by Dale Mayer
But he waited. And waited. His gaze hot on her skin. Studying her belly, her breasts, her skin, the slope of her collarbone, the curve of her neck…then when she didn’t think she could wait any longer, he bent his head. She whimpered as his lips brushed across her breasts then down to her ribs, rising up to kiss the spot between her breasts. Somehow, he released the catch on her bra.
She heard his breath catch in the back of his throat as the material fell away.
An unintelligible murmur escaped and he lowered his head, taking the nipple into his mouth and suckling deep. She moaned, twisting beneath him. He wouldn’t let up, instead he slid over to give the other breast the same attention. She tried to release her arms so she could stroke him, touch him…but he wouldn’t let her.
His free hand slid down across her belly to the clasp of her jeans. With a flick, he had it undone and several long fingers tucked inside her panties.
“Too many clothes,” she whispered. “Take them off.”
He released her arms to drag her jeans down her legs, throwing them to the floor in abandon. He stopped and stared. She glanced down to see her white lace panties the center of his attention. Her body melted a little bit more.
Leaning over, he kissed her hip bones, first one then the other, before sliding his tongue along the simple band. She shuddered. And pushed herself up so she could divest herself of the remnants of clothing still attached to her arms. Free at last, she reached for his shirt and dragged it over his head.
He gave a shout of laughter and hopped off the bed, stripping off the rest of his clothes, leaving them where they fell. When he returned to her, she slid the panties down and dropped them beside his clothes.
This time when he reached for her, he didn’t just kiss her, he ravished her. His hands building the flames from the earlier embers until she twisted beneath him, her body humming in joy as her nerve endings woke to his touch. Hell, they woke up screaming.
Not content to lie there passively, she caressed his hard body, the long lines of his legs, his arms, the heavily muscled chest. God, she loved this.
She took a deep breath, filling her nostrils with his scent, the very essence of what made him who he was. A hunter. A protector. She reveled in the joy of being here with him. Loved everything about him. The instant response when she touched him, the sounds he made when she touched his erection. His willingness to let her do as she wanted. Priceless.
She cupped the enlarged spheres below, taking the weight in the palm of her hand. A shudder rippled through him.
In response, he reached down and slid two fingers into the damp curls waiting for him.
Her hips lifted, her heart pounding, her cries filling the room.
She tugged him toward her. “Dane,” she whispered. “Come to me.”
“Are you ready for me?” His fingers slid lower, stroking the outside of the plump folds. He found her wet, hot and waiting for him, and smiled. “Maybe you are.” He reared up and settled between her thighs.
Holding her head with both hands, he kissed her as if there were no other women in his life. As if she were special. As if she were the “one.”
She wanted that to be the truth so badly…
Just when she didn’t think she could take anymore, he slid just inside her entrance…and waited.
She twisted sinuously up against him, whispering, “More, give me more.”
Obligingly, he gave her more.
A little more.
“Enough,” she cried and reached down to his hips and pulled him close. In a single thrust, he’d seated himself deep inside.
She groaned, and her legs instinctively widened, wrapping around his hips. When he still didn’t move, she lifted up against him beseechingly.
“Don’t do that,” he growled, resting on his elbows above her.
“Don’t do what?” she said, slowly retreating then thrusting up again. She had very little room to wiggle but it was enough as he groaned and started to move, setting a pace that was hard and fast and took her right to the edge.
And over it. She arched her back, crying out as the waves poured over her – and he drove again and again and rode her right through her climax.
A guttural groan ripped free of his throat as his own release poured through him. He surged into her one last time before collapsing on the bed beside her.
*
SHE FELL ASLEEP in his arms. He should feel guilty for being here. He was on duty, but he couldn’t remember ever having wanted anyone like he wanted her. Not the sexual drive of a frantic couple followed by a righting of the clothing and walking away. Nor the heavy emotionless atmosphere, taking what was offered only to wake up alone, not remembering the woman he’d been with. This was…he didn’t know. For the first time he had no words. He reached up and stroked a lock of hair back off her face, still shiny from the sweat of her release.
A release he’d given her. Now boneless, she slept like an infant. And he should be going downstairs to talk to the others. Hear what they’d learned and send the asshole off. He knew the man would be picked up today and taken to the base. What they did after that was none of his business. They could deep six him and he’d cheer. The man had pulled a gun on Marielle. So not allowed.
He shifted slightly away, a tender smile coming to his lips as she murmured and tried to nestle closer. He kissed her and kissed her and kissed her again. He couldn’t stop kissing her. Light air kisses so as to not wake her but so hard to resist. He dropped his forehead to rest on hers. With supreme control, he pulled himself back and rose from the bed. He used the washroom, wanted a shower but knew there was no time so had a quick wash instead and quickly redressed. He stepped out on the deck and surveyed the darkness. Somewhere along the line it had become night. He watched Swede walk the perimeter of the yard. They were on watches. He checked his time and realized he’d be up next – if the schedule was still the same. With a last look, he turned and left Marielle alone to sleep.
