CL Hart -From A Distance

by CL Hart

  Fiery kisses and Kenzie's every thrust rocked Cori with waves of desire. The wetness between her legs growing, Cori wanted to touch and kiss every inch of Kenzie.

  Lean hips flexed up off the bed when Cori ran her hand over Kenzie's bared breasts. Some of Cori's kisses were soft and tender, others were more demanding as she bit and kissed her way down Kenzie's neck, then nuzzled her way over the supple breast.

  Her kisses didn't stop and Kenzie didn't want them to. She reached up and ran her fingers through the honey-blonde hair, pulling Cori's mouth down toward her chest. Her body tensed and pressed into Cori's as Cori rubbed across an engorged nipple. Kenzie hissed in a sharp breath as a flash of pain ripped up her side. It only seemed to intensify her desires.

  Kenzie's reaction spurred Cori on as she captured Kenzie's nipple in her mouth. With her tongue, she teased in lazy circles, tenderly licking and kissing. Kenzie's moans grew louder, causing Cori to lick and suck harder. Pulling the whole nipple into her mouth, she grazed it gently with her teeth. When Kenzie cried out for more, Cori happily obliged. Leaving that breast in the care of her hand, her mouth moved in search of the other. Her body reacted to every one of Kenzie's moans, while her hips continued to grind against Kenzie's thigh.

  As if knowing what she was thinking, Kenzie lifted her knee between Cori's legs and Cori groaned, the sensation causing her to forget her attentions to Kenzie's breast. Cori looked down at the semi-naked woman below her and drank in all of the body that she could see, but it wasn't enough. Reaching for the waistband of Kenzie's pants, she was surprised when Kenzie stopped her.

  "One of us is wearing too many clothes," Kenzie said as she ran her hand up and under Cori's shirt.

  More than willing to comply, Cori sat up and pulled her top over her head and tossed it to the floor. "Better?"

  "Much," Kenzie murmured as her eyes wandered over Cori's breasts. She sat up and wrapped her arms around Cori's naked body and pulled her close. "You feel so soft and warm," she said, nuzzling and nipping Cori's neck.

  Leaning away, Cori looked into Kenzie's eyes and then moved in to kiss her. Intertwined, they fell back onto the bed together, their hands roaming wantonly over needy flesh.

  Kenzie's bandages were rough against Cori's skin, and she gently brushed a hand over them. "I don't want to hurt you," she whispered. "Are you sure we should?" Lifting her gaze to Kenzie's eyes, she was surprised at the absolute desire she saw there.

  "I'm sure if you stop now, I may never recover," Kenzie said with a lazy grin. "I guess we're just going to have to be careful, that's all."

  "Oh, I can be careful," Cori answered slyly. "Very... very...careful," she said as she placed soft kisses all around Kenzie's side. The result was instantaneous as Kenzie laid her head back and moaned, and the heat between them flared as Cori's hand roamed down Kenzie's body. Sliding easily over the bare skin and then down over her pants, Cori's hand came to rest on the mound between Kenzie's legs. She pressed hard and Kenzie groaned. Rhythmic stroking had Kenzie bucking into the hand with need, and she let Cori know it with each pleading "yes".

  "I...want...you. Oh God, I want you," Kenzie pleaded.

  Together they rocked, moaning with each exploring touch. Twisting and turning, grinding and humping, until Cori felt Kenzie's body clench as her hips rose off the bed. Kenzie's orgasm was enough to spiral Cori over the brink, and in a collective gasp, they tightened their grip on each other as a long, gloriously drawn out series of spasms washed over them and their bodies melted into a euphoric release.

  "That was incredible," Kenzie murmured.

  Cori snuggled in closer. "That was beyond incredible." Her words were soft, satisfied.

  Kenzie pulled her in tighter. "I think I just might need my bandages changed a little more often."

  Sliding past the pale blue roof of the Tacoma Dome, the Coast Starlight train pulled into the station an hour and twenty-two minutes late. Cori and Kenzie cautiously climbed from the train. To their relief, there was no one waiting for them. There was no one there at all. The long covered platform was deserted and quiet, except for the rumbling of the train.

