They may have eaten a fabulous meal, but the look in his eyes was one of pure hunger. As the air touched her b.r.e.a.s.t.s they tightened even more. She almost put her hands over them, but stopped herself.

He watched her for a moment, taking in the panties and lingering over her chest.

Mariska gave it back to him, pausing when she saw the large bulge in his shorts. She'd already had an effect on him and that knowledge gave her power.

"What do you want me to do now?" She lifted her arms above her head and stretched her back.

She heard his sharp intake of breath. "Lay down on the bed."

Mariska made a show of bending over and pulling down the lightweight blanket and sheets that covered the bed. She propped the pillows in the center of the headboard and then positioned herself against them.

"Is this okay?" She gave him a Cheshire cat grin.

Jackson's eyes devoured her and she couldn't keep the blush from creeping onto her cheeks. "I don't know how you found me, but I'll thank the G.o.ds for the rest of my life," he said. "You are one exquisite creature."

Mariska's body trembled with antic.i.p.ation. Her panties were now drenched and she wondered how long he'd play this game. The only thing she needed was his ginormous c.o.c.k inside her, pounding away. Ever since she'd touched him this morning, she'd wanted him sliding in and out of her. "I'm pretty sure you were the one who found me," she said playfully.

"Ah. You're right. Good move on my part."

Sliding off his shirt, he stood over her.

Mariska was afraid she'd scream if he didn't hurry.

After moving the rolling table they'd dined on nearer the bed, Jackson lifted the silver top off one of the dessert dishes and revealed warm fruit compote with whipped cream.

"Lose the thong," he said before he turned around.

Again, she did as he ordered, tossing the black lace on the chair where she'd left her dress. She had no idea what he planned but the last thing she desired right then was food.

Jackson stuck his fingers in the dessert and grabbed a slice of kiwi. Sliding it across her lips, he offered it to her. She sucked it off his fingers, licking the juice as she did. He took his middle finger and dipped it into the cream, and then bent down as he painted her p.u.s.s.y with it.

Mariska shuddered with pleasure, her back arching, and his fingers continued their manipulation.

The fire in her lower body built quickly and she moved her hips in motion with his fingers. When he stopped to grab more food, she whimpered.

"No," she cried, her body aching with need.

"No, what?" His fingers stopped a few inches above her heat.

"Jackson, don't stop, please," she begged.

"I have no plans to stop for a very long time." He put whipped cream on her p.u.s.s.y and then devoured her with his mouth. As he sucked and licked her hotness, Mariska shuddered with pleasure over and over. Then his teeth found that tiny nub and worked her so that she bucked against his face. He held her hips in his hands and used his mouth to drive her over the edge.

Mariska could no longer think. All she could do was feel. When he pumped two fingers into her as he nibbled her, the tension in her body snapped and she rode the wave of pleasure into a shuddering release.

"Ohh." She could say nothing else.

When she finally opened her eyes she saw his hand in the whipped cream again. This time she came the second his teeth found her nub. "Jackson, please. I need you," she growled. She came so hard she grabbed his head and forcibly pulled him up her body.

Jackson moved up over her and kissed her. She could taste the cream mixed with her on his mouth. She reached down to slide her hand around his c.o.c.k but he pulled away from her. "Not yet, baby."

"Jackson," she begged again. "I need you in me now."

"I know what you need." Grabbing the hot fudge, he dipped a finger in and then teased her mouth. This time she sucked it like she would his c.o.c.k.

When he groaned, she knew he understood exactly what she wanted.

Finally he removed his finger and dipped it into the hot fudge again, sliding it in circles around her nipples. Then he set the bowl down and lay next to her. His tongue swirled around the nipple, licking her, and when he nipped lightly, her hands fisted the pillows around her.

"Mmm," was all she could say.

His hand slid down and he rubbed his finger on the already overstimulated nub. Between his tongue and his hand she was shuddering with another o.r.g.a.s.m in seconds.

"Jackson," she cried out. "Please, now."

Reaching for a condom from the box, he handed it to her. In her excitement she almost couldn't get the package opened. Finally she ripped it open with her teeth.

Before sliding it on, she pushed down the bed so she could taste him. Suckling his c.o.c.k in the same way he did her t.i.t, sliding her tongue down the length of him. She loved watching him grow even larger and took as much of him as she could into her mouth.

