The Colonel's Man

by Mina Carter, J. William Mitchell

  Like the mouse that played when the cat was not looking, Jason absorbed the persona of his role like a method actor only better. He had to be since playing his cover perfectly meant life and death in his world.

  He snatched a champagne glass from a passing tray and ambled towards Arita with one hand in his pocket and charmer’s smile on his face. “You look bored.”

  “I don’t like these things at all.” She pouted and looked over at Drew. He was deep in conversation with Selena, the woman hanging off his arm. “He’s always too busy for me. Always the same…work, work, work.”

  She took a sip from her glass and subjected him to the full force of those ocean-blue eyes over the rim. “You wouldn’t neglect your wife like that, would you Kurt?”

  Jason felt his pulse jump a couple of beats when she blessed him with that infinitely sexy gaze.

  “Oh hell no.” He closed in, close enough to smell her perfume and count the freckles on her neck. “If you were my wife I’d be the one keeping you too busy to get bored.”

  He took out his hand from his pocket and slid a caress down her neck with the back of his fingers. He smiled his pleasure as he felt a slight shiver ripple across her skin. “Your husband’s a fool. Taking a goddess like you for granted should be a crime.”

  She flicked a glance in Drew’s direction but Jason’s shoulders blocked her view of the rest of the room as he backed her up behind a pillar. A flush highlighted her cheekbones as she wet those perfect lips with the tip of her tongue. He bit back a groan as she looked up at him through her lashes.

  Because of her personality, larger than life and harder than nails, he forgot how petite she was but up close like this, he couldn’t help but notice. She was tiny and delicate, curved in all the right places to bring out the protective and possessive feelings he’d been trying like hell to quash. She wasn’t his, not even in the fantasy created by their cover ID’s…but he wanted her to be.

  “How would you keep me busy then?” She framed the question shyly, her hand spreading out over his chest to hold him in place and stop him crowding her any more. He knew he was stronger and could brush aside the flimsy defense easily, but it wasn’t about that. It was about getting her to drop her guard and let him in.

  “Well…” He slipped her hand in his and impressed hypnotic circles into her palm with his thumb: slow, light strokes. As her arm lost its will to remain rigid, he stepped in closer until he could feel the heat from her body. “I can think of a few things, but most involve you writhing around my cock.”

  Her eyes widened, the tiny hitch in her breathing doing things below his belt that should be illegal. Damn, she was a good actress. Pulling her closer, he wrapped an arm around her waist, not caring now whether Drew saw them or not. The guy knew the score: if he did catch a look, he’d ignore it and pursue Selena. Which left Jason free to seduce Arita, all as part of the operation. God, he loved his job.

  He planted a kiss right below her ear. “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have my cock in you. Deep, wet and tight. How that hot fuckable little body of yours would feel writhing against me.”

  He felt that tiny little shiver again. Dropped his gaze and grinned.

  “You like the dirty talk don’t you, babe? I’ve always liked the fact that your nipples are so responsive. I can see them poking against that pretty dress of yours just teasing me to take them in my mouth and find out how sweet they taste. I wonder if the rest of your body is as responsive.”

  Triumph surged through him as she gave in and leaned against him. Allowing himself a small nibble at the soft spot under her ear, he smoothed a hand down her back, tracing the line of her spine that he’d admired earlier. There, now he and Drew were even. Almost. Drew had only managed a peck on her full lips earlier whereas Jason had managed a hell of a lot more in the gym… Just the memory of that kiss and the way she’d felt under him set his blood boiling.

  She turned slightly, her lips all but brushing his throat. “Can we get out of here… Somewhere more private?”

  A shiver went through his own body. “I know just the place.”

  * * *

  They slipped from the reception room, stumbling through the door into the corridor beyond. Seeing the guard stationed at the end of the hall, Arita giggled and pushed Jason up against the wall to claim his lips in a brief but torrid kiss.

