“You’re really good. How come you are fronting a rock band when you could be on Broadway?” She watched him wipe the sweat off his body and she had this insane desire to offer her tongue for the job. She could have slapped herself for being so horny. Day five of my captivity and all I can think about is licking Declan Shaw’s body from top to bottom.
“I don’t want people to know I still dance.”
He sounded like he was ashamed at having this incredible talent. Jane didn’t get it. He should celebrate that talent. “Why?”
“Rock star tap dancer? Really?”
“What does your band say?”
His blue eyes widened. “They don’t know, except Malcolm.”
She laughed. That was hot. “Declan Shaw has a secret.”
“One he’d like to keep.”
Jane put her hand over her heart. “I’m paid for my discretion.”
He walked over to her and stopped when he was a few inches in front of her. “Can I trust you Jane?” He asked her in low sexy tone.
Jane wanted to take a step back and get out of his personal hotness zone, but that would be a sign of weakness and he’d see that she was attracted to him and he'd use it to his advantage. She couldn’t let him think that. She nodded. “I had a client who likes to dress in drag and he runs his third world country like a dickhead.”
He leaned in closer. “Tell me a secret, Jane,” he whispered.
Please don’t let me cream my panties. That would be bad. “I have a lot. Ones that I can’t tell anyone.”
He reached up and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Bullshit, you weren’t always G. I. Jane.”
She laughed hoping to break the tension. “Hawaiian Barbie.”
“What about Hawaiian Barbie?”
“I got one when I was six. I took her to West Point with me and kept her hidden the entire time.”
He studied her. “I never pictured you as the Barbie type.” It was a sweet memory of her childhood. “My mother thought she looked like me as opposed to blonde haired blue eyed Barbie.”
“And?”
“When I was sent to the Middle East I took her with me.”
“She’s hiding in your bag next to your pound of C-4?”
“The C-4 is at home.”
He chuckled. “Disappointed. Where’s Barbie?”
She closed her eyes for a second. “She bought it in the Afghani Kush.”
“I’m sorry.”
He seemed generally apologetic. That was very sweet. If she wasn’t careful she’d end up liking him. That Jane Peterson cannot be done. “Thanks for that.”
“How did you do it?”
“What?”
“Go to war? Fight?”
She was surprised he cared. Most of her clients didn’t want to know her, they wanted to wind her up and hoped she’d step in front of bullet. How do you explain this someone who wasn’t there? “First you go to defend your country, or something you believe in, but in the end you’re trying to keep your friends alive.”
“You’re incredible Jane. You’re a hero.”
That sent a shiver down her spine. “Are you trying to get in my pants again?”
The corner of his mouth tilted up. “Always, but that’s not why I said it.”
“Why did you say it?”
“I’m in awe of you.”
What did a girl say to that? “Don’t be. I didn’t do anything a lot of other people didn’t do. I’m impressed you dance like Fred Astaire.”
“I never had anyone’s life in my hands.”
“Being a doctor, a plumber, a solider. We make existence possible. You and dancers, writers, actors, you make life worth living. That’s important.” She meant that. Books, movies, and music helped her keep her sanity in the desert.
His smile widened. “Are you a fan?”
She did like their music. “I might be.”
He laughed, low and seductive.
She liked the way he laughed. She liked the way he looked when he laughed. This wasn’t the fake laugh he did for the cameras. If she wasn’t careful she was going to like a lot of things about Declan Shaw and she couldn’t afford to do that. Right now she was supposed to be the focus of all his attention but that was make believe. There weren’t any other women he could hone his attention in on. The second he didn’t need to have her, she be gone and he’d be on to the next woman.
“I think it’s time you take me to bed.”
Oh dear God yes. “I bet if you said pass me the mashed potatoes you’d make it sound dirty.”
He stood. “What I could do to you and some mashed potatoes would be illegal in this town.”
“That would be saying a lot.”
He opened the door for her and let her out of the ballroom. None of the guards outside waiting for them looked at him. He closed the door and his cell phone vibrated, he checked the screen and answered it.
“Hey Brody?”
Jane stepped back and let him have some privacy. After a few minutes he hung up and they walked up the stairs together. Somehow his body brushed up against hers and she felt the shiver of desire course through her. She hoped to God he didn’t figure out that he was flipping her switch, because he’d leap on that at the first scent of blood, like the big blond predator he was.
At the bedroom, he opened the door for her. “After you.”
“You’re full of good manners.”
He snickered.
“You want to watch my ass again.”
“Your ass is very watchable.”
Well if she were honest she’d tell him his was too, but she suspected he already knew. She’d spent enough time with guys to know who was faking confidence and that was not Declan Shaw. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Go to bed.”
“I’m going to shower first.”
Which means she’d have to listen to him jack off. She suspected, he left the door open so she could hear him. Because God knows he wasn’t quiet about it. “Okay.”
“It doesn’t bother you does it Jane?”
“What?”
“Me in the shower?”
She decided to play dumb. “I approve of good hygiene.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
“Then I’m totally lost.”
“I know you listen.”
