She Does Know Jack (27 page)

It’s more than
bullets you’re dodging, Jack.

Coming to a
halt, he glanced up at the moon and exhaled slowly. Was she right? Had he been
dodging relationships? The fact he hadn’t had anything remotely serious since
Caroline more than proved it. She was nearly three years ago. 

Fingers
encircling the smooth rails, he squeezed. He’d worked hard to rebuild his
company into the reputable business it now was, and he’d accomplished this by
not allowing any woman to interfere with his job.

But Brielle
wasn’t just any woman. A slow smile formed on his lips. No. She felt more like
the
woman. His smile faded. Just because she might be
the
woman, didn’t mean
she wouldn’t break his heart and trash his name in the process.

But what if she
didn’t?

Jack stood
straighter. He’d already established mistrusting her had been a mistake. What
if Brielle Bennett was the genuine article? The way he’d screwed things up the
other night, he may never know. His gut clenched tight. At the very least, he
had to apologize for his inexcusable behavior and hope maybe she’d give him
another chance at the conclusion of this job.

“Jack?” The sexy
voice his body knew so well brought his head around.

“Brielle? What
are you doing here?” He peered past her. She was alone. Fear accelerated his
heartbeats. “Where’s Rodriguez?”

“He went back to
the others once he saw you here.” She leaned against the rail next to him.
“Jack, is everything all right?”

“Yeah,
well…actually, no it isn’t.” He turned to face her, shoving his hands deep in
his pockets to keep from reaching out.

“What’s wrong?”
Concern glowed in her moonlit eyes.

“I owe you a big
apology,” he said, tautness easing from his chest. “I’m sorry I was such a jerk
the other night. I was out of line.”

His words
brought the most amazing smile to her face and softened her chocolate gaze. For
the first time in days, his heart didn’t tighten with fear or pain. It swelled
with longing.

“Thank you,
Jack. I know how hard that was for you.”

He smiled. “How
is it you know me better than I know myself?” Shaking his head, he gazed out at
the ocean. “I’ve been thinking. Maybe you were right. Maybe I have been dodging
relationships. I don’t know, but it’s something I need to figure out once this
job is done.”

“I agree.” She
patted his shoulder, then dropped her hand when he turned toward her.

His breath
disappeared. God, she was beautiful. And there was so much he wanted to say,
but was this the right time? Maybe he should wait until after he closed this
case and he could just focus on them. If there was a
them.

He searched her
face. Uncertainty swam in her eyes, and when she opened her mouth, his gaze
locked onto her lips like a missile to its target. Arousal ripped through his
groin, demanding action. He needed to taste her again. To feel those gorgeous
curves writhing beneath him again. It took all his restraint to stand down. He
didn’t want to blow things with her a second time.

“Well, I’d
better get back before Rodriguez comes looking for me.” With a small smile, she
turned and walked away.

Jack closed his
eyes and exhaled. Discounting his unfulfilled desire, he felt better. Much better.
She hadn’t thrown his apology in his face, despite having every right. He
opened his eyes and rubbed his chin.

She was unlike
any woman he’d ever known. Brielle was no mouse. She didn’t cling. Hell, she
all but called this culprit a coward, daring him or her to act.

His heart hit
the deck. Shit. And she’d just walked back to the others by herself. What if
her dare caused an attempt? He straightened his shoulders. Hell no. That was
not an option.

Retracing his
steps, he found the lido deck empty. Relief washed the rigidity from his
shoulders. The others should be safely tucked in their rooms. He poured himself
a fresh drink at the outside bar and held it up to the night sky. “Here’s to
making it through another day.”

With a smile on
his lips and drink in hand, he headed downstairs to check in with his men
before retiring for the night. He only had the morning to worry about. After
lunch, they were sailing back to port.

 He stepped onto
the cabin level and paused. Music—faint and enticing—hit his ears. Now what?
Frowning, he detoured to the disco and stopped dead. His glass hit the carpeted
floor and went unnoticed as the lone occupant continued her bare-footed dance.

