"If you had nothing here,” she pressed her palm to his heart, “You wouldn't care about this job, and I wouldn't be in this house."
The steady rhythm of his heart increased as she rained kisses across the smooth expanse of skin. “Stop,” Jake begged in a husky voice.
"No,” Allison said between kisses, unable or unwilling to end what had started.
Jake's hands were in fists at his sides, his eyes shut tight. Lowering her barriers, she opened herself up to him and the turmoil within. He tried hard to feel nothing as she worked her magic. Her inner voice called out. Come to me.
"Allison,” Jake growled through clenched teeth. Damn her. Allison's mouth burned his skin with desire. “No more,” he pleaded passionately. “The beast you'll unleash is not what you want.” When Allison gazed into Jake's eyes, he saw challenge in their depths.
Her head tilted to one side. “You're wrong.” In a softer tone she said, “I want to see every side of you Jake.” Her finger stroked his jaw line then she pivoted and walked toward the bed.
Jake's gaze followed Allison's lithe, beautiful body. Her hips swayed and the thin strap of her silk nighty fell off her right shoulder, baring the swell of her breast. He inhaled and held the breath as she positioned herself across the bed. Both straps now down gave him a clear view of the soft golden breasts and taut rosy nipples beneath. “Come to me,” she whispered.
The seductress lay there tantalizing him with her every breath. What man could resist such a vision? “Damn you,” Jake swore as he bounded toward her. “Damn you,” he uttered before grasping her rich mane and twisting her head back to devour and consume her.
At first, he was hard and unrelenting. The beast would take and conquer her. Allison didn't fight him. She let him ravish and unleash the primal longing.
The storm broke outside just as Jake had predicted, but a storm raged inside the house as well. His hands grabbed and kneaded her flesh, bruising her tender breasts. As Jake kissed her neck, jaw, and collarbone, lightning and thunder blasted the skies. He nuzzled the soft hollow of her neck while his fingers pressed and rubbed the dark brown curls at the juncture of her thighs. Rain pounded the house with an urgency Jake also possessed.
Again, he kissed her mouth, dominating every action, not allowing her to touch or love him in return. He plunged two fingers into her soft dewy folds, groaning inwardly. Relentlessly, he took everything, wanting to prove that he'd been right. This empty shell of a man would use until he finished, then she'd understand. Jake worked his fingers in and out while his tongue violated her mouth the same way.
Allison let him do all that he would. When his mouth and hands left her body, she glared silently at him as he stripped away his pants and crawled between her legs. He didn't wait before entering her and it was no easy joining. Allison whimpered, her body not ready for the force of his full arousal. His thick pulsating erection plunged time and again, filling her, as Jake carried out his promise of the beast.
"I warned you.” Jake rolled off her to rest just at her side, waiting for her fury and accusations. He knew he deserved whatever she gave him, but in those deep brown eyes, he didn't see rage, he saw something else.
Allison lifted to her elbows. Her breath still labored, her heart still pounding. “Again."
Astonished he said, “What?"
"Again.” Her eyes never left his.
"Christ, woman.” He jumped up, his nakedness not an issue. “I practically raped you.” His arms flew in the air as he preached. “What more do you need? I'm a lost cause."
Allison knelt on the bed in front of him, face to face. She didn't need words, her exquisite hands said everything in the way they traced the lines across his forehead where he frowned. Both hands gently touched his eyes, nose and cheeks. Her thumbs brushed across his lips followed by her mouth. She teased him with her tongue. She reached down between their bodies to massage his already hard erection before whispering, “Again."
Jake's frown relaxed and Allison pulled him down on the bed, a brief reprieve from the battle, a sense of surrender. He got lost in the serenity of her lovemaking, unable to resist, a weak moment for the warrior.
