“No, Jed.” She arched against him, shivering when he used his fingers to stretch the opening and prepare the way for his penetration. “Please.”
“God, Amy, I want you so much. Sometimes I think I’ll explode with wanting.” His voice was a ragged whisper of need as he guided himself to the secret channel between her legs. He hesitated a moment longer, stroking the blunt end of his manhood through her dampness until he was wet and slick with the evidence of her desire and then, as if he could wait no longer, he drove himself into her.
Amy clutched at him, the muscles in her thighs straining as she wrapped herself around his body. Jed filled her completely, pushing out all the fears and uncertainties that had been plaguing her all evening. There was nothing left but Jed’s undeniable desire. It flowed into her, mingling with her own and setting a torch to the already smoldering flames.
Amy gave herself up to the blaze, satisfied with the knowledge that on this level at least, nothing had changed between herself and Jed.
A long time later Amy stirred in Jed’s arms. A balmy ocean breeze caressed her relaxed, nude body, evaporating the last of the sensual dampness from her skin. Jed lay sprawled in luxurious splendor beside her, his leg over one of hers, his arm cuddling her close.
“Jed?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you awake?”
He chuckled softly. “I’m awake.”
She ignored whatever was amusing him. “There’s something I want to ask you.”
“Ask.”
“How long have you worked for the government?”
Whatever he had been expecting in the way of questions, apparently it wasn’t that. Amy felt him grow alert.
“Eight years, give or take a few months,” he finally replied. “Why?”
“That’s a long time to be doing such dangerous work.”
“It isn’t always dangerous. It’s just that once in a while things go wrong.”
Amy took her courage in both hands. “Is that how you got into this job in the first place? Because something went wrong eight years ago? Did it have anything to do with your brother getting killed?”
He was silent for a moment and then slowly turned his head to look at her. “So. You’ve put that together all by yourself, have you?”
She couldn’t tell if he was angry or merely thoughtful. “You said things changed for you eight years ago. Your engagement ended. Your brother died. And that’s when you started working for the government. I just wondered—”
“Lord preserve me from a woman’s mind.”
“You don’t have to tell me, Jed.”
“The hell I don’t. After all the secrets you’ve told me? You have a right to some more of mine.”
“If you’d rather not talk about it…” She let the sentence trail off.
“I can talk about it.” He paused. “To you.” There was another long pause while he collected his thoughts. “Andy was a government agent, though I didn’t know it at the time. My brother was a fine engineer and he used his work as a cover. It got him into a lot of hot spots without a lot of questions. He never came back from his last assignment. I was told he was dead, killed by terrorists while he was shopping for souvenirs in the town near the construction site. I spent a few days looking for the bottom of a few bottles. When the government man showed up at my door I was not in a good mood. He took advantage of the fact and I let him.”
“What do you mean?”
“He told me what Andy had really been doing and how he’d been killed by one of the men he’d been sent overseas to investigate. Then this nice man from the agency which had employed my brother offered me a chance at a little revenge. All I had to do was take Andy’s place at the construction site and make contact with the crowd Andy had been chasing.”
Amy was appalled. “But you had no training in that sort of thing. You could have been killed. That agency had no business sending you in cold on an assignment like that.”
“The agency was desperate. As for me, I was more than willing to go.”
“Because you wanted to avenge Andy’s death.”
Jed nodded in the shadows. Then he said dryly, “As it turned out, I had a certain, uh, aptitude for the work. Things went like clockwork. The agency got the information it needed and I got what I wanted out of the deal.”
Amy shivered and touched him. There was no need to ask what form the revenge had taken. “And when you came home?”
“When I came home Elaine announced she had found someone else. I never told her the real reason I’d gone out on that assignment. I postponed the wedding plans and let her think it was just another construction site job. But I think she knew or guessed that there was more to it than that. The way she looked at me when I came home…” Jed shook his head. “All I know for certain is that by the time I returned there was another man. I couldn’t blame her. I didn’t think I’d make a very good husband or father after what I’d done.”
“You just made that decision all by yourself? Or did you get a second opinion?”
“No, I didn’t get a second opinion.” Jed’s voice roughened. “I figured it out by myself. After Elaine handed me back the ring I was at loose ends for a while. I couldn’t seem to settle down. I kept thinking about what had happened to Andy and what I’d done because of it. Then one day the agency man was standing on my front step again. There was a little matter he thought I could handle for his employer. Something for which my engineering background would make a first rate cover. It wouldn’t take long, he said. In and out. Very quick. Very neat. I went.”
“And after that there was another assignment and then another, right?”
Jed shrugged. “I told you. I seemed to have a talent for it. And…”
“And what?”
“And, in the beginning at least, I was naive enough to think I was needed. That I was fighting a small war that had to be fought.”
“Of course you believed in what you were doing,” Amy said promptly. “You’re not the kind of man who would do such things unless you thought they were necessary.”
There was a gleam of interest in his eyes. “You seem very sure of that.”
“I am sure of it. But eight years is a long time to do such things, Jed.”
“I know. A lifetime.”
