Black Book: Black Star Security

by Cynthia Rayne

When he leaned back, Quinn licked his lips, as though she were delicious. A smile spread across his face, and she could scarcely see it in the shadows.

  I’m in way over my head.

  It reminded her of the time when she’d accidentally drifted into the deep end of the pool as a child. She's been laughing and splashing, sitting on a raft, unaware of her surroundings or the danger.

  And yet it had been enticing, being out of her depth.

  Quinn was a man on the edge, about to explode. She could feel the tension in him, he was strung tight, ready to spring.

  His next kiss was anything but tentative. Quinn parted her lips with his tongue, pushed it inside, claimed her mouth for his own. All Mackenzie could do was moan as she tilted her head back and accepted whatever he gave her.

  He literally made her mouth water, and an answering rush of wetness pooled between her thighs, a surge of need. Quinn kissed the side of her neck, nipping her earlobes, her jaw.

  He ran his hand up the sides of her arms, and then gently cupped her breasts through the thin fabric of her t-shirt. He thumbed her nipples, waking them up, making them stiffen.

  Quinn kissed her, his lips demanding, not asking for a response, and she didn’t have the will to resist him. She’d wanted him for too long.

  Her knees nearly buckled, but he swung her up in his arms and carried her back over to the bed, laying her down on the covers.

  “I just need a little more. You're driving me insane.”

  Mack didn't want to stop him or do what was right. All she wanted was to feel. Touch.

  She gasped as he slid between her thighs. He was already swollen, lying against her thigh. Mack could feel the heat of his erection, even through the fabric.

  Quinn buried his face against her breasts. “I can't stand it anymore. I gotta have you.”

  She needed him too, like water or oxygen. Mack refused to dwell on how complicated this was, or the possible ramifications. At the moment, she just didn't give a damn.

  She wanted what she wanted. End of story.

  He tugged off her bottoms, and then pushed her cotton panties to the side. For a moment, Mack wished she had worn something sexier, but he didn't seem to care.

  Quinn pushed her top up and popped a nipple into his mouth, grazing it with his teeth, gently tugging, making her arch off the bed to get closer to him.

  And then he dipped his fingers into her pussy. She whimpered when he found the right spot. He was like a man possessed, swirling his fingers over her slick folds, playing with her expertly, as if he’d had her before, and he knew just what buttons to press.

  In a matter of minutes, she was on the edge, gasping, making shattered sounds. Quinn rubbed himself against her, grinding his cock into her thigh.

  “Look at me, Mack, I wanna see you come.” There was something raw in his face.

  Mack couldn’t stop it.

  The release was like a force of nature, a hurricane blowing through her body. She clutched the bedspread, twisting it in her hands. Her head fell back, and she wailed his name.

  Mack drifted afterward, on a cloud of hazy pleasure.

  But it didn’t last long.

  Mack soon realized, she was nearly naked, spread open. She started to cover up, but Quinn grabbed her wrist.

  “No, I need to see you.”

  There was desire in his gaze, need, a hunger, but there was also tenderness, a sweetness she couldn’t quite comprehend.

  “What about you?” Mack licked her lips and his gaze followed the movement.

  “God, how I need you.”

  “Let me see you.”

  Quinn stood and unzipped his pants. He pushed the jeans down his thighs, carrying the underwear with it. His cock was thick and swollen, a deep dark purple.

  Mack reached for him instinctively, wrapping her hand around him.

  He groaned in pleasure and her pussy twitched in response. It felt hot, scorching her skin.

  “I ain’t gonna last long.” Quinn grunted, pumping his cock into her fist, working his hips, as she stroked him.

  With a few thrusts, he spattered the back of her hand. When he came back to himself, Quinn made a disgusted sound.

  “Christ, I didn’t mean to do this.” Hurriedly he crossed to the bathroom and came back with a damp washcloth for Mack. She cleaned herself up while he got dressed.

  “What are you talking about?”

  Quinn sighed. “I doubt your team just bugged Harold’s place.”

