Under the Sun: A Companion Novella to Beneath Her Skin

by Mikell, Beth

  Marla chuckled. “We’re getting everything. It’s going to be the best girl’s day out. I also ordered our wedding attire to be delivered here, as well as lunch. Let our four and half hours of pampering begin.”

  ****

  Jennifer’s text resonated deep inside Donavan. He hadn’t moved since he read the words. He only stared at his phone. Her words pulled him apart. Shredded him.

  She loved me?

  He wanted her next to him. Feel her. He ached to be tangled up with her in some place quiet. How could she choose now to tell him? Although, she said she thinks she loves him. He still had room for error and screw ups. They hadn’t exactly had the best beginning of their relationship. It had been a hookup, but he’d fallen hard.

  If she was feeling a tenth of what he was undergoing over her, then he’d share everything. Give her an all-access pass into his life.

  “Commander? We’ve arrived.”

  T-Bone’s words pulled Donavan out of his trance. Damn it, he hadn’t even responded to Jennifer’s message. She must think him a world class jackass.

  He glanced at the quaint strip, noting the high-end businesses with cute signs. The high-rise spa building was sleek and modern.

  He gave T-Bone a hard stare. “Was this place vetted?”

  The other man nodded. “Yes, sir,” T-Bone began. “There are two points of access, front and back. Only the front is open. The back is for deliveries. Mrs. Chen, owner of the establishment, said all her staff are highly trained and discreet. They’ve handled high profile clientele before, so they know how important security is. Each door is secured with a key card.”

  Donavan tilted his chin. “Did you ask about placing our men inside?”

  “She gave a big, fat no.”

  He raised an eyebrow, waiting for the punchline because he wasn’t amused so far.

  T-Bone offered a card. “I sweet talked Mrs. Chen out of a master key.” He grinned. “I knew you wouldn’t want to blindly send the ladies into an unknown building.”

  He took the card from his guy, pocketing it. “Thanks,” Donavan said, exiting the SUV. There was only one thing on his mind: he had to speak to Jennifer. His gut was in fucking knots.

  He waited with tethered patience as the limo door opened. Mrs. West, Ms. Stone, and Jennifer got out. His gaze sought the one woman he was dying to see, but she kept her eyes averted.

  He let out a harsh breath. “Ms. West, may I have a quick word.”

  She murmured something to Ms. Stone before directing her attention toward him. “Yes?” Her eyes didn’t meet his. “Is there a something you’d like to say?” She folded her arms.

  Damn, I screwed the pooch.

  Donavan loomed closer. “Your text…” he trailed off. He felt tongue-tied and unable to form a complete sentence.

  She waved him off and gave a mirthless laugh. “Oh, that. Don’t worry about it.”

  His jaw ticked. “Don’t play this off, Red. We need to discuss it. Can we go somewhere and talk for a few minutes?”

  She glanced over her shoulder, then back at him. “Sorry. Brooke and my mom are waiting for me. Later.”

  As she walked away, his heart hammered. He tried to convince himself it wasn’t as bad as it seemed. Yet he knew he had royally fucked up.

  ****

  The day spa was awesome. Mrs. Chen was a short, put-together lady, full of spunk and smiles. Mrs. West opted to have her massage first, while Brooke and Jennifer wanted pedicures. As their attendants organized their treatment, the two friends leaned close.

  “So? What did Donavan say?” Brooke whispered.

  Jennifer shrugged. “No clue.” She died of mortification.

  Brooke frowned. “C’mon, Jen. Tell me. He seemed deflated when you walked away. Something happened.”

  She ran a hand over her hair. “I may have sent a text to him before we left—words I’m regretting now. He didn’t respond, so I figured I’d said too much.”

  “What exactly did you say?”

  She toyed with a lock of hair. “I think I’m in love with you.” She winced when Brooke gasped.

  “This is incredible!”

  Jennifer shook her head. “No. All I got from him was radio silence. I freaked him out.” She face-palmed. “God, I’m so stupid. Why did I do that?”

