by Anna Hackett
January was backing up. He watched her turn her head, eyeing the second plank. Then she looked back at Kelleson, who was closing in on her.
Ah, no. Seth knew in his gut what she had planned. He picked up speed.
Kelleson got closer, swinging at her again.
January ducked, turned, and then leaped into the air.
Seth’s heart stopped. He held his breath, watching as she hit the other plank, belly first.
Kelleson was gearing up to jump after her.
There was the deafening crack of a gunshot.
Kelleson’s body flinched and he cried out. He jumped, but his leap was off, courtesy of Smith’s bullet. He smacked into the plank, just a few feet from January, and barely managed to grab on. He was dangling beneath the plank, holding on by a few fingers.
“You’re condemning the world to destruction.” Kelleson called out.
January rolled her eyes. “Enough.”
Then Kelleson started to slip. His eyes widened, and then he fell. He dropped, screaming into the darkness that swallowed him.
Seth didn’t feel a hell of a lot of sympathy. He moved in line with his woman. “January.”
She shot him a smile. “Hey, 007. About time you made an appearance.”
“You okay?”
“Having a great time.”
He shook his head, but then January’s plank moved, and she lost her balance.
Seth sucked in a breath and watched as she dropped to her belly, clutching the board. He turned his head and saw that vegetation was swarming down the side of the shaft. It had dislodged one end of January’s scaffolding.
“January, hold on!”
Her head snapped up and their gazes locked.
The end of her plank fell, pushed loose by the vegetation. The plank started to tilt up.
Seth dropped to his knees and reached out a hand. “January, jump.”
She launched herself off her near-vertical board, throwing herself toward him. The falling board smacked into her, slamming the back of her head.
Seth saw instantly that she wasn’t going to make it. She’d miss his plank.
His throat tight, he reached out as far as he could, and shouted her name.
January stretched out a hand, her gaze locked on Seth’s face. It was twisted with worry and concentration.
Her head was throbbing, blood sliding into one eye, but she kept her focus on Seth.
What she didn’t do was look down into the yawning blackness beneath her.
Their fingers brushed.
But she wasn’t quite close enough.
She fell. Oh, no.
January dropped, her heart in her throat. She heard Seth’s shout and she threw out her arms, but she was too far from the edge to grab onto anything.
Suddenly, vines shot out, circling around her. She jerked to a stop, and her heartbeat was a loud pounding in her ears.
After a few seconds, she examined her surroundings. She was sitting in a little nest of vegetation. She froze. What the hell?
Next to her, a mass of green was flowing down the side of the shaft. Some vines had grown out several feet to catch her. She blew out a breath.
“Shit.” Seth muttered. “Hold on, January. Don’t move.”
A choked laugh burst out of her. “Where would I go, 007?”
“Don’t argue with me right now.” His gaze was glued to her. “The board gave your head a good smack. You okay?”
She had the headache from hell forming, but right now, it was the least of her problems. “I’m fine.”
Seth looked up. “Smith? I need the grappler.”
“Incoming,” Smith called back, his voice a deep rumble.
January shifted slightly and the vines rocked. She instantly stilled. It wouldn’t take much for her to fall through the vegetation. The jade sphere, nestled in her shirt, was cool against her skin, but safe. She gently pushed a vine from around her chest and looked up at Seth on the scaffold plank above her.
That was her man. Rescuing her again.
God, he was handsome. Heroic. And all hers.
Then the vines holding her slipped downward a few inches and dropped a bit. She swallowed her scream.
“Stay calm, January.” Lachlan’s composed voice came from up above. “Stay still.”
She risked a look up, and saw the rest of Team 52 at the edge of the shaft above. Smith threw something toward Seth. The item arced through the air and Seth caught it.
“Hang on, January,” Seth said. “I’m coming to get you.”
“Okay.”
Their gazes met. She trusted him. She knew he’d do anything to save her. And despite her aunt and uncle’s love, no one had cared for her like that since her mother had died.
Seth shot her a faint smile, and lifted the device. It looked like some sort of bulky gun.
The vines dropped again, and a scream clogged January’s throat. She really didn’t want to plunge into darkness and be broken into pieces.
“Seth, whatever you have planned, do it fast.”
“Give me a sec.”
Then the sound of gunshots echoed from above. Bullets pinged off the concrete nearby.
Team 52 was shouting and returning fire. January knew it had to be the Knights of Gaia fighters.
Seth jerked.
No! Had he been hit? “Seth!”
He staggered along the plank. Her stomach dropped away.
Then he fell.
No. January couldn’t breathe. She felt like a rock was lodged in her chest. She couldn’t lose Seth. Not when she’d just found him. Not when the future was so bright and full of everything she’d ever wanted.
But then Seth twisted midair, lifted his weapon, and fired it.
At the same moment, the vines holding January broke loose and she started to fall. This time, she did scream.
She heard a whizz and a thump. Suddenly, Seth’s body slammed into hers, and they swung through the air. His arms wrapped tightly around her.
“My God, Seth.”
“Hold on.”
She clamped her arms and legs around him as they swung across the chasm.
