Someone Like Her (16 page)

Pressure built as he thrust into her, so intense he couldn’t hold it back. “Come, Maria,” he demanded. The muscles in her sheath clinched around him as he sought out her lips and kissed her with the hunger of a starving man as he exploded inside her.

“Je . . . sus.” He twisted and fell back onto the bed with her sprawled across him. “Jesus, Maria,” he said between gulps of breath.

Minutes later, when he breathed normally again, he lifted his head and looked down at her. She’d fallen asleep, and he lowered back down and stared at the ceiling.

Although his ego liked that he’d apparently knocked her out cold, couldn’t she have at least first said it was good, maybe even amazing?

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I
think I aced it,” Maria said to her friend as they walked toward the exit. “How about you?”

Gina shrugged. “I think I did good, but you know how I freeze up on exams. I really hate essays. I sure miss your bodyguard though. He was some kind of eye candy.”

“Admit it. You have the hots for him.” Since Fortunada was now in jail, Jamie was back doing whatever he normally did before bodyguard duty. He’d driven Maria back to Tallahassee on Sunday so he could get his car, and Gina had been disappointed when he hadn’t shown up with Maria on Monday.

“What woman in her right mind wouldn’t?” she said rolling her eyes. “Your guy’s not so bad either, but those blue eyes of Jamie’s?” She waved her hand in front of her face as if she needed cooling off.

No denying Jamie was hot, but she preferred hazel eyes that went as dark green as moss after a rain when they were turned on. Three days had passed since she’d seen Jake, and she missed him so much it sometimes hurt to breathe.

Gina shifted her books to her other arm. “I’m starving. Wanna grab a pizza?”

“Sure. Let me check my messages first.” Jake would be boarding his flight in five hours and she was hoping he’d call before he left. It had been hard to concentrate on her final exam knowing he was about to put himself in danger. Saying good-bye to him Sunday morning without telling him she thought she was falling in love with him had been hard, but his attention needed to be on his mission. Nor was she sure he’d want her to be in love with him.

He’d given no sign that being with her wasn’t just another fling for him. If his history with women was any indication, he’d soon tire of her and move on. It was too depressing to think about that with her last exam coming up, along with worrying about him having to go to Egypt.

That wasn’t even taking into account Fortunada, and not knowing whether or not he was her father. She just couldn’t deal with it yet. When her exams were done and Jake was home safe, she’d face that and try to figure out her feelings. Besides, there were two other father possibilities, so maybe she was worrying for nothing.

Turning on her phone, she saw she had one message and her heart beat in anticipation. It wasn’t from Jake, though, and she listened to Angie’s message. Her stomach grumbled at the thought of missing out on a double cheese, pepperoni pizza.

“Sorry, but I’m going to have to pass on lunch. That was a message from Angie, the girl I told you about. She’s upset and needs to see me. Something to do with her mother.”

Jake gave one last critical study of the suitcase open on his bed. He didn’t like that he couldn’t strap a gun or knife on him before boarding the plane, but if their contact spoke true, everything they needed would be waiting when they arrived.

He had three hours before Kincaid picked him up, and he decided to call Maria. She should be out of her last class about now. “You a lawyer, yet?” he asked when she answered.

“Almost. One more day and then next step, the bar.”

“I’m proud of you, Chiquita.” And he was. He wanted to be there when she walked out of school for the last time. It was a milestone he wished he could share with her. “You headed home to study?”

“I’m on my way to see Angie for a few minutes and then, yeah, it’s hit the books for the last time.”

“Something wrong?”

“No, I think her mom’s having a meltdown, and Angie hopes I can help calm her down. Jake . . .”

Just the way she said his name and then stopped alerted him that something between them was about to change. “Yeah?”

“I lo . . . Never mind, just stay safe, and I’ll see you soon.”

He fell heavily onto the bed. Had she almost said she loved him? “Take care, Maria.” He clicked off and stared at the phone as he tried to decide if he was sorry she hadn’t taken that next step—if that’s what she had been about to say.

His finger tapped on the face of the cell, itching to call her back and demand she finish the rest of the sentence. “Damn.” He tossed the phone on the bed. This wasn’t the time to tangle his mind up with anything but the mission.

All he had to do was get through the next five days and he’d be home where he could give his full attention to Maria and their future. After a lengthy shower—probably the last one until he was back in the States—he grabbed a bite to eat.

The boss honked his car horn at precisely 1700 hours and Jake picked up his duffel bag from next to the front door, locking up behind him. After he was belted in, Kincaid handed him an envelope. Jake took it and checked both sides, but there was no writing on it. “What is it?”

“How the hell would I know? It’s sealed and Maria made me promise not to open it. I seem to be making a lot of promises to my sister lately because of you, Tiger Toes. I don’t like it.”

“Get used to it.” Jake slid a finger under the flap and opened it. He peeked inside and grinned. She’d sent him a picture of her taken on the beach with her back to the camera like the girl in his painting. Only difference, Maria wore a bikini that showed off her very fine ass.

It hadn’t occurred to him to ask for a photo, and he was pleased she’d thought to give him one. When he returned home, he’d get one with her facing the camera—one he could put in his wallet to show off to anyone wanting to know what his girlfriend looked like. Damn, he had a girlfriend. He slipped the picture back in the envelope and tucked it into his shirt pocket.

“What was it?”

“None of your business, boss.”

“See, that’s what I’m talking about. All of a sudden you both have secrets. I don’t like it.”

“You already said that.”

“Bears repeating,” Kincaid muttered.

