by Marie Harte
Recognizing her next target, Catori walked directly to the bar and met the gaze of the man she needed to speak with. Daegan Murphy was part Irish and his startling blue eyes were evident of his strong heritage. He kept his head closely shaved to his scalp, but his black hair was unmistakable. The two young girls who couldn’t take their eyes off of his six-foot tall muscular frame obviously found him attractive. Catori just wanted him for his ability to button a man’s pocket at a thousand yards.
“Daegan, I was hoping you had a moment to speak with me.”
“For you, darlin’, I have all night.” Daegan flipped the hand towel over his shoulder and then folded his arms before leaning on the bar top. “What can I help you with?”
Catori couldn’t prevent a smile at his charisma. She had to admit that she was having fun setting up her team. It kept her busy and she found herself feeling closer to Red in doing something that he loved. Seeing the frowns on the faces of the two women who looked as if she had just pissed in their rocks glasses, Catori cut to the chase.
“It’s what I can do for you.” Catori motioned with her head toward the back booths. “Mind if we talk in private?”
Daegan’s smile didn’t falter, but she could see that she had his wheels spinning. He tapped the surface of the bar and nodded, giving his consent. Holding up two fingers and gesturing to someone, Catori saw a man at one of the tables stand and head their way. This must be Daegan’s brother, Callum. They were similar in their dark good looks, although Callum appeared to have a thinner frame. She also noticed a wedding band on his left hand, making him out of contention with the women.
“This pretty lady would like a word with me, Callum. Mind taking over?”
Callum was more reserved and took the time to look her over, in the direct opposite manner that Daegan had. His brother didn’t like strangers in his town and was making it known. When he finally brought his gaze up to meet hers she didn’t back down. His lips thinned in annoyance, but he acquiesced and stepped around her to lift a portion of the bar. Callum entered while Daegan exited, but not before Daegan tossed the towel his brother’s way.
“After you,” Daegan murmured, gesturing with one hand while placing his other on her back. His familiar way was about to be brought to a halt and she wouldn’t in any way feel bad about it. In a way it was comical. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Catori Starr, of Red Starr HRT.”
In under a second Catori felt his hand drop from her waist like his fingers had just been singed. She smiled and kept walking, making her way to one of the empty booths. Picking one, she made sure she was facing the door. Knowing that he would have done the same and seeing the frown mar his face gave her some satisfaction. He slid into his side, giving her one hundred percent of his attention. That was good.
“Red Starr? I thought that agency went defunct a couple years back. What do you want with me?”
“Your services.” Catori leaned back against the dark wooden seat and studied Daegan’s reaction. “I’m putting together another team. I need a long range shooter with your marksmanship skill.”
Daegan sat back as well, mulling over her words. Catori knew damn well that he had an IQ well above average, seeing as he could do the advanced math required for a long distance shot in his head without blinking. He used his charm to cover up exactly how intelligent he was and seemed to enjoy playing with people. She wasn’t the woman he wanted to try that on and it was apparent he’d figured that out rather quickly. The smile vanished and he reached over to grab a toothpick from where the holder sat alongside the salt and pepper shakers. Instead of chewing it, he rolled it in his fingers. He was tactile and it showed.
“Why me?”
“Why not you?” Catori countered and then patiently waited for his answer.
“Let’s be blunt,” Daegan said, pinning her with his blue eyes. “You’ve obviously read my file. I’m not known to follow orders I don’t like. I was transferred out of my unit and into a range PMI billet because I had a difference of opinion with my Ops O. When I detached he shit-canned my career. I was given an adverse fitness report so that I couldn’t reenlist. I’m not the sort that Red Starr HRT would be looking for.”
“Really?” Catori asked, catching a glimpse of the anger that anyone would have in his position. Daegan had been reassigned from his unit to serve out his time as a primary marksmanship instructor at the base range. He’d only been a civilian for less than a year, but she figured to him it had felt like a lifetime. “And you would know that how?”