  She felt his arms wrap around her and slowly but surely, his large calloused hands were sliding down her back, sending shivers up her spine as his fingers traced either side, thumbs combing over every vertebra. Finally his hands slipped lower and cupped the firm globes of her ass. His mouth muffled her gasp of surprise as she felt him knead the supple flesh and spread them apart through the dress. He pulled her harder against him and she almost melted as he ground his massive erection against her.

  “God. I can’t wait to fuck you.” He growled as he lowered his head and mated their mouths in a possessive kiss.

  Even though she knew this was a cover, she wasn’t an idiot. The kiss in the gym and the flash of heat she’d seen in his eyes when he thought she wasn’t looking all signaled his interest. Given half the chance, he’d have her in the sack like a shot.

  Trouble was, the idea was a welcome one.

  “You think you’re that lucky, handsome?” she teased against his lips, knowing he’d read between the lines easily.

  “Lucky? Maybe not.” He murmured as he kissed her jaw line. “But I’m very determined and I always get what I want.”

  “Is that so?”

  She shivered as he nipped at her chin, his hands driving into the nape of her neck to angle her lips just right for his kiss. Despite herself, she loved the way he held her. Controlling with an edge of possessiveness. It reached deep down and touched something inside her. She just had to remember that this was fantasy…just for the operation, or she’d really be in trouble.

  “Not here, in the corridor,” she murmured against his lips. “What if he comes out? He’ll see us.”

  “You’re right.”

  He looked around and smiled as he saw the door to the office. Throwing the guard a grin and a careless shrug he led her over to the door, got inside and slammed it shut behind them.

  Ko’than would already have access to the security systems which meant what the security team saw, he saw, so by now he’d already started recording for the loop. Jason hadn’t given her a chance to speak or do anything else for as soon as the door closed, he hauled her against him and sealed her mouth with his.

  She liked the way he kissed; alpha dog, master and commander, leader of the pack. The way his tongue plundered her mouth left her breathless and with no argument as to whom it belonged to for now. He suddenly broke the kiss, shoved her against the nearest wall and held her hands above her head.

  “Don’t…move…” he growled.

  A devil of mischief drove her. Shooting him a wicked look she wriggled against him, pulling at his hold on her wrists just to wind him up, but with no intention of seriously breaking free. He was wide open, thigh pressing hard between hers. All she’d have to do would be push him away and she could land a solid knee in his groin. Kill any amorous thoughts or chance of retaliation dead in the water right there and then.

  “Why? What will you do, Kurt?”

  His response was a feral smile and the next thing she knew he was at her throat, nibbling and licking all the way down to her cleavage, more pronounced due to her position. He let go of her wrists and slid his rough hands down her sides, cupping her breasts through the silky fabric.

  “Fuck!”

  She couldn’t help the curse, forgetting for a moment that she was supposed to be a gently bred businessman’s wife. Released, she ran her hands over his broad shoulders, both holding him to her and sliding her hands under the jacket to explore. She couldn’t stop touching him, digging her nails into his back as he dipped his tongue between her breasts.

  “Please, Kurt…more,” she demanded, her hands busy at the buttons on his sh
irt, hauling the fabric free from his pants. As he moved up to claim her lips again she slid a hand between them to cup him through his pants, then stilled. He was hard, and huge. She swallowed as he pulled back to look into her eyes, wry amusement in his.

  “That’s right baby…it’s all down to you. You drive me nuts…”

  He molded her breasts like a connoisseur, lifting, squeezing and kneading as he pressed hot open-mouthed kisses on her flesh. His thumbs flicked her nipples through the fabric sending lightning bolts through her body. He slipped his hands under the side of her dress in order to touch her directly.

  “God… I’ve always thought you had the most fantastic tits but…fuck…” He groaned as he pinched and rolled her nipples between his fingers.