This time it was his hands that went into her hair.

"Mar," he whispered and she knew he fought for control. She wanted him to come in her mouth right then, but she didn't think the rest of her body would forgive her.

Backing off, she pulled the sheath over his now slick c.o.c.k.

Jackson rose up on his knees and positioned himself between her legs. Lifting them so she could wrap herself around him as he plunged into her. Mariska grabbed the top of the teak headboard with her hands and thrusted against him. They fit so perfectly, it was as if they'd been made for each other.

"Yes," she cried as he pounded in and out, seeming to know that she needed it hard. When he slowed she whimpered again.

"Touch yourself, baby," Jackson ordered.

"No. Jackson, please."

"I will, Mar. But you have to touch yourself for me."

The way those gorgeous bedroom blues begged her there was no way she could ever tell him no. And in that moment she would do anything for him.

Mariska obeyed, letting go of the headboard and running her right hand across her breast and down to her s.e.x, where he began pumping her hard and fast.

The heat in his eyes made her brave and she began rubbing her nub in concert with his thrusts in and out. He pounded her so hard, it was as if every nerve in her body could feel his c.o.c.k moving inside her, driving her mad. She tightened her legs around him. When he increased the pace and she could feel every inch of him inside her, her body became one tight nerve.

"Come for me, baby. Come on." His words urged her to go faster and faster, her body ached for release. Mariska was so overcome by the sensation that when the o.r.g.a.s.m hit she shouted at the top of her lungs.

"Stay with me." His voice strained, he continued to ride her, building her up one more time to a final crescendo that almost made her lose consciousness. She seriously saw stars for a second.

The only thing that centered her was the look of pleasure mixed with possession in Jackson's eyes as he claimed her. Tears burned in her eyes at the joy she saw as he thrust one last time.

She hadn't noticed they spilled over until Jackson suddenly stopped and gave her a guarded stare.

"Did I hurt you? Are you okay?"

At first she couldn't speak and closed her eyes. Her body limp and languid, she remembered to smile.

"I-I am happier than I've ever been in my life." She whispered the words and then reached up to him, pulling him into a kiss.

His furrowed eyebrows said he didn't believe her. "Are you sure?"

"Silly man. I think people in Kentucky know how good I am right now. I only hope no one comes to investigate what we were doing. Did I really scream as loud as I think I did?"

His smile actually reached his eyes. "Yes, you did." She could tell he finally understood that she was beyond okay.

She breathed a happy sigh. "You are wonderful."

"I think the t.i.tle of wonderful goes to you." He used his thumbs to wipe away the last of the moisture from her cheeks. "Come on, let's go rinse off."

Mar wasn't sure she could get any of her muscles to cooperate. Her body was one giant pleasure puddle. When she didn't move immediately he scooped her up. Thinking he would take them to the shower, she was surprised when he headed to the front door.

"Jackson, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to rinse you off?"

She grabbed his chin with her fingers. "But I'm naked, we both are."

"Do you care, baby? Really? It's dark, and this part of the beach is ours. Let's make the most of it. Besides, we need to clean up fast."

"Why is that?" She gave up her modesty and let him carry her outside.

"We have five more desserts to go." He waggled his eyebrows and ran into the ocean.

Mariska squealed, but it wasn't from the cool water.

12.

JACKSON ENVIED MARISKA'S ability to sleep so heavily, as he never caught more than three hours at a time. It was eleven in the morning and she hadn't moved. He couldn't blame her. They'd made love until almost six, and managed to make it through all the desserts. He had to admit that he'd never had a buffet quite like Mariska. Every inch of her was delectable, even without the added sweets.

Studying her delicate face, he remembered the way she looked at him when they made love. Something shattered inside him last night and he was worried it might be the carefully built wall he'd constructed around his heart. How could he have grown to care so much for her in such a short time? He'd intended this to be a fun romantic fling, something easy to walk away from and never look back.

Now he knew that wouldn't happen. Their night had meant more to him than he could have ever imagined, and it went far beyond the incredible s.e.x. There was a deeper connection between them, and he knew she felt it, too. He saw it in her eyes. His heart would pay for it later.

You're no good for her, man. The longer you stay here the worse it's going to be. Get your mind out of this fantasy world and back to reality.

As much as he tried to push that inner voice aside, and wake Mar so they could make love again, he couldn't do it.

