A slight shrug of his shoulder eased the ache. He adjusted the damn sling for what seemed like the tenth time. He wanted to go without it, but his arm wasn’t quite strong enough…yet. A weakness he couldn’t hide. His departure from the hospital against medical orders would land him in a world of shit. A mental shrug threw that concern away. He would deal with the repercussions. Screw it. If there was a chance to see her again, he was going to take it. Shit, the worst Gabriel could do is fire him again, right? Worth the price if she showed. At least he’d know she was alright.
*
Victoria tried to stop her nervous drumming of her fingers against the car door, but the alternative was to check her make-up…again. Her hand lifted to her hair to smooth it back. Damn, she just couldn’t sit still. Once again, she wondered if she had gone overboard on the dress and shoes. The flame-red angora wool dress hugged her body like a second skin and molded to her toned thighs. The combed angora gave the illusion of softness that almost forced a person to touch the fabric. Her breasts mounded tantalizingly above an ultra-low scoop of the neckline and the now nicely toned muscles of her long arms peeked from the shoulder to cuff slits in the sleeves. Her classic, four-inch black Louboutin pumps with the red soles that matched her dress made her six-foot, two-inches tall, but the man she remembered from the plane would still be taller. A simple, black leather rope necklace with her favorite diamond solitaire drop and diamond stud earrings completed her ensemble. She checked her lip stain and added some gloss.
For the first time in a long time, she worried about what someone thought of her appearance. The sensation sent a small tremble of fear that she tried to squelch. She wanted Jacob to see her for who she was now, not what she had been. A larger wave of anxiety washed over her at the thought he might not show hit her once again. Her fears had mocked her all year, but tonight they screamed for attention. He only kept you company. The talk of the date provided nothing more than a distraction to keep your thoughts from your injuries. Tori’s eyes misted as she fought the disappointment that threatened to overtake her.
Two years ago, these types of emotions wouldn’t have run rampant. What happened to that fearless woman? Life happened. Her time at the ranch in South Dakota had healed her body and therapy had helped her learn mechanisms to cope, but from time to time, the PTSD still kicked her butt. She blinked several times and tried to talk the fears away. She repeated reaffirmations almost as a mantra. I can do this. What’s the worst that could happen? Okay, so he doesn’t show. If he doesn’t, I’ll have a glass of wine while I wait for the car and go back to South Dakota. This date doesn’t impact who I am. Still…he would show. He had to.
The streetlights passed and she recalled the steel blue eyes of the mercenary who’d saved her life. She saw his massive muscled shoulders and chest, the way he towered over his men and the way his uniform accentuated his wonderful physique. Tori blushed at the desire she felt. For weeks after the rescue, she had meticulously recreated every memory, every glimpse she’d had of Jacob. When she recalled his sense of humor and his smile, the tenderness in his eyes and the gentleness of his hands, it brought her a warm sense of comfort. Lord knew she would recognize his voice at once if she heard it again. That deep southern accent with its rich timber surrounded her every recollection of him and visited her in dreams at night. Every detail of the man seared a profound and permanent brand in her memory
The car slowed as it pulled near the front of O’Malley’s. The driver lowered the privacy glass and explained he needed to wait for the limo in front of them to unload its passengers. Victoria looked at her watch and noted the time. Ten minutes late. She worried her bottom lip nervously. God, she hoped the grace period he granted still applied. The young chauffeur pulled up, parked, exited the car and jogged around to her door. The driver opened the door with a flourish and held his hand out for Tori as she exited. At least thirty people milled around the immaculately landscaped courtyard, preventing Tori from seeing if Jacob waited for her.
*
Jacob looked back towards the front of the building, his impatience growing in exact proportion to his pain. A long sexy leg adorned with come-fuck-me-now stilettos appeared from the vehicle at the curb. He and every man in front of the establishment turned and admired, as a smoking hot blond emerged. Her mass of dark honey-blond hair veiled her face when she unfolded from the car. The fire engine red dress she wore should’ve been illegal. It molded every curve of an exceptional, toned body. Whoever that woman’s date was tonight had better have a gun. Damn, that woman was combustible. Discouragement started to set in. Where the hell was Tori?
