When he turned back to look at her, she could tell something had changed. She'd see that look before, the look of someone who'd been betrayed.

"Rick doesn't care about anyone or anything. He's out for power and money. The second he knows a woman who I feel a connection to is involved in tracking down something that he's using for a money haul, he'll grab you. He would kill you or worse and make sure he's back for dinner."

Jenna felt sick and angry, but didn't know how to argue against it.

"So what do we do?"

"We don't do anything. I'm going to get Matt to take you back to my place. He'll get some of his security men to keep an eye on you while he and I track down Rick and put an end to this. We'll find the device, slip in, grab it and get out fast."

71.

Jenna shook her head. She had to put her foot down quickly before he went on an overprotective rampage.

"I don't think so. I'm not a child who needs a babysitter. I'm coming with you. If you find the other device you'll need someone who can take a look at it. You won't know its condition, if it's safe to move, or what," she said in the same voice she used when her team started to get out of control.

"This isn't a game and not open for discussion. Rick would shoot, stab or rape you on a whim. The fact that he gets to keep something he wants, then all the better. I can't deal with him knowing that you'll be in harm's way."

Jenna refused to break eye contact with him. He looked as pissed as she felt.

"You don't trust me," as she said the words she realized they were true.

After everything they'd been through in the last day and a half, everything they'd been through seven years ago, he couldn't stand the fact that she was her own person.

"Fuck, woman! This has nothing to do with you. You're a professor at a university.

Not a member of the Mars security force," Ben said as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Bullshit! You don't trust me. You think I'll run off and get myself hurt. Or worse, something will happen and you'll get hurt. Here I've been thinking that you've changed.

But you haven't. You're still the same controlling, pigheaded jerk you were seven years ago."

"Jenna-"

"I'm not just a professor. Like everyone else on this colony I know how to use a weapon and how to defend myself."

"Not like this. Jen-"

"Don't bother, I'm out of here. Fuck this and fuck you."

Jenna fumbled for the door latch behind her and nearly fell out of the limo when she managed to get the door open. She blindly swiped at the tears on her cheek.

"Jenna!"

She didn't wait, heading straight for one of the cars that had been brought for the crew to use. Thankfully, when she hopped into it the keys were shoved into the sun visor. But she didn't see him coming until it was too late. Ben jammed his body in the space between her and the door, making it impossible to close.

"Jenna," his voice was soft as he reached for her.

"Don't."

Her throat was sore, the muscles straining in their effort to keep her sobs trapped inside. She squeezed the steering wheel of the car. She wasn't going to look at him.

Wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

"I'm sorry."

"No, I somehow don't think you are." She dropped her head to the wheel and tried to relax. "You've always had to be in control. You're the only one who can make the 72 right decisions. That's why you're alone, Ben. People can't handle having every decision made for them. I sure as hell can't."

Silence filled the space between them. Waves of frustration radiated from him, lapping against her like the tide, trying to pull her in. Enough of this. Jenna sat back, turned the key in the ignition and looked over at him.

"I'm going home. I don't need you, Matt or anyone else to accompany me. I'll call Roger later today to check in."

For a second it looked liked he was going to say something. Instead, he took a step backward and closed the door.

"Be careful," he said the words through the glass.

Jenna pulled away, leaving Ben standing in a swirl of red dust.

73.

Chapter Eight.

Steam rolled off her body as Jenna stepped out of the shower. With any luck she'd be able to relax, maybe even sleep tonight. Not that she'd had much luck with that over the past week. She wrapped her hair in a towel, trapping the drips inside, and walked naked out to the kitchen. The floor was cold under her feet and she shivered but made no move to grab her fluffy terrycloth bathrobe draped over her kitchen chair. She stood in front of her island where she ripped a strip off the dehydrated fruit bar and shoved it untasting into her mouth.

