Surrender

He smiled at her with the sexiest grin she thought she would ever see on a man. “Yes, ma'am, still am. I'm a colonel in the marines.”

She blinked as she felt a heavy hand clamp itself around her heart. “You're in the marines now?” she asked softly, hoping he would say no and that he had recently retired or something. Instead he met her inquisitive eyes. Something in her tone must have alerted him to the fact that she was asking for a reason—a very important reason—a reason he didn't quite understand.

“Yes, I'm in the marines now, and I'll probably stay in the marines until the day I die.”

She shook her head, confused. He didn't resemble a military man, especially by the head. “But your hair?” she asked, making sure she understood him correctly. “Isn't it too long?” She had been around enough military men to know the low crew cut was Uncle Sam's standard.

“No, my hair isn't too long. Since I'm legally part Indian, the right to wear my hair this length is protected by federal law.”

Netherland nodded. She knew then and there that any thoughts of ever becoming involved with him were over. The last thing she would let happen was to allow a man in her life who didn't have roots. She had been through that with her father, and had promised herself never to go through it again. She had worked too hard for independence and stability in her life to toss them aside for overactive hormones.

Netherland brought her thoughts back to the present. She had promised herself that day that she would not start anything with Ashton she couldn't finish.

Yet, tonight in his arms, she had broken that promise.

Chapter 5

Netherland swiveled around in the chair at her desk. “What do you mean he left town?”

Rainey shrugged. “That's the rumor on the floor tonight. Carolyn Taylor claims she saw Ashton getting on a plane for D.C. yesterday while she was at the airport. She says he was wearing his military uniform and was giving all the women at the airport heart failure because he looked so good.” Rainey looked pointedly at Netherland. “Everyone wants to know when he's coming back.”

Netherland picked up the papers she'd been reading and tossed them in the tray on her desk. She hated admitting it but she had missed seeing Ashton underfoot for the past two nights. “And how would I know?”

Rainey smiled sweetly. “After Tuesday night, I'd think you'd know everything about him. The two of you stayed in your office close to an hour.”

Netherland frowned. She didn't need Rainey reminding her of that. “So? That doesn't make me privy to all his business.”

“Considering you're the woman he plans to marry, I'd think that—”

“He is not marrying me, Rainey. Regardless of how long we stayed locked in my office, nothing has changed. My position is still the same. We're not involved.”

“Yeah, if you say so. And I guess there was a pretty good reason why your lips were all swollen the other night. Looked to me like someone had done a job on them. A very delicious job.”

As she scowled furiously at Rainey, a logical voice in Netherland's head told her to quickly change the subject. So she did. “How's Jada working out?”

The glimmer of amusement in Rainey's eyes indicated she'd caught on to Netherland's ploy and decided to go along with it…for now. “Jada's working out fine, and pretty much keeps to herself. She seems to be a real nice person who looks more like she's eighteen than twenty-three. She's too young to have had so much sadness in her life, and she continues to look sad.”

Netherland nodded, agreeing. Jada Roberts was going out of her way to be a good employee but on several occasions Netherland had noted the sadness in the young woman's eyes.

At that moment the phone rang, and Netherland picked it up. “Sisters.” She smiled at the voice on the other end. “Yes, Syneda, I do cater occasionally.”

Netherland nodded. “Yes, this is short notice but I think I can handle it. What time did you have in mind?”

Netherland gave another nod. “All right. I can drop the food off on my way home.” She smiled. “That's fine, don't mention it. I'll see you in a little while.”

“Oh, Nettie, you're a lifesaver,” Syneda exclaimed as she opened the door and took a couple of the boxes from Netherland's hands. “There's no way I could have prepared this much food after a late day in court. I don't know what possessed me to volunteer to be the hostess for tonight's poker game.”

“Don't mention it,” Netherland replied, smiling as she followed Syneda, carrying the food Sisters had prepared. “I hope I didn't bring too much.”

Syneda grinned. “Too much food for a bunch of hungry, gambling men? Is there such a thing?”

Netherland chuckled. “No, I guess not.” When they reached the kitchen she was surprised to find a group of women assembled around the table.

