The cover career he had established was done by a master hacker, and she had to admit, whoever did this had skills that she wasn’t entirely able to compete with. If he was a security consultant, she would eat her apron. The hackers Jonah employed could give her a run for her money, and that said a lot about his ability to employ the best of the best.
The only plan she could make now was to wait and watch for her opportunity. Hopefully she could find the cracks in his perfect history and put herself in a position of control again. She hated that he was one up on her. He may not know who she was entirely, but she was sure he knew enough to be trouble. If anything, he did know that she wasn’t who she said she was. That was more knowledge than she wanted him or anyone else to have about her.
Not to mention that he was too attractive to her. She didn’t want to want him, even though she perversely wanted him to want her. For what, she couldn’t fathom. He was out of her league in too many aspects. She could see that in the way he carried himself. He was similar to a dictator, in control of everything around him, and she was afraid he would set his gaze to her side of the world next. And she was even more terrified that she might just forego her right to bear arms and let him take over, as long as he took her as well.
Jaden wasn’t in the mood for that type of revelation today. She had been self-sufficient for too long to lie down like a dog and take it.
But the reference to a dog only sent her thoughts elsewhere, about what it could feel like to be under him. Beneath him with her head hung low. Beneath him with his hands on her skin, and those were desires she assumed that she didn’t have. It wasn’t that she hadn’t had sex before. It was just that she never really enjoyed the act before. More than anything it seemed a form of exercise that was conducted in a bed. There had been occasions when she’d had an orgasm, but never with another person present, and she only came when alone.
She’d had two lovers before, if she could call it that. They weren’t one-night stands, but the interludes were only that and just a handful of weeks long each. No one was ever considered permanent. Not in her bed, as men tended to ask too many questions that she could never give the answers to. The first time wasn’t a total bust, but there were no trumpets blowing or angels singing. Not in the context that she would have assumed the act could be like.
Unless everything she ever saw or heard was bullshit, and that was a possibility.
Jaden had spent numerous nights in some of the seediest parts of the world, in rented rooms that charged in fractions of an hour and not by the night. So that was most likely why she thought that there was enjoyment for others but not her. The women that stayed in those places were bought by the hour just like the flats were rented out, and they had to pretend for their customers to like what was being done with them.
She shook the random tack her thoughts had taken off, and she got ready to start her day. Her morning was built to have just enough time for a quick series of stretches before she dressed, and her woolgathering cost her those few moments today. Therefore it was no surprise to her that she wasn’t a happy camper at the bakery that morning.
When the doors were unlocked for the public to come inside, she had the premonition that her first customer would be him. The ovens in back were filled with racks of muffins and scones for the morning rush. Normally she prepared the dough and batters needed in advance, and all that had to be done was baking them at the right temperature for the right amount of time. Today she was glad she didn’t have the added burden of preparation. She was all thumbs and strangely clumsy.
When the chimes in the front clacked together, she wanted it to be Jonah. She was right, and just like the devil, he came when called. Jaden felt a ridiculous thrill at the sight of him. When she walked out, she almost dropped a tray but she saved the éclairs in the nick of time. They needed to cool so they could be frosted and filled for the midafternoon pickup.
But when their eyes locked, she felt shaken somehow, as if she were a blade of grass at the mercy of the wind. He was even more potent to the eye than he was the first time their eyes locked gazes. For a split second before the urge was smothered, Jaden truly wished she could be the kind of woman that took what she needed from a man, no questions asked.
There was no problem taking what she wanted from life, but from the opposite sex?
She was as naïve as a newborn lamb when it came to that. There was nothing of the femme fatale in her. She didn’t know how to flirt or be demure. She was an in-your-face kind of woman, and anyone with sense knew that men didn’t find strong women attractive. Her body was curved in the right places, and everything was tight and taut from her years of training. But in her experience, men wanted a woman weaker than they. That helped them to feel more masculine.
The saddest part was that she wanted to be weak for a moment, to know what it would feel like. To know that someone else would take care of her and that she didn’t have to worry about anything, save to exist in the moment. It was that thought that made the scowl hit her face when she really wanted to smile at Jonah.
He was wonderful at making her forget everything, save him, and she hated that more than her own weaknesses. No sooner than she served him, he was headed to one of her back corner tables with the wall to his back, yet another sign that he preferred to see what was going on around him. And another clue as to his training. He positioned everything in a haphazard manner, but that was only at the first glance.
Each item had a place, and the way he arranged the items allowed him free movement if needed. She kept her eye on him as he occupied the bench seat alone for a couple of hours. His hands never stopped moving, and she liked the rhythm he set. It corresponded with the radio station that she had piped in the speakers discreetly in each corner and the same beat she moved to. It made the small room seem fuller and more robust somehow, even with the steady stream of customers that came and went over the course of the morning.
That afternoon arrived faster than she thought it would when he walked back into her shop as if he owned it and her. She pretended like she didn’t care if he came back or not, but she really did, more than she could admit out loud. Jaden made him a huge turkey sandwich and sent him away, but he only went back to the small table he’d chosen at breakfast.
