by Honey Jans
"Behave,” he said, leaning in to pluck off her helmet just as the hit man wandered out of the house to greet them.
She flicked a cautious glance at The Saint, deciding his mug shot didn't do him justice. Handsome, if you liked tall, dark, and suave killers. She preferred her rugged lover Ace, and inched a little closer to him. She watched The Saint smile at the telling action.
"I was beginning to think you weren't coming, Amigo,” he said, flicking a steady glance at Ace.
"Some morning visitors held us up,” Ace said, looping his arm around her waist.
"Ah,” Santos said, “Tres Lobos."
"I trust all is in readiness,” Ace said.
Santos smiled and then turned to look at Melanie. “First introduce me to your charming companion,” he said.
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Chapter 13
Ace got the message, nobody got into The Aerie un-vetted, not even innocent women. The annoyed look he gave Santos was met with amusement. “This is Melanie Cordova."
"Kidnapped CIA agent,” she shot in.
Ace wanted to paddle her, but the defiant look she gave him was unrepentant. She'd guessed Santos's identity, or somehow she was in the loop, which surprised him. What she didn't know was that The Saint was a valuable Delta Star ally.
"Charmed,” Santos said, taking her hand and kissing it.
Ace burned as he watched Melanie blush. The damned hand kissing Latin lover wasn't going to steal his woman. “Well?"
Santos grinned and dropped her hand. “Follow me. I'm sure your lady would like to freshen up."
Ace ushered Melanie into the shadowed, yet plush recesses of Santos's palatial hacienda and relaxed his guard once they were inside. Beside him, Melanie let out a little sigh of pleasure when the air conditioning wafted over them, and he felt it deep inside. Every male bit of him was in tune with her, but he knew he needed to refocus. The first thing was to talk to Santos and then go to war, and he didn't want to risk Melanie getting caught in the crossfire. He heard the beat of salsa music coming from the kitchen. He sighed. “Manny?"
Santos nodded. “He's on spring break from the college."
A twenty-four-year-old man wearing a loud tropical shirt and board shorts slid into the room and his eyes widened when he caught sight of Melanie. “Wow your taste is improving, Boss,” he said to Santos, earning a growl from the drug lord.
"Did you send those faxes?” Santos said.
"I'm on it,” he said and then smiled at Ace. “It's good to see you, Ace. He didn't tell me you were coming or I would have made your favorite dish, but it looks like you've already picked one up.” He gave Melanie a playful leer, guaranteed to goad his boss.
For Melanie's part, she lightened up and laughed when she saw the stern look on Santos's face. “Sugar, meet Manny Reyes. Apparently he's on spring break and enjoying it."
"I don't tell you everything, kid,” Santos chimed in with a rueful smile, adding, “Don't you have homework to do?"
"Later,” he said with a shrug.
"Now,” Santos said, as Manny walked away.
"I think that's our cue to go freshen up, Sugar,” Ace said, taking Melanie's arm.
"Yes. I'm sure you'd like to get out of Carmen's clothes,” Santos said, glancing at Melanie.
She stopped and looked at him after flashing a suspicious glance Ace's way. “I've been meaning to ask, who's this Carmen person and why does she dress like a hooker?” she asked waiting.
Santos smiled. “Carmen is a lady friend of mine. As far as I know she has nothing to do with your man."
"Oh,” she said blushing. “I didn't mean to call her a..."
"Stop stammering, Sugar, I'm sure Santos understands,” Ace said, taking her arm and steering her toward a hallway. Behind him he heard Santos chuckle and grumbled. His old pal was going to enjoy ribbing him about it.
"Take the ocean suite,” Santos said.
"I intend to,” Ace said ushering Melanie down the tiled hall to the suite at the end of the corridor. Only when he shooed her into the well-disguised safe room did he drop his guard. He trusted Santos with his back but he never took chances. He shut the door behind him with a quiet snick and suddenly they were in their own world. He stood still watching Melanie take in the plush surroundings, seeing it through her eyes. Large bulletproof windows overlooked the cliffs and the sea below, a king sized bed and a sitting area. “All the comforts of home and then some,” he said dryly.