She was busted. That was what they were paying her for. And it’s not the worst she’d ever seen. “Newsflash. Listening is half my job.”
“I think about you.”
“That’s nice.”
“You intrigue me.”
She inclined her head toward the bathroom. “Go be intrigued in the shower.”
“I’m sure I will be.”
Jane rolled her eyes.
Declan winked at her and headed for his bed. Just as he stepped in front of the French doors gun shots rang out shattering the glass.
Jane grabbed him and pulled him down to the hardwood floor. “Bathroom! Get into the tub.”
Another volley of gunfire rang out.
Declan started to stand and Jane pressed her hand in the center of back. “Crawl.”
He followed her order and she drew her Beretta and followed behind him. Once she got him in the bathtub, she thought about the fact that the glass was supposed to be bullet resistant.
Declan got in the tub. “Go help the rest of them.”
“I don’t leave you.”
“Malcolm--”
“You’re my job.”
He tried to stand up.
The bathroom door slammed open and Malcolm and Gavin stood there. Jane aimed her gun at them. “Get down!”
She grabbed Malcolm and pulled him in the tub on top of Declan. “Gavin get behind the tub.” He stood there for a second and she noticed the gun in his hand. Jesus Christ he had a Desert Eagle .50 Cal. That thing was a hand cannon, he was going to blow the shit out of himself. “Give me the gun.”
“But--”
“Before you blow your
balls off.” She held out her hand and he put the gun in her hand.
“Jesus you stink.” Malcolm said.
Declan huffed. “Get your knee out of my nuts.”
There was a kissing sound. “Am I turning you on?”
“Both of you put your freak back on the leash and shut up.” Or she’d shoot them herself.
“What about everyone else?” Gavin asked.
Before she could answer her cell pinged. She pushed it at Gavin not wanting to take her eye off the door in case there was a breech. “Answer that.”
“Hoss: Mama Bird contained.
Another ping.
“Repo: Yoko Hendrix contained.” Gavin said.
Another ping.
“Chill: Possum contained.” He repeated.
Another ping.
“Bodi: question mark.”
“Answer back. G-Baby, Tolstoy, Apollo contained.”
Malcolm stuck his head over the rim of the tub. “What the hell is all that?”
“Everyone is reporting in who they have eyes on.
“Who’s Mama Bird?” Declan asked.
“Jocelyn.”
“Travis and Charlotte are Yoko and Hendrix?” Malcolm asked.
“Yep.”
“Possum?” Gavin asked.
“Really?”
“Vaughn.” They all said together then laughed.
“G-baby?”
“That would be you.”
Gavin giggled. “I like it.”
Of course he did.
“Tolstoy?” Malcolm asked in an angry tone. “They call me Tolstoy? That’s just wrong. He’s a long winded asshole.”
Nice to know. “You’re stuck with it.”
“Can’t I be Steinbeck or Langston Hughes?”
“No.”
“So I’m Apollo. The sun god.” Declan gave her a throaty chuckle.
“And the god of music.” She had to remind him.
“I like it.”
The personification of male beauty. Mick and his choices. “You would.”
“What do you call Shane?” Gavin asked.
“Thor.” Jane could practically hear Malcolm’s eyes rolling.
“Why Bodi?” Malcolm asked.
“It’s short for Boudica.”
“Celtic Warrior queen?”
She liked that Malcolm was smart “Yeah.”
“I like it.” Declan said.
Jane waited for the all clear. “So Tolstoy your first instinct when the bullets went flying was to run in here and save your friend?”
“Yeah.”
She glanced at Gavin’s gun next to her leg. She was thinking about keeping it for herself, because she wasn’t going to let him run around with that piece. “And yours G-Baby was to grab your piece and run in here guns blazing?”
“Yes it was.”
She fought the urge to laugh. “I can respect that, but tomorrow we’re going the to gun range.”
“All of us?” Gavin sounded excited.
“Especially you Dirty Harry.” She sighed. “Where the hell did you get the hardware?”
“At school.”
Dumbass could’ve been arrested. “You realize that is an illegal firearm.”
“I didn’t want anyone hurting Declan.”
Dear God that boy may be smart enough to prove string theory, sweet as the day is long, but he had the common sense of a rock. “Yo, bodyguard on duty.”
“That was before you showed up.”
“I don’t like you having a gun.” Malcolm said. At least someone had some sense.
“You gonna tell Mom?”
“I might.”
Gavin snorted. “Fuck you snitch.”
Jane really was impressed with the dedication of Declan’s friends. Not only did it speak to how they felt about him, but also the kind of man he was to breed such loyalty. These guys were tight. She suspected as tight as her and Mick and his men. And it reinforced her theory that Declan was a different man with them. Ego-centric assholes don’t get this kind of fearlessness devotion. She rubbed her tired eyes. This was going to be a long night and she had a lot to think about.
Chapter Seven
DECLAN WATCHED Jane talk to the dark suited detective. It was obvious they knew each other. She smiled and his face lit up. Did they have a relationship? What did this asshole have that he didn’t? Jesus Christ was he jealous? He wasn’t sure he’d ever felt that before. Jane looked at the dickhead with respect. She never looked at him like that. Most of the time she acted like she was annoyed with him.
