Under the Sun: A Companion Novella to Beneath Her Skin

by Mikell, Beth

  His arms wrapped around her from behind, and his lip brushed her ear. “Stop running from me. Tell me what happened.”

  “I can’t,” she whispered, as tears fell. “You have to go.”

  “Do you think I’ll walk away? We share something special—something fucking amazing.” She’d become deeply rooted in him after such a short time.

  He undressed, not caring where is clothes landed. “I can’t stay away from you. God,” he said on a deep exhale.

  “Please, Jake. We can’t do this now,” she said.

  “Yes we can.” He leaned forward to brush his lips over her mouth. She tasted of clean and refreshing.

  Her arms wove up around his neck, twining through his hair. A feral groan vibrated his throat, and he angled his head back, staring down at her. “Red, I won’t last long this way,” he said, hugging her tighter.

  She searched his face. “Show me.”

  Jake laid her on the bed and helped her out of her dress. He gloried in her beauty—the woman truly embodied flawless. Her slender curves summoned his hands, her hair a flood of red silk over the stark white pillow. Each strand ached to be fisted as he tunneled through her mouth. He drew a deep breath, chancing a look downward. He found her nipples hard and taunting him. Her legs shifted on the white duvet, begging for his hips as he drove into her.

  ****

  Jake’s eyes were narrowed, not shielding his desire. His prominent nose slid down to beckoning lips. She knew he could drive her insane with his wicked tongue. From his tanned skin down to his thick erection, her breath shimmied her into furious rhythm. How would she withstand his touch and not break apart?

  “Jake…I need you.”

  ****

  Jennifer mystified him. Such softness, such utter ambrosia submerged him. Jake closed his eyes against her beauty. She was too much. While he wanted to touch her, he didn’t want this to ever end. “I never want this to end. Touch me, Jennifer. Please.”

  She shifted on the bed, straddling his thighs. His hardness shimmied close to her core, and they both gasped in unison. “Ah hell, too much,” he pushed through clenched teeth. He grabbed her hips, fighting the urge to slam her down on him, yet wanting to draw out her pleasure. Absorb her.

  Jennifer tilted her head, as her hands caressed up his stomach and over his chest. She shook her head. “I want you, Jake. Don’t hold back.”

  A hoarse cry jerked from his throat, and he flexed his hands on her flesh. He pulled her close. The heat of her cleft teased him, and sucked away his sanity.

  Jake pushed her back on the pillows, laying over her, supporting his upper body on his hands. He stared down into her eyes, fighting his desire. He leaned forward, brushing his lips over hers.

  He licked and chased through her mouth, her taste hypnotic and thrilling. He had never sampled such a silky taste. His hips flexed against the heart of her body, and a shudder raced over his muscles.

  ****

  A soft mewl purred from her as his hand skated over her skin, cupping her breast. She arched into him, her flesh quivering as he rolled her nipple between two fingers. Another moan drowned her.

  His lips broke free, skimming across her cheek to ear. “Red.”

  “Yes.” Her hands sank into his hair. “More, Jake.”

  He licked her neck, placing a kiss over her rapid pulse. “You haven’t reached the edge yet,” he whispered, moving lower, edging his teeth over her flesh. “But you will.”

  A dark growl resonated through her as his hand shaped her other nipple while his mouth sucked her tip.

  He teased her peak with his tongue. He flicked the other nipple with the same probing precision, worshipping the point with equal fever. Her hips shifted under him, and he about lost his mind.

  “Stay still, baby,” he gritted out, his hand seeking her hip.

  “I want—” His hand dipped between her folds, stealing her words. “Oh, Jake…”

  “Trust me. I know exactly what you need.”

  His mouth traveled over her stomach, and then down lower. He nudged her thighs apart, his tongue sought her slit in a taunting flick.

  ****

  Jennifer jumped, gasping, but his hands stilled her hips. Her hands tangled in the coverlet, twisting the material. She reeled from the pressure of his mouth, her heels digging into the bed. Her pleasure heightened with each slice of Jake’s tongue against her flesh. Every furious ripple of his mouth made her ache. Her skin hurt. Her heart pounded the blood of her veins so hard she felt on fire.

