, love, where is your sense of adventure?”
“I lost it when Jammer got peeved, and Jammer is who I care about. Get me, Reggie?”
“Yeah, I get you.”
“So can we stop this pissing contest and move along?”
She waited a few tense moments. Jammer dropped his arm and stepped back. “Get on with it, Gina.”
She released a sigh of relief, but Reggie just gave her a quick grin. “Tell me where you want the weapons transported and I’ll do it for no extra charge.”
“Deal.” She passed over the payment and smiled at him. “Keep out of trouble.”
He winked at her. “Can’t promise that, love. Where would the fun be in that?”
Yup, a few sessions of hot sex with Reggie and she would have been on her way, with no strings attached. But it was Jammer she’d gotten entangled with, and there wasn’t going to be anything easy about that.
Back in the cab and on the way to the Dorchester, where they were staying for a night, Callie turned to Jammer. “Are we going to have to talk about what just happened up there?”
He didn’t look at her. “Probably,” he said as the cab pulled up to the front of the hotel. Callie’s phone rang-one of her contacts telling her he couldn’t provide the surface-to-air-missiles or the planes Jammer needed. He’d been her last hope; they would have to deal with Joost.
By the time Callie hung up they were at the registration desk, and it took only a couple of minutes for them to check in and get into their suite.
Once inside, Callie settled herself on one of the plush sofas. Jammer stood by the window and looked out at the busy London traffic below. His face was pensive. Callie didn’t relish any of the coming conversation. It was imperative that he follow her lead with her contacts. His jealousy could have been disastrous for both the mission she was on and his deal with Fuentes.
She was greedy. She wanted both the Ghost and Fuentes.
She rose from the sofa and walked over to where he stood. Still he didn’t turn toward her. Was he chastising himself? Was he wishing he had taken Reggie out? Her emotions tumbled around inside her. She had known this mission would be hard. But now, standing here beside Jammer after being intimate with him on almost every level, it had gotten so damn complicated.
But her anger was mostly at herself for the position she’d put herself in. She should have told Gillian that she was compromised. That she couldn’t separate herself from her emotions and stay focused on what she had to do. Now it was too late; Callie was in too deep.
“What you did was just plain stupid.” She watched him carefully for his reaction. “And, Jammer, I know for a fact you’re not stupid.”
He looked at her, expressionless. “I’m not going to apologize for how I feel, Gina.”
“Not apologize…are you crazy? I don’t want your apology. I want you to make better choices. Reggie is an integral part of my business.
I can’t afford to alienate any of my contacts.”
Jammer didn’t respond right away, but went back to gazing out the window.
“Maybe you think I’m small potatoes compared to your boss, the Ghost,” she told him. “Maybe it doesn’t matter to you, but it matters to me.”
He spun to face her, his expression still unreadable. He was so good at that, but she could recognize when his emotions were seething below the surface-Jammer became calm, much too calm. “It matters to me. Anything that concerns you matters to me. That’s the fucking problem.”
“Oh, great. Now I’m the problem. I’m not the one who shoved a gun in Reggie’s face!”
He exploded away from the window and came up to her, his eyes blazing. “Yes, Gina. You are the problem. When we were separated, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Even now that we’re together I know that as soon as this deal is done, we have to part. It messes me up. All right! Is that fine by you if I care? This situation is unbearable. If only I could let you go…”
She wanted to step back-so wanted to have the strength to step back and tell him she didn’t care, that this was nothing but good sex and business. But she couldn’t get the words past her lips.
“I shouldn’t have shoved the gun in his face,” he continued. “The way he looked at you…just pissed me off. It was irrational. Okay, is that what you wanted to hear?”
“He’s a pain in the ass, Jammer. But what you showed me up there in that hotel room was that you didn’t trust me. That pisses me off. I’ve given you no reason to believe that I couldn’t be trusted.”
“No, you haven’t,” he said sincerely.
But it didn’t assuage her anger. “Do you trust me?”
“It’s not that. I said it was irrational. I’m not proud of it, but I’ve got to tell you that I would rather have taken that guy apart with my hands instead of using something as impersonal as a handgun.”
“What am I supposed to do with that, Jammer? It’s certainly not a way I can close this deal. We can either move forward with my contacts-and do it my way-or dissolve this right now and go our separate ways. Your choice.”
She held her breath as he stood there. Without warning, he grabbed her upper arms and dragged her to him. “I want to. Part of me wants to. Then I can stop this madness. I can just get done what I need to get done. But a stronger part of me can’t be without you.”
