Targeted Risk (R.I.S.C. Book 7)

by Anna Blakely

  If she did, Juliet would be forced to face her demons alone. No way in hell was Mike going to let happen. So he chose to keep his mouth shut, for now, praying that when this was all over and he did reveal the truth, she’d find a way to forgive him.

  ****

  Chapter 6

  Juliet stood in the middle of Jay’s living room, angry with herself for giving in. She knew he thought she was just being stubborn, but that wasn’t the case.

  Someone from her father’s organization—possibly even her father, himself—wanted her dead. And if she’d learned anything about the Russian mob, it was that once they zeroed in on something, they didn’t stop until they got what they wanted.

  Juliet knew she was their target, now, and she was pretty sure she knew why. They were coming for her, and if anyone got in their way, they’d be taken out, too. That meant the longer she was around Jay, the more danger he was in.

  Their relationships may have been short-lived, but Juliet had loved him with all her heart. She still did. And if anything ever happened to him...

  I’d never forgive myself.

  “It’s not much, I know.” Jay spoke from behind her. “But it’s just me, here, so I don’t need a lot of room.”

  Holding Lydia’s cat carrier, Juliet glanced around the small space. The two-bedroom house was modest and had a lot of potential, but the décor definitely left much to be desired.

  In typical bachelor style, the furniture was basic, and the walls were bare. There wasn’t even a single photograph in the entire place. It seemed so...impersonal. For some reason, that made Juliet sad.

  Even as the interior decorator in her gave the place a mental overhaul, she turned and gave him a small smile. “It’s fine.”

  “Thanks for coming here.” He took a step closer. “I know the situation isn’t ideal, but I need to know you’re safe.”

  She set the carrier down and opened the tiny gate, setting Lydia free to roam about the place. Staring up at him, Juliet tried her best to ignore his handsome face and strong physique.

  “Why?”

  His brows turned inward. “What do you mean, why?”

  “I mean, why do you care about what happens to me? It’s not like we’re still together.”

  For a moment, he didn’t say a word. Jay simply stood there, staring back at her before slowly moving toward her. “There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by that I haven’t thought of you. You’re the first thing I think about when I wake up. And every night, when I close my eyes, you’re there.”

  Her heart gave a hard thump against her ribs, and Juliet felt her resolve to keep her distance from this man begin to crumble.

  The entire ride here, she’d tried her hardest not to feel what she always felt when he was near. Over and over, she’d reminded herself how important it was to keep her distance. Why she couldn’t let her feelings for Jay interfere with her need to keep him safe.

  The man was a pure, alpha male determined to protect her. But didn’t he know?

  I need to protect him, too.

  He stopped a few inches away. A muscle in his strong jaw twitched. “There’s a lot we need to work out,” his deep voice rumbled. “Things we need to discuss. But more than anything, you need to know I never stopped caring about you.”

  Juliet’s heart swelled, its beat strengthening to the force of a kickdrum. But when he reached for her, she stepped back, out of his reach. “I shouldn’t be here.”

  The hurt in his eyes was impossible to miss.

  “We’ve been over this, Jules. I need you here. I need to know you’re—”

  “Safe,” she finished for him. “I get that, and I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know. But what you don’t get is it doesn’t matter where I am. If they want me, then eventually, they’ll find me.”

  “No, they won’t.” Jay shook his head. “I’ll make sure of that.”

  Her heart ached because this sweet, loving man actually believed he could stop the men who were after her.

  She needed him to listen. To really hear what she was saying. The only way she knew to convince him was to tell him the truth.

  “You were right.” Juliet hugged herself as she admitted that she’d lied. “Aaron Schreiber did speak to me last night.”

  Without any signs of judgement or anger, he asked, “What did he say?”

  “That my father wants me dead.”

  He does.

  Jay swallowed hard. “Did Schreiber say why?”

  “No, but it doesn’t matter. They’ll keep coming for me, and if I’m with you, you’ll be in danger, too.”

  “I can handle myself.”

  “You’re not listening.” Juliet’s voice raised. “I don’t want to put you in the position where you have to handle yourself. But if I stay here with you, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”

  “You’re not the one putting me in that position, Jules. This isn’t your fault.”

  “Yes, it is.” She walked over to where her bags were sitting by the door. “I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused, and I will never forget what you’ve done for me. But I won’t allow you to do this.”

  He was by her side before she even realized he’d moved. “Not your choice, sweetheart.” He took the bags from her hands and set them back down.

  Juliet threw her hands on her hips and glared up at him. “Are you saying you’d keep me here against my will?”

  Without missing a beat, the infuriating man said, “If it means keeping you safe? Absofuckinglutely.”

  “Yeah? Well, this is me keeping you safe.” She reached for the bags again, but Jay was faster.

  Like a snake striking its prey, he grabbed the bags and tossed them to the side, well out of her reach.

  When Juliet started for the overturned luggage, Jay stepped in her path. Then, with a gentle yet firm grip, he put his hands on her shoulders and pressed her against the door.

  “What are you doing?”

