Out of Luck

by Kendall Talbot

  Her shoulders softened, and she grabbed the plate and bottle of water, and he led the way up to the flybridge.

  The day was glorious. Blazing sun high in the sky. Handful of clouds on the horizon. Stunning brunette to share it all with. It didn’t get much better than that. He told himself to simmer down as he took his seat behind the wheel.

  Charlene wriggled in at his side and placed her plate between them. “Where are we?”

  “About forty miles out from Key West.”

  “Hmm. Is that good?”

  “Better than being on Cuban soil.” He took a bite of his sandwich.

  She raised her water. “I’ll drink to that.”

  Marshall shifted in his seat to look at her. The bruising over her eye looked to be getting worse by the second. Seeing it infuriated him all over again. Crazy woman nearly got herself damn-well killed.

  “What?” She must have seen his fury.

  He huffed. “You nearly died out there, Charlene. What the hell drove you to go off on your own like that?”

  Her eyes flared. “I told you. I am alone.”

  “It’s more than that. I know it, and you know it.”

  She nodded, and when she inhaled a deep sigh, he had a feeling she knew her ruse was up. After another bite of her sandwich, she slipped off her chair. “I’ll be back in a sec.”

  He’d finished his meal by the time she returned.

  Charlene slipped back onto her seat and turned to face him. “At the dance club, I found a clue to Peter’s real identity, and that led me to Diego. I had no idea who Diego was. All I knew was that he might help me find answers.”

  “Was it worth it?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe you can tell me.” She held forward a roll of cloth.

  “What’s this?”

  “At the chocolate factory, Diego held me captive in a room; actually, it was more like an old well or something. Anyway, I found a teddy bear with that note inside.”

  Frowning, Marshall unrolled the fabric. “Is that blood?”

  “Yes. I remember my mother writing it.”

  “Whoa. Back up the bus. What do you mean?”

  “When I found the teddy bear, I recalled having it as a child. And…well, it was some kind of trigger that brought back a heap of memories I’d somehow forgotten. Diego had locked my mother and me in that hellhole once before. I think I was six at the time. Maybe my mother knew she was going to die.” She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “Anyway, she tore off some of her skirt and used her own blood to write that note. I need to know what it says.” She leaned forward and placed her hand on Marshall’s knee. “Can you read it for me?”

  He shifted his gaze from her to the bloody note and back again. “You may not like what it says.”

  “I know.” Her caramel eyes were simultaneously fearful and pleading.

  He huffed out a sigh and flattened the note on his thigh.

  “I am Benita Álvarez, mother of Claudia…”

  He frowned at her. “Claudia?”

  “Yes. I didn’t remember being called by that name until Diego said it yesterday.”

  Marshall’s confusion deepened as he returned his gaze to the note.

  “I am Benita Álvarez, mother of Claudia, sister of Diego. 6 year ago, Noah Montgomery raped me. He is very dangerous American man. My daughter is his child.”

  Marshall cocked his eyebrow at Charlene, and she simply shrugged.

  “Diego is blackmailing Noah, and he is coming to Cuba. If you find this, I am dead. I pray he saves Claudia.”

  He flipped the note over. “That’s it.” He turned his attention to Charlene.

  Tears pooled in her eyes, and she was sucking on her bottom lip. Marshall slipped over on the chair and pulled her to him. “Hey, don’t cry.”

  But she did cry. Her shoulders heaved, and he rode out her wave of sadness with a brick in his heart. An overwhelming desire to help her nearly crushed him. The smart thing to do would be to tell her to walk away and let it all go. But he didn’t always choose the smart thing. There wasn’t any fun in that.

  He waited until the tears stopped; then he pulled her back from him and looked into her red-rimmed eyes. “You believe this Noah dude killed your mother?”

  “Diego told me he watched Noah strangle my mother to death.” Her chin dimpled, but she managed to hold it together.