  “Okay guys, you can give it up now, I got enough to give our viewers enough stroke material.” Ko’than’s amused voice broke through the sensual haze surrounding her and for a moment she just paused and orientated herself. The mission. The safe. Jason’s hands still on her breasts.

  Fuck.

  Heat washed through her as she realized how out of control this had gotten. Fighting back her instinctive reaction, searched her eyebrow as he leaned back. His eyes were dark, heat and lust fighting for dominance. For a second the urge to say screw the mission and just carry on struck her but she fought it down and buried her feelings and the hot need surging through her body under layers of self control. She was his boss, she shouldn't be thinking this way about one of her men.

  “Taking liberties there. Move them or lose them, slick.”

  Chapter Six

  “That got way out of hand mate!”

  “It was supposed to be for cover man! What the hell was I supposed to do? Keep it clean for the kids?”

  The mission had been over hours ago. They’d gotten what they needed and the principal hadn’t been the wiser. After the moment in the office when he and Arita had gone hot and heavy, he had completed the rest of the mission on autopilot. Not only did he think that he had absolutely fucking lost it during a mission but he had also been left very frustrated.

  And it went on until the debrief when their actions during the entire mission were analyzed and critiqued. No one said anything regarding what happened between him and Arita but the video on the screen had been way too graphic and Jason could feel Drew’s eyes boring into his back. He knew it wouldn’t take long for Mr. Sensitive to corner and confront him about it, but he didn’t expect it to be just after the debrief and in the corridor on their way back to their quarters.

  Drew blocked him just outside the office, the expression on his face like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

  “That wasn’t just about cover and you know it, Jason. You’re getting obsessed. Just because the boss has a nice face, perky rack and a great ass doesn’t mean you need to bang her like every other female on two legs that struts past you.”

  Jason saw red and before he knew it, he threw a punch at his best friend. Fortunately Drew was quick enough to dodge it or he would have lost a couple of teeth.

  “What the fuck man?”

  Anger and surprise flared over the heavy-worlder’s face. This wasn’t the first time they’d come to blows, but it was the first time it had been in anger. On either part. Rage still rolling through him Jason squared up to his partner.

  “It’s not like that!”

  “Bullshit it’s not!” Drew stabbed an accusing finger at him. “I know you like a brother Jason, and I’ve seen what it’s like for you. You’ve just sighted your next target and you don’t give two shits that our careers are in her hands, and she’s worth more respect that you’re giving her.”

  “I respect her!” he roared. “I respect her so much that I’ve done everything possible and more for that woman when I could. You say you know me like a brother but clearly you know nothing about what I feel.”

  The door slid open behind them and the woman in question filled the frame. She looked from one to the other, noticing their angry stances and clenched fists.

  “I don’t care what it’s about gentlemen, but either take it down to the gym and sort it, or I’ll knock some sense into the both of you.” Her voice cut the tension between them like a whip, the expression on her face saying she didn’t expect an argument from either of them. “Understand?”

  Neither of them said anything, looking away. Since they’d been arguing about her, a fact that thankfully had escaped her attention thanks to the soundproofing of the ship's internal walls on this level, neither of them wanted to clue her in.

  “I thought not. Good. If you’ll excuse me.”

  She swept past them, her slender figure encased for the first time in full dress uniform. Jason couldn’t help it, his gaze riveted to the long length of her legs revealed by the demure skirt and delicate ankles in what were supposed to be sensible heels but to him appeared ridiculously sexy.

  He started for the door but turned to Drew at the last moment. “Don’t quit your day job to be a shrink buddy. Especially not with me. You have no idea what’s in my head right now.”

  With that line he stormed out, stewing in his thoughts as he went after Arita. What galled Jason was the fact that Drew was able to see right through him. Of course he wanted her, that part was simple enough. However, the second Drew referred to her as just another woman that he wanted to fuck, he lost it. She wasn’t and he wouldn’t debase her like that. She was…important.

  And that was what made things complicated.