When he left after lunch, she felt a bit sad, and she wished she could be bold enough to ask him to stay, just so she could look at him some more. But she smiled at his back and knew he would never see the grin that helplessly lifted her lips. He had a nice back, the muscles richly apparent even beneath the T-shirt he wore.
For some odd reason, the cocky bastard looked back at the perfect moment, and she wiped the mirth from her face as quickly as she was able. But he saw it. There was no way he could have missed the smile on her face. Jaden wouldn’t have.
When the lunch rush passed and all was calm once more, Kris was back from her classes and, thankfully, ready to work.
Jaden had been so slammed she wasn’t able to take a break all day to even catch her breath. Not that she could have taken that moment if she’d wanted, as the man across the room owned all of the air in the vicinity for some odd reason.
“Hey, J, what do you need me to do?”
“Heck, Kris, there is too much going on to even say right now. I need to take a minute though.”
“No problem, boss lady, take a minute and get your bearings. I did come bearing gifts if you want some.”
“What is it?”
“Just something I think you would love to eat.” Kris winked at her and chuckled. “Here, have some.”
“Is it?” Hello, slice of heaven, she thought. It was her personal favorite, Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
“Yep, and the hot sign was on when I passed by, so I decided to get a few doughnuts and some spicy Thai noodles for you while I was at it. It’s my consolation prize.” Jaden loved Flaming Amy’s Bowl. It was a place where customers could choose whatever they wanted to have stir fried and smothered in sauce. They served everything over
noodles or rice, and she adored spicy food. Not only that, but it was a dive where a tattoo got a discount off the meal.
Kris had plenty of skin ink, as she used the artwork to cover the scars from her abduction and torture all those years ago. Her arms were an ode to sea and sky. Her back was an ode to fire, and her hips were an ode to earth, with bunches of wild flowers clustered along her hips. The only part of the ink visible when she was fully dressed was a smattering of manga clouds and splattered stars at the shoulders, along with a score of ocean waves down the arms. The colors were vivid and the art was still unfinished as Kris mentioned a while back that she wanted to add a sun and moon to represent day and night on her shoulders.
Under the circumstances, Jaden let Kris be as independent as possible, and that meant allowing her control over her body as well. She could understand the need to erase as much of her past as possible.
Jaden had tattoos as well, actually just one. But if anyone had the chance to see the hidden ink, she was probably close to dead and it wouldn’t matter anyhow. When a student was considered complete, a tattoo of mastery was applied to the skin as part of the graduation. Hers was actually the Japanese character for attention, the master’s tenet. But having the art in plain view was more than she could fathom. She didn’t like the idea of being identifiable just because she had skin art, and that was best left to people who didn’t mind a little notoriety.
Therefore, hers was on the arch on the underside of her foot.
That made her wonder if her hunter Jonah had any ink as well, and that was a path her mind was better off not meandering down.
“Okay, for what, Kris? Don’t tell me that you are going to ditch me tonight again.”
“All right then, I’ll tell you that I’m going to be here tonight to close out the last of the prep. But I’m not.”
“Ugghh, what is it now? Are you going to save mistreated drug testing bunnies or something?”
“Not quite, I’m going on a date. Sorta…kinda. Let’s just say it’s me and a guy alone having dinner together and a movie.” Kris grinned and scrunched her lips sideways.
Mentally, Jaden let her off the hook immediately. Kris hadn’t been interested in a date with a man since she was freed. Kris had needs, but after what happened to her, she only felt comfortable with sex if she was dominant during the act. The welcome thought of Kris beginning to heal was pervasive, and Jaden couldn’t in good conscience deny the young woman an evening of fun.
“You got me. It shouldn’t be too bad tonight anyway. I can close up, but you have to be here two hours early tomorrow to prep more fondant.”
The heaven-sent break, courtesy of Kris, was perfect for her to do a bit more digging. She let her laptop do most of the work, and even with the triple sorting features in her programming, still unearthed more questions than answers. When she finished her lunch and propped up her feet for a few, she was antsy. What if he had come back?
But when she went to find out covertly for herself, he was conspicuously absent. Jaden was a bit elated that she didn’t have to feel so self-aware, as he was out of sight, and she conversely felt disappointed that she had to go without the view of him all at the same time.
The evening came quickly, only now Jaden cleaned. Kris helped unload their supplies from the truck delivery after the lunch rush, so the dusting was the only thing left to do, save the fondant. It was nearly closing time, with just fifteen minutes until she shut down. But no sooner than she looked up did she see him open the door. Jonah was absolutely devastating. She had butterflies tickling her belly, and the prickle of nerves told her that she was about to get answers for the questions that ate at her during unoccupied moments.
But even worse, she knew that she didn’t want to know whatever it was that he was about to reveal. His face was heavily lined, as if he had a major weight that pressed on him from all sides. As he sauntered to the counter, she cleaned so heavily that she could feel intense heat radiating from the spot beneath her hand from too much friction. But she couldn’t stop. She felt paralyzed, as if he mesmerized her.
