“Raven?” Hugh sent telepathically.
“Where are you? Are you all right?”
“We’re in the conference room and yes, we’re fine.”
“I’m on my way.”
Raven rushed into the room moments later. “Where are Dasan and Robert?”
“They stayed behind to wait for a bomb squad to come in. The building was set to blow the minute someone walked in the door. Luckily, Grey Wolf kept us in Shadow when we entered, or we’d all be blown to hell.”
§
Hugh’s words still ringing in her ears, Stacey remembered her offer to go in the second story window. They’d all be dead if it wasn’t for Shadow. There were enough explosives to level the building and maybe the one next door as well. So who wanted to kill her? Sure she’d made a lot of enemies being Stinger, but whoever was behind this had been watching her since she was a child. She shook her head.
“Stacey, Nadezhda called,” Raven said. “That’s how I knew it was a trap. She was never taken prisoner. Charlie is looking into the source of the intel. We may have a problem if we’ve been compromised.”
“What else did she say?” Hugh asked.
“She wants to meet you and Stacey. She has information she wants to share.”
“Do we trust her?” Hugh asked.
“Well, she did call in about the trap,” Stacey pointed out. A glimmer of hope warmed her chest. Maybe her sister cared after all.
Stacey barely knew her brother, David. They’d been raised separately and she didn’t remember him except as a nuisance before the accident. Nadezhda just came into Stacey’s life, but she already felt closer to her sister than her brother, which wasn’t saying all that much.
“Where and when is the meet?” Hugh asked.
“Tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. I told them to meet you at the bar in Greenenough, Montana. There will be people there to watch your back.”
Hugh smiled and Raven chuckled. Stacey wondered what she’d missed. At that moment her stomach made a loud growl. Hugh reached over and rubbed the offended body part.
“Sounds like I need to feed this lady. Does Charlie need any help in the tech department?”
“Not tonight. He’s got a team working on figuring out what happened with that false intelligence we received and he’s still working on the Acta files. Said something didn’t seem right.”
“Hey, maybe we should leave the building like it is,” Hugh said, turning back from the door. “Someone might be watching to see if we showed up to check it and got blown to smithereens.”
“I’ll contact Robert and tell him to remove the bombs and leave the rest. We can put our own team on it and figure out who’s watching,” Raven said.
“Until tomorrow then.” Hugh’s hand rested on Stacey’s lower back, as he guided her out of the conference room and to the elevator. He pulled out his cell phone and began to type quickly.
“What are you doing,” she asked as the elevator doors opened.
“Ordering our dinner. It should arrive in about twenty minutes.” Hugh winked at her as they stepped into the elevator.
“Twenty minutes? Good, I can take a shower. That neighborhood felt kind of grungy. I can feel dust all over me.”
Hugh wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his nose in the side of her neck, kissing her lightly. “I think we should take a shower for two, don’t you?” His whispered breath tickled the hair on her neck and she shivered while heat pooled between her legs.
“Sounds perfect.”
Chapter Nine
Stacey walked into the bathroom of Hugh’s apartment and began to strip off her clothes. She admired the cream colored tiles with the warm gold striations flowing through them as well as the luxurious towels warming on the rack. She’d never permitted herself to have little luxuries like these before in her life. She moved around too much.
Kicking her pants off, she shimmied out of her panties. The only time she stayed in places this nice was when doing a job, but that didn’t happen often. Most times jobs took her to places like that run down motel in Montreal. Clean but needing work. She touched the thick towel and enjoyed the warmth and softness against her skin.
Her safe houses were more about utility and function. Besides, she never knew when she might have to make a run for it, so she didn’t decorate with things she’d have to leave behind. The only thing she’d miss was that one wooden box holding her mother’s picture. Hugh offered her more than that. He offered her a home. Someplace safe, she could make her own.
She glanced in the mirror noticing the scars on her body and turned into the glow from the lights. She fingered the line across her ribs left from a knife fight, and then leaned closer to the mirror, and pressed on the small hole in her shoulder from a bullet wound. She frowned as those old feelings of unworthiness crept up on her. How could Hugh say he loved her when she looked like this? How could he want a home with an assassin?
