"So you had s.e.x with a guy you'd only known a couple of days?" Chi's statement was one more of admiration than admonishment. "I have to say, I'm kind of proud of you right now. I mean, when you decide to let go, you do it in a big way. But I'm super glad he didn't turn out to be an axe murderer."

Me, too. "I may not be the best detective in the world, you guys, but I do have good sense when it comes to judging people. I still don't know a d.a.m.n thing about the guy, but my heart tells me he was a good man. Even though he left in the middle of the night and didn't say goodbye."

Again there was silence.

"What? No lectures?" The words came out snappish, but she couldn't help feeling defensive. "You guys are the ones who find fault with every man I meet."

"Did you have a good time?" That was Makala again, but there was no judgment in her voice.

"Uh, you know I did. I can honestly say it was the time of my life. I was happier than I've ever been."

"Well, good for you," Makala said. "There's nothing wrong with stepping out of your comfort zone. You've been through h.e.l.l this last year and a half. It's okay that you acted out and did something a little wild. We've all been so worried about you."

Mar started giggling. "So you're saying it's a good thing I had s.e.x with a stranger at a remote island resort, even though I'm not sure I know his name? Have you guys been replaced by pod people?"

They laughed, too.

"Yes, that's what we're saying," Katie teased. "Makala's right. You've been so tied up in knots trying to learn the business, and doing a d.a.m.n fine job I might add, and you haven't even taken the time to process what happened with your mom.

"You took care of your dad and set up his house so that it runs like clockwork. You arranged it so that someone was there to make sure he ate, and that he had clean shirts. By the way, Mrs. Hopkins has been calling with daily updates, and your dad's doing fine. I went over there to make sure, and she made chocolate chip pancakes. The best ones I've ever had. That woman should have a show on the Food Network."

Mrs. Hopkins had been a G.o.dsend. Mar's dad was a successful businessman, but he'd taken her mother's death hard. Since Mar was busy trying to keep SIA afloat, she'd hired Mrs. H. to help with the domestic side of things.

Thinking about her dad brought another tear to her eye. What's with all the crying? It was like she'd been saving up or something. She reached for a tissue. "Thanks for checking on him. I appreciate it."

"No worries," Katie said. "And Mar, we don't say it enough, but you've kept this place running, too. You're here eighteen hours a day handling research and coordinating who does what. We've all had front row seats to the awesomeness that is you."

This time Mar snorted. "I think I need that T-shirt."

"I'll get you one made," Chi said. And she probably would. "So since your dream man is gone, are you coming home?"

Mar chewed on her lip again. "I'm thinking about it. I have to leave here. It feels weird now, but I'm not ready to come home yet. I promise wherever I go, I'll let you know. And from now on I'll keep my phone close by."

"Good girl," Chi said. "Take your time. You don't need to be back until the end of the month."

She was really lucky to have such amazing friends. "Thanks. I heart you guys, you know that, right?"

"Right back at you, chickie," Chi said. "Don't forget to call and let us know where you land."

"I won't," Mar promised.

They said their goodbyes.

"They're right. I needed this. I had a good time, and I met a terrific guy. He lied. A lot. But was fun. So definitely no regrets."

Determined to be strong, she called to arrange for a car to take her back to Bangkok. There was still the danger of the mob guys, so she'd have the driver take her straight to the airport. The shopping would have to wait for another time. The hotel in Bangkok would ship her clothing back to Austin. That way she could travel light, and pick things up as she went.

Once she arrived at the airport, she'd see wherever the next flight was going, and she'd buy a ticket.

Back in the bathroom, she pulled her hair up in a ponytail, and brushed her teeth. Throwing her toiletries in her backpack as she did.

She followed with her clothes, wadding them into b.a.l.l.s and stuffing them in. In less than five minutes she had everything ready to go, and wore her favorite jeans and a T-shirt. The only thing that wouldn't fit was her laptop. She decided she'd have to carry it by hand to the car.

Then she realized it was gone. Jackson had taken her laptop.

And her heart.

Fine. Whatever. I'll buy a new one. I can now add thief to the list of mysterious things about Jackson. Dammit, I never did ask about that tattoo.

Sticking her phone in her hip pocket, she walked to the door. Turning to check the room one last time, she didn't see the intruder, who slapped a hand over her mouth as Mar screamed for her life.

17.

