Under the Sun: A Companion Novella to Beneath Her Skin

by Mikell, Beth

  There was such strength and determination in his eyes as if he hummed with intensity and power. He was masculine. The kind of man who dominated a room with his presence, even if he didn’t say a single word.

  A small shudder rolled over her shoulders, making her flinch from the pain. “Where are my parents?”

  She knew they’d been here earlier, though she didn’t know what they’d think if they found Donavan here. At this point, she didn’t mind. She’d love to tell the world how much she admired this man. He wasn’t only a soldier—he was kindness and sweetness. He was her safety net when things looked hopeless. He’d pop up when she least expected him, offering his brand of comfort.

  Donavan cleared his throat. “They looked beat, so I sent them home. I told them I’d watch over you.”

  Surprise clouded her expression. “And they went so easily? Without knowing you?”

  His mouth quirked up in a half-smile. “I can be persuasive when I want to be.”

  Said the man with a gifted tongue.

  Despite her injuries, she felt her cheeks warm. Flashes of him with his mouth on her made her heat more, especially with him staring at her.

  He chuckled. “I think I’ve scandalized you, Red.” He shifted closer. “How is that possible?”

  She huffed a little, trying not to move too much. “Stop it. I’m in no shape to...hold my own against you,” she murmured. “You have the upper hand.”

  He raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching. “Is that all you got, Red? Conceding to my physical endurance? My prowess?”

  He rested his forearm on the bed, maneuvering so close she could feel his breath across her cheek. His nearness shook her up, making her brain disconnect. She couldn’t think of one coherent word to say.

  “If you didn’t know by now,” he whispered. “You have all the advantage.”

  Jennifer didn’t think so, shaking her head. “Not possible.”

  His determined expression didn’t waver. “Try with me.”

  She frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Stop running all different directions and let me prove myself.”

  This had to be a dream, she thought. There was no way he just offered himself to her. She had to be floating high on pain meds. “Don’t bullshit me right now. I’m in no mood.” She couldn’t take the disappointment she’d feel later when all this was only a figment of her imagination.

  He grinned. “I’m serious, Red. I’m not the kind of man to lie. I say what I mean, and I mean what I say. No half measures with me. No bullshit.”

  Staring into his eyes made her warm. She wanted his offering. She wanted a princess moment with her G. I. Joe.

  But...

  There was something inside her refusing his offer. The little voice urged her to be cautious. Frankly, she needed to know she could stand on her own two feet—without a guy—standing ready.

  She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Jake—”

  It was like a mask fell over his features, concealing his reaction. He moved back. “It’s okay,” he said in a stark tone. “Here you are in the hospital and I’m a world class jerk for putting you on the spot. Forgive me.” He stood, furthering the divide between them.

  Jennifer shook her head. “No, wait. Let me explain.”

  “There’s no need, Red.”

  “Yes, there is,” she said firmly, raising her chin.

  “I can take a lady’s rejection,” he countered.

  “I’m not rejecting you.” She sighed. “I haven’t been good with my decisions. I usually make impulsive choices, finding nothing but emptiness. I want nothing more than to try with you, too, but I don’t want to rush whatever this is between us. I need time. I have to know that I’m making the decision for me and not in the…” she wavered, feeling shy to say the last of her sentence, but she composed herself. “And not in the heat of the moment. I don’t want to be the one left hanging with her heart bleeding if you walk away.”

  Donavan was quiet, studying her. A twisting feeling curled through her stomach, making her wish she hadn’t been so blunt. He finally smiled, but it didn’t meet his eyes.

  Caressing a fingertip across her hand, he said, “I’m not going anywhere. You know how to find me.”

  Then, he left.

  Jennifer collapsed against the pillows, hating herself. He’d all but handed her the keys to his existence in her life and she had pushed him away.

  She never thought she’d be strong enough to resist a man as sexually magnetic as Jake Donavan. She told herself she had made the right choice.

