Marked. Part I: The missing Link

by J. M. Sevilla

  My hands take hold of his neck and we begin to slide down in the seat, our lips sucking and biting, our bodies grinding into each other.

  The driver clears his throat, “I'm going to ask you two to wait until you leave my cab before taking that any further.”

  Out of the corner of my eye I watch Jay reach into his pocket – never breaking his lips from mine – and throw a hundred over the seat.

  “Carry on,” the driver chuckles.

  And oh god do we ever. I thought we'd had heated kisses before, but this one surpasses them all. When the driver slams on his brakes it forces Jay's erection against me and we both whimper. He places his hand on the back of the driver's seat to steady us from tumbling to the floor. When the car starts moving again he brings it to my waist, under my shirt. He starts to stroke my bare skin, sliding it around my back and unsnapping my bra.

  Are we seriously doing this in the back of a taxi?

  When his fingers find my nipple I stop caring and get lost in the moment.

  His hand reaches for my pants and I stop him from going any further, “Jay, stop, we can't do this here.”

  I'm panting and breathless, but so is he as he groans and rests our foreheads together.

  “I guess I got a little carried away.”

  “Maybe a little,” I smile and peck his lips, which only makes us go at it again.

  “We've arrived at The Fairmont, my guess is right on time,” the driver says, sounding highly amused.

  We break apart, both of us pulling down our shirts and sitting back up, wiping our mouths, completely out of breath. I reach to refasten my bra. Jay pays the driver and I can't look at him as we exit.

  Once on the sidewalk we both start laughing. Jay pulls me to him and kisses along my neck, “I never knew how fun taxi rides could be.”

  “It's us, Jay. We could make waiting in an airport fun.”

  “Mmm,” his lips brush along my jaw, “I never tried that one before.”

  “You're insatiable, you know that?”

  “Only when it comes to you.”

  Our mouths are back together, our tongues assaulting the others.

  “It's real convenient we're at a hotel right now,” Jay says against my lips.

  “Only because we're supposed to be meeting Arianna, or we would already be in a bed,” I feel the need to point out.

  “Oh shit, I forgot about that.”

  Jay rubs the top of his head and we both give the other a goofy grin. He takes my hand, interlocking our fingers, and we head inside.

  I'm thrilled when the elevator is packed tight and Jay pulls me against his front. I can feel his still hard erection pressed against my back. He slowly slides his hands down my arms, leaving behind goosebumps, and he holds my hands, crossing them around my waist. He's nibbling on my ear and I can feel his smile that's not quite as large as mine.

  I have no clue what just happened to my life in the past twenty minutes. We went from flirting and occasional touches to being the couple we were before he left.

  Am I ready to go down this road, knowing he'll be sending me on my way again? I wish I had an answer. Both of my options leave me wanting Jay, so do I have him while I can, falling further in love, or do I stop this and hope the pain won't be as great? This is when I wish I had a girlfriend to talk to.

  Jay answers the questions for me when Arianna answers her door and he promptly drops my hand, taking a sidestep to form a nice gap between us. I try not to let the hurt register on my face.

  Arianna is standing there looking sensational in a black lace-trim skirt that hits mid-thigh. The top is a tucked in white long-sleeve blouse with big round gold cufflinks that feature the Oscar de la Renta's floral symbol. Her feet are wearing black booties. Her makeup is more overdone than I think is necessary for her kind of rare beauty, but she looks classy and incredibly sexy.

  We walk into the suite and I watch as her hair gleams and glistens from the natural light pouring out of the open window while she sashays further inside. She belongs in a museum for all to gawk at.

  The room is spectacular, but not surprising; it would feel wrong for Arianna to be in anything less. The main room has a view of the bay and Coit Tower in the distance.

  Jay takes a seat on the only couch, putting himself in perfect view of the window. I decide to sit cross-legged on the oversized cushioned chair – it's the furthest seat from Jay. I did this on purpose because it's hard for me to concentrate on anything but his lips right now. Any closer and I'm not sure I would be in control of my actions.

