by Kimber Chin
"It isn't about the skills.” After a few more futile attempts, he captured her wrist again. “It's about the mindset.” Her pulse drummed against his fingers. “You don't have it."
"Oh, I do.” Cocky. She didn't understand.
A demonstration then. Without warning, he jabbed out with his free hand. She dodged the punch easily, twisting in his grip, laughing. “See."
"I do.” He nodded, smiling gravely. “Your Boss just died."
"Ohhh...,” Those beautiful eyes widened.
"Yes, oh.” She was bright and beautiful and trouble with a capital ‘T’ and he would kiss her again. “This job is to protect, not kill, not survive. It's an entirely different way of thinking."
"You learned it.” She searched his face. “You could teach me.” She brushed her hips over his. His body reacted. “It'd be fun."
He could and it would be. “Only if you show me the holes in security.” Although it irked him to ask for input, lives depended on it. He put weight on his bad leg. Never again would he put ego in front of safety. He learned that lesson long ago.
"That'll be fun too.” Her approval of his plan made Jack feel ten feet tall. “It was part of my deal with Mr. Santos.” She swayed against him.
"Boss,” he corrected. “You call him Boss."
"And you?” She stroked his cheek. “What do I call you?"
If spoken in that husky voice, anything she wanted. “Jack.” He curled a possessive hand around her waist, stilling her enticing hip movements, and kissed her soundly.
Jack stood in front of the sniggering, jostling bunch of idiots he supervised. They nudged each other, casting leering glances in Renata's direction. He caught words like ‘girlfriend’ and ‘lover’ as though he'd be stupid enough to introduce any of those to the team.
Renata made no indication she noticed, standing slightly apart from the others, her face expressionless, but Jack suspected she heard everything. Her eyes flicked around the room, wary.
He cleared his throat, hushing the men. “I'd like to introduce a new addition to the team.” To give her a chance, he'd treat her as permanent, making another announcement when the week was done. “Renata, after the probationary period...,” They had all gone through one. “Will be protecting Miss."
"And who will be protecting her?"
No sooner had the words escaped Eduardo's mouth than he was face down on the tile floor, Renata's arm pulling his head back, her knee in the middle of his back.
The laughter abruptly died, awe on the men's faces, fear on Eduardo's. Piss. She was amazing. Jack chuckled. “Renata, you promised the Boss you wouldn't kill anyone."
"If I was going to kill him, he'd be dead.” She released Eduardo, extending a hand to help him up.
"Who are you?” Eduardo held onto her longer than Jack liked, his mouth hanging open.
"Anyone I want to be. Yesterday, I was a maid. Last night, I was a killer. This morning, I'm a bodyguard. Tonight, I'll be Jack's lover.” She arched an eyebrow at him.
Daring him to refute her declaration. Not going to happen. Jack grinned. She wanted to claim him, fine. That meant he claimed her also. For the week. After that... they were both grown ups, they knew what they were doing.
"The maids will be very disappointed.” Carlos, his best bodyguard, got the first jibe in.
"I'm sure they'll recover,” Renata drily retorted. The men chuckled, already charmed by her. As Jack was.
"She getting special treatment, Jack?” a voice from the back, Javier, asked.
Quick as a whip, those warm blue eyes turned icy and
hard. Silence. All eyes on the spinning of blades in her hands. Javier gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
Carlos’ gaze traveled from the knives to Jack's cheek. “Where'd you get that cut, Jack?"
Jack shook his head. Shit disturbers. Every single one of them.
"Special treatment.” Renata's feet danced. “Anyone else interested in special treatment?"
A chuckle escaped Jack. Witty, and deadly, and oh, so beautiful. “There'll be training, if that's what you're asking, Javier. As all of you had. I'll work on her defensive moves.” He didn't want anyone else touching her. “And I need a volunteer for Renata to shadow.” His knee prevented field work.
Eduardo straightened, but before he could say anything, a huge hand clamped down on his shoulder. “She can shadow me, Jack."
Everyone in the room turned to stare at the big man. Had Jack heard Carlos correctly? He wanted Renata as a protege? He never bothered with the newbies, claiming that being around inferior bodyguards dulled his own skills.