  His mind flipped to Noah shooting that woman. He’d done it without hesitation. Just point and shoot. Noah was a cold-hearted killer, and that clearly wasn’t his first time. Noah thinks he’s invincible. And Marshall looked forward to the day he lobbed a grenade into the cocky bastard’s ivory tower and dragged him to the gutter, where he belonged. He just had to prove it first. “I promise you he won’t get away with this.”

  A frown rippled across her forehead.

  “Montgomery. That asshole is going to pay.”

  “How?”

  “Let’s start with you telling me everything that happened with Diego.”

  As Miss B Hayve took the repetitive three-foot swells in her stride, Charlene replayed everything she’d gone through with Diego. By the time she’d finished, it was getting dark, and Charlene had elevated herself to one hell of a woman. Not too many people would’ve survived what she’d been through. But she hadn’t just survived, she’d kicked ass. With each blow she’d recounted from Diego, Marshall grew more and more pissed off that he hadn’t taken his time when he’d shredded the bastard’s body to bits.

  Diego got off way too lightly.

  He was going to make damn sure Noah didn’t.

  He eyeballed the time—it was nearing seven o’clock. Time to head back to home country. Charlene remained silent as he fired up the engine again and set a course for Key West.

  As the stars began dotting the blackness above them, Charlene continued her silent brooding. It wasn’t until they saw lights in the distance that she let out a big huff. “I guess this is the end of the line, huh?”

  “What?”

  She curled her shoulders up in a shrug. “Well…I paid you to take me to Cuba, and you have. So I guess this is the end.”

  “Hell, no.”

  Her face shifted into a look of confusion. “No?”

  “No. This is only the beginning. Noah’s going to pay.”

  A smile lit up her face, and when she tugged her lip into her mouth, it was the cutest thing he’d ever seen. Miss B Hayve plowed into a wave that curved over the front windshield, and once the water cleared, Charlene leaned over and kissed Marshall’s cheek. “But how? We have no proof.”

  “Not yet. I have a few navy buddies who may help me out.”

  “Really?”

  “What? You don’t think I have buddies?”

  “Of course, I do.” She slapped his shoulder. “But why would they help?”

  Marshall winked at her. “Let’s just say I keep them stocked up with quality Cuban cigars and rum.”

  Charlene burst out laughing, and her unexpected reaction was adorable. She eased sideways on the chair and kissed his cheek again. “Thank you.”

  His stomach flipped at her incredible scent. “Don’t thank me yet.”

  “I am thanking you. No matter what happens, I’m already happy.”

  “I won’t be happy until that smug bastard drowns in his own vomit.”

  “Actually, you’re right. Me neither.”

  He guided Miss B Hayve into the marina and eyeballed Warren’s boat. He’d hate to think what would’ve happened had Charlene committed to the illegal trip with Warren and his dipshit brothers. He doubted she’d have made it home. It occurred to him that she didn’t have a home to go to. He’d been like that once, some six or so years ago. It hadn’t bothered him at the time; he’d have slept on a park bench if he needed to. Not that he ever did. Someone always took him in. But Charl
ene didn’t have that someone. It blazed across his brain that he’d like to change that.

  He turned to her. “I assume you have nowhere to sleep, so you’re coming with me.”

  She managed to suck her bottom lip into her mouth and smile at the same time. The smile quickly broadened, and he just about burst with pride when she nodded. “I’d love to.”

  Charlene helped him tie Miss B Hayve up to the wharf; then they grabbed their things and locked her up. Marshall led the way and helped Charlene down with her things. Within five minutes of turning off Miss B Hayve’s engines, they were in Marshall’s Dodge and on their way to his shack on the beach.

  He could easily remember the last time he’d had a female in his bed; it was a good three years ago when he’d picked up a woman at Pirate Cove. Actually, truth be told, she’d picked him up. She’d been nice enough, though, and he’d wanted nothing more than a quick roll beneath the sheets. Thankfully, she’d wanted the same.

  Charlene was more than that. So much more.