“Look, I’m not a machine that someone can program. I use my head. I think, Ms. Starr. I don’t regret making that shot against my commander’s orders. I took out the target with no other casualties. That was my job and I did it.” Daegan tossed the toothpick back onto the table and readied himself to leave. “I appreciate that you would consider me for your team, but you’ve obviously made a mistake.”
“I don’t make mistakes, Daegan. I don’t believe in mistakes. With that said, I might miscalculate from time to time. We learn something new every day, just as you’re about to.” Catori picked up the toothpick and held it out for Daegan to take, not continuing until he did so. “First, call me Starr. Second, I want a team of operators who do think. Using your head is the only way to ensure that you’ll get out of these missions alive. Nothing ever goes as planned, and if one of my men hesitates for a second, when that eventually happens all of your lives are forfeit. I admire your smarts and your gut instinct. Last time. Interested?”
Daegan didn’t react at first as he digested what she was offering. When a smile broke out over his face and his blue eyes sparkled, she knew he was hooked. There was an edge about him that suggested he was an adrenaline junkie. As much as he loved his family, as his dossier indicated he wouldn’t be satisfied for long working behind a bar.
“Where and when?”
This was the type of negotiation Catori liked. In and out, fast and easy. She quickly recited the same spiel as she had with the other two men, following it up by stating a letter of intent was waiting for him in his email. She also gave her forty-eight hour time limit on her proposition and that should he accept, the day and time he should report to their home base.
“You don’t need to wait two days, Starr.” Daegan slid out of the booth and held out his hand, for which Catori returned the gesture. “My answer is yes. I’ll meet you in San Diego on the first of August.”
“Welcome to the team, Daegan.” Catori walked toward the bar, seeing that Callum hadn’t warmed up during her visit. After hearing what Daegan was going to say, she doubted that she would be Callum’s favorite person. That was between the brothers. It was time that she got on the road, and glancing at her watch she was pleased to see she was thirty minutes ahead of schedule. “If you need me beforehand you’ll find my number in that email.”
“I have no doubt you have mine.”
Catori left Daegan at the bar to sort out his family affairs and exited through the door of the bar. Humidity hit her in the face as she continued to walk to her car. She hadn’t bothered to roll up the top, seeing as there wasn’t rain in the forecast. She wasn’t a foot away when she caught sight of something moving in her peripheral vision.
“You’re not from around this area.” A man in a black ripped T-shirt and a pair of cargo shorts was leaning back against his truck with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. She wasn’t sure if it was to look cool or if it was simply a bad habit. He was one of the good old boys who had been playing pool, and from the empty bottles she’d seen along the rail, he’d started his night early. From his license plate she could say for certain that his name was Lloyd. Catori knew being ahead of schedule was just a fluke. “Want me to show you around?”
“No, thank you.” Catori casually looked around, seeing if this guy’s friend had decided to join them. It appeared that it was only she and the drunk, so that should make what she had to do relatively easier. She estimated more time to exit civilly. “Yo
u have a good evening.”
Catori took a step toward her car the same moment that Lloyd moved away from his truck and placed himself between the two vehicles. She gave a half smile at his attempt to intimidate her and then immediately threw a punch to his throat while using the other hand to grab his balls. While he struggled to breathe, she grabbed his shoulder, and using both arms for leverage pulled him close so he heard every word she said.
“You don’t want to fuck with me, Lloyd.” Catori tightened her grip on his less than average manhood, causing his face to become a darker shade of red and his eyes to widen. “When I let go of you, you’re going to move out of my way and allow me passage to my car. If you don’t, I’ll have to pull out my weapon and your balls really don’t want that. Do I make myself clear?”
Lloyd tried to nod, and although the action was more stuttered Catori figured it was a good enough answer. She slowly released him, waiting for any indication that he would be dumber than she assumed he was and actually try something more. He stumbled back a few steps and then turned, quickly making his way around the front of his truck.