In the kitchen he found Shadow on the computer and Mason busy mapping something on the table. He walked over and poured a coffee. They’d need food again. That was something he could do. He opened the fridge and realized someone had shopped. Swede was outside and likely Hawk too. He figured Cooper and Jace had taken the prisoner back.
He pulled out several large packs of steaks from the fridge and busied himself trimming and adding a spicy rub. With all the vegetables stacked up in the fridge, he prepped a large Caesar salad and steamed veggies. Then found potatoes and grinned. He was famished and starches were good for energy.
Happy to be doing something normal and feeling pretty damn fine, he ignored the looks from the men and cooked up a full dinner. Before putting on the steaks, he turned and asked the others, “Who is here?”
Mason said, “Cooper and Bradley took Dr. Hoerner. Jace went with them.”
“Good,” Shadow said from behind his laptop. “More for us.”
“Did you guys learn anything?”
“Nothing new. He was paid by Michaels. Recruited by him. Everything seemed to run via him. He was in the know to some extent but not enough to have anything new.”
“Yet with him now out of the picture, we still don’t know who is the problem.”
“Does it matter? Take her home and we can go to Germany and take them down. We will have better intel over there.”
Dane set the finished meal on the table as the others scurried to move their research materials out of the way.
“The problem is we don’t have enough information. We have little league people, not the bosses. We keep taking out the small men but no one even knows who’s above their immediate boss and with that level removed, no one knows who’s above him.” Swede took a bite of dinner and said when he could, “Smart really.”
“So how do we find them?”
“We could shake down each of the others. One at a time. One will crack,” Shadow suggested as he cut a slice of rare steak. “However, I’m tracking the money. Started with Michaels. He
received quarterly payments, six figures. Regular for the last few years.”
“Confirms what we knew.”
“And the money came out of Germany.”
“Any way to track other people’s money?”
“Not legally,” he said calmly. “However, the head of the Tenesco chemistry labs did not have the same type of payout. In fact, I can’t find anything out of the ordinary.”
“Too clean?”
Shadow cocked his head. Then shook it. “No. I think he was clean.”
“What about her? Candice. Did you check her out?”
“I did. And there were regular small payments going back years.”
Everyone at the table stopped and stared at him. “Small amounts?”
He nodded. “They weren’t much, but they added up to six figures over the years.”
“So not blood money?”
“Hard to say. Maybe loyalty rewards.”
Swede snorted. “Why so little?”
“Maybe it had been set in place so long ago that it was the right amount for the time. And the arrangement was agreeable for all parties so why change.”
“Possible. Were the payments from Germany as well?”
“Yes.” Shadow nodded. “I think she was keeping an eye on the place.”
“A snitch,” Dane said. “That would make sense.”
“Any others at the company?”
“Not that I’ve found so far. However, if there were two there is a good chance of more.”
“Three if you count Michaels, if you can research several years back to when he worked there,” Marielle said from the doorway, her voice hesitant. “Is there enough dinner for me?”
“Of course!” Dane hopped up to grab her a plate. “I was hoping you’d sleep through the night.”
“My stomach woke me, I think,” she said with a smile as she took a seat at the table.
Dane cut her a slab of steak from a huge one and added a large portion of vegetables. He placed it in front of her and nudged the remains of the big Cesar salad. “I’m sorry you’re not sleeping, but if your body needs food, you woke up at the right time.” He found her a knife and a fork. “Dig in.”
He retook his seat, his gaze lingering on her features. She looked rested. Good. He turned back to his plate and caught the look on Swede’s face. That, hey you did good look. He narrowed his gaze back at him.
Swede gave him an innocent look in response, too innocent. His eyes twinkled with mischief. Dane shot him a look intended on setting him back in place, but as Swede’s grin slid sideways, he knew he’d failed. As long as he kept his comments to himself.
Shit.
He ignored the others and tucked into his food. He appreciated a good meal and this one was good. When he was done, he stood up and cleared off his plate. He set up coffee next. It was empty again. He didn’t know about the others, but he’d enjoy a cup. He stood at the window and stared out into the darkness. He’d head out and relieve Hawk. There was still steak and vegetables for him.
“Shift change.” He grabbed his travel mug and filled it with coffee. He turned before he walked out and called back to Marielle, “Hawk will be in soon. Everyone is changing shifts, eating as they can before moving to the next shift.” He narrowed his gaze at her. “Stay inside and away from the windows.”
She turned to look at him. “I will be careful. The guys will look after me.”
“Good.” He walked to the door again and pushed it open. Hawk walked in as Dane walked to the door.
“There you are. All is well out there.”
Dane nodded. “I never expected it to be any other way.”
He tried to walk out but couldn’t force himself to do so. Damn. He turned around, set his mug of coffee down and strode over to the table where Marielle sat staring up at him.
“Go back to bed and rest,” he ordered.
When she opened her mouth to protest, he half lifted her up from her seat and tugged her into his arms and kissed her. Long, hard and so damn thoroughly he knew it looked like he’d placed a stamp on her. And maybe he had. She was his and the others had damn well better know it.