She turned to look at him. “Your friend lives well."
He didn't miss the disapproval in her tone. “You don't approve."
"I'm sure he doesn't need my approval,” she said tightly. “Do you know what he does for a living?"
"Come with me,” he said, dropping their bag on the bed and grabbing her wrist. He knew she disapproved of Santos but he wasn't free to talk about their connection.
"Where are you taking me?” she asked, willingly going with him.
Ace felt honored by the affection and trust he saw in her eyes. At least she trusted him a little bit. “You'll see,” he said, leading her into the bathroom. He grinned at her audible gasp and had to agree as he looked at the palatial marble bathroom. Santos had good, if extravagant, taste he thought, sardonically acknowledging his jealousy. There was no way he could compete with that ... not that he wanted to. If Melanie ever got to his ranch, she'd find much plainer surroundings. Big if, he told himself firmly, putting thoughts of the future on the back burner. He knew better than most it didn't pay to think about tomorrow, they still had to get through today.
"Ready to come clean with me, Sugar?” he asked, tugging her into his arms. Her little flustered gasp and the heated look in her eyes made him smile. There was no way she could keep secrets from him.
"I'm way ahead of you, Cowboy.” She recovered quickly and reached for his shirt buttons. He stood firmly as he let her strip him, heating as her breasts brushed against him. Through the barely-there tube top, he could see her nipples were stiff. Not half as stiff as his cock, he thought, with ironic self-humor. When she reached for his zipper, and tugged it down, he groaned as it compressed his cock. “Easy, Love."
She flashed him a worried look. “Are you okay?"
"I'll probably die if you don't hurry up,” he gritted out, seeing her secret smile as she finished stripping him bare. He pulled her to her feet. “My turn.” He tugged her tube top up over her head and tossed it on the floor, baring her beautiful breasts. Gazing at them for a long beat, he felt his pulse leap in his veins. He leaned forward to lick one strawberry peak, drinking in her moan. Damn she was sweet. She arched out for him and he obliged, sucking the jewel into his mouth while he pulled down her shorts. When her shorts hit the floor, they both shuddered. He needed a cold shower bad, he decided, turning on the water. But he knew even a cold shower wouldn't cool him off when she was with him.
"I must say, your friend has a fun bathroom,” she said, looking at the shower. “The double rain shower with the body sprays was a stroke of genius."
"Santos does things in a big way."
"I noticed,” she said dryly.
Her continued disdain made him feel like smiling. Women usually fell into Santos's hands like ripe plums, especially when they saw his wealth. “So you don't like the plush surroundings?"
"It's not real to me,” she said with a shrug. “I guess I like something a little more homespun."
The fact he felt like celebrating was a red flag. He was getting way too emotionally involved, he realized fatalistically. It was the first step to disaster for a field agent. “Is that so,” he said noncommittally, trying to get his head straight but he knew it wouldn't work. He was involved and he wouldn't change it, even if he knew he couldn't keep her.
"Uh huh,” she said locking gazes with him. “Tell me about your life in Texas,” she said moving in on him.
The sun came out when she smiled and he backed her into the shower. “Later,” he said. “First let's wash the jungle off ourselves
.” He picked a bit of leaf out of her hair.
She blushed and reached her hands up to her hair. “Lord, I must look a mess splattered with dirt from the road."
He smiled, feeling happy that she wanted to look good for him. “I'm just as muddy."
"Yeah, but it looks good on you,” she said, running a hand down his front.
He melted at her touch, heating up all over, especially his cock, which she teased by barely grazing it. She was getting way too smug in her treatment of him and he liked it. Setting aside all his reservations, he decided to relax and enjoy what might be their last moments of bliss together. She probably wouldn't want him when this mission came to an end anyway. Holding Melanie's sweetly curved body against his he felt a possessive wave come over him that astounded him. He was never one for permanent relationships, but she was the kind of woman that could make a man change.