Catori pulled on the handle and then slid into the driver’s seat. Looking into her rearview mirror, she saw that Daegan was just inside the doorway of the bar, a look of amusement on his face. Although he was closing in on thirty years old, there was something youthful in his appearance that made her feel older than her years. She might actually hole up in a hotel at the first exit she found. Tomorrow would come soon enough.
Chapter Eight
‡
“OPEN THOSE BEAUTIFUL brown eyes of yours, Cat.”
Catori struggled to fulfill the request, knowing if she did the likelihood of Red being above her was nonexistent. He wasn’t here and never would be again, but she felt his lips against hers now. Lifting her lashes, his gray eyes stared into hers as if the last two years never existed.
“You aren’t real,” Catori whispered.
“As long as you don’t let me go I’ll always be here. You just need to hold on.”
Not wanting to waste a single second of their time together, real or not, Catori wrapped her arms around Red’s neck and brought his lips once more against hers. Kissing him was like breathing…so natural and so graceful it brought tears to her eyes. His soft, warm lower lip always covered hers and sent shivers of anticipation running through her body. As if reading her mind, he trailed his breath down her neck and over her breast, claiming an erect nipple. She tried to arch but suddenly found herself unable to move. She was at his mercy, just the way she liked it.
“Red, I need to touch you.”
“You aren’t taking care of yourself, Cat.” The disappointment in Red’s voice was palpable and it was like a sharp ache went through her chest. How did he expect her to be? His tongue felt like a blazing torch as it circled her nipple and he finally drew it into his mouth, suckling on the hardened pebble. Her hands were resting by her head, unable to tangle her fingers into his unruly hair. It was so unfair, especially if she truly awakened to find she’d dreamt this. “I need you healthy. I need you to stay on this newfound path to find…”
Red’s voice trailed off as his lips continued exploring. Her body was responding and although she wanted to think his words through, knowing something was wrong with this scenario, she followed his lead into sheer pleasure. His hand gathered up her ample flesh, making it easier to play with her breast. He teased and nibbled on the sensitive tissue until she was crying out his name.
As if the sound of her voice triggered this fantasy to deviate courses, Catori found herself on top of Red, looking down into his striking face. Gray eyes that resembled a storm rolling in from the west were just as restless as the menacing clouds that gathered above. Before she could question this apparition, she felt her body accepting him. Her knees were on either side of him and his cock was stretching her sheath, creating that burn that she’d come to relish.
“Take me like you always do, Cat.” Red’s fingers felt like they were digging into her side, although she also felt them on her breasts. The sensations were almost too much to calculate, so she concentrated on what she could do. “Sink your nails into my chest.”
Catori did as he asked and used his chest for leverage. Red’s contoured muscles gave her fingers something to hold on to as she continued to sink over his cock, over and over until finally she’d accepted all of him. Gyrating to truly feel his presence was the only way she could savor these precious moments. She needed to feel the sting from his width and cried out when she started to feel the quivers in her pussy, indicating her need to come.
“You know your orgasm is stronger if I’m taking you from behind,” Red whispered in her ear. She abruptly found herself on her hands and knees. Catori loved this position because his cock went farther into her core, producing a stronger and amazingly intense release. She dug her nails into the sheets as he took control by sliding his fingers into her hair and drawing her head back. “Do you remember how kinky we could be, Cat?”
Various images of their past rushed through her while Red pounded into her from behind. Without slowing his thrust or releasing his hold on her hair, she felt something on her clit. This should have awakened her, yet her body was too far gone wrapped up in Red’s memory. Long strokes over her engorged flesh drew out an animalistic moan from deep within her. No one else could make her feel like this.
Catori was suddenly lowered to the bed, with her ass still in the air and her pussy taking Red’s cock like he hadn’t been gone for two years. She rested her cheek against the cool sheets, knowing that Red had total control over this fantasy. There were times they wrestled for power, and as fun as that had been, there was something euphoric when Red actually won.