That’s when she saw the line extending from the gun he held. It was some sort of grappling gun.
They swung toward the wall of the shaft. Seth lifted his feet and his boots hit the concrete, absorbing the impact.
Then they just hung there.
“Wow,” she breathed.
Seth lowered his head and kissed her—hard.
“Is this another of Ty’s gadgets?” she asked, breathlessly.
“Actually, no. The design was done by an ex-SEAL, who works for a security outfit in Denver.” Seth paused. “They are allies, of a sort. We traded his grappling gun design for some of our gear.”
Then she remembered. “My God, were you shot?”
“Nicked my vest. I’m fine.”
She blew out a breath. “Thank God.”
Then he pressed his forehead to hers. “James, I need you to know that I’m falling in love with you.”
Oh. Warmth flowed over her. “Really?”
“Really. I think you’re amazing. I love the way you embrace life, your never-ending energy and vitality. Plus you’re gorgeous and you never let me get away with anything.”
She felt like bubbles were popping inside her. “You like arguing with me.”
“I do. And I want to do it for the rest of my life. Fair warning, I’ll probably screw this up from time to time.”
She smiled. “Then you’ll have to get good at groveling.”
He smiled back. “I plan to spend my time making you happy. I can be pretty determined when I set my mind to something.”
“We’ll drive each other crazy,” she said. “We’ll fight.”
He smiled. “I hope so.”
“We’ll do crazy stuff, like confess our feelings while dangling over a giant hole.”
Seth’s smile dissolved. “We will never do this again. You aren’t going to be in danger ever again
.”
She gave him a quick grin. “Okay. But if I am…I know my man will come and rescue me.”
“Always.” He kissed her again.
He pressed something on the grappling gun, and they started moving upward as the rope retracted.
Moments later, Lachlan and Smith were there, pulling them over the edge of the shaft.
January was just damn happy to feel solid ground under her shoes. She turned and saw the Knights of Gaia soldiers nearby, all on their knees and tied up. Blair and Callie were standing guard over them.
“The sphere?” Lachlan asked.
As Seth slid an arm around her, she pulled the sphere out of her shirt and held it up.
“Best resting place in town,” Axel drawled, winking at January.
Seth’s arm tightened, and he scowled at his friend. January just shook her head.
Lachlan nodded his head at the prisoners. “Brooks has contacted the LAPD to come and collect these guys.”
“It’s over,” January said.
Seth pulled her closer, his fingers gently probing the lump on the back of her head. “For them, it’s over. For us, it’s time to head home.”
Home. They still had some details to work out, but she liked the sound of that.
Chapter Twenty
They were safely back on the X8, heading back to Nevada. Seth sat in his seat, January nestled in his lap. He kept one hand tangled in her hair, and had no desire to let her loose.
He wanted her close. Where he knew she was one-hundred-percent safe.
He tugged her head back and kissed her. Again.
Nearby, Axel made a gagging noise. “I love the ladies, in all their infinite varieties and flavors, but you guys…”
Seth didn’t give a shit. Nearby, Callie was grinning, and even Lachlan had a faint smile on his face. Smith had his eyes closed, but he was smiling, too.
“I never thought I’d see the day when Seth Lynch fell in love,” Lachlan said.
Seth stared into January’s eyes. “Believe it.”
Her face was soft and warm, her eyes glowing. All for him.
He was one lucky bastard.
“Time to let me poke and prod you.” Callie shifted, sitting beside them. She opened her medical kit. Then she shone her penlight in January’s eyes.
Seth gently touched the egg on her head. “How’s your head?”
“I’m fine,” she said.
Callie clicked off the light. “Any dizziness? Blurred vision?”
“No.”
The medic’s face turned serious. “I want to do a full check when we get back to base.”
Callie was quick to smile, but there were times when her serious side rose to the surface. She could be fierce, particularly if someone was injured.
January sighed, but nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” January tossed Callie a salute that made them all wince. “But I’m taking a shower, first.”
“Fine,” Callie muttered.
Nearby, the jade sphere rested on a table between the seats. They’d decided it didn’t need to be kept in a containment box.
“It’s going to be locked away,” January murmured.
“Ty will do some more tests on both of the spheres,” Seth said. “They have lots of potential non-lethal applications that could be beneficial.”
She snuggled deeper into him and Seth held her tight. The LAPD were busy charging the Knights of Gaia soldiers and dismantling the L.A. cell. Kelleson’s body had been recovered from the shaft. Not to mention clearing Little Tokyo of vegetation.
Once the sphere was removed from the area, the plant growth had died down. And from what she’d heard, local law enforcement was using Smith’s flamethrower idea to remove the vegetation.
But most importantly, with Kelleson gone, the incarcerated Knights were talking. Information about other cells across the country was being handed to the FBI, and information about international cells was being passed to the relevant authorities. It would take some time, but the Knights of Gaia were going down.
“When do you need to get back to your dig?” Seth asked quietly.
A flash of uncertainty crossed her face. “Um…you in a rush to get rid of me?”
He hauled her even closer, so their noses brushed. “I don’t want you to go at all. Stay in Vegas for a bit. Recuperate.”
