by Devyn Quinn
As for Mason McKenzie… Although she didn’t know him well—ha! hardly at all—she had a feeling he wasn’t going to be the kind of man who’d willingly put aside his ambition for a woman.
“So, what do we do?” she ventured.
His gaze narrowing, Mason looked at her long and hard. “We have to stop thinking about ourselves.” As he reached for her hands, his fingers curled over hers. “We’ve both got jobs we need to focus on, and we can’t let our emotions get in the way. Too many lives depend on cool heads and steady hands.”
Cool and steady was the last thing she felt. A better description of her emotional state would be dazed and confused.
Knowing he was right, Addison felt cruel hands twist her heart into knots. It was all she could do to keep breathing. “And that means keeping business and pleasure separate.”
He cocked his head to one side. “I think that’s the best thing we can do.”
The constricting grip throughout her chest tightened. Her gaze darted away from his. Hysterical laughter threatened to bubble to the surface. She rarely lost control and had always managed to keep her head and her emotions separated.
Maybe it would be easier to walk away now. I don’t have to look back…
As if reading her thoughts, Mason cupped her cheek in his hand. “We’re not going to pretend this never happened.” His deep voice wrapped around her.
A wonderful pulsing sensation settled between her thighs. His musky scent filled her nostrils, the smell of him sexy and definitely alluring. Desire threatened to pull her into its undertow, to drown her with too many unfulfilled wants and needs.
“You say that as if you mean it.”
Mason’s gaze lingered on her face in what felt like another heated caress. He pulled her closer, sending her pulse into overdrive. Her heart rate soared. “There will be time for us. Later.”
Addison couldn’t bring herself to glance away. A secret thrill of pleasure filled her heart. There was no doubt in her mind that he meant every word he said. “Later can’t come soon enough.”
Mason leaned forward, cupping one of her breasts. “I’ve got a few more hours before duty calls.” He squeezed the plump mound, giving her a quick kiss.
Addison’s lips tingled. So did her entire body. The tips of her nipples immediately tightened into little peaks aching for her lover’s caress. “Why did I get dressed so quickly?” And then the sounds of her rumbling stomach crushed the intimate moment.
Mason glanced down at her abdomen and laughed. “Well, I’ve never gotten that response from a woman before. When was the last time you ate?”
Addison laughed, too. “I honestly can’t remember. I’ve mostly been running on caffeine and adrenaline.”
He frowned. “That was two days ago.” Stepping back, he tucked his T-shirt back into his slacks. “Webber would have a cow if he found out I let you starve. Guess I’ll have to feed you.”
Shell-shocked; dazed; definitely confused. Mason felt all that, and more. One minute he’d told Addison that getting involved was out of the question. And the next? He was laying a lip-lock on her as if there were no tomorrow.
He wasn’t into games. He didn’t lead women on. Hell, he wasn’t even looking for a relationship. So, what had happened?
He shook his head. I still don’t know.
Mason glanced down at the woman striding beside him, walking as if she hadn’t a care in the world. Even though the T-shirt and slacks she wore were basically designed for men, he couldn’t help but notice she filled out the clothes in all the right ways. He’d like to get them off her again—soon.
He quickly cut the thought short with practiced precision. He wasn’t exactly sure what was going on with him, but he knew he shouldn’t dwell on it. He couldn’t continue to let himself think of her in a sexual manner.
Addison’s shoulder brushed his as they made their way through the narrow corridor leading toward the mess room. Somehow they’d managed to make it out of the utility closet without being seen. The late hour and remoteness of the location had helped. He wondered what might be going through her mind, but he didn’t dare ask. If she had any opinion about what they’d just done, she was keeping it to herself.
He couldn’t help but try to rationalize their actions. They were two consenting adults. Each had enjoyed what the other had to offer. There was no reason to get emotional or attached. It was just sex.
A shiver rippled through him hard enough to make his hands shake. No, it was more than that, but he really couldn’t take the time to sort through the mess. He had a mission to accomplish. Putting himself in the middle of a chaotic emotional tangle would only make things worse. He needed to clear his mind.