  He pulled into his driveway, which hugged the cliff face, and offered no hint at what lay at the end of the road. The handful of people who’d visited his home had liked what they’d seen, yet for some obscure reason, Marshall’s gut twisted at the prospect of showing Charlene.

  “Don’t expect much,” he blurted out as the truck bounced over a pothole he’d been meaning to fix for months.

  “I’m sure it’s lovely.”

  He huffed. “I dunno about that.”

  “As long as I have a roof over my head, I’m happy.”

  Considering her back history, he believed her. The headlights lit up the corrugated iron roof first, followed by the roughly cut planks he’d put into place himself. When he’d bought the place, it’d barely been standing. But he’d committed himself to fixing it up, and he didn’t believe in doing things in halves. He’d replaced nearly everything—the walls, the floors, the verandas, even the roof. Only the stumps and the plumbing were original.

  It might not have been much, but it was practical, and he owned it. Building it had been good therapy too—so good, in fact, it was a wonder the place wasn’t three times its size.

  He pulled the truck to a stop next to the back landing and jumped out. Charlene was out by the time he reached her side. “So this is it.”

  “It’s fantastic.”

  “Not very big, but it’s got everything I need, and wait till you see the view.”

  “It doesn’t need to be big to be grand.”

  He chuckled. That was a saying he’d never heard before…he liked it. Before he’d climbed the three short steps to the back veranda, the damn stray came bounding around the corner with a strained bark that always sounded like the dog was being strangled. Marshall groaned at the three-legged mutt. “You still here?”

  Charlene flopped to her knees at the top step and gave Hoppa probably the biggest hug the mutt had ever had.

  “Don’t encourage him,” Marshall muttered as he unlocked the front door.

  “He’s adorable. What’s his name?”

  “Dunno, he’s a stray. I call him Hoppa.”

  “Oh, you’re mean.”

  “Mean? Why?”

  “He’s only got three legs.”

  “Exactly! That’s why Hoppa suits. He’s lucky I don’t call animal control.” He pushed through the door. “You coming.”

  “Can Hoppa come in?”

  “Nope.”

  “Aww.” Charlene whispered a few sounds to the dog and roughed up his fur before she stepped through the front door.

  “So, this’s the kitchen.”

  “It’s nice.”

  He led her though his tiny cabin. It was just three rooms—a combined kitchen and dining and living room, a bedroom, and a joint bathroom and laundry.

  “It’s really nice, Marshall.” She slotted her fingers into his hand and squeezed.

  A blaze of desire rocketed through him. The damn woman was lighting fires all over the place, and if she wasn’t careful, he’d have to douse those infernos. “Come, I’ll show you the bedroom.” He strode away with more speed than was required, as the room was barely ten feet away, and paused at the bedroom door. “You can stay in here tonight.”

  “Oh, no. I can’t do that. I’ll sleep…”

  “Charlene, don’t argue. You sleep here.”

  She stepped up to him. The flames in her eyes licked his libido, and this time he didn’t step back. He couldn’t stand it a moment longer. He wanted her. Now.

  Reaching around her waist, he tugged her toward him and planted his lips on hers. Charlene didn’t resist. Instead, she did the opposite. She melted her body into him, pushing her breasts into his chest, grinding her hips against his. Her lips parted, allowing his tongue to explore, and deep moans tumbled from her throat.

  Somehow, Marshall had become the luckiest man in the world.

  And he didn’t believe in luck.

  He yanked at her shirt buttons, eager to see the rest of her stunning body again.

  She, in turn, tugged his shirt up, and when he lifted his arms, she managed to both lift it over his head and suck his nipple into her mouth. Her hot breath and slick tongue had his manhood begging for attention.

  With their lips locked together, he picked her up, and she straddled his waist, resting her hot zone on his belly. He just about ignited at the gloriousness of it. A couple of strides later, he lowered her down and took a moment to study the exquisite woman on his bed.

  His bed.

  It was a bloody miracle.

