Part 4 (2/2)

A tiny gasp of surprise escaped Mariska. She couldn't believe he'd done that or had even thought to do it.

He must have read the question on her face. ”I thought if we were lucky and did find him tonight, he might need to make a quick exit. I took care of things before we left. It's the Boy Scout in me. I like to be prepared.” He winked.

The man was full of surprises. Mar chastised herself for not thinking about what would happen if she did find Gladstone. Always have an exit strategy. Whether in a client meeting or when being chased by bad guys, it was one of the things her friend Katie, who used to be a detective with the NYPD, drilled into her.

They pulled up in front of the airport and the driver opened the door nearest Gladstone.

Mariska watched as Jackson jumped out and grabbed Gladstone's bag from the trunk and handed it to him. She pushed the b.u.t.ton to roll down the window so she could hear what Jackson said to the other man.

”Go home, Desmond. Tell your wife what you did, then go to a meeting. Those people can help salvage your life. It may feel like it's too late, but it isn't. It may take her a while for her to forgive you, but she will eventually.” Jackson stuck out his hand. ”Whatever you do, take your ticket and get through security. I can't promise that those guys won't come after you as long as you are still in Thailand. Best if you go as fast as possible.”

They shook hands. ”Thanks.” Gladstone glanced back at Mariska. ”Can you get a message to my wife and let her know I'm on the way? I should do it myself, but I need some time to think. She'll go ballistic no matter what, but I need some time. Um, maybe you could hold off on telling her everything.” He sighed. ”I'd like to do that myself.”

Jackson climbed in the backseat with her.

”He's really messed up,” she said. ”I can't believe what he's done to his family, he could have put them in mortal danger. How could he think gambling his family's finances away would solve his problems?”

Jackson had a guarded look on his face. ”People do crazy things when they're desperate.”

Wasn't she going to do something desperate in a few minutes when her courage kicked in? ”I guess you're right.”

She crossed her hands against her chest to keep from hugging him, which, though she wanted to do it more than anything, was less than professional. ”Thank you, Jackson, for your help with this.” Mariska suddenly felt awkward. ”There's no way I would have found him so quickly if you hadn't helped me.”

Jackson gave her one of his devastating smiles and took her hand in his. Mariska's heart pounded an extra beat. ”You would have managed fine on your own. You are quite resourceful when you need to be, but it was my pleasure to help,” he said as he squeezed her hand gently. ”I'm surprised it went as easily as it did. I figured we'd have to hit at least a few more casinos over the next few days before we found him.

”I understand how you feel about Gladstone. The guy needed some tough love. I hope we made it through that stubborn brain of his, but you never know with these guys. They'll say almost anything to get out of a jam.”

Mariska noticed that he didn't let go of her fingers, and she didn't bother to mention it. ”I sure as h.e.l.l couldn't have walked up to him like that in the casino. You freaked me out. Can I ask what made you suspect gambling in the first place?”

Jackson frowned for a second. ”Instinct, I guess. If it were an affair he'd have no reason to leave the hotel. He's thousands of miles from home, and the Four Seasons is no shack. There are only a few things that keep a man from sleeping for a few days, and gambling is number one on that list.”

”Huh. What are some of the others?”

Jackson laughed out loud. ”A woman, drinking and there's always death. I prefer the first two myself.” He gave her another wink.

Mariska gave a rather unladylike snort. ”You crack me up.”

Biting her lip, she almost said something about the woman part of his comment, but chickened out. At first she thought she could segue into asking about him joining her in p.h.u.ket. She had to give up this craziness. There was no way she would get the courage to ask him.

But her vacation officially started when Gladstone walked into the airport and for once in her life she was ready to have some fun. Jackson made her feel so much more than any man she'd ever met. Even if it was a temporary heat, she needed to burn up in it.