Amy raised herself up so she could look into his face. “I know the feeling, even though for me it’s only been eight months. Maybe you and I need new lifetimes.”
Before he could respond to that she leaned down to kiss him. Her fingertips trailed slowly down his chest and stomach to the softened shaft of his manhood. She felt him stir under her touch and then he was no longer soft.
“When you touch me like that,” Jed muttered thickly, “the only lifetime I’m interested in living is this one. You make my head spin, lady.”
“I’m glad.” She trailed her fingertips over him, teasing his hard, pulsing masculine flesh. She brushed her mouth against his throat. “I’m very glad I can make your head spin a little, Jed. It’s only fair, considering the effect you have on me.”
He groaned as she drew a tiny circle on the inside of his heavy thigh. Then Jed reached for her, pulling her down and pushing her onto her back. He loomed over her for a moment, his eyes glittering with desire as he watched the mysterious feminine passion take hold of her. With deliberate provocation Amy ran the sole of her foot down his calf. She clenched her fingers around his hard, muscled buttock.
“Playing games?” Jed asked in a husky voice.
“Games you taught me.”
“You’ve got the makings of a born tease.”
“Possibly.” Her eyes were brilliant as she moved enticingly under him.
“You’re not the only one who can play this game.” Jed moved slightly and Amy sighed. He was just barely inside her.
When he didn’t go farther, she wriggled invitingly and tried to pull him closer. Jed ignored the summons, nibbling appreciatively at her ear. When he withdrew himself Amy clutched him.
“Jed, please.” She lifted herself and Jed obligingly entered her once more. But he didn’t make any attempt to finish the job. Amy’s grip tightened demandingly. “Come here,” she whispered.
“I want to watch you go wild.” He repeated the teasing, tantalizing movements.
“I won’t go wild, I’ll go insane.”
“Even better.”
“Oh, Jed…She grabbed him, wrapping her legs around him, sinking her nails into him, calling him to her with fierce, husky pleas.
“Wild,” Jed muttered as he slowly and completely filled her. “Soft and wild.” He stopped playing lovers’ games and let the passion take hold.
Chapter 11
The sleek, white cruise ship was visible as soon as the Jeep rounded the last cove on the way into town. It was tied up at the docking facility that had once been used by the military.
Amy caught her whipping hair, held it out of her eyes and stared in amazement. “Good grief. Rosie was right. Orleana is getting downright civilized. She said a cruise line had started making the island a port of call, but after all these years of being ignored, it’s hard to believe. The village shops must be going crazy with all those tourists descending on them. Hank and Rosie’s will be packed.”
“Speaking of village shops, where can I pick up some new batteries for the dive light?” Jed asked as he drove along the road bordering the harbor.
He had to slow the Jeep to a crawl as he entered town. Throngs of tourists from the ship were crossing the narrow road with little regard for traffic. Some of the bright, colorful cruise clothing on display was almost as vivid as the fuchsia shirt Amy had tied below her breasts and the island print shorts she was wearing.
“Harry Sanderson runs a general store at the end of the street. He’s got a small dive shop attached. You can get batteries there,” Amy said as she watched the tourists with fascination.
“Are you sure you want to dive that old bomber today?” Jed asked as he found a parking place for the Jeep and neatly slipped the vehicle into it.
“That’s the fortieth time today you’ve asked me that question. The answer is still yes.” She grinned at him as she alighted from the Jeep.
“Don’t get sassy. It’s only the thirty-ninth. I just want to make sure.” Jed used his left hand on the window frame to lever himself out of the driver’s seat.
Amy’s grin faded. “Don’t worry, Jed. I won’t panic on you. I’ve told you, if I start getting stressed, I’ll signal you and we’ll surface.”
He regarded her intently, thick brows drawn together in a frown. “I’m not worried about you panicking on me. I just don’t want you rushing things.”
“It’s time I went back into the water. I feel capable of handling it today. I don’t want to put it off any longer.”
“All right, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. Go get the batteries. I’ll wait for you at Hank and Rosie’s.” Amy waved toward the direction of the small store at the end of the street, then swung around and strolled toward Hank and Rosie’s. She didn’t glance back, but she could feel Jed watching her until she disappeared through the doorway of the open air bar.
The place was filled with people from the ship. Amy spotted several guava juice cocktails as well as more traditional island drinks sitting on the old rattan tables as she made her way toward the rear. It was obvious the tourists were thoroughly enjoying the laid back island atmosphere of the bar. The place looked like a scene from a film set in the islands.
Amy spotted Rosie working madly amid a cloud of steaming pots. She waved at the plump woman from the kitchen door.
“Hi, Rosie. Looks like you’ve got a full house. These folks are really getting off on the South Seas image. Since when did Hank learn how to make frozen banana daiquiris?”
“Since the cruise ship started putting in here once a week. The man learns fast. He can also make a wicked mai tai these days.” Rosie grinned, mopping perspiration from her forehead with a tea towel. “You wouldn’t believe the kind of stuff tourists want to drink. Hardly an honest Scotch drinker in the bunch. Nothing but daiquiris, mai tais and fluffy pink stuff. One of these days we might actually have to start stocking white wine.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Looks to me like you’re making inroads converting the cruise folk to guava juice cocktails.”
