Smokescreen

by Iris Johansen

  And the next moment, his mouth closed on her nipple.

  Suction.

  His tongue…

  His teeth…

  Her back arched as she felt the pressure.

  “Wait,” she gasped. She was wildly shedding her clothes as his mouth never left her. “I can’t take—”

  “Yes, you can. You can take everything. This is how strong you are.” He pulled her down on the blankets. “So don’t tell me you’re not strong.” He was shedding his clothes as he spoke. “I’ll show you what you can take.” He stopped suddenly as he looked down at her. “I’m going wild. I’ll try to let you set the pace, but I can’t promise. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. Don’t let me do that. Just tell me.”

  She was panting, moving against him. The feel of his hips against her…“Will you stop worrying? I know you, Novak. Just touch me.” Then she suddenly lunged upward and took him instead. “Yes!”

  He froze. His face contorting. “Well. That ends that, doesn’t it?” he said hoarsely. “It’s up to you from now on. I’m gone…” He started to move.

  Fast.

  Hard.

  Heat.

  Hot. So hot.

  She heard herself gasping, crying, as she met him, tried to take more of him.

  Crazy.

  It went on and on. He was moving her, positioning her, so many positions…until she thought she couldn’t take any more; and then she found there were no limits.

  His face over her, tense, almost in pain.

  Then it was going faster, harder.

  “Novak…”

  Darkness.

  Light.

  Pressure.

  Impossible that it could go on.

  But it had to go on, she couldn’t let him leave her…

  Then he was gathering her close, lifting her. “Jill?”

  But he wasn’t leaving her she realized out of the haze of madness. He was taking her with him.

  Her fingers dug into his shoulders.

  She thought she screamed. But there was no sound, she realized. Because she had no breath and was clinging helplessly to him as wave after wave was overwhelming her.

  “Okay?” His chest was moving in and out with the force of his breathing. “I didn’t do—”

  “Don’t you dare,” she gasped. “I’m quite sure you wouldn’t ask that of any other woman at a time like this. I’m fine, better than fine.”

  “You’re not any other woman.” His voice was low against her throat. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to compare you to other women.” He lifted his head to look down at her. “So don’t expect it.”

  She met his gaze. She wanted to pull him down and return to the hot, erotic intimacy that had gone before. She couldn’t read his expression and it was making her uneasy. Sensuality. Intensity. Something else…

  “That’s fine with me.” She smiled with an effort. “I don’t mind being unique. As long as you understand who I am and realize you can’t change me.”

  “Ah, yes, I mustn’t try to influence your story.” His lips twisted. “I’ll try to keep that in mind.” He kissed the hollow of her throat. “But you evidently don’t mind me taking action on this level. You came to me.”

  “Yes.”

  He licked her lower lip. “And you didn’t once think of Varak, did you?”

  He knew she hadn’t. She still wasn’t sure what he was thinking. “Novak, what are you doing?” She paused. “Are you angry?”

  “I wouldn’t be so ungrateful. I don’t really know what I am at this moment. I’m having problems sorting out what I’m feeling about this particular chapter in your story.” His lips moved down to her breast, and his tongue flicked lazily at her nipple. “But I do know that we’re both in complete agreement that this was entirely successful.” He moved over her. “And we want more. You’re ready for me. Am I wrong?”

  She was more than ready. It had been such a short time, but she was burning. Dangerous. It was so dangerous to feel that sexual intensity for him. She wasn’t even certain that it was only sex. She had always been confused about her emotions regarding him. Admiration, respect, gratitude were all mixed with that wariness. It would be even more dangerous if it was more than sex.

  Worry about it later. She bit her lower lip as the waves of heat moved through her. She couldn’t think now that his hands were moving, teasing, entering. Just take what he was offering. “No, you’re not wrong.” She pulled him down to her, and whispered, “There’s nothing I want more than this now, Novak.”

  * * *

  Voices.