What did that mean? It wasn't due to lust, Carlos was head over heels in love with Marie. That left skill. Jack studied his lover-to-be as she nonchalantly lifted herself off the floor with one hand. Renata had that in abundance. Mindset was the only unknown factor. Could she possibly make the team?
Renata breathed heavy as she reached the other side of the hall. Fast, but clean. She should have done it. “Well?” She looked over at Jack.
"Piss.” He frowned down at his computerized watch. “Not one beep."
She smiled, relieved. “The cameras could have caught it.” Though she doubted it. She'd watched the timing.
"Don't care. The cameras are secondary. The motion detectors are key.” He paced to the middle of the hallway, his limp barely noticeable. “One here?” He stuck out a balled fist.
"A little higher.” She covered his hand with hers and
moved it. “Here.” She held on.
"I don't sing, Renata.” He grinned but his eyes were serous.
"Good.” Eduardo's outrageous serenading over dinner embarrassed her.
"I don't watch movies like Carlos does."
"I don't either.” She laughed along with the rest of the men but it was a lie. She didn't get half the references her new mentor made.
"I'm very boring. All I know is this.” He tugged his hand away to indicate the room.
"Good. That's all I know too.” They had that in common. It would be enough to build on. Jack was special, Renata recognized that immediately, and she planned to keep him.
"Why?” He placed a temporary sensor on the wall, inputting the specs into his watch.
She waved, testing it, and he nodded. “It started as revenge.” She tugged her skin tight shirt upwards, showing the scar. “And then...,” She shrugged. She didn't know anything else.
He moved quickly even with his warrior's knee, his hands warm on her stomach. “You survived this?"
"I tried to tell you last night Jack, you can't kill me. I'm indestructible.” She attempted to laugh it off. “My five brothers, my parents weren't.” The attackers thought her dead like them. “I can't have kids, Jack.” All she could do was safeguard the children of others.
He understood what that meant to her, she saw it in his face, and he kissed her, his lips firm, and soft, and comforting. His chest expanded and contracted against her body, his hands caressed her back.
She pressed her face into his shoulder. He held her to him. It felt so good, so strange. Two people touching with no deadly agenda.
"No special treatment, Renata."
Were his words a reminder for her or for him? She danced back, the quiet moment so rare in her violent life gone. “I don't want any."
His fist flew out, no warning.
She forced herself to stand firm, her arms raised to
block, the connection so painful, she winced.
"Better.” He grinned, nodding. “You're still thinking about it but it'll eventually become natural.” He tilted his head. “Here though.” He moved her arm. “You'll break it otherwise."
"I'm rusty,” she apologized, embarrassed by her ineptitude.
"I know. That's why...,"
Why this might not be a permanent placement, why she could end up alone again, a taker not a protector of lives. No. She couldn't allow that. She'd practice more. She'd ask the others to test her constantly. She'd help Jack. She s
tudied the new sensor set up. “Let's try again.” It'd be tight but she could do it.
An hour later, Jack was finally satisfied. With that hallway. He'd work with Renata to test the others. It was nice to have someone to work with. No, he watched her stretch easily into a handstand, better than nice.
He wanted her. More than he ever wanted any other woman. Every catlike movement she made with her finely tuned body increased that want. “Renata.” He didn't disguise his need.
She flipped upright. “Come.” She didn't ask him to explain, taking his hand and pulling in the direction of her bedroom.
The room was bare, the standard room given to all staff, except for the larger than average TV. Jack, without thinking, turned it on, turning to the dedicated split screen camera channel. He studied each view, looking for anything out of the ordinary.
When he looked up, he saw that she did the same. Their eyes met and he grinned. “It's a habit.” A not very romantic habit.
She smiled back. “One you should never break. I know what your job is, Jack. I know you'll never take that watch off.” She nodded at the monstrosity on his arm. “I know we could be interrupted in the middle of tonight's mind-blowing sex.” Mind-blowing sex. He hardened. “I know you risk your life every day, as I do. I accept that, you.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I don't want to change you into
someone else."