Mason scrubbed a hand over his jaw. Focus! he ordered himself.
At oh one hundred hours, or one in the morning, the dining area was fairly deserted. A few crew members working the night shift had come in for a break, or for a refill from the coffeepot kept on and full 24/7.
A couple of the seamen glanced toward Addison but said nothing. Whether she liked it or not, she still garnered stares of curiosity. That she was a very pretty woman probably didn’t help matters any.
He checked his watch. “Looks as though we’re on our own. The mess cook won’t be on for another few hours.”
Fetching herself a cup of coffee, she grinned. “I’m guessing no steak and potatoes.”
Mason filled his own cup. “We eat pretty well aboard ship, but those things are above my culinary reach,” he admitted, adding cream and sugar to the tarry black brew.
“So show me the galley and I’ll try to whip us up something.” She took a big gulp of hot coffee. “I’m not the best cook, but I can manage something simple.”
Mason pointed the way. “Anything you can come up with is fine by me.”
Addison took a few minutes to familiarize herself with the layout, pawing through the supplies. One of the limitations of the Sea Horse was food. Sixty days was the max time the ship could spend at sea before supplies would need to be replenished. Although they had a fair supply of fresh fruits and vegetables and eggs and meat, perishables like that wouldn’t last long. The ship simply wasn’t designed for long-term endurance at sea. Their backup was supplied by the navy’s Sixth Fleet, which was currently engaged in keeping the shipping lanes open and sea traffic moving. The electromagnetic interference emanating around Magaera’s island was proving to be one big pain in the ass.
Addison dug out a half-dozen eggs, milk, butter, some slices of American cheese, and a loaf of white bread. “I can work with this.”
Mason was hungrier for a meal of more than breakfast foods, but he was in no position to complain. He didn’t cook. “What the hell does that make?”
Addison cracked six eggs into a bowl, then added a little milk. “It’s my version of French toast,” she said, dropping whole slices of bread into the egg mixture. “It’s quick and simple and tastes good.”
He sipped his coffee. Damn, it was strong enough to eat through steel. “French toast with cheese?”
Fishing out a pan and adding a few dollops of butter, she set it on the stove to heat. “Wait until you taste it. It’s awesome.”
He had his doubts. What she was putting together looked like a cholesterol-laden mess. He could practically feel his arteries clogging. “I’ll reserve judgment until I actually taste it.”
She arranged the gooey slices in the sizzling butter. “I’ll admit most of my eats come from fast-food joints. I never have much time to cook. And my roommates are such pigs. It’s hard to find the kitchen in that hellacious confusion they’ve got going on.”
She was right. Her apartment was an unholy mess. “Seems you guys could use a little more room,” he ventured.
Digging up a spatula, Addison flipped the bread to allow the egg mixture on the other side to cook. “I’m thinking about moving back to Little Mer soon.”
Mason searched through his memory, connecting the reference with the bits he knew about Addison’
s life. “That’s the island your family owns, right? Directly off the coast of Port Rock?”
Cleaning up behind herself as she prepared the food, Addison didn’t seem to be giving him much attention. “Yeah. Ken’s building us—that’s me and Gwen—each a house there.”
He watched her cook, quickly and efficiently. “That’s awfully generous of him.”
She shrugged. “I don’t think Gwen will move. She doesn’t want to live on the island, and Blake… Hell, he’s terrified of the water. I’m pretty much thinking they’ll say no and stay on the mainland. The hotel business is really good for her, and they’re looking at a second location now.”
“What about you?”
Arranging slices of cheese on the bread, Addison barely glanced up. “I haven’t decided yet. I think I’d like to move back, but not on my own.” She layered the slices on top of one another, creating a French toast cheese sandwich. “Not that there’s any hurry. Maybe when I get married…” She deliberately avoided making direct eye contact.
Mason glanced at her neutral expression. She wasn’t playing coy. She was just stating a fact.
