“We’d better find a place to camp.” He stroked her wet hair. “And try to get dry.”
“I’m looking forward to that.” She grabbed his hand, interlocking her fingers in his and he walked deeper into the forest.
Rich earthen smells of mud and dank wood permeated the air—so different than most of the city, except the main park where the Confessor had tried to create a nature preserve. Maddox couldn’t help but smile. Maybe he’d never return to the city at all. Maybe he’d get to live in real nature, not the city’s sanitized version of it. Maybe he and Allana could remain like this forever, holding hands and walking toward something better. He kicked up a pile of wet leaves. Yes, he could get used to this.
They soon came to a rocky outcropping with a ledge about ten feet off the ground. Underneath, the soil was only damp, and the ground was mostly flat.
A perfect place to camp for the night.
“Do you see any…creatures?” Allana peered under the stone.
“For an assassin, you sure are a girl.” Maddox shone his screen light under the ledge and panned the area.
She poked him in the side. “I’m not a fan of creepy crawlies. Besides, you’re the one afraid of rats.”
He winced. “Yeah. Well, that’s different. Rats are big.”
“No, it isn’t. Not really. Everyone is afraid of something.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“It’s okay, I’ll protect you from rats.” She smiled. “Even the little ones.”
“Let’s hope you don’t need to.” He took a deep breath of the clean night air. “Good thing I have a tent. We’ll at least have some shelter.”
“You do?” She put her hands on her hips.
“Of course I do. Part of my prep.”
“Good thing.”
“Yes.” He kicked at the dirt and sticks on the ground, clearing a space for the tent.
“I figured.” She climbed under the ledge and sat down. “Feels good to rest.” She yawned and rubbed her eyes. “I couldn’t have gone on much longer.”
He sat on the damp ground beside her and she leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’ll send a message that we’re safe and will plan to meet up tomorrow. Then we’ll set up the tent and get some sleep.” He poked at his wrist screen. “You better send a message, too. They’re going to want confirmation that you’re okay.”
“I know. Already on it.” She touched her screen, and then sat up. “Do you think we’re safe here? I mean, those Sentinels might come looking for us. I know you said they didn’t leave city proper, but they were right there shooting at us at the lake. That’s pretty close.”
“But they didn’t leave the city. Technically, they were still in the sewers, and they didn’t follow us into the water.”
“Yeah. I’m not sure I’d wake up even if they did show up tonight, so they’d better not. I’m trusting Verity that they know what they’re talking about.” She yawned. “Let’s get that tent ready.”
“I have a small perimeter alarm I’ll set up farther out. If the Sentinels come close, we’ll have some warning.”
“Good, that makes me feel a little better. I really need to get this information to safety.”
“Verity thinks of everything.”
“When they want something badly enough.” Allana glanced out into the darkened forest.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He scooted closer. “Why wouldn’t they protect us?”
“Nothing. They are protecting us, aren’t they?” She finger-combed her wet hair. “Feels like they’ve thought of everything, that’s all.”
“Seems like they have.”
“And yet…” She tugged at a wet tangle. “Somehow, I don’t feel completely safe.”
“I think that’s normal, given the day you’ve had.”
“Maybe.” She paused and stared at her screen a moment, her bottom lip between her teeth. She tapped on the screen and the bezel slid away, revealing a tiny disk. “But until this in in the right hands, I won’t feel truly safe.”
“What’s that?”
“The download of the Confessor’s files. I did a data dump from his computer to this microdisk before I left. I’m not sure what all is on here, but I know Verity wants it. Soon.”
“We’ll turn it in tomorrow.”
She nodded. “I hope so.” She clicked the compartment back into place.
“Don’t worry, we’re safe here.”
“I’m hungry.”
He smiled. “I wish we could start a fire, but that’s too risky. I do have food though. We can eat after the tent’s up.”
“Then let’s do it.”
