by Uncut
She remembered Cobra woman and dashed back to the bathroom. Creating nausea sounds, she gagged and coughed. A string of loud groans accompanied the sick sound effects. “I’ll be okay. Don’t worry. I’m almost finished.”
Yeah, right. She’d slit your throat for fun. Hurry.
In a breathless hurry, Lana made a speedy visual search of the room. How could she have missed it, an unobtrusive narrow broom closet? Behind the door, a dozen duffle bags had been stacked, and the top one gaped open with irresistible invitation.
The glitter of a million karats flashed, even in the dim light. Diamonds in plastic sandwich bags.
What the hell?
Antigua probably ran his hands through the icy stash when he got bored. Her camera took snapshots and rolled tape without a hitch.
She didn’t miss the three duffle bags packed full of gold ingots. She swallowed hard, wondering for a split second what would happen to this fabulous haul when Antigua was arrested.
She shut the closet door and hurried back to the bathroom. Grabbing a handful of tissues from the fancy mother of pearl box, Lana opened the bathroom door to smile weakly at the woman with onyx eyes.
“I’m really sorry for taking so long, but my stomach just wouldn’t stop churning. The baby. You know how it is.” No answer from the wary female, simply a long finger pointing to the exit door.
Lana wiped her mouth and hurried out the door. She froze hearing the unfriendly woman speak to her.
“There is a ship’s physician.”
Shocked that the woman had a voice, Lana nodded and waved goodbye, near fainting from the hyper rush of excitement she’d recently survived. “I’ll see him. Thanks again.”
She walked slowly as possible to the stateroom, listening for footsteps behind her. Images of the Cobra trailing her sent a chill through Lana. She’d never been so unnerved by another human being. There had to be an ugly story following that woman.
By some miracle, she got the door open and slammed it shut behind her, leaning against it for several minutes. The nausea she’d feigned hit for real, and her forehead broke out in a fine sweat.
Stop it. You’re not afraid of anyone. These people are not special.
Except the Cobra.
Huffing with disgust, Lana took her cell phone out of her purse.
No, he’ll be okay.
Unconvinced, she looked at her watch. He had two hours before she checked on him.
The weight of the camera reminded her to secure it in the drawer under the sofa. She straightened up to look around the spacious room, the air seemed charged with a low hum.
What the hell was happening to her?
She staggered a little on her way to the bathroom and laughed to herself. Too much to drink, probably. No way. She’d only had a couple sips. Of which drink? Damn it.
She turned on the water in the tub and dumped several capfuls of bubble bath into the splashing stream. Not feeling fussy, she pulled a comfortable nightshirt from the chest of drawers. She waved her hand in a negative gesture, passing on the underwear.
Her mind churned with what she’d done and seen in Antigua’s cabin. Images of the king’s ransom in diamonds, carelessly dumped in bags amused her. She slid into the frothy bubbles and planned how she would tell Sam about her find.
She relaxed in the scented bath, thinking about the day that had been long and nerve-wracking. She kicked the water, remembering the fact that they were on a dangerous mission with no ready back-up. That little fact set her mind into fast forward. Did she want to work for an outfit where she could become expendable on a whim? No damn way.
What would she do if she did break off from the FBI? She wasn’t financially ready to cut all ties with them. A thought simmered in her mind, one that had never visited her before.
How much money was sitting in Antigua’s closet?
What has happened to your mind?
She was no thief, and honor still meant a great deal to her. Standing up to leave the tub, her heart thumped with distress. Sam. She was suddenly inexplicably worried about him.
Grabbing a towel, she quickly dried her body and pulled the nightshirt over her head. Sure, he might be ticked off at her for showing up, but she’d take the risk. She could hide behind something until he decided to call it a night.
No, you idiot. It’s only been an hour.
She walked the floor, biting her thumbnail. Glancing at the door, she grabbed her handbag and took the weighty Glock from the shoe bag in the closet. She went out the door, the feeling of security making her steps light and quick.
Like it or not, I’m coming for you, Sam.