  The mighty engine churned behind them and the train lurched northward with a bang. Cori slung their bag over her shoulder and reached for Kenzie's arm as the train began to move. She leaned toward Kenzie's ear. "Now what?"

  Kenzie looked left and right, getting her bearings as she breathed in the fresh air. It was fast approaching sunset and the sun hung low in the sky. There was a feel of moisture in the air and she tilted her head back to look at the dark clouds forming. It was a pity because she really was hoping to catch a glimpse of Mt. Rainier. She sighed to herself. She was almost home, but it didn't give her the comfort it should have. Surprisingly, the feel of Cori's hand on her arm did. "Let's see if we can find a taxi before the rain starts."

  Moving away from the platform and away from the train station, they found one lone cab in front of the building, waiting patiently in hopes of a fare.

  "Where to?" the cabbie asked, barely giving the two women a glance.

  "We need a motel, something cheap. Anything north of here will be good."

  The cab driver got them exactly that - a two-story, Mom and Pop motel, though the neon E was burnt out in the sign. It advertised free movies and wireless Internet access, but all that mattered was that it was cheap and north of the train station. A few extra bills were slipped to the night clerk, and they checked in without having to fill out a registration form. The rushing sound of Interstate 5 filled the silence between them as they made their way across the open parking lot toward their ground floor room.

  Kenzie's progress was slow, partly because she was tired and sore, but the true reason for her cautious movements was even more ominous. She was checking exits, sight lines, and vantage points, looking for anyone who might be paying them more attention than they should.

  Under the cover of the second story walkway, Kenzie unlocked their door. A musty, stale smell escaped from the room as she pushed the door open. Flipping the wall switch illuminated two queen-sized beds, a small table with two chairs, a dresser, and a TV. "It will do," Kenzie said as she stepped into the room.

  Cori was right behind her. Dropping their bag, she closed and locked the door. "You know, in another few years these colors could be back in style," she said sarcastically as she flopped onto the bed. "But I don't care. It will be nice to sleep on a bed that isn't moving, swaying, or rocking."

  "Funny," Kenzie gave the bed a quick push, "I didn't hear any complaints about the moving bed earlier."

  Cori bit her lip to silence her retort, but the smile and flush on her face were revealing.

  Kenzie went to check the bathroom. It was outdated as well, but by all appearances, it was clean. "Okay," she said as she stepped back into the room, "the first thing we need is another cell phone."

  "No." Cori stood up. "The first thing I need," she slid her arms around Kenzie's waist, "is to kiss you...on solid ground."

  Kenzie studied her face and looked into her eyes as Cori's lips drew closer.

  "Without the confinements of a Mexican change room..." Moving ever so slowly, she stared into Kenzie's golden eyes, waiting and wanting. "And without the movement of a train, I want to kiss you." She was readily accommodated. The kiss was long and passionate, but she could sense Kenzie's tension. Pulling back from the kiss, she brushed back the dark curls. "I know we're still in danger, and I know we have to be careful, but I wanted you to know-"

  Kenzie kissed her again. "I know. After all this time with you, I know. But there are a few things we do need."

  "Like food...and something to drink." Cori leaned back with Kenzie's arms locked around her waist.

  "Yeah, and some answers," Kenzie added. Releasing Cori from her embrace, Kenzie moved to the window. Pulling back the thick curtain, she stared out into the night as Cori sat down on the bed. It had begun to rain, but that was not new for the Pacific Northwest. She looked over the dark parking lot and was relieved
to see no one in sight. Though she knew, if a pro was out there, they would not be seen.

  Cori watched Kenzie surveying their surroundings. "It's fine, there's nobody out there."

  Kenzie released the curtain without saying a word, letting the thick material fall back into place.

  "Just tell me exactly what we need, and I'll go get it." "No. I'll go."

  "No, you won't. You're going to stay here and rest. Have a real shower...there's shampoo and stuff in the bag. I'll get us something to eat, and a phone," Cori added quickly.

  "I would feel better, if it was me-"

  "Kenzie, please, you need to relax." Cori hopped off the bed and stepped in front of her. Sliding her hands around her waist, she looked into her eyes. "Remember, we need you healthy. I can do it. I'll be fine."