As previous lovers tried to do. He kissed her, slowly, thoroughly, the TV's glow casting interesting shadows on her face. She nudged him until his legs hit the bed. He let himself fall back, a painful motion. His damn leg. He scowled.
She stepped away, looking down at him, those eerie blue eyes sympathetic. “Hold that pose for a minute,” she instructed before she disappeared into the washroom.
Piss. He rubbed his bum knee. She could turn herself into a pretzel while he couldn't bend his leg. How was he-?
His thoughts vanished because she reappeared, nearly gloriously and unashamedly naked. Only a tiny triangle of black fabric held in place with silken cords hugged her hips. “I'll rub you down.” She held up a jar of liquid.
Dressed like that, she could do whatever the hell she wanted. He stripped off his clothes, more challenging to do in his state of arousal. His eyes never left her body, as she stretched and twisted like she was limbering up for a wrestling match.
"Damn.” She stilled, her plush mouth rounded. “How'd they save your leg?"
The scar was hideous, he knew. “I'm indestructible.” A weak smile. “Like you."
"You must be.” She looked more impressed than horrified. Her hands ran over the damage. A shudder of pleasure racked his body. “We're both survivors, aren't we, Jack?"
"We are.” He was no mere survivor, this close to her. Him naked. Her almost so. Touching. He was a returning hero, about to get his reward. He rubbed her arm, painfully aware of how her dark nipples tightened as he touched her. Could he suck on them, caress them? “Renata."
"Lie back.” She pushed him over, onto the bedspread. His need overruling the pain. “Up.” She nodded to the head of the bed. He scurried that way as best he could with his bum knee. “Now relax.” Relax? With that gorgeous body hovering over him? She poured some liquid onto her hands and rubbed them together. “Non scented,” she explained. “So our enemies can't find us.” A grin. Her hands were hot, soft, and slick. He felt her touch down to his bones. She focused on his knee first, gently kneading the muscles as
though she made love to it.
"Renata, tonight won't...,” Change anything, but he couldn't say it because it was a lie. From the first moment he saw her, his world had shifted around him.
An understanding smile. “I'd care for you less if it did.” She cared? Her hands traveled up his thigh. “But that's tomorrow and you and I both know that tomorrow may never come.” She stroked his hip and then over him, her grip firm and strong and sure. He groaned. “Are you dying, Jack?” She brushed a soft nipple against his tip. “Did you know that the French phrase for orgasm is la petite mort? It means the little death."
"No.” All he knew was he couldn't take much more of this.
"I'm going to kill you tonight,” she whispered in his ear. One last stroke and...
"Not if I kill you first.” He flipped her over onto her back, kissing her mouth, her neck, her collarbone, her small breasts.
"Do you think you can?” she taunted. “Kill me?"
"I know I can.” He nibbled on her nipples, tiny bites on her skin, spurred on by the purring sound coming from deep in her throat. He worshipped the long, wide scar on her tight, toned stomach, proof of her resilience. She moaned, raising her hips. He accommodated, pulling down her almost non-existent panties. Hairless. Completely hairless. A clear message of what she liked. He glanced up at her. Her eyes were closed, mouth parted, expectant. Waiting for this.
He licked and sucked and kissed. She hooked her legs over his shoulders, drawing him closer. Her scent, her taste, her soft flesh was all around him. Quivering, and then shaking, and then she came apart with a piercing cry, thrusting up towards him, back arched.
Her panting slowed and Renata's blue eyes opened; dark with passion. As they should be. Jack braced himself up with his elbows, peering down at her, pleased. He did that to her. Softened her beautiful face.
"My turn?” she asked, didn't tell. Hesitant, unsure, the fearless killer nowhere to be found.
"No.” He grinned. “I'm not done with you yet.” He flung her legs back over his shoulders. “I may never be done
with you.” A declaration of intent before he thrust into her.
Three nights later, Renata rode Jack's bad knee, applying enough pressure to bring herself pleasure but not so much that she caused him pain. And pleasure there was. Building, building until this, this, she flung her head back, water sloshing over the sides of the Jacuzzi tub, this was it. She seized, she shook, her world exploded and then she collapsed, light-headed and spent.
