Key West Wild (The Florida Keys Series)

by Cyndi Raye

He did, devouring her mouth as if there would never be another moment like this again. She moaned and pushed her hips against his as his hand slid over her flesh, enticing her, teasing as she called out his name again and again.

  When he slid in to her, he thought he would burst open at the seams, his need for her so urgent. Instead, he got carried away in her dream, their bodies writhing together under the moonlit night until they both shattered together in to little pieces of bliss.

  <><>

  She woke up in his arms. Their legs entwined together, she looked down between them to find flesh smashed against flesh. Her antique emerald gleamed in between their skin, reminding Sara of the role she played in this secret agent scheme. Right now, she didn’t care. His held her from a cruel world outside.

  “Don’t move, not yet.”

  She snuggled even closer, if it were possible. “Not ever.”

  “I love you.”

  Sara blinked, staring at the thick chest muscles, completely taken by surprise.

  “Did you hear me?” he asked, his low voice barely above a whisper.

  “I did.”

  “When you were lying on this bed last night, so vulnerable, tears dried on your face, crying because of me, I was ashamed. I never wanted you to be hurt through all of this and I tried to protect you but it seemed to backfire.”

  “Don’t be-”

  He placed a finger on her mouth. “No, let me finish. We’ve used other civilians before in our stings and we always kept them safe and removed them from the line of danger. The truth is I can keep you safe, I didn’t want you to know this side of me. The part that can be as cruel and cunning as the criminal I’m going after. I realized watching you sleep last night how I screwed up because I tried too hard to keep you out of this mess. I know what you’ve been through with your ex and so help me, I tried to keep you from any more devastation. I’m sorry baby.”

  “I love you too.”

  He lifted her face to his, dropping tiny kisses on her eyelids. “You alone have helped to bring this operation closer to the end by what you did yesterday. I never thanked you.”

  She giggled. “Well, if what you did to me last night is any indication, I’d say I got thanked real hard.”

  He grinned. “You have no idea what your body lying there in the moonlight caused. I sent the other men away because I didn’t want them to see you. I tried to keep my hands off of you, but it didn’t work either.”

  She placed a hand across his cheek. “Are you saying last night was all a plan from a secret agent man.”

  “Yes.”

  She grabbed his neck and pulled his face to hers. “Well, sir, I think I need to be shaken up a bit more.”

  <><>

  Sara pulled out the itinerary and crossed off boinking the sexiest man in Key West. Covered in her plush robe, she sat cross-legged on the bed, thinking perhaps it’s time to give up the list. But realizing how much fun they had on each excursion, she carefully folded it back up and tucked it away.

  Josh came out of the shower, hair wet and a towel around his neck. A pair of casual jeans hung low on narrow hips. “Tonight, this should all be over, Sara.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Darian invited me to their suite. They’re having a private party, along with a few other guests. He also wants you to attend.”

  She shivered. “Do you want me to go?” She wouldn’t go if it would mess up plans.

  “I need you there. He told me to get over my anger and bring you along. He’s obsessed with you Sara. Said he likes your cunning little gold digging mind.”

  “I’m afraid I’m about out of steam for anything that man has to offer. After tonight, I never want to be close to him again.”

  Josh leaned down and placed both hands on either side of the bed, hovering over her. He kissed her gently. “Everything will go down tonight. We’ll go to the party and I want you to excuse yourself when I give you the signal. There will be an agent waiting for you. I don’t want you in the line of fire. Wear your emerald earrings with the bug and tell them the moment you close the door and are safe.”

  “Now it seems your shooing me away again.”

  He dropped tiny kisses down her face and nibbled an exposed ear. “Sara, we’re going to get married. As soon as this is over.”

  She sat back. “Josh, you can’t order me to marry you.”

  “I can’t?”

  “It’s on my itinerary. I want to be asked in a certain place at a certain time and I can’t settle for anything else.”

  He furrowed his brows. “That’s not on your itinerary. Sara? You had no plans to marry anyone when you made the list.”

