Jordan Summers (17 page)

“Mine,” he growled, nipping her flesh in a sting of pleasure-pain.

Her head fell back against the wall as Jack sucked and laved her breasts. Gone was the gentle lover she’d met back in Phoenix. He’d been replaced by a man possessed, who was bent on possessing her, too. Jack released the hardened pebble, then yanked her pants down. He pulled, taking her shoes and underwear with them, deftly tossing the items behind him.

His mouth came back to hers, searching, hungry, then Delaney felt her feet leave the ground. Jack braced her back against wall, only long enough to free his cock and sheathe himself with a condom. Then he was inside her, moving like a piston.

She knew instinctively that he was using his body to punish her in a way he never would. Delaney whimpered in need as each thrust pushed her up the wall, driving her passions further over the edge.

“I cannot believe that you followed me,” he groaned in her ear, then rolled his hips for emphasis, spearing her deep. “You could’ve gotten us killed. You could’ve gotten
you
killed.”

Delaney found it difficult to focus with the pressure from her impending orgasm building inside of her. Jack’s body shuddered beneath her fingertips. She could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Sweat dripped down the side of his face, leaving his hair slick. The aroma of sex filled the air.

“Are you listening to me?” he asked, then nipped her earlobe to focus her attention.

“Yes, I’m listening,” she told him. Her head was spinning from the kiss and his intensity.

“Don’t you understand that I don’t want anything to happen to you?” He ground his body into hers, brushing her clit in the process.

Delaney cried out.

“I couldn’t bear it, if anything happened to you,” he declared, his voice breaking with unspoken emotion.

Something inside Delaney melted at his words and tears prickled her eyes. A second later, her orgasm roared through her. She shouted Jack’s name, tensing in his arms, her body exploding into a million tiny nerve endings. Jack gripped her bottom and thrust in a frenzied movement, then bellowed, following her to completion.

His lungs labored as he slowly lowered Delaney to her feet. “I’m sorry if I hurt you,” he said quietly, brushing his nose tenderly to hers.

“You didn’t.” Her body trembled as the aftershocks of pleasure coursed through her.

“I need you to promise me something,” he said, his voice serious and his gaze unwavering.

Delaney brushed her hair away from her face. “What is it?”

The equivalent of Jack’s heart was in his eyes when he answered. “To never scare me like that ever again.”

“A
RE YOU READY
?”
Jack asked, squeezing her hand in reassurance as they stood in a deserted gate area in Los Angeles International Airport. White lines bracketed his sensual mouth, the only indication that despite his placid expression he was feeling the pressure of the impending deal.

“I’m fine,” Delaney lied smoothly. So many things could go wrong once they retrieved the vans from Phoenix and brought them back here to L.A. That was only one of the reasons she was concerned. The other had to do with Jack. He’d explained the deal Rico had offered him after they’d made love last night.

Delaney was still reeling that Jack had cared enough to risk his life and his freedom to protect her. They’d been through so much together in such a short period of time, but that still didn’t stop her from worrying that once this case was finished, she and Jack would go their separate ways.

“We have a few minutes before we have to get to the gate. Rico’s men will be waiting for us outside the Marina shipyard tomorrow when we get back. Your people will probably catch Rico watching nearby. He doesn’t trust anyone enough to let them take care of the loading alone, so you’re worrying for nothing.”

“You’re probably right. I’m sure the deal will go down smoothly.” Delaney rolled her stiff shoulders.

“Why don’t we take a short walk?” Jack suggested in an obvious attempt to ease her tension.

“Do you think we have time?” she asked, glancing at her watch.

“Sure, if we make it quick.” Jack winked.

They strolled down the winding hallway that led to gate eleven. The last of the flights for that area had come in four hours ago and nothing was scheduled to leave until tomorrow. Two doors opened onto deserted jetways. Delaney strode to the nearest one and punched in a code after swiping her ID.

The door opened and Jack stepped aside for her to enter. Always the gentleman, she thought wryly, secretly loving every minute of it. The jetway was dark and musty, as if it had sat unused in the sea air for too long. Delaney shivered from the dampness, but didn’t turn on the light. Jack slipped his arm around her, enveloping her in his body heat.

For a moment, Delaney allowed herself to sink in to his strength and draw comfort from his presence. After tomorrow, she probably wouldn’t see Jack again. Sadness cloaked her.

Over the past few days she’d come to look forward to spending time with him. She didn’t want to go back to sitting home alone on the weekends, watching television and eating ice cream out of the carton.

In a few short days, Jack had shown her possibilities. He’d introduced her to a life outside of work and Delaney wasn’t ready to give that up and return to the status quo. She’d realized that last night. Although the thought scared her, the fear wasn’t enough to change her mind.

She took a step and felt her SIG Sauer 229 brush her leg as they strolled. The pistol’s weight was light enough that it didn’t hinder her ability to walk…too much. She’d checked the clip earlier to make sure it held frangibles.

