Under the Sun: A Companion Novella to Beneath Her Skin

by Mikell, Beth

  Under the Sun

  A Companion Novella to Beneath Her Skin

  By Beth Mikell

  Copyright © 2017 by Beth Mikell

  All rights reserved.

  www.bethmikell.com

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Illustration Copyright © 2017 Can Stock Photo Inc.

  Cover design by Kardo Designs

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing: June 2017

  Author Note: What happened behind the scenes of Beneath Her Skin? Catch a glimpse. See another point of view as familiar characters make a reappearance. Includes new content. This story is a standalone.

  Jennifer West lives a vibrant life, taking risks in her personal life…one man at a time. On her quest to find Mr. Right, she meets Jake Donavan. A man with some serious sex appeal. Yet he falls under the Mr. Wrong category. He’s an ex-black ops agent, working head of security for S-Tec. Jennifer’s mugging sends up a red flag, and Donavan works behind the scenes to discover her attacker. But there is something she doesn’t want him to discover, yet no secret can stay buried forever. As her stalker closes in, Donavan shows his gentle side—a man he hasn’t allowed himself to be in a long time.

  Danger is rising and only one man may protect her…

  Prologue

  Jake Donavan’s latest protection assignment entered a familiar building, and he burned with shock. Was the Big Man Upstairs taking His pound of flesh for his choices? Donavan thought so as he stared up at the expensive apartment building.

  He immediately whipped out his phone, dialing S-Tec Security. He reached the head honcho, Kirk Mitchell, wasting no time with his request. “Mitchell, I need to verify an address.” He rattled off the location.

  The other man huffed. “Hugo is more than capable of such remedial tasks.”

  Mitchell was an A-Class prick, but Donavan tolerated him for the sake of his job. “Do it,” he bit out, hearing the clack of the keyboard.

  Kirk huffed. “It’s called Skyros Apartments and the list of tenants is extensive. Which door number?”

  “Penthouse.”

  More silence, and then Kirk said, “It’s leased to a Jennifer Anne West.”

  “Cross check that with Brooke Stone,” Donavan said, wondering how screwed he was.

  “Brooke Stone? You know who she is—”

  “I know who she is to the boss man,” he growled. “I need to know the relationship between the women.”

  “Wow,” Kirk murmured under his breath. “Testy much.”

  Mitchell had no idea.

  “According to my records,” Kirk said, clearing his throat. “Ms. Stone and Ms. West attended Penn State together. And—”

  “That’s all.” Donavan killed the call, not bothering with more. He wasn’t in the mood. He didn’t need to hear that the two women were sorority sisters or whatever. He knew he was fucked.

  He stared up at the building, memories swarming his mind. He’d been there a month ago.

  Her name was Jennifer.

  He hadn’t known it before now. At any given moment, he could have searched her out and discovered her name for himself, but he hadn’t. He’d wanted their time together to be the height of memorable. Knowing her name would have tainted his experience. In his mind, he’d built her up as precious and beautiful. And unattainable for anything lasting. Sometimes he relived each moment with her, only to tuck away the memory. Such torture didn’t help, especially when fate wanted to kick his ass for walking away.

  After nearly two hours of waiting, Jennifer, Ms. Stone, and a swarm of women exited the building. He knew his place and he knew his job, but a sharp pain hit Donavan in the chest when he saw the woman who’d haunted his dreams.

  His gaze zeroed on Jennifer. She appeared so lovely. Each woman wore the same kind of shirt, exposing the shoulders. Jennifer’s was blue. She looked so vibrant and sassy. Her red hair brushed her shoulders, so sweet and innocent, but he knew how explosive she was. She’d shaken him down with her lips and hands, leaving a permanent mark on his soul.

  But he couldn’t tell her.

  He had a job to do.

  Protect Brooke Stone.

  Swallowing back his lust, desire, and wishes, he focused on his mission.

  Part One

  One Month Ago.

  Jennifer needed a night out on the town. Disappointments littered her workweek. She nearly lost her job when a client threatened to walk. They’d loved her ideas, but she’d screwed up by mispronouncing their company name throughout the entire meeting. She’d never been so embarrassed in her life.

  She needed to forget her failures and celebrate life.

  Finding herself at Looney’s proved to be exactly what she needed. She drank. She danced. She drank so more. There was no need to get drunk off her ass. This was about fun, not recklessness. She didn’t care whom she danced with, as long they moved to the rapid beat of the music.

  Until he brushed up against her.

  One man outmatched the testosterone level in the whole bar. How this was even possible, she didn’t know.

  The guy was tall. Solid muscle. He stirred her lust with only his deep, dark eyes. The intensity was too much. His heat scorched her.

  He barely moved on the floor, allowing her to rub, bump, and grind against him. He had close cropped hair and his unsmiling lips, but his hands...oh my God, his hands were strong. They held her close, pulled her tight, and left a steamy trail of need where he caressed her. She never met a man that held so much seduction over her…

  ~ 1 ~

  Jennifer West strode down Main Street with her Penn State crew; the girls she loved and trusted with her whole heart. Especially Brooke Stone. She eyed her best friend, loving how beautifully confident she appeared. Brooke needed this night to blow off steam. Life had thrown her friend a shit-ton of curveballs after losing her uncle to cancer and stuck with his debts.

