Authors: Maya Banks
“Manuel, there’s something else,” Tony said as he finished the instructions. A hint of excitement colored his voice.
“Talk to me,” Manuel said.
“I took the liberty of doing a little recon on my own. I may have found someone sympathetic to our cause. I think he could help Jules.”
Manuel straightened in his seat. “Tell me.”
“Senator Denison. Word is he’s on a short list to be the new Director of Homeland Security. He’s very interested in cracking the NFR. It would be a huge coup for him since the CIA has never been able to get inside the organization. He wants to meet you and Jules. He’s amenable to an exchange. If Jules will give him information, he may be willing to overlook her participation in the group.”
Manuel’s heart began to thump harder. It was too good to be true. If he could get Jules off the hook, they would have a shot at a normal life. Together.
“Do you think Jules would turn informant?” Tony continued. “In light of her history with them, I can’t believe she’d feel any loyalty to the group. If what she said about her recruitment is true.”
Tony left the question dangling in the air. And that was the crux of the matter. But Manuel believed her story. Her horror had been too real as she had recounted the events of that fateful day three years ago.
“I’ll talk to her,” Manuel said. “Set up a meeting. Just him and me. I want to hear what he has to say before I expose Jules to any potential danger.”
Beside him Jules twisted in her seat, her full attention on him. He shouldered the phone again and put his hand out soothingly.
“Will do,” Tony said. “He was very anxious for the meeting to take place. I’ll get back to you as soon as I’ve set it up.”
Manuel dropped the phone onto the seat.
“What was that all about?” Jules asked.
“We may have a way to get you out of this mess.”
She looked startled. “I don’t understand.”
“Senator Denison is interested in an exchange. If you give him information about the NFR, he’s willing to overlook your past transgressions.”
Her mouth rounded in shock. Consternation flared in her eyes, not relief. He frowned as he took stock of her reaction.
“This is good news, Jules.”
“Yeah. Of course it is,” she muttered.
“I won’t let you meet with him until I’m sure he’s on the up-and-up,” he said, hoping to reassure her.
She nodded and looked out the window.
He shook his head, perplexed by her response. Maybe she was afraid or maybe she didn’t want to get her hopes up. Whatever the reason behind her less-than-enthusiastic demeanor, he aimed to change it.
“Where are we staying?” she asked.
“A townhouse outside Bethesda. We should be there in a few minutes. We’ll spend the night, and hopefully tomorrow Tony will have arranged for me to meet the senator. If not, we’ll lay low until he does.”
She nodded and leaned back in her seat. She ran a hand through her short hair and massaged the back of her head with her fingers.
“I’m ready for a bath.” She laughed self-consciously as she twirled the ends of her hair around her fingers.
He relaxed. A normal evening would be good for them. Tony had assured him he had the townhouse under guard, and that no one would get past his security measures.
He reached over and curled his hand around the nape of her neck and squeezed gently.
Chapter Twenty
Manny pulled into a one-car garage under a two-story townhouse and cut the ignition. He glanced over at Jules and cracked a half smile. “Home sweet home.”
Jules eased out of her seat and reached for her bag. Manny got out and came up behind her to cup a hand around her elbow. She let him lead her toward the entrance to the townhouse. He reached in front of her and shoved the door open.
She stepped in and stood while he flipped the light switch. The hallway opened to the kitchen, and she turned the lights on there too. Beyond the kitchen, there was a step down into the living room.
Manny walked around her and went through the house, turning on a few lamps so that a soft glow lit the interior. He motioned toward the stairs. “Want to see the upstairs? We can put our bags in the bedroom.”
She followed him up the carpeted stairs. There were three doors—one on either side and one straight ahead. She stuck her head in the one straight ahead first. It was a small bathroom with a shower, commode and a pedestal sink.
She backed out and opened the door on the left side of the stairs. It was a small bedroom, obviously not the master. Manny opened the door to the right and motioned her in.
Inside was a king-sized bed, a chest of drawers and a dresser. Another door beckoned from the far side of the room, and when she walked into it, she saw it was the master bath. She gave an exclamation of pleasure when she saw the garden tub. A shower stood on the right of the tub, and catty-corner to the tub was a countertop with two sinks.