SOMEONE HAD GRABBED Mar in the doorway and her fight-or-flight instincts kicked in. Without even thinking about it she shifted her weight, twisted and was about to bring her elbow up to the intruder's chin when she heard, "Mar, it's me. Sorry I startled you. I'm going to take my hand off your mouth now. No one is trying to hurt you. I didn't want you to scream, that's all." Jackson moved his hand away from her mouth.

She stared at him, hard, her heart lodged in her throat. She took a deep breath, and backed away from him. "What are you doing here? I thought you left." It didn't make sense that Jackson stood in her doorway. For the last half hour she'd tried to convince herself that she'd never see him again.

But he was there, the handsome b.a.s.t.a.r.d, in his jeans and tight black T-shirt.

I despise him.

Hah. Not hardly.

Mar could take a lot, but the last thing she needed was to face him. The fury from earlier returned. "Did you forget something? Maybe you needed to take my phone, since you already had my computer?"

He had the good grace to look ashamed. "I did leave, and I borrowed your computer. I have every intention of returning it to you. That's the absolute truth. But I'm back for a very good reason. Our friends from Bangkok have arrived. I need to get you out of here and on a plane so you'll be safe."

Jackson pushed through the door and shut it.

Mar's hands went to her hips. "Jackson. How do I know this isn't another one of your games? And I'm not going anywhere until you at least tell me your name. I mean it. It p.i.s.ses me off that I've been calling you Jackson all this time and I don't even know if that's your real name."

She didn't think it possible that she could want someone so much and at the same time be angrier than she'd ever been. To keep from throwing something at him she sat down on the bed and folded her hands on her lap.

"I'm sitting here until you answer my question." Her chin jutted out. "My G.o.d. You stole my computer, and who knows what you did to my e-mails. And what about those messages at the front desk? How did you keep those from me?"

The shock on his face was priceless. He hadn't expected her to fight back.

"Mar, there are two men out there who will kill us. We don't have time for explanations." Jackson moved toward her.

"Do not come near me. You are more than welcome to run away again. You did a good job of it an hour ago. I don't know why you came back or what it is you want now, but I'd prefer if you left immediately." Liar.

Mar turned away from him and became intensely interested in one of the paintings on the wall. Unlike Jackson, she wasn't a very good liar, but she didn't want him to see that even though he'd betrayed her, she was having a hard time keeping her hands off him.

Stupid jerk. That's right. You're supposed to hate him. He dumped you.

But...No. Don't go there.

"I know you're mad." Jackson lowered his voice and that deep s.e.xy tone was hard to resist. She kept her head turned away. "I understand why, and I'm sorry I deceived you. I promise, whatever I did, it was necessary to protect my cover."

When she continued staring at the wall, he went on.

"My name really is Jackson. It's after one of my mom's favorite soap opera characters. The last name, the one my family gave me, is Walker. I don't use it much, because of the business I'm in. I promise you if you come with me now, I will tell you as much as I can without endangering your life."

Mar turned back around and took in his handsome mug. Something clicked in her brain and she knew he was some kind of intelligence officer. CIA, DEA, something. He was in work mode, and there was a different look about him. His body tensed, as if he were ready for a fight. She'd noticed it when they were at the casino and at the hotel in Bangkok.

He didn't want to blow his cover.

Ding. Ding. Mar won the spy prize.

At the office this past year she'd had a chance to meet with several intelligence officers when the agency consulted on cases with the CIA, FBI and DEA. She knew the way they talked and acted. Even in the boardroom there was a toughness about the agents who actually did field work.

Jackson had that same quiet intensity about him. He was on a mission.

"Good. At least I know the name of the man who made love to me the last three days. So why me, Jackson?" Mar wasn't exactly sure she wanted to hear the answer, but she had to ask. "What?"

"Why would you come here with me? If you're so worried about blowing your cover, and your life is in danger, why spend so much time with me? Seems to me you should be off on some mission somewhere, not making out with a chick on a beach."

He stepped back and leaned against the wall. "I don't know what to tell you." He frowned. "Our meeting was an accident, but I didn't know that until after we arrived here. I thought you were someone else." His arms crossed against his chest and she could tell he told the truth from the confused expression on his face.

"I can't tell you why, but I thought I was supposed to stay close to you. When you mentioned the beach trip, well, at first I thought it was a good idea to get out of Bangkok. But by the time we drove to the resort-I..."