  Brooke reached out a hand. “Hey, don’t do that. For as long as I’ve known you, you’ve never been in love with a guy. This is a huge admission.”

  She pressed a hand to her throat. “Yeah, and he failed the test, right? I mean, he didn’t repeat the words.”

  “Did you want him to say the words in a text?”

  She sighed. “Yes. No. I don’t know,” she said, pinching the bridge of her nose. “No. I guess not. If he’d said that to me via a text, I’d have freaked out. See what I mean?”

  “Back to my original question,” Brooke said. “What did he say to you?”

  “He wanted to go somewhere and talk for a few minutes. I said no.”

  “Why? This is important.”

  “So is your wedding day, Brooke. I can’t go off with Donavan. It can wait.”

  Her friend smiled. “The heart wants what it wants.”

  Jennifer grimaced. “Says the bride on her wedding day. You’re hardly objective right now, especially when you’re marrying Hottie Sinclair.”

  Brooke settled back in her chair. “Yes, my man is hot, thank you. I’m a lucky woman.”

  ****

  Jennifer saved her massage for last, hoping to be fully relaxed before she saw Donavan again. She hopped on the massage table, glancing at the clock. She figured she had a couple of minutes. She plugged her earphones into her phone and went to her music app. Might as well create a playlist.

  The door popped open.

  Jennifer didn’t look up. “I’m not ready,” she said. “I’d like a few more minutes, please.”

  “I need to speak with you.”

  Startled, she met Donavan’s gaze.

  ~ 10 ~

  Donavan had no plan.

  He went into the day spa, and he used his key card to enter Jennifer’s room. And he locked the door like the gentleman he wouldn’t be.

  He didn’t give her a chance to say a word. He took three steps, cupped her face between his two hands, and then kissed her. Her tongue rolled over his with beautiful hotness. Her desire teased through his mouth, and a groan vibrated his throat.

  God, she was amazing.

  He pulled back, his breath heaving. He rested his forehead against hers. “I hope this answers your text,” he whispered.

  She purred. “Mmm, the best response I’ve ever had,” she said, looping her arms around his neck. “Technology is highly overrated.”

  “Words weren’t enough, Red. I had to show you.” He drew in a long breath, releasing it slowly. “I couldn’t let you think that I didn’t appreciate them.”

  She grazed her lips against his mouth. “Honestly, I thought you’d blown me off.”

  He shook his head. “Hell no, Red. I’m in this.”

  Her hands smoothed down his chest, down his stomach, and caressed his belt buckle. “So, how long do you have with me?”

  His eyes widened and his hand captured hers. “Not long enough. I want to take my time.”

  She chuckled softly, adjusting the sheet around her breasts. “You do know I’m naked under this, right?”

  His shoulders slumped. “Don’t tempt me.”

  Jennifer’s lips curved into a sly smile. “Is that a challenge?” She flipped open his belt. “I can tell you right now, I’ll win.”

  A dark sound vibrated his throat, yet he didn’t stop her. He didn’t have the willpower. His hands caressed down to her hips, pulling the sheet up as he felt her warm skin. “Don’t you know, Red? We’ll both win.”

  ****

  Donavan was achingly beautiful from the top of his close-cropped hair to his smoldering eyes. His prominent nose slid down to sensual lips, too. He wore an expression of carnal arousal that sucked he
r a little bit more in love with him.

  “I want you to remember this moment—the day you told me that you love me,” he whispered, his gaze fierce. She nodded her head, but he shook his. “Not good enough. I plan to burn myself onto your skin and through your heart.”

  Jennifer frowned. “You already have—”

  He laid a finger over her moving lips. “It’s not enough, Red,” he said, gently spreading her thighs apart.

  Then he sank to his knees.

  He tongued her flesh. She gripped the sheet tighter, biting her bottom lip. His hands joined his exploration, palming her.

  “How much do you love me, Red?”

  “Very much,” she croaked out.

  “But, it’s still not enough.”

  She moaned. “Please.” She wasn’t above begging as he continued to tease her. She whimpered in protest, her body jerking. Wave after delicious wave. “Jake.”