* * * *
Sam covered a yawn of boredom. Watching Antigua fuss over his cards drove him crazy. He’d let the bastard win six out of seven hands, and it hadn’t been easy. Lady luck had been with him tonight, and it took a lot of sleight of hand to continually deal Antigua winning cards.
“Need more cards, Antique?” The mispronunciation of his name had ceased to anger the man studying his cards. “I’m about tapped out here.”
Antigua turned his cards over, and sure enough, he had a full house. “I won’t call in your bet if we can agree on something.”
This should be interesting. “Shoot, partner. What’s on your mind?” Sam leaned forward to check over the cards on the table.
“We cut the cards, one card each. Low card wins.” Antigua smiled with confidence. “Will you honor the bet?”
The hair bristled at the back of Sam’s neck. “Well, hell. I don’t know what it is yet.” He had a cold feeling about this nut case across from him. “Let’s hear it.”
“Low card wins the affection of your fiancée.” A leer snaked its way across Antigua’s face. “If you win, I’ll give you one million dollars.”
Sam gripped the beer glass in his hand. He kept his voice low. “That don’t work for me, pal.”
“You’re a foolish farmer, Sam.” Antigua lit a cigar and slowly blew smoke toward Sam. “You’ll never have the money to treat her in a decent way.” He tapped a manicured finger on the table. “You want to do it, don’t you?”
Control, Sam. Control.
“No, don’t think so.” Sam tossed several large bills on the table. “Now, I’m going to bed. With my fiancée.”
If he didn’t get out of the card room, Sam knew he’d choke Antigua to death. He stood and swallowed the rest of his beer.
Antigua studied him through narrowed eyes. “Will we be seeing you tomorrow?”
“Depends on what my woman wants to do.” He worked his shoulders against the tension settling there. “She’s the boss.”
That drew a speculative stare from Antigua. “You are more a fool than I first thought, Sam.”
“Maybe.” Sam burped and scratched his rear. “It keeps her happy, and a happy woman is really good in bed.”
He turned to leave, laughing at the lecherous expression on Antigua’s face.
Outside in the jam-packed hallway, Sam hurried toward the stairs. Pearly was on his mind.
Chapter 14
Where had all these people come from? Lana pushed her way through the crowd and took the stairs down to the lower level, two at a time. The safety grids beneath her bare feet bit into her flesh, but she didn’t slow down.
She hit the stair landing, banging into the door before she could stop.
Someone took the stairs below in a hurry. Heart thudding against her ribs, she backed up to press against the wall. Dipping her hand inside her handbag, she wrapped her fingers around the Glock’s sturdy grips.
She held her breath and stared at the door that whooshed open.
“Sam!”
She didn’t care if she’d sounded like a frightened idiot. Nothing in life had looked as good as he did at that moment. He grabbed her, holding her tight against his strong body.
“Hey, hey, baby.” He didn’t seem to notice or care that she practically climbed him like a tree. “What’s happened?”
She clung tighte
r, trying to explain her sudden insanity. “I was coming to find you.” Her feet burned, and tears welled in her eyes. “I was worried about you.”
He stroked her hair, calming her with his strength and warm voice. “That’s why I broke off the game so soon. I had to be sure you were okay.”
“I’m all right. Just a little embarrassed now.”
He chuckled and picked her up. “This is the first time a woman has met me with a loaded weapon.” His voice had a new timbre, soft and sexy as hell. “On you, it’s cute as all get out.”
“I almost used it, Sam.” She held on tight while he carried her to their door and opened it, shutting it with his foot. “I’m glad you came back early.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.” She loved the fact he hadn’t dumped her on the floor.
He rocked her to and fro, his gaze searching. “It’s nice to be home with my woman.”
She wanted that to be true to her very soul, still hugging his neck as let her down to stand on her bare feet. Being pasted to his body sent her pulse on a wild race of excitement.
His wide palm cupped her jaw, tilting her face up to his. “Do we want the maid to turn down the sheets?”
