Irresistibly Strong

Chapter 1 Jake Bentley clasped his wife Eva in his arms as police swarmed the lobby of their condominium. His brother Dylan dashed after his wife, Lois, toward danger. Every muscle in Jake's body tightened with the urge to help Dylan, but not until after Eva and her little sister, Emily, were safe. Eva's blue eyes pooled with tears as she cried for her kidnapped sister, soaking Jake's shirt. At last the police brought Emily into view, her backpack from school slung over her shoulder. His new ward hustled into the building without any visible bruises or injuries. Today’s kidnapping had been foiled. He exhaled with relief and let Eva go to Emily while he rushed out into the street to help Dylan, but he and his wife were gone. Disappointment as well as adrenaline raced through him and he wished he could have helped Dylan more. Jake returned to the lobby, gaze drawn to the two sisters, who looked much alike despite the eight-year age difference, although Emily's blonde hair was longer. Emily hugged him, and he instantly stood taller. Eva and Emily were now his responsibility and being a fill-in father to a teenage girl was one of the best jobs he’d ever had, though unexpected, because he'd never wanted to be a dad. Eva’s tears streamed down her face though the smile indicated that this fresh batch were happy tears. Dylan's wife Lois had volunteered to switch herself for Emily in a hostage situation, and Jake hoped they'd solve the problem fast. In the months since the Bentleys had been coerced into jailhouse weddings, he, Eva and Emily had become family. Eva asked, “Emily, you’re okay?” Emily took Jake's hand in her right, Eva's in her left, and squeezed. “I’m so sorry.” Huh? If anyone needed to apologize it was him. He hadn't wanted to let her take the school bus and should never have allowed her to be in danger. When Emily's psychologist had said that Emily would thrive in a school setting, combined with Emily's begging to be on the bus, he'd conceded. Jake expected no more argument about the bus. A driver/security guard was the better option from now on. Eva narrowed her gaze as she studied her sister. “For what?” Emily sighed and glanced at the ground. “For not avoiding that guy who stopped me in the hall--I should've run straight into the office, but he grabbed my arm, and I just froze.” “You were afraid.” Eva massaged her sister’s shoulder. “You’re safe now.” Jake ushered both women past the police that still swarmed the lobby. His first priority was Emily and Eva’s safety, and a command center of armed men wasn’t good for either of them. Jake caught whispers around him from the officers that the police were in pursuit of Lois and Dylan's trail. He motioned toward the elevator and said, “No more bus until the threats against my family are gone.” Emily, cheeks red, walked with them, her backpack at her side. “Okay. I was wrong.” Interesting. Eva never admitted to being wrong. She’d burnt their dinner two night ago and claimed the directions were lost rather than say she messed up. Tears gone, his wife was back in control again as she hit the button for the elevator and smiled at him in a way that meant ‘be sweet.’ “Everything is fine. Let’s just get you upstairs.” One of the things he enjoyed about Eva was her confidence. She exuded it like a perfume. They entered the elevator as his phone beeped. He read the text and the hair on his arms raised. Arman and Lois were together in a closed room. He put his phone back and refused to tell either of them. Emily had been in serious danger and they were lucky she was free. They reached their floor of the condo, and Emily yawned. Today must have been trying--as far as Jake was concerned, she didn’t need to return to school tomorrow. Eva followed Emily down the hall toward her sister's bedroom. Jake's eyes remained glued to Eva’s hips, curved in tailored black linen slacks, until she was out of sight. The way her short bob bounced with each step was now part of his daily fantasy. Her figure had caused Jake more than one restless night. Soon he and his pretty wife would need to figure out what came next--they were so close to ending this awful situation. But for now, Jake headed to his office. His text messages had exploded, and he quickly read them to stay on top of what had happened--he breathed easier the moment he read that Dylan had Lois back and they were both safe. As he settled into his black leather office chair, he froze after reading the next message. Arman was dead. Wow. Only two enemies were left and then the Bentleys would be free. Miami hardly showed the seasons as the tropical weather was either hot or raining and humid. The sun had just started to set outside his office window like a wink as it concluded another day in paradise when someone knocked on his office door. He stood and closed his laptop but relaxed when he saw Eva’s soft smile and bare feet--she'd changed into a knee-length blue dress, and had brought him a cup of tea on a tray. He put it on his desk, but their fingers brushed and a spark rushed through him. He ignored the sensation. “How is Emily?” She motioned toward the couch in