Her cream was now dripping down her inner thigh and her clit was receiving so much pleasure that it bordered on pain. This had to be real. The sensations were overwhelming and were becoming almost magical. Her body felt like it was floating as Red continued to make love to her. There wasn’t a place on her warm flesh that hadn’t been touched in some way.
“Come for me.”
Catori opened her mouth to draw in air when her release hit, but it was useless. She gathered up more of the rumpled sheets in her fists as her body exploded. Red’s cock felt like it expanded inside of her as waves of contractions rippled around his shaft. Like always, he never let up on her clit either as he knew that only prolonged her orgasm.
“You need to come for me…”
“I did!” Catori cried out, sitting straight up in bed and looking around wildly. Perspiration dripped down the side of her cheek and she swiped away her damp hair, catching her breath and trying to make sense of what had just occurred. The hotel room was empty, with only the air conditioning making noise if she discounted her hard respiration. “Shit.”
It had felt so real. Catori didn’t need to look down at her nipples to know they were hard and that her panties were damp. With trembling hands, she pulled the white tank top she’d been sleeping in over her head, trying to cool down. Had she truly come from just a dream? They were becoming so real lately that if she hadn’t embarked on this new journey to reopen Red Starr’s doors she would have thought she was losing her mind. Work had given her something to do and she had thought that it would quell these dreams. It wasn’t like she didn’t want to feel Red and keep this part of him, but she knew that it wasn’t real and that scared her most of all. She could handle fear, but she couldn’t take feeling downright frightened of…some type of premonition. That’s what it had felt like, but she couldn’t put her finger on why.
Glancing at the clock, Catori debated on whether she should shower and start her day early. Four o’clock in the morning was a little excessive, but there were people who would be awake by now who would be able to assist her in checking off some of the items on her to-do list. She ignored the exhaustion that was settling in her bones. She knew that she was replacing one bad habit with another, but she didn’t care. Work was becoming her salvation an
d once things were in full swing, she would settle into a normal routine. She would.
Chapter Nine
‡
THREE DAYS LATER, Catori found herself in the state of Washington. Her original destination had been to drive to Wyoming and visit Aaron “Stick” Scott at his home, but he didn’t make it easy on her. Wasting this much time didn’t make her happy and she damn well hoped that this man was worth every minute she’d lost. She pulled alongside a couple of trucks before shutting off her engine and exiting her convertible.
The temperature wasn’t as warm here as it was in the Midwest, so she was thankful that she’d brought more than a couple of blazers on this trip. This red one was a little longer than the others and while it had a cloth type belt the edge of her jacket fit over her weapon a little easier. It wasn’t even sunrise yet, but from what she’d gathered, if she didn’t catch Stick this morning she wouldn’t have a chance to speak with him for the next six months.
The diner’s lights lit up the wharf as bells from the ships tinkered and their engines hummed. Catori walked toward the lively eatery, scouting for Aaron Scott through the windows. She caught sight of him at the counter, finishing up what he thought was going to be his last meal on land for the next twenty-four weeks. He didn’t realize it yet, but his luck was about to change.
“Excuse me,” a man mumbled after he’d opened the door and signaled his exit with the chime above their heads.
Catori used it to her advantage and smiled her appreciation for his politeness in holding the door open for her. She closed the distance to the counter and took the empty seat next to Stick. He didn’t look up from his coffee cup, which appeared to have only one more drink left. Sure enough, he swallowed the contents and then reached behind for his wallet.
“We can technically call this a business meeting,” Catori said, placing her hand on the written ticket laying by his plate and sliding it her way. Finally she’d garnered his attention. Unlike Doc’s darker blond hair, Stick’s was lighter and he still maintained his military cut. He’d let it grow out slightly on top, making her immediately think of the surfer model photographers used for ads at the beach. His blue eyes met hers and it was obvious he wasn’t anywhere near the free spirit of a surfer. “Mind if we take this conversation somewhere private?”