“Hey, you started without me,” Hugh said, walking in naked and pulling her into his arms from behind. Glancing into the mirror and meeting her eyes he asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” she answered quickly. “Just looking at my scars.” Stacey couldn’t quite meet Hugh’s eyes any longer.
“We both have scars, honey.” Hugh ran his hand down her side and over the hard ridge that never completely faded. “I think you’re beautiful. I wonder sometimes if my hip and knee gross you out.”
“What?” Stacey said, lifting her head and glaring at him in the mirror. “Of course not!”
“See, right there. That’s how I feel, too. Nothing takes away from how I see you, certainly not scars that only show how strong you are.” Stepping closer, Hugh’s warmth engulfed her. “I’m so happy to have you in my life, Stacey. I love the strong, confident, and yes, dangerous woman you are. More than that, I love the tender, loyal, loving woman you become when I take you into my arms.” Hugh kissed her neck, his hands roaming to cup her breasts, his thumbs rubbing over her nipples.
Stacey leaned back, giving him more than her body, giving him her heart. Her eyes fluttered shut as pleasure washed over her.
“I love you, Hugh.”
He chuckled and picked her up with one arm under her knees and the other holding her close to his chest. She rested her head against his shoulder. Hugh carried her into the shower large enough for two. “I know you do, baby, and I love you.” Slowly, he lowered her to her feet.
Then he turned on the water. Stacey shrieked as the cold droplets touched her skin. Goose bumps ran down her arms and her nipples turned into pebbles. Hugh laughed as he tried to adjust the temperature. Stacey slapped his shoulder as she moved behind him and tried to use his body as a shield from the cold.
“You did that on purpose.” Stacey couldn’t help the smile curling her lips.
Hugh laughed as he finished getting the temperature where he wanted it and then turned to drag her into his arms. She pressed forward, needing the warmth of his skin against her. Hugh surrounded her, holding her safe.
“Maybe I did,” he said, nuzzling her hair. “I’d do anything if it gets me you, right here, in my arms where you belong.”
“Anything?” Stacey teased him.
“Yes, anything.” Hugh took her mouth, his tongue once more probing the recesses.
Stacey ran her fingers through his silky hair and melted against him. An ache built inside her and only Hugh could assuage it. She pressed closer. One hand slipped down Hugh’s back to grab at his butt. Stacey really loved Hugh’s butt and how it looked in those leather pants. Naked and filling her hands was even better.
Hugh’s kisses moved from her mouth to her neck and then up to that spot behind her ear. She shivered. He turned and pressed her back against the tile warmed by the water. Goose bumps raced up her arms. His one hand kneaded her breast while the other slipped between her legs.
Stacey knew he’d find a warm welcome awaiting him. She shuddered as his fingers brushed against her before one plunged inside. Her
breath hitched and she rose up onto her tiptoes as she arched into his touch. Her hands clutched his shoulders, hanging on as pleasure took over her reasoning. She moaned. Her head dropped forward to rest against his shoulder.
“Hugh, I need you.” His fingers still caressed her crevice, pulling her juices forward to swirl around the little bundle of nerves that would shatter her.
“Put your legs around me, baby.”
Stacey was quick to obey; afraid her legs wouldn’t hold her much longer as he continued to caress her.
“Now, put me inside you.”
Stacey’s fingers wrapped around his shaft her thumb caressing the silky knob. She pumped him a few times when she felt the slickness of the water on his skin. The warmth that grew bigger in her hand and the drop of moisture that beaded against her touch. She nudged him against her opening.
“Hurry, baby,” Hugh whispered against her skin as he raised her, his hands on her waist, while his body trembled.
Stacey held him in place as she slowly lowered onto his fullness. Then he was seated, filling her completely. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. His eyes, his nose and then his mouth and chin. She sucked his bottom lip into her mouth as he lifted her again and then dropped her over his hardness.