“You know everyone, don't you, Nettie?” Syneda asked as she took the rest of the boxes out of Netherland's hands.

“Yes.” Netherland had met all of them at a bridal shower given for Syneda at Sisters last year. There was Trevor's very pregnant wife, Corinthians; Dex's wife, Caitlin; Justin's wife, Lorren; the Madaris brothers' two sisters, Kattie and Traci; and the Madaris's cousin, Felicia. “Hi, everyone.”

“Hi, Nettie,” they said returning the greeting in unison.

“We're glad you were able to deliver. For a minute we thought Syneda was going to have to cook for us,” Felicia Madaris Maxwell said, grinning. “I have too much to do tomorrow to be out sick.”

“Okay, knock it off,” Syneda said, trying to hide her smile behind a frown. “A good attorney I am, but a good cook I'm not. Clayton didn't marry me for my cooking skills.”

Felicia chuckled. “Not for one minute did any of us think that's what he married you for.”

Syneda tried glaring but was unable to keep a straight face when she said, “And stop insinuating that your cousin only married me for my body.”

Netherland smiled. Not for the first time, she envied the six women and their close friendship. They felt comfortable enough to say just about anything to one another. “I'll be going now,” she said, turning to leave.

Syneda grabbed her arm. “Why don't you stay and join us, Nettie? You were on your way home, right?”

“Yes, but I don't want to intrude.”

“You won't be intruding,” Caitlin Madaris said, grinning. “We were discussing the best way to make sure Corinthians gets to the hospital when she goes into labor without Trevor falling apart.”

“Trevor won't fall apart,” Traci Madaris Green was saying. “For Pete's sake, give him credit for something. He used to be a captain in the marines.”

“And what's that supposed to mean?” Kattie Madaris Barnes chimed in. “When it comes to their wives having babies, all men fall apart and act downright silly.” She laughed. “Remember when the ever cool, calm and collected Raymond jumped into the car and took off and forgot I was still sitting in the living room? He'd driven an entire block before he noticed.”

Netherland laughed when the story was retold. Then Caitlin shared how Dex had gone off on the doctor when he thought the man wasn't moving fast enough when her labor pains had begun hitting her fast and furious. The women then began talking about the gory details of giving birth.

“Please change the subject. Nettie might think twice about ever getting pregnant,” Lorren Madaris said, smiling.

Netherland smiled. “No, I'm fine listening to it. Besides, I can't get pregnant anyway. A childhood illness made that impossible.”

Syneda came up to her. “Oh, Nettie, we're sorry. We didn't know and—”

“Trust me, it's okay. I've had a long time to come to terms with it, and I'm comfortable with it. There are too many kids out there who need adopting, so whenever I decide to become a mom, I'll go that route,” she said, smiling and assuring the women she hadn't gotten offended.

“Do I smell food?”

The women turned around when Clayton stuck his head around the corner.

Syneda grinned. “That man can sniff the aroma of fried chicken a mile away,” she whispered to the other women. To her husband she gave an exuberant smile. “Yes, sweetheart, it's food. Are you guys at a stopping point where you can come out for air and for food?”

Clayton smiled. “If they aren't, I am. I'm starving.”

It didn't take long for the other men to detect food and start filing into the kitchen. Netherland was talking to Syneda about something when she felt someone watching her. She turned to see Ashton leaning against a counter. Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn't known he was there. She tried to downplay the feeling of sheer exhilaration when he smiled at her. Again she wondered what there was about him that could make her so attracted to him. It was more than his physical features that attracted her. There was also something else. There was the passion he stirred within her that she couldn't deny. She still had thoughts of the kisses they shared in her office and that had been more than three days ago.

As if he read her thoughts, Ashton continued to hold her gaze. And then it happened like always. A sharp electrical jolt raced through her, sensitizing her entire body to his gaze, and blocking out all sights and sounds around her. A voice inside her head warned her to put up her defenses, but she wasn't quick enough. Already Ashton was slowly walking over to her. A part of her wanted to turn around and run but couldn't. It was as if her feet were cemented to the floor.

“Seeing you here is a pleasant surprise, Netherland,” Ashton said silkily when he reached her.

Netherland's lashes lifted. “I'm surprised to see you here, too. I heard you had left town.”