The low throaty sound she made when he stroked her thighs was a real turn-on. He acted as though he had all the time in the world. Jake rolled, so now she lay underneath him. He nipped her earlobe and worked his way down until he'd tasted every inch of her, locating a particularly sensitive area on her right hip. Her moans of pleasure were, oh so sweet. The outside world disappeared. He could spend hours making love to her just like this. He needed her physically, beyond a doubt, but there lurked a deeper need. An emotional need he hardly knew how to deal with.
Jake dragged Allison's wrists above her head and let his long fingers glide upward until they closed over her breasts. A small sound escaped her lips and her deep chocolate eyes darkened with desire.
He knew what she wanted even before she did, stroking and caressing her body as if they'd always been lovers. The desire coiled inside her to unbearable levels. With heavy-lidded eyes she stared up at him, silently pleading for more. Allison had never imagined sharing an intimacy like this with any man.
He covered her with his taut body, fingers tangled in her hair. Between her legs, she felt his hard flesh probing, pushing into her body and she opened willingly. With powerful strokes, Jake drove her pleasure up until she thought she would surely die. He thrust blindly, maddeningly but not like the beast. She strained against him, ready to scream. A wall of dark desire crashed over her as release finally came. His hips quickened then he groaned with his own climax.
Jake collapsed on the sheets beside her. Allison's body lay misted in sweat while her delicate chest rose and fell with hurried breaths. Her sated look held an allure and a certain hunger. She was so beautiful in the afterglow. Allison curled her body next to Jake's and he wound his arm around her.
Some time passed before either of them moved. Allison rolled to her stomach and elbows to look at him. A glint of humor lit her eyes. “I'd have to disagree with the whole empty inside scenario, Jake."
He grunted and threw his other arm over his eyes. “I can't talk just yet."
The intensity of what had happened scared her a little. Her inexperience in this area made her wonder. “Is it always like that?"
Jake propped up against the headboard before looking at her with eyes that were still very dark. “It's never been like that before."
Allison effortlessly rolled against Jake, her body trembling with renewed passion. Her mouth touched his heated skin and she straddled his waist. Jake swore he didn't have the strength, but as Allison eased down onto his fully aroused member, he proved himself wrong.
[Back to Table of Contents]
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
Allison felt Jake leave the bed. The warmth seemed to go with him. She pulled the covers up around her shoulders and snuggled deeper, remembering bits and pieces of their night together. “What have I done?"
"More than you know."
She rolled over to see Yanni sitting on the loveseat. “Tell me you haven't been here all night."
Yanni grinned mischievously. “He is very robust.” Allison dragged the covers up to hide her face.
"You cannot hide away forever."
"I'm not hiding."
Yanni let out an ungraceful like snort. “You are. You cannot change destiny."
"So you say. How do you know my destiny isn't supposed to be staying here until the killer is caught?"
Yanni frowned. “All I can tell you is that I have seen it differently."
Allison opened her mouth to argue, but Yanni disappeared. “Maybe she's wrong.” Allison hoped in vain.
She knew Yanni spoke only the truth in what she'd seen. “I should have been stronger. I should have resisted that part of me that craves him. He'll be gone soon.” She closed her eyes tight, puffed out her cheeks and blew. “Yeah, right. I should have done a lot of things.” Before too long, Jake Austin would be another memory to l
ock in her treasure trove.
Being with Jake had given Allison a glimpse of things she had never thought possible. She captured her bottom lip with her teeth. Even after lowering her barriers, the only vibes within her sensory range were the ones emanating from Jake. His power, his sex, his tenderness overwhelmed her with such force that it blocked everything else out, at least for the time-being.
* * * *
Standing with hands braced against the marble shower wall and his head lowered, Jake let the hot water pelt his neck and shoulders. “All night in her arms.” He sighed. “Damn.” It had been a long time, since he'd slept so soundly, even if they hadn't dozed off until dawn. He hadn't lied to her either. He'd never experienced anything like that ... ever. “You are such an asshole, Austin. What were you thinking? Your dick led you around like a wild dog."
Soft hands and lips inched up his spine. “Good morning.” Jake raised his head as Allison pressed her body so tightly against him the water barely got through.
