Intensity

by Aliyah Burke

  Grey glanced at her. “I agree. Who is he?”

  Cooler shrugged. “We don’t know; your man set this up, not ours.”

  Sara’s low comment showed her opinion on it. He refocused on the man who’d arrived. “So, we just attend places he does or shadow him?”

  “There’s this event. You two are on the guest list. The chatter is that an attack will be then.”

  “What’s the highlighted line?”

  Cooler scrubbed his head. “An event the girlfriend wants to attend.”

  He blinked. “You getting us tickets?”

  Cooler glared at him. “Not me, this isn’t my op. I’ve been relegated to delivery boy.”

  A deaf man could have picked up on the anger in his tone.

  “It’s been sold out for weeks.”

  “I can get us in,” Sarah stated. “Just let me make a call.” She reached to the table beside the couch and grabbed her phone. She yawned as she placed the item to her ear. “Kendria, hey, it’s Sarah. Yes, I know. Look, I’m in Hamburg and would love to come to a concert. Can you get me and one more in? Tickets at the door? Awesome. Have them for Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson. Yes, that’s… Oh, hush.”

  Grey didn’t miss the look she slanted at him. Wonder what she said. He merely settled back, pinning Sarah’s leg.

  “We have tickets at the door.” Sarah pushed her phone in her sweatshirt pocket.

  “How’d you swing that?” Cooler asked.

  “I know the jazz singer, Kendria Bohner.”

  The name rang a bell of familiarity to Grey, but he kept mum.

  The three of them spoke at length until Cooler rose to his feet. Grey swore some sort of silent communication passed between him and Sarah. He didn’t like it.

  “We’re around, Bug.”

  “I know.” She pulled out her phone and sent a message on it.

  Grey remained beside Sarah as Cooler exited the room.

  “You can move, now,” she stated in a bored tone.

  “How do you know the jazz singer?”

  She adjusted on the couch, pulling her leg free, and crossing them. He took it as a good sign she didn’t move away.

  “You met her. Home. Last time I ran into you at the school.”

  “That little thing?” I remember what happened the previous time to that. Summer. At the falls. Marathon round of sex with his wife before she clammed up, dressed, and rode away on her Harley.

  “Yes.”

  She tugged up her sweatshirt sleeves, exposing her USMC anchor and globe tattoo on the inside of her wrist. Personally, he had no use for the Corps. Except when it comes to her. Nothing against them, but no use for them.

  On Sarah, the tattoo was sexy. Sarah Sorenson. He hated she used her maiden name. Again, something to discuss later. She left the couch, ran her hands through her now unconfined hair and went to her bag. He stared unabashedly at her ass as she moved.

  Graceful. Coiled. Deadly.

  He turned slightly and angled himself to continue watching her. “How’d you get to be called Bug?”

  “How do any of us get our names.”

  With Sarah, it wasn’t ever a question, a statement. Normally, he would let it go; however, as it tended to, come to Sarah, he couldn’t—or was that wouldn’t—let it go.

  So, he nodded. “Humor me.”

  “People accept them and truly don’t pay them attention. On the other hand, I’m a pest and the name stuck because I wouldn’t give up. Admiral Davies began calling me Bug.” She bent at the waist, her pants pulling taut over her ass as she stretched then stood upright. “Name stuck.” He tracked her as she moved around their suite. “I’m going to—”

  “Why?” he blurted out.

  She stopped near the couch he remained on. “Why what?”

  “Recon.”

  She whirled and faced him. “Why not?” No heat existed in her tone, but her eyes told a different story. Her anger was there, fresh and raw. She despised him questioning her. It’s what he’d asked her about back in their hometown. Sure, that time, he’d been distracted, but with the anger radiating from her, he was positive she wouldn’t agree to more sex. Not at the moment, anyway.

  He leaned over the back of the couch and snagged her shirt hem, drawing her toward him. She allowed it and moved until the back remained the only thing between them. Saran had scars on the backs and palms of her hands, like he did. However, hers were still feminine and delicate compared to his.