“We can manage.” She felt his lips settle in a feather-light kiss on her mouth. She held down the desire to scream in frustration at his hesitance. “Sam.”
His arms were around her, taking her breath with their strength. The chiming of the mantle clock seemed miles away. Only one thing was real—Sam touching her, kissing her, cupping her backside to hold her close to his erection.
Want, want, want you. The words wove through her mind in lyrical notes.
How could she have denied herself so long? The flames washing around her, the feel of his hard, conditioned body. His heart pounding against her breasts, taking her out of reality to where only he could take her. She jumped with delicious anticipation when he lifted the nightshirt over her head, tossing it onto the bed with his jacket.
Naked and eager to be his, Lana tried to unbutton his shirt, yanking it open in her impatience. He tugged the shirt off, touching her hands while she unbuckled his belt and unzipped his slacks. She hooked her fingers in the elastic of his shorts, pushing them down his muscled thighs.
He stiffened and inhaled sharply when she touched him, curling her fingers around his cock He covered her lips in a deep kiss, the plump warmth of his lips creating a scorching flame that sizzled around her.
She had no will of her own now with his tongue teasing her lips. He tasted her mouth with gentle, probing, playing, quickly firing hot desire into every nerve of her body. He smelled so good, fresh and male, and her lungs couldn’t take in enough of him. He was the same, warm and strong and eager to please her.
He kicked off his shorts, pulling her against him, moaning at the touch of her hands on his tensed glutes. “Let’s wrinkle the sheets, my lovely Lana.” He picked her up, helping her wrap her legs around his waist. “God, Pearly, you don’t know how much I want you.”
The tip of his erection pressed to her butt, and she gasped with pleasure, moving her hips against him. “Oh, I think I know, Sam.”
A rush of cool air accompanied them as he carried her to their bed, and the scent of spicy woods heightened her senses. He placed her on the king-size bed, where she stretched out, waiting to hold him in her arms, wanting to hold him forever. He dropped down between her legs, sliding his hands under her shoulders, his lips brushing soft seduction along the length of her neck and over her shoulder. The touch of his lips and tongue on her nipples built into an inferno in the places she’d ignored for so long.
Her foot touched something, and she kicked at the object. “My darling,” she teased him, “what did you bring me?”
He reached down and dug into the pocket of his jacket, bringing out a box of condoms. “I thought maybe they would gain favor with my lady.”
“I like the pink one, Sam.” With steady hands, she ripped open the box and took the pink latex out, ripping the foil off. “I know I’m going to love it.”
She held the condom in her hand, gasping with delight when he blew his warm breath on her stomach, then on the soft curls between her legs. She lifted her hips and clutched at his thick hair, taken by delicious surprise at the swiftness of her approaching climax.
“Sam.” She reached down to touch his face. “Up here with me this time.”
“You always know the right thing to say, my Lana.” He braced his weight while she rolled the condom on his rigid length and then pulled her legs up to his waist.
He pushed his hips forward, breathing hard, and slid into her, lifting her hips up to join him as he pressed inside her. Warmth radiated between then, wrapping them in the rushing wild wind and solar heat of a coming explosion of passion. She wrapped her arms around him, shouting his name with joy when her climax burst free, releasing the desire she’d tried to ignore. His passion reached the point of no return immediately after.
Lana sprawled beneath him, caressing his back with aching tenderness. Falling in love with Sam probably wasn’t the wisest thing she’d ever done, but she couldn’t do anything to stop it.
Too tired to speak, Lana relaxed against Sam when he rolled onto his side, pulling her with him. Cradled in his embrace, she listened to the sound of rain splashing onto the small veranda outside their stateroom. Bliss, pure and simple. She’d never want more than this moment.
The sweet sound of soft snoring flooded her heart with love. Her darling slept like a baby, and she snuggled, safe and warm, in his arms. How could she sleep and miss one second of the heavenly night?
Just the low moan of the wind kept her company, bringing to mind her contact with Cobra woman. Lana turned to face Sam, tapping on his shoulder to wake him.