the corner of his office, and then sat. “She’s finally asleep. I was so worried about her.” He joined her. Bringing him tea had been a thoughtful gesture but tonight was different somehow. Today Eva seemed… vulnerable. Or maybe it was him. His skin was on fire. They needed to talk. Really talk. Tonight, maybe they could start accepting that they were a family. Jake stared at her as she flicked her dark blonde hair behind her ear. His lips tingled as he wondered what his wife actually tasted like. She made the office smell like flowers. Was she at all attracted to him? He stood suddenly. “Of course you were. Would you like to get a bottle of wine?” She pointed toward the hot pot of tea she'd made him with her ring-less hand, but then her eyes widened as she asked, “With you?” Eva sounded so shocked that he wondered if he'd made a mistake. “You don’t have to.” His heart beat fast again, a different fear than the rush when he'd heard about Emily's kidnapping. She slid off the couch and stood with him. “No, I want to. Thanks. A glass of wine will calm me down.” Eva picked up the tray and headed toward the door. He opened it for her, the air charged despite how just last month they’d discussed friendship, and how no rings worked for them. “I’ll get glasses and the wine. Let’s go on the balcony.” She seemed like a fresh tropical breeze that stirred his heart as she said, “Meet you there.” He turned off the laptop on his desk and checked his phone messages-- everyone had texted that they were home tonight, safe. Jake turned off the ringer and took a moment to just breathe. Too much drama had happened already, but there was an end in sight. Eva’s company might be just the ticket to help him relax. He left his office and chose a chilled bottle of sauvignon blanc and two glasses from the cabinet. He walked to the balcony door that led outside and saw Eva’s blue cotton dress billow slightly from the warm night air. Her skin practically glowed from the illumination of the setting sun that reflected off the ocean. In the far distance, slow-moving cruise ships offered a view of paradise. Eva’s blue eyes were clear when he joined her. “You look beautiful tonight.” Her face blushed as she shook her head, accepting the glass of wine he poured for her. “I don’t feel it. I feel like I just ran a marathon and now I'm beat.” He understood that. They’d both just jolted out of their normal routine of work and comfort, the moment the police had called about Emily’s kidnapping at school. He massaged her shoulder, grateful that the crisis had ended for them so fast, and in the best outcome. He held up his glass. “So, tonight we relax.” She lightly touched her glass with his but didn't drink--instead, she stared at him with wide eyes. “Why are you being so nice to me, Jake?” “I’m always nice to you now.” “Since you helped me get Emily here, yeah. You’ve been great.” Eva sipped her wine. “I’m out of sorts and still not used to being protected, when I don’t deserve it.” “You’re a good woman, Eva.” He needed to tell her the latest news. “Lois walked into Arman’s office tonight and somehow faced down the man who sent us all to prison.” Her face paled and she went rigid next to him. “Right. Arman. When I married you, I had no idea that we’d find out your cousin, and aunt, were the ones out to get you.” “None of us did.” He folded his fingers over the handrail of the balcony and looked out at the ocean. These past few months had become a blur. He’d been arrested, sent to prison, forced to marry Eva, proven innocent, and taken his business back, but still the threats had continued. He swallowed his wine like that might wash the memories away. “Mariam and Arman would have inherited power, land and money--but I still don’t know why Natasha is involved. What's her motivation?” Eva pressed her free hand against her chest. “Maybe she was in love with Arman?” His gaze narrowed. That didn’t make much sense. “Natasha wanted to marry Oliver.” She gulped from her glass and put it beside her. “What if she was proving her love for Arman with her actions?” Strange. No one in his family had suggested any such motivation. Neither had the detectives or their security team; nor did any info they’d discovered allude to Natasha and Arman being romantically involved. Jake shook his head and put his own glass next to hers. “That seems like a silly thing to do.” She topped off their glasses as she avoided eye contact. “People do crazy, messed-up things all the time to prove their love.” Eva handed him his wine, and she quickly sipped hers, eyes big over the rim of her glass. He blinked to not be mesmerized and said, “I wouldn’t want anyone to ever do something so ridiculous. I’m having a hard time still knowing I married you, a hero who has only helped me.” She straightened, her wispy blonde hair flying back on a breeze as she held his gaze. “Jake. It's time I confessed something to you.” Her intensity hit him hard. Was she nervous? He bumped into her shoulder to get her to relax as he said, “Nothing dramatic, I hope. I need a night off from anymore heart-stopping, life-changing events.” She trembled, but then nodded. “Okay. Fair