"Yeah.” Indignation would wait. Jake took Allison's mouth on an exquisite journey as his lips and tongue caressed and seduced her. He lifted her against his length and she hooked one long leg around his thigh. Positioning her against the wall, he feasted on her exquisite breasts. Each nipple received ample attention and hardened in response.
Allison clung to Jake's shoulders as he grasped her thighs, held on tight and kicked the shower door open. In four strides, they were in the bedroom. He set her lithe body on the cushy, over-stuffed chair outside the bathroom door.
Dazed and full of desire, Allison raised her eyes to him. Passion waited on the edge of longing and Jake wanted to experience every minute of it. He knelt before the chair and gently gripped Allison's hips, pulling forward, until she teetered on the end of the cushion. With an arrogant smirk, Jake lowered his head, darting his tongue out, tasting various patches of Allison's slick upper thighs. He moved closer and closer to the apex that housed her femininity. Allison squirmed and moaned, her hands clenching the arms of the chair.
At last, Jake's journey was rewarded when the tip of his tongue found the sensitive nub to unlock Allison's passion. As he worked it mercilessly, holding tight to her hips so she couldn't pull away, Allison screamed and cried out, releasing her sweet nectar to give Jake that which he sought so desperately.
Before Allison had a chance to recover from Jake's onslaught, he draped her over the back of the chair, entering her quickly from behind. Sliding his palms along Allison's arms, he reveled in the feel of her flawless torso crushed against his chest. Her soft sheath gripped him like a tight fitting glove. Being lost in her was like nothing he'd ever known before. An increased rhythm brought both bodies to the peak of fulfillment.
The roar from Jake could only be described as primal. He immediately dropped to the floor, pulling her down with him. His leg muscles still quivered and his heart pounded. When he found his breath he said, “We should never have started this."
"You're probably right, but Yanni would say that we were destined."
"Who's Yanni?"
"My great-grandmother.” She shifted so she could look at him. “I hadn't anticipated this. It complicates things."
"I know.” He threw one arm over his eyes. “It certainly wasn't in my plans either. Yet, here we are."
"Yes. Here we are.” She crawled up his chest until their lips met.
He kissed her deeply, enjoying the taste of her, again. Distracted for a moment, Jake focused on the curve of her waist, a slight indention at the base of her spine where the crease began. He had to stop. Too many things needed to be done. Temptation begged him to stay locked up here with Allison and damn the rest. “We need to talk."
"I know."
Jake mustered all his strength to release her. “Let's get dressed."
So it would end, Allison thought as she put her clothes on, a brief encounter with a dream. Her life was full of dreams, some good, some not so good. She blamed herself for the indiscretion. A weak moment that can never be taken back, but one to remember forever.
Jake stood before the fireplace, his booted foot perched on the hearth when she descended. He sighed. “Allison, I'm sorry."
"For?"
"For everything. I hope we can get past this mistake without too much difficulty.” Very diplomatic asshole.
Mistake. She fumed but she'd be damned if she'd let him think it was anything else. “No problem there. I'm sure I'll be able to put it behind me and move on."
His jaw tightened a fraction. “I think that's best for us both. I have work to do."
"I totally understand. I'm sure your job keeps you busy."
He'd swear the room dropped ten degrees in the last three minutes. “I have to go back."
"Fine. I'll pack my things."
"You're staying here."
Allison narrowed her eyes. “Leaving me here will accomplish nothing."
"You don't know that."
"Yes, I do.” Her eyes accused. She pointed her index finger at him. “You can't expect me to sit here while others die. He wants me, Jake. I've felt the rage in him. It's escalating."
"That's exactly my point. Peter and I decided it was better for you to be out of the way. He's obsessing and that obsession is focused on you."
"Yes. Me. He needs me, Jake. For whatever reason, we are linked. I can touch his mind, and he can touch mine.” Allison sat down on the hearth next to his leg and put her head in her hands. “If he focuses on me, no one else will die,” she said softly.