It was so good. His hands holding her, the warmth of their bodies pressing against each other. Stacey wanted to crawl inside him and never come out.
Hugh pulled his head back and Stacey released his lip with a slow suck. She opened her eyes to gaze at the man who could so easily own her soul. Hugh’s desire for her was easy to read in the dark chocolate depths of his eyes. His tempo increased as he pushed up into each thrust, joining their bodies.
Pleasure built with each push of his body against hers. Warmth spread from the contact and filled her, nudging away any doubts or fears, giving her only passion and desire in their stead. This man was her destiny and she wanted him. She wanted to take everything he offered her, everything they could be together.
Something inside broke free. Stacey keened as a wave of ecstasy crashed over her. She trembled and bucked against Hugh’s hold. He continued his movements, plundering her depths as he filled them. A burning on her breast reminded her that Shadow marked her as Hugh’s mate.
Hugh’s mouth slammed down onto hers, kissing her, claiming her, as his body shuddered and his warmth filled her. He continued to move, slowing as their bodies trembled, as they each tightened their hold on the other, hands grasping the one who held their heart.
Hugh leaned against her as she lowered her legs to the floor. Held her when she feared they wouldn’t hold her up. His lips grazed her temple. He sighed.
“I won’t ever let you go. No matter what happens…”
Stacey smiled, her heart filled with joy. “I know,” she whispered. “You’re mine now.”
§
Hugh watched Stacey sleep, her golden hair a halo on the pillow around her head. Something happened in the shower. Something profound. Stacey mated with him, not sex, a claiming. She committed to him. Whatever the future brought them, they would be together.
They fed each other dinner after the shower, unable to keep their hands off each other. Hugh smiled at the memory, almost as precious as the memory of their joining. Now she slept. Happy, safe, her face and body more relaxed then he had ever seen her. A fierce longing rose. This was how she should always look and feel. Stacey deserved peace. Hugh gave her that peace. Part of him wanted to pick her up and disappear. There were places where no one would find them.
He frowned, knowing Stacey would never agree or want to be on the run. They needed to stop Zenith and discover which side her father was on. Only then would Stacey be safe and free to live a normal life. A normal life they would build together. It was time to show her the tribe’s property and the piece he picked out for the home he hoped she would share with him.
His phone buzzed on the nightstand and he quickly grabbed it to stop the noise from awakening Stacey. He slipped from the bed, grabbed his pajama bottoms and walked into the front room.
“Do you know what time it is?” Hugh asked, struggling to get his pants on.
Why was Charlie calling so late, or in this case early? It was two-thirty in the morning. Hugh glanced out the window at the star filled sky that touched the edges of the New Mexico desert.
“Sorry, man. I didn’t even look at the clock. The intel that came in about Stacey’s sister being abducted, I traced back to the secret service, namely a man assigned to the Vice-President’s detail.”
“Vice-President? What the hell? Do we know anything about this guy?”
“Only that he was requested by name to be added to the unit in charge of the Vice-President. The Vice-President is very taken with him.”
“How did a secret service member get a tip on Nadezhda being taken prisoner?”
“Said someone approached him and he passed the message on to his superiors.”
“So, he could be totally innocent,” Hugh said.
“Or up to his eyebrows in this Zenith group, either way, we should keep an eye on his activities.”
“Have you told Raven? He might want to put a team on the guy.”
“He’ll have my report first thing when he gets to work. I may call you in the middle of the night, but I’m not calling the chief and waking up his pregnant wife.”
“Smart thinking.” Hugh chuckled. “Next time don’t wake me up, either. I’ll see you at the morning briefing in about six hours.”
“Yeah.” Charlie yawned. “After that I’m hitting the sack. I need my beauty rest.”
“Why not get a few hours now?” Hugh asked, confused.
“I still need to look at the Acta records we downloaded. Something isn’t right. I’m not sure what it is yet, but don’t worry. I’ll find it.”