  “Seems an odd choice.” He stretched out his fingers, coming in contact with the smooth flesh of her belly. Her pupil dilation was the only indication he affected her.

  A cutting remark about how he said that once because she was a woman was what he expected. Again, she surprised him.

  “Not to me.” With the lifting of her eyelashes from her blink, all desire had been wiped away. “Are you done stroking my stomach?”

  “Hell, no,” he admitted. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been able to touch you, Sarah Sorenson?”

  Emotion rippled along her features before she went as blank as an empty wall and stepped away. “I have to get some rest; mind getting off my bed?”

  Anger tore through him, not solely at her, for he couldn’t deny her chill towards him was his fault, as well. Shoving to his feet, he glared and stomped to the bedroom where he slammed the door behind him.

  “Damn you, Sarah. Damn you for being the only person in this world with the capability of getting under my skin as you’re doing.”

  Chapter Four

  Sarah stared at the ring on her hand, marveling she was actually wearing her wedding ring. Even more impressed that he had them with him. What man travels around carrying not only his but his estranged wife’s wedding ring?

  She spun it around once more. It wasn’t ostentatious but a lovely white gold infinity band with a solitaire diamond. The two interweaving paths were laid with pavé diamonds. She had fallen for it the moment he’d pulled it from his pocket and slid it on her hand. His band of white gold had four diamonds evenly spaced around it. Seeing it on his finger again was a jolt to her system.

  She scanned the room and looked at the man they were supposed to be protecting. He was having a make-out session with girlfriend. Sarah continued perusing the room until her eyes landed on Grey.

  He stood on the other side of the room, talking to another man as they sipped their drinks. She didn’t pay them that much attention about what they spoke of; he was making small talk. Her eyes wouldn’t leave him. He had dressed for the evening in a tux that had been fitted for his body. A one-button peak, satin lapel, which emphasized everything beautiful about the man. His physique, movement. All of it. A classic look. His long hair he’d tied back, and she longed to pull the band free and allow his hair to fall to his shoulders.

  Before she could gather the wherewithal to tear her gaze from him, he lifted his aquamarine stare to her. Sure, she was across a room from him, but damn if his look didn’t burn her, create longing in her no other had even come close to producing.

  “Excuse me,” he said to the man he spoke to.

  Eyes remaining on her, a glass of champagne in one hand, he traversed the room to her side. He didn’t slow until he was before her. Even that didn’t stop him. He just snaked out an arm and drew her in close until his lips were on hers.

  Lust washed over her like waves pounding against a rocky crag. She whimpered into his mouth as he sank his tongue between her lips. His taste, a flavor she’d missed for so long, flooded her, and she pressed into him, desperate for more. She curled her hands into the lapels of his tuxedo jacket, using him to keep her upright. Her panties were damp, and her breasts craved his touch.

  “Umm hmm.”

  Cooler’s clearing throat smacked her with the realization of where they were. Her eyes snapped open, and she found herself once again ensnared by Grey’s gaze.

  “Not sure what brought that on, but don’t you two think you should be getting to your seats? The show is about to beg
in.”

  Grey didn’t release her nor did he drop the ironclad hold he had on her with his stare. “I’m a man madly in love with my beautiful wife,” he said in a low enough tone the others around them couldn’t hear, but the ones on the comms could. “Kissing her makes all the sense in the world to me.” He lowered his mouth back to hers and brushed their lips together once more. “All the sense.”

  He placed his hand on the skin of her back, exposed by the dress she wore, and guided her to their table, slightly behind the ones they had to keep an eye on. She allowed him to seat her, doing her best to put aside her own raging lust for the man at her side and focus on her mission.

  Get it together. You’ve never been so distracted before. Just because Grey is at your side, there’s no reason to be so distracted.

  The lights dimmed moments after they’d taken seats. She slanted her gaze to her partner. No he’s more than that. He’s my husband. The kiss he’d planted on her had reawakened emotions and feelings buried since their first time together and, more recently, the time the summer past.

