“Seriously? I thought we were just getting warmed up.”
“Right now I want to snuggle for a little while.”
“I would love to lie down with you, Bec. I could hold you in my arms for hours.”
She stretched out, using Kent’s broad chest as a pillow and listened to the rise and fall of his chest. She felt safe, nestled in the arms of her lover. She let out a long breath, feeling sated and blissfully drowsy. Her nerve endings felt warm and tingly.
Rebecca didn’t want to think about the danger they’d face in the morning. She wanted to imagine this night of lovemaking and holding Kent close would never end.
* * * *
Rebecca draped her arms across his chest and nestled in closer. Her breathing evened as she drifted off to sleep. Feeling restless, Kent lay awake, staring into the darkness. The woman he loved so desperately had come back to him and he wanted to cherish the sensation of her warm, just-made-love-to flesh against his. But dark thoughts broke into his post-coital bliss. In the blink of an eye, one of those men could kill her. Somehow I’ll find a way to keep her safe through all this, he told himself.
Somehow . . .
Chapter Five
Tom opened the door and jumped back. His pale blue eyes widened and he stammered. “Wh-what are you d-doing here?”
Amanda cocked her head and planted her hands on her hips, trying not to let Tom’s handsome looks distract her. He looked sexy as hell with a day-old beard accenting his wide, angular jaw line. He’s definitely got every asset a hot male protagonist needs. “I found out your mother isn’t sick.”
“Oh, yeah, that.” Tom shifted uneasily on his feet, crossing his hands over his muscular chest, which was a lush forest of curly blond hair. “I only said that because I was worried about your safety.”
“I know. You men think women are helpless.” Amanda pretended to sound angry even though she was actually flattered by his concern for her.
Tom’s thick blond eyebrows drew in toward each other. “It really isn’t like that. It’s just that you matter to me. And this mission has gotten so out of control. I just want you safe—not kidnapped, hurt, or worse . . .”
Sparks of electric energy ricocheted around inside Amanda’s body. Seeing him standing there, shirtless and more gorgeous than ever, felt like a miracle. She ached to press her fingers against the muscular contours of his chest, run her fingers over his prickly beard. Before she had a chance to answer, he grabbed her hand and tugged her inside the room.
“Wow. You are glad to see me.” She laughed.
Tom combed her hair with his fingers, gazing into her eyes as he skimmed his large, strong hands over her back. She pressed in closer to him. Every nerve ending jumped up on high alert as his fingers traveled over the curve of her buttocks.
A flirtatious friendship had developed during the weeks they’d spent together on the caving mission. Eventually, the occasional touch and encouraging word had led to a kiss.
Once, their kissing had intensified and Tom’s hands had wandered over her breasts, but someone had stepped into their cozy labyrinth and interrupted them. But now there’s nothing to stop us.
Amanda ground her hips into Tom’s thighs until she felt his burgeoning erection.
Tom kissed her and nibbled hungrily at her lips from every angle. He paused for a moment and looked at her. “How did you find out I was still here?”
“Do we have to talk now?”
“Definitely not.” Breathing heavily, Tom slid his hands down the back of her jeans, massaging her buttocks with his hands and then sliding a finger up and down her crack. Do you know what a lovely ass you have?” he groaned.
Wet heat flared between her thighs. She separated her legs a little more, aching for him to touch her even more intimately.
He slid his hand out of her pants and fumbled with the front zipper on her jeans.
Powerful sensations of pleasure ripped through Amanda’s body as Tom kissed her face and lips.
Her unzipped jeans dropped down around her ankles. Amanda reached down and unhitched the Velcro and kicked off her all-terrain sandals, using one foot to secure the cuffs while she tugged them loose. She stood facing him, wearing only a T-shirt. Whenever Tom was near, she felt a sense of protection along with a rush of lust.
He reached for the hem of her shirt, tugged it over her head, and tossed it across the room. “That’s much better. Hey, where are you going?”