The phenomenal beauty in the killer red dress finished her conversation with her driver and moved with graceful ease onto the sidewalk, her eyes focused on the front door. Well…fuck me. He couldn’t prevent the Cheshire cat smile that spread across his face as he recognized her. My God. He’d hoped she might be an acceptable looking woman under the filth and bruises, but damned if she didn’t surpass acceptable by miles. You are one lucky son-of-a-bitch, King… I think someone up there likes you after all. Tori scanned the crowd, and he stepped forward.
*
She recognized his towering stature the instant she saw him and her face lit up with an unadulterated smile of delight. With a self-discipline she didn’t know she had, she took her time walking up to him. Her eyes lingered on his dark grey Armani suit, black shirt, tie, and matching sling that held his left arm. The man was far, far sexier than she recalled. His broad shoulders stretched the suit jacket and he stood several inches taller than her heel-enhanced stature. Her body shivered with anticipation as she stopped directly in front of him and looked up into his eyes.
On a desire-filled impulse she leaned forward, careful not to touch his injured arm, and kissed him softly on the lips. “Thank you for not forgetting our date.”
Jacob’s eyebrows rose and his voice rumbled in a low whisper as his good arm circled her waist and held her in a light embrace. “If that kiss is for not standing you up, what do I get for rescuing you?”
Tori blushed at his stare. She ran her hand down his good arm, and shivered at the electric sensations that jolted through her. “Jacob, I don’t know that I could ever repay you for saving me.”
She moved closer into his warmth, a shield from the crisp October evening and felt his hard masculine body tense. A low growl came from his throat as he pulled her closer. The idea she affected him was heady and empowering. She couldn’t stop smiling. “Are you hungry? I’m starving.”
Jacob’s face seemed etched in stone, unreadable as he stared at her. His southern accent carried his sexual innuendo to her. “I’m ravenous, but I suppose we should dine since we have reservations. Don’t you?” Tori unleashed a melodic and carefree laugh that swirled around them. She felt her face flush as she replied, “Yes, I guess we should.”
As soon as the hostess saw Jacob, she waved him through the line of people who waited for a seat and led them to a private and semi-secluded table towards the rear of the restaurant. Jacob had some serious influence to get preferential seating. Tori recognized at least one Congressman waiting to be seated.
She sat down as Jacob held her chair for her and waited for him to take his seat. She looked across the table at him and gave him a frustrated grimace. “You know…I’m sorry, but this…” Tori gestured with a circular motion of her hand around the tabletop, “really isn’t going to work.”
She stood and moved her chair next to him, reached for his napkin and sat down. Jacob’s surprised look made her laugh again as she shook out his napkin and laid it across his lap. “Really, how are you going to eat a rib eye steak with one arm if I don’t help? Or were you going to pay extra to have it cut up for you?”
Jacob waited to respond until the highly efficient and now completely panicked waitstaff rearranged the place settings.
He leaned in close and smiled that Cheshire cat grin—again. “Believe me, darlin’…I’ve no problem with you being closer to me.”
Tori put an elbow on the table next to his, propped her chin in her hand and gazed up at him. She batted her eyes innocently and quipped, “So spill it.”
*
He stared at her beautiful face taking in every detail. Her high cheekbones were flushed; her eyes, no longer strained from pain, were reflective pools of emotion framed with unbelievably long lashes. A few freckles dusted her pert nose. Her lips were full, heart-shaped, and painted red to match her dress. Those lips, alone, drove the fire in his blood twenty degrees hotter. Her scent drifted toward him, soft, light, and intoxicating. Her body made his respond with a passion he had never dreamt the dinner tonight would entail.
In an attempt to feign innocence, he took a drink of water and cocked his head at her. “Excuse me?”
“The sling. Spill the goods.”