  She was an aching mess.

  A silky flow shimmied over Jennifer’s skin, so light at first she hardly noticed, yet a warm quiver grew. The sensation tipped the roots of her hair, shimmying down her neck and crawled over her breasts. She moaned. It was if there was an invisible invasion moving over her. Her body arched, climbing higher.

  “Jake, please,” she panted, unable to withstand his amazing torment. His mouth. His touch. It was too much. In some unexplainable way, she knew her senses would bubble over. She was crashing over against a rocky cliff. Surrender inches away from riding the surf ashore. “I can’t—I can’t hold—myself back.”

  Jake teased her nub with a groan, and his hands gripped her hips to keep her from gyrating too far away. His eyes connected with hers, his tongue still moving. Then he lifted his mouth away from her core. “Come for me.”

  He used the flat of his tongue, and a sultry pulse took her. Searing wildness rammed her body with tight shock waves. A hard scream ripped from her, racing against every thrust of his mouth. Somewhere between thrashing and torment, she shivered against his daring pursuit.

  He gave her pleasure until she thought she would die from it. Her hands twisted in the sheet, holding on for dear life. Her head thrashed on the pillow. The rough-edged beauty of the moment erupted from inside her soul.

  It was perfection.

  Then Jake hovered above her. Another spasm of need curved her insides. She felt his length brush up against her entrance. The slick slide of his hardness worshipped her tender opening. Spreading her legs wider, she tilted her hips up, hoping for more, hoping for completion.

  “Jake.” Her hands caressed up his shoulders, drinking him in.

  His muscles were bunched, and he hummed from the tension he held back. A guttural growl tore from him. “Tell me, baby—”

  “Now!”

  He sank into her.

  Both of them shivered.

  She took his hard length deep inside her body, and she reveled at the fullness. How every slide made her shudder and every lift upwards prickled her skin with a plea for more. She convulsed. Tingled. Shook.

  She was sucked in a lungful of air as he arched into her. “Jake…Jake,” she rasped. The feel of him was such surrender. “I love you so much.”

  He howled deep in his throat, her name mingling with the gruff sound.

  ~ 13 ~

  Jake settled Jennifer’s head on his shoulder. They were wrapped in a sweet aftermath. He linked his hand with hers, taking a deep breath. He could not believe any of this was real.

  The here and the now.

  He was afraid to blink, so afraid he would wake up from the perfect dream. For too long, he had lived in a cold, empty existence. She had chased away his demons.

  “Tell me what happened today,” Jake said softly.

  ****

  Jennifer fought herself. Fought the nightmare she was living. She ached to let down her guard and tell Jake everything. But at what cost? Her life? His? Or someone else she loved? Deflated by his statement, she tried to peel his hands off her body and get up, but he didn’t budge. “Enough. Let me go, Jake.”

  He turned her in his arms, leveling a hard gaze. “Tell me the truth.”

  Anger fired her stomach. He wanted the truth? “Fine,” she said between clenched teeth. “I have a stalker. He’s getting too close. He’s told me he’d kill me. Are you happy now that you know? Does it change anything?” She dropped her face to her hands, so overwhelmed. “He’s g
oing to kill me,” she said in a hoarse whisper. The tears she’d been fighting, fell hard.

  Jake cradled her against his chest. He buried his face against her neck. “Shh, baby. Shh.”

  He let her cry. He didn’t say a word beyond soothing sounds. Finally, she raised her head. “This is the only time I feel safe,” she said, wiping the wetness from her cheeks. “With you.”

  His expression softened. “You are safe with me. I would never allow anything to happen to you.”

  “But don’t you see? Something did happen to me, and right under your watchful eye.”

  So she told him everything. About being held at knifepoint to the madman’s admission to beating her months ago. She told him how the jerk had stolen her phone and warned her away from him.