One week. That's how long she'd been able to avoid Ben. No emails, PCD calls, messages and certainly no face-to-face meetings. She'd been able to put him off or ignore every attempt at contact. And there had been plenty. She was pretty sure a restraining order would be the next step, but most likely Ben had every lawyer on Mars on retainer, so it wouldn't do her much good.

Not that she thought it would come to that. He'd stopped trying to get in touch with her for two whole days now. If he'd backed off, then everything would be fine.

Perfectly fine.

Her mouth dry from the tasteless fruit, Jenna grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. The slick glass fogged under her touch, which caught her attention. Cracking open the bottle, she downed the entire contents before setting it down too quickly and sending a loud thunk resonating through her condo.

"Shit."

She caught her reflection in the mirror in the living room. Her slim waist contrasted against her slightly too large thighs and ass. Her breasts were average, with two dark areolas beginning to tighten against the contrast of the cool condo air from the scalding heat of her shower. What the hell does Ben see in me anyway? She was so average, normal-dare she think it-boring.

Leaving the bottle and the depressing image in the mirror, Jenna made her way over to her large beige chair and flopped onto it. The air felt nice on her naked skin. The last few wisps of steam rose from her arms and thighs, making her skin tingle as it left.

She closed her eyes and tried to relax.

Of course Ben came to mind. Every time she'd closed her eyes he was there waiting for her. She gave her head a small shake but she couldn't lose the image of him standing in front of her, wearing only his dark dress pants. Gods, she loved his chest. The soft curls of his chest hair tickling her fingers as she slid them up between his pecs and around to the back of his neck.

Her nipples ached as the cool air teased them into peaks. Her memories of Ben on 74 his knees in front of her, his mouth wrapped around one nipple, teasing it with his tongue while his hand lightly pinched the other were vivid. She squirmed in her seat, the fake leather preventing her damp body from moving too far. Moisture dripped from her pussy to mix with the water that still clung to her. Squeezing her legs together increased the pressure on her clit, drawing a gasp from her.

No. She wasn't going to do this. Her hips bucked up into the air in an involuntary protest before she stilled. Her skin itched and pulsed. She'd ignored her needs for a week. Too long.

Jenna moved her hand to between her breasts and paused. She could feel her heart pounding under her fingers, the rhythm fast and strong. Eyes still closed, she cautiously moved her hand over to her left breast and caressed her nipple. The coolness of the air added to the sensation, making it easy for her to imagine Ben on his knees in front of her, his mouth inches away from her, teasing her with his breathing.

He liked to tease her. Push her to the limits and then over them.

One more pinch, this time harder before she moved her hand away. Her nipple pulsed and quivered from the attention. She moved her hand to her other breast and squeezed. Jenna pulled it towards her mouth as she leaned forward and flicked her tongue over the tip. The sensation felt odd and yet thrilling at the same time. Back and forth, over and over her tongue moved before she uncurled back against the chair again.

Her breath came from her in shallow gasps. She needed release-now. Slowly she moved her hand down her stomach and brushed to top of her pubic curls. Her skin was moist from her shower, water drops still clinging to her hair. She traced a lazy pattern through the curls, enjoying the feeling as she brushed the skin just above her clit. Closer she moved to her goal, her touch as slow as Ben's in his apartment. Down along the inside of her thigh, only to return to the sensitive skin that joined her leg to her body.

When she couldn't take any more, Jenna returned to her cunt. The one place she wanted Ben, now more than ever. The air left her lungs as she touched herself, her fingers cool as it slipped between the wet folds of her pussy.

Do you want me to lick you?

His voice rang in her head. Jenna circled her finger around her clit, teasing herself.

Not quite touching, not yet. He wouldn't let her off that easy. Back to the hood that protected her clit, she applied just the right amount of pressure to send a wave of pleasure through her. So close to the edge. She'd have to be careful. Again she circled her clit and retraced her path over the hood. This time she had to bite back a cry.