  That one blissful week when she went and—

  Well, damn! Kendria stepped out on stage, and the room fell to a hush. Beside her, Sarah picked up on Grey’s singular comment, mimicked by the men in her ear. She cut her gaze to the man who, for the second time, had slipped her a wedding ring to put on her finger.

  He watched her and winked, setting off a flurry of butterflies in her stomach. Maintaining her composed expression, she deliberately faced the stage, setting her champagne flute on the table.

  I never realized just how amazing she truly is. Hearing at school is one thing, this…this is totally different

  Haunting. Chilling. Sexy.

  Kendria had mesmerized the entire room. Sarah had goosebumps. Under the cover of the scalloped tablecloth, Grey pressed his muscled leg along hers. She lowered her hand to move him away, only to find herself snared. Her heart kicked up in speed, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she sat there listening to a fabulous singer weave her magic about love and passion. Holding hands with her husband.

  Kendria finished, and the crowd erupted in applause. Grey released her, and she tried not to think how regretful she was by that. Standing, she clapped and walked after the duo they were there to protect. The woman branched off and headed to talk to a few other people, apparently in no rush to leave.

  “If something was supposed to happen tonight, it has to be now,” she said, sliding her arm into the crook of Grey’s.

  “Car clear?” Grey’s confident voice posed the question.

  “Just finished,” Liver said, words falling smooth and easy.

  She watched everything she could, trying unsuccessfully to find something that was out of place.

  “We’ve got them,” Owl said.

  “Stay behind and note who leaves.” Cooler’s order was expected.

  A brunette walked toward the restroom, and Sarah released Grey’s arm. She’d noticed this woman before, hanging in the shadows and speaking quietly, even though she was alone. “I think I’m going to powder my nose.”

  His stare burned into her, but she never once looked back. “Why?” His question came.

  She bristled. Her team, the ones she worked with, wouldn’t question. They would realize she had good reason to make the comment. Had she actually needed to use the bathroom, she would have just gone,

  “If I have to explain what I’m doing to you, then it takes away from my concentration. Let us do our job, Navy. Don’t worry; the Marines are here.”

  His glare went from questioning to damn near arctic. The chill raked along her back. She smirked and continued on her way.

  Pushing into the small room, she gazed about. There was a small settee of deep burgundy and gold across from a large mirror. In the other section were the bathrooms and sinks. She progressed into the other part and stood at one sink while the brunette washed her hands at another.

  Using the mirror over her sink, she ensured they were alone. “Who sent you?” She placed her silver clutch on the counter.

  “I’ve got five.” Owl’s comment nearly had her smiling.

  “No way, a brunette in a dress? Three.” The medic, Windy, added his statement.

  “I’m in a dress,” she muttered.

  “Yeah, but you’re Bug.” Liver sounded confident.

  “True,” she replied. Focusing back on the woman who was staring at her as if she were completely insane, Sarah arched an eyebrow. “I asked you a question. Who sent you?”

  “Who sent you?” She loosened her shoulders and lifted a switchblade from her own purse.

  Sarah sighed, of course it couldn’t be easy. “Sounds as though you’re from Ballymoney. Aren’t you a bit far from home?” Sarah adjusted her stance and waited for the assailant to make the first move.

  “Says the black woman in Germany.”

  She watched her hold the knife and sighed. Of course this wouldn’t be a bumbling attempt; they would send someone with training. “You trained with Spetsnaz.”

  The woman’s grin turned ugly. “And you didn’t.” She lunged and the fight was on.

  Throwing up her arm to block her downward strike, Sarah lashed out with her leg and took her down to her knees. It didn’t stall her for long; she jumped right back up and put a punch to Sarah’s face that snapped her head back.

  “Bitch,” she muttered.

  Another knife strike. This one, she let graze her dress and slide right by her ribs where she grabbed the arm and broke it at the elbow. The woman’s howl of agony wasn’t loud, but it was enough. Sarah smashed her elbow into her nose as she whirled by, seconds before shoving her hard toward the mirror. The spider web veining spread out as her skull connected.