  Her eyes rounded. Good God. Had Storm placed listening devices all over this place too? Her cheeks burned.

  “They heard us?” she whispered, as though being quiet now would somehow undo the damage. The group had already heard her moaning and groaning.

  The humiliation was oddly familiar.

  “Probably. And I don’t want an audience our first time.”

  Quinn made sleeping with him sound inevitable. And maybe it was. Quinn might’ve satisfied her once, but she wanted much, much more.

  “You should go back to bed, and I’m gonna head into the other room.”

  “Quinn, you don’t have to go. Stay here with me.”

  He slowly shook his head, backing away. “For once, I’m tryin’ to do the right thing.”

  Chapter 8

  “It sounds like he’s killing her.”

  Harold and Lupita were fucking again. There was the slick sound of flesh meeting, low gasps, quick inhales of breath.

  Quinn and Mackenzie were pushing their eggs around the plate. She had made them a frittata to share, with greens on the side. It was delicious, but Quinn wasn't hungry.

  For food at least.

  All he could think about was bending Mackenzie over the bed, pushing her pants down, with her panties around her ankles and then slipping the head of his cock into her pussy. He knew she would be warm and welcoming for him.

  Quinn wanted to make Mackenzie say his name, and he made her come over and over again. He could still hear her cries at echoing his ears.

  And controlling himself was torture.

  He nearly choked on a bite. “I’m sorry. Did you say something?”

  “Nothing. Never mind.” She tipped her water glass back and drained it, as though she’d just spent a couple of hours in the desert.

  “I picked up some groceries early this morning while you were sleeping.” Storm had made them earpieces with an app on their cell phones, so they could hear their tangos anywhere. Of course, it didn’t help them track Lupita and Harold. They needed to be close enough to watch them.

  Quinn had this sudden image of her in the produce aisle, listening to Harold agonized groans as he came. He didn’t know if he should be turned on, angry or amused.

  “Why are you smiling?”

  Quinn shook his head. “I can't imagine being out somewhere listening to this.”

  She smirked. “I kept a couple of feet between me and anyone else.”

  “And what if somebody had heard you?”

  “I'd say it was an audiobook. Fifty Shades or something.”

  He chuckled. Quinn imagined she'd raised quite a few eyebrows. And then he sobered, wondering if any other men had noticed her.

  Who wouldn't? She’s gorgeous.

  “Does it bother you? Hearing him fuck another woman?”

  Oh, for fuck’s sake. Listen to yourself. Are you jealous?

  “Yeah, I’d rather hear anything else.” She pushed the food around on her plate.

  His stomach rolled. “So, you don’t have residual feelings for him?”

  “Who?” Her brows drew together. Quinn couldn’t decide if she was deliberately baiting him, or if she really didn’t think about Harold.

  “You know who.”

  “He's not Voldemort. You’re allowed to say his name. No, I'm not in love with Harold. Not anymore.”

  “And you aren’t jealous?” Quinn pushed.

  For some reason, the thought ate him up inside. He didn't want Mackenzie spending all day, pining away for the prick. It was
a strange conversation to have, against the background of guttural groans and squeaky bed springs.

  Mackenzie ran a hand through her hair. “I got over him a long time ago. Right around the time he ended my career. Suddenly he wasn't so appealing anymore.”

  “How did you get past it? You don't seem to be as angry as I am.”

  “Maybe because I feel guilty, too. I’m the one who had an affair with a married man. And he didn't take as much for me as he did you. Harold ended my stint with the FBI, but I moved on. Black Star is my second home. It makes me think everything happens for a reason.”

  Quinn thought the world was chaotic and random. He couldn’t think of any reason why Karen had to be tortured and murdered.

  “And what about you?”

  “What about me?” Quinn countered.

  “I want to know more about Karen.”

  His breath hitched. “It’s a long story with a terrible ending.” Quinn hated even thinking about Karen, let alone talking about her. It was excruciating to dig through old memories.

  “How did she die?” Mackenzie tilted her head to one side.