  He moved forward until his body was flush with hers. “I’m keeping you from getting yourself killed.”

  She should be mad at the way he was manhandling her. She should scream and kick until he either let her go or one of his neighbors came to her rescue.

  There were a lot of things Juliet knew she should probably do, but in that moment, all she could think about was how wonderful his hard body felt against hers.

  “Jay—”

  His mouth landed on hers. The kiss was hard, yet gentle. Needy, yet generous. And it ended much too soon.

  “Let me do this for you, baby. Let me protect you.” He kissed her again. “Stay with me. Please.”

  Juliet stared back into his dark eyes. They were eyes she’d always swore she could get lost in, and right now, they were filled with heat and determination.

  Despite the situation and her resolve to not drag him into this mess any further than she already had, she heard herself saying...

  “Okay.”

  A hint of a smile was the only reaction she saw before he slammed his mouth against hers.

  Part of her knew sex would only complicate the situation even further. She was well aware that there were things she still needed to tell him. One thing in particular that may very well change the way he looked at her.

  The way he felt about her.

  But in that moment, all Juliet could focus on was how good it felt to be back in this man’s arms again.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, her hands grasping the hair on the back of his head. Jay pressed his hips against hers, the hard shaft between his thighs rubbing against the ache she felt between hers.

  Juliet moaned. Her tongue swirled and danced with his as he continued to devour her. As they devoured each other.

  God, she’d missed this. The way he kissed. The way he tasted.

  With a growl, Jay moved his hands down to her hips, his long fingers gripping her tightly as he lifted her into the air. Wrapping her legs around his waist, Juliet held on, continuing to feast while he turned
and carried her down the hallway and into his bedroom.

  They tumbled onto his king-sized mattress together. Using his elbows, Jay kept his weight from crushing her.

  “God, I’ve missed you.” His mouth traveled away from her mouth, leaving a trail of hot, wet kisses along her jaw and back up. “You have to know”—his lips brushed against hers—“just because I wasn’t here, that doesn’t mean you weren’t with me. You were right here, Jules. In every thought I had. Every dream I found myself lost in.”

  Her breath hitched inside her chest, from both his words and his mouth as he brought it to the side of her neck. Tilting her head to the side to give him better access, Juliet sucked in another breath when he gave her pulse point a gentle nibble.

  Goosebumps covered her from head to toe as he pressed his teeth into her skin there. A move he knew she loved.

  “Make love to me, Jay,” she begged. “Please.”

  In the past, those words would’ve spurred him into action. But for some reason, when she said them this time, he stopped, altogether.

  Lifting his gaze to meet hers, Jay’s expression became unreadable. Regret she didn’t understand filled his beautiful eyes.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Jules, there’s...something I need to tell you.”

  A feeling of dread dipped deep into her stomach. He’d asked her if she was involved with someone, but until now, she hadn’t thought to ask him.

  “There’s someone else?”

  “What?” He frowned. “No. There hasn’t been anyone. Not since you.”

  Oh, my. “Really?”

  “Really.” He lifted a hand and brushed some hair from her face. “You’re the only one I think about. The only one I want.”

  The dread vanished in an instant, her heart swelling to the point she thought it would burst. If there wasn’t another woman in his life, then whatever he felt the need to tell her could wait.

  “There hasn’t been anyone else for me, either.” Juliet leaned up and took his mouth in hers. “So whatever it is, you can tell me later.”

  “Jules...”

  Jay started to argue, but she lifted her pelvis, grinding herself against his steely erection. “It’s been too long.” Juliet pulled his bottom lip between her teeth. “I need to feel you inside of me again. Please.”

  He started this. He’d damn well better...

  He went wild, then. His hands working fast to rid her of her clothes. Less than a minute later, they were both completely naked, nothing between them but their own heartbeats.

  “You’re so beautiful.”

  He stared down at her the same way he used to. As if she was the most desirable woman in the world. When he looked at her that way, Juliet felt as though she was.

  Using the lightest of touches, Juliet traced the tattoos on his chest. “You’re not so bad, yourself,” she smirked. It was the mother of all understatements, because the man was mouthwatering hot.

  His cock twitched between her wet thighs. “This first time is going to be fast,” he admitted regretfully. “It’s been too damn long, and my control is shit when I’m with you.”

  Apparently, so was hers, given that a few minutes ago, she was adamant about leaving and now she was lying naked beneath his strong, hard body. Begging him to take her.

  But she’d always loved it when he lost control. Loved the way he seemed to let go, losing himself in the moment.

  “I don’t want slow, Jay.” She ground her wet heat against him. “I only want you.”

  Something flashed behind his eyes, and she was afraid he would stop again. But then he reached between them, lined his tip to her entrance, and entered her body in one, hard thrust.

  Juliet threw her head back and cried out, the burning sensation of his thick cock stretching her just on this side of pain. It had been a long time, and though she occasionally got herself off with thoughts of him, her vibrator didn’t hold a candle to the real thing.

  “You okay?” Worry crossed over his face.

  “Yes.” She rested a palm against his smooth cheek. “But I’ll be even better when you start moving.”

