Hostile Ground

by Cara Carnes

  Kristof leaned in and kissed her lips. “Thank you for including him. Today is a new beginning for us all.”

  It was. Anticipation hummed through her veins.

  24

  Kristof loaded the packed picnic basket onto the small boat. Anticipation warred with unease when he made his way across the yacht’s deck and found his quarry.

  “Are you gonna let that little fish kick your ass?” Shep taunted.

  “Shut it,” Johnny growled as he worked his fishing pole. “You haven’t done much better.”

  “That’s because he’s not even trying,” Addy said with a grin. She sipped her beer. As if sensing his presence, her gaze cut to him. Her eyes softened when she smiled outright. “Hey. I was wondering where you disappeared to.”

  “I had a few things to gather,” he replied. “I have a surprise for you.”

  Addy’s eyebrows lifted. Beast and Thunder both chuckled. She punched Cracker’s shoulder when he joined in.

  “What kind of surprise?” She sing-songed the words. Each one surged blood into his dick.

  This was the playful Addison he’d fantasized about often. Relaxed. Comfortable. Curious.

  He moved forward, stood between her legs and wrapped his arms around her. Silky hair streamed through his fingers as he pressed her head against his torso. “I’m kidnapping you.”

  “Oh? Not sure it’s a smart move to warn me,” she teased. “I’m pretty good at taking an opponent down, you know.”

  “Are you going to resist?” His dick hardened. Their mock wrestling last night had been brief because of his injuries. Once he was healed…

  He took a deep breath as the realization hit him. He’d already come to terms with the decision to leave Russia because he couldn’t imagine a life without Addy. She was worth the risk of starting over.

  “Not sure a kidnapping is a smart play,” Marshall said as he joined the group. “We should stick together in case there are some targets still out there.”

  Kristof tightened. He’d expected a disagreement but hadn’t thought about the potential risk of his plan. All he’d wanted was some time alone with Addy.

  “They’ll be fine,” Beast said. He took a pull from his beer. “Go. Relax. Do whatever. We don’t want the details.”

  “She’s got a tracker and they can both handle themselves,” Gage said as he joined the group. Arms crossed, he looked at Kristof. “We may as well talk about this now. Jesse thinks Olaf should wait another two or three days before coming to The Arsenal. Mary agrees.”

  Marshall’s eyebrows furrowed. “I wasn’t expecting that. Another three days here wasn’t the plan.”

  “It still isn’t,” Gage said. “I think we should pack our teams up and head back home. Kristof and Addy can cover security here.”

  “We aren’t leaving her behind,” Beast said.

  A gleam appeared in Gage’s gaze when it returned to Kristof. His eyebrow lifted, a silent challenge for him to weigh in. He didn’t understand why the man was suggesting all the teams leave without Addy, but Kristof was fully on board with the idea.

  “My men and Gavriil’s can provide any additional protection needed,” Kristof said. “They’ve proven they’re up to the challenge.”

  “They have,” Shep said with a sigh. He glanced over at Addy, who’d kept her head rested against his stomach. “What are you thinking, Red?”

  “I want to stay. Kristof and I can take care of ourselves.”

  “Addy, that’s not a good idea,” Marshall said.

  “It’s not your call. We’ve all been on assignment awhile now and need some decompression time.” She pulled away. “I’ll stay here until Olaf’s ready to travel.”

  Thunder ran his hand down his face. Johnny abandoned his fishing pole and glowered. Kristof kept silent despite the debate poised on his tongue. Addy was more than an operative and deserved time away from her work. Surely everyone gathered around her realized that.

  They didn’t fully trust him.

  “A couple of days away from everyone isn’t much of an ask,” Gage said. “They can let us know if they run into trouble.”

  “That’s not the problem,” Marshall said. “It’s against my nature to leave anyone alone.”

