Blood Storm

by Deb Sanders

  Kate awoke with a start. Someone was in her room. The full moon shone brightly through the sheer panels at the window, casting an eerie glow across the carpet. She held her breath as a movement near the door caught her attention. The shadow paused as if watching her before easing across the room.

  She searched frantically for something to protect herself, gripping the base of a small lamp near the bed. It had to be Raoul. The memory of his evil threat came rushing back as terror gripped her throat. Kate opened her mouth to scream just as the figure lunged, causing her to drop the lamp. She was dragged against his body as a hand swiftly clamped over her mouth.

  Oblivious of her nakedness, Kate kicked at the intruder’s leg while fighting to escape his hold. His grip loosened, and immediately her teeth clamped down on the fleshy part of his hand.

  “Shit!” He quickly released her, waving his hand back and forth from the pain. “Kate! It’s me!”

  Sam rubbed the afflicted area, a mixture of anger and relief battling across his features.

  “You scared the hell out of me,” she hissed, hands on her hips as she stared at him in the moonlight. She glanced down at her bare skin and grabbed the robe from the foot of her bed, holding it in front of her like a shield.

  Sam stepped forward, taking the robe from her unresisting fingers and tossing it aside. He was close enough to feel the rise and fall of her bare breasts against his chest as he boldly assessed her figure.

  “I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he murmured in a husky whisper, as his arms folded around her.

  Kate sniffed the faint aroma of soap and aftershave, mixed with the essence of red wine. It tantalized her senses but she reminded herself of his indiscretion and stiffened in response.

  “I should explain about Sharon.”

  “There’s nothing to explain,” she replied coldly. “You can sleep with whomever you like. It’s nothing to me.”

  “Really?” He sounded amused as his fingers ran seductively down her back, eliciting a slight shiver. “Is that what you think? That I slept with Sharon?”

  Kate shifted uncomfortably beneath his pointed stare. “She made it rather obvious she’s attracted to you.”

  “And because she’s attracted to me, you concluded I slept with her?”

  Kate refused to meet his gaze. “You weren’t exactly putting her off, now were you?”

  “No, but there was a reason for my actions.” He kissed the hollow of her neck, his lips blazing a searing trail across her flesh. “I was using her to get information.”

  Kate struggled to listen as her body began to vibrate with liquid fire.

  Sam didn’t seem to notice as he continued. “She employs only five guards on the estate. The grounds are patrolled by dogs at night, but they’re kept in a kennel during the day. I think we can escape if we with a little luck and the right timing.”

  “You discovered all that from talking with her?”

  “Talking, and a lot of wine,” he grinned wickedly. “Right now, I suspect Miss Grant is sleeping soundly in her own bed.”

  His hands trailed down her back until they found the soft flesh of her buttocks. Kate’s nipples hardened as he pulled her closer.

  “I want to share your bed.”

  “But. . .I thought. . .”

  “You think too much.”

  His mouth came down possessively, shutting out the battling emotions knotting her stomach. Kate closed her eyes as his tongue caressed her lips before exploring the soft flesh on the side of her neck. His hand trailed slowly up her side, cupping a small, perfect breast as he slowly massaged the rosy tip. Kate released a low moan, clinging to his shoulders and arching her back as she molded her body to his.

  “Kate...my beautiful Kate...”

  His hoarse whisper was all the encouragement she needed. She tugged at his shirt, pulling it over his head as her hands and lips roamed freely against the taut planes of his chest. She followed the path of dark growth to where it dipped below his waist. Kate’s fingers seemed to have a will of their own as she unbuttoned his jeans and pulled them into a puddle around his feet, dropping to her knees in the process. Dark blue briefs remained on his hips only a few seconds longer.

  As she came face to face with his throbbing erection, the blood raced through her veins like a river of molten lava. Her hand stroked the swollen shaft, gripping its base while her tongue slowly licked and flicked the tender skin on top.