Brielle.

Heart hammering
its own tune, Jack glanced around the empty room and swallowed. What the hell
was she doing here on her own? Where was Rodriguez? Where was her cameraman?

Observing from
the doorway, knowing he should send her to the safety of her stateroom, he
hesitated. The soft love song washed over him, and as he watched Brielle, he
experienced the music anew in her movements. Her dance held no gyrations or
sliding on poles, but his arousal was decidedly more intense. Eyes closed, feet
bare, she moved across the floor with a grace that stole his breath. She was
ethereal, incredible, awe-inspiring.

Jack saw—hell,
he
felt
—Brielle’s heart.

It was sweet,
pure and strong and exactly where he ached to belong. The dance was an open
book to her soul, and he connected to it like stars to the night sky. Unable to
stop himself, he crossed the room and reached the edge of the dance floor.

As if she
knew…as if she could feel him, her eyes opened, and when she stumbled to a
stop, he nearly cried out in protest. He wanted the connection to go on
forever.

“Don’t stop.” 

She swayed to
him, eyes full of emotion and warmth, and as happened whenever he looked at
her, something deep inside him cracked wide open.

“Dance with me,
Jack.” Taking his hands, she walked backwards, her gaze riveted to his as she
led him to the center of the floor.

Twisting around,
she positioned her back against his chest and melted into him. Heat fused them
together. Jack closed his eyes, locked hands with her, holding them crossed in
front of her…and they began to sway, letting the rhythm of their heartbeats—their
bodies—control their movements as he embarked on an emotional journey more
powerful than anything physical he’d ever known.

When the song
ended, he opened his eyes, and she slowly twisted around. Her brown gaze
smoldered, reflecting every single, fierce feeling that shook within him.

“Jack.”

His name sounded
like a plea on her parted lips. Trembling under his hands, she stepped closer.
God, she felt great. She placed a palm on his chest; her warmth seeped into
him, mingling with the blaze her nearness had already started. Her other hand
crept up to his neck, playing with his hair, lightly stroking his skin.
Pleasure rippled through his gut.

That was his
undoing.

Crushing her to
him, he brought his mouth down on hers, needing to continue the unspoken
connection flowing between them. She let out a shuddery sigh and flung both
arms around his neck, plastering her mouth-watering curves against him. He was
gone. This was what he wanted.
She
was what he wanted. He took her lips
in a long drugging kiss that opened a path to his soul.

Standing on
tiptoe, she answered his demanding mouth, sliding her tongue over his while her
fingers dug into his scalp. His stomach felt strange. He was out of control and
Jesus,
he wanted her, had to have her…had to be in her. Now.

But now wasn’t
good.

With a strength
born from training, he opened his eyes and reluctantly pulled away. “If we
don’t stop—”

Panting, she
pressed her finger to his mouth. “I don’t want to stop, Jack.”

His pulse
misfired. Damn, neither did he. But there was still so much left unsaid between
them. “Do you know what you’re saying?”

“Yes, I do.” Her
smile grew wickedly delicious.

Already fully
aroused, his erection jumped. Ah hell, he wanted her, too. His fingers
tightened around her waist while his gaze made swift appraisal of the room. Too
public. Anyone could walk in, including those damn cameramen. He refocused on
Brielle and frowned.

“Where’s your
cameraman?”

She gave him
another sinful smile, and a claymore went off in his gut. “He retired for the
night. I went in my room and waited for him to leave the hall, then snuck down
here. Which hadn’t been easy with that walking wall you had posted in the
hall.”

Jack cupped her
face and kissed her smiling lips. She needed no encouragement, pressing close,
arching her hips into his throbbing erection while her hands ran up his chest
and proceeded to blow his mind. The kiss went wild, as always seemed to be the
case with them.

Mustering a tiny
scrap of what was left of his control, he reluctantly drew back. “Brielle, I want
you, but not in public.” He pressed his forehead to hers and caressed her cheek
with the back of one hand. “The things I want to do to you don’t belong on
television.”

