by Hayes, Susan
When he knocked on her door, there was no answer. He knocked again, louder this time. When he still got no answer, he slipped out his override card and opened the door. “Jazz?” he called out into the quiet room. The lights were on, and on the bed he spotted the skirt and blouse she’d been wearing earlier. Where the hell was she?
He dropped the suitcase at the bottom of the bed and headed back out into the hall, already pulling his cell out of his pocket. He hit speed dial and waited while it rang.
Michelle answered on the second ring, “Hey Jase. You guys back from Jazz’s place?”
“We are. Reports are being worked up right now. I went to give Jazz her stuff, but she’s not in her room. Do you have any idea where she is?” He tried to sound casual, but it bothered him he didn’t know where she was. He was supposed to be protecting her. How could he do that if he didn’t even know her current location?
“Oh right, she’s probably still in the gym. She was bored and asked me if I could find her something to wear so she could go burn off some energy. We hit up the quartermaster and she headed out.”
“The gym?” An image of Jazz surrounded by off-duty security officers sent his blood pressure sky-high, and he started jogging toward the elevators. “Thanks Michelle. I’ll track her down there and let her know what we found.”
“You’re welcome, Jase.”
He hung up and hit the elevator call button. He needed to get to the gym.
The cardio room was empty. He couldn’t see anyone in the weight room either, which was unheard of. Usually there were as many bodies in the gym as there were in the cafeteria. But today he couldn’t find a single soul. He rounded a corner and finally found signs of life. There was cheering coming from the sparring room. He headed in and stopped dead in his tracks as his brain tried to process what he was seeing. Jazz was standing in the middle of the mats, barefoot and wearing a pair of gray track pants and a tank top. Tendrils of dark hair curled against her face, and she was grinning down at something lying on the ground. No, make that someone lying on the ground.
“Jase, you have got to check this out. This chick’s been here for almost an hour now, and no one can beat her!” Carl, one of the more junior members of Paladin, stepped over to join Jase, his eyes still on the combat circle that had formed in the middle of the room. “You want in on the betting? Danny’s going up next. Odds are 8-to-1 he finally puts her down.”
“You guys are betting on her?” Jase’s vision was going red around the edges. Here he’d been worried about her only to discover she was in the middle of an impromptu version of Fight Club.
“Well, I sure as hell don’t plan on fighting her. She’d take me apart!” Carl stated and then faded back into the crowd, looking for more gamblers.
The cheering got louder as Danny stepped into the circle and took his place across from Jazz. The two nodded tersely, and then the former marine sergeant was on the attack. He came at her with a roundhouse kick that made Jase wince. She is going to get herself killed out there! He’d already taken half a step toward the ring, determined to put a stop to the insanity, when Jazz ducked the incoming blow and launched her counterattack. Her leg swept out in a blur as her body shifted, and the next thing anyone knew, Danny was sprawled flat on his back with Jazz kneeling on his throat. Her fist was drawn and hovering a foot above his face.
Holy shit.
She bounced back to her feet and offered her hand to the much larger man, helping him up. Danny just gave the others a sheepish grin and headed off the floor, weaving slightly.
“Waters, care to explain to me why one of your clients is making my employees look like a bunch of pansies?” Geoff Remington’s soft-spoken drawl made Jase swallow a curse as he turned to face his boss.
“I just got back, sir. But I believe that the young lady in question has some uh, unique skills and abilities that she’s putting to good use.”
“And I believe she’s kicking their asses. She’s your client, Waters. I suggest you get in there and do your best to repair Paladin’s reputation.”
“Yes, sir!”
“All right everyone, consider this last call.” Remington’s voice carried to every corner of the sparring room, and silence followed in its wake. “Waters, you’re up.”
The crowd parted and Jase walked onto the mats. He was painfully aware that Remington’s eyes were burning a hole in the back of his head.
“Hi, Jase.” Jazz shot him a smile, but her eyes were wary as she sensed the change in the room.
