Chapter 6
Jake took one look at her face and breathed a sigh of relief. It could have gone either way. He took a chance and it paid off. Her shining eyes and flushed cheeks were all the evidence he needed that she was as stoked by the ride as he was. Hell, how could he not be? Having the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen wrapped around his back riding an Electra Glide down the highway on a gorgeous evening came as close to perfect as he could imagine. The only thing that made it better was that he‘d have dinner with her – and more, if he could wrangle it. Just the thought made the bulge in his jeans swell. Not much he could do about it. He’d struggled to contain his reaction to her from the first time he saw her.
For the moment, the excitement in her eyes replaced the anger and fear he’d seen since he met her. He realized this must be the way she’d looked before Anthony’s death stole her joy. He prayed that he could keep the agony of the present at bay for at least a couple of hours. He’d give anything to erase the pain haunting her beautiful face. He pushed her in front of him and tossed Pedro the keys to the bike. The boy’s face lit with pleasure.
“Don’t say it, Mr. Jake. I know. I get one scratch on it and I am your slave for life.”
Jake laughed and tossed him a folded bill. “You know it, Pedro. And not more than four blocks either way, you hear? Your mama’s gonna kill me, as it is.”’
Putting his arm around Alexis’s shoulder, he led her into the noisy cantina. The raucous shouts of the waiters and patrons greeted them along with the spicy smells of chilies and roasted meats. A huge woman with a smile as big as her ample chest bustled toward them.
“Ah, Mr. Jake. Too long, too long since we see you.” Peering around him, she gave Lexie a critical once over. Seeming to see the light in Jake’s eyes, a broad grin broke across her face. “Ah, now I see what has kept you busy, kept you away from us.
Jake grinned and gave her a big hug. “Mama Rosita, you know I can’t stay away from you or Carlos. I languish in countries all over the world dreaming about your flan. Mama, this is Alexis, and Alexis, this is Mama Rosita, who makes the best pork taquitas in the world and tops it off with flan as close to heaven as I’m likely to get.”
At that moment, a wiry Hispanic man with dark hair and flashing black eyes came around the corner. His face lit up when he saw Jake. At the most, he came to Jake’s shoulder and Jake had to bend down to give him a hug.
“
Looking over at Alexis, his face cracked in a smile as wide as his wife’s. He winked at Jake and gave a low whistle. “Mmm,
Alexis smiled a shy smile and Jake pulled her closer to him. After he had finished making introductions to the wait staff who crowded around them, Jake put a protective arm around Alexis’ shoulders, who was looking overwhelmed and a little pale. He’d arranged ahead of time for a private table in the back corner of the patio and guided her through the noisy restaurant to the quiet table he’d commandeered. The subtle smell of desert sage mingled with the fragrance of the citrus trees banking the patio, flavoring the cooling night air with a mix of spicy fragrances. The sky was beginning to darken. A crescent moon hung over the patio, heralding the coming of a thousand stars.
Jake knew the chances that Alexis had eaten today were slim, but didn’t want to pressure her. He knew by now she was fiercely independent.
“Can I start plying you with alcohol?” he asked, winking at the waiter who stood expectantly to the side.
Alexis managed a shy smile that made Jake’s heart trip. He thought again how damned vulnerable she was. He could almost see the tight nerves she was working hard to control.
“I think I’ll try one of the margarita’s you told me about, but no salt please.”
Jake nodded. “Good choice. And Manuel, bring us one of those seafood platters Mama rustles up for me. And don’t forget the hot sauce.”
Turning to Alexis, Jake asked, “I don’t want to be overbearing, but you look as though you haven’t eaten in a while, am I right?’
She shook her head and looked down, then said softly, “I haven’t been hungry.”
He gave her a sympathetic nod. “Let me recommend the Boquia bass. It’s one of the mildest but tastiest fish you’ll find. Comes from a paradise in Columbia. Carlos ships it in. Don’t know of another place in the southwest that does.”
She asked hesitantly, a clear effort to make conversation, “Have you been there?”
“Lake Boquia? Yeah, I have.” He smiled at her. “I’ve been lucky. There aren’t many places that I haven’t been. Unfortunately, some of the most beautiful ones, like Columbia, for example, are the most troubled.”
He watched her closely throughout the meal. She sipped on her margarita and moved to Dos Equis beer when he did. She picked at her food, but at least she ate. He steered the conversation to safe topics, her car, his bike, and the places he had been.
At a break in the conversation, he said, “I understand you’re a martial artist.”
To Jake’s surprise, she pulled back. He saw her shield go up.
“How do you know that?” Her expression was tight, guarded.
He was surprised at her defensive reaction. He’d thought she’d be pleased to talk about her accomplishments. He gave a nonchalant shrug.
“I’m an inveterate snoop. Guess that’s what makes me a good investigator. And yeah, I like to check out a woman before I introduce her to Mama Rosita,” he added with a slight smile.
She frowned, surprising him more, but he pressed on.
“I’ll admit, I did a little investigation on you, but I didn’t have a week so I only skimmed all the tournaments you’ve won and the honors you’ve received. You are something, a true champion, Miss Alexis Beloi.”
When her frown deepened and she didn’t respond, he reached for humor.
“What’s wrong, Alexis? I can tell you, there’s nothing hotter to an army brat like me than a woman who could whip my ass.”
He thought for a moment he’d succeeded, but her guard went up stronger than ever. Her voice was hard, clipped.
“I don’t like people ‘investigating’ me. If you want to know something about me, ask me.”
He quirked a brow in disbelief.
“Hmm, and if I did. Ask you? Would you answer me?”
She tossed her head, a gesture that was becoming familiar.
“Not likely.”
In the silence that followed, assessing her rigid body language, Jake decided he had nothing to lose. There were questions he needed to ask, things she needed to know about him.
He drawled, “Well, I guess I’ll take a chance and get my head bitten off. I do have questions, I’d like some answers to. I’m curious, Alexis. What do you hope to learn about your brother’s death on the ‘streets’?”
She stared at him, her eyes flashing with anger.
“I’ve already told you, I’m not interested in talking about my brother’s death with you or anyone else who is ‘officially’ investigating his murder.”
“Hmm, but you will talk to the bouncers at Porters? Or the pimps on the corner of Cactus?”
Alexis arched up like an angry cat. Jake was surprised she didn’t hiss.
“What? You followed me? You tracked me last night? How dare you?”
She rose up in her chair reaching for her purse, her hands were visibly shaking. She gnawed at her bottom lip. “So… so this is why you insisted that I have dinner with you? So you could smother me with southern charm, ply me with alcohol, and then get all the information you can from me?”
Jake leaned back in his chair. He sighed and motioned to her.
“Sit down, Alexis.”
When she just glared at him, he nodded to the chair.
“That wasn’t a request, sugar. Sit down. Now.”
~~~
Alexis stared at him. How dare he tell her what to do? As though she was an insubordinate that he could