A cold chill ran through his body as he forced himself not to wrap the heavy blanket around himself tighter. Even though he felt nauseous, he flat out refused to toss his cookies in front of Jane and her ‘boyfriend’. That’s all his already dented ego needed. He fisted his hand. How much longer did he have to stay down here? He wanted to be alone so he could fall apart.
Charlotte sat on the sofa next to him. “Are you alright?”
He scoffed. “Yeah.”
She let out along breath. “Declan Shaw, you were just shot at. You are not alright.”
“Then why did you ask?”
“I care.”
He wanted to laugh. “I’m sorry about your house.”
She patted his hand. “This is going to add to the mystique and I’m glad we found out that the bullet proof glass was a bust.”
“I’ll pay to have it replaced.”
She shook her head. “Oh you’re not going to pay to have it replaced. That is going to be done on someone else’s nickel. As a matter of fact they are going to pay for all the damage or there will pain.”
He didn’t believe she could get her bitch on. “You couldn’t hurt a fly.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You keeping thinking all those nice thoughts about me.” She turned to look at Jane. “That’s not her boyfriend.”
He stared at them to. “Do I care?”
“I believe you do.”
“How do you know he’s not?”
Charlotte smiled. “I know him. Alex Swan ex-Navy SEAL. He’s going to be the District Attorney in five years when his father is ready to retire to run for Governor.”
He smiled. “You know everyone.”
“Alex dated my sister and according to her he knows his way around the bedroom. I think he would like to show Jane his skills.”
So Detective Dickhead might be a contender, but he was going to be cool about it. “Why are we talking about this?”
“Your competition?”
“I don’t have competition.”
Before she could answer Jane turned away from Mr. Ex-Navy SEAL and walked over to him. Declan noticed that the cop’s eyes followed her, but she didn’t turn around. He might be interested in her, but she didn’t return the favor. Good. He smiled.
“Let’s call it a night.”
Charlotte stood. “I prepared the attic room for you.”
Declan leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Charlotte.
Jane held out her hand and he took it. He stood and let her lead him to the stairs. Before he left the room he turned and look at the cop and smiled. He didn’t have any worries.
They didn’t talk until Jane got him into the room.
“I need a shower.”
She shook her head. “You need to relax, shock could set in and I don’t want you alone.”
He didn’t want to be babied. “I’m fine.”
“You got shot at.” She put her hand on his cheek. “You’re clammy, your pulse is erratic, and you’re agitated.”
Yeah he was, but he wasn’t going to let it show. “Don’t tell me what I’m feeling. You don’t know.”
“Yeah I do.”
He let out a long breath. He just stepped in it with both feet. “I’m sorry Jane.”
“Don’t be. You’re allowed. Getting shot at is never fun. Well at least for anyone but Gavin.”
“He is acting …”
“Crazy?”
He defended
his friend. “That’s how he deals.”
“I know. Hoss is so excited he probably wet his pants. You should have seen him in combat.” She pointed to the bed. “Now get in the bed and bundle up.”
“Am I five?”
“I’m not going to answer that. Get in bed and I’ll be there in a minute.”
He took a deep breath and played her words over in his head. Score. He was going to have her tonight. That was worth getting shot at. “You’re going to get in the bed with me?” he said just making sure his fantasy was coming true.
A smile curved her lush lips. “I’m going to hold you.”
“Why?” He couldn’t stop the question coming out of his mouth. Dumbass.
“Don’t you want me to sleep with you?”
Well yeah, but … “That’s a loaded question.”
“If you slip into shock, I’ll be there for you.”
He could work with that. “Well okay.”
She shimmed out of her jeans. “You gave that up easy.”
She sounded disappointed. Not that he cared as he watched her fold her pants and put them on her rollaway bed. “You told me a secret. You like me.”
Jane threw him a saucy look over her shoulder. “What’s not to like.”
“I don’t think I can sleep.”
“We can talk.” She braided her hair.
Which he didn’t like because he wanted to hold on to that glorious mane while he fucked her. “About?”
“What do you want to talk about?”
“You and I.”
“There is no you and I.”
“There could be.”
“You’re focusing on me, because I’m the only available pussy.”
“Anyone ever tell you you talk like a dude.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “They’re pretty much all I hang out with.”
“No spa date friends?”
“Do I look like the spa type?”
Nope. “I think you wrestle alligators.” And beat the crap out of them.
“I hate nature. After Afghanistan, I’m over the great outdoors.”
There goes his fantasy of seeing her run naked through some wildflowers. Declan figured he wasn’t getting laid so he might as well keep his sweats on. He got on the bed and put his hands behind his head. “The last time I went camping Andy insisted it was a bonding experience.”
Jane gave him a sad smile. “He was your bassist that died.”
“Yeah. If he were still alive I wouldn’t have a stalker.”
I Hate Myself For Loving You (Scorned Lovers Book 2) Page 7