by Kailin Gow
If so, then everything would have changed. Life would have been so different than what it was now. And Nat?
Nat’s eyes wouldn’t have the haunted and steeled glaze he now had…the eyes of a man who have seen too much suffering and pain in the world. The determined eyes of a man who had a purpose in life and a mission.
Chapter 4
Nat
I swear I could’ve used more self-control but with Summer, all of my control seem to fly out the door. She was the only person in the world who could get me to abandon everything just to spend time with her. Ever since childhood, she was my only confidante and friend whom I could tell anything to, cry in front of, and be completely myself with.
I guess that was one reason why I love Summer so much. No one else was like her. No one else can compare to her.
When she came up with the excuse to have sex with me, to act like we were together as we were years ago before I left and disappeared, leaving Drew to be with Summer, I thought it was crazy. But then again, it made some sense.
I was using the same tactic, only tamer, which would seem unbelievable in front of Drew. This, having sex, being passionate with Summer all the time, this was more authentic. Believable. Real. Even Raw. What Summer felt for me. What I felt for her. It was real…for all these years. Pushing that rawness into Drew’s face, well, hell, pushing that into anyone’s face would show there was no denying the powerful passion and feelings between Summer and I. It was always there, but Summer suppressed it. I tried to suppress it, but instead ran away from it. Something so strong and electric like that between two people…maybe. Just maybe Summer’s plan may work out, and Drew will remember Summer. Like an electric shock, the voltage would be so high, he would be shocked out of his shell.
But what if it worked too well, and they do get back together again? Was I ready for that heartbreak I ran away from years ago?
Hold on, Man, I told myself. I was not that same inexperienced kid I was when I was dating Summer. I was a Man of the World and tough as steel now. I could handle heartbreak. I could handle being used by Summer for sex only just to make Drew jealous.
Better me than some other man, that was for sure.
If it was another man Summer uses to make Drew jealous…kissing and even touching, I would lose my mind and beat that man into a pulp.
At the same time, the plan defied all logic. Defied everything I believed or thought I believed was for Drew’s best interest.
This time, despite believing this was for Drew…saying this was for Drew, I think this time of all times, it was for Summer. Yes, this was for Summer’s best interest.
She wanted to do this. She was in control, not me. Not Drew. I finally believed this was all for Summer.
As I was trying to reason with myself with what happened, what was going to happen, the very person I was thinking about walked into my office where I was conferring with Luis and Hector on our latest mission…which was finding the maker of the coma medicine.
Standing with them was our head medical expert, Dr. Wilhelm Turk or “The Turk” as we called him because of his unconventional medical practices which was highly controversial but sought after so much so that he became a commodity on the Black Market between countries who wanted to develop bio technology (aka superhumans). He was the lead scientist in superhuman research until he went too far for conventional medicine. Just like many of my hired guns at the compound, he went under the radar and private. Now he had a lab, an unbelievable salary, and the support of a group of men who believed in the same cause.
Use our intellect, experiences, talents, expertise, and whatever resources we have to better humankind and the planet.
We thought of ourselves as heroes. We wouldn’t be risking our lives and giving up everything for this cause if we didn’t have a kind of hero complex, wouldn’t we?
Dr. Turk was looking at the large movie theater-sized screen displaying the photo of a man dressed in fatigues, his hair grey, long, shaggy. He sported an equally shaggy and long grey beard. Whoever he was, he was almost unrecognizable as he was completely covered up in a head scarf and wearing oversized sunglasses.
“We call him The Yeti,” Dr. Turk said.
“Fitting,” I said. “He looks like one.” I looked over at Hector. “Any other photos of The Yeti, but one that shows him, um,” I gestured with my hands over my face, “uncovered?”
Hector shook his head, his greasy black shoulder length hair falling over his harden weathered face. He had the face only a mother could love, poor guy. I knew his real age, but Hector also had the face of a man time forgot. You couldn’t tell if he was a young man who had fallen asleep in the desert to emerge looking like a raisin or if he was an old man who had bad fashion taste and wanted to dress like some 1980s padded shoulder vice cop.
“Sorry Boss, The Yeti’s as elusive as, um, a yeti. He knows how to make himself disappear that’s for sure. I’ve searched all over. CCTVs, internet, medical records, everywhere you’d think we could find info on people…he just doesn’t exist. Except for this photo.”
“Great,” I said. “Analyze that photo…where it was taken, who’s around him, time of day, how old this photo is…you know.”
“Gotcha,” Hector said.
Luis, who had been going with me on the last couple of missions to Asia and South America searching for The Dragon before, and whom I had tested his loyalty, stood up. All 6 foot 3 of him.
“I’ll get our gear and pack up,” he said. He glanced over at Summer and looked back at me. “Now that it’s a Code 4, are we taking a civilian?”
Code 4 was the term we used to classify the level of danger of each mission. It range from Code 1 which was barely any danger to Code 7, which was just about a Suicide Mission. Code 4 was dangerous enough to consider a backup team armed to the hilt.
Summer looked alarmed. Bright girl. She knew we weren’t just taking a stroll along the Champs de Elysee.