Although not without risks, it was the safest ammo to fire on a plane and would disintegrate when it hit the target, while leaving a shallow widespread wound behind. The last thing they needed was a decompression at thirty thousand feet. She shuddered at the thought. Luckily, there should be no reason to draw her weapon. She adjusted the ankle holster.

“What do you have there?” Jack asked from behind her.

“An insurance package for when we get to Phoenix,” she said, repositioning the pistol. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but it was a lot better than being unarmed. Which to Delaney’s mind, wasn’t an option.

The agents pretending to be rental van employees would already be in place. It wasn’t much of a backup, considering the manpower Rico had, but it would have to do.

“Are we set?” Jack asked, as they reached the end of the jetway. He brushed his chin on top of her head, while pulling her against his body. Again, his warmth comforted her, along with his distinct masculine scent. Delaney didn’t think that she’d ever get that fragrance out of her mind. The man smelled incredible.

“Yes, I think so,” she said, turning in his arms, so she could loop her fingers around his neck.

Jack’s lips met hers in a tender kiss. There was no fire, only a simmering connection of familiarity that held unspoken promises. He pulled back slightly, until he could look in to her eyes. The airport lights bathed the jetway in ghostly light, leaving everything shadowed, intimate.

“It’ll be okay, Delaney,” he said reassuringly. “I promise.” He brushed her lower lip with the pad of his thumb and kissed her again.

Delaney took a shaky breath and nodded, allowing his touch to propel her worries away. Oh, how she longed to be back in Jack’s bed, their naked bodies clinging as they burned up the sheets.

“I’ll make sure Rico doesn’t get anywhere near you.” His arms tightened fractionally as if he didn’t want to let her go. “Once this is finished we can start over like we talked about.”

Delaney’s eyes widened. Did Jack still mean it? Could they start over? It seemed like a lifetime ago since they’d discussed the idea in his kitchen. Would they even live long enough to try? All good questions that she couldn’t afford to think about right now. They’d distract her when she needed to be at her best.

“Let’s concentrate on getting through this ordeal,” she said, reluctantly putting some distance between them.

Jack frowned slightly. “I only wanted to say—”

“Later.” Delaney cut him off by pressing her finger to his lips. She knew it was cowardly, but she wasn’t prepared to hear what he had to say. Not yet. Perhaps not ever. She didn’t think her heart could take it. His tongue flicked out, scorching her and hardening her nipples. Delaney jerked her hand back. “You don’t play fair.”

Jack didn’t say a word as an unholy light filled his eyes. There was knowledge glowing in those blue depths, along with awareness and…possession.

Panic struck Delaney as she realized she liked the way he was looking at her. It made her skin heat while at the same time culled the hope that she kept hidden away. The power Jack had over her was frightening and enthralling in equal measure.

“We’d better get back or we’ll miss the plane,” she reminded him, sliding her hands down his arms, tracing the long lines of his muscles under his shirt with her fingertips, memorizing every contour in case this was her last opportunity to touch him. Despite hoping otherwise, Delaney knew there was a very good possibility that was the truth.

Everyone knew fairy tales were for suckers and fools. Delaney was neither. So why did she want so badly to believe?

She and Jack walked down the main corridor of Terminal One. It was early evening and the airport was packed with travelers busily making their way to various destinations. The tinkling of cell phones rang out in the crowd, playing a digital version of Marco Polo as they weaved their way through the people.

Travelers bumped her, sending her teetering back. Jack reached out and clutched her hand to steady her. They arrived at Gate Seven a few moments later. A crowd gathered around Gate Nine as the people deplaned temporarily blocking her view. When the crowd parted, Delaney’s gaze moved back to Gate Seven. Her eyes widened as she saw passengers boarding the aircraft.

Crap! She was late.

Jeremy came walking up the jetway, peering through the crowd. He waved when he spotted her.

People trickled down the jetway and milled by the gate agent behind the podium.

“Where have you been?” Jeremy stood at the top of the jetway frowning. “We’re getting ready to push. I couldn’t cover for you any longer. The pilots are already in the cockpit. Hurry and get aboard, I have a hot date lined up in Phoenix.” He tapped his watch.

Delaney forced herself to smile. “Shall we?” she said.

They boarded the plane. The bright overhead lights gave everyone a sickly pallor. Delaney watched from the forward entry as Jack took his seat in first class.

She turned to greet the next passengers boarding. “Good evening, welcome aboa—” The words faded as she caught sight of David Rico and his bodyguard Tony strolling down the jetway toward the plane.

Rico grinned like a mongoose eyeing a cobra when their eyes met. Delaney forced herself to remain in place, when every fiber called for her retreat. What was he doing here? He was supposed to meet them tomorrow night.