He stalled and looked around the restaurant, noting the business was still strong. “There’s nothing to tell, really.” He spoke as he took in the makeup of the crowded dining room instinctually assessing avenues of the familiar building to ensure egress and attack avenues had not changed. Jacob returned his attention to Tori and lifted an eyebrow in a silent challenge.
Tori closed her eyes. Her long lashes rested on her cheeks as she shook her head. She opened her eyes and searched his expression. “I’m not buying what you’re selling. What actually happened?”
Jacob chuckled. No, she was intelligent enough not to accept anything less than the truth, and he absolutely loved she could see through his pretense. “Do you remember Chief?”
When Tori nodded, her blond hair fell over her shoulder in a thick cascade. “Big guy, red bandanna, played with the communications equipment, backed your favorite meal story.”
Her immaculate recall of the events from that plane ride a year ago almost floored him. He corrected her. “No. Not a story—the truth, hence our date tonight. Anyway, for some reason Chief decided falling out of a helicopter would be exciting. I reached for him. He grabbed my arm. According to the laws of human physiology, my arm would not bend the way his two hundred-sixty pounds of body weight was pulling me and presto…a sling.”
She grimaced. “Broken?”
“No, strained when it dislocated and there was some other minor damage. Been in this,” he indicated the sling, “for almost a week now. I’m ready to be out of it.”
Tori leaned forward in her chair and he got an eyeful of her full bust. His hungry eyes traveled over her. God, how could he not have seen how incredible this woman was a year ago.
“He just decided to fall out of a helicopter? You wouldn’t have been taking hostile fire now would you?” Her question was barely a whisper.
Jacob shrugged his good shoulder. “You know, I don’t recall any specifics about that night.”
Tori giggled and mouthed, “Bullshit,” as the sommelier walked to the table, handing the wine list to Jacob.
Jacob felt a deep warmth grow in his chest when he saw the same sass she had wielded a year ago. Without looking at the wine list, he handed it back to the sommelier. “We would like a bottle of 2009 Tor 'Beckstoffer To Kalon - Clone 4' Cabernet Sauvignon.”
The waiter cleared his throat. “I’m sorry sir that is not a brand we carry for sale.”
Jacob turned and looked at the man beside the table for the first time. “You’re new. Go find Justin King and tell him Jacob wants his damn wine.” The man frowned at Jacob as he held the wine list nervously flipping it in his grasp. Jacob cocked an eyebrow and in a level voice commanded, “Do. It. Now.”
*
Tori pitied the poor man. The sommelier almost ran from the table. She smiled at the disturbance the little man caused with the rest of the wait staff. Tori shifted in her seat and leaned around Jacob as she continued to watch the small bald man disappear in a panic around the corner. “I take it by your comments you are a regular here?”
Jacob nodded and reached again for his water, “That is one way to put it.”
“And the other way?”
He shrugged. He couldn’t stifle his slight wince. “The other way would be to say that I’m one of the owners.”
Sudden movement drew Tori’s attention to a tall dark-haired man. His focused aggression preceded him as he approached the table rapidly. She set the glass down and murmured. “Incoming…your six.”
Her experienced warning prompted what she assumed was an automatic response for her warrior. He stood and pivoted in one controlled movement and balanced his weight on the balls of both his feet as he placed himself between her and what appeared to be an approaching threat. As he spun, his good hand reached under his coat. From the size of the bulge under his jacket, the weapon was big enough to be a .45 automatic.
Jacob relaxed and move his hand away from his concealed armament. The approaching man never broke stride as he enveloped Jacob in a massive bear hug. The man lifted Jacob off his feet and slapped his back several times. Jacob’s face paled, and Tori saw pain in his eyes.
“Jacob, why in the hell didn’t you tell me you were back in town? What in God’s name did you do to your arm now, sissy boy? You are continually finding ways to hurt yourself, aren’t you? Just another boo-boo? But seriously dude, when did you get back?” The man peered at Tori over Jacob’s shoulder. “Oh…my…God…well…hello…gorgeous!”