  Why did she feel like she’d made the biggest mistake of her life?

  The painkillers the doctor had prescribed made her feel woozy. As she adjusted her position, she winced. Her aching ribs sent her into pain, sparking a fresh round of tears. Her phone buzzed. Her hand patted the blanket, trying to locate her device without much success.

  “Shit. Where’s my damn phone?” Finally, she found it, practically wheezing from her efforts. She peered at the caller ID.

  Jake.

  Her heart sped up with excitement, nearly forgetting her pain. He’d been gone only seconds at best, but she missed him.

  I feel like an ass, Red.

  Please don’t, she texted. I need you. You have a great ass.

  I picked the wrong time to lay all that on you, he replied.

  She didn’t care. She loved how he was ready to be close to her. To make her feel safe. Wanna be my nurse?

  He sent a smiley face along with, I doubt I’d be good at it.

  I’d make you hold me the whole time.

  I could do that, he texted.

  Jennifer thought for a moment before she sent her next words. I feel like I rushed my words before. I feel like an idiot. I don’t want to lose you.

  He texted, Stop. You’re beautiful to me, Red. We can take this slow. I’m not going anywhere.

  Hope bloomed inside her, and she replied, Do you think you could stop by sometime?

  Please say yes, she told herself.

  Anything for you, Red.

  Make me a promise? she replied.

  What is it?

  Don’t give up on me.

  Wasn’t planning to. Get some rest.

  ****

  After Donavan left Jennifer’s room, he texted her. He leaned against the wall outside her door, chatting with the woman he ached to be with.

  He should have waited to ask her about dating. But no. From the time he met Jennifer, he’d been wrapped up in her—either physically or mentally. He never thought a woman would come to mean something to him again. When he had found her, he jumped headfirst. He was so pissed off with himself for moving too quickly.

  Christ. The woman had been attacked and here he was in her room, in the middle of the night, asking her for a semi commitment. He was an ass, he thought. Just because he was at the place in life to move on from Kaitlin, didn’t mean the woman he found was ready for him.

  Love sucked.

  “It’s never easy, is it?”

  Donavan cracked an eye, finding Antoine Carver, Mr. Sinclair’s assistant. The man never took a casual day, always dressed in a suit. This night, no different. His African-American heritage gleamed with his skin and his serious, dark eyes.

  Donavan straightened, feeling off balance for being caught unaware of his surroundings. That never happened. “Sir?”

  Antoine smiled, gesturing to Jennifer’s room door. “You know, that cosmic entity all men wonder about but never fully understand.”

  Donavan frowned, hoping he appeared clueless.

  The other man rolled his eyes, striding closer. “Women, my friend,” he said, tossing a pat against Donavan’s shoulder.

  “I’m not—”

  Antoine flashed a smile. “Yes, we men are always in denial. Besides, you look like cupid bitch slapped the sprinkles off your cupcake.”

  He shook his head. Was I that transparent? “How would you even know that?”

  “I’m president of t
he Bitch Slapped Survivor’s Club, an honored position I’ve held for years now. I know a fellow honorary member when I see one.”

  Looking away, Donavan swallowed hard. “I made a mistake.”

  “Dude, every man makes a mistake at this time of night. Give her time.”

  He shrugged, looking back at Carver, not comfortable with discussing this. “We’ll see.”

  Antoine grunted. “Look, she’s Ms. Stone’s best friend and I can’t imagine Mr. Sinclair’s new girlfriend having sucky friends, so tread carefully. Ms. West has been through a great deal, and I suspect having a few broken ribs makes her decision process harder.”

  Sighing, he nodded. “Agreed.”

  “Have a good night...or what’s left of it,” Antoine said, striding away.

  Regardless of what Carver said, Donavan doubted the man’s positive spin. Jennifer wasn’t ready. She’d said so herself. But he’d give her the space that she needed. This wasn’t the first time he’d cared for someone from afar. He had this, but damn, he’d wished he’d kept his mouth shut. He didn’t want to seem pathetic in her eyes.