"This is perfect,” she said, closing her eyes.
"Absolutely perfect,” he agreed not wanting to let her go, knowing he needed to. If she every truly came to him it would be because she wanted the real him. His cock ached as she pressed against him, driving him mad and distracting him from duty. “Behave,” he scolded, giving her ass a smack.
"Oh,” she gasped, shimmying against him.
Ace felt it right down to his cock as she rubbed her body up and down his, making him a little bit crazy. Reaching behind her, he gave her three spanks. His eyes narrowed when she pouted up at him, her body radiant, and he wanted nothing more than to forget the mission and get lost in her. Dimly he remembered Santos was in his office waiting to debrief him, but he didn't care. “Are you asking for a spanking, Love?"
"What do you think?” she asked unrepentantly, arching against him.
He bit back a groan as she rubbed her tits against him and his balls tightened. “I think you should be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.” He squeezed her ass and she blushed, letting out a breathy little sound that made his cock twitch.
She smiled. “You don't think I can handle it?"
"I think you're all mixed up now and when this is over you'll go back to hating my guts."
She shook her head. “Never gonna happen, Cowboy."
He knew he was in trouble deep when she reached down to take his cock in a confident grip and his knees damned near buckled. Damn! It was all he could do to pick her up and thrust into her wet heat. “Wrap your legs around me, Melanie and hang on tight."
"Oh, yes,” she gasped, clinging to him.
Ace groaned as her cunt rippled on his thrusting cock, wetting the head, as he drove into her. He drew back his hand and gave her saucy bottom a smack making her cry out and quiver around him. He groaned as her pussy milked at him. “That's it Babe, take your spanking.” He timed his spanks with his thrust making them both groan. Smack, he hit her left cheek, she sobbed, her pussy spasming. Smack, right cheek, she quivered around him. “That's it Babe, let me know you want it,” he crooned. He kept up the blows until she was whimpering, her cunt milking at him, as his balls grew tight to his body. He was close to coming, but he wanted her to come first. He arched higher into her and caught her on the bottom of her rosy ass, driving her higher onto his cock, making her shriek. He drank in her sexy cries, drunk on them. “Come now,” he said, giving her another upward spank, coming high and hard inside her.
Melanie slowly drifted back to Earth, still held securely in Ace's arms as the water streamed around them. Showers were always so hot for them, she couldn't help wondering what kind of shower he had back at his ranch ... king sized, she hoped. She held tight to him, loving the feel of his strong arms around her. “Oh my, that was intense."
"Umm,” he murmured nuzzling her nape.
When he started to let her go, she held on for an extra moment. He was probably going back into agent mode and she preferred him naked and with her. “You trying to get rid of me, Cowboy?” She leaned back far enough to look him in the eye and saw what she thought was a flash of regret in his eyes. Was he thinking about leaving her? She wasn't about to let that happen. She was going to fight for her man.
"I wouldn't dream of it, Love, but Santos is probably wondering what's keeping me."
Melanie sighed, following him into the bedroom as she sensed him distancing himself again. He was too damned good at playing ghost.
"Why don't you lie down and take a nap while I see about our supper?"
She eyed him curiously, hearing his change of tone as he dressed in slacks and a rayon shirt, sliding his feet into loafers. It transformed him into a clone of their host. He was trying to get rid of her so he could ... what ... meet with his criminal amigo? He was trying to work around her and she didn't like it very much. But gazing at the determination in his eyes, she knew she'd have to be sneaky to stay involved. “Fine,” she said, turning back the covers on the bed and lying down. His victorious smile made her just as determined to fight her own way. But as she sunk into the warm comfort of the bed, and closed her eyes relaxing, sleep caught up with her.
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Chapter 14
Ace made his way down the corridors of his host's hacienda trying to refocus his mind on business. It wasn't easy with the alluring distraction he'd left sleeping in the bedroom. He could slide between the sheets and dive in deep, but he knew he had to cool it, think for the both of them. If he let her run wild, she'd try to take control and risk her neck. No, it was better this way. A clean break and he'd free her to make her own choice.