  Novak was on the phone, Jill realized drowsily.

  Then she was wide-awake. Her eyes flew open, and she saw Novak sitting at the bench across the hut. He was fully dressed and gazing at his computer.

  “What is it?” Then she shook her head as she realized what it must be. “What time is it? Did you get the drone results?”

  He nodded. “About ten minutes ago. They came in a little after five. I’ve been going over the results with Gideon.”

  “What were they?” She was quickly throwing on her clothes. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

  “No need. You didn’t get much sleep,” he said absently, his gaze on the computer. “It’s not as if you could do anything about it.”

  That was true enough, Jill thought. She had probably drifted off to sleep only minutes before he’d received those results. And it only heightened her frustration that he was perfectly right about her not being able to help him in any way. That was what had started the sexual marathon that had caused her to still be here when those results had come in. “You’re probably right,” she said curtly. “Call it curiosity. I’d like to know.”

  He turned to face her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.” He tapped the screen. “Very heavy foliage and tree cover. Glimpses of what could be a residence and four bunkhouses. Several possible vehicles. Farther back on the property, a concrete pad that could be used for a helicopter.” He looked up at her. “And the infrared showed at least forty or fifty figures under that heavy canopy of foliage.”

  “Then it could be true.” She inhaled sharply as excitement gripped her. “Dalai must have told Gideon the truth. It could be Varak.”

  “It could be Varak,” he agreed. “Particularly since the drone also detected the presence of explosives throughout the area. Varak has always been fond of his land mines. But that foliage is like a thick blanket, we won’t know until we get there. And several of those figures were probably sentries moving around the property. One false step, and we could get ourselves killed, or tip Varak off that we’re on the property. We’ve got to be careful.”

  “Then you won’t be able to go in and get him right away.” She tried not to sound as relieved as she felt. “You’ll have to mount surveillance until you’re certain?”

  “Probably. I want to know everything about the place, and I want a visual on Varak.”

  “Dalai told Gideon that Zahra had paid for plastic surgery.”

  “I’ve been on the hunt for Varak ever since he showed up in Maldara. I studied him for years after he started his killing sprees here. He might change his face, but he’s a big bastard, and he won’t have been able to change the way he moves. I’ll know him.” His lips tightened. “And then I’ll find a way to go in and get him.”

  “Unless you find an opportunity to get your hands on him today,” she said bitterly.

  He nodded. “Maybe.”

  “That’s what I thought.” She turned and headed for the door. “Do let me know when you make a decision.”

  “Jill.”

  “Look, I know you have to do this,” she said jerkily. “But next time, I want to be there when it happens, so you find a way to not get yourself killed today.”

  “I’m not going to get myself killed,” he said quietly. “What happened between us blew my mind. I have no intention of cutting what we have short. Will you come back here tonight, and we’ll do it all over again? Plus more erotic embellishmen
ts?” He added mockingly, “Provided that Varak doesn’t kill me.”

  He was actually joking? “You bastard.”

  “I admit I’m a little raw about your having to use such a sleazy excuse as Varak to come to me. Particularly since I’ve discovered that you’ve become an obsession.” He added softly, “I’ll come to you with no excuse at all. From now on, I won’t be able to leave you alone. Expect me.”

  “The hell I will.” She left the hut and strode toward Hajif’s place. She’d wanted to hit Novak. The news that the possible strike on Varak might be temporarily averted had thrown her from despair to relief, then to anger. He was annoyed that it was Varak that had been the impetus to bring her to him? Screw him. She had been in a turmoil of emotion all night. Scared to death that he might get killed, then having probably the most erotic sexual encounter she’d ever experienced.

  She had reached Hajif’s hut, and she stopped to get a breath and calm down. It wasn’t sunrise yet, but she knew that it was almost time for Novak to go to the museum to meet with Joe Quinn. She couldn’t hide away here. She would wash, change her clothes, and be on her way there, too. Eve would expect her, and it wasn’t professional to do anything else. Though she knew Novak would have made certain Eve was guarded, if Joe was going with Novak, Jill should be there to protect and support Eve.

