Deadly Secrets, page 9
“But your boss doesn’t like being told what to do. Is she alone?”
“Yes, but she’s meeting someone at the Marriott Downtown Bistro 40 for drinks. Dayle Hargrave, one of our corporate attorneys, is in town overnight and they usually…you know. Here.” Camille handed her a fob to Jana’s building and a key to the condo. “She said to make yourself comfortable and not worry, because she’ll be home before pumpkin hour.”
“I see.”
Camille pressed her lips together in a tight line. “I tried to reason with her. She said it was still daylight, she was only walking two blocks, and Dayle was a strong butch who could protect her if she needed help. I’m sorry, Rafe. I feel like I failed the first day of a new job.”
“It’s not your fault.” Rafe squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She hurried to the condo, stowed her things, and made a few necessary preparations before walking to the Marriott. Jana Elliott didn’t understand who she’d hired. When Rafe made a commitment, she took it seriously, even if her protectee didn’t.
She entered the old firehouse section of the hotel that now served as a modern bar and located Jana and her companion in a back booth. They sat on the same side facing away from the entrance, so Rafe entered without being seen. She snagged a stool at the end of the bar, out of eyesight of the couple and away from the crowd. She felt like a stalker, but it was her job to keep Jana safe, despite herself.
Jana started to remove her suit jacket, and Dayle helped her out of it with the practiced moves of a player. Probably only the first item she’d help Jana out of tonight. “Not your concern,” Rafe muttered, noting an uncomfortable twinge in her chest.
Dayle rose and hung the jacket on the end of their booth, and Rafe sized her up. Tall, probably a swimmer or gymnast judging by her broad shoulders and slender waist and hips. Dark hair, longer than Rafe’s, but straighter. Androgynous. Jana Elliott had a type, and Rafe wasn’t sure if she liked or disliked the fact that she fit the criteria. Didn’t matter because that ship was never going to sail.
Dayle slid her arm around Jana’s shoulder and whispered in her ear, and Jana blushed and tugged at the collar of her blouse. Rafe’s stomach roiled. She was just hungry because she’d passed on breakfast, worked through lunch, and forgotten about dinner while on her bike. Maybe she’d have time for a sandwich before the lovebirds headed upstairs.
She scrutinized the couple again. Could she be as smooth as Dayle, helping Jana out of her jacket? After all she’d seen and done in her career, could she find the sweet or teasing words to bring a blush to Jana’s cheeks? And why, after only a few days of retirement, was she interested in the first woman she’d come in contact with…and a client? Maybe because she was the first. Rafe would get over it. She had to.
“Let’s take this party to my room,” Dayle said a bit too loudly as she reached for Jana’s jacket.
Rafe squeezed the corner of the bar with both hands. Did Dayle need to announce to the entire bar that she was taking Jana to bed? That was no way to treat a woman of Jana’s caliber, but maybe she liked the rough around the edges type. Again, not her concern. She strained to hear Jana’s response over the din of other patrons.
“We haven’t eaten, and I’m starving.”
“Trust me, gorgeous, I won’t let you pass out. We’ll order room service.” Dayle looped her arm around Jana’s waist and guided her out of the bar.
Rafe couldn’t follow without being seen. She motioned for the bartender. “Could I get an Angus burger with cheese and a ginger ale to go. I’ll eat in my room.”
A few minutes later, she had her food and was on the way to the front desk. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’ve lost my room card. Dayle Hargrave.” The key would give her the room number, and if something happened, immediate access.
“Of course, Ms. Hargrave.” The lady programmed another card and passed it across the counter. “Have a nice evening.”
Probably not going to happen. Camping outside a hotel room door while her protectee had sex wasn’t her idea of a good evening, but she refused to examine why it bothered her so much. She’d done that and worse in her career, but this time it felt different. Personal.
Chapter Eleven
Why did the short walk to the hotel room for a tryst feel different from any other? Jana wanted to have sex with Dayle. They understood each other, and neither spoke of exclusivity or forever. More importantly, she’d been anxious and tense the past few days and needed to really relax.
