by Stone, Piper
Even the way in which Jagger ordered food was sexy as hell, albeit controlling. He was also highly pissed I’d figured him out. Time to break the mood.
“Very good, sir.” Taking the menus, the waiter started to slip into the shadows.
“Wait,” I said, giving Jagger a mischievous look. “I’d prefer the steak as well and also blood rare.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Jagger leaned forward, the anger in his eyes abating. “I must admit, you are not the woman I anticipated.”
“And what did you anticipate? Helpless? The kind who would fall for your lines of bullshit?”
“There is nothing about you that I’d consider helpless, which actually concerns me.” Laughing, he wagged his finger. “And you’re one very bad girl. You forget your place.”
“No, I understand my place clearly. At least while we are here.” The single shiver that formed in my spine, resting in my tailbone was enough to make me grimace. My body had betrayed me on every level. Visions of the white picket fence flashed in the back of my mind. Why would I ever imagine he’d enjoy something so paltry?
The man was dangerous in every aspect and not only to my life. I had no doubt what he was capable of, what he’d resort to if necessary. I didn’t want to be a part of a war where the casualties were innocent people.
“I will adhere to the contract. Perhaps I want you to think of me as an honorable man.” He sighed, turning his attention to the entertainment. “Tell me about your store. Tell me about Boone, North Carolina.”
“Why do you want to know?”
His head snapped in my direction. “I also enjoy your company and not just your total submission. If you’d prefer, I will have the waiter place your food bowl on the floor by my feet.”
“You’re an asshole. Every time there is a moment of light you...” Why was there any point in finishing the statement?
“Ruin it? Maybe I just need to make certain that you understand I’m not going to change. Not for you. Not for anyone.”
“That, I understand.” I took a sip of wine, closing my eyes as I tried to remember why I was here. With this man. “Boone is beautiful. It’s very small in comparison to Chicago. Mountains surround the city and the homes and businesses are quaint. People actually walk through town, speaking to one another and there are so many small shops and restaurants, bistros and bakeries that you can get almost anything you want. The air is fresh and clean, and in the wintertime, the snow is magical. I love living there. A perfect place to raise a family.”
I heard the discord in my tone and knew he’d picked up on it as well. There was no hiding anything from this man.
“A family you will never have or that you don’t want?”
“I never fashioned myself to be a corporate businesswoman, fighting to get to the top of the ladder. I had the finest education, the best schools my father could afford, and I excelled, but my heart wasn’t into picking some Fortune 500 company in order to enslave my life for money. I would love to have a family and I am thrilled I own a business, even if it’s only selling books, wine, and conversation. That makes me happy. Whether I find the right man remains to be seen.”
“What’s the name of your store? Sadly, I don’t remember.”
Sighing, I wasn’t certain why I should bother telling him. But I did. “Bottega’s Bistro and Books.”
“Very nice. You’re one formidable lady, Lola Markum. I would love to visit your shop. I can imagine how successful it’s going to be.”
“A compliment coming from you is fascinating but thank you.” I could tell my words hurt him. I swirled my finger around the glass. “You would like the shop. Soft music, the perfect reading light, and the best wines in town. I even have a little fireplace in the back where all the bookshelves are. I went out on a limb and purchased a soft leather couch and several comfy chairs. I can’t wait for a snowstorm or just a cold winter day in order to light the fire and see who stops by.”
“Real?”
“Real what?”
When he smiled at me this time, the single moment of happiness lit up his entire face, the dazzling moon behind him perfectly capturing his essence. The rugged man with perfectly chiseled muscles had a heart after all. “The fireplace.”
“Oh, yes, real wood. The only way to make a fire.”
He breathed in, tipping his head. “I can almost smell the sap, the wafting of smoke just when you light the fire. Then the sizzle as the logs pop. Best moment in the world.”
I hadn’t realized I’d reached across, taking his hand into mine, intertwining our fingers until he turned his gaze in my direction. “You’re right. That’s why I love Boone. Chicago just wasn’t that way for me. Even though my dad tried to make everything special. I don’t have the kind of fond memories there that would bring me back. There’s no one else there I care about.”
“That’s very sad. You deserve so much more.” He rubbed his thumb across my hand and the vibrations between us were palpable. Swallowing hard, his breathing became ragged.
“I’d love to share my business with someone else, but that’s not in the cards for me right now.” Just saying the words seemed so real, so disheartening.
“I’d love to be the man in your life.” He sat back, laughing softly. “As if you would ever consider that. I’m your enemy, nothing more and you’re mine.”
As the candles flickered, creating a soft illumination around his face, I studied his features and his incredible eyes. He was perhaps the most handsome man I’d ever seen, his features almost perfect. “Yes, you’re everything that I see in an enemy, but I could also see you in my life, at least if you were able to be the man inside.”
Jagger exhaled and tossed back a gulp of wine. “I don’t know that man any longer. Perhaps I never did and never will. You’re best to stay away from me.”
“Kind of hard to do since I’m your prisoner.” The words startled him, his eyes flashing anguish and I wanted to take back what I’d said, even though the words were the truth.