  Arianna joins Jay on the couch, on the end closest to me. She flips her hair over her shoulder and I catch a whiff of fresh rain.

  Damn, even her smell is sexy.

  It's not fair that my exes are Will and Matt, but I get her to contend with.

  “I watched the video of you two on the racetracks,” Arianna casually says, examining her nails, “That was some kiss, and one hell of a race. I had forgotten how skilled you are.”

  Jay's muscles tense and his eyes harden, lowering in on Arianna, “Excuse me?” His voice has turned menacing and gruff, a heavy scowl on his upper lip. Arianna shifts uncomfortably in her seat; I think she's nervous. Jay has switched to his intimidating, horrific persona, and for the first time it has no affect on me.

  “I wasn't spying,” Arianna's voice is shaky as she responds.

  It brings a smile to my face, because she has known Jay since they were thirteen and he still has the power to terrify her. I've only known him for a month and am unaffected now. I know this is not who he really is, but the person he's cultivated to overpower and have the upper hand.

  I can see his skin has reddened and he's trying to rein in his rage.

  “I had that removed,” he seethes, teeth grinding together. “Fucking Lazra. I need to make a call.”

  He gets up, taking long thunderous steps to the bedroom, and slams the door.

  Arianna turns to me, “Is he working with Laz?” Her eyes are wide, appearing stunned.

  Jay lets out a loud growl that causes Arianna to jump in her seat. We can't make out what he's saying, but there's no doubt whoever he is talking to is shitting their pants right now.

  “She needs him to retrieve something for her.”

  Arianna scrunches up her face in confusion, “But he hates Laz. He would never work for her. Ever.”

  I shrug at the same time a loud roar vibrates the walls and Arianna sinks a little into her seat, nervously darting glances at the bedroom door.

  “Honestly, Jay doesn't tell me much, but she's the reason I'm here. She saw that video and I guess spied on us for a while, then kidnapped me as a bargaining tool to get Jay to help her. She promised to destroy the information she has on us...me and not let anyone else see it.”

  Arianna's brows shoot up, “Interesting.”

  I'm about to ask her what is when Jay comes back out and takes his seat. He bends a leg up on his knee, jiggling it on his lap while he works his jaw.

  Arianna turns her attention to him, “Is she really worth having to work with Laz?”

  He ignores her and continues working his jaw, burning a hole in the middle couch cushion with his blazing eyes.

  “I mean, isn't keeping her with you only making it worse? It proves she means something to you. You should have sent her home right away. Laz probably thinks she's your one and now you've stupidly put her life in danger.”

  This causes Jay's hands to ball up and turn white, “Yeah, well, I haven't been thinking too clearly lately.”

  Jay gets up and starts pacing the room.

  Arianna glances my way, “You know you can't trust her, right?”

  Is she talking about me?!

  Jay halts, “You don't think I fucking know that!” Then his hand points in my direction, “What the fuck was I supposed to do with her? I couldn't send her home until I knew no one else was after her. Then I made the stupid mistake of telling Laz that Lily is more important than finding the fucking Marker!”
<
br />   Arianna gasps, covering her mouth with her hand, “Is she? Her real name's Lily?”

  I hate how they are talking like I'm not even here, it's getting me agitated.

  Jay lets out a curse and sits back down on the couch. He buries his head in his hands, “No, she's not.”

  That crushes me, even though I already know, and Arianna has shifted her mood to one of delight.

  “So what's this job you have for me and how much money do I stand to make?”

  Jay lifts his head and rolls his eyes, “Still the only thing you care about I see.”

  “You know that's not the only thing,” she coos out, overlapping a leg, forcing you to become aware of their long leanness. I can't stop myself from staring at them, but it brings me some satisfaction to know Stevie's are just as good.

  Arianna's knees are too big.

  Great, now I have pitifully resorted to demeaning her.

  Does it make me feel better?

  A little bit.

  “I need something from Jaxon,” Jay begins, ignoring her advances. “I want to pay you to get it for me.”