Jacob pushed the man away. “Down boy, mine—not yours!” Jacob turned to Tori as he made the introductions. He moved his shoulder as he spoke, his discomfort obvious. “Victoria, may I introduce one of my older brothers, Justin King.”
Justin took Tori’s hand and lifted it to his lips. His eyes rolled as he turned back to Jacob. “Shit man, you’re home and you brought a beautiful woman to our restaurant. Dude! Way to make an appearance. I may be only one of four, but I’m the best brother he has. The others?” Justin crinkled his nose and made a face. “Believe me, they are way too intense and have serious control issues. You only need to know me.” Jacob rolled his eyes to the heavens just as his brother had and sat down at the table. Justin pulled up a chair next to Tori, across from his brother, and stared at her. “Victoria, how do you know my scoundrel of a brother?”
Tori blushed and looked through her lashes at Jacob. “Scoundrel? God, no! Justin, you must have the wrong man. Jacob is my knight in shining armor. He actually rescued me from a hellish date. The man I was with at the time was absolutely horrible. Jacob literally swept me off my feet. Our first night together is one I’ll never forget.”
Tori assessed Jacob’s brother as she visited. Justin’s eyes were greener, his features were not as sharp, his body was not as bulked with muscle, and he did not have the severe edge that made Jacob so sexy and attractive, yet the man was gorgeous. He was obviously not in Jacob’s profession, but Tori recognized his intelligence and the sharpness in his eyes. Justin was a warrior, but his battle raged on another front. It would be interesting to know where he fought and the enemies he conquered.
*
Jacob watched Tori as she told Justin about their first meeting. Her instinct not to reveal the relevant facts of the encounter, and yet not to lie, provided an endearing story. The talent also spoke to the skill and developed traits of an experienced operative, someone trained in the subtlety of innuendo and half-truths. Justin would be easy to manipulate with those skills. His brother had nothing to do with Guardian. Justin owned and managed four exclusive and Zagat Top Rated restaurants, one in D.C, two in New York and one in Las Vegas. He was a multi-millionaire by the effort of his own sweat and hard work. “Dude, we were trying to have dinner, and we are on a rather tight schedule. We have other things planned.”
“Really and what would those things be?” Justin grinned.
Without a doubt, Justin designed the question to embarrass him in front of his date.
Tori blushed and put a possessive hand on Jacob’s arm, “Well, actually, you can blame me for the rush. I asked Jacob for an early night tonight. I recently returned to town and wanted to get him to myself as soon as possible.�
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Jacob’s hand covered hers, and he felt her jump as he gave her a gentle squeeze. Their eyes met and held. The space between them sizzled.
Justin cleared his throat and stood up. “Well, I’m the obvious third wheel here. Victoria, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
Tori pull her eyes away from him, her blush deepening. “It was nice to meet you too.”
Justin clamped his hand on Jacob’s good shoulder and squeezed as he departed. “I’ll tell the staff you are a priority, and I’ll send out a bottle or two of your Beckstoffer. We wouldn’t want to delay your evening.” Without a backward glance, the big man went to an adjacent table and greeted the patrons.
Jacob held her hand on his arm as she looked back into his eyes. He smiled, leaned in and kissed her. The light press of his lips hinted at a promise of more. “That is a thank you for putting up with my brother.”
Tori’s smile spread as she wrinkled her nose at him. “He’s sweet.” Jacob leaned in and kissed her again. This time he ran the tip of his tongue along her full bottom lip. Sweet merciful God, she sighed and melted into his arms. Her lips opened and relaxed allowing him to deepen the kiss.
A discrete cough crashed through his…what? Need? Want? Jacob glanced at the sommelier holding two bottles of wine and nodded towards the table. “Just open them and leave, please.” Tori rested her head against his good shoulder as they watched the nervous little man. When he left, Jacob bent his head down, her soft scent drawing him to her and kissed her hair. “I thought it could be blond, but I wasn’t sure.”
Jacob Page 4