  "I'm not going to relax and have a shower while you're-"

  "I'll be fine." Cori leaned forward and gently kissed Kenzie's lips. "You need your rest." She picked up the bag, and dropped it onto the bed. Unzipping the opening, she pulled out one of the bundles of cash that she had already dipped into for Steven's money. Folding a couple of the bills into her pocket, she turned to go.

  Kenzie reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out the gun. "If you're going, take this."

  Cori looked down at the firearm. "I'd rather not."

  "If you're going out...you're taking this," Kenzie said firmly.

  "I don't like guns."

  "You don't have to like them to shoot them, and it could save your life." It was a battle of wills as the two women faced off with the gun between them. "You had no problem picking it up when we were on the train," Kenzie pointed out.

  "That was different. I didn't know who was on the other side of the door."

  Kenzie softened her voice as she looked hard into Cori's eyes. "And you don't know what's on the other side of this door, either." Kenzie pointed at the room door.

  She couldn't argue Kenzie's point, so Cori grudgingly reached for the gun. "Fine, but I better not shoot myself."

  Chapter 19

  In his sparsely decorated, highly organized office, Terry Bucannon waited. It was late in the evening and most of his department had gone home, but not him. He was a nervous wreck. His palms had been sweating for several days. He had been trained to handle just about everything from criminals to terrorists, foreign and domestic, to volatile situations that could change the economic and power structures of the world, but not knowing the whereabouts of two women who could destroy his life and career was tearing him apart.

  Winston Palmer was on the phone to him regularly, his anxiety was climbing hourly, and that alone made him edgy. Manuck was using his military connections, but too many inquiries would raise even more questions. If someone was watching them, the connection between them all was becoming evident, and that he didn't like. It was easy to pull the strings when everyone under him was conditioned to do as they were told and not ask why. If they weren't careful, everything they had been doing would become public knowledge.

  Rising from his chair, he stood and looked out the window at the lights of Seattle. He could see the snaking stream of red taillights clogging the Interstate as everyone tried to rush home in the rain. Pushing his suit jacket to the side, he placed his hands on his hips and sighed. His eyes moved over the cityscape and he looked at all the other office windows still lit. I'm not the only one still at work. Then his gaze moved to the dark windows and the hundreds of dark rooftops, and a chill went up his spine. Is she out there? Is she watching me now through binoculars, or worst yet, a sniper scope?

  He quickly backed away from the window and turned off the overhead light, leaving only his desk lamp to illuminate his office. "Jesus Christ, Terry. Get a hold of yourself," he said aloud. Rubbing at the day's stubble on his face, he took a deep breath. As far as they knew, LeGault and Evans were nowhere near Seattle, though he wasn't kidding himself. They had no idea where the two women had gone. Every mode of target acquisition they could think of was being monitored as well as they could without raising too much suspicion - bank accounts, identification providers, phone lines, air traffic, bus stations, train stations, and even the Sounder, Seattle's commuter train. So far, there had been no trace of either woman. Nevertheless, something deep in his gut told him this was the calm before the storm. She was coming, he knew it and Manuck knew it - it was what she had been trained to do.

  When Cori returned to the motel room a short while later, the warm moistness of the room and the clean smell of shampoo told her the sleeping form on the bed had had a shower. Shaking the rain from her hair, she pulled the gun from her pocket and placed it on the second bed as she laid her bags down quietly.

  "I'm awake," Kenzie mumbled.

  Cori went around and crawled into bed next to her. She snuggled in tight against the warmth of Kenzie's body. "I got a prepaid cell phone, some basic essentials that I hadn't picked up before, and Chinese for dinner," she said, nodding in the direction of the white plastic bag.

  Kenzie wrapped her arms around Cori, relieved that she was back. Cori's body was cold from being outside, and Kenzie held her tightly as they kissed. Wanting nothing more than to spend the evening in bed with Cori, she reluctantly rose from the bed. There were things she had to do.

  "I need to phone the judge," Kenzie said as she went over to the table and picked up the cell phone.