  “You don’t wanna hear this.” Mackenzie had more than enough to deal with, and he wouldn’t burden her further.

  “Yes, I do. Please tell me.” She reached across the table and squeezed his hand.

  Quinn nodded and forced the words out. “Karen was my partner. The two of us were working undercover, together.”

  “In Mexico?”

  “She was on one side of the border, while I was on the other. Karen's mom is Puerto Rican and she speaks fluent Spanish.”

  “The two of you were dating?”

  “No, we were engaged. And if I hadn't loved her, she might still be alive.”

  “You can't think like that.”

  “Why not? I'm the one who picked this fight and she ended up paying for it. When I ran, Harold couldn't get to me, so he killed her instead. I begged Karen to run with me, but she refused. She wanted to stay and expose him.”

  “She sounds brave.”

  “Karen was fearless, and stubborn, too.” Like you. A chill raced up his spine. Maybe if he told her everything, it would convince Mackenzie to be more cautious. He didn’t want her taking unnecessary risks. If he was able to keep Mackenzie from sharing her fate, then maybe Karen hadn’t died in vain.

  And what if history repeats itself? What if you can’t keep her safe either?

  “I wanted them to chase me and leave her alone, but they picked her up and tortured her for information.”

  Mackenzie gasped. “Oh God. I’m so sorry.”

  “I don't know what happened exactly, not all the details. I can’t decide whether it would be better to know everything or nothing at all.” Quinn cleared his throat. “They left her body just over the border, as a warning. It was in the middle of the desert, so animals must have gotten to her before…”

  He’d seen the crime scene photos, and Karen was nearly unrecognizable. If it wasn’t for the rose tattoo on her bicep, he wouldn’t have known it was her.

  “I’m sorry, Quinn.”

  “Yeah, me, too.” Somehow, telling her made him feel a tiny bit better. He hadn't talked about Karen in years.

  “No wonder you hate him.”

  “Harold is one bastard, who deserves to die.”

  She frowned. “Maybe, but we’ll leave it up to a jury.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “We said we’d help you find him, but we didn’t promise we’d let you kill him. We’re gonna turn him in. Besides, the FBI needs to clean house.”

  “They’ll make him a deal, and he’ll get off light.”

  “You don’t know what the court system will do.” Mackenzie scraped her plate off and placed it in the dishwasher.

  Quinn gripped the edge of the table. “Sure, I do, and what’s more, you do too. Don’t pretend otherwise. Can you honestly tell me you’re okay with Harold getting a few years in jail, in exchange for turning on the cartel?”

  “I’m more concerned about what happens to you. Don’t let Harold turn you into a monster.”

  Quinn laughed, a nasty, twisted sound. “Oh, I’m already there. It’s much too late for me. I’m not the hero of the story, Mackenzie, not even close.”

  “You aren’t the villain either.”

  “Are you sure?” Because I’m not. “Living as an outlaw, I got a taste for the dark side. I like it, there aren’t as many rules.”

  Mackenzie studied him carefully. “What are you trying to do? Warn me?”

  “Maybe.”

  A long tense silence passed between them. Quinn just hoped she took him seriously. He meant every word.

  She squared her shoulders. “I almost forgot to tell you what happened earlier. It sounds like they have a date night tomorrow. Harold and Lupita going to this fancy hotel restaurant.”

  “You mean they're actually coming up for air?” He was beginning to think they'd stay in their love nest for the rest of the week.

  “Yes. So, what do you want to do about it?”

  “What do you mean? We’re gonna follow them.”

  “There’s only one problem. Harold knows both of our faces. We should have a couple of the guys go.”

  “Fuck that. I'm seeing this thing through.” There was no way in hell Quinn was letting Harold out of his sight. “We can wear disguises. Don’t forget. I’m a master at hiding myself.”

  She scrunched up her nose. “Well, that sounds awfully Mission Impossible.”

  “Isn’t your teammate a former CIA agent?”

  “Storm would never admit to it, but yes, he is.”