Tension eased between us, the silence awkward, leaving my mind ill at ease.
“Why do you hate your father so much?”
“I have my reasons as you have yours.”
I had no idea how to counter his words. They were sadly very true.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked, the words little more than a whisper.
“Dance?” I inhaled and even the scent of his cologne, woodsy with just a hint of musk was invigorating, intoxicating.
He wrinkled his brow as he stood, pulling me toward the dance floor. “Yes, even criminals can dance.”
“Does that mean you’re admitting you’re a criminal, capable of doing really bad things?”
“I’m very capable of doing very bad things; however, there are certain deeds, whether you consider them criminal or not, that I won’t admit to.”
“Ah, but you told me that I could ask you anything.”
“True enough.” He swung me around in a complete circle before grasping one hand then sliding his arm behind my back. “We can play twenty questions later.”
As he pulled me closer, the music changed, the passionate strains of Spanish guitar floating into the room. The singer used the sultry chords in a way that was reminiscent of a haunting ballad, both hands wrapped around the microphone.
And I could swear she was singing the song to us.
I eased my arm around his neck, keeping my touch light, drinking in the moment as if the memory would eventually burn. I could see straight into Jagger’s very soul, a dark and ominous look into a tortured man. Every glimmer of happiness, every second of joy was always replaced with a deep sadness, as if he’d given up on living.
He kept his fingers flexed open, rubbing ever so gently. He would never know what the brush of his fingers could do, the way he drew me into his world. This was perhaps the most intimate moment of all and eventually, I rested my head on his shoulder, pretending yet again that we could be more than just lovers.
&n
bsp; With each step, every slight turn I became more mesmerized, the yearning in my belly, the craving sending quivers deep into my pussy fine tuning the experience. He was everything I’d ever wanted yet a man I wanted to hate. The enemy. I couldn’t race away from the concept no matter how hard I tried. While this was pure magic, it was also raw sin.
But dear God in heaven, I never wanted it to stop.
As the song neared the end, the last chorus drawn out as if allowing us additional time, I lifted my head until our lips were pressed together. “Jagger.”
“Don’t talk. Don’t spoil this just yet.” His whisper was full of longing and unbridled need and he kissed me in a way that a true lover would, with so much expression that I was left breathless. Only when we heard the sound of the audience clapping and a few whistles from the background did we stop dancing.
He pulled my hand to his mouth, kissing each one of my fingers before squeezing. “Thank you for that.”
I heard his elongated breath as well as his whisper and the understanding of what he was saying was more of a threat than anything else he’d done.
Perhaps in his entire life.
“I could fall hard for you, but that can’t happen.”
Chapter Eight
Jagger
I opened my eyes and for the first time in a long while, I had no disgust of doing so. I turned, half expecting to find Lola in my bed, but I was alone. I rubbed my hand across the cool sheets, sighing given the fact. I hadn’t forced her to stay with me. Perhaps I should have, even tying her to my bed. A slight smile found its way to my face just from the thought. Then I realized that I was taking a chance just being seen in public. Still, I refused to live like a caged animal, especially in the islands.
I remembered the words I’d muttered, and I hadn’t been entirely certain who’d been more shocked, me or Lola. I had no business saying anything of that nature to her. I wasn’t capable of real love. Even my mother hadn’t been able to truly share her heart with me or Gio. By the time I was old enough to understand love, she was far too broken by my father.
At least the end of the evening had been very pleasant.
After returning from the restaurant we’d enjoyed another glass of wine by the pool, I suppose pretending that things were normal between us. I’d allowed my guard to fall too far and she was a keen observer, challenging me on almost every aspect of my life. That wouldn’t bode well for our return.
I glanced at the clock. It was just after six, yet the sun was already streaming in through the open doors, a light breeze wafting the scent of the ocean into the room. Easing my arms behind my head, I enjoyed the quiet time, my thoughts drifting to the night before. Having her in my arms had felt very special, a relaxing experience. Admitting my feelings had been something else entirely. Wrong. I certainly hadn’t planned on saying them and in my mind, I had no business leading her on. This wasn’t anything but a contract agreement, however pleasurable the time spent. She was nothing to me. Nothing.
Disgusted with myself, I planted my feet on the floor, gripping the edge of the bed.
Seeing Calen had also been a reminder of my reality. He was certainly another person I could trust, but he was also in debt and seeing the changes in the club made me fear that he’d accepted my original offer of help. Only not from me. I would find out one way or the other. His reaction at seeing the Glock had been the same as Lola’s. Blatant fear. Well, I’d have to find out what the man knew and who he’d been in contact with.
I moved toward the cracked door, listening for any sounds of life in the house. There was no indication she was awake, but I certainly knew who would be. I closed the door with a soft click, padding toward the dresser and grabbing my phone. As I punched in the numbers, I walked out on the balcony, double checking that Lola wasn’t by the pool. I didn’t want her overhearing my conversation at this point. She was far too inquisitive as it was.
The man answered on the second ring. “Yes?”
“Alvaro. I’m in town.”
“Of course, my friend. I hope you found everything in order,” Alvaro said then laughed.