When he stood before her at the counter, she still buffed away the circles paced faster and faster. His hand covered hers, the heat from his palm burning hotter than the nearly spit-shined countertop. But the flame scorched her when his fingers wrapped around her wrist, and he tugged at her arm. This time he made her give in and bring the space between them to a close.
Chapter Five:
Truth, Consequences, & Social Security
“Lock the door, Jaden.”
“Why?” She knew why, or at least she could guess.
“Because I need you to.” The word need was the only thing she heard. The rest was drowned out by the sound of her own heartbeat. She did just as he asked and locked the door quickly before she walked back toward him.
What did he want? The only thing that could cross her mind was his lips and how they would taste. But she shook the thought off as if the query were toilet paper stuck to her shoe.
“You asked me to close my shop fifteen minutes early. How much is my time worth to you?” she asked teasingly, although she didn’t really know what answer she wanted in response.
“It’s worth more than you would ever guess.”
“Really? Well, I would like to know.” She quirked her brow, the left one because she wanted him to see the motion, and the right one was hidden beneath her bangs.
“Jaden Bishop, it would depend on what the fifteen minutes are for. I would pay every dollar in my account for a quarter hour inside you right now.” She was floored. If she had only minutes left on earth, being able to have him inside her would be the only thing left on her to-do list. Although, Jaden thought, she would prefer more time than a measly partial hour.
“How much is in your account right now?”
He laughed. “Depends on the account. The smallest balance is incidental spending, and only has a few thousand in it.”
“Tempting…but that isn’t why you are here. Is it?” She cocked an eyebrow at him, which spurred another chuckle.
“No, but I think you knew that the moment you saw me.”
“Pretty much. But I think it’s time you told me the truth.”
No sooner than she asked for the truth, Jonah took her to the same small table he sat at earlier in the day.
* * * *
“I’m going to give you this file. I want you to read it and then call me when you are done.” Jonah was sure that he was going to shoot himself in the foot with his choice. But she was too smart for him to try and get away with anything less than full disclosure.
“You’re going to leave it here?” Jaden appeared surprised, as if she assumed he would try and bombard her with information to trick her into giving up whatever he wanted.
He wasn’t that stupid. “I may as well. I don’t want you to be influenced by my thoughts. But I do need your help.” Jonah hated the idea of asking for aid, but that was why he was here in the first place. If anyone could help him wipe this particular scum off of the face of the earth, it was Jaden.
She was beautiful enough to make any man look twice, and many a man had been disarmed by lovely women throughout history. But she was also smart enough to be dangerous in every way and no one would ever see her coming. Her stature was perfect. Jaden was so small that no healthy red-blooded man would consider her a threat until their throat was slit from ear to ear.
That was why he needed her. He wanted to go to a slave auction and use the information he found to disband the group altogether. But he needed someone with him that could assist him without appearing to do so. It was a classic maneuver, but the reason it was a classic was because it was a solid plan that worked more often than not.
Jonah stood up and pulled her to her feet.
“I don’t want you to think that this”— and he flicked two fingers in the space between them—“has anything to do with that.” Jonah pointed at the dossier on the table.
She looked perplexed at his gesture
s, but before she could open her mouth to retort, his lips met hers. The first emotion he felt was relief, but quickly the spark of gratitude was burned away with the taste of her. Her mouth had a faint heat, as if she’d just eaten habaneros. Her tongue tasted of pure sugar and rasped over his eagerly.
Jonah fisted one hand in the enticing ribbon that belted her apron closed, and the other slapped the wall behind her back. Her ankle ended up crooked around his calf, and both her hands fisted greedily in his shirt fabric. He wanted more. So much more and Jaden’s desires seemed at one with his. She smelled amazing and homey. He never imagined that the scent of baked bread with vanilla would be his undoing. Or his romantic fall from grace.
Jonah was hard as a stone pillar. He shared the agonized length with her in a sensual grind against her belly and enjoyed her shudders against him. Her breaths were his, then vice versa, and he was lucky that breathing was an autonomic function or he would have died twice already.
It was at that point that he knew that he would take her here and now if he didn’t walk away.
It only took a moment for him to come back to reality when he realized where they were and what he was nearly about to do to her. They were too close to the point of no return, and he didn’t want their initial coupling to be against a wall. Jonah certainly planned to take her against many surfaces, with walls being on that list also, just not their first time.
Irritated he had to let go of her, Jonah took a deep breath that flared his nostrils painfully. Now wasn’t the time to indulge in more, no matter what her body asked for. They both needed a clear head for the decisions to come.
His release of her flesh was tortured, and she shivered brusquely as if cold from the dearth of contact after the prior surfeit of interaction with his flesh. Jonah’s gait on exit was stiff from hard cock and no place for the erection to call home. As he left, he could feel her gaze bore into his back, and he knew that she felt the chemistry the same way.
The Laughing Assassin [Assassin's Diary] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 7