Jo Leigh - One-Click Buy - September Harlequin Blaze

TATE’S EYES FLUTTERED closed at the whisper of his lips. She held her breath waiting for him to pry her mouth open, for the gaping maw that was all she’d known of kisses. But he barely touched her. Just a brush, an almost that made her quiver. She tried to remain still, to let him show her what he wanted, but the way he teased her, nearly touching, made her arch forward.

Even then, even with him truly kissing her, he was soft and deliberate. As if he were testing, putting his proverbial toe in the water.

The metaphor made her smile, and when he smiled in return, she felt it. Felt his lips curve and his warm breath mingle with hers.

A moment passed, and he must have decided that the water was fine because there was no more teasing. He took her mouth and his tongue slipped inside. In that instant she realized everything she’d known about kissing in the past was wrong.

He didn’t swallow her whole or do anything that would spoil the moment. With his arm holding her head, his fingers still guiding her chin, she felt amazingly, astonishingly safe.

How was it possible to have the worst and best experience of her life happen at the exact same time?

Gathering her courage, she touched his tongue, and that was a sensation beyond thrilling. He let her lead the dance for a moment, then he was in charge once more.

She didn’t mind. In fact, all she wanted was to surrender completely, let herself fall into this, into her dream become flesh.

He pulled away, only to return, nipped her bottom lip, then soothed her with the flat of his tongue. Kissing was wonderful. Better even than in her feverish imagination.

He moaned with his passion and hunger, and she laughed, it was so good. She’d made him moan. This sexy, experienced man of the world.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.”

“Are you okay?”

She sighed. “I’m perfect.” Then she kissed him.

He pulled her closer, and now that he had her, he let go of her chin to stroke her hair, to touch her cheek. Just as she pulled back to bare her neck, the door opened, throwing light all over the bed.

Tate jerked away as if she’d been caught doing something nasty.

“Hey, what the hell?” Michael said, leaning forward to block her from the intruder.

“Sorry to break up the party, but-What the-?” Jazz rushed to the side of the bed and held up the empty cuff. “Are you kidding me?”

“They were uncomfortable,” Michael said.

“I’ll show you uncomfortable.” Jazz shoved his gun into the side of Michael’s cheek. “Get up. Now.”

Without moving, Michael said, “Tate, you just relax, okay? I’ll be right back.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Jazz said.

Despite the immediacy of the threat, Michael moved off the bed with incredible grace. The moment he stood, Jazz poked him in the ribs with his gun. “Cuff her.”

“She’s not going anywhere.”

“Cuff her or I’ll do it.”

Michael obeyed, and her hand was once more above her head in a position that simply couldn’t be comfortable. That was the least of her problems. Where were they taking Michael? God, what if he didn’t come back?

“Please, can you tell me what’s going on?” she asked.

“Shut the fuck up-that’s what’s going on.” Jazz made Michael take his cuff off the metal bar, then Jazz cuffed his hands behind his back.

“I’ll be back,” Michael said. “You just get some rest.”

She would have laughed if she’d had any control over her breathing. Or her heartbeat. It was all she could do not to beg Jazz to let him go, and when they left the room, slamming and locking the door behind them, she fell apart.

ED WAS STILL IN HIS big chair, but the dishes were gone. There were navigation charts on the table, two different cell phones, a laptop and a bottle of champagne in a silver ice bucket.

Ed looked up when Michael was pushed in front of his chair. “What was all that?”

“They were out of the cuffs.”

Ed’s gaze moved to Michael. “Really?”

“It’s a handy parlor trick.”

“I’ll remember that. Do you have the account number?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“It’s too soon. I need some time.”

“You don’t have time.”

“Look, it doesn’t matter if you have the account number. You can’t get the money without Tate. She has to be there in person to sign the papers or the bank won’t transfer that amount of money.”

Ed just stared at him. He didn’t move or frown or anything. “Jazz, uncuff him.”

Jazz seemed affronted by the idea, but the keys came out and Michael was soon rubbing his wrists.

“You go back in there and you make sure this lady is going to do everything we need her to do. If she doesn’t, we’ll kill Charlie. Then her. Then you.”

“TATE? CAN YOU HEAR me?”

Tate blinked as she pulled in an inadequate breath.

“I’m back. I said I would be back and I am. Can you look at me, Tate?”

It felt as if she were swimming up from the bottom of the ocean. There was light up there and warmth and safety, but it was so very far away.

“Come on, honey. You can do it. You’re all right. Nothing’s going to hurt you tonight. I’ll be here the whole time and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She jerked her hand again. She wasn’t sure if she was trying to get loose or if she just needed the pain to jar her out of her nightmare.

“Shit, you’re bleeding again. We need to get you to the bathroom so I can change the bandage.”

“Michael?”

“I’m right here, Tate.”

“They took you and I thought-”

“I know. But I promised-and I don’t break my promises.”

She focused. He was right next to her. The overhead lights were on, so she could see he wasn’t hurt. And he wasn’t cuffed. “What did you promise them?”

He sat back. “What?”

“What did you promise them? It’s okay. I know you had to tell them something or they would have killed you.”

“You’re right. I did. I needed to buy us some time.”

She could feel the real world become solid around her. The pace of her heart slowed, the tunnel vision expanded. It occurred to her that Michael had become her new safe place.

“I told them you have a numbered account in the Cayman Islands. That I was going to persuade you to give me the account number and that Martini would be able to transfer fifty million of your money into his account.”

She thought about what he’d said for a moment. She could see the logic. If they thought they could get that much money, her life became a lot more valuable. “Actually, you’re right. I do have a numbered account at the Grand Cayman Bank. But there’s no way he can make that transfer. Not if I don’t sign the papers in person.”

“I was right?”

She nodded. “I’m surprised you’re surprised. I figured a spy like you would know all about my finances.”

“I don’t know anything about them. It’s not germane. Well, it wasn’t until a few hours ago.”

“Is that going to botch the deal? The fact that I have to sign the papers?”

“No. In fact, I think it can work in our favor. I’m pretty sure they’re getting the ransom tonight. They’re not going to be reckless about it, either. There’s no way we’re getting off this boat just yet. But if Ed believes you have to sign, then we’ve got all the way to the island to perfect our escape.”

“I don’t know about you,” she said, “but I’m not that good a swimmer.”

“He’s going to have to get fuel, supplies. There will be opportunities.”

“I don’t know… Remember what Jazz said-there’s a big ocean and a lot of hungry fish.”

“The man who kidnapped you is Ed Martini. He’s one of the biggest bookies in the States. For fifty million dollars he’s not going to take any chances. You’ll be fine.”