“I see you found a way to stay busy while I was out.” He nodded to her new attire, trying not to focus on the way the cotton top was clinging to her damp skin, enhancing every one of her curves.
“This was the most fun I’ve had in ages. I don’t get to spar too often, and never against such different fighting styles.”
“When we’re done here, you and I are going to have a little chat about just exactly what it is you do for a living.”
He saw the sparkle of laughter in her eyes just as she struck out at him with her right foot. He sidestepped it by the thinnest of margins, and his training kicked in. She was good. But with his boss watching, he had a great deal of incentive to be better.
When her first blow missed, she drew backward a step and reassessed, and they exchanged several lightning fast kicks and punches as they tested each other’s guard. When her real attack came, he was ready. He caught her ankle in his hands instead of blocking it. Then he pulled her into him in a move that threw her completely off-balance. As she fought to compensate, he dropped her foot and lunged in close, wrapping his arms around her tightly. With her arms immobilized and her balance off-kilter, Jase dropped them both to the mats. As he went down, he took care not to crush her as he rolled her over and pinned her beneath him.
“That’s cheating!” she protested with a wriggle that drove their lower bodies together. She gasped, and he bit back a groan as they both reacted to the intimate contact.
“Don’t do that again unless you’re ready to become an exhibitionist,” he whispered into her ear, thankful that the cheering crowd drowned out what he’d just said.
As he eased himself off of her, he let his mouth graze her cheek with the faintest of kisses. Then he rolled to one side and stood up before offering her his hand as he spoke in a normal voice. “It’s not cheating. It’s surviving. Tournament rules are great for practice, but in the real world, there’s only one rule. If it works, use it.”
“Remington’s rule number one.” Several of the men close enough to hear what he’d told her exclaimed in unison before breaking into grins.
The crowd scattered as Remington made his way over to the mats. “Miss Masters, isn’t it? I’m Geoff Remington. That was a most impressive demonstration of Taekwondo. I’d appreciate it if you’d consider teaching some classes here in the future. Quite obviously there’s a gap in our hand-to-hand training program.”
He looked pointedly at the last of the retreating members of Paladin. “A big gap.”
Jazz flushed with pleasure and nodded. “I’d be thrilled to teach here, Mr. Remington. I could set up an impromptu class tomorrow if you like? Since I’m currently your guest, I’d feel like I was as least earning my room and board.”
“Not until after we have your situation settled. You’ve hired us to protect you. You don’t need to earn anything.” Remington’s slate-gray glance moved from Jazz to Jase. “How is that situation going, Waters?”
“I took Tara and Val to recon Miss Master’s house, and we’ve identified areas where security can be improved. Jake will be getting a copy of the report so he can start making upgrades.” He glanced down at Jazz and wished there was a kinder way to tell her what they’d found.
“They’ve been on your property, Miss Masters. We found evidence of two separate incursions. There may have been other visits, but the rain’s wiped out their tracks.”
“On my property?” The smile faded from her face and Jazz paled slightly as she absorbed the ne
ws.
“I’m afraid so. They haven’t gotten into the house, though, and we’ll make sure they never do.” His hand itched to reach out for her, but he knew Remington wouldn’t approve. Paladin’s owner had a very strict rule about fraternizing with clients. He didn’t believe it was fair. They were in danger and vulnerable, and that meant it was no time to flirt. Until today, Jase had agreed with him, but not anymore.
Jazz took a deep breath and then asked the question Jase had been waiting for. “Which types of tracks did you find?”
“Types?” Remington arched an eyebrow and looked at Jase. “Is there something you’d like to tell me about this case?”
Before Jase could open his mouth, Jazz delivered the news. “I’m being hunted by werewolves, Mr. Remington.”
To his credit, Remington didn’t bat an eye at that announcement. “I see. Well, that explains your question.” He looked at Jase expectantly. “So, what sort of tracks were there?”