Guilt crept in for leaving Camille to face Rafe and ditching her protector without an explanation, but she was perfectly safe with Dayle. And Rafe was her bodyguard, not her chaperone or lover. Jana had been up-front about her needs in the beginning, but she was paying Rafe an exorbitant fee for protection and should get her money’s worth. Enough about Rafe.
Dayle opened her hotel room door and waved Jana in. “You okay, babe? You seem distracted.”
Jana paused in the doorway and glanced at Dayle. She’d proved a good sounding board in the past, but could she risk being completely honest about her fears? “I’ve been thinking about my mother recently. She left me a box of stuff and I’m anxious about opening it.”
Dayle tossed Jana’s coat across a chair. “Why? What do you think is in it?”
“Maybe an explanation about why she killed herself.”
“That might be hard to process. Didn’t she work for the company at one time?”
Jana nodded.
“Could it have anything to do with that?”
Jana’s chest tightened. Did Dayle know about Shelby’s suspicions and Jana’s disagreement with the boss? Fergus said he wanted their attorney to vet whatever company papers were in the box, if in fact there were any. She’d been totally bluffing to get a reaction from him. Was that why Dayle suddenly appeared for a meeting and layover? And was this liaison an attempt to find out what Jana really knew? Now she was just being paranoid. Dayle had been scheduled weeks ago specifically to review the Kitamura contract. “Not likely. She often stuffed old pictures and keepsakes in shoeboxes. That’s exactly what I expect to find. I’m just nervous because her loss is still so fresh.”
“I understand.”
Jana ran her hands across Dayle’s chest. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to ask the question. “Why are you in town today? I thought you were in a trial.”
“Kitamura. I was, but one of the other attorneys did the closing for me.” Dayle encircled Jana’s waist and pulled them closer. “Is that what you want to talk about?”
Despite her reservations, Jana’s body responded to their closeness. “Definitely not.”
“Good. What kind of mood are you in? What’s your pleasure?” She kissed the side of Jana’s neck, nibbled her earlobe, and then moved in for a deeper kiss.
An image of Rafe flashed through Jana’s mind, and she sucked in a surprised breath but changed it to a moan she hoped sounded like passion. “I’m in the mood for less talk and more action.” Jana pushed Dayle away and stretched out across the bed. “You know what I like. Do it.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Dayle loosened her belt and dropped it to the floor before unzipping her jeans and pulling them open just enough to reveal skin underneath.
“I love commando. So…” Jana paused. Why did she like knowing a woman was sans underwear? Accessibility? The constant teasing of flesh against fabric? “So easy.”
Dayle laughed. “And I’m nothing if not easy?”
“Shush.”
Dayle tugged her shirttail from her jeans and unbuttoned each fastener, easing the shirt off her shoulders to reveal firm, unconfined breasts.
Jana’s center ached. “Lose the shirt and touch your breasts.” She loved admiring a woman’s nude body—the similarities and subtle differences, shades of skin, muscle versus softness, hair color, and their varied reactions to arousal and desire. And if she was honest, she delighted in controlling the strong, androgynous women who found her irresistible.
“Like this?” Dayle teased her nipples between her thumbs and forefingers, and Jana felt the sensation as if she’d been touched.
“Harder,” Jana urged her. “Tug and twist. Show me how it feels.” Dayle did as instructed, her face a mixture of pain and pleasure, and Jana pressed her thighs together to stay the surge of arousal. “That’s it.” She rocked against the seam of her trousers and almost came after a couple of thrusts. “Good.”
More intrusive images. Rafe opening her shirt, touching her breasts, writhing in sexual agony, a hungry look in her eyes, and begging Jana to let her come. Would Rafe submit to Jana’s wishes as freely as Dayle did? Her desire spiraled. “Lower your jeans and touch yourself. Just once.”
Dayle dropped her jeans to her knees, ran her hand up to her crotch, and stroked slowly. “Jana, can I—”
“Once.” Jana’s voice was thick with the urgency of her need. “Are you wet?”
“God, yes,” Dayle replied, her knees visibly trembling. “I could get off with just one more stroke. Please?”