Amanda stepped away and walked toward the other side of the room, looking over her shoulder, intentionally giving him a view of her body from the back. She knew he’d find her lean, runner legs and well-toned buttocks a turn-on. She winked and sucked a finger between her lips as she watched his mouth drop open. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re irresistible.” He walked up behind her, snatched a handful of her long hair, and tossed it over the front of her shoulder. His chest hairs tickled her back. She laughed and arched her back. He kissed her neck and skimmed his fingers around her rib cage to fondle her breasts.
“Mmm, I like the sound of that.” Excitement raced down her spine with every brush of his lips. Even though he still wore jeans, the press of his rock-hard body against her buttocks made her instinctively part her legs, arch her back, and push back into him. Her pussy was wet and ready—she ached to have him bury himself inside of her.
His hot breath tickled her neck. “Amanda, I hope you know, I really want us to mean something. We don’t have to make love now if you’re not ready.”
She couldn’t imagine not giving into the heated lust that raged inside her. “Tom, it’s okay, I want to be close to you more than anything right now.”
“Then turn around and look at me.”
She turned to face him. His gaze wandered over her body and his pale blue eyes flickered with lust. Muscles clenched in his angular jaw. Hurriedly, he pulled off his pants and urged her over to the edge of the bed. “I love your body. You’re so fit—all beautiful, well-toned muscle.”
Once she lay on her back on the bed, he crouched over her, pressing his full lips against her, covering her mouth with an urgent kiss. He pressed her lips open with his tongue. As their tongues jousted, Amanda groaned with excitement.
Tom slid his hand over her breasts, down her belly and between her thighs. He let out a long sigh when his fingers probed around her wet opening. “God, you’re wet. It’s going to feel so good making love to you.”
She closed her eyes, tossed back her head, and spread her legs wider to give him better access. Another pulse of excitement rushed to her pussy as he fingered her clitoris and plunged his fingers in and out of her.
She clutched at the muscles on his chest and then let her fingers slide over the firm tight muscles of his abdomen toward his enormous penis. She rolled her fingers over its tip, and around its wet head before gripping his shaft in her hand.
“Mmm, I like the way you’re touching me.” His face flushed with arousal.
Sliding her hand over its length only heightened her excitement—she couldn’t wait to feel Tom’s length slide inside her. Just feeling his fingers slipping in and out of her channel made her feel more desperate to have him fill her.
She reached around the back of his buttocks and urged him closer, until the tip of his penis flicked against the lips of her vagina. The press of his rounded head against the outside of her opening made her pussy pulse with need.
He flexed his buttocks, forcing himself further inside. She felt herself being pressed apart—his penetration made her gasp.
“Am I hurting you?” Tom’s eyes looked concerned and his upper arm muscles flexed as he locked his elbows and strained to lift himself out of her a little.
“Oh my God, no! You feel amazing.”
“So do you.” He relaxed and plunged in even deeper until she felt the press of his pubic bone against her clitoris. The titillating vibration inside her body intensified, making her pant and moan in ecstasy.
She raised one leg and allowe
d him to maneuver her knee into a bent position and place the sole of her foot against his chest. He raised her hips even higher to maximize penetration and friction against her sensitive opening. The sensation of his gyrating hips and the thrust of his penis, with its varying strokes were too much for her. Her vaginal walls clenched rhythmically and then she exploded in orgasm. “Oh, yes,” she cried.
“That’s it, baby,” said Tom. Seconds later, he groaned as he came inside of her. He extended her raised leg, drawing her foot to his mouth so he could gently kiss her toes. “Being with you like that was amazing,” he said.
She gazed up at him, still feeling light-headed from the exertion. He suckled her toes, sending a warm sensation flowing through her body. “It was amazing—I never imagined when I got up this morning that the day would end like this.”
Tom’s broad grin and his flushed cheeks made him look boyish. “Yeah, me either. I was feeling depressed—thinking I wouldn’t see you for who knows how long.”