  “She won’t be alone.” Kristof touched her shoulder. “I’ll protect her with my life.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Addy clipped. Her gaze narrowed as she peered up at him. “Was this why Gavriil offered the yacht today?”

  “No. I decided to commandeer some time alone with you. This is the first I’m hearing about the delay for Olaf’s departure.” He stroked her cheek. “I’m not ashamed to admit I want time alone with you, away from the mission. No pressure. It’s your choice.”

  “Then I’ll stay.”

  Marshall nodded. “I’ll let everyone know. We’ll likely leave early in the morning.”

  “Understood,” Kristof said. “I’ll make sure and have her back before you leave. Maksim will see to Olaf until we return.” Anticipation hummed within his veins when Addy stood and waved goodbye to her team and the other Arsenal operatives on the yacht. He felt like a teenager sneaking out of his home as they made their way to the small boat he’d packed.

  She offered a hesitant smile when she took his hand and interlaced their fingers. Awareness arced through him. “Kidnapping me, huh?”

  “Seemed like a good idea.” He turned to face her. “I want time alone with you, but if you want to wait, we will.”

  “No.” She shook her head and splayed her hand on his chest. “I want time alone with you, too. It’s been a long time since I…”

  “The missions always take priority,” he guessed.

  “It’s easy to forget there’s a life outside of what we do.”

  He brushed his lips across hers and ignored the slight discomfort the contact created. “Then let’s go and live.”

  “You cheated!” Addy shouted the accusation and kicked water in Kristof’s direction. Laughter rolled from her as her bare feet sank into the lake’s bottom. Water lapped around her ankles.

  Kristof charged toward her. A squeal escaped her as he grasped her about the waist and kicked behind her knees. Shock filled her, but firm hands gripped her as she settled near the edge of the water.

  Amusement glimmered in his eyes as he looked down at her. Confidence and happiness resonated within his smile and melted away what few worries had remained within her brain. The past couple of hours had been…

  Magical.

  The sun crawled into its home and cast its departure across the sky in brilliant bursts of color. She smiled as she enjoyed the view a moment, then returned her gaze to the intense man looming above her.

  “You look pretty pleased with yourself, cheater.” She ran her fingers through his hair.

  “All’s fair in war,” he teased. “I believe I’m owed a prize.”

  Desire fanned through her when they kissed. He settled a thigh between hers and groaned when she arched upward, rubbing herself against him. Trailing kisses along his jawline, she ran her hands down his chest and grinned as she flipped them.

  “Vixen.” He laughed and gripped her hips.

  “All’s fair in war,” she taunted. “Let’s see what I have to work with.”

  Reaching for the button of his shorts, she undid them. An appreciative moan escaped her as she grasped his hard length in her hand. “Not bad. I think I can work with this.”

  Kristof lifted his hips and helped her remove his shorts. Removing her top, she stood long enough to remove the rest of her clothes. Arousal beaded along her skin when she straddled him.

  “So beautiful,” he whispered as he cupped her breasts. “Your skin is so sensitive I’m afraid I’ll mar it.”

  “I’m tougher than I look.” She grasped his hard cock and ground herself against the shaft. The friction of skin-on-skin contact sent a zing of need through her. “I can’t wait, not this time.”

  “That’s what we said the last time,” he said as he
tweaked her hard nipples. “You’re in my blood. I won’t ever get enough of you.”

  She reached over and grabbed his shorts, feeling around in the pockets until she found the condom she sought. Setting it on his chest, she shimmied downward and licked the tip of his dick.

  “Addison.” He grabbed her hair and moaned as she took more of him into her mouth.

  Need pulsated within her, pooling arousal between her legs. They’d had sex on the small boat, then again once they’d arrived in the secluded inlet. They’d yet to eat whatever he’d packed in the basket.

  She licked and sucked his cock as she played with his balls. The firm grip in her hair quickened her pulse. Unlike most men she’d been with in the past, Kristof had no problem letting her take the lead even though he was clearly a dominant lover.

  Hers.