“I’m going with you, Nat, aren’t I? That was the plan…for me to talk doctor to doctor with…”
“The Yeti,” I said. “That’s who the doctor is, Summer, and by the way we nicknamed him…he’s no ordinary doctor.”
“He’s the man in that photo,” Summer said. “I could handle meeting him. If he holds the answer to Drew’s cure, then I’ll have to.”
I was proud of Summer for being persistent and brave, but at the same time, I felt a tinge of jealousy. She was still on the mission to find Drew’s cure. She still wanted to be with him after being with me yesterday.
“Summer, the Yeti, is hard to find. There’s a reason for it,” I said. “He doesn’t want to be found. No one can blame him since he’s wanted all over…mostly by men who wouldn’t think twice about killing someone to get what they want. The Yeti’s developed far more drugs than the one administered to Drew. Some are so hot on the black market, people have died fighting over them.” I stopped as I watched Summer’s eyes widen with intense curiosity instead of fear.
“Go on,” Summer said. “Tell me more.”
“He’s like the modern day witch doctor or a version of an alchemist. You saw what his drug did to Drew. Could bring an almost dead man back to life.” I looked over at Dr. Turk and Luis who was listening.
“If he is in such demand by the most evil and devious minds out there, we need to provide him protection and shelter,” Dr. Turk said. “He would be an incredible resource to our work here.”
“I agree,” Summer said. “That kind of brilliance cannot fall into the wrong hands.”
“So you see…” I looked at Summer. “It could get dangerous.”
Summer sniffed. “I’ve already been through more dangerous situations than even a harden cop. And I’ve survived all of them up to now. It had to be for a reason. Plus, I’m tired of being a victim, Nat. I’m tired of being protected, and still becoming some kind of damsel in distress to you and Drew. It’s time I handle things on my own. Stop being the victim.” She gave me one intense gaze and said, “Believe
it or not, I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve as well.”
Luis and Dr. Turk smiled.
I was taken aback a bit too, but deep down, I knew Summer was tougher than she looked.
“I guess we are bringing a civilian,” Luis said, convinced by Summer herself she would hold her own on this dangerous mission. “I’ll prepare the jet for extra rations and other things.” He winked at Summer and left.
Luis…when he said “other things…” I wondered what he meant.
Dr. Turk looked relieved. “For a moment there, I thought I had to go on this mission. I’m an old man. I’ve had my share of close encounters. Let’s say I’ve been in the Yeti’s shoes years ago before Nat rescued me and brought me here. For that I am forever grateful, but not grateful enough to go out there again to look for The Yeti.”
Summer patted his arm and said, “Glad I can go instead. If you want me to perform some of the duties you were supposed to, show me so I can still get what you need accomplished there. I’m Summer, and if Nat haven’t told you about me, I’m a medical doctor…a neurosurgeon in Los Angeles. I may be young, but I’m already a regular doctor on call at one of the busiest hospitals in the nation.”
Dr. Turk looked over at me and grinned. “Smart and beautiful, Nat. She was worth waiting all these years for, young man. The pretty girl in that photo…it’s her, isn’t she?”
I felt embarrassed for the first time in a long while as Summer’s mouth fell open and she laughed happily.
I put my arm around Summer and pulled her in for a kiss. It felt natural, and although Summer stiffen a little bit but relaxed, I pulled her closer. “She is, this is the woman I left everything behind for.”
Summer blushed but allowed me to pull her into my chest for a tight hug.
Dr. Turk smiled, got up, and left, saying he had to get back to work.
I barely heard him since Summer was in my arms. I was holding her after dreaming of holding her for so long. I couldn’t contain my wonder as I took in her scent, nuzzling my nose into her hair. The pad of my thumb was already caressing her cheeks. She was so soft, so sweet.
Then she was looking into my eyes. A look of longing. Of hunger.
“I think we can repeat what happened yesterday,” I said awkwardly. Damn, why was I suddenly stammering?
Summer playfully touched my nose with her finger. “That’ll have to wait, Player,” she said. “Right now…I’m starved, and if I don’t get anything to eat, I’ll faint.”
My stomach growled in response. We had forgotten to eat all day yesterday and this morning.
I was forgetting things. I was not my usual self. I felt giddy. Even lightheaded. It was a different feeling from the longing passionate to die for love I had for Summer as a boy. This time, it was a kind of joy and happiness for just being alive.
Summer was back, from her depth of sadness, and so was I. Things were different. A little better.
Chapter 5
Summer
Excitement filled my entire body as I thought of the mission ahead of us. So this was how Nat felt when he was about to embark on some amazing world-changing adventure.
For the first time in my life, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. I felt lighter. Hopeful.
No longer stuck at a hospital waiting to be called in to perform one of the most highly stressful jobs each and every time. No longer having the weight of trying to keep my aunt’s legacy alive at the Acting Academy I inherited to run.
No longer the girl the boys decided who was going to be with whom, but the one who would be deciding.
With the re-alignment of the stars, my fate had once again changed.
Drew’s condition had led me here…to this moment where I was now a part of a team to bring the brightest and talented medical minds together to work on causes for humankind that were greater than us.