“Go put your things up,” Manny directed. “I’ll draw you a bath.”
She smiled. She couldn’t help but be warmed by his desire to take care of her. She went back into the bedroom and flopped her bag on the bed. Behind her, she heard the splash of water as Manny began filling the tub.
The bed looked inviting, so she sank down, pressing her hands into the soft comforter. She closed her eyes and lay back, letting her head fall back. It felt as though she were cushioned in the clouds. Such luxuries were as alien to her as a normal existence. And yet, here she was with Manny, seeming positively domestic.
She nearly laughed aloud at the absurdity of the facade. They could play house for a day or two, but in the end, the truth would rear its ugly head. And the worst part was how much she enjoyed the idea of setting up house with Manny.
A warm hand traveled up her leg, slid under her shirt and stroked her belly. She opened her eyes to see Manny staring down at her.
She started to get up so she could head into the bathroom, but he stopped her with his hand. He pulled her to stand beside him.
“Let me,” he said huskily.
A full-body shiver skated up her spine as his fingers tugged at her shirt. He pulled it over her head then let his fingers slide down her waist to her pants. He leaned in and nuzzled her neck as his fingers hooked into her waistband. Slowly, he eased the pants down her legs until she stood in only her underwear. With extreme care, he removed the bandage from her shoulder and feathered a finger over the small wound.
She trembled beside him, nervous, breathless, aching, wanting. When his hand slipped beneath the lacy scrap of her panties, she leaned toward him. He smoothed his palm over her buttocks as the underwear fell to the floor.
“Come here, baby,” he whispered, pulling her close to him.
Her bare flesh met his hard chest, and she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. She found herself swung upwards as he lifted her effortlessly.
“Manny, your arm!” she protested.
He ignored her and carried her into the bathroom. She gasped in surprise at what she saw. Manny had lit several candles and placed them around the tub, which was filled to the brim with foamy suds.
“The bathroom was well stocked,” he murmured.
“I see that. It’s beautiful, Manny. Thank you.”
She smiled up at him as he knelt forward to ease her into the tub. As the warm water licked over her body, she moaned.
“Oh my God, this is heaven.”
“No, I’m in heaven,” he corrected. “Come here.” He turned her so her back was to him, and he knelt on the floor beside the tub.
He dipped a large plastic cup into the water. “Lean back.”
She cocked her head back and he poured the water over her hair. He rinsed a few more times, then he reached for a bottle of shampoo sitting on the side of the tub.
A few seconds later, his hands dug into her hair as he began massaging the shampoo over her scalp.
She moaned in absolute ecstasy. Waves of pleasure radiated through her body as he soaped her hair. He took his time, lavishing attention on every inch of her head. He hadn’t forgotten how very much she loved to have her hair messed with.
Her muscles had as much tone as a jellyfish. She lay limply against the side of the tub, water lapping at her neck. In a few more minutes, she’d be comatose.
“Lean forward,” he whispered. “I’ll wash your back. I need to clean your wound.”
She obeyed and he began to carefully wash the still-tender area of her shoulder. Shampoo dripped from her hair and slid down her back as he massaged his way down her spine.
Again he dipped the cup into the water. She leaned her head back to keep the soap out of her eyes as he meticulously rinsed every strand.
When he was finished, he stood up beside the tub. “Wait right here. I’ll get a towel.”
He returned with a large towel slung over one arm. He reached his other arm down to help her out of the tub. She stood, water running down her skin, and stepped onto the bathroom floor.
He opened the towel and wrapped it around her, rubbing it over her body. When he was done, he secured the towel around her, tucking one end so it stayed up. Then he lifted her once more in his arms and walked into the bedroom.
He set her down on the bed, letting her legs hang over the side. With slow, gentle hands, he carefully unwrapped the towel. She felt him tense when his gaze swept over her nudity.
“Lean back and I’ll dry your hair,” he murmured. “Then I’ll get something to bandage you up.”
