Page 10 of Wired Fear

They were in an old-fashioned leatherette booth; she felt silly, but sitting next to him wasn’t impossible. Sophie slid around the booth until she was flush against Jake’s warm, hard bulk, but that wasn’t enough for him.

Jake hauled Sophie into his lap, wedging them in tight behind the curve of the table. He snuggled her close, tucking her under his chin and wrapping his thick arms around her. “I wish I could kick her ass,” he whispered in her ear. “I hate her for hurting you.”

She hid her face in his shirt as Jake kissed her hair and rocked her close.She didn’t deserve the love he showered on her so generously.Thinking about it almost made her burst into tears, and she breathed deep and even to keep from crying openly.

She heard the waiter return. Jake directed the man to leave the plates, and Sophie finally lifted her head when he’d gone. “I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. Hamilton just gave me the okay.”Such a pale shadow of the truth.

“I’m so glad to finally know what’s been going on with you.” The relief in Jake’s expression almost broke her heart. “Tell me more.”

“We’re working with the CIA. They want me to penetrate the Yam Khûmk?n. Hamilton’s using my job at Security Solutions to protect me from both factions. I’m going into my mother’s organization, but I won’t be alone.”

“I have to hear everything about this. But I’ll be honest.” Jake blew out a breath that tickled her ear. “I was worried it was something worse.”

“Like what?” Sophie eased out of Jake’s lap to sit beside him.

Jake pushed her plate in front of her. “Like…Alika.” Jake had his eyes on his plate now. They ate side by side in silence for a few minutes. Sophie couldn’t taste a thing.

“Alika is still a problem,” Sophie said softly. “I feel terrible about what happened to him. So guilty. And I’m having flashbacks to the explosion almost every night.”

“I thought you were talking to Dr. Wilson today,” Jake said. “That’s where I thought you went this afternoon.”

“I see her tomorrow. I hope she can help me.” Sophie shoved another bite into her mouth and chewed mechanically. “It’s been hard. Keeping so many secrets from you.”

Jake had only taken a few bites of his dinner, but he thrust the plate aside. His gray eyes gleamed silver in the candlelight. “Finally, you’re telling me what I’ve needed to know—what’s really been going on with you. Let’s get out of here.” He gripped her hand, and the touch lit a fire in her belly. “I need to be with you. Alone. Now.”

Chapter Eight

Sophie’s heart was still pounding from their lovemaking as she rested her head on Jake’s chest. The deep thunder of his pulse filled her ear. Cool night air wafted over them, wicking away the sweat of passion.

The bedside lamp was on. Sophie enjoyed the sight of her tawny skin against Jake’s paler, tanned bulk as she stroked his chest and abs. The visual of her long fingers playing with the arrow of hair that pointed toward his narrow hips was entrancing. She slid her slim, smooth leg up and down his muscular, hairy one, liking the textures, the feel of his heat beneath her coolness.

“All the ways we’re different is so sexy,” Sophie murmured.

Jake didn’t reply, and she sneaked a peek at his face.

Sleeping, his solid jaw had relaxed. Those riveting gray eyes were closed, leaving a fan of black lashes resting on high cheekbones. A snore rumbled in his chest, puffing past lips made soft and pink from kissing.

He was adorable.

Well, too big and rugged to be adorable.

But still…solovable.Did she love him?He deserved it.

Sophie traced the knot of a bullet hole in his shoulder. She’d been present for that one and the memory of it still made her stomach tighten. Her fingers slid over the various scars and scrapes left on his skin by a lifetime spent in vigorous, dangerous activities.

Jake wasn’t a deeply complex or spiritual man. He was a physical one, and he expressed his love, and all of his passions, with his body.

In many ways theyweredifferent. But in this one, the same.

She slept, and this time, didn’t dream.

Day Two

The next morning,Sophie watched as Dr. Wilson settled herself in the overstuffed lounger she favored, a tablet on her knee and stylus poised. “It’s been way too long, Sophie.”

“I know.” Seated across from the psychologist on a low leather couch, Sophie shook her head. “I can’t believe I haven’t seen you since before the Akane Chang trial.”

“We’re in agreement then. No matter what’s happening in your life, you’ll make the time to come for counseling.” Wearing a wrap dress in a floral print, kitten-heeled sandals, and a casual blonde bob, the psychologist looked younger than her fifty-something years. Her keenly intelligent blue eyes searched Sophie’s face. “Something good happened recently?”

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