  “Then ask him for some help.”

  For a second, he thought she might argue with him, but Mackenzie nodded.

  “Fine.” She hooked a thumb at the door. “I’m gonna drop by HQ and have a little talk with Storm about the operation, along with the ethics of wiretapping your friends.”

  Quinn almost felt bad for the man. “Give ‘em hell.”

  “And just for the record, I think this plan is a crappy idea.”

  “Maybe, but do you have a better one?”

  Mackenzie scowled. “No.”

  “Me either.”

  ***

  “Were you listening in?”

  Later on in the evening, Mack marched into the technology center at HQ. She’d left Quinn listening to their two lovebirds.

  She found Storm sitting at a computer. Nox was next to him, with his feet up on the console. Mack hadn’t intended anyone else to hear her outburst, but it was too late for regrets now.

  Storm typed something, staring at the screen. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The words sounded right but he couldn’t look her in the eye.

  “Yes, you do. You spied on us.”

  “What’s goin’ on?” Nox asked. “And why should I give a damn?”

  “Nothing,” Storm said.

  “More like everything,” Mack countered. “Not only has Storm been listening to Harold and his mistress, he’s been eavesdropping on me and Quinn.”

  Nox snorted. “No shit. It’s called surveillance.”

  Storm studied the wall behind her shoulder. “Seriously. I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

  “Storm!” Mack placed a threatening hand on the computer tower. “Admit what you did or I’m gonna do something you’ll regret.”

  Storm narrowed his eyes. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Watch me.”

  “Fine, okay.” Storm threw up his hands. “I heard.”

  “How much?” she asked.

  “Everything and then some,” Storm gritted out. “Are you happy?”

  “Am I happy?” Her voice had gone shrill, even to her own ears.

  “It’s not like I wanted to overhear.”

  Mack bit the inside of her cheek. This was the second time her sex life had been put on display. It wasn’t really Storm’s fault. He didn’t know why this kind of thing would trigger her.

/>   “West told me to do it. But I only paid attention when you were talking, not while you were…” He trailed off.

  “Seriously?” Nox’s brows shot up into his hairline. “You listened to them fuck? Kinky.”

  Mack groaned. “And coming from you, that’s saying something.”

  “Thank you.” Nox beamed.

  “It wasn’t a compliment.”

  “Sure, it was.”

  “It was a private moment between two people.” Mack stabbed a finger at Stormy. “And you shouldn’t have been a part of it.”

  “Why were you screwing around with him in the first place?” Storm countered. “You could do a lot better.”

  “Yeah,” Nox agreed. “I get the whole bad boy thing but pick a better one.”

  As much as Mack wanted to argue with them, she thought they were both onto something. The last time she’d fallen for a guy, he’d been an authority figure, someone who was supposedly a standup guy.

  Maybe Quinn was appealing because he freely admitted to breaking the rules. She knew exactly where she stood with Quinn. He wasn’t pretending to be something he wasn’t. In fact, he’d actually tried to talk her out of falling for him.

  Still, she wouldn’t be sharing these revelations with Storm and Nox.

  “Get this through your thick skulls. My social life is none of your damn business.” She closed her eyes and gathered up every last ounce of her patience.

  “For the love of God. Can we drop it?” Storm asked.

  “Fine. Whatever.” The anger had passed, and Mack was beginning to feel foolish. “But Quinn would never hurt me.”

  “You don’t know for sure.” Storm frowned.

  “Yes, I do. I’m the only one here with psych training. Believe me, when I tell you he would never put me in danger.” Although, she couldn’t say the same thing when it came to her friends. Quinn considered them cannon fodder.

  “Mack, we love you and we couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you. And I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but when it comes to Quinn, you don’t seem to have limits.”

  Nox cleared his throat. “What he’s tryin’ to say is, we got your six.”

  She sat down beside him. “I know. And I understand why you wouldn’t tell Quinn, but why didn’t you loop me in?”

  They exchanged guilty glances.

  “Because you don’t trust me either.”