  Jake’s arms tightened around her. “I don’t understand,” he said, as if more to himself than her. “I had that building locked down tight. Only my men had…access to that building.” His expression fell into hard mask.

  She tilted her head. “What is it?”

  “A feeling, but I can’t place my finger on it.”

  “Why would someone target me? What have I done?” She was thoughtful a moment before she said, “You said you wanted to share something with me—something about your past.”

  He looked away. “That can’t be it,” he murmured. “It just can’t.”

  Jennifer cupped his jaw, waiting until he met her gaze. “What if it is? Someone is so sure that our being together will be wrong. We have to figure this out. Tell me.”

  ****

  Donavan never imagined sharing his past under such dire circumstances. He needed to find his girl’s stalker, not dredging up the past. It took all his training to stem his fight reflex.

  With a heavy heart, he opened the door to his life. He unloaded his life with Kaitlin. All his mistakes. All his wishes. All his love for her. He didn’t leave anything out. Not even when he’d thought he’d break apart when he described her accident and losing their baby.

  “I’ll never forget that moment. I could see her. I was so close,” he said. “If I’d only picked a different restaurant. If I’d only—”

  Jennifer smoothed her fingers over his lips. “Shh, baby, I know, but you can’t play the ‘if I’d only’ game with yourself. You’ll lose every time. That’s how life works, unfortunately.”

  He nodded, and then leaned close. He brushed his lips over hers. “You’re right.” He exhaled a slow breath, frowning. “But I still don’t see how my past would make you a target? We’re still missing something.”

  “Does anyone you work with know about you and Kaitlin? Or have a grudge?”

  He started to shake his head, but stopped. He rubbed his forehead. “There’s one.”

  “Who?” she asked.

  “I’m telling you, it can’t be him…” he trailed off.

  Jennifer cupped his face. “Who is it, Jake?”

  “T-Bone.”

  Her eyebrows drew together. “The big, stocky guy who drives your SUV?”

  He nodded. “I’m telling you, it can’t be him,” he said matter-of-fact. “We served tours together. We fought enemies side-by-side, and we’ve had each other’s back since day one. He saved my life countless times. He couldn’t do this.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe he would.”

  “How does he know Kaitlin?”

  Jake was quiet a moment. “He’s her brother.”

  His admission hung in the air like a thick fog.

  “Holy shit,” she murmured.

  “We have something to work with. If nothing else, I have to prove it’s not him,” he said. “Get the boxes, Red. I have a call to make.”

  As Jennifer slid off the bed and reached for her robe, Donavan dug out his phone and called Hugo at S-Tec.

  “Give me a minute and I’ll ping her phone,” Hugo said.

  He heard the clack of a keyboard. As the new head of S-Tec security, Hugo was much better at his job…and nicer too. He always knew Mitchell didn’t deserve his position.

  “Wow,” Hugo murmured.

  Donavan tensed. “What is it?”

  “You won’t believe this,” he said. “Someone there has her phone.

  ****

  As Jake made his phone call, Jennifer laid the boxes on the bed. He gave her a hard stare, and she wilted under a cloud of shame.

  “Hold on a sec,” he said, pulling the phone away from his mouth. “Don’t, Red. I’ll solve this, I promise. I won’t leave your side, if that’s what it takes to make you safe again. One thing is certain—I found you when I thought I’d never find love again.”

  “You love me?” she asked, smiling.

  He reached for her hand, tugging her closer. “I never say anything I don’t mean.”

  “You haven’t actually said the words?”

  His gaze narrowed, and a small smile tilted his lips. “Haven’t I?”

  She shook her head. “Stop teasing me,” she said, reaching up to rub his close, cropped hair.

  “I love you, Red.”

  She leaned close and brushed her lips over his.

  A knock on the door echoed.

  “Jen, are you ready, honey?”

  She straightened. “Oh, crap,” she said, securing her robe. “I was supposed to pack and leave with my parents.”

  “I need you here,” Jake said in an urgent tone.

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Jennifer shut the door to her room.