“I did. Thank you.” Alvaro had been recommended as a man who knew everyone in town. He’d also been a soldier in a way, keeping any concept of information regarding the mysterious stranger coming and going in private jets from inquisitive people. I had no doubt my father had certain connections in St. Martin, but I’d never found a reason to have concern until now. “I need your particular expertise.”
“Yes, my friend. What can I do for you?”
I rubbed my eyes before answering. “You know Calen’s place by the water, Tropical Mist?”
“Why, of course. He’d made quite a name for himself and the food is exquisite,” Alvaro said with amusement in his tone. “What is wrong, my friend?”
“I need you to find out who he’s been talking to and who’s funding his restaurant.”
“You think he has certain connections?”
“I do.” I hated what I was about to say.
“And if he does, what then?”
“You know exactly what to do.”
“This is not like you, Jagger. You are not your father,” Alvaro commented.
He was right. I was running scared, but not for me. The realization was tough to accept. “I have someone with me that I care about. Nothing can happen to her.”
Alvaro exhaled. “Ah, that I understand. Why don’t you allow me to handle the situation my way?”
“Hmmm... Fair enough.”
“You can trust me, my friend. Calen is a good man. I would hate for his family to experience a significant loss.”
“Just let me know what you find.”
“That I will,” Alvaro stated. “Might take me a couple of days. Relax, my friend and enjoy the island. Drink a cocktail. Enjoy time with your beautiful lady.”
Enjoy. I took a deep breath of fresh air, my fingers tingling just from the memory of spanking her sweet ass. I chuckled, trying to remain lighthearted, at least to a man who had many connections on the island. If there was anything going on, best that I appeared unshaken by the concept. “That I can do.”
After ending the call, I held the phone to my aching head. No amount of aspirin would cease the throbbing pain. The same sickening feeling was sitting like a stone in the pit of my stomach. Every time my instinct kicked into overdrive, I was right and usually that meant people dying. Maybe I was just being paranoid.
Or maybe another premonition was about to come true. Either way, I’d be prepared.
I couldn’t stand not being in absolute control over the situation. “Fuck!” I paced the balcony before storming back inside, tossing the phone on the bed. Maybe moving to Boone, North Carolina would solve the problem. Get a nice piece of land, a small house and live like a real human.
Not a murderer.
The dream was beautiful and would never happen. Still, I savored the thought alone for a few precious seconds. Lola was luckier than she could understand. Finding solace anywhere was a feat within itself.
I stood outside for another five minutes, lamenting over my decisions, my choices. None of them had been ones I’d really wanted in my life. Until Lola, and my raging desires for the woman, I’d simply gone along at least to a point. Maybe I should make significant changes. As I leaned over the railing, studying the way the surf smashed against the bank of rocks, I realized I’d never been happy. I’d never enjoyed the spoils of being born into wealth. Not really.
Was this a defining moment? God, I hoped so.
There was no sense in daydreaming. I pushed aside the fantasy as I walked back into the bedroom, heading in for a shower. When my cock twitched from the thought of her alone, I hung in the doorway, debating. With a sly smile on my face, I moved into the hallway and to her room. The door was closed. I rapped lightly, uncertain of whether she’d bother to acknowledge my presence. Hearing nothing, I walked inside.
There were signs she’d slept on the bed at least, not curled up in a ball in
the corner of the room. I heard what had to be the shower and I was unable to resist my most basic needs. The bathroom door stood cracked and I pushed it open. Even from the doorway I was able to see the outline of her naked form, her luscious body standing under the showerhead. My desire was overwhelming, shoving aside any aspect of decency.
Yanking off my briefs, I opened the shower door, inching inside and directly behind her.
Lola gasped, one hand slapping the tile, the other wiping water out of her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
All I had to do was give her a commanding look and she shrank against the shower wall, folding her arms over her chest. “Looking for you.”
“I...” She didn’t finish the sentence but her lower lip quivered. Narrowing her eyes, she allowed her gaze to travel down the length of my body, a slight curl appearing in the corner of her mouth.
“You approve?” I took a single step closer, the spray of the water hitting my chest. I eased both hands under the shower, allowing the water to cascade through my fingers then raking them through my hair. My cock was standing at full attention from simply seeing her voluptuous body, and the way beads of water were glistening on her skin. Even the slight hint of steam couldn’t take away from the vision in front of me. “I thought you might be lonely.”
The statement brought a slight laugh. “You do seem in need.”
“I’m always in need.” I brushed the tip of my middle finger down her arm, delighting in the way that even in the heat of the shower, her skin popped from excitement. I crept even closer, until we were only inches apart, the stream trickling between us. I cocked my head, drinking in her fabulous form as I traced the veins in her arm, moving down to her hand.
She lifted her arm, opening her fingers, a slight whimper escaping her mouth.
Using every scrap of control I could muster, I slid my finger down each finger, moving slowly, taking my time. I enjoyed exploring her body, savoring the way her nipples hardened, her breath sounds becoming ragged. There was nothing to say as I crossed over to her stomach, my fingers idling against her skin, swirling over her belly button. Inching my way to her breasts, I rubbed underneath both, my fingers dipping into the crease.