Rosie’s hearty laugh filled the kitchen. “Speaking of which, how did you survive the other night? Your man have to carry you into the house?”
Amy grimaced, folding her arms as she leaned against the doorframe. “To tell you the truth, my memory of getting into the house is a little vague.”
“I’m not surprised. Listen, I got a little loose lipped that night. I guess your mentioning the old days got me remembering. I hope I didn’t upset you by telling you some of those things about your mom and dad and the past.” Rosie looked anxious.
“No,” Amy said gently, “you didn’t upset me.” Determined to change the subject, she added quickly, “Did your guests arrive? The ones you said had made genuine reservations?”
“Sure did. Got in this morning. That makes three staying upstairs now. I’m getting ready to feed them lunch, along with some of these folks from the boat. What are you and Jed up to today?”
“We’re going to dive the old bomber this afternoon. Jed’s buying some batteries for the dive light now. Here, let me give you a hand serving that stuff.”
“I appreciate it, honey. Pick up some plates and follow me.”
Amy deftly slid two hamburger baskets and a bowl of fish chowder onto a tray and followed Rosie into the dining area of the tavern. Several tables were filled. One man sat alone at the rear, his hands wrapped around a can of beer. Rosie directed one of the hamburgers toward him.
Amy dutifully carried the hamburger to the waiting diner. He was a thin, wiry man somewhere between thirty and forty, though it was hard to tell. It had been difficult to tell Jed’s age at first, too, Amy remembered. This man was not bad looking with his light hair and gray eyes, but there was a surly, indifferent quality about him that made her want to serve him as quickly and unobtrusively as possible. Amy summoned up her brightest smile.
“Here’s your hamburger, sir. Anything else?”
He looked at her curiously, making Amy wonder exactly what he was thinking. Automatically she stepped back a pace.
“No,” he muttered. “That’ll be all. For now.”
Amy nodded and hurried off with the tray. Rosie was signaling her from a table where two other men were seated.
“Chowder goes there in front of Mr. Guthrie.” She indicated the short, heavily built man at the table. “And that last hamburger is for Mr. Renner, here.” Rosie gave the second man the full benefit of her laughing grin.
“Call me Dan, Rosie,” the man said, his eyes on Amy. And my friend here just uses his last name as his first name. He prefers to be called Guthrie, don’t you, Guthrie?”
“That’s right.” Guthrie was ignoring the two women. His full attention was on the chowder and the beer at his elbow.
“Guthrie and Dan are staying upstairs,” Rosie explained. “That guy who had the other hamburger is the third guest I was telling you about. He got in a few days ago.”
“How about an introduction to your waitress, Rosie?” Renner was smiling at Amy.
Amy smiled back. She couldn’t help herself. Renner was the kind they called drop-dead-good-looking. He obviously knew it, but he seemed to find the fact amusing as much as anything else. His smile invited Amy to share the little joke nature had played by endowing him with so much attractive charm. That smile implied Renner himself didn’t take it too seriously and neither should anyone else. It was a very disarming expression. Renner had a wealth of jet black hair that fell across his forehead in a rakish wave and vivid blue eyes that mirrored his smile.
He was dressed in a dashing version of tropical khaki shirt and trousers with lots of snappy pockets, epaulets and buttons. To be fair Jed was wearing similar clothing, but on Jed the clo
thes looked comfortably worn and faded. Renner’s appeared to have come straight from a Rodeo Drive boutique. His smile said he found his clothing amusing, too.
“I’m Amy Slater. My folks have a place here on the island. I just dropped in to visit Rosie and decided to give her a hand serving lunch.”
Renner blinked. The voltage of his smile went up another few notches. “No kidding? You live here?”
“No, I just visit a couple of times a year. My parents are the permanent residents, although they’re gone for a few weeks. How long are you staying, Dan?”
“Just a few days, then we’re heading back to Hawaii. We heard the diving was great around here. I’m a novice, but I’m trying to get in as much experience as I can on my vacation.”
Rosie interrupted to clap Amy on the back. “While you two are yakking, I’m going to get the rest of my food dished up. Take your time, Amy. I can handle the rest.”
Amy glanced around quickly. “I don’t mind helping, Rosie.”
But Rosie was already halfway back to the kitchen. Renner made another bid for Amy’s attention.
“Do you dive?” he asked.
Amy smiled. “What? Oh, yes. The diving really is great around here. A friend and I are going to the north end of the island this afternoon to check out the wreck of an old bomber. You should be sure and see it before you leave.”
“Thanks. We’ll make a point of it, won’t we, Guthrie?”
Guthrie nodded once and continued spooning his soup.
Renner ignored his companion. He kept his attention on Amy. “Any chance we can get you and your, uh, friend to show us some of the good dive spots around here? We could use an insider’s knowledge.”
Amy hesitated, looking for a convenient excuse. She didn’t want to dive with anyone except Jed until she knew she was back in control of herself underwater. “I’m afraid we’ve already got this afternoon planned. But Hank, the guy who owns this place, can give you some tips.”
On the Edge Page 19