“There were both types present, wolf and barefooted human.”
“So they’re getting braver.” Jazz sighed. “If I had gone home last night…”
“You didn’t. That’s all that matters. You listened to your instincts, and you’re fine. Better than fine, you have us to protect you now.” Jase didn’t want her dwelling on what might have been. It was an emotional trap that would only make things worse.
“I’m looking forward to reading the full report on this case. I trust one will be on my desk shortly. Won’t it, Waters?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Excellent. Then I just have one more question for Miss Masters. Why are you being hunted by werewolves?”
Jazz gave Remington an innocent smile, and Jase had to bite back a snicker as she replied sweetly, “Because, Mr. Remington, I’m one, too. I can only guess they are looking to add to their numbers.”
“Right, then. Now I’m really looking forward to that report.” He nodded to Jazz and turned on his heel and left.
The moment he was out the door, Jase doubled over with laughter. “You have no idea. God, that was the closest I have ever seen him to being speechless!”
“I thought he took it pretty well. Considering.”
Jase finally got himself under control and straightened up, though he was still snickering slightly despite his best efforts. “He’s hard to read, but trust me. You got to him. Sin will be sorry he missed it.”
As his amusement faded, he remembered the scene he’d walked into when he’d finally tracked her down. “Now, care to explain to me why you didn’t tell me the truth about what you do for a living? Or where you learned to fight like that?”
“I did too tell you the truth. I run my own business. Jazz’s Gym.”
“You’re that Jazz? Your gyms are all over the West Coast!” Lights were going on in Jase’s brain now. “Your gyms are girls-only and specialize in fitness and self-defense. I’ve seen the ads. Some of the guys have sent their wives and girlfriends there to learn how to protect themselves. Now it’s all making sense.” He shook a finger at her. “You could have mentioned it instead of leaving me to discover on my own that your house is a fucking mansion. I tried to tell the driver she had the wrong address!”
“Sorry.” She hung her head, and he realized he’d hit a nerve. “When people find out who I am, they act differently. I just have gotten into the habit of deflecting those sorts of questions.”
He couldn’t help himself. He stepped in close and folded her into his arms until his chin was resting on the top of her bowed head. “Sweetheart, I’m okay with the fact you’re a werewolf, so I think you could have given me a little credit and assumed I could handle the fact you make more money than me.”
He heard her giggle slightly, the sound muffled by his shirt. “You might have a point there.”
“Mhmm.” Temptation sang to him, and he lowered his head to brush a kiss over the curve of her ear.
“If you’re going to keep doing that, there’s something I need to tell you, Jase.”
“I can pretty much guarantee that I am going to keep doing this unless you tell me to stop.” He blew a puff of air across her ear and felt her shiver in response.
“I haven’t dated very much,” she murmured, her face still pressed against his chest.
“No? I find that hard to believe. You’re beautiful, Jazz. What man wouldn’t want to ask you out?”
“Oh, they ask.” Her breath fanned across his chest, warming it even through his shirt. “I’ve never said yes.”
“Never?” He couldn’t keep the shock out of his voice. “What about before the attack?”
“A few movie dates and school dances. That’s it,” she confessed quietly. “I’ve been too afraid. What if something happened and I got scared or angry? Strong feelings weaken my control. Any strong feelings. I can’t risk hurting someone else.”
“Oh, sweetheart, that’s not much of a life.” He couldn’t believe this vibrant woman had kept herself walled off from the world for more than ten years. It was such a waste.
“It beats the alternative,” she argued. “What if I hurt someone? What if I killed them? I couldn’t live with myself.”
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Not on my watch.” His brain was already buzzing along, formulating a plan. “And that includes letting you hurt anyone else. I promise you’ll be safe with me. And since you’re going to be safe, I am going to take you out for dinner.”
She peeked up at him them, her amber eyes wary. “To the cafeteria?”