  He kicked off his shoes, stripped out of his shorts, and stood naked before her. Her eyes were flames, licking at his flesh as they cruised up his body. After she’d reduced him to a quivering mess, she reciprocated by wriggling out of her shorts too. The way she did it had her perfect breasts wobbling delightfully, and Marshall would be happy to watch them do that all day long.

  Charlene giggled, and he snapped his eyes to hers. “What?”

  “Nothing.” Her glorious smile confirmed it wasn’t nothing. “Come here.” She patted the bed at her side.

  But Marshall had other ideas. Her nipples were pink buds, as raised as pebbles on the beach, and they were begging him to suck them. He leaned forward, rested his hands on the bed, and wrapped his lips around her nipple. She moaned, raising her hips beneath him, and Marshall sucked harder. She tilted her head back, showing off the length of her neck, and he released her nipple to crawl up her body.

  He ran his tongue from the base of her neck up to her ear, and she clawed her nails up his back. Her eyes were closed, her lips parted. Everything about her was sexy as hell. Maybe she sensed him watching because her eyes fluttered open, and when she looked at him, she really, truly looked at him.

  An unprecedented notion of completeness embraced him. Charlene was the woman of his fantasies, someone he’d thought would only ever be in a dream.

  In that moment, Marshall knew he was falling in love.

  Charlene winced a little as she curled her body to wrap her leg over his hip, and with a move he’d never experienced before, she flipped him onto his back and straddled him. Her face was the picture of seduction as she lowered her breasts to his lips. He didn’t need any further prompting to suck her boobs, so he did. First one, then the other. Rolling his tongue around her nipples, then sucking them until perfect buds peaked and firmed.

  Her moans of pleasure had his full-blown erection rock hard. And maybe Charlene sensed he was set to burst because she eased back and, using her hand, guided him to her hot zone.

  With their eyes locked, she lowered herself onto him. Marshall wanted to watch the show, to take in every exquisite moment of this gorgeous woman riding him, but his eyes closed of their own accord. He clenched his jaw and concentrated on the heat of her sex, which wrapped around him like a velvet glove.

 
When an orgasm shivered through her body and a surging heat wave smothered his manhood, Marshall hit the tipping point. In one swift move, he rolled her over and plunged into her again and again. In a moment of release, Charlene cried out his name, and they climaxed together in a mind-blowing orgasm that had her tearing at the sheets.

  He flopped onto her chest, she wrapped her arms and legs around him, and they remained as one until their breathing returned to normal. Marshall rolled onto his back and opened his arm for her to sidle up next to him. She wriggled up, placing one arm and one leg across his body. It was like they’d been together for years, and he felt the most relaxed he’d ever felt with a woman.

  She turned to look up at him. Her lip curled into her mouth and popped out again as if she was debating about voicing whatever was on her mind. He waited out the pause.

  “Marshall,” she finally said.

  “Yeah?”

  “I feel like we were destined to meet.”

  He kissed her forehead and squeezed her tighter. “I agree.”

  A sigh released from her throat, and she wriggled into his body.

  For the first time in years, he was happy. No, it was more than happy.

  It was utter contentment. Never before had Marshall wanted someone as much as he wanted Charlene. It scared the crap out of him too. Now that he had her in his arms, he wasn’t sure if he’d cope if she didn’t hang around.

  Shoving the wretched thought aside, he decided that no matter what happened, he wanted to be on this ride. They were good together. Every moment with Charlene was a moment worth spending, no matter what the ultimate outcome was.

  He glanced at the bedside clock. It was just shy of nine. Time to make the call he’d been stewing over since Charlene had finished retelling her events with Diego. His friend had always been a night owl; hopefully that hadn’t changed.

  He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, let’s get up. I gotta make a call.”

  “Really?” Her brows drilled together.

  “Yeah. It’s an old friend of mine who I worked with at the navy base in Guantánamo Bay.”

  “In Cuba?”

  “Yeah, I’m hoping he can help us.”

  “Oh. That would be nice.” Charlene slipped off the bed, and he couldn’t drag his eyes away from her ass as she padded to the bathroom.