  Screw Novak.

  But please keep him safe today, dammit, she added quickly

  Chapter

  ​16

  I’ll call you as soon as we know anything,” Joe said. He kissed Eve and headed for the door, where Novak was waiting. “Don’t worry. I checked Novak’s security arrangements, and you’ll be fine.”

  “Yes, I’m really worried about that,” Eve said dryly. “I’m not the one who’s going to be checking out land mines.”

  “I know what I’m doing, Eve,” he said quietly as he glanced over his shoulder. “You know that’s true.”

  “I know, but that doesn’t help much.” She gestured impatiently. “Get out of here. The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll get back. Keep safe.”

  He nodded, and his glance shifted to Jill. “Make yourself useful. Watch over her.”

  “I will,” Jill said. “Why do you think I’m here? I realize she’s my responsibility.” She was trying not to look at Novak. The anger she had felt was dissipating, lost in the panic, and she tried to hold on to it. “Good luck.” Her gaze shifted to Novak. “You, too, Novak. Don’t do anything stupid. You promised Gideon.”

  He smiled mockingly. “I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll definitely see you later, Jill.”

  Then they were both gone.

  And Jill found herself going to the door to watch them go down the path. Her hands clenched into fists. “Look at them. They can’t wait to get out there and play their war games. They could get themselves blown up.”

  “Yes, they could.” Eve came over to stand beside her. “And it’s really getting to you.” Her eyes were on Jill’s face. “Maybe more than I would have thought.”

  “And it’s not bothering you?” Jill shook her head. “I know better than that. I’ve never seen anyone as crazy about a man as you are about Joe Quinn. I didn’t expect you to be this controlled.”

  “I have to be controlled,” Eve said quietly. “Joe is a detective, and he’s in danger every day. I face this too often to let myself fall apart every time he walks out the door in the morning. It’s his job, and it wouldn’t be fair to him. And he’s fantastically efficient at that job, and that helps.”

  “Is he really that good with land mines?”

  “Yes, trained by the SEALs, and he kept up with advances. He’s done work on cases where he had to defuse them. And once when we were in Scotland, he got rid of a number of them planted on the road bordering a lake we were exploring. He knows what he’s doing. So I trust him with those damn bombs as well as everything else.” Her lips twisted. “Even though at times like this it nearly kills me. Particularly since this time I’m to blame for his being here.”

  “No, you aren’t. I am,” Jill said in frustration. “Joe knows that, everyone knows that. Which is why I should be going with them today.” She raised her hand. “Mistake. You don’t have to tell me it would be a mistake. I know it would be a mistake. I’d be a liability. I don’t have the training.” She added gloomily, “I think I should get Novak to send me to that same CIA training camp in Afghanistan where he sent Gideon.”

  “What? I don’t believe you’d stand a chance in persuading him,” Eve said. “And he’d probably be right. That’s not where you make a real difference in life. You don’t shoot people. You use your brain and figure out how to change the way they think so that they’ll do what you want. It’s part of your ability as a storyteller. That’s where you make the difference. That’s your talent, and who should know better than I how good you are at it?” She grimaced. “Though considering the kind of situations in which you become embroiled, it might not be a bad idea to keep that training camp on the back burner as an alternate plan. But I’d find another way to reach the same goal.”

  “Easy to say. Right now I feel like one of those medieval women who were left home to tend the castle while the men rode off to save the world. It’s driving me crazy.” Her gaze suddenly narrowed on Eve’s face. “And I bet it’s driving you crazy, too. You’d hate it as much as I do. How do you cope?”

  “Like you, I try to be reasonable about the greater good. I have a son to think about, and that has a tremendous influence.” She suddenly smiled recklessly. “And when I can’t stand it any longer, I go for it, get on my trusty steed, and ride hell for leather and leave that safe, boring castle behind.”