When his voice faltered, she warily gazed up at him. "You what?"

Jackson pushed away from the wall. "I wanted to be with you. I know you don't believe me, but that's the truth." He glanced down at the floor and back up at her. "I understand why you don't exactly feel compelled to come with me right now, but we have to go while it's still dark. I'm telling the truth about the mob guys. I'll take you and show you where they are if you want, but we need to get the h.e.l.l out of here."

"One more question, then I'll go."

"What?"

"Are you going to hurt me?" She challenged him. Needing to know exactly what his intentions were where she was concerned.

Jackson dropped the hand he'd been about to put on her shoulder, and stepped back. "Mar," he said, his voice strained. "I would give my life for you if necessary. You-are more important to me than anyone else. I promise that all I want to do right now is make sure you are safe. Then you won't ever have to see me again."

Mar believed him. The expression in his eyes told her that he'd been mortified she could even think he would harm her. While she didn't want to admit it, his line about never seeing him again sent a panic through her. She'd lived that reality ten minutes ago and she didn't want to do it again.

The universe had given her a second chance, and she would take advantage of it.

She clicked her tongue on the top of her mouth. "Hopefully it won't be necessary, that whole giving your life for me. Though I'm still kind of p.i.s.sed at you, so if it comes up, I'm so playing that card. How do you propose we get out of here?"

Jackson stared at her, relief flooding his face when he understood that she would go with him. "Well, they're in the parking lot watching my bike. We're going to have to borrow a car. I'll jack one, but I promise I'll make sure it gets back to the rightful owner." Jackson gave her an earnest look.

Mar rolled her eyes. "Why do you have to make everything so clandestine? How about we use the car I hired? It's picking me up in front of the hotel..." She glanced at her watch. "Right now. Except if those bozos are watching the parking lot that might make it a little tough to get in the car without being seen."

Jackson didn't say anything for a moment. Then he took in her backpack, and the fact that she was already dressed. "You were leaving?"

She pushed past him, and pretended to check something in the bathroom so he couldn't see her face. "Yes. I-I'm bored with this place, and I've decided to spend the rest of my vacation somewhere else. We better go. The car's waiting and those guys are liable to get suspicious if it stays empty," she said.

Mar didn't care about the circ.u.mstances that had thrown them together again. She was grateful for more time with the man. She should be furious, but all the anger from before had dissipated. Jackson shouldn't have left her behind, but he'd returned to make sure she was safe. That counted for something in her book.

"Hmm. I think I have an idea." Mar reached for the phone.

The front desk picked up after one ring.

"Hi, I'm hoping you can help me out?"

"We are here to serve, Ms. Stonegate." The gentleman had a French accent.

"Excellent. Listen, my friend noticed some guys who might be paparazzi sitting out in the parking lot. They were checking out his bike and then went back to sit in their car. We're leaving in a few minutes and I would prefer not having my picture flashed all over the tabloids. Um, you know, with my friend."

She knew the resort prided itself on being a place where people of certain means could come without worrying about things like paparazzi. The clerk was duly horrified at the prospect of his hotel being invaded by cameras.

"I'll send our security staff immediately to handle the situation. Might I suggest that you meet the car outside the gates? There's an easy path up the beach and through the trees. That way you won't need to worry about them following your car."

Mar explained to Jackson what the clerk had said.

"You never fail to surprise me," he said. "Speaking of that, was that a Krav Manga move you threw at me when I grabbed you in the doorway?"

Mar's right eyebrow lifted. "I keep telling you I can take care of myself. You don't have a former CIA agent for a mother and not pick up a few things here and there. So don't worry. If the bad guys come after you, I've got your back."

Jackson smiled. "I believe you do."

18.

THE PLAN WORKED PERFECTLY and Jackson and Mar were in the car on the way to Bangkok with no problems.

Jackson kept an eye on the road behind them. The guys at the hotel weren't stupid. If they'd seen the car pull up and then out again without any guests, they'd get suspicious. Though so far he hadn't seen any sign of them.

Mar's flowery scent teased him. His body urged him to scoop her up in his arms and hold her. Maybe even beg for forgiveness. He couldn't stand the fact that she hated him.

When she asked if he meant her harm, he'd almost come unglued. If he hadn't been worried about her life he would have showed her how much she meant to him right then and there.

He couldn't blame her for being angry about his deception. There was no excuse for what he'd done. He'd taken the coward's way out.