She whispered his name. “Sam.”
He patted her hip, his speech a little slurred. “You want sex again?”
“Do you believe in omens?”
He chuckled just before going back to sleep.
* * * *
Sam got out of bed, still amazed he had made love to Pearly last night. He grinned. Make that several times. She still rocked his world just like the first time. Only, this go-around, she hadn’t run away.
Temptation kicked him in the rear, but he’d wait at least until a shower and breakfast to show her how deep his desire for her went.
The cool water came down over his head, clearing the cobwebs from too little sleep. His thoughts snapped to the card game of the night before. One thing was crystal clear. Antigua had his taste buds set on Pearly. It wasn’t going to happen if he had to stop the fool with a bullet. And that could happen sooner than he’d planned.
Sam closed his eyes and leaned against the wall, caught up in the violent possibilities to come. A blast of cool air made him open his eyes. The shower stall door opened, and Pearly walked in to hug him.
They didn’t say anything for several minutes but simply enjoyed being pressed to each other in a soapy embrace.
He sensed there was something on her mind, and her blue eyes were serious as she gazed at him. “What’s up, gorgeous?”
“I managed to get into Antigua’s suite, but Cobra woman met me at the door.”
He couldn’t believe she’d kept that from him. He was pissed at himself for ever leaving her alone. “You should have walked on by his place, baby.”
“No crybabies in this outfit, Sam.” She played with the soap bubbles on his chest. “It went okay, right up until I told her I was pregnant.”
“What made you tell her that?”
“Seemed like a good idea at the time.” Lana smiled and patted his rear. “She advised me to see the ship’s doctor.”
Sam knew the Cobra would prove to be dangerous. She had a crazy blank stare only a killer would have. He hugged Lana close, kissing her lips urgently. “Pay attention, Agent Pearly. You don’t go anywhere without me again. Okay?”
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I found those diamonds.” She sounded prett
y darn proud as she revealed her adventure. “Three bags of loose diamonds, some uncut and the size of bird eggs. Plus, enough Krugerrands to buy a country.”
“Damn, baby. You’re one hot agent.” He laughed. “Plus very sneaky.”
“We have film, photographs, and that’s all we need to prove Antigua’s a dealer in blood diamonds.” She absently washed her breasts. “We can take him down anytime.”
Sam loved watching her dainty hands move over her body, but she’d hit on a problem. “You did a bang-up job, Pearly. But we have to move slowly now. We’re far outgunned and everyone in that group is stoned to the gills most of the time. That makes them even more dangerous.”
She nodded, starting to soap up his stiffening member.
She rubbed her sweet little body against his, smiling with invitation. “Hmmm, I guess that means we have to find a way to kill time.” Her fingers gripped him with firm persuasion. “Have any ideas?”
“Oh, hell yes.” He pulled her up to straddle his thigh, pressing her to the tile. “Lots of ideas.”
Chapter Fifteen
Lana took her time dressing. Sam sat on the couch, watching her with deep interest. She shivered when that red-hot tingle of desire made her want to drag him back to bed. He was devastatingly handsome in his tux, a perfect ad for a men’s fashion magazine.
Stop it, Lana. You’ve just had two days and nights of fantastic sex with him.
She loved her black gown and the tiny black caviar beading that accentuated her breasts and swirled down to her waist to play around her butt. One hot dress for one hot date.
Sam got to his feet and came to her, turning her to the side. “I am good with firearms and zippers. They’re damn well alike.”
His comment put a damper on her jubilant thinking. She pushed his hand away. “I’ll manage, Sam. You might get mixed up and shoot me.”
“Pearly?” He sounded puzzled. “Something I said?”
“No.” She clipped her jet bead earrings on. “Let’s go to work.”
“Come on, baby.” He trailed after her to the door. “What gives?”
“Tie your tie.” She didn’t know what to do. She had experienced a sickening second of jealousy when he implied he’d worked on plenty of zippers. She presumed they were all on dresses.