  Sam groaned as his hands tangled roughly in her hair, pulling her upward. He met her lips halfway with a kiss driven by savage, primal need. He swung her unresisting body into his arms in one easy motion, before spanning the final few feet to her bed.

  They fell together, skin against skin, touching, caressing, reeling in the heat of their passion. His lips left a trail of fiery kisses down her neck before teasing each breast with tantalizing flicks of his tongue. One hand slid to the moist folds between her thighs, gently rubbing her swollen nub in a steady circular motion before dipping his fingers deep inside her.

  Kate gasped, arching her back against each thrust as he continued to penetrate her throbbing recesses. Her heart pounded an erotic rhythm in her ears as she felt her body tense. Without warning, she exploded with a convulsive shiver that erased all thought of time or place. Her fingers grabbed fistfuls of sheet as her thighs locked tightly around his hand.

  Wave after wave of sensual delight rushed through her as he continued to thrust his fingers deep inside her. She was floating in a sea of pure ecstasy, a prisoner of his experienced touch.

  Finally her hands wrapped around his head, pulling his lips to her mouth. She wanted to feel his hard shaft inside her. Craved it with a hunger that was all consuming.

  Reaching between their sweat slickened bodies, she grasped his swollen erection with one hand, stroking it in long, fluid movements as she spread her legs. Within seconds she was under him. He entered her wet folds with a hard thrust and she gasped with pleasure.

  Kate wrapped her legs around his back, meeting each surge with her raised hips. He pumped faster, his muscular biceps taut with tension as he held himself above her, mesmerized by the little drops of moisture gathering on her brow.

  She heard a raspy groan, followed by a sharp intake of breath and felt him swell to the point of bursting. His gaze locked with hers he slowed his pace to prolong their lovemaking.

  Kate was too close to experiencing his powerfully induced climax a second time. “Nooo. . .don’t. . .stop,” she gasped, raising her hips so she could take him deeper.

  His glazed eyes widened as understanding took over. With a final thrust, hard and deep, she was transported into a vast universe of pulsating light where she rode the waves of white hot heat.

  Kate gripped his back, unaware her fingers were digging into his flesh. Pleasure sparked every nerve ending, flowing over her like a huge tidal wave. She was barely coherent when she felt him give one last shudder and collapse next to her on the bed. Sam’s long, muscular leg covered her mass of damp curls, warming the throbbing flesh with his thigh.

  They entwined together, spent, gasping for air. Slowly, he stretched out beside her, pulling her limp, exhausted body next to him. She heard his breathing grow shallow as sleep overcame him.

  Kate found the comforter and dragged it across their bodies before returning to the concave of his warm haven. Sam’s arm tightened slightly, then relaxed as his hand flattened against her belly. She sighed happily.

  Her contentment was short lived as she realized this could be their last night together. Whether they escaped or were killed, their journey was coming to an end.

  A weary smile curved her lips. It didn’t matter. It was better to spend a short time with the man she loved than a life time with anyone else. If things went badly tomorrow, she would always have tonight. She just might not be alive to remember it.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Kate dozed fitfully, waking as the first light of dawn crept through the window. Sam lay beside her, his fingers loosely ent
wined with her own. She rolled over, focusing her sleepy gaze on his face.

  “You’re staring.”

  How did he know she was watching him? “I like what I see,” she murmured huskily.

  His lids slowly lifted as he shifted to his side with a sexy twinkle. “What else do you like?” His hand skimmed over her side and hip, coming to a rest on the soft flesh near her thigh.

  “I like what you did last night,” she whispered shyly. “Are you up for seconds?”

  He grinned, taking her hand and placing it on his hard shaft. “Trust me, darling, I’m. . .up!”

  His mouth smothered her giggle, reinforcing the urgent thrust against her belly. In an instant he shifted and rolled on top of her, sending a tremor racing through her thighs and groin. Kate’s arms tightened around his back.

  A voice rang out from their door. “Sam?”

  He rolled to his back and drew in a deep breath.

