The Anomaly Trilogy Boxed Set

by Hackett, Anna

  Gage released Cate and was pleased when Mara tugged Cate in for a hard hug. Cate was still for a moment, then her arms wrapped around the other woman. Held tight.

  Mara pulled back and gripped Cate’s hand. “How are you doing?”

  Cate slid her hand away and stepped back to Gage’s side. “I’ve been better.” She looked sideways at Gage. “But I’m doing okay.”

  “Good. Now ignore Cal’s growls, he has a terminal case of protect-everybody-itis.” Mara waved them over toward a large blanket. “Come meet Bay and Sean.”

  Soon they were seated on a red-checked blanket not far from the screen. Cate sat cross-legged between Mara and Gage with soda in hand. A slightly bemused look sat on her face.

  Mara swept out an arm. “Cate, this is Bay Archer and the big hunk behind her is her husband, Sean.”

  Cate managed a smile and Gage nodded at them both. Sean was a tough-looking man lounging in a camping chair, a bottle of beer dangling between his fingers. Bay was a delicate-looking blonde who sat at his feet, leaning against his legs, looking like a fresh-faced girl. But her pale green eyes reflected a wealth of knowledge and hard living.

  “Hi, Cate.” Bay smiled. “Welcome to Haven.”

  Cate studied the woman. “You’re an anomaly?”

  Bay sipped a Coke, nodded. “Time thief.”

  “And you helped rescue me.” She glanced at Sean. “Both of you. Thank you.”

  Bay lowered her drink. “We’d never leave anyone with Leven. Ever. Not if we could help it.” There was venom in her voice.

  “Movie’s about to start,” Mara said, breaking the moment.

  The redhead curled up between Cal’s legs, snuggling in. Gage watched Cate watch the couple. The way Cal pressed a hand to Mara’s cheek, his thumb brushing her skin. And the way Mara leaned into the touch.

  Cate swallowed and glanced at Gage. “They’re so…”

  “In love.”

  She nodded. “To see such a hard, powerful anomaly feel so much…”

  It made you believe in love.

  Someone doused the torches, plunging the clearing into darkness. The screen flickered to life.

  Cate’s eyes widened and a tiny laugh escaped. “The X-Men? Really?”

  Gage leaned closer, that small laugh making him happy. “Mutants with special powers, what better movie could we watch?”

  “Art imitating life. You think we should tell the world of our existence like they did?” she whispered.

  He was quiet for a second. “No. Unfortunately I don’t think the world or anomalies are ready for that.”

  As the opening sequence roared across the screen, eliciting squeals from the kids in the crowd, Cate’s smile dissolved.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked.

  “The movie will have a happy ending. Real life doesn’t always work that way.” She cast her gaze across the small crowd of people. “We might look like anybody else, regular people going about our lives, but we aren’t regular.”

  She was right. Most of them had scars, visible or not. And for many anomalies who hadn’t found somewhere like Haven, a happy ending was impossible.

  Cate rubbed her hands up her arms, shivering even though the night air was warm. Gage wrapped his arms around her. She was stiff at first. He gently tugged her closer, until she was tucked against his side, his heat warming her skin.

  “We shouldn’t do this,” she whispered.

  He wanted a happy ending for her. “Just for the next few hours, let’s pretend we’re regular people out to watch a movie.”

  “Just a schoolteacher and a doctor.” Her voice was quiet.

  “Yes.”

  She laid her head on his shoulder.

  Just two regular people. It was a nice fantasy. While it lasted.

  Chapter Six

  Gage knew everyone was watching the movie, but he watched Cate.

  As the images on the screen flickered and changed, they cast light on her face, shadowing the curves of her cheekbones. He liked watching her expressions, liked seeing her muscles slowly relax. Once or twice she even smiled.

  But as the movie progressed, he noticed the lines of tension creep in around her mouth. One of her hands twisted in the blanket beneath them.

  She cast small glances around, her chest rising and falling in short, harsh breaths.

  He didn’t say anything. He simply took her hand and tugged her to her feet. He didn’t bother saying goodbye to the others—they’d understand.