  She giggled and reached in to the night stand drawer. Then she took her pen and scribbled something down and tucked it back in the drawer. “Now, I do.” She shot off the bed and headed for the shower.

  “I’m going to read that, you know!” he called out.

  She stopped and turned then smiled coyly. “Yes, I know.”

  <><>

  Josh went to the suite next door to map out the plans with the other agents. Basically, Sara was free for the afternoon, so she decided to get pampered. She reserved time at the Spa and got there a little early, so she slipped in the outside whirlpool.

  “Ah, you have the same idea. Are you getting the Turkish bath treatment?”

  Darian Lane had to do the spa thing at the exact moment Sara did. How does this happen, she wondered. She forced herself to look angry for what he pulled last night. “I don’t have any interest in talking right now.”

  The splash of water told her when he stepped in to the whirlpool. “Perhaps you should slow down on your drinking, you looked like a lush.”

  She laughed. “No one’s used that word since my grandmother’s day.”

  He leaned back against the ceramic back, the water whirling and frothing around the tub. He seemed relaxed and at ease and even friendly, but a man like with Darian’s personality changed at any moment. She lived with the same type of man before, loving, caring and wham! They turn on you in an instant, causing the world around to cave in. She wasn’t fooled a bit because that’s exactly how her ex behaved.

  “Perhaps there may be a chance to work out something after all,” he offered. She wanted to cringe because she knew what he meant. To him she was a toy, a plaything. He took his hand and ran it down her arm.

  “I don’t think so Darian, you betrayed me. I told you about Josh’s wealth because I needed someone to help get rid of the art and jewels, thinking you’d help me and we’d both make a fortune. But, you wanted it all!” She feigned anger, but disgust came more to mind.

  He grabbed her arm and hissed, his face way too close for comfort. “Don’t ever say I betrayed you. I am not a man to toy with.”

  “Let me go!” she demanded, but his grip tightened so she stopped trying to pull away. Fear began to build up. Her other hand reached up to her ear, but the emeralds were missing. A moment of panic seized a hold as she realized no one listened in.

  “When I’m done here, I’ll let go. Eden’s in my hands now, Sara. If you want to enjoy any of the wealth, dump him and come with me, tonight.”

  “Tonight? The ship only reaches Fort Lauderdale in the morning.”

  He looked as if he said too much, but covered it with a secretive smile. “I’ve got my ways.” He leaned in, his face a whisper away. She tried to be strong. “Thank you for bringing me Joshua Eden. He’s told me much more about his wealth than I ever imagined. I plan to have it all, within the next twenty four hours. Men work now to remove those items from his properties tomorrow night. You, my dear, can come with me tonight, or stay with a broken man, who will have nothing left once we’re through.”

  Sara shuddered. “What makes you think I won’t tell?”

  He threw his head back and roared with laughter. His grip tightened even harder. “Because a woman like you will follow the money.” He shoved her away as if she were a sack of potatoes and leaned back, evil radiating
from Darian Lane.

  “Mrs. Eden, your table is ready,” the assistant called out. Sara pulled herself together and got out of the whirlpool, taking one shaky step at a time, willing her feet to move. She felt his eyes on her and she cringed.

  “Sara,” he said.

  She stopped but didn’t turn around, unable to trust herself.

  “Be packed and ready to leave at a moment’s notice.”

  She forced herself to follow the assistant in to the Turkish treatment room. As soon as she was out of Darian’s sight, she let out a whoosh of air. She had to get to Josh and tell him what happened, but she didn’t want Darian to see her high tail it out of here yet. First, a massage and then she’d leave here.

  Forty minutes later, Sara made her way back to the suite. Someone followed behind and she assumed it to be one of Josh’s men. But the man turned and entered Darian’s suite. She wondered if he was one of the men who hid in the shadows for Darian Lane. At least she got a good look at him so she could warn Josh and his agents.