She smiled. “Well, as long as there’s a sexy guy cooking me breakfast every day.”
“That can be arranged.” He fiddled with her hair. “We’ll talk about where we go next.”
She lifted her hand and cupped his jaw. “You want that? A next?”
“Yes.” He pressed his lips to hers again. “If I had my way, you’d move in with me tomorrow.”
She gasped.
“I was trying to give you time—”
Her fingers clenched on his shirt. “Seth.”
“But now I’m not feeling like waiting.”
“Can I say something?”
“No.”
Her brows drew together. “I can talk if I want to, Lynch.”
“Later.”
“You are so annoying.” She shook her head, but she was smiling.
Soon, they landed back at Area 52.
When they walked into the base, January was holding the artifact. Seth knew she was somewhat sad to let it go.
“There are still so many mysteries about this thing,” she murmured. “And the Snake Kings.”
“I need to debrief with Jonah.” Lachlan nodded and strode off.
Kinsey appeared, all smiles. “I’m so glad you guys are okay.”
“Thanks, Kinsey,” Blair said.
“I know Ty is waiting for the sphere.” Kinsey eyed the artifact with interest. “It’s so pretty.”
“I’m going to shower.” Smith charged past them abruptly, and disappeared down the corridor.
“Well, I’m heading back to Vegas.” Kinsey shot them a wave. “I’ll see you back there.”
She headed out, followed by a chorus of goodbyes.
“Shower?” Seth asked January.
She nodded.
He leaned closer. “How about we borrow the sphere a little bit longer, before you hand it over?”
She shot him a blinding smile. “You have really grown on me, 007.”
“Lucky, because you aren’t getting rid of me.”
He hustled her down to his room. Inside, he took the sphere and tossed it on the bed.
She gasped. “Lynch, that’s a valuable artifact.”
“It’s fine.” He started stripping her clothes off.
Soon, he had her naked, and leaned down to kiss her bare shoulder. She tilted her head to the side and made a humming sound.
Seth backed her into the bathroom, yanking his own shirt over his head. He flicked the shower on until steam was billowing. As he opened his trousers, January’s hands were on his chest, running over his skin.
“You should never wear a shirt,” she murmured.
She didn’t even see his scars. No, that wasn’t right. She saw them, and she liked him just as he was. She took his damn breath away.
Even though Callie was waiting for January and Ty was waiting for the artifact, Seth wanted to take his time and savor her. He pulled her under the water, pressing her up against the tiles. He kissed her deeply, then ran his tongue along her jaw, down her neck, along her collarbone. Then he pulled one nipple into his mouth.
She moaned. “Seth.”
With the water pouring over them, he dropped to his knees, nudging her thighs apart. Her hands clamped in his hair, and Seth set to work. He swiped his tongue over her.
“Oh, God—”
Seth took his time pleasuring her. God, he loved her taste. He licked and sucked, loving every sound she made. He felt her thighs tremble, and her body wind tighter and tighter.
He sucked her clit.
“Oh. Oh.” Her breaths came in pants. “Coming.”
She broke apart, her cries echoing off the tiles.
Seth looked up her beautifu
l body, watching his woman come, knowing she was his forever.
January clutched Seth’s shoulders as he surged up, pressed her against the shower wall, and slid inside her.
Oh. She moaned, need pounding inside her. She wrapped her legs around his waist.
But Seth wasn’t rushing this time. His strokes were slow and deep. Like he wanted to take his time.
“God, I love the feel of you,” he ground out. “So tight, so warm.”
“Love the feel of you, too, Seth. You fill me up completely.”
He groaned, his gaze on her face. “I’ve seen the ugly side of life, January, but you are pure beauty.”
Pleasure shot through her. He trusted her. She knew that. And she knew what a gift it was. One that she’d cherish and protect.
Her second orgasm was growing, all her muscles tightening. Seth’s thrusts increased in speed and power.
“Get there, hellcat,” he growled.
It hit her and she cried out his name. She scratched her nails down his back.
A few seconds later, he planted his cock deep and followed her, groaning as he poured himself inside her.
Then all January could hear was the sounds of their harsh breathing and the falling water. Her eyes fluttered closed. She felt too good to move, even if the water in the shower was beginning to cool.
“I’d be happy to do this for the rest of my life,” Seth murmured.
Her hands clenched tighter on him. “If you think I’m going to complain, you’re wrong.”
He laughed. “You do like to complain.”
She gave him a half-hearted slap on the arm.
“I’m going to ask for a few days off—pending any ancient technology appearing that could cause mass destruction.”
She giggled. “God, I hope that doesn’t happen a lot.”
“I’m going to take you out for dinner. Maybe at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris Casino. We can spend some time at the tables in the new Aurora Casino. Maybe we’ll see a show.” He shut off the water, slid his hands beneath her, then carried her out of the glass enclosure. “Better yet, I might just keep you naked in my bed for a few days.”
She pressed her lips to his neck. “I like the sound of your plan.”
Seth set her down, and she stood there as he got towels and took his time drying her off. Finally, they dressed.