After parking and entering the airport, they parted ways. As Jake waited to board, he studied his men who had joined him at the gate. Stewart seemed calm, but Bayne was on edge. As second in command at K2, Jake had read the background reports on both men when they were hired.

Kincaid only hired ex-SEALs, so the two men were experienced in military operations, but Bayne had once been captured and held for five days by insurgents before being rescued. Even under torture, Bayne hadn’t given anything away, and that was impressive.

Jake worried, however, that they were putting him back in action too soon. “I’m thinking this little operation’s gonna be a cakewalk compared to what we’re used to. Our biggest problem will be babysitting the kid until we can turn him over to his dad.”

He waited for both to nod their agreement. “But that doesn’t mean we treat it like playtime. We stay alert, we follow the plan, and we watch each other’s backs. When we get home all safe and sound, beer’s on me.”

“Works for me,” Stewart said.

Bayne shrugged one shoulder. “Sorry, but I’m a scotch man, myself.”

“You got it.” Jake glanced at his watch. They should’ve started boarding ten minutes ago. About the time they were due to depart, an announcement came over the speakers that the flight would be delayed for one hour.

That was annoying. He was ready to get this mission over with. Considering it would be the next day before they reached their destination, Jake decided to break the K2 rule of no alcohol on an operation. Besides, he didn’t count it as starting until they were on the plane—wheels up.

“Let’s wait in the bar.” He almost warned his team one drink only but held his tongue, wanting to see if either was stupid enough to get drunk. Thirty minutes later, he and Stewart still nursed their one beer, but Bayne had ordered a second Scotch. Jake’s unease increased.

As he listened to Stewart boast about his latest conquest, it struck him that he was glad he’d left that lifestyle behind. He’d wondered if he might miss partying, but he didn’t. All he wanted was Maria.

Somehow, she’d performed a magic act and made his issue with commitment disappear. He had no desire to have anyone in his bed but her, and the part of him that had believed he couldn’t be faithful no longer worried. That he was starting to think he wanted only her for the rest of his life was some kind of miracle.

She’d said she planned to stop by Angie’s, but by now she was probably back home studying for exams. Was she having trouble sleeping without him like he’d had since she’d returned to school? He considered calling her, but he’d probably blurt out that he thought he might be falling in love with her. When he told her, he wanted it to be in person.

“They should’ve called for boarding by now,” he said, checking his watch. “Looks like another delay.”

His phone buzzed and he answered, listening with a sinking heart to Detective Nolan. “The bastard has Maria,” he said, standing up so fast he knocked his chair over. How the hell did they let Fortunada post bail?

“Who has her?” Bayne asked.

How was he supposed to get on a plane and travel sixteen hours away from her knowing she was in trouble? He couldn’t. Kincaid’s flight had left already so there was no way to get in touch with him. Even if he could, he’d still be headed for Tallahassee, and if it cost him his job, he didn’t give a rat’s ass.

“What’s going on?” Stewart asked.

Jake jerked his head up. “What?”

The airport’s speakers crackled to life and announced boarding would commence for their flight in ten minutes. Options raced through his mind.

“Who’s got Maria?” Bayne asked again.

“The bad guy. I don’t have time to explain. Here’s the plan. You two go on ahead, and I’ll catch up with you at the safe house . . . Friday night, latest.” Was he making a mistake sending them off without him? They were experienced soldiers, but this was their first K2 mission. Yet, if someone didn’t show up to meet their contact, the dude might get spooked. He pulled two twenties out of his pocket and handed them to Bayne.

“Pay the tab. We’ll wait for you at the gate.” Time was wasting and he needed to get to Maria. What was the fastest way?

“Listen,” he said when he had Stewart alone. “Bayne’s a little jumpy. Do what you can to settle him down. I’ll be there no later than Friday night, probably sooner. Assure Har-Shaf that everything’s proceeding as planned. Don’t even think of leaving the safe house and venturing into Egypt on your own. Spend the time going over the plan. It’ll give you both something to do.”

“And if you’re not?”

“Then you’ll come back home, but I’ll get there.” As soon as he rescued Maria and could see for himself she was safe. “I’ll keep in touch and let you know when to expect me. By the way, Har-Shaf means terrible face, but it would be a mistake to ask him about his nose. He’s rather touchy on the subject. One reason he likes us is we don’t make fun of him like his countrymen.”

“What happened to it?” Stewart asked.

“Rats ate it off when he was a baby.”

“Jesus.”

“Stewart’s got the lead until I arrive,” Jake said when Bayne caught up with them.

“Go kick ass,” Stewart said.

“That’s the plan.” As he strode down the concourse, Jake dialed his friend, Bob Michaels, who not only owned a Lear based at a nearby private airport but was in possession of a few things he’d need. If his flight had left on time, he wouldn’t have known Maria was now a hostage until he’d changed planes in Miami. Thanking whatever fates were at work, he caught a cab to take him the short distance to Executive Airport and the jet that would take him to her.

The only advantage he had was the tracking device he’d taped under the lining of her purse, and he hoped to hell she hadn’t changed purses. When he’d made a detour to K2 Sunday morning before taking her home, she’d questioned the necessity of his precaution now that Fortunada was in jail. He couldn’t explain his unease and attributed it to knowing he’d be out of the country and out of reach.

“The bastard’s blaming you for all his problems. He’s come after you once, and he’ll do it again given half a chance. If nothing else, knowing we can track you should something happen makes me feel better, all right?”

She’d looked at him then, brown eyes damp with unshed tears, and said, “Can I put one on you so I’ll feel better too?”

Because he couldn’t make sense of what was going on with his heart, he’d simply answered her with a kiss.