"No. I won't use you as bait. That's not the way I work."
She dropped her hands and sighed. “I don't have to ask your permission."
Jake glared at her. “You damn well do. If I have to arrest you and throw you in jail, I'll do it."
Allison jumped up. “Then arrest me, cause that's the only way you'll stop me from going home.” She headed for the kitchen.
"Allison,” Jake called, but she kept going. He was distracted by the vibrating phone on his belt. “Austin."
"You really are a bastard, you know that?"
"So I've been told by more people than I can count. What's your point?” Jake tried to feign a smile for Allison, who'd stopped when he answered the phone.
"I told you to bring her back."
"No."
Allison's eyes turned dark, almost black, and stared off into the distance. Her skin grew ghostly white.
"You fucking think you're so smart, that you can protect her by hiding her away? I'll show you who has the real power."
At that same moment, Allison grabbed her head, both palms against her temples. He saw the whites of her eyes as they rolled back in her head and she collapsed on the floor.
"You'd better call 911, Jake.” He hung up.
Jake dropped the phone and ran to Allison's still, limp body. “Allison. Allison.” Jake gently tapped her cheeks after feeling for a pulse. “Come on honey, wake up.” He pulled her to his lap and rocked. When she wouldn't respond, Jake crawled over to his phone, dragging her with him, and dialed 911.
* * * *
"What the hell happened?” Peter Carmichael raved through the phone.
"He did something to her, but I don't know what. This is my fault."
"You did what we both thought best. Okay, kidnapping was not my first choice, but you knew to get her out of his path."
"He said he'd show me who had the power then Allison went down."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that.” Jake rubbed his eyes, the burning, scratchy sensation a familiar sign of his constant fatigue.
"Kincaid is on the phone with the doctor right now getting an update on her condition.” There was a small pause. “Wait, he's coming over."
"Austin, you son-of-a-bitch. This is your fault,” Kincaid yelled in his ear.
Jake mentally battered himself. Kincaid had no idea how much truth that statement held. “What did the doctor say?"
"I'm not going to tell you anything, you bastard. Who the hell do
you think you are to steal her away like that in the dead of night?"
His patience wore thin. “Kincaid, give me her status. We can go into the rest later.” Jake heard Peter murmuring something to Kincaid in the background. Kincaid came back on the line. “This is bullshit."
"Well?"
"They aren't sure exactly what happened. Her body temperature has risen several degrees. She's hypoglycemic, the healthy color of her skin has been leeched away and she's in a coma-like state. From the description you gave, Dr. Smith says it sounds like an epileptic seizure. He doesn't have any guess on how long Allison will be in this condition."
"So now what?"
"She's stable, so I'm having her heliported back to Gloucester where I can see that's she well cared for."
"When?"
"Three o'clock today ... as long as her condition doesn't change."
Jake massaged the tense muscles in his neck. “I'll meet you at the hospital then."
"You'll do no such thing, Austin. If I see you anywhere near her, I'll beat the living shit out of you."
"There's no way in hell you'll keep me from seeing her. Whether you like it or not."
"Jake?” Margo said.
"Margo?"
"Kincaid left.” The door slammed. “Very abruptly."
"Oh?"
She chuckled. “Quincy escorted him to the door ... sort of."
Jake couldn't contain his laugh, albeit a hollow sound. “Tell him thanks for me."
"Will do. When will you be here?"
"If everything goes well, I'll leave as soon as I know they have everything ready to transport Allison."
"Okay, we'll see you when you return."
* * * *
At 4:00 p.m. Jake had turned on to Cherry Street, stopping at O'Maley School to wait for the helicopter carrying Allison home to Gloucester. The ambulance arrived and Dr. Markovich, along with some paramedics, got out. Paul Kincaid had followed them in his car.
"Hello, Dr. Markovich.” Jake shook his hand.
"Agent Austin. You didn't have to come down. We'd have called you when we got her settled."
Together in Darkness Page 18