by Dale Mayer
She ran over and picked the cat up, giving him a huge hug. She ran her hands over him, checking he was okay. “He seems to be fine.” She opened up a cupboard and pulled down a can of food. “I forgot to feed him before we left.” She quickly opened the can and dumped it in a bowl. “He must be starving.”
Masters’ head disappeared into the bowl instantly. She laughed. “See. That’s what he wanted all along.”
She reached out and stoked Masters’ back. “What a beautiful boy.”
He couldn’t be bothered lifting his head. She smirked. “That’s okay, I understand. A cat is king.”
She turned, looking for Dane, who she’d thought was still standing behind her. And found no one. Damn. Had he gone upstairs to check that the house was empty? It would make sense. His team was here somewhere?
As she turned back to Masters, she realized Dane was there, but with an angry look on his face.
He walked toward her. She ran toward him. “What’s the matter?”
“Leave, right no–”
“She’s not going anywhere, are you Marielle?” A dark face slid out from the shadows. One she recognized from her lab at Tenesco.
Marielle shook her head. “Dr. Hoerner? What are you doing here?” she stared at the one man she really enjoyed working with. How could this be? Was he involved? Was she such a lousy judge of character? How could this man be on the wrong side of the team?
“You shouldn’t have come back to the labs if you hadn’t wanted to see me again.”
That made no sense. At the obvious confusion on her face he sneered, “I never could see why they kept an eye on you. Your mental process is so damn slow. It makes no sense that you made the discovery.”
“I process differently,” she said in a low voice, her mind already racing on the implications. “Besides I wasn’t looking for this discovery. It just happened.”
“And that’s the really sad part,” he snapped. “It’s only after you stumbled in that discovery…” he twisted his face while his tone made the word sound like an insult to the hard working chemists around the world, “that the company asked me to keep a particular eye on you.”
She wanted to shake her head again but figured he’d really get mad at her slowness. Yet what he was saying versus what she understood wasn’t the same thing. “Why?”
He snorted and waved a snub nosed gun around. She glanced at Dane’s face, but with the bored look and his crossed arms, he made it seem like this was just an irritation in the day. She’d trusted him so far so she decided to take her cue from him.
“That’s what I mean. You just don’t get it, do you? Nothing is secret and everyone wants to know when something interesting happens. Especially something this interesting. And there is always someone there ready to pay for the information.”
“So Tenesco isn’t part of this nightmare, or it is?” she cried, wanting something clear for once. “I love working there, thought they were honorable.”
“Hell, they are. At least this branch but they have no idea what is happening at other branches and the other two offices have hooked up with a bigger badder company into some major shit.” He smirked. “Spying is lucrative and having an innocent arm in the US has given the big company entrance to a whole new sea of research. Only now you’re meddling in shit you aren’t supposed to be.”
“I’m not doing anything. I went for a holiday to Germany to spend time with a favorite professor and everything blew up.”
“That’s because you’re so stupid. It wasn’t a holiday. It was a grooming session. To see what the company could offer you to make you work for them willingly. Only Michaels wasn’t so sure anything would work with you being so moral and upright. I see you stole his cat though, so maybe you’re not so high and mighty after all.”
He snickered gleefully as if having found her weak spot.
When the right fist smashed into his nose, and the left came up under his chin, Dr. Hoerner had no time to react. The gun flew through the air harmlessly, landed and skittered across the floor. Marielle raced to grab it, snatching it up. She turned to look at the men, but Dr. Hoerner was already down and Dane stood over him. Not even winded.
Swede and Mason raced in from opposite sides of the room, guns out, ready for action.
“We saw him enter the house,” Mason said. “We were getting into position when you pulled in.”
“Glad he didn’t get you two. When the house was empty I was worried.”
Mason snorted. “Not happening.”
The men grinned.
Marielle stared as they joked and laughed at the thought of someone sneaking up on them and taking them out. It could happen.
Dane caught her look.
He held out his hand. She ran over to him and gave him the gun gingerly, hating to even be holding it. He switched the gun to his other hand and held out his hand again. This time she smiled and placed hers in it. He tugged her close. “Are you okay?”
“Now I am.” She stared down at the unconscious man. “It never occurred to me he would be involved. He was always so interested in my work. So friendly.”
He squeezed her hand again.
“Like he said, they were keeping an eye on me.” She swallowed hard and gripped his hand. “That really sucks.”
“Maybe and maybe it also releases Tenesco from being an active part in this. That they have employees who are potentially on the wrong side makes them a large corporation involved in research that is highly sought after.” He nodded at the unconscious man. “He is not unusual. He’s weak and looking for an easy payout. This time, you. Next time, who knows? These activities always start out small and then grow. Once a moral code is broken and the legalities blur then it’s much easier to take the next step on the dark side. Murder might be one step away or it could take twenty steps to get there. But given the right reward, they get there eventually.”
She shivered. “That is a very difficult way to view the world.”
“I’ve seen it over and over again.” He dropped her hand and crouched down to the man’s side. He checked his wallet and made a check of his ID. There was nothing new. “Interesting. He appears to be who he says he is.”
