Covert Craving

by Jennifer James

  “Chloe, stay below. Do not come up here.”

  Her muffled reply reached him, the tone expressing pain in each word.

  He scuttled to the stern on his belly and peeked above the rear deck enough to look to the ocean behind them. The other vessel was closing in. With regret heavy on his heart, he aimed for the man at the helm and squeezed the trigger. Then he sprayed the front hull of the boat, aiming below the water line in hopes of sinking the ship.

  The man piloting the boat fell back and was replaced by another. The third he’d seen had disappeared from view. Greiff reloaded the magazine as their pursuers closed on them.

  More projectiles hit the windshield and side of the hull. Lucky moaned from his place on the floor. He spared a moment to check the other man and realized Chloe had crawled up the stairs and had both palms on Lucky’s back. Blood coated her to her forearms.

  “Dammit, woman. Why won’t you listen?” He jammed the magazine home and fished behind his back for the Glock. After checking the safety, he slid it across the floor to her.

  “Because there are bullets flying. And I was getting sick down there getting tossed all over the damn place.” She grabbed the firearm with her right hand and flicked the safety off. Her dark hair whipped into her huge, saucer-like eyes and her mouth opened on a scream. “Greiff, get down.”

  “What?” He ducked in reflex and the cushion next to his head exploded.

  She took a two-handed grip from her knees and fired twice. The boat listed hard and the crash of shattering fiberglass rippled through the air. He whipped his weapon up and cast about for something to shoot but all he could see was the black hull of their pursuers’ boat as it continued to ram into the back of theirs.

  He scooped her off the floor and placed her in the captain’s chair. “Chloe, take the wheel or we’ll capsize.” The gun shots halted and he got to his feet to survey the passenger area of the other boat.

  Three dead men lay on the floor. They began to turn away from it in a wide circle and the speed boat continued on in a harmless line through the water. He considered calling the Coast Guard to notify them, but discarded the idea. Hopefully the boat would run out of gas or be retrieved before it ran aground or crashed into someone else.

  He turned the safety on and went to Chloe. She shook all over and her skin was paper white. Each knuckle stood out where she gripped the steering wheel.

  “They almost killed you. I thought they didn’t want to kill us.”

  “I know.” With slow, precise movements, he relieved her of the gun. Concern and awe swept over him. This woman had put herself in harm’s way for him. He wanted to throttle her for taking the risk and present her to the world as the most amazing creature on the planet all at the same time. “You saved my life.”

  She didn’t reply other than to twine her arm around his and grip his forearm. The sticky, cold remnants of Lucky’s blood smeared across them both.

  He reset the autopilot, backed off on the throttle, and slipped her hair behind her ears. “I have to help Lucky. You stay here and just keep an eye on things, okay?”

  She nodded once.

  He knelt next to the pale, skinny man and checked for a pulse. Nothing. He pressed harder and waited. Finally a weak, tiny flutter moved against his fingers, and he sprang into action. With quick, decisive moves he used his pocket knife to cut off the hoodie and a T-shirt.

  The bullet wound punctured the right side of Lucky’s back through the shoulder. He retrieved the first aid kid and packed the wound. The bullet had exited clean through the other side and gone through the windshield. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any way of giving the man blood or fluids. Once the bandages were secure, he carried him below decks and put him in the bed Chloe had vacated.

  He came back out, and she turned to him, a wan smile on her face. “What now?”

  “We keep going. He told me there are maps below the chair there. Hopefully we make it to the air strip without another incident.” He gathered both assault rifles and reloaded them.

  She sniffled and tears tracked over her cheeks. “I killed that man.”

  “I know, sweetheart.” Knowing there weren’t words to comfort her; he gathered her into a tight hug and rested his chin on the top of her head. He wished he could take the pain away for her, and hated the impotence of having nothing to offer but his arms. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  The sun crept over the horizon and the sky turned white, peach, and bright blue at the edges. Chloe squinted and shielded her eyes. Under the bandages, her legs itched and she picked at the gauze. Lucky moaned and whined from below, and a few minutes later, Greiff came back above deck.