  Her mouth gapes open, like she's in disbelief he's even asking, “My Jax? Jaxon Henley?”

  “The one and only.”

  “What exactly does Laz want from him?”

  “Not Laz, Vault.”

  Arianna licks her lips, “Oh really, what does he have to do with all this?”

  “It's none of your business.”

  She crosses her arms and pouts, “So typical of you to be discrete with everything, like you don't know you can trust me. I'm your oldest friend and we've been lovers for almost as long.”

  I cringe at the word lovers. I'm tempted to punch Jay when he glances my way and smirks when he sees it. I'm glad my jealousy amuses him.

  Jerk.

  I scowl back at him and this only makes him grin. It catches Arianna attention and she darts a quick glance at me, trying to hide a scowl of her own. Now Jay's smiling broadly at us both. He's enjoying us being jealous of the other way too much.

  “I don't trust anyone, you know that,” Jay gets her attention again, “Why tell a person more information than is necessary.”

  “Fine. What exactly does Vault,” she stops to lick her lips again, “want from him?”

  “A file from his main computer. Do you know where that is and how to get in?”

  “Of course I do. Did you forget who you're talking to?”

  Jay laughs, “No one could forget that around you.” He gives her a flirtatious wink before glancing my way. I glare at him and he looks elated. He is trying to make me jealous. I can't believe it. What is this, the ninth grade?

  “I'm sorry Jay, but I can't do it. I can't risk my relationship with Jax. I've got a good thing going with him, he takes care of me. If I get caught I lose all this,” she waves her hand around. “Unless you can pay me ten million to make it worth giving up what he offers me.”

  My mouth drops open. Ten million? Damn, she doesn't mess around.

  Jay starts scratching his scruff, face vacant, lost in thought. Is he considering paying her that much? Yikes, how much money does he have?

  “I won't be able to pay you up front. I'll most likely only be able to give you a few separate payments.”

  “I'm supposed to trust you, but you won't trust me?” She chides, “You would seriously pay me ten million to get a file so you can keep her safe?” She nods in my direction.

  “It's more complicated than that.”

  It pleases me to see he skirts around answering a question with her too.

  Arianna shifts back to looking at me, “Have you seen Vault?” There goes the lip licking again.

  “Oh yeah,” I bite my lower lip and suck, remembering.

  “Insanely gorgeous, right?”

  “Definitely, like a Brad Pitt in Legends Of The Fall kind of way.”

  She scrunches her brows, “I don't think I know who that is.”

  My jaw plummets to the floor before rolling back up, “How the hell do you not know who Brad Pitt is?”

  “Oh wait, is he that guy who plays Heathcliff in that Wuthering Heights movie?”

  How has she seen that but not know who Brad Pitt is?

  “No, that’s Tom Hardy. I guess with lighter hair and a leaner figure Vault and him could look alike. He'd also need Vault's divinely hot dimples.”

  “Yes!” Arianna swoons, “He's the one guy I can't get to sleep with me.” Gloom shadows her face and I laugh.

  “Are you sure? I can't imagine any guy saying no to you.”

  She frowns and I don't miss her taking a peek at Jay who is now the one pouting. Poor boy, must be upset that we're not clawing each other to get to him.

  “It's because he's afraid my parents would find out and he promised them he would never touch me.”

  “He did? Why?”

  She leans in, ready to divulge the gossip, when Jay cuts in, “Can we please stay on topic?”

  “You're such a party pooper.”

  “Isn't he?” I agree, loving how annoyed Jay's getting.

  “Honestly Jay, I don't want to risk it,” Arianna turns serious, “I like Jax. We have a lot of fun together. Every time he's away on business he flies me out, completely taking care of me, buying me anything I want. All I have to do is be available for sex and attend events with him. Best gig I've ever had.”

  “Fine. Tell me the password and I'll do it,” Jay replies, not appearing to be affected by her turning him down.

  “It's on his laptop that he keeps in his suite. Sorry Jay, but there is no way you'll go unnoticed. He has bodyguards there at all times. I know a few people you could hire?” She offers.