I felt freedom and even a sense of purpose.
Even the fact it would be dangerous made me want to go on this mission more than ever.
It wasn’t about being whose girl I was but more about standing up and out on my own.
“So…what would you like to eat?” Nat asked, looking down at me. “We can eat with the rest of the guys at the restaurants and commissary or we can eat at my quarters.”
I swore his voice had an undercurrent of desire in it.
“If we eat at your quarters, you know where that would lead us,” I said.
Nat grinned. “I have a gourmet kitchen there I want to put to good use. How about I make you lunch?”
Nat putting his culinary talents to use for me was something I didn’t want to miss. At the Pad, he made breakfast all the time along with Drew, I missed those days. I missed seeing that Nat, who was happy cooking up a storm.
“Alright, Nat,” I said happily. “I’d love that.”
“Then come with me,” Nat said, taking my hand and pulling me along gently back to his quarters.
And as soon as we stepped into his place, the air was tight and thick with that sexual tension.
“Nat…” I could barely get a word out when Nat pushed me against the wall and crushed his lips on mine.
“Sorry Summer,” Nat said, “but I can’t help myself. I am not going to let a moment of opportunity go by when I have you all to myself to not do something about my incredible lust for you.”
His tongue plunged into my mouth, prying it wide for him to plunder. I was lost in his passionate kiss. Lost in his hands holding me tight against the wall, lifting my arms up to surrender myself to him.
“God I want you,” Nat groaned, unbuttoning my pants and pulling down my jeans. He slipped down to the ground, grabbed my thighs with each hand to position me in front of his face, pulled my bare crotch to his mouth and sucked me hard. I closed my eyes and groaned, “Nat, oh my God. This…You…so so good.”
“I’m making up for lost time, Summer,” Nat rumbled against my clit, sending ripples of pleasure through me.
“At this rate, we’ll never get to eat,” I joked.
Another rumble, and Nat said, “I’m eating right now. This is what I want. I can eat you all day, Summer. Sit back and enjoy it.”
I did and then it was Nat’s turn while I got my fill. Nat had become a skillful lover, much more skillful and experienced at pleasing a woman than he was when we were teens. He had picked up some mind-blowing techniques from Asia and even a few in Europe…which he was using on me to my utmost pleasure.
I was bent over, half twisted around when he plunged into me, sending me into ecstasy. We both felt it…that connecting of the mind and all senses. “Oh my Summer,” Nat cried out. “This is so much better than I have ever imagined.” He began slowly pounding into me, his fingers working on me in slow luxurious circles.
It wasn’t enough.
I wanted more. He sensed it, and began pounding harder and harder until we both cried out each other’s names and came at the same time.
Afterwards, he kissed me and held me.
“Summer,” Nat said. “Now I’m satisfied. I don’t need any food to tide me over. Just you.”
“I wish I can say the same, but…” my stomach growled, and Nat laughed.
He slowly got out of bed and walked over to his modern contemporary closet, which looked like it was suited more for a New York penthouse. He quickly got dressed in a black t-shirt and track pants which brought out his muscles.
It didn’t matter what he wore, he looked good in everything.
“If you’ll excuse me, Summer,” Nat said. “I’ll go whip up some food. As for clothes…you already know I have your room stocked with clothes from your favorite designers. Take your time getting ready.” He checked his phone. “Luis has everything prepared. We’re set to leave tomorrow morning. As for tonight, we’re having a low-key dinner with Drew and Rachel. Away from the compound. We’re going someplace nice so you’ll want to wear something appropriate.”
“Oh, that sounds intriguing,” I said. “I’ll look through the closet to see who you think
are my favorite designers. I love it when a man knows how to dress a woman. Let’s see how you would dress me?”
Nat grinned and walked out of his room, leaving me alone to take a shower in his oversized chrome and glass bathroom. He had everything organized and neat. Even his supply of designer bodywash, reflected his sophisticated cosmopolitan style. Nat had really grown up over the years.
I chose a vanilla orange scented bodywash, which I thought was a bit more gender-neutral, and relished in a hot relaxing shower.
When I was done, I wrapped myself in one of his large fluffy towels and made my way out of his room, headed to my room past the kitchen and living room.
Nat was setting the kitchen table as I tried to walk past him to my room. “I see you’ve found the bodywash I got for you,” he said walking over and blocking my path. He put his arm around me and led me over to the chair he had pulled out for me to sit. “Brunch is served,” he said, opening up the silver platters covering our dishes.
He had made lobster omelette with potato pancakes, and a strawberry walnut salad.
Next to the plates was a basket filled with soft freshly-baked popovers and a small tub of raspberry butter.
My eyes lit up! It was a sophisticated grown up version of the kind of breakfasts Nat used to cooked for me at the Pad.
“Nat!” I cried. “This looks so good. I can’t wait to dig in, but first…I have to get changed, and…” While Nat was fully dressed in his outfit, I was only wearing a towel.
With Nat looking at me from head-to-toe, his eyes taking in every part of me, I felt very aware I was completely naked underneath.
“I thought you were famished,” he said, sitting down next to me and moving closer.