He released her to slump back into her chair, then with a satisfied grin on his face, he stormed out into the night.
Chapter 24
SITTING BACK DOWN, her face hot and bothered, she couldn’t stop sighing happily. She was a damn fool. And the men…they were busy trying to keep their gazes on the food in front of them. Mason was back looking at the map.
“What are you looking for on the map?” she asked him.
“Another safe place.”
“For us?” She forked up a bite of food and chewed slowly as she considered it. “We can’t stay here?” Too bad. She had lovely memories of the place that overrode the earlier horror. Almost…
“No.”
Her stomach, initially overjoyed at the promise of food, started to rebel. “Right. When do we stop running?”
“When we have a target to go after.”
“And Tenesco isn’t it?”
“It is partly, but it could be that the American branch has no idea what the German branch is doing. It appears the three arms of the company were run originally by three brothers. Each in a different country.”
She looked outside and watched Shadow approach. He came in, served a plate and set dishes to soak as he came over and sat down. He didn’t look tired. None of them did. Unlike herself. And she’d slept. She glanced at her watch and realized she’d only had a nap. They had only gotten home a couple of hours ago. So much had happened since. “When are we leaving?”
Hawk checked his watch. “Sixty minutes.”
“Oh.” She quickly finished her plate, the lovely relaxed feeling she’d woken up with long gone. “I’ll go pack.” She washed her plate and escaped to her room.
It took less than five minutes to pack up her personal belongings and another five to locate her bag of stuff she’d removed from the lab. Masters took longer. By the time she had her coat and bags and pet, the men were already loading up the SUVs. Of Dane there was no sign. She tried to act natural as she got into the vehicle Hawk motioned at her to get into, but it was hard to not look around and wonder where he was hiding.
In the back passenger seat she slunk down and waited. Before she realized it, they were moving silently through the night. Only she couldn’t see Dane.
The SUV turned onto the side street and toward the main road. She twisted to look behind them to see the second vehicle was a half block behind her. Her SUV, driven by Swede with Shadow riding shotgun, pulled off to the side. She opened her mouth to ask then closed it. Suddenly the door opened. She gasped then smiled as Dane slid into the back seat beside her.
He’d waited to make sure no one followed them and had crossed through the backyards and met them on the other side of the block. Smart.
He grinned, reached across and kissed her.
The SUV pulled back onto the main road and drove off into the night.
She lost track of the miles and direction they travelled. They were taking her somewhere safe and that was all she cared about. Besides – she was with Dane. It was all good. By the time they came to a stop at another location, unloaded only what they needed and got her into a room in yet another house, she wondered if they were in the real estate business. Nice if they were but she doubted it. She wanted to ask a million questions but knew they wouldn’t answer and at this point, she was too damn tired. When she saw the bed, she let Masters out, set up his food and litter box then took off her coat and lay down fully dressed. A blanket was thrown over her and then the bed sagged as someone lay down behind her. She smiled.
“Good night,” she whispered.
His arm came around her, tugging her up close, and with his warm breath against her cheek, he whispered, “Good night.”
*
SHE DRIFTED OFF to sleep so easily. Good. That meant she felt safe and trusted him and the others. He could power nap, particularly when under pressu
re, but this running away stuck in his craw. He needed to keep her safe, but never ending problems of keeping on the move impacted his ability to shut down. His mind circled with options but didn’t find a solution.
When he knew she was deep asleep, he slipped off the bed and moved to the living room. Shadow was still pounding on the keyboard.
“Anything?”
He shook his head. “Everyone else in Tenesco looks clean.”
“And the other branches?”
“I’m working on it but there are hundreds of employees.”
“They’d have to be connected to Michaels. He’s key in all of this.”
Shadow stopped and looked up at him. “Suggestions?”
“His damn house and the hidden doors and rooms.”
Shadow’s gaze narrowed. “And the computer I didn’t have much time to work on.”
He glanced at his watch. “Do we know what happened to the house? Did anyone claim ownership? It’s deeded to Michaels, but beyond that?”
“Not yet. Inheritance laws in Germany are not easy or fast or simple.”
“Then let’s go back.”
Mason entered in time to hear that last bit. “Where?”
Dane explained.
Mason fired question after question. He looked at his watch. “We’re not that far away in terms of flight time.”
“Exactly.” Dane glanced toward the bedroom where Marielle slept. “We could slip away now.”
He hated to leave her. Really hated it. And knew she’d have the same reaction to waking up alone. But she was safe here. “I think we should leave her behind. Just two of us go.” He hated to but all she did was nap. She needed more rest to fully heal. Not head off on another jaunt to Germany.
“Not happening,” Marielle’s voice came from behind him. She stood fully dressed and ready to go. As always. “It’s a waste of a night’s sleep if we’re leaving now, but money doesn’t seem to drive any of this operation, and besides, the sooner it’s over the better. I agree we need to go back. There has to be something else there that will put an end to this.”