He wrapped his hand tighter around the coffee mug. They’d known each other only a few days; yet it already seemed like a lifetime. He couldn’t regret their encounter because it had felt so right. Their bodies had fitted together perfectly.
A sudden and unwelcome jab hit his psyche. She wasn’t going to be on this ship forever. The idea of losing her bothered him more than he cared to admit.
He shook his head. He didn’t like where these thoughts were heading. It would be better to let them go. Neither one of them was in any position to rush into something stupid.
We both have our duty.
Her cheery voice interrupted his thoughts. “Plates, please.”
It took Mason more than a minute to locate the requested items. Although the US Navy had once been known for its china and silver cutlery, the twenty-first century had streamlined the service down to paper plates and plastic forks.
Addison smiled as she loaded the food onto the plates. “At least they’re the sturdy ones that don’t collapse all over you.”
Coffee cup in hand, Mason led the way back into the dining room. “Budget cuts.”
She sat. “Ah.” She spread a napkin over her lap. “Dig in.”
Mason looked at his food. Coated in egg, the bread was lightly browned and toasted just enough the give it a crunch. The cheese she’d layered between the slices oozed out over the sides. “Looks pretty good.” He cut off a corner, forking the bite into his mouth. He chewed, then swallowed. “Tastes pretty damn good, too.”
Pride flashing in her eyes, Addison grinned and took her own bite. “It’s just my version of an egg and cheese sandwich.”
Hungrier than he’d first thought, Mason dug into his food. “It’s really edible.”
Forking up a bite, she offered a smile. “Thanks. I was about to starve to death.”
Mason sneaked a glance at her. He couldn’t look at Addison without feeling that particular funny twist in his heart. “So, how does it feel?” The question popped out before he even had a chance to think twice about it.
She lowered her fork. “How does what feel?”
“Being here. Aboard ship.”
Addison chewed thoughtfully, swallowing her last bite. “Honestly? I’m scared. I know you humans are wondering what the Mer are all about, but believe me when I say I am, too. I don’t know what Magaera’s got at her beck and call. Now that’s she’s got Tessa, she controls the sea-gate. We may not be ready for what’s coming.” The edge in her voice was unmistakable.
Mason pushed his empty plate aside. The food had definitely hit the spot. He’d practically shoveled down every bite. The gnawing in his stomach had settled, too, taking the nervous tension with it. “The last time we encountered her, she wasn’t in the mood to be diplomatic.”
She let out a disgusted breath. “I have a feeling engaging the Mer isn’t going to be easy or pleasant. But sometimes what we want and what we get are two different things.”
Tension coiled its way up Mason’s spine. He wasn’t sure where the notion came from, but somehow he had a feeling the same fate that had brought them together wouldn’t hesitate to pull them apart. “What are you saying?”
Addison met his gaze. Worry creased her brows. “Call it intuition, but I have a feeling these next few days are definitely going to put a strain on the relations between humans and Mer.” A sad little smile of resignation crossed her lips. “You may regret sleeping with the enemy, Captain.”
Chapter 13
One week later
Kenneth Randall wasn’t a happy man. By the look on his face, he was definitely pissed and struggling to hold his anger in check. “Why didn’t you tell me they took Tessa?”
Gwen’s knees trembled as she stepped closer to his hospital bed. She’d been dreading the moment when Kenneth realized his wife was nowhere to be found. Through the last couple of days, he’d been willing to accept that Tessa was resting to keep her strength up for the babies she carried. But the deception had fallen apart after Kenneth had demanded to see his wife. If she couldn’t come to him, he’d said, then he would go to her.
Tired of putting on a smile and lying through her teeth, Gwen gave it to him straight. “We didn’t tell you so that you’d be able to concentrate on getting well.” Subconsciously, she reached for the crystal hanging around her neck. She’d put a lot of energy into healing his burns and stabilizing his system. His recovery was nothing short of a miracle.
Shifting uncomfortably in his bed, Kenneth scowled. “If I had known Tessa wasn’t here, I’d have worked twice as hard to get well,” he flung out ungratefully.