Maddox undid the waterproof flap on his pack and then unzipped it. He handed Allana her Lancer and set his on the ground beside him. Somewhere in the distance, a creature howled and Maddox paused to listen. A coyote, maybe. He’d never seen one, but had heard of them. Mostly solitary creatures except when protecting their nuclear family or in the occasional sharing of a kill.
He’d not spent a lot of time with Meera, and losing her had drowned him in guilt. What if he’d been able to save her? He used to be a lot like a lone coyote, even when he had family.
Still am.
He pulled out the tent, a compacted brick about six inches by four. He set it on the ground and pulled out a pack of rations and set it beside the tent.
Dinner.
“This is the tent?” Allana picked it up and examined it. “It’s small!”
“Yes, has to be so I can carry it.”
“Impressive.”
“Give it here. And watch out, it pops open quickly.”
Allana handed him the block then backed away. He undid the pouch, careful not to catch any of the material in the thin zipper. He held the bundle at arm’s length in front and pulled the dangling cord. A small two-person tent hissed and popped open then expanded under the ledge, complete with self-inflated floor.
A miracle of Verity’s engineering department.
“Wow. I guess we don’t try to put that back in the pouch tomorrow.” She walked around the tent’s perimeter, checking it out from all sides.
He smiled. “One time use only. Maybe a little wasteful, but on a job like this, it’s a necessity.” He pulled out a blanket and two inflatable pillows from his pack, tucked into small cubes. “Here, open these pillows.” He tossed the pillow packs to her and opened the blanket and shoved it into the tent. “I hope one blanket is enough.”
“Should be.” Allana popped open the pillows, gave them a shake to inflate them, and then stuffed them in the tent door. “I’m almost willing to skip food and just go to sleep. This little hideaway is perfect.”
“No, you need to eat. We’re going to need energy tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I know. But bed sounds pretty good right now.” She sat beside him. “What have you got for us to eat?”
“Meal replacement bars and water.” He smirked.
Allana laughed. “I’ve seen enough water to last me a lifetime.”
Chapter Four
NOT A LIGHT in sight anywhere. From under the ledge, Maddox gazed out into the dark forest. He’d placed a couple of biolumen sticks around the campsite, but otherwise it was dark. Why had he told Allana about Meera? He’d never told anyone about his sister’s death. He sighed. He rubbed his eyes. With the perimeter alarm in place, he felt a little more secure, though if the alarm sensed Sentinels, he and Allana wouldn’t have a lot of time to react. While he was activating the device’s sensors, a whole herd of deer was grazing in the underbrush. Thank goodness the sensors could tell the difference between human and animal, otherwise, it’d likely be a long night of false alarms.
And tomorrow, Allana would go back to the faction a hero. Verity would take her in and he’d never see her again. Dammit.
The rain filtered through the trees and the wind scattered the drops on the forest floor. Occasionally, something scurried through the brush, or an animal called out, but mostly the evening was quiet. If there hadn’t
been a murder earlier, the night would’ve been the most peaceful one he’d ever experienced.
He sipped the last of his water ration then set the bottle aside. It’d decompose by next week, along with the tent and other refuse they left behind. He had a water purifier bottle with him and he’d have to use it if he wanted more to drink.
“Maddox?” Allana called from inside the tent. “Are you coming? We need to get some sleep.”
“Just a minute, I’ve got to shut down out here. Get these lights out.” He pulled off his boots and then socks and pushed them against the wall under the ledge. Maybe they’d dry out overnight, at least some. Few things were worse than hiking in heavy, wet gear, though he was used to it. At least the boots were made to keep the wetness away from his skin, something that had saved his feet from serious issues in the past. Verity thought of everything. From the moment he’d signed up with them, they’d provided everything. He’d chosen the right side, for sure.
He gathered the light sticks near him, turning them off and putting them in his pack. He put his Lancer back too. Allana’s was in the tent, in case they needed a weapon, though he’d have plenty of time to get his if the Sentinels came.