“Yes, for a couple of days. Government business.”

She nodded as she met his dark gaze. Sexual tension surrounded them. She wondered if any of the others in the room could feel it. Could anyone detect the fierce attraction she had for him? “Did you have a nice trip?”

He smiled. “It was okay.”

“Hey, Ashton, aren't you going to eat?” Trevor called from the other side of the room.

“I'm not really hungry,” was Ashton's response. He looked back at Netherland. “What about you? Are you going to eat anything?”

“No, in fact I was about to leave. I only stopped by to drop off the food.”

He looked at her. “I think I'll call it an early night myself since Dex won most of my money anyway,” he said, grinning. “Would you drop me off at my hotel? I rode over with Trevor instead of driving the rental car.”

Netherland lifted a brow. “Hotel? I thought you were staying with Trevor and Corinthians.”

“I was until I got back. I decided to give the parents-to-be space. They need the rest of the time before the baby gets here to be by themselves.” He smiled. “In a few more weeks there won't ever be just the two of them again. There will be a third person who will be dominating their lives.” He looked at her for a long, slow minute before asking again, “So, will you give me a lift to my hotel?”

Warning bells went off in Netherland's head. “I suppose I could.”

The wry resignation in her tone stirred Ashton deeply. “I don't bite, Netherland.”

Her mind instantly recalled how during their kiss he'd relentlessly nibbled away at her mouth as he plowed it with kiss after kiss. Yes, he did bite. He'd certainly taken more than a bite-size chunk out of her sensibilities that night.

“Netherland?”

“Yes?”

“You still won't go out with me?”

For several moments an air of sadness hovered over her, as she remembered why she wouldn't. “No, I still won't go out with you.”

His gaze was intense, determined. “When we get to the hotel, will you ‘stay in' with me…for a little while?”

Netherland's body stirred all the way down to her toes when she remembered what happened the last time they had stayed in. And as much as she wanted to deny it, her body wanted to experience his kisses again.

She focused her attention on his lips. Doing so shortened her breathing. It became difficult to get air past her lungs. It seemed her own lips suddenly felt sensitive. Convincing herself that a few kisses wouldn't hurt as long as she didn't let it go any further, she finally gave herself up to the inevitable. “Yes, I'll stay in with you for a little while.”

When Ashton curled his fingers around hers she tried to steady her nerves. But nothing could bring calmness to her body that was tense with wanting him.

Chapter 6

Holding Netherland's hand firmly in his, Ashton walked her to her car.

“Would you like to drive, Ashton?” Netherland asked him, after inhaling deeply and blowing out a rush of air. She didn't think her hands were steady enough to handle the steering wheel.

“Sure.”

Moments later with the windows down and the crisp feel of May air rushing at them, Ashton steered Netherland's Pathfinder onto the highway.

“Where are you staying?”

“In one of those extended-stay facilities owned by Marriott.”

Netherland nodded. “I heard those type of places are nice.”

“Yes, they are. And this is a nice vehicle.”

“Thanks.”

“How long have you had it?”

“About six months.”

After several moments of tense silence Netherland said, “You were a hero last year when you rescued Trevor and Corinthians from the jungles in South America.”

Ashton shrugged massive shoulders. “The media got carried away as usual. Trevor had the skill and know-how to survive in that habitat for another couple of months or so had I not found them.”

“Because of his military background?”

“Yes. Trevor, Sir Drake and I used to be part of the marines' Special Forces—the Force Recon Unit. We were trained how to survive in difficult situations. Each of us had a specialty. Trevor's specialty is the ability to survive in the jungle or any other unusual or dangerous environment or domain. Sir Drake's a whiz at ammunition and explosives.” Ashton smiled. “He likes blowing up things.” Ashton's smile faded when he thought about the fact that right now Sir Drake was living his life pretty much like the explosives he enjoyed handling—dangerously. He liked living close to the edge by taking chances he shouldn't. Ashton didn't want to think about the things that Sir Drake was possibly doing working for the CIA.

“And what's your specialty, Ashton?”