“Get naked and come here.”
Dayle was beside her before Jana finished the command. “Thank God. I was about to die.” She reached for the zipper of Jana’s trousers, but she stopped her.
“I want to ride your thigh like this while you come in my hand.” Jana turned her palm up and wiggled her fingers for Dayle to follow her orders. When Dayle settled on top of her, Jana curved her fingers inside and felt Dayle close around them. “Don’t come until I tell you.”
“Jana!”
“Not yet.” Jana barked as her sex tightened and she worked Dayle’s clit faster. She closed her eyes and imagined Rafaella Silva on top of her—mouth open, breath erratic, and her olive complexion flushed with desire. The tremors caught her off guard and before she could speak, the orgasm ripped through her. “Oh, God.” She left Dayle hanging. “No—now.” She managed to eke out between spasms. “Yes.”
Dayle came on demand while clinging to Jana’s shoulders. “Jesus, Jana.” She eventually went slack and rolled over, pulling for breath. “How do you get me so hot without even touching me? It’s always so fast.”
Jana didn’t answer, still surprised and embarrassed by Rafe’s uninvited appearance. Did she think about Rafe that way or had it simply been too long between dates? She settled on the latter and started to get up.
“Give me a few minutes and we can go again,” Dayle said.
“Love to, but I can’t. Maybe we’ll have more time when you’re here next.”
Dayle propped up on her elbow. “So, that’s it for me?”
Jana tucked her blouse and shrugged into her jacket. “Are you complaining, Hargrave?”
“Oh, no, ma’am, just wishing for more as always.” She waved as Jana headed toward the door. “See you soon?”
Jana opened the door without answering and stopped short. Rafe sat propped in a chair against the wall opposite Dayle’s door, a food wrapper and empty ginger ale bottle beside her on the floor. She wore her usual black outfit and a brown bomber jacket. The ensemble, finished off with black jump boots, made her look roguish but sexy as hell.
Without looking at her, Rafe rose and followed her to the elevator. “Done so soon? Hargrave got no stamina?”
Jana’s mouth dried. “I…shut up.” Damn it, Rafe heard them having sex. Was that a hint of jealousy in her voice or just mockery? “What are you doing here?” Rafe was too close after what Jana had thought during sex, so she moved to the opposite side of the elevator.
“You hired me for protection.”
“And you thought I needed protection from…” She jerked her head toward Dayle’s room.
Rafe didn’t respond or speak at all as they walked the two blocks from the hotel back to the condo. She’d grown even more sullen and noncommunicative, and Jana hadn’t imagined that possible. When she closed and locked the door, Jana said, “I apologize for ducking out.”
“You did warn me, but if you really want my help, we need to talk about some things.”
“Have you been watching me all evening?” How much had Rafe seen? Jana already knew what she’d heard and blushed at the memory.
Rafe nodded.
“I’m not sure if I’m impressed, annoyed, or terrified. How did you know where to find me?” Before Rafe could answer, Jana said, “Camille.”
“Told you she’d be helpful.”
“I’m going to change clothes, then you can throw your rule book at me.” While showering the traces of Dayle from her skin, Jana attempted to rid her mind of the graphic fantasy of Rafe naked on top of her, but the shower spray only aroused her again. She patted herself dry and jerked on a pair of sweats before rejoining Rafe in the living area. “Would you like a drink or something to eat?”
“No, thanks.”
Jana poured herself a glass of water and settled on the sofa opposite Rafe with a long sigh. “Okay, let’s hear it.”
Rafe dropped her leather jacket at her feet beside her chair, stretched her legs in front of her, and crossed her ankles. “Both our lives will be easier if you keep me informed. Enough said about that.”
Jana nodded. The less said about her excursion, the better.
“I’m going to give you worst-case scenarios, but you need the facts. While you were out this evening, I attached a rappelling line to your bedroom balcony in case of emergency and—”
“A what? You mean like we’d go over the side? From ten stories up?” Jana glared, and her insides coiled in knots.
“Exactly, but don’t worry. I’ve rappelled hundreds of times. You’d be totally safe.”