  “All packed, honey?” her mom asked. “Your father is already downstairs by the car.” She looked around. “Between you and me, I hate to leave. I enjoyed this, but you know your father. He’s anxious to get home.” She frowned, peering at Jennifer’s robe. “Why aren’t you dressed?”

  “I changed my mind,” she said, turning toward the stairs and her mom followed. “I’m thinking of staying here a few more days as I planned. I’m not due back to work for another week, so I may enjoy a little more Florida sunshine.” She smiled, hoping to sound lighthearted.

  “Are you sure, sweetie?” Her mother reached out to caress her daughter’s hair. “This house can get lonesome.”

  Jennifer started down the stairs. “I’m sure. Let me go say goodbye to dad.”

  ~ 14 ~

  Donavan paced by the window, rubbing the back of his neck. He could see Jennifer with her parents. Her phone was here, so that meant her attacker was here too. He ached to go down there, but he didn’t want to set off her parents or cause a scene. No need to arouse suspicion yet.

  When Jennifer turned toward the house, he headed for the bedroom door. The barrel of a gun greeted him.

  ****

  Jennifer ran into Dean West’s arms. His arms were a safe haven. She relished his familiar scent and soaked in his strength.

  He drew back, eyeing her robe. “Pumpkin? Are you coming with us?”

  She shook her head. “I’m going to stay for a few more days.”

  He smiled. “Does this have anything to do with a certain head of security?”

  Her eyes widened. “Daddy, I…” she trailed off, flushing. Her father had never asked about who she dated. It was a little unsettling to find him questioning her now.

  Dean tweaked the end of her nose, leaning close. “I like him,” he whispered, adding a wink. “I think he’ll treat you right.” He straightened. “When you get back, bring him around. I’d like to formally meet him, you know, as the man in your life.”

  A slow grin spread her face. “I’d like that.”

  “Take care of yourself, sweetheart,” he said, entering the limo. “I’ll see you when you get back.”

  Marla came up and hugged her daughter. “Take care, my love. Call me when you get home.”

  She nodded. “Promise.”

  After her mother settled next to her father, the car took off. She watched the vehicle fade into the distance.

  When she turned around, she found one of Jake’s security men standing a few feet away. She believed his name was Anderson.


  She paused in front of him, her mind racing. If everything came down to—

  The sound of a gunshot echoed from the house.

  Shock hit Jennifer. She was reactive, sprinting around Anderson, but he caught up with her.

  “Wait!” His hand landed on her upper arm.

  She jerked free, but he grabbed her again. “Let me go,” she seethed, yanking against his hand clamped around her. “You can’t stop me from going in there. Donavan is in trouble.”

  “I can stop you from getting killed,” he volleyed, maneuvering around her.

  “T-Bone is the bad guy,” she blurted out.

  Anderson frowned. “What?”

  “There’s no time to explain this,” she said, tugging against his strength. “We need to go inside.”

  “If you’re right, you need to stay out here. Donavan will have my ass if something happens to you.”

  Her face contorted with anger. “I’ll kick your ass if you don’t move out of my way.”

  He sighed. “Stay behind me.” He pulled a gun from his hip holster, and then he headed toward the front door.

  ****

  “What the hell?” Donavan fumed, glaring at T-Bone. His gaze flicked between the weapon and who he thought had been his most trusted man…and friend. Kaitlin’s brother. The man that owned all his secrets. A man he would have given his life for.

  “Back up, Commander,” T-Bone said in a low voice.

  He stiffened, ignoring the guy’s demand. “I trusted you.”

  T-Bone shrugged. “I trusted you more. Look where that got me? Thanks to you, I have no sister. Not even the hope that she’ll recover.”

  “So you terrorize Jennifer? Excellent grief management.”

  “I was hoping you’d see the bitch for the whore she is. But you just kept going back to her, while Kaitlin suffers. She’s a shell of a human being. She can’t do anything but rot—trapped in her own body. I haven’t once seen you go visit her. You ignore her existence.”