“No, sweetheart. I think I can do a little better than that for your first date.”
“Date? But I don’t have anything to wear!” She leaned back and gave him a wild-eyed look.
“You’re adorable when you get all worried like that. Your things are in your room. I dropped them off earlier. Judging by weight of the suitcase they packed for you, you have plenty of clothes to choose from.” He gave her a hug and then let her go with some reluctance. He was already getting to like the way she fit into his arms. He had no doubt that they’d fit together perfectly in every way, and his imagination was already indulging in vision after vision of all the ways he wanted to prove it. His groin ached as blood surged to his cock. Dinner, we’re just going to dinner.
“You promise me it’ll be all right?” She looked up at him, so hopeful it actually made his heart ache for her. She deserved a rich life. And Jase was determined to find a way to give it to her.
Chapter 4
She was still damp from her shower and her hair was dripping water onto the carpet as she tore through the suitcase of clothes that had been packed for her. Most of the contents were practical. An assortment of jeans, T-shirts, socks, and underwear. She lifted up a racy concoction of red-and-black lace and blushed. She had forgotten she even owned them. They’d been a spur-of-the-moment purchase, and she’d never had the nerve to go back to the store and return them or the matching bra. She put both aside and kept looking. She needed something to wear tonight, and jeans weren’t going to do it. Her fingers touched something soft, and she reached in, pulling out the answer to her prayers. She’d have to thank Val and Tara later. In amongst the practical assortment of clothing, one of them had thought to include her favorite little-black-dress. She nearly crowed with glee when she fished out a pair of black leather heels she’d bought to go with it. You can do this, she told herself as she laid out the dress on the bed and headed back to the bathroom to do battle with her hair.
She was just stepping into her shoes when there was a knock on her door. The sound corresponded to the explosion of butterflies that suddenly filled her stomach. It’s just dinner. Breathe. Deep in her psyche, her darker nature stirred. There was something about Jase that attracted them both, the person and the monster. She wasn’t sure what it meant, but he was the first man she’d ever said yes to. The first one she didn’t have to lie to.
She opened the door, and nearly forgot how to breathe as she drank in the sexy image he cut as he stepped into
her doorway. He was dressed in a striped dress shirt, dark green tie, and a charcoal-gray leather bomber-jacket that accentuated the width of his shoulders.
She managed to meet his gaze and was gratified by the heat that flared in his eyes as he looked her up and down. “You look amazing.” Jase gave her a smile that made her toes tingle. He stepped into the room and produced a bouquet of pink roses from behind his back. “For you.”
“You got me flowers?” She stared at him and then at the roses, stunned.
“It’s a date. Guys are supposed to bring flowers on dates, aren’t they?” He was laughing as he produced a glass vase in his other hand and presented them both to her.
“I suppose so.” She took both items and filled the vase with water from the bathroom sink before arranging the roses. She stepped back to admire them and startled as she backed right into Jase.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bump into you.”
“I meant for you to.” His voice was a husky whisper near her ear. She felt strong arms curve around her waist, and she squirmed slightly, painfully aware of every one of her extra pounds.
“I’ve finally got you all to myself, and as much as I want to take you out to dinner, there’s something I need to do first.”
Her heart beat faster, and she fought to breathe. Calm, I have to stay calm.
“Jason?”
His breath whispered over the nape of her neck, which was exposed by the simple French twist she’d styled her hair into. “Shh, sweetheart, I just want to enjoy this moment.” His lips brushed along her hairline and a frisson of arousal washed over her. Her pulse raced, and a shimmer of molten heat coursed through her body and wound itself around her heart. She could feel him, lean and powerful as he pressed his body against hers. He wanted her. She could feel how much as the hard ridge of his cock was trapped between them. He kissed his way to her ear, and she felt a jolt of sexual energy spark as he nibbled gently on her earlobe. She quivered at the touch, and then his hands were on her hips and he was coaxing her to turn around and face him.