“And you were expecting…”
He quickly ran his hands over the prone man, searching the pockets. He rolled him over and carefully studied the man’s face. “No cosmetic changes. No body modifications. No major identifying marks.”
“But why are you looking at that?”
“Because often in espionage there are disguises used. Men with indistinct features so they blend in more.”
“Nice. Not.” She shuddered. “What do we do with him?”
“He’s going to be picked up soon and taken for questioning.”
“You don’t want to question him yourself?”
He smiled. “I’ll leave that to someone else.”
She stared at him in surprise. “Now that I don’t understand.”
“Shadow is a wizard at getting information out of suspects. And I’d hate to take a treat away from him.”
She laughed. “So now that makes sense. You like Shadow.”
“I really respect the man. He can talk to beasts of all kinds – including human ones.”
“And if he can’t talk to this one?”
Dane grinned, but it was a feral movement that made her realize the man would talk – one way or the other.
She stepped back, needing to distance herself. “I forgot how the underbelly of the world worked.”
“It works. That’s key.”
A sound came from behind her. She spun around and found herself peering around Dane as he moved so quickly to stand in front of her.
Shadow and Hawk walked in, guns drawn. When they saw Dane, they relaxed. When they caught sight of the prone man their gazes hardened. “I see you had all the fun while we were gone.”
“What took you so long?” Dane asked with a grin. “Mason and Swede watched him arrive and were just coming in after him when we
got here.”
“Cooper and Bradley are on their way. Jace has joined in on the fun.”
“Good. We could use the help.”
“Where were these men before?”
“They were tugging other strings.”
She nodded. He’d mentioned he worked with other SEALs earlier. Besides, it was all the explanation she was likely to get and maybe that was enough. They were all working to bring this to an end. And that’s what she was looking for. An end.
“I appreciate it.” She really did. “How many of you are there?”
“We usually work in groups of four or eight.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “It can change. Depends on the situation.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Glad you have more men to draw on.”
“We have all the manpower we need, when we need it. However,” he shot her a look. “We rarely need it.”
At that, she had to laugh. “Of course you don’t.” Her grin widened. “You are SEALs.”
*
DANE GRINNED AT her. “Very true.”
Then he turned his attention to the man at his feet. “Shadow?”
His buddy nodded. Shadow reached down and grabbed the man’s collar and dragged him to the kitchen and the chairs.
Dane watched as they tied him up. Catching sight of Marielle staring in horror, her face already imagining something worse than what would actually happen, he walked over to stand between the two of them. And tugged her up against his chest.
“Let’s get you upstairs, it’s nap time.”
She turned her gaze toward the stairs, eager, energy in her step. By the time she hit the stairs she was almost running. He understood. She needed to get away. To get out.
He followed her up the stairs. At the bedroom, she bolted toward the window where she tugged the curtains back and looked out. She was trying so hard to stay in control. But he could see the tremor. He stepped behind her and wrapped his hands around her shoulders, tugging her back against his chest.
“It’s going to be okay.”
“Are they going to hurt him?”
“Not likely. He’ll talk way before it comes to that.”
She gripped his hand. “Are you sure? And does that change anything? Does it make it easier to know that?”
“Of course it does. Life isn’t easy.”
“And when it goes bad, it goes really bad.” She sniffled.
Shit. He hated a woman’s tears. They broke his heart every time. He turned her around and tucked her up close against his heart. “It will be okay.”
With a shake of her head she said, “No it won’t be. The things that have happened.” She sniffled again. “Are still happening…they won’t be erased from my memory. They are stuck there for life.”
“As are all the good things in life.” He smiled down at her, trying to reassure her. “Remember that. There are two sides to everything. And in this case there are many really good things in life to keep in your mind as well.”
She studied his warm gaze and asked, “Like what?”
He smiled and leaned over to kiss her forehead. “Like us. Like this.” He kissed her again on her chin. Then on her cheek. And again on her nose.
She closed her eyes. He kissed first one closed eye, then the other. She tilted her head up higher. He brushed his nose against hers in a slow loving movement. She gave a gentle happy sigh. He kissed the tip of her nose. Then reached up a gentle finger and nudged her chin higher. He kissed the tip of her chin. Then pulled back slowly.
She whimpered in protest. She tugged him closer and laid her head against his chest.
“Nice,” she whispered.
“Very nice.”
“Hmmm.” She smiled and nestled closer. He wrapped his arms lower and cuddled her close.
“Being together like this is a gift,” he whispered. “And I for one want to enjoy it. Life is too precious. It’s too damn short.”
“And it’s ugly as hell.”
He chuckled. “Remember that the good stuff is there too.”
“Like you.” She leaned back and tilted her head up to look at him. “You are a gift.”
And she kissed him. A gentle loving kiss with the softest touch, like a brush of butterfly wings beating against his lips. He wanted to kiss her more but didn’t want to scare her off. And besides, her gentleness was unexpected. Special. He couldn’t count on one hand the number of times he could remember having experienced such a thing.