  The smile he gave her lit up his entire face, making him appear even younger than his thirty-six years.

  “Far be it from me to keep you waiting.” He pulled back, nearly withdrawing completely before sliding into her body once more.

  The movement had them both moaning in unison. Juliet lifted her pelvis to meet his every thrust, and soon they found their perfect rhythm.

  “God, you feel good.” Jay moaned again as he continued pushing himself in and out of her greedy sex.

  “Shut up and kiss me,” Juliet demanded.

  “Yes, ma’am.” With a sideways smirk, he thrust into her a little harder. “Whatever you want.”

  You. All I want is you.

  Claiming her mouth with his, he continued to slide his throbbing shaft in and out. In and out.

  They kept on like that, the speed and force of their movements increasing with every delectable thrust. Jay continued feasting on her as if he’d never get enough.

  She knew the feeling all too well.

  Her body began to quiver, her inner muscles tightening around him as she felt him became impossibly fuller. Jay must have sensed her impending explosion because he lifted himself just enough to slide his hand between them.

  The man knew her body well—or maybe even better—than she did, his fingers effortlessly finding their mark with ease. Gathering her essence from where they were joined, he began rubbing her swollen clit in small, tight circles.

  A band of electricity coursed through her body. Juliet started to cry out his name, but Jay swallowed it with another deep, mouthwatering kiss.

  Her tongue licked and laved against his while he continued thrusting and rubbing with utter perfection.

  “I’m close,” she proclaimed against his lips.

  “I know, baby. Go on.” His fingers pressed a little harder. “Come for me.”

  “Oh, God.”

  “Come on, baby,” he panted loudly. “Can’t...hold out...much longer. Need...you...to—”

  Juliet tossed her head back as she came. A low, keening sound filled the room as she let the intense orgasm sweep ferociously through her entire body. She was so lost in her own, amazing climax, she almost missed Jay releasing his own.

  His muscles tightened, his thrusts becoming sporadic and uneven, and he growled out her name as his hot seed poured into her welcoming channel.

  Seconds, or maybe minutes, later, she finally found the ability to speak again.

  “Wow.” She huffed out a breath. “That was...”

  “Perfect.” His deep voice vibrated through her chest.

  Eyes closed, Juliet offered him a lazy smile. “It really was.”

  Warm lips landed on hers. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  She lifted her satiated lids and found him staring down at her with reverence. Raking her fingers through his disheveled hair, Juliet whispered, “I’ve missed you, too.”

  For the next several minutes, they continued to lay like that. Bodies still joined as they held onto one another.

  What felt like hours later, Jay slid out of her sensitive entrance and led her to the shower to get cleaned up...and proceeded to make love to her again.

  As promised, he took his time with round two. Cherishing every inch of her welcoming body until they were both even more satisfied than before.

  ****

  Chapter 7

  Mike studied Juliet’s sleeping form once more before sliding out of the bed they’d been sharing for the past two days. Technically, he’d shared it with her and her cat, but Lydia kept to the foot of the bed, so he didn’t really mind.

  What he did mind was the fucking guilt that kept pressing in on him. With each day that passed, it was becoming harder and harder to hold back the truth. But he had to. For her sake.

  At least that’s what he kept telling himself.

  His phone buzzed as he was butt
oning his jeans, and Mike quickly grabbed it from his nightstand to keep from waking her. Not recognizing the number—and wondering who the hell would be calling him at two-thirty in the morning—he waited until he was halfway down the hall to answer.

  Tapping the screen, Mike kept his voice low. “Yeah?”

  “That how you answer your phone, now?”

  The voice was a blast from his past. And not one he had any desire to hear.

  “How’d you get this number?”

  Brad Lopez, his former CIA handler, chuckled. “Really? If you’re asking that question, you’ve been out of the game too damn long.”

  “What do you want?” Mike asked curtly. Nothing good ever came with a phone call from this man.

  His cold demeanor didn’t seem to faze the man on the other end of the line. “Can you talk?”

  Glancing at the partially closed door, he said, “You’ve got two minutes.”

  “Sorry, Bradshaw, but this conversation will probably take a little longer than that. Get someplace private. You’re gonna want to hear what I have to say.”

  Shit.

  Indulging the asshole, Mike gave his bedroom door one final check before making his way out the sliding door and onto his small back patio.

  “Start talking. And cut to the chase.”

  “I’m assuming you’re speaking in a low tone to keep Miss Farrow from overhearing.”

  What the fuck? “How the hell did you know she was here?”

  The other man snorted. “Have you been out so long you’ve forgotten what we do?”

  “I’ve tried to.”

  “Right. Look, I get that we didn’t end things on the most amicable of terms, but your girl’s in trouble.”

  No shit.

  “What do you know about it?”

  “I know Juliet Farrow has a price on her head. And after the shit you pulled at her place the other night, Jay Reynolds might, too.”

  His chest tightened. Mike didn’t give a shit if someone was gunning for him. He was ready and would take them out the second they tried something. But hearing the confirmation that Juliet was still in danger left his gut churning and his blood cold.