He zipped his pack and set it outside the tent’s doorway. When he moved to the other side of the tent to collect the remaining sticks, he froze.
Allana’s skinsuit draped over the side of the tent like a deflated balloon. That meant… He swallowed hard. He grabbed the remaining sticks and clicked them off, save one, and stuffed them into his pack. What was he supposed to do now, if she was naked?
He bent to enter the tent and she peered back at him, the biolumen light in the tent casting her face in an otherworldly glow. There was no mistaking the humor in her look. She was laughing. “Aren’t you going to take off your clothes and hang them to dry?” she asked. “You’re not coming to bed wet, are you?”
“I…guess I need to hang them. Just a minute.” He backed out of the tent. Hell. He hadn’t been naked around a woman in longer than he cared to remember. And never around one quite so feminine as Allana. Especially a female who was in his charge. This was work, not play, no matter what his body said.
Hell, I already crossed that line a couple times today.
He dragged his damp shirt over his head and draped it over his pack, straightening the wrinkles. The cool night air touched his wet skin and sent chills rippling across his torso, hardening his nipples. He rubbed his arms and shook his head at what the night air would do to other parts of his anatomy. And first impressions are so important. He jumped up and down a few times to try and get warm.
Since when did he care about making an impression?
With his back to the tent, he unbuckled his belt and undid his pants, then slipped them down at once with his underwear. He heard an intake of breath and turned in time to see the tent flap move into a closed position. Allana had been watching him undress. His face heated.
Fumbling to get out of his pants, he cursed under his breath. He’d escape into the tent under the covers where he’d face other problems. He shook his head at the thought. At least he wouldn’t be standing naked in front of her. His leg caught in his pants and he stumbled, barely catching himself from falling.
She giggled.
Great. An audience.
He tugged his pants off, quickly spread them over his pack to dry, and then bent to grab the last biolumen light. He dove into the tent, his teeth chattering. The air in the small confines of the tent felt better than outside in the damp air, but still held a chill.
“It’s warmer underneath.” Allana held the blanket up and he caught a glimpse of her nakedness. He looked away, his face burning.
Could it be any more difficult?
Yes, it could. His dick hardened and bobbed. Shit.
“Maybe I should sleep on top of the blanket.” He covered himself with his hands, aware he was only calling attention to his state.
Allana smiled. “Seriously?” She held the blanket up again. “Don’t you know the best way to stay warm is skin to skin contact? Come on, get under here with me. Don’t be shy.”
She’s enjoying this.
“Okay. But you stay over there. There’s plenty of room.” He had to keep his head clear for the mission. He had no business kissing Allana, much less climbing into bed naked with her.
He stuck the light to the tent ceiling then scrambled under the cover. Regardless of what he was thinking, his body was betraying him in a bad way.
A very bad way.
“Oh, come on. Where’s the fun in being so far away?” She scooted close and he thought he might faint. Dizziness overtook him as her warmth met his cold body. Her leg moved over his, and he reached for her. When her smooth hip bumped his and her soft breasts pressed against his arm, he gave in. After all, he was only human and his attraction to her was genuine. What was the harm if she wanted it too? Verity didn’t have to know.
And he wanted her.
She put her arms around his neck and kissed him, and he kissed her back, seeking out her tongue, her teeth, her secrets. Suddenly, everything they’d been through fell away like rainwater over a spillway and all that remained was his need to possess her.
Now.
He pushed her hair back and kissed her jaw, as she lifted her chin to give him access to her neck. He nipped and she jerked and moaned, pressing her sex against his leg again and again until his thigh was slick and wet. She moved her hands over his chest and arms, rubbing, feeling, massaging.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” He searched for any sign that he was taking advantage. Verity wouldn’t respond well if he did.
She nodded. “Since I met you.”
