Page 73 of License to Kill

With a smirk, Jake leaned towards me, and his gaze locked on my throat. Licking his lips, he brushed my hair away from my neck and shoulders. “This could be a good time to educate you on just how we Fenerec put our teeth to good use. You have to learn eventually anyway.”

I tensed. “That’s seriously creeping me out.”

“Don’t worry. It won’t hurt a bit.”

“No sex in the back of my work car,” Gary chided.

My face blushed. “I wouldn’t!”

“You say that now, but it would not be the first or the last time a mated pair took an SUV out into the woods because one got the idea to inappropriately nip the other. No shenanigans in my backseat. Despoil your own vehicle.”

“I’m bringing disinfectant wipes with me wherever I go from now on. That’s disgusting.”

“You’d like it a lot,” Jake promised, leaning towards me. “But don’t worry. There is no way I’d let Gary see you in all your glory.”

I plucked at my blouse. “Glory? You need your head examined, Jake. I can count my ribs without effort.”

Jake brushed his lips to the side of my neck. “You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, even when skinny. I intend on taking feeding you very seriously so you regain some of the weight you’ve lost, however. I’ll enjoy it more than I should.”

After so long of a complete lack of intimacy on any level, a full-body shiver coursed through me, and I stilled in a mix of anticipation and embarrassment someone else was in the car with us. “You’re being absurd, Jake.”

He dropped warm little kisses on my throat instead of replying, and after the first couple, I found his attention so relaxing I closed my eyes and decided to enjoy it while it lasted.

Fifteen

That sounds like a lot of work, Jake.

I’d been tricked.

Jake’s kisses relaxed me so much I ended up taking a nap, and when I woke up, I was trapped in a windowless bedroom with him, one with a steel and silver door designed to keep Fenerec contained. The silver bothered him a lot more than it did me.

“Bathroom is through that door, and Gary’s holding cell isn’t nice enough to have a kitchenette. You better hope he decides to feed us.” Jake rolled over, draped his arm over my stomach, and rested his chin on my shoulder. “This is your fault.”

“You can’t blame me for what you did. You picked the fight.”

“Now we’re trapped in here with nothing to do until my parents figure out we’re here or they move us to the next hiding spot.”

“Maybe this was a bad idea. We might kill each other.” I stretched, grimacing at the dull ache of healing bruises. “I hope someone is going to call my boss about Monday.”

“Gary promised he’d take care of it. Apparently, we went hiking and took a four wheeler out to a remote location. A deer jumped out in front of us, and we had a nasty fall. So while we are mostly fine, we’re pretty bruised and are on bed rest. The pack’s doctor, once she found out the circumstances, started laughing and said she’d make our story sound sad—and she promised to mention it’s a good chance for us to resolve our separation issues.”

“My boss is going to think we’re crazy for going hiking when I’m this out of shape.”

“Actually, the doctor will explain being active and eating well will help your recovery; she’ll take the blame for it, claiming it was her idea, and as you enjoy the outdoors, you agreed.”

“What else have I agreed to for the sake of tricking my boss?”

“Marriage counseling with one Dr. Sampson. She’s on her way back from London at my father’s request—he asked for her after you collapsed. He claims it was more for my sake than yours, but you like her, so I’m happy to give her to you.”

“Do you think she highlights and underlines things to keep my file consistent?”

“Probably.”

“So, how do we break out of here?”

“You were the one who wanted to play this stupid game. As such, you’re stuck in here with me. I suppose this would be a good time to talk about how I’m not going to fuck things up between us anymore, and how I’m going to be exceptionally patient while you probably make my life miserable for the next few months until you decide to get around to accepting my apologies.”

“That sounds like a lot of work, Jake.”