  “Shh, Red. Absorb it, baby,” he soothed, running his hand across her thighs. “How do you feel?”

  Another groan ripped out of her throat. “It feels wicked and naughty.”

  “In one word,” he whispered.

  “Agony.”

  His tongue grazed her center and another shiver rolled down her spine. She breathed in sharply, arching against his mouth. Hot sensations flooded her. Her toes pointed and her lungs worked hard to pull air in and out, but she couldn’t reach fulfillment. She simply drowned in the sweet agony.

  “Please, Jake. I can’t take anymore. I need you inside me,” she heaved. “God, I love you so much.”

  In an instant, he stood. His eyes glittered with brimming lust like a promising avalanche. “Say that again,” he said gruffly.

  “I love you.” She reached up a hand, trailing across his stomach. The muscles tensed under her fingers.

  He took her mouth again, and his tongue pounded against hers. So raw and so wild, she clung to him, delirious over the man who had taken her sanity.

  She broke free from his lips, panting hard. “Jake, you have the most incredible making up skills.”

  He chuckled. “Only you for you, Red.”

  ****

  Jennifer entered her private dressing room, leaning against the door. She could hardly believe Brooke was getting married today. Both her best friend and Damon deserved the happiness they’d found. In under an hour they’d share their ‘I Dos’ and headed off on their honeymoon.

  She opened her eyes and peered at her lavender gown in the corner. It was soft and gauzy, so perfect as Brooke’s chosen bridal color. A small bouquet rested on the nearby dressing table.

  Grabbing her phone out of her robe, she glanced down at Jake’s recent text.

  Missing you, Red.

  She missed him too. He wasn’t the kind of man she ever saw herself with. He was more. More than all the classless, player type of boys she’d wasted her time on.

  Smiling, she hit the reply button, and made her way over to one of the comfortable sofas. Before she could type one word, she was grabbed from behind.

  Rough hands yanked Jennifer against a hard body. She gasped, and then dropped her phone. The cool edge of a knife slid across her throat.

  “Don’t scream, bitch,” he whispered, squeezing her closer. “I’ll be happy to slice you from neck to navel.”

  Her hands came up, hoping to do anything to push him away, but he had the advantage. He was large, bulky, and had a weapon. “Please,” she begged.

  He ignored her plea. “Still playing the whore?”

  She frowned. What the hell? “Who are you?” He leaned close, his hot breath sliding across her ear. Fear churned in her belly and tears filled her eyes.

  “Did you get my message?” he asked. “A beating? My text? The bloody gifts?” He tightened his grip, sliding the knife across her skin. “I thought I’d made myself clear.”

  Jennifer’s lips parted. This was the man that had beat her and Carson. This was the jerk who’d sent the naked texts and bloody lingerie. “Tell me what you want.”

  “What I want is simple. If you so much as look at Jake Donavan again, I’ll kill you.” He took a step back, pushing her to her knees.

  She gasped as her knees smacked the floor.

  “Try to follow fucking directions, whore,” he grated. “Stay the fuck here. Don’t move until I’m gone. And don’t even think of telling anyone about me, or I’ll find you and finish what I started.”

  Then he was gone.

  Jennifer collapsed to the floor and her tears poured.

  ~ 11 ~

  Donavan glanced at his men, only he was two short. He gave Reece the stink eye. “Where’s T-Bone and Anderson?”

  The other man thumbed toward a coffee house next to the day spa. “Anderson needed to take a piss and T-Bone went to make sure he didn’t fuck that up. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of Anderson’s shit. I think he needs a desk job at S-Tec. The guy is seriously needy.”

  Donavan grunted. “I’ll consider it,” he said. “How long have they been gone?”

  Reece glanced at his watch. “Ten minutes. T-Bone said he’d get coffee for everyone.”

  He nodded. “Fine,” he said. “Let’s be ready to move. The ladies should be finished soon. Call the boss man. Tell them we’re headed back.” The sooner Damon and Brooke were married—the sooner Donavan could get back to his girl. He wanted to finish what he’d started in the massage room.