“Are you over your blues now?”
“Oh, yeah. I could sedate myself on your body all night.” He slid himself out of her and brushed his hand down the inside of her thigh. Then he lay beside her, caressing her face.
Amanda knew for sure she’d never get enough of Tom. He was adventurous, fun, and sexy as hell—all qualities she found a turn on.
Making love in the past had made her feel so vulnerable, she’d never been able to really relax and let the sensations of the moment take her away. Being with Tom had felt so right—and so deliciously exciting, she panted for more.
She reached for his face and traced out its strong, masculine outline. “That sounds tempting. So you want to do it again?”
Tom skimmed his hand over her collarbone. “Can you give me about fifteen minutes?”
She laughed and wrapped her legs around his, nuzzling his cheek with her nose.
Chapter Six
Kent leaned over and kissed Rebecca on the forehead. “You sleep a while longer—I’ll come back after I meet with the soldiers.”
Rebecca rolled over, filling the warm imprint Kent’s body had left behind. She yawned and stretched her arms before placing them behind her head and looking at him. His short-cropped hair stuck straight up instead of lying neatly around his head, which made his chin and cheek dimples even more noticeable. “So what’s the plan?”
Kent crawled toward her on the mattress. “We’re going to decide that when we meet. But I’m definitely going to bring up your suggestions.”
“I’m glad you found them helpful. But can I trust you?” She brushed her hand over the taut muscles in his upper arms.
“What do you mean?”
She sat up and propped a pillow behind her head. “I’m worried you’ll run off into the jungle and leave me here.”
He lowered himself toward her and kissed her lips, brushing tangled hair away from her face. “Don’t worry, my dear. I don’t plan to let you out of my sight for a minute longer than I have to.”
She traced out his cheek dimples affectionately. “Please hurry back. I have some rather naughty plans outlined for you.”
His gaze dropped to her bare breasts and his lips curled up into a lusty smile. “I have some plans for you, too.” He pushed himself up off the bed and tugged down on the legs of his shorts to loosen fabric that clung to his bulging crotch.
When he reached the door, he looked over his shoulder and blew her a kiss.
Kent strode into the dreary conference room and sat down at the head of the table. Sergeant Rich Cooke, the leader of the Vietnam Veterans, walked into the room and nodded before sitting down beside him. Kent had met the two-hundred-pound fortress of muscle for the first time the previous day.
He’d served with Kent’s father, Edward, in the Vietnam War. They’d both been in the first cavalry division. Rich and all the other men he’d brought along admired Kent’s father for his bravery. In addition to the purple star he’d been awarded after his disabling injury, his father had earned a silver star for rescuing Rich and three other men from Vietnamese captors.
The white knife scar that marred one cheek stood out in stark contrast to his deeply tanned face. He looked at Kent and shook his head. “You look like shit, man.”
“Hey, I’ll be fine. Just drank a little too much whiskey, that’s all.”
Rich stood when some of the others entered the room. Kent had met all of them except the Vietnamese man who strode toward him.
“I’d like you to meet Duc An, from the Vietnamese People’s Army,” Rich said. “He’ll be bringing some soldiers along for back up. They’ll be arriving shortly.”
Kent shook the man’s hand and exchanged some brief pleasantries before starting the meeting. “I want to thank you all for your support. Tracking down these gemstone smugglers will bring tourists back to Vietnam and give me an opportunity to complete a scientific mission that will go down in the history books.”
Once he finished his introduction, he shared his recommendations for the soldiers to go in first and the scientists to follow them, and for the people at the cave camp to move underground. He finished by mentioning there had been a small change of plans with the sudden return of Rebecca and Amanda.
The lights flickered before a crash of thunder shook the room.
“I think that’s about the best plan of action under these circumstances,” said Rich. “I hope you can convince those ladies to stay at this hotel for the duration—this isn’t going to be a pretty place for women to be hanging around.”