Time was of the essence now. She abandoned her pressure point and slipped her finger into her now-soaking pussy. With the heel of her hand pressed against her mound, she deliberately moved her index finger around the engorged flesh of her clit before dipping it into her cunt. Steadily, over and over she slid her finger in to the knuckle and pulled it out and up to circle her wetness over her clit. A moan finally escaped her, the sound heightening her excitement.

75.

I want you, Jenna.

"Yes," she spoke into the emptiness.

Release was there, but still far enough out of reach that she needed more. Jenna reached up and brushed her nipple with her free hand. She was too horny and could barely feel the contact. This time she caught her nipple between her forefinger and thumb and pinched, lightly at first before squeezing harder. The sensation sent a bolt through her body. Her hand began to thrust into her faster. Not enough.

Careful not to hurt herself, Jenna added a finger then two as she continued to pump her body. She could almost feel Ben on top of her, his thick cock pushing into her.

Come for me.

Her orgasm slammed into her. She cried out, biting her bottom lip in an attempt to stop. The hand on her breast flew to the arm of the chair, clutching it to keep her from falling to the floor. Her other hand continued to pump into her, her juices dripping down her hand and arm as wave after wave of pleasure racked her body.

Finally, she stopped. She couldn't move as her body hummed in the aftereffects of her release. The familiar peaceful calm was missing from her sated ache that enveloped her. She could smell her musk from her hand, proof that she should be satisfied.

But she wasn't. Jenna opened her eyes and let them adjust to the light of the condo before she pulled the towel from her hair and let the damp strands fall on her shoulder.

Masturbating had always helped in the past. She'd gone years without being with a man. For fuck's sake, it had only been a week since she'd fucked Ben. So what if it had been the most amazing sex she'd ever had in her life? He was just a man. She'd find another one and prove that stupid matchmaking program wrong. And her heart.

A strong chill got her out of the chair in search of warm clothing. Jenna kicked clothing out of her path on her bedroom floor until she found what she was looking for-her jogging pants and blue t-shirt. With no plans for the evening, she bypassed the necessity of undergarments. This time she ignored the flush-faced reflection staring back at her in her bedroom. She wasn't about to see anything there she'd like anyway.

Somehow, she managed to comb her hair and pull it into a ponytail without the benefit of looking when there was a knock at her door.

Jenna froze. She'd talked to Roger earlier, so she was up to date on the project. No reason for him to stop by. Silently, she crept out of her bedroom and made her way to the kitchen until she stubbed her foot on a stool and had to will herself not to scream.

Too late. A second, more insistent knock and Jenna's stomach bottomed out.

"Who is it?"

"Open the door please."

Ben.

She marched over to the door but stopped short. Her palms were damp, forcing her to rub them on her pants. He was really here. Thank gods he hadn't arrived ten minutes earlier or she wouldn't have been able to deal with him. But right now she was ready.

76.

"I don't think that's a good idea," she said and cringed at the sound of her own nervousness. She needed to keep her head.

Ben's sigh vibrated through the door. Jenna was glad of the physical separation between them and not having to see his face. Maybe she was a coward, but at this point she would use whatever it took to survive when it came to Ben. She didn't move and waited to see if he'd say anything else. Hell, she couldn't move if she wanted to. He'd finally come to her. It took a week, but he finally clued in that she wasn't going discuss anything through technology or an intermediate. She'd wanted him face-to-face, to prove she could live her life as she always had and still be a productive member of the team. And Ben was about to realize that she eventually got what she wanted.

She waited as the silent seconds ticked by.

"Why not?" He sounded annoyed, but not angry.

Automatically, she crossed her arms across her chest. "Gee, I don't know. The last time I saw you we had a lovely chat about how you don't trust me. Well, I've been thinking that I don't really trust you either, so I don't think I want you in my place."

Too childish? Jenna shrugged to the empty space between herself and the door. She couldn't help that he brought out the worst in her.

"You didn't have a problem trusting me at my place."

Of course he'd have to bring that up. The thought of being tied up again, left to his mercy was damn arousing. Surprising considering her recent orgasm.