  “It’s Sharon.” Kate’s dull voice echoed between them.

  Sam slid from the bed and quickly dressed. Casting a rueful glance over his shoulder, he opened the door.

  Kate managed to glimpse the surprised look exploding across the woman’s face before he shut the door behind him. A flash of possessiveness and jealousy overtook her. “Serves you right,” she muttered triumphantly.

  Kate stretched her arms above her head, reliving the ecstasy of Sam’s masterful touch. He made her body respond in ways she had not even dreamed possible. Ways she had never experienced.

  And suddenly she understood why. Their union was forged by love.

  She heard the sitting room door slam with a loud bang. Sam returned to the bedroom with a dark scowl marring his face.

  “Was she upset?”

  “Oh yes,” he muttered thickly. “She didn’t like where I spent the night.”

  Kate arched a confrontational brow. “So?”

  “So. . .I have been given a choice to insure my. . .er, longevity.” She felt a sickening premonition wash over her as he paused. “I can entertain our hostess this evening in her suite, or. . .” his voice trailed off into a heavy silence.

  Kate felt the blood drain from her face. He couldn’t do this. She loved him.

  Before she could open her mouth in protest, he shrugged. “It’s not going to happen.”

  “You don’t have a choice.” It was as if someone else was speaking, but Kate knew it was the truth. “You must do what she wants.”

  His face contorted through a series of emotions. Denial, anger, and finally confusion.

  “You want me to. . . seduce her?” He lowered himself to the bed, a ragged breath indicating his defeat.

  Kate wrapped her arms around his neck. “No, darling, I don’t want you anywhere near Sharon Grant. But if it’s the only way to keep you out of a body bag, then we don’t much choice.”

  Kate deliberately used the term “we” to ease any guilt of betrayal. Brushing his lips with a light kiss, she pinned a smile to her face.

  “I would rather see you alive with Sharon Grant than dead with me. I love you, Sam.”

  It was a simple statement spoken in calm tones, but it’s impact splattered across his features.

  Sam had fought against this. Tried to convince himself it was only a physical attraction. But as he listened to Kate’s declaration, he knew his own feelings had soared past the point of no return. He loved Kate. It was impossible to imagine his life without her. And he would do anything to ensure their future together.

  His arms wrapped around her in a tight embrace, as if he would never let her go. “I love you, too, but I’ll be damned if I play gigolo to that terrorist bitch. I’ll find a way to get us out of this. It’s not over yet.”

  Kate melted against his hard muscles, delirious from the words he had just uttered. She had longed for this moment and not dared to believe it would ever come. She felt exhilarated, as though a gust of awareness had blown over her and left a new understanding of life in its aftermath.

  In that moment, she also knew their future hung in a delicate balance between good and evil, life and death. She believed Sam. They would indeed find a way out of this. There was too much at risk to fail.

  An hour later, Kate glanced at her reflection in the mirror and grimaced. She looked presentable but not much more.

  Ivan had delivered new clothing to replace their torn and tattered garments. The dark slacks and yellow polo shirt he had delivered for Sam fit perfectly.

  Her two piece jersey outfit, on the other hand, was a bit dowdy and large. She had to roll up the waist of the pants to keep the hem from dragging the floor. The voluminous matching top was too long and could easily have doubled as a dress.

  Kate was certain the error in sizing had been intentional, but after Sam’s confession of love, it was inconsequential.

  Sam entered the sitting room, lowering his long frame onto a nearby chair. “Ivan will be taking you to the hotel.”

  Kate could see by his expression that he was holding back information.

  “Thank goodness! I was afraid Sharon would send Raoul.”

  He stared at his hands without looking up. “That was her original plan, but I convinced her to send Ivan instead.”

  “How did you manage to change her mind?” To her surprise, he met the inquisition without flinching.

  “I told her I would kill Raoul if he came near you.”

  Her breath caught in her throat. “I’m your sure your threat went over like a balloon full of rocks. Sharon is intent on having you to herself. It’s not wise to show concern for me.”