  "You need to eat first, so you can take your antibiotics. Please," Cori said as she pulled their dinner from the plastic bags. "Please."

  Kenzie looked at the phone, and then slid it into her pocket. "Does that mean you need to change my bandages?"

  "You need food," Cori said with a bright blush.

  "You're easy to read, but sometimes hard to understand," Kenzie said with a chuckle as she accepted her take-out from Cori, pecking a quick kiss on her cheek. They ate in relative silence, watching the news on the TV. When they were finished, Kenzie turned the volume down and pulled out the phone. She hesitated for a moment, but then flipped it open and began dialing the judge's home number.

  Cori reached out and snapped the phone shut. "What are you doing? You can't just call him. What if they have his phone bugged or wired or whatever?"

  "I can guarantee that they do. But don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Kenzie flipped open the phone and dialed the number. Putting the phone to her ear, she let it ring once and then quickly closed the phone, disconnecting the line.

  "Was it busy?"

  "No. It rang once and that's all I need. The line was never connected so they can't trace the call, but I'm counting on him to have call display."

  Cori let the information absorb. She considered herself very computer and tech savvy, but this was something new. "So he can get your number from call display but they can't trace the call because he didn't pick up, meaning the connection was never made?"

  "Basically." She redialed the number, let it ring once and then hung up again. "The judge is a smart man, he'll figure it out." The phone in her hand vibrated.

  She looked at the displayed number of the call coming in. It was not the judge's home number. "Hello?" she said guardedly. "Katherine." His voice was hushed, the concern for her clear. "Is this a safe line?"

  "Yes." He sighed with relief. "Thank God you're okay. I've been worried about you. I tried the other number you gave me, but it was no longer in service."

  "It's a long story. I'd love to tell you all about it over a chess game, but now isn't the time. What did you find out for me?"

  "Just hold on a second. Are you okay?"

  "I'm fine." She looked over at Cori, who raised an eyebrow in question. "A little beat up around the edges, but that's normal," Kenzie said truthfully.

  "Where are you?"

  "I don't want to say right now, but we're close."

  "What's going on, Katherine?"

  "I don't know. I'm hoping you can tell me." Kenzie looked at Cori who was listening to her every word. "Who was in charge of this mission? Who ordered the hit?"
>
  "As far as I've been able to find out, there was no mission, there was no hit."

  "Are you sure?" Her brow furrowed. "I saw the orders."

  "Not according to those in the know. There was no mission. I even had them check flight logs...nothing. They've been wiped clean."

  "That's not possible. I saw the orders, and I know I didn't walk to Mexico." A cold chill seeped through Kenzie as her mind raced with questions. "It was black ops, so you can't be sure. I need to talk to Colonel Manuck."

  "Katherine...I'm sure. There is no one running anything in Guadalajara, nothing in Mexico. There wasn't even a record of your being there. As a matter of fact, there isn't even-"

  "But I had orders," Kenzie said. "Somebody okayed those orders. Colonel Manuck has to answer to someone."

  "Katherine...listen to me."

  Cori watched with rising fear as Kenzie's expression and body language changed.

  "Judge...maybe you missed it? I mean - you don't understand. This is high level security stuff. Maybe you..." Kenzie was beginning to feel the desperation of uncertainty. None of it made sense, and that was scaring her.

  "I'm a federal judge, with some friends in very high places. I understand national security. I know about black ops and some of what they do. Katherine, you need to listen to me. There was no mission in Mexico, there is no record of you being sent down there. There's no record of you - period." He paused, giving her a chance to digest what he'd said. "Are you listening, Katherine? There's no government record that you even exist. You died several years ago in the line of duty."

  Kenzie shook her head. "I know that," she answered with a shrug. "That was part of the deal. That's what I'm saying...we were running under the radar of even black ops. We were a kill squad. I knew that, I accepted that."

  Cori studied Kenzie's face. She didn't like what she was hearing. Kill squad, black ops? What have I gotten myself into?

  Kenzie suddenly leapt to her feet, her hand balled tightly into a fist. "That was part of the deal. If I didn't exist, and I was caught somewhere that someone like me shouldn't have been, then I was on my own. I had no backup, no government ties, and no country to blame."