Sitting a few feet away, Blake listened intently. He didn’t look happy, either. “Your heart stopped twice from the shock Magaera delivered, and the doctors were afraid the damage was permanent. There was no reason to tell you about Tessa until you were stronger.”
Kenneth frowned. “I feel fine.” He looked around the private room. “Another hour in this place is going to drive me insane. Where’s the doctor, anyway? I’m ready to be discharged.”
Gwen and Blake exchanged a look. With her help, Kenneth had recovered from his injuries much faster than expected. The fact that he had the constitution of a bull had probably helped. As it was, there was no further reason for him to remain hospitalized.
Running his hands through his hair, Blake stood up. “Maybe you should think about taking it easy another day or so,” he ventured. “Just to make sure.”
Kenneth adamantly shook his head. “I’m not staying in this bed one more minute, knowing my wife’s life is in danger.”
“It’s not as though nothing’s being done to recover Tessa,” Gwen pointed out. “The navy has put together a special team to go after Magaera. Addison is acting as an adviser on all things Mer.”
“Let the professionals handle it, Ken,” Blake added. “They’re doing everything they can to control the Mer now that they’ve come out of the water.”
“You can’t even turn on the news without another story about the Mer,” Kenneth grumbled, looking sideways at the TV. “People have gone crazy about mermaids.”
Gwen shrugged helplessly. Since the Mer had been exposed to the public following Queen Magaera’s vicious attack, she felt as though every nerve in her body had been stripped bare and exposed. Every bit of new information that leaked out to the public had her nerves jumping. Her entire world had been rocked off its foundation when the government had decided it was time to pull the veil of secrecy away.
It all made her want to crawl under a rock and hide—forever.
She sighed. “At least they don’t know our identities.” She sank into a nearby chair. “We’ve still got a bit of anonymity.”
Kenneth snorted. Reaching for the remote, he flipped the television off. “How long do you think that’s going to last, Gwen? The people in Port Rock who know about the Mer are starting to fall to t
he lure of cash these exposé shows are offering. They’re singing like canaries.” He pointed toward the agents guarding his hospital room. “And no one with eyes can miss the boys in black. Those guys stick out like sore thumbs. They’re as useless as tits on a hog.”
“Thanks for that thought,” Blake muttered under his breath.
Kenneth tossed aside his bedcovers. Determination burned hot and bright behind his gaze. His unshaven jaw deepened his hostile countenance. The lines around his mouth were much deeper than they’d been before the attack. “Well, if they think I’m going to sit here and do nothing while my wife is in danger, they’re wrong.”
Gwen looked at her brother-in-law in alarm. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Grabbing the back of his hospital gown so that his bare ass wouldn’t show, Kenneth headed toward the closet. “I’m going to get dressed, get out of here, and get going to the Mediterranean. The DreamFever is just sitting, gathering dust. Might as well put it back in the water. It’s not fair to let all this fall back on Addison. She isn’t the only one in this family who has something to offer.”
Gwen gave him a sharp look. Her nerves coiled a notch tighter. What was Kenneth up to? “I thought the ship was for sale.” A dozen scenarios rushed through her mind, each worse than the last.
Kenneth shrugged. “It’s a tight economy and people aren’t buying. Even though Jake screwed me up one side and down the other on it, I’m glad to have it.”
“And what do you think you’ll do once you get there?” Blake demanded. “The navy is running interference between Magaera’s island and the shipping lanes, keeping traffic out of the area. There’s no way they’d let you through.”
“They may cut me off at the pass, but at least I’ll be there. Tessa needs me, and that’s all that matters.” Kenneth opened the closet, staring into its empty depths. “Didn’t you guys bring me any clothes?”
“I packed a bag for you, but it’s still out in the car.” Although Gwen silently applauded his devotion to her sister, she wasn’t quite sure she could sanction his crazy idea of taking off after Tessa. The idea of tangling with the Mer queen again sent a shiver up her spine.