  Sara didn’t see anyone stand guard at her suite. She found it empty inside and went out the sliding door to the veranda. She peeked through the glass of the other suite where a group of men, mostly dressed casual in trousers and pullover shirts were in a serious meeting. Josh walked back and forth, talking, pointing to a paper spread out on the coffee table. He motioned to three of the men as if giving directions. He took his job so serious, his brow furrowed as in deep thought.

  She loved him. Every single bit of his secret agent smile and body. Her hand, hard pressed against the glass door ached to touch that incredible man. It made her want him more. Their eyes met. She smiled and his face softened for a moment. She backed away, unwilling to disturb their meeting.

  Her run in with Darian can wait until the meeting ended.

  Sara stood in front of the bathroom mirror. She began to try some things on for the private party Darian invited them to. She wore a black sleeveless dress but when she put it on, discovered Lane’s hand print left a dark bruise on her upper arm. She rubbed it, remembering the evil words he spoke. This game of cat and mouse seemed evil. Sara began to understand how dangerous Josh’s life really was.

  The ice from the bucket didn’t seem to help the bruise any, so she went through her wardrobe, picking out a chiffon mini dress instead. She didn’t want Josh to find the bruised arm, he would just get upset and tonight needed to concentrate more than ever.

  The chiffon material slid over her creamy skin. The material flowed across one shoulder and down her arm, a sheer organza sleeve covering the bruise. She began to rub cocoa butter on the bare shoulder to make it look softer. Her hair she would let hang down tonight, giving herself a rather gypsy appearance. The emerald earrings looked great, but not the necklace. Sara did her little jig and began to turn around in a circle when she caught Josh standing in the doorway. She had been so intent on covering the bruise up.

  Luckily, he showed up after she covered her arm. “You look beautiful,” he told her, his voice, low, husky. He stepped towards her and put his arm around her waist, pulling her to the length of him. Soft kisses rained over her lips but she pushed him back.

  “Josh, you’ll wrinkle this dress,” she teased. In reality, she didn’t want him to see her bruise and if he continued with those kisses, more was bound to happen. He’d peel the dress off in a heartbeat and then he’d find out Darian Lane hurt her. It wasn’t an option to let anger get in the way, not tonight.

  He grabbed a towel and ducked out of the bathroom. “I’m going for a run, beautiful. I’ll see you in a bit.” Josh turned, opened the door, stopped, let it slam shut, took a few steps and pulled her against his chest. Dipping his head, he kissed her as if the moon and the stars hung in the balance. His hands gripped her upper arms and it was all Sara could do not to scream at the pressure on her damaged arm. He stilled at first but she raised hands to his face, trying to avert the damage.

  “I love you,” she told him. “Now go so I can make myself beautiful for you.”

  He gave her a hug. Dark eyes penetrated her soul. “You couldn’t be more beautiful than you are right now.”

  Sara leaned against the bathroom counter. He was so intense in everything he did and said. This is the tough thing about being in love with a secret agent. They don’t miss much, she told herself, rubbing her arm.

  <><>

  Josh took the metal steps up to the jogging track this time. He needed a more intense workout today to be able to deal with whatever this evening would bring. He was ready, he wanted to end it tonight and get back to normal life, whatever that involved. Josh wanted Sara more than anything he ever wanted in his life. He would give all of his love, his heart and himself so she never had to be hurt again.

  He wanted to show her two people carrying so much baggage could still live a different life without the pain of the past. His natural instinct was to find her ex-husband, he had the means to do it and crush him so that he would never hurt someone else again. What he did infuriated Josh and if he ever showed up anywhere near Sara, it would be the biggest mistake he’d ever make.

  After days of intense work, the plan to bring down Darian Lane fell in place. They would go mingle at the private party tonight, giving Josh an excuse to look for hidden jewels. Most crooks were all the same, thinking they were so smart hiding the jewels. Josh had been down this road too many times and could flush out the goods within minutes, proving the thieves were really stupid after all. The minute he found the stolen jewellery, it would be all over for Lane. The men were all ready to swoop down and remove him from the ship. It would all be done quick so none of the other passengers would be harmed.