  But no more.

  Tonight Jennifer and Brooke would shake off their hectic workweeks and have some much-needed fun.

  Mike waited for her. He was about average height with wavy brown hair and sparkling blue eyes. The guy could work a pair of jeans. They’d met after her decision to try skydiving; a feat she’d enjoyed. He’d been her instructor, and they’d hit it off. One drink. Two drinks. They’d ended up parting their zippers.

  He met her and her girls at the door of her favorite bar, Looney’s. His squad of dudes swarmed the front entrance, too, looking all hot and magnificent. This would be a great night, full of fun and excitement.

  She had faith.

  Mike snatched her up in his arms, laying a hot kiss across her lips. Nope. He did nothing for her—like their night had been. Stale. Lifeless. Forgettable.

  She knew deep down, she couldn’t continue this path of guys and too many nights. But she hated to think that her life would boil down to her own company in her high-rise apartment...alone. Yet she wasn’t game for more forgettable moments either.

  Something had to change.

  As her party people moved ahead of her, she lagged behind. Not that she minded. There was no reason to appear too eager.

  Out of the corner
of her eye, Jennifer saw him. The him she thought she’d never see again.

  Donavan.

  He is here?

  Her lusty reaction flamed.

  She chalked up her horn bee response to him as normal. He hit at least 6’4 of pure muscle—the kind that resembled The Rock, but hotter. His close cropped hair added to his sexy factor too. The pure chocolate sin of his eyes held a darkness beyond color, a mystery she’d never solved in their brief time together. He had a Roman nose with high cheekbones down to firm lips. A mouth that knew every inch of her too. They had hooked up. She wouldn’t think about him now. Maybe he’d leave if she ignored him.

  She had to forget him and she’d make herself. Her brain was on board with that concept, but tell that to her heart. Giving herself a mental shake, she would turn the corner on his dark and dangerous vibe.

  Donavan’s eyes narrowed and his firm, drive-me-wild lips were set in a firm line. He towered over her, making her feel all soft and feminine.

  He is too close.

  She hated that she cared.

  He invaded her personal space, his hand enclosing her wrist. “I need to speak with you, Red.”

  Jennifer jerked her arm away. “I have nothing to say to you,” she volleyed, taking a step forward, trying to escape him.

  “What game are you playing at?” he growled. “I have something serious to say.”

  He crowded her, as if he were trying to intimidate her. Her jaw hardened. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

  She knew she was being bitchy, but he chose now to act as if he gave a crap? That he knew her? No, not happening. Butt hurt, she would not be. As far as she knew, he didn’t even know her name. That wasn’t grounds for an urgent conversation.

  Underneath Looney’s lights overhead, his jaw ticked and his lips thinned. “Don’t play the ‘I don’t know you’ card, Jennifer. I wouldn’t have reached out, if it wasn’t important.”

  She bristled. How long had he known her name? Taken off guard, she didn’t want to deal with him right now. She twisted away before he could say another word. She had serious doubts that she’d hunt him down to rehash their time together.

  What is the point?

  Mike met her inside, his hands circling her waist. He drew her close and kissed the end of her nose. “Is everything okay, baby?”

  Jennifer pasted on a smile, wishing he were the big oaf she’d left outside. Such were pipe dreams.

  “Absolutely,” she said in a bright tone, hoping to sound convincing. She smoothed her hands up his arms, leaning close. “Do me a favor tonight.”

  He nodded. “Name it.”

  “My friend, Brooke, needs some extra fun tonight.”

  His eyebrow went up. “You thinking a threesome?” He shrugged. “I haven’t had one of those in a while. I’m game.”

  She rolled her eyes. “No. Jeez, you perv. I was thinking that you could ask some of your buddies to help her out with some body shots. Make her feel special.”

  A grin curved his lips. “Point her out and we’ll handle the rest.”

  That was easy, she thought. Anything for her best girl.

  “Let’s party, baby,” he murmured.

  Jennifer tried to pretend her encounter with Donavan didn’t matter. Yet she found herself looking for him. Her eyes sought him out, finding a heap of disappointment when she couldn’t locate him in the sea of nameless faces.

  After ordering some drinks with Mike, Jennifer threw a wink at Carlos, the bartender. She’d been here enough to know him. They’d recently begun chatting online, but he was like all men—wanting into her panties. She wasn’t feeling it. Not anymore.

  As she and Mike made their way over to their table, she found one of Mike’s friends next to Brooke. Jennifer shooed him away, flopping down in his chair, leaning close to Brooke’s ear. “You okay, baby doll?”

  She nodded. “Fine.”

  Her friend didn’t appear fine. Jennifer pulled a face. “Good fine? Or angry fine?” She worried about her. If Brooke didn’t lose her doom and gloom expression soon, she didn’t know what else to do. Her friend had been battling too much stress for one so young. At this rate, she’d need Botox soon.