  The woman wasn’t done and struck out with her foot, her long hair coming out of the pins it was in, falling around her face. Yanking up on the heeled shoe, Sarah cracked the woman’s head on the edge of the sink. She slumped to the ground without a sound, and Sarah turned to walk away. She made it out into the sitting area when instinct had her ducking and turning.

  Although not thrown by the woman’s dominant hand, the knife was straight and on a path which would have been in a lung if Sarah hadn’t gotten out of the way. She raked a hand through her hair and beckoned the Irish woman toward her.

  She narrowed her eyes. “You wanna play; let’s play.”

  Sarah met her head on, taking out her aggravation over the Grey situation on this woman. When it was over, she retrieved her clutch, checked her hair then slipped out, leaving behind a dead woman, broken mirrors, table, and an overturned settee. Having locked the door from the inside, she was confident no one would be able to get in without the key.

  “I’m going to see Kendria.” She made the announcement cool as ever.

  Stepping back into the main room, she saw Grey by the door, eyes burning with anger as he stared at her. Even so, he pushed away and made his way to her side. Together, they headed for the stars’ backroom. The man at the door held their gaze.

  “We’re here to see Kendria.”

  “Names?”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson,” Grey said.

  “She’s waiting for you.” He opened the door after checking IDs and allowed them entrance.

  Kendria sat there, drinking something, but jumped to her feet when she saw them. “Sarah, it’s so good to see you!” She hurried over and hugged her.

  Wincing a bit, Sarah returned it. “And you. Damn, that was one hell of a performance you put on out there. I’m surprised Vance lets you go anywhere without him, looking like you do on stage.”

  “I’m sure he’s not a fan of it, but he knows I love him.” She looked to her left to the tall man beside her. “Now, I think I deserve an explanation about Mr. Sorenson here.” She held out her hand. “Kendria.”

  “Ma’am,” he said, shaking it. “I remember meeting you back home. Wonderful show.”

  Sarah looked at him briefly, but his attention was on her friend. He had
a tic in his jaw, but she knew whatever he had to say would wait until they left here.

  “They were delivered home safely.” Cooler’s comment came.

  “Now, dish. Last time, you two looked ready to tear each other apart.” Kendria pursed her lips. “Although come to think of it, you still have that look. Are you really married?”

  “Yes,” Grey announced.

  Sarah didn’t want to get into this, especially with the other four men listening in. She stepped forward. “Look, I know you’re tired, and we don’t want to keep you. Just wanted to swing in and say thank you so much for getting us in to hear you sing.”

  Kendria nodded. “I’m glad you came. Always good to see friendly faces toward the end of a tour.”

  “Are you headed home, now?”

  “Leaving in a few hours. Which is good, I miss my husband.” She cut her eyes at them both.

  “We should go, babe.” Grey stated it casually, but she knew he was right.

  “I’ll see you later,” she said to her friend.

  Kendria wrapped her up in another hug. “Husband or not, you need to just fuck him all night long. Christ almighty, he looks like he’s awesome in bed.” She whispered it, but it was directly by the ear that had the comm, so there wasn’t any way the others hadn’t overheard.

  Wanting to bury her head in the sand and never come up for air, Sarah hid her groan. All of them heard it, for there was dead silence on the other end. “Yeah, sure. I’ll give it a go.”

  “I’m sure you already have, Sarah.” Kendria gave her one more squeeze then released her with a saucy grin. “You two run along now and have some fun.”

  “I plan on it,” Grey said, popping Sarah on the ass as she walked by him.

  “I bet you do.”

  She walked out, and Grey took her arm, slipping it along his. They got in the back of their taxi and sat in silence after he gave the man the destination.

  Her side throbbed, and she breathed deeply, slowing her heart to slow the blood, not needing a mess until she got to the room.

  “Beautiful concert,” Grey said as they neared the hotel.

  “It was. She’s an amazing singer.”