“A few hours’ sleep might clear your head. You’d be fresher when you go over the files.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. Okay, I’m heading to bed. Call me on your way to the briefing and make sure I’m up. I don’t want to miss it.”
“You got it. Goodnight, Charlie.”
Hugh crept into the bedroom and got back under the covers.
“Everything okay,” Stacey mumbled as she turned into his arms and laid her head on his shoulder.
“It’s fine, baby. Go back to sleep.” Hugh ran his hand down her silky hair and smiled as she patted his chest. Her breathing deepened as he cuddled her close. Great Spirit, he loved this woman.
§
Morning sunlight crept into the bedroom. Stacey blinked tired eyes. Her cheek rested on the smooth skin of Hugh’s chest. She smiled when she remembered last night and how good it felt to be with him. Her finger’s caressed his chest and his arm tightened around her waist.
“Hey, beautiful. We should get up. The morning brief is in an hour.” Hugh rubbed her back.
“I’m not ready to get up yet.” Stacey ran her hand down his chest to the waistband of his pants. “Besides, I think you might be happy to see me.”
She slipped her fingers inside and gripped his burgeoning shaft. Hugh groaned.
“Baby, I’m always happy to see you and even happier to have you in my arms. If you keep doing that, I’m not going easy on you.”
Hugh’s husky voice sent a shiver of excitement straight to her core. “Who says I want easy?” She squeezed him hard before pumping up and down.
Hugh rolled them, landing on top of her. Stacey pushed down his pants to free his erection. She caressed the head and swirled the liquid seeping out around the top.
“Enough.” Hugh grabbed her hands and lifted them over her head. “I warned you not to play me.”
He sucked her nipple into his mouth. Stacey arched into his caress and then felt him sink inside of her, his shaft causing her insides to heat and throb.
“Yes,” she shouted. “More, give me more.”
She probably shouldn’t have encouraged him, because he began to move and soon all she could do was hold
on for the ride. He released her hands and grabbed her hips, lifting her so he could sink deeper. She wrapped her arms around him, clinging to him, needing him close.
Warmth suffused her. He was gorgeous, his muscles bunched, his strength took her over. Giving her so much pleasure, she could barely catch her breath.
This man was hers. She took him, everything he could give. She kissed his chin and lower and then nipped his neck, leaving a red mark. She ran her hands down his back. Sweat slicked their skin. She grabbed his ass, pulling him closer.
He stiffened above her. “Stacey, come with me!”
She felt her body fly as Hugh’s warmth filled her. Together they reached the stars. It was so beautiful, the merging so perfect, all she could do was hold on.
Hugh kissed her. “Baby, are you all right?” He gathered her close rolling to the side to take his weight off her. “Stacey?”
She blinked her watery eyes. “It was perfect. I’m fine.”
Hugh kissed her eyes and her cheeks. She pulled on his neck, keeping him close, still clinging to him. God, she loved this man. He continued to kiss her and stroke her as her body shuddered, until her heartbeat slowed and she could finally keep her eyes open.
Hugh gazed at her, his face painted with a love she couldn’t put into words. Never had she felt as complete or beautiful as she did at this moment.
“Don’t ever go away,” she whispered to him.
“Never will I leave you,” he swore, his voice filled with his promise.
Stacey glanced down to see blue and green flames surrounding her arms. She opened her mouth to scream feeling a tingling burn on her skin, and then they were gone, extinguished.
“Did you see that?”
“What?” Hugh asked, his face relaxed and eyes slumberous.
“Nothing,” Stacey said.
§
Hugh held Stacey’s hand as they walked into the morning briefing. He smiled at Charlie and his rumpled appearance before seating Stacey and taking the chair next to her. He was worried about her, afraid he’d hurt her and she wouldn’t tell him. This morning had been amazing and profound. Even though he felt her release, he still wasn’t sure he hadn’t damaged her in some way. She’d gone quiet. Guilt ate away at his soul. He’d never forgive himself if he injured her.
Trapped In Shadow (Shadow Walker Romance Series Book 4) Page 9