  He pulled her into the trees.

  “I…I can’t get any air.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “All those people around me. It was like I could hear their heartbeats.”

  “Just breathe.”

  She shook her head. “I was fine. Why?” She dropped her head into her hands. “Why can’t I just be normal?”

  Echoes of the past rumbled through Gage. He’d heard his test subjects say the same thing. Especially after he’d enhanced their powers.

  “I’m so afraid I’ll hurt someone. Mara, those kids—” She lifted her head. Tears glittered on her cheeks. “You.”

  He gripped her arms. “I can look after myself. Besides, I know you won’t hurt me.”

  She tried to pull away. “Don’t get too close.”

  He pulled her against his chest, subduing her struggles. He sank to the ground with her curled in his lap. “I can’t seem to stop.”

  She cried silent sobs, her entire body shaking. He held onto her. It was all the support he could offer and still it felt like it wasn’t enough. All his intellect and still she had to suffer so much.

  Slowly her tears passed. She leaned into him, like all her strength was gone and she needed someone else to hold her up. After a while, their chests rose and fell in sync. Each breath connecting them together in the darkness.

  “I can’t go back.”

  Her words were so quiet he barely heard them, but they tore at him. He knew she wasn’t talking about the movie. He tightened his hold on her.

  “I’ll never be the woman I was again.”

  Pressing his lips to her hair he murmured her name. She was no longer the woman she’d been. She was stronger. Tougher. He had to make her see that.

  “You’re a survivor.” He cupped her cheeks, turning her to face him. “You can make yourself into something better, stronger.”

  Her lips trembled. “I want to be the woman you see in me.”

  “I see strength. Willpower. Guts.” He kissed her nose. “Beauty. A loveliness that takes my breath away.” Drawn by something he was losing his fight against, he kissed away the tears staining her cheeks.

  Her chest hitched. “You make me feel human again.” She pressed a finger to his lips, tracing them.

  Jesus, he was crossing that line. He pressed his forehead to hers. “We can’t do this. I don’t want to take advantage of you—”

  “Gage.” Her hands clamped tight over his. “Please. You make me feel like a woman. Not the old Cate, not the soul stealer. Just Cate.”

  He leaned in, his mouth hovering close to hers. He knew he was teetering. God, he was weak. Her blue eyes shimmered with a wealth of feeling that pulled him in.

  There’d be time to castigate himself later. Right now he needed to taste her, even if he burned in hell for it after.

  She must have seen his capitulation in his eyes. They both moved at the same time, mouth meeting mouth. Her hand slid into his hair and his hand cupped the back of her neck.

  The kiss wasn’t timid or reserved. Desire roared up like a bonfire and Gage gripped her, pulling her closer and ravaged her lips.

  Her mouth moved with hard purpose, her tongue tangling with his. She pressed into him, her small breasts rubbing against his chest. Jesus, she tasted sweet and delicious. And he had a hell of a sweet tooth.

  She pushed him until his back hit the ground. Straddling his hips, she leaned down, her kiss edged with desperation. When she ground her hips against his growing erection, Gage groaned into her mouth. She made a sma
ll sound of frustration, grabbing his hair.

  Like she was trying to forget. Using him as a distraction.

  Well, he damn well wouldn’t let that be all this was. He reared up, capturing her wrists in his hands. When he felt the scarred flesh under his fingertips, where Leven’s chains had scored her skin, Gage relaxed his hold. “Slower.”

  Her eyes widened. There was a flash of surprise. And fear.

  No, he wouldn’t let her be afraid. He leaned down and took her lips in a slow exploration. He tasted their plump curves before plunging into her mouth. Her hands crept up to his shoulders, gripping his shirt hard.

  Sliding an arm around her slim back, he tugged her closer. One hand slipped under her T-shirt, over smooth skin, then cupped her breast. She arched against him, her movements restless and impatient.