He looked at her when he brought the car to a stop at a traffic light. “Like this vehicle, I'm a Pathfinder, which is another name for a tracker. Being able to locate anything and anyone in thick woods, jungles, forest and any type of uncivilized or impenetrable territory is my special skill.”

Netherland nodded, deciding not to tell him that tracking wasn't his only special skill. He was doing a pretty good job in the seduction area. The man was seducing her with the ease of someone who was an ace at it. Even now incredible sensations were skittering inside her. She had known from the moment Ashton had smiled at her at Clayton and Syneda's house that she would be spending time with him tonight. She would have to approach what was happening to her logically and intelligently. Although there could never, ever be a future between them, there was no reason they couldn't enjoy each other during the time he was in Houston on military leave. She was sure once she presented the idea to him that he would go for it. Something was better than nothing. She would get him out of her system, and he would get her out of his; then they would go their separate ways. He would travel around the world playing soldier, and she would remain in Houston contented.

She had gotten into this thing with Ashton, and she might as well finish it.

Ashton tightened his hands on the steering wheel. Dealing with Netherland was just as bad as dealing with any band of terrorists. The woman was giving him the battle of his life.

He wondered what she was thinking. He could tell she had gotten relaxed. Out of the corner of his eye he could see she had undone the top button of her blouse. Was she deliberately trying to get next to him? He doubted it. Like him, she was probably beginning to feel hot.

“Ashton?”

“Hmm?” He had come to another traffic light. He looked at her, then wished he hadn't. Her eyes were dark, desirously dark. And all that desire was focused on him.

“How much longer until we get to the hotel?”

He continued to look at her for a moment more before saying, “Not much longer.”

“Good.”

They rode the rest of the way to the hotel in companionable silence.

Netherland began questioning her actions when they walked into Ashton's hotel room, and he closed the door behind them. Especially when she saw his marine uniform in a dry cleaner's bag neatly placed diagonally across his bed.

She started to turn around and leave, then decided to take another approach. Without saying anything to him she walked over to his bed, picked up the dry cleaner's bag and walked over to the closet and hung it up. She closed the closet door behind her.

“That won't eliminate who and what I am, Netherland,” Ashton said, leaning against the closed hotel door.

“I know, but tonight I don't want it to matter.” She walked back over to him and placed her arms around his neck. “And for the rest of the time you're here in Houston, it won't matter.”

“Why won't it?”

She leaned up and brushed her lips gently across his, once. Twice. Then she answered, “Because we're looking at this like two sensible adults who want to be together. Let's enjoy today and not concern ourselves with tomorrow.”

“Are you suggesting we share a bed tonight and go our separate ways in the morning?”

She brushed another kiss across his lips before saying, “No, I'm looking at something a little longer than a one-night stand. I'm suggesting we share a bed while you're in Houston and when you leave for parts unknown you won't look back and I won't have any regrets. The time we'll spend together will be a memory we'll have forever. What do you think of that?” She brushed another kiss across his lips.

Ashton knew it was time he showed his future wife just what he thought.

This time when her mouth touched his, he cupped the back of her head with his hand. Parting her lips with his tongue he swept inside her mouth, stealing her next words—whatever they may have been. And when she moaned in a shuddering breath, he stole that, too. He continued kissing her with more fire and more passion than he'd kissed her that night in her office.

That was only the beginning.

He broke off the kiss and took a step back from her and began tugging the tails of his shirt out of his jeans. He then began unbuttoning his shirt while she watched him.

The rate of Netherland's breathing increased when he removed his shirt and tossed it aside. His chest and shoulders looked firm, muscled, strong, and she wanted to feel the naked strength of them beneath her fingertips. Her skin began to feel heated when she watched him slowly unzip his pants. Her eyes widened. She blinked when he tugged down his jeans and revealed…a loincloth?

Netherland blinked again. Her jaw dropped. Ashton's underwear was styled as a loincloth. She inhaled deeply. She had seen men in boxers. Her father and brothers still preferred those kinds. Erik had preferred wearing briefs. But she had never seen a pair of loincloth underwear and hadn't known such a thing existed. Standing before her, he could have been either primitive Indian or primitive African. The loincloth could have served either purpose.

“Now your turn, Netherland.” The deep hoarseness in his voice filled the room.

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