“I don’t believe that.” He held her at arms’ length and studied her half-lidded expression and pouty mouth. Goddamn it, he didn’t care anymore if she was telling the truth or if he was risking Verity’s wrath. He wanted her and she wanted him. If it ended badly, well, he went into things with his eyes open and his body willing.
“I don’t care.” She kissed him again, tearing at his lips and forcing him onto his back underneath her. She shoved the blanket away and straddled him, leaning against his chest, her hair tickling as it brushed over him, her warm and wet pussy covering his dick.
Maddox sighed and ran his fingers over her soft waist and hips then up her back and around to her full breasts, cupping them and squeezing. She moaned and sat up to give him more room and he squeezed her harder, feeling her nipples pebble under his tweaks and pinches.
“Oh, god, Maddox. I want you in me.”
Maddox swallowed hard. “I don’t have a condom.”
Allana laughed. “I do. An assassin is always prepared. Let me get it out of my suit.”
She began to crawl off him, but he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her hips over his face and plunged his tongue inside her pussy as he held her still. She moaned, but didn’t try to move away. With one hand on each side of her ass, he licked and sucked until her juices flowed freely and she pushed rhythmically against his mouth.
“Please…” she begged.
He nipped the insides of her thighs then flipped her onto her back so he could be on top.
“Please what?” He grinned. Now who’s in control? He rather liked her this way, begging.
“Please, Maddox…”
“This what you want?” He pushed two fingers inside her, feeling her clamp down around him as he moved in and out of her. He tongued her clit again, harder and faster as he pumped. He felt her orgasm before she vocalized it.
As she came, he captured her clit in his mouth and bit down gently.
“Ahhh,” she groaned. “Don’t stop. Ahhh.”
He wouldn’t stop. Not as long as he could please her like this, maybe ever.
As her aftershocks died down, she lay still for a few moments then moved from under him. “God, that was amazing, but I still want to feel you inside me.”
“What’s the rush? We’ve got all night.”
&nbs
p; She scooted down beside him and pressed against his chest. “Do we? What about right now?”
Maddox jumped as she grabbed his dick and tugged. Then she bent down and took him into her mouth and he saw stars. Not little sparkly things, but goddamn firework stars as his dick hit the back of her throat. He wrapped his hand in her hair and pushed into her mouth. She didn’t gag, didn’t pull away, but opened wider and tongued him in all the right places. Pleasure built behind his balls and he tried to move away, but she kept sucking.
“Allana,” he panted. I’m not going to last. Goddamn it.
“Mmmm?”
“If you want me inside you, you’d better stop now.”
She let him slide out of her mouth and looked at him, her face wet and her tits rising and falling with her labored breath. “Don’t you want to come down my throat? I want to feel you, taste you.”
A groan erupted from somewhere inside him. Was it even him? He nodded. “Goddamn it, yes. But I want all of you. Promise me there’ll be more later. Promise me I’ll be able to bury myself in you.”
She smiled. “I promise. And an assassin always keeps her promises.” She bent and swallowed him whole, pumping her fist along his shaft and tonguing him as she took him deep. The warm wetness of her mouth became the only thing in his existence and he let go.
The stars bloomed again and then he was coming. Hard. He tried to look at her face, but he could barely open his eyes. God, she was the most beautiful creature on the planet and he was fucking her face.
And she wanted it as badly as he did.
Chapter Five
SEX. VERITY. ASSASSINS. Allana. And the devastating possibility of never seeing her again. The thoughts assailed Maddox, giving him a wicked headache that the morning stimshot had only exacerbated. He tromped a downed limb, snapping it with his boot and enjoying the way it broke easily underfoot. His Lancer dug into his ankle and he fisted his hands around the backpack straps. Life wasn’t fair. It never had been. He stopped to wait for Allana. She made her way, gracefully winding around the fallen branches, her dark hair already wet from the incessant rain. He glanced at his wrist screen to check the time.
Come Undone: Romance Stories Inspired by the Music of Duran Duran Page 27