  Bending her back over his arm, he let his lips slide down her throat. He pushed the fabric of her shirt up. Small nips of his teeth over the elegant length of her collarbones and down to the cotton of her bra. He drew her nipple into his mouth, fabric and all.

  “Gage,” she moaned his name. There was no fear or anger or hurt. Just pleasure in her voice.

  But this wasn’t just for her. It was for him. She’d pulled at him since she’d arrived, her quiet strength had entranced him. He wanted her, wanted every part of her, with a near-desperate need.

  “I want you.” Her hands tore at the buttons of his shirt. “Please.”

  He laid her back in the grass, mesmerized by that pixie face of hers. Then faint laughter caught his ears. The movie crowd, still far too close.

  God, anyone could walk in on them. The doctor about to fuck a patient.

  He jerked back, sucking air into his lungs. Seeing her lying there, splayed out for him, her bare skin so pretty in the moonlight, almost destroyed his control. Find some damn strength, Walker.

  Cate blinked at him, the pleasure in her face leaching away. She rolled over, yanking her T-shirt down. She slowly got to her feet.

  “Cate, I’m sorry. I can’t do this—”

  She backed away one step. “Of course. You’d never want a killer.”

  A punch to his gut. “That’s not—”

  She held her hands up, shaking her head. “You’re worried I’ll steal your soul, I understand.”

  “No!” God, he’d made a mess of this. “I want you more than anything, but—”

  “Please, don’t say anything else.” Another backward step, one hand pressed to her throat. “I’ll leave you alone.”

  She walked a few steps then broke into a run, disappearing into the trees.

  He took two steps after her then stopped. He clenched his hands.

  This was a chance for him to gain back some control, some perspective. He hated that she thought he didn’t want her, but maybe this was for the best. A way to put some much needed distance back between them.

  Not just for his sake, but for hers.

  He stared at the spot where she’d disappeared, his insides cut to shreds.

  ***

  She looked like crap.

  Cate yanked a shirt on and spun away from the mirror. Her restless night was gouged onto her face. Dark circles under her eyes, her skin pasty and pale. She scraped a hand through her hair.

  It felt like years since she’d worried about what she looked like. It hadn’t even made an appearance on her priority list lately. She only had a few minutes until she was meeting Gage and Ellie in the lab. Memories from the night before battered against her but she blocked them out.

  Turning back to the mirror, she picked up the few makeup basics Mara had brought for her. Cate was surprised to find the simple art of applying makeup came back to her without conscious thought.

  After a swipe of color on her lips she looked in the mirror. Passable. She looked fresh, not like she’d spent a sleepless night trying to think of anything other than Gage. She ran her fingers down her neck and found the spot where his stubble had scratched her skin. Fingering the small patch she remembered how it felt to be with him. To just be Cate and think of nothing but Gage’s hard body and their shared pleasure.

  Except he hadn’t felt the same.

  Dragging in a breath, she headed out of her room. She wouldn’t cower in here all day. She’d face him. There was so much she couldn’t change and it was time she accepted that.

  When she entered the main lab, she saw him with his dark head bent over a notepad, scribbling furiously. Ellie was nowhere to be seen. The bench was crowded with test tubes and a clunky machine that did God knows what. He was in a rumpled white lab coat.

  God, he looked so sexy in the coat with his glasses slipping low on his nose. He doesn’t want you, remember?

  As she got closer, she noted his hair was mussed, his brow furrowed as he studied the digital readout on the machine. He was also wearing the same clothes he’d had on at movie night. The top buttons of his shirt still undone. From her fingers.

  “Have you been here all night?”

  His head snapped up. “What?” He focused in on her. “Cate?”

  God, it was so wrong that the confused look on his face made her insides melt. “You’ve been in the lab all night?”

  He ran a hand down the side of his neck. Looked weary. “Yeah. I had work to do. I don’t need much sleep.”

  “I couldn’t sleep either.” She hitched herself up on a chair beside him. “Where’s Ellie?”

  “Ellie?” He shook his head. “The young time thief she’s taking care of is having trouble adjusting. Ellie can’t join us today.”

  Just the two of them then. “I’m ready for the test.”