His gaze glided over her, pausing at her breasts. Delaney hid her disgust. Rico ran a hand through his perfectly cut hair. It sprang back in place like a coil. “Fancy running in to you here. What are the odds?”

Slim, Delaney thought. “I don’t understand,” she said, looking over her shoulder toward Jack, who hadn’t noticed Rico yet. “What are you doing here? We’re on our way to pick up the vans now.”

He smirked. “I was never very good at waiting.”

“Are you coming with us to get them?” Delaney asked, needing to know exactly why he was here. Did he not trust them to follow through? Had their cover been blown?

David glanced at Tony, then he shrugged. “There’s been a slight change of plans.”

This wasn’t good. A change of plans at the last minute was never good. How would she notify McMillan, or Anderson for that matter?

There’d be no way he could get more ATF agents on the ground at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix without a heads-up. The best she could hope for was that McMillan had assigned someone to watch them and that they’d spotted Rico and Tony boarding the plane. Delaney doubted she could be that lucky.

Why hadn’t she considered that Rico might change the plans under possible worst-case scenarios? They’d been so sure he would wait for them that they’d gotten sloppy. And now their negligence may cost people their lives.

Delaney paused as a horrifying thought crossed her mind. If he was here, then where was the merchandise? According to Jack, Rico kept his shipments close. At least close enough that he could reach them within a few minutes if need be.

Her gaze drifted out the window to the crew loading the plane. She couldn’t see what was happening on the ground, beyond a lot of movement. He couldn’t be that stupid. She stared at Rico and considered breaking cover. There were too many unknown variables on a flight.

What if there happened to be a sky marshal onboard or an off-duty cop? So many things could go wrong in the air, and if they did, it wasn’t like backup could race in to help. Thirty thousand feet was a long way to drop without a net.

Delaney took a deep breath. No sense in getting ahead of herself. Rico had given her no indication that the weapons were here. The last thing she needed was to raise the alarm only to find out that she’d been wrong.

She took a step back and felt the SIG Sauer pistol brush her ankle. It may not be much, but it was all she had. In the end, Delaney knew she couldn’t scrap the mission. There was more at stake than a plane load of people. There was the safety of thousands to consider.

Delaney pushed the thought out of her mind and concentrated on the facts. All she had to do was keep everyone calm for an hour and fifteen minutes. Perhaps if she kept Rico’s attention focused on her, then even the two flight attendants would remain blissfully unaware of how much danger they were in. After that, they’d be in Phoenix and she’d be able to contact the ATF.

Maybe she could slip a note to the pilots? She peered into the cockpit.

Rico leaned past her. “Hey, Tom, long time no see. How’s the new boat?”

The first officer turned and grinned. “I’m loving it, thanks. Great seeing you again, Dave. We’ll try to give you a smooth ride.”

“You do that,” Rico said, facing Delaney once more.

Delaney’s stomach clenched. So much for slipping the pilots a note. Rico had managed to get a man in place in the cockpit. This was getting better and better.

“Are we meeting the package?” she asked, hoping her assumption was wrong.

Rico looked out the window and waved to the rampers loading the plane. “No, I see my luggage being loaded right now.”

“On the plane?” Delaney strangled on the question. He truly was stupid or insane. Either way everyone’s life was now in danger.

“That’s normally where you put luggage too large to fit in the overhead bin.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Luckily, I’m not paying you to think. Just do your job and it’ll be over before you know it. Remember, you have your passengers to consider.” The threat was thinly veiled.

Delaney peered at the people who counted on her to keep them safe. There was no backing out. “You’d better take your seats, gentlemen,” she said, noticing a few passengers’ curious glances. “We’ll be departing shortly.” Delaney looked at Jack, who was now staring at Rico. He appeared to be about as happy as she felt.

Rico’s bodyguard, Tony, sat toward the back, snagging an aisle seat. His eyes followed Barbie’s ass like a bull after a matador’s cape as she moved forward shutting overhead bins.

Delaney didn’t like the way he watched her, but couldn’t do anything about it at present. Rico remained in first class near Jack, but up and over one row. He, too, had taken an aisle seat.

To the casual observer, their seat selections appeared random, but Delaney knew they’d arranged themselves strategically. The flight was only half full with most of the passengers sitting up front and in the middle, but that still left fifty potential casualties.

“Flight attendants prepare for departure,” the captain said.

The plane pushed back from the jetway. After a brief delay on the taxiway, the tower cleared them for departure. The plane’s engines revved a second before the pilots released the brakes.

The beast lurched, then steadily increased speed. Delaney tried not to think about the cargo or how volatile it was as she sat in her brace position, clutching the seat belt. The aircraft banked right and then continued to climb, causing her ears to pop like champagne corks. As long as nothing else exploded, they’d be fine.

She took out her cart as soon as the plane leveled off and began her beverage service. The cart wobbled, refusing to cooperate as Delaney forced the heavy metal monstrosity down the aisle.