  Her friend shrugged, not answering. Mike arrived with their drinks, a pitcher of beer for the guys and Red Silk Panties for the ladies. Now the fun could start.

  Grabbing two glasses of Red Silk, she handed one to Brooke and clinked their glasses together. Jennifer hardly had a chance to set her empty glass down before Mike was yanking her onto the dance floor.

  She hoped for a wonderful night—a night to forget all about Donavan.

  ****

  Donavan followed the group of women from the opposite street. His eyes narrowed when they stopped outside Looney’s. The same place he’d met Jennifer.

  Talk about hair of the dog.

  As he crossed the street, he nearly lost his shit when some guy drew Jennifer up in his arms, laying a kiss on her lips.

  What the hell?

  He fisted his hands, ready to lay the guy out, but the look on her face told him she hadn’t minded. In the dark recesses of his heart, a pang boiled. A little voice whispered in the back of his head...

  Hadn’t I meant anything to her?

  But he quickly crushed the thought. He had no right to entertain such an idea.

  She wasn’t his.

  Donavan maneuvered closer, wanting to grasp the opportunity to talk with her. He wanted to speak to her privately, but she had left him with...Do I know you?

  Yeah, he deserved that.

  Her pissed off reaction indicated he should have tried to reconnect with her before now.

  But did he deserve to witness that other guy wrapping his arms around her and kissing her? Well, he hadn’t staked his personal claim on her, so yeah, he deserved that too.

  ~ 2 ~

  The pulse of the music thrummed through Jennifer. Every beat kicked against her insides, making her feel like a fraud. As Mike’s hands ran over her body, she wanted them to be Donavan’s hands. She didn’t receive the rush of excitement as she expected, or feel the heat of female desire. In fact, she wanted to get far away from Mike. The song changed into another heart thrilling beat. Jennifer spun away from her dance partner, hoping to escape him. To his credit, he found another willing girl.

  Scanning Looney’s for Brooke, she located her best friend with a man. Shock took over. Her steps slowed, focusing on them.

  He appeared familiar to her.

  As he changed his position, she saw his face.

  No way. Is that Damon Sinclair?

  He moved away, heading toward the front of the bar.

  Jennifer reached her friend, her face bright with excitement. “What’s up, baby doll? How do you know Damon Sinclair?” She inclined her head toward his retreating back.

  Brooke’s eyes widened. “You know him?”

  She flashed a grin. “Of course. I do work for a large advertising firm, baby! I know all the bigwigs. He owns S-Tec, a large computer satellite company—a total Gazillionaire! The man is loaded. We have a contract for his telecommunications pie, but I haven’t been able to get in that action yet. I have seen him a few times. Stop stalling! How do you know him?” she insisted.

  Brooke twisted her hair at her temple, something she always did when she was nervous. “He was my sunset ride.”

  Jennifer threw back her head and laughed. “Oh my God! Do you know how that sounds? So, poetic, baby doll! The man is one sexy piece of meat and you should go for him!”

  Brooke flushed bright red. “Jennifer!”

  She held up her hands. “Just sayin’! He’s dreamy! The way he was leaning close to you, I think he’s crushing on you too.”

  Hands descended on Brooke’s shoulders, whipping her around.

  Mike and his cronies stood in a semicircle, appearing blitzed from their booze intake. They leered at her friend.

  “C’mon, sweet thing!” Mike shouted. “Jennifer said you needed some excitement! Body shots are i
n order, eh boys?” The guys cheered in response.

  “Hey Mike, wait!” Jennifer protested and pulled at his steel grip. “She’s not interested!”

  The tall maniac flashed a smile. “No? But we are!” Mike thrust her friend into the hands of his buddies.

  “No! Please stop!” Brooke protested.

  Jennifer lunged forward, but Mike grabbed her. “What the hell? Leave her alone!” she fumed.

  He laughed. “I’m only doing what you asked, baby.”

  Anger burned in her chest. Any mediocre respect she had for him, fled. She pulled back her hand, landing her palm across his cheek. “You’re an asshole, Mike.”

  He lost all his playfulness, grabbing her around the shoulders. “You fucking asked for this, princess. Don’t act all high and mighty with me.” He shoved her back against the bar, taking off.

  Jennifer’s balance was gone. She knew she’d hit the floor, but strong hands descended on her shoulders, keeping her balance upright. Her eyes found the source.

  Donavan.

  Worry and fear careened through her. Such emotions were foreign to her too. His concern radiated from his dark eyes, filling her with humiliation. She couldn’t hack his good intentions, especially not when she’d asked for the nightmare around her. She blamed herself.

  “Are you okay, Red?” His voice was smooth and rich.

  She hated how much she loved his sexy timbre.

  Shoving his hands away, she had to get to Brooke before something bad happened to her. “Leave me alone,” she gritted out, pushing away from him.

  “Wait!”

  She heard Donavan’s call, but she couldn’t slow down. As Jennifer fought her way through the crowd, she found Brooke held down across a table by Mike’s friends. Her friend tried to fight their hold. A commotion ripped through the gathering and Damon appeared. He shoved Mike aside, grabbing Brooke up against him.