Tall, Dark and Daring. Suzanne Brockmann

all over her as he pulled her to the side of the pool. It had taken every ounce of restraint she had not to kick him in the family jewels, as well.

      The water had been freezing. Her towel and clothes had been soaked.

      Hal had thought that was funny as hell. He’d invited her to dinner, invited her to stay at his fishing cabin for the rest of the weekend, subtly insinuated that he’d all but pay her to have sex with him. She’d told him she’d consider the waitressing job, thanks, but that she’d have to get back to him.

      And then, elbows stinging and dripping wet, Zoe had gotten the hell out of there.

      “It was no big deal,” she said again. She was lying.

      And Jake knew she was lying. But he didn’t press her for more details.

      “As far as what the locals think about the CRO—” she continued with her report “—most of the people at the party don’t know anything about them. All they know is the old Frosty Cakes factory’s finally been sold, and that the people who bought it mostly keep to themselves. They wish it had been bought by someone wanting to get back into production—they’d hoped for more jobs in this area. They know about the electric fence around the compound, but not much about the rest of Vincent’s high-tech security system. And that’s about it.”

      “That’s it for me, too,” Mitch said, finishing bandaging her arm. He held on to her hand several moments longer than he had to. “Again, I’m sorry I hurt you, Zoe.”

      “It’s all right.” She smiled at him. “I forgive you.”

      Mitch’s eyes were warm as he packed up his medical kit. “Good.”

      Jake cleared his throat.

      Mitch stood up. “If you don’t need me any further, Admiral …”

      “Thanks, Mitch. I’ll be along in just a minute.”

      Zoe watched the lieutenant let himself out, then glanced at Jake, wondering what he could possibly have to say to her that needed privacy. Why lose the chaperone now?

      “Are you really okay?” he asked. He touched her with just one finger beneath her chin, turning her head so that she was forced to meet his eyes.

      Silently, she nodded.

      “Why do I get the feeling that you’re not being completely honest?” he asked. “Look, let’s make a deal. Right now. You don’t lie to me, and I won’t try to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do. I won’t make judgments about what might be too dangerous for you because you’re a woman. But in return, you have to be brutally honest with me. You have to be able to pull your own plug, to pull yourself off some assignment that might get too uncomfortable for you for any assortment of reasons. Does that sound fair?”

      Zoe nodded. Provided he could really do it. His instincts were to protect—anyone, really, but probably women in particular. He would need to be a truly exceptional leader to overcome his inherent prejudices in that regard.

      But if anyone could be that kind of leader, Jake Robinson could.

      “You’ve got a deal,” she said.

      “So. Honestly. Are you really okay?” His gaze was so intense, she could have sworn he was trying to read her mind. “What really happened, Zoe? Did this guy do more than just push you down?”

      “Have you ever had your chute fail—you know, skydiving?” Zoe asked.

      He gazed at her for several long moments, but then apparently decided to let her answer his question in her own way. It was a tough question, and if she had to go in circles to answer it, that was okay with him.

      “Skydiving, huh?” Jake laughed softly. “Funny you should mention that. Jumping is one of those things I’ve always hated. I mean, I’ve had to do it as a SEAL. It’s part of the package. But some guys’ll jump every chance they get. I’ve always had to force myself to do it.” He paused. “And yes, I’ve had to cut myself free from the main chute more than once. It was pretty damn terrifying.”

      “You know that feeling you get right before you pull the backup chute—that sense of complete helplessness? Like, if this doesn’t work, it’s all over?”

      Jake nodded. “Oh, yeah. Personally, I like being in control, which is why I probably don’t like jumping.”

      “That’s what it felt like today,” she told him. “When Wayne was …” She closed her eyes. “When he was on top of me, tearing at my bathing suit.”

      Jake swore softly.

      “You want honesty, Jake? For one awful moment, I thought I was going to be raped and that I wasn’t going to be able to do anything to stop it. That kind of helplessness is not a really nice feeling, so you’re right, I’m still a little shaken. But I’ll be fine.”

      She opened her eyes to find Jake watching her, a mixture of emotions on his face. Anger. Remorse. Regret. Attraction. The power of his other feelings made him unable to hide his attraction. “Zoe, I’m so sorry this happened.”

      “It’s really no biggie. I mean, I was the one who wasn’t being careful. I should have known this particular guy would be trouble. And then I made a second mistake by letting him get too close. I definitely underestimated the situation. If I’m paying the right amount of attention, I’m completely capable of taking care of someone that size. But I messed up. And I almost paid for it.”

      “What’s his last name?” Jake asked. “Wayne what?”

      “No,” Zoe said. “Sir. No disrespect intended, but I’m not going to tell you.”

      “You were sexually assaulted.” His voice broke. “This is not something to just say oh, well about and let go.”

      “What are you going to do, Jake? Find him and beat him up? And maybe blow our cover when he recognizes you in a few weeks when you walk into Mel’s bar with Christopher Vincent? Or maybe you think I should press charges? I’m supposed to be a drifter, right? My cover is that I’ve had my share of trouble with the law, that I’m jaded with the system—ready to be enlightened by the CRO’s doctrine. Somehow it doesn’t fit for me to go running to the police and shouting for justice.”

      He knew she was right. She could see it all over his face. He had such an expressive, wonderful face.

      She leaned closer. “Our job here is to regain possession of that Trip X. That takes priority over everything. Even this.”

      Jake exhaled in frustration. “I just … I know. I just hate not being able to do anything.”

      She gave him a shaky smile. “You want to do something? You could put your arms around me for a minute.”

      He didn’t need more of an invitation than that. He reached for her, and she found herself wrapped in his arms.

      He smelled so good and felt so familiar—as if she’d been in his arms far more than just that one other time.

      His arms were warm and so solid as he held her tightly, as he stroked her hair. It was funny how much better that made her feel.

      It didn’t mean she was weak. It didn’t mean she wasn’t strong. She didn’t need him to hold her, but it sure was nice that he was there.

      Zoe closed her eyes, not wanting this minute she’d asked for to end.

      She felt him sigh and braced herself, waiting for him to pull away. But he didn’t. And she didn’t.

      “God,” he finally said on another sigh, still holding her tightly. “This just feels too good.”

      Zoe lifted her head and found herself gazing directly into his eyes. “You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”

      He pushed her damp hair from her face. “It feels inappropriate,” he whispered. “Doesn’t it?”

      She