  “Hey!” He called out as she turned a corner. “We need to talk.”

  She paused to let him catch up with her. He hadn’t seen her since the mission so to see her at the briefing in the full uniform of a Section Three Colonel had taken him by surprise.

  By surprise… Wry amusement filled him. Seeing her in the black on black uniform with its fitted jacket and straight skirt, her hair done up in a no-nonsense pleat instead of the tousled up-do from earlier had knocked him for six. It was like a cross between the sexy secretary and the powerful woman in charge all rolled into one.

  He’d always had a weakness for powerful women.

  “What’s up, Scott?” she asked, as he pulled level, slipping a personal data-pad into her pocket. Abruptly he wondered what was on it. It wasn’t military spec. Letters from home? From a lover perhaps? She’d said she was married before…didn’t Tralaxians subscribe to multiple marriages?

  The thought of her being with other men gnawed at him before, jealousy rearing its ugly green head, but the thought of her being married was worse. Marriage meant feelings and the idea of her sharing the smoldering, promising looks he had seen her give Drew under cover during the mission made him want to hit someone.

  “Why?” He shoved a hand through his hair in frustration. “Why did you let me go that far? Why didn’t you stop me?”

  She tilted her head, and he couldn’t help but notice the delicate arch of her neck. Dammit, she turned him on without trying.

  “During the mission you mean? Whilst we were undercover pretending to be having an illicit affair?”

  “When else would it be, dammit?” He ground out. “When else did I have my hands on you? Around you? You should have never let me get that far.”

  Her eyebrow shot up in an expression he was rapidly coming to realize meant her temper was rising. “I shouldn’t have let you get that far? Ever heard of this little thing called self control, Gunny?”

  “Self…!” He bit off the exclamation that almost came out. “That thing we were doing earlier? That two step? It wasn’t just all me and you know it. You got inside my head and you were like that annoying song that I couldn’t turn off. I didn’t want to go that far but…it got out of hand and I wasn’t trying to go beyond what was supposed to have been done.”

  “Annoyin… Right, I am not having this conversation with you, Scott.”

  Irritation, anger and something else crossed her face as she turned fully to him. Her eyes were furious as she backed him up against the wall, her finger prodding hi
s chest.

  “We were undercover with a specific mission goal to fulfill. It needed to be believable so, by the spirits, we made it believable. I don’t know how your previous unit did things but here, we achieve the mission goals by whatever means necessary. Half shagging you up against a wall? Not a problem, I’d have gotten down and dirty with half that damn security team if it had gotten that list out of Julian’s clutches and kept our men and women out there safe. Do you have a problem with that?”

  He didn’t like being cornered and he shifted sideways so he leaned against the wall, helping with some privacy. Not that it helped much because they were already yelling.

  “Yeah!”

  The response was out before he could even think about it. The idea of her fucking the security team…his fist hit the bulkhead next to him with a force that would have been painful but he felt nothing. His rage had numbed him.

  “So you’re telling me that you would have let yourself get fucked by anyone, by all those men if it meant you accomplished the mission parameters? That’s very noble of you, lady!”

  She didn’t flinch at his anger or the sound of his fist hitting the wall, just got up in his face even more, her expression furious.

  “Noble has nothing to do with it. We… I don’t get it right, and people die. And you want to be pissy with me because you’re upset we went a little too far? I’m sorry if that offended your sensibilities…or that we didn’t have a younger model to soothe your male ego…but we work with what we’ve got and that means you’re stuck with me.”

  “Why are you so hung up with how old you are? I don’t understand that. It has nothing to do with why I’m pissed off.”

  “Well, what the fuck are you pissed off about?” She glared at him. “Because when I picked you and Michaels up, I thought I was getting two professional operatives.”

  Because you make me horny as hell and it's driving me insane! “Lady,” he snarled down at her. “Had I been any less professional, you would have died strung up like a pig in that warehouse. Or worse…”