  Of course, in real life it almost never happened the way it should. That’s why he devised a back up plan.

  “We meet again,” the voice of his arch enemy riveted through the air. “Is your little woman coming along tonight?” Darian asked.

  Josh kept running. If he wanted an answer, Lane would have to keep up with him. He increased his pace. Darian fell in behind him and then Josh would get a deliberate burst of speed and leave Darian in the dust. He laughed when he heard the other man grumble. After two or three times, Josh decided to have mercy.

  Darian paced himself beside Josh. “What’s that all about?” he asked, anger on his perfect face.

  Josh shrugged. “Didn’t want company.”

  “That little woman got you all worked up? Hey, I’ll take her off your hands. I’ll make you a deal. If you want to get rid of her and all the embarrassment she causes, bring her along tonight and hand her over to me. After a few weeks with me, she won’t ever cause any trouble.”

  Josh stopped dead in his tracks, causing Darian to stop or run into him. The two faced each other, their chests heaving in and out and taking in great gasps of air.

  Josh’s eyes locked on the other man. “What’s mine is mine. If you want to deal with me on a business level, you’ll stay away from my wife.”

  Darian stared right back. “You sound jealous. Perhaps there’s more to this than meets the eye.”

  Josh shrugged, deciding to play it another way. “I know you want her, but until I get rid of her, I don’t share. That’s the bottom line.”

  Darian’s face reddened because Josh was certain no one ever refused any of his wishes. A shadow surfaced from the corner of his eye as two men began to walk towards them. “Maybe,” he said, slowly and deliberately, “I’ll kill you right now and take her for myself.”

  Josh stilled. He’d been in these situations before. It was all a ruse to see if he would break. Josh forced himself to grin and burst out in a bold laugh. He turned and began to run again. “Come on, I’ll buy you a cognac and cigar.”

  He ran at an even, steady pace, not looking back until Lane fell in beside him. Sweat trickled down his temple. He realized how easy it was to shoot and dump a body from the boat, no one the wiser. Lane was the kind of man who thought he belonged on a pedestal, above the law. If he thought Josh seemed a t
hreat, he may have thrown him overboard.

  Josh counted on a certain leverage to make sure it didn’t go down that way. He told Lane last night at the casino, his ‘wife’ was trying to steal his art. So he rigged all the artwork with a special code. Same with his jewels. No one could get at it but him. Unless, he said, you could figure out the code to his security system. Then he told Lane the estate in Fort Lauderdale, not New York is where all the riches were and basically gave him the gps to find it.

  If plan A failed and Darian escaped, they wouldn’t have to hunt him down. They’d know where to find him. He would be heading to Josh’s fake estate where fake art and jewels awaited. Plan B in place.

  Josh felt as if someone followed as he made his way back to the suite. He pressed some buttons on the watch, and suddenly three other men began to walk behind, acting loud and annoying. One of them leaned back on the railing, acting as if he were getting sick. The guy who followed Josh, walked past and the minute he went by, the others began to follow. Josh slipped in to the suite, confident his men were on the man’s tail. He had a hunch Lane’s goons were all over the place.

  The empty suite had Josh heading for the veranda, expecting Sara to be there. He told her she didn’t need to be couped up any more, but needed to wear the emerald earrings so they could keep track where she went. He couldn’t keep her locked away like a prisoner, but someone had to stay close no matter what. He wondered when she would tell him about her encounter with Darian at the Spa earlier. Even though left without the earrings, she wasn’t alone. It was an honest mistake on her part, forgetting the earrings, but may have proven deadly. He finally understood she never lived this life, so she’d have no clue how much danger her life may be in. That’s why he had to do everything in his power to keep her safe from the villains.

  Sara, in her black mini dress, long legs crossed and strappy wedges on her feet, her hair hanging over her shoulders like a gypsy, shook dice and laughed with the men. They were sitting around the table and she, the center of attention, looked up when he came in the room. The men pushed back their chairs and stood up quickly, embarrassment on their faces getting caught by the boss.