  Jill smiled back at her. “I thought as much.” Her smile faded. “But what are you going to do today?”

  “I’m going to work on Mila.” Eve went over to her worktable. “Because that’s where my expertise lies. And I’ll try to get lost in my work and forget that Varak might have a more sophisticated land mine than we’ve seen yet. I’m going to trust Joe and Gideon and Novak. I’m going to wait for Joe’s call. If I have to stay in the castle, I’ll be as productive and inventive as I possibly can. So that next time, I might be the one to save the world.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Sound like a plan?”

  “It sounds like you,” Jill said. She turned away. “I’ll have to think about it. I’m having trouble adjusting at the moment. Thanks for letting me vent. I needed it.”

  “I could see that. No problem.” She smiled. “It was good talking just to remind myself of all the things I knew were important. Sometimes emotions get in the way.” She paused. “I’m scared, too, Jill. Varak seems like the ultimate bogeyman. He’s escaped so many times during these last years. No one has been able to touch him. And now he’s got Zahra Kiyani in his corner. When Gideon told us about the compound, I thought that it was going to be okay. But what if it isn’t? Novak’s drones uncovered some nasty surprises.”

  “They’ll find a way to get around them. It might just take a little while.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Eve forced her gaze to shift back to her reconstruction. “Definitely time for me to get to work.”

  Jill watched Eve’s hands flying over the clay. Eve was focusing, her determination unquestionable as usual. It was a quality Jill envied at this moment.

  Then do something about it, she thought impatiently. She turned and went out the door. The morning sunlight was getting stronger, and it was warm on her arms as she sat down beside the door. She had promised to watch over Eve, but she needed a little distance now.

  Because Eve’s words had struck a strong, resounding chord. She had to think about them, examine them, let them begin to come alive. She knew about words. They were a part of her mind, part of who she was. And these words might be some of the most important of her life.

  You don’t shoot people. You use your brain to figure out how to change the way they think so that they’ll do what you want. It’s part of your ability as a storyteller.

 
; That’s where you make the difference.

  That was true. All her life that was what had made the difference. Yet from the time she had brought Eve to Maldara, she had stepped back because of guilt and uncertainty. She had relied on Novak, Gideon, Joe Quinn, and Eve herself to make most of the moves forward. She’d been content to merely sit on the sidelines and watch over Eve.

  And Kimbro had died. Eve had been poisoned. There was no telling how much blame Jill had to shoulder about the bombing of that U.N. building because she hadn’t been more aggressive.

  She had to close her eyes for an instant. She couldn’t be sure that everything would have been different if she’d been more true to herself. But what if it had been? When you wrote a story, every chapter, every paragraph, every plot point made a difference.

  She opened her eyes and drew a long breath. Okay, don’t look back. Look forward. Do what Eve said she could do, use her primary talent. Figure out a way to change the way the story would go. Pray that trip to Varak’s encampment would yield dividends but don’t count on it. Rely only on yourself.

  Look at the principal characters and how they would behave. Explore weakness, strength.

  Varak was a sociopath, almost impossible to judge.

  But Zahra…

  What had Eve said about Zahra?

  And now he’s got Zahra Kiyani in his corner.

  But did he really have her in his corner? Could her character be moved, shifted?

  Think about that…

  And who else had moved into the spotlight?

  Dalai.

  Strange to think of that slender, vulnerable girl in anything as bold as a spotlight. She had fluttered in and out around Gideon, then had run away. But there had been no doubt that she had been honest and helpful about Varak. Jill hadn’t realized until now that something about her encounter with Gideon had made her uneasy…

  Put the thought aside. Let it simmer.

  Go back to the beginning, when she’d first gotten that offer from Hadfeld.

  That was really the start of the story…

  * * *

  Nagali Rain Forest