  As Reece turned away to follow orders, Donavan grabbed his phone and checked his messages. No reply from Jennifer. Was she okay? He figured she’d respond as soon as he messaged, but nada. Something didn’t feel right. She was always quick to text him.

  He grabbed his Comm. and radioed all his men that were positioned around the building. They all reported a good status quo. So why did he have a niggling feeling?

  Then his worries fled.

  The ladies appeared.

  Jennifer appeared stunning in a light purple gown. Her red hair had been drawn up and dusted with little white and purple flowers. She had some kind of lacy, flower thing around her neck, which set off the graceful curve of her neck.

  But he was rocketed to a standstill. He’d faced the worst kind of enemies in the world overseas. He’d fought for his life. He’d fought for his country, yet nothing prepared him for what he saw.

  When his eyes met hers, there was nothing behind her eyes. A dead, emotionless stare. What hurt more and cut him deep? It looked like she’d been crying.

  What the fuck happened?

  ****

  Jennifer released an unsteady breath. Her nerves were sitting on meltdown mode, but she still had the wedding to get through. Plus, the asshole who’d attacked her had stolen her phone. Not only did the ass steal from her, but he expected her to give up the one man she’d come to love.

  She heard the door open behind her. She turned away from the mirror, hoping her last minute attempt to cover her neck had worked. The knife wielding jerk had broken the skin. Makeup didn’t disguise it. In a desperate attempt to cover the scratch, she tore off a piece of her gown and gathered a few flowers from her bouquet. She made a choker, hoping no one would notice.

  “Have you been crying?” Brooke asked.

  Jennifer found her best friend looking radiant in her bridal gown. She waved off her friend’s question. “It’s nothing serious.” She held up her freshly manicured fingers and wiggled her digits. “I accidently scratched my neck with my new claws when putting on my dress. I tried to cover it. Does this look lame?” She pointed to the choker.

  “It looks beautiful,” Brooke said. “Are you sure that’s all? It’s me, you know. You can tell me anything.”

  She shook her head, taking her friend’s hands. “That’s it. Promise. Look at you, doll face. You look amazing. Hottie Sinclair won’t know what hit him.”

  “At some point, he’s going to need a new nickname.”

  “Nope,” Jennifer said, shaking her head again. “Can’t. He’s my bestie’s main squeeze and worthy of the nam
e.”

  There was a knock at the door, and then Marla poked her head in. “Are you girls ready? It’s time to go.”

  Jennifer knew she wasn’t ready to face Donavan. She’d never gotten to text him back. She’d been warned away from him by a madman. What could she do but move forward and ignore the best part of her life.

  As she passed by him to get into the limo, her heart splintered into a thousand pieces.

  ~ 12 ~

  Damon and Brooke were now Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair. Everything had been perfect, down to the last flower. Damon even flew Harry Brewster in to give Brooke away—the only man she revered as a father. The happy couple was now on one of Damon’s jets, headed to an exotic location.

  Marla wrapped her arm around her daughter. “That was such a beautiful wedding. Brooke and Damon make a stunning couple. I hope you find that kind of happiness, my love.”

  Jennifer thought she had. Or had hoped she had with Donavan. “Mom? Can I head back home with you and Dad?”

  Her mother gave her a frown. “I thought you wanted to spend a few days here.”

  She shook her head. “I think I’d like to go home.” To hide. To sulk. To pine for a man that she’d been warned to stay away from.

  Marla gave her hug. “Of course, darling,” she said. “Go pack.”

  With heavy steps, she trekked up to her room. She hated the idea of running away. Of leaving. But she didn’t have a choice.

  The door clicked shut behind her and her eyes connected with the one man she’d been avoiding.

  Donavan.

  She raised her chin, hoping to look braver than she felt. “You should go,” she said coolly, walking around him.

  His hands descended on her shoulders, turning her to face him. “Not until you tell me what the hell is going on? You can’t burn hot, then cold with me, Red.”

  She winced, and then half-shrugged. “A change of heart. I’m headed out with my parents, so I need to pack. You can see yourself out.” She twisted away from him, fighting tears.