  “He’s going to be fine.” A genuine smile stretched from ear to ear and made his handsome, rugged face even more attractive.

  They both reeked of sewer water, blood, and sweat, but in that moment, she wanted nothing more than to cover every inch of him in kisses. She’d never had made it so far without him. Jacob Greiff was a hero. Her hero.

  Sometime around her seventeenth birthday she’d stopped dreaming of love, marriage, and a life shared with someone else. The anomalies in her genetics forced her to accept she wasn’t going to have those things and so she’d let those hopes fade away. But now, here he was. Her very own sexy, domineering, dangerous man all wrapped up in a physical package designed to keep her drooling.

  “This device here is beeping at me. I think we’re getting close to where we’re supposed to go.” She pointed to a large square read out with one finger. “And it is so time for these bandages to come off. They itch like crazy and I can move all my toes.”

  “It’s been less than twenty four hours. No way.”

  “Yes way.” With a slow, deliberate slide off the edge of the chair, she stood. “See?”

  He cupped both elbows and lifted her back into the chair. “Sit. Please. That’s enough showing off for now.”

  She rolled her eyes and swung her legs in response. The beeping device got louder and Lucky yelled for Greiff.

  “Don’t move.”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t. Wouldn’t want you to have to order me around even more.” With a snappy salute, she stopped moving her legs and cocked her head to the side. He pointed at her with his index finger and descended two of the steps. Just as he made to turn away, she flashed him.

  His eyebrows rose up his forehead and mouth dropped open. The cold ocean air coaxed her nipples into stiff peaks, and he started back toward her.

  Lucky hollered again and the navigation device’s beeps got closer together.

  She lowered her top. “Better go see what he wants.”

  “You’re in so much trouble later.”

  “I hope so.”

  They reached a small marina ten minutes later and followed Lucky’s directions to a slip tucked into a back corner. Greiff did his best to dock the boat without damaging it, but it didn’t matter much. What was one more scrape on the fiberglass compared to bullet holes and the enormous gouge out of the stern?

  A half hour passed and then a man emerged from the water and climbed onto the swim platform. Chloe gasped and almost fell off the chair. Greiff pointed his gun at him.

  Lucky grunted. “Dude, do you have to do shit like that? We almost got killed. You can’t sneak up on people like that.”

  The new comer shrugged and clambered into the boat. The longer she studied him, the more she realized a green tinge radiated from his skin and webbing stretched between his toes. His lipless mouth formed a straight line across his face, and he appeared to be hairless.

  He leaned over the rear deck and when he righted himself, dangled sealed plastic packages. “Food.”

  An outrageous rumble emitted from her stomach and she blushed. “I’ve been healing. And I haven’t really eaten for about a day.”

  Greiff lowered the weapon and accepted the offerings. “Thank you.”

  They tore into the sandwiches, fruit, and bottled water. Lucky picked at his ha
m sandwich and she was happy to divest him of the leftovers. She gave Greiff first dibs, but he refused them.

  “No honey. You eat. You need to keep healing.”

  “Oh, by the way guys, this is Trout. Trout, this is Greiff and Chloe.” Lucky shrank into the blanket wound around his shoulders. “Getting shot sucks.”

  “Hey Trout, is the water here safe? I really want to get these bandages off.” She shoved the rest of her sandwich into her mouth.

  Trout nodded. “There aren’t any predatory fish in the area. I’ll come in with you and keep watch.” He leapt over the side of the boat and into the water. “Dyson contacted me. He wanted you to know he lives and that the plane will be leaving in exactly one hour. So do not tarry.”

  She took a few steps and a dull ache exploded in her legs, but the discomfort was bearable. Greiff moved to accompany her and took her elbow in his hand. With slow shuffles, she got to the side. Trout ducked below the surface when she peeked over.

  She looped her arms around Greiff’s neck and he caught her up behind her knees. “Well, toss me in.”