“Then let’s find
somewhere private.” Her eyes lit with fire, her voice low and needy. She
grabbed his hand and pulled him off the dance floor.

“Wait, Brielle.”
He stopped her at the door as his mind began to work. “Rodriguez is out there
by our rooms.”

A wicked gleam
entered her eyes as she brought his palm to her lips. “Get rid of him.”

Well hell. He
had all he could do not to lift her dress, rip off her panties and take her
against the closest wall like he had in her dressing room all those months ago.

Rodriquez was
toast.  
The man was going overboard if need be.

B
rielle paced her room, glancing at the
clock on the nightstand. Where was he? It’d been ten minutes since she’d left
Jack. What was taking so long?

She stopped and
hugged herself. Maybe he changed his mind. No. No, she’d seen the emotions,
felt the desire in his kiss, his touch. No. He would be here.

Her gaze
collided with her reflection in the mirror. Excitement pulsed through her
veins. It wasn’t Ariel that stared back, flushed and eager. It was Brielle
Chapman—whose eyes showed her heart, who’s swollen lips hungered for more,
whose body jumped in anticipation at the slightest noise in the hall.

Never had she
felt such strong feelings like this before. Not even for Grant. She snorted.
Jeez. That hadn’t even come close. Memories of the other reality show flooded
her mind.

Five teams had
competed for a priceless diamond by traveling the globe and solving riddles.
Brielle had been in charge of the guards and was the only one with the
combination to unlock the safe housing the jewel.

A security guard
had accompanied each team as they traveled. Brielle had been assigned to a
three-man team of entrepreneurs. Since each contestant had undergone extensive
background checks and come up clean, she’d broken her no-involvement rule and
had given into her attraction to Grant. But that had been a mistake, one that
had cost her more than the combination that had disappeared from her room.

Humiliated by
her unwitting role, she’d set him up and took him down, keeping the theft
off-camera. The realization Grant never loved her, only used her attraction for
him to get into her room, had kept her from compromising herself ever since.

Until now.

Until Jack.

The door clicked
open, and the man who held her heart stepped inside the room. Her pulse tripped
at his warm expression. He’d lost the jacket and was only wearing suit pants
and a cobalt blue dress shirt, rolled at the sleeves, top two buttons undone.
Yummy personified, and suddenly, she just wanted to kiss him and get him naked.
In any order.

“I was worried
you’d changed your mind.”

“Not a chance.”

He crossed the
floor in two strides, his gaze direct, determined and heaven help her, just a
little bit naughty.

“Nothing was
keeping me from you tonight.”

With that
delicious purpose ruling his movements, he cupped her face and devoured her
mouth, nibbling and teasing until she trembled with a fierce need she’d only
equate with Jack. His tongue grazed her lip, sending a jolt to her pulse before
darting inside. He tasted hot and delicious with traces of scotch mixed with a
searing passion she met with fervor.

Jack was
different. He had nothing to gain by doing this. He had to truly want her as
much as she wanted him. Her heart swelled, then knocked into her ribs, hard.
She was treading new ground.

She was in love
with Jack Anderson.

Unable to breathe,
Brielle pulled back, then buried her face in his neck as he crushed her close,
his ragged breaths stirring her hair.

How had that
happened?
They barely knew each other, and yet, she understood his soul. Jack was a good
man with a good heart, and he matched her on every level. He turned her on.
Made her smile. Challenged her like no other. And the biggie…her profession
wouldn’t intimidate him.

Slowly drawing
back, she touched his cheek and gazed into his smoldering eyes. It was time to
break another rule. She had to tell him about her involvement in the show. He
deserved to know the whole truth.

“Jack…I have to
tell you something.”

He put his
finger to her lips. “I know. This feeling is a bit intense.” He brushed her
hair off her cheek, then cupped her face again. “And I’m not dodging anymore.”

Everything she
wanted to say, all the words, admissions, hell…even her ability to speak
disappeared when his mouth found hers, and he opened his heart in a kiss both
sweet and demanding. She leaned against him, taking the precious gift he gave
and shared a part of herself she’d kept hidden—a part where her heart and soul
met, waiting for the man she’d given up hope of ever finding.

