Gift of Fire

the most sensitive part of his body.
    He knew from previous experience that if he stayed where he was, he would get hard again. If he wanted any sleep tonight, he’d better stop now.
    “I love you, Verity.” The words were raw.
    “I love you, too,” she whispered.
    He waited a long moment, enjoying the sweet, lingering aftermath of their lovemaking. Then he withdrew reluctantly and rolled to the side. He settled her within the curve of his arm and told himself that everything really was going to be all right now.
    Jonas was on the edge of sleep, his mind relaxed and his soul at peace, when Verity spoke again.
    “I think,” she said quite clearly in the darkness, “that I need a vacation. Maybe I’ll take one while you and Dad are in Mexico.”
    Jonas’s peace vanished in an instant. Rage roared through him. It was the kind of fury that had its roots in a very primitive fear, a fear that had been nibbling at him for the past couple of weeks, a fear he had refused to acknowledge.
    It was the fear that Verity might be growing dissatisfied with her live-in lover.

 
    Chapter Two
     
    “V
acation
!
”
Jonas jackknifed upright in bed. “What the hell do you mean?”
    Verity lay back on the pillows, staring thoughtfully up into the darkness. Jonas’s violent reaction had startled her. “I think I need one. You’ve told me yourself that I’m working too hard,” she pointed out reasonably. “Well, now is a perfect time to slow down for a while. It’s the middle of winter. Business is slow. There’s just a handful of tourists and a few people from the spa at the cafe in the evenings. Nobody’s going to mind if I close up for a week. Hawaii would be perfect this time of year.”
    “You think nobody’s going to mind if you take off by yourself for a week of sun and fun in the islands?” Jonas was outraged. He loomed over Verity, caging her face between his hands. “I’ve got news for you. I’ll mind. A lot. If you think I’m going to let you go off by yourself to wiggle around in a bikini in front of a flock of beachboys for a week, you can think again.”
    Verity began to feel annoyed. “It’s okay for you to fly off to Mexico for a week of sun and fun, but I don’t have the same right, is that it?”
    “Christ almighty.” Jonas’s voice was raw with exasperation. “You know damn well I’m not going to Mexico for fun and games. Don’t you dare try to pretend it’s a vacation.”
    “I could fly down with you. Maybe wait for you and Dad in Acapulco,” she suggested, considering the possibilities.
    “Not a chance. I don’t want you anywhere near Mexico. How do you expect me to keep my mind on business if I’m wondering what you’re up to in Acapulco? Forget it, Verity. You’re going to stay right here, where I don’t have to worry about you. If you’re serious about a vacation, we’ll take one when I get back. You can spend this week thinking about a place for us to go. Make the plans.”
    “How can I make plans for a trip when I don’t know when you and Dad will return?”
    “We’ll probably be back within a week. How long can it take to arrange a ransom payoff? Ten days at the outside. Make the plans for two weeks from today. That should be safe enough. Or make them for next month. Hell, use some common sense.” Jonas spoke with clenched teeth, clearly working hard to hang on to his temper.
    Verity put her arms around his neck and felt the tension there and in the muscles of his broad shoulders. “You’ll be very careful in Mexico, won’t you?”
    “I’m always careful. Verity, about this stupid idea of a vacation. I don’t want you going anywhere until I get back. Do you hear me?”
    “I hear you.” She tugged gently at his neck, aware of his resistance. She tried a seductive smile. “I’m going to miss you, Jonas.”
    He hesitated a moment and then slowly relaxed, lowering himself alongside her. He gathered her into his arms. “I’m going to miss you, too, little tyrant. You behave yourself while I’m gone.”
    “Take care of yourself, Jonas. Take care of Dad, too. He’s not as young as he once was.”
    “Your old man can still whip most guys half his age. Whatever Emerson is losing to the years, he’s more than making up for with an increasingly devious mind.” He bent down and brushed her lips with his. “But don’t worry about him, honey. I’ll keep an eye on him for you.”
    “Keep an eye on yourself, too. Good dishwashers are hard to