  “You’re not going alone.” He scooted his ass onto the ledge, flung his legs around, and dropped into the salt water.

  They soaked long enough to get the bandages loosened and then climbed out onto the swim platform. Trout surfaced once more when they exited the water, waved, and then sank under the surface.

  Impatient to get the blood soaked, dirty wraps off, she tore at them with her nails. He stayed her hand with a shake of his head.

  “Let me.”

  The gauze formed a brown, black, and greenish pile between them on the platform. They both looked over her legs with amazement.

  Not a single scar or cut remained.

  His eyes were huge and round as he tried to hide his surprise. “Wow.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Hey, you two lovebirds finished back there so we can go?”

  She smirked and grabbed his fingers. “He’s just grumpy ‘cause he’s horny.”

  “I heard that.” Lucky groused and the boat wobbled. He leaned over the stern and glared at them. “I’m horny, but I’m also shot. And we’re on a tight schedule.”

  Greiff got to his feet and helped her stand. He steadied her with both hands at her waist. “Come on, honey. Hopefully things get nice and boring from here.”

  “One can hope.”

  They clambered back into the boat, and he lead her to the stairs to go below deck.

  A wicked light lit his eyes and he licked his lower lip, his attention zeroed in on her breasts. “There’s a small shower stall and fresh water tank on this boat.”

  “Well, salt water does get pretty itchy if you don’t wash it off.”

  Lucky cussed and slouched down in one of the chairs. “I’m the one who got shot. I should be getting laid, not him.”

  She ignored the whining and let Greiff carry her to the head.

  Once inside, he stripped her clothes from her body and forced her to sit on the toilet lid. A cushy towel softened the hard surface.

  “No food on board, but otherwise this place is pretty decked out.” He started the shower water and removed his destroyed suit pants.

  The hard, thick length of his cock jutted out and she grasped it in one hand. She licked a circle around the head and he tensed, both hands fisted at his sides.

  “You’re salty.”

  “Ocean water.” His voice sounded strained.

  She pumped her fist up and down once, and licked him again. His nostrils flared, and he buried his fingers in her hair.

  “I can smell how aroused you are. How wet.” He bent down and cradled her in his arms. “And I think I promised you something.”

  She sucked in a deep breath and met him for a long, hungry kiss. They moved under the water spray, and he twined her legs around his waist, supporting her weight with one hand.

  “How are you doing that?”

  The water cascaded over his dark hair and into his eyes. “I got an extra dose of the Professor’s secret sauce recently. At least, that’s what Lucky thinks. It made me stronger.”

  “Oh, Greiff.” Anger, sadness, and helplessness replaced some of her ardor.

  “Shh, sweetheart. There ain’t nothin’ to do about it now.” He reached behind her and grabbed a bottle of floral scented shampoo. He moved and pinned her to the cold wall of the stall with his groin and one knee beneath her ass. The heat of his shaft was trapped between them. “You okay? You complained about your pelvis earlier.”

  “Oh, I’m terrific.”

  The blue of his eyes gleamed, and he massaged the lather into her hair, then his. With slow, exquisite care, he washed every inch of their bodies, then took the shower head down and sprayed them off. He spun around and rested his back against the wall.

  “I need to soap your back.” He handed her the shower head.

  Desire melted her muscles into putty. Unable to take more of his hands roving over her, but never touching her where she craved the most, she wrapped his cock in her fist and stroked it hard. She licked his chest to his neck until she reached his mouth and plunged her tongue inside.

  “Give me that.” He reclaimed the shower head and positioned it so the stream struck her clit from behind.

  The force of the water teased and tormented, but wasn’t enough to shove her off the precipice into orgasm. He sucked on her neck and ears, the heavy muscle of his thigh dug into her ass cheek. She wriggled and squirmed as her frustration mounted.

  “That feels good.” With both forearms on his shoulders and the strength in her thighs, she hoisted herself higher and sank down again. “But you inside me would be even better.”