  “Sir?”

  He found T-Bone standing at attention. His brows drew together when he took in the other man’s concerned expression. “What is it?” His gut tightened with worry.

  “The background check came in on Carson Mayes and Jason Vaughn.”

  “Anything?” Donavan asked, hoping to hell he’d been wrong about the two of them.

  “Mayes checks out. There’s nothing on him to indicate a problem. He’s squeaky clean.”

  His jaw ticked. “And Vaughn?”

  T-Bone shook his head. “Here’s where things get trickier. Vaughn has a few priors for petty theft, and he served some jail time. He knows Mike Treswell, ya know, the skydiver.”

  Recognition hit Donavan. A chill frosted his insides. Was Mike to blame for Jennifer’s assault? That bastard would pay if he had anything to do with it. “How do they know each other?”

  “Treswell and Vaughn work together at Sky Jumps, giving skydiving lessons. Maybe Ms. West’s attack is unrelated, but it might be worth checking out.”

  “Absolutely.” His mind raced. “Let’s follow them and send a sweep team to check out their apartment when they’re not home.” He’d peel back the layers of this mystery, one man at a time. Someone hurt her and someone would own his part in it.

  “I’ll handle it personally,” T-Bone said, saluting two fingers off his forehead, leaving.

  Donavan knew he’d make Jennifer safe again. This became his new priority one. She may need some time to think about them as a possibility, but he was more than sure ever about her.

  ****

  I hated her.

  I hated what she represented: a distraction. I couldn’t understand what Donavan saw in that whore, Jennifer West. She slept around. She flirted without discrimination. She acted like a bitch in heat who couldn’t be satisfied.

  So I’d made a fucking plan.

  I’d get rid of her.

  I thought beating her had been the way to go—that she get the fucking point. But no. She still hung on. She still maintained contact with Donavan.

  Perhaps a little more intimidation was in order?

  One way or another, I’d bury the whore.

  ****

  Jennifer didn’t feel mentally strong. She wanted to curl up in a ball and cry from her injuries and for blowing Donavan off. She knew she had to follow her decision to end her inhibited dating process, but deep down, it hurt like hell.

  As her father wheel her out of the hospital, she found her mother speaking to the one man she’d rejected. He towered over her mother, powerfully large and sexy. She ached to be closer to Donavan. A slice of envy slid over her. She wanted that ease with him. His smile. She wanted to have his focus entirely on her, but she had pushed him aside, hoping to discover herself. And what she desired most in life.

  Their eyes met.

  Her breath caught.

  There was warmth in his rich, brown eyes. There was no condemnation from him for asking him to wait. A stirring in her heart quivered. She immediately regretted asking him to wait.

  Yet she knew she needed space more. She needed to heal—inside and out.

  A fog like effect blew over her.

  Jennifer barely saw the car parked out front. When two strong hands lifted her from the wheelchair, he was there.

  Startled, their eye locked together.

  “Take care of yourself, Red.”

  Tears stung her eyes. She wanted more time with him. A curl of panic twisted her stomach. Was this it? Would he walk away forever?

  “I miss you already,” she whispered, not caring how desperate she sounded.

  After all the years of random men in her life, he was the only one to make her feel like she was special. That he cared.

  Donavan smiled, helping her into the vehicle. He adjusted her on the seat, fastening her inside. He gave her a searing look. “I don’t give up easily, Jennifer. I’m still here.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips over hers, and then he pulled back.

  A slow smile crossed her lips.

  He didn’t say another word as he backed away and shut the door.

  Deflated, Jennifer rested her head against the seat and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to wallow, so she pulled out her phone to distract herself. Her social media accounts were a dud. Half of her friend-list were men. She started blocking each one, only keeping her family and a few friends.

  When she finished, two text messages hit, and she flipped the first open.

  She opened the first one, Red, I’ll keep an eye on you at all times. Promise.