  When he didn’t respond, she looked over at him. His gaze was on her legs, tracing down their length. She felt a flash of satisfaction. “Gage?”

  “Test? Right.” He looked over the counter. “What test?”

  “The cortical cooling. Remember?”

  “Right. Ah.” He stood. “I need some coffee first.”

  God, she wanted to kiss him again. But his rejection was too fresh and she tamped the urge down. She waited patiently while he grabbed a cup from the coffee machine in the adjoining kitchen.

  When he returned, he gestured to one of the examination rooms. “Last night I set up everything we’d need. I spent a few hours going over the process.”

  He’d never leave anything to chance. She entered the room. A bed was pushed against one wall and a small machine with lots of cords sat beside it. Just looking at it turned her stomach.

  “Cate?” He was at her side. So solid. “You don’t have to do this until you’re ready.”

  “I have to do it.” She straightened her shoulders. “I need to move on and to do that, I need Leven off my back.”

  She marched to the bed and sat on it. As she went to lie back, Gage was there, strong hands on her shoulders. Once she was settled, he lifted a cap covered in electrodes.

  “I’ll slip this over your head then put a few extra ones to capture the maximum results.”

  She nodded, tasted bile in her throat. She could do this. Her memoires of Leven’s scientists and their experiments were vague at best. Gage was nothing like them.

  He stuck an electrode to one side of her neck then moved to the other. His hand hovered there for a second. She looked up, saw his gaze riveted on her skin. Then he fingered that spot where he’d left a slight rash.

  It was like electric current rushing through her. She stilled.

  “I’m sorry I hurt you.” He brushed that spot again.

  She was well aware he wasn’t talking about the graze. “Don’t…just get the experiment done.”

  His jaw tightened. He slipped the neck of her shirt down and pressed two more electrodes to her chest. She was covered by her bra, but knowing that only hours before he’d had his lips there, caressing her breasts, made her squirm.

  Gage coughed and turned away to fiddle with the machine. When he turned back he was once again the focused scientist. It shouldn’t be sexy to watch, but seeing his absor
ption, his intensity…it made her want to see him look at her that way.

  “Okay, we’ll start now. I’ve set up the webcam to record the experiment. I’m going to add a frozen cap over your head to start the cooling process.” He opened the small bar fridge and pulled out a clear cap.

  Her stomach turned over in a slow roll, but she gritted her teeth and nodded.

  “I’m right here.” He pressed a hand to the joint of her shoulder. Massaged her skin.

  Her gaze went to his face. What was it about him that appealed to her? He was nothing like the men she’d dated before her abduction. He was smarter, more caring, and she suspected much tougher. He was a scientist first but there was no doubt that under the brains there was a hardened man who’d seen a lot of bad stuff and was doing his best to make it better.

  “All done.”

  She blinked. Realized he’d placed the cap over her head. She felt the prickling coolness on her scalp.

  “Sure you want to do this now? We can—”

  “Do it, Gage.” She wanted this over and done with. “The sooner we do it, the sooner I can put all this behind me.”

  His face was tense but he gave a short nod. He pressed some buttons on the machine. “You’ll feel the coldness start to increase. It isn’t cold enough to cause pain.”

  Cate clutched the sheets. “Can you still get the same results?”

  “We’ll see. But it doesn’t matter, I won’t put you through anything painful.”

  The coldness increased. It didn’t hurt, but it raised too many memories. She could do this.

  A warm hand closed over hers. Then all she could see was a pair of patient brown eyes.

  “What’s your favorite color?” he said.

  “Not much of a distraction, Doc.”

  “Tell me anyway.”

  She clutched at his hand, would take the strength he offered. “Yellow.” She blinked. “But you already knew that.” The daisies, the shirt. She stared up at him. “How’d you know?”

  A faint flush skated along his cheekbones. “I noticed you liked yellow things.”

  “You watched me?”

  “Sometimes.” He stroked a thumb over her palm. “I wanted you to survive. I saw the steel in you, knew you wouldn’t bend.”