  Jay shakes his head, “No, I want as few people involved as I can.”

  “Have Holly do it, or is it Lily?”

  “Holly,” Jay confirms, “and no way, she doesn't have that kind of training.”

  “Have her pretend to be housekeeping. I know you could easily get her a uniform and keycard. His main guard's a sucker for brunettes and girls in red. She can wear a lacy red camisole that peeks out at the top.”

  “I can't go in there with a red under top on!” I declare, flabbergasted that she would even mention such an idea.

  She crinkles her nose in confusion, “Why not?”

  “It would be like going in there with a red shirt on.”

  Complete blank stare back at me.

  Is she for real? “Do you know any pop culture?”

  She shrugs, uncaring, “Not really.”

  “No,” Jay continues, looking lost in thought, “It's too risky. She could get caught.”

  “I'll bring a gun,” I offer. Am I seriously entertaining this notion? I don't know the first thing about whatever the hell it is they want me to do. The fact that I don't know is even more of a reason I should not be talking right now, but apparently my mouth seems to disagree, “I could pretend to get faint and need to rest wherever he keeps his computer?”

  Oh god, that's sounds beyond lame.

  I'm even further humiliated by my comment when they both look at me like I'm an alien from Mars.

  Jay throws a hand up at me and lets it smack down on his thigh, “See? Not ready. She'll get herself killed.”

  “I'll coach her and I'll make sure to be there. I can sexually distract him – as you know, Jay, it wouldn't be that hard,” she frowns when this doesn't get a reaction out of him. He's too busy placing his hardened eyes on me, making me squirm from their intensity. It's not from fear, but something else; it's on the opposite realm of fear. He's looking at me like an animal zoning in on his property that's being threatened, and it's causing my body to have a strong reaction; It makes me want to pounce on him and mate.

  “Anyway, I can keep everyone distracted at the piano in his suite. She can be in and out in five minutes...or a little more,” she adds after the fierce glare Jay gives her. “She can come out of his private study he uses in the second bedroom and pretend to forget extra conditioner –
that man goes crazy on conditioner and requests extra everywhere he stays. She'll exit the suite with the file and hurry back to you. Eventually they'll call it in and figure out she's not legit, but she'll be long gone by then. ”

  “No,” Jay firmly states, set in his decision.

  “I don't know what other option you have. If you're worried about her getting caught you can show her how to use a gun. Also, you can easily be waiting on standby, and have her out of there in seconds if you hear gunshots. He usually only has two guards with him.”

  “I know how to use a gun,” I feel the need to inform her for silly prideful purposes.

  She snorts and rolls her eyes as if to say, “Super Soakers in the seventh grade don't count.”

  “I can't have her recognized.” Jay's still zoning in on me and I'm about ready to rip all my clothes off.

  Arianna waves her hand dismissively, “Not a problem, I can prepare her today. I'll take her to get her hair colored and cut, do her makeup, and we can get her a spray tan. You're lucky your girlfriend's so cute, Jay. It won't take much to make her a bombshell and leave them thinking with their dicks, not their heads.”

  “I'm not his girlfriend,” I say at the exact same time Jay says, “She's not my girlfriend,” and we both give the other a dirty look. I guess we have aged back to middle school.

  Jay remains locked with me when he continues, “I refuse to let you dye or cut her hair, or tan her, or do anything else that compromises her perfection.”

  Holy shit, my insides are all mushy now.

  Arianna was about to say more, but stops at his comment and stares at him for a moment or two before continuing, “Fine. We can get her a wig and I'll go heavy on the makeup.”

  When Jay scowls she rolls her eyes, “Makeup easily washes off.” She looks back and forth between us, “I never thought I would see the day Jay takes possession over a woman.”

  Both Jay and I snap our heads in her direction, which makes her laugh.

  Jay's features shift as if something dawned on him. “Fuck,” he growls, “Finger prints.” He rubs the scars on his face, “Shit, I can't believe I'm even talking about this. Forget I said anything, she's not an option.”