She closed her eyes as he massaged the towel through her hair. As his motion slowed, she felt his lips slide over her neck. Chill bumps raced down her arms, and a warm tingle began a slow boil in her stomach.
After a moment, he left her and returned a second later to secure a small dressing over her wound. Then she felt his lips press against the flesh just above the cut in a gentle kiss.
“I want to make love to you again.”
She let out a soft moan.
He let his hands slide over her arms down her waist to her hips. Then he circled around to her belly and let his fingers glide up to her breasts. He cupped them in his hands, rubbing his thumbs over the points.
He rolled the soft peaks between his fingers as he began to nibble at the curve of her neck. She let her head fall to her shoulder, giving him better access.
She protested softly when he drew away and let his hands drop. He stood beside the bed and pulled his shirt over his head then unbuttoned his jeans.
His erection sprang free just inches from her face. She reached out, wanting to touch him. Her fingers trailed over the velvety skin, soft and yet so very hard.
What would it taste like? She wanted to find out, wanted to give back the incredible pleasure he’d given her. With a nervous sigh, she grasped him and guided him into her mouth.
Manny moaned. “You’re killing me, baby.”
His hand tangled in her hair, holding her head as he moved in and out of her mouth. She delighted in the power she felt racing through her veins. For the first time in a long while, she felt beautiful, womanly, desirable. And
worthy
.
Slowly, he pulled away. He bent to capture her lips then he pushed her down on the bed. “I’ve dreamed of this. I’ve wanted this for so long.”
She touched his face, danced her fingertips over his firm jaw. “Oh yes,” she whispered. “Love me.”
His big body covered hers, and his hand slipped underneath her buttocks. Every inch of her skin was pressed to him. There was no part of her that didn’t feel him to her bones.
Their lips mingled, pressed, parted. Her breath came in ragged spurts. His tongue swirled around hers. He sucked her bottom lip between his teeth and nipped playfully.
Her legs parted when his hand slipped around her waist and delved between her thighs. He knew every place to touch. He knew just how to make her fly apart.
He pressed one finger, then two into her wetness. She arched her back, pressure building low in her pelvis. “I want you inside me,” she panted. “Now.”
He chuckled low then emitted a growl. “I want to be there too, baby.”
She reached between them and grasped him in her hand. He felt larger, harder than before. She couldn’t wait any longer.
“Please, Manny. I need you.”
Her words seemed to push him over the edge. He shifted her legs wider apart then surged into her, filling her in one fluid motion.
She closed her eyes at the sheer pleasure surging through her. She felt whole in his arms. Safe, cherished and protected.
She locked her legs around his waist then wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down, fusing her lips to his once more.
“Do.” He kissed her then pulled away. “You.” He smooched softly again in between words. “Have. Any. Idea. How beautiful you are?”
“You talk too much.”
He laughed and rocked forward again, setting a slow, lazy pace. “You’re magnificent.”
Tension spread through her stomach and built into a raging inferno. She urged him faster with her legs. He rose up as his pace increased. Her hands splayed over his broad chest, running over the dips and ridges of his muscles.
“Come with me, baby,” he said hoarsely.
Every muscle in her body tensed. Her body arced, tightened, and she held onto him for dear life. “Oh God, Manny.”
“I have you.”
She cried out as the world exploded around her. Molten pleasure rippled through her body as she bucked against him.
“That’s it, Jules. God, you’re beautiful.”
She opened her eyes as Manny threw his head back and thrust one last time. He shook and trembled between her thighs, and she tightened her legs around his waist.
He fell forward, using his elbows to prevent his weight from crushing her. He rested his forehead on hers and lightly kissed her lips. “I love you.”
She wrapped her arms tightly around him, holding him as closely as she could. If only this moment could last forever. She closed her eyes and burrowed her face into his neck.
He shifted and rolled to his side, carrying her with him so their positions were maintained. “You feel so damn good in my arms.”
Not nearly as good as she felt being there.
He stroked her hair and rubbed a hand up and down her back. Then he rested his cheek on top of her head. “Sleep, baby. In one more day, we’ll have all the time in the world.”