He'd been a soldier for too long.

Forcing his thoughts away from the woman beside him, he deliberated about his next move. The thing he needed more than anything was information.

He'd borrow her laptop to check his e-mail. If Dawson had sent him an answer he'd most likely have to leave in a few hours. If he hadn't, he might be able to spare one more day with Mariska. But that was it. Jackson couldn't risk the people who were after him catching up with him here.

It was too dangerous for Mariska. He wasn't sure when it had happened, but her safety was more important to him than his own.

Sliding carefully out of bed, he showered and dressed. Grabbing her computer, he snuck out the door, careful to keep the light from waking her.

After all that sugar, his body craved some protein, and he picked up an egg sandwich and coffee from the hotel breakfast bar. Then he found a small table in the corner that gave him a good view of the room, and sat down to check his account.

"Mr. Greely?" There was a familiar voice to his right. Oh, h.e.l.l. Jackson didn't look up, but he knew it was Carl Scoggins. The man was the bookkeeper who dealt with several of Vlad's a.s.sociates. What the h.e.l.l is he doing here? Jackson ignored the man. He had to in order to keep his cover.

"Mr. Greely." Scoggins touched Jackson's shoulder and he had to look up. "It's me, Carl," the slightly balding and very short man said. He was dressed in a pair of wild Bermuda shorts, a white T-shirt, black socks and odd-looking sandals.

Jackson stared at the man blankly. "I'm sorry, you must have me confused with someone else." Jackson gave a brief smile. He used his American accent since Scoggins knew him as a Scotsman, who wanted in on an arms deal. The only upside of this c.r.a.ppy chance meeting was that Jackson had saved the man's life.

Scoggins stared at him for a full thirty seconds. "You look just like Jason Greely, a gentleman I-worked with in London." The other man gave Jackson the once-over again. "You could be his twin. It's the oddest thing."

"Not really." Jackson looked past the man to see if anyone else was with him. "I have one of those faces. My girlfriend thinks I look like one of those film stars. So are you here on vacation?" Jackson did his best to keep his tone light and airy as if was meeting the man for the first time.

Scoggins pursed his lips, and then smiled. "Yes, I came out for a holiday. I had business in Bangkok and decided to come to the coast for a bit of sun. London is a dreary place this time of year."

"Never been there," Jackson lied. If this man had been in Bangkok it meant he'd been in touch with Vlad. Scoggins was the moneyman between Vlad and several arms dealers. He was the one who transferred the funds to accounts after buys. "But I hope to go someday. Well, I'm sorry I'm not your friend. It was nice to meet you." Jackson nodded a farewell and then looked down at his breakfast.

"Yes, nice to meet you, too. Uh. I can't get over the resemblance, though now that I look at you, there are some subtle differences. Your hair color and the scars on your face." Jackson could thank Vlad's men for those marks. "Well, my breakfast is getting cold. I'll see you around." The man walked off and Jackson took a deep breath.

One phone call or text and Jackson would be dead in a matter of hours. h.e.l.l. He'd have to find some answers fast and get out of p.h.u.ket before Vlad could find him.

His appet.i.te gone, Jackson opened Mariska's computer and signed on. There were two e-mails on the special account, the first from Dawson.

She? No deal. London Friday. Have a solution to difficulty.

Jackson was confused. What the h.e.l.l did She? No deal mean? He tried to think back to the e-mail he sent in the city. He'd thanked the other man for the a.s.set and asked for news. Oh, h.e.l.l.

The a.s.set wasn't a woman.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger, Jackson wondered how he could have screwed up in such a major way. Mariska wasn't the one he was supposed to meet in the bar yesterday. He blew out a breath. He'd thought for sure when he heard the name Stonegate she was it. Now he'd put a poor innocent woman's life in danger for no good reason.

a.s.s.

Was he that desperate that he'd reach out to the first person who showed him kindness? And she had. She'd been so willing to believe all the lies. The money and her resources had also made him think-what?

G.o.d, he really was an idiot. He'd followed her here half hoping he'd figure out what she was supposed to do for him. He grunted. He'd used the poor woman in so many ways it wasn't funny. He felt like c.r.a.p.

Sipping his coffee, Jackson forced himself to think about this immediate problem. He pushed past his idiotic mistake and concentrated on Dawson's message. He needed to get to London in less than a week.