His kisses were
warm and sweet, each one a little longer and deeper. He took his damn time. But
that was okay. She was on board. His lazy, mind-drugging approach was ten times
hotter than their fast and furious embraces of the past. He kissed her again,
and again, his fingers holding her head in place as he deepened the kiss,
plundering, taking, pleasing them both with erotic, rhythmic thrusts of his
talented tongue.

Without breaking
contact with his lips, she tugged the shirt from his pants, working the buttons
loose and freeing his muscled torso to her eager hands. Hard and smooth, his
body heated under her touch. A moan rumbled deep in her throat. Damn, she was
one lucky woman. Her fingers trembled as she slipped the shirt over his
magnificent shoulders. Correction. She was one
hell
of a lucky woman.
Still driving her mad with his delicious kisses, his hands released her face,
and a heartbeat later, his finger drew a line of fire down her back while he
slowly unzipped her dress.

When they broke
apart and stepped back to allow their clothes to fall to the floor, Jack sucked
in a breath and gazed at her standing braless with only a patch of lace for
underwear. A thrill raced down her spine at the hunger her nakedness brought to
his eyes.

“God, Brielle,”
he murmured on a shaky exhale, his eyes so full of heat he stole her breath.
“You’re so beautiful.”

His hoarse words
filled her heart, echoing her sentiment as her gaze roved over his
mouthwatering muscles and ridges.

Once upon a
time, she’d touched those muscles, and kissed those ridges. And heaven help
her, she needed to again. And again. She swallowed, trying desperately to keep
the lazy, smoldering pace he set. But she wanted him inside her, deep inside,
filling her.

Her gaze rose
and locked with his, and she recognized the same burning ache in his eyes. He
let out a rough groan and reached for her, his hands warm on her sensitized
skin. Chest to chest, her nipples pebbled into tight buds, and as he kissed her
long and deep, the friction created a heat that shot to her core, momentarily
robbing the strength from her legs.

“I got you,” he
said, breaking the kiss, one hand around her waist, pulling her in tight.

Sensations from
his velvety tongue on her skin and the five-o’clock shadow scuffing her
shoulder blasted shivers down her body. His teeth grazed her neck while his
free hand cupped her breast, thumb teasing her nipple until she felt the
delicious tug between her thighs.

“You’re driving
me crazy,” he said into her mouth, moving them until he pressed her back
against something hard and cold.

She gasped,
watching a slow smile spread across his lips still wet from her kisses, then
without warning, he twisted her around to face the mirrored closet door. Their
gazes met in the reflection, and her heart rocked against her ribs at the heat blazing
in his expression. God, those eyes, so blue, so dark, they drew her in and she
was lost. Gone. Whatever he wanted…it was his. He slung an arm around her belly
while the other found her neglected breast and proceeded to tease her nipple as
his mouth closed over the sweet spot behind her ear.

“Mmm….” She
pressed back against him, lifting an arm up to hold the back of his head while
reaching behind him with the other to grip his firm ass. 

His hold
tightened, then slowly, very slowly the hand stroking her belly began a
pilgrimage south to the scrap of lace his fingers had no trouble sneaking
beneath. Eying the contrast between her soft curves and the hard, sinewy
muscles in his arms, she had the suspicion she was really going to enjoy this
sensual journey. And when his finger touched her and confirmed her suspicion,
she cried out and clutched his hip, grinding back in uncontrollable need.

“So wet,” he
said against her neck.

Slow and lazy
was turning into hot and heavy pretty quick.

U
nable to help himself, Jack watched,
mesmerized as his hand moved lower until he slid his whole finger inside Brielle’s
incredible, slick heat. Gasping, she threw her head back against his shoulder
and gripped tight. The gorgeous woman was so damn responsive, his whole body
throbbed. But his release was not important, yet. No. He wanted to take care of
her first.