  “Not in here.” He re-mounted the shower head in the holder over head. “You’re not healed enough if we slip and fall.”

  “Jake—” His name sounded a lot like a whine, even to her, but she didn’t care.

  “Nope.”

  He strode into the bedroom with the water still running and laid her down on the bed careful not to let his weight rest on her legs. With both hands, he spread her thighs wide and kissed his way from her belly button to her clit.

  The first touch of his tongue sent shockwaves though her. He circled the nub of nerves and licked across her entrance. The tip of his finger slid inside and she raised her hips in encouragement.

  “You taste so good.” He sucked at her and flicked with his tongue. “I could do this all day.”

  He plunged his finger inside and tasted every inch. She thrashed on the bed and bounced her foot off the cushion. He withdrew his finger and hauled her in tight to his mouth. The intensity of his attentions grew and her clit swelled under his teeth and lips. He sucked her clit hard and waves of pleasure radiated from her center.

  “Jake.” She yelled his name and her voice broke on the second syllable.

  He slid up beside her and caressed her hip. “Told you I’d make you scream.”

  She smacked his shoulder. “Is that all you got?”

  “I don’t want to hurt your legs.”

  “I’m going to hurt yours if you don’t finish the job.”

  He swooped down and grazed her nipple with his teeth. “You sure?”

  With her left hand, she guided his right between her legs. “What do you think?”

  He parted her with two fingers and breached her, plunged his fingers inside as far as possible. The hard tip of his dick prodded her in the thigh. He went to his knees and yanked her up so her lower body was off the bed. She guided him to her entrance and he thrust deep.

  Already, orgasm coiled in her again. She pinched her nipples with one hand and played with her hood with the other. He watched the erotic actions, his lower lip caught in his teeth. The rhythm got faster, harder, and her walls tightened around him. Sparks of heat and electricity sped in her veins. She rocked and squirmed with the orgasm as her channel grasped him tight.

  “Inside me, Jake. I want you to come inside me.” The need to have his release with him buried deep cl
utched her tight in its grip. She wanted all of him.

  “Oh baby, yes.” The plunge of his cock slammed home and he lost his rhythm.

  He grunted and spilled his cum inside her with his pelvis tight to hers. Emotion swelled up and made her throat tight. Still buried deep, he licked each breast, and came higher to kiss her. Their tongues tangled and caressed each other until he nibbled her mouth and retreated. Their gazes locked and the softness in his eyes almost undid her.

  “Hey, you two done yet? We have to go.” Lucky shouted down the stairs. “Criminey, it’s not like a fucking Olympic event.”

  Embarrassment crept in, but Greiff’s kiss wiped it away. He got a towel and wiped her off, then rinsed her clothes off in what was left of the fresh water and helped her put them back on.

  God, she loved him already.

  Lucky hobbled through the parking lot to a red SUV and pointed. “That’s your ride.”

  “Aren’t you coming with us?” Greiff shouldered the back pack with Lucky’s laptop and the various items he’d retrieved from the warehouse apartment.

  “No man. I have a different ride to take. This guy’ll take care of you. Get you where you’re going.”

  “But what about Dyson? And where are we going? What do we do now?” Fear niggled in her belly and she shifted in Greiff’s arms. He’d insisted on carrying her. She didn’t know if he wanted to test his new strength out or was concerned about her legs. Probably both.

  “Dyson will be in touch. But for now you have to hide out. I don’t have all the answers. Like, I’m not always sure what’s going on, but Dyson ain’t going to fuck you over. You have to trust him. He’ll email you.”

  Lines etched the skin around Greiff’s eyes and she recognized them as the ones he got whenever he was suspicious or nervous. The poor guy had spent too many hours on high alert already.

  “So we go hide somewhere and just what? Wait for instructions?” He scowled and flicked his eyes to the waiting car. “I appreciate the help getting us here, but that doesn’t sound like a good plan.”

  Lucky sniffled and shook his head. “It’s all I got, man. You have to go into hiding. Especially with the baby stuff.”