“You better not say that to Roberta, the archaeologist I hired to check out those inscriptions. From what I hear, she doesn’t take any shit from anyone.”
Rich frowned. “I’ll keep that in mind. Now I think it’s about time to end this little pow wow and get to—”
The lights flickered and went out. “Okay, let’s get the fuck out of here.”
* * * *
Once Kent shut the door behind him, exhaustion overtook Rebecca and she rolled over and drifted off into sleep. A crash of thunder awakened her. She sat upright and looked around, finding herself alone in the eerie darkness.
“Kent, are you here?” She heard only silence. She sat up and illuminated her watch to see the time. Damn it’s dark for eight AM.
The water-stained window didn’t offer much of a view, but she knew heavy storm clouds lurked outside. The single bulb in the bathroom flickered with a flash of lightning. She peeled off the covers and dug through her backpack for an outfit.
A crash of thunder made her jump. She’d always feared the dark. Kent should be back by now. As she slipped on jeans and a T-shirt, another flash of lightning caused the lights to flicker and go out. “Oh, great, no power.”
She thought she heard the knob jiggle. “Kent, is that you?” She got no response. She ducked behind the rickety table when the door creaked open. She peered out into the dimly lit hallway, but saw no one. Then why do I hear footsteps? Goosebumps crept up her neck.
Oh my God, what’s happening? Her thighs burned from her low crouch, but instinct told her she didn’t dare move.
“Is everyone all right down here? I thought I heard someone calling for me,” Kent shouted down the hallway.
Be careful, there’s something in here. She sensed heat radiating off of a body just inches away from where she hid. Does it see me? She sensed it could. And that it was pure evil. She tried to tell herself that her feelings were paranoid, that they were the result of too much stress and too little sleep.
Clenching her teeth and holding her breath, she remained crouched, every muscle in her body rigid and ready for the attack she sensed would come. She felt a breeze, as if a body had suddenly whipped around, then heard footsteps padding across the carpet before the door squeaked partway shut. She drew in a desperate breath as Kent pushed his way through the door. Thank God.
He gazed around the room, his expression tight and strained. His leg muscles flexed, looking ready to launch an attack on whatever had led her to
drop beneath the table.
“Why is the door open? Are you all right?” He ran toward her and crouched down. “Bec, you’re trembling. It’s just a storm. Come on out from there.” He reached for her hands.
Rebecca crawled out from beneath the table and let him help her to her feet. He drew her into his chest. She melted into Kent’s steely contours, grateful to be safe in the reservoir of his strong arms. “I’m so glad you got back when you did. If you hadn’t . . .”
“I realize it’s not fun to be alone in the dark in a place like this, but don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of flashlights and candles to light the room if the power outage persists.”
“No, Kent, it’s not that . . .” Rebecca wasn’t sure how to explain what had happened. He’s going to think I’m completely nuts. She walked over to the door and slipped the weak chain into the link, gripped the teakwood armoire on either side and grunted as she tried to tug the heavy piece across the carpet. Since it was three times her size, it barely budged.
“What are you doing? You’re going to hurt yourself.” Kent placed his hands over hers to stop her.
“I have to keep that . . . that person or whatever it was from coming back.”
“What happened?”
“Someone came into this room just after the storm woke me up.”
“Did he hurt you?” A row of wrinkles appeared on Kent’s brow and he pursed his lips. He brushed his hand over her face and studied her as if he was looking for signs of damage.
“No, he didn’t touch me. But he wanted to—I had this terrible feeling something awful was about to happen. Please help me block the door.”
“I had big plans to make you breakfast. But I guess it’ll be energy bars for breakfast, unless we want to go out in the rain to cook with the camp stove.”
“There’s no way I’m leaving this room until I’m sure whatever is out there is gone. But help me move this—please.” Rebecca suddenly thought of Amanda and wondered if she was safe. None of them were safe with this ghost moving about.
The Unseen Page 5