He stepped into his office and took in the wall of computers and the man by the bookshelf. Santos held up a bottle.
"Want some?"
"Yeah,” he said, accepting a drink. He took a seat.
"Tell me what you need."
"A few answers would be good. Like who set her up and why?"
"I've heard through channels you went rogue. My orders are to apprehend you and bring you in."
Ace looked at his friend, feeling the noose tighten. But Santos's expression didn't waver. “So where are the handcuffs?"
"If I wanted to take you out, I wouldn't need them,” Santos said with a smile.
They exchanged a look. Ace was well aware of his talents, and had gone up against him on occasion.
"You got a fax,” Santos said, sliding a drink in front of him.
Ace slanted him an amused look. “I take it you think I'm going to need this."
"Could be,” he said with a shrug. “Did you know you've been playing with dynamite?"
Ace felt a chill go over him at the words. What now? “Tell me."
"You might want to take out extra insurance seeing that you've kidnapped Don Harry Leone's niece."
Ace winced and looked down at the dossier Clark had compiled for confirmation. “So that's what she's been hiding. Do you think that's why they hit her, hoping to cause a gang war?"
"Doubtful, her lineage isn't common knowledge. The CIA director has kept it under wraps. Apparently she didn't know herself until she went through clearance."
Ace winced, feeling sympathy for her. “No wonder she's so touchy."
"Yeah, she would have been persona non grata if it had gotten out."
"So what's your next step?” Santos asked.
"Rattle a few cages and see what rears its ugly head,” he said, reaching for Santos's desk phone. “Is this untraceable?"
"Of course,” Santos said with a shrug.
Ace punched Mile's Vance's number. He needed to get to the bottom of things now. He heard the man pick up and hesitate.
"Who is this?” Vance asked.
"Guess,” Ace said, and waited while the other man sucked in a shocked breath.
"Riser, why the hell haven't you checked in? I've been beating the bushes for you. I thought you were dead."
* * * *
Melanie woke up feeling cocooned in softness. She lifted her head off the pillows and looked around the plush palace. Santos lived like the robber baron he was. Ace was nowhere to be seen. For a moment sh
e panicked, thinking he'd left her, then she calmed down. They'd bonded; he wouldn't just leave. Besides, they were both on the same mission and she had a job to do.
She hurriedly got dressed, putting on the sundress and sandals Ace had laid out for her. As she smoothed the designer garment over her body, she thought that Santos didn't spare any expense. Of course, being a rich drug lord, he didn't have to. She hated drugs and the people that sold them. Despite her host's charm, she'd happily see him thrown in jail.
She walked to the bedroom door and let herself out into the hall, stopping to listen. Where was everyone? Hopefully, Ace was organizing their rescue. She padded down the hall and heard his voice.
"You figured we were dead, didn't you, Vance?” Ace said sharply.
Melanie sucked in a shocked breath. What the hell was he trying to do, sign his own death warrant?
He let out a grim chuckle. “Funny thing that, someone did try to take us out. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"
She tensed, trying to listen without getting caught.
"If you think I'm going to tell you where I am, you're crazy. When we meet, it'll be on my terms. Fire me for insubordination if you want. ‘Cause, on purpose or not, you fucked up. Why'd you send me to take out an innocent?” he demanded.
Melanie listened to his deceptively calm voice and knew he wanted to wring Vance's neck. The fact he was putting his life and career on the line for her touched her deeply.
"Hell no, she was no assassin, but I am. Yeah, I'm threatening you. Make one move toward her and you won't live to regret it."
"Now cut the crap. I want to meet ... tomorrow night, eight o'clock at the old fort in Cartagena. Be there."
At last, this would be over. She was almost ready to make herself known, when Ace's voice stopped her. “I want you to keep her on ice until this is over."
"And then?” Santos asked.
"Send her home first class so she can go back to the computer lab."
"Alone?” Santos asked.
"Yes,” Ace said gruffly.