“No way. We have a perfectly good stairwell for emergencies. I wouldn’t even know how to hold the rope.” Jana swallowed, but fear tightened her throat and she coughed instead.
“You don’t need to. You’d be in a harness in front of me. I’d maneuver the ropes and get us safely to the ground.”
“Absolutely not. How many times do I have to say no to this absurd idea?” Jana rose and paced in front of the windows. “Normal people don’t jump off ten-story balconies.” Her shoulders stiffened into ribbons of pain.
Rafe leaned forward and looked up at Jana. “This is new and frightening for you, but like I said, it’s worst-case scenario. Hopefully, we could use the stairwell, but if someone comes in and we can’t get out, I’d prefer not to kill them.”
“What? No. No killing under any circumstances.”
“Okay, so we need an alternate plan. I’ll try everything in my power to keep us from going over the balcony, but if we have to, we will. And if we get separated, I want you to run to the northeast corner of LeBauer Park and wait for me. If the maintenance enclosure is unlocked, hide in there. If not, duck behind the brick wall beside it with vegetation in front. Stay hidden until I come for you. Okay?”
“Northeast corner?”
Rafe pointed behind her, and Jana made eye contact with her for the first time tonight. She felt an unexpected surge of confidence and safety like a protective shield. How could Rafe expose her to the potential of something so terrifying and then make her feel it was perfectly normal? Because it probably was to her. “Okay, I guess.”
“Good. Now the other thing. Pack a bag with clothes and anything else you can’t live without, enough to last a couple of weeks. Try to remember we might be rappelling, so pack only what you feel comfortable carrying.”
Jana gave Rafe her most skeptical glare. “Seriously? Now you’re really asking for the impossible. I love my clothes.”
“I’m aware, but if we have to abandon your condo, you probably won’t be going back to work immediately, so a couple of business outfits and the rest casual will be fine. And don’t forget your coat.”
“If we have to abandon my condo? Where the hell would we go?” This whole scenario went from bad to worse. She hadn’t considered any of this when she agreed to protection, hadn’t imagined anything would really happen. She just wanted to feel safe again in her home and workplace. “Maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves?” At least she hoped so. “Like you said, nothing has happened in several days, so maybe I’m seriously overreacting. And after this evening…maybe it’s gotten a bit ridiculous. That can’t have been comfortable for you, because it certainly wasn’t for me when I saw you in the hallway.”
“My feelings have nothing to do with the job, but if you’ve decided you don’t want my services, just say the word and I’ll go.”
Damn, Rafe was frustrating. Would it kill her to admit a feeling, any feeling? Jana’s emotions flooded her in waves. Was it the thought of Rafe leaving? Her own fear and suspicions? She did a quick self-check. No, that wasn’t it. She’d wanted Rafe to care that she was having sex with another woman. When had that happened? She dismissed the notion and reconnected with the conversation. “I don’t want you to leave until I know what’s going on.”
“Okay. We need to be prepared. Pack tonight and leave your bag by the balcony door.” Rafe sat back in her chair. “That’s about it for now.”
“Thank the goddess,” Jana said. Rafe stared out the windows, her gaze searching and her shoulders tense. “You’re different tonight. Is it because of my vanishing act earlier? Or Dayle?” Why did she keep bringing up Dayle? Was that the reason Rafe was so distant? Was Jana hoping for something that wasn’t there?
“I’m working.”
“Okay, then.” She started toward the bedroom, but Rafe cleared her throat. “Yes?”
“One more thing. You really need to find out what’s in that shoe box, so we’ll know if you were bluffing or if Fergus really has something to worry about.”
“I can’t deal with that tonight. Soon.” The anxiety of the day, alleviated by sexual release, finally caught up to Jana and she yawned. “I’ll leave you to it. I have to pack. You know where the blankets are. Good night.” Rafe didn’t answer, and Jana wasn’t in the mood to coax her. She wouldn’t consider getting involved with a woman who couldn’t talk about her feelings—not that Rafe was offering—but she might entertain the idea of sleeping with her, especially if they were quarantined somewhere together. Like the last woman on earth type thing.