That kiss in the club left her with one thought. If he's that good at kissing, what would the s.e.x be like? The idea of s.e.x with Jackson was the one thing that gave her courage. If he said no, she'd be embarra.s.sed, but she'd survive. Once they left the car, she'd never have to see him again.

Do it.

She was a grown woman with needs. A strong, smart woman who shouldn't feel guilty about going after what she desired. At least that was what she told herself. She'd never asked a guy out, let alone to go away with her on vacation.

Most of her s.e.xual relations.h.i.+ps in college were with bored fellow cla.s.smen who were as drunk as she was on Sat.u.r.day night. None of them had come close to Jackson. The way he looked at her sometimes sent her into a spin, twirling so fast she couldn't stop. Crazy girl that she was, she didn't want it to end.

There was also something dark and dangerous about him. Yet, he was compa.s.sionate in the way he dealt with Gladstone, knowing exactly what to say to the other man. If she were really honest she had to know more about Jackson. The man was the biggest mystery she'd ever come across, one she desperately wanted to solve.

She took a deep breath. ”Uh, I'm heading out to a beach resort and-I, um. This is stupid. Never mind.” Mariska couldn't go through with it.

Worry furrowed his brow and he leaned toward her. ”What is it? Do you need help with something? I may have some free time in the next couple of days if you have another case, but then I'm traveling again.”

You. I need you. She couldn't tell him that.

Now she really felt like an idiot. ”Oh, no. Sorry. It has absolutely nothing to do with work.” She bit her lip again. ”I was wondering if you might like to come with me for a couple of days. I could-” She started to say pay for his expenses, which would make him sound like a man wh.o.r.e. This was not going the way she wanted.

Her hands twisted with anxiety. ”Sorry. I-You're. Gawd. No. Uh. Never mind. Please forget I said anything. I mean we worked so well together. It's not like any of that was real. The kissing and the way you touched me. Um. Chalk it up to the excitement of the job.”

What the h.e.l.l are you doing?

”I'm so embarra.s.sed. I don't know why I can't shut up. This is one of the most horrifying moments of my life. Well, except when we faced those guards back at the club and there was that time freshman year with the granny panties. See-oh. Gawd. Make me stop.” She threw a hand over her mouth. Mortified beyond belief.

Jackson grinned, before glancing out the rear window, then back at her. ”Yes, I'll go with you.” Taking her left hand from her mouth, he ran his thumb across her fingers and then kissed them.

For a moment she couldn't breathe, and she was fairly certain her body had turned into a puddle of melted b.u.t.ter. Then she wasn't sure if she'd heard him correctly. Say something.

”Really?”

He chuckled. ”Yes. A few days at the beach sounds like a good time to me, especially if I'm with you.”

Okay, this time her heart really did stop.

”Wow. Okay. Cool.” Der. Now she couldn't form sentences. The hunk of gorgeousness across from her wanted to spend the weekend with her. She wouldn't question the G.o.ds. She'd be grateful. Score!

Breathe deep. ”When do you want to leave? I thought the case might take a few days, but my reservation is open-ended at the resort from today to the end of the month.” There, she sounded quite cosmopolitan, like she had weekend flings all the time.

”Why don't we go tonight? It's the weekend and there's nothing on my agenda that I can't set aside for a few days.” Jackson's eyes lingered on her mouth. ”I need to run some errands, which will give you time to pack up some of your things. Then we can head out.”

Mariska couldn't believe it. In a few hours she'd be alone with Jackson on a remote beach. Her body trembled with need. Down, girl. We'll be there soon enough.

7.

THE SUN CRESTED THE waves as they pulled up in front of the resort. It had been a long time since Jackson had stopped to watch a sunrise, but he'd promised Mariska so he parked the bike in the small lot to the right of the hotel.

It was more like a large tropical mansion with a few suites for exclusive guests. Several small villas dotted the beach. It was a place where those with money, who valued their privacy, went to relax. The woman had the funds, but he wondered why Mariska had picked it. She didn't seem like someone who liked the solitary life.

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