And he knew what
she wanted. What she needed right now. He brushed his thumb over her center,
slid another finger inside and adopted a rhythm that buckled her legs and had
her panting in seconds.

“Jack…I’m not…”

“Yes, you are.
Brielle. Look at me,” he commanded, and when she met his reflected gaze, he
gave another order, “Come for me.”

Her whiskey-colored,
desire-laden eyes blinked. “I don’t think I can stand much longer.”

“It’s okay. I
got you,” he reassured, shoving a knee between her legs.

She leaned all
her weight against him. And a thrill shot through him at her acquiescence. He
had her right where he wanted her.  One hand cupped her breast while holding
her tight, the other was between her legs, fingers sliding in and out, taking
her right to the edge. He was in control, and she seemed more than happy to let
him have it. No way would he disappoint.

Fingers
masterfully stroking her in the rhythm he somehow knew she needed, he used his
thumb and forefinger to tug one of her mouthwatering, beaded nipples. Oh…hell
yeah. She rode his hand, and when his thumb increased pressure on her center
and he bit the curve of her neck, the sexy-as-hell woman burst.

It took all his
self control not to follow. Slowing his strokes, Jack let her down slow, but
she was still shuddering when he twisted her around and pressed her against the
mirror for a hot, wet, frenzied kiss he could no longer resist.

“Damn, that was
incredible,” he said against her mouth when they broke for air.

“I agree.” Her
hand shot to his waist and quickly unhooked his belt, then pants.

Apparently, she
wanted more. Much more.

“These need to
go.”

He chuckled,
lending a hand. “Yes, ma’am.” He pulled a packet from his pocket, tossed it on
the bed, then quickly shucked the rest of his clothes. “Now, where were we?”

Her heated gaze
fell to his erection. “I know where I’d like to be,” she replied, then reached
out and grasped him.

“Jesus…Brielle.”
His voice came out gruff as he closed his eyes and grit his teeth in an attempt
to hang on to his control. Her touch was nearly his undoing.   

When he opened his
eyes, he noted hers were dark and burning fierce with need. He tugged her
stroking hand free, and holding her gaze, pulled her backward to the bed where
he sat down and slowly, very slowly proceeded to remove her thong.

“There,” he
said, grinning up at her, scrap of lace hooked on his finger. “See? I can take
them off without breaking them.”

She placed her
hands on his shoulders and smiled down. “I’m proud of you. Such restraint.” 

The sight of her
gorgeous, naked body tripped his pulse. Smooth and curvy, she was perfect. Stacked,
soft, sexy, all woman...and all his. A hot thrill surged through him.

“Restraint? I’ll
show you restraint.” He grabbed her hips, twisted around and tossed her on the
bed.

She laughed as
she bounced. Damn she was built. He sucked in a breath as his eyes devoured her
delicious, flowing form. Damn, he needed to get his mouth on her.

“You have no
idea how long I’ve wanted to do this, Brielle,” he said, before he dipped to
slowly kiss and caress each mile-long, supple, toned leg.

She moaned.
Uncontrolled need flicked through him as he touched and explored at his
leisure.  

“You’re
perfect,” he whispered, tasting and teasing with his tongue.

She closed her
eyes and breathed in sharply. “Jack…please.” She writhed beneath him.

A jolt of heat
shot straight to his groin. He lifted his head and smiled. “Now who needs to
work on their restraint?” Dipping his head, he kissed her just below her belly
button and chuckled against her skin.

“Bastard,” she
rasped.

Still smiling,
he traveled north, and she seemed to forget to be mad as he touched and tweaked
in a delectable investigation, whispering her name along with every damn, sinful
thing he planned to do to her body.

Before he
finished,  she grabbed his head and dragged him the rest of the way to her
mouth for a hot, frantic, spine-heating kiss, touching her tongue to his,
showing him just how little restraint she had left.

Jack groaned
into her mouth, his hips rocking against hers in uncontrolled need. “Keep that
up, and I won’t be holding on much longer.”

“Good.” She
rolled him onto his back and straddled his upper thighs.