  She smiled, loving how even a few simple words from him lifted her spirits. Hitting reply, she said, Still not close enough. I miss you.

  I’m right here, Red.

  Flipping into the next message, she stared down at her phone. A cold chill stormed down her spine. She was stunned—no words moved through her mind.

  Someone had sent her a vivid picture of herself—naked.

  Part Two

  Jennifer grabbed her phone off the table beside her, flipping into her gallery. She stared at the supposed naked photo of herself. She zoomed in. She zoomed out. While it was her face, it wasn’t her body. There was a dark mole on the woman’s breast, something Jennifer didn’t have on her skin.

  She tossed her phone down, annoyed. Jake’s words still echoed in her head “I don’t give up easily, Jennifer. I’m still here.” She could still feel the warmth of his lips against hers and the panic she’d felt when he’d pulled away.

  But true to his word, Jake hadn’t given up. Their relationship was perfectly balanced via text messages and calls. He was always there for her. Always within ready closeness to chase away her demons. She ached to tell him about the photo, but she wouldn’t. At least, not yet.

  A niggling feeling wormed through Jennifer’s stomach. She had a dark secret, one she couldn’t share. She wanted to tell Brooke, but her bestie had enough on her plate. If Jennifer was right, this was only the first wave of an insidious stalker.

  ~ 7 ~

  Ms. West was hard to intimidate, the stupid whore. Of course, my job became trickier. I had to be sneakier. Find a way to get to her without anyone taking notice, especially since she had a security detail. I couldn’t leave anything up to chance, otherwise I’d blow my cover.

  I’d bide my time and strike when she least expected me. For now, I’d continue sending my little gifts to her. Maybe she’d run away out of fear.

  ****

  Florida.

  No doubt Anna Maria island was gorgeous. The waves coming in off the Gulf were beautiful and frothy with a touch of a roar. Each splash ended with a hiss as the bubbles broke apart. Such peace. Such serenity.

  Jennifer sat on a chaise of a gorgeous deck, sipping her coffee. Brooke Stone, her best friend, had moved to Washington, D.C. to be close to her fiancée, Damon Sinclair. Not that she blamed her bestie at all. Her friend needed l
ove and support after the hell ride her life had taken. Brooke’s crazy biological mother had tried to kill her.

  Damon provided a phenomenal house. The fifteen-bedroom mansion provided all the space they needed, including a private beach.

  Perfect for a summer wedding.

  Jennifer had only been here a day, but reconnecting with Donavan completed her. Not being together physically had helped. They had an emotional connection. He wasn’t the pushy or an annoying kind of man. He was constant. Sexy. A true friend.

  She picked up her phone again, looking at their last few texts.

  I can’t wait to see you, Red.

  Me more.

  Doubt it.

  Wanna bet, He-man?

  Anything. Just so I can wrap my arms around you.

  She replied, Meet me early…by the pool. We’ll be alone.

  I’ll be there. Promise.

  ****

  “Sir, do you have a minute?”

  Donavan peered over his shoulder to find Reece. His guy held a package under his arm. Donavan minded the interruption because he was on his way to spend a few precious minutes alone with Jennifer. He hadn’t seen her in three months.

  “What is it?” he asked tersely. He needed to rein in his impatience he knew, but luckily Reece was the kind of man who was all business and discreet. He wouldn’t think twice at a barked command or an edgy glance.

  “There is a situation regarding Ms. West I think you need to be made aware.”

  Donavan stilled. He’d gotten absolutely nowhere on her attack. A big fat dead end. He had his team on the lookout for anything suspicious. Since he hadn’t heard anything, he’d hoped things had died off. Perhaps it had been a random mugging. Not to mention he had security on her twenty-four/seven.

  Reece motioned to the box. “This is the second package for her. There’s no return address and no postmark. It was hand delivered.”

  Donavan’s eyes narrowed on the box. “Did she open the other package in your presence?”