  Possessiveness rolled through her in a tidal wave of pleasure. Would she ever sate the need he incited?

  “Rub your clit for me,” he ordered. “I want to watch you come before you take my dick.”

  Addy kissed his cock one last time. Settling her ass on his thighs, she smiled down at him as she played with her breasts. “I like when you suck them.”

  “Lean down and I will.”

  “Next time,” she taunted as she caressed her ribs, then angled downward until her fingers rolled along her sensitive clit. “I love when you taste me. No one’s ever…”

  She closed her eyes as the unfinished admission hung between them. Even though she’d been with a lot of men, she’d never enjoyed sex like this. It had always either been a part of the job or a need she fulfilled when necessary.

  Until Kristof.

  He wasn’t an itch she could scratch. He’d burrowed beneath her skin and become a part of her, a presence she wanted to nourish. Love.

  “Look at me, Addison,” he whispered.

  Intensity resonated within his eyes when their gazes locked. “It feels like you look into my soul.”

  “Because you own mine,” he said. “It’s just you and me. Nothing from the past will ever hurt us again.”

  Addy took the condom and ripped it open. Rolling the condom into place, she sighed her contentment as she guided him into her. His deft fingers teased her clit, driving her deeper into the pleasure. She quickened the tempo, riding him harder and faster as need overtook her fully.

  She clutched as his forearms, then his lower stomach as she spiraled into the abyss. “Kristof.”

  He growled and spun them, settling on his knees behind her when she landed on all fours. Shock stilled her as flashes from the past filled her mind.

  “Addy?”

  “No. Not like this,” she said. Licking her lips, she calmed her breathing. “I need to see you.”

  “My sweet Addy,” he whispered as he stroked her back. He shifted them until she was on her back and faced him. Kisses along her jawline, then down her neck fanned the desire.

  The tidal wave of pleasure returned as he thrust into her once again. Legs wrapped around him, she grasped his ass and kissed his face, his chest. His release followed her second.

  They collapsed onto one another, their labored breaths filling the air between them. Sweat dampened her skin and hair. Smiling, she settled into his side and coiled her legs between his.

  “You’re amazing,” she whispered.

  “It’s never been like this with anyone else.”

  “Me neither.”

  He finger-combed her hair and looked down at her. “Who hurt you?”

  Tightness filled her chest. The urge to look away from the intensity in his eyes rode her hard, but she stood her ground. Denial poised on her tongue but lying to Kristof felt…wrong. She didn’t want deceit between them.

  She wasn’t sure if there was a them beyond Russia, but if there was, he deserved the truth. “Some of my Hive assignments were difficult.”

  “I wish I could’ve killed the bastard so he would’ve suffered.”

  Peter. Addy forced a deep breath. “He’s dead. That’s what matters.”

  “Don’t belittle what he made you do.” Kristof caressed her back. “Someone raped you.”

  “I was young, too scared to do what needed to be done.” Addy swallowed. “I never really realized it, but I haven’t had sex facing away from someone since then.”

  “You kept control.”

  Addy nodded. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t ever apologize for what you feel.” He lifted her chin. “Don’t ever hide your fears from me. They’re mine to battle, just as mine are yours.”

  “Are they?” Hesitation filled her voice. “What are we doing? Is there a future for us? How will that work?”

  “However it must. We spent too much of our life separated, forced into hells we survived. Now that you’re back in my life, I’m not letting go. Ever.”

  “I can’t leave The Arsenal. They’re too important to me, and the work I do there…it helps heal me. I know that sounds weird.”

  “It doesn’t,” Kristof said. “I’d never ask you to leave the family you’ve built. I’m only asking that I be part of it.”

  “You are,” she admitted. “I can’t imagine walking away from this. From you.”

  “Then we’ll make it work. There’s nothing keeping me here in Russia.”

  “It’s your home,” she whispered.