Jack chuckled, pulling her into him. “I'll never look at that leg the same way again.” She leaned back into his chest.
"Good. It's a wonderful leg.” Renata floated on a sea of sexual satisfaction. “It killed me dead.” She rubbed the scar gently. “Does it still hurt?"
The reason for this bath. They'd been both sore. Jack from his usual overdoing it. Renata from spending days training with Carlos, evenings plugging the building's security gaps, and nights loving Jack.
"I'm feeling no pain.” Her ass cheeks cradled his hardness. “Unfortunately, I'm remarkably alive."
"Oh.” The water swirled as she turned. “We can't have that.” She straddled him, lowered herself down, her eyes closing as he stretched her.
"No, we can't.” Jack grinned.
His watch buzzed.
"Security is not a joke.” Jack stood in front of Eduardo and Carlos, hands clenched behind his bare back.
"We thought the water'd be cold.” Was the weak defense from the younger bodyguard.
"Not cold enough,” Jack grumbled.
Renata smothered her laughter, touching the collar of her bathrobe with a blade, visually reminding him she wore nothing underneath it. Jack's face darkened.
"I should-"
"Beat us into the ground like I wanted to do after that time with Marie?” Carlos’ hairy eyebrow lifted.
Jack looked sheepish. Ahhh, Renata nodded, even more amused, payback was a bitch.
"What the fuck is going on?” A roar from the doorway.
Renata straightened. The Boss. And judging from his face, he was angry.
"False alarm, Boss,” Jack voluntarily took on that anger, shielding the others. “Nothing to worry about."
Hard brown eyes scanned the room, settling on Renata. “You part of the fuckin’ response team now?"
She returned that gaze as coolly as she could muster. “Yes."
"Fuck.” He glanced at Jack and then back at her. “I see.” Renata didn't doubt he did. Mr. Santos knew everything going on in his house. “Wh
at was the time?"
"Renata and I were there in under five minutes.” Jack folded his arms.
"Five fuckin’ minutes. Two people died.” How the Boss did that math, Renata didn't know. “And you jackasses?"
Eduardo studied his feet. Carlos glared at the far wall, his ears red. “They knew I was closer, Boss,” Jack covered for them.
"Fuck. I ought to...,” A slashing movement across his throat with one hand. “You jackasses keep in mind that when you interrupt Jack, you interrupt me, understood?” Heads bobbed. “Jack, walk with me. Renata, get some fuckin’ sleep. Mrs. Santos is getting her haircut tomorrow. Carlos will go too but I need someone there to stop her from dying it orange or some other crazy-assed color.” A hard look at her mentor.
"Yes, Boss.” Renata wanted to skip. No more training. She'd be on assignment. She smiled at Jack. He didn't smile back.
The Boss didn't walk, he prowled and with no consideration for Jack's knee, expecting him to keep up. He never treated him as a cripple. “She's not ready, Boss."
A sharp glance. He didn't often question the Boss’ decisions. “You're thinking with your dick, Jack. That's not like you."
No, if he was thinking with his dick, he'd still be in the bedroom with Renata, instead of rushing around half naked chasing false alarms. “She thinks about the blocks."
"But she does fuckin’ block. Carlos tested her.” The cool night air hit Jack's bare chest as the guards opened the door. A perimeter check, the Boss never completely trusting the cameras, the motion detectors. “Renata's delay might get herself killed but not Mrs. Santos. You have a fuckin’ problem with that?"
Her beautiful face filled his mind. He did. “How do you know she'll sacrifice herself? She's an assassin."
"An assassin who killed her crime boss’ targets and no one more.” The Boss pushed on the fence. It didn't sway. “Do you know what that is?” Impossible? How'd she get past the bodyguards? “Difficult and a fuckin’ death warrant.” The Boss continued. “She hadn't the heart for the job.” He looked up at a flickering light. “Change that."
"They're all being changed in the morning.” Weekly, whether the lights needed changing or not.
"Send one of those jackasses out tonight.” The Boss’ lips curled. “No, not one of the jackasses, Carlos.” Carlos would be in his bed as they spoke, having woken up specifically for the prank. “He almost woke up my pregnant fuckin’ wife."