enough. Jake, thank you again for how awesome you are with Emily.” He was generally skilled at reading people, and she seemed nervous. Strange. He sipped his wine. “She’s a good kid. You’re a great big sister." The original Kirno plan had been for Jake to marry a teenaged Emily and he shuddered at the thought. "I couldn't have married your sister. My corporate business is in mergers, and finding company matches that help both sides never would have recovered. I would have been ruined if I had a child bride.” “I couldn’t risk it.” Eva picked up her glass for another drink. They normally had tea, in separate corners, after a friendly conversation over dinner supervised by her sister. Tonight, the wine and the company were both good. He winked, sharing, “Understandable. I helped my brothers chase off Elle’s various boyfriends through the years. Nobody could be good enough for our sister.” Her eyes sparkled as she sipped. Once she finished, she traced the glass with a slender finger. “Navid is nice.” Fair. Eva and Emily only had each other whereas he had five brothers and one baby sister. Being fifth meant learning negotiation tactics to get whatever he wanted. He leaned closer and goosebumps grew on his skin from her proximity. “Navid is different… don’t tell my sister, but we all like her fiancé.” “Why aren’t you telling her?” Her whisper was so close that he immediately thought of kissing her. The crisp smell of wine tempted, but he pulled back so as not to take advantage. Tonight, they’d just be friends. “General sibling reasons, but we’re all looking forward to her wedding once the threats are finally over.” She gripped the railing like she wasn’t sure if she should make the first move but he could tell she was interested in him, which was what he'd wanted to know. "At least you have your company back again." "Yes." Work was a safe subject for them. “It’s helping to let off steam after being falsely arrested.” Her face had a deeper blush as she avoided his gaze. “I can’t imagine going through that.” The days he’d spent in prison had changed him. For the first time in his life, he’d been afraid. Jake had built his fortune on being in total control--you couldn't take over if you gave even a hint of weakness. The day he'd lost everything replayed vividly in his mind. His fist clenched. “You have no idea. I'd just bought a multibillion dollar cell phone provider who'd spent their money on upgrading all their equipment and didn’t keep any in reserve to prevent a takeover.” Her eyes narrowed. “Because they spent it on helping their customers?” The judgment in her voice said she didn’t approve, but he shrugged. Most people didn’t understand business choices--sometimes mergers were beneficial to all parties. Jake explained, “Yes. In my buying the provider and merging it with a company that had cash but a horrible network, both groups won.” “And you?” One blonde eyebrow shot up. Her comments over the past two months had made her position on corporations being at fault for the world's problems clear. He'd enjoyed their sparring, as she had intelligent insights and wasn't afraid of him. Yes, he’d benefited financially--that was life. Before corporations had come along to run things, people had accepted darkness when night fell, bunched together in villages and homemade shacks. Now, humankind lived in steel towers like this one and lights were available with a flick of a finger. "Well?" Eva insisted that he finish his story. Jake placed his hand on hers and said, “I made a fortune from the negotiations." He'd been so proud of himself. "I'd just earned my reputation. I walked out of the meeting feeling like I'd won." The taste in his mouth turned bitter. "Then handcuffs were placed around my wrists and I was dragged to federal prison--my reputation in the dirt.” Her expression went from sad to determined as she raised her glass. "Here's to you--I'm glad that your name was cleared.” They drank, then he gently bumped into her arm with a wink. “And to you, the girl I married.” Her face turned red, again, and she lowered her eyes. “I don’t know if we should celebrate that, but thanks.” Interesting. She was embarrassed. Eva was usually bossy and loud. But over the months they’d formed a peace, became friends, and agreed to stay married. It was why he couldn't kiss her tonight. When he did, he needed to ensure she wanted him, free of alcohol or emotional release. Jake narrowed his eyes. The only thing left for them was to satisfy the physical, which meant seducing her. The past two months had shown him that Eva was a good woman. “We’re getting along. Emily’s safe and sleeping in her bedroom. I can’t think of a woman better suited to be my wife.” She patted his arm and put her empty glass down. “Jake… tomorrow, we really have to talk.” “I’ll be here.” He watched as she sashayed inside the condo. She paused at the door. “Goodnight, then.” Part of him wanted to chase after her, but one more day was fine. He knew how to wait and play the long game. Tonight, he'd have one more cold shower. He finished his wine and headed to his room. Jake added seducing his wife to his already packed agenda.