  “My home will be wherever you and Olaf are. You are the most important thing in my life, Addy. It’s taken me too long to see that, and even longer to admit it to myself and to you.”

  Addy felt the same but couldn’t voice the thoughts swirling in her head. She’d already admitted more than she’d expected. All that mattered was that he knew she wanted a future with him, however they could make it work.

  And they would.

  Somehow.

  Kristof smiled when Addy wandered into the small kitchen wearing his shirt. Blood surged to his cock. They’d made love all night and laughed over shared memories. Too few happy moments they’d both tucked away and kept hidden.

  “I can’t believe you have this place. It’s beautiful.” Addy wrapped her arms around his bare waist and rested her head against his back. “Good morning. You should’ve woken me.”

  “You needed the rest. I wore you out last night,” he teased. He diced tomatoes and glanced over at the bacon cooking on the stove. “I hope you’ve worked up an appetite. Breakfast will be ready soon.”

  “You cook?” Addy pulled away and snagged bits of the cheese he’d shredded earlier. “I’ll warn you now. I suck in the kitchen.”

  Kristof chuckled. “I enjoy cooking for you. I’m not the best, but I’m decent. Mama taught me when I was younger.”

  He’d always felt closer to her when he was in the kitchen preparing one of the few dishes he’d learned from her. Sharing that with Addy felt right. Mama would’ve loved her. So much.

  “Maybe you can show me how.” She rested her hip against the counter. Warmth drifted in her gaze. “Where did all the food come from?”

  “A friend of mine keeps the place stocked with a few essentials. I haven’t been out here in a long time.” He set the knife down. “No one’s been out here except for Maksim.”

  “And your mysterious friend.”

  “She’s eighty,” Kristof offered with a grin. “I bought this place from her after her husband died. Remaining out here wasn’t an option. Her son is one of my soldiers. It was a win-win for us all.”

  Sadness sank into her face. “It’s too beautiful to give up.”

  “There’s nothing I won’t gladly walk away from. This place and all the others are reminders of what I’ve done the past two decades. I finally have a chance to live my life however I choose to.”

  “You deserve that.”

  “And so do you.” He grasped her waist. “Have you ever thought about what life you want outside of your work?”

  Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

  “We shared a lot of whimsical dreams as children in that camp.” He remembered
them all even though some had been outlandish and impossible.

  “I don’t see either of us becoming pirates or royalty anytime soon.” She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m happy with what I’m doing.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with that, but the work you do doesn’t prevent you from having more.” With him.

  Kristof wanted a future with Addy. Marriage. Children.

  Love.

  The emotion filled him so full he had no room left inside him for the ugliness of his past. She’d eviscerated all the pain and drowned out the anger and darkness. How had she crawled inside him so quickly?

  Because she’d never left.

  He’d always carried her within him, a reminder of what he’d once been. The man he could’ve become if his father hadn’t destroyed his life. Now that the bastard was dead, Kristof had the chance to forge his own future—one he intended to carve out with Addy.

  But the unease crawling within her thinned lips and wary eyes warned him she wasn’t ready to traverse that path. Yet. He’d get her there, though. They’d both endured too much for him to back away from the possibility of having a life with her.

  “I have a few properties in the US. A few others around the world,” Kristof said. “I’ll probably keep them. Maksim and I worked hard to secure them, hide their existence from Father and our other enemies.”

  “You have other enemies?”

  “None who will be a problem.” He moved away from her and pulled the potatoes from the pan. Picking up the eggs he’d prepared earlier, he poured them into the skillet. He hadn’t had the time to make fresh bread and doubted it’d taste as good as whatever the local market offered. He wanted the best for Addy. “I want to show you my homes.”

  “I’d like that,” she whispered. “I heard your mountain retreat Zoey and Gage and Jesse saw was pretty cool.”

  “Ah, yes. It was one of the first I purchased. The wilderness reminded me of you, the times we’d wander around in the woods and pretend we weren’t in that vile camp.”