She reached up again and kissed his chin then his cheek. As if copying his actions.
And he was a willing victim.
She murmured gently, her hands reaching up to tug his face down toward her.
He backed up a couple of steps and sat down on the chair, tugging her into his lap. Into his arms. Into his heart. He needed this woman, her gentleness. Her positive outlook on life. Her presence gave him balance. Gave him a sense of wholeness. He didn’t want to do anything to mar it.
He could hear the raised voices downstairs. Needing to block the reminder from her mind, he tugged her forward and kissed her again. Taking the slow simmering heat between them into a deeper, darker drugged heat that had them both wanting more.
Chapter 23
SHE PULLED BACK and looked down at him. “Do you want me?”
He raised his gaze to her. So warm, caring, and so full of promise she melted against him. “Never doubt that.”
“Is what we have for real? Or is it only a heightened sense of intimacy due to the circumstances?”
“I don’t need to analyze it. Do you?”
“I don’t know.” She searched his gaze. “I want this but need to know if it’s a fantasy or is it something better. Deeper.”
“Better. Deeper for sure. Is it for real?” He stroked a hand up her back and slipped his fingers into her scalp. She closed her eyes, loving the feeling.
In a slow slumberous move, he tugged her down toward him. “I would like to find out,” he whispered, his breath warm against her mouth. “The question is, would you?”
She teased his lips with one kiss then a second. “I want to. But I don’t do one night stands.”
“There is nothing one night standish about this. I should know. I’ve only had those.”
She reared back and stared at him. “Really?”
He nodded. “Way back in high school I had a couple of longer relationships but not since.” He smiled. “Women are all over the place, easy.” He turned his gaze away. “I’m gone a lot. My lifestyle is dangerous and when we were off and home again, we all lived a swinger lifestyle.”
“And that’s changed?” She had already surmised what his love life was like. How could it not be? He was gorgeous, single and available. Women would line up. Had lined up. Would still line up. But she couldn’t do that. Tonight maybe, because she desperately wanted him, this. Right now. But in the long-term she needed so much more.
Could she accept this for what it was?
“It has changed. Several times in the last year we’ve had discussions about how this has gotten old. It happened before Mason, but I think he was feeling it the worst.” He stopped and kissed her again. “And Mason got lucky. He found Tesla and life for him has never been the same. We all wanted her.” He grinned, his smile crooked, yet she didn’t see any sense of loss in his gaze. “But she only had eyes for Mason. In truth they are perfect together,” he said warmly. “Although she loves all of us and we love her.”
“You’re all very lucky.” To have a relationship like that, with these men, yeah Tesla was the lucky one.
“Mason especially. And then it was Hawk’s turn and we all realized Mason’s luck wasn’t a one off. It was something we could all find. Since then, we’ve stopped…” That crooked smile popped out again. “Or slowed our singles lifestyle down somewhat.”
“While you looked around for something better.”
“While we looked, waited.” He tugged her slowly back down and whispered, “And hoped.”
She kissed him, his words
reaching into her heart and finding a response she hadn’t expected. She’d been waiting, looking and hoping too. Only she hadn’t lived a life of danger or craziness where she’d needed to let off steam or reaffirm her belief in life after so much death. But she’d been waiting in her own corner of her world in her own way. Until now…
“And now?”
“Now I hope that means some of the lucky stardust came my way.”
She kissed him first but he took over quickly, his tongue dueling with hers before sliding inside her mouth to caress her tongue and along her teeth. Picking her up, he carried her to the bed then walked to the door and closed it firmly. He returned to her side and sat down on the edge. She opened her arms. “Let’s see if there is stardust for both of us.”
He pulled her into his arms. “I would love to.”
It wasn’t quite what she wanted to hear but it was close. And a great place to start.
She smiled up at him and reached up for him.
The feel of his lips, the heat of touch, and now as if they both had the acceptance to explore this beautiful new step – to have this time, this moment to explore each other…it was special. Her heart rejoiced. She pulled back slightly, wanting to tell him something, but he wouldn’t let her speak. He kept his lips on hers, his tongue sliding deep within. She forgot what she’d been going to say… His warm breath bathed her face, his lips not even a heartbeat away as he shifted her in his arms. She relaxed back into the warm bedding. He moved to lie beside her then tugged her so she sprawled half on top of his chest.
She was fine with that. She stared down at his beloved face. In truth, this was exactly where she wanted to be.
He urged her head down to him. And tasted, teased, a fire building between them that had her trembling in minutes and wanting so much more. He flipped over and tucked her under him. Yes. When he lowered his head this time, it was as if he was intent on proving she was his. As if branding her in all ways. He slid warm hands under her shirt to brush against her ribs and slid upward to cup swollen breasts. She cried out and arched into his hands. The shirt was tugged up and over her head, her arms tangled in the material. When she tried to tug her hands free, he held them above her head so she couldn’t move. She watched him as he studied her. Her breasts plumped in the bra, swelling in need, her nipples hard and so damn ready.