  “Then damn her.” He rose to his feet and paced across the room before stopping at the window. ”While you’re gone, I’ll sweet talk her into taking me for a walk around the grounds. I need to learn the layout of this place.”

  “Good idea.” Sam was upset. She sensed it in his voice. Kate walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

  He spoke without turning around. “Be careful. When you get to the hotel, try to convince Ivan to wait by the door. Keep your voice low, and tell the desk clerk to contact Greg Morris with the FBI.” He eased around and cupped her cheek with the breadth of his palm. “Do you still have his business card?”

  Kate nodded. “What should I do if Ivan accompanies me to the desk? The clerk is certain to tell him I signed for the knapsack yesterday.”

  “Argue. Make a scene. Tell him you returned it later in the day and act outraged with their incompetence. It might create the diversion you need to alert them to our situation.”

  She took a deep breath, secretly wondering if she was capable of such a performance. “I’ll do my best.”

  He grinned though it failed to erase the worry emanating from his eyes. “I know you will.”

  After a curt knock, Ivan stepped into the room, his eyes roving suspiciously over their close stance. “Let’s go.”

  She nodded, following his tall, thin frame out the door. It was all she could do not to glance back at Sam, but that would have made her appear frightened and she didn’t want to cause him more concern.

  Kate was grateful she did not see Sharon as they made their way toward a sleek Jaguar parked on the flagstone drive. Ivan opened the door to the passenger’s side, although she was sure his motive was not a courtesy but more an assurance that she would not escape. Once he was seated behind the wheel, Kate made a feeble attempt at casual conversation.

  “This is a beautiful estate, Ivan. Does Miss Grant own it?”

  He shot her an insolent look before staring straight ahead. “I’ll tell you when to talk. Sit back and shut up.”

  She quietly obeyed, fastening her seatbelt. He was not going to charm easily. Her eyes scanned the grounds as they approached the gated entry. An electronic eye signaled their approach and the iron barrier slowly slid open.

  Kate made a mental note of her surroundings. The walled estate was nestled on a rolling hillside, secluded from the main roads and other dwellings. After following a country lane for severa
l miles, she noticed an access ramp to a major highway.

  They were somewhere north of Atlanta, she deduced, as she covertly looked for a sign to signal their exact location. After a few miles, she read a billboard and turned to Ivan. “We’re close to Marietta? I’ve heard it’s a great place to live.”

  The only indication he had heard her was evidenced by a tiny muscle twitching in his jaw. He cleared his voice noisily after a few seconds, surprising her with a pleasant observation.

  “It’s a nice city. Better than living in Atlanta. You’ll see how bad the traffic is when we approach the downtown area.”

  “Does this road take us to the city?”

  He grinned, though not from amusement. “Yeah, all the suburbs lead to Atlanta.”

  “Is my hotel a long way from here?”

  “Traffic makes it seem long,” he grunted restlessly.

  Kate didn’t wish to anger him with more questions so she sat back in her seat and observed the passing scenery. Eventually she recognized the tall buildings signaling their approach to downtown Atlanta. Her heart began to pound when Ivan took the exit to her hotel. He parked the Jaguar in a small lot near the entrance and instructed her to get out.

  “You lead, I’ll follow.”

  She nodded, advancing toward the glass entry doors. Remembering Sam’s instructions, Kate slowed her pace so he could catch up with her.

  “The hotel thinks I’m Sam’s wife. It might be best if you stay here and let me approach the front desk alone.”

  His dark eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You tryin’ to pull something funny?”

  Kate met his accusing eyes without flinching. “I don’t want security to become suspicious. I mean, we don’t exactly look like two people who would be friends.” She shot him a disdainful smirk as he shifted from one foot to the other.

  Ivan seemed to weigh her suggestion as he glanced down at his hands. After a moment, he reluctantly agreed to wait by the door.

  “If you try anything stupid, your boyfriend’s a dead man,” he threatened in a raspy voice.